Happy Sunday to all of our travel friends, both near and far! Here are some articles we’ve read from other bloggers (and other sources) that we think you may like, as well, so we’re passing them along.
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Tag: Ultimate Rewards
Beware the Amazon Trap Designed To Drain Membership Rewards And Citi ThankYou Points Accounts
Amazon.com has “enhanced” their website making it easier for you to pay for your Amazon purchases with the flexible points from your credit cards. If you’re not careful, the points you were saving for a trip to Hawaii might end up paying for that 18 foot inflatable Frosty the Snowman you’ve been wanting to buy. I mean, it’s awesome but not a great use of your Membership Rewards points.
Flexible Points
Flexible Point currencies like American Express Membership Rewards and Citi ThankYou Points are useful because of the various ways you can redeem your points. Some redemptions are great values, like when you’re able to transfer points to travel partners and make once in a lifetime trips. Other redemptions are average, such as using the points to book travel through the designated booking portal where you’re typically get 1 to 1.5 cents of value per point. These bookings are good when you need a reservation where transferring points is undesirable or unavailable, Still other redemptions are terrible, like redeeming for merchandise, magazines or even TSA Precheck memberships. You’ll often get less than 1 cent of value per point (and the merchandise is also overpriced to begin with).
Credit Card Review: Chase Ink Business Preferred
I’ve made no secret about the problems I had trying to convince Chase that I’m running an actual business. The reason I went through all of that trouble was so I would be able to get some of the awesome business credit cards that Chase offers. Having a business opens up a whole other world of sign up bonuses.
Now, I’m not going to tell you to sign up for a business credit card if you don’t have a business. That’s something I will not do for Your Mileage May Vary. However, if you have a side business that has expenses (and hopefully an income as well) you should be able to apply for a business card. Just be honest on the application.
Once I was able to get a business card from Chase, the first card I signed up for was the Ink Business Preferred. Here are the reasons why it was on the top of my list: Continue reading “Credit Card Review: Chase Ink Business Preferred”
What Credit Cards Are In Our Wallets? (September, 2018)
It’s been almost a year since I’ve gone over which cards Sharon and I are carrying in our wallets. Since we each have a different approach to earning miles and points, mine being obsessive about earning the maximum points for each transaction, and her desire to exert the least amount of thought into the process (Note from Sharon: Hell yeah! LOLOL!), the cards we carry are different.
There’s a method to my madness, as I manage to balance the two approaches and come to a plan where we maximize earning while minimize effort (and still keep our marriage together). (Note from Sharon: Again. Hell yeah!)
Continue reading “What Credit Cards Are In Our Wallets? (September, 2018)”
Update to Staying at WDW With Reward Points, What’s Wrong With B.A., Halloween at Theme Parks & More
Happy Sunday, everyone! Here are some articles we’ve read this week from other bloggers (and other sources) that we think you may like, as well, so we’re passing them along.
- For a while, we’ve heard about difficulties using Chase Ultimate Rewards to book stays at Walt Disney World. Fortunately, you could use a work around to purchase Disney World travel packages by calling Chase’s Travel & Cruise desk. Doctor of Credit reports that’s no longer possible and only Chase Freedom cardholders can buy Disney tickets though the Chase portal.
- Steph from One Mile At A Time was stuck overnight at Chicago’s O’Hare airport due to a flight cancellation. Here’s the details of her filing a claim under her credit card’s trip delay coverage.
- John from Loyalty Lobby shared an article from The Telegraph where Richard Quest asks “What’s wrong with British Airways?”
- Halloween is approaching and Erin from Million Mile Secrets put together a list of her favorite Halloween theme park celebrations. I don’t know about you, but I’m skeptical of any list that doesn’t include the Golden Ticket winning Halloween Horror Nights at Universal.
- Gary writes on View From The Wing about his need to cancel an award ticket due to a family emergency. One airline stepped up and showed they are able to be compassionate and act like human beings instead of being bound by company policies.
- Many people are tempted by low cost fares on trans-Atlantic flights. The World According To Dev shared a tale of a flight on WOW Air that didn’t end up as planned. It’s an interesting read because the passenger involved works for another airline and is able to describe events better than most others could.
- Mark on Miles to Memories reminds us that it’s always a good idea to have the airline apps loaded onto your phone before traveling. I fully agree and include them as part of my travel apps you need to have.
- Ed from Pizza in Motion was looking for hotel rooms around Disney World and stumbled upon this hidden use for Wyndham Rewards points. I never even knew this resort existed but if you’re traveling with a large group, it looks like a great option.
- Lastly, there has been a lot of frayed nerves over the Marriott/Ritz Carlton/SPG loyalty merger. Some things are working, others are not and there’s no ETA on when everything will be fixed. However, in instances like this you’re occasionally able to find a hidden value if you know where to look. Nick from Frequent Miler managed to snag a 5 night stay at the St. Regis in Bora Bora for 48,000 Marriott points a night. Not bad considering the Swan or Dolphin at Disney would cost 40,000 points per night for a 5 night stay. (Five night award stays at SPG/Marriott/Ritz hotels get the 5th night free)
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary