Ready for a wild ride? Shocking move by TBB to move to First2Board, the sinister plans by Brian George Corporation to buy everything, TBB makes a video about Vanilla Reload, Reconsideration numbers, mega coverage of the US Airways move to OneWorld, Taxi fares around the world, how to get laid in couches for free, top 11 US Air awards, Southwest expands to Mars, Asshole detector graph, KimDex goes for IPO, Niagara Falls from the sky.
TBB Blog Mission: To Entertain. Educate. Inspire. In That Order
You can support TBB by clicking/forwarding any of our Referral Links and starting your online shopping at our Amazon affiliate link . Or click on the Amazon Banner on the right, thank YOU!
Today it was an incredibly busy day in the blogosphere. I think April Fool’s Day had something to do with it! This will be a longer post than usual.
Also it will be the last Buzz type post until I get back from a very deserved family vacation to Mauiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii! It’s been the heaviest winter in Michigan since I moved here back in the mid 80s. Mrs. TBB and kiddos have already informed me they are not going to follow along with my usually intense schedule and they plan to just relax and relax some more. We ‘ll just see about that, hehe. I plan to keep posting but do not expect these labor intensive Buzz review type posts you have been accustomed to. Thank you for understanding. I need to sprint to the finish in my tax work as my own April 15 is this Friday!
Mr. Pickles almost convinced many I was going to move to First2Board and finally made the announcement “It is true! I have moved to F2B!”. I thought it was funny and love to be made fun of, I don’t get angry 😉 I am working on my first pimp post for tomorrow already “Top 10 Reasons to get the Carnival card”…but I am having such a hard time coming up with more than a few (better than the Garfield card, will eventually pay for parts of a cruise in your lifetime, etc.).
Ok, enough of the deflection stuff, looks like that blogger with the weird name “What’s Your Point” decided to spill the secret! Yep, it is true. TravelBloggerBuzz (that is moi!) and Brian have conspired to take over everything and we mean EVERY single entity is now (or very soon will be) ours! “Eat your heart out Frugal Travel Guy, no more mailing it in buddy, your days are numbered because it is all set, you will report TO ME!” #letthegoodtimesroll
Another brilliantly funny post at PFDigest: “Special guest blogger: Thousand Mile Secrets!” explains ATMs with pics and arrows! Sure made me laugh. And what’s up with this guy being so obsessed with Rick Astley, come on!
The Reports of Vanilla Reload’s Demise Have Not Been Exaggerated. By Amol at Hack My Trip. It is spreading, all kinds of rumors out there and it now appears that April 4th will be the end of one of the best ways to earn miles/points in the history of this sport! Amol made one of the most legendary videos about the Office Depot and Vanilla Reloads era (which was much shorter lived). Here is his video. And then I made one of my own trying to imitate him which generated some laughs. Here is my video, enjoy! It was my first attempt at it and could not figure out how to edit some obvious typos on it. Anyways, it has had over 1,450 views already, wow! Heck with it, here it is!
The Reconsideration Call Phone numbers. By frugalhack.me.
9 ways to cope without reload cards. By Frequent Miler.
Across the Aisle from American’s Alliance Boss on Growing oneworld, the Future of the Alaska Partnership, and More. By Cranky Flier. Wow, an interview that has some real information finally!
I think the BEST coverage in the blogosphere of the US Airways to Oneworld alliance move has been by One Mile at a Time. So I will excuse his next few credit card pumps because he was clearly in da blogging ZONE with:
US Airways OneWorld Award Routing Rules
US Airways Dividend Miles Earning Rates for OneWorld Carriers
US Airways Flights Bookable Using British Airways Avios Awesome maps!
How to Use British Airways Award Search Tool
US Airways Award Stopover Rules and OneWorld Hubs
Travel is Free with “Best Ways to Get Free Domestic Flight“. Any doubt Southwest and British Airways Avios showed up? Didn’t think so!
Taxi Fares Around the World. Incredibly useful infographic!
Using Couchsurfing to get laid. At Matador Network. If I was young and single I would probably be surfing too! Check out some of the links, smh.
