Is it worth buying hotel points to transfer to Avios with a 25% bonus?

Until 15th October, British Airways is offering a 25% bonus if you transfer hotel points from seven major loyalty schemes into Avios.

Since most of the hotel programmes allow you to buy points – and often have special offers – I thought it would be interesting to see if any of the deals were so good that you were effectively buying cheap Avios by buying hotel points.

Test 1: Club Carlson

Until October 15th, there is a 50% bonus on Carlson points. Buying the maximum 40,000 gets you a 50% bonus. However, since Carlson devalued its conversion chart, this is still not a great deal.

60,000 Carlson points costs ($7 x 40) = $280. Transfers into 6,000 Avios + 25% = 7,500 Avios. Cost per Avios = 2.38p.

Verdict: Definitely avoid

Test 2: Hilton HHonors

Given the pathetic conversion rate of Hilton points to Avios (10:1) this was never going to be a good deal!

10,000 Hilton points costs $100. Transfers into 1,000 Avios + 25% = 1,250 Avios. Cost per Avios = 5.13p!

Verdict: Could not be less attractive!

Test 3: Hyatt Gold Passport

10,000 Hyatt points costs $240. Transfers into 4,000 Avios + 25% = 5,000 Avios. Cost per Avios = 3.07p

Verdict: Definitely avoid

Test 4: IHG Rewards Club

30,000 IHG Rewards Club points costs $345. Transfers into 6,000 Avios + 25% = 7,500 Avios. Cost per Avios = 2.95p

Verdict: Definitely avoid

Test 5: Marriott Rewards

30,000 Marriott Rewards points costs $375. Transfers into 10,000 Avios + 25% = 12,500 Avios. Cost per Avios = 1.92p

Verdict: Best so far, but still more expensive than buying Avios from BA!

Test 6: Shangri-La Golden Circle

You cannot buy Golden Circle points, as far as I can tell

Test 7: Starwood Preferred Guest

20,000 SPG points costs $700. Transfers into 25,000 Avios +25% = 31,250 Avios. Cost per Avios = 1.44p

Verdict: Cheaper than buying from BA directly, but still not a great deal – and BA undercuts this during promotions

Conclusion

Only Starwood Preferred Guest sells its points at a level where it is worth transferring them to Avios during the current transfer bonus. Even then, I would not recommend it, because the price of 1.44p is still a little steep and BA offers them more cheaply during its fairly regular sales.