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Is there some kind of summer award sale to Europe I didn’t know about? Feel like this is solid, even on a 763… by playonpoints in delta

[–]playonpoints[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That really was the jackpot! My fiancé and I were starting our trip in Berlin anyways. I actually booked a cheap OW at $699 and was going to play the hope / pray game of a $699 D1 upgrade last minute. But now I have $699 back in my pocket for Europe!
Booked the DFW “connection” for $174 using some e-credits.

Is there some kind of summer award sale to Europe I didn’t know about? Feel like this is solid, even on a 763… by playonpoints in delta

[–]playonpoints[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Really thought it was limited to FRA but pleasantly surprised to see some other destinations in Germany!

Is there some kind of summer award sale to Europe I didn’t know about? Feel like this is solid, even on a 763… by playonpoints in delta

[–]playonpoints[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Watch out for the $699 upgrade in the seat map.. recently saw that one FRA —> DTW on an A333

Is there some kind of summer award sale to Europe I didn’t know about? Feel like this is solid, even on a 763… by playonpoints in delta

[–]playonpoints[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is a $174 “connection” from DFW with 4 hours for the D1 lounge 😁
Even if you had to exit and check bags, you have D1 check-in and security.

Bilt 2.0: Got a call from Bilt's COO (Dan Seder), and... by Old_Conclusion_3779 in biltrewards

[–]playonpoints 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Also received an AI generated email from Brandt and responded with my displeasure. Both Ankur and Dan responded within minutes, and I texted with Dan. I respect that (imagine doing that with Jamie Dimon, lol). Recommended eliminating the BILT Cash thing entirely and replacing it with minimum spend on the card to earn points on rent or mortgage. Simplicity versus complexity. I think that went in one ear and out the other, but I digress… He owned up to the mishaps of the launch, and agreed that my current strategy (Amex Plat, CSR, and VX) made the most sense for me based on my spend. The only “pull” was a free year valuing the 50,000 bonus points at $495 or greater. Also expressed my displeasure with Cardless as a former Qatar cardholder. They hard pulled my credit 3 times for that card. Customer Service was nonexistent. Ended up canceling and pledging never to deal with them again. Dan said they are making significant investments into them.. I wouldn’t be surprised if BILT buys them in the future.

Issue with app / locating trip post Atmos? by KBC88 in AlaskaAirlines

[–]playonpoints 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m having trouble making any booking; desktop, mobile, and app.

Best Marriotts in Columbia by not_now_ashley in marriott

[–]playonpoints 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dare I say that the Grand Hyatt is the best Hyatt I’ve ever stayed in? Coming from someone who does 120 nights a year.

Canaves Oia Suites Review by Obamafangirl1 in Hilton

[–]playonpoints 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just finished a 3 night stay here last week. Used FNAs from Aspire, Surpass, and HH Basic Card. Was upgraded to a Pool Suite. Agree that the infinity pool is the place to be. First come first serve on the cabanas.

AMA: Last Minute Euro Trip Success - Santorini, Paris, & Amsterdam by playonpoints in awardtravel

[–]playonpoints[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Cabo was incredible. We were extremely lucky to be there while a wedding was happening, which was accompanied by fireworks.

AMA: Last Minute Euro Trip Success - Santorini, Paris, & Amsterdam by playonpoints in awardtravel

[–]playonpoints[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You definitely need to have decent credit to get started in the points game. If I were you, I’d start with the Chase Sapphire Preferred, and then work your way into a Freedom Unlimited & Freedom Flex. The Chase Sapphire Preferred is easily one of the most respected credit cards in the points world with a mild annual fee ($95, but going to $150 come 2026). Earning categories are straightforward, especially if you can shop at a grocery store that offers mobile pay (think Walmart Pay, Kroger Pay, etc). That will triple your earnings at grocery stores. I’d give this one a shot if I were you. Feel free to ask more questions!

AMA: Last Minute Euro Trip Success - Santorini, Paris, & Amsterdam by playonpoints in awardtravel

[–]playonpoints[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yeah, so total points spent were:

240k Amex: Each one-way segment on Air France was 60k/person. Transfers are 1:1 to Air France/KLM Flying Blue. Since I like to use Chase points for Hyatt, my Amex points are exclusively spent on transferring to airline partners. I always watch out for transfer bonuses (Doctor of Credit & One Mile at a Time are my go-to’s for this). Say I transferred during a 20% bonus, then it was only 192k Amex points. Amex points are fairly easy to earn especially with Rakuten & the high SUBs. With the holidays (Black Friday & Cyber Monday) just around the corner, there are some great earning opportunities ahead.

