Another TBB post featuring the most eclectic links around the web such as pacing AI frontier, how tax schemes blow up, cryptid tourism, more from our Thailand trip, investing in stocks facts, Elon Musk documentary, all the New York City trees, only the best photography and Thailand links and of course always all of the most important developments in the crazy world of frequent flyer miles and points at the lower half of the post. And much more. Enjoy the weekend.
Blog Mission: To Educate. Entertain. Inspire. In That Order!
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This blog started way back in 2012 focusing on my crazy hobby addiction of traveling with frequent flyer miles, hotel and bank points. It has since evolved to curated posts featuring the best web content along with my commentary.
BLOG HOUSEKEEPING
This is truly a one man labor of love operation, enjoy it while it lasts.
Having a blast in our SE Asia trip, we said goodbye to Thailand and Vietnam and now heading to Singapore. More details about the trip in the last section of the blog post below. Next post will come from home in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“The secret to happiness is freedom and the secret of freedom is courage” – Thucydides
MUST READ GEMS
Best read this week, by far. Assume they all are lol.
PERSONAL FINANCE
Wall Street never ceases to amaze me how eager it is finding new ways to maximize fee extraction from investors. Even though this is clearly pushing over the legality of if all. But hey we are in this age of relentless grift masquerading as regulatory “relief” smh: Wealthy investors are pouring billions into this new tax strategy despite risks. And of course such solutions are way oversold and always too costly. And one day all these will end up in court so attorneys again win lol. Always choose the simpler method because it is always better in the long term. And when you add the peace of mind factor it is THE way to go. In my humble opinion of course.
Some good info here: 10 Things You Need to Know About Investing in Stocks.
AI/TECH
Everyone is talking about the memo from Anthropic’s CEO wanting to slow things down in AI: We Must Pace the Frontier. And the other CEOs leading the pack in AI agreeing with him, how convenient. International cooperation is needed urgently and in the current insane political environment it is not going to happen anytime soon so help us all.
Yes, the vibe has definitely shifted since the Hacking Face AI agent hacking incident: This Is Really Bad. I am starting to think we are about here? Or maybe I have fallen for the brilliant marketing stunts too…
The more I learn about these rogue systems, the more I am reminded of the first two months of 2020, when a small group of epidemiologists was attempting to raise alarms about Covid. We have a short window, right now, to rein these systems in. This is A.I.’s warning shot, and we might not get another one.
SCAMS/CRYPTO
There is a reason I am placing this one here. As I am not a fan boy of this guy: What if Elon Musk Was Always Elon Musk? Four-hour documentary coming, so grab lots of popcorn.
Imagine being scammed and then on top of it you get scammed some more and you owe more to the IRS: The Crypto Scam Victims Fighting the U.S. to Get Their Money Back. What a tragic situation, I feel for these people.
ODDZ & ENDZ
I post the Ig winners here every year. These are awards “For achievements that first make people LAUGH then make them THINK”. And we always like to laugh around here as entertaining is part of the blog mission. Here are the 2026 Ig Winners. Read on if you wanted a better definition of kissing, an aerodynamic study of nose blowing and more lol.
As always, I like most of the analysis done over at Foreign Affairs. And here we go with the dumbest war no one asked for: Why American Can’t Strangle Iran. The ones mostly hurt by this are the innocent Iranian people who are just trapped…
If you are into dance/techno/rave type music, this is an incredible resource: Rave Archive UK. I even found some material I had not heard of before from the legendary Detroit based Scan 7, one of my favorites. My music taste is, well, out there, you have been warned again.
Amazing photography: Weird, Wonderful Photos From the Atlantic Archives.
TRAVEL
Interesting: Cryptid Tourism: The Best Museums, Destinations & Festivals Across America. Which one is your favorite?
All the trees in New York City here: NYC Tree Map. I mean, ALL of them wow.
Warning: Cuteness overload in World’s most endangered tigers born in Greece as zoos build a safety net.
Amazing find: The Largest Roman Mosaic Ever Excavated Opens to the Public.
THAILAND
Hello from Jomtien Beach, Thailand. Last day in Thailand, off to Singapore later today…I have more on my trip in the MY ACTION AND BLOG BUZZING section below.
