kaykayporty
TF Select
I clarified that those are fixed expenses - which can be attributed to GYFTR.
The rest (to reach 10L) are other expenses + vacation bookings.
Sorry, it was mentioned in a separate message below.
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Hotel Points I made a mistake by picking AMEX as my main card - Marriot isn't for me
- Thread starter kaykayporty
- Start date
The rest (to reach 10L) are other expenses + vacation bookings.
Sorry, it was mentioned in a separate message below.
Marriott is probably better, if one tends to use marriott properties a lot and a big chunk of it is revenue booking preferably due to job related travel. The earning rate in marriott is higher than accor and if one reaches higher status in marriott if gives more benefit.
But people who are mostly reliant on credit card point transfer and do not have too many hotels stays on revenue, are likely to get much better value in Accor.
In India getting a lot of Amex point is also not that easy unless one has lot of referrals or have insanely high spends on CC due to job related spends or personal. So, for regular folks with one or two personal trips a year, and relying on credit card points, accor/axis works out easier to use.
But people who are mostly reliant on credit card point transfer and do not have too many hotels stays on revenue, are likely to get much better value in Accor.
In India getting a lot of Amex point is also not that easy unless one has lot of referrals or have insanely high spends on CC due to job related spends or personal. So, for regular folks with one or two personal trips a year, and relying on credit card points, accor/axis works out easier to use.
kaykayporty
TF Select
Amex makes sense for holding Amex.
Their support, even for basic cards, is unparalleled.
Their security, features and apps are built to be used (unlike HDFC)
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Then their are points/miles enthusiast who are more keen on getting high value for points and aspirational travels. They are super flexible with everything. They will plan 6 month/1 year in advance and be very flexible with dates for the availability of the desired business class tickets. Many will decide the location based on availability of flight reward tickets and hotel nights. Normal folks will 1st decide the location and approximate dates and plan around that.
Bottomline is one needs to understand what is important to them and then decide which cards and its point system works best for them. Many in my circle, just put all on infinia and use it whenever they need to travel on flights/hotels. They are really happy to avoid the whole points/awards game.
kaykayporty
TF Select
Yeah, that's the majority. Normal folks are using points to discount their vacation, not experience luxury mostly.
I'm one of those people. But I do get the value of what they're saying. I would do this for a special occasion but not every trip.
Sadly, the aspiratinal travelers are in their distorted reality.
kaykayporty
TF Select
Honestly, that's truly the best. When I could/would use Regalia - Smartbuy was kinda the dream.
No drama. No nonsense. Just book.
Even if it comes at a little premium, that's fine.
Nobody is in their distorted reality. As I said earlier, if you are unable to do something due to your own personal priorities then it doesn't mean what others are doing is wrong.
I even read about some enthusiast who split up the family and take different business class flights for a vacation as getting more than 2 business award can be difficult with many airlines. But they know what is important to them 🙂 But folks who are not so flexible need to understand the nature of the game and decide how it works for them. Accor points are like cash, so ppl can just use it for cash rebate and be happy with it. 🙂
But, if once in a life time JW marriott masai mara or Maldives Marriott properties appeals, then using amex and trying to get some referral is your choice. I can totally see the beauty of it.
In fact, I am planning a masai mara trip, and with the insane cash rate of good safari camps, I wish I had some marriott/amex points 🙂 The accor fairmont in mara is not really the best place to stay in mara, so the trip will burn a lot of cash 🙁
malavkarkar
TF Select
My friends and I did whole JW Mara vacation under 100k points total and it was an unforgettable experience. This was our first Aftican safari and we have a legit concern that we've already had our best African safari.
There's a Ritz (Reserve or regular) opening in Mara and a JW opening in Serengeti, aim for those instead now. There's a chance we'll get better introductory deals at these lodges.
malavkarkar
TF Select
My guy, Marriott also has 3-star and 4-star hotels. I booked a suite at Fairfield and Four Points in Bali for under $70 a night including taxes. There is no distorted reality, there is only reality and whatever works for you. Somewhere down the line, it makes more sense for some people to fit one luxury vacation in between 5 regular ones, and personally I reserve these mostly for birthdays and anniversaries.
My wife and I just spent our wedding anniversary at Marriott Mena House Cairo. This is one of the most iconic hotels in the world. I booked this for 120k points for 5-nights against a price tag of $3,500. Deals like these is what puts Marriott above Accor.
kaykayporty
TF Select
Not what I said.
kaykayporty
TF Select
If that's the deal you're getting, yes. Agreed.
I don't want to pick the destination based on the hotel.
For the time and budget and location, sometimes you don't get what you want.
This is what you said. You consider yourself normal but believe aspirations have a distorted reality.
Why are aspiration travelers in their distorted reality? Care to explain?
Let us put and end to this debate. Every person has a lifestyle, that one pursue. And if a person feels that Amex points are not that much useful then they can easily choose accor points through Axis cards.
Moreover, average 1000 amex points or MB points are of 400 value and from those one can get approx 400 accor points that may give you a value of approx 720.
So enjoy your points wherever they are and chill
Moreover, average 1000 amex points or MB points are of 400 value and from those one can get approx 400 accor points that may give you a value of approx 720.
So enjoy your points wherever they are and chill
malavkarkar
TF Select
It's more like a by-product of your lifestyle. Think of it this way; if you decide to have a grand wedding, your wedding expenses should earn you enough points to make a free honeymoon out of it. Once your yearly expenses go above a certain limit, you can optimize these and earn good enough points to have multiple free vacations in a year. Putting all of your day to day expenses on credit card helps as well, as everything adds up eventually.
kaykayporty
TF Select
That Marriot is the best and the fact that anyone wants to do anything else is moot. That's the discussion that's been going on
Marriot is not the luxury that everyone desires. Sometimes luxury is having a regular hotel for free via points so you can spend that money on experiences/things/moments.
kaykayporty
TF Select
Amen. That is the key here.
By product of lifestyle and what kind of vacation you want - whether it's fancy or regular.
Thanks for sharing your experience. You have been posting your card journey and evolution here and it is good to read your posts. Sorry for your experience on Amex and Mariott but hope you have a positive experience with Atlas.
Thanks for the update.
Thanks for the update.
Well Taj is very expensive. I am using accor. How are doing rental? Because mobikwik route is very expensive