Traveling beyond your means on miles and points
Aug 4, 2012, 6:02 am
#106
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 199
I just started getting into this, but I have definitely been traveling beyond my means. I have not really gotten to take advantage of the international travel as much (yet) but I am already planning a huge trip. Working with Starwood is a huge plus because I get special rates at all the hotels (if available). Some really amazing deals also. I can stay at the St. Regis Bangkok for $95 a night or this hotel for $130 when its normally over $600 a night. https://www.starwoodhotels.com/luxur...ropertyID=3714 I only mention Bangkok because thats the next place I want to travel.
The average cost of a Westin for me is $79 a night, an Aloft is $50, and a W is $89. St Regis normally is about $200 a night. My family loves it because they are also allowed to get the discounted rates. My friends love it when they travel with me and stay with me. Oh yea, plus I get 50% off all food and beverage.
The average cost of a Westin for me is $79 a night, an Aloft is $50, and a W is $89. St Regis normally is about $200 a night. My family loves it because they are also allowed to get the discounted rates. My friends love it when they travel with me and stay with me. Oh yea, plus I get 50% off all food and beverage.
Last edited by edh101985; Aug 4, 2012 at 6:23 am
Aug 4, 2012, 10:15 pm
#107
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Chicago
Posts: 231
I have been planning this trip for almost a year. My girl friend and I are traveling to China for five weeks and flying on first. My parents are flying with us and flying in Business. My G/F's parents are meeting us there a week later and also flying in business. We will be staying at the Park Hyatt in Shanghai for a few days. Conrad in HK for a few days. All the flights were booked using points. All hotels were booked using points. Yes, in 2008, I thought my friend was crazy for paying $300+ a night to stay at the Grand Hyatt in Shanghai. I will be paying $0 to stay at the Park Hyatt in Shanghai.
Aug 5, 2012, 8:18 pm
#109
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 362
Aug 5, 2012, 8:48 pm
#110
Suspended
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Hilton HHonors Gold
Posts: 2,863
I just started getting into this, but I have definitely been traveling beyond my means. I have not really gotten to take advantage of the international travel as much (yet) but I am already planning a huge trip. Working with Starwood is a huge plus because I get special rates at all the hotels (if available). Some really amazing deals also. I can stay at the St. Regis Bangkok for $95 a night or this hotel for $130 when its normally over $600 a night. https://www.starwoodhotels.com/luxur...ropertyID=3714 I only mention Bangkok because thats the next place I want to travel.
The average cost of a Westin for me is $79 a night, an Aloft is $50, and a W is $89. St Regis normally is about $200 a night. My family loves it because they are also allowed to get the discounted rates. My friends love it when they travel with me and stay with me. Oh yea, plus I get 50% off all food and beverage.
The average cost of a Westin for me is $79 a night, an Aloft is $50, and a W is $89. St Regis normally is about $200 a night. My family loves it because they are also allowed to get the discounted rates. My friends love it when they travel with me and stay with me. Oh yea, plus I get 50% off all food and beverage.
Aug 5, 2012, 8:59 pm
#111
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,342
I just started getting into this, but I have definitely been traveling beyond my means. I have not really gotten to take advantage of the international travel as much (yet) but I am already planning a huge trip. Working with Starwood is a huge plus because I get special rates at all the hotels (if available). Some really amazing deals also. I can stay at the St. Regis Bangkok for $95 a night or this hotel for $130 when its normally over $600 a night. https://www.starwoodhotels.com/luxur...ropertyID=3714 I only mention Bangkok because thats the next place I want to travel.
The average cost of a Westin for me is $79 a night, an Aloft is $50, and a W is $89. St Regis normally is about $200 a night. My family loves it because they are also allowed to get the discounted rates. My friends love it when they travel with me and stay with me. Oh yea, plus I get 50% off all food and beverage.
The average cost of a Westin for me is $79 a night, an Aloft is $50, and a W is $89. St Regis normally is about $200 a night. My family loves it because they are also allowed to get the discounted rates. My friends love it when they travel with me and stay with me. Oh yea, plus I get 50% off all food and beverage.
Aug 5, 2012, 10:12 pm
#112
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plat, Marriott Silver, HH Gold
Posts: 797
It's no ones business but I do feel like I need to explain why one second I'm complaining about paying $500 in car repairs then the next I'm booking a business class ticket to Bali. I explain CC sign up bonuses, paying my rent with Amazon Payments, and only paying $50 for the reward ticket. I don't think they ever fully buy it because they don't really understand it. After that I don't feel guilty or any need to explain myself.
Aug 6, 2012, 3:47 pm
#113
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: PDX
Posts: 469
Fortunately I don't have a bunch of people hitting me up for money like others have stated in the thread. While I know a lot of people who aren't interested in any type of miles CC, they at least understand I'm not an ATM. But I am an example of someone who dosn't make a lot of money, but started establishing a credit history at a fairly young age and is now able to take advantage of a pretty decent credit score. I made mistakes along the way but none of the variety that prevented me from having a good credit score in the end.
I see my credit score as an asset, and a valuable one at that. I decided a while ago I wasn't going to just let it sit there... I'd put it to work and gain something out of it. A lot of people in general seem a little leary about credit cards, or afraid of the unknown. Personally I'm afraid of having a debit card and its a debate I've had with others many times in trying to get others into the miles game. Anyhow, the miles I've accumulated (not a ton compared to most but enough for now) will allow me to take trips that otherwise would be very hard for me to afford. I enjoy traveling, and I'm also a thrifty person. I'm not looking to travel in first class and I probably won't end up 'maximizing' my redemptions when I do use my miles in the future. But, they will end up suiting my needs and save me a lot of money, and take me to places I might not otherwise be willing to lay out so much cash to visit.
