MouseOfCards
Finally jumped in . . .
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2016
Transferring points for airline partner awards, if all 3 are options, how to decide between Amex, Chase, and Cap1?
You put down what your revenue and expenses actually are or what you anticipate them being this year.Looking to apply for a CIC as a sole proprietor . What amount do you put down for "annual business revenue" and "estimated monthly spend" to be approved? Also, do you recommend getting an employee card for the spouse? Thanks!
I have always used 10% of my actual income and, while I've never been asked about it, I would say its my "anticipated income" for a new business. Monthly spend would just be 1/12 of that figure give or take.Looking to apply for a CIC as a sole proprietor . What amount do you put down for "annual business revenue" and "estimated monthly spend" to be approved? Also, do you recommend getting an employee card for the spouse? Thanks!
Just a reminder that the Platinum AF is now $695.Do I have to pay that $250 and now the $550 for the platnium?
We are about an hour from CLE, closer to CAK but often fly out of CLE. Alaska Airlines now flies direct to Seattle if you have any plans to go to Alaska/Hawaii/Seattle/West Coast? We are taking an Alaskan cruise in May so got the card, it comes with a $99 companion fare and depending on the day of the week fares are very reasonable. We'll keep it a year and see. The only negative is it's with BOA and in both our opinions they suck.Are there any airline rewards programs that are worth chasing?
We are in Cleveland, which isn't a hub for anyone. Used to be a United hub but they dropped that years ago. United is still there but it's a mixed bag of airlines (Delta, American, SW, Spirit, etc) and none are best rates or extensive nonstop flights.
Debating if I just keep churning Chase (though they seem to no longer auto approve me, likely due to too many cards / credit), keep churning Bonvoy, or go all in on an airline. I 135,000 Delta points, but that doesn't get me much and Delta is always more expensive to fly from Cleveland. I don't think I'm interested in building up Amex points.
Debating getting the Delta Reserve (and commit to fly Delta and get Delta status), the Marriott Brilliant (we are close to Plat status and can likely get to Plat every year, but might push to get Titanium), or more Chase CIC / etc, or start with United or American.
It would be $400 on the 1099.
Thanks for the responses. We usually only sign up for a 1 or 2 cards a year, so it seems the 40K in support points won't generate a 1099 if we keep to just one a year. Will definitely have to weigh all my options if we are only doing one a year. I might think about doing the 40K in support with the 100K from the CIP instead of the CIU/CIC.The 40k is worth $400…Chase will send a 1099 if you earn $600 or more in support points across all their cards
I'll check out Alaska. We used to live in Detroit and Delta was typically the best airline. It's only 2 hrs away as is Pitts and Columbus, but I'd rather not drive the 2 hrs if possible.We are about an hour from CLE, closer to CAK but often fly out of CLE. Alaska Airlines now flies direct to Seattle if you have any plans to go to Alaska/Hawaii/Seattle/West Coast? We are taking an Alaskan cruise in May so got the card, it comes with a $99 companion fare and depending on the day of the week fares are very reasonable. We'll keep it a year and see. The only negative is it's with BOA and in both our opinions they suck.
I also have the United card because they fly out of both CLE & CAK.
Transferring points for airline partner awards, if all 3 are options, how to decide between Amex, Chase, and Cap1?
Curious as to what you feel was downgraded at the Disneyland Westin? I stayed there last October with youngest DD and liked it. But, it was our first stay and I didn't really have anything, other than other Westins, to compare it to.OK I was leaning Cancun Zilara but then Secrets Maroma Beach caught my eye. Anybody been there? It looks kinda amazing....
https://www.hyatt.com/shop/semrc?location=Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun&checkinDate=2023-09-04&checkoutDate=2023-09-08&rooms=1&adults=1&kids=0&rate=Standard&rateFilter=woh
WHY HAVE I NEVER PAID ATTENTION TO HYATT UNTIL NOW?!?
I was initially a SPG sorta girl and kept sticking with Marriott thinking it would pay off but it felt like every time I found something I was impressed with they had downgraded it in some ways by the next visit. (looking at you, Disneyland Westin).
Second point: Make sure to investigate promo codes from employers, particularly for rental cars. I work at a big hospital system that gives us access to a discount company (ours is called LifeBalance) as a perk. I found a National car rental code in there that took the outrageous rates from $1200 down to $620 (I was also holding a reservation at $850 for a van van thru Alamo as a backup). This, combined with the Executive Elite offered through my platinum card, got me to the Executive Aisle at MCO where I had my choice of really nice vans and SUV's. I got a 2 week minivan rental, returning to TPA, out the door for about $620 despite never having rented through them before. Picking up the rental car was super easy and we zero hassles. That experience in itself proved the worth of my Platinum card.
