We bring you two blog aggregators, freak out with more hotel brands, more coronavirus resources, managed a Shamrock Race 10k PR, some promos to register, some crazy people wanting to kill our hobby, learn more about the business behind climbing Mt. Everest, answer vexing tax questions, meet the richest person in each state, that WeWork couple full of BS, cats and roosters, another scammer selling a backpack…hey I can do other things with my time you guys. Thanks for reading my one man blog, no interns were harmed in putting this baby together!
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We have lots to cover in this edition, buckle up! Before you do, if you enjoy my blog please send a link to someone who may enjoy it too. If you do not enjoy my blog why are you here? If you are here for the first time, welcome and hope you stick around!
MILES & POINTS
HOT CREDIT CARD OFFERS: Two new offers on United credit cards, a personal for 60k and a Business one for up to 100k miles. The IHG Rewards Club card offering 140k points too, highest ever. Other credit cards offers that stand out for now are the 100k Southwest Performance Business card and of course the 80k Ink Business Preferred. In addition, there are personal and business offers for the 70k Amex Delta Skymiles Gold, 100k Platinum and 100k Reserve credit cards. Available with my links. Lets move on!
There are two blog aggregators that post links to new blog posts appearing in several miles and points blogs. Neither have blogs I would include. Beware some of the blogs appearing on them have not posted in a very long time. I prefer MilesFeed because PointsBuzz has my blog dead last on the page, seriously? They are:
I think it is very likely we see more promos like this one by Alaska Airlines: “Earn 50% more elite-qualifying Mileage Plan™ miles on Alaska Airlines flights between March 7 and April 11, 2020.“. And the elite status extensions will likely expand beyond Asia, stay tuned.
Besides all the disturbing virus stuff we have all been dealing with lately, here comes another article that we in this hobby certainly do not need to pile it on, come on! Are Frequent Flier Miles Killing the Planet? Amid the never ending devaluation beatings, closing of MS avenues, revenue based domination…and now WE are responsible for killing the planet too, WTF! With the intro of how much you spend to become elite, the mileage runs are pretty much over except for a very tiny group of road warriors who find themselves on the bubble. And morons who still read RenesPoints still blogging about mileage runs! The author of the report frequently cited in this article is out of control with several recommendations but this one is really something, wow!
Dr. Carmichael would like airlines to prohibit customers from using their rewards points on flying and instead restrict them to low-carbon goods and services like e-bikes and gym memberships. [Breaking: An urgent meeting at The Points Guy World HQ was called to discuss how to sell credit cards if this ever came to pass!]
For long time readers of my blog, you know I have been beating up on hotel companies that amazingly still continue to introduce brands. It is ridiculously out of control imho. And the New York Times agrees with me but did not ask me for a quote, is it because they don’t know my blog even exists? Ok, please don’t answer that! How Many Hotel Brands Is Enough?
Communicating those differences can be challenging. Hyatt groups some of its brands into a “timeless portfolio” of “classic brands” like Park Hyatt and Grand Hyatt, and a “boundless portfolio” of so-called “lifestyle brands” like Hyatt Centric and Andaz. Categories on Marriott’s website include “Premium” hotels like Marriott and Sheraton that offer “sophisticated and thoughtful amenities and services,” and “Select” hotels like Courtyard by Marriott and Aloft Hotels offering “smart and easy amenities and services.”
We are going to see disruptions in the travel industry…and is United hurting for cash already? United Makes Massive Negative Change To Schedule Change Policy (From 2 Hours To 25+ Hours For Refund) Applying New Rules Retroactively.
TRAVEL
This will be blogged in many sites and lets see if ANY site links back to me: Scandinavian Airlines: Get Woke, Cry Wolf. You are not going to believe this ad. And instead of SAS saying sorry, they double down. Was this all intentional to, you know, get noticed? Or as we say in my blog…get some buzz?
We all know Nepal makes a lot of money from tourists coming to climb Mount Everest. But did you know really how much? How Mount Everest became a multimillion-dollar business. It will shock you! This place is getting more commercialized than Disney me thinks.
