donuteric Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 Wife is flying to Singapore this coming September and booked her on SQ suite for JFK-FRA-SIN. I will join her 2 weeks after her departure, but too bad I won't be flying SQ. We both will return in J on CX. She often helps me running errands at grocery stores and CVS, so I'm happy she's super excited on the outbound. I wish I soon would get to experience the suites myself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyschmied Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 (edited) Wife is flying to Singapore this coming September and booked her on SQ suite for JFK-FRA-SIN. I will join her 2 weeks after her departure, but too bad I won't be flying SQ. We both will return in J on CX. She often helps me running errands at grocery stores and CVS, so I'm happy she's super excited on the outbound. I wish I soon would get to experience the suites myself! Very nice!👍🏻 Edited June 4, 2015 by hyschmied Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheScholar Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 I like the idea of this thread. Just to contribute, I hit a situation a couple of weeks ago where my parents had to go to a wedding and planned to drive 14 hours each way. They're retired and my mom's health is so-so. The day before the drive, she wasn't feeling so well and my dad offhandedly mentioned that she was dreading the thought of the drive. They know absolutely nothing about points and miles (and wouldn't sign up for a credit card if the bank were offering a million pound bag of 1oz gold coins as a sign up bonus....stubborn as all hell). So they had no expectation of me booking the flights nor how easy it is. So anyway I did a quick look....got flights for 9000 Avios + $5.60 each way. The cash price, both due to the fact that the airport 8 miles from their house is small and it was last minute, would have been $665 each. They never would have paid $665, so flying wasn't an option on the table for them. But this is just one of those benefits of having the miles on hand to use - it's nice to have plenty of miles to be able to open up an option that wouldn't have been there at the last minute otherwise. I'm not suggesting that I got 7cpm in value really since the flight wasn't really worth $665 to them -- but there's obviously more value in having those miles than a 2% cash back card could provide. Glad I've spent plenty of time online reading to understand how to use all this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rorer_714 Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 You should always have miles on hand. They work great in many situations just like yours. The average person can rack up way more than they need with just signup bonuses. This way they can save their MS for 5x situations. Why not have the best of both worlds. As you found out Avios has no closed end fees. Many airlines do and you want to find a way around these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cv91915 Posted June 23, 2015 Author Share Posted June 23, 2015 Ahem. So many people are talking about earning travel points, but no one is redeeming? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyschmied Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 I almost bumped this myself yesterday. Surely more people have some travel plans this summer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mendelssohn Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 I'll be posting something here next month. I'm also going to check out the Centurion Lounge at DFW for the first time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotQuite Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 I just used my 46k+ "miles" to erase the cost of my rt flight to antigua. Don't yet know where I'll be staying, but at least I can get there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nateinva Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Me and DW accumulated around 150k "miles" to pay for a weekend vacation and a beach trip coming up in 11 days. Paid in full with "miles" and have discounted GCs to use for spending while we're there, with a 5% gas card to get us there. Thanks CB. This is pretty fun. DW is running the Marine Corps Marathon in DC this October (pretty effing badass if I can brag on her a little) and we are staying at Hilton. Already have enough points for Silver status and a free night. I hope to get 2 more nights added to this prior to the stay. We have 2 nights reserved now but I could extend bc it's the day after the race. Accumulating HHonors points and also placed the reservation on her Barclay Arrival with a $220 travel credit sitting and ready. One thing about traveling on rewards....you still have to have the $$$$ to play once you reach your destination. My disposable income right now is &%*#(&$*@(. So instead of sitting on points, I've exchanged for at least $.01 but usually more and have invested in a lot of upgrades and home projects I've put off the last 3 years. Finally getting things done and feeling no hit on the checking account is priceless. These are improvements that will raise our home value, in a local market already doing well. I'm getting a good return on all my credit decisions over the last year and I've never been happier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cv91915 Posted June 24, 2015 Author Share Posted June 24, 2015 I just used my 46k+ "miles" to erase the cost of my rt flight to antigua. Don't yet know where I'll be staying, but at least I can get there Nice. Do you have time to get a hotel credit card, do the minimum spend and redeem the points? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cv91915 Posted June 24, 2015 Author Share Posted June 24, 2015 Me and DW accumulated around 150k "miles" to pay for a weekend vacation and a beach trip coming up in 11 days. Paid in full with "miles" and have discounted GCs to use for spending while we're there, with a 5% gas card to get us there. Thanks CB. This is pretty fun. DW is running the Marine Corps Marathon in DC this October (pretty effing badass if I can brag on her a little) and we are staying at Hilton. Already have enough points for Silver status and a free night. I hope to get 2 more nights added to this prior to the stay. We have 2 nights reserved now but I could extend bc it's the day after the race. Accumulating HHonors points and also placed the reservation on her Barclay Arrival with a $220 travel credit sitting and ready. One thing about traveling on rewards....you still have to have the $$$$ to play once you reach your destination. My disposable income right now is &%*#(&$*@(. So instead of sitting on points, I've exchanged for at least $.01 but usually more and have invested in a lot of upgrades and home projects I've put off the last 3 years. Finally getting things done and feeling no hit on the checking account is priceless. These are improvements that will raise our home value, in a local market already doing well. I'm getting a good return on all my credit decisions over the last year and I've never been happier. You people and your "miles" are