I bring you for your entertainment (primarily) some of the best comments of the past week. Be excellent to each other! Enjoy your long weekend and recharge your batteries.
TBB Blog Mission: To Entertain. Educate. Inspire. In That Order
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From the May 19th post:
ABC: “Let it out of the bag. You can control this pussy cat.”
Anh: “If you don’t have to pay annual fee, you should keep the Arrival Card. Heck, anything without annual fees, just keep them. Never know once in a while a trick will surface…”
Steve: The pioneer of it was MMS
MommyPoints soon followed
FTG joined the party this weekend with a divorced cousin
And now we can add OMAT to the list
I’m of course referring to bloggers who stoop to the ultimate low of using family members as a tool to peddle credit cards. Lucky even took a page out of the TPG playbook and linked cards into a conversation (was there a blue underlined hyperlink when he said it at the restaurant?)
Even Dan, the guy who is neck and neck with TPG for being the ultimate bombarder of links (that’s about where the similarities in the content ends) was able to resist the urge of peddling credit cards for one post when talking about his son
Not Lucky…. he even linked to a card he recommended his parents NOT use.
Adam K: Howie’s grandmother just passed away, and yet he still found a way to include a Barclaycard link in his latest post at FTG. My condolences to him, but it’s reassuring that he found a way to still pimp his cards at the expense of a loved one.
Steve: Other topics FTG will cover:
Funeral homes that accept credit cards
Buying sugar free food on the first Friday of the month because you have type 2 diabetes
Travel Challenge – Flying to the Mayo Clinic for cancer treatment
5% back at Lowe’s for home repair improvements after your house burned down
From the May 21 post
Nurse Traveler: I have a lot of respect for Marathon Man but I feel like Travel Summary really took the high road on that debate. I really don’t think that what TS wrote hasn’t been written in some form or fashion before. There are a ton of “what do I do with gift cards” posts out there. I have more respect for TS for not sharing the store in question. The whole subject is tricky.
Teach a man to fish… Well, how much do you teach? When you learned to fish (presuming you know how to fish), did someone (father/grandfather) say, “there’s a pole. Fish.” Probably not. They probably taught you enough to get started such as when to use which pole, how to choose bait, the best times/places to fish, how to clean your fish, etc. I think it’s pretty relevant.
TBB: You basically have two camps: The blogger who, let’s face it, is interested in developing a following and eventually find a way to monetize at some point to get compensated for all the hard work that goes in the blog VS the true hobbyist who despises any wide open very detailed instruction blog posts to the masses that threatens the hobby. The more I do this blogging thingie, the more this difference becomes apparent. You add the pressure on some bloggers who are now doing this full time, the easy money that can be scored with credit card pumping and the need to attract more newbies (fresh meat for credit cards) and pretty soon this whole field becomes as murky as ….damn it, nothing comes to mind right NOW, you know what I mean!
Erik: I really don’t mind the blogs that have affiliate credit card links on a separate page or even silently sitting there in the sidebar. As long as TBB, Drew, or anyone else is writing content that I enjoy and is relevant to me, I have no problem supporting the blog by clicking a link when I need a new card. I think a blog crosses into pimpdom when the same newsworthy item (Chase Ink bonus increase to 60K, for example) is endlessly recycled in multiple posts that have the same message (apply now, get the bonus while you can) but with a contrived twist or phantom added value to make it seem different. Tell me once…but not again (maybe a brief reminder on the last day is OK but that’s it). Also, when more than 50% of a blog’s posts are oriented towards credit card bonus stories, I think that earns a nomination for pimpdaddy. It’s all about balance.
TWA44: But I still think that we’d be better teaching newbies how to develop relationships and be good stewards, than more posts on how to do things that have already been blogged about extensively. I think those of us who read the blogs yearn for new and original content. That’s the best way to gain the respect of current readers and bring on new ones.
Dr. Peter Venkman: Can the ink card help me go to whore island?
Steve: Big news!!!! Big news!!!! Chase adds Singapore to it’s UR program!!!!
Of course, this isn’t big news at all, as Singapore was already one of the easiest currencies to rack up quickly, has no particularly great uses for the 99.9% of us whose mileage usage patterns don’t center around “How can I impress my blog readers the most” and not “how can I use my miles and points to maximize personal value”, and tacks on hefty fuel surcharges
That being said, this is Chase we’re talking about it, so expect to see the entire blogosphere pretend the addition of Singapore is manna from heaven, and cover the program endlessly even though they don’t know the first thing about it even though they’ve never once actually redeemed a SQ mile
And you can expect SQ suites class to now become trip reviewed to death, much like the LH FCT was back when you could affordably redeem UR points for it.
