Fair enough. But the calculators that I have seen cannot account for the odd part of my scenario, in that I get cash every day in the form of tips, which are of course variable. I'd just as soon not stick to a calculator and throw all of my tips toward a given bill plus some paycheck money. I think I've figured out that paying more frequently (weekly) with said cash also lowers interest accrual to some degree.

Sounds like next Elite year is a CO Plat-only year for you, no?

I like the Cheesecake Factory for some stuff, but I can get that here. If I travel somewhere, I'm not looking to familiar chains for dining experiences.

In Honolulu, be sure to eat lunch at Ono Hawaiian Foods. It's one of the bet local places in town and if you like pork, you'll be in for a treat.

Preach on. ^ Street food and names that you don't know are the way to go in any part of the world that you're not native to.

<drawing off a swig of beer>

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

So, any recommendations on where to burn points in Hawaii for hotel rooms? Looking at the Westin Moana Surfrider right now, but I've also got a TON of Marriott points, and a decent amount of Hilton points, as well as a stack of free night certificates from Hilton as well. I'm determined not to pay for a single hotel night on this trip. We need that cash for other things right now.

Beat me to it.

Precisely why I said it, William. Sorry I couldn't make Austin. Would have made a nice introduction to SPG from a Hilton guy contemplating a switch.

Depends on the written debt agreement and how interest charges are computed - in most cases this impacts interest accrual due to lowering the average daily balance.

Think about opportunity cost and maximization - where's your next trip and what points do you expect to use there?

YES!@:-)

But it's still safe to say that overall interest exposure goes down by paying more frequently since I'm lowering the average, no?

I will forgive it from some inexperienced and infrequent travelers. Believe me, I was a tour guide to conference attendees in San Francisco all of the week, as our consultants often end up being solicited by individuals at our clients for advice on flights, hotels, and food. Most people don't travel nearly as much as we do. They don't know these things — but I've found many of them will often ask us for advice, which I gladly give. I even had a few of them trek out of the Mission District with me the other night to get out of the touristy places around Union Square, Chinatown, and Fisherman's Wharf. So, yeah, I'll forgive Cheesecake Factory and Cold Stone as don't-miss restaurant recommendations when coming from someone who rarely travels.

On the other hand, this post came from someone on FT with elite status in multiple programs. To me that falls into the "You should know better" category.

I have had it once, won't go back. Ever.

Not sure of anyone else here, but if I'm visiting someplace new or that I haven't been in a while, I stop at flavortownusa.com and see if Guy Fieri has been through there. Love to watch Triple-D, so I will try to visit someplace he's been if I've seen the episode.