I see my credit score as an asset, and a valuable one at that. I decided a while ago I wasn't going to just let it sit there... I'd put it to work and gain something out of it. A lot of people in general seem a little leary about credit cards, or afraid of the unknown. Personally I'm afraid of having a debit card and its a debate I've had with others many times in trying to get others into the miles game. Anyhow, the miles I've accumulated (not a ton compared to most but enough for now) will allow me to take trips that otherwise would be very hard for me to afford. I enjoy traveling, and I'm also a thrifty person. I'm not looking to travel in first class and I probably won't end up 'maximizing' my redemptions when I do use my miles in the future. But, they will end up suiting my needs and save me a lot of money, and take me to places I might not otherwise be willing to lay out so much cash to visit.
Aug 7, 2012, 10:08 am
#114
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,760
Fortunately I don't have a bunch of people hitting me up for money like others have stated in the thread. While I know a lot of people who aren't interested in any type of miles CC, they at least understand I'm not an ATM. But I am an example of someone who dosn't make a lot of money, but started establishing a credit history at a fairly young age and is now able to take advantage of a pretty decent credit score. I made mistakes along the way but none of the variety that prevented me from having a good credit score in the end.
I see my credit score as an asset, and a valuable one at that. I decided a while ago I wasn't going to just let it sit there... I'd put it to work and gain something out of it. A lot of people in general seem a little leary about credit cards, or afraid of the unknown. Personally I'm afraid of having a debit card and its a debate I've had with others many times in trying to get others into the miles game. Anyhow, the miles I've accumulated (not a ton compared to most but enough for now) will allow me to take trips that otherwise would be very hard for me to afford. I enjoy traveling, and I'm also a thrifty person. I'm not looking to travel in first class and I probably won't end up 'maximizing' my redemptions when I do use my miles in the future. But, they will end up suiting my needs and save me a lot of money, and take me to places I might not otherwise be willing to lay out so much cash to visit.
I see my credit score as an asset, and a valuable one at that. I decided a while ago I wasn't going to just let it sit there... I'd put it to work and gain something out of it. A lot of people in general seem a little leary about credit cards, or afraid of the unknown. Personally I'm afraid of having a debit card and its a debate I've had with others many times in trying to get others into the miles game. Anyhow, the miles I've accumulated (not a ton compared to most but enough for now) will allow me to take trips that otherwise would be very hard for me to afford. I enjoy traveling, and I'm also a thrifty person. I'm not looking to travel in first class and I probably won't end up 'maximizing' my redemptions when I do use my miles in the future. But, they will end up suiting my needs and save me a lot of money, and take me to places I might not otherwise be willing to lay out so much cash to visit.
You have a very healthy attitude towards the miles and points accumulation game.
Aug 7, 2012, 2:37 pm
#116
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,760
You should be able to find all the answers to your questions above right on airlines own website, accurately and clearly, in plain English and easy to read tables, even pdf files to download.
Aug 8, 2012, 5:58 pm
#117
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,720
When I talk about my upcoming trips, like the one to Brazil, I often find myself adding like a disclaimer or something--"Of course I got free flights on miles". There is no way someone of my income level could afford the kind of travel I do otherwise, especially in Australia where they don't have the mega credit card bonuses I can get as a US citizen with a good Fico. It's like I don't want people to think I am secretly wealthy (I am not) and try to hit me up for loans or something. And I don't want people who see us walking out of an IC or Westin (on points) to think I am one of those rich people who usually stay there.
Does anyone else do this? I mean "apologize" or add disclaimers when they talk about their travels?
Does anyone else do this? I mean "apologize" or add disclaimers when they talk about their travels?
, but I also don't want people to think that I would blow that kind of money on travel. Conversely, I would would never share that info with random travelers unless they make it known that they are fellow mileage junkies. No reason for them to know I did not pay full price as they may have
There is no question that miles and points have made it possible for me to travel beyond my means, or more accurately, to fly in C/F and to stay in luxury hotels and resorts for vacations. There is no way that I would pay full price for these perks so if it were not for points I'd be staying in lesser properties or using priceline more. In fact I now get upset when I can't find a "deal" for a leisure trip and end up paying through the nose for advance-purchase economy seats.
Aug 8, 2012, 7:47 pm
#118
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ORD, LAS
Programs: AA-EXP, BAEC Silver, Hyatt-Globalist, Hilton-gold, SPG-gold
Posts: 855
If you are a new member and really want to learn the basics, I would suggest you check out some of the beginners pages on popular travel blogs. In particular, I suggest milevalue.com. There is a tab "start here" that will guide you through the basics. Good luck.
Aug 8, 2012, 8:18 pm
#119
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: DL, WoH
Posts: 1,253
I see my credit score as an asset, and a valuable one at that. I decided a while ago I wasn't going to just let it sit there... I'd put it to work and gain something out of it. A lot of people in general seem a little leary about credit cards, or afraid of the unknown. Personally I'm afraid of having a debit card and its a debate I've had with others many times in trying to get others into the miles game. Anyhow, the miles I've accumulated (not a ton compared to most but enough for now) will allow me to take trips that otherwise would be very hard for me to afford. I enjoy traveling, and I'm also a thrifty person. I'm not looking to travel in first class and I probably won't end up 'maximizing' my redemptions when I do use my miles in the future. But, they will end up suiting my needs and save me a lot of money, and take me to places I might not otherwise be willing to lay out so much cash to visit.
Aug 8, 2012, 9:11 pm
#120
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: PIT
Programs: PriorityClub Platinum, Marriott Rewards Gold, AAdvantage Gold
Posts: 121
I see my points as an untaxed part of my compensation. If I have to be away from my wife and daughter for work (even if my company pays for it) then whatever trips we may take or hotels we might stay in are most definitely earned.