Maximizing Rewards with Best Western’s Pay with Points: A Convenient Option When You’re Short on Points
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Best western has introduced new way to redeem your points – Pay with Points. But wait don’t they already have a program to redeem their points? Yes, but Pay with Points despite it’s name is not a traditional points redemption for night, it is rather “points + cash” type of redemption (frankly, i find the name of the program confusing). Basically, if you do not have enough points to redeem a night you can combine your cash with points at a value of 0.5 cents per point.
How it Works
If you ever find yourself lacking enough points to redeem a free night, don’t worry! You can combine your current points with cash to make up the difference. To book a stay using Pay with Points, just sign in to your Rewards Account on www.bestwestern.com and look for properties offering the Pay with Cash option. By doing so, you’ll get the following benefits during your stay:
- Earn points on the cash portion of your booking (only applies to room revenue)
- Receive Elite Bonus Points
- Make progress towards Elite status
Limitations
While the Pay with Points program offers flexibility, it’s important to be aware of some notable limitations and drawbacks:
- You must use a minimum of 5,000 points, and can only increase the amount in 1,000-point increments.
- Pay with Points is limited to booking standard room types.
- For stays spanning multiple nights, Pay with Points can only be applied to the first night.
- The cost in points is typically higher when using Pay with Points compared to redeeming a full award night.
By understanding these restrictions, you can make an informed decision about whether the Pay with Points option is the right choice for your booking needs.
If you’re interested in delving into the nitty-gritty details, you can check out the full terms and conditions of the Pay with Points program. This way, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of all the fine print before deciding to use this redemption option for your next stay.
To make a reservation using Pay with Points you must be logged into your Rewards Account on www.bestwestern.com.
A minimum of 5,000 Points is required for a Pay with Points reservation. Members may book a Pay With Points stay for standard room types using any combination of Points and cash, in increments of 1,000 Points, starting at 5,000 Points.
For multi-night stays, Pay with Points can only be applied to the first night stay.
The cash portion of the Pay with Points rate are shown in local currency. Total number of Points will be shown during the booking process prior to purchase. A valid credit card is required to reserve the room. Reservations are subject to the reservation terms and conditions of the participating hotel, including the hotel’s cancelation policy.
Unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable award offer, Pay with Points Awards may not be redeemed for packages. Pay with Points rates are available for standard rooms.
Pay with Points cannot be combined with any other discount or offer. Point requirements vary based on several factors, including but not limited to time of year, brand and hotel location.
Reservations using Paid with Points cannot be modified. To change your reservation, you must first cancel the reservation and then, if available, make a new reservation. You may cancel your reservation by visiting www.bestwestern.com, calling a Best Western reservation center, or contacting the participating hotel. If you cancel your reservation in accordance with the hotel’s cancellation policy, your Points will be re-deposited into your account and your credit card will not be charged. If you are unable to use your room and fail to cancel your reservation by the specified time on your confirmation, Best Western will not credit your account with the Points that you redeemed, and your credit card will be charged the cash portion of the first night.
Pay with Points reservations will:
- Earn points on the cash portion of the stay
- Points are earned on room revenue only
- Earn Elite Bonus Points
- Will count towards Elite status
BWI reserves the right to restrict, suspend, modify or cancel the Pay with Points program at any time without notice.
All Best Western Rewards and WorldHotels Rewards Program rules apply.
Conclusion
The Pay with Points feature is an excellent option when you’re just shy of a full award redemption and can’t wait to accumulate the necessary points. However, it’s important to note that using Pay with Points values your points at 0.5 cents each, which isn’t a bad rate, but it’s noticeably less advantageous compared to redeeming a free night outright. In other words, it’s a convenient choice when you’re in a pinch, but it’s best to consider saving your points for a full award redemption whenever possible.
