We weep together on yet another IHG Rewards devaluation, get the motor burning some AA miles, learn the rules on Delta Upgrades, visit the Hyatts in Cancun and much more!
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Well, we had yet another points devaluation. And this was before the geniuses over at IHG Rewards received the bill from that company that is processing all them contest envelopes! When they do receive it, some staff will be fired and there will be another devaluation, Hilton style perhaps, so you have been warned. Anyways, we have: IHG Rewards Club Devaluation 2016: Two Higher Priced Categories & 400 Properties Changing Price
You can see the list of the 200 IHG hotels going Up and Down. The magic date that these take effect is February 17. So take some action now if you can save some points.
Here is another one: The Ultimate Guide to Delta Air Lines Upgrade Rules
What are the easiest credit cards to get? Some interesting info here.
If you are a Hyatt fan and considering going to Cancun, you should read this: Should You Visit The Hyatt Ziva Cancun or Hyatt Zilara Cancun?
This is an incredible video. Hold on to something before you watch it! Fabio Wibmer’s Downhill Chase – GoPro of the World November Winner
Failure: A Checklist. Must read. You are welcome.
The 20 Most Visited Cities in the World. Top 5: Hong Kong, London, Singapore, Bangkok, Paris. Hong Kong beats London by over 10 million visitors per year, WOW! Hmmm…
A housetop with a rooftop infinity pool. Amazingly, it is in Greece. In the island of Tinos. Which is my very first travel memory on the ferry boat to that island that has one of the biggest Christian Orthodox religious festivals…oh the memories!
At this rate we are going to be dealing with devalued redemptions like this!
I finally made my first award booking in 2016! I burned 25k, please sit down, Delta Skymiles for a round trip flight from Detroit to San Diego next September for the Fincon16 blogger conference. I am a slow starter in 2016 but hopefully I catch up fast to see if I can burn over 1 million miles/points as I did in 2014 and 2015 again.
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Sunday funday for the win!
I stayed at Zilara Cancun last May and then the Ziva Cancun last weekend. I don’t completely agree with all her conclusions, and I think she’s slightly biased toward Ziva.
Ziva – bigger/better grounds, newer feel
Zilara – better dining/bars, better rooms (nothing about the property feels dated)
I think they’re equal in service, staying active, overall amenities, and depending on what you want you want from a beach, they’re both great.
Hey Brenton — what kind of room did you have at Ziva? I’m booked in June and used a DSU to a “Pyramid Suite”. Not sure if that’s anything special?
We were originally “upgraded” to a Ziva Ocean view king, which was really underwhelming. It felt small, was on the 2nd floor and was basically looking at the dolphin area, with the pool and ocean in the background. We opted to pay $120 for a club upgrade ($20/person/day) and stayed the first night in a 12th floor double that looked out the southeast side of the property. The view was beautiful, but the lounge amenities weren’t impressive. Basically finger food out and a fridge with beer and soft drinks during the day (which was locked at 9pm). Reading about the pyramid suite, it sounds like it’s more than double the size of our club room and probably full ocean front looking out east. That’s probably a pretty worthy upgrade, but if you could somehow get a suite in the club tower, that may have better views.
Educational.
Fits in with TBB mission.
Kewl.
Gracias Brenton…
Checking in silver! Finally made the podium!
Out of nowhere comes…Aaron!
Third and writing from the Seychelles
I think Pat (of Pat&Mike) were there, I remember the pictures of the Hilton and looked really nice.
That Asheville Hyatt’s been like that for several months, Will Run For Miles tweeted that a while ago.
Third.
And they haven’t fixed it yet, wow!
How long before a bow-tie wearing Titan puts up a post on the HP Asheville, filled with arrows, circles and 37 links on how to earn enough points to get a freeeeeeeeeeeee night?
Anyone?
Bueller?
What is this white stuff I see on the “news” from up there?
Another gorgeous 72F morning at 10 degrees North. Ha!
It has been a very mild winter for sure this year…again.
Dear Buzz,
I don’t know why I am asking you this question considering your tunneling to get El Chapo is responsible for the death of a mine canary (or Kumar’s gas issues)?
Buzz, I am thinking of using my living birdie name Blue today at the local Kate and again Feb. 1 and 2 to the max. Will my blueBirdie survive to see March or do you have another idea?
How was your daughter play last night? My kids only got to play trees and shrubs in school plays.
Did you notice that on 1/28 in Pointchasers comment section, MilesForFamily wrote “Let me say the hateful mysogenistic (sic) remark is beyond absurd and reflects the issues that still plague this hobby.” ………………………coincidence or is it a Hucabee endorsement?
Also in that same section of PointChaser comments on 1/28, the racist comments by Jade are left alone and unquestioned, while I hear many others were deleted…….No, I never commented there personally.
Thank you in advance for your response, JUST ASK BUZZ is a life saver, you are a Saint. Yours Truly, Unsigned.
Kumar’s gas? Lol. I hear he likes curry. I do too, it’s my favorite! Oooh…
Try one $500. If it does not work, come back here and blow it with my Amazon link #smooth
Daughter’s dance group were amazing, probably one of their best performances. Very proud, they pulled off their best performance in the biggest stage!
I did not get into that blog’s comments…spent enough time typing crap about it I did not want to over do it 🙂
So, I keep getting $5 at a grocery store using this Moocho app. And I finally decide to go get my free nachos supreme at “Get Some Burrittos” (another freebie, they KEEP coming!) and…the store is not open on Sundays and Mondays. WTF! I did not get angry but come on!
These days it seems like everyone either has a travel blog, a finance blog or both.
Some may have one but fewer and fewer are routinely being updated.
Where is Drew?
Try visiting a cemetery. These days it seems like everyone’s in the ground.
Brings to mind that Bee Gees song: “Ah ah ah ah staying alive, staying alive” lol
The Seychelles, wow.
Thanks Buzz.
TBB readers are…everywhere 🙂
Just when I began salivating paying for IC Hong Kong with the “surprise” points, they had to up the price. No way, I’m getting the points before Feb 17. Brutal!
That stay was awesome use of my Free ( as in $49) Visa night. I am not sure it is a great use of 60k IHG points. Especially when compare it to 12 Pointbreaks nights! What will suck is you spend 60k and you don’t get a harbor view room. The view alone is worth 40k imho.
After the recent shit for PointBreaks they pulled, I doubt I’m gonna have any interest in them in the future, and the latest deval is just the nail in the coffin. Terrible program! A free night is the only bright spot, and that’s a Chase benefit, not theirs.
Citi Premier 50k offer still available!
http://www.demflyers.com/2016/01/31/50k-citi-premier-offer-still-available/