I love credit cards so much! v6.0 - 2023 (see first page for add'l details)

[wanderlust7]

We are flying JAL J there and back, but they are different planes. On the way there LAX-KIX we are flying on the 789 configuration is 1-2-1, we are only allowed to book middle seats, they reserve window seats for paying customers.

On the way back HND-DFW we are on the 777 configuration is 2-3-2, this was booked via BA and were able to select the window seats when they changed the aircraft.

Good point. @Haley R We had the 2-2-2 Apex Suites, 787 I think.

 

[Haley R]

When we booked, all the window seats were blocked. Those seats are more staggered, maybe you won't see him as well, but it might be easier to get to him. But it might be a moot point if you can't get the window seat anyways.

We had middle seats and could see each other easily, but to get over to the other seat, I'd have to go all the way around. If you do the middle seats, you might want to do one parent next to and the other behind your DS.

I’m seeing different planes depending on if we fly into NRT or HND. I think one is a 787 and the other a 777. HND seems to show more availability and isn’t booked as quickly so we will most likely fly in and out of that one. It’s showing they have the 777 which is 2-3-2. We were thinking about doing the two seats on the aisle and one of us by the window but that’s only if we’re able to get a window seat. Or maybe we should do all 3 middle seats. We could put ds in the middle of the 3 seats but he’ll be in front of us so he won’t be able to see us I don’t think.

 

[sinnika]

I got back from my 5 week trip to Germany on Wednesday and am still fighting jet lag! Our flight back was on a chartered plane, ATI, which went from Ramstein Air Force base in Germany into BWI. Couldn’t beat the $39 fee! I’m now planning another trip at the end of August but my go to airline, United, has really increased their points! It’s now 40,000 points or more for a one way in economy at the end of August. So now I’m looking at other airlines and I can fly economy into Amsterdam from Houston if I transfer points to KLM. For as low as 16,000 points. However, I’ve gotten spoiled and would like to fly business class. I’ve got plenty of UR’s and over 100,000 MRs. Any tips on finding a biz class seat for 50 or 60,000 points?

 

[Haley R]

Is there a reason why first class seats never show up on AA or BA for JAL flights?

 

[wanderlust7]

Is there a reason why first class seats never show up on AA or BA for JAL flights?

I see one on BA, 5/1 SFO-HND. You have to change class to biz or first to see it instead of leaving it at the default. I've only ever seen 1 seat, but I haven't looked too hard either.

 

[2TxAgs]

@Haley R - I was thinking about your great rate on the rental car and the only thing I could come up with was to make sure that it's an automatic and not manual transmission if you don't drive a stick. Most of the standard cars in Europe are stick and it's an additional cost for the automatic that most Americans are familiar with.

 

[Haley R]

I see one on BA, 5/1 SFO-HND. You have to change class to biz or first to see it instead of leaving it at the default. I've only ever seen 1 seat, but I haven't looked too hard either.

Hmm okay. We were considering trying for first because the seats are a little closer in the middle but maybe getting 3 seats will be impossible. All of the blogs and videos I’ve seen with kids were people who flew first class but everyone I saw went through Alaska

 

[Haley R]

@Haley R - I was thinking about your great rate on the rental car and the only thing I could come up with was to make sure that it's an automatic and not manual transmission if you don't drive a stick. Most of the standard cars in Europe are stick and it's an additional cost for the automatic that most Americans are familiar with.

It’s an automatic and has ac!

 

[disneylover81]

I’ve flown to Maui from Phoenix on SWA, AA, and Hawaiian. Now we all know everyone has different opinions, but for me and my 48yr old body, SWA is hands down the WORST. I’m a big SWA fan for anything 4hrs and under, but those seats were horrible after 6hrs. I’m sure there are many who would disagree, but for my family we won’t fly SW to Hawaii ever again, which is unfortunate because they do have some deals out of PHX.

AA is maybe better comfort wise, but not much. They are our go to if Hawaiin is too many points.

Hawaiian is hands down our preferred carrier. Comfortable seats, and they still serve food. Outstanding inflight service.

Honestly though flying economy that far, it is what it is. I’m always grateful just to be traveling. Fortunately the credit card hobby has given me the privilege of being choosy with my flights. Whatever airline will get you there conveniently and inexpensively is the best choice.

