The City National Bank Crystal Visa Infinite card is one of only two cards with annual fee that I keep (the other being Amex Hilton Aspire), the authorized users airline credit being the sweet spot. It has a reputation of requiring high net worth to get, but my friend was able to get it with below $100k income and very limited assets. Unfortunately, the CNB website to … [Read more...]
Conrad Bora Bora – good availability for Sep 2019 and Jul 2020
Conrad Bora Bora is one of the most aspirational points properties in any program. The perfectly blue lagoon of Bora Bora on a sunny day is magical. Coupled with mountain view and almost nonexistent crowd compared to Hawaii, it can be an ideal relaxing getaway. To be able to use 89,000 Hilton points, or the free night certificate from the Aspire/Ascend Surpass … [Read more...]
The New Hilton Website SUCKS
Websites across the board have been getting worse. Chase, Amex, BA - you name it. Specifically, they're being dumbed down for mobile, which is great for that environment but at the expense of desktop usability. This sucks, given a lot of advanced functionality still require desktop. In Hilton's case, there are more issues - some functionalities just don't … [Read more...]
This is how hard the credit card churning game has gotten
I only opened ONE new credit card in 2019 so far (it's August now), with one more hard pull for a denial. I applied for 3 cards yesterday, all 3 are pending or denied, and judging by recent experience, they'll probably all be denied. A few years ago, I would have opened at least 10 cards by this time of the year; my AOR yesterday would have been 5 out of 6 … [Read more...]
How much adventure did I want right after First Class?
A while ago, I saved money in Chicago by sleeping in a Korean spa. I was pretty close to replicating this adventure in Vancouver. A lot of us got in on the Cathay Pacific First Class mistake fare from Vietnam to North America. I just flew mine from Hanoi to Hong Kong to Vancouver. Seat 2A is my favorite seat in the sky for many reasons. Anyway, my … [Read more...]
13 Great Low Category Hotel Redemptions I Used
A few days ago I posted ~30 low-category hotels I've redeemed points at, all of which have gone up in points requirement since I stayed. Today I am posting my favorites from this list. Let me say that everything on the original list went through a screening process to earn my limited time; none are bad, many great. Picking the top 10 was too hard, so I picked … [Read more...]
(Almost) Every Low Category Hotel I Stayed at Has Devaluated
Given the latest no-notice Hilton devaluation (the predecessors of which I covered), I just went through every low category hotel I ever stayed at on points, and all but 3 have either increased in points requirement or is otherwise no longer available at my redeemed rate. Below is the list, with the original rate, increased rate, and current rate (if different). … [Read more...]
How to see The Jewel at Singapore Changi Airport after security (transiting)
My favorite airport has done it again. It added The Jewel, a 10 story indoor space anchored by the world's largest indoor waterfall. However, The Jewel is located landside before security. If you're transiting and already after security, you might be told you have to clear immigration to get landside to see it. That's not true. It's true to be at The Jewel you need to be … [Read more...]