What Not to Do When You Redeem Hotel Points

Redeeming hotel points can be an excellent way to make your travels more affordable and luxurious. However, navigating the complexities of reward programs can be difficult and mistakes can lead to lost value, unexpected fees, and stressful travel experiences. Let’s explore common pitfalls to avoid when redeeming hotel points, ensuring you maximize the benefits and enjoy your stay to the fullest.

Redeem Your Rewards Points Too Quickly

A common mistake when booking hotels with points is not comparing the cash rate to how many points you’ll use. People often use points for popular hotels without checking if the cash rate makes it worthwhile. For example, spending tens of thousands of points on a $200 room might not be the best choice. Use a calculator to divide the cash cost by the points needed; if the value is under half a cent per point, it’s likely not a good deal.

Using Points for Non-Travel Rewards

Hotel points are like currency and can be redeemed for various rewards, not just hotel stays. However, using them for non-travel rewards often yields poor value. For example, Hilton Honors points can be used on Amazon, and Marriott Bonvoy points can be used for gift cards, but both offer just 0.2 cents per point. This is far less than the value you could get when redeeming points for hotel stays, making those redemptions typically a bad deal.

Missing Out by Letting Your Points Expire

While some major hotel chains have paused points expiration, this may change soon. Now is a good time to review the policies of your loyalty programs to ensure your points remain active. Typically, points from Hilton Honors, and IHG Rewards expire after 12 months of inactivity, Choice Privileges and Wyndham Rewards expire after 18 months, and Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt expire after 24 months. Best Western Rewards points don’t expire. Simple activities like shopping through hotel affiliates can keep your points active even while you’re not traveling.

Being Fixed on Certain Travel Dates

Trying to use hotel points on specific dates is common, but a bit of flexibility can offer more options and better value. Many hotel loyalty programs, like Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, have introduced saver, standard, and peak pricing, resulting in significant award rate differences. For instance, The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, ranges from 62,000 to 100,000 points per night, depending on the date. Similarly, the Conrad Koh Samui ranges from 75,000 to 95,000 points. Flexibility in travel could earn you up to 38,000 points per night.