Is it worthwhile to purchase points?

[ksthommo]

How long does the points take to post? I purchased some 2 days ago and my account is still showing 0 points?

Mine were overnight for the 50,000 points and a another 24 hours for the bonus points.

 

[burmans]

I'm interested in this hotel. The rooms are the same apart from bedding config and view isn't it?

Btw, how did u find the elevators? People were complaining about the long waits on Tripadvisor.

Well, I didn't actually look at that many other rooms except in passing but yes, all looked the same from what I could see (and from the website).
I think the rating #25 out of 430 hotels on TA gives you a good idea that despite the complaints over the lifts people on average throught it was great (886 Excellent ratings, 469 Very Good, 70 average and minimal prro/terrible) is a prretty good overall assessment.

Free breakfast is good but yes it does get busy, location is great (immediate street takes a while to get used to but that is NY for you), weekday recption very nice, rooms great (kichenette), room great. It seems the wait for the lift is the only complaint anyone makes and here I think it makes a big difference if you are here on business or as a tourist. Peak hour, yes you have a few minutes wait (5 at most in my experience), if you're hasssling to get to/from work that will probably bother you, if you are on holiday you'll probably hardly notice it particularly if you aren't there in those peak times.

Given people talk about the value for money even at normal rates I think this is an absolute no-brainer at the PC rates. If you can and want to spend 3 times as much, yes you can find nicer, but value for money very, very hard to beat.

 

[marksmiles]

Personally I endorse this promotion. Of all the hotel programmes I estimate PC gives the best value, but to take advantage of them you have to be the type of individual who will have his travel plans influenced by the availability of reduced point promotions. I am one such character. It is a very similar practice to that which many of us employ for ff airline awards.
With regards to this specific promotion, while the purchase price is at a premium to doing it in other ways, I rate it as it very easily facilitates Platinum qualification of 40k purchase + 20k bonus. That's good enough in my book.

 

[straitman]

Personally I endorse this promotion. Of all the hotel programmes I estimate PC gives the best value, but to take advantage of them you have to be the type of individual who will have his travel plans influenced by the availability of reduced point promotions. I am one such character. It is a very similar practice to that which many of us employ for ff airline awards.
With regards to this specific promotion, while the purchase price is at a premium to doing it in other ways, I rate it as it very easily facilitates Platinum qualification of 40k purchase + 20k bonus. That's good enough in my book.

But does PC Platinum actually give you anything worthwhile :?:

 

[marksmiles]

It depends on your definition of 'worthwhile'.
The answer for some is probably no if you are referring to free wifi access, comp breakfast or access to the evening coughtails lounge a la Marriott ( oh how I miss that :evil: ). What you do get is some check in privileges, a good chance of a room upgrade ( which is where I think it is a useful piece of armour ), enhanced points earning. So not a great many of what might be referred to as 'gold plated perks', but the balance here is the ease with which you can achieve the exalted status level.

 

[straitman]

It depends on your definition of 'worthwhile'.
The answer for some is probably no if you are referring to free wifi access, comp breakfast or access to the evening coughtails lounge a la Marriott ( oh how I miss that :evil: ). What you do get is some check in privileges, a good chance of a room upgrade ( which is where I think it is a useful piece of armour ), enhanced points earning. So not a great many of what might be referred to as 'gold plated perks', but the balance here is the ease with which you can achieve the exalted status level.

You are in fact right. The other one I would add is the frequent cheap points availability or points and $$$.

 

[markis10]

Personally I endorse this promotion. Of all the hotel programmes I estimate PC gives the best value, but to take advantage of them you have to be the type of individual who will have his travel plans influenced by the availability of reduced point promotions. I am one such character. It is a very similar practice to that which many of us employ for ff airline awards.
With regards to this specific promotion, while the purchase price is at a premium to doing it in other ways, I rate it as it very easily facilitates Platinum qualification of 40k purchase + 20k bonus. That's good enough in my book.

Pretty expensive way of getting plat IMHO, your better of actually staying and taking advantage of the bonus codes, a stay of $150 can net 20-30K with the right promos, usually q3.

 

[serfty]

But does PC Platinum actually give you anything worthwhile :?:

Guaranteed: 50% bonus on base points with "Qualifying Stays".