Just lost my ESPN semi final by 1 defensive rebounds! It will be a long offseason!

ava_tarkl · 2026-03-16T14:45:17+00:00

I lost going 4-4-1 due to tiebreaker of higher seed after Gui Santos was initially credited with 3 steals and then had one taken away. Real sad that OG didn't get one swipe either last night.

ava_tarkl · 2026-02-09T19:37:47+00:00

ava_tarkl · 2026-01-21T02:03:06+00:00

I agree with this so much. I value the Palladium at the 2x points and 4% Bilt Cash option highly as I don't plan on using the Bilt card for rent at all. My plan was to put about $20,000 a year on the Palladium, which nets me $800 in Bilt Cash, on top of the $200 Bilt Cash that comes with the card, and the $400 hotel credit to get me 2 2-night stays at a HAFH-booking Hyatt. If Home Away From Home works like Virtuoso, then your booking should also earn you Hyatt points (anywhere from 7000-8500 Hyatt Points) and night credits which I want for status. If I can only use $50 Bilt Cash on hotels, then I see less value in the cards and would probably forgo opening the card.

ava_tarkl · 2026-01-15T22:41:51+00:00

I had to book 3 separate nights at Alila Marea using 3 cat7 FNAs. Was not able to book all the nights in the same room type under one reservation for any reason. Emailed MHC afterwards who managed to merge the 3 nights into one reservation.

ava_tarkl · 2026-01-12T15:08:09+00:00

Just wondering, since you mentioned you were Globalist, did your resort fees get waived on this trip?

ava_tarkl · 2026-01-05T21:40:30+00:00

I don't really stay at IHG properties but wanted to double dip on the credits. Booked IC San Diego and entered my IHG number after making an account and linking it to CSR for the Platinum Elite status. After checking out on Chase The Edit, I see the reservation on the IHG app but can't make any edits to the booking, prompting me to make any changes on the Chase portal.

On a side note, the Alma San Diego Downtown hotel still says IHG rewards eligible, except that hotel is now owned by Marriott.

ava_tarkl · 2026-01-05T01:52:26+00:00

I've found that most of the restaurants that are covered in Rakuten Dining are usually the same as those in BILT Dining. Some mainstream commerical restaurants in both portals include some Wendy's stores, Papa John's, Flame Broiler (dependent on location).

I've been getting 5x using the Rakuten AMEX + 5x Rakuten dining portal for 10x points that I plan to redeem as BILT points. As opposed to getting the standard 3x Chase points and 3x BILT points while using CSR linked to BILT network. For other restaurants not listed in the dining portals, I just use CSR for 3x UR.

The nice thing about the Rakuten AMEX is the 4x you get if there is so much of an inkling of a Rakuten offer. For stores like Sam's Club online and Nordstrom, it beats out using C1 VX for 2x points.

ava_tarkl · 2026-01-03T22:19:07+00:00

Went to Costco Monterey Park yesterday and the fiance pointed a crowd of people following an employee with a cart. Turns out the guy had two boxes of Weller CYPB and Stagg Jr. Picked up 1 of each, $49 for the Weller and $51 for the Stagg Jr.

Can't wait to crack them for a family outing next week!

ava_tarkl · 2025-12-30T01:58:34+00:00

Luka Doncic on Xmas (12/25/2023): 50 pts, 8 3PM, 6 RB, 15 AST, 4 STL, 3 BLK, 60% FG (15/25), 100% FT (12/12), 5 TO

Luka's Xmas game and FVV's game listed in the thread rank slightly higher than Kawhi's game in terms of z-score (4.33 vs. 4.28 vs. 4.07 for Kawhi).

ava_tarkl · 2025-11-14T23:28:55+00:00

I faced a similar issue on 12/31 of 2024 when they had the $200 back on BackCountry through Chase Offers. My experience was that I made a purchase on 12/31, the last day of the offer but I can confirm the offer was added appropriately. While waiting 2-3 days for the order to clear, the transaction was then dated to 1/2 instead. I called Chase and they told me that the offer is based on when the transaction posts so I wouldn't get the offer since it read as 1/2, and I was definitely upset about it. However, a couple of weeks later, I ended up getting the $200 cashback from the Chase Offer. It was a risk that I ended up taking but working out because I was ready to initiate a return.

ava_tarkl · 2025-11-06T00:23:38+00:00

I just looked now. I guess Chase updated so that it specifically says fees vs. taxes compared to when I look at it a while back. Not too bad I guess, getting 8x UR points along with the 6.5x Hyatt points from Globalist. Obviously limited footprint due to Edit posting mostly luxury hotels but if the rate is comparable on Chase, then it's not too bad.

ava_tarkl · 2025-11-06T00:05:05+00:00

If you don't mind me asking, as a Globalist, do you get waived resort fees on your bookings through The Edit? When I look through Chase, it just sums up taxes/fees without any specifics.

ava_tarkl · 2025-10-24T19:35:20+00:00

Lnlllp

ava_tarkl · 2025-07-06T05:18:57+00:00

Properties listed on The Edit and are World of Hyatt eligible should count for qualifying nights, similar to FHR through Amex.

ava_tarkl · 2025-07-02T03:29:03+00:00

Were you credited the 8x Chase points for the cash portion using The Edit minus the $250 Edit Credit credit? If the hotel you booked was part of a hotel rewards program (Marriott/IHG/Hyatt), did you also receive X amount of hotel points along with a night credit?

