

79. Hotel Award Travel Fundamentals with Ben Komenkul
12 snips Sep 2, 2024
Join Ben Komenkul, founder of Ben’s Big Deal and a travel rewards expert with over 10 years of experience. He dives into the key differences between using points for hotel stays versus flight bookings. Discover the true value of various hotel point currencies and practical tips for selecting the right hotel brand. Ben also reveals how to earn great treatment from hotels—even without elite status—and shares strategies to maximize the value of free night certificates. Elevate your hotel award game with his expert advice!
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Ben's Journey to Mastering Points
- Ben Komenkul struggled for years by earning points on airlines and hotels without loyalty.
- After refocusing, he saved around $80,000-$90,000 a year using points for family travel.
Hotel Brand Footprint Matters
- Different hotel brands serve different travel needs: Marriott and Hilton have large footprints favoring business travel.
- Hyatt, with fewer properties, offers better personalized service and less competition.
Maximizing Hotel Points Strategy
- Use select service hotels for affordable stays and to earn elite status via number of stays.
- Redeem points earned at lower-tier hotels at higher-tier properties for better amenities.