Event-focused opportunities with savings on accommodations up to 75%
Ever been to a Formula 1 race? I’ve been to three and love the experience. The adrenaline. The speed. The sound. I even love the smell of fuel. The drivers are bona fide superstars across the globe these days, thanks in part to the Drive to Survive series on Netflix. It really is an unforgettable experience.
We’ve written about special event travel a couple of times before. I’m a big sports fan so I take interest in these happenings. This special report looks at the strategy of buying hotels points to secure hotel deals in Austin for the Grand Prix in October.
People often hesitate to go to big events because hotel costs can be 3X to 7X the normal rates, and because of the misconception that hotels never have availability with points at peak times. That’s what this report is about. Dispelling all that.
Meet Martin, Formula 1 Aficionado
Martin is a dedicated Formula 1 enthusiast, so the United States Grand Prix in Austin is a dream calendar event. The Circuit of The Americas (COTA) offers a thrilling track and a festival-like atmosphere with concerts and various entertainment options. Let’s give Martin a stylish stay in Austin, shall we?
Full-Throttle Accommodations
For Austin’s Formula 1
Martin can use the points he’s been accumulating for pole position opportunities at four- and five-star Hilton and Hyatt properties, or purchase the points if he doesn’t have them.
Hilton
Sample Savings at the Colton House Hotel by Hilton
The Colton House by Hilton typically goes for $4,124 for three nights, which is $1,374 per night, including taxes. Using your Hilton points, you can pay 70,000 points per night, that’s just $1,050 at a half a cent each if you don’t have any points and buy them (anyone can), for a savings of $3,074 / 75% with the Hilton buy-points purchase strategy.
No Hilton Points, No Problem
Hilton frequently offers buy points bonuses and discounts that allow you to purchase up to 80,000 points annually normally, and up to 480,000 during promotions. Hilton’s current targeted offer, which can vary from one member to another, can lower the point cost to as low as a half a cent each, through September 24. During the promotion, the bonus cap has been has been increased, so members could buy up to a maximum of 480,000 points after the bonus.
If you don’t have enough points, you can transfer from Amex (one Amex point = two Hilton Honors points).
For an unlimited amount of points, know that you can pool your points and use FCF’s “how to get around buying points maximum limits strategy.” More here on Hilton strategies.
See examples below for the deals with savings of up to 75%.
More Sample Savings
At the time of writing, we found a couple of hotels where you can use your Hilton points or the Hilton buy-points strategy for the Formula 1 race in Austin and pay 70,000-80,000 points per night.
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Hyatt
Thompson Austin by Hyatt
Here’s what I booked, although it seems accommodations at the Thompson are no longer available for the race weekend on October 18-20. But there’s still a 50/50 chance it will become available before October.
The Thompson by Hyatt typically goes for $5,893 for three nights. That’s $1,964 per night, including taxes. Using the Hyatt points strategy, I paid 83,000 points for the three nights (see below). If you have to the buy the Hyatt points, pay just $1,594 when they go on sale, for a savings of $4,299 / 73% with the Hyatt buy-points purchase strategy.
More Sample Savings
We found a couple of hotels where you can use your Hyatt points and pay as low as 45,000. If you have to buy the points, pay $1,440, for a savings of $2,462-$4,299 with the Hyatt buy-points purchase strategy.
No Hyatt Points, No Problem
Hyatt frequently offers buy points bonuses or discounts that allow you to purchase up to 55,000 points annually after 60 days of membership. The regular cost is 2.4 cents each, and the most recent 20% bonus ends October 8 which lowers the cost to 1.92 cents each during this sale. If you don’t have enough, you can transfer from Chase, pool your points, more here, or use FCF’s “how to get around buying points maximum limits strategy.”
See examples above of the deals with savings of up to 74%.
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Getting There
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is the gateway to Austin. Major U.S. airlines, including American, Delta, and United offer numerous daily flights from key cities across the country.
Martin’s journey to the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin promises to be a thrill ride adventure to the final checkered flag. So copy Martin. Rev your engines, secure your tickets, and wait for the starting lights. You’re going to be a winner.