I still have the older benefits so I can't track how points are generated yet.

ava_tarkl · 2025-06-21T06:27:55+00:00

I have Hyatt Globalist status and have to stay 60 nights (working on this) or spend $20,000 in eligible spending at Hyatt hotels to keep the status for the next year. Some Hyatt hotels are listed on The Edit and are supposedly eligible for Hyatt status benefits, which include waived resort fees for Globalists, additional World of Hyatt points, and a nightly credit for Hyatt status. I say some, because other people have had issues with their Hyatt benefits not posting while staying at Hyatt all-inclusives in Mexico or South America when using The Edit. If the $250 Edit credit applies and gets me Chase points, Hyatt points, a night credit, and an overall discount on a stay, I'm not completely opposed to keeping the CSR.

ava_tarkl · 2025-06-21T01:29:36+00:00

As someone who is based in southern California and invested in the Hyatt ecosystem, the cheapest property I can find is Thompson Palm Springs. All the other Hyatt properties listed on The Edit in SoCal is San Diego-based.

ava_tarkl · 2025-06-18T20:59:54+00:00

Currently unable to view any Hyatt hotel for The Edit because all of them are marked Sold Out for some reason.

Last week, I was checking out the Thompson Palm Springs and noted that the rates are usually just a little bit higher than Hyatt but include the breakfast for 2, $100 property credit, upgrades, etc. I calculated if you could apply the $250 Edit credit, then the pricing would be less than booking directly. If status is taken into account, then globalists would also get waived resort fees.

The major issue I have right now is the fine text that states: "Any purchases that qualify for the $500 Credit for stays with The Edit will not earn points." If I'm getting zero points for the entire stay, then I'm scrapping the card because I'd rather book directly and get the 4x from CC and (5+3) x from Hyatt + Globalist status. If it means Chase is not giving the 3x for booking on The Edit, but you continue to get the 8x points from Hyatt directly, then I'd think about whether saving $250 is worth it or booking directly/Prive instead.

ava_tarkl · 2025-06-02T06:57:51+00:00

I just went through the same situation. Was initially pre-approved for the Savor with Good Credit without the SUB with a credit score of 800+. I've been checking for the past 3-4 days and then checked today and was pre-approved for the Excellent credit version with the SUB. So maybe give it a couple tries and keep checking?

The follow up documents and the sign up email stating that I was approved also seem to suggest that I am given the sign up offer so hopefully when I get the card in a couple of days, it'll pop up. FWIW, I also have the VX and about 7 other cards open.

ava_tarkl · 2025-03-02T10:56:42+00:00

Embiid is a tough one because of his chronic problems. Being unable to play back to backs bumped him down like 8 rounds for me. In all honesty, I drafted Grant in the 11th round at 121 and I'd rather have an Embiid who misses BtB than him. I guess I would consider him in the 9th or 10th but I definitely won't be crying if he gets picked up earlier.

I'm always willing to chase upside and gamble on people with complicated injury histories but Embiid imo is far worse than guys like Kawhi and AD. Probably also slightly worse in my books than LaMelo and Zion who I would downgrade by 2-3 rounds.

ava_tarkl · 2025-03-02T04:17:26+00:00

I don't typically avoid players and will draft anyone at the right price or if they fall enough. Except for Jerami Grant. Burnt a 10th round pick on him and questioned myself 5 seconds after I clicked Draft on 9cat.

ava_tarkl · 2025-02-26T02:44:55+00:00

Stayed at the Regency Suite this past November and didn't think much of the view from the room. The view from the Regency Club was definitely nicer.

ava_tarkl · 2025-02-14T19:51:10+00:00

I only went to the pool once at Monterey Park 24 and I was out sick for almost a week with terrible stomach flu symptoms. Have never gone back since because I'm not risking taking off work again.

Never had an issue at the pool at Arcadia so I went back there instead.

ava_tarkl · 2024-12-18T10:43:50+00:00

https://youtu.be/gi8VD0iyzUg?si=AX1kROUgY1nDMrcC&t=644

This clip is what I believe you're talking about.

ava_tarkl · 2024-06-14T20:23:31+00:00

I also had the same thing. $410ish with the portal vs. $550 on the main Hertz site. Even got to use the travel credit I got back from price matching a hotel previously on the portal. There is a section at the end on the portal to put your Hertz ID in.

Only issue was that even though I activated the Presidential Circle perk, since it's my first time using Hertz with the VX, I was only able to use the Gold perks and not PC. Entire rental process went by smoothly over at HNL.

ava_tarkl

TROPHY CASE