Which First Quarter Hotel Promotion is Best for You?

With Hyatt finally leaking their information on their early 2012 promotion, we have a complete look at hotel promotions for the next few months, at least for the “Big 5″ (Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, Priority Club, Starwood).  Of course, it can be tough keeping track of all these promotions, and harder still to determine which is best for you.

Here’s a quick recap of the current promotions:

• Hilton: MorePoints (1000 Bonus Points per night and 5000 Bonus Points if your reservation includes 2 consecutive weekend nights).  This is stackable with their everyday bonus of 1000 Bonus Points for a 2-night weekend stay when you choose their “Any Weekend, Anywhere” rate (7+ day advance notice, prepaid, non-refundable).  Also stackable with Double Miles.
• Hyatt: Stay More, Earn More, which involves bonus points in a tiered structure, starting with 4,000 bonus points after you stay at least 4 nights and ending at 44,000 bonus points for 16 nights during the promotion period.  Hyatt credit card holders earn 25% more bonus points.
• Marriott: Megabonus, where you earn one free night certificate (at category 1-4 hotels, redeemable through September 30) after every two stays, with a maximum of two stays.  After you earn your free nights, you can switch over to the MegaMiles promotion for 2000 bonus airline miles per stay.
• Priority Club: Stay X Nights, Earn Y Points, where you can earn 5000 bonus points after 3 nights up to 15,000 bonus points after 15 nights.  This is stackable with “2x More“, offering double points starting with your second stay.
• Starwood: Better by the Night, which gives double points on 2-night stays or triple points on stays of 3+ nights, though many properties are excluded.

So which promotion is the best fit for you?  Let’s look at three potential scenarios and run the math.  I’ll be looking at what a standard visitor will earn, based on no elite status (at least at the start of this promotion), no credit card holder bonus, and the typical earnings rate (i.e. in cases where certain properties differ in earnings structure, I’m taking the most common earnings rate…such as 10 points per dollar at most Marriott-family hotels vs. 5 points at Residence Inn).  I’m assuming all rooms are at an average cost of $150/night, but when you do your own analysis, substitute in whatever metrics are most relevant to you!

1. The Couple Looking for a Few Quick Weekend Getaways (Total of 2 Stays / 4 Nights / $600 Spent)
If Jack and Jill spend two weekends away, each with a 2-night stay, which promotion is best for them?  Marriott

• Hilton: Total Earnings of 22,000 HHonors Points and 2,000 Airline Miles.  This includes 6,000 Base Points, 1,000 Base Miles, 14,000 “MorePoints” bonus points, 2,000 “Any Weekend, Anywhere” bonus points, and 1,000 bonus miles due to earning double miles.
• Hyatt: Total Earnings of 7,000 Gold Passport Points.  This includes 3,000 Base Points and 4,000 Bonus Points.
• Marriott: Total Earnings of 6,000 Marriott Rewards Points and 2 Free Night Certificates.  This includes 6,000 Base Points and 2 Free Night Certificates.
• Priority Club: Total Earnings of 14,000 Priority Club Points.  This includes 6,000 Base Points and 5,000 Bonus Points from the “Stay X Nights” promotion, and 3,000 points from the 2x promotion.
• Starwood: Total Earnings of 1,200 SPG Points.  This includes 600 Base Points and 600 Bonus Points.

My thoughts: Two free nights is a pretty hefty incentive from Marriott.  Being able to redeem these certificates at up to a Category 4 hotel offers tons of options on destination,which is obviously a huge factor in usability.  You can snag just about any Fairfield Inn or Courtyard property with these certificates, and in the right destination, you might be able to live it up at a Renaissance or even a JW Marriott.  The September 30 expiration may be a bit of an issue for some travelers, but given the amount of eligible properties, I’d guess you’d be able to use the certificates for something without a problem.  Plus, those 6,000 points are enough for a PointStretcher reward at Category 1 hotels, so you may end up with 3 free nights if you play your cards right.  Hilton is a pretty close runner-up if you are able to redeem your points at low-end properties (you have almost enough points for 3 nights at a Category 1 hotel, though the list of properties is quite short), and obviously a few airline miles won’t hurt your case either

