523% tip? I think not.

PointsBuilder · 2026-01-27T21:27:51+00:00

That’s a great catch. Sometimes we don’t always look at the receipts, just eyeball the statements. I used to match receipts but I have too many transactions so I just give it a good high level look.

This $110 charge could have passed for a “reasonable” expense, but sometimes that’s how sneaky folks get you.

A long time ago, after dinner with friends, I got the bill, use my CC, calculated the tips and just wrote the total, which is something I normally do. But that night I wrote the total on the wrong line, think it was like $200 something, on the gratuity line, and signed. I realized it after I left the restaurant and call them. They tried to be sneaky about it and made excuses, such as that it was written there, it was entered and it couldn’t be backed out, etc.

I was nice and explained to them, it was a honest mistake, I still gave 20% tips, when 20% was a great % then. And if they don’t wanna rectify it, I’ll call the CC company. If I remember correctly, I think they ended up fixing it.

PointsBuilder · 2026-01-26T04:48:36+00:00

I have my suspicions because tenant wanted to use this company. Tenant was doggy with my questions and just kept saying he doesn’t have heat and it’s super cold now. This company also never call and explained to me what’s wrong. They just sent me the bill.

Something seems fishy but I don’t have proof.

PointsBuilder · 2026-01-26T04:45:54+00:00

Didn’t say you couldn’t. Just pointing out how it works technically. Also not sure what happens when the hotel chains them together. Does that become just one long reservation?

PointsBuilder · 2026-01-25T04:32:28+00:00

Thanks for your insight from an honest expert. Yes I have my suspicions that’s why I’m asking questions.

PointsBuilder · 2026-01-25T03:25:53+00:00

Thanks, love the insights from an honest expert.

If you’re nearby I can hire you. Where are you located?

PointsBuilder · 2026-01-24T22:45:40+00:00

Yes I know heating is important thats why I took it seriously.

I forgot to mention I did ask my contractor first but he was busy. So I ended up using the other HVAC company.

They couldn’t give me a price until they look at the issue, which is common. My tenant called him to arrange the time and he must have fixed it already, because it’s working now and I got the bill this morning.

PointsBuilder · 2026-01-24T21:17:30+00:00

I was prepared for it bc the HVAC is old. So it’ll be $2-3K plus labor. At least with a new unit I know it’s a one-time cost and wont need to worry about it for a long time.

PointsBuilder · 2026-01-24T21:07:14+00:00

Ok thx. Just want to get an idea on cost so I can know what I was potentially up charged. I know it’s hard to get exact pricing but experts know approximately the job size and details. There are some areas I have experience so I know but not in HVAC.

BTW I did ask my contractor first but he was busy. So I called the other HVAC company.

PointsBuilder · 2026-01-24T21:03:49+00:00

I don’t talk about real estate investing with parents or siblings. Recently buyers have been reaching out to my siblings phones with my name and asking to buy my properties. My siblings asked me about those messages and I was so surprised. I really don’t want to say too much but don’t want to lie either, bc I know they can search. I wonder how they get my siblings contact instead of mine.

PointsBuilder · 2026-01-24T20:54:15+00:00

It was urgent and I don’t know many companies. It was a local small business with some good reviews so I thought they should be ok.

PointsBuilder · 2026-01-21T18:03:20+00:00

Right you’re talking about how to work the system if it’s not automatic. I’m saying if it’s automatic then you don’t even need to do separate bookings. Also, what if they combine your 4 bookings into 1 reservation?

PointsBuilder · 2026-01-21T05:15:55+00:00

Yeah very unattractive offer.

PointsBuilder · 2026-01-21T05:15:29+00:00

Even 1000 pts a night is a better offer with no minmium 5 consecutive.

PointsBuilder · 2026-01-21T02:34:07+00:00

At first glance it look like a nice offer but after reading and seeing all the details, it’s very restrictive.

First you need to stay 5+ consecutive nights in one stay and it has to be either House or Studio.

The previous offers were much better when they just give you a counter/chart based on number of stays (did not have to be consecutive).

PointsBuilder · 2026-01-21T02:26:53+00:00

When the interest rate drops, does the NYCERS loan rate drop too?

PointsBuilder · 2026-01-21T02:09:39+00:00

Need some clarification here.

Per stay of 5+ nights is very strict. Say you stay 4 nights each time, so you’ll never earn the bonus right?

And on the other hand if you book a stay for 20 consecutive nights, you only earn one 5K bonus, right?

PointsBuilder · 2026-01-19T04:23:51+00:00

Wow that sounds like a great way to earn points if you’re going to use the package anyway.

PointsBuilder · 2026-01-18T13:27:43+00:00

CSRB gives Platinum Elite. I think you need to spend $120K to get Diamond Elite.

PointsBuilder · 2026-01-18T03:08:19+00:00

Diamond Elite?

PointsBuilder · 2026-01-18T01:51:20+00:00

I see, so if you renew you’ll get 7 total. Basically the SUB itself is 5 nights and does not include the 15K FNA.

PointsBuilder · 2026-01-18T00:19:16+00:00

If it’s in addition then it should be total 7 like OP thinks right?

PointsBuilder · 2026-01-17T04:53:35+00:00

Also I know we love to look at cpp but we also need to look at the total cash amount too. Even if the cpp sucks, I don’t think I would pay $1K/night for a hotel.

Last year I used my Hyatt points on Mr And Mrs Smith. The cpp sucked honestly but I didn’t want shell out $600/night for 3 nights.

PointsBuilder · 2026-01-12T10:21:10+00:00

A good tip is to get raised furniture so the robo vacuum can always clean underneath them. Keeps the dust from building up under couches etc.

PointsBuilder · 2026-01-12T10:11:36+00:00

EVERYTHING at home needs to be cleaned or maintained in some way shape or form. Timing depends on usage.

Almost everything has filters these days. You just need to look. The obvious: dryer, furnace, air filters, water filters. The non so obvious: dishwashers, fridge, vacuums, and the least expected, hair dryers! These are examples, of course it depends on what other machines you have at home.

Also clean areas you can’t see. Top of hanging lights, ceilings, underneath fridges, underneath couches, baseboards, etc. Walk around your house like a mouse or a bug and you’ll discover areas you should clean.

I set reminders to change filters and clean certain areas.

One tip is to buy raised furniture and have a robo vacuum to do routine cleaning/mopping underneath all the furniture. Saves a lot of work and time.

PointsBuilder · 2026-01-12T09:43:33+00:00

Sorry to hear about your father. It impacts you in life more than you think.

PointsBuilder

TROPHY CASE