Another TBB post featuring the most eclectic links around the web such as wackier ETFs, AI mega bet, medical tourism destinations, our 2026 SE Asia trip is in the books, repealing the laws of economics, tax loopholes of the ultrawealthy, AI slop empire, creepy Elizabeth Holmes documentary, the quirky American self storage industry, cat population, most remote places on Earth that we can visit, biggest airlines by revenue, 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.
Back home from Thailand/Vietnam/Singapore!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Always beware the man who stops digging for gold and starts selling maps to the gold mine”
MUST READ GEMS
Best read this week:
Shall We Repeal the Laws of Economics
PERSONAL FINANCE
And I thought that maybe all these wacky new ETFs will stop coming. Nope: ETFs Are Getting Wackier. Investors Must Stay Sane. Funds that track election results and hockey stats are in the works, but you don’t have to chase them. So please avoid this crap!
The IRS Is Cracking Down on a Favorite Way the Ultrawealthy Pass On Money. This is a good move but I just don’t believe it will get far, I hope I am wrong. Just like that infamous carried interest loophole that politicians bring up supporting its shutdown in every election campaign season for decades…only to stay silent afterwards. So, sadly, campaign money democracy in all its glory disgust.
Did you know the best returning stock of the last 45 years is Home Depot? Now you know.
The latest video from Morgan Housel: Nothing Too Good or Too Bad That Stays That Way For Long.
AI/TECH
It sure feels like it, let’s all pray it works out! The AI Build-Out Is Becoming the Biggest Economic Bet in U.S. History. Data-center spending is greater than that for the canals, railroads and grid combined—creating jobs and wealth but also boosting inflation. Great article with pure facts. That are shocking.
There will be always things to worry about. Unless AI kills us all first lol. Anyway, what I am worried about the most? A massive cyber attack in our financial system: AI’s Risk to Financial Systems. The tech may soon become an existential risk to humanity, but it’s already a risk to many Americans in a more mundane way: their banks. I feel more comfortable having my money in giant institutions because they probably spend more money on this area.
SCAMS/CRYPTO
And here I am blogging away for years just for the love of the (sinking) craft smh: How Three Brothers Built an AI Slop Empire by Buying Legitimate News Sites and Turning Them Into Zombie Content Farms That They Say Get 50 Million Page Views per Month. Brown Brothers Media is the biggest media company you’ve never heard of — powered by AI, fake writers, and plagiarism. When we started asking questions, it started deleting massive amounts of content. These practices should be illegal, be careful out there!
The two trailers for the new documentary on the convicted and jailed fraudster Elizabeth Holmes, the Theranos CEO, are super weird. And, you know, compelling so I will sure be watching this in the theaters when it opens October 16. Can’t believe they let this film crew camp in her house 24/7 and…what the hell was she thinking? Based on the short trailer, was she thinking this would be the comeback launch…seriously?
You Can See Everything Trailer 1
You Can See Everything Trailer 2
ODDZ & ENDZ
Love art around here. And this is wonderful: Walking Men Worldwide.
Fascinating read about this uniquely American industry: The American Religion of Self-Storage Facilities. Why are we so obsessed with putting our belongings in metal boxes and then never looking at them again?
People who work in self-storage often say that their market is driven by “the four D’s”: death, displacement, divorce, and downsizing, all life events that entail sudden collisions between stuff accumulation and reality…There’s probably a fifth D: the delusion that your children will want the items you’re planning to bequeath to them, especially the kind of furniture that used to be called antiques but that young people for some time have referred to derisively as “brown.”
Another link with fascinating data. About cats. And we love cats around here, meow: Cat Population by Country. We are #1 in the US! Speaking of cats, shocking to see this in 2026 wow: Photos Show New Species of Wild Cat Discovered in Bolivia — The First in 100 Years.
Amazing photography: Wildlife Photographer of the Year Top 100.
TRAVEL
Remember the Southwest Airlines ad “When you wanna get away”? This link reminded me of that: The Most Remote Places on Earth You Can Actually Visit. Have you been to any of these?
The countdown was always on when this airline announced the start of these routes: Norse Atlantic Cancels All US Routes Except 1.
This site looks amazing: Passport Index. Click it!
I prefer the health care I receive in Thailand and apparently many others. Singapore will be replaced by Malaysia, I was surprised to see it on this list. And shocked to see Dominican Republic on it as well: Americans Are Leaving the US for Medical Care. Here’s Where They’re Going.