killing me. There has been a related effect in our house. My spouse is extremely cheap and has very low expectations when it comes to travel, but I'm exactly the opposite. We used to argue over why I thought we should spend more than $85 a night on a hotel in NYC. Now I just do point redemptions at nice places and we're both happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwd847 Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 (edited) We used to argue over why I thought we should spend more than $85 a night on a hotel in NYC. I don't like paying over $50. I used call off the vacation when it hit $70+. Lately I have been trying to justify a few more dollars by adding the value of a place that includes breakfast. Edited June 24, 2015 by pwd847 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotQuite Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 I just used my 46k+ "miles" to erase the cost of my rt flight to antigua. Don't yet know where I'll be staying, but at least I can get there Nice. Do you have time to get a hotel credit card, do the minimum spend and redeem the points? To be honest, I'm leaning towards a condo/studio rental. Not too many namebrand beachfront hotels there. And all-inclusive simply isn't worth it when we'll be offsite for a large percentage of our time there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cv91915 Posted June 25, 2015 Author Share Posted June 25, 2015 We used to argue over why I thought we should spend more than $85 a night on a hotel in NYC. I don't like paying over $50. I used call off the vacation when it hit $70+. Lately I have been trying to justify a few more dollars by adding the value of a place that includes breakfast. I paid $389 plus $24 parking at the Costa Mesa Marriott (which is nothing special) last night. Thankfully it was for work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cappy Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 Redeemed Amtrak Points for first redemption Ever on the Acela line Business Class. 3PPC Awesome value and awesome experience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cv91915 Posted June 25, 2015 Author Share Posted June 25, 2015 Redeemed Amtrak Points for first redemption Ever on the Acela line Business Class. 3PPC Awesome value and awesome experience Where did you go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cappy Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 Redeemed Amtrak Points for first redemption Ever on the Acela line Business Class. 3PPC Awesome value and awesome experience Where did you go? Baltimore - NYC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwd847 Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 Normally Amtrak is zone based travel. 5,500 points for 1 zone in coach. Isn't the Acela cheaper than that? Like 2,000 or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwd847 Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 We used to argue over why I thought we should spend more than $85 a night on a hotel in NYC. I don't like paying over $50. I used call off the vacation when it hit $70+. Lately I have been trying to justify a few more dollars by adding the value of a place that includes breakfast. I paid $389 plus $24 parking at the Costa Mesa Marriott (which is nothing special) last night. Thankfully it was for work. Even if the room is split between 4 people, I just don't see how that is justifiable. Obviously your room was for work, so that is different. BTW I did have breakfast included in last nights stay and it looked a lot like CV's strudel turd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cappy Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 Normally Amtrak is zone based travel. 5,500 points for 1 zone in coach. Isn't the Acela cheaper than that? Like 2,000 or something? The Acela is a higher class 8K for Business class and 12K for first class Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cv91915 Posted June 25, 2015 Author Share Posted June 25, 2015 Redeemed Amtrak Points for first redemption Ever on the Acela line Business Class. 3PPC Awesome value and awesome experience Where did you go? Baltimore - NYC Five or six years ago my company rented out the National Aquarium in Baltimore and hosted a private event there for customers. Enjoyed that a lot. Aside from that what I mostly remember about the trip was wondering if I was going to be stabbed or shot to death when I wasn't in the hotel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cv91915 Posted June 25, 2015 Author Share Posted June 25, 2015 We used to argue over why I thought we should spend more than $85 a night on a hotel in NYC. I don't like paying over $50. I used call off the vacation when it hit $70+. Lately I have been trying to justify a few more dollars by adding the value of a place that includes breakfast. I paid $389 plus $24 parking at the Costa Mesa Marriott (which is nothing special) last night. Thankfully it was for work. Even if the room is split between 4 people, I just don't see how that is justifiable. Obviously your room was for work, so that is different. BTW I did have breakfast included in last nights stay and it looked a lot like CV's strudel turd. "Sold out" doesn't mean sold out when you're willing to overpay for a room and you have elite status. The decor in the rooms is Central Florida Gauche circa 2003. This is a $200 room, MAX. No turd strudel, but the omelets were pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cappy Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 Redeemed Amtrak Points for first redemption Ever on the Acela line Business Class. 3PPC Awesome value and awesome experience Where did you go? Baltimore - NYC Five or six years ago my company rented out the National Aquarium in Baltimore and hosted a private event there for customers. Enjoyed that a lot. Aside from that what I mostly remember about the trip was wondering if I was going to be stabbed or shot to death when I wasn't in the hotel. It's pretty scary out there... I had one guy come up to me and say.. " I'm not asking for money, but I haven't eaten all day, can you spare a quarter for the bus and a coffee?" What century was this dude from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwd847 Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 I just did a little more research on the 1,500 point coach class tickets. I can go to 28 Illinois cities for 1,500 points. I think I will be taking a trip to carbondale soon. Hell, I'll bring the girl and her kids too for that price. 2,000 for business class. I took Amtrak from Milwaukee to Chicago once and it was faster than driving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyPoolPlayer Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 We used to argue over why I thought we should spend more than $85 a night on a hotel in NYC. Now I just do point redemptions at nice places and we're both happy. $85 per night in NYC doing what? sleeping on a subway grate? I don't have outlandish tastes in hotels like you do but even a Holiday Inn Express in Manhattan runs $125 to $175 per night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.