|
Kase Im Licht posted:How does one decide between Hilton and Marriott when picking who to travel with? I have just recently started traveling for work and will probably do 50-60 nights per year. I'll be in some rural areas so Hyatt is probably not a great option and I won't have enough travel to split between programs. Looks like I will be about 2 nights short of Marriott Gold when the year ends. I have a Marriott card right now that gives me a 15 night (only reason I'm even close to gold) head start which would be a tiebreaker, but it's easy enough to apply for a new card. (I'll be 3/24 once January hits so am trying to plan out a grand application spree through the early part of 2020 anyway) Here’s my take... Hilton - The most consistent out of all the brands. I know that no matter where I am that if I book a Embassy Suites or Homewood Suites it’s going to be decent. Prices are pretty fair, the phone app with mobile check-in is awesome especially in large locations because who wants to wait even ten minutes to get a hotel key in 2019. Marriott - Pretty much everywhere but one Westin or even Courtyard might be completely different than the other. They’re kind of scummy in that they are constantly fighting unions and loving over the average guy. I’m also still bitter over the SPG merger. Hyatt - Excellent quality and they’ve got a ton of boutique hotels that are kind of quirky but interesting and not too expensive. IHG - Pretty basic and while there high end properties aren’t that nice they’re still pretty drat good. Not many locations. The only thing I’ve been unable to determine is the whole reward point system. Supposedly IHG and Hyatt give out of the most upgrades, rewards, etc. but the “point” cost of a hotel room is also variable. YMMV. My ideal goal is to hit maximum status with one brand then do the same with another.
|
#
?
Dec 12, 2019 02:03
|
|
|
|
| # ? May 22, 2024 18:54 |
|
|
Has United biz transatlantic been updated recently? I feel unexpectedly comfortable. The lounge was good too despite being in Newark
|
|
#
?
Dec 12, 2019 03:43
|
|
|
If I hit silver for Marriott before the end of the month, does it carry over to 2020 or do I have to start over again come January?
|
|
#
?
Dec 12, 2019 05:17
|
|
|
You’ll keep the Marriott status until the end of February 2021.
|
|
#
?
Dec 12, 2019 06:00
|
|
|
knox_harrington posted:Has United biz transatlantic been updated recently? I feel unexpectedly comfortable. The lounge was good too despite being in Newark polaris, the new product, is supposedly competitive but not universal. you probably got that.
|
|
#
?
Dec 12, 2019 14:00
|
|
|
Marriott also has a status challenge, FYI. Stay 16 nights within 3 months and you get Plat.
|
|
#
?
Dec 12, 2019 14:14
|
|
|
I ditched Marriott post-merger when their customer service went to poo poo. And then I had someone at a Marriott in NJ key in my rewards number by error and bill my credit card for someone else's stay because I had my CC linked. It took entirely too much effort to get them to engage, and their solution was to have me remove my CC from my rewards account. gently caress Marriott.
|
|
#
?
Dec 12, 2019 15:09
|
|
|
Tank44 posted:do you guys know when 2019 airline status ends? I am currently United/Star Alliance Gold, and still 9K away from maintaining it for 2020, but have international travel coming at the end of Jan/early Feb. Wondering if flying Jan 31st would still get the gold perks. With most (including the big 3 US carriers) the qualification period ends at midnight on December 31st, so January travel won't count. Your actual status lasts until January 31st, then you revert to whatever you qualified for the previous status year, assuming it is lower. If you are very close most will let you "buy up" - you may get an offer sent, or just call them - but that can get expensive. knox_harrington posted:Has United biz transatlantic been updated recently? I feel unexpectedly comfortable. The lounge was good too despite being in Newark The new Polaris hard product has (finally) rolled out to more aircraft after years-long delays, and is pretty decent. It doesn't stack up to what some of the nationalized carriers like Singapore or Qatar are doing, but it's better than what they had. I do most of my flying on UA metal still and appreciate it. The strange thing for me is I've had two back to back long hauls on Luftstansa (DEL-FRA, FRA-AUS) one a 380 the other a 350 and they were both very nice rides, they've stepped up their game too.
|
|
#
?
Dec 12, 2019 15:29
|
|
|
The Big Jesus posted:Marriott also has a status challenge, FYI. Stay 16 nights within 3 months and you get Plat. Is that automatic or do you have to sign up for it? I’ll blow past that in a little over a month.
|
|
#
?