Entry to Thailand rules have changed as of September 15: Thailand’s New Entry Rules Explained.
I had never heard of Lauda Air before. And this crash in Thailand back in 1991: A Haunting Journey to the Lauda Air Crash Site in Thailand. This blog is about educating you…and me!
This blog started with a focus on miles and points and travel. It has evolved since then. Everything below deals with the hobby of collecting frequent flyer miles and points and maximizing your travel experiences. If you are not interested, you can stop here, thank you.
MILES & POINTS
So, here we go again…
Wyndham Rewards latest devaluation is now live and it is bad. And it will likely only get worse slowly and silently: Wyndham’s new award chart, hotel by hotel.
I did use two of these in this SE Asia trip so this is good reference: Hyatt Suite Upgrade Awards: How To Earn, Use, and Maximize Them.
We are all going to have to think about this a bit soon: Alaska’s New ‘Choose How You Earn’ Feature Is Starting To Go Live.
Register for the latest Hilton promotion.
TRAVEL REWARDS CREDIT CARDS
For ANY questions on travel rewards credit cards, contact me anytime at travelbloggerbuzz@gmail.com
Amex just keeps doing its thing expanding its lead: Amex Opens New Centurion Lounge at Amsterdam Schiphol AMS Airport.
At least Chase appears to be trying as these will not move the needle but hey, one or two could work out for you if stars align: We’re Thanking Our Cardmembers for 10 Rewarding Years of Sapphire Reserve.
And Chase doubled (apparently) The Edit hotel credit to $1,000 and of course you can’t get all positive now so it limited the 3x earning in the advertising category to $1 Million in spend. Both apply only to the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business card. But if you look at it more closely the credits still suck because The Edit credit is now spit into four quarterly $250 credits and, wait there is more, the 2 night minimum still applies. I did not shed a tear when I did not renew this card. And yes I am missing the 1:1 transfers to Hyatt but I will get over it…at some point.
Wait, as if Chase has not done enough to go from the best bank ever to a bank that is out to stick the knife in our backs deeper. And this one hurts a lot if true. I mean, at some point, you just stop giving a damn. And I need to figure out what is the business strategy here as credit card applications from readers cover 95% of the blog’s revenue smh: Has Chase Changed The 5/24 Rule For Sole Props? (3/24 For Sole Props).
NEW OFFER: Capital One Venture Rewards: 75,000 Points PLUS $300 Travel Credit
The $300 Travel Credit is for hotel stays and vacations. Plus 75,000 points worth at a MINIMUM $750, so we are up to $1,050 at least. For an annual fee of $95 for a minimum spend of $4,000 in three months. I mean, come on, do the math! Wait, there is more:
- Card earns 2x points everywhere (the equivalent of 2% everywhere)
- Card earns 5x points on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- No foreign transaction fees
- Visa Signature benefits
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
NEW OFFER: 115K CHASE AirCanada Aeroplan
Note that you get 75k miles after $4k minimum spend in the first three months. And then additional 40k miles after a total of $20k spend in the first six months. Annual fee goes from $95 to $195. Here again we have another discount on awards simply for being a cardholder, at 15%. And card adds an easy $100 statement credit, if you fly on Air Canada. You also get 25k elite status simply for being a cardholder which has a few small benefits flying on Star Alliance (United Airlines, etc.). The Pay Yourself Back benefit remained. The 3x on groceries and dining will now go to 2x. So a mixed bag I guess. Almost every credit card is great for the first year SUB. Keeper? Hmm, that’s debatable. As always, it depends. Learn more about the new offer here.
LATEST OFFERS:
American Express Hilton Increased Credit Card Signup Bonuses (Up To 200,000 Points) AND Free Night Cert
All four of them now come with a FREE Night Cert. As of now, I don’t get a credit for using all my Amex credit card links so please email me for a personal referral link instead.
American Express throws some higher signup bonus features for Amex Delta cards.
- Personal offers:
- ($0 intro fee, then $150) Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card: as high as 80K bonus miles + $250 statement credit after $3K spend over six months. (YMMV)
- ($350 fee) Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card: as high as 90K bonus miles + $300 statement credit after $4K of spend.