Steve: Top 5 reasons I love Chase:
1) It cured cancer
2) It solved world hunger
3) It brought about world peace
4) It brought about the coming of the messiah
5) 3x dining on the first Friday of the month
Sam (asking Dan of DansDeals): Can you honestly say that your emphasis hasn’t changed since Amex pulled your links?
Dan (responding to Sam): I think you know the answer to that just fine by reading any of the BA blogs. Blogging may have been a hobby for me when I started in 2004 and the only blog I read was Gary’s, but that’s not what it is today. My guess is that within a few years it goes back to being a hobby, but now it’s a rat race for now to make sure you’re not the next one cut off.
FTG, MMS, and TPG survived the AMEX cuts because they successfully pushed the hardest, good for them. Nobody complains when any other business tries too hard to churn out profits.
From the May 23rd post:
Hua: Hey, does anybody know when the 60,000 UR bonus for the Ink cards ends???
ingy: Hey Georgie Boy…Maybe George thinks he is a gangsta or rapper?…[Deleted many more before pressing Publish]
TBB: Waiting for the next blog post: Chicago Seminars Speakers: Milevalue Click my links
… I wanted to call the list “Blogs I Despise”. I asked some readers what they thought of it, whether it was too “angry” or something, they said that it is. Since I DO listen to my readers I had to come up with another name. So, I went with “Ignore”. This does not mean I myself ignore them. TBB reviews blogs and writes about them. I have a bias against mega credit card promoting blogs that give bad advice while pretending to be “experts”. That’s all. Should I change to “Despise”? I don’t even feel comfortable with that term but it is probably more accurate…
… I have been at this for a long time and I have come full circle (while avoiding the full first class elite must have it mode somehow). But for several years I was obsessed with status and would feel so depressed not clearing an upgrade (which rarely happened). There is something about turning left instead of right when you get on a plane. You do get that sense of superiority and then depressed feelings when you are made to join the “cattle” class. You start losing the whole perspective and stop being grounded. Personally, I decided this, to me at least , was really a bunch of crap and, with the new airline realities, playing the elite game simply does not make any sense at all for me (and most others, except true road warriors). I cringe when others make disparaging remarks about flying Southwest. A domestic flight is just not going to kill you period! It’s nice to fly in Business to be more comfortable in international flights of course but give me a low fare (like the one to Milan) and will fly it any day (nope, did not manage to snag one, boo). And then you wonder why United’s Smisek called us people “entitled”? That was probably the only thing he got right lol…
Scott: When I first got into this I was really perplexed by the fascination with lounges, hotel bathrooms, and planes. I just wanted to get some place on the cheap. Glad to see I am not alone.
Andy Shuman: Everyone in this hobby needs “serious psychotherapy sessions” if you want to be totally honest about it… 
Kumar: Some of the best and original sarcastic humor which is essential for normal functioning brain originates in this forum. And we are termed as bunch of angries? My foot. How dare someone say like that? Those people will only go to hell:)
TWA44: George should be proud. But not for making people angry. Rather I hope he is proud for fostering a community that has high standards and believes there is more to blogging than reeling in noobs who will reward the blogger with lots of affiliate clicks. But create angries? No way.
Scott [TBB declares it the MVP comment of the week!):
You’re sad about the past month or so on TBB? That has got to be a joke. Lets take a look at VFTW for the past month (well 24 days)
VFTW:
NOW Is the Time to Get a US Airways MasterCard 40,000 Point Signup Bonus
50,000 Bonus Points is Back for the Lufthansa MasterCard
ACT QUICKLY: Limited Time Increased Bonus for Chase Ink Cards
Earn Fast With the Best Credit Card Category Bonuses
Can You Get More Than One Chase Ink Card?
What Not To Do In Paradise (pictures of people on their phone)
The Top 10 Ways to Spend Points from the Limited-Time Ink Bonuses
When Will the Great 60,000 Point Ink Offers Disappear?
Here are The Best Credit Card Signup Offers With the Biggest Bonuses Right Now
Act Soon: 60,000 Point Chase Ink Offers Now Expected to Disappear May 31
Why You Should Get the US Airways MasterCard Now
If You Were Going to Get One Card from Each Bank…
End Date for 60,000 Point Bonus Ink Offers Confirmed
Chase Increases the Value of Its Points With a Fantastic New Airline Transfer Partner
Is There a Rogue Airline Employee Shutting Down Frequent Flyer Accounts Without Reason?
