Let’s go on a wild ride again through some developments in the miles/points world, check out some new blogs at Saverocity, learn about Amtrak Guest Rewards awards, travel to castles and Montenegro and some Russian Diamond mining town, learn about prepaid cards and steps to save for retirement. We end with the TBB Blog Frontline report listing a parade of the most ridiculously aggressive credit card marketing that exists right here in this hobby business!
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!
If you had any Thai Airways Orchid Plus miles intended for Star Alliance awards you are getting killed. Loyalty Lobby has the gory details.
I am getting some positive mentions in the Frugalhack.me blog and the post titled “If There Was Only One: Blog“. He picks Frequent Miler for the honors and says this about mine:
If I had to pick the blog that is the most enjoyable to read, it would be Travel Blogger Buzz. His blog is extremely entertaining to read, because all he does is make fun of other blogs. If you’re a travel junkie and you haven’t checked out his blog, do it now! It’s bound to give you a few laughs.
I like it, thank you very much. My blog, as I have stated repeatedly, is primarily about entertainment! I also like to educate sometimes and occasionally inspire!
A little bit different, more encouraging take on IHG Rewards closing accounts due to code abuse news we have been hearing lately. Head for Points wrote: Lots of stories about IHG Rewards Club closing accounts for ‘code abuse’
Rapid Travel Chai wrote Caution on the Hawaiian Airlines Business Cards Everyone else will be pumping this Barclays card but this bank is weird and this is good information. I am ok if you click his links 🙂
Miles to Memories wrote ” A Complete Guide To Booking Train Travel With Amtrak Guest Rewards“. Pretty good guide. I will take an Amtrak flat bed in a bedroom cabin anytime before a flat “bed” in the sky.
Please welcome Kenny at Saverocity with his new blog Miles4More focusing on all things miles and travel for a 4 member family. Here is the first post: Funding Our Travel Savings Account. Saverocity continues to get better while Boarding Area continues to pump the hell out of credit cards (which is probably the main reason it attracts so many bloggers!). Wait! He comes back with a great post about A Different Perspective on Collecting United Miles Loved the wording on the disclosure, well done well done: “Disclosure: we have had two Sapphire Preferred cards and two United MileagePlus cards. They all worked just fine, and no fees have been or will be paid on any of them. And I get plenty of UR points from Chase business cards – I don’t need money from them affecting what I might recommend. If you pay a dime of interest by carrying a balance on a credit card, you should press the ‘back’ button immediately and not come back until you have no credit card debt.”
Just Another Points Traveler wrote “I Don’t Buy Points“. I also don’t buy them 🙂 As a matter of fact, I just burned 36k British Airways Avios points and $20 in fees to get 4 round trip tickets to New York from Detroit. This is what I call #winning.
OMG, One Vanilla cards no longer work at Wal Mart? Which blogger killed this deal now lol? So…time to sit back and…breathe. Maybe Marathon Man will get a real job one of these days…you know then this MS thingie is truly over lol.
Saverocity is crying for HELP – I think I’m having an identity crisis… Right on target again!
This Saverocity network is on a roll. Welcome TaggingMiles!
Holy Batman, here comes another one at Saverocity: Asthejoeflies
Amex will no longer allow transfer of Membership Rewards points to others’ airline or hotel loyalty accounts other than yourself. This sucks! Or add an authorized user so his/her name appears on the list when you do this…
29 Dreamy Castles Around The World That Will Leave You Enchanted. By Bored Daddy.
How Diamonds Are Mined in Russia. This picture caught my eye. The link contains fascinating pictures of a Russian town next to a diamond mine.
The Blonde Gypsy gives us a glimpse of the Darling of the Balkans: Montenegro.
Do you feel safe with these guys?
Personal Finance: 6 Steps to Save for Retirement
I think it’s a good day when celebrities (like Magic Johnson and Suze Orman) get the hell out of the prepaid card market!
