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Hi hi！Unfortunately no real news. I passed by there recently and saw that they are just putting the building window tiles on the top part of the building, so it isn't even watertight yet. 2025 is a dream. 2026+ is most likely. But Andaz Taichung will open, I guess Summer 2025.

Haha, thank you! But I don't have many viewers/subscribers, so you may just be the only one to comment! Hope that you can have fun travels.

I enjoy watching your videos. They bring a new perspective to the points and miles game

Wow, I am really honored to have you say that. Truly. Thank you for your comment. I will try to push out more interesting content in the future. Have a good day!

Haha, I am not a fan of Kimpton in general. The design seems to be very non-functional for me. I do not remember the beds. But glad for you to get upgraded more often than not. The same goes for me. I almost always get upgraded as an IHG platinum member overseas.

Wow! Great job. I'm tempted to do the same also. 70K Alaska Air miles will go a looong way in your future trip~~~

Oh, yes. I totally agree. Worth it for some people. I just like to discuss that it is a bit more complicated than X < Y.

Good question. It is well worth the fee if you have a lot of non-category spend like myself. It is one of the select few cards in the world that provides 2% back on anything and with transfer partners. Combine that with no foreign transaction fee (very few cards have this) and unlimited 2% earnings (unlike the Amex Blue Business Plus), then it is #1.

Also, I tried re-applying for this card recently to no success. CapitalOne is very finicky with their approval process. I made a video about this earlier.

Sounds great. There are exceptions to every rule! I believe that you can also get the CSR and VX the same way.

Glad that you think so! Happy to provide another perspective on the wild world of credit cards, especially the premium ones.

Very welcome. Glad to provide a different insight to all what is said online.

Many countries here are very close to each other so you visit multiple countries on one go when you visit! The Strip in Macau is comparable to Vegas. I do recommend it! (in addition to all of the cultural things to do).

It was about USD $70/night or 14,000 Hilton points when I stayed. Well worth the cost. Free breakfast if you are a Gold card member. Breakfast was GREAT!

Haha, thank you! There will also be a Hyatt planned in Kaohsiung. I'll be making a video of that in the future. Hyatt is definitely expanding fast in Taiwan. 2025 awaits us!

Good question. Your annual fee will post in about two weeks after getting your card (as you said), but the annual fee is due immediately (within first billing cycle). This is to stop people from using all of the benefits (such as the $300 travel credit) before paying all of the $550 annual fee. I think I know where you are coming from, though. It is a bit different when it comes to hotel cards. With them, the annual fee is due immediately, but the free night (Hilton, Marriott, IHG) only comes after (10 weeks later) you pay the 2nd annual fee (one year after getting the card). Let me know if this helps or you have other questions.

You are welcomed! It is a nice neighborhood with plenty of nice restaurants around. The hotel itself is very charming. I'm going again in a month or two~

Thanks for the tip and your comment. I think I will have no choice. Will try again.

Thank you. I paid about $70 USD per night. I think it was about 14,000 Hilton points per night also if using points.

Oh, please post back of what room you got! I think that the balcony rooms might be decent. Location is excellent.

Most definitely! I really don't understand. Capital One has the most unusual and unpredictable approval process. Thanks for commenting!

@@PingPingTravel Capital One , Citi and US bank are fishy . Very questionable & odd .

Oh, I have only heard about that for Capital One. I don't have any citi and US bank cards, but Citi cards are certainly tempting.

Also 5/24 5/6 lol and zero history with captain one

@@theelpuma57 Wow, wow. You have inspired me to try again! I'll post back if I receive some happy news. haha

Ahaha, true true. I'm going to try again later on though!

HAHA, you are a true credit card person if you get a card just for the channel to live and learn how good it is! I will use it (if I am ever approved for it) as a supplemental card, and not my main travel card. I may apply for the X version later.

Man, I bought a $50 iPhone se just to get the physical Apple card for the channel because I'm an Android user hahaha

@@SledgeIncTeam Wow. That is crazy. You may not use Apple products, but you have to admit that the Titanium card is certainly nice! haha

@PingPingTravel I've never actually carried it hahaha. My Amex Platinum is my favorite looking card and I don't carry that one either

@@SledgeIncTeam The Platinum is indeed a good looking card.

For sure! They have great point redemptions via EVA airlines. I may consider myself a bit later on since I don't qualify for the Venture card. Haha.

Thank you for your recommendation. I will do just that and make a video if approved or not approved. Capital One is very finicky and I think that hurts their bottom line.

