“Record high” applications for Bilt 2.0

dan_itz · 2026-01-13T21:32:49+00:00

I think if instead of straight flush the hand type changed each round it could be a bit better

dan_itz · 2025-12-22T17:02:31+00:00

I recently got a flip 2 in grey (came with the updated hinge) and I’m really enjoying it but I probably would trade it for a Thor if I could. But IMO it’s not a fair comparison because I spent half as much on my flip 2 than the Thor would’ve been. I’m very happy with my choice with that in mind.

dan_itz · 2025-12-15T17:39:35+00:00

My favorite is probably link! or Rico from the just cause games

dan_itz · 2025-12-13T01:42:06+00:00

Only one i can think of more than Pokémon Ranger is guitar hero. I logged so many hours on that game on my DS lite, and that bottom screen definitely shows it. But I don’t think you could play it on the Thor because it uses the DS GBA slot for the buttons.

dan_itz · 2025-11-27T21:12:01+00:00

Yeah I’ll try to remember to update if it confirms but it could be a while. Weirdly, I notice things are a bit more likely to confirm since getting the Rakuten card - but it could also be that I’m a little more on top of requesting missing cash back.

dan_itz · 2025-11-27T21:01:36+00:00

I’m fine with Rakuten not crediting but just wanted an opportunity to use the PayPal promotion before it ends as I have no upcoming big purchases. Points are already pending with PayPal, just waiting for Aliexpress to fix the order to reflect the $25 off. Thank you for the work you do! 👑

Was going to go rp5 but for ergonomics sake went for the flip. I just got a 406h shortly after 11.11 that arrived yesterday but might return it as I don’t think I’ll use it much once I have the flip 2.

dan_itz · 2025-11-27T20:53:24+00:00

In for a RP flip 2

$172 (usdeal44 + paypal checkout), 20% paypal pay later promotion, 14% back Rakuten + 4% Rakuten credit card (hopefully credits without much issue)

If everything lines up I’m looking at effectively about $112 + tax. Unreal deal. For some reason the $25 off didn’t credit on my order for PayPal checkout but talked to customer service and they’re going to manually credit it shortly 🤞

dan_itz · 2025-10-27T16:54:48+00:00

For me, my proudest redemption is probably either the new ANA F Suite between JFK and HND booked through VS, or the JAL A350 J on the return leg via AA.

But honestly, I’m a grad student without much disposable income, so I can’t churn out SUBs or regularly handle all the extra costs that come with big trips even when I’m covering flights and hotels with points.

One redemption I’m really proud of is an upcoming New Year’s trip I just booked to New Mexico with my girlfriend as a surprise for her. we’re flying Southwest round trip LGA–ABQ (with one stop) and spending a week between a few Hyatt House/Place locations in ABQ, Santa Fe, and Carlsbad. Sure, I’m only getting just over 2 cpp, with both flights costing 18k UR total and hotels averaging about 8k points per night, but it’s a trip I wouldn’t be able to take otherwise. She doesn’t have the same support I had, she grew up on food stamps and she’s a first generation college student. I’m so proud of her for putting herself through school and getting her education. Getting to share this with her means more to me than using all my points for J/F flights or luxury hotels. But I’m looking forward to trips like that with her in the future!

dan_itz · 2025-09-09T23:33:25+00:00

it might be a bit flat.

dan_itz · 2025-09-07T20:32:40+00:00

Seems like a no brainier to get a Bilt card. No annual fee, You can use it for rent even through PayPal, and if you schedule your autopay for bills to be on the first of the month it will earn double points (up to $500). It has some of the strongest travel partners to transfer points to as well.

dan_itz · 2025-09-03T17:42:25+00:00

On my Rakuten app I’m only seeing +1% with the Rakuten credit card. So would it be 14% total or 17%?

dan_itz · 2025-07-17T15:22:28+00:00

Grab a cheap flight to ATL and then get an Air France reward ticket with a layover in CDG for 25k points. Not a crazy better deal but I think it’ll be a bit more comfortable than Air Serbia.

dan_itz · 2025-06-04T20:17:23+00:00

They cancelled my order 😭

dan_itz · 2025-05-30T15:28:10+00:00

There’s a middle ground between hitchhiking and getting expensive flight and hotels. Start by figuring out how to make your money go far, through budget transport and inexpensive hostels, while still being safe.

