Thinking Outside the Box to Save Money

US News details the story of one traveler who used credit card rewards and membership reward programs to save a bundle of money on travel. The traveler, Brad Wilson, had one especially ingenious way to get a top-flight hotel for a fraction of the list price. Here's what he did:

Wilson found a deal through Hyatt Hotels that allowed him to earn one free night at any Hyatt for every two nights he notched as a paying customer. He took advantage of that policy by staying at relatively inexpensive Hyatts near his home. (He paid about $50 for the night, then went home without even staying overnight.) Combined with discounted gift certificates, he paid about $1,700 for 40 nights, which netted him 20 free nights at the luxurious Park Hyatt Sydney, where rooms can cost as much as $1,500 a night. Because he became such a frequent Hyatt customer, he also accrued loyalty status, which meant he got free breakfasts, room upgrades, and Internet access.

He and his wife later traveled to Australia and stayed at the Park Hyatt Sydney with free breakfast and free Internet as well as a Hyatt in Auckland. The total value for both hotels came out to about $15,000.

So the guy bought discounted hotel rooms near his house and didn't even stay there to get a big discount off very high-end hotels in a resort location. In the end he spent $1,700 to get two weeks in these awesome hotels -- or roughly $120 per night (what I'd spend for a Hampton Inn in an average location.) Looked at another way, he got almost a 90% discount off the list price (I assume it's the list price -- not what most people would pay) of these hotels. Even if the list price was way higher than what most people actually pay, he still saved a bundle by being rather clever.

I thought this was a good example of thinking outside the box in order to save a good amount of money. What do you think? Have you ever done something creative to save money?

Comments

[Eric J. Nisall]

That is definitely a unique way to approach it. The things that some people come up with to achieve certain goals amazes me sometimes. And, there's really nothing for Hyatt to complain about, since they got their money from his original "stays". Kind of a win-win in this case unless the hotels had other people willing to pay for the rooms he was occupying with his "free stays", but that's the downside of running a promotion such as that.

[STRONGside]

Really interesting. I dont use hotels too much, so I would never have thought of this option, but it makes sense. Even if he did not use the room that he paid for, he could always enjoy the amenities at the hotel rooms he paid for, such as a free pool and exercise room. That is 40 days and nights of a free pool and continental breakfast, where you could save even more money.

[Jason @ Redeeming Riches]

Very creative. The problem is, you still have to spend $1,700! I guess if you know you're going on a once-in-a-lifetime vacation this is the way to do it!

[Eric J. Nisall]

So, he had to spend $1,700. Some people choose not to look at it in terms of absolutes like that. I would look at it in the relative terms presented: a 90% discount at great hotels. He obviously had a plan and didn't just do this on a whim, so even if it's not a once in a lifetime adventure, it's still worth it to Mr. Wilson, and I say good for him.

[Anthony]

He could have saved more by actually staying at the hotel. Since he already paid for the nights, hould have cut off his cable and reduced his energy use at home.

Or, he could have sold his hotel stays to a traveler at a discount and make some money back. (Assuming this is legal to do.)

[Josh]

Brilliant!

[bobsmith]

Looking at the Hyatt website, the points needed to stay at the Hyatt in Sydney is very high. The points that they give you towards the "free night" are only good for a free night at certain locations (usually off the highway in the middle of nowhere). I don't beleive this story passes the smell test.

[Jenna]

This sounds similar to "mileage running" for airline points.

You'd have to be pretty confident that you completely understand all the fine print in your rewards program before you set out doing something like this. If you took the "1 free for every 2" promotion at face value, and the program is truly laid out as @bobsmith details, you would be sorely disappointed to spend that $1700 and not be able to redeem it as you had expected. There could be blackout dates, limited rooms, etc. Additionally, you run the risk of the program or the points necessary to redeem your room changing in the time that it would take you to accrue the points.

[PedroNY]

@bobsmith

This was a valid promo, you could use those certificates at high end properties, it certainly passes the smell test. There is a big community out there on flyertalk and milepoint that actually do this all the time. It takes time to figure some of these deals out, but it can be absolutely rewarding. My wife and I traveled internationally for 90-95% off when it is all set and done due to these deals, it is a hobby - very reward on in fact!

Cheers,

PedroNY

[Jeff]

This posting reminded me of the Adam Sandler movie, "Punch Drunk Love", where his character buys pallet-loads of pudding in exchange for airline miles. I thought that this was completely a creation of the screenwriter, but I just looked it up and it's real! Check it out: http://www.snopes.com/business/deals/pudding.asp.