Readers often email asking, “Should I buy hotel points?” It can be hard to resist offers like up to 100% bonus on IHG points, up to 40% bonus on Hyatt points, and get a 30% discount on Choice hotel points. Just like buying airline miles, the only time you should buy hotel points is when it makes sense for you.
But there are some situations when it makes sense to buy hotel points.
The Only Time You Should Buy Hotel Points
Buying hotel points doesn’t always make financial sense. Because usually, you’re paying more than the points are worth.
But there are three times when you should buy hotel points:
1. If you’re short on points for a free night.
2. To book an expensive hotel or book a hotel during peak season like summer and the holidays.
3. To keep your points from expiring.
If You’re Short on Points for a Free Night
Photo courtesy: St Regis Princeville
You can buy hotel points if you’re short on points for a free night.
A free night at the St. Regis Princeville in Kauai costs 30,000 points. But you only have 25,000 points.
Instead of paying $600 a night, you can buy 5,000 Marriott points for $175.
So for $175, you could be relaxing on the beach in Hawaii.
Book an Expensive Hotel
Photo courtesy: Intercontinental Bora Bora Thalasso Spa
Sometimes it’s cheaper to buy points and book an award stay using those points.
Yep, you can save more money buying points and using those for a hotel stay than paying all cash.
Let’s say you want to stay at the Intercontinental Bora Bora Thalasso Spa. The cheapest room at the Intercontinental Bora Bora Thalasso Spa cost over $1,000 a night. Or you could use 60,000 points a night.
You can buy 60,000 IHG 60,000 IHG points for $345. So you’re saving over $655 a night paying points and using them for your stay instead of paying cash.
To Keep Your Points From Expiring
Photo courtesy: La Cabana Beach Resort and Casino – Ascend Collection
Another reason to buy hotel points is to keep your points from expiring.
Hotel points expire if you haven’t earned points after 12 or 18 months (varies depending on the hotel program).
If you haven’t stayed at that hotel or earned any miles from renting cars, dining, or shopping within 12 or 18 months you will lose all the points in your hotel account.
And it would be a serious bummer if you had a dream vacation planned only to realize that all your points are gone because you didn’t have any qualifying activity.
You can keep those points from expiring when you buy hotel points.
So if you’re coming up on 12 or 18 months of not earning any hotel points, buying hotel points is your best option to save all the points in your account. Some hotels like Marriott, post purchased points to your account within 24 hours.
If you buy points, be sure to look for buy points promotions. Frequently the hotels will offer bonuses when you purchase points.
What You Should Now About Buying Points
Buying hotel points doesn’t count as a travel purchase.
This means you won’t get a category bonus from cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card.
So you should use a credit card that you have to meet minimum spending.
Pro-tip: You earn 3X points when you use your Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card to buy hotel points.
Where to Buy Hotel Points
Here’s where you can buy and gift hotel points:
Conclusion
Should you buy hotel points? Normally buying hotel points doesn’t make a lot of sense.
But there are 3 times when you should buy hotel points:
1. If you’re short on points for a free night.
2. To book an expensive hotel or book a hotel during peak seasons like summer and the holidays.
3. To keep your points from expiring.
Buying points can be a good deal especially if those points like Starwood points are hard to earn. Or if you’re using them to stay at expensive hotels in Europe or over the holidays.
Whether you need a few points or a lot of points, buying hotel points if you’re short on points for a free night or multiple nights can be worth it.
Where are your favorite places to use points?
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Jerome
Wednesday 27th of July 2022
Starwood doesn’t exist anymore. There are also numerous typos that make this article less than professional looking. Someone needs to proofread your articles better.
Debra Schroeder
Wednesday 26th of October 2022
Hi Jerome,
Starwood existed when this article was published in 2017. But it is due for an update. 😉
lisa
Thursday 14th of September 2017
Great tips! I am more of a pack packer but its interesting to know there are ways out there to get more. I had never heard of the hotel points programme its interesting.
Trisha Velarmino
Wednesday 13th of September 2017
All of these reasons make a lot of sense and are totally wise! Some think that buying hotel points is wasting money, but circumstances like what you have listed are reasonable enough to do it. I love this!!!
Rosemary
Tuesday 12th of September 2017
These are great tips and they definitively break the myth of buying points. I've never thought it would cheaper to buy points than pay the difference for hotel rooms. Truth be told, i've never looked into it because I thought it wasn't possible. Thanks for this enlightening article...as always :)
Reshma
Tuesday 12th of September 2017
I have never used hotel points until now, so I really can't speak for it, but what you mentioned makes sense. Plus these offers look good enough too. I have used the points that we get on a website but didn't use it after my first experience as I didn't get much discount. Would love to try this though!