cv91915 Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 Next three nights: Residence Inn Clearwater Beach, $205/night. I'll Hoover up the $325 annual travel credit on the Chase Sapphire Reserve, and earn 3x (at least 4.5% back) on the entire bill. This is a business trip. Meetings are across the street at the Hyatt, which had plenty of rooms, but I'm a Marriott whore enthusiast so I'm slumming it. Pro tip: running the dishwasher in a hotel room can provide precisely the white noise you need for a blissful night of sleep. Journeyjeans 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cv91915 Posted January 8, 2019 Author Share Posted January 8, 2019 (edited) 9 hours ago, cv91915 said: Next three nights: Residence Inn Clearwater Beach, $205/night. I'll Hoover up the $325 annual travel credit on the Chase Sapphire Reserve, and earn 3x (at least 4.5% back) on the entire bill. This is a business trip. Meetings are across the street at the Hyatt, which had plenty of rooms, but I'm a Marriott whore enthusiast so I'm slumming it. Pro tip: running the dishwasher in a hotel room can provide precisely the white noise you need for a blissful night of sleep. By the time I got to the hotel I decided to use my Amex SPG, which earns 6 Marriott points/dollar. The main reason for the change, though, is that we've been working on five concurrent promos (SUBs, spending offers) and I'm tired of keeping track of progress on all of them. This will get me well past the required spending on the SPG ($2k in 3 months) for the 20,000-point retention bonus, so I swiped the SPG upon check-in and then put in back into the virtual sock drawer -- at least until the next Marriott stay. My Platinum Elite status got me an upgrade to a large corner room with a water view, complete wth the signature Residence Inn dishwasher to lull me to sleep tonight. Edited January 8, 2019 by cv91915 Journeyjeans 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhoenixDown Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 I usually try to stay at AirBnB's when possible as they are often the most affordable option -- in some cases, I end up staying in really awesome locations for a 1/4 of the price of a modest hotel in the area. As for payment, it all goes on my CSR. I have an Amex SPG card which I am thinking of converting or cancelling. I like Starwood/Marriot but I just don't see the value in it for me anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cv91915 Posted January 8, 2019 Author Share Posted January 8, 2019 16 minutes ago, PhoenixDown said: I usually try to stay at AirBnB's when possible as they are often the most affordable option -- in some cases, I end up staying in really awesome locations for a 1/4 of the price of a modest hotel in the area. As for payment, it all goes on my CSR. I have an Amex SPG card which I am thinking of converting or cancelling. I like Starwood/Marriot but I just don't see the value in it for me anymore. I am surprised that there isn't a co-branded Airbnb credit card by now... We've had some really great Airbnb stays (huge 2 BR in central Paris), and some absolute duds (house near the Everglades with interior doors that were barely hanging, and a kitchen with the only Formica backsplash I've ever seen ). Journeyjeans 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyPoolPlayer Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 5 hours ago, cv91915 said: I am surprised that there isn't a co-branded Airbnb credit card by now... We've had some really great Airbnb stays (huge 2 BR in central Paris), and some absolute duds (house near the Everglades with interior doors that were barely hanging, and a kitchen with the only Formica backsplash I've ever seen ). If they did it would probably be offered by CreditOne. wwanderer and Journeyjeans 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cv91915 Posted January 9, 2019 Author Share Posted January 9, 2019 On 1/8/2019 at 4:24 AM, cv91915 said: Next three nights: Residence Inn Clearwater Beach, $205/night. I'll Hoover up the $325 annual travel credit on the Chase Sapphire Reserve, and earn 3x (at least 4.5% back) on the entire bill. This is a business trip. Meetings are across the street at the Hyatt, which had plenty of rooms, but I'm a Marriott whore enthusiast so I'm slumming it. Pro tip: running the dishwasher in a hotel room can provide precisely the white noise you need for a blissful night of sleep. On 1/8/2019 at 1:26 PM, cv91915 said: By the time I got to the hotel I decided to use my Amex SPG, which earns 6 Marriott points/dollar. The main reason for the change, though, is that we've been working on five concurrent promos (SUBs, spending offers) and I'm tired of keeping track of progress on all of them. This will get me well past the required spending on the SPG ($2k in 3 months) for the 20,000-point retention bonus, so I swiped the SPG upon check-in and then put in