by PointsGuru | Sep 7, 2016 | Retail
Apple had their annual release of the new iPhone today with an amazing performance by Sia. Most will not be that impressed with the iPhone 7 – especially Wall Street who has not been easy on the stock lately. Although there is NOTHING they could’ve done to the iPhone to impress everyone unless it could turn into a vape and maybe a gun or beam someone across the world. Most everything has been done before. But the simplest thing of just making it break-proof was looked over? Glad they upgraded the processor, made it waterproof, and the much needed upgrade to the camera.
I really needed the motivation to switch over to bluetooth (their version of it) and get rid of the cords. I absolutely loathe cords tangling up but I am going to hate having one more thing to charge up. The new phone will have No Audio jack, you now have to connect to lightning port. Good news that they include a lightning to AUX adapter in the box. The Airpod release is a wireless version of Earpod which is kind of expensive at $159 and does not come with the phone. While they claim that the lightning connector delivers more sound quality it really will make some of Apple’s biggest customers unhappy. Mostly DJ’s and travelers. Travelers because it makes us charge up one more item while being stuck at the airport or on the plane. If our headphones run down and we forget our connector or pass out and lose one of the air pods in our seat it could really cause more unneeded anxiety.
Bar and Nightclub DJs are complaining they will not have a backup when their Mac’s go out or when switching DJs. This is really bad news for Apple. This may cause thousands of DJs who are actually one of the main reasons Apple is seen as cool in people’s eyes to not upgrade to a new phone or new macbook pro if they take the headphone jacks out of them as well. The reason is because the soundboards do not have bluetooth. If you have ever been to a music festival or any club you will see the DJ who is using a Mac with the Apple light up which has been amazing marketing for the company for years they may not appreciate. Also, keep in mind that Apple’s DNA is MUSIC so it makes sense to keep everyone in the music industry behind them not just top 40 artists who are trying to sell music in their store. Think about the millions of dollars of free advertising Apple has gotten from DJs over the years from them using their products while performing.
Travel fans will love the Dual camera on the 7 Plus. One works as wide lens, another is telephoto. Combined in a photo suppose to give you the background blur type of photography. Good for portraits and selfies. Both phone versions will feature better cameras and they will be faster. (more…)
by PointsGuru | Sep 1, 2016 | Hotels
Rocketmiles has extended the American Airlines 3,000 bonus miles first booking offer that is now valid until October 31, 2016. You earn 1,000 to 10,000 miles per hotel night booked using the service and these 3,000 bonus miles are extra. You can book the stay far out at anytime as long as you book it now. You can earn 3,000 bonus miles in addition to the regular miles of 500 to 10,000 per night that you earn which can be for one night stay. You can access this offer on Rocketmiles website here. This offer is valid with all partners except Norwegian and Amazon Gift Cards.
Rocketmiles allows you to earn up to 5,000 Airline Reward Miles when you book hotels which can be more rewarding for some hotel nights than the hotels points. This is an easy way to earn extra miles for US Airways, American Airlines, British Airways, United Air, and other airlines. (more…)
by PointsGuru | Aug 24, 2016 | Chase Cards
If you have not seen every blog on the net by now posting about the Chase Sapphire Reserve 100k Bonus you have most likely been enjoying an amazing Holiday on an island with no wifi and away from hype. You have probably been away from the daily political news that swallows up our time. This new credit card from Chase is the most overhyped card of the year mostly from blogs that are paid by Chase in affiliate income to promote the card as they were told first by the bank to tease the card and then acted like it was a leak.
Chase most-likely hoped the card would be leaked out to newbies who are not churning credit cards on a quarterly basis but judging from Reddit and other blogs the people who want this card most likely will not get approved due to this rule called 5/24 that we are sick of hearing about. If Chase considers you to have too many credit cards with them or other banks you will not get approved.
When the link for the Chase Sapphire Reserve 100k Bonus on their official landing page went live I applied for that card along with a few other cards that day for my quarterly application day. I called into Chase’s reconsideration line as it said that I would be notified within 30 days of a response. The rep told me that I had too many cards within the last 24 months and could not be approved. I’ve only been denied a Chase card once and that was for the Chase Freedom Business Card which was replaced by the Ink line of cards. It was heartbreaking I would not get in on the hype and claim my 100k points and the benefits of the card but there are a few other cards from other issuers that do the same. Citi ThankYou points are worth more to me than Ultimate Rewards points anyway so I would much rather have a Thank You bonus! Then again I am not like most other bloggers who are paid by Chase to promote their product.