Thanks for the tips. I agree about the SWA seats because to me they aren’t the most comfortable for the 2 hour flight from MEM to MCO so I can’t imagine a 6 hour flight. I wondered how SWA does food for such a long flight. Is it just Chex mix and a coke like they do on short flights? I see that we are going to have to expand our airline horizons! I will check out Hawaiian Airlines.

 

[iujen94]

Thanks for the tips. I agree about the SWA seats because to me they aren’t the most comfortable for the 2 hour flight from MEM to MCO so I can’t imagine a 6 hour flight. I wondered how SWA does food for such a long flight. Is it just Chex mix and a coke like they do on short flights? I see that we are going to have to expand our airline horizons! I will check out Hawaiian Airlines.

We flew to and from Hawaii on SW. We live in Raleigh, so we broke up the trip, stopping in CA both ways overnight. Honestly we had no problems, since we were only on daytime flights. Overnight would have been a different story, but for daytime it was great, especially for the price we paid. But yes, nothing but snack mix. Fortunately there was a Subway by our hotel in CA so we grabbed sandwiches before we headed to the airport!

 

[djmeredith]

I started my NYC (reposition)/Europe trip yesterday. Booked RT on Delta from home to NYC. We are at the Conrad Midtown, and thanks to my new Hilton Aspire Diamond status we got upgraded to a 1 bedroom suite! This is my first trip with Diamond status, so far so good. I couldn't get the 4:00 checkout tomorrow, but did get 2;00. We went to the Yankees game today and sat in the Legends Suites. It was amazing, true bucket list thing for both of us. Headed to London tomorrow night.

 

[iujen94]

I’m looking to fly ORD-MAD-BCN on Iberia. Two of us in biz class and two in premium economy. There are a bunch of options for the MAD-BCN leg - how much time should we allow in Madrid between flights? We will have checked luggage. Do we have to collect our luggage and recheck it, like when we land in the US from overseas? Hopefully we will have Global Entry by then. Does that helps us in Spain, or only when we return to the US? (Not a super experienced international traveler, if you can tell!)

 

[mom2febgirls]

Can I use my hyatt points to book a room for someone else?

 

[wanderlust7]

I’m looking to fly ORD-MAD-BCN on Iberia. Two of us in biz class and two in premium economy. There are a bunch of options for the MAD-BCN leg - how much time should we allow in Madrid between flights? We will have checked luggage. Do we have to collect our luggage and recheck it, like when we land in the US from overseas? Hopefully we will have Global Entry by then. Does that helps us in Spain, or only when we return to the US? (Not a super experienced international traveler, if you can tell!)

Global Entry gives you TSA Pre, which will help you at ORD. Then Global Entry will help you when you arrive back in the US. But it won't help you in Spain.

Not sure if you have the time, but I'd be looking at spending a few days in Madrid. It's less than a 3 hour train ride to Barcelona. To me, connections are opportunities.

 

[iujen94]

Global Entry gives you TSA Pre, which will help you at ORD. Then Global Entry will help you when you arrive back in the US. But it won't help you in Spain.

Not sure if you have the time, but I'd be looking at spending a few days in Madrid. It's less than a 3 hour train ride to Barcelona. To me, connections are opportunities.

Sadly P2’s vacation days aren’t plentiful enough to give us any Madrid time (we are leaving on a cruise out of Barcelona so that’s taking up pretty much our whole vacation time there)

 

[wanderlust7]

Can I use my hyatt points to book a room for someone else?

You can, but you need to call to gift it. If you give them the other person's Hyatt number, it'll then appear in their account.

 

[leeniewdw]

Whew -- NYC is so confusing!

I offered to help my DS get 2 nights in NYC for his b'day. I've got a lot of IHG points, plenty URs, and a some Bonvoy pts.

They've decided to stay in Brooklyn as they are attending a concert there. We've looked at The Moxy which is ridiculous in pts, so I offered to use pts for 1 night and they can pay for the 2nd night (even if I pay and they pay me back). We've also looked at Hotel Indigo Williamsburg and I can use my existing IHG pts for both nights (tho the reviews are really mixed).

Anyway, my question is this -- if I book on points with IHG, do I still have to deal with the crazy taxes and fees in NYC? I only have experience using Marriot pts or cash in NYC and I don't recall paying anything when staying at a Marriott property.

