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This Best Western buy points promotion has ended. However, you can still purchase Best Western Rewards points here.
Although not the most famous of hotel points, Best Western Rewards points can still offer good value — especially when you can buy them with a 25% bonus for only 0.8¢ each. While we never recommend buying points speculatively, there are times when buying points can be a smart idea. This opportunity to buy Best Western points at a discount ends May 31, 2023. Here's a look at times when buying these points could make sense.
A Note on Buying Points
First, we need to address the elephant in the room. We never recommend buying points speculatively. Programs can devalue at any time, travel plans can change, and the last thing anybody needs is a mountain of points they won't be using.
However, that doesn't mean buying points is always a loss. If you're right at the cusp of being able to book your next redemption, buying points can be an easy (and affordable) way to make it happen. Additionally, buying points can sometimes be a fantastic way to book hotel rooms that have a low points cost but high cash rate. Think holiday and peak travel seasons.
Related: Do Best Western Rewards Points Expire?
Key Terms
- This Best Western buy points promotion is valid through May 31, 2023.
- The promotion is capped at buying 20,000 (25,000 with bonus) points a day and 100,000 (125,000 with bonus) in a 12-month period.
- Points may be purchased online or by calling the Best Western Rewards phone number of (800) 894-4365.
- The cost of points will be displayed/advised over the phone before the purchase is complete.
- Purchased points typically post instantly, although some purchases may take up to 48 hours.
- Points don't count toward elite status qualification.
- Points purchases are non-refundable.
- Members cannot purchase points within the first 30 days of creating a Best Western Rewards account or before a stay is credited to their loyalty account..
When Does It Make Sense To Buy Best Western Points?
Depending on when you redeem them, Best Western Rewards points are worth 0.5¢ to 1¢. In the case of this promotion, they come out to be 0.8¢ each.
Unfortunately, the issue with this Best Western promotion is that the cash rate is typically cheaper than the points rate. After an extensive search, I was able to find just one example of when the cash rate was more expensive than the points rate (and not by much). And this was only because a resort fee was included on top of the normal fee during the busy holiday period. So you will need to get very lucky when trying to find a deal where buying just the points makes sense.
The best way to utilize the points rate is if you've earned them through spending and you just need to buy a few more to get a free night (or two). Otherwise, buying the points straight up doesn't make a ton of sense.
Grand Canyon over the holidays
The initial price doesn't look great for a points redemption if you're buying Best Western points at 0.8¢ apiece. However, the final purchase price tells a (slightly) different story when considering the refundable/flexible rate and the daily resort fee.
- Points rate: 40,000 per night
- Members cash price: $328.38
- Redemption Rate: 0.82¢ per point
- Cost to purchase 40,000 points (at 0.8¢ each): $320
Paris in the summer
- Points rate: 36,000 per night
- Members cash price: $203.92
- Redemption rate: 0.57¢ per point
- Cost to purchase 36,000 points (at 0.8¢ each): $288
Here, it wouldn't make sense to purchase points. The points cost has gone up during the busy summer travel season, but it inflated at a higher rate than the cash price.
Niagara Falls during high season
- Points rate: 20,000 per night
- Members cash price: $100.79
- Redemption rate: 0.5¢ per point
- Cost to purchase 20,000 points (at 0.8¢ each): $160
Again, this property has elevated the points cost during a peak period while only raising the cash cost slightly. The cash cost is less than the price of buying points here.
Maximizing Your Purchase
If you buy Best Western Rewards points, this purchase should code as “travel”. That's because you're buying directly from them, via a phone call or the company's own website. Thus, you should use one of the best credit cards for travel purchases. Another great option would be to use this purchase toward a minimum spend requirement.
Consider using one of the following cards for your purchase:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Citi Premier® Card
- U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
- Citi Prestige® Card
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Related: Which Credit Card Should You Use to Buy Points and Miles?
Shareable Points
Another way to boost your Best Western points balance, if you don't want to buy, is to share between family members. You can transfer points for free between Best Western accounts that have the same address on file. Non-elite members may transfer to anyone in their own household, as long as both accounts are at least one year old and the addresses have matched for 30 days.
You also can top up your account through daily spending on a co-branded Best Western credit card like the Best Western Rewards® Premium Mastercard®.
Bottom Line
Through this promotion, you can buy Best Western points for just 0.8¢ per point. This is not a great deal, especially when you consider that the cash rates are typically cheaper than the cost to purchase the points. If you have a redemption in mind and need to top up your points, this promotion could be worth considering. It can present some savings against paying the cash rate of the hotel if you get lucky during your search. Just be sure to do the math beforehand and do some extensive digging if you have the time.
Are you going to buy Best Western points at 0.8¢ per point?
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