topic Re: New Best Western Rewards MC avail (FNBO) in Credit Cards

New Best Western Rewards MC avail (FNBO)

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 00:35:35 GMT

I've been reading all I can about the different travel/hotel cards. REALLY want a Ritz and/or a Marriott, but realistically, we road trip up and down CA and stay in not-too-fancy places along highways. And surprisingly, there aren't even many of Marriott's lower brands where I've searched. I've thought about all the brands we've stayed with and Best Western was one I wanted to check, but they were in the in-between zone between Barclay and FNBO. Apparently, the FNBO is now available (or there's a website at least).

https://www.firstbankcard.com/bestwestern/landingpage/rewards/index.html

I'm not apping for anything now, but I'm trying to strategize for summer travel. I even signed up for the IHG rewards program to try to get more info on their rewards, and there are some good locations for us, but not all that great. I'm going to start looking into this.

I don't think I've seen this mentioned here. Sorry if it's a dup.

Re: New Best Western Rewards MC avail (FNBO)

B335is — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 00:46:11 GMT

I didn't know they were switching to FNBO. I really like Best Western properties in Europe. Any idea how redemption is?

Re: New Best Western Rewards MC avail (FNBO)

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 00:55:26 GMT

@B335is wrote:
I didn't know they were switching to FNBO. I really like Best Western properties in Europe. Any idea how redemption is?

I'm just trying to figure it out and it's really odd. I see that you can buy BW gift cards with points, but I can't figure out how to (if you can?) book with points. You can buy a $100 BW gift card with 22000 points. But you get get other gift cards, air miles for some airlines, stuff. Maybe I'm missing something.

Re: New Best Western Rewards MC avail (FNBO)

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 01:03:07 GMT

Ah, figured it out. It's one of the drop down rate choices...Use rewards points. (I'm new to this stuff).

Healdsburg, CA -(not available next Friday night, possibly because there is a 2 night min)

Healdsburg, CA - $119 cash, 24000 points a night (some night in June)

Carpinteria, CA - $249 cash, 20000 points (next Friday night)

Carpinteria, CA - $149 cash, 24000 points (some night in June)

Re: New Best Western Rewards MC avail (FNBO)

B335is — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 01:03:39 GMT

I pulled up the full site and you can choose from the rate drop down menu. They're decent value, $200 booking is redeemed for 20k points. Availability is iffy.

Re: New Best Western Rewards MC avail (FNBO)

NRB525 — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 01:53:02 GMT

The no AF card looks interesting. The points earning is quite similar (very basic) and with no annual night or bonus points, no reason to pay the AF, in my opinion.

For road trips, this would be better than the city-hotel cards, perhaps IHG would be similar.

Re: New Best Western Rewards MC avail (FNBO)

NRB525 — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 02:13:47 GMT

It appears that if I apply for the no AF card, and they think I should have the AF WMC card, they will upgrade my app. The opposite of the US Bank Cash+, where they will nerf you if you don't qualify for the Cash+, give you Cash Rewards.

I may have to try this just to see if the app upgrade hits.

Re: New Best Western Rewards MC avail (FNBO)

chalupaman — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 02:18:51 GMT

Interesting. If I see a lot of people get approved for it, it might be an easier way to get in with FNBO. They are really conservative.

Re: New Best Western Rewards MC avail (FNBO)

NRB525 — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 02:22:26 GMT

I guess I'll find out in 2 - 4 weeks

Re: New Best Western Rewards MC avail (FNBO)

chalupaman — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 02:23:08 GMT

@NRB525 wrote:
I guess I'll find out in 2 - 4 weeks

Good luck man. As soon as you find out if you're approved or not, some stats would be useful.

Re: New Best Western Rewards MC avail (FNBO)

Sharingan — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 02:32:11 GMT

@NRB525 wrote:
It appears that if I apply for the no AF card, and they think I should have the AF WMC card, they will upgrade my app. The opposite of the US Bank Cash+, where they will nerf you if you don't qualify for the Cash+, give you Cash Rewards.

I may have to try this just to see if the app upgrade hits.

I don't believe that is the case. They refer to the AF version as the "Premium MasterCard," and it has the same verbiage about being upgraded to the World MasterCard if they feel you deserve it. I think it's a Platinum/World MC scenario as opposed to a Non-AF/AF one.

Re: New Best Western Rewards MC avail (FNBO)

Themanwhocan — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 02:44:12 GMT

@NRB525 wrote:
I guess I'll find out in 2 - 4 weeks

I bet you hear via email by this thursday.

Re: New Best Western Rewards MC avail (FNBO)

NRB525 — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 03:01:21 GMT

@Sharingan wrote:
@NRB525 wrote:
It appears that if I apply for the no AF card, and they think I should have the AF WMC card, they will upgrade my app. The opposite of the US Bank Cash+, where they will nerf you if you don't qualify for the Cash+, give you Cash Rewards.

I may have to try this just to see if the app upgrade hits.

I don't believe that is the case. They refer to the AF version as the "Premium MasterCard," and it has the same verbiage about being upgraded to the World MasterCard if they feel you deserve it. I think it's a Platinum/World MC scenario as opposed to a Non-AF/AF one.

Ok, I like that set of choices better.

Re: New Best Western Rewards MC avail (FNBO)

B335is — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 10:42:58 GMT

Goodluck NRB! FNBO just gave me another card about a month ago otherwise I'd apply for the AF version (waived year 1), then PC to no AF year 2.

Re: New Best Western Rewards MC avail (FNBO)

NRB525 — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 00:51:08 GMT

EX HP, which is my best score. 741 to 727 with this HP and the Amex Hilton about a week earlier.

Re: New Best Western Rewards MC avail (FNBO)

joedtx — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 01:06:28 GMT

@NRB525 wrote:
I guess I'll find out in 2 - 4 weeks

Good Luck NRB525! Are you already a FNBO member?

Re: New Best Western Rewards MC avail (FNBO)

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 01:07:41 GMT

I thought this card was issued by Barclay's.

Re: New Best Western Rewards MC avail (FNBO)

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 01:13:37 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I thought this card was issued by Barclay's.

Was, but then ended. This is the new one. (Like Costco eventually going from AmEx to Citi).

ETA: I was hoping with IHG's Kimpton acquisition they might merge rewards/etc. but they say no for now at least. I LOVE Kimpton.

NM...realized what I did there.

Re: New Best Western Rewards MC avail (FNBO)

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 01:11:09 GMT

What is the bonus for it? I think it was 16,000 pts with Barclay's.

Re: New Best Western Rewards MC avail (FNBO)

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 01:13:14 GMT

It's kind of wonky. I can't remember what it is for the no AF one (20000?). But for the AF, it's 70k, but it's broken up in three steps. That makes it sort of unappealing.

And I just realized I was mixing up IHG and BW. Yes, I know IHG is the (ugly) Chase card.