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Rate my redemption: A last-minute weekend in Amsterdam using Avios and Hyatt points

July 25, 2022
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4 min read
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Rate my redemption: A last-minute weekend in Amsterdam using Avios and Hyatt points
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Editor’s note: This article is part of a series to help you redeem your miles and points for maximum value. If you would like our loyalty experts to rate your redemption, please email ben.smithson@thepointsguy.co.uk with a description of what you redeemed your airline, hotel or credit card points or miles for, and why. Please do not include any personally identifying information like PNRs or passport details.

We bring you tips and tricks to earn and redeem your points and miles every week here at TPG so that you can maximize your travel.

Our team loves hearing success stories about how you’re using your loyalty points and programs. Unsure if you’re getting a great deal from your next redemption? Why not ask the experts?

In this installment, TPG reader Iain shares his most recent redemption:



I had a free weekend recently and decided to spend it visiting one of my favorite European cities, Amsterdam to see some friends. I love flying from London City (LCY) airport where possible because it's quick to get to from home and easy to use because of its small size. While cash fares are never super expensive on this short route I have a big stack of Avios to use so managed to find a return seat in economy from London City to Amsterdam on BA for 9,500 Avios plus $42 in taxes.
Accommodation was pricey with even average hotels well over $300 per night so I checked my hotel points balances and had some World of Hyatt points to redeem. I redeemed 34,000 Hyatt points in total for two nights at the Hyatt Regency Amsterdam which retailed for a whopping $385 per night! Even though Hyatt Regency isn’t the most luxurious brand, it was a newish, modern hotel that was really comfortable and in a great location. I would stay there again in a heartbeat.
Overall it was a very affordable and easy weekend away from London (this was before the security queues reached nightmare lengths!).

British Airways Reward Flight Savers are long-standing, excellent redemption deals. They allow you to book flights on BA to European destinations for as low as 4,750 Avios plus $21.05 each way in fees, taxes and surcharges in Euro Traveller economy. The farther the destination, the more Avios you will need to pay but the fees and taxes will remain the same. This remains one of the best flight redemption options of any airline program, anywhere in the world.

Though Amsterdam is a super short flight, this is an option, especially with being able to choose the convenient London City Airport in both directions.

World of Hyatt is the most valuable hotel points program around, as redemptions start from just 5,000 points per night.

Unfortunately, they are hard to earn in the United Kingdom for several reasons — World of Hyatt is not a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, there is no Hyatt-branded credit card and there aren’t a large number of U.K. properties belonging to the World of Hyatt loyalty program, unlike Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy.

Related: Your complete guide to the World of Hyatt program

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Still, if you do have Hyatt points, redeeming 17,000 points per night to save $385 per night is a great deal, and well above our (already high) valuation of Hyatt points. Remember there are no fees or taxes to pay for hotel redemptions like this and Hyatt does not add resort fees on redemptions.

This is an excellent use of airline and hotel points. It also shows just how valuable and convenient both are for a spontaneous weekend away.

Featured image by Yasonya/Gettys
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 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.
4XEarn 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.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    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.