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Example of value of airline points and airline reward credit cards--
Posted on 3/22/23 at 10:28 am
Posted on 3/22/23 at 10:28 am
So this morning I wanted to check the fares from MSY to London. I have 250,000 very old miles with Delta as I usually fly Southwest.
Round trip economy was 96,000 Delta miles plus $200 in fees. The cash price was $1114 inclusive of the fees. Dividing that out one can see the miles are worth about 1%.
I know you can get different status and stuff like that if you use their cards but at the end of the day a 2% cash back credit card like the one Wells Fargo has is a much better deal than an airline rewards card.
Round trip economy was 96,000 Delta miles plus $200 in fees. The cash price was $1114 inclusive of the fees. Dividing that out one can see the miles are worth about 1%.
I know you can get different status and stuff like that if you use their cards but at the end of the day a 2% cash back credit card like the one Wells Fargo has is a much better deal than an airline rewards card.
8
Posted on 3/22/23 at 10:34 am to I B Freeman
Generally that’s true.
Most airline miles are best redeemed for international business or first class flights where the cash rate is stupid high.
You then get a much better $/pt but you are buying a ticket you likely would not have bought otherwise.
I find Hyatt points to be pretty good for hotel stays if you use their lower tiers.
Most airline miles are best redeemed for international business or first class flights where the cash rate is stupid high.
You then get a much better $/pt but you are buying a ticket you likely would not have bought otherwise.
I find Hyatt points to be pretty good for hotel stays if you use their lower tiers.
Posted on 3/22/23 at 10:50 am to I B Freeman
The Points Guy keeps a good exchange rate for them updated.
Posted on 3/22/23 at 10:51 am to Croacka
quote:
I find Hyatt points to be pretty good for hotel stays if you use their lower tiers.
Hotel cards make great sense if you use those hotels when you travel. The points really kick in.
I have found travel cards to be useless if you don't travel and use those companies. Thats when the points really kick in.
Posted on 3/22/23 at 10:54 am to Croacka
quote:
Most airline miles are best redeemed for international business or first class flights where the cash rate is stupid high.
I checked that too. It was about 1% on first class.
Posted on 3/22/23 at 10:58 am to lsu13lsu
They are useless. Even though some will let you use the points for purchases outside their company the exchange rate is even less.
Day in and day out the Wells Card or the Fidelty investments 2% cash card is much better. (I also have an Amazon card--5% on Amazon purchases that I use only for Amazon purchases--I am not even sure I can lay my hands on the card. I have a PayPal card that pays 2% on any purchase and 3% when you use pay pal to pay online. None have annual fees.)
Day in and day out the Wells Card or the Fidelty investments 2% cash card is much better. (I also have an Amazon card--5% on Amazon purchases that I use only for Amazon purchases--I am not even sure I can lay my hands on the card. I have a PayPal card that pays 2% on any purchase and 3% when you use pay pal to pay online. None have annual fees.)
Posted on 3/22/23 at 11:26 am to I B Freeman
I’ve sold mine for cash with a third party before
Posted on 3/22/23 at 2:06 pm to I B Freeman
I mean, you were using Sky Pesos so of course the rate wasn't good 
Posted on 3/22/23 at 2:53 pm to I B Freeman
If you are flexible, you'll be able to get closer to $0.02 per point. The average Delta SkyMiles valuation is $0.012, but it's much better to have points in a transferable ecosystem that allows you to put your points to the best redemption.
I scored roundtrip flights to Medellin, Colombia for 22,000 AmEx points per seat recently. The Cash rate was well over $500/ticket.
I scored roundtrip flights to Medellin, Colombia for 22,000 AmEx points per seat recently. The Cash rate was well over $500/ticket.
Posted on 3/22/23 at 3:47 pm to I B Freeman
What about the bonuses you get on some of the travel cards when you are comparing to cash back?
And the serious guys who do travel a lot, pick cards with annual fees and get some serious perks for those.
And the serious guys who do travel a lot, pick cards with annual fees and get some serious perks for those.
Posted on 3/22/23 at 3:52 pm to I B Freeman
It’s the sign up bonuses that really give you good value and using the points for business class. Plus perks for various airlines when you cross a set mile amount are nice. Maybe the best thing is no dynamic pricing so you can get a flight with points close to your travel date with no big increase.
Posted on 3/22/23 at 4:22 pm to notiger1997
What about where you can use those bonuses? I use cash back like on every purchase of anything. How many “points” does it take to get $20 in savings on a $1000 worth of any purchase?
Posted on 3/22/23 at 4:28 pm to I B Freeman
It's called planning and execution. It isn't for everyone. Like owning a boat, or starting a business or a million other things.
Posted on 3/22/23 at 8:27 pm to Croacka
quote:
I find Hyatt points to be pretty good for hotel stays if you use their lower tiers.
I can’t recommend Hyatt enough. The all-inclusive resorts that they recently added, plus the ones they already had, are great redemption values as well. If you have the card and get status, they’ll often upgrade you as long as the hotel isn’t busy. I’ve stayed in several $700-1000/night suites for 20-25k points/night.
Posted on 3/24/23 at 5:35 pm to I B Freeman
United uses dynamic pricing now. You may pay 45000 miles each way from Houston to honolulu. Or you may pay 45000 miles round-trip. Depending on how busy they are. Not worth collecting miles anymore for me.
Posted on 3/24/23 at 7:06 pm to I B Freeman
quote:
What about where you can use those bonuses?
It’s not complicated
Posted on 3/25/23 at 6:29 am to I B Freeman
What you’re not saying, and is misleading, is if you have a high spend your cash back will cap whereas airline miles continue to accrue or are uncapped.
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