TBB BLOG FRONTLINE REPORT
This section is intended for long time followers of this quirky hobby. I am a firm believer that this hobby has been overtaken by businessmen employed by major banks to sell credit cards to their readers non stop. I think it’s a travesty. There are many other bloggers who blog responsibly and know so much more about travel and certainly SO much more about miles/points! I list the name of the blog in bold font, its headline and my inflammatory ultra snarky commentary in brackets for satirical purposes, you know I love everybody 🙂
I separate some of these blogs in my Blog Reviews section. For an in-depth investigative piece of the influence of credit card marketing please read: The “Travel” Miles/Points Blogosphere Has Turned Into a Giant Credit Card Pumpization Scheme!
Do not expect this Frontline Report in the future, I just wanted to get a full week of blog coverage to add to the Pumpization post above & need to find a place to park this permanently as a PSA 🙂 There is not enough time in the day to go through them like this in such detail, not for just a cup of coffee per day. Plus, I am too busy following the World Cup. I think Mrs. TBB is rightly concerned lately 🙂
Watch what my eyes go through!
Wednesday May 18 & Thursday May 19, 2014:
Rene’s Delta Points – Rookie Wednesday: Another way to try to avoid bag fees on Delta Air Lines [ Hey Delta, your number 1 fan calls the people you hire airline goons and goon squad, niiiice!]
The Miles Professor – What Will Happen to US Airways Miles and Credit Card with the Merger? [ Love so many new readers in Boarding Area and we are taking to them our Barclays cards repeatedly, please click them! ]
Milevalue – United Adds New Route from Houston to Santiago; Award Space Nearly Every Day [New route, lots of award space, click my Barclays Arrival credit card link.]
Million Mile Secrets – Today Only: Save on Universal Orlando Resort Packages and Tickets [ Forgot to add the “you can save 10% off with click my Amex links”? Or continued criticism here is having results? Anyways, a couple more days for this Daily NoDeals Goaways to be over, hang in there! ]
Million Mile Secrets – New: Earn and Use AMEX Membership Rewards Points With Uber [New? Are you kidding me? I guess it’s new for the readers of this blog…Click all my Amex links. While at it click on my Chase Sapphire Preferred and Barclays Arrival card links too! I am so glad nobody comments anymore, who has the time to ignore them? I need to pump some more! ]
Million Mile Secrets – Using Starwood Points: Part 3 – The 9 Best Airline Transfer Partners [Same as in Parts 1 and 2 and same credit cards too. There is a photo of some older dude in a flat bed with his laptop, he is probably reading TBB 🙂 ]
MightyTravels – An Introduction to Hawaiian Airlines World Elite MasterCard – Sign-Up Bonus, Reconsideration Numbers and Application Links [ You know you want it, just click it]
The Points Guy – Capital One Venture Rewards Card Bonus Now 40,000 Miles [It is time to sell another credit card! Capital One sucks. Do it…when they offer 100k miles like they did several years back. Paid for Caribbean cruise, will have the trip report up one day in the future. Click his link ]
Mommy Points – Picking the Right New Cards To Get For Miles and Points Rewards [ Click my US Airways card and a few others that don’t pay me… Anxious to see if this will get me in TBB’s Frontline Report. News for you…it just did! Smile 🙂 ]
One Mile at a Time – 75% Bonus On Purchased Club Carlson Points Flash Sale Coming [ Love it when a good promo happens from a loyalty program with an affiliate credit card! I get to write about it, pump the credit card and try to make myself sound different than all the other clowns who write about the same…promo and card! For those of you buying the points you better burn them fast. The Club Carlson devaluation may not be too long from this point ]
Mommy Points – Flash Sale for Club Carlson Points: Cheaper Than Daily Getaways [See what I said just above. Expect more…]
One Mile at a Time – First Club Carlson 75% Points Bonus Flash Sale Live! [ What I said above…Oh wait, it’s the same blog. What’s the difference? Oh, the sale is live now! Brilliant, click my credit card links again!]
