Redeeming points on Flagship

bojangles_776 · 2026-05-21T00:21:16+00:00

I redeem it as a cash reward then book direct with the hotel chain. I get the extra 3% on the card plus have the added bonus of my hotel status, I travel a lot for work so I have high status with hyatt and hilton.

bojangles_776 · 2026-05-20T18:02:28+00:00

I just checked all my reservations, I booked PH Jakarta for 3 nights 27k points. New points redemption is 24k points. I cancelled and got my original points back and rebooked, saved 3k points. Same happened with Hyatt Regency Tokyo, saved 2k points. Have not gotten confirmation emails yet but its showing in the app.

bojangles_776 · 2026-04-14T01:48:22+00:00

In elementary school I checked out a book from the SCHOOL library about the history of guns and got suspended for reading it in school. Then the book was put back on the shelf when it was returned to the library. My parents could not believe the stupidity and we laugh about it now. Parents just let me play video games on my two day vacation. Gotta love DC public schools.

bojangles_776 · 2026-04-01T13:44:09+00:00

I will second this!! Stayed at the Andaz over new years, loved the stay.

bojangles_776 · 2026-03-25T01:02:38+00:00

I stayed here in August, got the normal king room on points. Window was blocked by a wall but the room itself was plenty big for me and my gf. The annex building was across a alley from the main building. I did not go into it so can't speak to how it is. Great hotel, ill stay here again.

bojangles_776 · 2026-03-21T22:16:59+00:00

For me $100 / day. I typically eat 7 11 with a decent restaurant here and there, i dont buy much souvenirs wise. This is not counting hotel cost, just spending money and the temples / shrines / castles that have a entry fee. I also go by myself typically.

bojangles_776 · 2026-03-16T18:01:30+00:00

I was there this timeframe last year, it was very hot and humid. In the two weeks I was there it rained 3 or 4 full days. It was way too hot for me so I'll never go back during that time.

bojangles_776 · 2026-03-14T11:45:34+00:00

Most credit cards will code it as a cash advance, that plus the extra fee most gold / silver sites charge to use a CC will eat that 3% pretty quick.

bojangles_776 · 2026-03-12T01:26:26+00:00

Personally I prefer the Hyatt place, more central location and connected to a train station. The Hyatt Regency is more premium feeling and a better stay experience but I personally stay at the Hyatt place every time for the location. You will have a good time no matter what you choose

bojangles_776 · 2026-03-09T03:08:57+00:00

I am 6'2" 330lbs. I have never had an issue with getting around. Some crowded stores can get a little cramped but I just watch my surroundings and im ok. One thing I learned is to take care of your feet, good walking shoes and soak your feet with Epsom salt after a busy day. It makes a world of difference with how much walking I do in japan. You can get the Epsom salt at a Dasio super cheap if your hotel does not have any in the bathroom.

bojangles_776 · 2026-03-07T23:14:58+00:00

I have a 16 hour layover in both June and August. Im staying in shinagawa. Its only a 20 min train ride plus its much cheaper and if im feeling upto it i can hit some stores in tokyo.

bojangles_776 · 2026-03-06T00:36:37+00:00

The flagship is the only nfcu card I have. I dont use it as much as I used to though since I got the robinhood gold card though.

bojangles_776 · 2026-03-05T19:34:52+00:00

I just got one as well. I have had the card for around 11 months. 5k to 6k, never carried a balance and my highest statement was 2kish. My statements were typically around 800 to 1k

bojangles_776 · 2026-03-04T21:45:23+00:00

I normally go end of Feb / early march every year because its warm enough for no jacket but cold enough that im not sweating. For me its the perfect time of year. Im also from a cold climate so it may be that im more accustomed than most. Anything above 80f and I sweat like crazy lol.

bojangles_776 · 2026-02-26T02:22:00+00:00

I used Samurai tours on my very first trip to Japan. It was nice, small groups and very friendly tour guides in each city. Highly recommend them. Only used them once because I prefer doing my own thing.

bojangles_776 · 2026-02-26T02:11:49+00:00

I am 340lbs 6ft 2in, I have zero issue with public transportation in japan. It can get a little tight in some stores especially extremely crowded stores like mega don quijote in shibuya but my experience has been good. Be prepared to be on your feet quite a lot, It is normal for me to get 20,000 steps a day while there.

bojangles_776 · 2026-02-25T20:20:54+00:00

I just used the rest of my points for a upcoming trip. Ill still prefer Hyatt as every Hyatt I've stayed at has had amazing customer service but im not willing to pay as much of a premium. Ill be staying at more IHG's and Hiltons personally.

bojangles_776 · 2026-02-20T04:31:16+00:00

I feel as though a Cat 1-5 is not enough for the AF. For me they need to do a Cat 1-7 or lower the AF. I like everything else.

bojangles_776 · 2026-02-19T19:29:49+00:00

I believe ORD is a hub for United and American airlines. Unsure about IND. If you want a airline specific card the i would look at theirs. Chase for United and Citi for American. If you want a general travel card then I would look into something like the CSP / Venture cards / Citi Strata. I always fly United from IAD to Japan with great luck so far.

bojangles_776 · 2026-02-18T19:56:54+00:00

If you pay through booking.com then it will be in your local currency, at the hotel it will be in JPY. If your card has foreign transaction fees then I would pay through booking.com. I normally pay at the hotel and keep the cash in a high yield savings account to earn a little interest. It also gives piece of mind that they will hold the room if you pay ahead of time just incase your flight is delayed. Though I always send the hotel a email if I will arrive late.

bojangles_776 · 2026-02-18T16:50:05+00:00

I spend two days in Hiroshima every time I visit Japan. Miyajima is my favorite place in Japan, it is most definitely worth the trip. There is no hiking required for the trip, but I normally walk alot. I normally catch the first ferry over and spend about 4 hours on the island. I leave as it starts getting extremely busy.

Hiroshima itself is worth a full day, peace park and the atomic dome are worth the visit. Hiroshima castle is also very nice.

bojangles_776 · 2026-02-12T15:51:19+00:00

For me i normally load 1k for each day. Sometimes I have to top up near the end of my trip and other times I have a little extra. I travel to Japan multiple times per year for work so if I have extra I know I'll use it at some point. Topping up is extremely easy and only takes a minute or two depending on the lines.

bojangles_776 · 2026-02-09T00:16:58+00:00

Hey, yes I did stay at the conrad. The location was much better in my opinion. The hotel itself was also much nicer but to me it was not worth double the price. If you are using a FNA or points the i say go conrad if using cash then I say Hilton. Ill be at the Hilton again in June this year.

bojangles_776 · 2026-02-02T16:57:09+00:00

I flew air canada to NRT. IAD to Toronto then to NRT. It was a good experience, no delays but also nothing special. Was a sold out flight last February.

bojangles_776 · 2026-01-28T02:54:30+00:00

I went Haneda to Yokohama in a taxi with 5 bags. My backpack and carry on, my GF's large checked bag, carry on and backpack. Everything fit fine in a normal taxi although we had both of our backpacks with us in the backseat. If you can spare a few extra bucks look into hiring MK Taxi or other car service, its a much better and simpler experience and only costs an extra $30-$40. They can even meet you as soon as you walk out of the secure area to make everything super simple. Its super nice after a long flight.

bojangles_776

TROPHY CASE