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Considering you can be top tier or near top tier just with US credit cards, elite status is superfluous just from numbers alone. AMEX Aspire = Hilton Diamond Bonvoy Brilliant = Marriott Platinum Chase IHG Premier = IHG Platinum Military also never pays annual fees with many card issuers so it's kind of an insane deal. Places like Guam and Singapore when there's a lot of military visiting gets flooded with elites.
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Sep 17, 2023 20:47
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As a Hilton Diamond member I get a daily f&b credit that doesn't even cover breakfast. Though on a trip to Europe I did get upgraded to a suite.
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Sep 17, 2023 21:15
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SpeedFreek posted:I split my stays between ihg and Marriott brands, they're everywhere. Usually hit 75 nights with both and upgrades are rare. If I went back in a time machine I would have done IHG > Hyatt > Hilton > Marriott.
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Sep 18, 2023 06:42
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I just miss Starwood 😭
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Sep 18, 2023 07:28
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Yeah in reality just pick whichever of the major brands has the best coverage for the places you’re likely to travel. I’m Marriott because my old manager was Marriott and that’s where we always stayed. I’ll hit lifetime platinum this year and then I might see what else is out there. The perks at Marriott aren’t that great but the late checkout and room guarantee at Titanium are convenient. The real reason to solidify on one brand is for the free vacations. Marriott has a huge array of properties across the world so I have no complaints there really.
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Sep 18, 2023 11:19
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taco show posted:I just miss Starwood 😭 
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Sep 18, 2023 12:35
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I chose Marriott, and then Hotels.com for everything else / where there isn’t a cost effective Marriott option. Free night every ten (based on average cost), IMO it is a better choice than splitting across programs + covers a lot of smaller / weirder little properties in Europe.
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Sep 18, 2023 13:13
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movax posted:I chose Marriott, and then Hotels.com for everything else / where there isn’t a cost effective Marriott option. Free night every ten (based on average cost), IMO it is a better choice than splitting across programs + covers a lot of smaller / weirder little properties in Europe. Hotels.com nerfed the rewards program this year. It's now effectively a 2% rebate (up to 6% at select partner hotels, depending on your status). You're now better off using them to price shop and booking a AAA rate directly with the hotel. Which is a crying shame because the old system was great.
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Sep 18, 2023 14:57
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Beefeater1980 posted:I’ve never really investigated hotel loyalty programs, I always focused on flight ones. Are there any hotel loyalty programs particularly worth it? In my new role I expect to spend about 9/12 months every year on the road so it’s worthwhile for me more than it was before. I think it depends on how much flexibility you have on properties. For example, I mostly travel for meetings held at convention centers/hotels in major cities where the exact location matters a lot, and brand matters less. But some other people's travel patterns involve always renting a car and driving from suburban place X to suburban office Y to do sales calls or whatever. If your travel patterns are the former I think hotel loyalty is more trouble than it's worth.
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Sep 18, 2023 23:17
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Beef Of Ages posted:Hyatt is the only program left with any real value for the top tier (Globalist). They don't have nearly as many properties as Marriott or Hilton, but if you're going to places where there is a Hyatt, I would focus there first and then use another as a backup. I agree 100% with this one. If you go places with Hyatts, Hyatt will get you the most bang for your buck, especially with that much travel since Globalist would be a slam dunk (60 nights). Best point redemption of all the programs IMO and I get frequent upgrades. Only downside is the availability of properties.
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Sep 19, 2023 10:38
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I've had good luck with Booking.com, Agoda and Expedia especially overseas in Asia and Europe but YMMV.
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Sep 19, 2023 11:52
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SlapActionJackson posted:Hotels.com nerfed the rewards program this year. It's now effectively a 2% rebate (up to 6% at select partner hotels, depending on your status). You're now better off using them to price shop and booking a AAA rate directly with the hotel. Awww man, part of that One Key thing? Maybe I need to use my free night before it goes poof, if it isn’t too late…
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Sep 19, 2023 13:50
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ROJO posted:I agree 100% with this one. If you go places with Hyatts, Hyatt will get you the most bang for your buck, especially with that much travel since Globalist would be a slam dunk (60 nights). Best point redemption of all the programs IMO and I get frequent upgrades. Only downside is the availability of properties. Best point redemptions for sure but I don't really get frequent upgrades as Globalist myself.