Top 11 Awards To Book With US Airways Miles To Book Now That It Is In Oneworld. By The Points Guy. Yeah, I know. I just found this a really good post that can help some readers. TPG is in the Ignore list. I must admit he does probably have the best content among the others in that list but that is not saying much. The blog belongs there due to its aggressive credit card pumping and total lack of disclosures in the body of the posts. Enough newbies click on the credit cards, you do NOT have to! Since this is likely not going to happen too often, I might as well link to Jason Steele’s comprehensive post on “How To Find and Book Star Alliance Awards Not Showing Up on United.com” too.
Southwest announces New Route: to Mars! Lol And don’t forget to get your (insert imaginary affiliate link here) Companion Pass!
Mystery finally solved! A few days ago it was reported that Delta Points had altered the image of the voting ballot of some blog award and managed to delete “Travel Blogger Buzz” from it, wow! Well, the investigative team over at Travelblawg took over and found it on the infamous Vanilla Reload memo making the rounds at every CVS store! Next thing you know there would be rumors this ahole TBB was behind it all to pimp his video, huh?
Asshole Detector graph found at this post at Saverocity. If you have not laughed yet, are you okay? If you don’t find this graph entertaining by itself…you are probably not okay! And that’s okay as you still shop at Amazon right? #hint #wink #wink
Summary of promotions celebrating US Airways and TAM joining oneworld. Useful round up of the promos at Frequent Flyer Bonuses. Check it out if you are about to fly them and oneworld partners. Because, you know, not getting the miles you clearly earned should be declared a felony! Never leave a mile behind!
Oh crap, the rumors of Four Seasons merging with Fairmont are back and now they appear stronger than ever. In fact, Hotel Chatter thinks it will happen! As long as my Lifetime Fairmont Platinum Elite status stays intact, I am all for it! #praying
KimDex, North Korea’s Top Social Media Site, Files for US IPO. Mega LOLs in this one!
The laughs go on. Street Smart Traveler gets in the act with its own “Tabloid Edition“. I liked these headlines:
TravelBloggerBuzz announces TBB affiliate program, payments to be made in BitCoin [BitCoin is not going to happen lol]
Travel guru Christopher Elliot recommends every traveler sign up for frequent flyer programs [Ok, TBB will get Bitcoins before THIS happens!]
Million Mile Secrets shocker: “I’m not using arrows and circles anymore!” [ Yeah, sure, aha…yawn]
10 Stunning Award-Winning Action and Adventure Sports Photos.
The Winners Of The 2014 Sony World Photography Awards Have Been Announced
Niagara Falls from the air, wow!
Check out my updated blog lists: Blogs I Love, Blogs I Like, Blogs I Ignore
Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!
Please pass my blog link to your friends and family if you think they will enjoy it too.
George
travelbloggerbuzz@gmail.com
Join over 2,586 TBB followers on Twitter @ FlyerTalkerinA2 and add TBB on Google+
First!
Almost first!
Second, would be first if i didn’t read entire article and not open many links in it
Third!
Second
I am also the type who usually has an intense schedule, George — but there are at least two different types of vacations for me: the actual destination where I attempt to experience as much as possible; and the hotel property which could be a destination in and of itself.
If you are staying at some Hampton Inn or Fairfield Inn, chances are that although they are usually comfortable properties, you will be out exploring Maui; whereas the Hyatt Regency in Kauai is a place where you can spend your entire vacation time and never leave the property.
I liked Kauai better than Maui. Have you ever been to Maui? There is plenty to do there. I can see you taking the road to Hana and cornering those hairpin curves in your Mercedes…
We were in Maui last Sept and loved it. If you haven’t already booked a luau, go to Old Lahaina Luau, it was awesome! Get there early for a good parking spot well positioned to exit after the luau ends. Then wander across the street to the shopping centre where you MAY find some of your favourite ice cream. 😉
George, am I to understand you were rickrolled yesterday?
Charlotte’s 84 and sunny today. So glad winter is finally over, hope you enjoy Maui.
