The Weakest Credit Card Signup Bonus in History, 100 Free Miles, and How the TSA Knows You’re a Terrorist

News and notes from around the interweb: New Rocketmiles first time customer offer earn a minimum of 10,000 miles on a stay of 5 or more nights booked by March 29. Credit card signup bonus: A 2-liter bottle of soda The TSA’s checklist for Behavior Detection — my objections to the screening process mean I’m […]

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from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/28/the-weakest-credit-card-signup-bonus-in-history-100-free-miles-and-how-the-tsa-knows-youre-a-terrorist/

After a few deep cleansing breaths, these Yoga Tablet problems persist — can you help?

from Elliott http://elliott.org/from-the-trenches/after-a-few-deep-cleansing-breaths-these-yoga-tablet-problems-persist-can-you-help/

14 fascinating things on Lithuania

Like: 92% of the population speaks one foreign language and 55% speak two foreign languages.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/network/14-fascinating-things-lithuania-didnt-know-vid/

Weekly Review: March 28, 2015

Hello from Florida!

This has been a bittersweet week in the miles and points world as we've said farewell to the US Airways Dividend Miles program.

Many of my thoughts have also been with the friends and family of those aboard the Germanwings flight, and what this means for the industry going forward.

The post Weekly Review: March 28, 2015 appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/28/weekly-review-march-28-2015/

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.

The post Review: Cathay Pacific First Class 777-300ER Chicago To Hong Kong appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

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 […]

The post Making a Career Out of Miles and Points appeared first on View from the Wing.

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/