We bring you the latest news of blog mergers, more sad news how Virgin Atlantic devalues, more United stopovers, how IRS scammers work, cautions about Wyndham Rewards, urban exploring in Saudi Arabia, swim in the deepest swimming pool in the world, celebrate Diwali & more!
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The Top 25 Credit Cards. The hobby starts…here. If you read this blog and get your credit cards in Titan blogs…please get the hell out! Nothing personal.
Well, well….is this the new trend in the miles points blogosphere? Merging? So, UPGRD has merged with Travel Codex. UPGRD’s 9 writers will be writing at Travel Codex. But the most famous blogger there is not joining. As the number of posts at Travel Codex have been decreasing…this may give it a new life. Or not. #Developing. Full Disclosure: There have been no proposals thrown at me to merge with anyone. And only one offer to sell out…for a measly $100, come on! As I was saying:
Consolidation is the future of the travel blogging “industry” as deals become scarcer and advertising — which rewards the blogger for his or her effort — becomes more difficult to secure. I know of very few blogs that are sustained by the voice of a single author.
And the revenue based tsunami keeps rolling. Next up: Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Same tune…old story now. Just sad, it’s like a real horror movie all around us! And now watch 100 blogs mention this…zzzzzzzz. Ok, if you really want to know what they did, read THIS. I would probably choose some other post but…they were way too enthusiastic about selling that crappy Club1Hotel membership to their readers…so nope! It does not affect me, this program had ridiculous fuel surcharges anyway but…just continues the horrific trend in this hobby.
7 (practical) Stopovers With United. Well, the first two certainly are! The rest…well, if you have the time I guess to book additional trips to get back, sure!
Finally got to this post: Do NOT Redeem Wyndham Rewards at Timeshares. Here’s Why. Good to know. One day I am going to check out these ways to book places to stay…
Urban Exploration in Saudi Arabia. Come again? Where? Comparing the Saudi and Iranian societies…the Iranians look cosmopolitan!
The deepest swimming pool in the world. 137 feet deep. 1 million gallons of water. Wow!
The favorite foods and eccentric eating habits of 9 ruthless dictators. Just hope Trump is not added here 🙂
Your personal finance fix of the day: Meditations (for investors). This is short and brilliant. Really like point #4:
“Be indifferent to what makes no difference.” This is the best advice any investor could receive. It is simply too easy to get information. Corporate earnings, revenue projections, economic data, inflation, Fed minutes, election polls, consumer sentiment, vehicle miles traveled, pick your poison. There is enough data to assemble any conceivable narrative. Bearish? You can support it. Valuations, earnings declines, margins are too high, the cycle is long in the tooth. Bullish? Sure! Wages are going up, inflation is subdued, rates still very accomodative, housing picking up, consumers feeling good, job quits are high, unemployment low, etc, etc. Whatever you want, you can find it. Of course, ultimately, none of these things make any difference to you as an investor. This information might be interesting, but it’s not actionable. This goes for your neighbor’s thoughts on his new Tesla and that article your father-in-law sent you about his favorite political conspiracy theory. It makes no difference. Be indifferent.
Phucking scammers must be exterminated! I trolled my IRS scammers for weeks. I learned something really dark. Wow…
I deleted the Atlas Obscura site from the Blogs I Like list. I don’t know what I was thinking, sorry!
Techie question: I took some videos in Iran with my Samsung Note 5. They play fine on my phone. When I transferred them to my desktop, when I play them in Windows Media Player, they all appear sideways. How do I make them play normal? Please be gentle.
And I leave you with this…
Check out my updated blog lists: Blogs I Love, Blogs I Like, Blogs To Ignore
TBB
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Numbers uno
Slackers!
Hello.
Any idea if there’d be a backlash for booking my free 1-4 Hyatt night and then cancelling the card? I don’t really have anything aspirational in mind, just don’t really want to pay the fee, too many other free nights and points. I could at least get a nice breakfast at my local Hyatt place…
I don’t know…but please let me know 🙂
George I would’ve offered you at least $125
Freeeeeeeeeee coffee at Panera for a year and it’s a done deal.
Holding out for more…I like the trend!
Since the Wyndham fiasco, I still have 200 points orphaned at SPG — willing to chip in on the BIGLY BUZZ BUYOUT… 😉
At this rate I may end up having a Titan merge into TBB…gulp!
