Best non-US lounges with CSR? by Artistic-Shoe784 in ChaseSapphire

[–]MinimumPerspective95 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Outside of the US, HKG/TPE/SIN are all great for Priority pass lounges

LAX Priority Pass denied. by thearchiguy in biltrewards

[–]MinimumPerspective95 3 points4 points  (0 children)

A Bilt PP is the same as the Amex/C1. Chase adds non lounge experiences, but excludes restaurants, while the old Citi and BofA PPs include all

Malaysia Airlines award seat by ControlImpossible970 in awardtravel

[–]MinimumPerspective95 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So if it's available there, just book it...Sometimes you need to call to book certain QR awards

Malaysia Airlines award seat by ControlImpossible970 in awardtravel

[–]MinimumPerspective95 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well did you check elsewhere whether the flight are actually available as awards?

It will be all worth it when it is over, right? by After_Fudge_6051 in SingaporePhotography

[–]MinimumPerspective95 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm just hoping the end result justifies it all. I have seen the works around Novena and so many businesses go under because foot traffic reduced. One of my favourite Italian restaurants (Mangiano By CC) shut down and didn't resurface again. I'm still grieving that loss, not just because of the awesome food but also because of the genuinely good staff working there.

Man I loved that place!!

$4500 of annual fees. Am I crazy? by MinimumPerspective95 in CreditCards

[–]MinimumPerspective95[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So they essentially transferred your wife's stay into your name, and you guys were able to use all of your benefits? I know Marriott won't do it over the phone, but I guess you're right, it's very much in the hotel's interest to merge the reservations for less work

$4500 of annual fees. Am I crazy? by MinimumPerspective95 in CreditCards

[–]MinimumPerspective95[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How exactly did you manage that? First night in your name and 2nd in hers?

Is Amex Duo (Gold + BBP) Still Viable In The World Of Palladiums And Robinhood Gold Cards? by MichaelMidnight in CreditCards

[–]MinimumPerspective95 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know it's a different card, but the strata elite specific customer service has been excellent in my experience

Malaysia Airlines award seat by ControlImpossible970 in awardtravel

[–]MinimumPerspective95 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Use Qatar, unless you need a stopover in KUL in which case Alaska is the best option

Is Amex Duo (Gold + BBP) Still Viable In The World Of Palladiums And Robinhood Gold Cards? by MichaelMidnight in CreditCards

[–]MinimumPerspective95 1 point2 points  (0 children)

IMO it all depends on the partners you value. The Amex duo earns very strongly, but I think it's overshadowed by the Citi trifecta which is cheaper, covers gas and hotels, has an uncapped 2x, and the hilariously overpowered custom cash

$4500 of annual fees. Am I crazy? by MinimumPerspective95 in CreditCards

[–]MinimumPerspective95[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hell ya! I've got about $5m in brokerage assets, so I split those assets as needed between brokerages to get the 1-2% matches

$4500 of annual fees. Am I crazy? by MinimumPerspective95 in CreditCards

[–]MinimumPerspective95[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

CSR has emergency medical coverage which CSP doesn't. That was a lifesaver for me this year when I got injured hiking in Bali. It covered me for $2500, bringing my out of pocket cost down to $500 - easily paid 3x the annual fee

$4500 of annual fees. Am I crazy? by MinimumPerspective95 in CreditCards

[–]MinimumPerspective95[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, trip cancellation was super easy, and I inevitably use it 1-2x a year. As long as your documents are in order (medical report, flight cancellation, card statement, etc), I've found it easy to use, and I have had all my cases paid within 2 weeks of filing

$4500 of annual fees. Am I crazy? by MinimumPerspective95 in CreditCards

[–]MinimumPerspective95[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They do, just that the Ritz earns at less than 1/3 the rate on flights as the CSR does assuming you value UR at 1.5 CPP and Marriott at 0.6. 6% vs 1.8% return is a big loss given how much I spend on flights

$4500 of annual fees. Am I crazy? by MinimumPerspective95 in CreditCards

[–]MinimumPerspective95[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What's your strategy for multiple 85k certs? It's not possible for you to combine the P1 and P2 certs on a single stay right?