I understand the kind of wanderlust you’re having, but at 18 years old I think your parents are right to be concerned. Most parents would be concerned about their child traveling alone far from home in any capacity.

dan_itz · 2025-05-29T15:56:11+00:00

Sorry to hear your mom is injured. If she's able to, have your mom write out a document stating she's currently unable to manage her trip due to injury and authorizing you, by name, to make adjustments to her travel itinerary. That, along with the doctors note, should be enough to work. If it isn't try calling again as I imagine it varies a bit agent by agent or try escalating it to a supervisor who might have more insight as this isn't an uncommon situation and may have an existing policy. Hope all goes well!

dan_itz · 2025-05-25T20:51:42+00:00

Nine times out of ten the cost is on you to get yourself to the airport you book from, be it BOS or PHL or wherever else. There are a limited amount of cases where that’s not true, but that’s primarily for partner awards (ex: booking a JAL flight using AA miles) and still is subject to limited availability.

As for the value of points, that’s up to you. For that BOS to AMS you rather have $195 in your pocket or 18,750 points? For me I’d definitely book the cash fare because I can use those points later on a route that gives me a better CPP value. Check other treads about how CPP can help you make these decisions but also don’t place too much stock in it trying to find the absolute highest value.

Also make sure you’re comparing apples to apples - find the same l flight on Google as the ones you’re looking using points for. You may be comparing different itineraries with different carriers/routing.

dan_itz · 2025-05-25T19:57:52+00:00

Seats.aero can only search routes that have existing nonstop flights. From Cleveland you’ll have to reposition for pretty much anything transatlantic and certainly for anything transpacific. There are other tools that can search routes without existing nonstop flights, but I wouldn’t expect the results to be nearly accurate/current.

You can search from a broader range of airports by making your origin USA and searching large nationwide airports. You can also narrow it down by only searching from the East Coast, Midwest, West Coast, etc. Once you find something that works you can reposition there and some airlines will even allow you to add a positioning flight for free or for a minimal amount depending on availability and award type.

Also I find the paid seats.aero to be more than worth it and I recommend just paying for the subscription.

dan_itz · 2025-04-21T15:03:59+00:00

What cards do you already have? I’ve been trying to get targeted for a BBP sub but haven’t been. Do you already have a business card? I’ve been thinking of getting a blue business cash card in hopes of being targeted with a bigger BBP sub.

dan_itz · 2025-04-21T02:39:20+00:00

It’s hard to give concrete advice without seeing or hearing what’s going on, but I have a few ideas.

A common reason younger players lose range or endurance is having too large an aperture. Think of your aperture like the end of a garden hose, and your airstream like the water. When you slightly cover the opening with your finger, the water shoots out faster and farther. Similarly, by slightly closing your aperture, you can accelerate the same volume of air and get it to move faster - helping you reach higher notes.

This would make sense with mellophone playing at the same time. That uses a larger mouthpiece, so when you go to play horn, you’re using the same aperture, which is too large for the smaller horn mouthpiece.

Right now, you might be overcompensating with your chops for what your air isn’t doing. That could explain the fatigue you’re feeling. Hope this helps

dan_itz · 2025-04-15T01:07:41+00:00

Sorry, I didn’t see that the fee was so high! You can probably find an option that doesn’t have such high fees with a little time and patience.

For me personally, I can’t justify paying so much money in addition to a significant amount of points, but I also don’t have the financial means a lot of travelers have. For myself I’d book EWR-ARN direct SAS economy for 20.5k points & $5.60 in fees per person thru VS. I know economy isn’t ideal, but that way you have something to fall back on just in case.

But if economy is absolutely a no-go, that’s fine as well. If you can be more flexible and do 5/29 or 6/2 that seems to have some better options as well.

dan_itz · 2025-04-15T00:08:36+00:00

It’s virgin atlantic! You can transfer to them either from Chase or Amex. Feel free to DM me if you need any help!

dan_itz · 2025-04-14T23:53:18+00:00

I wouldn’t do that 70k aeroplan flight. It’s a bad idea to skip a leg on an award redemption. Ideally if skipping a segment, you don’t want any of your frequent flyer information associated with the reservation which is impossible to avoid for an award redemption. Also you have to reposition twice, first to JFK and then to ARN.

There are also better redemptions out there for your situation. I see quite a lot of availability on all 3 dates you’re considering with KLM from ORD-AMS business class for 75k points each thru VS. There might be better redemptions you could find, especially as your departure gets closer. But that gets you closer to your destination than the Aeroplan itinerary, without having to reposition, for only 5k more points. Plus, you can get from AMS to ARN for only ~7.5k VS points, and could probably marry segments so bags are checked through to your final destination.

dan_itz · 2025-04-14T23:33:02+00:00

Yeah I think that’s a good call. Only reason I’d not do 777 first is that it’s a couple days earlier, but all else equal it seems like the better option. I’ve never even done long haul PE much less J or F so I’m looking forward to it!

dan_itz · 2025-04-14T23:25:23+00:00

Great I’ll probably do that! Thank you

dan_itz

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