Value of a PC point

[JohnK]

I know everyone values these differently but would be interesting to read some different opinions. I believe the widely accepted value of a PC point is ~0.5c-0.6c although it costs a little over 1c/PC point to purchase PC points.

I have a healthy PC point balance but I have a slight dilemma about my next trip to Thailand and in particular a 5 night stay in Pattaya just before Chinese New Year.

- For a paid stay those 5 nights would cost ~AUD625 and by my calculations could earn ~15,000 PC points

- For a points + cash stay those 5 nights would cost 25,000 PC points + ~AUD305

- For a points only reward those 5 nights would cost 75,000 PC points

I believe the right decision here is to use PC points + cash and although I would be forfeiting 40,000 PC points I will be saving ~AUD320.

Any thoughts?

 

[markis10]

75000 points is USD$450 in value, in the case you have quoted points would appear to be best value.

 

[JohnK]

Not easy to work out the value of points in any loyalty program let alone PC points.

The value constantly changes with the rise and fall of the exchange rate and the room rates at various hotels.

I ended up booking 5 nights for 25,000 PC points + USD300.

I guess at the end of the day "Value" for me means how far I can stretch these points....

 

[kpc]

Since I (assuming I had a mininum 5K PC pts in my account) can "buy" 10000 PC pts for USD60, I would value a PC pt at USD$0.006 ie 0.6 US cents;this is the same valuation that markis10 uses in post #2 above.

 

[JohnK]

Either way you look at it all 3 options are very close.

Option 1 is 5 nights for USD600 and earn 15,000 PC points which is enough for 1 night or a net cost of USD480
Option 2 is 5 nights for 75,000 PC points valued at USD450
Option 3 is 5 nights for 25,000 PC points + USD300 which is valued at USD450

Option 2 & 3 are exactly the same but one needs to consider the value of existing PC points vs the value of PC points purchased outright vs the value of PC points purchased via points + cash.

For some reason this is one loyalty program I am struggling to value points and it is made even harder when one can make bookings on Pointsbreaks for 5,000 PC points/night.

 

[HW]

For some reason this is one loyalty program I am struggling to value points and it is made even harder when one can make bookings on Pointsbreaks for 5,000 PC points/night.

...and I find the earn rate is pretty low also.

 

[straitman]

...and I find the earn rate is pretty low also.

Look around for some of the bonuses then. It is possible to earn ridiculously high points from a single stay if you sign up for the right promos.

 

[markis10]

...and I find the earn rate is pretty low also.

The earn rate is great when you dont have to spend a cent.....topguest and four square! As for the bonuses, I agree with Straitman, its not that hard to earn a free night in points for a two night stay!