I have to say I love US Bank FlexPerks points. I love being able to, with a little bit of work, make positioning flights for under $100 for amazing mileage runs. The results are that I can generate a few needed MQMs on top of my normally booked trips each year, my trips for fun and my Delta AMEX MQMs from spend to keep my Diamond status year after year.
FlexPerks really is a super simple program that morphed from the old NWA program once Delta and NWA merged and kicked US BANK to the side after the merger. I really liked the old WorldPerks program and earned a number of flights to Sweden and it was amazing how simple it was to find award seats back in the NWA days. Yes, back then NWA published an award chart, worked well with partners, and made it a joy to by loyal to the program. Ah, I long for those days. But on to today and the current program.
It is interesting how so many programs put up options that are beyond crazy for redemption. Take SkyMiles for example. They offer hotels as an option for redemption at beyond ‘bat crazy” prices. Heck, at those levels you might as well use this “live currency” to buy things like overpriced bubbly wine in the Sky Clubs (who would be foolish and dumb enough to even consider doing something idiotic like that?). But then we have this from FlexPerks.
Oh my, to burn up the better part of half a million points for one hour of flight time. Yikes. Just think how many coach (20,000 = max $400 ticket) or even 1st class flights you could book for that many points. Plus, on top of that you would also be earning points in whatever program you decided to fly when spending your FlexPerks points. Maybe I am just not a “private jet” kinda guy! 😉
Now there are times burning points for not “travel” related stuff is a great value to me. Take for example the SPG Moments event at the PGA I attended with a buddy this year. That was an amazing value and I will miss the chance to go to such events if the Marriott merger ends loyalty events like these.
But that brings me to today’s question. What is the worst possible use of points you have ever seen, had someone tell you about or (if you are really brave) you have done yourself that made you go – GEEEEZ, NO WAY! Let’s see if you can one-up another reader or even my example at the top of the post! – Rene
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This is actually a good deal. At .01 per point, that’s only $3,950 per hour which is usually $5,000+ per hour.
Between the time savings, no TSA and that I can take 5 other people with me for the same price make this totally worth it.
Have I mentioned there’s no chance of feeling like you were ready to die as if you were on a RJ 200 or there’s no chance of the FAs closing the curtain to the galley to ignore your need for another Woodford?
Sign me up!!!
@john that’s exactly what I was thinking. If we assume $5k per hour, it’s a better deal than Delta pay with points and about the same as using UR points for a ticket.
There are much worse deals out there.
I have a friend who wasted 500,000 miles on four tickets to Paris. He took his fiancé, his best friend and his best friend’s girlfriend.
When the four of them got back got back to the States, his fiancé ran off with his best friend.
I told him to look at the bright side – at least his fiancé didn’t run off with a complete stranger.