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Sunday Reader Questions

Video SRQ: Deciding Between the Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve and the Chase Hyatt Visa

April 14, 2013

TPG reader Jeff would like some help deciding whether to get the Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve card or the Chase Hyatt Visa: “Since the Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve came out I’ve really wanted to pick it up. I want to get a card with SmartChip technology and am debating between getting it and Chase Hyatt [...]

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Video SRQ: Can I Earn Points on Prepaid Cards?

April 14, 2013

TPG reader Ruth asked what options there are for earning points and miles if you have poor credit: “For those who have bad credit who want to get a prepaid credit card, is there one where points can be earned as well ? If so, which one?” Unfortunately there are no prepaid cards that give [...]

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SRQ: Getting the Most Value from American Express Membership Rewards Points

April 7, 2013

TPG reader Gabby writes: “My husband and I have been banking our Amex Premier Reward Gold Card points and have about 215,000. We want to put these towards flights toItaly next fall (I know, far in advance but wanting to use points!). Payingwith points is the lowest return, and doesn’t give much chance for being [...]

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SRQ: Which American Express Cards Give Starwood Gold Status

April 7, 2013

TPG follower Andy tweeted a question about Starwood Gold status: “‪@thepointsguy which Amex plat gives SPG gold status? Biz, Personal or Benz?” Although it isn’t marketed well, all three American Express Platinum Cards: Personal, Mercedes-Benz Personal and Business give instant Gold status with Starwood Hotels (as well as the invite-only Centurion card). Simply call the number [...]

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SRQ: Best Strategy For Booking Saver Awards to Bangalore

April 7, 2013

TPG reader Steve asks: “I want to book a one way ticket from Boston to BLR, (or even anywhere in India) leaving on July 19th using United miles.  There are no Saver tickets available for 40K on that day.  The best i can find is something on the 23rd.  I really don’t want to wait [...]

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Video SRQ: How Does Southwest Airlines Deal With Fare Changes

March 31, 2013

This week on Twitter, TPG follower Laura wanted to know how Southwest Airlines deals with fare changes: “@thepointsguy do you know how SWA does fare changes? Say my flight drops in price and I want to rebook?” Southwest makes it very easy to change your ticket, without having to pay extra fees. All you have to do is call up [...]

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Video SRQ: Preparing for a Trip During a Time of Political Conflict

March 31, 2013

TPG reader Marie will be traveling to Japan this summer and wants to know how she should prepare for possible tensions between the US and North Korea and how it may affect her trip: “My friends and I are all set to travel to Japan this July.  I personally booked an award ticket via United Airlines [...]

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Video SRQ: What is the Best Credit Card for Students Studying Abroad?

March 24, 2013

TPG Reader Karsten will be studying abroad in the near future and would like to know what credit card would be best to use while she is away: “I am a current college student at Georgia Tech with 2 years remaining in school. I have 2 questions for you: 1) I will be studying abroad this summer [...]

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Video SRQ: Can You Buy A Roundtrip Ticket And Not Take The Return Flight?

March 17, 2013

TPG reader Cathrine is looking to take a trip to Paris and has enough points to get herself there, but not enough points for the flight home: “I have enough points to redeem for a first class ticket to Paris from LAX.  But I don’t have enough points for a return flight to the US, [...]

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Video SRQ: What Are British Airways Avios Worth?

March 10, 2013

TPG reader Dani has racked up some British Airways Avios and tweeted me with a question about how much they’re worth: “What would you say is the dollar value of British Airways Avios points (for less frequent flyers than yourself)?” As with all things points- and miles-related, the value of Avios depends on what you [...]

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Video SRQ: Can You Get To Europe in Business For 200,000 United Miles Any More?

March 10, 2013

TPG reader Eric is apparently having a hard time booking business class award tickets to Europe for his parents using 200,000 United miles, prompting him to ask: “I am trying to book a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe for my parents who never travel and never splurge on anything luxurious. They really deserve this trip! I [...]

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SRQ: Will I Get Starwood Points For Paying For Travel For Others?

March 10, 2013

TPG reader Jaroslav is a travel agent who has a question about whether he can earn Starwood points on his Starwood Amex or not: “I am travel agent and issuing many air tickets on my Starwood American Express card for clients when they pay me in cash. Could Amex decide to not give me Starwood [...]

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SRQ: How Can I Keep My Corporate Amex Membership Rewards Points After Closing an Account?

