kleroux

I have just started to try to use our AMEX points to book a hotel room for one night in Munich in Sept. I'm getting information from AMEX that IF I can use my points, its going to cost 50,000 points for a hotel. This sounds crazy to me. We have about 35,000 points. Has anyone had any experience using their AMEX points for a hotel in Europe? Whats the best way to book, and how far out can one book? At this point I don't see any advantage to keeping my AMEX card.

kybourbon

Most people that use AmEx points transfer them to a hotel loyalty program (Hilton Honors, Marriott, Starwood, etc) they've joined. Yes, in major cities these hotels will cost 35,000 and up for a room. Are you a member of any loyalty program?

yk

IMO, it's never a good deal to use AMEX points for hotel stays. I think of each AMEX point = 1 cent; as you can get $25 gift cards for 2500 points.

50K points would be similar to paying $500 for a hotel for one night.

iris1745

Hi kleroux; Call American Express and see if they have an ongoing promotion to exchange AX points to a Starwood AX credit card. On Starwood AX, for the September time frame, it is 10,000 points for a Sheraton Hotel per night. Stardwood includes many different upscale and moderate hotel chains. Usually, when you stay for four nights, you get the fifth night free. Many times you can do 'reduced points' and 'dollars' to get a room. ENJOY Iris WWW.STARWOODHOTELS.COM

kybourbon

While Starwood rates appear less than other hotel programs, they don't transfer 1-1 from AmEx. I think the transfer rate is 3-1.

Jed

I feel that AMEX points are more valuable for transferring to airlines for flights.

How much is the hotel in Munich?

nytraveler

Well the number of points depends on the price of the hotel. And you can expect the number of points to be at least the value of the full room price (after all, you're getting a room for no $; don;t expect a bargain rate as well).

cinquanta

We have an AMEX Hilton honors card and it has worked out great over the years. I just booked 2 nights at the Hilton Vienna for 30,000 per night but the range in Vienna was 25-35,000 per night. The Hilton Munich City is 35,000 and the Hilton Munich Park is 30,000 HH points.

iris1745

Hi kleroux; Actually in Munich, using AX starwood points, it would cost about 10,000 points per night at two Sheratons and one Meridien. However, if you changed your American Express CC to a Starwood AX credit card, you could do 4000 points, plus $60 US dollars per night. As kybourbom said, you would receive one Starwood AX point for every three AX points. Almost 12,000 Starwood points. If you considered changing you AX credit card to a Starwood AX credit card you then would have the three nights in Munich for 4000 Starwood points plus $60 US dollars. ENJOY Iris

Kyliebaby3

It could have something to do with Oktoberfest too, depending on when in September you're trying to book. Hotels are generally sold-out the last two weeks with hoards of people in town from all over the world, so it doesn't actually shock me since Munich is your intended destination.

iris1745

Hi kleroux; I forgot to mention promotions for [STARWOOD] new applicants. If you considered changing, this is what I would do. Call AX and do the following. 1. tell them you are applying for a Starwood AX credit card. 2. You want to make sure it includes the 10,000 bonus for signing up [credited after your first purchase]. 3. Tell them that you want to make sure that you would be credited with an additional 15,000 points after spending $15000 US dollars after six months. [For us, every dollar goes on the AX caed. If they don't take AX, then we have a Marriott Visa]. And last 4. Tell them you want to exchange your 35,000 AX points to Starwood AX points at a give three, get one Starwood point. You should know that on the Starwood CC, no fee for the first year, but $45 for every year thereafter. If it wasn't working for you, the CC could be dropped after the first year. The way we operate, we would not give 10,000 points unless we got at least a minimum of $200 US dollars in return. Usually more. Iris

kleroux

Thanks......we'll check this out. I think we may already have a Star. account in my husbands name..not much used however.