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Amex Spg / Bonvoy advice

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Meanmchine
Super Contributor

Re: Amex Spg / Bonvoy advice

I just hit the fast forward button to the end.  Im too lazy atm to read 30 replies so Ill just say, swing for the fences Joe.  We're all behind you

>3/2016 EX 644 CK-TU 642 CK-EQ 660 WalMart- 671.
>8/2024 All 3 reports 835ish (F8) F9s = 850 but my app finger is still twitching
Message 31 of 36
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Amex Spg / Bonvoy advice


@SouthJamaica wrote:

@AverageJoesCredit wrote:
Hey guys. I figured id start a thread for my reference and look forward to your advice. As you know i recently got this card , approved for $1k and i believe im eligble for the Sub , $3k spend in 3 months, 75k points.

Im in a dilemma as to whether or not to really pursue this SUB , especially on only a 1k limit card. Can you advise me on what this bonus may be worth ? I really got the card for a free night to relax , i know, im not the sanest person lol.

Im low income , dont travel but like anything in credit, sometimes like to try something new. Trying to figure out if its best to just put my spend elsewhere. First year has no af so im ok there for now.

I know the usual caveat that if you dont travel, etc why get a travel card so i ask kindly to be gentle and if possible just offer some sound advice or experiences. Thanks much appreciatedSmiley Happy

For the type of hotels I stay in, which are basically budget hotels, I find their points are worth about 1/3 of a cent each. 75,000 points would get me 2 to 3 nights. I just checked one the other day and it was 35,000 points; if I paid cash it would be $113. 113/35000=.00323

 

So figure the SUB is worth $242, which is an 8% return on the $3k spend. So I guess the answer is yes... 8% is better than we usually get from regular reward card use.


You must be really cherry picking to get such bad results.  I looked at some hotels to see if this were true.  July 14th picked at random.  Since you are looking at Budget hotels:

 

Boston

Courtyard Woburn 17500 - $240

Residence Inn Downtown 25,000 pts - $305

 

Dublin 

Aloft 25000 pts - $230

 

Genoa, Italy

AC Hotel Genoa - 12500 pts - $147

 

Beverly Hills 

AC hotel 35000 pts $325

 

Washington DC

Courtyard 25k pts $176

 

NYC 

Courtyard 5th Avenue 35k pts $262

 

Domincan Republic

Four Points by Sheraton Puntacana Village 17,500 $118

 

Hawaii

COURTYARD KING KAMEHAMEHA'S KONA BEACH HOTEL 25k pts $191

 

Lets take the last one.  If you stayed 5 nights it would be 100k points or you could pay $955

 

 

Message 32 of 36
HeavenOhio
Senior Contributor

Re: Amex Spg / Bonvoy advice


@Anonymous wrote:
Never pass on a SUB! That’s the first rule of Credit Club! Second rule of Credit Club....Never pass on a SUB!

I'm not sure which number this is, but you should never spend money that you woudn't have spent otherwise for the sake of a sign-up bonus.

Message 33 of 36
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Amex Spg / Bonvoy advice

I would not do it myself. According to OMAAT, these points worth ~0.7cpp when booking Marriott hotels, and ~0.45 cpp for airline transfer, https://onemileatatime.com/how-much-are-marriott-points-worth/ too much hassle for that kind of SUB.

 

Then I again, i never book fancy expensive hotels, usually go local (cultural vaca) or go cheap (business). So I guess it may worth pursuing if you wanna try Marriot fancy shnancy stuff.

Message 34 of 36
Loquat
Moderator Emeritus

Re: Amex Spg / Bonvoy advice


@Anonymous wrote:

I would not do it myself. According to OMAAT, these points worth ~0.7cpp when booking Marriott hotels, and ~0.45 cpp for airline transfer, https://onemileatatime.com/how-much-are-marriott-points-worth/ too much hassle for that kind of SUB.

 

Then I again, i never book fancy expensive hotels, usually go local (cultural vaca) or go cheap (business). So I guess it may worth pursuing if you wanna try Marriot fancy shnancy stuff.


Marriott points tend to shine when you stay at higher end properties.  I never get less than 2cpp but I only book in Category 4 and higher...not that I don't stay in lower categories it's just the prices are usually so cheap that I'd rather spend the $$ and collect the points to burn on slightly nicer places.  But as @K-in-Boston mentioned, these points really shine when you increase their value by 25% when booking that 5th free night.  

Message 35 of 36
RickNATL
Established Contributor

Re: Amex Spg / Bonvoy advice

Speaking only to the SUB and to not waste a HP....

 

I had the same dilema with Delta Platinum, starting out with $1800 limit.  I spent, PIF (even weekly if need be), then at 61 days tripled up my limit...and kept it moving towards higher limits.  I earned the SUB at the time, and a higher increase, then later they offered me an upgrade to Delta Reserve.

 

I say spend, pay, spend pay, to meet the sub, then CLI at 61 days...and >90 days after... 

Message 36 of 36
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