New York City hotel rates in the fall can be notoriously high, a challenge I recently faced when planning a two-night trip. Instead of settling for a disappointing price, I decided to explore a new avenue for booking – one that unexpectedly unlocked a treasure trove of travel rewards.
The opportunity presented itself to earn over 20,000 miles simply by changing *how* I booked. That’s a substantial amount, enough to cover a flight from my home in Houston to Paris with the right strategy. It was time to test a platform called Rove Miles and see if it lived up to its promise of generous mileage earnings.
Rove Miles is a relatively new program that allows you to accumulate miles on both travel and everyday shopping. These miles aren’t locked into a single ecosystem; they can be redeemed directly through the platform or, crucially, transferred to a growing list of airline partners. Imagine reaching destinations like Paris for as little as 18,800 miles – a compelling prospect.
My initial search on Rove Miles revealed a selection of hotels I hadn’t previously considered, moving beyond my usual loyalty programs like World of Hyatt and Marriott Bonvoy. While some chain hotels were available, a quick toggle to the “Loyalty Eligible” option helped identify those that would still allow me to earn benefits with my preferred brands.
However, the most attractive deals were found at independent properties. It quickly became apparent that maximizing mileage earnings required careful attention to pricing. Higher payouts were tied to significantly increased nightly rates, demanding a calculated decision.
For one hotel, the difference was stark: $356 per night for 28 miles per dollar, or $941 per night for 38 miles per dollar. While the higher rate included breakfast, the premium – nearly $600 per night – felt excessive for an extra 10 miles on the dollar. I opted for the more reasonable rate, earning 28 miles per dollar.
The final tally for my two-night stay was an impressive 21,746 miles, with taxes and fees totaling $66.56 – precisely as quoted during booking. Remarkably, the price through Rove Miles was comparable to booking directly with the hotel, making the mileage bonus a clear win.
The miles posted to my account remarkably quickly, within just a day or two of my stay. I had chosen a refundable rate for added flexibility, but instant mileage posting was available for non-refundable bookings.
The Life Hotel New York, located in the NoMad neighborhood, proved to be a fascinating choice. The building’s history as the former home of Life magazine was palpable, with iconic covers and artwork adorning the space. It evoked a nostalgic atmosphere of classic print journalism.
The hotel itself reflected its age, with smaller elevators and compact rooms. While not my favorite New York experience, it was perfectly adequate for a short trip. Check-in was smooth and efficient, a reassuring sign when booking through a third-party platform.
Ultimately, my two-night stay yielded 21,746 miles, conservatively valued at over $325 – a significant rebate on the $843 total cost. The real potential lies in transferring those miles to an airline partner like Flying Blue, potentially unlocking a flight to Paris for just 18,800 miles plus taxes and fees.
The entire process, from booking to mileage accrual, functioned flawlessly. If earning rates remain this attractive, Rove Miles will undoubtedly become a regular part of my travel planning. It’s a powerful tool for savvy travelers seeking to maximize their rewards.