- ($650 fee) Delta Reserve SkyMiles Credit Card: two round-trip Delta Comfort Flights + 50K Bonus miles after $10K of spend. Flight certificates good for Lower 48, Puerto Rico or U.S. Virgin Islands, 21+ day advance purchase required.
- Business offers:
- ($0 intro fee, then $150) Gold Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card 90,000 miles after $6,000 in spend within the first six months
- ($350 fee)Platinum Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card 100,000 miles after $8,000 in spend within the first six months
- ($650 fee) Delta Reserve Credit Card for Business 200,000 miles after $20,000 in spend within the first six months
AMERICAN EXPRESS Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: 150,000 points AND $250 Credit after $6k spend in six months
AMERICAN EXPRESS Marriott Benvy: 125,000 points and $150 Credit after $5k spend in six months (ENDING 9/30)
CHASE Sapphire Reserve for Business: 200,000 Points Sign Up Bonus
100,000 CHASE Sapphire Reserve: $795 Annual Fee. Minimum spend $6,000 in three months
As High As 200,000 Points on the AMEX Business Gold after spending $15k in the first three months
80,000 CITI AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
175,000 AMEX Platinum & 300k AMEX Business Platinum
75,000 CITI Strata Elite card
Due to credit card vendor restrictions, the only affiliate links I can place in the body of my posts are for Capital One cards. You can always email me at travelbloggerbuzz@gmail.com with ANY questions.
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BONUS OFFERS NOTIFICATIONS
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MY ACTION AND BLOG BUZZING
This section will start with some content geared to more advanced points and miles hobbyists. And then continue on with some items pertaining to my actions in this space and then end with some personal news. So, here we go…
A bit more on the four hotels we visited after returning from Saigon: KROMO and Fairmont in Bangkok, Hilton Pattaya and ANdAZ Jomtien Beach.
No time for more, just traveling so see below. Ok, let’s get back on track here…
Our SE Asia trip is coming together on, business class flights and 31 hotel nights booked, see below.
New additions in bold font below. I am adding Instagram links as they happen during my trip (no YouTube video links yet, I guess I am just not much of YouTube material). Including travel related pics from the different locations:
110,000 American Airlines miles for one way First Class from Detroit to Bangkok (via Dallas and Tokyo Haneda) flying AA and JAL Business Class
Sakura Lounge at Tokyo Haneda Airport HND
AMEX Centurion Lounge at Tokyo Haneda Airport HND
JAL Business Class flight from Tokyo Haneda HND to Bangkok BKK
For a trip report on the flights getting me to Bangkok please see the first comment in this post.
OR
118,500 Air Canada Aeroplan miles for one way Business Class from Detroit to Frankfurt to Munich on Lufthansa and to Bangkok on Thai Airways [Canceled, went with AA above]
1 night at the StandardX Bangkok for 7,500 World of Hyatt points
10 nights at the Bangkok Hyatt Place Soi 1 for 45,000 World of Hyatt points
Bangkok Hyatt Place Soi 1 Review
9 nights at the Bangkok Hyatt Place Soi 24 for 40,500 World of Hyatt points
Bangkok Hyatt Place Soi 24 Review
At TRIBE Sky Beach Bar in Bangkok
Final post from Bangkok until the return from Saigon
4 nights in a suite at the Saigon Park Hyatt for 80,000 World of Hyatt points
Loving the Park Hyatt Saigon. The service is absolutely the best and restored my faith on this brand. The art around the property is phucking amazing. Sadly, the gym and swimming pool are closed due to renovation. Actually there is a temporary gym but I have not been there yet because I have been distracted by the breakfast again, which is lovely. Great suite even though we like more of a modern vibe. But the service from everyone here is what clearly makes this a special stay. Perfect location. We did a great food tour on motorbikes and we survived it lol.
