Airline Miles vs Hotel Points

Last night I found a great price on a 15 day transatlantic cruise for later this year. Looking at the one way air fares a whopping $1295 per person, twice the price of the cruise.

I clicked on miles; the same flight was 30K per person, a value of $.04 per mile. Our only additional expense was $17 pp for taxes and fees. Using our Delta Airline’s credit card the first checked bag is free.

In the past I’ve seen Delta’s roundtrip fares were close the one way price and the same with using miles. Many credit card companies calculate by percentage, redeem 25K in points for a $250.00 airline credit. In this example it would take 120K+ points for the same 30K miles Delta flight.  

In a recent conversation with a fellow traveler, we discussed the use of hotel points verses airline miles. She preferred to gather hotel points and shop for cheat airfares. I shared our recent good luck at the Crown Plaza in Kensington London for a free anniversary night plus points and $110 USD was our price for two nights in a two-story suite.

I hope she will look into an airline credit card’s sign-up bonus with minimum purchase requirements. Companion certificates are another option on anniversary renewals for certain levels. Again, as long as one pays off those credit card balances every month, they are a great deal.

You may start checking prices and miles 330 days prior to departure. We have found great deals six months beforehand when excess seats available. Of course a little luck with supply and demand doesn’t hurt any time of year you choose to travel.

Another note… years ago I noticed once I returned to a site the fares were always higher. This wasn’t my imagination and confirmed by major travel magazine. Now I use C-cleaner after an inquiry to remove cookies from the search engine.  

Prioritize your needs, work on those accruals and enjoy redeeming them for safe travels!