Cash might be king for that flight. The dates of my trip to SGP were chosen because EWR-SGP-JFK was about $1500 cheaper per ticket than any other date combination. I forget if I used Amex Travel and their premier airline partnership thing. On a previous trip to RSA, Amex saved me about $800/ticket with their program.

Holding off to book any night(s) in Singapore until I book me a business class ticket back to the US. And of course it is slim pickings award wise recently…

Yeah, I am aware of that WA in Cancun. But having been to Cancun not looking to return anytime soon.

Interesting Hilton property in that lake, will take a look at it, just curious now.

I think burning an FNC is alright, depending on the price that night. Compared to Conrad Tokyo (2021), I think Conrad Marina bay is a step down. Depends on the other possible uses you have for the FNC. WA Cancun FNC got me a ground-level suite with the big private pool. Echardt’s Private Hotel is going to be near impossible to top for an FNC use though.
BTW, there is a Hilton resort across the lake from Echardt’s if you ro anyone find themselve in Queenstown.

I had no doubt South Korea will come back. I can’t believe Czechia is here (you will see me saying this a lot in this WC), I don’t think this team even won a game qualifying. Just many ties and then winning at PKs. And ONLY scoring from set pieces, I mean, I can’t see them going far. But ya never know it is the WC. I always liked the Korean and Japan teams, they go all out and will out run you. The Koreans did not seem very sharp today and I think they will get better. We go from 3 red cards and I don’t know how many yellow cards to a game where the referee floated never pulling a card. All these fans traveling to WC games must be really rich! I remember in the 2014 WC when Greece made it to the second round for the first time ever many fans were crying. And undoubtedly many because they just could not afford to stay around for the 2nd round game, sad lol. And of course the Czechs almost scored 2 today with their heads, which is what they do. I predicted both game winners today, not the score but I’ll take it.
Get ready for Team USA tomorrow!

I knew there was no way Mexico would not win this game, they have been preparing for this for a long time. And Mexico City is such a tough place to play. The South Africans looked completely disjointed and totally out of place, especially in the first 20 minutes. And were lucky to go down by only one goal.. And then the nightmare for the African team started back at the beginning of the second half with a red card. And then another red later one (which I think was harsh). Just a really bad day at the office for the South Africans. I wonder if they just flew in the night before or something. And then…wait, a red card for the Mexicans for a stupid tackle near the end that was totally unnecessary. The Mexicans continue to find a way to…do things like that. Anyway, pretty good opener with more red cards than goals which was in no one’s cards (pun intended).

See you after the 2nd game, I hope I can stay up lol.

Today’s game predictions:

Mexico 3 South Africa 1
South Korea 2 Czechia 0

What stands out is another hit to World of Hyatt! This could be the last year of Globalist. If not, 2027 for sure. Time to become hotel free agent and burn more points before they become worthless…hello Hyatt Cat 1 hotels in Asia lol.

So many credit card salesmen telling everyone how to travel hack after discovering the ‘hobby’ recently smh.

@ Nick PFD: What an ignoramus not being aware of the poor souls in those buildings. I clicked and made him even more $.

OMAAT actually had an interesting trip report to a weird place: https://onemileatatime.com/insights/golden-triangle-special-economic-zone/

Thanks for the feedback. I booked the other Conrad THC by the way. We have now been invited to stay with family and we’ll be riding to the wedding with them…it appears. I thought about using one FNC in one of the 2 nights but did not think it would be prudent when cash rate is less than $300 usd. Do you think burning a FNC at the Conrad in Marina Bay is fine? Maybe I am already thinking past WofH Globalist?

Continuing to make changes on the look of the blog which will go live in this Friday’s post. Cutting down on lots of link colors, CAPS, deleting some salesy stuff, links will be underlined going forward, etc.

Heat advisory in Ann Arbor, going to be a super hot day today!

I’ve had friends stay at the other Conrad (THC) and like it. You are further away from the Marina whic has +/-s