On the booking page for IHG (Hotel Indigo) when using pts to cover the whole stay it says:

Description of Taxes and Additional Charges
28.69 USD per night not included in rate effective 9 June, 2023 through 11 June, 2023
3.50 USD per night not included in rate effective 9 June, 2023 through 11 June, 2023
14.75% per night not included in rate effective 9 June, 2023 through 11 June, 2023
Daily NYC Urban Destination Resort Fee $25 plus tax per night includes Access to Seasonal Activities • Garden • Premium Internet Access • Casting to in-room TV from your personal device • Free Local Calls

Good lord, lol. But since I'm not paying a "rate", I'm confused.

Anyone have advice for NYC/Brooklyn from recent years (our last trip was Dec 2019) and how to figure out the fees?

edit: I did a test booking using cash and I see how IHG has all the fees included in the total price (even though the same verbiage is below the price) -- obviously people must get confused because it says "Rest assured. This is your total price." Still unsure about booking with points.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Okay awesome thanks! I wish we could see it ahead of time to know if there are seats together. I’m a little nervous about the JAL seats because they’re more isolated and ds will only be 4

Download Seat Alerts by Expert Flyers. For free, you can check to see what seats are occupied, blocked or available on most flights.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Whew -- NYC is so confusing!

I offered to help my DS get 2 nights in NYC for his b'day. I've got a lot of IHG points, plenty URs, and a some Bonvoy pts.

They've decided to stay in Brooklyn as they are attending a concert there. We've looked at The Moxy which is ridiculous in pts, so I offered to use pts for 1 night and they can pay for the 2nd night (even if I pay and they pay me back). We've also looked at Hotel Indigo Williamsburg and I can use my existing IHG pts for both nights (tho the reviews are really mixed).

Anyway, my question is this -- if I book on points with IHG, do I still have to deal with the crazy taxes and fees in NYC? I only have experience using Marriot pts or cash in NYC and I don't recall paying anything when staying at a Marriott property.

On the booking page for IHG (Hotel Indigo) when using pts to cover the whole stay it says:

Description of Taxes and Additional Charges
28.69 USD per night not included in rate effective 9 June, 2023 through 11 June, 2023
3.50 USD per night not included in rate effective 9 June, 2023 through 11 June, 2023
14.75% per night not included in rate effective 9 June, 2023 through 11 June, 2023
Daily NYC Urban Destination Resort Fee $25 plus tax per night includes Access to Seasonal Activities • Garden • Premium Internet Access • Casting to in-room TV from your personal device • Free Local Calls

Good lord, lol. But since I'm not paying a "rate", I'm confused.

Anyone have advice for NYC/Brooklyn from recent years (our last trip was Dec 2019) and how to figure out the fees?

edit: I did a test booking using cash and I see how IHG has all the fees included in the total price (even though the same verbiage is below the price) -- obviously people must get confused because it says "Rest assured. This is your total price." Still unsure about booking with points.

With IHG, you should not have to pay any room taxes, but you will need to pay resort fees. So for sure you'll be charged the $25 resort fee + tax on that. I think the 28.69 they reference is the $25 + 14.75% tax= 28.69. Not sure what the 3.50 is but I'd be prepared to pay that. You will not be responsible for 14.75% tax on the room rate.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

I got back from my 5 week trip to Germany on Wednesday and am still fighting jet lag! Our flight back was on a chartered plane, ATI, which went from Ramstein Air Force base in Germany into BWI. Couldn’t beat the $39 fee! I’m now planning another trip at the end of August but my go to airline, United, has really increased their points! It’s now 40,000 points or more for a one way in economy at the end of August. So now I’m looking at other airlines and I can fly economy into Amsterdam from Houston if I transfer points to KLM. For as low as 16,000 points. However, I’ve gotten spoiled and would like to fly business class. I’ve got plenty of UR’s and over 100,000 MRs. Any tips on finding a biz class seat for 50 or 60,000 points?

So glad you're back. Air France/KLM have a "secret" calendar view for their award flights. Using a desktop, log into Air France or KLM. Book with miles-> choose one way -> departure and arrival airports -> leave dates BLANK -> Search. You'll be shown a calendar view and you can click on a whole month. Ideally you'll see rates for 56k or so. If a month is grayed out, know that's a glitch. You might have to click the month before or after and scroll by week to look for those low fares.

Or for this particular route, I can't recommend SeatSpy enough. Sign up for a free trial. You'll be able to see a whole year's worth of biz and econ availability in one click, on one screen, with outbound and return. It's amazing. Well worth the subscription if you'd use it often. But start with the free trial.