Another TBB post featuring the most eclectic links around the web such as the Korean AI stock market crash, AI Intelligence, NFL brains, New Amex Delta offers, RIP Dolly Parton, cost to retire comfortably around the world, Library of Leaks, Americans’ wanderlust, busiest airlines by flights, only the best photography and Thailand links and of course always all of the most important developments in the crazy world of frequent flyer miles and points at the lower half of the post. And much more. Enjoy the weekend.
Blog Mission: To Educate. Entertain. Inspire. In That Order!
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This blog started way back in 2012 focusing on my crazy hobby addiction of traveling with frequent flyer miles, hotel and bank points. It has since evolved to curated posts featuring the best web content along with my commentary.
BLOG HOUSEKEEPING
This is truly a one man labor of love operation, enjoy it while it lasts.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” – Socrates
MUST READ GEMS
Best read this week, short and to the point:
Don’t blow it!
Update: I think we were all sad to hear about Dolly passing away and I want to take a moment to honor her here with this well deserved tribute:
Here’s to Dolly: Union Member, Vaccine Hero, Literacy Giant, Staunch Gay Ally
PERSONAL FINANCE
In case you may not have heard: Stock-Picking Funds Are Performing As Poorly As Ever.
We are back with more about the insane rise and fall of South Korea’s stock market: The World’s Craziest Stock Market Has Turned Into a Fright Ride. Don’t be like the people quoted below. Easier said than done when greedy euphoria captures your brain though (bold font added for emphasis):
Yoon Kyung-min, a 44-year-old sound engineer, said he still can’t believe the financial disaster of the past two months. After quitting his job, he had invested half of his severance pay into semiconductor stocks and saw $7,200 evaporate in a week. “If my wife finds out, I will be in serious trouble,” said Yoon, who says he confessed only to a bit of bad luck without giving details. Yoon thought the market “would rise forever,” he said. [Rise forever…oookay bro]
Interesting visual about a hot topic lately in my financial planning firm. And my own life too! The Cost to Retire Comfortably Around the World. Another one of those lists that will inflame the comments section and lead to sky high page views and, therefore, ad revenue. Oh wait, what ads?
AI/TECH
Kevin Kelley on AI and specifically: Without a theory of intelligence. He makes some points that will really make you think. Of course we shall see what happens eventually as time always tells. But interesting stuff looking out into the future and pondering…
But a secondary revolution will come from using AI as a microscope: we will use it to see our own minds. AI will be a cyclotron that lets us inspect the mysterious particles of cognition swirling in human brains — bits that are completely invisible to us now. With this cyclotron we will be able to dissect thinking, take intelligence apart to see its components. We will be able to run endless experiments on whole and partial minds, experiments we can’t and won’t run on ourselves…Future generations will find it hard to see the real world without views of all the possible minds operating upon it, each seeing the world in a slightly different way. A world without the tools of AIs will be unthinkable.
Yeah but when will our own AI Agents fetch us a sandwich, ha?
Everyone can be amazing online. Always do your due diligence. If you spent more time researching how to travel to a destination compared to picking a financial advisor, you should blame no one else if that “advisor” is one of them ok? A Breakdown of the Financial Advice That’s Flying All Over TikTok. Many examples in the article but the most cringe-y was this one below, yikes!
She teases much of her advice on TikTok, but most of it comes with a cost. Bowen, 29, has a business built on teaching interested followers to create content, monetize social-media accounts, and about how to invest. She tells her viewers to put their money into artificial-intelligence and tech companies and start making passive income, like she’s done by selling the lessons she has created online.
SCAMS/CRYPTO
In my last post I featured an article that is shaking the wealth management industry. And it clearly showed how discredited all these “10 Best Advisor” type lists really are because they are just all marketing. And it took a $6 Million “gift” to the main Chief Content Officer of Forbes from the research company that puts together one of the biggest of these advisor award lists. Anyway, the fall out is expanding and I must admit I am reading the developments thinking “it was about phucking time this marketing crap unraveled”. In the meantime, you know it is bad…when both Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo withdrew from these lists both used for splashy marketing. Anyway, if you are interested in the follow up, I am sure there will be more: Wells Fargo follows Morgan Stanley out the door, prompting Forbes and Shook to freeze all 2026 advisor rankings amid fallout from $6-million editor payout.
ODDZ & ENDZ
This site, wow: Library of Leaks. Search on anything and you won’t believe what happens next! The volume of the information in this site is huge.
