"Transit" category bonus?
 

I noticed that taxi fares and a few other travel expenses sometimes are categorized under "transit" rather than "travel". Does anyone have experience with this category? Does "transit" also get the 2x multiplier?

Subway farecard purchases (for both NYC & DC) fall under "transit," and I've received double points for both.

I booked a Sheraton stay through the Westin link in Ultimate Rewards Mall. I paid with a Chase BA VISA in a different name than the UR account. No points posted in the specified time. Chase customer service was literally unable to assist with, or even understand, this transaction. Some agents insisted that only stays paid with the UR card were eligible (false). Some agents insisted that the claim could only be researched through card account used to pay (false). Some agents insisted that only prepaid stays were eligible for points (false). Some agents believed that only stays through Travelocity (or similar) could earn points for hotel stays (false). No agent appeared to have read any of the preceding email exchanges. Agents appear to have no capability to cross-reference information from one Chase account to another. It was scripted mass market customer service at the very worst. I did speak with a knowledgeable customer service manager, but she did not call me until the problem had resolved itself.

In the end the points did post, but Chase did nothing to facilitate this. The lesson is that if you pay with any card other the card linked to the UR account used to make the booking you will simply need to wait for the points to post, Chase cannot research it. I would expect the points 6-8 weeks after the checkout date.

I haven't booked a hotel through a portal before. I thought that with hotels, if you book through another site, you can't get hotel points.

Is the distinction that UR is just a referral site, whereas Expedia is a full booking site? So you still get hotel points this way (SPG in this case)?

And I'm assuming you got SPG points for your stay without a problem? I used the link - but since I didn't use a Chase card my thought was worse case scenario I don't get my UR points. Essentially getting UR points for this stay is just a "bonus".

That's my big question too. I think I might cancel and upcoming reservation and re-book through the UR site, assuming I will still get my SPG points.

You don't book through the UR travel site - you go to the Westin link on the "merchants" referral page. This directs you to the starwood site - so you are booking directly with starwood. I can't imagine why you would not get SPG credit, but stranger things have happened.

Well, that's my worry, especially the current promo is better than the UR points. Without the current promo, it would be about a wash if I got UR but not SPG.

Yea. You DO enter your SPG number when you make the reservation this way - and it does show up as an upcoming stay on SPG.

I also submitted a BRG on this reservation (not sure I'll get it since the rooms were slightly different) but if I get BRG (2000 points), the current double points promo (since my stay is only two nights), 2X UR points for using their referral link, and 2X SPG points for using my SPG credit card this might just be the most points you could possibly get for a mere 2-night stay!

Yes. When you click through a link in a shopping portal you are still booking through spg.com. The only issue was claiming the bonus UR points. This is entirely separate from booking through Chase's travel agency.

Ive spent my 3,000 in 2 months (the amount required to get the 50,000 miles) and they havent posted yet. Anyone know how long this takes?

generally when your current statement closes.

I don't know why I'm nervous, but I rebooked, then cancelled the old one. Same rate (which wasn't available a week ago, but popped back up).

Should be good. The property is non-US, and they charge CCs in local currency, so I'll use my Chase Sapphire anyway. So in the end, I should get 4 points per dollar on that, plus I'll get the SPG points.

It's a Westin, and I made sure to use the UR account that matches the card (we have three accounts) to keep it simple, should there be an issue.

Chase Sapphire points transfer [best value]?
 

In YOUR OPINION, what is the best/most valuable rewards program to transfer your ultimate reward points to?


Thank you.

UA...