Author Topic: 1,000,000 SPG Points - Good Use  (Read 12489 times)

Offline Geshmak25

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Re: 1,000,000 SPG Points - Good Use
« Reply #40 on: October 08, 2014, 11:19:37 AM »
Like I said originally - everyone's situation is different. I would love to go to New Zealand for a two week trip - will you babysit my four kids and drop them off at yeshivah while I'm gone? If so, please PM  :)
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Offline myb821

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Re: 1,000,000 SPG Points - Good Use
« Reply #41 on: October 08, 2014, 11:20:02 AM »
Because you can get a 2% cash back card without any hassle.
signup bonuses are more lucrative than 2%

Offline AJK

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Re: 1,000,000 SPG Points - Good Use
« Reply #42 on: October 08, 2014, 11:21:37 AM »
i agree with u but for some ppl who maybe need the extra income to improve their standard of living the calculation is very different.

Indeed.

My conclusion is only apropos to those who are financially sufficient before delving into the miles game. For those whom the miles game provides that sufficiency, the calculus is altogether different.

Like I said originally - everyone's situation is different. I would love to go to New Zealand for a two week trip - will you babysit my four kids and drop them off at yeshivah while I'm gone? If so, please PM  :)

Think it's time to a call to the ol' in-laws :)
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Offline Geshmak25

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Re: 1,000,000 SPG Points - Good Use
« Reply #43 on: October 08, 2014, 11:21:43 AM »
Because you can get a 2% cash back card without any hassle.

That's just horrible. $5K X 2% = $100

$5K X 1% + $750 = $800. And that's assuming no spend on 2-5% categories. And it's really no hassle to sell the points.
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Offline Geshmak25

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Re: 1,000,000 SPG Points - Good Use
« Reply #44 on: October 08, 2014, 11:24:03 AM »
Indeed.

My conclusion is only apropos to those who are financially sufficient before delving into the miles game. For those whom the miles game provides that sufficiency, the calculus is altogether different.

Think it's time to a call to the ol' in-laws :)

Don't think I haven't tried.
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Offline MEIR613

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Re: 1,000,000 SPG Points - Good Use
« Reply #45 on: October 08, 2014, 11:26:04 AM »
For me, it comes down to a very simple realization:

In 5, 10, and certainly 20 years... what will I remember more, what will leave the most lasting impression? The extra $1500 in my pocket from selling my 100K AmEx offer, or flying Singapore Suites with my eishes chayil on a trip to New Zealand?

Res ipsa loquitur.




versus:


I 100% agree with you, but it's not only $1500.

You've probably earned somewhere between $60,000 - $100,000 in miles the past couple years (CMIIAW).

So yes, you will remember these past couple years and the unbelievable trips you took, but maybe that money would go to for a down payment on a house or investment that will last more then a couple years.

Of course it depends on your financial situation.

PS. I use my miles for flights.

Offline AJK

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Re: 1,000,000 SPG Points - Good Use
« Reply #46 on: October 08, 2014, 11:29:48 AM »
Another good point.

One, frankly, I don't like to think about for any length of time because it's quite compelling.

However, that said, even if I am in a house a couple years earlier from selling miles, I don't think that alone would be enough to change the conclusion for me.

I'd still rather have had an amazing two-three years which I'll remember for a lifetime.
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Offline Geshmak25

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Re: 1,000,000 SPG Points - Good Use
« Reply #47 on: October 08, 2014, 11:30:02 AM »
Damn, missed the free infuser water bottle because of this thread. Thanks for nothing DDF.
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Offline myb821

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Re: 1,000,000 SPG Points - Good Use
« Reply #48 on: October 08, 2014, 11:34:30 AM »
Another good point.

One, frankly, I don't like to think about for any length of time because it's quite compelling.

However, that said, even if I am in a house a couple years earlier from selling miles, I don't think that alone would be enough to change the conclusion for me.

I'd still rather have had an amazing two-three years which I'll remember for a lifetime.
I'm with you i try and not to think about that too much.

Offline AnonymousUser

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Re: 1,000,000 SPG Points - Good Use
« Reply #49 on: October 08, 2014, 11:38:28 AM »
Maybe so, but I think the deals that are highlighted on DDF are for extravagant hotels that a normal person wouldn't spend the money on.

For example, in Yehudas post he talks about staying in a hotel room that would normally cost him $1,000. I don't know what value he got and what points he was using but for arguments sake let's say the points were worth 1.4 on the open market and he got 4.0 by spending it on the hotel. So he spent 25,000 points which on the open market is worth $350. I wouldn't pay $350 for a hotel room - would rather go to a nice clean hilton for $200 and pocket the extra $150 per night.
I generally agree with you, but once in a while i like to be able to splurge on something i wouldn't have gotten otherwise.