One of the most disturbing stories I read recently, you have been WARNED: The Scientist Who Lived with Dozens of Children from the Pacific Islands. Carleton Gajdusek won the Nobel for his work on a disease in Papua New Guinea. But his biggest experiment was on the children he took back to the U.S.
Will NFL bury this report too? I always thought letting your kids play football (the American one) is cruel and one day we are going to look back that this should not even be a sport. Don’t get me wrong, I love the NFL and the Detroit Lions. But the evidence is getting overwhelming: Study: At least 25% of NFL players in sample had CTE.
Amazing photography in the 2026 Berlin Photo Awards.
TRAVEL
Random geography fact that blew my mind: Most of us knew that Greece has many islands and islets. How many? About 6,000. Ok, fine, nothing to see here. And now for the big one: Did you know that Sweden has 267,570? Source: List of countries by number of islands.
We are seeing this lately in the travel industry: Americans’ wanderlust hits new heights…as I am typing this from Bangkok which I am visiting for the fourth year in a row lol.
More than 56 million U.S. residents traveled overseas last year, according to the International Trade Administration’s estimate, up from roughly 53.7 million in 2024 and around 32.7 million a decade prior.
Older travelers, in the 55-64 age range and above, led the pack, followed by the youngest jet-setters, aged 18-24.
Another list, do you agree? The Prettiest Town in Every US State. Holland was picked for Michigan, interesting choice.
All of us who have Global Entry absolutely love it and can not imagine traveling without it. But what if, for whatever reason, you don’t have Global Entry. Then, get this: Mobile Passport Control, A Free Alternative to Global Entry.
This needs to be updated with Spirit crashing out: Ranked:The World’s Busiest Airlines By Flights.
THAILAND
Hello from Bangkok, I have more on my trip in the MY ACTION AND BLOG BUZZING section below.
If you are coming to Thailand for the first time, this video is for you: Planning a Trip to Thailand? 10 Things You NEED to Know.
Ok, another one actually right on target: The 7 BIGGEST Lies about Thailand.
The first Fairmont hotel in Thailand opened last week in Bangkok. And of course I am going to stay here for one night courtesy of my lifetime Platinum elite membership (from a deal back in 2011 that keeps on giving ever since). And this guy, a true expert on all things Accor, has been doing daily vlogs about the property: What Does Bangkok’s NEW Fairmont Actually Look Like?
This blog started with a focus on miles and points and travel. It has evolved since then. Everything below deals with the hobby of collecting frequent flyer miles and points and maximizing your travel experiences. If you are not interested, you can stop here, thank you.
MILES & POINTS
So, here we go again…
I really like Gondola. I hope that it survives along with Rove as well: Gondola Review: A Win for Catching Price Drops and Making Loyalty-Eligible Hotel Bookings.
When it comes to the airline industry, I ignore all the posts by points and miles bloggers pretending to be experts and just turn to Cranky Flier instead: Nice expansion but most are seasonal summer routes: United Adds 10 New International Cities to the Route Map. And of course a few days later we have: American’s Modest Summer 2027 Plans are Out. AA continues to lag United. Anyway, I was actually expecting bigger plans to Europe from both airlines. And what iz it with these narrow body planes now flying across the Atlantic huh?
I still think JetBlue won’t be making it alone going forward by the end of this year. Or maybe I keep sticking to this prediction until I am proven right. Anyway, in the meantime, the airline keeps competing: JetBlue ‘Blue House’ Opens Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Expanded Access For Mint.
Speaking of wild predictions, I think Southwest could go for JetBlue? And, really, are we too far from contemplating a bank buying an airline outright? I mean, this is how airlines stay in business these days, by selling credit cards. I have no idea if an acquisition transaction like this will pass regulatory hurdles of course.
Google Flights at it again: Google Search AI Mode Can Now Find Award Flights and Hotels Using Points. Will this drive most award search companies out of business soon? Hmmm, maybe I can tell the AI agent “send me the most ridiculous mistake fare by (airline) as soon as you identify it” 🙂
TRAVEL REWARDS CREDIT CARDS
For ANY questions on travel rewards credit cards, contact me anytime at travelbloggerbuzz@gmail.com
This is where we are you guys: Gen Z Has Just Discovered the Premium Rewards Credit Card. Friends of my kids read my blog, let me refer you to one of these cards ok?
Amex’s average new U.S. Gold card user is 29 years old, and its average new Platinum user is 33.
