Wanttobe5StarElite
newbie
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- Jun 28, 2015
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No worries. That's what the forums are for. Sharing of opinions and perspectives.
$16000 spend would get $320 cashback to spend on the room. And that would earn you 960 StarPoints at checkout.
As you say that stay is a StarPoints wash.
Now the 32000 I dropped on on a Sat and Sun at Weston St John to extend that stay instead of $559 a night. That's sweet value.
There you go - Because of your background, I think you have a far more analytical view of timesharing than most Tuggers, and that is why your approach is getting a lukewarm reception.
Don't take it personally - I think that most people view timesharing as more of an Art, than a Science, because personal preference plays a huge role in the perception of value.
Unless you are spending on Starwood hotels or MF, earning on the card is 1:1.It is 16000 points, not $...
There you go - Because of your background, I think you have a far more analytical view of timesharing than most Tuggers, and that is why your approach is getting a lukewarm reception.
Don't take it personally - I think that most people view timesharing as more of an Art, than a Science, because personal preference plays a huge role in the perception of value.
I could not agree more. I don't necessarily want to go to the places with the highest redemption because that is when it is often most crowded. I am okay considering points a discount on a room or flight and would rather just spend them than save them.
This, and that most have us have had this journey already in one form or another - with variations on this theme. And, you are not the first to discuss these topics - many of us have 'advised' before. Sometimes successfully - sometimes not. Sometimes we learn something new, and sometimes come to new awareness on our journey.
I am in an analytical profession as well, but luckily (for me) mine combines science, math and art - and not just math. Making optimal decisions built upon imperfect information is inherently problematic and confounding - which I think matches the SP cost/value evaluation exercise quite well. As I often discuss with my pure math colleagues (Modeling&Simulation)... depending purely on the numbers (math) can be a mistake when presented with imperfect data.
so... as I believe time=money and that can be highly variable for individuals - estimation of cost-value for a 'Typical' individual can not only be futile, it can also be misleading.
In this case - it is sometimes best to take a consensus view based on knowledge, then learn-confirm. I would not buy SPs at 2.25 cents/SP - others would.
The best use of SP (from a $/SP) perspective is to use them outside the US (based on consensus and personal experience). Even these rates are high variable, but comparing them to the highest rate is the approach a SVO salesperson will always use to sell a VOI, and that is the worst scenario for the customer for purposes of comparison.
Nope. Not here. I am using 3000 points to stay at the Providence airport Sheraton on they way to the cape. Cheaper than cash.Totally agree. Hence for Cat 4 or above.
Even then, I try not to stay in Cat 4s, mainly Cat 5 and above, if it is an SPG hotel. (Unless it is for work, then Four Points are generally OK).
So even if the SPG nightly rate is 3000 points at say $150
Would rather stay at the 16000 points at say $400
Even though the math would say stay at the "cheaper" hotel...
That is where the value judgment takes place.
But in both instances, the COST of the Starpoints is still the same.
Therefore, if the topic keeps coming up, especially for newer guys like myself, then I think it would be good to have a sticky somewhere so that we can all refer to that master document, if "most everyone" agrees on the methodology.
Again, for COST, not VALUE.
Therefore, if the topic keeps coming up, especially for newer guys like myself, then I think it would be good to have a sticky somewhere so that we can all refer to that master document, if "most everyone" agrees on the methodology.
Again, for COST, not VALUE.
I would suspect the reason a sticky on this topic is unnecessary is due to the obviousness of the issue at hand. Of course points cost money, in some form or another. This is obvious.
Sent from my iPad
Cost can be viewed in two ways:
Way number 2: Minimum Cash flow cost. There are a number of opportunities out there to "manufacture" spend on a credit card which artificially generates points at no cost or very little cost. One example of this was the US circulating $1 Coin program where some people orderd hundreds of thousands or more in one dollar coins (shipped to them for free) (http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB126014168569179245).
Way number 2 seems like an extreme way to do things.
Way number 2 seems like an extreme way to do things.
Way number 2 gave me:
2 business class tickets to Paris
2 nights in the Waldorf Astoria Versailles
1 night in the Hilton by CDG
4 Nights in the Paris Etoil SPG property
I was pissed cause the Vendome westin was booked.Slumming, hun?![]()
Obvious = Points cost money. YES
How much actual money = Not so obvious.
Which is why, we all can't even agree on how to calculate the cost of the SPG Points.
Really. For the longest time the United Beneficial card in the UK gave miles on balance transfers and no charge for those transfers.Way number 2 seems like an extreme way to do things.
What do u value spg gold status?
@okwaiter
What do u value spg gold status?
Not much, maybe $50 per year. I am 5* PFL now though, that's probably worth $3-400 per year with my usage.