re: Credit Card Rewards and Points Discussion

My 40k for southwest personal card just posted....

I noticed in the airport this weekend they were offering 50k. I didn’t grab any of the brochures though (didn’t think about it). Do you think it’s worth calling the number on the back of the card and seeing if they’ll give me the extra 10k? Or since it’s already posted it’s probably too late?

I just sent a request via the secure message center and see what's up.

Hopefully the offer was for both the Plus and the Premier. I only have the Plus personal.

I thought the rewards went towards A-list and priority boarding, but apparently it doesn't. That sucks.

For me it's more about getting in the A group so I can get the seat behind the emergency exit. 6'5 and can use the extra leg room if I can get it.

But it's not that big of a deal, i ended up having to get my flight switched this weekend and I was the 2nd to last to board the plane. Got an aisle seat on the last row of the plane.

I'm flying SW Saturday. Can I grab some 50k point apps in the airport? If so, I'll get all I can for anyone who wants them. I flew into MSY 2 weeks ago and a lady was "barking" about the apps but I didn't need any. Kept walking past her.

B15 boarding Tuesday out of Hobby and both exit row pairs were empty

Anyone done the nights and flights on either Marriott or Starwood? I have 90,000 SPG right now so 270,000 Marriott points and those redemptions look pretty good. 132,000 UA miles as they get a 10% bonus and since I fly from HNL it takes 70,000 miles RT to go to Europe from here so this is essentially 2 RT tix to Europe and a week at a Cat 5 hotel. 300,000 Marriott would get Cat 6 hotel so I only need another 10,000 SPG for that.

Looking at the SPG nights and flights doesn't seem as good as I can only get 50,000 air miles and a Cat 4 hotel for 70,000 SPG points.

Experiences/suggestions?

Is there any reason for me not to close my Citi Prestige? I picked up this card a year ago for the 75k Thank you point bonus. I have taken advantage of double dipping on the $250 annual travel credit, but I am having trouble figuring out how this card is worth it moving forward with the $450 annual fee.

I have not been able to find good redemption options for my thank you points in the last year (still sitting on about 40k points). I already have the CSR as a keeper card.

Just wondering if any of you have had this card and why it was worth it to you to keep it past year 1. I would love to keep it if I can figure out how to just break even on it. Otherwise, I’ll be redeeming my remaining TYP for cash soon...

Year 1 was great with the 75k point bonus and double dipping for $500 in travel credits. But I haven’t used the 4th night free benefit once.. and don’t have any plans to in the near future. It would be a no brainer keeper card if I could make use of that benefit just a couple of times a year.

Now isn’t a great time to get the card though. There is currently no sign up bonus at all.

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Anyone done the nights and flights on either Marriott or Starwood? I have 90,000 SPG right now so 270,000 Marriott points and those redemptions look pretty good. 132,000 UA miles as they get a 10% bonus and since I fly from HNL it takes 70,000 miles RT to go to Europe from here so this is essentially 2 RT tix to Europe and a week at a Cat 5 hotel. 300,000 Marriott would get Cat 6 hotel so I only need another 10,000 SPG for that.

Looking at the SPG nights and flights doesn't seem as good as I can only get 50,000 air miles and a Cat 4 hotel for 70,000 SPG points.

Experiences/suggestions?

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I’m very interested in this as well. I don’t have much advice but I’m very close to buying the Marriott travel package to take advantage before August 1st. I may get the Ritz card as well to get platinum elite status after August 1st. (If I can make the $10k spend before 8/1 those two certs will be converted to 60k points each)

Not sure if this is the best place for this post, but I'm trying to plan a points strategy for business class flights to Thailand next year. I've never really booked international before, and the awards charts, alliances, etc are pretty confusing to me so just making sure I'm going about it correctly before I throw all of my eggs in the wrong basket. I'm under 5/24 and have a business so can be pretty flexible with sign-ups. Have Amex Plat, Amex BB+, CSR, Ink Pref, Ink Cash. Was thinking Amex Business Gold next.

Seems as though ANA, 110K RT per person with $200-400 in fees from JFK/LAX. I'll have the companion pass so I can fly to/from most places in US. I've got about 170k MR but little to no miles on any other airline currently, so I was planning on just racking up on MR sign-ups until I reached the milestone. I was wondering if anyone had an alternative recommendation, airline, or strategy to getting to Thailand? Is ANA the way to go or should I look at other airlines? Is the best way to search through the ANA website? I have 235K UR as well but would prefer to spend the MR since I find the UR more flexible and easier to use on hotels etc.

ehhh thanks, i'll probably just have to upgrade. Got the bonus last October, I believe.