Dec 12, 2019 16:16
|
|
|
Warbird posted:Is that automatic or do you have to sign up for it? I’ll blow past that in a little over a month. You have to sign up for it; call the customer service line and let them know which challenge you want to sign up for. If you're gonna travel heavy in January call now because I believe the challenge doesn't start until the first day of the month after you've enrolled.
|
|
#
?
Dec 12, 2019 16:54
|
|
|
kimcicle posted:You have to sign up for it; call the customer service line and let them know which challenge you want to sign up for. If you're gonna travel heavy in January call now because I believe the challenge doesn't start until the first day of the month after you've enrolled. Report back how many hours this takes. 
|
|
#
?
Dec 12, 2019 17:20
|
|
|
What's everyone's most degenerate mileage run? Currently flying YUL-PHL-LAX-LAS-DFW-IAH instead of YUL-CLT-IAH because I need 4750 EQM by 12/23 to meet my exec plat status challenge. Not proud of it
|
|
#
?
Dec 12, 2019 18:59
|
|
|
I deliberately booked a layover in Detroit at the end of last year rather than a direct flight home for that last segment to put me over the finish line. A storm hit and I wound up stuck there for an extra four hours. I learned my lesson.
|
|
#
?
Dec 12, 2019 19:08
|
|
|
Anyone here with a 2nd passport? I think I'm at the point where I'm going to need a 2nd one due to visa timing.
|
|
#
?
Dec 12, 2019 19:19
|
|
|
antiga posted:What's everyone's most degenerate mileage run? Currently flying YUL-PHL-LAX-LAS-DFW-IAH instead of YUL-CLT-IAH because I need 4750 EQM by 12/23 to meet my exec plat status challenge. Not proud of it Not particularly degenerate by unnecessary connection standards but getting my conference budget at work to pay for MCO-ATL-AMS-TXL in 2018 and TXL-AMS-MCO in 2019 so I could go to 35C3 in Leipzig and incidentally do a bunch of tourist stuff and hit DL Platinum was pretty sweet.
|
|
#
?
Dec 12, 2019 19:50
|
|
|
keevo posted:Anyone here with a 2nd passport? I think I'm at the point where I'm going to need a 2nd one due to visa timing. My wife does. It’s a bit of a hassle, but them’s the breaks.
|
|
#
?
Dec 12, 2019 20:21
|
|
|
keevo posted:Anyone here with a 2nd passport? I think I'm at the point where I'm going to need a 2nd one due to visa timing. I renewed a couple years ago and got the one with extra pages. Now that more countries have gone with e-visa's and stopped taking entire pages of your passport for their own stupid thing it's easier to manage (though India still makes it a bureaucratic nightmare to deal with).
|
|
#
?
Dec 12, 2019 21:18
|
|
|
How do you go about getting the 2nd passport? As far as I can tell I just fill out a renewed passport thing and attach a letter saying I need a 2nd passport? Looks like there are agencies that help you out with this but they seem pretty hit or miss.
|
|
#
?
Dec 13, 2019 02:27
|
|
|
Ixian posted:I renewed a couple years ago and got the one with extra pages. Now that more countries have gone with e-visa's and stopped taking entire pages of your passport for their own stupid thing it's easier to manage (though India still makes it a bureaucratic nightmare to deal with). only real reason is visa fuckery, look at u china and brazil keevo posted:How do you go about getting the 2nd passport? As far as I can tell I just fill out a renewed passport thing and attach a letter saying I need a 2nd passport? Looks like there are agencies that help you out with this but they seem pretty hit or miss. this is the process. i used an expediting service and it was very painless. you may want to be careful about what visas you put together and such. my firm uses CIBT, good service, it's not cheap tho.
|
|
#
?
Dec 13, 2019 02:35
|
|
|
Apparently I have flown a little less than 110,000 miles this year.
|
|
#
?