Been in this hobby so long I’ve forgotten whatever douchebag thing it was that the famous Upgrd blogger did.
Matthew Klint is I think the blogger you are referring to. I really like his writing and perspective. I noticed last week that he now has his own website. This merger clarifies that. Do you mean when he took photos on an aircraft and got in trouble for it? That’s the incident I recall.
Yeah that was it.
Yeah I remember that. Made such a ridiculous fuss about the whole incident.
Yeah. He’s a lawyer so I get it. My family is awash in them and they tend to do this when things like that happen:)
Buzz-
Try this:
http://www.videorotate.com
The app works for me. If that doesn’t do it, just set your screen upright and lie down on the couch with the screen to your left. Or right.
I will try this, thanks!
Or turn your computer on it’s side, whichever you prefer.
VFTW and OMAAT may as well merge, they carry the same headlines half the time, it seems. And both have gotten more and more odd as time goes on. Hey what about Renesssss Points merging with MMS – seems like they’d be a good match in terms of poor quality and crassness.
I never really read UPGRD, did read Travel COdex occasionally.
I second this. When I used to follow both of them, they always post the same thing one after the other that it’s like deja vu when you read them one after the other.
In the whole miles & points blogosphere, if 95% of blogs went away…no one would notice!
I think MMS even has some standards….unless he was looking to add Delta sandwich reviews lol.
I always wondered if VFTW and OMAAT employed rhe same ghost writers 🙂
——–>BREAKING: I just bought a ticket on an ULCC — F9 <—————–
Sometimes this freeeeeee agent shit is just that!
sigh
I am flying Spirit in a month…
What is the world coming to????
I *KNOW* the “secret” reason you want to fly Spirit — their airline code is NK and you are “very fond” of a certain country with those initials!
I booked F9 because it was nonstop, at a reasonable time, and even paying for their “fees” a bag and for an exit row window with no seat in front of me, it was over $200 less than the only other nonstop (UA – bleck) in F. Guess I will self-medicate with a bloody or 3 before and hope for the best?
I think you will enjoy your flight more than me!
Ramsey Predicts The Future…..
12 months from now
Anthony Wiener and his cellmate Jarred Fogel first come up with the idea for their soon to be successful Diet Fast Food Casual Restaurant Concept called Carlos Dangers Eat Fresh MEX Experience. Extra discounts for school aged kids wearing a school uniform.
VP Tim Kaine of annoying debate fame, takes over the Presidency after the Impeachment of Disgraced Grifter and Convicted of Perjury Ex-President Hill Clinton. OV Vey.
Donald Trump is hosting along with co-host Dennis Rodman and Rosey O’Donnel a new political talk/news show channel, TRUMPTV available only in Russia on channel 666
Billy Bush lands on his feet again as a correspondent for Screw Magazine.
Julian Assange, still afraid to leave the Embassy of Ecuador, London. Doesn’t want to be found dead of suicide with bullet in the back of head.
FBI director Comey, American Hero, (may he rest in peace),found dead, suicide, found shot in the back of the head (sounds familiar).
Disgraced short term President, Hillary Clinton, walks up the stairs of the helicopter Marine One, which is waiting for her one last time on the White House lawn. She turns around to the Press and crying White House Staffers who are waving her goodbye. She flashes the V sign with both hands waving high above her head, and says “I am not a crook”. Then takes off in the sunset to her Private Island, Muffland Cay, with pardoned life partner Huma.
Finally, divorced Ex President Bill Clinton and his Pussy Posse first mate Leo DiCaprio, hang out on Bill’s new Mega yacht, “THE SALTY SWALLOW” in San Tropez harbor with the usual group of Victoria Secret Models.
Oohh my stomach hurts I’ve been laughing so hard!
This is priceless!
Sometimes, when you try to keep this little corner going and readers satisfied and stuff like that and you look at the monetary rewards and are about to cry…there are moments like this…that make it all worth it 🙂
Thanks Ramsey…this deserves its own link tomorrow!
…………and Trump sues Clinton, claiming the “Salty Swallow” was all his idea. I mean, people are saying……………
Please remove that GIF of me falling
I don’t censor….proudly 🙂
Gman- Always take Alpha. You know better. And head to Mexico when Trump wins the exchange rate is gonna be muy bueno.