Ways to Maximize Your Miles Without Credit Cards

Reader WR asked for “[w]ays to maximize miles *without* use of credit cards.” I’ll take the question to mean, what are the best ways to earn miles without signing up for credit cards, or using credit cards as the means of earning miles (through bonus categories, or heavy spend – manufactured or not). I’ll allow […]

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from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/28/ways-to-maximize-your-miles-without-credit-cards/

6 Discoveries from Near and Far: Volume XXXIV

Things I found on long walks in foreign cities, or perhaps when someone posted them on Twitter.

• The Most Advantageous Places to Visit with American Dollars -- An updated report highlighting Mexico, Argentina, and some of Europe


• The Economics of Busking -- Notes on best practices and how much money you can expect to make


• How to Tell the Difference Between Planes — Do you know that there are only two double-decker aircraft? This infographic will teach you how to spot all the major aircraft types


• “Disco Dog”: The smartphone-controlled LED dog vest -- Take your dog for a walk and a dance with this fun Kickstarter project


• A Man and His Van -- "Adventure is freedom"


• Living in an Internet Cafe in Japan -- Depression and Japan's big unemployment challenge

from The Art of Non-Conformity http://chrisguillebeau.com/6-discoveries-from-near-and-far-volume-xxxiv-2/

Thailand hotel ignites social media storm with elephant picture on Facebook

Not a good week to be the Nikki Beach Hotel on the island of Phuket in southern Thailand – or one of ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/thailand-hotel-ignites-social-media-storm-with-elephant-picture-on-facebook/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=thailand-hotel-ignites-social-media-storm-with-elephant-picture-on-facebook

Review: Cathay Pacific First Class 777-300ER Chicago To Hong Kong

I've reviewed Cathay Pacific first class many times before. I've actually reviewed Cathay Pacific first class on this exact route when I took my mom on a "round" birthday trip in the summer of 2013.

For the past couple of years I've been trying to avoid Cathay Pacific as much as possible, since I do aim to review as many new products as possible. And they're just so damn good and consistent that there's not really much I can say about them that I haven't said before.

That being said, they did change some of their service procedures lately, so I figured I'd give them another shot. And in this case I actually had to be in Hong Kong in a timely manner, and this was the option that worked best.

Boarding commenced at 1:35PM, which was a bit behind schedule. I boarded through door 2L, at which point I was greeted by Debbie, the inflight manager.

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from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/28/review-cathay-pacific-first-class-777-300er-chicago-to-hong-kong/

These images show the beauty of Utah

NOT ONLY is Utah one of the most underrated states in America, but it is also one of the most geographically diverse, and these 10 photographs 15 prove it. 1. Zion Narrows, Zion National Park Canyon Walls by Casey McCallister on 500px 2. Delicate Arch, Arches National Park Live Life by Toby Harriman on 500px […]



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/notebook/15-photographs-show-diverse-beauty-utah/

Making a Career Out of Miles and Points

Reader Justin asked, Hi Gary – Do you have any recommendations for points or miles careers working out of Boston? Maybe working in the loyalty space or for a blog? I have a financial services consulting background and recently left my firm. I am an avid traveler and would love a career where I could […]

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from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/28/making-a-career-out-of-miles-and-points/

8 signs you're a California parent

Your kid has been Disneyland at least three times this year.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/notebook/8-signs-youre-true-southern-californian-parent/

How the airline subsidy fight will affect your next flight

from Elliott http://elliott.org/blog/how-the-airline-subsidy-fight-will-affect-your-next-flight/

Ending Soon: Last Chance for 70,000 IHG Hotel Points

Link: 70,000 IHG Hotel PointsA while back I mentioned a limited-time offer for 70,000 IHG hotel points (normally 60,000 or fewer). The deadline for the big bonus is coming up, and this is one that’s definitely worth looking at if you're eligible.70,000 points in the IHG network can be used for at least two nights at nicer properties, or up to a week or longer at budget properties. Personally, I’m in the “life is short” department—I have plenty of points these days and would use this bonus at the nicer places. But I used to be a very low-budget traveler, and the idea of essentially getting a week’s worth of free hotel nights in exchange for a single credit card application will be appealing to a lot of folks.



from The Art of Non-Conformity http://chrisguillebeau.com/ending-soon-70000-ihg-hotel-points/

You Know You’re An AvGeek When You Spend $150 On Swim Trunks…

Last week a friend sent me a link to some LimoLand airplane-themed swim trunks which were for sale on mrporter.com... for $250. Now, maybe I'm not keeping up with the times, but $250 for swim trunks?!?!? REALLY?!

I was inspired by the idea, though, so did some more searching online. Eventually I came across similar LimoLand airplane-themed swim trunks which were on sale for $129 at barneyswarehouse.com.

On one hand I really couldn't wrap my head around how swim trunks could cost that much. On the other hand, I live in hotels and out of a carry-on, so what I've learned over time is that I'd rather have a few items I love, rather than a bunch of items I moderately like. After all, when your wardrobe is limited to a carry-on, you don't get as much variety as someone that has a closet.

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from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/28/you-know-youre-an-avgeek-when-you-spend-150-on-swim-trunks/

The 26 funniest Lithuanian phrases

A Lithuanian doesn’t have dirty mind, but sometimes he can have very, very “curly thoughts” (garbanotos mintys)!



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/notebook/26-funniest-expressions-lithuania-use/

Hilton Los Cabos NOT Honoring 279 HHonors Point Award Reservations

Yesterday I posted about the Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort allowing HHonors members to book King Premier Suite Oceanview rooms for 279 HHonors points per night.

The hotel is closed for renovations until July 1, 2015, so this was clearly a back-end error they made as they loaded inventory. Not surprisingly hundreds of people booked stays, and we didn't hear anything from the hotel for over 24 hours (in my opinion when there's a mistake that a company doesn't plan on honoring, they really should make every effort to contact customers within 24 hours).

Well, the hotel is now sending out the following cancellation emails, saying that they won't honor the bookings:

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from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/27/hilton-los-cabos-not-honoring-279-hhonors-point-award-reservations/

Take a hyperlapse tour of Austria

This video took two years to make, and it's insanely beautiful:



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/tv/take-3-minute-hyperlapse-tour-austria/

Resort Fees are Evil (and Actionable), Arming the TSA, New Hotel Bonus Promotion

News and notes from around the interweb: The TSA wants to be armed. In Virginia, the director of the charitable gaming commission used to be armed until my then-boss was appointed to its board and pushed to eliminate this militarization. The TSA doesn’t need its own armed force — there’s already an on-scene armed force […]

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from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/27/resort-fees-are-evil-and-actionable-arming-the-tsa-new-hotel-bonus-promotion/

Signs you learned to eat in England

Curry abroad (even in India) just doesn’t cut the mustard:



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/15-signs-learned-eat-english-style/