re: Credit Card Rewards and Points Discussion

I agree. Given we only have 200,000 AA points, we will probably fly economy there (still excited so it won't feel so bad) and fly business back (try to sleep so that we will survive work the next week). That would cost exactly 200,000 points.

Agreed on needing more points. I just don't know how I can get them right now. I could do a business card in one of our names, but that would put us at 10,000 spend in a short time period. Don't know if I can swing that. I'm probably just going to see how it goes first. Thank you guys for all of your help. I had not considered this trip until I saw it here.

Is the ihg card one of the cards worth keeping and paying the annual fee?

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I paid almost $1,000 round trip for 2 tickets. Also, boat transfers are $50/person each way from Bora Bora airport to hotel. So, another $200. Food is very expensive there as well.

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I just checked and it's about $800 for 2 tix from PPT to BOB. Are there any cheaper alternatives you know of, like a sea plane or are you stuck taking Air Tahiti?

The hotel doesn't pick you up and bring you back to the airport? Damn. Anantara picked us up in a speedboat to and fro

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Ah yeah...that is correct. I misremembered. It's been a while. Still not bad.

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Ok, just making sure there wasn't something I was missing.

They are selling lots of points on Daily Getaways tomorrow. LINK
25,000 for $150 begins tomorrow, I may go for it, any way to get them cheaper or this a good deal? They also have 15,000 for $90.

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I also saw a blogger post this morning that even though he did not sign up for the 80k point $50 statement credit offer, he was able to secure message Chase and get them to honor the that offer.

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Hmm, you think it's better to call beforehand or take the chance after and see if they'll honor the offer?

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I just checked and it's about $800 for 2 tix from PPT to BOB. Are there any cheaper alternatives you know of, like a sea plane or are you stuck taking Air Tahiti?

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Yeah, I imagine the USD is strengthening to the CFP so it should get cheaper all across the board.
There is a boat transfer from PPT to BOB, but it is more for cargo although passenger tickets are sold. Not recommended. Last thing you want to do on a luxury vacation is spend a full day bouncing on the open seas on a cargo ship .

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The hotel doesn't pick you up and bring you back to the airport?

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It is a hotel transfer when you arrive at BOB, but just like everything else down there, you're gonna pay for it. You'll email the hotel concierge when you set your Air Tahiti flights up.

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I may go for it, any way to get them cheaper or this a good deal?

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I'd just go ahead and buy.

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Hmm, you think it's better to call beforehand or take the chance after and see if they'll honor the offer?

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I'd just do it after I applied and accepted. I've secure messaged Chase twice when I saw better public offers, and they have matched them both times without hesitation.

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I have 260K IHG points

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Is this your primary card, or you just stay in IHG properties a lot?

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whats this deal yall talking about with over water bungalos?

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There are 4 Intercontinental properties in French Polynesia that offer over water bungalows. Tahiti, Moorea, and 2 in Bora Bora. Bora Bora Thalasso is the pinnacle of the group.

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Just talking about a trip to Bora Bora and that the hotel is 50,000 per night for an over the water bungalow. I think Fro did it already.

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I searched that hotel and tried multiple dates. None yielded the ability to use points

I'm getting out of the USMC thus my annual fee waiver is going away

I have decided I need to cancel my AMEX cards. I really only used them for the sign up bonuses and a few airline lounge visits here and there. I use a CSP for everyday purchases.

AMEX Gold
AMEX Plat
Delta Reserve

What sort of hit am I going to take for canceling these cards? Am I going to see a significant drop in my score?

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Stayed at many properties for work and would always search Flyertalk for the random bonuses

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Nice. You can rack up some points if you get after the bonus programs. Just got 40k bonus points this quarter for using the app, staying 3 nights, and booking 1 stay with breakfast.

If you stay at the Intercontinentals or even Crowne Plazas over the Holiday Inn's, the Ambassador is really worth it. I've gotten some great suite upgrades, bottles of wine, free drinks, welcome fruits and chocolates etc. Pretty good for $200 and no stay requirement.

How do you search days available for points? I was just plugging in random dates and seeing the message pop up saying no point stays available during this time.