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!
Last night of the 2026 SE Asia trip
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Always beware the man who stops digging for gold and starts selling maps to the gold mine”
The latest memo by Howard Marks addresses the higher interest rates, Fed’s actions, government deficits, US reserve currency’s role, solutions and more.
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!
Here’s a list of simple questions to ask before you invest in any new ETF:
Is this fund the easiest and cheapest way to accomplish my goal? How does it fit with the rest of my portfolio?
Does this fund serve an investment purpose, or is it a gamble? If I’m gambling, how will I segregate this bet from my long-term accounts?
Finally and most important: How will I limit my losses—and how badly would I regret them?
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.
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.
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?
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.”
Photo credit:Jens Cullmann, “Split-Second Escape,” Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana. An African bullfrog lunges for an African babul butterfly—and misses.
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.
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…
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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
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
Would you like to be automatically notified every time a card comes out with (or is about to remove) an elevated welcome offer? If yes, I highly encourage you to sign up if you haven’t yet. And when you apply for a credit card from a link in these emails you help support the blog.
All you have to do to receive these free notifications is:
1. Click on the link above
2. Create an account
3. Subscribe
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
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]
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.
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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!
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.
Wow. Formidable post today….looks like a lot of good content. Hours of my weekend are now spoken for!
The intervention was just great! I’m not there yet but ….
Thanks for everything!