March 3, 2013

TPG reader Todd has been smart about using a corporate credit card to accrue American Express Membership Rewards points, but now that he’s changing jobs, he’s got to decide what to do about them. Here’s his question: “I am changing companies and am being told by Amex Membership Rewards that the points I’ve accrued on [...]

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SRQ: Whether Or Not to Use The British Airways Travel Together Companion Ticket

March 3, 2013

TPG reader Rhoda has earned a British Airways Travel Together Companion Ticket thanks to spending on her British Airways Visa, but now she wants to know whether it’s worth using it because of BA’s huge fees and taxes. Here’s her question: “I’m wondering if you can provide me with some insight about how I should [...]

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SRQ: Is It Worth Using Delta SkyMiles on Upgrades?

March 3, 2013

TPG reader Natalie is worried about imminent changes to the Delta SkyMiles program and wants to put her miles to good use on domestic upgrades on the route she flies most between Raleigh and Los Angeles. Here’s here question: “I have been reading your releases regarding the changes for Delta frequent flyers and Medallion members. [...]

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SRQ: How To Maximize Travel Credit Cards In Retirement?

February 24, 2013

Update: The 50,000 point sign up offer for the American Express Premier Rewards Gold card is no longer available through the Card Match Tool. TPG reader Ron has recently retired, but wants to keep racking up points and miles with credit cards. Here’s his question: “Do you know of a strategy for retired persons to use [...]

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SRQ: Which Delta Medallion Choice Benefit Should I Choose?

February 24, 2013

TPG reader Jim just became a Delta Platinum Medallion and now has to choose which Choice Benefit he wants. Here’s his question: “I just became a Delta Platinum Medallion. I am wondering which Choice Benefit to take. The upgrade certificate seem like a joke since they require very expensive flights. I have family and friends [...]

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SRQ: Will My United Miles Be Redeposited After A Canceled Flight?

February 24, 2013

TPG reader Mary had a travel setback during Snowstorm Nemo that almost kept her from getting to Cancun for vacation. Luckily she was still able to get there, but she wants her unused United miles back. Here’s her situation: “We were booked on a United flight from Newark to Cancun on Saturday, February 9, but [...]

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SRQ: Which Should Be My Primary Skyteam Airline, Delta or Korean?

February 17, 2013

TPG reader Eric is putting together a new Skyteam mileage strategy based on upcoming travel and the credit cards he currently has, and is wondering which would be a better choice to be his primary airline frequent flyer program, Delta or Korean Air. Here’s his question: “SkyTeam is the only alliance within which I don’t [...]

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SRQ: Using Starpoints for a Coachella Hotel – Good Deal?

February 10, 2013

TPG reader Cory asks: “I’m looking at going to Coachella this year again (8th time…I know, I know, I’m getting too old for all these hipsters), but hotels are filling up quickly and I noticed there’s a Westin Mission Hills out in Palm Desert. My question is: the going rate is about $289 a night [...]

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Sunday Reader Question: Advantage to Additional Cardholders Vs. Two Accounts

February 3, 2013

Update: The current offer for the British Airways Visa is 50,000 Avios when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months. TPG reader Sue asks: “We saw you at the New York Times Travel Show and have been following your blog. My question: Is there an advantage to opening a credit card account with a subcard vs. [...]

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Sunday Reader Question: Does Britishairways.com Show Accurate American Airlines Award Availability?

February 3, 2013

TPG reader Aaron asks: “If I see award availability for a flight on AA.com and don’t see the same flight available on britishairways.com with British Airways Avios, does that mean that BA actually has less AA availability, or just that their website shows fewer flights? I’ve often noticed that for high-volume routes (NYC to Chicago, [...]

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Sunday Reader Question: What to Do When Amex Does Not Honor Sign-up Bonus

February 3, 2013

TPG reader Yuki asks: “I applied for the AMEX Platinum Card in October 2012, got approved and received the card in less than 24 hours.  I spent the required $2,000 in three months but have not received the 25K bonus points.  I contacted them a couple of times on the phone and received this elusive ‘you are [...]

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Sunday Reader Question: How to Handle Unacceptable Schedule Changes to Flight Reservations

January 27, 2013

TPG reader Faith has a sticky scheduling situation: “I booked an award travel on Air Berlin using American Airlines miles and they just changed my flights to new times that are terrible for me. Any suggestions on how to take care of that?” Schedule changes are common. Airlines constantly update their schedules to adjust to [...]

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