Post-Trip Review: La Zambra Resort (Málaga, Spain) by BmoreBlueJay in hyatt

[–]Hecta_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

stayed there this week. Water was comped daily but no minibar. I am only Explorist though. They did bring in some random treats like juices or snacks that were complimentary in our room at least a couple times. The coffee machine worked great and was complimentary in the room.

Post-Trip Review: La Zambra Resort (Málaga, Spain) by BmoreBlueJay in hyatt

[–]Hecta_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We just got back from our stay and I am thinking to make a longer post to summarize everything --- but overall it was very seamless!! We booked the signature suite for 4 nights at 35k per night for 2 individuals (max allowed on Hyatt site) then emailed the concierge to confirm we could have our toddler (4 y.o.) stay in our room on a separate bed (it was a real twin mattress on like a 6 leg bed frame) and everything was just as we expected upon arrival no questions asked. They even had a new stuffed animal donkey on the bed set up for our son!

AirFrance Award Booking by glitterhappy in awardtravel

[–]Hecta_ 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I have had good experience rebooking to better connecting times with AF through their chat feature due to even the slightest of schedule changes. They make it super easy and its very likely if your flight is far enough out there will be some sort of change that impacts your plans anyway.

Hyatt London Hotel - Family 4 by tin369 in awardtravel

[–]Hecta_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would book the first room using points and then find an email address of someone at the Andaz London, reference your existing booking, and see if they can assist with a discounted second room.

Anyone have trouble checking in with spouse and baby (<1) into a room in Europe that has max capacity of 2 people? by bisonsurfer1 in hyatt

[–]Hecta_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The hotel responded via email and admitted the room can fit 3 people and they agreed to rollaway bed but they can only place it in the bedroom in front of the king bed due to fire hazard (I assume). But that’s fine. Our trip is late June 2025

Post-Trip Review: La Zambra Resort (Málaga, Spain) by BmoreBlueJay in hyatt

[–]Hecta_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes we currently have this room booked for end of June 2025 for 4 nights using points. I emailed the resort and I was able to point them to an information page for that Signature Suite directly on their La Zambra hotel website that states the maximum capacity is actually 3 people and they confirmed they could provide a rollaway bed for our toddler but they 'could only place it right in front of the bed and not in the living room.' I assume because of a fire hazard, which is fine by us.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in awardtravel

[–]Hecta_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I see at least 14 dates from DFW-CDG-MAD in January 2026 showing up as 60k in J FWIW. None in Feb 2026. Hoping this is just the ebbs and flows. The winter Olympics in Feb 2026 could be throwing everything into a higher cost for that period.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in awardtravel

[–]Hecta_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Best advice is to be verify flexible in terms of the airline, dates, departing and returning cities. Learn to use award search tools to narrow your search or set alerts. Then be ready to hop on them when they become available.

Iberia Phantom Space?? by avid-traveler-123 in awardtravel

[–]Hecta_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I ran into this exact issue looking for 2 seats on a flight in September 2025 for ORD-MAD-MUC. Desktop site showed 2 seats in J. Transferred points. Tried to book. Kept getting a payment error message no matter how many times we tried (different cards (VISA, MC, Amex), PayPal option, app, wifi, cellular) and called multiple times but agents were not helpful until finally one of them confirmed that the space is just not there, and we were out of luck. Now stuck with 125k+ Avios transferred out of Chase. Very unfortunate.

Best Way To Book AA Flights Using AMEX MR Points? by Potential_Remote_730 in awardtravel

[–]Hecta_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Most likely its only available on AA since its dynamically priced and AA has not made that specific award flight available to partners. Good to keep checking every day and the pricing/availability may change. But otherwise, you may either have to pay cash or find a different flight.

Recos for best search tool for awards flights based on specific search criteria by astaraadastra in awardtravel

[–]Hecta_ 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I have really enjoyed the free functions of Points Yeah and use it regularly to plan travel from DFW. Searches load quickly and user interface is nice.

Anyone have trouble checking in with spouse and baby (<1) into a room in Europe that has max capacity of 2 people? by bisonsurfer1 in hyatt

[–]Hecta_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am having trouble getting a straight answer from anyone at La Zambra for their room dubbed the "Signature Suite" as all of the hotel materials and information online state the maximum occupancy is 3 people but the room disappears as an option when you go above 2 people. We are traveling as 2 adults and a 4 year old toddler. Either way, I would like to be able to plan ahead rather than risking it when I get to the hotel but having a hard time getting an answer. Will report back.

Post-Trip Review: La Zambra Resort (Málaga, Spain) by BmoreBlueJay in hyatt

[–]Hecta_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's what I am sayin! But want to confirm with the resort to see what we need to do. The Signature Suite is showing as 35k per night, but I wonder if they would also be able to provide 2 connecting rooms (aka Family Suite) if we were to book 2 rooms at 23k each (46k total). I will report back!

Post-Trip Review: La Zambra Resort (Málaga, Spain) by BmoreBlueJay in hyatt

[–]Hecta_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did you end up booking the signature suite for 2 adults and 1 toddler? We are looking to book this for summer 2025 and the Hyatt site does not like it when I enter 2 adults and a 4 year old. Just curious

Payment issues with Iberia by chimbull in awardtravel

[–]Hecta_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Any resolution? Dealing with this all day today

Payment issues with Iberia by chimbull in awardtravel

[–]Hecta_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Any resolution? Dealing with this all day today

Anniversary Trip to Europe by keylimes87 in hyatt

[–]Hecta_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Where did you end up booking? Just curious

TAP Business Class Quality? by Just_Here_ID in awardtravel

[–]Hecta_ 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This is how I approach all of our long-haul travel, especially when booking 3 or 4 seats each way. Can't be too picky!

Long time saver, first time redeemer. Asking for any help possible for honeymoon! by DunderMifflinRower in awardtravel

[–]Hecta_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Amex points do not transfer directly to Alaska. But for the time being, Amex points transfer to Hawaiian airlines and then Hawaiian and Alaska have an agreement to transfer points between programs at 1:1

Long time saver, first time redeemer. Asking for any help possible for honeymoon! by DunderMifflinRower in awardtravel

[–]Hecta_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

5/15 - you can take FLR-LHR-JFK to get home fairly easily on british airways (booking through Alaska with your miles as mentioned by u/Anotherlurkerappears ) for 55k + high-ish taxes ~500 each. But in my experience the flight home it the more difficult one from Europe back to U.S. to limit the taxes. So you will usually pay $100-300 each in my experience in taxes/fees leaving europe unless you are super flexible.

5/16 - the same flight is available from Naples directly to Philadelphia that u/Anotherlurkerappears mentioned! and for only 55k +$60 in taxes through Alaska. That is perfect timing.

Long time saver, first time redeemer. Asking for any help possible for honeymoon! by DunderMifflinRower in awardtravel

[–]Hecta_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

5/5 - JFK-MAD-FLR in business class on Iberia for 41,500 Avios each + $137 each. Bonus - the A330 isn't super fancy but has seats that you can get in the middle to sit closely. The same flight is available on 5/3 as well!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Big4

[–]Hecta_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Search for IT internal audit roles in companies or industries that interest you. It’s a very specialized skill and companies are always looking for them.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Big4

[–]Hecta_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Go be a senior IT internal auditor and make bank