Just booked my PHL-JFK-LHR-HKG-MLE trip with Avios. It came in right under the 4000 nautical mile level, so only cost me 25000 Avios roundtrip
Does anyone know of any points programs that transfer to Avios?
ThankYou Points.
FTG staff are scrambling right now to see which cards offer TYPs are on sale to promote to their readers. It would be just awesome for the conversion ratios if there was a transfer bonus right now!
@ Brian: Congrats on being first, you joined an Elite group. This trip will be different as I usually leave plenty of time to relax in the hotels. But due to availability restrictions I am only doing 5 nights in Maui and spending them on two awesome properties (so I hear) at the Andaz and Fairmont Kea Lani. So I am not seeing we will do the destination thing as thoroughly as I usually like. May have to come back to make up for it! I am taking the Hawaii islands one by one…Kaui is next! Oh how I miss the free Mercedes! The 13 year old Camry just does not want to die, it keeps going like the Energizer bunny!
@ Erik: Almost? 14 minutes later, come on, you can do better than that! 🙂
@ bayguy: I think you are trying to mess up the order on purpose here…
@ FFHIgh: You too, sometimes I wonder about you guys…you like mayhem too!
@ Tara: Have been looking forward to Maui in a long time. Unfortunately, due to 4 award tickets during kids’s school break, i managed only 5 nights in it and awful flight times and spent way too many miles than I should have (which deserves a whole blog post by itself showing how NOT to burn miles!). 3 nights are at a nice Hampton Inn at OAK airport! I have never done this luau thing. I know it is traditional and popular but always thought it was way too expensive and touristy thing to do, am I wrong?
@ Nick: Warming up here too. I need to finish the #milemadness trip arrangements. I assume you will be at the MM Do.
@ Steve: Lol.
I live within walking distance of the hotel, so I will certainly be there.
Kewl. Hope the hotel has an ATM 😉
So we can get cash and buy VRs for old times’ sake?
Buzz you might want to start a blog called PFBB Personal Finance Blog Buzz. I came across this one today and thought my dog Marley could do better. http://doctorofcredit.wordpress.com/
Yeah, weak. I wonder if the doctorofcredit will ever prescribe….credit cards!
George, forget F2B. There is a much bigger and better blogger network that you can join!
http://milepoint.com/forums/threads/boardingarea-opens-call-to-host-new-blogs.84945/
Yes I saw that. There are some benefits, no doubt. But If I go that will automatically cause me to go easier on the BA blogs. And then I will be one of the 75 blogs instead of running my own show here…and making a killing off my Amazon link thanks to you guys lol.
Last August in Canada I was going to do lots of thinking where to go with TBB. Well, I kept at it. This time in Maui I need to do the same thinking and make some decisions.
I got two days left here and I need to bust my butt to get things done and then get out of Dodge. I need this trip so badly. And it is time to step off the gas on TBB…Actually I am SHOCKED I am still at this!
Anyways, I am having fun with this and hope you are all entertained too!
I am thinking of applying to BA only to piss off Delta Points who mentioned publicly he will leave BA if I move TBB to BA. I would love to make an announcement one day “TBB moves to BA, your move now Delta Points, I will help you move out” or something like that….woohoo, that will be fun to watch, wouldn’t it?
…you mean you would not be the subject of one of his fireside chats?!?
Eager to hear about the Maui Fairmont. My cousin and I just decided a Hawaii trip in the fall will be just the ticket while our workaholic husbands slave away, and she is donating her two free nights to this noble cause. Maybe this will get my H’s attention and he will think about retiring. Clearly he’s been reading all those posts George tweets about why folks should not retire 😉 !!
Loved the Niagara Falls photo!!
You might consider having a Bar, I mean, Car Mitzvah for the Camry. We did so when ours hit 13 and I am sure that is why we got many more good years.
The Camry will go to son if he keeps his 4.0 gpa through his junior year. It is in danger right now. Met his first girlfriend today, kind of an awkward situation for me. I have free three nights at Fairmont: 1 night as Platinum I get per year and we both have a free night after we put $12k spend on the Visa (and paid the annual fee on 1 year anniversary). So, not totally free but it sure sounds better for the image we bloggers need to uphold as true experts hehe
Who knew MrPickles still had a blog? Weekly untimely posts. Awesome
It’s a secret 😉
“It’s a secret” – Ok, that was funny!
