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Life After A Barclays Shutdown?
16 Jun. 2018
Life After A Barclays Shutdown?
Shutdown About 6 months ago I was shutdown by Barlcays.  The shutdown was unexpected, affected 3 rewards cards that I had with the bank, and it was largely my fault.  Basically late last year I took a couple of back to back trips overseas, and used Barclays Arrival Plus card for a good deal of
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25 Tips for Safari in South Africa
9 Jun. 2018
25 Tips for Safari in South Africa
Big, Big, Game South Africa is probably the most beautiful country that I’ve visited in nearly 50 countries of travel.  Before I was shutdown by Barclays, I did a 5 day safari in Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands (in Eastern South Africa) along with 2 days of great white shark cage diving.  I used
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National Points Conference: FTU New York
2 Jun. 2018
National Points Conference: FTU New York
FTU New York Some people new to the points and miles hobby don’t realize that there are national conferences with people just like them.  The two most prominent are FTU and Chicago Seminars. It’s nearing game time, but if you have an interest and can get to New York in a week, Frequent Traveler University (FTU)
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Downgrading the U.S. Bank Flexperks
2 Jun. 2018
Downgrading the U.S. Bank Flexperks
Phobic When I first got into the points and miles game roughly 5 years ago, I was very fee phobic when it came to annual fees connected to rewards cards.  That phobia has subsided some and full disclosure, I willingly paid the $450 annual fee for the Amex Business Platinum.  Thus far though, it’s been
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New Music: June 2018 Playlist
1 Jun. 2018
New Music: June 2018 Playlist
Radio-head One of my favorite things to do when I travel is listen to local and new music.  Here’s a collection of some new music for June.  Part of the music is from my latest trip to Eastern Europe, with others being songs that I like either past or present.  This playlist has music from
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Interview: John “Flying Mustache” Klukas on Award Booking
29 May. 2018
Interview: John “Flying Mustache” Klukas on Award Booking
Smart guys finish first From a psychology degree to the fashion runways in New York to his own award booking service dolling out countless hours of points and miles advice, John Klukas is an interesting guy.  I saw down to talk all things points and miles, the mindset of an award booker, some sweetspot awards,
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Accruing $500,000 Worth of Travel From Points
18 May. 2018
Accruing $500,000 Worth of Travel From Points
Measured Each year I have points and miles earning goals.  My daily goal is earn 10,000 points/miles.  Please understand that I’m not tossing out that stat to brag or boast, as nothing I write is meant to take that path.  I recognize that some people earn much less than that and also know that others
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Fee Free Visa Gift Cards at AAA (select locations)
14 May. 2018
Fee Free Visa Gift Cards at AAA (select locations)
American Automobile Association (AAA) and MS? Fee free manufactured spend (MS) is great.  The only thing that beats it is points + cash (or just heavy amounts of cash!).  I’ve heard the rumor for several days, and according to some recent data points and DoctorofCredit AAA is once again selling fee free Visa gift cards.  The downside
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