Jul 1, 2021, 1:23 pm
Last edit by: Global Adventurer
*Equinox $25 Credit will not be issued for ANY products you buy online at their merchandise Shop which is coded as "Equinox The Shop". However, it appears that you can purchase Gift Cards straight off the site, but lowest denomination is $100. Gift cards can be used for merchandise and memberships.
USA personal Platinum annual fee increase to $695, July 2021.
Jul 10, 2021, 12:39 pm
#602
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
Chase $50,000 x 3 = 150,000 UR points x $0.015 = $2,250
Amex $50,000 x 5 = 250,000 MR points x $0.011 = $2,750
Jul 10, 2021, 12:40 pm
#603
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Mexico City
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, Marriot Gold, IHG Silver, Choice Platinum, Wyndham Gold
Posts: 3,849
From what I have personally noticed, the Platinum has it's own purpose neither in the sock drawer, nor getting swiped. I have seen multiple instances where people make sure they flash it to others in some conspicuous form, but never use it. Front of the money clip. Front of the wallet. Showing others and saying "I don't even know why I have this" Pulling it out, knowing you aren't going to use it, only to pick a different card. The toss on the counter for no apparent reason is a solid move to show everyone your metal card means business.
Jul 10, 2021, 12:51 pm
#604
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
From what I have personally noticed, the Platinum has it's own purpose neither in the sock drawer, nor getting swiped. I have seen multiple instances where people make sure they flash it to others in some conspicuous form, but never use it. Front of the money clip. Front of the wallet. Showing others and saying "I don't even know why I have this" Pulling it out, knowing you aren't going to use it, only to pick a different card. The toss on the counter for no apparent reason is a solid move to show everyone your metal card means business.
Regards
Jul 10, 2021, 12:52 pm
#605
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
There is nothing new...
Originally Posted by New York Times, June 26, 1983
ANTHONY V. MILONE got an expensive new suit when he became vice president of a new medical products company in Tuckahoe, N.Y., last year. He also got an American Express Gold Card.
''We're a small company,'' he said. ''But it pays to make the client think you're doing better than you really are. If your shoes are shiny, and you dress well, it can help. And if at the end of a luncheon you pull out a Gold Card, that's one more thing. People want to be associated with success.''
Jean Meger, a businesswoman in Anaheim, Calif., takes that strategy a step further. She places her Gold Card or her Visa Preferred card discreetly on the table before she orders at a restaurant, and leaves it there during the meal. ''You get better service,'' she said. ''And if you want to impress someone, it's a nice flash.''
''We're a small company,'' he said. ''But it pays to make the client think you're doing better than you really are. If your shoes are shiny, and you dress well, it can help. And if at the end of a luncheon you pull out a Gold Card, that's one more thing. People want to be associated with success.''
Jean Meger, a businesswoman in Anaheim, Calif., takes that strategy a step further. She places her Gold Card or her Visa Preferred card discreetly on the table before she orders at a restaurant, and leaves it there during the meal. ''You get better service,'' she said. ''And if you want to impress someone, it's a nice flash.''
Jul 10, 2021, 1:32 pm
#606
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Mexico City
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, Marriot Gold, IHG Silver, Choice Platinum, Wyndham Gold
Posts: 3,849
Lucky you! In addition to the other incidents I have seen, I was actually with somebody I know that went into a party store to get balloons etc before I even got a platinum card. Before it was time to pay and the cashier was ringing him up, he already had his card on the counter, at which time he told me it was metal this year. I looked at him like so what. So, yes, there's many people that do this crap unfortunately.
Jul 10, 2021, 1:33 pm
#607
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,319
Jul 10, 2021, 1:50 pm
#608
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Mexico City
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, Marriot Gold, IHG Silver, Choice Platinum, Wyndham Gold
Posts: 3,849
Jul 10, 2021, 2:26 pm
#609
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
Programs: HH Diamond, Sixt Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador, Marriott/SPG Gold .....
Posts: 3,215
Amex hard to use Airline credit $200 for $695 AF
Chase very easy $300 travel credit for 550 AF
And Chase would earn 3x for other travel related purchased (rental car , hotel, ….) and free rental car
protection
not quiet as clear cut as you make it to be
Jul 10, 2021, 7:17 pm
#610
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Los Angeles, CA; Philadelphia, PA
Programs: OZ Diamond
Posts: 6,139
LAX
Jul 10, 2021, 7:36 pm
#611
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,434
Jul 10, 2021, 7:49 pm
#612
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Plainfield, IN
Programs: IHG Platinum / HHonors Diamond / Hyatt Globalist / AA EX Platinum
Posts: 200
Jul 10, 2021, 7:55 pm
#613
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Mexico City
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, Marriot Gold, IHG Silver, Choice Platinum, Wyndham Gold
Posts: 3,849
I'm probably the only one here that does not value any points with any credit card company. I just use them in the best logical way for the the time I think I should use them. Like last year I had to book a last minute hotel room while there were rooms left and my city was going on lockdown so I wanted to get out. I found a hotel where I could book a week stay with hilton points and it was well worth using points than paying out of pocket. I didn't calculate the points into a dollar or cents amount. It was a bargain for me, and that's how I look at it. Paid points for the flight and the hotel, with nothing out of pocket. That was a deal for me at christmas time.
Jul 10, 2021, 7:59 pm
#614
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Plainfield, IN
Programs: IHG Platinum / HHonors Diamond / Hyatt Globalist / AA EX Platinum
Posts: 200
I'm probably the only one here that does not value any points with any credit card company. I just use them in the best logical way for the the time I think I should use them. Like last year I had to book a last minute hotel room while there were rooms left and my city was going on lockdown so I wanted to get out. I found a hotel where I could book a week stay with hilton points and it was well worth using points than paying out of pocket. I didn't calculate the points into a dollar or cents amount. It was a bargain for me, and that's how I look at it. Paid points for the flight and the hotel, with nothing out of pocket. That was a deal for me at christmas time.
Can't argue with nothing out of pocket. I try to maximize when I can, but that is just my personal preference
Jul 10, 2021, 8:15 pm
#615
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Mexico City
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, Marriot Gold, IHG Silver, Choice Platinum, Wyndham Gold
Posts: 3,849
But, when it comes to paying for something out of pocket, I'm looking for every cash back site, coupons, upgrades and anything else I can apply. I'm one of the cheapest people I know. But, some things I pay extra for, just for a peace of mind. Like my upcoming covid test. I rather pay more at the airport and don't have to worry about waiting on an email with my results.