31
Jan
Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth grabbing all the free points out there. Do I really need 1000 Malaysia Enrich miles or 6500 Voila hotel points? Maybe not…but every once in awhile, those free points amount to something.
Tonight, Loyalty Lobby highlights a possible opportunity to earn 200 Accor points in only about 60 seconds of your time. You’ll need to connect through Facebook to identify some cities by iconic photographs – and if the promotion is honored (it’s intended for some European residents) – you’ll earn 200 Accor points.
While 200 points isn’t a lot, when you combined those with some points I earned earlier this year in a Facebook game and another handful that I don’t actually remember how I earned, it does add up. In my case, it may add up to 3,000 Accor points: enough for $60+ in Accor hotel vouchers. If I’m lucky and these points post quickly, I may even be able to transfer 3,000 Accor points into 7,500 Avios before the transfer rate changes on March 1 (as discussed by Head for Points). Used strategically, a few minutes of my time may literally be earning me a free one-way flight to Miami.
This is just one example how sometimes things really can add up – and I’m sure there will be more opportunities as the year goes on.
If you don’t already have an Accor account, you can sign up instantly online, which will also gift you free status (HT: View from the Wing). Sorry, seems like this offer has already expired. It does come around frequently though, so keep it in mind if you ever have family and friends planning an Accor stay.
Tina T said,
Platinum link expired
Jeff said,
I’m pretty sure transfer ratio is 2 Accor to 1 Avios ;(
Cogswell said,
I’d be careful it’s a very slippery slope – for example you say 200 Accor points for 60 seconds. Once you factor in the amount of time spent just finding these offers, understanding them, applying for them, following up when the points don’t post, weeding through the spam you then start getting, and now keeping these more obscure points active, it’s much, much more than one minute of your time.
Personally if an offer isn’t worth at least $100 I don’t bother…
Jonathan said,
I agree. I did the Accor game earlier this year to get 2,000 points (which is the amount you need for a certificate, not 3,000), and I was able to use it to cover almost all of a one night stay in Manchester at an Ibis Hotel. They’re not the most glamorous chain, but they’re clean and cheap.
Travel Bug said,
I needed that reminder. I’ve started ignoring some of these little points because I have pointchasing fatigue. But you’re right, I paid $25 for an airport hotel last year thanks to a bunch of facebook likes.
New Girl in the Air said,
@Cogswell – wow, that was fast! It was working as of when I posted the article, but I will remove the link now. Thanks for letting me know.
@Jeff, Currently, you can transfer 2 Accor : 5 Iberia Avios, but must have 3,000 Accor points to do so (7500 Avios). From there, you have the option of converting to BA Avios. The transfer rate is stated to change at the end of Feb.
@Cogswell, In some cases, I agree. However, many of these offers I stumble onto and there’s not much to understand about this one. I do agree that I don’t bother to follow up on points that don’t post (except for in cases of significant quantity) and won’t take the time for long drawn-out initiatives.
@Jonathan, Clean and cheap is usually all I need.
@Travel Bug, I’m getting to that point, too…not for point-chasing, but for point-redeeming. With so many capacity controls, I am trying to burn through many of my miles/points. Hopefully that will make 2013 a very cheap travel year so that in 2014 if I have to pay cash (even if out of choice), I will have had plenty of time to save.
Julia E said,
with all due respect , a waste of precious time . I used to go after these kind of offers when i first started and was over enthusiastic .
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