We bring you RIP Kimpton Karma, 500 free Aegean miles, visit Easter Island Moi, the 2018 tax numbers, take digs at the Chicago Seminars, fly over Pyongyang, bitch about childcare costs, dream about the best European hotels according to some list and more for you! Freeeeeeeeeee!
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This was expected a long time ago. IHG is Finally Adding Kimpton to its Loyalty Program. I wonder why it took so long. Can’t wait for the credit card pumping bloggers to add yet another reason to sell the IHG credit cards. I think all the talk about keeping the Kimpton Karma is all BS.
If you download and log into your account with the Aegean Airlines app, you get 500 miles. Instantly! Actually, as you read this…I am on my way and will be flying them later in the day.
Yet another list out there. The 20 best hotels in Europe. Interesting to see the Elounda hotel in Crete at #20, it could be a good use of them Marriott Rewards packages. Almost all of the rest are independent and you can not use points, sad!
If you go…Must see in Easter Island Moai.
You know we like to post about weird North Korea stuff a lot around here. Here is the first aerial 360 video over of Pyongyang. It is actually pretty cool.
No joke. The crazy economics of childcare costs in North America. When we stopped paying for this, it felt like a raise!
Your personal finance fix: 9 New 2018 Tax Numbers to Know. Get ready!
40 Years Ago: A look back at 1977. The pictures are stunning.
Did not know this place existed. In Mozambique. The Squatters of Grande Hotel Beira. No room service here, sad!
Another interesting table. The World’s Most Respected “Made in” Labels.
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As you read this I am in my flat bed Business Class seat on my way to Frankfurt from Detroit. Flying Lufthansa.
I will try to do my best to keep up the blog but a lot will depend on what my mother would want me to do for her in Greece. Been two years since I visited her and lots of things have piled up.
There was a blog contest where some were nominated for Best Miles & Points blogs. There were some defunct blogs on that list. And some that were full of crap. And then bloggers get their readers to vote for them. Which is what the websites holding these contests want you to do. I saw a blog reader post “I am voting every day”. Shaking my head. IGNORE THIS CLICK BAIT SHIT!!!
Hey guys, the Chicago Seminars took place this past weekend. Was I:
Look at me I travel for free so you can tooooo
Keep clicking on them you guys
The other day I took this picture outside my local Starbucks in Ann Arbor. For some reason I love it!
And I leave you with this…
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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.
Hello, long time no see
And no, I don’t think you’re being too harsh on the Chicago Seminars. I went once–it was the time one of the organizers did the Night Line interview. Many people seemed to know each other from previous meetings and I suppose for those people the social aspects are worthwhile. Other than that it seemed like it was a marketing outlet for miles and points bloggers. At that time, Million Miles Secrets was just getting started and Daraius and Emily were kinda cute and shy. Brian Kelly was approachable and friendly. The nicest blogger was Stefan from Rapid Travel Chai.
Other bloggers and speakers were too important and busy to even approach. It was interesting to go that one time, but I did not pick up even a tidbit of useful information that I had not already learned by reading the blogs.
I was there the same year you were – I remember it was “ingy” who did the Night Line interview (might have been another blogger or two with him?)!
Same impression as you had. A few interesting people and tidbits but nothing earth shattering really. Sat next to Mommy Points for one of the sessions, she was just getting started I think – very nice lady.
Lucky gave a presentation – he’s as stilted and awkward speaking in person as he is writing on the blog. Went to Gary Leff’s session out of morbid curiosity – zero useful information and he’s a pompous ass in person just like online.
Highlight for me was Pudding Guy though!
The fact that Renes Points was one of their presenters this year says it all.
But no, you weren’t too harsh George!
No bots?
Just back from the seminar. While I want bash anyone, I did think Stefan did the best job of anyone and was so nice to talk with. Ariana and Richard K. were also very nice and easy to talk with. I did not once feel as if anyone was hawking their website or pushing a credit card. I also did not run into anyone bragging about how many points they had. For several presenters they only talked alot without much detail on how they specifically did something.
Was I doing alot of social stuff, nope. Just listened, took notes, asked some questions, drank a few beers.
I will return next year I think.
Wife and I went to Easter Island this past March – have wanted to go for as long as I can remember. It was a blast, lots of fun and informative.
My daycare provider charges $170/kid each week, has ten kids, and earns every penny.
Ingy started the Chicago seminars and did it right: Priced well, lots of group karma, a but or two for charity.
I am on the bus to Larisa from SKG.
Wonderful flights again with Lufthansa and Aegean.
My sleep pattern always gets so messed up flying to Europe!
Commenting will be affected.
Tuesday post scheduled. Wednesday is up in tbe air.
About 25 to 30 people got on local bus on SKG to Regional Bus Terminal. Only 4 validated/paid ticket, 2 were German tourists….A slice of Greece greeting me already, sad!
No, I don’t think you were too harsh. The amount of MS that Rene is fixing to do on the Delta Amex cards next year is crazy and dumb. Even he admits that if you push him on it.
I went to the Hilton breakout session, and was easily the second most knowledgeable HHonors person in the room, other than one guy from Boston. Ariana (who, to be fair, was sick) spent most of her time namedropping the Hilton Surpass and Barclaycard Arrival+ (while admitting she was recently shutdown by the latter). And of course there was a Hilton employee in the room (allegedly from the IT department), assuring everyone that the rumor about the upcoming new Citi card is true.
O’Gorman’s sessions were useless to anyone who reads his blog, and just a way for him to namedrop JuicyMiles.
Tiffany did have decent advice about maximizing award points, and Stefan was a cool guy.
Rene’s $250K MS quest brings to mind when the old Letterman show had “Stupid Human Tricks”. AMEX and Delta have to laughing their butts off at the single cardholder who’s actually pursuing it!
Why would you want to keep the Barclaycard Arrival+ card?
There are several 2x options out there. And the points aren’t necessarily tied to travel redemptions.
I feel the same way. I also just got the bonus for the second time, so that’s been nice.
Great post – tested a few friends on the world’s most respected labels and impromptu responses tracked the article close to 100% (though Danish friend a bit miffed).
I spent 5 days hiking and biking around Easter Island a few years ago. Definitely ranks up in my top two or three travel adventures. Highly highly recommended. Combined it with a trip to the Atacama Desert which also should be anyone’s bucket list.