What do you get with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card?
100,000 Ultimate Rewards Bonus Points after $4,000 spending in 3 months with an Annual Fee of $450.
You get $300 in annual travel credit which pay for the cards annual fee because you can redeem this twice before the next annual fee hits giving you $600 in travel credit. If you apply a few months out before the end of the year you could easily make $150 and get 100,000 points off of this card. The card is overhyped because most of us will not be able to get it if we have other credit cards.
Some people are reporting that if you have applied for less than 5 cards in 24 months you can easily get the card but if you are over 5 cards in 24 months you can apply through a banker at a Chase branch and possibly get the card. The best thing is to wait and try doing it in a branch after checking if you are pre-approved instead of using some blogs affiliate links to apply.
by PointsGuru | Aug 24, 2016 | Taxi Rideshare & Rentals
The On-Demand driver bonuses see a sharp increase from time to time and now is the time to pull the trigger with Lyft. New drivers get $2,000 in Orange County (OC) and $1,500 in Seattle. The best bonus is for $5,000 in Los Angeles which lasted for short time earlier this year. A $5,000 bonus should be an incentive for anyone to work for Lyft even if you already drive for other on-demand services.
Sign Up Today As A Lyft Driver:
1. SIGN UP HERE! To Become A New Lyft Driver and Qualify for A Bonus.
2. Make sure to get approved within 30 days of starting your application with a background check, mentor ride, etc.
3. Complete all your rides within 30 days after being approved as a Lyft driver
There are extra requirements for some of these cities such as Los Angeles you need to make 1,000 rides in 90 days. That would be a challenge for some doing this part-time in L.A. as it is around eleven rides a day. In Orange County you need 500 rides in 60 days. In Seattle you need just 500 rides in 60 days.
Learn how to Earn huge rewards when driving for on-demand food services.
by PointsGuru | Aug 16, 2016 | American Express
There are six New AMEX Offers where you can save at Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, Gap Brands, & More! AMEX Offers are an easy way to save and earn a statement credit when you make a qualifying purchase.
American Express is has released new Twitter sync promotions to save money at participating merchants. If you haven’t already, make sure that you sync these offers with your American Express Card, as the number of available uses is limited. Links below allow you to Tweet directly from this post to sync these offers with your American Express card.
Hilton Garden Inn
Click Here to Tweet #AmexHGI for a one-time $35 statement credit by using your connected Card to spend $175+ on room rate and room charges, when you pay for your stay with Hilton Garden Inn until 10/31/16.
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
Click Here to Tweet #AmexSheraton for $50 back after spending $250+ on room rate & room charges with your registered AMEX card. Valid for bookings made directly through Sheraton or one of the Starwood mobile apps. Only stays at Sheraton Hotels & Resorts in the US & US Territories qualify. Offer Expires October 31, 2016.
Ritz-Carlton
$100 back on a $500+ purchase when you register your qualified AMEX card online
Valid only for room rate and room charges booked directly with Ritz-Carlton
Excludes Ritz-Carlton Luxury Vacation Packages, Ritz-Carlton Residences, Ritz-Carlton Destination Club properties, timeshare purchases, and gift card purchases
Expires November 30, 2016
Gap Brands
$10 back on a $50+ purchase after registering your qualified AMEX card online
Available in-store at Gap, GapBody, GapKids, GapBaby, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Athleta, and Athleta Girl
Expires September 5, 2016
Not valid on gift card purchases or at outlet, factory, or clearance stores
Morgans Hotel Group
25% off a 2+ consecutive night stay when you book through morganshotelgroup.com/amex, use code “DSAXPR”, and pay with your AMEX card
Must book by August 31, 2016, for stays through September 7, 2016
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse
$25 back on a $100+ purchase in-restaurant after registering your qualified AMEX card online
Valid through August 31, 2016.
Dollar Tree (Online Only)
Get 4,500 AMEX Membership Rewards points after spending $225+ online at dollartree.com with your registered AMEX card
Expires August 31, 2016
