Booking hotel award stays for beginners.

[Theodorel]

not in israel ...

Got upgraded in the Waldorf in Israel.....

[Dave A]

Is it worth it to book one night (and the night will only start at around 8/9pm, after I land in TLV) at either Renaissance Tel Aviv (would need to transfer 20k UR) or Sheraton Tel Aviv (12k SPG), when the going cash rates are under $300 per night?

Thanks

[Marco Polo]

Is it worth it to book one night (and the night will only start at around 8/9pm, after I land in TLV) at either Renaissance Tel Aviv (would need to transfer 20k UR) or Sheraton Tel Aviv (12k SPG), when the going cash rates are under $300 per night?

Thanks

Really depends what you value your points/miles at. Figure out a price and do the math.

[Dave A]

Really depends what you value your points/miles at. Figure out a price and do the math.

Perhaps for a different thread ... but how do you even start to think about / organize how points should be valued?

[Marco Polo]

Perhaps for a different thread ... but how do you even start to think about / organize how points should be valued?

Different people value it differently. Dan breaks down his price points on DDMS a few times i believe.

[@Yehuda]

Here's a basic, "easy" explanation, but the pros definitely go into the value of their points on a deeper level. (i.e. see Dan's values that Marco referred to)
Base your value on what brokers pay for points. If you can get more value than those rates, use the points. If you can't, sell them/pay cash.
This is very general, but usually you can get around 1.45-1.5 cents per point for transferable currencies and around 1.2-1.3 cpp for hotel/airline currencies. Obviously there are exceptions.
So, 20K UR @ 1.45 cpp = $290, and your hotel is under $300 you said, so it's basically a toss up. Most would say to keep the miles for a better redemption.
12K SPG @ 1.45 cpp = $175, which seems like a better deal than $300.

[Dave A]

Here's a basic, "easy" explanation, but the pros definitely go into the value of their points on a deeper level. (i.e. see Dan's values that Marco referred to)
Base your value on what brokers pay for points. If you can get more value than those rates, use the points. If you can't, sell them/pay cash.
This is very general, but usually you can get around 1.45-1.5 cents per point for transferable currencies and around 1.2-1.3 cpp for hotel/airline currencies. Obviously there are exceptions.
So, 20K UR @ 1.45 cpp = $290, and your hotel is under $300 you said, so it's basically a toss up. Most would say to keep the miles for a better redemption.
12K SPG @ 1.45 cpp = $175, which seems like a better deal than $300.

Thanks!

[zlt123]

SPG goes for 1.8-2 even by brokers

[@Yehuda]

SPG goes for 1.8-2 even by brokers

My bad. Thanks for pointing that out.

[harrym]

Can I use BA Avios points for hotel stays?

No

yes
go into my executive club spending avios and you'll see the option.

[clear thinker]

yes
go into my executive club spending avios and you'll see the option.

Well that's probably a redemption for 1 cpp as cash back basically and it's probably not what the op was looking for.

[greatdeals]

how much is UR worth?

[clear thinker]

how much is UR worth?

1.75
Take in consideration that when you book a stay/flight with money you also earn points.

[Marco Polo]

how much is UR worth?

1.75
Take in consideration that when you book a stay/flight with money you also earn points.

Where you getting that?

[clear thinker]

Always thought there should be a "Deal or no deal" thread.
Meaning someone should post a stay or flight he/she sees and ddfers can chime in if it pays to book with points or $$.

[clear thinker]

Where you getting that?

Not to sell but for minimum redemption.

DDMS much?

[Mordyk]

Always thought there should be a "Deal or no deal" thread.
Meaning someone should post a stay or flight he/she sees and ddfers can chime in if it pays to book with points or $$.

very good idea if it stays on topic. maybe start one and see how it goes...

[Chapshnell]

added wiki, anyone else want to chime in/edit?

[clear thinker]

added wiki, anyone else want to chime in/edit?

Find out if the hotel charges other fees on top of the money.
Sometimes a hotel might charge a "resort fee" when booking with $$$ but they won't charge you that if you book with points.

[Chapshnell]

Most if not all hotels charge a resort fee on top of any type of booking. I cant generalize & say all but most for sure