There's more than one way to use and earn points.
Right now I depend primarily on earning UR's and transferring to Hyatt for my rooms. That's some organic spend, offers, and buying Visa Gift cards with my CIC to get 5x UR's, then spending the gift cards mostly at Costco and some on dining and my recent beach trip. These rooms at the beach (front) are well over $500 in summer per night, especially weekends.
In June I did an every 2 years Disney card. My DD has the no fee Disney card and is not a churner at all. She app'ed for the card for me a few years back and I made the MSR of $500 at the time plus I referred for 100DD's. I also put a small charge on her card when I see an offer like 10% off at McD's - I'll maybe buy Happy Meals for the grands.
So this time, maybe 4 years later, I used her referral for 100 DD and app'd for the Premier with a $49 fee and $300 sub. So, $400 plus 'spend' Disney dollars for me, minus the fee, clearing about $370ish. This money goes toward my DVC dues. Easy money and I'm well under 5/24. I also watch for Amex and Chase offers to get discounted Disney gift cards to apply against my dues. Makes it much easier to use my DVC points however I want. And since DVC points account for a good part of my vacation room spend, subsidizing that is a main focus.
Meanwhile I belong to Marriott Bonvoy rewards, IHG rewards, Radisson rewards, Hilton Rewards and Hyatt rewards plans. Oh and Wyndham but I don't do much of anything there.
I have 4 'free' night certificates with Marriott. Basically this accounts for a discounted room after the annual fee as most room costs are quite a bit higher than the fees. I use them on my road trips back and forth to Florida. Same with IHG - I still have the $49 IHG card so that's essentially the cost of a room for 1 road night for me. Wish I had app'd for the $89 card when you could have both. The original sign up bonuses from these cards have allowed me to book a Hawaii hotel for my son and DIL's honeymoon trip as well as pay for my nights over time and I still have a stash but I'm not trying to replenish Marriott or IHG points instead focusing on UR's.
I've stayed once at a Hyatt in Florence, SC using Hyatt points for a pretty cheap night, and the room was nice, but the hotel was a bit more out of the way than I like. Right now the FNC is almost a nuisance as I have to figure out how to spend it. Worked great until my beach nights doubled in price. Still, I'll keep the card until I decide to do another SUB with it, but transferring works well.
I used my Hyatt points and some Radisson points for my beach visit. Free at beach in Maryland which is quite pricey in summer. First time at this Country Inn and Suites and probably the last. The room was fine, the breakfast was subpar and the location was fine for dining in the area but my preference is beach front. I don't want to be crossing 6-8 lanes of traffic with 2 grands. Instead we used the car and visited Assateague and just slept and showered in the hotel which would have cost over $350 for a weeknight. My aim was to use up some of my Radisson points prior to the Choice hotel takeover.
Over 3 nights this weekend past I used points that saved me approximately $1700. I 'could' have stayed cheaper on cash but I want beachfront, away from the very busy pier area and a newer hotel mid Boardwalk. We took the tram down and back to the pier area and it was so crowded! Not for me. I'd be clutching my pearls and my purse. Just sort of kidding, I don't wear pearls at the beach.
I've also used Southwest points in the past and have a small stash of those points. They don't expire but I don't keep the cards anymore since I don't fly. Family used all my points.
Overall I find UR's and Chase cards the most valuable for me. I have collected Amex MR's and cashed them in for gift cards and bought a ride on lawn mower. For those who fly and want business and first class, Amex MR's are excellent.
you get one on your application
I'm hoping maybe tomorrow they show up. Not there yet!
