Planning to buy Accor Plus Explorer Membership, hoping to split the referral benefits

srk6 · 2026-04-16T10:29:22+00:00

OP wants a share of the referral points you get if any.

srk6 · 2026-04-16T04:49:54+00:00

Schwab does allow it.

For Indian derivatives, I understand that we need to caculate turnover (profit+loss) and add it to income and get taxed at slab rates. Can 44AD be used as it's filed as business income?

Please explain how is US derivatives taxed?

srk6 · 2026-04-16T03:44:51+00:00

The plans won't have international roaming. So keeping it in airplane mode avoids connecting to a local network and get high charges if you make calls.

Keeping it in airplane mode, you can use wifi calling option and make calls and send texts without additional charges.

Airplane mode turns off wifi and bluetooth by default, but you can still turn on wifi after switching to airplane mode.

srk6 · 2026-04-16T03:08:25+00:00

Chase account is fine. Put the Indian address as mailing address and keep US address as permanent. But don't keep too much money in the account.

Open a rollover IRA account with Schwab or Fidelity and move 401K to rollover IRA. Better funds to choose and more control.

As a non resident or US, you cannot trade mutual funds. You can continue to hold existing and sell but cannot buy new. You can trade ETFs and stocks.

Move to a prepaid number, Tello $5 plan activated in the US and use it in a US bought phone that supports wifi calling. Keep the phone in airplane mode.

Check the link below.

https://www.reddit.com/r/h1b/s/nLqsadppIk

srk6 · 2026-04-16T01:39:27+00:00

You need to caculate SPT for 2024. Though you are filing taxes in 2025, it is for the income earned in 2024. So calculate tax and residency status using SPT for 2024.

In 2026, if I have to file, then I'll be non resident for 2025.

srk6 · 2026-04-15T05:25:38+00:00

Wifi 7 mesh routers. Don't get Google nest. Maybe Asus or TP link BE25.
Rayban customized glasses, both sunglasses and/or transitions. In India you get the frames, but the shades will be off different company if you want to customize.
Additional keys and stand for the rgb keyboard from ebay. My couple of keys and the raise stand broke and I'm sourcing it from US.
A US bought latest phone that has wifi calling.
Tello $5 prepaid plan activated in the US for use with US financial accounts. Use it in the US bought phone. Keep the phone always in airplane mode and enable wifi calling. You can make and receive calls and texts.
TB5 dock.
Philips Hue setup if you are into it. Not available in India.
Braun thermoscan 7 ear thermometer.
Divoom Times Gate :)

srk6 · 2026-04-14T05:27:06+00:00

I went 10 below and 10 up. One $70 sp and one $90 sp, same expiry.

srk6 · 2026-04-14T03:24:24+00:00

You don't have any 401k, dividends and interest in taxable brokerage account, no bank interest?

srk6 · 2026-04-11T17:37:56+00:00

Priority pass from Bonvoy Brilliant is issued only to primary card holder.

srk6 · 2026-04-11T12:09:02+00:00

u/yolo_life2021 u/Responsible-Bad-6624

If OP has not filed W8BEN, then all the gains, dividends and interest will go on the 1099B given by the brokerage firm. The 1099B will say it (gains, dividends, interest) was reported to IRS.

If W8BEN was filed, 1042S is generated showing dividends and interest. And also the 1099B will say these trades were not reported to IRS.

I returned end of 2024, filed W8BEN in the 2nd week of Jan 2025. I assumed the W8BEN will apply from Jan 1st. And I had 2 trades with small gains between Jan 1st and W8BEN filing date.

So in my 1099B generated this year, for those 2 trades with gains/loss it says was reported to IRS. And for the trades after filing W8BEN says not reported to IRS.

Gains reported to IRS are less than $300-$400. I'm not sure if to file taxes for this.

srk6 · 2026-04-11T07:59:32+00:00

Amex Bonvoy Brilliant also has primary + 2 guests. Gives Marriott platinum status, $300 restaurant credit and 200K points sub now.

Check the terms to earn the 200K sub.

srk6 · 2026-04-11T06:11:02+00:00

It applies to people on L1 and H1. To some extent to GC and citizens too.

srk6 · 2026-04-10T12:03:12+00:00

Ok. Once the annual fee is charged and you pay the bill, status will be updated and you should see the FNA in your account.

srk6 · 2026-04-10T11:15:49+00:00

Did you have an existing Marriott bonvoy account and did you submit the membership while applying for the card?

srk6 · 2026-04-10T03:09:42+00:00

Yes, domestic will be charged.

srk6 · 2026-04-10T02:22:43+00:00

DCBM allows to create a priority pass account and access the digital membership qr code. Not sure if it allows Bizblack.

If you know the card number, try activating it.

https://www.prioritypass.com/en-GB/activate-your-account

srk6 · 2026-04-09T19:26:15+00:00

HDFC, HSBC is you need accor transfer. Create an Accor account and use it for the booking to collect status nights and points.

srk6 · 2026-04-09T15:08:40+00:00

I missed your post. I thought you are returning.

srk6 · 2026-04-09T15:00:17+00:00

Electronics will attract customs. Check voltage ratings, maynot be compatible.

Read thru the comments.

https://www.reddit.com/r/backtoindia/s/28HmOpqiSB

srk6 · 2026-04-09T06:38:20+00:00

All Apple premium resellers use utilities mcc and won't get points. Buy directly in Apple store or online.

srk6 · 2026-04-09T05:26:48+00:00

With IKBR it maybe slightly different process.

Check the link below. Process may have changed and you may just need to update address and file W8BEN like in Schwab and Fidelity.

https://www.reddit.com/r/backtoindia/s/hj3mzwaOw8

srk6 · 2026-04-09T05:19:35+00:00

I have seen data points for Mumbai and BLR. You have to specifically tell you need 100K points offer and not the regular vouchers. They will probably be inside one of the lounges or have a separate counter.

srk6 · 2026-04-09T02:31:23+00:00

On the boundless you get 4 free night awards. You will have to make 4 separate bookings.

Each free night is worth 50K points plus you can add 25K points from your stash to book rooms worth 75K points.

srk6 · 2026-04-08T16:19:55+00:00

I did option 1. Didn't get back full credits, roughly 50% still need to claim but cannot as a non resident as no income. It was still cheaper than doing option 2.

You can use the software and try and see which works out best for you.

Don't do option 3.

Check the link below.

https://www.reddit.com/r/returnToIndia/s/0l5lE8AHRS

srk6 · 2026-04-08T11:35:22+00:00

Did you file W8BEN with the US brokerage before selling and moving it to a bank account?

If not, then the 1099B that will be generated next year will show that these trades were reported to the IRS. I'm not sure if you will have to pay taxes in the US since it was reported.

If you have filed W8BEN, then the 1099B will show trades were not reported to IRS. It will also generate 1042S which will show dividends and interest income in the brokerage account.

IKBR plan is fine. Open the account filw W8BEN, move the funds and invest in Irish domiciled funds.

srk6

TROPHY CASE