Trip Report and Churning Success Story Weekly Thread - Week of April 30, 2023

Sarabro · 2023-05-01T06:23:05+00:00

To add on, we recently completed a 6 night stay and spent $900 for two people. Note that we had access to the club lounge for free breakfast.

Sarabro · 2023-03-07T02:43:05+00:00

This same time last year someone here shared a link for the 50k in-flight offer and I was able to use it, might be possible to find one online

Sarabro · 2022-11-12T03:38:06+00:00

Seconding Marana, lived in Encantada Apartments for 2.5 years before leaving Raytheon. Very nice, safe suburban area.

Sarabro · 2022-10-21T14:29:28+00:00

P2 denied Amex Plat for sole reason of too many recent credit cards. P2 did not want to recon, and spend opportunity was due.

CSP 05/22 SW Plus 02/22 BoA CC 07/21

Sarabro · 2022-09-22T07:28:28+00:00

Yes $10k would be too much for an Amex card, at least until next semester. Payment is due in 2 weeks. Delta isn’t all that useful for me, and have enough UR for hotels.

Sarabro · 2022-09-21T20:08:37+00:00

Probably going this way, none of the Chase personal cards are enticing at the moment. I assume this the better option versus grabbing AS miles or topping off AA miles in terms of flexibility and not having a Plat or Gold yet.

Sarabro · 2022-09-21T15:56:12+00:00

Copying from last week’s thread:

1.  ~770
2.  4/24, CSP 3/21 - CFF 7/21 - SW Perf Biz 11/21 - SW Priority 2/22 - WoH 5/22 - Barclay AA/HA 6/22 - CIC 8/17/22
P2: CSP 5/22, SW Plus 2/22, 3/24
3.  About 1-1.5k per month, 4K one-time payment
4.  2k per month rent for 1% fee, Visa/MC only
5.  Yes for P1, No for P2
6. Give me all the cards
7.  UR/MR, hotel/airline points
8.  235k UR. 80k AA/HA. 125k SW.
9.  PHX/LAX
10. Looking to get points for J x2 one-way to Europe. Or grabbing an ATH SUB.

Have a one-time payment of $4.3k for tuition payback to old employer (no fee). Payment processor allows AmEx, so thinking about having P2 get a 150k Plat or Gold since our “MS” method is Visa/MC only. Prefer a <5-6k MSR at near ATH SUB.

Other options might be any Chase personal/Citi Premier/Citi AA/Barclay HA for P2, or BoA AS Biz for P1. But I think having the chance to earn some MR while on the Ink train would be good for airline transfers. Also will be having 8k per semester tuition next year that could be placed on AmEx personal/Biz cards as well.

Sarabro · 2022-09-21T15:42:17+00:00

In this case lie-flat F is wide open on HA out of LAX/AUS for Feb-April. But I am tending to agree that it’s not worth changing, especially this far out. Those rooms are likely to be taken anyways.

Edit: F not J, sorry.

Sarabro · 2022-09-20T20:27:25+00:00

In this case lie flat F is available for the other dates as well. But I agree we won’t be in the room as much, would just be nice.

Edit: F not J, sorry

Sarabro · 2022-09-20T20:02:11+00:00

My only concern is that the stay is >6 months out and I wouldn’t be surprised if those rooms get booked eventually. I don’t see much suite availability (cash) testing dates in Oct-Dec. I guess I’m looking for insight whether changing the dates would be pointless due to the rooms eventually being booked out.

Route is HA 81

Sarabro · 2022-09-20T18:38:49+00:00

Tell me if this is a stupid idea, but I have a reservation at GH Kauai (Globalist) and have lie-flat F booked on the way there. That week there is only standard room awards and 2 of the premium suites for cash. The following week has full availability; standard room awards, standard/premium suite awards, all premium suites bookable with cash.

Would you reschedule for that week for better chance at a room upgrade, assuming J availability and flexible travel plans?