An analysis of the market shows that Everest packages run anywhere from $35k to $160k, but the average Western operator charges $66k. This price includes all of the Everest-associated fees levied by the Nepalese government: $11k per climber for a permit, $3k for a liaison officer (who certifies each climb), $2.5k for icefall doctors (Nepalese climbers who secure the route), a $2.5k facilitation fee, and a $4k garbage deposit.
Do you know where the largest bird sculpture is located? It is in Kerala, India.
Amazing photography from Asia in Review.
CORONAVIRUS
This hits closer to home as client’s son is stuck in Milan now. Italy Quarantine Bans Travel for 16 Million People in the North. I saw a video on Twitter how people were running to get on buses and trains to leave Milan to beat the start of the official lockdown. I am looking at that and you can’t help but shake your head…so all these people will likely be spreading it even more!
I have seen some epic pics but this one in Wuhan is beyond epic, wow! 87-year-old coronavirus patient watches sunset with doctor outside Wuhan hospital.
There is a lot of CRAP online. Like you did not know that already. But sometimes you find some people who may just know what they are talking about. I think this MD on Twitter does, check out this thread.
I have been having some cold symptoms lately. Or is it the flu? Or is it this phucking corona virus? This may help you too: How to Tell if you Have the Flu, Coronavirus or something else?
This site keeps up with all the travel restrictions that are in force, maybe you should bookmark it.
If you live in Singapore you definitely should bookmark this site: COVID-19 Singapore Dashboard.
Not sure how long cruise companies are going to survive…when the US State Departments says do not get on a cruise ship!
PERSONAL FINANCE
Lets continue with helpful educational tax related articles: Your 8 Most Vexing Tax Questions, Answered.
Here is the Wealthiest Person in Each State.
ODDZ & ENDZ
Here is more on the WeWork debacle and more on the wife of the Neumann dude. These two are laughing all the way to the bank. Amazing how this ridiculous company was almost sold to morons for a crazy number of billion dollars. Rebekah Neumann’s Search For Enlightenment Fueled WeWork’s Collapse. I could excerpt so many parts in this story but every one just fills me with rage so I won’t and let you “enjoy” it. There is so much BULLSHIT in this world that never ceases to amaze me!
If you feel rage by reading the story above, maybe you need some death metal. And to top that, how about death metal rooster. LOL.
Another day, another scammer. I bet you a bunch of bloggers would jump on this if the guy offered affiliate income to them! This backpack has it all: Kevlar, batteries, and a federal investigation. Take care of your health, don’t be like this guy!
I like to post stuff with cats. In my family we still miss Fluffy, the greatest cat ever lived. But we never spoiled him like this WTF: Japanese meal for cats.
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.
TBB World HQ is still abuzz (pun intended) from its first ever back link from The Points Guy. Even after the beatings I inflict upon them here. While all the blogs I link to have almost never linked back to me smh.
I always thought taking credit for short term stock market movements is beyond moronic. Because you never know when it is going to bite you in theass! When it does…aahh screw it.
I ran my first race of the season yesterday. At the Shamrock Race in Plymouth, Michigan. I lowered my PR on 10k by 4.11 minutes! Just under 47 minutes, not bad for a 52 year old guy huh? Remember, two years ago I could barely run 1.5 miles non stop! The feeling at the finish line and afterwards is very addictive!
Been some time since I recommended a song. One of my favorite artists, RIP. The amazing video art, that voice and those lyrics are pure poetry!
Leonard Cohen – Happens to the Heart
A few excerpt lyrics from the song:
Now the angel’s got a fiddle
The devil’s got a harp
Every soul is like a minnow
Every mind is like a shark
I’ve broken every window
But the house, the house is dark
I care but very little
What happens to the heart
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.
Buzz-
Did I ever post that Leonard Cohen lost millions to his financial planner? Right here is river city. Just sayin’.
What color upholstery did you pick for your office over at TPG?
That UA decision is about the worst corporate action I can remember. Another enhancement-maybe helping their customers try Southwest, which all of them should. Southwest gives you a full credit with no fees if there is a schedule change of: Nothing. You want to change or cancel, go ahead. Full credit for a year from original booking. And haven’t they been profitable every year forever?
