Redeeming Miles and Points for Auctions and Experiences
I just had lunch the other day with a good friend of mine who redeemed 5,000 SPG points for tickets to see Madonna in Milan where tickets were going for well over $200, so he got at least 4 cents per point. I've redeemed in the past with SPG Moments and have generally gotten excellent seats and received the tickets in the mail soon after redeeming the points.
That being said, generally using points and miles for auctions is a poor redemption value compared to simply redeeming for airline or free hotel night awards. Of course, as with all things miles and points, you should do the math and calculate the value of the experience and see whether it makes sense for you. If redeeming for one of these experiences would greatly enhance your life, then go for it! Just promise not to buy a toaster with 100,000 of your valuable credit card points!
Here's a quick rundown of some of the auction programs out there. Feel free to comment on your experience with any of them.
Redeem your Starpoints for concerts, sporting events, and even movie premieres.
SPG Moments
VIP Access at the PGA Championship: 20,000 SPG points
Two VIP tickets to attend the 2012 PGA Championship at The Ocean Course in Kiawah Island, SC, on Friday, August 10, 2012
Access to the SPG Skybox, which overlooks the 17th Hole and serves complimentary food and beverages
Shuttle service is provided from the Sheraton Charleston Airport Hotel to the course and back
Dinner at The Lambs Club with Geoffrey Zakarian: Starting bid 1,500 Starpoints
Two tickets to an exclusive dinner at The Lambs Club with Chef Geoffrey Zakarian on July 31, 2012
Tour of the kitchen
Meet and greet with Chef Geoffrey Zakarian.
Coldplay VIP Concert and Meet and Greet with the Band in The Hague: Starting bid 1,000 SPG points
Two general admission tickets to see Coldplay at the Malieveld in The Hague, Netherlands, on Thursday, September 6, 2012
Meet and greet, plus a photo op, with the band on Thursday, September 6, 2012
Saltimbanco by Cirque du Soleil in Doha: 5,000 SPG points
Two premium tickets to Saltimbanco by Cirque du Soleil on Thursday, July 5, 2012, at Aspire Arena in Doha, Qatar
A meet and greet with a Cirque du Soleil artist
Reserved parking for one car
Delta Skymiles can be used for more than just booking flights.
Delta Skymiles Online Auction
PAWN STARS TV Set Visit: Opening Bid 30,000 Delta Skymiles
Access to the set of PAWN STARS to watch the taping of an episode in Las Vegas, NV on Thursday, July 12, 2012
Meet and take photos with the PAWN STARS
PAWN STARS memorabilia
THE DARK KNIGHT RISES Movie Premiere: Opening Bid 30,000 Skymiles
Two tickets to attend the World Premiere Screening of Warner Bros. Pictures’ THE DARK KNIGHT RISES on Monday, July 16, 2012 at the AMC Loews Lincoln Square 13 IMAX Theater in New York, NY
One THE DARK KNIGHT RISES movie poster
NASCAR Pure Michigan 400 with a Pace Car Ride & Winning Driver Photo: Opening bid 30,000 Skymiles
Two suite tickets to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pure Michigan 400 at the Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, MI
Two rides in a pace car which includes approximately two laps around the Michigan International Speedway
One parking pass
Two pre-race ‘cold’ pit passes and garage passes
Two Gatorade Victory Lane passes
One photo with the winning driver of the Pure Michigan 400
Use your United miles to bid on adventures.
Mileage Plus Auction
Costa Rica Luxury Vacation: Starting bid 50,000 miles
Roundtrip, economy airfare for two (2) to Liberia, Costa Rica, for July 14-19, 2012
Five-night stay at an Exclusive Resorts villa in Peninsula Papagayo
$400 gift card
Rental car
Lincoln Center Festival Season Pass Starting bid 5,000 miles
Two tickets to four shows at Lincoln Center for the Lincoln Center Festival Season
Los Angeles Dodgers First Pitch Experience - 7/16/12: Starting bid 10,000 miles
Four Dugout Club Seats, Section 3, Row CC, Seats 1-4, at Dodger Stadium
Early arrival to watch Dodgers batting practice
Photo with current Dodgers player or coach
Opportunity to participate in first pitch ceremony
Stadium Club access
Food and non-alcoholic beverages
Press Box tour and parking passes
The American Airlines AAdvantage Auction site.
American AAdvanage Auction
Bourne Legacy Movie Premiere: Starting bid 20,000 miles (Up to 250,000 miles now)
Be there in person at the official U.S. Premiere of The Bourne Legacy in New York City on July 30, 2012
Essence Music Festival- VIP Access: Starting bid 20,000 miles
Exclusive Essence Music Festival Gold Circle Tickets for Friday, July 6-Sunday, July 8
Two VIP Wristbands, for access to the daily Empowerment Seminars
Take a seat at the table with Gospel Recording Artist Kirk Franklin, one of the most dynamic and successful performers in gospel music history
Winner will enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner with Mr. Franklin
Some other auction sites include Priority Club Rewards Auction and Alaska Airlines Auctions.
While some of these can be good deals such as the SPG concert tickets for only 5,000 Starpoints, others are horrible such as the Bourne Legacy movie premiere for 250,000 miles. When looking, just make sure it makes sense to redeem for an experience or if it is better to hold your miles to redeem an award ticket that is a better value for you. Most of these sites are updated often with new auctions, so keep checking back if you don't see something you like now.
[card card-name='Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card – Bonus Point Offer' card-id='22145660' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.