Million Mile Secrets – American Express 20% Transfer Bonus to Hawaiian Airlines Until June 23, 2014 [20% bonus. Big freaking deal. Too long…Oh wait, click my Amex Premier Rewards Gold and Platinum cards! ]
[TBB Editor’s Note: The Hawaiian Airlines Business Mastercard became available to the affiliate bloggers earlier today. It used to be there but you almost never heard about it. Now…watch how it is suddenly “discovered”]
Noob Traveler – Another Southwest Booking Tip You Should Know [I forgot to add this at my last Southwest post so I will conveniently post it here. Deals with Air Tran that is going away soon anyway. Who cares, click my Chase card links! ]
Points, Miles & Martinis – How to Earn 70,000 Hawaiian Airlines Miles with Barclays Card [Like I told you, it did not take long. To the guy who keeps emailing me this blog does not belong in the Ignore list, please stop. Did you see how fast they pumped this “new” offer when there was some dough behind it? ]
Flymiler – Barclaycard Review Series: The All-New Hawaiian Airlines® Business MasterCard® [ Click my link, it pays me so I pumped it as soon as I saw it! ]
Frugal Travel Guy – Which American Express EveryDay Credit Card is for You? [ Ok, let’s sell some Amex cards again. So, lets compare two Every Day cards. The one that pays us (of course affiliate link is provided, don’t be so stupid!) and another one that does not pay us. Of course we could have linked the one that does not pay us directly to the Amex website but why waste your time doing that, it hurts conversions! I would probably choose the non blogger paying version of the card but silly me being angry and all. I could go on but so many more ridiculous posts to cover. I would be embarrassed by some of what passes as “expert advice” here! ]
Well Traveled Mile – Club Carlson 75% Points Bonus Flash Sale – Buy Points for 0.4 Cents Each! [Doing this full time is a bitch, I need to get paid, please please please click my credit card links! H/T to One Mile at a Time? You serious? ]
Deals We Like – Club Carlson Flash Sale – Purchase Points with a 75% Bonus! [ It’s like a layup…it’s automatic, you know what to click! ]
View from the Wing – Here are the Credit Card Signup Offers That Won’t Last [Once upon a time, in a galaxy far far away, there was a great blogger. Fast forward to 2014: click my credit card links ]
The Points Guy – Cheap Hotel Stays With Club Carlson Points Flash Sale [Always slow, never fails to deliver….a blog post pumping a credit card…or two…or 44! ]
Frugal Travel Guy – Travel Challenge: A Weekend In Philadelphia [ Hi. Time to sell now the Barclays Arrival Card, please buy it from us ]
Deals We Like – Is Purchasing Club Carlson Points a Good Deal? [Love it when you click on my Club Carlson credit card link! I will post it again soon 😉 ]
One Mile at a Time – Passenger Gets Finger Stuck On Cathay Pacific and View from the Wing – You Won’t Believe What Happened to This Man on a Flight to Hong Kong! [ Deep ]
Milevalue – Why I’ll Never Use United Miles to Fly to Hawaii [Click on my Lufthansa credit card, Barclays credit cards are the best. Hurryyyyyy! ]
The Points Guy – Discounted Caesars & Harrah’s Hotel Packages- But Beware [ Click on my Amex credit card links for 10% off. He votes no on this deal but would love it if some sucker still clicked on the Amex credit card links. See you tomorrow for another no deal and more Amex credit card links! ]
Milevalue – The Best Award on US Airways Chart Can Be Your Next Two Trips [ Click on my US Airways credit card, Barclays credit cards are the best. Hurryyyyyy!]