George, I assume you have the Fairmont status from the Living Social deal a few years back? Did you ever actually stay in the Fairmont San Francisco?
Yes I do. I never actually stayed in the SF property. Thought about it but was never nearby. So, flying to SF and paying ridiculous taxes for just 1 night seemed way too much so I stayed home.
I actually wrote a post on ways to potentially still use it, and get more value out of it than the original deal, if you’re interested: http://dealspin.com/salvage-expired-groupon-living-social-deals/
Very interesting! I actually have not logged in to my Living Social account in a very long time. Are you planning to leverage this for some free dinner perhaps at the hotel? 😉
Maui is my favorite island. My favorite beach is 5 minutes south of the Fairmont at Po’olenalena beach. It is a great boogie boarding beach and a great place to hang with the kids while playing in the water. The sand slopes gently into the water and the waves are perfect.
I added your note to my Evernote Maui file, thanks.
Who would of guessed that Hitler had a thing for pictures of Emily?
He is excited about the videos now!
Did anyone see FTG travel challenge today? They made the same avios “mistake” as yesterday… Guess they don’t understand the program, like at all
“Breakdown: A pair of round-trip economy ticket from Asheville to Burlington with US Airways cost $846 ($423 each). The best fare we found was on Delta at $736 ($368 each), however Olivia is going to transfer 30,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards to British Airway. Now that US Airways is a part of Oneworld, they can redeem Avios for flights with US Airways for 7,500 Avios per person each-way as the total flight distance is between 651 and 1,151 miles. British Airways will pass along $5 in taxes per person each way for a total of $20 in taxes. Olivia will pay the taxes using her Chase Sapphire Preferred and to keep her net cost to zero will use 2,000 Ultimate Rewards as a statement credit to offset the cost. She’ll still have 11,000 Ultimate Rewards available for redemption.
Read more at: Travel Challenge: A Trifecta in Burlington Vermont | Frugal Travel Guy”
More fine work from the clueless expert and the unqualified editor…
1 word for you: Conversions
Commenters here think that FTG blog is failing. But ingy is actually right. The metric of success for that blog has nothing whatsoever to do with accuracy or teaching.
Nope, it’s all about luring in the noobies with the promise of free travel and getting them to sign up for as many credits cards as possible as quickly as possible.
Nobody here thinks FTG.com measures their success by accuracy or quality content
And nobody here thinks they’re failing at their personal metric of success
I’ve long held that they are wildly successful at targeting unsuspecting newbies who don’t know any better and have them sign up for as many cards as possible before they realize that 20000 Avios won’t get you from Savannah to Paris
Conversions!
Hey TBB, I think I found a new winner for the most links per post: http://www.doctorofcredit.com/credit-cards/rewards/barclaycard-arrival-world-mastercard-annual-fee-review/
Ugh…that’s a weener!
VFTW with a real value add post today. Another mailed in “Why I Love My Chase Card.” He only kept us hanging a week from the basically identical previous installment (featuring a different card, naturally) of this fascinating series.
Wow, comments are brutal on that one.
When I saw that in Feedly I rolled my eyes. You expect that from other blogs. But, as you have noticed, GL goes on these pump sprees once in a while. And they tend to be earlier in the month.
That was an absolutely pimp piece for a card…I don’t even own anymore!
The quality has gone down lately and Lucky’s content quality has gone way up lately. But, very soon, they will pump. I am learning it is the only way to generate some income in this blogging thing. We understand that by now. But at least don’t insult our intelligence with a top 10 reasons post for the Sapphire card. What is next, top 10 reasons for the Chase Freedom card if it has a juicy affiliate commission sale?
I Loved the guy’s comments with the top 10 reasons NOT to get the Sapphire card.
Give me more posts like this and I am taking it off my “Blogs I LIke” list because…I can 🙂
He is definitely overall a good blogger. He should maybe learn how to be “slicker” sticking the affiliate links in. It’s either a very good post or a crap post like those “Why I love Chase.”