Saigon Food Tour on Motorbikes
Roaming the Streets of Saigon, Part I
Roaming the Streets of Saigon, Part II
Roaming the Streets of Saigon Part III
Park Hyatt Saigon: Lam Son Suite, Front, Lobby, Main Floor
Flying Vietnam Airlines and Saigon Airport
2 nights at the KROMO Bangkok, a Curio Collection by Hilton property, on AMEX The Hotel Collection booking fully utilizing Amex Business Platinum $300 credit
1 night at the brand new Fairmont Bangkok in a suite using my lifetime Platinum annual complimentary night cert
1 night at the Hilton Pattaya for 60,000 Hilton Honors points
Viral IG Reel from Hilton Pattaya Rooftop Bar
2 nights at the Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach for 30,000 World of Hyatt points in a confirmed Garden View Suite
1 night at the Singapore Conrad Marina Bay on an Amex FHR booking mostly covered by the $300 credit Schwab Amex Platinum $300 credit
90,000 United miles for one way Business Class Singapore to Chicago O’Hare (via San Fransisco) flying United
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HOT CREDIT CARD OFFERS:
75k CHASE Sapphire Preferred,75k CHASE Ink Cash, 75k CHASE Ink Unlimited, 200k CHASE Sapphire Reserve Business, 100k CHASE Sapphire Reserve, 80k CITI AAdvantage Platinum Select, 75k CITI Strata Elite, 100k CAPITAL ONE Venture Rewards (AND $300 CREDIT), 100k CHASE Ink Business Preferred, 175k AMEX Platinum, 75k CAPITAL ONE Venture X, 115K CHASE AirCanada Aeroplan, 300k AMEX Business Platinum, 200k AMEX Business Gold, 30k CHASE United Gateway, 100k AMEX Gold, 15k AMEX Blue Business Plus and many more!
As of today, I have burned 887,015 miles/points year to date (after burning 1,893,248 miles/points in 2025 and 2,027,816 in 2024) and have 4,107,783 miles/points in the bank.
Let me leave you with this:
Some of the links are behind a paywall. You can try to read them using Archive.is.
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Whee! Couldn’t sleep so I am here early! Gold! For Canada and the Pacifoic North west! Good stuff here and it will entertain me for the next couple days. Glad the trip is going well but sure going to a lot of different hotels! But it is your trip and I am sure a great experience! Have fun!
Thanks for the link to the IgNoble prizes! The one for economics is rather interesting!
Sounds like your trip was great!
Another great post Buzz, thank you!
Keep having fun, we never know how long it’ll last. So much doom n gloom these days.
Congrats again to Carl bringing it home for the Hamsters.
I will be busy all weekend looking for a rainbow unicorn.
typo alert: you say “struggle” but the article says “strangle.” Keep up the good work.
Can you or anyone point me to the exact location of this typo? This is not tolerated around here, unlike View From The Wing posts lol.
It’s in here, George!:
As always, I like most of the analysis done over at Foreign Affairs. And here we go with the dumbest war no one asked for: Why American Can’t Struggle Iran. The ones mostly hurt by this are the innocent Iranian people who are just trapped…
Hello from a cute coffee shop in Singapore off Orchard Road, we are recovering here before we head to St. Regis for a wedding tonight. I am catching up and will try to take a nap to stay up 🙂
2 nights at a VIBE hotel courtesy of the wedding party. It is a huge drop from the hotels we have stayed in during this trip. But ok to reacquaint ourselves with the common folk LOL.
Heading to the Conrad Marina Bay tomorrow, thanks to AMEX FHR. Going to use my $50 quarterly credit from the AMEX Hilton Surpass and of course the $300 AmexPlatinum credit is already banked. And will make sure we use the $100 activity credit and we will still be paying out of pocket some dough. Singapore vs Thailand value is way one sided.
Thanks to AP for the coffee, you joined Carl, the only one that has set up a 1 coffee recurring every month. Still looking for the first cc sale this month. Amex cc links are still down but should be back up…soon. Add the 3/24 new Chase requirement for sole proprietorships and this venture here is going under soon 🙁
Posting Andaz Jomtien Beach pics on IG:
https://www.instagram.com/travelbloggerbuzz/
Thanks for the Wyndham award site H/T! Enjoy Singapore, wow I never thought to use my FHR there at the Marina Bay, that is kinda one posh spot I’d like to check out! That Jomtien breakfast spread looks awesome, did you have a favorite breakfast of the trip? Missing my Globalist as both the Hyatts’ in HKG had tremendous breakfasts and lounges!