Bonvoy Points Value

[DRH90277]

I have several certificates to purchase 330K points for $2275. Is this a good deal? Or should I pass? Thanks

Bonvoy points are next to worthless and even Marriott hotel properties often restrict their use or inflate the number of points required for a reservation. Cash is king, so use your $2,275 for something of real value.

If you really want to buy Bonvoy points at $0.0069, list them for sale and see how may would even pay you over $0.0025.

 

[vacationtime1]

Bonvoy points are next to worthless and even Marriott hotel properties often restrict their use or inflate the number of points required for a reservation. Cash is king, so use your $2,275 for something of real value.

If you really want to buy Bonvoy points at $0.0069, list them for sale and see how may would even pay you over $0.0025.

+1 -- although I would pay $0.0025/point

 

[DRH90277]

+1 -- although I would pay $0.0025/point

There is an article in the Wall Street Journal today about the hotel points programs, the diminishing values, etc.

There are some quite good and simple 2% or better cash rebate programs out there on some credit cards. My consistent 2% with the Fidelity Investment card works just fine for me.

A week or so ago, I was trying to get some Marriott Hotel reservations for a cross-country drive for our college students. The Bonvoy point cost was ridiculous, so I looked at Best Western "cash" rates. They were great stays, at nice properties with breakfasts. Sorry Marriott, but this Lifetime Platinum Elite member has found a great alternative.

The Platinum Elite badge has lost its luster for me.

 

[GLehman]

I just had a learning experience booking a couple of nights at the Sheraton Kauai Resort. They have an ocean front room available for 153,000 points, 76,000 for the first night and 77,000 for the second night. Perfect for using my 85k free night award certificates I thought. When I called to make the reservation and apply the award certificates, I discovered that no, the certificates were not good for this room because it is considered a "Redemption with Points Upgrade" room. Huh? Does anyone want an award certificate? Oh sorry, Marriott won't let me give them away either. I tried to do that for my daughter on one of her recent trips. This is my last year with the Marriott AMEX Brilliant card.

I'm staying at a Hilton in Japan this week. The hotel is full and they automatically upgraded me to an ocean view room with a terrace even though I'm paying the lowest discounted military rate. The Diamond level upgrades are very nice and they definitely have the edge over Marriott properties for me these days.

 

[dioxide45]

I just had a learning experience booking a couple of nights at the Sheraton Kauai Resort. They have an ocean front room available for 153,000 points, 76,000 for the first night and 77,000 for the second night. Perfect for using my 85k free night award certificates I thought. When I called to make the reservation and apply the award certificates, I discovered that no, the certificates were not good for this room because it is considered a "Redemption with Points Upgrade" room. Huh? Does anyone want an award certificate? Oh sorry, Marriott won't let me give them away either. I tried to do that for my daughter on one of her recent trips. This is my last year with the Marriott AMEX Brilliant card.

I'm staying at a Hilton in Japan this week. The hotel is full and they automatically upgraded me to an ocean view room with a terrace even though I'm paying the lowest discounted military rate. The Diamond level upgrades are very nice and they definitely have the edge over Marriott properties for me these days.

I understand that the free night certificates can only be used for a standard room. Even though it is good for more points, you can't use it for a better view or better room even though the cert is valued at enough points to cover it. You really have to use the certs where the cheapest room is a lot of points.

 

[VacationForever]

I lucked out recently, booking at St. Regis in Singapore using Bonvoy points for a week. It was 267K and it allowed me to top up 2 credit card certificates. Cash was about $3K. Since then, the points have gone up to 350K for the week, and cash has also gone up to $4K. I got 1.1 cents per point for my reservation. So if you have specific use and get better value than what you are paying for, then buy it.