LATEST OFFERS:
Finally, we have some NEW offers! American Express throws some new signup bonus features for Amex Delta cards. I am not sure we have seen an airline feature flights (domestic only with some conditions, always read the fine print!) as part of signup bonuses yet.
We have seen $250 statement credits but I don’t think we have seen $300 credits yet, until now (I could be wrong here). On top of that, we now see a 200k Delta Skymiles offer in a Signup Bonus (first time ever?) Sadly, the “as high as” feature sticks around for 2 out of 3 personal cards but, thankfully, it reverts to an actual miles offer for the business cards. Anyway, it does not hurt anything to attempt to apply for the personal cards and see what you are offered. As always, using a blogger’s affiliate links helps him/her to keep blogging #hint.
- Personal offers:
- ($0 intro fee, then $150) Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card: as high as 80K bonus miles + $250 statement credit after $3K spend over six months. (YMMV)
- ($350 fee) Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card: as high as 90K bonus miles + $300 statement credit after $4K of spend.
- ($650 fee) Delta Reserve SkyMiles Credit Card: two round-trip Delta Comfort Flights + 50K Bonus miles after $10K of spend. Flight certificates good for Lower 48, Puerto Rico or U.S. Virgin Islands, 21+ day advance purchase required.
- Business offers:
- ($0 intro fee, then $150) Gold Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card 90,000 miles after $6,000 in spend within the first six months
- ($350 fee) Platinum Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card 100,000 miles after $8,000 in spend within the first six months
- ($650 fee) Delta Reserve Credit Card for Business 200,000 miles after $20,000 in spend within the first six months
AMERICAN EXPRESS Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: 150,000 points AND $250 Credit after $6k spend in six months (ENDING 9/30)
AMERICAN EXPRESS Marriott Benvy: 125,000 points and $150 Credit after $5k spend in six months (ENDING 9/30)
CAPITAL ONE Spark Cash : $1,000/100,000 points AND $250 Travel Credit after $10k spend in three months (ENDING 9/7)
CAPITAL ONE Spark Cash Plus : $2,000/200,000 AND $500 Travel Credit after $30k spend in three months (ENDING 9/7)
CHASE Sapphire Reserve for Business: 200,000 Points Sign Up Bonus
CHASE INK Cash & INK Unlimited 100,000 Points Signup Bonus
100,000 CHASE Sapphire Reserve: $795 Annual Fee. Minimum spend $6,000 in three months
As High As 200,000 Points on the AMEX Business Gold after spending $15k in the first three months
CHASE Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: Earn FOUR Free Night Awards after $4k spend in three months
80,000 CITI AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
175,000 AMEX Platinum & 300k AMEX Business Platinum
75,000 CITI Strata Elite card
Due to credit card vendor restrictions, the only affiliate links I can place in the body of my posts are for Capital One cards. You can always email me at travelbloggerbuzz@gmail.com with ANY questions.
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BONUS OFFERS NOTIFICATIONS
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Elevated Card Offer Notifications
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MY ACTION AND BLOG BUZZING
This section will start with some content geared to more advanced points and miles hobbyists. And then continue on with some items pertaining to my actions in this space and then end with some personal news. So, here we go…
Limited action here due to traveling. Presently in Bangkok spending extended time here “testing” pre/retirement phase of life. Totally in workcation mode and not in vacation mode. I am taking things very slow while my wife has adjusted very well into full blown retirement. I am taking care of some health issues and meeting some local expats to start getting connected to a social scene here as it appears we are going to be spending more time in Thailand next year.
When I get back to the US I will seriously consider going for a Delta card. Probably the Gold. Wife definitely will need one as she will be flying more and trying to avoid Delta in Detroit is way too hard lately and we are valuing convenience and comfort more at our age. Judging from my own recent Amex application history I am not too confident Amex will approve me. Or it may phuck with me giving me only 2,750 Skymiles as my Signup Bonus offer lol. Or I may just apply for the Business Gold version instead. But I do like the personal Gold with the waived annual fee and the free $250 so maybe any miles is a bonus? Only in America you can get miles AND get paid $250 for getting a credit card and the only thing you gotta do is spend just $3k in six months.
Looks like we lost Lake Ontario smh #%^#@!&(!
Watching some videos from the disaster in Nepal and Tibet is horrifying.
Our SE Asia trip is coming together on, business class flights and 31 hotel nights booked, see below.