Million Mile Secrets – Using Starwood Points: Part 4 – The Best Kept Secret of Nights & Flights [Part 4. More tomorrow. We never stop selling credit cards. I took off my mother in law reference from my disclosure because I don’t like her, please don’t tell Emily ]
Million Mile Secrets – Today Only: Save on Caesars Hotels Vacation Packages [What The Points Guy said, I just added some examples to justify the credit card links I just pumped on ya’ all. Thank you Amex for saving my readers 10% off, my site is all about saving money to travel for free LOLOLOLOL ]
Well Traveled Mile – My Experience Getting the J.P. Morgan Ritz-Carlton Credit Card [This full time gig sure is hard trying to find posts to insert credit card links that pay us. Today we pump the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Barclays Arrival, Club Carlson Visa ]
Million Mile Secrets – 24 Hours Only: Get a 75% Bonus on Purchased Club Carlson Points [ Yeah, it’s a secret all right. I am starting to get really pissed off now, never angry lol. How can people read this never ending marketing pump of credit cards?? A few comments not responded to again…nice ]
One Mile at a Time – How To Combine Club Carlson Points [ We have turned into like the other bloggers lately as we keep finding excuses to make blog posts that enable us to pump more credit cards to our readers. We pump a total of six affiliate links to make sure readers do not miss them! ]
The Points Guy – The Top 5 Reasons I’m Loyal to SPG & 90,000 Point Giveaway [Ooopsie, forgot to mention the Top Top reason: Amex pays me a lot of money to sell its credit cards ]
Noob Traveler – Noob Q&A: What makes up my Credit Score, When will the 50k SW offers end, and more [ and more? Means we will have more posts to pump the credit cards we sell soon! ]
Million Mile Secrets – Do You Know the Chase Freedom Airline Ticket Booking Trick? [ You didn’t? Who cares as long as you and your family get some Chase cards from me? I haven’t seen Emily lately and, frankly, I don’t miss her. Noob it up! Oh wait, wrong blog, same credit cards. ]
View from the Wing – The Very Best Credit Cards With No Annual Fee [I used to be a machine of decent industry insightful posts. I am now a machine for all things credit cards because they pay so well. ]
One Mile at a Time – 10 Best Credit Card Offers For June [Hey, Gary is doing it, click my links. ]
Rene’s Delta Points -The shutdown of Vanilla Debit GCs at WallyWorld (what next)? [While every other blogger tries to digest the big news and all kind of realizing they may have had just a tiny part in contributing to destroying the mother of all ways to earn miles/points, only this blog publicizes the news AND tries to profit from it by selling its own BeFrugal referral link. WTF! ]
Frugal Travel Guy – What is the Highest Current Cash Back Card Sign-up Bonus? [ You know it is a total pump job when blog post is signed by “FTG Staff”. For the millionth time this week we get to pump readers some more credit cards, the same ones! For the same reasons. And don’t forget you can apply seven cards at once! Come see us in Chicago, we are working hard to lineup the media to come and give us some more prime time to get more newbies to apply for credit cards from us. Remember, your credit is our most important asset! ]
And I leave you with this…
Check out my updated blog lists: Blogs I Love, Blogs I Like, Blogs I Ignore
Please pass my blog link to your friends and family if you think they will enjoy it too.
TBB
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First?
First first?
Second First – First First was on June 15th.
I usually don’t stay up that late, but back to back trips to Europe and then Vancouver Island, while living in the eastern time zone has really messed up my sleep!
Too busy trying to get you back from Brazil to be first. Thanks for the shout out!
Thanks a lot for the help. I need to get me back to GRU from FOR now, darn BA site hangs in the last screen, UA has ungodly hours and it looks like AA I need to call…Developing
Third!
Avis + 1
That FTG post was ridiculous. I left a comment there (yes yes, withdrawing from the TBB bank I know) offering up some better options, Ariana then posted “The post strictly lists cash back cards. What you’re referencing here are travel rewards cards.”.
Wells Fargo Propel is strictly a cash back card, you can redeem for check. I think what she meant to say was “this post strictly lists Chase credit cards that we earn commission on”.
I often get information wrong, but at least I have the decency to update posts when it’s clearly incorrect. Head meet wall.
Not shocked, never angry 🙂
Your constant need for George’s approval and recognition for your blog are pretty embarrassing. Criticizing content on the relevant sites is one thing, but coming back here and reporting about it in a bid for attention makes you look like a lackey.
Pot, meet kettle
I’m not linking to my blog in every comment and hoping I say the right thing so the readers will give me a +1. Try commenting under your real name. It’s not so scary.
“Try commenting under your real name. It’s not so scary.” – then why do you remit author names from FTG posts, instead using “FTG Staff”?
+1
Ariana = FTG Staff
Why not sign your own name to the credit card pimping posts? It’s not so scary. (Or is it?)
You two are really fixated on this, it’s disturbing. Believe whatever makes you feel better.
Take credit for your own work. It’s that simple.
No need for personal attacks.
I always felt the way you respond to every post criticizing you can go a long way towards improving your public image, even possibly gain some respect and new readers.
I always found the BEST feedback is the negative one because you can learn from it so much! It’s like a free focus group for crying out loud!
I find it quite hilarious actually that we get some lively discussion here in the TBB comments. Heck, there are more comments here in one comment thread than there are at some of these commercial blogs.
