So I decided to check if there are any VIP Access hotels that would fit the bill, and, what do you know, I found plenty! Although there are more hotels in Rio today than there were just a few years ago, it still isn’t known for an abundance of hotels in desirable neighborhoods, and for the best price/value ratio we’ve always stayed at vacation rentals. Timmy and I are going to Brazil in the winter. In fact, I’ve found plenty of cheap hotels in the VIP Access hotels list and plenty of expensive ones that aren’t on the list. It’s likely a network of super-duper expensive hotels, and my 50,000-point bonus won’t take me too far, right? Well, it’s actually slightly more because the whole 50,000-point bonus gets you a $710 credit.īut I know what you’re thinking. We might be not in an awesome category yet, but this ratio is more than respectable. Redeeming 100 points will get you a $1.40 credit, so 10,000 points can buy you a $140 hotel room. If you redeem your points at VIP Access hotels, they go twice as far. This is where the VIP Access hotels come in So this wouldn’t seem like a great value proposition, especially considering the $95 annual fee.

I normally don’t bother with a credit card bonus unless it can land me at least $400 in cash. So with Expedia’s rewards structure you would normally get only $350 from your 50,000-point bonus if you redeem your points on flights, car rentals, or most hotels or vacation rentals. In my opinion, it’s legalized false advertisement because consumers have grown accustomed to receiving at least a 100:1 ratio value from cashback programs, and there are very few major cashback programs that engage in these shady practices (I’m looking at you, PNC!). While it’s common for hotel loyalty programs to provide a less than 100:1 ratio value ($0.025 for Radisson, $0.045 for Hilton, and $0.075 for Marriott in my valuation), I really and truly detest cashback programs that play this kind of game. In other words, 10,000 Expedia points buy you a ~$70 credit toward the purchase of your choice. Expedia points don’t work at a 100:1 ratio.

Let’s get to the elephant in the room right away. $100 Annual Air Travel Fee Credit toward airline incidentals, or for either the Global Entry or the TSA Pre✓ feesĮarn 4 points per $1 spent on Expedia purchases 2 points for every $1 on dining and entertainment and 1 point on everything elseĥ,000 Anniversary Bonus Points after you spend $10,000 in the prior cardmembership year Expedia Rewards credit card: at a glanceĥ0,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months redeemable for up to $710 at a VIP Access Hotel The new 50,000-point Expedia Rewards Credit Card’s offer is a truly great deal, despite the annual fee, and I’m going to explain why. Having said that, Expedia has come out with a new opportunity that works equally well whether you like it or hate it. and have gotten all of my OTA business - although and have the same owner, so … They burned me a couple of years ago, and I haven’t booked with them ever since. UPDATE: Now 70,000 Points Until Today, Dec 2 (last day for up to $994 in hotel stays!) GONE!

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