The american obsession with "points" programs tied to credit cards, air lines,groceries, etc. astounds me. Particularly, when the arbiter or points provider sets the value, which in a heartbeat can be devalued to nothing. This has happened to me over and over, the worst case being "Marriott Reward points". Now even the Washington Post [newspaper] has introduced a "points" program. Is the public clamoring for these programs?

I went through this with Useless Airlines. Suddenly all my points were gone.
I thought enough people have been burned already that the demand for points was gone. The only points I keep track of anymore are the ones on my driver's license.. Those don't ever seem to go away.

Marriot has been chasing me to join their "club". Did theirs go away too?

I used to be a frequent flyer (over 100,000 miles a year) and did very well out of the whole points game. In those days I used a card tied to the airline I used most often (AA).

When I quit that, I switched to an SPG Amex, on account of Starwood Points are pretty easy to launder into most other programs. That said, I mostly use them with the hotel chain - haven't paid for a room in years.

So, I think you can get good value out of such programs - you just have to put in a small amount of effort.

I had to reply. Points are the only 'freebie' I think I have ever gotten in my life. In 2005 my son started his PHD program at LSU in Baton Rouge. My wife and I drove down to help him get moved in to his apartment and get set up. The drive took 2 days and we stayed the first night on the road in Alabama at a Comfort Inn. When we checked out the next morning the little gal behind the counter asked me in a southern accent that would melt your heart if I belonged to their points club - it didn't cost anything and I could accumulate points toward free rooms. Well I thought why not, I travel 30-40 nights a year at my job and maybe I could get a night or two free. Well this turned out to be terrific! For the next five years I got enough points to go visit our son once a year (two nights on the road plus three nights in Baton Rouge) to attend our state bowling association's hall of fame weekend (two nights) and bowl in the state tournament (usually one night). A total of eight nights a year and NEVER SPENT A PENNY!. The points per stay are not terrific but they have a stay 2 nights get one free promotion once a year where they actually gave you 10,000 bonus points.
I'm not trying to promote this chain - it's just this seems to be the only one of this type of come-on that I actually feel like I came out ahead on. I've noticed that this year the bonus has been reduced to 7000 points, but hey, my son graduated and I' not traveling to LSU anymore. - Don

Rewards cards make more money for the banks in higher transaction fees charged to the merchant. If you think you are going to get something using one card over another, they win. Especially if you never get the promised reward.

Sounds like you made out. My experience with reward points over a 20 year period has been very discouraging. The major "points program" that I bought in to devalued the point value by almost 50% over a period of time. In my experience they only work when you are going to have very high expenditures in a short period of time, and conversely use them right away.

Points work great for semi truck drivers, 1 point per gallon. I get free showers and food all the time.

I've actually found the points to be useful. I have one card that allows me to put my 2% rewards into a college savings program. The way I look at it, if someone is offering something for me, and I can use it, I might as well try to take advantage of it.

However, I agree that most programs are garbage, especially if the card requires you to pay a large annual fee. And, of course, keep in mind that almost all programs are subject to change, usually not for the benefit of the user.

EDIT: Hit submit button too quickly.

There is no value in rewards programs for me, only aggravation.
More cards for my wallet, more things to attach to my keychain, and more confidential info to track and protect on my computer.
My patience is sorely tested in convenience stores. I want in and out ASAP-that is why I pay a higher price by shopping there.
I do not enjoy the checkout operator being pulled off his / her till to show a customer how to redeem their points.

Still sitting on 180,000 United miles from when I used to travel for work. None of the hotel chain points ever amounted to anything for me.

The greatest thing I've discovered so far is the Costco American Express card. I use it for absolutely everything I can, and I usually get around $750 back every year, in CASH!!

Some years back, upon receiving a billing to renew my credit card, I called and asked if they could waive the charge.
I was told that I had a "rewards" card (which explained all these "points" I was accumulating and never using), hence the charge for the card.

I had the type of card changed to no points, and no charge.


Hell, I haven't been on an airplane since I got discharged from the army 43 years ago.

Hotel points work great for my daughter and son-in-law. He works out of town during the week so he racks up a lot of points. They cash them in 3 or 4 times a year for family trips and usually save at least 50%-70%.

I don't bother with them. What few I'd earn would expire before I used them.

As a former "road warrior", I was a Priority Club member (Holiday Inn Hotels), a Delta frequent flyer and a National car rental Emerald club member.

With Priority Club points, I received uncountable free hotel stays and hundreds of dollars worth of retail certificates. Likewise, numerous "free" airline tickets have been redeemed through Delta's Skymiles program (still have over 100,000 miles ~ 4 round trip continental US tickets). With National, I always drove a nice car, off of their lot, regardless of what was paid for. Not to mention, I chose to acquire Delta miles, with each car rental.

I don't have experience with reward credit cards, but I've never heard a negative.

Your "mileage" may vary.

Years ago I got to stay at Embassy Suites while working away from town. Wound up with something like 3 weeks worth of free nights. Came in handy during a cross country trip <G>

Hah,

I knew that was New Yorker when I read that.

I don't buy into HYPE.

I don't listen to PROPOGANDA or MARKETING crap.

Other individuals, when pummeled with this garbage frequently enough, will fall victim to it.
Sorry, I don't believe in allowing my mind to be watered-down with gimmicks.
Thinking they'll get something for nothing.

Do what now?

I think that a few of us have been very clear that we've benefited immensely from intelligent use of such programmes. The key term is "intelligent use". Clearly, since the Truth In Advertising Act makes it a federal felony to tell the truth in an advertisement, one must invest a small amount of time and effort in figuring out the system.

But, if one invests that, the rewards can be... well, rewarding.

What in the world are you talking about?

Nobody here has "fallen victim" to anything. We've all found one or more rewards programs that we like, because they work, and because they do exactly what they say they do.

I've been averaging $600-$700 a year in cash money from using my Costco Amex Card. I've used it to buy brand new laptops for my kids in college, and more recently, a brand new laptop for me.

I haven't been "brainwashed" into believing I'm getting something for nothing, I'm actually typing this post on my reward.

I'm not saying EVERYthing is a scam or loaded with hidden crap.
I just don't participate in rewards programs.