Ariana: I have called William out here several times that he tends to comments everywhere. BUT his comments usually address the issue discussed and are valid. So was this one. So is TJ’s point too!
Please absolutely no need for personal attacks. I don’t respond to those. If someone wants to look foolish, let them be. I am not going to be Kim il Uno or Sung or whatever the Supreme Leader’s name is lol.
More news below on the latest in my life as a blogger
That’s rich, considering the majority of the comments here tend to be personal attacks. I have nothing against criticism and see value when it’s constructive, but I didn’t agree with his comment and told him so. When I learned he came on here to vent about my response, I thought he sounded like a kid who got into an argument on the playground and ran home to daddy to complain about it. Since we are adults, I found this behavior bizarre and thought I’d make him aware of it so he wouldn’t have to keep bashing his head into a wall.
>>>> That’s rich
The only thing rich here is the number of the comments lol.
>>>>> considering the majority of the comments here tend to be personal attacks
I disagree. I think you are way off on this.
>>>>>> I thought he sounded like a kid…
>>>>>> ran home to daddy to complain
>>>>>>so he wouldn’t have to keep bashing his head into a wall.
What does that have to do with “Wells Fargo Propel is strictly a cash back card, you can redeem for check. I think what she meant to say was “this post strictly lists Chase credit cards that we earn commission on”.
I can go on…but I need to get ready for my next adventure…
It’s not a reference to his initial comment on FTG, but him running here and complaining to you about it like a kid. As for personal attacks, read through today’s comments: Attacking someone’s integrity is personal. The incessant references to various bloggers as “whores” sounds personal.
Via the BA twitter feed, when I saw the OMAT and VFTW posting in almost absolute synchronization about that passenger that got something stuck somewhere, I just pictured them in my head whispering sweet nothings (aka blog posts) into each other’s ear, declaring “this time I’ll give you the H/T”
ROFL
Ok, that was really funny, thanks for the laugh 🙂
Thanks for the mention 🙂
You are welcome, enjoy the tour! Looks like you and Nate have come up with something unique and fun! Maybe one day I will join but, you know, I prefer to burn miles and points and minimize cash outlays so I can maxmize cash outlays on food, booze, drugs and rocknroll 🙂
Going to Brazil tomorrow for the World Cup, hooray!
“Remember, your credit is our most important asset!”
A corporate motto to remember.
Quality post of drivel today as usual George. Thanks for another useless summary of blogs that I can already read on my own with no commentary that adds value. (your attempt at humor with little nuggets is well and attempt).
Steve, want to make sure you’re still loving life being a drain as usual. George, you mentor the scum well with the crap you spew.
Hope everyone enjoys their morning coffee and thinks of the crap they read here when they take care of business.
Cheers
IS this ass Ingy?
Ramsey: Not the usual IP address, probably traveling and posting from there. Sure sounds like him or the other one. My two biggest fans!
Oh Ramsey glad to add you to the suck list. How about we just call you an ass? Ass. George not either of your two biggest R fans. Hope you hate your trip. Keep postulating, I know I’m your favourite. Cheers
>>>>>Quality post of drivel today as usual George
We are very mindful of quality around here, lol
>>>>>> George, you mentor the scum well with the crap you spew.
Obviously, you are one reader who is not entertained. I will try to do better.
>>>>>>>>Hope everyone enjoys their morning coffee and thinks of the crap they read here when they take care of business.
I always enjoy my morning coffee and so hope everyone here. It is even better when they read TBB and laugh about some of the crap they read about.
Thank you for taking the time to read TBB and contribute here. It’s like a family here.
Buzz, enjoy your trip to Brazil, the whole family going or just yourself? It should be awesome, win or lose. You can drive from Fortaleza to Sao Paulo if you cannot find a flight. It’s only a 41 hour drive. Give your brother a hug from me and bring me back a souvenir, i’ll trade you it for a Pho King Good T-shirt. (just kidding)
Just me, birthday present to myself. Kept promise to bro that we will go see a game of Greece together!
Everything is set to go!
The Point Gary’s post on “The Very Best Credit Cards with No Annual Fee” has 9 links to the CIB/CIP/CSP
You were saying something about formerly great blogs Buzz?