As long as this stands, I am not seeing United and American Airlines coming together fwiw: The World’s 25 Biggest Airlines by Revenue in 2026.
THAILAND
We absolutely loved our stay at the Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach hotel. See links from our stay in the MY ACTION AND BLOG BUZZING section below. A few days after we checked out this YouTuber posted a more extensive video review from her stay in the hotel which will give you a better take on how lovely this place is.
New hotels in Bangkok keep coming, we just had the Canopy by Hilton Bangkok Sukhumvit open.
Thailand celebrates: Nene Royal triumphs on America’s Got Talent. Amazing talent, only 16 years old, we have a new global star, watch out Taylor Swift lol. I mean, check her performance out, wow. $1 Million USD prize in the bank, going to be about half after taxes are taken out, welcome to USA lol. Anyway, imagine how proud her parents are. Oh, someone donated to them a new condo in Bangkok as well. Walking around Bangkok sometimes you see kid bands rocking in different places. I can only imagine there will be a lot more now, what a sweet story for a kid who picked up a guitar in school one day when the science club meeting was full.
We are starting to make friends in Bangkok. We went out with another couple to an Italian restaurant and had a wonderful dinner. Lasagna at Bianca in Emsphere Mall is really great. You can see yours truly and Mrs. TBB here at this video starting at about minute 8.40. I am coming to terms that my voice sucks and this face is just not camera friendly. And I need to comb my hair more lol. Unlike my wife who always looks good! I need to get more comfortable speaking and showing my face because that is how it works online these days. The old days of writing quality long posts are dwindling, sadly. And writing has always been my strength. So, we all need to keep evolving. Anyway, my friend Jerry has two YouTube channels: Bangkok and Beyond with Tikkie and Jerry and Not Your Average 69. Please Like and Subscribe.
Back to the US for a few days and already miss Bangkok.
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…
Transfer ratio is horrible: Bilt Adds Amtrak Guest Rewards as 2:1 Transfer Partner.
Good reminder if you can manage to do this: See Two Places for the Price of One: How To Add a Free Stopover Using Alaska Airlines Points.
Register for the latest IHG promotion to Earn Up to 3x Points.
This probably belongs in the TRAVEL section but the editor of the site allowed me to post it here 🙂 Are Airport VIP Packages Really Worth the Price? I Tested Three to Find Out. American, Delta and United will treat you like royalty at the airport with a personal escort, lounge access and more. And after reading the article the answer is a definite no. Unless you got money to burn…
TRAVEL REWARDS CREDIT CARDS
For ANY questions on travel rewards credit cards, contact me anytime at travelbloggerbuzz@gmail.com
I will be adding this link below to the permanent CREDIT CARDS page. If you end up getting a card from it you will be supporting the blog, thank you in advance.
Also, over at reddit we have the All-New, Interactive Reactive Credit Card Flowchart, here is some background how it came about and here it is, a MUST CLICK and BOOKMARK!
Which Credit Card Should I Get?
Great addition: Citi Adds Japan Airlines As 1:1 Transfer Partner (Limited 30% Transfer Bonus).
And then Citi corrected itself and said “Hold my beer”. And proceeded to inflict a major hit on us smh: Citi Updates Eligibility On Citi Strata Cards (Once Per Life, Was 48 Months). With so many discovering the world of points and miles banks paying them to sell plastic I guess the market has expanded bigly and we all know our species are just not profitable to the banks. And the backlash has been severe and it continues. Hopefully, many of these posers will give up and go sell something else, probably some AI thingie. On the other hand, this blog has felt the hit from selling way less plastic here as credit card application clicks have totally vanished.
Probably the most boring credit card refresh in the history? Chase Refreshes Freedom Flex – Launches With $250 Bonus [No FTF, Cell Phone Insurance Removed & Points Boost]. Yes I have a link of course; this card could be a great starter card for your kid(s)?
Chase needs to pick up the pace: Chase To Open Sapphire Lounge In Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
Ok, the hits on selling credit cards just keep coming: Chase Is Adding Once-Per-Lifetime Restrictions to Southwest Business Cards. This blog makes over 95% of its revenue from selling credit cards. Well, not much selling has been accomplished around here lately. And each of these hits reduces future sales. Also, if you were getting the Southwest Companion Pass this way over the years…it is over, my condolences. But, come on, did you think this will still be around in 2026 via the credit cards route?
