@K-in-Boston wrote:I have never used the Hotel Collection. The credit is up to $100 per room (up to 3 rooms) for dining, spa, activities, etc. Unlike its big brother, Fine Hotels and Resorts, Hotel Collection is like booking through any other OTA when it comes to elite status - it is unlikely that your elite status will be recognized, the room will likely not count toward your stays/nights needed each year to obtain/maintain/upgrade elite status, and you will not earn points on your loyalty account for the stay. For those without elite status, it's certainly a good option to get top elite-like benefits during your stay, though.
One thing to keep in mind is that the hotels do skew to the higher end. (Obviously you will have a hard time getting a spa booking at Fairfield Inn & Suites; these are usually more Ritz-Carlton and Conrad type hotels from the chains and boutique high end independent hotels). The prices offered by Amex are the same as you'll find elsewhere (except perhaps for prepaid non-refundable booking directly with the hotel, which can save you more than the credit).
I only would stay in a hotel probably 2-3 times per year, so I imagine I wouldn't be able to get elite status with that. What are your thoughts on the credit for those that do not stay often at hotels?
"For those without elite status, it's certainly a good option to get top elite-like benefits during your stay, though."
+1 I missed that part. Amex knows more about most of us than we know about ourselves.
@Remedios wrote:You cannot claim unemployment as income.
I'd wait with the application because along with the inability to claim unemployment as income, you should also disclose your employment status truthfully.
It will save you some grief down the road.
Okay! Good to know, thank you. I thought it was considered as assistance, which it says is able to be included as optional non-taxable income. I guess that means I will be holding off on applying right now. If I do get my job back though, would it be safe to put the same annual income I would have normally made, or play it safe and only put the income I truly made in this year? I just don't want it to affect the status of the application if I'm normally making that much every other year.
@K-in-Boston wrote:"For those without elite status, it's certainly a good option to get top elite-like benefits during your stay, though."
My apologies also. I must've skipped over that comment in the original post.
OP, how old is your Discover card? Is that still in first year double cash match? It looks like you already have a Savor One? So a couple of cards for no FTF if ( big if ) any international travel is on the horizon.
Even if you were working, I'd advise against getting the Gold right now. You've got a full wallet of good cards, and the spend level for groceries and dining, is simply not likely to make a difference vs what you can earn already.
AMEX will be there with the Gold later, when you graduate and need the travel benefits.
