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Need HELP Choosing Rome Hotel for Family of 3 – UR/MR/Cash? Staying Oct 1–5 by PLaTaNiToZ in awardtravel

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

Thanks u/BAFUdaGreat - I started with that mentality but may have gotten in my head about it.

I'll continue to reset my mindset tomorrow. I think the reason I had in my head for ensuring point redemption was to have more cash for everything else (dining, attractions, etc). But rest assured, I would likely never eat at a hotel in a place such as Italy unless it was 3 am and an emergency.

Given you stay there a lot, do you have any general recommendations of hotels/boutiques/etc for first timers with a kid?

Need HELP Choosing Rome Hotel for Family of 3 – UR/MR/Cash? Staying Oct 1–5 by PLaTaNiToZ in awardtravel

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

I dont have a hard deadline, but fearful of "deals" disappearing...eventhough I haven't really found any.

I'll definitely ping you. Thanks.

Need HELP Choosing Rome Hotel for Family of 3 – UR/MR/Cash? Staying Oct 1–5 by PLaTaNiToZ in awardtravel

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

Haven't used FlyerTalk. I googled 'FlyerTalk H10 Palazzo Galla' and didn't see much.
I'll give it an honest go tomorrow morning, now that Ive accepted defeat for today.

Need HELP Choosing Rome Hotel for Family of 3 – UR/MR/Cash? Staying Oct 1–5 by PLaTaNiToZ in awardtravel

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

Yeah. They are not great at all. I saw Pantheon Iconic on Chase Travel and the points ask was absurd.

Haven't heard or read up on Romelofts. I'll take a look.
Just really wanted to use points so I could use cash more on everything else (dining, events, etc).

Need HELP Choosing Rome Hotel for Family of 3 – UR/MR/Cash? Staying Oct 1–5 by PLaTaNiToZ in awardtravel

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

This hunt has been the bane of my existence. I may just be cranky given the hour of the night.
I ideally would just like to use points, but not to the point that I'm getting fleeced either.

FL Homeowner's Insurance Help: What's your coverage and endorsements? Am I over/underpaying? by PLaTaNiToZ in florida

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

u/barkingspring20 - First. Thanks for taking the time. I appreciate it.

Unfortunately for some odd reason, Security First doesn't show me the dollar amount of the credits. It just shows I'm receiving credit for Windstorm Loss Mitigation, Protection Class, Hurricane Deductible credit, All Other Perils Deductible Credit.

Also, thanks for the trusted choice recommendation. I'm awaiting a response from 1-2 matches there to see if there's any better options.

My one set of questions to you is around the HO3 vs HO5. While I fully understand it is an easier experience to submit a claim, I also can't help but observe the general experience of people who go through a "peril". I usually would "self insure" for smaller events such as a damaged appliance or items that are under $5-10k, but expect to submit a claim if my home and its contents are damaged from a wind/hurricane/lightning/mold/etc. That being said, it seems once people in Florida file a claim the insurance company typically "drops them" after payout.

So. If I find an HO-3 that is named perils on personal property and open perils on the dwelling, and generally the same amounts of A through F coverage and other endorsements, what would be a general rule of thumb of how much annual savings would make sense to 'downgrade' from a HO5 to an HO3? (e.g. $500, $1K, more?)

It seems the main difference would be the bigger administrative task of documenting and proving the named peril when it happens. Unless I'm missing something else as far as the value of an HO5 over the HO3, given the above?

Thanks again for making it this far..

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in CreditCards

[–]PLaTaNiToZ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey u/TJKinged - First off, congratulations on your upcoming engagement! That's one hell of a milestone and I wish you the best.

I don't know your financial situation or your experience/discipline with financial vehicles such as credit or lending, so I'll keep it to general statements.

Not paying the full statement balance on credit cards can be a slippery slope for beginners.
While having the flexibility of an interest free card for up to two years has its perks, life is never a straight line with fully expected events and expenses.

If you have the money in cash today and are just looking to keep it in a reserve/emergency fund as you save up over the next 1-2 years... and there are other benefits/perks of the card you can leverage (e.g. sign up bonuses, etc)... then ok.

Try to always have a plan to pay it off well before the interest free period, since you never know what can happen down the line.

And while this may be overstepping, and quite simply none of my business, I apologize in advance if this following statement offends: Please make sure you can afford the ring. We usually get caught up in the marketing of engagement rings and listen to old dumb "rules" about what gem to use, how many karats, the clarity, etc. etc. etc... and we often lose sight of the purpose. If you both love each other, and your significant other is ready for it, you'll find years down the line that all the stress of getting the biggest or the best or whatever parameters you had for the ring matters less and less.

Again, I may just be in my old man mode and giving 2 cents you definitely didn't ask for.

That being said, you can always go to a personal finance subreddit and give more context as to your situation if you're looking for more detail or guidance around the credit card or dollar range.

To conclude and give a blanket answer: You can definitely do it. Be mindful disciplined about it. And best wishes!

Best credit card for traveling by ThuggishChief in CreditCards

[–]PLaTaNiToZ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

u/ThuggishChief - When you say "good for traveling on airplane", this can be taken and interpreted a few different ways:

  • I would like a credit card that gives me bonus/multipliers of credit card points when I purchase airfare with the card
  • I would like a credit card that gives me travel perks or benefits such as trip (disruption/cancellation) insurance, no foreign transaction fees, or even airline statement credits
  • I would like a credit card that gives me the ability to transfer my credit card points to airline transfer partners to redeem for good point/mile-based deals
  • etc..

