In risk of getting OT on this ridiculously titled thread, I am trying to at least address a few of the things you listed, as I see you may have some very unrealistic expectations on how things work.
Originally Posted by
sthubbar
Happy,
Thanks for all the info. Let me try and clear things up.
- I have to be outside of China for 30 consecutive days before the end of the year.
- My family is having reunion in Kansas City, Dec 21-29
- I have 4 free SPG resort nights so was looking for place to use those
- I noticed all HI hotels are resorts and they have 35% off plus 5th night free and 35% off food, so 10 days of this +4 Free seems like a good offer
The SPG 35% off plus 5th night free may not as good a deal as you see it on the surface. You may want to actually try to do a dummy booking and see how much it costs you using THAT offer, versus some other bookings, that may not even involved SPG, or even SPG bookings using other rate offers and see if the 35% off + 5th night free offer still a good deal or not. My own comparison is it is NOT. (have an October trip to Kauai and Oahu. I have this offer mailed to me weeks ago and I tested it out - useless offer to me.) 35% off foods would still be much more expensive at the resorts than at the restaurants in town, not to mention the foods at the resorts often are mediocre.
Originally Posted by
sthubbar
- Before April this year, I have no interest or experience with any points
- Since April this year, I have 21 stays / 70 nights in SPG properties
The 4 free resort nights should help but you better book early as Hawaii is very popular.
For your SPG pts stash, the C+P option if offered, should be the most optimal usage rather than the outright free nights. You also get higher value per point if using C+P.
Originally Posted by
sthubbar
- I started with getting the SPG Amex, Chase Saphire Pref, Cap1 Rewards
- Realizing the $8000+ cost of my travel plans even after using 50k SPG points, I figured this would be a great forum to check options to reduce that.
- I started a thread "Maximize United/Continental points" because all of the travel was planned on them so thought maybe I could get points to reduce $.
- I also started "Best 7 credit cards August 2011" because I was planning a churn of several cards. This post was deleted because there were other people's affiliate links. I told mod could delete links, though thread is gone.
- I also started this thread because I have seen several people raving about the AA miles, though I didn't really see how it fits my family's life at this time.
- I don't have the AA cards, in combination with the "Best 7 credit cards August 2011" thread, I was trying to determine if I should apply for them.
The AA miles are very valuable to many of us. However it is not going to help you for this particular trip - On your other thread I have given you the run down of the most optimal timeline if you are approved for all 3 cards, you would at most only have 150K available by November. And you would not be able to transfer AA to HHonor as the official door is already closed. Who knows how long the back door remains open? You can, of course, use the AA miles to book for hotels on AAdvantage site, but that would be a huge waste of your miles.
If you have not used Hotwire or Priceline before, this is the occasion you should invest some time to understand how it works and take advantage of it.
Originally Posted by
sthubbar
I realize that when I was single and when I retire, the idea of randomly traveling and not having to be concerned about the destination is a great option. In my current stage of my life, more defined and predictable travel fits us.
AA miles can still work with predictable travel - just not a direct flight from China to your West Coast destination that is all.
Originally Posted by
sthubbar
The original goal still applies. I guess I can start another thread:
"Best way to spend 30 days outside of China and Dec 21-29 in MCI, as well as use up 4 SPG resort stays"
You think many people will be checking that thread?
You will get more serious help if you dont start a thread with a titled like this thread - that you dont even have the AA miles to begin with... Talk about counting unhatched eggs...
In any case, I see all your schemes of getting new card sign up bonuses to help for your trip cost do not work because you start the game too late for this trip.