Thanks. It was pretty much my only option without a retention offer. Hehe

it's actually one of the worst ways to use your points

@@Hemitris unless you don't want to book anything through their platform

@@antediluvianclockwork9769 💯

@Hemitris maybe for you, but it worked for him

Haha, thanks for your compliments. Means a lot coming from you. And your research in using your Mastercard for the luxury hotel has inspired me to do the same in the future.

Sorry, but I am confused as to where I said anything about money transfers? The APR itself is 0%. Maybe I was a bit unclear, but I said that I personally pay off 1% of the total bill and keep the remaining 99% into a mutual fund/savings account. I do this month by month.

Of course, I am assuming that I have the 99% already in my savings account. Sometimes I don't because clients for my small business need to pay on time.

Yes, I totally agree. Different cards for different folks, and this is why I said in the very beginning of the video that this is my opinion only. Also, Visa and Mastercards are also domestic (US) companies.

@@PingPingTravel They are but they don't specifically cater to Americans at the same rate as American Express. They aren't going after exclusivity. Big difference. I respect your opinion. I think the Platinum is overhyped in the space. i just don't think one's opinion can say it isn't a travel card. That's factually incorrect.

@@dsalmon1449 Agreeing to disagree is all part of what makes TH-cam and free speech great. The Platinum may be a travel card to some, but not for my traveling needs. Hope we can agree to this.

@@PingPingTravel Its okay. its not a travel card that fits my needs at this time either

Thanks for commenting. Everyone has their own opinions.

Yeah, I had no idea myself until just a few months ago. It is always good to learn and to only pay 1% of the total bill every month. I absolutely love it. Thanks for commenting!

That is great feedback. Yeah, some countries may be more accepting of Unionpay and others. My wife uses a UnionPay card in some places where I live because they don't accept anything else. Discover is another card which has great acceptance in just certain countries. Thanks for commenting!

Correct. I also went over that in my video saying that it is also offered by Capital One and Chase Sapphire Reserve cards, both of which are a lot less than $695 fee by the Platinum. Thanks for commenting.

Yeah, I am sure that hotel food in Europe will be better than the US, but I may be inclined to try the local bakery around the corner from the hotel instead for breakfast. Eating where the locals eat is always a good idea. Thanks for commenting.

Right! cheaper price and better and more authentic food! thanks for commenting

Oh, I had forgotten about that. The Strata is a very powerful card and I really want to get it, but that would involve me creating an account with another credit card issuer beyond Chase and Amex. I do also have a CapitalOne account but currently no credit cards from them. But the Strata with 3x groceries including international groceries will certainly kill the current Marriott credit card. Thanks for commenting!

Very true and I will explain this in my future videos also. Luckily, most of my transactions are US bound. But all of my travel is foreign bound. Thanks for commenting.

Yeah, Marriott Gold is the lowest tier that has any actual value. I'm glad that Chase/Marriott has the matching for that if I stay X number of nights. I am personally not a fan of Kimpton, because at least the one I stayed it, the hotel room itself is missing 2 doors! The room only has one sliding door that slides between the toilet and the shower and there is no door itself for the bathroom! Hopefully your Kimpton is better.

Honestly, I don’t think it’s a fair comparison unless you have top tier status. With mid-level tier status and how each program inflated their status. The status level that was provided from the cards in the video simply doesn’t offer enough values. For Hyatt - Globalist or bust, the program point are extremely value when redeeming. Hilton - Aspire card is the best card and highest status and easy to earn points. Marriot - It generally just sucks from earning points and having status recognition. If marriot didn’t have the most properties and really good high end ones. They don’t even have a play here. IHG - Not much experience here other than Holiday Inn… I generally skip this chain

@jackwang6049 I have Hilton Diamond Status with the Aspire,Marriott Gold Status and IHG Platinum Elite Status. Even with just having Marriott Gold Status, they treat you well. Especially at upper tier properties. Having Status has definitely improved my stays

Good question! You can book through the CSR portal and get 50% point boost if you have the CSR. Alternatively, you can book directly through the boutique's hotel's website. However, should you decide to do so, I suggest you find the email of the hotel and ask them if they have any special deals for you. You will quite often find out that they will offer additional services for the same fee or even for a reduce fee. Think of one hour free massage and/or free breakfast and/or free taxi shuttle from the airport to the hotel. I've done it before and they will treat you like a king if you go through this route. Only issue is that there is less security because they have direct access to your credit card number vs the Chase portal. But some people like myself don't mind for the extra benefits and I've never had an issue myself. Good luck!