I don’t believe there is a backlash against the premium cards. Ok, maybe a little after reading this article: The Rise of the Almost-Premium Credit Card.
NEW OFFERS:
80K CHASE SOUTHWEST RAPID REWARDS PREMIER BUSINESS
For a very low $3k in minimum spend in the first three months for a business card. The annual fee is $149. If the aim is to get the Companion Pass make sure you apply around Oct 15 to make sure the 80k will post in January 2027 so it can last you two full years. 6,000 pointS anniversary bonus. 3x on Southwest purchases, 2x on gas and restaurants on the first $8,000 per anniversary year, first checked bag is free, and some other flying related benefits. No foreign transaction fees. Spend counts towards A-List elite status.
LATEST OFFERS:
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
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.
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. Amex cards should come back again I have been told, hurry please.
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
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.
Please help the small independent blogs like mine continue to exist by supporting us with your CREDIT CARD clicks, thank you!
BONUS OFFERS NOTIFICATIONS
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Elevated Card Offer 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…
THIS is a MUST CLICK gem: My family staged an intervention yesterday. If you have been around this quirky hobby (that is being ruined by its popularity due to way too many posers who discovered that banks pay them to sell plastic) you know what I am talking about. And I must admit I laughed non stop reading this because it could be me LOL.
I will be calling AMEX to close my Business Platinum card this weekend. But not before I ask for a retention bonus. I don’t expect much of it but it is my habit to always ask. And you know what they say about habits. I didn’t bother applying for the Schwab version of the Amex Platinum card since last time because I know I will be getting the pop up message again informing me no signup bonus for me. While in SE Asia I saw a No Lifetime Language (NLL) link for it but by the time I managed to get around to it it had expired, my bad. When I close it I will be without an AMEX Platinum card, maybe it is good to detox for a bit lol. I have no travel coming up so it is not a big deal. And yes I will be trying again for the Schwab Platinum card and maybe I bypass the signup bonus. Or hit up son again for an Authorized User card on his own Platinum card since he is still on the family cell phone plan. I will let you know what happened next week.
Looking back at how many Amex Business Platinum credits I managed to get: $600 in 2024, $950 in 2025 and $1,100 in 2026. #Winning And I can do way better than that when I finally manage to get my hands on a Schwab Amex Platinum card, God willing.
I have officially requalified as a World of Hyatt Globalist elite again after the 2 night stay at the Pattaya Jomtien Beach property posted. I am at 61 night credits right now and should have another 4 posting from spend on the personal Hyatt Visa. Maybe 6, not sure again, how the Visa spend credits are calculated is still a mystery. I thought I had it totally figured out but I guess not. Anyway, if 4 night credits post I know I am not that far from another 2. So hitting 70 for another Milestone award should be very doable for sure. I am looking at the Hyatt app and I have these awards waiting for me: 4 Club Access, 4 Free Nights, 5 Guest of Honor, 7 Suite Upgrades. I keep track of the blog supporters so I can do some gifting to show my appreciation. So if you recently got a card using my links please let me know.
Thank you to the blog reader who chose to get a Chase United Explorer card with my links, you are First in September 2026. And thanks to the two readers for the coffees each. At this rate you guys I had to shelve all plans for a TBB IPO LOL.
I recently returned from my latest trip. And it was the longest at about five weeks. And near the end of it I was really looking forward to get home. Maybe 5 weeks is my upper limit traveling? I had two credit cards arrive at home with renewed dates that led to some complications with automatic payments. So I need to really think hard about continuing to simplify my life to enable more overseas travel. Oh, and as soon as I got to my sweet home in Ann Arbor, Michigan I missed Thailand already. I think waking up at 40 degrees F had something to do with it.
My wife went back to her family home in Malaysia to look after her elderly mother who is dealing with aging issues. She is fully retired and really enjoying this life phase. Absolutely no regrets retiring. And I must admit it has certainly contributed to my own views about retirement. And I am going to take some steps towards that in the near future with the goal of traveling more. To Greece and Thailand of course. And finally getting to Machu Picchu next year hopefully. But then I am looking at 7 Hyatt Suite Upgrade awards and, you know, this is influencing future travel destinations lol.