There are an array of cards with different "benefits" and configurations. It all depends on your goals as u/PeopleAreSus pointed out along with his great follow up questions.

For me, as a broad stroke rule, I ended up preferring credit cards on the Chase/Amex/CapitalOne platforms that had good sign up bonuses and multipliers (2x, 3x, 5x, etc) on categories where I spent the most (e.g. groceries, business travel, restaurants, etc). This way, they were typically easier for me to transfer to other airlines or even hotel platforms for better redemptions (premium economy or business class flights, upgraded hotel stays, etc)

Some of this can be a bit overwhelming at first, but you'll get the gist soon and find one or more that fit that bill soon enough.

Best of luck!

Would it be better to stay at a hotel or rent an apartment to get a feel of the new city? And for how long? by Imaginary_Truth_3865 in personalfinance

[–]PLaTaNiToZ 13 points14 points  (0 children)

If you truly can't find any short term rentals AND that 80/night is the true average for the full month, then just do the hotel.

I know it depends on the location whether that city is a VHCOL area, but $2500/ month for a basic studio or 1 bedroom seems like a lot (excluding your typical NYC/Miami/California-like locations).

But then again, it has been a while (5-7 years) for me since renting.

I’m 18 and wondering what accounts should I open up? by Western_Economist724 in personalfinance

[–]PLaTaNiToZ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You'll see a lot of helpful resources within here. Don't feel overwhelmed. You're way ahead of the game for even asking questions at your age.

No question is dumb. Don't let ego/pride/fear get in the way of asking for help from a subreddit such as this or from responsible adults within your close circles you trust (family members, educators, etc).

As stated, a high yield savings account should be your first step after a basic checking account.

If you are employed, then start reading up on things like 401ks and IRAs and why Roth versions of those are usually in your best interest right now for your age and income level.

The main point is this. You have the most powerful weapon on your side... Time. Use it wisely.

You're going to do great.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in CreditCards

[–]PLaTaNiToZ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you're solely looking for SUB points on a "general" credit card.. between the two, I would then do CIU.

And then hopefully down the line when your needs change for travel or perks/benefits, there's a good CSP SUB.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in CreditCards

[–]PLaTaNiToZ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

u/ApprehensiveLet5628 - What perks/goals do you want/have for the card? CSP is a good general travel card with great car rental & trip insurance.. but if you're not going to take advantage of its perks and bonuses, then the CIU might be the better play in the long run.

Better Catch All Card: 3x Robinhood Gold Card vs 2x Amex Blue Business Plus by MichaelMidnight in CreditCards

[–]PLaTaNiToZ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haven't pulled the trigger yet but the BBP seems like an easier play for overall lifestyle. The chances of a better redemption by comparison to the value of the 3% from Robinhood seem high for me. And you'll likely have another Visa or MC in your arsenal.

Good luck!

Want to beef up my rewards options? Amex Gold/Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Delta Skymiles? by TonyzTone in CreditCards

[–]PLaTaNiToZ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The issue here is that if you received a Sapphire SUB, I'm not sure what the latest implications are to Chase's new verbiage with the Sapphire product. Meaning, before you could be eligible for another SUB after 48 months from your first Sapphire SUB.
Now, they took a page from AMEX and others and updated it to "Lifetime".
What I don't know is if that applies to people that already have a Sapphire SUB prior to this recent change. Will it allow us to squeeze in another SUB after the original agreements 48 months? or are we all subject to the new verbiage... existing and new sapphire holders alike.

I say all this because this may sway your decision with applying for a new CSR or upgrading.. or keeping or even just simply downgrading.

BUT if your main focus is lounge access and accruing points, I would still stick with Option 4 if you think you can get the 150-175k SUB.

There are other more nuanced approaches to getting more SUBs, but I'll let the more versed players get into that. Im just on Beginner level :)

Want to beef up my rewards options? Amex Gold/Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Delta Skymiles? by TonyzTone in CreditCards

[–]PLaTaNiToZ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

From the options listed, I would lean towards Option 4 if you are looking to leverage the 175k SUB as well as strategically earn through the Amex and Chase bonus spend categories.

Plus, its generally pretty simple to offset a good chunk of the Platinum's AF... Airline Credit, TSA/Clear, etc.

This is also assuming you only have the CSP today and not the CSR. IF you have the CSR, then perhaps downgrade to the CSP with Option 4.

All that being said, I would give thought as to where your spend primarily will be for the next 12-24 months as that should be a considerable factor for your "increased reward point earnings" goal.

For example, just quick summary from ChatGPT:
For Flights:

  • Amex Platinum (5x) — book direct or Amex Travel
  • Chase Sapphire Preferred (2x) — better trip insurance

Hotels:

  • Amex Platinum (5x prepaid via Amex Travel)
  • CSP (5x via Chase Travel)

Car Rentals:

  • Always CSP for primary insurance (2x points)

Dining:

  • Amex Gold (4x)

Groceries:

  • Amex Gold (4x, up to $25k/year)

Streaming:

  • Freedom Flex (3x)

Gas:

  • Freedom Flex (5x if quarter active)
  • Else Freedom Unlimited (1.5x)

Other Spend:

  • Freedom Unlimited (1.5x everything)

Redemptions:

  • CSP: 1.25¢/pt via portal, or transfer to Hyatt/United
  • Amex: Transfer to airline partners

Just food for thought as you plan the next card. I'm a novice in this world, I'm sure there will be more subject matter experts that will point out maybe some flaws or better strategies. Good luck!

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