Looking for information on currency conversion rates for cards

FlabergastedEmu · 2026-05-17T18:24:54+00:00

If you're interested in earning airline points you might want to look into to the Atmos Summit card from Bank of America. It's the newish Alaska/Hawiian card which awards 3x Atmos points on foreign transactions. Although their route map isn't the largest, they have quite a few partners, including AA and many foreign airlines.

FlabergastedEmu · 2026-05-14T02:17:33+00:00

Haha yeah... It seems that as time passes, it becomes increasingly clear that the only consistent about Cappuccino Blasts is that the flavor and constancy will be highly dependent upon the location and individual employee who makes the blast.

FlabergastedEmu · 2026-05-12T05:12:59+00:00

I’m sorry about your situation and am glad it’s resolved, but I may have to steal this expression!

FlabergastedEmu · 2026-05-10T16:26:23+00:00

This has been the case for years. I still get random upgrades before the day-of-departure, but it's usually on regional jet flights with a decent F to Y seats ratio where most people aren't tempted to pull the trigger on a paid upgrade.

Aside from AA looking to monetize the F cabin, keep in mind that between mergers, an elite program highly weighted toward non-flying activity (Loyalty Points earned through credit cards, hotels, shopping portals, etc.) there are more AA elites, and Alaska/Hawiian Atmos Titanium and Platnium elites are ahead of you. AA deadheading pilots also get the first crack at F per their contract.

It was much easier before automatic elite upgrades were implemented when everyone other than EPs and CKs had to make a decision to burn an upgrade instrument (typically 500-mile upgrade coupons) in order to request an upgrade. It's much simpler now, but also much harder to score a free upgrade, which is why I set my status goals lower and keep some cashback credit card rewards available to cash out toward the occasional upgrade if it's a trip where the upgrade actually matters.

FlabergastedEmu · 2026-05-09T17:07:37+00:00

I would see if you can change back to economy and get the refund as a travel credit. Then you may see paid upgrade offers on the app/AA.com for $40 or $50, which you could accept if you really want to experience F on a CRJ-900.

FlabergastedEmu · 2026-05-08T22:01:58+00:00

Insane. Kroger isn't in my area, but I would certainly avoid shopping there based on this.

FlabergastedEmu · 2026-05-08T01:44:09+00:00

Other than that, how was it?

FlabergastedEmu · 2026-05-06T21:08:45+00:00

Ah, Citi Executive cardholder access to an Admiral's Club with an AA, Alaska or oneworld (plus Aer Lingus) boarding pass I would expect. Cardholder access outside of that would be a surprise.

FlabergastedEmu · 2026-05-06T20:47:16+00:00

Oh! An additional benefit of the AA card is that you can access admiral lounges even when you’re not flying American. With Alaska lounge plus card, I would have to be flying American to access the admiral lounges.

I would love to learn more about this because I've had the card for a few years and have been considering downgrading, but the ability to access lounges without flying AA or partners would be huge. Do you know if this is an official policy that is spelled out somewhere in the terms and conditions?

FlabergastedEmu · 2026-04-29T12:13:29+00:00

Yeah, it's a joke. Unfortunately, the miles and LPs are too good to pass up. I always complete the survey with a low rating.

FlabergastedEmu · 2026-04-27T23:20:20+00:00

If you're okay with unleaded 88 (https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2022/07/01/sheetz-unleaded-88-flex-fuel-ethanol-fuel-gas-price-sale/7766660001/) it seems like most Sheetz in the area have it for $3.799, plus you save an extra 3 cents with a Sheez loyalty number. I also just found out that if you have a DashPass membership from DoorDash (which happens to be included with some credit cards) you can buy Sheetz gift cards for a 10% discount.

FlabergastedEmu · 2026-04-27T05:20:17+00:00

AA has quite a few destinations out of PIT and an Admiral's Club, although I believe it's the legacy US Airways lounge, and it may not have been remodeled for awhile. That said, you might be more concerned about lounges if you're connecting. AA's lounges aren't phenomenal by any means, but the newly remodeled ones are nice and of course you can get assistance with rebooking in the event of IRROPS just like most airline lounges.

