Tag Archives: Chase Bank

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Which of Hyatt’s New Properties Excite You Most?

Some rumors stay rumors and some materialize. In the case of Hyatt’s acquisition of Two Roads Hospitality, I’m thrilled the rumor materialized. Bringing Two Roads Hospitality under the World of Hyatt umbrella adds 23 new markets and potentially 85 properties. Any increase in Hyatt’s footprint is a good thing. More opportunities to both redeem and earn Hyatt points are always welcome.

I wasn’t living under a rock yesterday when this news broke, but I was preoccupied with drinking coffee and talking with baristas in one of my favorite cities thereby creating another Bean Around the World post for TWG readers. I’m late to the announcement party, but in this case better late than never.

Even though the integration of these new properties won’t happen until 2019, I’m looking ahead and was actually surprised when I looked at the list of properties being added to the Hyatt portfolio how many I’ve either stayed at, knew about, or would be interested in visiting. I may even have to get my skis out of storage for some of these fun locations!

It will be interesting to watch this unfold, see which properties do become Hyatt properties, how elite benefits will be honored, and the points award charts for some of these unique properties. For me, one major disappointment in this acquisition is that even though Hyatt’s expansion with Small Luxury Hotels increases its scope in Europe, this acquisition does not. Come on Hyatt, show Europe more love!

Do any of the properties Hyatt’s bringing on board through this acquisition peak your interest? Any you’ve already stayed at you’d recommend?

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75K Sign Up Bonus for Chase United MileagePlus Explorer Business Credit Card (Targeted Offer)

Good afternoon everyone.  My friend just forwarded me this targeted offer for the Chase United MileagePlus Explorer Business Credit Card.  The standard sign up bonus is 50,000 United Airlines miles after spending $3,000 in 3 months.  With this targeted offer, the sign up bonus is 75,000 United Airlines miles after spending $5,000 in 3 months.  If you did not receive this email, you can see if you are targeted for the offer by signing into your United MileagePlus account here.

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Why Can’t I Remove Closed Barclays Credit Card from my Online Account?

Good morning everyone.  A few days ago, I called Barclays regarding retention offers on my Barclays credit cards.  During the call, I decided to close my old Barclays Lufthansa Miles & More Credit Card.  I had already redeemed all of my Lufthansa Miles & More Miles for a Turkish Airlines business class flight from San Francisco (SFO) to Istanbul (IST) to Athens (ATH).  That was 55,000 miles well spent.  A few months ago, I even downgraded to the no annual fee version of the Barclays Lufthansa Miles & More Credit Card, but I vowed never to spend another dollar on that credit card since I had 0 miles, so what would be the point in earning more miles?  Long story short, I decided to close the Barclays Lufthansa Miles & More Credit Card and move the credit limit to my Barclays JetBlue Plus Credit Card and no annual fee Barclays Arrival Credit Card.  Now that the credit card was closed and had a $0 credit limit, I was confused why the closed credit card continued to show up in my online account.  I was on a mission to find out how to remove the credit card from my online account, but I was not prepared for what I would find out.

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Transfer Times to JetBlue from AMEX Membership Rewards, Citi Thank You Points & Chase Ultimate Rewards

Good morning everyone.  A few days ago, Frequent Miler wrote a post that Citi Thank You Points Transfers to JetBlue were getting better (1,000 : 1,000 transfers), so I wanted to check out transfer times from all the major credit card programs.  I wrote a similar post about Transfer Times to KLM / Air France and Transfer Times to Singapore Airlines.  I tested transfers from American Express Membership Rewards Points, Citi Thank You Points, and Chase Ultimate Rewards Points.  I was going to try a transfer from Marriott Rewards to JetBlue, but the conversion was so bad, I couldn’t do it (see the screenshots below).  JetBlue TrueBlue Points do not have a fixed value and they can range in value from 1 cent up to 2.5 cents, if you find the right redemption.  In some cases, you are better off paying for JetBlue travel than redeeming JetBlue TrueBlue Points.

But with that said, sometimes it makes sense to transfer points into your JetBlue account.  I started with a transfer from American Express Membership Rewards Points since you can transfer in 250 point increments.  Unfortunately, since JetBlue is an American airline, American Express charges a fee for the transfer, either 30 Membership Rewards Points or 15 cents.  The amount of the fee varies depending on the number of points you transfer.

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