back into the virtual sock drawer -- at least until the next Marriott stay. My Platinum Elite status got me an upgrade to a large corner room with a water view, complete wth the signature Residence Inn dishwasher to lull me to sleep tonight. From my patio this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cv91915 Posted January 13, 2019 Author Share Posted January 13, 2019 (edited) A conference I'm attending in April is being held at Disney's Yacht Club Resort. Why not just burn me alive in Hell? I just booked two nights at the conference rate of $260, and put the deposit of one's night's stay on my Amex Platinum, which was stupid but convenient at the moment. Unless I'm burning through SUB spending on a new card I will likely pay for the remainder of the stay with my US Bank Altitude Reserve for 3X (4.5% back on travel). Right now I'm leaning toward PCing my Sapphire Reserve to a Freedom Unlimited prior to this trip. The Sapphire Reserve would have been a logical place to put the spending. Edited January 13, 2019 by cv91915 deanmartini 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVig Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 DW wants to go to Philadelphia. Again. I'll probably just burn thru some of my IHG points. Airfare will be cash since CLT-PHL tickets are cheap. I jokingly suggested we stay at a hostel. She quickly said she wouldn't travel if she was reduced to crapflake lodging. Lol. My reimbursable business expenses are whatever makes sense at the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cv91915 Posted January 19, 2019 Author Share Posted January 19, 2019 (edited) I'm too lazy to drive from San Diego to Orange County on Tuesday morning in time for a 9:30 meeting, and it's unreasonable to request reimbursement for a hotel room the night before... because 9:30 isn't THAT early. So I just booked one night at the Courtyard Irvine Orange County Airport for Monday night and used 17,500 of the 50,000 Marriott points we earned for upgrading TAD's Chase Marriott Visa to the Marriott Premier Plus Visa. Cash rate for the room is ~$269 with tax, although if I was paying with actual money there were dozens of more appealing options at or below that price point. This hotel charges $10/day for parking, which I'll probably put on my Amex Hilton Ascend, since I'm working the required spending for a 150,000-Hilton-point bonus for upgrading to this version of the card. Edited January 19, 2019 by cv91915 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVig Posted January 20, 2019 Share Posted January 20, 2019 Quality Inn in SC for the next few days. It's been awhile since I've stayed where the unwashed masses stay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cv91915 Posted January 21, 2019 Author Share Posted January 21, 2019 1 hour ago, TheVig said: Quality Inn in SC for the next few days. It's been awhile since I've stayed where the unwashed masses stay. Which card gets the spending? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVig Posted January 21, 2019 Share Posted January 21, 2019 8 hours ago, cv91915 said: Which card gets the spending? Oops, I forgot that detail. Spend is going on the Citi DC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cv91915 Posted January 27, 2019 Author Share Posted January 27, 2019 (edited) On 1/19/2019 at 7:18 AM, cv91915 said: I'm too lazy to drive from San Diego to Orange County on Tuesday morning in time for a 9:30 meeting, and it's unreasonable to request reimbursement for a hotel room the night before... because 9:30 isn't THAT early. So I just booked one night at the Courtyard Irvine Orange County Airport for Monday night and used 17,500 of the 50,000 Marriott points we earned for upgrading TAD's Chase Marriott Visa to the Marriott Premier Plus Visa. Cash rate for the room is ~$269 with tax, although if I was paying with actual money there were dozens of more appealing options at or below that price point. This hotel charges $10/day for parking, which I'll probably put on my Amex Hilton Ascend, since I'm working the required spending for a 150,000-Hilton-point bonus for upgrading to this version of the card. It's amazing how much better things look at dusk, compared to full sunlight. Edited January 27, 2019 by cv91915 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Pam Posted January 28, 2019 Admin Share Posted January 28, 2019 Ok I'll play. Just returned from Atlanta where I stayed at the AC Marriott @ Phipps Plaza. Conference/conference rate. I'm not creative, so it went on the Marriott Premiere Plus card. Upcoming trips: Boston - Kimpton hotel Wilmington, DE - Sheraton WADC - Homewood Suites The Sheraton will go on the Marriotte Premier Plus. The rest will go on my NFCU Flagship rewards. I'm pretty sure they were all booked with an ebates cash back, so that's a bonus, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanmartini Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 (edited) I have the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino booked for 6 nights at the end of Feb with Marriott points and $21. Also flying on American with AA points. The only thing I'll have to pay for is my food. I'm glad I booked Marriott in advance. I just checked it and there is no availability for any Marriott property except Ritz Carlton at $951 per night. Edited January 28, 2019 by deanmartini Checked availability cv91915 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVig Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 SC again this week. Citi DC. As soon as my new Choice Privileges Visa gets here, the hotel will go on that. By the time this project comes to an end, I'll have diamond status many times over. cv91915 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cv91915 Posted January 28, 2019 Author Share Posted January 28, 2019 Everyone who posts in this thread is invited to add photos during/after your stays, if you are so inclined. Not required, of course. All relevant posts are welcome. deanmartini 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVig Posted February 3, 2019 Share Posted February 3, 2019 (edited) Quality Inn. Choice Privileges Visa. Meals will go on the Amex Gold. Looking ahead long term, Choice is a Amex transfer partner. Not saying I would transfer MR to CP points. But it's an option when planning vacations. Edit--- Went thru Ebates portal since Choice participates. It's only 1.5%, but it's free money. Edited February 3, 2019 by TheVig cv91915 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cv91915 Posted February 3, 2019 Author Share Posted February 3, 2019 I just decided to make a stop to visit my grandparents on the way from Mudland to San Diego toward the end of the month. I just booked one night at the TownePlace Suites in Sioux Falls for $84 (with 8% back from Mr. Rebates). I reserved - and will pay - with the Amex SPG (6x/$ on Marriott stays). I couldn't part with any Marriott points for a hotel stay that's practically free... plus I love it when a bug-eyed human stomach hands me two fists full of cash. Miscellaneous comment: Due to limited schedules between MUD and OMA/SUX/FSD I ended up booking a four-segment multi-city flight itinerary (MUD-ORD-OMA / FSD-PHX-SAN), which obviously necessitated a one-way car rental. Hotwire had the best one-way rates, and I ended up booking a Premium SUV (Chevrolet Suburban or similar) because it was the same price as a Compact ($74/day). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVig Posted February 3, 2019 Share Posted February 3, 2019 First time I've heard of Mr Rebates. 6% CB at Choice Hotels. Better than the 1.5% Ebates is giving. cv91915 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cv91915 Posted February 3, 2019 Author Share Posted February 3, 2019 1 hour ago, TheVig said: First time I've heard of Mr Rebates. 6% CB at Choice Hotels. Better than the 1.5% Ebates is giving. Ebates is generally my portal of last resort. I use them mainly when I'm going to use a rogue coupon code that most other portals would disallow. They tend to look the other way... but it's reflected in their payback rates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Pam Posted February 4, 2019 Admin Share Posted February 4, 2019 4 hours ago, cv91915 said: Ebates is generally my portal of last resort. I use them mainly when I'm going to use a rogue coupon code that most other portals would disallow. They tend to look the other way... but it's reflected in their payback rates. Do you have a referral code? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mec Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 3 nights at Hotel Excelsior, Dubrovnik, in early July. New building, balcony, sea view. $1770.00 in Hotels.com gift cards from Amazon (using Chase and Amex offers) and from Raise through Giving Assistant at 2% then through Giving Assistant again for the booking at 7%. If all of the purchases track through Giving Assistant, it will be a 20.75% discount against the Hotels.com price ($1815.90) down to $1441.22 cv91915 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hegemony Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 last weekend I discovered that the Motel 12 is NOT twice as nice as Motel 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVig Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 (edited) South Carolina again next week. Quality Inn Choice Privileges Visa Dinning and grocery will go on Amex Gold Citi DC for everything else Mr Rebates portal 6% CB I think I’m gonna start my own thread since Choice Hotel properties will be my main focus for hotel stays in 2019. Highlight the points earning of the program. Edited February 9, 2019 by TheVig mec 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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