A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words: What Are Merrill+, FlexPerks, UBS Points Worth?

2017-08-17 2021-04-29 39 Comments

(Repost because of the news of the Merrill+ credit card.) The redemption structure Merrill+, FlexPerks, UBS points are all based on tiers. If we look at the official description, it may be difficult to get an intuitive points value. A picture is worth a thousand words, let me show you the picture! ContentsMerrill+ Points ValueFlexPerks Points Value (2018.1 Update: Now FlexPerks value towards travel is…
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Bank Points Guide

Mortgage Approval After 66 New Credit Cards in 3 Years

2017-08-02 2017-08-02 29 Comments

ContentsIntroductionDisclaimerThe Mortgage ProcessTransparency with the Loan OfficerRecommendation #1 – Cool It With New Credit Inquiries for 4+ MonthsRecommendation #2 – Keep Records of EverythingRecommendation #3 – Have an Explanation for ALL Large Bank Account DepositsCar LoanSummary Introduction People involved with credit-card churning often wonder what the impact of lots of credit inquiries and new accounts will be on their ability…
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Personal Experience

Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos – Trip Report

2017-07-13 2017-07-13 2 Comments

ContentsIntroductionHyatt All-Inclusive Award ChartArrival into Los Cabos International AirportArrival at Hyatt Ziva Los CabosThe Room – Ziva Suite with Ocean ViewThe RestaurantsThe BeachThe Hyatt Property – Activities, Pools, etc.The City – San Jose del CaboSummary Introduction The Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos is one of six all-inclusive Hyatt resorts throughout Mexico and Jamaica. These properties provide tremendous value for the miles…
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Trip Reports

Yeek Review: The Best Search Engine For Hotel Points Redemption [Services Are Terminated]

2017-07-10 2019-05-25 86 Comments

2019.5 Update: Yeek is shut down, and services are terminated. Accumulating many hotel points among various hotel chains inevitably leads to the same questions when traveling to a new city: Which hotel in this city is best for a points redemption? Which hotel requires the least amount of points? Can I use my free-night certificates, and is it worth it?…
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Credit Card Companions

Alaska / American partnership devalued on Jan 1, 2018 [Award chart changes]

2017-07-09 2017-07-08 0 Comments

Alaska announced a devaluation of their partnership with American a few days ago. The major changes are related to how flight credit is earned. For domestic travel, you have to fly American on an Alaska codeshare to earn Alaska miles. Similarly, you need to fly Alaska on American codeshares to earn miles/credit with American’s AAdvantage program. Elites for both programs…
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News

Chase AARP Credit Card Review (Discontinued)

2017-07-07 2021-03-24 39 Comments

AARP Credit Card from Chase Review ContentsApplication LinkBenefitsDisadvantagesPoints for AttentionRecommended Application TimeSummaryAfter ApplyingHistorical Offers ChartApplication Link Application Link This card no longer accepts new applications. The previous cards will be converted to Barclays AARP Essential or Barclays AARP Travel. Benefits $100 sign-up bonus after you spend $500 in the first 3 months from account opening. The highest sign-up bonus is $200….
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Discontinued Credit Cards

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Earn $25 profit + $1,300 in CC Spend with the US Mint – Great Way to Meet Min. Spend [EXPIRED]

2017-07-05 2017-07-06 8 Comments

ContentsIntroductionDetailsProcessLegitimacy, Security, Etc.Email from PFS Buyer’s Club Introduction PFS Buyer’s Club is a group that allows you to pre-register for the ability to sell them limited-edition coins before they go on sale from the US Mint. The process is simple. Register and “opt-in” for the deal with PFS, buy and receive the coin you paid for with a credit card…
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Limited Time Deals

Signup Bonus Math: The Best Return on Credit Card Spend

2017-07-03 2017-07-03 26 Comments

ContentsIntroductionMiles and Points ValuationsReturn on Sign-up Bonus SpendExplanation and AssumptionsSummary Introduction Credit card signup bonuses offer the most efficient and cost-effective way to earn miles, points, or cash back. As a followup to my post 66 Credit Card Approvals in 3 Years, I break down the return you can expect from new accounts associated with each type of rewards currency,…
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Personal Experience

Which Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge at HKG should you visit: The Pier or The Wing?

2017-06-29 2017-06-28 2 Comments

ContentsForewordsLounge access1. DesignThe PierThe Wing2. DiningThe PierThe Wing3. ShowerThe PierThe Wing4. Unique facilitiesThe Pier: Day SuitesThe Wing: the CabanasFinal thoughts Forewords Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways (rightfully) prides herself on an industry-leading first class product both in the air and on the ground. There are many well-written Cathay’s First Class reports out there on the web, so in this post I will…
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Trip Reports

66 Credit Card Approvals in 3 Years: A Synopsis

2017-06-26 2017-07-03 24 Comments

[Update 2017.4] – See Signup Bonus Math: The Best Return on Credit Card Spend for details regarding my return-on-spend. ContentsIntroductionDisclaimerThe StrategyApproved ApplicationsDeclined ApplicationsImpact to Credit ScoreOrganizationWhat I’ve Learned (About Each Issuer)What I’ve Learned (Personally)Summary Introduction In June 2014, I came across the term “travel hacking” while reading a personal finance blog. It sounded interesting, so I learned about the basics of credit…
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Personal Experience

Luxury Card MasterCard Titanium Card Review

2017-06-23 2021-10-22 2 Comments

Luxury Card MasterCard Titanium Card Review ContentsApplication LinkBenefitsDisadvantagesRecommended Application TimeSummaryRelated Credit CardsAfter ApplyingHistorical Offers ChartApplication Link Application Link Luxury Card MasterCard Titanium Card Benefits This card is really heavy: 22g, it is now the most heavy credit card that an ordinary person can get. Earn 1 point per $1 spent. (Terms and conditions apply.) You can redeem the points at a…
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Barclays

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Luxury Card MasterCard Black Card Review

2017-06-23 2024-10-29 2 Comments

Luxury Card MasterCard Black Card Review ContentsApplication LinkBenefitsDisadvantagesRecommended Application TimeSummaryRelated Credit CardsAfter ApplyingHistorical Offers ChartApplication Link Application Link Luxury Card MasterCard Black Card Benefits This card is really heavy: 22g, it is now the most heavy credit card that an ordinary person can get. Earn 1 point per $1 spent. (Terms and conditions apply.) You can redeem the points at a fixed…
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Barclays

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