My wife has agreed to join team TBB. Unpaid of course. She will be contributing some travel content over at Instagram. And maybe some videos in the TBB YouTube channel as well. She has been P2 (Player 2) for decades. She still does not get how I do what I do but she certainly loves and appreciates the results of my severe travel hacking addiction. Besides, she looks so much better than me lol. Better move than an intervention, we are in this together lol.
I have kept up the posting over at Instagram. But not at YouTube, I just don’t have the time while traveling. But I should start posting some videos from the SE Asia trip soon. You know I move slow…
I think we both realized we have a problem when we are faced with free breakfasts, free hotel lounges, free airline lounges and all the food that we are being confronted with. And we are both deal minded so we just can’t say no without maximizing the deal in front of us. And we know it is not healthy overall. We are trying to deal with this issue. I think one of us mentioned the way to deal with this issue is “maybe say no to all these and rent an Airbnb instead” and I think we were terrified the other may agree lol.
Someone asked what I think of the latest Frequent Miler challenge. Frankly, I have not bothered with every challenge they came up with. I just have more important things to focus my time on instead of “challenges” that are simply manufactured to generate content. Maybe I skim a summary here and there of any “groundbreaking” discoveries cough.
I used to do ridiculously long trip reports here. Not anymore. If you want to read more about that you need to visit and read my Instagram posts. And follow me there. It is the only thing that is doing well actually as IG followers have more than doubled (and are still coming). All due to one Reel I posted from the rooftop in the Hilton Pattaya. It was a spontaneous video because the view is breathtaking. I remember a few years ago our Thai friend showed me a picture from the same hotel rooftop. And it just stuck in my mind ever since. And when that happens I will visit it one day. So we finally did and just did a quick video without thinking much will come off it. Maybe up to 10 likes or so. Well, over 2,700 likes later and hundreds of new followers. Maybe all these people thought I am posting content suited to Pattaya red light district stuff? Well, I think they will be disappointed and hopefully not that many unfollow me lol. So, you just never know what goes viral online. And it is always something totally unexpected. Like this video…
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
Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach Part I: The Grounds
Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach Part II: Garden View Suite & Fitness Center
Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach Part III: Breakfast
Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach Part IV: Swimming Pools, Beach & Eating/Drinking
Roaming the Streets of Singapore, Part I
Roaming the Streets of Singapore, Part II
1 night at the Singapore Conrad Marina Bay on an Amex FHR booking mostly covered by the $300 credit Schwab Amex Platinum $300 credit
Singapore Conrad Marina Bay Part I: King View Room, Lobby & Main Floor, Swimming Pool
Singapore Conrad Marina Bay Part II: Breakfast
Singapore Conrad Marina Bay Breakfast Video
Singapore Wedding at St. Regis Singapore
Singapore Changi Airport Video: Waves
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 817,815 miles/points year to date (after burning 1,893,248 miles/points in 2025 and 2,027,816 in 2024) and have 4,189,531 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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Woot! Gold! For Canada and the Pacific Northwest! Man! Welcome back and thanks for a lot of great reading! But I gotta ask….3 weeks now with the pics of the guy walking on the bridge. What’s the deal there?
Also, old format seems to fit better on my laptop than the new one. Hope you keep sendi ng out the old one!
Can’t wait to read all this good stuff. Got a free weekend as usual so am excited!
Thanks, George!
Carl, what do you mean by this?
“3 weeks now with the pics of the guy walking on the bridge. What’s the deal there?”
Sorry I am slow, jet lag and all.
George, OK, I read the old version since I get both of them and in the old version, right after the Bullfrog photo, there is a large picture of a guy walking back and forth across a bridge. He does not appear, I now see, in the new version, just the old version and this is the 3rd week in a row he shows up. Same picture. I suspect a bit of odd code somewhere.
Ok, thanks. Just found the subscribers to the old version and I removed you. So you should now be getting one email with the new format.
ARG! I like the old version! I was just curious about the guy on the bridge!
I can’t have two lists! So I am slowly deleting the old list subscribers. Because frankly it has been so long that I have no idea how anyone signs up for the old list lol. And no more guys on bridges, I have NO clue how that is there. So since this TBB venture is already costing me money (and time…which is okay I guess) I need to start consolidating to one list.
If you can please send me a pic of that dude walking on a bridge, I have no idea what it looks like, seriously.
Photo sent by email!