How about MMS?
MMS
60,000 Point (~$600) Bonus on Chase Ink Plus & Ink Bold!
Reminder: It’s 1st Friday – Get 3X Points at Restaurants With Chase Sapphire Preferred
Credit Cards for New Immigrants (I love this one, Welcome to America! Click my link)
Can I Get the Sign-Up Bonus for the Chase Ink Plus If I Already Have the Chase Ink Bold?
Get 2 Free Nights and 50,000 Points With the New Chase Marriott Rewards Premier Business Card
The Benefits of Business Credit Cards
70,000 Ritz-Carlton Points & up to $400 in Statement Credits
Top 10 Chase Ink Card Benefits: More Than Just the Increased Bonus!
What’s Considered a Different Card Product?
When Will the Chase Ink 60,000 Ultimate Rewards Point Offers End?
New Method: Evolve Money Now Accepts Credit Cards to DIRECTLY Pay Utilities, Loans & Mortgages!
The Southwest 50,000 Point Cards (~$710 in Travel or $500 in Gift Cards) Are Back! (actually they never went away but now you get paid)
It’s Official: Chase Ink 60,000 Point ($750+ in Travel) Offer Ends June 1, 2014
My Favorite Current Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses
The 40,000 Mile Barclays US Airways Card Won’t Be Available for Long
Fact is, there are fewer and fewer points blogs that haven’t turned into flat out infomercials for credit card companies. Do I chagrin these guys for making a living off of this? Hell no, this is America.
But you know what else is America? Finding a forum for me to bitch about it. So you and Ingy can disparage George and all the angries on here as much as you want, but bitching about shit you don’t like is as American as whoring credit cards and taking advantage people who don’t know any better. We all have our place. God bless America.
Lastly, for comparison’s sake, here is the last month on a blog written by some guy named Drew
7 Best Unique Travel Destinations
A Guide to ANA Miles – Don’t Miss This!
Which Hotel Loyalty Program Should I Choose?
Analyzing Travel Costs From Full-Time Travel (So Far)
The New Best Use Of AA miles (why you don’t need the explorer chart)
How Could A Mistake Fare Be More Odd?
Top Ancient Ruins (getting there for free)
Oliver2002: to keep your chase affiliate link you need to sell 50+ cards each month. To Stay on the good side of BA you have to write 5 Blog entries a week…
Check out my updated blog lists: Blogs I Love, Blogs I Like, Blogs I Ignore
Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!
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TBB
travelbloggerbuzz@gmail.com
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So Otto’s here in Portland makes a really good smoked pork sausage. Just saying.
I prefer Edelweiss deli for when I need to “get my old country” fix
Otto’s? Edelweiss? Really Portland, really? 🙂
Then there’s Prost. Food sucks but good variety of German beer. Beer is served by the liter or Das Boot!
Bavarian Sausage Delicatessen on sw Locust St. is even more amazing! Check it out on Yelp.
Finally remembered to use your link. I wonder how much commission you will make from my humungous 4 dollar purchase. Don’t go crazy with your windfall! 🙂
Every little bit counts. Please hurrryyyyyyyyyy! There is a special on chorine for my swimming pool and it ends June 1st!
Is this the same Chlorine used in the pool at the *insert hotel chain* Maldives? If so, you should sign up for *airline credit card links* and *hotel credit card links* to help you get there so you can test out the chlorine before you buy it! Also, you should sign up for an Arrival+ just because. Just think, now if you decide to go camping in the Maldives, you can redeem your Barclaycard miles for it! For 120 days after! AMAZING!
Actually this is not too far from reality, I am sure someone is working on it 🙂
OK, now you have comments from four Portlanders in a row!
Streak broken
Five Portlander comments in a row at TBB? Well, that’s a FIRST for sure!
Best name of a restaurant in Portland is a Vietnamese Soup place in Beaverton called…………. PHO KING GOOD……………..say it fast. It lives up to it’s name, no joke.
Lol, sounds great. Hey, lets’ go to Pho King Good!
Laura, it’s okay. We are not actually swearing 🙂
Friend just bought a Portland condo and all y’all just had to go and and make me more jealous! 😀
I have only been in the Portland airport. It sure looked nice from my Delta first class seat 🙂
I have only heard good things about Portland. I am sure your friend will likely enjoy the condo.
George, Just spent $200 using your link… hope your make enough commission to buyout all the blogs you “ignore” 🙂
I like you. If everyone did that we could buy at least one. It will be very difficult to pick which one 😉
Thank you.