New additions in bold font below. I am adding Instagram links as they happen during my trip (no YouTube video links yet, I guess I am just not much of YouTube material). Including travel related pics from the different locations:
110,000 American Airlines miles for one way First Class from Detroit to Bangkok (via Dallas and Tokyo Haneda) flying AA and JAL Business Class
Sakura Lounge at Tokyo Haneda Airport HND
AMEX Centurion Lounge at Tokyo Haneda Airport HND
JAL Business Class flight from Tokyo Haneda HND to Bangkok BKK
For a trip report on the flights getting me to Bangkok please see the first comment in this post.
OR
118,500 Air Canada Aeroplan miles for one way Business Class from Detroit to Frankfurt to Munich on Lufthansa and to Bangkok on Thai Airways [Canceled, went with AA above]
1 night at the StandardX Bangkok for 7,500 World of Hyatt points
10 nights at the Bangkok Hyatt Place Soi 1 for 45,000 World of Hyatt points
Bangkok Hyatt Place Soi 1 Review
9 nights at the Bangkok Hyatt Place Soi 24 for 40,500 World of Hyatt points
4 nights in a suite at the Saigon Park Hyatt for 80,000 World of Hyatt points
2 nights at the KROMO Bangkok, a Curio Collection by Hilton property, on AMEX The Hotel Collection booking fully utilizing Amex Business Platinum $300 credit
1 night at the brand new Fairmont Bangkok in a suite using my lifetime Platinum annual complimentary night cert
1 nights at the Hilton Pattaya for 120,000 Hilton Honors points
2 nights at the Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach for 30,000 World of Hyatt points in a confirmed Garden View Suite
1 night at the Singapore Conrad Marina Bay on an Amex FHR booking mostly covered by the $300 credit Schwab Amex Platinum $300 credit
90,000 United miles for one way Business Class Singapore to Chicago O’Hare (via San Fransisco) flying United
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HOT CREDIT CARD OFFERS:
75k CHASE Sapphire Preferred,100k CHASE Ink Cash, 100k CHASE Ink Unlimited, 200k CHASE Sapphire Reserve Business, 100k CHASE Sapphire Reserve, 80k CITI AAdvantage Platinum Select, 75k CITI Strata Elite, 75k CAPITAL ONE Venture Rewards, 100k CHASE Ink Business Preferred, 175k AMEX Platinum, 75k CAPITAL ONE Venture X, 300k AMEX Business Platinum, 200k AMEX Business Gold, 200k CAPITAL ONE Spark Cash Plus (ENDING 9/7), 30k CHASE United Gateway, 100k AMEX Gold, 15k AMEX Blue Business Plus and many more!
As of today, I have burned 887,015 miles/points year to date (after burning 1,893,248 miles/points in 2025 and 2,027,816 in 2024) and have 4,025,239 miles/points in the bank.
Let me leave you with this:
Some of the links are behind a paywall. You can try to read them using Archive.is.
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Kromo property looks intriguing and has been popping up on my Insta so will be waiting to hear your thoughts.
Nepal flooding looks horrendous. How do they recover given the limitations on the financial situation of the country and lack of equipment on site to even look for the missing? Very sad situation.
Silver! For the Pacific North West! Heh! Just a flashback to the old days. Lots of good stuff here and I am glad you are on “Staycation” or whatever and I know you will enjoy it. Hope all the flights were smooth and without problems. Thanks for the interesting links, as always, this is the best collection of reading I get in the e-mail all week!
Have a good time!! I am trying hard to plan travel but keep coming up with new Doctor appointments and stuff. I think I will just have to pick a time and go and be unavailable here and the hell with it.
Oh! And I am looking into Popcorn Mobile, a new-ish phone/cell service that says it can have you use your regular phone number basically worldwide. If anyone knows about this or has experience with it, I’d love to know if they like it.
Enjoy!
How about we rename Lake St Clair to Lake TBB?
NickPFD is right!
I hope you’re having a great time on your trip. And thanks for the wonderful links. Good to see the self-interest of investment experts laid bare.
Detroit is one of the great Delta hubs. I can understand why Delta would be attractive
for those in Detroit area.
Hey Buzz,
Thanks as always for the great links. Have a great time overseas, I’m looking forward to hearing more about your trip later, especially regarding medical and expat views.
I’m with Nick and DML.
However I am a little concerned regarding the toilet paper tariff war.
Carl, I’m definitely interested in hearing about Popcorn, thank you.
When I learn more about it I’ll pass it along. So far from what I can find on line it is pretty well liked. To me the advantage is being able to use it with my regular phone number from Italy or elsewhere in Europe for 2FA and needed phone calls.