Buzz, did I miss something about you going to Brazil?!! We just got back yday from an awesome trip – the US v. Ghana match was great (we watched it in the stadium) although I thought Ghana was a bit unlucky.
Enjoy your trip to Brazil – for flights inside Brazil, we used DL miles on GOL and UA miles on Azul, and saved a ton of cash. The one leg I couldnt redeem for was GRU-NAT and I ended up buying a ticket on Avianca (on their website) that was cheaper than TAM or GOL. Most of the travel consolidators (Kayak etc) do not list Avianca and Azul so make sure you check prices on their websites.
Everyone we met was super excited about the World cup and we felt very welcome overall (Granted we didnt go to Rio or SP or any of the other major population centers where there are reports of some trouble). Natal was an absolute blast. Let me know if there is any other info that might be helpful!
Yes, it is all set now. Airfare, hotel, and even game ticket to the Greece Ivory Coast game. Crazy! Did it very late last night. Game is at Fortaleza on Tuesday. I will have more to say in a short blog post tomorrow…I hope
Don’t forget everyone, today is Friday June 20th. Or as they call it at FTG, “First Friday of the month”
That cash back cards post was such an embarrassment, even by FTG standards
How much do you think Ariana’s dignity is worth on the open market?
I don’t know what my dignity has to do with a cash back post, but I’ll leave it to you to reach really far to connect those dots.
It wasn’t a cash back post. It was a Chase/Amex money grab post
To answer your question, the lack of dignity has to do with the fact that you fully know how pathetic that post was (unlike say, Howie talking about Avios), and yet still saw fit to publish it.
I’ve seen your blog back in the day, and I’ve seen what your producing on FTG. So I merely ask how much FTG bought off your dignity for?
What other people write has nothing to do with my dignity. Nobody is selling crack to preschool kids – it’s a blog post about credit cards. FTG gets criticized no matter what the content is and that’s because doing so generates a lot of applause (which is why certain people spend more time trolling FTG than writing their own blog posts). In any case, I find this topic trivial in the grander scheme of things. I’ve you’ve read my old trip reports, you’ll know why.
+1 Million.
“What other people write has nothing to do with my dignity”
It most certainly does. If nobody has the guts to attach their name to that slab of crap post (and I don’t blame them), then I will just attach that piece to the editor of the “FTG Staff” who decided that content was worth posting
“FTG gets criticized no matter what the content is”
Because no matter what the content is at FTG, it always seem to suck. This credit card push in particular was especially pathetic. I know it, you know it, everybody at FTG knows it. But you let that piece get published hoping that there are enough people who stumbled upon the site from Google that don’t know it. Which goes back to that whole thing about lacking dignity…..
There’s a lot about blog content production and the business that people like you don’t understand. That’s not a dig, just a fact. There’s no conspiracy to mislead readers or trick people into getting inferior offers. The writer felt the advice was good: That if you just want cash, cash out the big sign-up bonus from a flexible rewards card rather than getting a card with a $100 bonus. I understand others were upset that cards like the Venture and Arrival weren’t included, but I’ve explained that in the comment section. Whatever your day job is, there’s only so much control you have over it. My job is no different.
Right, so obviously nobody here will fall for that load of crap. Nor will anyone who has even the slightest familiarity with the blog
But out of curiosity, what is the break-even percentage of readers who need to actually believe that spin in order for the blog to be successful?
10%? 5%?
Thank god Drew (and Andy?) got out of that cesspool that gives used car salesman a bad name.
Sometimes you need to stand up and do what is right and not let the business decisions take precedent.
This is what happened to FTG and it is truly sad.
For the record, I agree with Steve.
Creditibility is the most important asset. Your credit is second 🙂
“What other people write has nothing to do with my dignity”
Who is the editor again?
The buck stops with?
When you two graduate from college, you’ll understand how a real job works. And that “integrity” is dependent on your actions, not someone else’s.
Some people do earn their living in a honest way without having to screw other people over which is not the case for you.
@Chris, not a single reader has ever accused FTG of screwing them over. Nothing but success stories and thanks from the readers. If you have anything to prove otherwise, I’m all ears.
Ariana, you seem like a sweet girl, but please take some time
and look in the mirror. You and your colleagues destroyed the blog scene
in the last few months. It’s incredible what’s happening.
