Best Western Rewards made some positive program changes in January 2017, but I was too busy traveling around Prague and Poland to notice the 10% reward points rebate at the time.
Besides, all my Best Western stays in 2017 so far have been paid stays for earning $10 and $20 Best Western Travel Cards.
Best Western Rewards Platinum, Diamond, and Diamond Select members now get 10% off free night redemptions. This will come in the form of a rebate back to their account for 10% of the required redemption amount. The rebate will be posted to member accounts within 10 business days of the property requesting re-imbursement from BWR for the free night award.
https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/best-western-rewards/new-elite-benefits.html
I had a stash of Best Western Rewards points for several years that I seldom found good redemption value for in places I traveled around the USA. Even in Europe, the rates were typically low enough to make paying for rooms a better deal.
Then, I traveled to Poland and Czech Republic during the past year.
I found some very good redemption values in Krakow and Prague with Best Western Rewards points.
Best Western Hotel Kinsky Garden, Prague, Czechia
Friday July 21 – Tuesday July 25 (4 nights)
12,000 points per night for 2 Single Beds
48,000 points for 4 night reward stay and 4,800 points rebate for elite members.
Cancel with no penalty until Wed July 20.
Lowest rates for 4 nights paid stay July 21-25:
Prepaid, nonrefundable = 520.60 EUR / $588.24 USD
Multi-night stay discount = 544.40 EUR / $615.13 USD (cancel with no penalty to July 14 – 7 days advance)
Best Flexible = 616.00 EUR / $696.20 USD (Cancel with no penalty until Wed July 20.)
The comparable rate to a reward stay for same cancellation without penalty is Best Flexible rate.
Best Rewards Redemption value = $696.20 / 48,000 points = $14.50 per 1,000 points.
Best Western Rewards points sold for $5.50 per 1,000 points during the 2017 Daily Getaways with the option to buy 50,000 points.
A $275 Daily Getaways buy of 50,000 BWR points would have saved $313 to $420 on this 4-night hotel stay in Prague.
Next year I will need to load up on a new batch of BWR points. My points balance is getting low.