Make sure you book before the category changes on 3/28.OK I was leaning Cancun Zilara but then Secrets Maroma Beach caught my eye. Anybody been there? It looks kinda amazing....
https://www.hyatt.com/shop/semrc?location=Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun&checkinDate=2023-09-04&checkoutDate=2023-09-08&rooms=1&adults=1&kids=0&rate=Standard&rateFilter=woh
WHY HAVE I NEVER PAID ATTENTION TO HYATT UNTIL NOW?!?
I was initially a SPG sorta girl and kept sticking with Marriott thinking it would pay off but it felt like every time I found something I was impressed with they had downgraded it in some ways by the next visit. (looking at you, Disneyland Westin).
Second point: Make sure to investigate promo codes from employers, particularly for rental cars. I work at a big hospital system that gives us access to a discount company (ours is called LifeBalance) as a perk. I found a National car rental code in there that took the outrageous rates from $1200 down to $620 (I was also holding a reservation at $850 for a van van thru Alamo as a backup). This, combined with the Executive Elite offered through my platinum card, got me to the Executive Aisle at MCO where I had my choice of really nice vans and SUV's. I got a 2 week minivan rental, returning to TPA, out the door for about $620 despite never having rented through them before. Picking up the rental car was super easy and we zero hassles. That experience in itself proved the worth of my Platinum card.
OK I was leaning Cancun Zilara but then Secrets Maroma Beach caught my eye. Anybody been there? It looks kinda amazing....
https://www.hyatt.com/shop/semrc?location=Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun&checkinDate=2023-09-04&checkoutDate=2023-09-08&rooms=1&adults=1&kids=0&rate=Standard&rateFilter=woh
WHY HAVE I NEVER PAID ATTENTION TO HYATT UNTIL NOW?!?
I was initially a SPG sorta girl and kept sticking with Marriott thinking it would pay off but it felt like every time I found something I was impressed with they had downgraded it in some ways by the next visit. (looking at you, Disneyland Westin).
Second point: Make sure to investigate promo codes from employers, particularly for rental cars. I work at a big hospital system that gives us access to a discount company (ours is called LifeBalance) as a perk. I found a National car rental code in there that took the outrageous rates from $1200 down to $620 (I was also holding a reservation at $850 for a van van thru Alamo as a backup). This, combined with the Executive Elite offered through my platinum card, got me to the Executive Aisle at MCO where I had my choice of really nice vans and SUV's. I got a 2 week minivan rental, returning to TPA, out the door for about $620 despite never having rented through them before. Picking up the rental car was super easy and we zero hassles. That experience in itself proved the worth of my Platinum card.
I spent some time last night throwing in fake dates for availability and couldn't find any so I gave up. I was sorta trying to see how far I could stretch a redemption.Never been but wanted to mention that Secrets Impression Moxche gets mentioned a lot on r/hyatt (particularly Impressions, not the regular Moxche). It's going up 3 categories! But availability may be hard to find.
So we have stayed 2 different times and always through the "Fine Hotels and Resorts" program which gets you extra perks. First time was about 3 years ago maybe? Anyway on that stay we were given access to the lounge on the top floor instead of free breakfast at the buffet which is what they did on our last visit (and I assume still do). I much preferred the lounge access because of the option to have the midday snacks, coffe, and whatnot. Honestly if I would have known it changed I would have packed a cooler bag with snacks in my luggage so we didn't have to blow so much money on food. Also our first trip they would randomly put a tray of San Pellagrinos and macaroons in the room which my girls found highly amusing. They didn't do that on our last visit. Both times we were 'upgraded' to park view but in both stays it was only on like the 4th floor so it was pretty much 'meh' to look at the back side of Incredicoaster. Another thing we disliked was the very limited pool seating (but tons of wasted pay-to-sit cabana space that went unused). I think if the lounge access were still an option I would continue booking there but the free breakfast buffet didn't cut it. It's a very nice hotel but is a solid 15 minute walk, on the pricier side, and when you feel like you lost perks it just doesn't seem like quite the deal.Curious as to what you feel was downgraded at the Disneyland Westin? I stayed there last October with youngest DD and liked it. But, it was our first stay and I didn't really have anything, other than other Westins, to compare it to.
To your second point - I recommend this as well. We have access through our employer to car rentals and some other more local discount codes, and the car rental through work is always cheaper. We combine it with the Executive Elite benefit too and it makes the whole process so much easier.