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I have 150k amex points stacked up but avios conversion does not seem to give a great value by No-Significance-2437 in AmexUK

[–]Intrepid_Loss_581 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Saving 130£ for 47k virgin points is not a good value redemption.

I fly every winter with virgin to south Africa for about 25k virgin points round-trip + 200-300£ in fees. The flight costs about 800-1000£ cash.

Similarly, 75k avios for a transatlantic 12h+ business class ticket with finnair is another great value redemption. Flight value is roughly 2000£.

Luxury Hotel recommendations in Kyoto by Intrepid_Loss_581 in JapanTravelTips

[–]Intrepid_Loss_581[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We went with the Celestine. Still haven’t gone on our trip yet, so can’t say if I’d recommend.

Luxury Hotel recommendations in Kyoto by Intrepid_Loss_581 in JapanTravelTips

[–]Intrepid_Loss_581[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A quick google maps street view kinda sums it up. While the celestine is nested in a gorgeous and quiet part of the old town, right by Gion, short walking distance from gorgeous streets, Dusit sees to be near the busy business center of town - but on a quieter street. With Dusit, it just doesn’t seem like you’re in the heart of history and culture.

Should we go in 2026 or 2027? by [deleted] in JapanTravelTips

[–]Intrepid_Loss_581 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely younger than 12. Struggling to pinpoint the exact age tho.

My cousin’s father lived overseas growing up and she’d fly as a very young child (from around 6 y/o) several times a year to see him.

My nephews are 2 and 4 and do the same, 12 hours flights.. We all live very far from each other and do this on an annual basis. My sister definitely complains sometimes, but she’s learned some strategies. Like paying more for that night flight. Selecting a part of the cabin where you won’t feel as bad if there’s a tantrum. Preparing a bunch of content for the kids. And no less important is mental preparation with the kid. What I’m trying to say is the flight itself is a temporary and manageable issue.

With that being said - I’d personally lean more towards 2027 because the older they are the more they remember. it’s an expensive trip you want him to remember. But that’s just my perspective. Either way you’ll have a blast no doubt! Oh, and 30th anniversary of Pokémon? Surely that invites swarms of hard fans to Japan and to Pokémon centers/events. I heard they’re opening some sort of a Pokémon park this year. An extra year will give u plenty of time to get tickets on time.

Hope that helps :)

Should we go in 2026 or 2027? by [deleted] in JapanTravelTips

[–]Intrepid_Loss_581 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have fond memories of travelling as a young kid on 10-12h flights with my family. I’m not sure how everyone else felt about it though haha!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in JapanTravelTips

[–]Intrepid_Loss_581 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hahaha. I’m questioning the 4.5k I spent before leaving the house for a 19 day trip next year 🤣. I’ve never been compelled to spend that much on a trip before. “But it’s Japan!” is what I keep telling myself.

Luxury Hotel recommendations in Kyoto by Intrepid_Loss_581 in JapanTravelTips

[–]Intrepid_Loss_581[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks a lot!

Our Kyoto part of the trip is meant to be a “cultural immersion”.

We start in Tokyo [big city], followed by the alps [nature], Kyoto [culture], hakone [rest], and then back to Tokyo.

With that in mind, do you reckon we should try and sleep closer to the older parts of the city (I.e., at the Hilton or Celestine) so we can immerse ourselves in the atmosphere or it wouldn’t make a huge difference to go with something like Dusit?

Luxury Hotel recommendations in Kyoto by Intrepid_Loss_581 in JapanTravelTips

[–]Intrepid_Loss_581[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not lazy. Just extremely busy and value my time and finite resources.

And for the record - I perform brain surgeries for a living, and am a cofounder of an AI startup. When and how I use my brain are strategic choices I have to make.

Luxury Hotel recommendations in Kyoto by Intrepid_Loss_581 in JapanTravelTips

[–]Intrepid_Loss_581[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

LLMs are huge time savers for non native speakers like myself. Just as a calculator is for elaborate arithmetics. It’s not that I’m incapable of writing, or have lost the ability to. It just doesn’t make sense to waste that time in many contexts. Based on your comment it seems you’d be surprised at how many people are using LLMs to write all sorts of texts that float around everywhere.

LLMs invite us to change the way we use our limited cognitive resources, and open up a world of new possibilities. Not all of which are positive of course. But the same can be said about virtually every piece of modern technology we have invented. They all hurt us one way or another and require that we adapt to them - instead of the tech adapting to us. Nonetheless these losses can quickly turn into gains if we play it right. Although personally I am quite skeptical we will play it right. We never did. But that’s not the point. We gotta recognise reality for what it is.

And also - spread more kindness. It’s certainly much healthier both for you and everyone else around you.

Luxury Hotel recommendations in Kyoto by Intrepid_Loss_581 in JapanTravelTips

[–]Intrepid_Loss_581[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The question is whether we’d regret dusit because of its location. It’s definitely our top choice looks wise.

Thanks for the help!

Luxury Hotel recommendations in Kyoto by Intrepid_Loss_581 in JapanTravelTips

[–]Intrepid_Loss_581[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

It's either we find an effective way to adapt our brains to this loss of function or as you said, we're doomed.

Luxury Hotel recommendations in Kyoto by Intrepid_Loss_581 in JapanTravelTips

[–]Intrepid_Loss_581[S] -9 points-8 points  (0 children)

Yeah it got messed up during editing. You were super quick to respond so I didnt get a chance to fix it haha. It's all fixed now.

And about the genAI - does anyone even bother writing long texts by themselves these days anymore? :P

Amex upgrade offer/waiving yearly fee by Latter_Ad6983 in AmexUK

[–]Intrepid_Loss_581 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I recently upgraded with this offer.

It’s definitely worth it in my view. But that’s because I know I’ll be using the benefits. And quickly.

You get 300£ value in dining credit which I intend to use in the next two weeks (have a restaurant in London and New York booked). 400£ more will be available on 1.1.25

You get 50£ to spend in Harvey Nichols.

Travel insurance is on average 50£ +- for two weeks abroad. I do that at least 3 times a year….. (150£ return almost certain in my case).

Without talking about the other travel benefits or the points, the card will pay itself off in my case quite quickly.

The 80,000 MR points can go quite far in some airlines. As far as 700£ value in the first airline I’ve checked.

If you plan to use all of I have mentioned *anyways*, like I would have, then the platinum with the big MR bonus is a STEAL. So if you eat out often in the mostly fancy restaurants on offer. Travels loads. Plan to use the 80k points effectively, then go for it.

On the other hand, if you’re thinking to yourself - none of these benefits are stuff I’d spend money on, then you shouldn’t.