As expected we got the “Reminder: One Week Left to Apply for 60,000 Point Chase Ink Cards!” post today from MMS. Clearly just a cut and paste from an older post as SQ wasn’t included on the list of transfer partners. Maybe that will be an excuse to have a second post tomorrow.
I’m on the fence about the Ink cards. On the one hand I like the 10,000 point higher sign up bonus, but on the other hand it doesn’t have 3x Chase First Fridays…
Speaking of 3x first Fridays, we have less than two weeks before we get to enjoy post titles such as “Reminder: AMAZING First Fridays 3x UR points (now with bigger, redder arrows)!!” and “My grandmother died, but I bought all the food for the funeral on the first Friday of the month using my UR-earning cards!”
When I was a newbie I ran out on a First Friday, and bought a bunch of GCs at restaurants I go to often, to lock in that mighty 3X. Now they sit in on my desk, since I prefer the 5X I get this quarter from Chase Freedom. Or I’ll use another card for dining rewards. Or towards a minimum spend. Or whatever. And I thought I was oh-so-smart buying those GCs.
I’ll use them at some point, or give them as gifts, but I have learned better. Meanwhile, they are just collecting dust.
Maybe the blogger who advised me to buy them in the first place will now write a post with their affiliate links to sites where I can sell them!
Those sites do not pay nearly as well so the blogger will continue to cram in the credit card affiliate links every chance he/she gets.
I found it interesting that I didn’t see too many of the major blogs covering the AA mis-pricing to Eastern Europe and Scandinavia (yes, I took AAdvantage of it). It was totally blown up all over twitter. Surely there was an opportunity to pimp the 100K AA Citi Executive card (is that deal still alive?) Maybe everyone was just too busy with holiday BBQs, parties, etc. I was actually amazed that the mistake lasted as long as it did – hopefully that allowed a bunch of people to get in on it.
Am I the only one that missed the AA Eastern Europe/Scandinavia deal? This is why this hobby is addictive. If you aren’t always checking, things are missed. I need one more TATL to make EXP and that would have been so sweet!
Erik: Yeah, you are right. Umm, I thought that the 100k Executive card did not pay the bloggers…so hard to keep up with this stuff and I am not even part of this circus 🙂
smittytabb: On Twitter, when you follow TheFlightDeal and airfarewatchdog (yeah I know, them fuel dumping deal killers) you can check to send their tweets to your cell phone! No excuse to miss them. I get many this way, TBB journalistic duties to bring you all the Buzz. As far as the deals actually go…it is usually too late by the time I post! I can’t wait for the school administrators to stop screwing around and release the full 2014-15 school calendar. Then I have some dates to play with…until then, I look at them and…sigh
I follow both The Flight Deal and airfarewatchdog too via email, but I find that by the time I get them, it can be too late. My Twitter feeds are somewhat huge (over 4,000 on each of my two accounts) and I guess I need to weed those out as there is a new feature to do that. Often I am out of the country and cannot get to a computer to book. I was in South Africa when the Santiago/Easter Island business class deal hit last February and I only had my phone. I was in a small guest house so no way to make that happen. I was planning to go anyway and just went. Used some systemwides on the AA flight and flew coach in LAN to IPC. I actually have gotten quite a few great deals from The Flight Deal this year – love that site.
I am talking about following specific twitter users AND receiving their tweets by text to your smart phone. I only have some, including TheFlightDeal of course.
Go to your own account Settings. Click on ‘Mobile”. Enter your smart phone number. You may need to verify it by taking an action (replying to text).
Then, go to the specific follower you want:
http://www.twitter.com/theflightdeal
To the left of the big “Following” Button, you will see symbol that looks like a Sun. Click on it.
Click on “Turn on mobile communications”
From now on, TheFlightDeal tweets come to your phone PRONTO. No need to scan your follower lists who has time for dat?
No reason to miss any now if you are inside the US.
Oh, and click my links 🙂
Exactly what TBB said. I never “got” Twitter (and still don’t, to a certain extent), but after hearing about all the great mistake fares I finally made an account late last year to follow @airfarewatchdog, @theflightdeal, and some others. This is the 2nd one that I was able to actually use this year. Good thing it was long lived because it took me a couple of hours to actually find something that worked inside a school schedule AND was bookable on the AA site. See you’d find the fare on ITA matrix, but it wouldn’t come up on AA. Or worse, the fare came up on AA and then when you pressed Select it would error “the flight or fare you have selected is no longer available”. The thrill of the chase was fun while seeing what others were finding on twitter. Since this fare required a little effort to find, it was a good learning experience on how to “massage” the tools to get the intended result.