cv91915 Posted September 1, 2021 Author Share Posted September 1, 2021 On 7/14/2021 at 8:48 AM, cv91915 said: First Class for the dates we needed was pricing at 120,000 miles each, so TAD convinced me to roll the dice and rely on my status to get us upgraded. MUD-ORD was a regional jet with one class of service, however ORD-ANC upgrades went through at 100 hours before departure. First is full, but there was no one on the waitlist at the gate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cv91915 Posted September 5, 2021 Author Share Posted September 5, 2021 TAD has to go on a work trip almost immediately after we get back from Alaska next week, so I canceled and rebooked my 9/18 MUD-SAN itinerary for 9/15. (I had booked a Web Special award, which can't be changed, but can be canceled for a refund of the miles used). The new itinerary in AA Economy was 12,500 miles + $5.60 in lieu of 264.20, or (26420-560) / 12500 = 2.1 cpm TheVig 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cv91915 Posted September 6, 2021 Author Share Posted September 6, 2021 15 hours ago, cv91915 said: TAD has to go on a work trip almost immediately after we get back from Alaska next week, so I canceled and rebooked my 9/18 MUD-SAN itinerary for 9/15. (I had booked a Web Special award, which can't be changed, but can be canceled for a refund of the miles used). The new itinerary in AA Economy was 12,500 miles + $5.60 in lieu of 264.20, or (26420-560) / 12500 = 2.1 cpm Just canceled and rebooked this for Tuesday instead. Same price for the reward redemption, but the cash fare went up to 274.20 since yesterday. Since I'm only going out to one decimal point, CPM valuation remains the same. (27420-560) / 12500 = 2.1 cpm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cv91915 Posted September 22, 2021 Author Share Posted September 22, 2021 (edited) On 7/14/2021 at 10:33 PM, cv91915 said: I just booked the final three nights at the Hilton Anchorage Downtown, at 50,000 Hilton points/night. Total out of pocket for this trip for airfare and the four nights of lodging that aren't included in our tour = $22.40 (security fees on the AAwAArd tickets). Cash price for the room for comparison is below. I used the Honors rate (I'm obviously a member) and selected the semi-flex option which allows cancelations up to 3 days before arrival. This is the selection I would have made if paying out of pocket, as it's slightly less than the more flexible choice which allows cancelations up to 24 hours in advance. 97678/150000 = 0.65 cpp This is a solid Hilton redemption. Recently I've gotten about 0.5 cpp, but historically it's been even less than that. We ended up shortening our trip by one day when we rebooked the flights, so this got shortened from three nights to two. Now I'm struggling to get our bill corrected for the $12/person/day food and beverage credit that comes with Diamond status. The bill that I received upon checkout only had a single $12 credit, despite both of us having breakfast in the hotel restaurant on both days. I called the hotel directly and they promised to fix it, and about 24 hours later they sent me an updated invoice with a total of two $12 credits (rather than four $12 credits). After that I sent an email to the hotel directly, and also contacted them via their Facebook page (hoping to avoid another phone call). Both of those contacts went unacknowledged, so I called the Hilton Honors desk this morning. The Honors agent called the property on my behalf. The hotel noted that although my reservation was for two people, I didn't specifically name the second adult when I reserved the room... and their policy is to only issue the credit to up to two named guests. 🖕 The Hilton Honors desk disagrees with the hotel's interpretation of the rules, and asked the property to issue the remaining $24 in credits. Hilton Honors also opened a case to document the complaint until it's resolved, and they gave me 10,000 points (worth about $50) for my frustration. Edited September 22, 2021 by cv91915 TheVig 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTSoxFan Posted September 24, 2021 Share Posted September 24, 2021 On 7/17/2021 at 2:09 AM, CTSoxFan said: My last redemption was for a domestic F ticket on United for next month. Cost was ~100k miles for a ticket that was retailing at ~$1200, so roughly $0.012/mile, which isn't world beating, but I look at it this way, I got the miles by getting the United club card with it's $525AF, so in essence I saved $150 on the cost of the ticket plus get 2 free years of lounge access, which is worth another $550/year, so all in all worked out ok (aside from the fact that between COVID lost traveling time and the club being closed at my home airport means it barely got used). That card is definitely getting hacked come next AF. Based on my expected travel locations for my new job, I will likely just purchase a Delta club membership and forego a premium airline card since I think I'll mostly be flying Delta and AmEx still hates me. An update on this redemption. Long story short, the first leg of my return flight was delayed the day before departure (don't ask me why they couldn't rearrange, but whatever), which would cause me to miss my connection. Called/chatted United (2+ hours of my life I am never getting back) and was able to rebook on an earlier flight, however was forced to be pushed back to economy (and a second call to get free E+ seat) and was able to make the trip. Have gone back to United requesting refund of miles since I was forced into economy by their issue. Sent initial inquiry through refund process and was denied, saying they couldn't do anything but forwarded it to M+ dept. Didn't hear anything so submitted second inquiry. My money is on me getting nothing back and liking it, but they surprised me with the airline credits for the lounge issue so you never know... