Now through August 31, 2007, American Express is offering a deal on hotels. Simply buy $500 worth of AmEx traveler’s cheques, and you’re eligible for $500 worth of hotel savings. The initial discounts range from 10-50% off the rack rate. Now, we all know that none of us every pays the rack rate, right? It’s still a good deal because your $500 savings account gets used on top of the discounted rate.
Let’s say that the Hyatt in your area is offering AmEx holders a 20% discount through this promotion, bringing a $250/night room down to $200. Hotels in the program then offer the ability to use your free-to-you savings account toward that $200. How much you can use varies by hotel, but it’s 10-80%. If our example hotel allows 25% of the bill to be paid via the savings account, the bill is now only $150/night for a $250/night room. You might be able to do as well (or better) using Bidding for Travel, but if you need a specific hotel, this is a great deal.
The deals seem to be best in cities with high hotel room numbers, such as Orlando and Las Vegas. Some of those hotels will accept 50% or more paid through the savings account (that costs you nothing but time), and that’s on an already discounted rate. Unfortunately, I can’t post the hotel list (and they change constantly, anyway). But you can access it as soon as you sign up with the serial numbers on your traveler’s cheques.
I like using the traveler’s cheques when we’re out. They give a better sense of security, and I’m not so worried about clutching my purse next to me in an unfamiliar area. My bank doesn’t charge for them, so this deal really only costs me time. The cheques can be used for anything; they’re just like cash. Except cash doesn’t give you a bonus.
One offer per person. Ends August 31, 2007.
Related Blog: Hotel Promotions: Are They Worth It?