Best Use of Accor Points

[kangarooflyer88]

Just thought I'd reopen this discussion given the Accor program has likely changed enough since it was last discussed in 2016. Having done some digging around at the Accor points they seem to be usable in multiple ways:

• Flat discount of €40 per 2000 points redeemed at Accor properties
• Transfer Accor miles to Qantas/Virgin at a 1:1 rate in 2000 point increments, 1:2 rate at 4,000 point increments for other programs like United
• Shopping on various products (i.e. iPhone 13 256 GB for 105,400 points)
• All Experiences (i.e. tickets to NRL games in Australia around 1,000 points/ticket)
• All Travel (i.e. predefined hotel packages at a fixed point redemption, such as 2 nights at SO / Sotogrande with breakfast and spa treatment for 16,000 points)
• All Food (i.e. cooking lessons, culinary experiences starting at 2,000 points)

I reckon there are likely some other opportunities to redeem said points, but would be curious about people's thoughts on these. Certainly the flat discount seems the most straight-forward but I wonder if additional value could be extracted, particularly with some of the All Travel and Experiences packages?

-RooFlyer88

 

[levelnine]

With loyalty programs that operate on a strict revenue-based redemption model, it has little value to points optimisers/frequent flyer hunters because the opportunities for outsized redemptions opportunities disappear almost entirely. It's just a cash back scheme.

I'm certain you'll be able to buy the Travel and Experiences packages for an equivalent (or even cheaper) cash price.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

With loyalty programs that operate on a strict revenue-based redemption model, it has little value to points optimisers/frequent flyer hunters because the opportunities for outsized redemptions opportunities disappear almost entirely. It's just a cash back scheme.

I'm certain you'll be able to buy the Travel and Experiences packages for an equivalent (or even cheaper) cash price.

I was thinking the same thing but what spurred me to ask what that hotel redemption in particular. If I were to find that room on some of the dates they list, I would easily be spending more than the €320 of value one would redeem from a simple points redemption:

Mind you, that €440 rate doesn't even have all the inclusion in the experience such as breakfast, spa treatment, cryotherapy and the 3 PM guaranteed late check out either. That being said you really need to have the stars aligned in your favourite to take advantage of such an experience, especially as most of these redemptions are EU based.

-RooFlyer88

 

[levelnine]

I would easily be spending more than the €320 of value one would redeem from a simple points redemption:

Are the two comparable? Are there additional restrictions with the points package? Is it available on the same days as that cash rate? Can you buy that package elsewhere?

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Are the two comparable? Are there additional restrictions with the points package? Is it available on the same days as that cash rate? Can you buy that package elsewhere?

I think they are comparable. For reference I chose January 19 to 21st when looking at the ALL website which is also available in the Accor Package listed. When I look for the room type specified in the Accor travel package (SO Studio), the cheapest available rate is the advanced saver rate which is a 439 EUR non-refundable prepaid rate (the package is also nonrefundable in that sense). However, the 439 EUR prices does not include breakfast or other inclusions listed in the package. The closest package I could find, is the Let's Detox rate which which is 603 EUR (again prepaid non-refundable) and that only includes a 150 Euro to spend on the spa and breakfast but doesn't include the other inclusions listed such as the 3 PM late check out. The only downside I see about this experience is you don't earn the points you would ordinarily earn on a paid Accor stay, something that I reckon you would earn using those vouchers. Again, this experience makes sense I reckon if you are in the right place at the right time.

-RooFlyer88