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cv91915 Posted September 25, 2021 Author Share Posted September 25, 2021 On 9/24/2021 at 2:11 AM, CTSoxFan said: An update on this redemption. Long story short, the first leg of my return flight was delayed the day before departure (don't ask me why they couldn't rearrange, but whatever), which would cause me to miss my connection. Called/chatted United (2+ hours of my life I am never getting back) and was able to rebook on an earlier flight, however was forced to be pushed back to economy (and a second call to get free E+ seat) and was able to make the trip. Have gone back to United requesting refund of miles since I was forced into economy by their issue. Sent initial inquiry through refund process and was denied, saying they couldn't do anything but forwarded it to M+ dept. Didn't hear anything so submitted second inquiry. My money is on me getting nothing back and liking it, but they surprised me with the airline credits for the lounge issue so you never know... Maybe they'll throw some miles at you. I wouldn't expect nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cv91915 Posted September 25, 2021 Author Share Posted September 25, 2021 Use your Mastercard® to book an American Airlines flight on AA.com between 8/23/21 and 9/30/21 and receive $50 off your next ticket Just made the required purchase. (Not perfectly on topic, but life is hard) TheVig 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVig Posted September 25, 2021 Share Posted September 25, 2021 I don't have anymore Choice Hotels redemptions planned for the remainder of the year. I'll be going into 2022 sitting pretty good. LINK cv91915 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cv91915 Posted September 28, 2021 Author Share Posted September 28, 2021 Just booked the following in AA Economy: 10/31: SAN-MUD 8,000 miles + $5.60 in lieu of $182 (18200-560)/8000 = 2.2 cpm 11/14: MUD-SAN 11,500 miles + $5.60 in lieu of $182 (18200-560)/11500 = 1.5 cpm 11/30: SAN-FSD I booked this with three passengers on the itinerary, so it was easier to book this with cash since I wanted everyone on the same record locator in case there are any issues during the trip. 12/02: FSD-MUD 18,000 miles + $5.60 in lieu of $229 (22900-560)/18000 = 1.2 cpm 😐 TheVig 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTSoxFan Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 On 9/25/2021 at 10:16 AM, cv91915 said: Maybe they'll throw some miles at you. I wouldn't expect nothing. That is exactly my expectation. They did surprise me with the $200 credit x2 last go around, so you never know. Still have not heard anything back from either request submission (the one United supposedly submitted and my follow-up). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cv91915 Posted October 4, 2021 Author Share Posted October 4, 2021 On 9/28/2021 at 5:26 AM, cv91915 said: Just booked the following in AA Economy: 10/31: SAN-MUD 8,000 miles + $5.60 in lieu of $182 (18200-560)/8000 = 2.2 cpm 11/14: MUD-SAN 11,500 miles + $5.60 in lieu of $182 (18200-560)/11500 = 1.5 cpm 11/30: SAN-FSD I booked this with three passengers on the itinerary, so it was easier to book this with cash since I wanted everyone on the same record locator in case there are any issues during the trip. 12/02: FSD-MUD 18,000 miles + $5.60 in lieu of $229 (22900-560)/18000 = 1.2 cpm 😐 12/12: MUD-SAN 7,500 miles + $5.60 in lieu of $182 (18200-560)/7500 = 2.4 cpm I also just booked TAD's annual trip to Turkey for 12/13-12/28. I briefly regretted being out of United miles until I saw the $637 roundtrip fare in Economy. Almost free. Premium Economy was ~$1,350 and Business was ~$1,650, but he didn't want to spend the extra money. An interesting choice, but whatever... Economy it is. 