Black Friday is here, bringing a frenzy of sales from nearly every retailer imaginable. Once a one-day affair, Black Friday has evolved into a week-long (or longer) sales extravaganza, seamlessly transitioning into Cyber Monday deals. While the focus traditionally revolved around discounted electronics, clothing, and household goods, travel companies have also jumped into the mix—offering deals on flights, hotel stays, and even loyalty points.
But are these point sales truly worth it? Before diving into the current offers, let’s look at how Black Friday and Cyber Monday became what they are today.
A Brief History of Black Friday and Cyber Monday
The term “Black Friday” has its roots in the 1960s, initially referring to the post-Thanksgiving shopping rush that financially pushed retailers “into the black.” Over time, it became synonymous with steep discounts and frenzied crowds. Cyber Monday, by contrast, is a more recent creation. It was first coined in 2005 and catered to online shoppers, offering digital deals for those who preferred avoiding brick-and-mortar chaos. These days have become key moments for retailers—and travel companies alike—to provide exclusive promotions.
How Loyalty Programs Join the Sale
Airlines and hotels have embraced the holiday sale spirit, offering discounted prices for future bookings. Recently, they’ve leaned into selling loyalty points, often marketed as the best deals of the year.
While selling points isn’t new—many programs offer point sales throughout the year—Black Friday deals typically match or surpass the programs’ previous “best-ever” offers. This can be tempting for avid travelers or those planning to splurge on premium travel experiences.
Current Sales
This year, many major loyalty programs are running Black Friday promotions for points purchases. Some sales have already launched, while others just went live. Here’s a rundown of the current offers:
- United MileagePlus Miles: United is offering a sale on miles for as low as 1.88 cents per mile. Full details on the promotion are available here.
- Air France/KLM Flying Blue Miles: Flying Blue is offering up to 75% off miles, with prices starting at 1.6 cents per mile. Learn more about the sale here.
- Hyatt Points: Hyatt is running a promotion where points are priced at 1.92 cents each. Hyatt points can be redeemed for high-value stays, so depending on your travel plans, this may be a good deal. Find more details on the Hyatt sale here.
- IHG One Rewards Points: IHG is offering points for as low as 0.5 cents each. This is a regular sale price for IHG and can be a good opportunity for those needing extra points. Check out the IHG sale here.
- Air Canada Aeroplan Points: Aeroplan is offering up to 50% off points, with prices starting at 1.5 cents per point. This is a strong deal for those looking to redeem for Air Canada or partner flights, but not the best price for points they’ve offered this year. Learn more about the Aeroplan sale here.
How We’ve Used IHG and Hyatt Points
If you’re considering purchasing points during these Black Friday sales, it’s important to reflect on how these points might fit into your travel plans. We’ve used both IHG and Hyatt points multiple times, and here’s how we’ve made the most of them:
IHG One Rewards Points
I regularly take advantage of IHG’s point sales, especially when they offer points for 0.5 cents each. In the past, I’ve redeemed IHG points for stays at various hotels, including mid-range properties where I know I’ll get at least that much value.
For example, we’ve used IHG points for stays at Holiday Inn and even more premium options like InterContinental hotels. Because I know my travel patterns, I can be sure I’ll use these points within a reasonable time frame, which makes purchasing points during a sale even more appealing.
World of Hyatt Points
Hyatt points are a favorite of ours for splurge-worthy stays, and the 1.92 cents per point sale price is tempting if you’re looking to book a luxury experience. We used Hyatt points for a stay at the Grand Hyatt Kauai, which offered an incredible redemption value of around 4 cents per point.
We’ve also redeemed Hyatt points at more modest properties, but even in these cases, we’ve received excellent value—usually around 2-3 cents per point. Hyatt’s outstanding collection of properties and the ability to book high-value stays make this sale particularly enticing if you’re looking for upscale travel.
Are These Deals Worth It?
Before buying points, it’s crucial to evaluate how much value you can realistically get from them. The “discounted” price of points is often based on inflated redemption values, so it’s important to consider the actual redemption value for each program.
For example, while IHG is offering points at 0.5 cents each, you need to make sure that you can redeem them for at least that much value—or preferably more—depending on your plans. Similarly, while Hyatt’s points are priced at 1.92 cents each, you should consider whether you can redeem them for higher value, which is often the case with Hyatt stays.
Final Thoughts
Black Friday loyalty point sales can offer excellent value—but only if they align with your travel needs. It’s tempting to stock up during these “best-ever” sales, but purchasing points without a clear plan can leave you with unused points or a bad deal.
Think of it like buying a discounted gadget on Black Friday: it’s only a bargain if you use it. Otherwise, it’s just another Instapot collecting dust on your counter.
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure about a sale, check out our guide to deciding when purchasing points makes sense: Points Purchasing: When It’s a Good Deal and When It’s Not.
Happy shopping—and happy travels!
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