Offline EMCC

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Re: 1,000,000 SPG Points - Good Use
« Reply #50 on: October 08, 2014, 11:39:29 AM »
I 100% agree with you, but it's not only $1500.

You've probably earned somewhere between $60,000 - $100,000 in miles the past couple years (CMIIAW).

So yes, you will remember these past couple years and the unbelievable trips you took, but maybe that money would go to for a down payment on a house or investment that will last more then a couple years.

Of course it depends on your financial situation.

PS. I use my miles for flights.
Also, AJK will probably spend 15,000 hours on vacation or online planning trips. As a lawyer, 15,000 hours at $200 an hour would've net him $3,000,000. Invest that wisely and you could retire at 65 with $100,000,000. With this amazing logic, DDF cost AJK's shul a 10 million dollar donation from his maaser. Dan is at fault here so Dan owes AJK's shul $10,000,000.
"Disclaimer: I don't believe everything I write."  - ChaimMoskowitz

Offline Geshmak25

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Re: 1,000,000 SPG Points - Good Use
« Reply #51 on: October 08, 2014, 11:40:21 AM »
I generally agree with you, but once in a while i like to be able to splurge on something i wouldn't have gotten otherwise.

OK so that's one 50K CC signup bonus a year - what about the other 10 CCs I'm signing up for?
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Offline myb821

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Re: 1,000,000 SPG Points - Good Use
« Reply #52 on: October 08, 2014, 11:41:21 AM »
OK so that's one 50K CC signup bonus a year - what about the other 10 CCs I'm signing up for?
only 10?

Offline Geshmak25

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Re: 1,000,000 SPG Points - Good Use
« Reply #53 on: October 08, 2014, 11:42:08 AM »
only 10?

I told you, I'm a stam yid.
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Offline AJK

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Re: 1,000,000 SPG Points - Good Use
« Reply #54 on: October 08, 2014, 11:49:30 AM »
Also, AJK will probably spend 15,000 hours on vacation or online planning trips. As a lawyer, 15,000 hours at $200 an hour would've net him $3,000,000. Invest that wisely and you could retire at 65 with $100,000,000. With this amazing logic, DDF cost AJK's shul a 10 million dollar donation from his maaser. Dan is at fault here so Dan owes AJK's shul $10,000,000.

Ever think of running for political office?  ;D
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Offline EJB

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Re: 1,000,000 SPG Points - Good Use
« Reply #55 on: October 08, 2014, 12:44:30 PM »
Also, AJK will probably spend 15,000 hours on vacation or online planning trips. As a lawyer, 15,000 hours at $200 an hour would've net him $3,000,000. Invest that wisely and you could retire at 65 with $100,000,000. With this amazing logic, DDF cost AJK's shul a 10 million dollar donation from his maaser. Dan is at fault here so Dan owes AJK's shul $10,000,000.

1. 3M -> 100M over 35 years implies a 10-11% average investment return. If AJK could achieve that, he wouldn't be a lawyer.
2. 15k hours is almost 2 years nonstop.
3. The market price per hour of DDF research/trip planning is close to 0 :)

The market price per hour for DDF

Offline avrumy22

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Re: 1,000,000 SPG Points - Good Use
« Reply #56 on: October 08, 2014, 12:47:27 PM »
Posting for a friend:

I have 1,000,000 SPG points and am looking for the best way to make use of them.  Any ideas?
.

Your friend figured out how to accumilate 1mil miles but not how to open an account on DDF?  :o :o :o :P

Offline EJB

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Re: 1,000,000 SPG Points - Good Use
« Reply #57 on: October 08, 2014, 12:48:26 PM »
.

Your friend figured out how to accumilate 1mil miles but not how to open an account on DDF?  :o :o :o :P

I wonder if its MS or (non MS) business spend...

Offline Geshmak25

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Re: 1,000,000 SPG Points - Good Use
« Reply #58 on: October 08, 2014, 12:59:41 PM »
I have a feeling it's non MS. I have a friend who literally put more than $1M a year on CC's for his ticket business and he knows nothing about points, CC churning, etc.

I tried to convince him to start opening CCs to get signup bonuses but he thinks that it will get too messy. At that level it's more important to be organized and streamlined.
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Offline AJK

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Re: 1,000,000 SPG Points - Good Use
« Reply #59 on: October 08, 2014, 01:12:36 PM »
I know people that earn well more than 1MM SPG/mo, every month, in business spend.
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper