Aliza
Forum Replies Created
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Membership Rewards are much more difficult to use for base value.
MR are only worth .8 cpp to about 1.3 cpp when you’re redeeming for a statement balance or transferring.
You really have to understand how to leverage partner award sweet spots (and usually be planning to fly abroad) to get good value out of MR.
Their hotel partners are absolute crap for average redemptions.
Ultimate Rewards have much better base value through the Chase Portal (1.25 – 1.5 cpp), and they have Hyatt as a transfer partner, which is hands down the best hotel awards program for their points value.
They also have most of the same airline transfer partners as MR, and United can offer pretty great value under certain circumstances, especially if you know how to leverage their excursionist perk.
As for points, yes, AmEx has historically been generous with welcome bonuses, but the new family language that they’ve been adding to their cards has cut down on a lot of people’s ability to get multiple large sign up bonuses.
Chase on the other hand seems to have really loosened up their grip on their Ink cards and you can get many larger UR sign up bonuses before running up against limits with Chase.
Lastly, as an advanced points game player, I would never pick one over the other.
Both currencies have their advantages and disadvantages and you should really be collecting both if cheap travel is your end goal.
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In theory, you can use their Venmo or Zelle option to pay your business or partner and then use the cash funds from that to pay your mortgage.
The only issue is they issue 1099 for that, so probably not worth the hassle for the points.
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I am a travel agent and I love points and miles but I would do the package and use discounted Disney giftcards to pay for it and buy those giftcards somewhere you get extra redemption value.
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I chose the Hilton over the Double Tree because of the location.
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The absolute cheapest way is to take the AirTrain to Lefferts Blvd., then the Q10 bus to Queens Blvd. ($2.90), then the E train to Penn Station (free transfer), then the NJT to Newark Airport Station (not sure how much $$), and then the EWR AirTrain.
Word of caution, that it takes forever.
Budget at least 1.30-2 hours.
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I was just there and stayed at the Hyatt Regency and it was nice.
Tokyo Bay is too far from HND.
I extended my stay and moved to APA Hotel Yamanote Otsuka Eki Tower.
It was nice, clean and affordable.
Close to a station.
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I booked United through the Chase Travel Portal and could not add my Star Alliance Gold number in!
I spoke to an agent through the chat feature and they said it’s a known issue for them when the agency makes the booking.
I would reach out to them!
Fast response and very nice!
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Aeroplan (Europe and Asia)
Qatar (Asia and Middle East)
Virgin (Europe)
Flying Blue (Europe)
Just from my experiences.
There are of course a lot of variables.
Maybe play around on some award search tool websites and Google Flights to see your options.
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I love the Condesa neighborhood and enjoyed my stay at the Andaz Mexico City Condesa.
Cat 4, and its Derba Matcha Cafe served delicious pastries and chilaquiles for breakfast.
There’s also a Travelzoo promotion running now for $159/nt stays.
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I was just there.
The Denver Capital One Lounge is open from 9AM – 5 PM and is nice.
To access, it is in Concourse A and walk past gate A34 and take the escalator up.
It is not near the other lounges and there is currently no signage.
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Nope, it shouldn’t count towards 5/24.
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I changed mine through secure messaging last year.
They sent me the form, I messaged it back to them.
Was all fixed overnight.
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I always use Delta to get to Puerto Vallarta.
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It is a very stupid system.
I wouldn’t risk it since you can’t transfer miles out once they are in your Singapore account and miles expire after 3 years and no way to extend them.
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Inquiry maybe, open account no.