I have no idea what’s going on, must be some extra pressure from
the banks/credit karma/whoever, but all your blogs look like
a bunch of Nigeria created websites fishing for innocent victims.
God, I remember even MMS had something useful on his site.
Summer was entertaining. Never liked OMAT or VFTW much, but
I could technically find some info there.
It is all GONE. Sorry, but stop playing an innocent girl, you are as guilty
as everybody else. What a shame…
Honey, aren’t you the recent grad?
Are you not the one who ultimately pushes the “publish” button?
Come on Steve, that last line was not necessary.
Necessary? No.
But if the only things posted were that which was necessary, FTG.com would be a blank page.
As someone who is clueless about staffing at FTG, you sure are confident about the reason for people “leaving” the site. I suggest you follow their lead if it bothers you so much.
“As someone who is clueless about staffing at FTG”
Considering your site does it’s best to hide behind the veil of “FTG Staff” anonymity for the extreme puff pieces/newbie targeting posts, we do the best we can with the information we’re presented
Hey, at least MileValue has the balls to stand behind the crap he posts
You do know that those who leave talk about their reasons for leaving and their interactions with you, right?
Great way to round off this week, thank you for blogging, it’s a fun read a few times a week!
Cheers,
PedroNY
douchebag fight
Steve vs ffhigh vs TBB
and the winner?
a three way tie.
all three win douchebag of the day
Thank you for taking the time to comment. This post would have been proudly banned at Delta Points. Just saying.
Damn. I wasn’t even in the running?
Too much sausage in this threeway for me. TJ, you’re welcome to take my place!
To all:
I am flying to Brazil tomorrow! TBB is going down for a week or so but keep coming back and click on my Amazon link lol.
I have so much I need to get done there is no way in hell I can keep up with the blogs. I wanted to get a full week of Blog Frontline reports to make my point.
I will likely have some filler posts or keep you up to date about my happenings in Brazil.
I make it to the World Cup 20 years later. And it all happened very late last night, thanks to some good friends on twitter.
All miles and points: UA miles on Business, AA miles on return flying First class, intra brazil on AA miles on Tam, GRU-FOR on Azul. 3 nights at HOliday Inn FOR 15k IHG per night. Yeah some fees but that is what Arrival is for. Being able to put this together and fly out tomorrow is beyond my wildest dreams. My brother got a game ticket for me he says. Will spend a couple of nights at his place in Sao Paulo.
What if Greece wins and advances? Oh boy, BIG decisions then 🙂
I have no doubt when I return the same blogs will still be pumping cards lol.
Safe travels and enjoy!
Create some empty posts so that we can discuss the blog space in the comments sections?
Have a wonderful time in Brazil and the World Cup. So happy for you! Enjoy and forget about all the rest.
I’ve been to Fortaleza!
The beach you’re staying at, Iracema, is famous enough to be mentioned in Caetano Veloso’s “Tropicalia.” It has a good jogging path along the coast. In Fortaleza you’ll also find some fruits that are hard to come by (or expensive) in SP and RJ and further south; make sure you try sapoti. Very nice and sweet. I don’t remember the others.
For the back-and-forth above:
Refrain from ad hominem attacks and spare yourself from arguing with strangers on the Internets. Your life will be easier for it. The Dr. of Credit posts comments various places. I find his blog helpful.
“The Dr. of Credit posts comments various places. I find his blog helpful”
His comment would’ve made a better post that the post he commented on.
But that is only if you go on the assumption that the point of the post was to educate readers and produce quality content
Love the input on Fortaleza. Have no time to research the place at all. I am just packing and going, I am outttahere!
I need a break from all the Credit Card posts, my eyes needed a rest.
I don’t see myself getting back into the Frontline reports, that was so ridiculous.
First, I need to hit the gym after waching this dodfight of a game between Ecuador and Honduras
Oh, here’s my favorite version: “Viva Iracema ma ma, Viva Ipanema ma ma ma ma.” The latter beach has another famous song attached to it. (Note: the original version of Tropicalia makes more sense if you understand that it’s a contemporary of Pet Sounds and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.)