Wow. Formidable post today….looks like a lot of good content. Hours of my weekend are now spoken for!
Thanks. Please send a link to one of your loved ones who will benefit from it as much as you.
The intervention was just great! I’m not there yet but ….
Thanks for everything!
In a way, I sometimes wish for intervention to help me quit this blog 🙂
Hey Buzz,
Welcome home, sounds like you had a great time. Thanks for the Andaz recommendation as well.
I booked us at The Standard in Jomtien but may change that.
Been nothing short of entertaining around these parts while you were outta town, but I’m sure you are quite aware.
Have a great weekend and good luck with lag recovery!
I have not stayed at the Standard Jomtien Beach. But after staying at the Standard and StandardX in Bangkok (and I think I have stayed in another Standard or two elsewhere but my memory is fuzzy right now) I would highly recommend NOT to stay there and go instead at the Andaz!
If you still wanted to get the “feel” of Pattaya (which is dominated by men looking for sex) the Hilton is the way to go, it is like an upgraded oasis in a sea of kind of sorry looking species roaming the bars and the beach up front. One night was enough there for me to cross if off the list…if only I was in my 20s and single I would probably give this place a weekend lol.
Glad Andaz Pattaya lived up to my constant bragging of just how good it is. Looking at some of your instagram and it instantly makes me want to be back there for my morning Dutch Baby followed by the Detox Bowl.
I think you mentioned your wife likes the Andaz brand whereas you were not a fan originally. We’ve only stayed at 3 Andaz – Pattaya and Munich both which are fantastic properties and San Diego which is a refresh not a new build and we consider it horrid. Which of the Andaz did you stay at that made you not like the brand?
70 nights is what we are working on as well. Have 3 nights coming up at the Caption Sydney which will take us to 68 so sure we will get the final 2 via credit card.
I think my very first stay at an Andaz was at the one in Maui. I don’t remember exactly how it went down but I did not get an upgrade and it was more like the snobby attitude of the checkin and the staff. I just felt like they were screaming “Glad you got a room here and shut up”. That stayed with me. I also felt the highly rated breakfast there was no big deal.
Oh yes, I think my 2nd Andaz was in San Diego and that absolutely sucked. So loud omg. And run down. And the service was embarrassing, how is that still an Andaz in the Hyatt portfolio?
I am sure stayed in a few more but can’t think of them right now, just woke up, jet lag effects are diminishing…
Never stayed in a Caption yet, let us know how it is.
I am looking at Taipei. Daughter is traveling there (after visiting Vietnam and Hong Kong) in late October and my wife wants to join her to celebrate my wife’s birthday. So I may need to book a place for 3 or 4 nights. How is the Grand Hyatt? Any other good options? Central location is important.
From Flyer Talk on The Points Guy blog sale back in 2012, #1954
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/external-miles-points-resources/1688934-points-guy-we-never-accept-free-flights-merged-tpg-discussions-131.html#post37942472
TBB is going to hold out for more LOLOLOLOLOL
Well I’m glad you turned down that $8MM and they had to buy TPG instead.
btw interesting read here from that WSJ reporter who was arrested by Russia for being a “spy”: https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/evan-gershkovich-this-cursed-beautiful-land-book-25290d0b?st=fws8CE
I ‘ll be just fine with $8,000,001….for my ego lol.
Interesting article, thanks.
I am very slowly getting over the jet lag. Always taking longer coming back from SE Asia vs the other way.
I am deleting some email addresses from old newsletter email list. So if you stop receiving my email this Friday please resubscribe ONLY from the two big RED colored “Subscribe” buttons in the homepage and NOT from anywhere else.
I have some amazing links for this week’s blog post. I mean, some really amazing finds.
With 1 credited credit card sale and 2 coffees this month, I mean, this is like a slow path to oblivion. Not only not covering the blog’s costs but now this blog is losing bigly. This does not involve my time, never did.
I can see why Frequent Miler is now expanding to more newbies, as in people starting out and with bad credit. And now expats. I am shocked he still has managed to pay all the staffers full time salaries and benefits. While I can’t even sell more than 1 piece of plastic. This one day will come to a head and then you will all say you missed me 🙁
That last minute by Iowa to beat Michigan will live in infamy around here.
Weather is absolutely fantastic in Ann Arbor, Michigan these days. Unlike flooded Bangkok.
Enjoy the week.