Dec 13, 2019 03:55
|
|
|
KYOON GRIFFEY JR posted:only real reason is visa fuckery, look at u china and brazil Brazil's gone the e-visa route, though from what I understand it's a shitshow. The one in my old expired passport is still valid so I just carry both when forced to go there. Seconding CIBT, they've always done a good job for me. They helped me navigate the Indian business visa which in my experience was the worst loving process in the world - and I have visas for China, Brazil, and Russia. Then you have New Zealand, which has a government-built mobile app for e-visa applications and approvals that is extremely easy to use and does the work for you. Go figure.
|
|
#
?
Dec 13, 2019 04:16
|
|
|
keevo posted:How do you go about getting the 2nd passport? As far as I can tell I just fill out a renewed passport thing and attach a letter saying I need a 2nd passport? Looks like there are agencies that help you out with this but they seem pretty hit or miss. GlobalAxs is a good company but expensive. Ixian posted:Brazil's gone the e-visa route, though from what I understand it's a shitshow. The one in my old expired passport is still valid so I just carry both when forced to go there. I printed my Brazilian visa at home on my printer and we had no problem. We had a travel party of 7.
|
|
#
?
Dec 13, 2019 06:52
|
|
|
Ixian posted:Brazil's gone the e-visa route, though from what I understand it's a shitshow. The one in my old expired passport is still valid so I just carry both when forced to go there. Any details on the shitshow? I have a visa but I just booked another flight to GRU today and the wife is coming along because supposedly its visa on arrival now.
|
|
#
?
Dec 13, 2019 07:27
|
|
|
antiga posted:What's everyone's most degenerate mileage run? Currently flying YUL-PHL-LAX-LAS-DFW-IAH instead of YUL-CLT-IAH because I need 4750 EQM by 12/23 to meet my exec plat status challenge. Not proud of it TPA-JFK-NRT-SIN-NRT-MSP-TPA. Got me to Diamond with some rollover for the following year.
|
|
#
?
Dec 13, 2019 08:14
|
|
|
Many years ago LAX JFK MIA LAX. Next day 6am LAX JFK MIA LAX This was on a like $250 fare with no eqm. Flight down to MIA we flew to NC at 18k feet because the turbulence any higher was not safe. It was a paint mixer at 18k. Then out of MIA emergency landing immediate overweight return because we lost (I think) hydraulics. Didn’t get into lax until 430a. Called AA and told them that because of the emergency landing and 5hr late arrival into LAX I couldn’t go home, making my next trip a trip in vain and I wanted a refund and the eqms. They said no problem and gave them to me. Cleared status without another whole day of suck and $250 back in my pocket. Edit: I ended up using the status for lounges on my first international work trips so it was totally worth it. I can’t imagine having the time or energy to do it now.
|
|
#
?
Dec 13, 2019 08:32
|
|
|
Arzakon posted:Any details on the shitshow? I have a visa but I just booked another flight to GRU today and the wife is coming along because supposedly its visa on arrival now. Brazil added Visa-on-arrival this past October and there are a number of countries that don't require a visa at all for up to 90 days (including all EU states) however if your wife is a US citizen (or certain other countries) neither option applies - she'll need a visa and the airline won't let her board without one (unless they are off their game that day). However the USA and certain other countries can now get an eVisa vs. the old method of sending in your passport to the consulate/embassy nearest you/etc. I had friends do it last year who described the application process online as a bureaucratic nightmare (much like India's eVisa process, which, I cannot say this enough, is loving awful not to mention a flat out cash grab). It may have improved, or could just come down to luck of the draw, dunno. If your wife is a US citizen I'd definitely re-verify her visa requirements even as a tourist.
|
|
#
?
Dec 13, 2019 12:10
|
|
|
Also note that in 2021, US citizens will need an ”I Can’t Believe It’s Not A Visa” to visit the EU in retaliation for the ESTA that the US has been doing for a while.
|
|
#
?
Dec 13, 2019 15:38
|
|
|
Apply once, lasts 3 years, pay a fee. Not a huge inconvenience.
|
|
#
?
Dec 13, 2019 15:58
|
|
|
sellouts posted:Apply once, lasts 3 years, pay a fee. Not a huge inconvenience. Completely unnecessary speed bump that will exist only as retaliation for ICE being a bunch of shitheads. Also it’s easy for you and me but there will be thousands of infrequent traveler vacations that get hosed in half by this.
|
|
#
?
Dec 13, 2019 16:46
|
|
|
Ixian posted:Brazil added Visa-on-arrival this past October and there are a number of countries that don't require a visa at all for up to 90 days (including all EU states) however if your wife is a US citizen (or certain other countries) neither option applies - she'll need a visa and the airline won't let her board without one (unless they are off their game that day). I am seeing information on e-visa for US citizens pre-June 2019 but it doesn't look like that is required anymore and we are part of their visa-free program now. State Dept Website Random Visa Website: "From June 17, 2019, travelers from the USA, Canada, Australia, and Japan will be able to enter Brazil for periods of up to 90 days without a Brazil eVisa or any other type of travel authorization. Previously, travelers from these 4 countries were required to apply online for an eVisa for Brazil to be able to enter the country."
|
|
#
?
Dec 13, 2019 16:58
|
|
|
I think you can get a tourist/short term visa through eVisa for Brazil now but I had to get a Vitem V so that was a whole fuckin production, and I don't think that's on eVisa still.
|
|
#
?
Dec 13, 2019 17:27
|
|
|
Midjack posted:Completely unnecessary speed bump that will exist only as retaliation for ICE being a bunch of shitheads. Also it’s easy for you and me but there will be thousands of infrequent traveler vacations that get hosed in half by this. The website doesn't even say how much it costs. Edit: Google says 7 Euro.  But yeah, this basically exists as a gotcha to screw over people who don't know. I've had long layovers in Europe on my way to Africa and taken advantage of that to see some stuff. With this, I'd have been stuck in the airport. KillHour fucked around with this message at 18:02 on Dec 13, 2019 |
|
#
?
Dec 13, 2019 17:58
|
|
|
KYOON GRIFFEY JR posted:I think you can get a tourist/short term visa through eVisa for Brazil now but I had to get a Vitem V so that was a whole fuckin production, and I don't think that's on eVisa still. I went to Brazil a couple months ago on a work visa and it was an eVisa. I had someone else take care of that for me so I don't know how much of a hassle it is to get one.
|
|
#
?
Dec 13, 2019 22:26
|
|
|
I am convinced that (as US citizens) we are fine to just show up in Brazil. The e-visa portal for Brazil doesn't even exist anymore and every consulate website has the after June 17th no visa is required language even if some still haven't removed the e-visa instructions right after it.
|
|
#
?
Dec 13, 2019 23:21
|
|
|
Goober Peas posted:Report back how many hours this takes. About an hour on hold, but about 3 minutes besides that. Should get gold easy and plat assuming nothing crazy happens with the project. Do the airlines have anything similar?
|
|
#
?
Dec 14, 2019 01:13
|
|
|
Midjack posted:Completely unnecessary speed bump that will exist only as retaliation for ICE being a bunch of shitheads. Also it’s easy for you and me but there will be thousands of infrequent traveler vacations that get hosed in half by this. Really tough to feel sorry for a bunch of Americans who assume they can come and go as they please because they’re American. They’re going to publicize this on tickets and what not and it’s not price prohibitive. It sounds like a similar deal as Australia only it lasts 3x as long and people seem to find their way there just fine. “hosed in half” loving lol
|
|
#
?
Dec 14, 2019 01:48
|
|
|
Rip in piss Super Shuttle. 
|
|
#
?
Dec 14, 2019 01:51
|
|
|
sellouts posted:Really tough to feel sorry for a bunch of Americans who assume they can come and go as they please because they’re American. They’re going to publicize this on tickets and what not and it’s not price prohibitive. We are going to Australia in 2 months and I had no idea we needed these, thanks a literal million.
|
|
#
?
Dec 14, 2019 04:12
|
|
|
You’re welcome It’s easy and you could literally do it while boarding the aircraft and it’ll be approved by the time you land.
|
|
#
?
Dec 14, 2019 08:55
|
|
|
|
| # ? May 22, 2024 18:54 |
|
|
Yeah, I'm heading to Sydney for NYE next week and my visa was approved in about 30 minutes. The only one easier is New Zealand.sellouts posted:You’re welcome It’s easy and you could literally do it while boarding the aircraft and it’ll be approved by the time you land. I doubt they'd let you board, last time I went they did a passport scan/check to confirm the e-visa was in place. Airlines get stuck with having to fly people back if they get denied entry so most of them are pretty on top of it.
|
|
#
?
Dec 14, 2019 16:30
|
|