We bring you ways to fly to Barcelona with miles, Basic Economy success is a reality, watch the amazing Audi electric car ad, possible Citi Double Cash changes, marvel at an octopus, see what is going on with the new Marriott Bonvoy peak and off-peak pricing, how a greedy idiot travel agent was stealing Delta Skymiles, go to Porto in Portugal, how the Taliban almost made it to Washington, a world cruise costing almost six figures, more wildlife photographs, how much artists make in streaming music sites, learn about global CO2 emissions, do some whining of course, give some hints about the next evolution of TBB and stuff like that.
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Welcome back, hope you had a great weekend, nice to have you back. We have lots to cover, let’s go!
MILES & POINTS
WTF was this guy thinking? Talk about sheer greed! A man was charged with fraudulently earning more than 42 million frequent-flyer miles worth $1.75 million.
You can fly to Barcelona for free! No, seriously! Got Avios? I would slide in my amazing sucky credit card indirect affiliate link here so you can get the travel rewards credit cards that will allow you to do so but why bother these days, it is not making much difference! Sorry, I got distracted, here we go: You Can Still Fly to Europe in Iberia Business Class for 25,000 Points; and Award Space Is Fantastic — Plus Cheap Nonstop Flights to Barcelona.
Well, the Marriott Bonvoy peak and off-peak pricing is finally here. A Look At How Marriott Is Dynamically Pricing Hotel Award Nights In Los Angeles, Miami, Israel, And The Maldives. It does not appear too bad but then…you realize how far this hobby has fallen when one hotel rewards travel card will get you at best one night in one of its luxury hotels. So, when bloggers keep blogging about these amazing hotel rewards travel cards and trying to trick you with amazing photos in luxury hotels, just CLICK AWAY!
Remember when Basic Ecconomy was introduced and self proclaimed travel thought leaders were raging about how bad it would be for the airlines? Well, nope. The Evolution of Basic Economy – an Update. The airlines are doing just fine with it! This is a well researched article, now watch some writer at The Points Guy see it here and make a whole post about it pasting a lot more, sad!
After analyzing dozens of competitive markets, the results are conclusive. Yes, Basic Economy has been a success (although the argument could be made that Basic Economy, initially designed to combat ULCCs, no longer exists). The unabated expansion of ULCCs into large legacy markets has revealed its limits with the threat of Basic Economy. Yet the fascinating result is that the legacy carriers seem content leaving Spirit and Frontier with no more than 20-25% of the market. Balance points have been found, and while the ULCCs have been denied the opportunity of endless expansion in legacy markets, the analysis suggests they have been given a clear signal that a quarter of all other markets are fair game. This explains the continued ULCC expansion into other markets, such as Frontier’s recent announcement in Newark. There is still room for a ULCC.
TRAVEL
You want to go on a cruise for eight months and visit 53 countries in 6 continents? Hey, you get business class airline tickets throw in for “free”! Viking’s Ultimate World Cruise Is The Longest In The World. Oh, prices start at $93k lol.
Portugal is in these days. 25 Delightful and Tasty Things to Do in Porto, Portugal.
Can you imagine we almost had the Taliban in Washington? Think of these women! 18 Stunning Portraits Of Women In Kabul.
ODDZ & ENDZ
This will blow you away, I guarantee it! An Octopus That Billows Like a Circus Tent”. WOW! Just click it!
I am not a fan of Audi cars but this ad for their concept electric off-roader car will just blow you away! Drones with headlights and stuff like that.
This Super Zoom will freak you out!
PERSONAL FINANCE
No clickbait and shocking videos here, just educational stuff like this: Don’t fear, or fall for, these 13 seemingly scary tax tidbits.
3 LINKS WITH AN AWESOME PHOTO
We have more from The Wildlife Photographer of the Year Finalists!
Well, maybe the Saudis took a hit from some drone down in Yemen over the weekend! Which countries produce a greater proportion of global CO2 emissions than their proportion of the global population?
I had no idea about this, wow! How Many Music Streams Does it Take to Earn a Dollar?
BLOG BUZZ
We are now entering BLOG BUZZ, a section for advanced hobbyists and veterans of this fast imploding hobby and also a section where I go on and on about some stuff that happens in my life because it helps me feel better about myself.
