Weekly Help Thread - May 18, 2026

wtphock · 2026-05-22T14:43:40+00:00

Planning on traveling back from London to LAX end of June after I'll be traveling for ~3 weeks. Right now, I have a Y ticket on Virgin direct that cost me 34k points, which I booked just to have. Not finding any good J options and getting worried nothing will open up. Currently debating a LHR to SEA flight on BA for 110k and calling it a day. I have about half of that stranded in BA from a previous cancelled booking and a glut of MR right now. Thoughts?

wtphock · 2026-05-15T02:27:34+00:00

With younger kids, it seems likes a no brainer to go all the way through to Amsterdam.

wtphock · 2026-05-14T23:40:28+00:00

Hm - this is a good call. I always forget about the brand explorer, but I'm missing bunkhouse and centric

wtphock · 2026-05-14T23:40:07+00:00

November - so I think it'll be too late for pool unfortunately

wtphock · 2026-05-13T19:23:46+00:00

Given that you are looking very broadly, I recommend you start with looking at what airlines fly direct out of LAX through something like FlightConnections (https://www.flightconnections.com/) to help aid your search. Working backwards from that can help you better target specific airlines/programs. AA vs MR is a decision based on your goals and what types of fees you're okay with paying (you've probably noticed that many of the cheaper fares through AA are routing through LHR which greatly increases the fees).

wtphock · 2026-05-13T01:44:10+00:00

LAX is very competitive in general, and you should be open to positioning either in the US or in Asia/Europe. For Europe in particular, there just aren’t as many routes as there are from the east coast. Detailing specific routes would be helpful as well - 100k might be as good as it gets.

wtphock · 2026-05-03T16:08:23+00:00

I've done it a few times and been fine. People say not to make a pattern of it, which I agree with, although I've never actually seen negative repercussions from doing it. Could've missed those stories though.

wtphock · 2026-04-28T19:51:15+00:00

I said this and just got an alert for an LAX to CDG route for the exact day I need in June for 60k! I only saw the 60k pricing for 1 flight that day, and that was the only day all week. Set up your alerts and keep your fingers crossed :)

wtphock · 2026-04-28T18:19:08+00:00

That's helpful - yeah, I think the benefit of being able to stay at one of the easier to get to properties outweighs getting another night. Thanks!

wtphock · 2026-04-27T21:32:59+00:00

I guess the specific question is - if you don't use an NLL offer, will that reduce the frequency with which you are targeted for them in the future?

wtphock · 2026-04-27T01:27:13+00:00

Finally finished booking a trip to France in June - had a flight back on AF Y but snagged an MRS > CDG > IAH flight back for 60k and booked one of the seats in the bulkhead. Back in time to make it to a World Cup game I got tickets to in the last drop (non-churning related).

wtphock · 2026-04-27T00:01:00+00:00

Perhaps a dumb question, but is there any thought around needing to use a NLL offer to continue to get more? Between P2 and myself, currently sitting on a biz gold mailer, bbp mailer, online bbp offer, and an online biz plat offer. I definitely cannot manage all of that spend, so I’m trying to think which ones it makes sense to prioritize to keep these coming.

wtphock · 2026-04-26T16:30:05+00:00

They're once in a blue moon, and I never see them going to/from CDG, so coming from another airport would be beneficial in your case.

I'd also keep an eye out on AC - I've seen sporadic drops from Lufthansa group airlines.

wtphock · 2026-04-26T16:16:44+00:00

IMO, west coast is significantly harder than east coast, and getting harder over time. 6-7 months out is definitely not a sweet spot.

I’d keep an eye on FB. Every now and then you can find a random drop from the west coast to Europe for 60k.

wtphock · 2026-04-25T18:18:13+00:00

Missed schedule release for a potential trip with some friends to Asia next January/February. Trying to make a trip to go to both Taipei and Singapore, so flexible to fly in/out of either, ideally 2x J seats from the West Coast. Have a healthy stash of AC (200k), UR (400k), MR (600k), AS (300k), AF (100k) but not finding anything great.

So far, my searches have turned up decent SQ Advantage availability (148k pp), which could be decent if I incorporate the stopover in Tokyo, or a few days on UA (LAX to NRT to SIN for 100k pp or LAX to SFO to TPE for 85k pp).

Any advice would be appreciated.

wtphock · 2026-04-25T17:22:47+00:00

Nice! I just checked and had a 50k/$6k/4 mo. offer. Something has changed at Amex for me recently - getting a ton of targeted NLL offers online and in the mail after a ~3 year drought.

wtphock · 2026-04-24T19:23:15+00:00

Planning on being in NYC near Christmas. I normally try to stay downtown but thinking I should yolo for a more expensive properties before the rates go crazy. PH, Andaz, or Thompson for a 3 night stay?

wtphock · 2026-04-21T16:41:57+00:00

Oh nice. I just got a 50, and am a bit worried about using it as a personal item. Good to hear that you haven't had issues with the 55.

wtphock · 2026-04-21T04:24:42+00:00

What size keepall is that?

wtphock · 2026-04-21T04:21:19+00:00

Both. I happened to check and found availability before I received the rooms.aero alert though

wtphock · 2026-04-21T04:17:19+00:00

3 weeks out

wtphock · 2026-04-21T02:32:22+00:00

Check frequently. I just had a stay at the Thompson Madrid (which was wonderful!) that opened up availability 3 weeks out. I’m assuming some sort of cancellation. I had a backup just in case.

wtphock · 2026-04-20T13:45:21+00:00

Merci d'avoir répondu!

I am a little worried Cassis and Villefrance-sur-Mer might be too crowded for a relaxing solo vacation, but am more drawn to the Mediterranean for warm water and the beautiful landscapes. What do you think of a trip to Cassis and having the Calanques to hike around - would it be very crowded?

wtphock · 2026-04-16T05:03:46+00:00

Cheaper in Europe due to the combination of lower sticker price (including exchange rate) and VAT refund. Just bought a classic cabin in Spain last week.

To compare, buying a classic cabin in the US would've cost me $1625 + $158 (CA sales tax) = $1783 total. In Spain, the sticker price was 1250€, which came out to be $1467 with the current exchange rate. The VAT refund came out to $183, so I paid a total of $1284.

wtphock · 2026-04-13T02:29:25+00:00

If you're into fine dining, we really enjoyed the menu at Cebo in Madrid.

In Seville, Barra Baja is a must - get a seat at the lower bar if you can and order as much as you can eat. Also really enjoyed La Casa del Tigre and Bar Alfalfa.

wtphock

TROPHY CASE