Getting serious, my wife and I have now self-isolated ourselves in our home. We go for walks since it’s kinda rural, and I run to get food early in the morning when the stores are pretty empty. That’s it. The mortality rate for our age and other factors group is pretty high, so not getting infected is about our only hope.
Yes I knew what Cohen lost…had to get back to touring in his 70’s I think.
Yeah, I am surprised abt that UA decision too.
Good moves. I still don’t get it how bloggers keep pumping deals every day. And others blogging about getting on cruises. I think that is highly irresponsible and may harm their readers. Amazing how fast things change huh? Years later when we look back at the Trump era we will realize how moronic it was to brag about short term market movements…in the up direction of course.
I think central banks and govts should get together and give everyone two weeks off, free Netflix and medicine/food deliveries by drones. Or something like that…
China did many things wrong in the beginning but oh man they have shown how to attack it well. I think we are all sleep walking here.
In the meantime, when you feel your stomach turning…I was taught it may be time to buy. Fully expecting to look like a moron in the short term.
To all: This is NOT investment advice, you make your own decisions, be responsible like Ingy used to say. He definitely needs a job now 🙂
Good morning!
That is some cat video! Ours let me sleep in because he doesn’t do daylight savings time.
This will be an interesting time for the travel industry. I wonder how long it will take before cruise ships recover.
I should have a contest which cruise company goes down first?
All of them?
This was amusing:
https://gfycat.com/linearmammothghostshrimp-professor-awesome-legend-funny-wow-wtf-lol
Epic LOL!
Sitting pretty in cash because Jim Cramer told me in his service I am paying him money for…
Let me know when we’ve reached the bottom (before we reached it, please).
Why is bitcoin dropping? Did some whale get infected? I thought this was the gold of the future.
Ramses-
When are you going to post about what’ll happen tomorrow instead of the past?
Great links today, Buzz. As usual, bookmarked for later enjoyment.
If you robbed every one of the “wealthiest” in each state — just confiscated every penny, you couldn’t pay for six months of Comrade Bernie’s freeeeeee stuff.
Cruise prices falling like a rock. Haven’t been on one in 20+ years but wth…
Cohen was a genius. Big fan then my dad listened to the lyrics. Ah if only he’d lived long enough to hear TuPac et am
Wash your hands and #TBBon
I say maybe 6.5 months, tops! 🙂
Wash your hands and don’t touch your face too!
HHS secretary Azar: “The markets have obviously been very active today.”
Eye on the ball!
I am surprised we don’t have a cabinet post purely focused on propping up the stock market.
Was a good move he left the press conference after a few minutes. I think he may have the virus he did not look good and his voice was not the same! If that happens, the markets will rally after he gets tested! I will wait for Jim Cramer to come up with the timing as usual 🙂
I thought Pence could not kiss his ass any more, I was wrong.
Voting for Biden, lets end this parody!
White house members and extended Trump family members get immediate tests on-demand. Meanwhile doctor, nurses and EMTs on the front line are put in quarantine and denied testing.
One thing I used to really appreciate about classic literature (the Iliad, the Odyssey etc) was that the leaders were on the battle field with the soldiers. Everything changed in the industrial age.
Great point abt the leaders fighting with the soldiers back then. Alexander the Great was a real bad ass!
If you’re not familiar with Dan Carlin, his version of history is worth listening to. Before you claim that “Alexander the Great was a real bad ass!” you should listen to his very first podcast.
Hardcore History Podcast by Dan Carlin Hardcore History 1 – Alexander versus Hitler – Dan Carlin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j7jLLdAazA
Then, come back and explain why “Alexander the Great was a real bad ass!”
I am not familiar with this dude but a quick look at his Wikepida profile makes me yawn and recommend to my readers to NOT bother!
>>>>>>>>Carlin obtained a B.A. in history from the University of Colorado Boulder.[1] He broke into the television news business in Los Angeles in the late 1980s and covered the 1992 Los Angeles riots.[2] He has worked as a television news reporter, an author, a columnist, and a radio talk show host. No longer broadcasting on terrestrial radio, Carlin has achieved recognition in internet radio, podcasting, and the blogosphere.