Stepped up the marathon training over the weekend, ran 14 miles on Saturday and 9 miles on Sunday. Yes, I am sore but felt good!
We may see Citi make Thankyou Network point transfers from the 2% cash back Double Cash card. If true, I think it makes the Double Cash card a great card actually! Lets see what happens…
This is good to know: Amtrak Guest Rewards Points Expire? Call Amtrak to Reinstate Points for Free (1 Time Courtesy).
Out of so many potential partnerships out there, seriously?
Half the month has gone by and we are tracking for less conversions in September after an awful August. Lets see what happens this month and then we may see something like this. 7 years in, I need to spend less time here and more time doing other things you guys…been a hell of a run! I ‘ve been saying this for how many years now? Lol.
Another song recommendation:
DJ Shadow – Rocket Fuel (feat. De La Soul)
And I leave you with this…
TBB
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Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
In my day, you had to comment at 6:30 am sharp to be first on TBB. But kids these days, you tell them that and they don’t believe you.
True dat.
Good morning!
Useful piece on basic economy flights.
Thanks.
Bronze! From the Greater Washington DC area, where despite getting this email moments ago, only Bronze can be claimed. It’s a plot, I tell you!
Mondays are indeed slower than Wednesdays and Fridays. Looks like the TBB readers have way too much fun over the weekends and move…slower.
I’m really struggling to stay awake! We went to visit family over the weekend, not too far away but got back later than expected last night. Not that any other Monday would be much better for my energy or motivation!
Meh, based on his flyby post on the OMAAT thread on FT, Randy Petersen would just call those fraudulently-obtained miles “a little indiscretion” or something! LOL
Porto looks pretty cool, definitely.
Didn’t know about the IB J awards, that’s great info!
The DoC goes out of his way to link to VFTW any chance he can get! Has he ever linked to you? Today he stole your pic…I am sure he saw it on reddit first
I was on at 7:20 EST and could have taken the gold, but it’s kind of like predicting snow at the top of Mt. Everest, so I let it go.
I am a glutton for punishment and I once again applied for the BOA premium rewards with your links. It finally went pending as opposed to outright rejection, so we’ll see.
Couple of comments:
1) haven’t been to Porto in 35 years but still one of my favorite places. And… how many affiliate links were in that piece? Does TPG or MMS have an online class entitled: There’s No Such Thing As Too Many Links
2) that superzoom might cause acid flashbacks in “some” people
Happy week, #TBBon
Just want to say hello, it is one of those Mondays, sad lol.
Conversions have totally dried up, last one was mine and can’t wait to get my hands on it!
Looks like another conference on deck in early November in San Diego again.
Definitely evolving you guys, it is time. A few weeks after the marathon will be the 7 year anniversary, been a hell of a ride!
Why would The Deal Mommy ask for writing assignments when she works at The Points Guy, anyone know?
Damn it, VFTW does “New 10 Best Rewards Cards from Chase and How to Get Them” and I suck eggs, so demoralizing.
Not even Ingy and Ramsey post here…
My Samsung Note 5 works fine…when do I get Note 10+…or now just wait for 11 lol?
Points from the Pacific launches a new look on Boarding Area with:
‘I also want to start talking about the financial side of points earning and ways people my age can earn points every day.
I know a lot of people around 18 – 25 who are very interested in leaning about points and earning strategies, this is something I cannot wait to cover.
A lot of young people are scared at the thought of having a credit card, I want to instead show you the benefits of having one and why it can be a good idea (if you’re eligible for one).‘
He cannot wait to cover ———–> He cannot wait to earn the sales commissions
LOL
Sad all around…
In the meantime, it looks like Bezos decided I deserve to keep my Amazon affiliate link. Earned $1.15 yesterday, I am unstoppable woohoo!
Kentucky Fried Chicken is now testing its new Chicken & Donuts products….
https://wtkr.com/2019/09/17/kfc-starts-testing-new-chicken-donuts-products-at-certain-hampton-roads-stores/
Phuuuuuuck!
Amazon came back with a NEW demand with more violations crap. I ain’t got time for dat!
Ingy wins, I will just switch to trolling him in his Pointchaser posts…when they don’t even deserve a “yawn”!