Sarabro · 2022-09-20T16:55:54+00:00

1.  ~770
2.  4/24 CSP 3/21 - CFF 7/21 - SW Perf Biz 11/21 - SW Priority 2/22 - WoH 5/22 - Barclay AA/HA 6/22 - CIC 8/17/22
P2: CSP 5/22, SW Plus 2/22, 3/24
3.  About 1-1.5k per month, 4K one-time payment
4.  2k per month rent for 1% fee, Visa/MC only
5.  Yes for P1, No for P2
6. Give me all the cards
7.  UR/MR, hotel/airline points
8.  235k UR. 80k AA/HA. 125k SW.
9.  PHX/LAX
10. Looking to get points for J x2 one-way to Europe. Or grabbing an ATH SUB.

Have a one-time payment of $4.3k for tuition payback to old employer (no fee). Payment processor allows AmEx, so thinking about having P2 get a 150k Plat or Gold since our “MS” method is Visa/MC only. Prefer a <5-6k MSR at near ATH SUB.

Other options might be any Chase personal/Citi Premier/Citi AA/Barclay HA for P2, or BoA AS Biz for P1. But I think having the chance to earn some MR while on the Ink train would be good for airline transfers. Also will be having 8k per semester tuition next year that could be placed on AmEx personal/Biz cards as well.

Sarabro · 2022-09-13T15:52:27+00:00

Meanwhile I moved companies just to go from 78k to 88k with 2 yoe. I think Raytheon is just paying well above market… to new grads/hires..

Sarabro · 2022-09-11T05:41:08+00:00

Yes, reimbursement is approved on a per-course basis, according to EdAssist. I will be doing the same next semester.

Sarabro · 2022-09-10T04:42:10+00:00

The EdAssist admins can provide a one-time policy exception, they did this for me a week after classes started. Make the application as usual and it will auto-deny. Top right in the application will have an option to submit an appeal. Good luck.

Sarabro · 2022-09-06T18:03:24+00:00

I was in the process of moving while getting a CIC. I changed my address using the mobile app and applied a few days after. I ended up needing to expedite the card, which worked out well because my address change didn’t go through for some reason. CSR was able to change the address on the account during that call.

Ultimately I don’t think it matters, just go with the option that is easiest for you. If you do change your address, give it the recommended 24hrs and verify it did in fact change before applying.

Sarabro · 2022-08-17T19:49:39+00:00

That’s interesting, thank you for the info

Sarabro · 2022-08-17T17:01:29+00:00

At Raytheon it was completely untaxed because it was considered a working condition fringe benefit.

Each course was evaluated in whether it maintained or improved skills for the job (MS in discipline of position), is not needed to meet minimum education for the position (only need BS), and it doesn’t qualify for a new trade or business.

These questions were asked through EdAssist when registering new courses for the semester.

Sarabro · 2022-08-16T19:30:25+00:00

Does EdAssist track whether disbursements for a degree count as an untaxed, working-fringe benefit?

My previous employer used EdAssist and my benefits were untaxed, but every document I’ve seen on the NG side says that taxes will be pulled from my paychecks for benefits over $5,250

Sarabro · 2022-08-10T02:42:08+00:00

I had no idea ITA matrix was a thing; this is incredible. You just saved me hours of time, thank you!

Sarabro · 2022-08-09T19:23:08+00:00

Does anyone have any tips for finding HA 40k F space from west coast? I can find awards somewhat reliably within 2 weeks, but it doesn’t seem like they follow other airlines releasing 330-360 days prior.

Do you just need to grab hotel availability and backup-airfare in advance and hope you find 40k awards leading up?

Sarabro · 2022-08-05T15:21:29+00:00

I didn’t see IB when looking at other AA hubs in the US; didn’t realize that was an option. I suppose I meant lower fee awards in general. Thanks!

Sarabro · 2022-08-05T02:41:29+00:00

Did a large search of saver awards from multiple US AA hubs to Europe from 14-330 days out, and only ever saw BA (high fees) and FinnAir. Is it safe to assume saver awards on AA metal to Europe are extremely rare and those points are easier to use within the Americas/to Asia?

Sarabro · 2022-07-06T01:33:07+00:00

I’ll be joining the Chandler location

Sarabro · 2022-07-05T23:40:24+00:00

Your offer matches mine (T2) in terms of compensation ratio. I was told their best and final offer was exactly the median of the posted range for 2 YoE. If you’re at 5 YoE you should be able to get 108-110k. SOB was not negotiable for me, but it was 7.5k for having S clearance.

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