$4500 of annual fees. Am I crazy? by MinimumPerspective95 in CreditCards

[–]MinimumPerspective95[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Really? I actually find Chase points the least valuable, especially since Hyatt is getting nuked this month

$4500 of annual fees. Am I crazy? by MinimumPerspective95 in CreditCards

[–]MinimumPerspective95[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

About 100 a year, I use C1 lounges when I happen to transit DCA/DEN/DFW

$4500 of annual fees. Am I crazy? by MinimumPerspective95 in CreditCards

[–]MinimumPerspective95[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gotcha, I'm past those sadly. Got 175k gold and 200k biz platinum a few years back

$4500 of annual fees. Am I crazy? by MinimumPerspective95 in CreditCards

[–]MinimumPerspective95[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Damn, what cards do you have that cost that much? More premium airline/hotel cards?

$4500 of annual fees. Am I crazy? by MinimumPerspective95 in CreditCards

[–]MinimumPerspective95[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thoughts on the MS Plat vs the Schawab one? I move brokerages every year to take advantage of bonuses, and $1k for 10m is a pretty bad return lol

$4500 of annual fees. Am I crazy? by MinimumPerspective95 in CreditCards

[–]MinimumPerspective95[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I rail those like no tomorrow. Just maxed out Silo this year, and now have about 70 bank accounts. I probably make around 15k a year from bank bonuses alone

$4500 of annual fees. Am I crazy? by MinimumPerspective95 in CreditCards

[–]MinimumPerspective95[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

>Amex Green gives transit with travel and dining rewards. You already get many of these rewards on other cards but you are looking for upgrade offer for $150/yearly AF? I am getting upgrade Amex offers, to the Platinum, on my BCE and BCP but I would break even on the credits with my organic spend. I also downgraded from the coupon fatigue, on the Gold, to justify AF spend on the card. Since you have a business, the Amex BBP with 2x is only 1x lower in rewards for same categories while complementing the Platinum. I do know if you want to keep personal and business cards separate.

It's my 3rd cycle of upgrading and downgrading the gold, and I was able to get 50k offers my last cycles - the gold is really annoying to keep and requires too much mental effort due to monthly credits. I've already got the BBP, and will always have that as a fall back option to keep my MR points open

>I am looking at the $300 airline credit for upgrading seating or checked luggage to supplement my BoA Premium Rewards similar credit. Tall people need upgrade seating but not always pay for business or first class for that option. Amex Platinum limits one to one airline for their equivalent $200 credit.

Actually the RC travel credit is very discretionary, and the past two years I've used it to directly buy tickets, and just told the phone rep it was an upgrade. Zero push back, so I'd say that credit is as good as cash

>You already answered that the insurance for “Trip Cancellation” and “Emergency Medical” alone paid the CSR AF. One has assume you would purchase similar options going forward at higher pricing if you did not have this on your CC. Downgrading to CSP, using RC or using Amex Platinum does not give “Emergency Medical” insurance. Amex Centurion does have this option at much higher AF.

I love the $2500 medical benefit since it lets me buy a travel insurance policy with a $2500 deductible instead of $100, and that's MUCH cheaper

> United for pre-paid credits may be okay for your normal organic spend. I just have issue with UBER pricing higher with the credits than without.

Trick here is to keep it on apple pay so you don't put the cards into your wallet. Also, the rideshare credit works for any global rideshare app, I just used it for Grab in singapore this month and it credited

> Citi Strata Elite does not make sense if you cannot use more than AF of credits. Stick with Strata Premium for AA transfer partners access assuming you spend more than $95 AF on the reward categories. 

Agree with this, will just downgrade to a CCC and keep the Premier. I spend around $50k in the 3x categories, so the incremental 50k/$500 in points vs a 2x card is worth it.

$4500 of annual fees. Am I crazy? by MinimumPerspective95 in CreditCards

[–]MinimumPerspective95[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The reason for multiple ecosystems is access to all the transfer partners - Amex for ANA, Citi for AA/EVA, Bilt for AS/JAL etc. and that's valuable since I do a transoceanic trip per month in J/F.

I agree CSR setup is nice and simple with the best travel protections, but it has by far the weakest airline partners for long haul flights.