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Sep 19, 2023 19:56
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globalist is easily the funniest status tier level so you gotta go with Hyatt, I think
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Sep 19, 2023 20:16
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movax posted:Awww man, part of that One Key thing? Maybe I need to use my free night before it goes poof, if it isn’t too late… Yes, this is one key. They were at least honorable and converted rewards and partial rewards at par to the new system. Your free night is still there and worth what it was worth before.
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Sep 19, 2023 21:50
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KYOON GRIFFEY JR posted:globalist is easily the funniest status tier level so you gotta go with Hyatt, I think Absolutely true I think I’m at 50 nights at Rosewood properties this year, they’re leaving 2 Peronis on ice when I check in now. Thinking of adding it to my rider the travel agent delivers alongside clients
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Sep 20, 2023 08:56
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sellouts posted:Absolutely true Rosewood hotels are some of the best in the world. I'm pretty jealous and impressed you pulled off that many nights given their extremely limited footprint. Have they done any outright loyalty recognition at that level other than the welcome amenity?
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Sep 21, 2023 08:05
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It varies by property, but depending on the GM I get an insane unpublished rate for personal stays, check in and out whenever I want, I can just call her and get a room vs going to travel agents, if it’s a short stay I have had wild upgrades. If I text her my arrival time they’ll be waiting at the entrance with my keys in an envelope with no check in, no signing for rooms, straight up to the room unimpeded like they do for my clients. Breakfast is comped as part of that rate and if I have a meeting down there they’ll just cover the tab on the table. The bar manager is letting me have a large reservation for my friends when they usually don’t take any. Fairmont used to be the same way at certain properties. Four Seasons not so much, so I’ve pulled client business away from them to Rosewood and it’s been good. But the limited footprint does make it a little difficult. And the good Four Seasons are great, far better than the bad Rosewood properties (Carlyle, Georgia (I think) in Vancouver… I spend a lot of other people’s money at these places. I also send the properties I frequent little gifts and such to always thank them for the care and service. sellouts fucked around with this message at 12:48 on Sep 21, 2023 |
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Sep 21, 2023 12:44
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Oh and I tip the hell out of everyone
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Sep 21, 2023 12:52
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Looks like delta is backing off of those frequent flyer changes: https://www.cnn.com/travel/delta-ceo-bastian-skymiles-changes/index.html
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Sep 28, 2023 18:23
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Midjack posted:Looks like delta is backing off of those frequent flyer changes: For now.
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Sep 28, 2023 18:38
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There's also been no indication of what "too far" means in terms of changes to what has been announced. My guess is the qual tiers will come down a bit but it won't be meaningful, and they'll try to add some additional ways to earn MQDs.
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Sep 28, 2023 18:43
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If they improve choice benefits somewhat I won't complain too much. If everyone's elite no one is, etc. edit: if the only thing they walk back is letting more people in the lounges I will be extremely annoyed
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Sep 28, 2023 23:47
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Currently trapped in NYC. Terminal A at LGA is completely closed lol. I’m flying AA out of JFK and my flight isn’t until later so nbd kind of but I can’t physically get to the airport because all the subways are shut down and parts of the roads/highway are just straight up flooded. lol. Hope all y’all are doing better than me.
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Sep 29, 2023 18:49
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Just flew through there this morning, looked like it was only sprinkling outside. Good luck getting out.
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Sep 29, 2023 19:48
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A red coat told me today that LGA flooded
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Sep 29, 2023 19:53
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To distract everyone from the Delta debacle, what does everyone like for a neck pillow? I have no idea how I've gone so long without one, but I'm old now so I want one for the flight to Japan.
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Sep 29, 2023 21:42
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I'm flying out Sunday. I hope the TSA and atc aren't doing a sick-out. But I can't blame them if they do.
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Sep 29, 2023 22:08
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Sitting on a flight to Europe with our 20 month old and see the guy sitting across the aisle desperately searching for a different seat in the app.
