Not sure I am following:

12/18 Booked 1 night FHR for March 2026, got $300 credit (for second half of 2025).

“Wait till next year”….Wait until January 2026?

“And book a new stay costing at least $600 to cover FHR credit for this biannual period, and the one for first half of next year” …Wait, already claimed the 2025 second half FHR credit for 2025 so this can’t come with a $600 credit. What if I book early Jan 2026 a $300 FHR stay and will likely get the credit of course for the first half of 2026. And then what?

Anyway, at this point I really want to stay at the Shinola hotel in Detroit. And may add a 2nd night to the March stay using another $300 credit for the first half of 2026. Just wanted to get the “maximization” part down 🙂

Thanks.

Wait till next year. Book a new stay costing at least $600 (to cover FHR credit from this biannual period, and the one for first half of next year). Once credit posts, cancel original booking. Keep both credits.

Slept a total of 11 hours yesterday, which is a record in a very long time. I think jet lag is finally conquered. Amazing how refreshing the body can feel after catching up on sleep!

The way the Detroit Lions lost yesterday should be an NFL felony. So distraught…and inflicting this with mega asshole AaronRodgers is just too much to take. Going to be thinking about this all day today over NYC bagels and dim sum feasts.

Yep, my name is Brian Smith back there 🙂

Thank you. Missing funerals due to travel is one of those most undeseriable facts about travel sadly.

Thank you. Best wishes for Christmas and New Year to you too.

Yeah, that dude was not all right, so tragically sad. I will have a follow up on that with Friday post.

Not sure about CO VX card travel credit…But since we are on the topic, and still trying to get back into Amex fold, is the FHR credit gameable? As in, booked me a FHR 1 night stay at Shinola hotel in Detroit (a property I always wanted to check out), credit showed up the very next day as expected. And now…what can I do with it?

Nick Reiners eyes in photos were very telling

Venture X Travel credit still gamable?

Best wishes for Christmas and the new year!

Flew with wife on United to Newark from Detroit this morning. Flight was booked with money built up over time in United Travel Bank with Amex Platinum airline credits. At 6.00 am, I know, I know. Always a great idea when booked and wtf was I thinking when it is time to head to the airport. Flight appeared full so here I go next to the gate agent opening the flight and…there she goes with “We are looking for 2 volunteers, flight is severely oversold, $1.5k voucher per seat)”. Boom, got there before she even finished talking lol. Got new flights while protecting current flights and then, you know, stay aside to see if someone is a no show. Well, it was a no go at the end. Got deflated while dreaming about $3k in free United flights. I know, I know…it is not a done deal until every seat is filled. It is like buying/selling a house…it is not done until the closing is done. Gate agent gave us two $15 food vouchers we spent at Newark for a combination of coffees, pizza, muffin and mixed nuts. Flight on a 737 was great actually. Super nice flight attendants. Along with gate agents. And Newark looks very nice as well, it’s been a while since I came through here…I think. While boarding I checked out at the Flint Hyatt Place LOL

Hi from Brooklyn, already had bagel #1.

Turning 59 in 6 months, starting to feel like I have a decade to…maybe visit every country in the world…or something like that.