We bring you the ultimate credit card guide, we are now up to 160 hotel brands, we go deep into the dating market, get all the travel credit related perks summarized in one post, double dip with Lyft rides, check out some world cruises, travel to Russia for an ice tsunami, check our auroras, go deep into the data of 800 occupations, get you the 2020 retirement contribution limits, marvel at drones, the top emerging technologies, winning nature photography, learn the real scoop behind the Ford Ferrari rivalry and lots more!
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MILES & POINTS
If you ignore stuff like “whopping 60k signup bonus” and “incredible 80k signup bonus” that is designed to make you click on the numerous affiliate links…the article does have really good and comprehensive information on how to get started in this “hobby”: The Ultimate Guide To Credit Cards And Points: Where To Start And What You Need To Know About The Best Cards For You! And never EVER forget this:
It’s important to note that the credit card points system is subsidized by the millions of Americans who fall into the trap of debt, buying things they can’t afford, and paying huge amounts of interest to the banks. If you’re susceptible to that behavior, then don’t start in the first place. Pay for things in cash and be happy not being in debt. Any gain from the points system will be obliterated by interest payments.
Many credit cards these days have some type of credit involved. This is a good comprehensive reference post about them: Year-End Credit Card Checklist for 2019: Travel Credits, Spend Reset, Application Strategy & More.
Of course please consider applying for credit cards in my site to help support it. Always a struggle here to sell ten per month, something that The Points Guy probably hits every ten minutes, sad lol!
If you use Lyft you can get Hilton Honors points for each ride. NEVER use your Hilton Honors points to pay for your Lyft rides! You can also get Delta Skymiles for each Lyft ride too! Yes, you can double dip! If you do not have a Lyft account please use my REFERRAL code GEORGE705317 when you download the app, thank you. Screw Uber!
Loyalty Traveler is keeping track of the ridiculous number of hotel brands these days. In February 2018 there were 134 hotel brands in nine major hotel loyalty programs. Now there are 160, out of control!
TRAVEL
If you want to hit a number of countries with one trip, these cruises may be for you: Cruise the globe: 10 best world cruises and long itineraries.
If you like auroras, you should watch this. So, everyone should watch this then! The World Would Be a Better Place If We Could All See Auroras Each Night.
Lets travel to Russia to see an ice tsunami, wow!
PERSONAL FINANCE
Incredible amount of Salary and Occupation data. 800 occupations, wow!
And this is helpful too:
ODDZ & ENDZ
Lets continue the theme today of stunning links, here is another one for you: 800 drones fly in the shape of a giant airplane in Nanchang, China.
The Scientific American came out with its Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2019.
This is a 10 page thesis on the Dating Market. I found it fascinating. How online dating has taken over, how young people have less sex, how we rate each other and more. And the ending is so hilarious!
Here are our suggestions, based on research:
•Ask literally anyone other than a Hedge Fund guy for dating advice.
•Seriously
Fascinating background info on The Real Story Behind “Ford v. Ferrari”. Especially when you see the movie.
Have your beautiful eyes had enough yet? Ok, here is one more for you to enjoy: Winning Pictures Of The 2019 Nature Photographer Of The Year.
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.
Am I the only blogger out there who did not pump the SoFi account deal to make money? I just did not have the time to research the company well enough to recommend.
The Miles Per Day dude is starting a slack channel for, wait for it, subscribers.
Son added the Chase Freedom Unlimited to go along with his Sapphire Preferred. Lots of work travel ahead for him. Now that he won’t have my AU CNB card to bring along whoever he wants inside airline lounges, he wants to upgrade to the Reserve. Only way to do it is through product change, correct? Hate it getting a card without a signup bonus, so sad!
The Tesla truck introduction was beyond disastrous. I do not understand the Elon cult fans. Full Disclosure: Mrs. TBB works at Ford and we drive Ford vehicles.
And I leave you with this…Have a good pre Thanksgiving weekend everyone!
TBB
travelbloggerbuzz@gmail.com
Follow TBB on Twitter @FlyerTalkerinA2.
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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.
Hey Buzz-
One week until Black Friday.
I’ve been out of the country-where do I start? (And which credit cards to use). (Of course),
Buzz-
If the Chase Sapphire Reserve goes to a $550 fee ($350 net), I will likely be out the door.
Who do these guys think I am?
Very helpful links!
Thank you.
Sam:
On your Schwab/TD Ameritrade merger question from last post:
This hit like a nuke bomb yesterday. I knew something was brewing and this is why I attended the Schwab advisor conference, to check them out…just in case. Of course a free invite helped lol.
If you are not a client of an advisor…not much will change. At some point after they integrate…you will likely notice numerous marketing pitches to “upgrade” from your free trading account. Pitches to try Robo advisors, pitches to work with Schwab reps, pitches to work with independent advisors when you have over a certain $ in your account. Of course innovation will take a hit. These two companies went head to head and TD made Schwab catch up technology wise…It is still shocking to see them together, cultures are so different!
Heads up: Schwab has never managed an integration well! If you are a do it yourselfer…maybe it is time to look elsewhere. I expect ETrade to be taken out next…perhaps by Fidelity.
Re: Black Friday
Oh shit, brace yourselves for numerous posts. Especially at DansDeals!!!
Good point on the Reserve, hope they don’t go to $550! I am thinking for me to move up to Hilton Aspire next to continue my lounge access 🙂
Guess where Eric Rosen wrote this article?
“As airline pricing models tie the value of miles directly to airfares, those aspirational premium awards—like flying in one of Singapore Airlines’ Suites or Etihad Airways’ First Apartments—will retreat as far out of reach for most consumers as paying cash for them. The great frequent-flyer dream is crashing. Put on your own mask before helping others.”
TPG or Bloomberg?
Yes, you got it – https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-11-21/how-we-loved-frequent-flyer-programs-to-death
Eric knew better not to submit this article to the TPG Editorial team LOL.
“it’s all about conversions”.
Thanks for alerting us to it. The golden era is long gone, so sad!
The article doesn’t really make the “why” argument that its title promises, which is too bad as it is a pretty important question about the future of the hobby.
Nevertheless, the “what” of the article is spot on, and its the type of attention that should scare airline programs. If consumers internalize the message, frequent flyer programs could quickly turn into a crumbling house of cards, a lose-lose result.
Dan’s CC guide looks pretty good.
LOL I’ve never seen a cat that enjoyed being vacuumed! And that golden eagle pic is simply amazing. Well, all of those pics at the link are good too.
I did the SoFi deal, got the wife to do it as well. Worked great, paid out the signup and referral bonuses quickly with no fuss. Not really sure I plan to retain the accounts long-term but for an easy bonus it was fine.
Black Friday has already started as of today in Bologna and in Parma where I happen to be for the day. Good stuff as always! Love that drone thing.
$30/month to join Miles Per Day’s slack channel. And there’s currently no content. That’s about my p0rn budget. No brainer!
The only thing MilesPerDay is gonna teach you is how to get shut down. Follow that dude at your own peril.
With son’s CFU conversion we are up to four. Month to date.
Sad lol
“Many credit cards these days have some type of credit involved.” Well, yes.