What I like most about the points and miles hobby is setting a goal, then attaining it.
For a long time, I’ve wanted to stay at the all-inclusive and adults-only Hyatt Zilara Cancun. And in a few weeks, I’ll be there!
Coming for ya, Zilara!
I used 75,000 Hyatt points for a stay that would’ve cost over $1,900 out-of-pocket. Here’s how it came together.
Also see:
American who? Delta what? Beginning 2017, I’m exclusively flying and crediting everything to Alaska or Southwest.
If I have to fly American, that’ll be credited to Alaska. Thanks to Alaska’s merger with Virgin America, I might not see the inside of DFW much next year. DAL is gonna become my new jam – and it’s only 10 minutes up the street.
I’ll be at DAL a lot more than DFW in 2017
I’m also going to transfer 90,000 Starwood points to Marriott to get:
I easily value that at least $5,000.
Hope you’re having a wonderful holiday. Here’s a good deal alert!
NEW Boxed users can get ~$67 worth of stuff for ~$31 by stacking a new account bonus, cash reward, Amex Offer, and clicking through a shopping portal. The discount works out to be slightly above 50%, assuming you can hit the target right around $67.
Stock up on household basics with over half off
I love a good stack! But keep in mind the math only works for new accounts. So you can either make a new account. Or just use the Amex Offer with a portal bonus and still do well.
I recently picked up an personal Alaska Visa card, then tried to get another one soon after. It was automatically denied. Like, straight up the answer is no.
That’s unusual, so I thought it may have been because I didn’t lower the limits on my existing Alaska cards before applying. Not wanting to waste the hard pull on my credit (because multiple inquires on the same day are combined), I applied for the business version of the card and was instantly approved.
Deeee-nied!
But I didn’t want to let it go. I called the next day to speak to a credit analyst (they are open 8am to 7pm and I usually apply for new cards late at night while tipsy) for reconsideration.
I offered to lower my limits on one of the other cards, as they are pretty high (like $20,000 each), but she said the denial had nothing to do with my credit score or account history. And moving credit lines wouldn’t help me, either.
I was denied because I already opened a personal Alaska card within the last 90 days – which was the first time I’d heard that. But apparently it’s been enforced sporadically for a while.
So I figured how to play by the “new” rules and still get my doses of Alaska miles: rotate between the personal and business versions of the card every 90 days.
Also see:
There are a few things in life that make me say, “Hell, yes!” as fast as 4 free nights in the Bahamas.
Exterior of the Atlantis Beach Tower
I wrote about the details of how I did it, but in a nutshell:
Booking was simple. I requested my dates (December 10th to 14th), booked a non-stop flight there from DFW to NAS with Avios points, and booked a flight back (with a connex at MIA) with American miles.
I was aflutter about the experience, how the benefit would play out, and what the room would be like. I am happy to report it was a wonderful trip.
Yeahhhh buddy, ’tis the season (for putting things off to the last minute)!
If you have an Amazon Prime membership, there’s still time to order gifts before Christmas with free 1-day or 2-day shipping.
Here are some cute stocking stuffers for anyone who travels often. And hey, if you get an Amazon gift card, maybe you’ll treat yourself to a couple of these.
For the love of gods, yes yes yes. These little guys are worth their weight in gold if you want to work or read during your flight. And if you get the seat next to a screaming child (we’ve all been there), they can go a long way toward preventing that third Aleve (or is that just me?).
The prices run the gamut
Earbuds are like cars: there are cheap ones, and there are really not cheap ones. What’s funny is how, at all price ranges, you can find a solid pair with nearly all 5-star reviews.
I’d personally go middle-of-the-road, but whatever you decide on will surely be welcomed with open arms. I mean… ears. đ
Also see:
My Citi Prestige card’s $450 annual fee recently posted. I will happily keep it for another year (if only to have Admirals Club access through the end of July 2017).
I’ve dutifully tracked the value I’ve gotten on the Citi Prestige by the Numbers page. But I want to dig into the numbers a little more.
Sorry for the selfie, but I needed a pic for this post
I also got an retention offer to earn 7X Citi ThankYou points on $8,750 in spending on airfare, hotels, and travel agencies – which is fine because I book ALL my airfare on this card to take advantage of its industry-leading trip delay and cancelation insurance that kicks in after only THREE hours (better than Chase Sapphire Reserve and any personal Amex card).
Earlier today, The Points Guy broke the news (which they found via Reddit) of Hamilton tickets in Chicago starting at $85 for peeps with an Amex Platinum (or Centurion) card.
My friend Jas actually got 4 tickets to the January 21st performance for $65 each. January in Chicago didn’t sound so hot (literally), but I was interested when I saw a date in March opened up.
However, when I called, there were actually LOTS of days with plenty of tickets. So I’d encourage you to call Amex concierge and ask!
I had them check:
It seemed laborious for my poor phone agent to check all 6 in a row, especially because I kept comparing the seats against the seat map I had open during our call.
Over an hour of lovely hold music before I got a rep
However, every single show had tickets available. So if you’re still looking for – or if you want a crack at – these tickets, I’d say call immediately and have them check the date and time you want.
Some seats were for $120, but others were $180, depending on location and view.
I read about the Google Photos app from Jeanne at Le Chic Geek back in July and downloaded it based on her write-up.
I was initially wary of:
Gamechanger alert
But I’ll go ahead and say, you can do well with the free version. Especially if you don’t already have a backup.
You get free unlimited storage if you go for a reduced file size
In fact, whether you decide to pay the $2 per month or not, this app is a MUST download.
My friend Angie passed this tip along today, and I must say I was very tempted.
You can pick up the Ameriprise Amex Platinum Card with no annual fee the first year.
Good deal alert!
For those of you who can’t earn the sign-up bonus on an Amex card, the good news here is there isn’t one – so you’re not missing out on anything.
Plus, now is a good time to apply because the $200 annual travel credit will reset in January 2017.
So you essentially get the card free for a year, plus $400 in statement credits ($200 in 2016 and $200 in 2017).
RIP: Chase Ink Plus was one of the best cards for 5X categories. Yes, you earned 5X Chase Ultimate Rewards points at office supply stores, and on phone, cable, and internet service. And 2X on hotels and gas.
Um, what business is he in? Cuz I’d be all up in it
Chase Ink Plus is gone and in its place… the Chase Ink Preferred. Compare it here. But they nerfed the 5X categories! (And kept them on the Chase Ink Cash, thank gods – compare it here.)
If you’ve opened more than 5 new cards in the last 24 months from ANY bank, go ahead and stop here. And read some of my other posts. Cuz its unlikely you’ll be approved for this one.
If you’re on the prowl for a card to use for your small business, the Chase Ink Preferred is still extremely worthwhile.
Also see:Â
Back in March, I imagined what a new premium Chase card would look like. By August, we had a new bundle of joy: the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Are you the premium Chase card of my dreamz?
I had high hopes for such an offering. So I thought it’d be fun to look back and compare what IÂ wanted at the time to what actually came about.
And because my points & miles predictions for 2016 aren’t doing so hot. Oops.
Hello and welcome to Out and Out! My name is Harlan â Iâm a points and miles enthusiast who loves to travel. I am interested in personal finance, the power of positive thinking, and the extraordinary journeys that make life worth living.