2. The Family on a Week-Long Vacation (Total of 2 Stays / 8 Nights / $1,200 Spent)
If the Smith family is going on a vacation for a week and plans to spend Saturday – Tuesday nights at one hotel and then Wednesday – Saturday nights at another hotel, which promotion is best for them? Marriott

• Hilton: Total Earnings of 32,000 HHonors Points and 2,000 Airline Miles.  This includes 12,000 base points, 1,000 base miles, 18,000 “MorePoints” bonus points, 2,000 “Any Weekend, Anywhere” points, and 1,000 bonus miles.
• Hyatt: Total Earnings of 18,000 Gold Passport Points.  This includes 6,000 base points and 12,000 bonus points.
• Marriott: Total Earnings of 12,000 Marriott Rewards Points and 2 Free Night Certificates.  This includes 12,000 base points and 2 free night certificates.
• Priority Club: Total Earnings of 28,000 Priority Club Points.  This inclues 12,000 base points, 10,000 bonus points from the “Stay X” promotion, and 6,000 bonus points from the “2x” promotion.
• Starwood: Total Earnings of 3,600 SPG Points.  This includes 1,200 base points and 2,400 bonus points.

My Thoughts: This is where the promotions start to equal out a little more, depending on how and where you want to use your points.  If you can find a low-level hotel in your favored destination and combine it with rotating specials like PointStretchers or PointBreaks hotels, you’ll earn enough points for several free nights at any chain other than Starwood.  However, assuming you’re at more of a mid-tier reward level, Marriott still wins with 2 free night certificates and potentially 1-2 more low-level nights by using points.  This time, Hyatt comes in a close second.  18,000 points will buy you 3 nights at a Category 1 hotel, 2 nights at a Category 2 hotel, or 1 night at an incredible Category 5 hotel.

3. The Road Warrior (Total of 8 Stays / 16 Nights/ $2,400 Spent)
If Mr. Wilson is away on business during the week on a semi-frequent basis with a multitude of 2-nights stays, which promotion is best for him? Hyatt

• Hilton: Total Earnings of 40,000 HHonors Points and 8,000 Airline Miles.  This includes 24,000 base points, 4,000 base miles, 16,000 “MorePoints” bonus points, and 4,000 bonus miles.  Although you’d qualify for silver status during this scenario even if you started from nothing, you won’t receive an elite bonus if your earnings are set to miles (in order to qualify for the Double Miles promotion).  If you wanted to forfeit the double miles once you reach silver status in order to earn extra points (including elite bonus) instead, you would earn 6,90o Hilton points, which I’d value roughly the same as the 2,000 bonus miles you’d give up.
• Hyatt: Total Earnings of 56,675 Gold Passport Points.  This includes 12,000 base points and 44,000 bonus points.You’d also earn 675 elite bonus points because even if you started from scratch, you’d still reach elite status partway through this scenario.
• Marriott: Total Earnings of 12,000 Marriott Rewards Points, 2 Free Night Certificates, and 10,400 Airline Miles.  This includes 12,000 base points, 2 free night certificates, as well as 2,400 base miles and 8,000 bonus miles for switching over to the MegaMiles promotion.  Even though you qualify for silver status during this scenario, you won’t receive an elite bonus if your earnings are set to miles (in order to qualify for the MegaMiles promotion).  Forfeiting the MegaMiles results in 14,400 points, which in my opinion, are worth less than 10,400 miles.
• Priority Club: Total Earnings of 82,200 Priority Club Points.  This includes 24,000 base points, 15,000 bonus points from the “Stay X” promotion, 42,000 bonus points from the “2x” promotion, and another 1,200 elite bonus points.
• Starwood: Total Earnings of 4,800 SPG Points.  This includes 2,400 base points and 2,400 bonus points.  You haven’t yet qualified for elite status.