He should learn a thing or two from the MommyPoints playbook. She is definitely very slick and and compared to him has little original content.
@Chris or he can go the FrequentMiler route.
Oh yeah sure he can. I didn’t even think of it because he is such an outlier in this space.
Gary’s okay in my book. He does provide a good amount of worthwhile content.
“I mixed up Avios with Ana”
He makes Alex Rodriguez look believable by comparison
Yeah, he converted all the miles to nautical miles because he confused it with ANA’s program….
Ah, to be as perfect as S=T=E=V=E. Do you feel better about yourself now Steve, whoever, wherever or whatever you are?
Can you pass the message to Howie that if he isn’t going to put forth a competent effort in ensuring the accuracy of his content, he at least puts forth a competent effort in making excuses why he didn’t put forth a competent effort in ensuring the accuracy of his content
Honest question – does he actually think anyone believes his ANA excuse?
I don’t think I could’ve believed it less if he said he mixed up Avios with myCokeRewards
I’m planning on going to get lunch from Panera tomorrow
Can anyone suggest a credit card to use to make this purchase?
I wish there were some card out there that provides a bonus on dining purchases tomorrow, and that the bloggers would be so noble as to remind me of it
I bet TPG will have a post with a title along the lines of “Should I use my CSP for First Friday 3x dining or Freedom?”
Yeah, but Freedom UR points don’t transfer to miles….. unless….. are there any cards out there for which if you have them, you can transfer Freedom points to miles?
Sunday’s TPG reader question: “Dear TPG, I want to accumulate lots of points in United, Hyatt, BA and Korean. Which credit cards do you recommend I open?”
#ROFLMAO
Response on any “Do I get this XXX card or the YYY card” in this space usually is:
GET BOTH!
VFTW credit card salesman GL just happened to be in NYC so he dropped into an American Express Party to mingle with Kristen Bell. I know he churns out volumes of stuff, but I agree with above, his best days are behind him. Buzz I am running out of sites to use for my app-orgy links. If FM ever goes that path it will be a dark day.
You could choose not to use any affiliate links.
One day Ramsey you can click mine and you know I will donate most of it to charity but, you know, ssshhh it will be a real secret 🙂
Only if you promise to retire and get bald and ugly.
We know they’re all going to push Chase first Friday of the month really hard. But it’s FTG that’s out of the gate first with it. And it isn’t even Friday yet.
Low hanging fruit… When your editor has demonstrated a clear lack of knowledge, you write the simplest posts possible as not to screw things up further.
And of course they don’t mention that there is a better card to use for dining
More bad advice given to people who don’t know they’re being given bad advice
The important thing is they click the CSP link before they find this out. No refunds!
Not everyone has a freedom card, and these posts are a simple reminder for those with a CSP. As for the timing, FTG readers have requested we post the reminders a day early. Sending the post out on Friday, after people have already used a different card to buy their morning coffee and possibly even lunch, makes no sense.
Ariana, there isn’t much that makes sense here at all, but it is fun to monitor. Did you know Steve is smarter than all of us and FFHigh is close behind. We are lucky they even let us post here.
I guess I can let the cat out of the bag about the 39 part series on “How to Use Avios Points” that Howie is starting next week .There will also be an attempt by FTG staff to use graphics like arrows and circles to highlight pertinent information. We have never tried it before so patience will be appreciated. If all goes well: Key Links will be next.
Also in the works, and you heard it first here on TBB, the color of links will be changed to a more dynamic “Puke Green” to add to the Wow factor. I’m sure the gang here will love the change as they sure whine a lot about all the blue ones in the hobby.
Alright, lets spill it all. I’m about to embark on the wild adventures of Disney with my grandkids and will be bringing the Disney card links to the space for the first time ever. I’m kind of hoping with all the readers here that practice their counting skills at the beginning of the comments here, I can pick up a Mercy Conversion or two from those at that age level both mentally and emotionally. Should be a real money maker for FTG.com. I mean if we can pick up two mercy or pity conversions from the last rampage we had here (BTW totally denied by the blog owner) the Disney card should be a big big seller and credibility winner with this crowd.