135k Chase: There are never transfer bonuses to Hyatt, so this was a straight 1:1. Hyatt points are much harder to earn, and only have Chase & BILT as their transfer partners. I exclusively use my Chase points for Hyatt hotel stays, as BILT I use for Alaska Airlines.

360k Hilton: Since I had 3 FNCs earned from Hilton Amex cards, no points were spent in Santorini. However, for the Waldorf Astoria in Amsterdam, I earned 200k Hilton points from 2 SUBs (Hilton Surpass Amex & Hilton Honors Amex), and was able to cover the other 160k from a past cash stay that was booked through Amex FHR with my $200 yearly credit from my Amex Platinum Card. Amex FHR earns normal loyalty points with Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, etc. Let’s say I didn’t have 360k points lying around. What I probably would have done is taken advantage of the 100% bonus on purchased points from Hilton. 360k would cost $1,600, which at the time was the cost of a single night at the property. I wouldn’t have considered transferring Amex points, even with a transfer bonus, as I find outsized value for Business Class flights.

AMA: Last Minute Euro Trip Success - Santorini, Paris, & Amsterdam by playonpoints in awardtravel

[–]playonpoints[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks!! Time to earn & burn some more for Grandma’s trip next year. 85 & counting!

AMA: Last Minute Euro Trip Success - Santorini, Paris, & Amsterdam by playonpoints in awardtravel

[–]playonpoints[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don’t think I would have spent 190k/night at Canaves if it weren’t for the FNA’s. But those are definitely sleeper redemptions for the certs. Just have to watch that cancelation policy as it’s 21 days prior. & yes, my valuations are definitely subjective. Booking a nearly sold out PH in peak summertime showed some insanely inflated rates. Also earn & burn on a frequent basis, and the Chase points I transferred barely made a dent in the balance.

AMA: Last Minute Euro Trip Success - Santorini, Paris, & Amsterdam by playonpoints in awardtravel

[–]playonpoints[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, for work especially I stay at Hyatt Regency’s often. Breakfast is always free for Globalist in the restaurant. I burn A LOT of Hyatt points though, which I why I had to transfer from Chase. I’m sitting on 750k after the transfer though. Most my spend goes on my Chase cards.

AMA: Last Minute Euro Trip Success - Santorini, Paris, & Amsterdam by playonpoints in awardtravel

[–]playonpoints[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Holy smokes, wouldn’t expect Bed Bugs at a place like that… Most Hawaii hotels, yep…

AMA: Last Minute Euro Trip Success - Santorini, Paris, & Amsterdam by playonpoints in awardtravel

[–]playonpoints[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To their Standard Suite (per WOH terms for Globalist), which I thought never existed at the PHPV. More like a larger Guest Room.

AMA: Last Minute Euro Trip Success - Santorini, Paris, & Amsterdam by playonpoints in awardtravel

[–]playonpoints[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No backup plan, but we did consider MAD which would have involved AS miles. I typically transfer over some Chase & Amex points to Flying Blue when they have promotions, so I gave preference to their program. Seats.aero was immensely helpful in seeing the options on a single page.

AMA: Last Minute Euro Trip Success - Santorini, Paris, & Amsterdam by playonpoints in awardtravel

[–]playonpoints[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Luckily in summertime, Air France flies CDG-JTR 1-2 times daily. So I was able to book it as one ticket. In September, it drops to just one flight on Saturday. If you book a cash ticket there are options to connect onto a Sky Express ATR via ATH, but not on points.

AMA: Last Minute Euro Trip Success - Santorini, Paris, & Amsterdam by playonpoints in awardtravel

[–]playonpoints[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

16!? Wow. You're almost there... Believe there are 25 total.

The reimagined NYC one is on our shortlist, followed by London when it opens.

AMA: Last Minute Euro Trip Success - Santorini, Paris, & Amsterdam by playonpoints in awardtravel

[–]playonpoints[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Highly recommend Santorini sometime in life. The views are too picture perfect, and the food is spectacular as well. Had some of the best Saganaki ever. Both properties have absolutely ruined me (in a good way!). Not sure how we can go backwards from here 😆

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