>>>>>>>Carlin has referred to himself as social libertarian,[20] a “radical,” “neo-prudentist,” “pragmatist,” and “political martian.”[21] He is outspoken on issues like state surveillance, foreign intervention, concentrated power, free speech, education reform, the problems of a two-party system, and civil liberties.
Yawn
Thanks for your in depth research.
Carlin would reinforce your claim that Alexander is a “bad ass” but poses that Hitler is a “bad ass” as well.
Carlin is only nominally a historian. He’s the first to say this. However, he extensively researches his subject matter and delivers from an unconventional perspective.
The clip that I linked was his first. His work got better from there. I didn’t suggest you recommend him to your readers (sheep). I just recommended you listen to him. Stay in your bubble. Stay stupid.
Yawn.
I dont do podcasts, I have an ear condition.
Checked some stuff on this guy, not convinced so I guess I will remain stupid.
Thanks for caring enough to comment…zzzzzz
I think we should encourage as many seniors as possible to take cruises. Thin the herd and burials at sea. Maybe go carbon neutral and use them to power the boilers. Win win win.
Dude, bad day? Take it easy, Jesus!
Maybe that was the plan to cut Social Security?
ok, that was bad…really bad!
Thinking of you Ramsey….Hope you did not follow your stable genius leader who even has a natural ability to know about viruses too because one of his ancestors must have committed incest with his uncle’s family it appears.
Never forget the moron said that “we have 15 cases and are going to zero”. And he also said to buy stocks. LOLOL.
Conversions only two this month. And assets managed down too of course. I am ready to sell to TPG! Brian Kelly, call me….maybe 🙂
Don’t touch your faces!
TBBon!
buy low, sell high
Exactly, financial advisers are overrated.
“I remember thinking this Trump thing is insane, but when it was down to him and Hillary, I kind of said, ‘Well, you are a Republican, and yeah he’s nuts, but maybe he’ll get better and you know he’s going to lower taxes,” Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor said. “I slowly talked myself into it. ‘He can’t seriously be this deranged once he gets in there,’ and he’s even more deranged now than I thought then. So, I take the blame. I voted for him.”
Pretty shocking for him to endorse Joe Biden!
This perfectly captures why Biden, not Sanders. There are many, many who voted for Trump who are not crazies. Some had been Republicans their entire life, some wanted lower taxes, some just didn’t like Hillary. And now they’re saying “I’ve had enough with this joker”.
But you have to give them an alternative they can live with. And Bernie’s platform just isn’t it. We can get the revolution going next time-right now, we need to get sanity back.
As much as I want to believe that, most republican never-trumpers will NOT vote for Biden. They will vote blank or write in Reagan. A majority are pro-lifers and want to stack the Supreme Court. Most evangelicals made a deal with the devil voting for Trump. And they will do it again.
40% of the electorate will vote R or D no matter who the candidate is.
You are both right in a way…
I think there is a very small % of voters who see themselves as independents and could swing the election…and I think enough went for Trump in 2016. Barring a self inflicted wound (very possible) by Biden, this group is voting for him because they are sick of the stable genius.
I now expect Bernie to just keep going and pouding on Biden waiting for him to do something to implode. And he just might! I am starting to think the real Russian asset is this Bernie dude…
Biden is gonna stick his foot in his mouth 50x’s between now and summer. He is too old and something is off with him. I dont think he is gonna hold up the entire race 78 and feeble is no way to run for President of the USA. Plus who wants a 78-79yr old POTUS who clearly looks like he is slipping? Biden will self destruct. There is so much on him during his 40+ yrs in govt. Like being pro life, pro 2nd Amendent, which “Democratic Socialist” is going to vote for him?
>>>>>>>something is off with him
Dude, the alternative is Trump. He was born OFF!
Show some decency before the office of the Presidents gets more devalued. Do it for your children and grandchildren if you don’t give a shit, thanks.
OK, so it’s all because of the Chinese who eat bats? Seriously?
I know not much good comes from China, but this?