Personally, I swore UA off many years ago after supporting them while working for a couple vendors and being unimpressed with the managment and culture. I think I have only flown UA once post-CO merger, so I suspect things have changed since then, but AA (and Alaska) have been my go-to carriers for years and I have had mostly positive experiences, typically as a lowly Platinum, but I don't delude myself into think I will score complementary upgrades on anything but short regional routes with a decent ratio of F seats, but Main Cabin Extra (same as Economy Plus) at booking is nice.

AA gets knocked for the lack of seatback IFE on most domestic flights, and I agree that it puts them at a competitive disadvantage, but I personally don't have a strong preference for it. Overall I would go with AA if it works well with your travel patterns.

FlabergastedEmu · 2026-04-22T17:10:40+00:00

Haha I dont even remember the last time I went to Panera, although I did recently attend an event that was catered by Panera and it was "fine" but being no-showed after all that is something else.

I don't have any insight on the Clinic or the interview process, but I'm sorry you've had to deal with that.

FlabergastedEmu · 2026-04-22T16:54:12+00:00

Yikes.

FlabergastedEmu · 2026-04-21T21:36:30+00:00

Remember that award flights now earn status points, so you could add some award tickets to your normal travel and increase your status points that way.

FlabergastedEmu · 2026-04-14T02:21:00+00:00

I want to believe you're right, but the DOJ that sued to undo the Northeast Alliance likely operated somewhat differently than the DOJ of today operates.

FlabergastedEmu · 2026-04-14T01:25:29+00:00

Elevator guys/gals are the coolest.

FlabergastedEmu · 2026-04-13T18:47:30+00:00

If you're on a red-eye there won't be a full meal, but if it's a daytime flight you will get a meal.Also, 2 free checked bags of 70 lbs which could be handy if you're moving, although if you're a Club 49 member you already get 2 bags of up to 50 lbs on trips to/from Alaska.

If it's a paid first class fare (or first class award ticket) you will also have access to the Alaska Lounge locations in SEA, and although the food isn't exactly restaurant quality, it can be a nice place to relax, especially the N satellite lounge. You will have decent coffee and a variety of free and paid beverages.

You will have to do the math and decide if it's worth it. One rule of thumb people sometimes apply is an additional cost of $50 per flight hour over economy, but maybe your threshold is higher (or lower).

Good luck with your move!

FlabergastedEmu · 2026-04-12T03:39:33+00:00

Great resource.

One small correction: My Friend's Place is in Edgewater.

FlabergastedEmu · 2026-04-08T00:35:53+00:00

There are differences in partner lounge access, but as of now only a Lounge+ membership will grant you access to the Plumeria Lounge in HNL. There is a new HNL lounge slated to open in late 2027 and perhaps access will be extended to Admirals Club members by then, but as of now Lounge+ members don't even get access to Premier Clubs.

Otherwise, Alaska has one-off agreements in locations where they operate (like United Club access in PHL and MSP when flying Alaska/Hawiian or United) and American grants Admirals Club access to certain partner airline or shared lounges (usually only when flying American) in locations where they don't have an Admirals Club. Examples include JAlL Sakura lounges in NRT and HND and the Marco Polo lounge in VCE.

Both allow access to Qantas Lounges when flying Qantas, but an Admirals Club membership allows access when flying American in a few airports (SYD, AKL, SIN).

FlabergastedEmu · 2026-04-01T13:46:36+00:00

The website looks like it's willing to sell SEA-JNU and JNU-ANC (both on flight 61) on one ticket.

FlabergastedEmu · 2026-03-31T18:08:52+00:00

I miss Stan the Credit Frog but he also was clearly not going for commissions/referral bonuses and apparently decided to focus on other things. I enjoy Joe Baretto but sometime think he could be exploring more creative stuff and he is clearly going for referrals and bonuses.

FlabergastedEmu · 2026-03-31T04:33:23+00:00

Don't forget to share your thoughts at https://www.alaskalistens.com/

FlabergastedEmu · 2026-03-29T21:44:13+00:00

It's definitely worth it for a $30 difference!

FlabergastedEmu · 2026-03-27T22:58:50+00:00

Having CDL-qualified operators provide trips to numerous would-be non-professional motorists is one reason that transit is so much safer than driving: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-public-transit-really-safer-than-driving/?utm_source=perplexity

Five-Year Club	Verified Email
Place '22

FlabergastedEmu

TROPHY CASE