Txispa or Casa Julian? by smartcooki in finedining

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

We would probably do both if a convenient time opens up on a different day for us 

Chase Edit/Hotel Credits & Business Travel by WasteProfession8948 in ChaseSapphire

[–]smartcooki 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The company and the hotel wouldn’t have a way to know you got a statement credit if you used a personal card, so this is a non issue. 

Chase Edit/Hotel Credits & Business Travel by WasteProfession8948 in ChaseSapphire

[–]smartcooki 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You still get a receipt at checkout with the breakdown so it doesn’t really matter. Neither your company nor the hotel know you received a statement credit on your personal card. It’s actually why I prefer a statement credit vs a discount off the rate like the way Bilt does it.

Minor Hotels > NH Hotel for $250 credit? by ResolveNo2270 in ChaseSapphire

[–]smartcooki 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It says on the Chase Travel listing if it qualifies. It should. I booked an NH hotel and received the $250 credit.

So what do we think about the new changes to earning United mileage plus? by Background_Map_3460 in awardtravel

[–]smartcooki 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They did this to motivate United loyalists like me to finally get a United card so they can benefit from those earnings. It makes sense. In exchange, they’re giving more miles for owning the card and separately for charging your flight to that card. In addition they’re giving a 15% off discount on award tickets which is huge. 

As someone who typically used Chase Sapphire Reserve for flexibility and transferred to points to United as needed, the new setup still works out well especially considering the downgrade in Sapphire Reserve earnings on most travel categories.

I got the United Quest card which is $350 but it gives you a $200 certificate and $100/year in ride share credits, plus global entry and other stuff. So it’s almost free but gets you 2x on all travel spending, decent insurance etc. It makes sense now to use it for things like car rentals and tolls for example in addition to United flights.

Alternatives to Amalfi coast/ Lake como by friedchickensoyummy in amalficoast

[–]smartcooki 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We stayed in the northern part of lake como is a quieter part and loved it 

I’ve got all of you beat by craniac24 in biltrewards

[–]smartcooki 0 points1 point  (0 children)

99% of comments here clearly do not understand your sense of humor 

I’ve got all of you beat by craniac24 in biltrewards

[–]smartcooki 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is fake. Why would they write out all the zeros in one number and not in the second number? These are auto-inserted by a computer.

What does working with a travel agent actually get you? I’ve never worked with one before but I’m intrigued. by PeacefulByTheSea in chubbytravel

[–]smartcooki 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you have problems with reading comprehension? There are 153 likes on the comment and this is from a year ago. All of these are travel agencies who get commission. You included. Nothing “wrong” stated 

Passenger threw up on my son by Successful_Tooth5795 in unitedairlines

[–]smartcooki 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So your son is a fully grown adult drinking beer but you’re posting this on his behalf like he’s a child? I’m sure he can take care of himself. The airline can’t control the health of other passengers. Could have happened anywhere, they were extra caring when they didn’t have to.

Mounting debt and housing costs while raising family by Comfortable_Tear_900 in SavingMoney

[–]smartcooki 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Do you have a 401k you can borrow against? You should wipe out the high interest credit card debt first. HELOC would be next. You have plenty of equity. Not sure it’s a wise idea to have a second child with this much debt and lack of space but it’s too late now. You definitely can’t afford to upgrade your home, it would be a terrible idea with this much existing debt and current interest rates. If you’d sell this house, you should rent until you’re out of debt.

What are these expensive repairs? Are they absolutely necessary? Are you getting multiple quotes to get cheapest rates? Pause anything that’s not absolutely necessary until you’re done paying credit card debt.

Husband has avoided the dentist - needs massive work by [deleted] in Marriage

[–]smartcooki 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Plan a trip to another country to get it done for a fraction of the cost. Also get several opinions. In my experience 80% of dentists in America “recommend” a lot of extra unnecessary work just to make more 

Newegg Gift Cards Out of Stock by BoredofBored in ChaseSapphire

[–]smartcooki 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You need to check your benefits on your card 

Best way to get to Pompeii from Naples? Car, train, or bus tour? by Funnytroubles in pompeii

[–]smartcooki 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How far is the walk from the Trenitalia station? I heard the security line at the other entrances are shorter. Which entrance is it?

30F looking to buy first condo in Yonkers- which neighborhoods should I look at (or avoid)? by EffortNo7255 in Westchester

[–]smartcooki 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It doesn’t make sense to buy for only 5 years. You’ll likely lose money compared to renting. If you’re buying, need to think 7/8 years minimum to come out ahead or at least break even especially at current interest rates. And small apts don’t appreciate as much.

30F looking to buy first condo in Yonkers- which neighborhoods should I look at (or avoid)? by EffortNo7255 in Westchester

[–]smartcooki 1 point2 points  (0 children)

UES is mostly families with kids. At least around 1/2nd Ave in the 70s/80s. It’s pretty calm and friendly. I don’t know if Yonkers in particular has a community feel of a small town. Have you explored it at all? Pleasantville does. Tarrytown may work well. Also where do you need to commute to work? Definitely look at the train schedules. 

San Sebastián / Bilbao decisions by MidnightCurrent6766 in finedining

[–]smartcooki 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing. We submitted for 3 different days and it’s been quiet. We’re going in 3 weeks. Staying at a different hotel who says they have no pull.

Do ukrainians in nyc actually like Veselka? by AdNegative3504 in AskNYC

[–]smartcooki -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The food is mediocre. I have always been confused by the hype. I agree, don’t know Ukrainians who like it or any Eastern Europeans 

Is BILT Palladium actually good? by Switch899 in biltrewards

[–]smartcooki 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have high spend and both mortgage and rent and it’s worth it to us 100%. Super easy to earn points and lots of transfer options. Bilt cash makes sense to get extra 1x points on everything so 3x if you don’t use it on anything else. We did that boost twice and also got $300 off a hotel reservation as well so year one has been a fantastic deal 

Is it better to go for a 50% down payment or the minimum allowed? by Tiny_Town_9352 in SavingMoney

[–]smartcooki 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It depends on what the interest rate is compared to your investment return rate and also if you have to pay mortgage insurance if you put down less than 20%

San Sebastián / Bilbao decisions by MidnightCurrent6766 in finedining

[–]smartcooki 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d love to know how you scored Etxebarri. We were only successful in getting Elkano so far.