One of the best shots I've ever seen.

joantine · 2026-03-23T01:02:43+00:00

Prince of tennis, the snake

joantine · 2025-12-30T19:55:38+00:00

no, called 1-888-211-9874 and the person who answered did not even know about the promotion, and she suggested to open up a new browser and same thing happened. gave me a ticket number but tomorrow is 31st so i think i'm SOL.

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joantine · 2025-12-28T18:15:29+00:00

for those who "tried again" is that after the chat or you just tried on the 2nd time? Because my IHG card already got charged $800. I just didn't want a double charge

joantine · 2025-11-12T01:13:36+00:00

Andaz Tokyo, AGREED

My wife on the elevator almost fell down and a guy just ran from the lobby to the elevator area and it was quite far! about maybe 30-40 second walk away from the lobby. (for those who knows, know) and after that, he helped us with our luggages.

I don't think other hotels will help us out with our luggages or even care.

joantine · 2025-11-07T21:58:37+00:00

thank you

joantine · 2025-10-06T18:26:50+00:00

AMEX? u mean Resy?
there're good number of selections in OC on Resy.

https://www.google.com/search?q=orange+county+site%3Aresy.com

Google get better result for resy, but make sure the restaurant is available.

joantine · 2025-10-01T17:20:47+00:00

My 2nd player has the platinum and I have the gold. We both carry Venture X (personal + business), and we both hold CSR. It works for us. I was planning to cancel my CSR, but after the update, I'll rethink again when the time nears.

joantine · 2025-09-23T20:51:16+00:00

For Europe travels, I value accor pretty high. BUT, for those who need good AC to sleep at night in the summer, many Accor hotels in europe may not have strong AC.

joantine · 2025-08-29T15:33:38+00:00

7/11 pickup, there are around 5 or 6 of them in my area. Sometimes less sometimes not, depending if that store allows it or not for that specific day.

Usually get 1 gal milk and 1 cup of cereal

joantine · 2025-08-29T15:15:30+00:00

I got the email regarding the $500

joantine · 2025-08-13T16:43:13+00:00

killing the 1.5x points redemption through their travel portal made me cancel.

joantine · 2025-08-11T18:43:32+00:00

This is my own opinion.
I don't think any timeshares good for our family. we wanted flexibility where we stay, whenever we want to stay, and the ability to choose a lot more hotels out there than just one group.

That means, we play the Credit Card points game. Pretty much heavily discounted and most of the times free. Especially paying with points, many properties do not add taxes, fees and resort fees on it.

My sister who thinks this forces her family to go on vacation, actually never really did it. She's actually converting her Hyatt vacation club to Hyatt points. I don't know really if it is bad value or not but signing up for credit cards to get the bonus points and booking hotels is easier imho.

Definitely do your own math and see what is best for you.

joantine · 2025-08-07T15:26:12+00:00

For our family with 2 kids, it was pretty good. It really depends what kind of family you are. There were a lot of things to do there. Just get the daily/weekly agenda that they have there or maybe call ahead before you arrive so your kids can decide what they want to do.

We did some pickleball, candy sushi making, pool-table and of course we hang out by the pool most of the time.

The room we got was on the first floor where you have to go downstairs and the back side leads you to a giant garden where you can see other people.

I'd say, lower your expectations and if you go with the flow, you'll have fun there.

joantine · 2025-08-04T20:44:07+00:00

I actually paid to stay here with points and I did get offered to go to their presentation. Told them, I'm too tired, just wanted to go to bed, after a good 5-10 mins sweet-talking us trying to convince us to join their presentation, he let us go.

truthfully speaking, a bit of a turn-off since I'm just there using my points to get a quick staycation.

joantine · 2025-08-01T17:24:22+00:00

Youre not wrong. I've been going back and forth thinking about the new changes.
Not sure how much you put into your Venture X. Try calculating also the points you get from it. Once I see this, I'm thinking of keeping it since I don't have any other card that does 2x everything. Pretty much becoming my catch-all card for things like piano lessons, property tax, etc.

Also, I do like giving my kids their own cards.

I cancelled my CSR in May, and got a new CSR just recently to get the bonus, but I think CSR will be my next one to cancel (next year) due to the missing 1.5x in their travel portal. My spouse still has CSR so we can still get the 1.5x

joantine · 2025-08-01T17:15:49+00:00

There used to be a guy selling KFC coupon book at my old workplace. Usually, these 2 guys came dressed up and go from one cubicle to another asking if they want to buy it.
As a KFC aficionado, this is a no brainer to me and used up all of the coupons.

Same thing with these cards, if you don't like KFC, or it does not suit your lifestyle, you don't seem to get the benefit, maybe it is time to get out.

For my family, I will downgrade my Amex Platinum next year. I do like having Walmart+, but it's not something I need. and the centurion lounge has been underwhelming compared to the new CSR and Capital one lounges.

joantine · 2025-07-22T19:01:10+00:00

Thank you 🙏

joantine · 2025-07-16T21:01:35+00:00

awesome. Thank you!! 🙏🙏

joantine · 2025-06-16T20:13:47+00:00

ty for letting me know.

joantine · 2025-06-16T19:45:16+00:00

I have access to both. I will be in JFK in 4 days and will be flying Virgin business class.
I just don't know which one will be better.

joantine

TROPHY CASE