👀 TheVig 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTSoxFan Posted January 26, 2022 Share Posted January 26, 2022 My latest redemption. Was able to upgrade from a standard room to a suite at a Hyatt property (one of their Thompson properties). Cost was 6000 points/night and saved $250/night on the room, a redemption rate of $0.042/point. hegemony 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVig Posted February 15, 2022 Share Posted February 15, 2022 REDEMPTION Vacation coming up in May 2022 New York City Amtrak CLT-NYP Sleeper Roomette $568.00 (Includes breakfast and lunch, and unlimited non-alcoholic drinks) NYP-CLT Business Class $354.00 (Includes unlimited non-alcoholic drinks) $450.00 GC Total: $472.00 Econo Lodge - Times Square 6 nights Redeemed 180,000 Choice Privileges Points Out of pocket cash price would have been $1496.89 (Has to be the most expensive Econo Lodge in existence) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVig Posted June 10, 2022 Share Posted June 10, 2022 Good thing I logged into my Amtrak account. I had two companion passes that were going to expire tomorrow. Went ahead and booked our train tickets today for our October vacation. Private room both ways. Saved a few hundred by using those passes. hegemony, centex and PhoenixDown 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVig Posted July 13, 2022 Share Posted July 13, 2022 Used 180,000 Choice Privileges points for a 6 night stay in NYC, a few months from now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVig Posted October 30, 2022 Share Posted October 30, 2022 Not a redemption. Paying cash rate on this one. Using points would have been a waste of points. Booked 4 nights at the Econo Lodge in Myrtle Beach. 2 Queen beds, ocean view, kitchen efficiency (we don't care about the kitchen). $52 per night. Checking in the day after Thanksgiving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hegemony Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 Delta 93,500 miles + $309 for first LAS-ATL wide body (the plane not me). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVig Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 Hotel Redemption Econo Lodge Times Square NYC 130k Choice Privileges Points for 6 nights Cash price for 6 nights would have been $1880 <----- Has to be the most expensive Econo Lodge property. But it's NYC so that explains it. Amtrak Redemption CLT-NYP Coach NYP-BOS-NYP day trip. Acela Business. NYP-CLT Business Class I was able to use a couple of companion passes for the legs between CLT-NYP-CLT. That dropped the train tickets for DW and me down to $500 total. Would have been north of $750 without those passes. Amtrak has been getting right proud of their prices. Especially anything that involves sleeper rooms and business class. hegemony 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVig Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 Burned 180,000 Choice Privileges points to stay 6 nights the Cambria Chelsea NYC this fall. hegemony 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVig Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 On 7/13/2023 at 3:18 PM, TheVig said: Burned 180,000 Choice Privileges points to stay 6 nights the Cambria Chelsea NYC this fall. Taking this trip via Amtrak. CLT-NYP in Business Class 2 Adults $632.00 2 Companion Passes -$202.00 Amtrak Gift Cards* -$125.00 Out Of Pocket $305.00 * The Amtrak gift cards were from redeeming points from the various receipt scanning apps I use. I redeem the points for Amazon gift cards, then redeem those for Amtrak gift cards. I paid the $305 with my Amtrak Preferred MC for 3x/$. hegemony 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVig Posted January 31 Share Posted January 31 I just burned 210,000 Choice points for 6 nights in NYC for May. Used to be 180,000 for 6 nights. Inflation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdporter Posted January 31 Share Posted January 31 Hey, @TheVig: Nice to see this thread reactivated! NYC in May is awesome! < except when there's a sanitation strike ... > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVig Posted January 31 Share Posted January 31 5 minutes ago, hdporter said: Hey, @TheVig: Nice to see this thread reactivated! NYC in May is awesome! < except when there's a sanitation strike ... > Let's be honest here. Depending on which block/street you walk down, there has been a sanitation strike since the 1960's. 🤣 8ball and hdporter 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVig Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 On 1/31/2024 at 3:22 PM, TheVig said: I just burned 210,000 Choice points for 6 nights in NYC for May. Used to be 180,000 for 6 nights. Inflation. We are taking Amtrak again to get there and back. Cash price for 2 R/T business class tickets was $668.00 I redeemed 2 companion passes and some Amtrak gift cards I had, to get the out of pocket down to $224.00. I paid that using my Amtrak Preferred MC for 3x/$. greendeh 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greendeh Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 (edited) 6 hours ago, TheVig said: I paid that using my Amtrak Preferred MC for 3x/$. I haven't been on a plane since a trip to Georgia in 1976, haven't been on Amtrak since 1982, and took the greyhound once in 1991. I was just looking at the Amtrak preferred MC about a year ago with a 40k sub (which is currently 20k - blah). Your post made me look again. Just checked one way to Dallas, Las Vegas, and Chicago and all are worth 2.67 cent per point. Those points certainly are valuable (if they get used). Not that I would take an over 4 hour trip to Chicago on Amtrak for $33 when I can do 2.5 hours in my truck for $33 gas or car for $21 gas. I may well get the Amtrak preferred MC later this year for part of my property taxes if they do the 40k sub again. Edited February 4 by greendeh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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