How Many Credit Cards Do You Have?

[steve dave]

INK
60k UR points. Trim's Link. If you're going to apply, do it here:
https://applynow.chase.com/FlexAppWeb/renderApp.do?PID=CFFD2&SPID=FFWX&CELL=6RKJ&MSC=1514530382

Trim's Ink app link added to post 1

[steve dave]

also, lucky noted a pretty important change that would occur if Hyatt and SPG merged. Their credit card would either be chase or amex. If amex you'd lose the ability to transfer UR points to them. if chase you'd lose the ability to transfer MR points to them. Important because MR only transfer at 3:1 and UR transfer at 1:1. Obviously UR is better here. Also, you can only get the personal amex once in a lifetime but you can get the chase every 2 years. obviously chase is better here.

[steve dave]

check out this hot POA slideshow

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/30/travel/american-airlines-posters.html?&_r=0&module=CloseSlideshow&region=SlideShowTopBar&version=EndSlate&action=click&contentCollection=Travel&pgtype=imageslideshow

and someone buy me this book for christmas pls

http://www.amazon.com/Airline-Visual-Identity-M-C-Huhne/dp/3981655001

[Mrs. Gooch]

check out this hot POA slideshow

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/30/travel/american-airlines-posters.html?&_r=0&module=CloseSlideshow&region=SlideShowTopBar&version=EndSlate&action=click&contentCollection=Travel&pgtype=imageslideshow

and someone buy me this book for christmas pls

http://www.amazon.com/Airline-Visual-Identity-M-C-Huhne/dp/3981655001

Do you think the guy in this example is as tall as 'clams or like Rick Daris's height?

[puniraptor]

What do I need to upgrade my big employer booked international flight to business or first? I don't know the airline yet but assume American

[steve dave]

What do I need to upgrade my big employer booked international flight to business or first? I don't know the airline yet but assume American

high level elite status

[puniraptor]

its gonna be AA

they have a chart for domestic but international seems to be secret

[steve dave]

its gonna be AA

they have a chart for domestic but international seems to be secret

https://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/redeemMiles/mileage-upgrade-chart.jsp

call them and tell them what you want to do

[puniraptor]

oooh, i just dont know how to read charts

[puniraptor]

non travel pro question:  business or first? 14 hr flight. looks like i can afford either pts wise for two

[steve dave]

non travel pro question:  business or first? 14 hr flight. looks like i can afford either pts wise for two

Business is a better bang for the buck. Both will lay you flat. Pajamas in first tho! Where are you flying into? Arrivals lounge shower is very great perk when you can't check in for 7 hours.

[puniraptor]

non travel pro question:  business or first? 14 hr flight. looks like i can afford either pts wise for two

Business is a better bang for the buck. Both will lay you flat. Pajamas in first tho! Where are you flying into? Arrivals lounge shower is very great perk when you can't check in for 7 hours.

narita. i dont think i am in the market for a lounge shower

[puniraptor]

do i get to keep the bose noise cancelling headphones?

[steve dave]

do i get to keep the bose noise cancelling headphones?

No, they are pretty nuts about collecting them before they start the decent.

[steve dave]

non travel pro question:  business or first? 14 hr flight. looks like i can afford either pts wise for two

Business is a better bang for the buck. Both will lay you flat. Pajamas in first tho! Where are you flying into? Arrivals lounge shower is very great perk when you can't check in for 7 hours.

narita. i dont think i am in the market for a lounge shower

AA into Narita? That sucks. The Asian carriers are amaze.

[puniraptor]

What if somebody snatches mine???

[steve dave]

What if somebody snatches mine???

You will be sued

[puniraptor]

What if somebody snatches mine???

You will be sued

how are they sanitized? have you ever gotten bedbugs from bose noise cancelling headphones?

[steve dave]

Also, the lounge shower is a must do. I've hungover lounge showered in 4 countries and most major domestic hubs. So refreshing.

[michigancat]

change it to Cathay! Or not.

I forgot to mention that when I flew Singapore even economy got a little care package. It contained a toothbrush and a pair of socks.

[Pete]

also, lucky noted a pretty important change that would occur if Hyatt and SPG merged. Their credit card would either be chase or amex. If amex you'd lose the ability to transfer UR points to them. if chase you'd lose the ability to transfer MR points to them. Important because MR only transfer at 3:1 and UR transfer at 1:1. Obviously UR is better here. Also, you can only get the personal amex once in a lifetime but you can get the chase every 2 years. obviously chase is better here.

SD,  is there anything we should do now on this?  I have an SPG card, and already nailed the spend bonus.  Should I go for a Hyatt card to before anything happens?

[steve dave]

Nah

[Trim]

I don't think I mumped this up, but chime in if I did.

Needed to get 2 of us back to Seattle from Vancouver next Sunday in a good mid-day time slot.  I found a perfect Alaska Air flight that would be 12.5K + $44 each (assumed the $44 was for late booking).  Checked American and they'd be putting me on the same flight for 12.5 + like $140-something each.  Then I thought of the soon-to-be devauled avios.  Can't book Alaska flights online.  Remembered stuff from here and read these real quick and called.

http://www.headforpoints.com/2015/10/19/how-to-use-avios-for-tax-free-flights-on-alaska-airlines-good-for-hawaii/

http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/10/03/redeeming-avios-alaska-airlines/

Didn't have to argue at all about book-by-phone fees, I said something to the receptionist about not being able to do it online and the guy she put me with said it was waived w/o me bringing it up, 4500 avios each, but said I'd have to pay $44 each in taxes.  That top link said there'd be no taxes.  It was still a great deal so I did it.

I saw in the comment section that the $44 might be Canadian tax, which would make sense as to why there was an exact $44 add-on w/BA or AA.

So that's pretty good all told, no?  $54 each to take the train there, $44 each to fly back, free Regency Club room w/my annual Hyatt night at the nice one right in downtown, get all pak'd on devalued canadian dollar booze.

[steve dave]

Yes, good work. it's the international taxes. BA doesn't have late booking fees so it's good to remember to use it instead of AA miles for those. another thing that's great about Avios is you can cancel award flights last minute and you only forfeit the taxes. This could be a lot of money on an international route but domestic it's like $5. So you can make a bunch of early bookings for trips you may take if you want to assure award availability and then cancel and not be out much.

[Pete]

Yes, good work. it's the international taxes. BA doesn't have late booking fees so it's good to remember to use it instead of AA miles for those. another thing that's great about Avios is you can cancel award flights last minute and you only forfeit the taxes. This could be a lot of money on an international route but domestic it's like $5. So you can make a bunch of early bookings for trips you may take if you want to assure award availability and then cancel and not be out much.

That is a huge point about the no cancellation fee on domestic with Avios.  I am going to have to remember that the next time I hear about a good mileage sale on flights, and go ahead and book them "just in case."  Thanks!