Travel on Points

Just got back from an 8-day Japan trip 🇯🇵 Tokyo • Kyoto • Osaka Did the entire trip to some extent using credit card rewards, hotel points and smart redemptions. One thing though: I don’t go crazy trying to find the absolute best card for every transaction. I simply use the best card among the ones I already have. Here’s a mega thread on how I planned and paid for the trip + practical Japan tips that might help you. Save this if Japan is on your list. 🧵👇

Not every part of a trip is about ticking places off a list. Sometimes it’s about deciding to keep walking. My latest Switzerland trip took me to the breathtaking waters of Blausee and the unreal beauty of Oeschinensee. Blausee felt almost unreal — crystal clear water, surrounded by forest, like someone increased the saturation in real life. But Oeschinensee was different. A 7.5 km solo hike. Just me, the trail, mountain air, and views that kept getting better with every step. There were moments I questioned if it was worth pushing further. It was. Because some views are earned, not reached. Standing there, looking over Oeschinensee with the Alps around, I realised why people keep coming back to Switzerland. It’s not only the scenery. It’s what the journey quietly does to you. Worth every step. Worth every pause. Worth every climb. 🇨🇭🏔️ #Switzerland #Blausee #Oeschinensee #SoloHike #TravelDiaries #MountainLife #HikingAdventures #SwissAlps #NatureTherapy #Wander

What’s happiness? Uhmmm… #ccgeek #hsbc #accor

Comment with the Emotion you are feeling: 😳🙂😞😁🤔😡😠😤

@DealsDhamaka @pointperkspicks @Nash5633 I bought a Gentleman Powermatic Open Heart couple of months back. It’s awesome!

Bought my first luxury watch ⌚️ TISSOT Seemed like an excellent deal. Thanks @Nash5633

@imYadav31 80k marked safe!

Did you have any reward points balance left in HSBC now 🥲

@ccg33k So the transfer didn’t happen and it turned out to be good!

HSBC has just announced Accor Bonus!! 😂😭 instagram.com/p/DYrdRwOs3VK/

@ccg33k Seems the cc community crashed HSBC - Accor transfer. I called customer care and they said it’s a known issue, wait 24 hours!

@ccpointstravel probably temporary, try again.

Some HSBC x Accor rumours are doing the rounds. There’s usually no smoke without fire. A change could happen - Accor points are among the most expensive for banks to buy, the transfer ratio is currently 1:1, and INR depreciation doesn’t help either. If you’re sitting on HSBC points with plans to transfer them to Accor, it may be worth playing it safe. Better safe than sorry. PS: I’d expect HSBC to provide notice before making any transfer ratio changes. (Though if a partner decides to discontinue the relationship altogether, that may be beyond HSBC’s control.)

British airways just increased the cash component on the reward flights. More details here: britishairways.com/content/the-br…

@ccg33k I am getting an order error and system error already when transferring!

@ccg33k 50% transfer makes sense then, have about 80k in premier and was waiting for the year end bonus. 😁

@abhishekcode42 It’s my go to card for all international transaction and primary card for domestic as well

My friend suggested me to get this card. Is it any good?

If you stay at Accor hotels often, register for every Accor Live Limitless promo before your stay. Easy way to miss out on thousands of extra points otherwise. My stay points were almost doubled just from promo registration + platinum bonus. Worth checking the offers section before every booking. ✈️🏨 #ALL #Accor #TravelHacks #ccgeek

Back to India after a month and came through the new Mumbai–Pune tunnel today. The difference in travel time is actually noticeable and the drive feels much smoother now. Infrastructure like this genuinely improves day to day life and connectivity. Hope we continue to see more projects like this across the country. Good work by the government. It was long due. 🇮🇳 #mumbai #pune

Accor and Marriott are too costly, want to do service apartments if possible.

For long term stays, 35-40 days in Europe what do you recommend to take the benefit of membership status and loyalty? @ccg33k @MilesMogul any ideas?

If you’re picking just one rooftop in New York, make it this one. Summit One Vanderbilt isn’t just about height, it’s the experience. You’re surrounded by reflections, sky, and the entire city stretching endlessly around you. And then there’s that view… the Empire State Building standing tall right in front of you, with the New York skyline glowing in every direction. I have done top views in Malaysia, Dubai, Chicago and a lot of other cities. This one feels surreal. Day or night, it hits differently. Go around sunset if you can, the transition from golden light to city lights is unreal. If you want that one iconic NYC rooftop moment, this is it.

This might be a very US-specific thing but why are restaurant portion sizes so big, with no smaller option? Not every meal needs to feel like a challenge. Sometimes you just want to eat light, try something new, or not feel stuffed halfway through. But in most places, it’s one standard (huge) portion. And honestly, I wouldn’t even mind paying the same price for a smaller portion. It’s not always about “value for money”. sometimes it’s about not wasting food, not overeating, and having more flexibility in what you order. Would you choose a smaller portion if it existed—even at the same price? Or do you think big portions are a US thing and they like having bigger portions? #unitedstates #newyork

Stepped into the Starbucks Reserve Roastery and this is NOT your regular Starbucks ☕️ For all the Starbucks lovers — this place is next level. Think small-batch coffee, rare beans from across the world, and brewing methods you don’t usually see at a normal store. Cold brews on tap, coffee flights (yes, like wine tasting but for coffee), and even cocktails inspired by coffee 👀 Plus, you actually get to see the roasting happening live — the whole place smells unreal. It’s one of only a handful of Reserve Roasteries in the world, and you can feel that difference the moment you walk in. If you like coffee even a little… this is an experience, not just a coffee run. @Starbucks #StarbucksReserve #NYCSpots #CoffeeLovers #NYCExperience #WorthIt

Finally made it to Joe’s Pizza 🍕 Waited in line, squeezed inside, and honestly… worth every single penny. No frills, no fuss, just that perfect New York slice done right. Sometimes the hype is real. #NYCFood #JoesPizza #NewYorkEats #PizzaLovers #WorthTheWait