I have a good friend in Fortaleza, but I’m drawing a blank on the restaurant he and his wife treated me to. It was somewhere in Meireles. See if your brother can locate a good seafood place; it’s the local specialty. Otherwise the town is a bit bland; it’s sunny year-round, the streets are well laid-out, and there are beaches. Think of it as Brazilian Fort Lauderdale. Fortaleza’s also known as the home of many famous Brazilian humorists and comedians, but with the language barrier a comedy club would be a lost cause. Just stick to eating fish and drinking cold beer on or near the beach; it’s what tourists from other parts of Brazil do.
Edit: Went to Colher de Pau (trans: Wooden Spoon), R. Ana Bilhar 1178, Varjota.
It was tasty and had good live music, but I have no comparison as I was otherwise eating at cheap per-kilo places daily while on a budget.
cool, thanks
“I started my blog this past month…”
I guess next guest will say: “I’m thinking about starting my blog
as I see you pimp the credit cards so much – must be great!”
Why stop there? “I am thinking about starting my blog next year and want you all to hold off on getting the Ink Bold cards until I start it”…on a second thought, that may not go far lol
I am out of the blog business for a week. I need to go to detox 🙂
Why is it the FTG folks seem to be the most defensive? I suppose it is probably human nature to defend something you are personally involved in. However, I wonder if Rick and Ariana honestly believe FTG offers anything of quality. FTG is what it is and so be it.
George have fun in Brazil. I’m not regretting canceling my World Cup plans. Especially after reading about the protests, police using live rounds on said protesters, UK fans having Molotov cocktails tossed at them, and Jamison getting mugged. I leave for Belgium and France on Monday. I’m looking forward to watching Belgium play South Korea while in Brussels.
It was an unsuccessful mugging attempt, but it was definitely scary. It was my fault for walking in a place with no cars or people around me while the Brazil game was going on. I had my phone out as well which was attractive to the thieves. I’m going to be more vigilant the next time, but it won’t stop me from going back to Brazil.
I like Jamison, and I like his trip reports. Sometimes we forget the safety basics.
I think the following lessons hold for any large Latin American city:
1. Be extra-vigilant when crowds aren’t around. Know your surroundings and stay alert.
2. Know where you’re going before you head out.
3. Avoid ostentatious displays of wealth (e.g., flashing an iPhone, which, anecdotally, is expensive to purchase domestically in Brazil, or indicates that you’ve traveled abroad or know someone abroad who got you one).
I’ve been robbed, and I’ve stayed at similar cheap hotels in downtowns that emptied on the weekends and holidays. When I go out on the weekends, I take only that which I’m prepared to lose, especially if I’m walking around in Havaianas.
>>>>>>Ariana: It’s not a reference to his initial comment on FTG, but him running here and complaining to you about it like a kid. As for personal attacks, read through today’s comments: Attacking someone’s integrity is personal. The incessant references to various bloggers as “whores” sounds personal.
In my other blog I was accused by someone that I was selling fish. Sure brought a smile to my face I am not that much into fish and I am allergic to shrimp actually!
Check harvson3’s link above of that cartoon.
Why two bloggers at FTG seem to be the ones who take this so personally when the others in the Ignore list pretty much ignore what appears here? I wrote more but I deleted it so I do not hurt your feelings. I am sorry I do not like FTG, it is a front for maximizing profits by selling credit cards. Even the two writers who are decent (Andy and Christine) seem to be confined to a certain “type” or “length” of post. At least, you stopped inserting that “Editor’s note” to push credit cards at the very end which left a very sour taste in the mouths of everyone who read that far. It’s not like their eyes are not being insulted as soon as they get to the FTG homepage.
You had lots of talent. You are losing it. Enjoy the money, don’t spend it all, invest some for the future. Diversify 😉
Last comment by TBB until Brazil…I hope anyway!
Adios and… behave!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1lJFlB-89Q
To all those haters – Shhhh! Genius at play (work) 🙂 George, you just continue to amaze me with each and every comment you make. Have a great trip to Brazil, far from the madding crowd of nigerian like “credit card” blogs as rightly pointed out by Andrew. I am sure you will have much more to share after your break. Will miss your posts though.
Have a fabulous trip to Brazil. We’ll miss you but we are thrilled for you! Bon voyage!