We may receive a commission when you use our links. Monkey Miles has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Monkey Miles and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. We appreciate you using our links!!!
Ends August 27th
Hyatt is currently selling their points with a 40% bonus which equates to 1.7 cents a piece until 8/27. The whole idea around buying points is that you do it to shore up your account for a booking you want to make, or you do it to completely pay for a trip you want to take where the price of buying points is less than the rate you’d pay in cash. I’d never advise speculatively buying points just to buy points, but it can make a lot of sense used strategically. Let’s take a look at some examples.
Here’s a look at the pricing – 40% bonus kicks in at 5k:
Often times bonus points, regardless of the program, will tier the offer with large purchases getting the biggest bonus. This one…starts at just 5k points. Great deal.
The strategy: Buying Points < Paid Rate.
I purchased points for a trip I took a few weeks ago. I actually had enough Chase Ultimate Rewards to transfer in, so why did I buy? I’d already transferred 60k Ultimate Rewards into my Hyatt account, and would rather save 30k more for a premium flight redemption. I’ll walk you through my thinking, and how it gave me roughly double in value.
I used points to stay at one of Hyatt’s new Alila hotels in Bali. Specifically the Alila Villas Uluwatu where the entry level room is 3k sq ft pool villa that costs $1k a night ( it says $830 but after fees and taxes…$1k+)
Let me just say…it was an unreal experience and totally worth the price.
I used this 40% bonus to buy 30k points for a little over $500 and not tax the 20+% in taxes and fees. That means I’m buying for 1.7c, but redeeming for 3.5c, give or take. Doubling my value.
You still earn Status on award stays.
If you didn’t already know this, by using points, you aren’t sacrificing those elusive Elite Nights that you need to gain/retain status for next year. Hyatt now counts award nights towards status. In fact, most of your Elite benefits are extended to you when staying on an award night. Pretty sweet if you ask me.
Recap
- Do you need points?
- Can you get more value for the points than your purchase price?
- If so…this could be a great deal for you.
1 Comment