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Oct 12, 2023 22:53
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You should have seen the looks I got bringing an 18-month old into honest-to-god 1st class on a transpac flight. The dude seated directly across from me took it like a champ and said hello to the kiddo.
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Oct 13, 2023 04:24
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For some reason, my company only offers Hertz as an option when booking through Concur. We're "discouraged" from using other companies, however, we can book other rental companies if absolutely necessary. Yesterday, they told us they're piloting a program for a few people, including me (who complained on the recent survey about Hertz), to allow us to use Avis, Enterprise or Sixt. I don't know why National was left out as I've enjoyed renting from them in the past. Either way, these are 3 new options. Anyone have preferences between them? I really don't have an issue with Hertz, but I'm tired of showing up and they have no cars, or only EVs that I don't know how to drive (Tesla) or care to figure out how to recharge (all of them). I don't even care if they're lovely, but I need something that's not going to breakdown. I just want to roll off the plane, stroll into the lot, pick up a CAR (not a truck, minivan or SUV) of my choice and go to the gate. Then return, drop off the car and walk into the airport where I'll get my emailed statement. I know Enterprise has the thing where they take you to a car and I realize this is probably seen by them as a "luxury", but I'm an adult that doesn't require hand holding. I realize I'm a cranky old man here, but I don't want to talk to anyone or have any interaction - I want to pick what I want without having to go to a desk or have someone choose what I get. Do any of Avis, Enterprise or Sixt offer these options?
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Oct 18, 2023 13:22
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Cacafuego posted:I'm an adult that doesn't require hand holding. I realize I'm a cranky old man here, but I don't want to talk to anyone or have any interaction - I want to pick what I want without having to go to a desk or have someone choose what I get. Do any of Avis, Enterprise or Sixt offer these options? You aren’t being cranky, you’re being a professional. I don’t rent all too often but avis will let you just get in the car. Very similar to hertz. Sixt always requires a counter visit in my experience, but they tend to have a nicer fleet and I don’t mind international rentals with them. Enterprise sucks for the reason you highlighted. Unless you need a specific vehicle type I would avoid at all costs. Also I think Avis tends to be the least likely to be off site out of the 3, if you’re at an airport where some are and some aren’t.
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Oct 18, 2023 13:32
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gently caress Avis! Rarely do you just go to a car, you wait at the preferred counter a few hours in the parking garage. Then they give you something that smells strongly of smoke, or something that has wicked stance and the cords showing on the inside of the tires. Enterprise has mostly base models but they don't make me wait as long, Hertz has nicer cars but you're getting stuck with something electric if your flight gets in late.
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Oct 18, 2023 14:53
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Cacafuego posted:We're "discouraged" from using other companies, however, we can book other rental companies if absolutely necessary. Can one of those necessary reasons be cost? If so, I have a bunch of National rate codes that you can use to possibly get better rates and not have to deal with Avis, Hertz, or anything else.
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Oct 18, 2023 17:27
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Beef Of Ages posted:Can one of those necessary reasons be cost? If so, I have a bunch of National rate codes that you can use to possibly get better rates and not have to deal with Avis, Hertz, or anything else. I’d be interested in those
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Oct 18, 2023 19:07
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Residency Evil posted:I’d be interested in those Sent.
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Oct 18, 2023 19:31
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Thanks all for the info!Beef Of Ages posted:Can one of those necessary reasons be cost? If so, I have a bunch of National rate codes that you can use to possibly get better rates and not have to deal with Avis, Hertz, or anything else.
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Oct 18, 2023 19:39
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Cacafuego posted:Thanks all for the info! In my experience, it's usually the fault of lovely business rules entered into Concur by people who don't travel. I'll PM you the link.
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Oct 18, 2023 19:41
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Only Hertz has stranded me without a rental. I got Five Star through some credit card match something something. Also, Avis's loyalty program is called fuckin WIZARD which has to count for something for nerds.Beef Of Ages posted:Can one of those necessary reasons be cost? If so, I have a bunch of National rate codes that you can use to possibly get better rates and not have to deal with Avis, Hertz, or anything else. I'd be interested as well
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Oct 18, 2023 20:45
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Mandalay posted:I'd be interested as well Fire in the hole.
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Oct 18, 2023 22:01
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