Points or Cash for This Hotel?
By k o p i · Published · Updated
Compares booking direct on points against the third-party cash rate.
Tags: Travel, Finance, Planning
Prompt template
Help me decide whether to burn points or pay cash for a hotel stay. - [text: Hotel and dates] - [text: Cash rate on the third-party app, all in] - [text: Cash rate booking direct with the chain, all in] - [text: Points required for the award night] - [text: My current points balance] - [dropdown: I have status with this chain, No status, Status with a different chain] - [toggle: Yes, No] This stay would count toward status I'm actually chasing Calculate the cents-per-point I'd get by redeeming, and compare it to what those points are typically worth in this program. Factor in what I lose by booking third party: elite benefits, breakfast, upgrades, and whether the stay counts toward status at all. Give me a straight recommendation, and tell me what would have to change for the other answer to win.