Best Western Premier Hotel Aristocrate Quebec City: Image courtesy Bestwestern.com
If hotel reward programs had tiers, Best Western wouldn’t be in the first one. Why? Because not only does it have the stubborn stigma of a “budget” chain, but it also doesn’t have any points transfer partners, which, nowadays, is a shame for a major hotel franchise. However, five years ago, it partnered with First National and thus two credit cards, personal and business, were born. That development gave me an opportunity to dig deeper back then, and I liked what I saw.
The business card is now defunct, but it doesn’t matter because the bonus for the personal Best Western card has since increased to 120,000 after meeting an easy spending requirement. And if you have a spartner in the “hobby”, You can get plenty of points to play with.
Plus, it isn’t Chase. Just thought I’d point it out. 🙂
By the way, Best Western is not a “budget” chain. I mean, some of their hotels are, but Best Western is as “budget” as Choice or Wyndham, as it too has upscale brands in its portfolio.
Best Western brands (Wikipedia)
Luxury
- WorldHotels Luxury
- WorldHotels Elite
- WorldHotels Distinctive
- WorldHotels Crafted
Upscale
- BW Signature Collection
- BW Premier Collection
- Best Western Premier
- Best Western Plus
- Best Western Hotel & Resort
- Glo
- Vīb
- Sadie by Best Western
- Aiden by Best Western
- Executive Residency by Best Western
Economy
- Surestay Signature Collection
- Surestay Plus
- Surestay Studio
- Surestay Hotel
Here is the promo
Your points are more valuable than ever this winter!
Emphasis mine.
Your points are more valuable than ever this winter!
As a way of showing our gratitude for having stayed with us in the past, we’re making point redemption for free nights up to 50% cheaper this winter! Between December 6, 2021 and February 6, 2022, we’re offering up to 50% off the number of Best Western Rewards® points required for a free night. Best Western Rewards members can redeem points for a free night at a deeply discounted rate of 10,000, 20,000 or 40,000 points depending on the hotel and the night. Hotels which otherwise would have been 12,000 to 24,000 points could be available for just 10,000 points per night during the promotional period. Hotels which would have been 28,000 to 40,000 points per night could be available for just 20,000 points, and hotels which would have been 56,000 through 70,000 points per night could be available for only 40,000 points. Discounted free night redemptions are only valid for stays between December 6, 2021 and February 6, 2022 and bookings must be made in advance. Upgrade your next vacation or stay longer by spending fewer points! If you are outside of the U.S. or Canada please contact Best Western Rewards Customer Service. Only available in select countries. This offer is only available in the US and Canada.
And here are some of my finds in no particular order.
Some pointers:
- In my limited research I focused on the cheapest options (10,000-20,000 points).
- The window of opportunity is small (just 1.5 months left).
- You can get up to 1.9x value.
- Not all nights are priced at the lowest rates, so, if you’re flexible, check different dates.
Floridan Palace Hotel, BW Premier Collection: Tampa
Image courtesy: Floridanpalace.com
- Sale: 20,000 points
- Price: $200+
Blake Hotel New Orleans, BW Premier Collection
- Sale: 10,000 points
- Price: $100+
The Cartwright Hotel – Union Square, BW Premier Collection: San Francisco
- Sale: 15K
- Price: $110+
Hotel Bixby Scottsdale, BW Signature Collection
- Sale: 10,000 points
- Price: $170+
Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire Inn, Grand Canyon, Arizona
Image courtesy: Grandcanyonsquire.com
- Sale: 20,000 points
- Price: $199+
Best Western Premier Hotel Del Mar
- Sale: 10,000 points
- Price: $190+
- Includes ocean view rooms
Best Western Premier Empire State Hotel, New York
- Sale: 10,000 points
- Price: $110+
Best Western Premier Historic Travelers Hotel Alamo/Riverwalk, San Antonio
Image courtesy: Bestwestern.com
- Sale: 10,000 points
- Price: $100+
Aristocrat Hotel, BW Signature Collection, Half Moon Bay, California
- Sale: 20,000 points
- Price: $195+
Best Western Premier Hotel Aristocrate, Quebec City
- Sale: 10,000 points
- 20,000 points during Winter Carnival
- Price: $CAD104+
To Recap
Even though the new Best Western redemption promo claims to be up to 50% off, it’s actually even better since some 24,000 points properties get discounted down to 10,000 points. However, taking advantage of this sale is complicated. First, not all dates are discounted, so you have to be quite flexible to find the best deals. Second, the promo period is short and going to end on Feb 6. And thirdly, it’s only available in the U.S. and Canada. Having said that, if you can find a hotel you’re interested in, the savings might be considerable, with redemption values up to 1.9 cents per point.
