Blogs
Points
Travel Tune:  July 8, 2019
8 Jul. 2019
Travel Tune: July 8, 2019
A New Old Song I have lots of music from all around the world, but found this song last night browsing some 1950’s songs.  I love that era, and the tune is really nice.  At first I thought it was Harry Belafonte, but it’s actually Louis Prima, a guy that I didn’t know about before
Read more
(0) (618)
Cashing Out 1 Million Chase Ultimate Rewards
20 Jun. 2019
Cashing Out 1 Million Chase Ultimate Rewards
Straight Cash Homey I just cashed out 1 million Ultimate Rewards (UR) into $10,000 in cash.  To some, alleviating a rewards account of a million Ultimate Rewards is blasphemous, and to some others it’s a wise decision.  I don’t really care about either take, as I have near-term financial goals and this cash-out brings me
Read more
(14) (132)
100+ Ways to Earn Points, Miles & Travel Rewards
19 Jun. 2019
100+ Ways to Earn Points, Miles & Travel Rewards
To the Point There are more loyalty rewards programs linked with travel, finance and general consumption emerging every year, however many opportunities to earn rewards go without notice.  Although I’ve listed many ways to earn loyalty based rewards in this post, I know there are other ways that are not on this list. Ways to Earn
Read more
(2) (120)
Citibank Shutdown
6 Jun. 2019
Citibank Shutdown
Rough Ride Trips are usually fun, but are becoming bad luck for me.  A few months ago I was shutdown by Bank of America during my round the world trip overseas and came home to find snail mail closure notifications.  This time, I took a 5 day domestic trip and the morning after returning, wasn’t
Read more
(11) (93)
Delhi, India – Podcast #13
27 May. 2019
Delhi, India – Podcast #13
I’ll Never Do It Again (I.N.D.I.A) Delhi is a big and wild place. As part of a recent around the world trip, this episode dives into all things Delhi, from an unexpected visit to a local hospital to seeing chickens slaughtered with bare feet. I thought I was ready to travel in India. I wasn’t.
Read more
(0) (113)
Another Bluebird Purge
22 May. 2019
Another Bluebird Purge
Re-Shutdown Bluebird has again become very popular in points and miles circles for unloading debit based gift cards.  To some that might come as a surprise, as Bluebird was supposed to be dead?  Well not all shutdowns are permanent, and after a year or so, many programs seem to welcome customers back with open arms. 
Read more
(0) (77)
Chase Needs An Enhanced Cash Out Option
20 May. 2019
Chase Needs An Enhanced Cash Out Option
Imperfection Point(s) Chase points (Ultimate Rewards) are easy to earn, even at elevated levels, but the bank’s rewards program is missing something:  the ability to redeem points for cash at rate greater than 1%.  The Chase rewards card lineup nearly has it all: more than competitive credit card sign-up bonuses cards that earn enhanced spend
Read more
(5) (66)
New Podcast episode:  Tokyo, Japan
18 May. 2019
New Podcast episode: Tokyo, Japan
Round the World Tokyo was the first stop in a recent around the world trip using points and miles. The trip was a struggle, as I got sick at the end of my time in Japan and really ill in India (the next stop).  Tokyo is an interesting and significant place and is definitely worth
Read more
(2) (104)