Which city do you plan on going? I absolutely love Vietnam and I really want to spend 1-2 months traveling from north to south in the future.

@@PingPingTravel Maybe next year, IHG currently has a 5 nights signup bonus, thinking about use that in Vietnam! Cities interested: Saigon, Danang, Phu Quoc

Yeah, I saw that. I would totally go for the bonus, but I already have the IHG card. I've been to the first two cities before and there are some nice IHG properties in the area. Phu Quoc along with going to Saigon again is something that I want to do next in the near future.

@@PingPingTravel Regent in Phu Quoc looks stunning. Check it out!

Thank you. Unfortunately, I have not heard anything in the grapevines about this besides a few months ago, there was some announcement that about 1 billion TWD was lost due to some sort of corruption. As a result, it seems that construction on the building slowed down considerably. I went past that area a few months ago and I still saw some welding going on, but progress is indeed slow. I really want it to open in 2025, but that seems like it will be a stretch now.

@@PingPingTravel thanks for the reply! Which one were you referring to ? Intercontinental Taipei Dome or Park Hyatt / Andaz Taipei ?

Sorry for the confusion. I haven't heard of any news for all 3 hotels, but the 1 billion TWD loss was for the building that houses the 2 Hyatt hotels.

@@PingPingTravel Ah I see, thanks for clarifying.

Favorite card and the only card in my wallet is the Chase Sapphire Reserve. I do a lot of traveling and dining. What is your favorite personal credit card and how do you use it?

BBP and Hilton Biz are my two favorite Biz cards

I am really thinking of getting the Hilton Biz because 5x everything. With my business spend, that could really be useful. The personal Hilton card, yes, gives an unlimited free night a year, but it is just once a year. With the 60% boost in points (3x to 5x), I think I can eek out several nights a year with the Hilton Biz at admittedly cheaper Hiltons (non Conrads/Waldorf Astorias), but I am OK with it. I prefer mid-tier hotels. Thanks for commenting! Means a lot from my first subscriber ever. haha!

@PingPingTravel that 5x is great. Plus for me, I got the $95 AF for another year. But I also have the Aspire. I'll always be here to support 🫡

Haha, many thanks! Yeah, I would totally keep that card for $95 AF also.

haha, yes, the food may be a deal breaker for some. I would say that Starlux Airlines' food is top notch and sometimes even looks like business class food.

Haha. Thanks for your comment. South Korea, to me, only has Seoul and no other cities worth going to. Japan, on the other hand, has many different cities that I want to visit. The food in SK is better though. Hope you can watch my Vietnam videos in the near future. Be interested in seeing what you think.

Very true. Thanks for the note. It shows how use(less) MR points can be sometimes.

Haha, funny. Personally, the hotel is not my style and I would not stay again. The room at the GH that I stayed at smelled, so I'm 0/2 at these 2 Hyatts. But for the same number of points (12,000), GH would be preferable. If you can wait a week or 2, the Texas Roadhouse on the 1st floor will be open for hotel breakfast. Let me know how your stay goes! Good luck!

@@PingPingTravel i have also decided I will not stay again. The hotel is very dark and the split bathroom with shower by window is just odd. For $12k it is not bad, just wish the hyatt place was closer!

I totally agree with the Hyatt Place comment. I guess that I got a different bathroom than you because that was not my experience, but the water pressure was not acceptable to me. I am really wishing for the Hyatt Centric in Taipei to open up soon. I guess by 2025!

@@PingPingTravel For a first time traveler to taiwan, which hotel out of the three taipei hyatts would you recommend?

@@piercechan For a first time traveler to taiwan, which hotel out of the three taipei hyatts would you recommend?

Thanks. It is not my kind of hotel, though. But it is in a convenient location.

Thanks for asking! The address is in the description and pasted here: 1 Sunning Rd, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

It is on Hong Kong island in Causeway Bay district, 2nd floor.

Thank you 👍🏼

Wow, thank you. It is just a normal iPhone 11 Pro. Thanks for commenting and your praise. Means a lot.

Haha, you are most welcomed! I also had the opportunity to try out a new restaurant in the area~~ The new Taichung Intercontinental will open soon and I'm looking forward to staying there myself.

@@PingPingTravel Thanks for sharing this additional information 😀😀✔✔👍👍