My Thoughts: When you stay this often, you’re bound to get several free nights with any hotel chain.  Hyatt offers a great deal – you’ll get enough points for 2 free nights at their top-tier properties along with enough points for 2 more nights at low-level properties.  If luxury’s not your thing, you have enough for 11 free nights at Category 1 hotels or a respectable 4 nights at Category 3 hotels (with points leftover)…with no expiration dates on the free nights.  That’s extraordinary flexibility!  Marriott remains a contender, with up to 4 free nights at low-to-mid level hotels and almost enough airline miles for a one-way domestic ticket.  Priority Club theoretically could offer 16 nights at PointBreaks hotels or 2 nights at an Intercontinental.  Compared to these options, Hilton and Starwood seem only mediocre.

It’s hard to believe, but I have no hotel stays planned for this time period – my vacation in February is already set and on a cruise ship, so no points to be had.  I guess I’ll have to wait for the spring promotions to come out to start strategically planning my hotel stays.

New Rules in Published Airfares: Full Disclosure or Hidden Agenda?

By now, you may have noticed that all advertised prices for air travel includes all taxes and fees – so the price you see is the price you pay.

For years, airlines have gotten away with advertising low prices for airfare and then surprising you at the check-out page when the price jumps to include taxes and fees in the final price.  New legislation taking effect today will mean all of these fees are wrapped into one price to reflect the true cost of the ticket.

There are a few other changes for consumers as well, including the disclosure of baggage fees earlier in the booking process, the ability to hold a reservation for 24 hours without payment, and the option to cancel a reservation without penalty for 24 hours (as long as reservations are made a week or more in advance).

I’ve found it interesting how different airlines are reacting to this legislation.  JetBlue is claiming the new pricing structure makes things “clear and simple”, and I agree.  I like the idea of receiving my email promotions with a price that actually means something to me, the way that European flights have been for ages.

On the flipside, Spirit wants you to “say no to hidden taxes”, claiming that the government passed this legislation so they could hide the taxes within your ticket so as a consumer you won’t know when the government raises taxes and fees on your ticket.  While this is a risk, I’m more inclined to believe that Spirit (and other airlines) will be deceptive if they are allowed.

What’s your take on the new legislation?  Are you happy that prices will be bundled or are you worried that this will ultimately result in fewer consumer protections?  I’d love to hear your take in the comments.

Audience Rewards – Answers as of January 24

I haven’t given an Audience Rewards update in awhile.  These simple trivia questions will earn you a few extra bonus miles or points – great for extending the expiration date on your miles without spending a penny.  Plus, they’re a little fun.

I’ve done the Delta & US Airways questions a few times before, but I answered the SPG questions today for the first time based on MileageSaver’s answers.  Why?  Because I did the math the other day and realized SPG would help me with some of my longer-term goals and I hate seeing zero sitting in my AwardWallet balance!

Delta Q&A: 

1. The current Velma in Chicago has been in all but which of the following shows on Broadway? South Pacific
2. How many times has the theatre where Mamma Mia! is playing changed names since the show opened there? Three times
3. The current Elphaba in Wicked has been involved in what current Broadway show that began Off Broadway? Rock of Ages
4. Where is Diane Paulus from? New York City
5. How many Tony Awards did Abe Burrows win? 4

US Airways Q&A:

1. Prior to Nice Work If You Can Get It, which of the following shows did NOT play the Imperial Theatre? Shrek, The Musical
2. True or False? The original author behind How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying once worked in an ad agency on Madison Avenue.  True
3. Which Shakespearean role has Jennifer Lim portrayed in Mandarin? Ophelia
4. True or False? Only one of the Billy’s who starred in the show in its final weeks played the final show. False
5. True or False? Liza Minnelli is a character in End of the Rainbow. False
6. What character(s) sings “Summertime” in Porgy and Bess? Clara and Jake

Another Resource: Milewise

Like Pointhub, Milewise will search your potential options for redeeming miles or points on awards on several different airlines.

Milewise also has a really easy to use interface with a few extras, including a flexible date search.

Using the flexible dates option, there seem to be lots of opportunities for low-level award space in the front of the plane.  And although only one rewards redemption is shown per date combination, clicking on your preferred dates will show you all of your choices.

Milewise also ranks your options, with a 100 signifying the best option.

Notice in this case, you have three options that all result in the exact same flights: either by transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points, using United miles, or using Continental miles.  Chase takes the lead in this scenario because the monetary value that Milewise assigned to Chase makes this option cost the equivalent of $685 (they consider United and Continental miles more valuable, thus more expensive options).

It’s also convenient how Milewise spells out the taxes & fees required on an award ticket.  In this case, it’s minimal across all airlines.  If you choose to pay cash instead of redeeming an award, you’ll also quickly see how many miles you’ll earn.  Milewise will add in any elite bonuses you qualify for if you link your account numbers (similar to using Award Wallet)

Just like with Pointhub, not all airlines are covered right now.  American Airlines has specifically excluded itself from the results (a shame!) and other airlines just haven’t been built into the system yet.  No hotel searches are currently covered.

Overall, I think this is a great tool for domestic flights and a good starting point for international redemptions.  It’s important to realize these may not be your only options, so if you don’t find the exact flights you want online, give the airline a call.

Using PointHub for Award Searching

Searching for ways to get value from your miles and points can be a tedious task, especially if you have miles in numerous programs.  I currently have miles with American, United, and Delta, so searching once instead of three times can be a time saver.

PointHub is one of the free tools out there to help consolidate your searches.  It has a really easy to use interface with lots of customization and sorting options, making it a great starting point.  Basically, it searches on major airlines’ websites to show you what award seats there are (based only on what is loaded on the airline’s website, which may not include partner awards or other options only available by calling) and how many miles each option costs.

Because it seems to be limited to whatever reward availability is loaded directly onto an airline website, it generally does best with domestic awards.  It’s convenient to see multiple airlines all listed on one search tool, rather than seeking each airline’s options out individually.

Searching for an award flight to Billings, MT in August resulted in finding NO low-level (25,000 points) award space for the dates I wanted, but did show some options on multiple airlines.

PointHub will also recommend when to use miles versus when to pay with cash.  Essentially, it’s assigning a monetary value to each point and then doing a quick comparison to see if the total value of the miles is greater or less than the cost of the ticket in dollars.  Whether you ultimately decide to use miles or points should be based on how you value your miles (do the math!) and what your personal circumstances are, such as if you are short on cash or if you are saving your miles for a larger future trip.

While these are handy features, there is one main reason why I like PointHub.  I find it faster to check on mileage costs using a PointHub search than by going to each airline’s reward charts (some redemptions I know by heart, but many I have to look up).  Delta considers Morocco as part of “Europe” but American considers it part of Africa, making for two very different mileage requirements that are instantly seen on PointHub.  Plus, it includes some airlines where I might not consider checking since I don’t have miles (such as Air Canada’s Aeroplan).  The upside to this?  You might be able to transfer credit card points (such as AmEx Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards points) to these airlines even if you don’t normally collect miles through those airlines – giving you lots of options to redeem your points.

The biggest downfall to this website is that it doesn’t include any availability for rewards not shown on an airline’s website.  For example, I could use my American Airlines miles to fly on Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong, but since AA doesn’t hold Cathay Pacific reward inventory online (you have to call), it won’t show up on a PointHub search.  This is a significant issue because availability at a low-mileage level could exist for your desired itinerary even without showing up in your search results.

Another feature that I’d like to see is more participating airlines.  Currently, there’s no way to search for British Airways awards on PointHub, and that would be a great addition considering that you can transfer credit card points easily into the Avios program for award redemptions.

PointHub is also a great start when searching point for hotels.  In this scenario, their search function is much more complete since all award availability can typically be found online with no “hidden” inventory only accessible by phoning to book an award.  A few caveats: it only shows straight reward bookings (no point + cash options) and Hilton / Hyatt points are missing from their reward search (it will show cash purchase options but no rewards).  However, if you’re looking to decide between Priority Club, SPG, and Marriott, you’re all set.

I hope that PointHub strengthens its searching power to include more airlines and hotels in the future because I think they have a great start.