So that’s the updates for you guys and gals as we have it. As much fun as you guys have with us, I want you to know we have just as much fun laughing at you as well. We just do our laughing on the way to the bank instead of tucked in our online anonymous lives that center around criticizing others because you think you are so much better. New Flash, you are still counting at the beginning of the comments?? What’s that all about? Kindergarten or First Grad?.
Think of life this way: Without noobs, all we would have in life is you.
Click on Gang. Click On.
TBB is physically and mentally tired. Doing the Maui trip in early April sure was not a good idea at the time, I was right! Trying to keep it all together before I fall apart. I am scared to look at my Feedly count. No more Buzz posts until I am back from Maui. I had in mind some other posts while I am gone plus the occasional peek in here to see what was posted at…FTG 🙂
Can’t look away from the trainwreck in progress?
No need to look at your feedly. We all know what the most pressing topic of the day in the blogosphere is. Well, at least among those blogs who still have their Chase links
I vote for Ramsey to run the blog while Buzz is out of commission
George, maybe you could create an open post every couple of days while on vacation?
I second this idea.
@Steve @CommomMan…………I love you guys! …………. Tying these bow ties are a bitc#.
Have a great and relaxing trip, TBB. You are the only guy I know who does tax returns who is finishing ten days early rather than burning the midnight oil til 4/15! That is pretty amazing in itself.
I say that you just set up an open post or two in which those of us addicted to the comments can play. Don’t bother responding to us all, just get away and respond to Mrs. TBB and the TTB kiddos.
Life here is awfully exciting (and scary) as my H’s union moves toward a strike. He is in the thick of it. Students, both undergrad and grad, as well as adjuncts, staff, academic professionals and other local and national unions are all very supportive, which we hope will get the admin to finally bargain in good faith, thus avoiding a strike.
On other topics, MM’s post about MS was really a great read. While I understood already why some serious MSers feel the need to keep methods to themselves, MM’s personal reflection sheds more light on the debate and some of his previous rants. I am really looking forward to meeting folks at CLT and while I can’t imagine ever playing this game as some do, I find it fascinating and I am eager to ramp up to a higher but still comfortable level that will work for me.
Have a super time, safe travels and I hope the flights and connections work as planned. We’ll “see” you right here on your return.
I will try to make one post tonight while preparing for the trip.
I have four tax returns to do: Two is the fault of employer company’s CPA that still did not get me one form, one is waiting on some estate info and one more waiting on bank to correct a 1099-R form (damn banks again).
All these should be resolved next week and I can efile them on the 14th. The streak of no extensions is alive!
The Open blog posts are a great idea!
Got a flat tire running around town, why today??
If everything works as I think it will I may be posting some old trip reports while I am gone!
Other than a few orders on April 1st Amazon shopping link has been dead silent. I am in competition with Grant at Travel with Grant to see who does better w/ our Amazon links & he is taking me to school! I may start ordering boxes of toilet paper myself to beat him because I prefer winning lol.
I got low Bs on Southwest flights tomorrow. Should be good enough to avoid the dreaded middle seats!
Ariana: You are brave to come in here. I used my Freedom card for lunch today to get 5x but thanks for the Sapphire Preferred anyways 🙂
The Grand Budapest Hotel movie was good but overhyped imho.
Gotta run at the gym now, missed it yesterday. Went in run three laps and left…no juice in the tank.
TBBon
Things must be tough George if you haven’t hit that $1500 dining limit yet. Oops Sorry Forget. Panera Bread 🙁
What can I say, George. I’m a loyal reader. 😉
For the record, I can eat at Panera and Leo’s Coney Island for a VERY long time, hehe.
“Puke Green” as color of the arrows coming at FTG will be a perfect imho lol.
Thanks for the entertainment you guys! TBB is outtahere!
Adios and Mahalo!
The size of the image is determined by img height=
and width=. The reason why cold calling is not best is because prospects don. It helps the blogger manage multiple blogs simultaneously.