Buy GHA Discovery Dollars at up to 15% discount til 31 August

[Guernsey Globetrotter]

Just got an email notification that reads as follows:

‘As a valued Platinum member, we’re delighted to offer you the chance to purchase DISCOVERY Dollars (D$) at a special price of USD 0.86 per D$1 for a limited time, bringing in 14% more value for your next getaway.

Seize this opportunity before 31 August 2024!’

As D$ can be used to pay for any of room rate, F&B or spa etc. then this is potentially a good way to get a guaranteed discount on any cash stays you were planning (perhaps in conjunction with a booking via Emyr?).

Apparently the discounts are 10% at Silver, 12% Gold, 14$ Plat and 15% for Titanium members. You can buy Platinum membership until the end of 2025 (or even 2026 if you’re lucky like me) – see here https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/topic/gha-status/

For us UK buyers there is an element of FX risk to buy in dollars but the rate could move in either direction and I can’t predict or manage that it’s a risk I’d be willing to take. Heading to Bangkok and Phuket over Christmas / NY and like the look of several GHA hotels so may book and lock in this offer too!

[Rob]

The issue is that, of course, you don’t earn $ back on D$ spent. As a Titanium, you are therefore giving up 7% back to save 15%. OK, you’re still 8% up ….

…. but then you need to factor in the FX rate. Unless you redeem in the US, what rate is the hotel using to convert your room rate to US$? Will it be a few % off spot?

I have a dog in the fight here because I’ve got a big Kempinski bill to pay in August but (as Titanium) I don’t see it as a no-brainer at the moment. Potentially a week or so before departure when I am 100% certain we’ll do the trip and so no risk of being stuck with D$ I may reconsider.

(Of course, their is an extra benefit in a direct cash saving now vs getting 7% back which will expire in 2 years.)

[Guernsey Globetrotter]

Thanks @Rob – the lack of D$ earn-back on spend was a detail I missed. Also right to say that the hotel’s D$ exchange rate throws another unfavourable variable into the mix… Likely to be a much more marginal gain then but still worth it if you’re definitely staying at a GHA anyway, just not a reason to skip other choices.

Can Emyr’s Virtuoso benefits be stacked with a GHA booking that is paid for with D$ and do GHA member benefits also apply too? Feel free to tell me to wait for tomorrow’s article 😎

[Rob]

Not sure about Emyr bookings to be honest.