Back in the USA Two Days Early and the New Southwest Card Offer
Posted by Rick Thursday, July 07, 2011, No Comments
The heat (97) and humidity, relentless crowds of people, and eastern style toilets (hole in the ground) got to my travel partners yesterday and we headed home early. In addition, Andrew was fighting the stomach flu or something (he would eat anything, and did) so he wanted to head home.
Andrew’s change was easy as it was a non-stop and had availability. Our flight was in first class and first class was full on the 6th. So we waited first until 3 PM for a 4:10 PM departure, then were told we had to wait until 3:30 for a couple who were a no show or not. The first class couple showed at the last minute, but they put us in business class with no offer of refund of the extra miles. We left Shanghai at 4:10 PM on July 6th and arrived in Chicago at 5 PM July 6th. I slept all the way back to Chicago and we spent last night in the Airport Hilton. Our flight to Traverse City is today at 8:10 AM.
Here are the things that I will remember most about our trip:
1.The Great Wall in the mist.
2.The train ride from Beijing to Xian, particularly the two hours in rural China early in the morning. I can’t describe the poor conditions. It was amazing to me to see how primitive their lives are — all 800 million of the rural Chinese. The conditions for the 500 million city dwellers is better, but certainly not to western standards.
3. The Terra Cotta Warriors and thinking about the lives and struggle of the 700,000 people who built that tomb and the surrounding protection.
4.The people. Individually, they were warm and curious about us. But the sheer numbers were just overwhelming. The chaos of traffic in the cities is indescribable.
5. The wages are on average 2000 yuan per month (6.40 per $1). They just raised the taxes so those making under 3300 yuan per month don’t have to pay taxes.
Will I go back? Probably not.
Am I glad I went? Absolutely. Until we see how the rest of the world lives, we cannot be truly grateful for all we have. I am a grateful American and glad to be home.
I’ll try to post Katy’s and Andrew’s photos over the next couple of weeks. And to those who sent me emails while we were gone, I’m sorry I could not get to them all. If you have not gotten your answers elsewhere by now, give me a day then try again. I’ll try to get back on track by then.
The New Southwest Airlines Card
I made mention on a Flyertalk thread that I am aware of three new offers this month. This is the first. Number 2 and 3 involve my favorite credit card and my favorite airline. One is an increased signup bonus 
and one is an all new card. I can’t say anymore so watch mid-July for more info.
Bodrum Turkey Day Trip
Posted by Rick Thursday, May 26, 2011, No Comments
We were close to Turkey and neither Katy nor I had ever been, so I made the effort to add another country to our list. It was easy as could be.
I went to the hotel’s front desk to ask about a tour of the island of Kos and was told none existed per se. But when she brought out the list from Harriet Travel, Bodrum was staring me in the face for 25 euros each. That included hotel pickup by bus, transportation to Kos, and the ferry to Bodrum. A cab from the hotel to Kos was 40 euros one way so we really couldn’t turn down the deal. The bus arrived promptly at 8:15 and we were the second to the last stop.
It was a decent bus with air conditioning and the trip took all of 40 minutes. While on the bus, we were given our Visa for a day at no charge. All we had to do was enter our name, country of citizenship and passport number. At passport control in Greece, they just looked it over and stamped the one-day Visa that we had to carry with us. In Turkey, our entry was just as simple.
The Maria Star made the crossing to Turkey in one hour and it was quite comfortable with food and drinks available and upper and lower decks. The skies were perfectly clear with a cool breeze blowing, but we were warned it would be very warm when we got to Turkey. I can attest to that fact. It was at least 15 degrees warmer and without the benefit of a cooling breeze.
Upon arrival, we cleared immigration in minutes. Two boats were there at the same time and they needed to process the dollars and euros hitting the port city ASAP. We arrived in a modern port adjacent to a castle from who-knows-when and a fleet of the most beautiful wooden sailboats you have ever seen. They ranged up to 25 meters and were all built in Bodrum. If there were 10 there were at least 100 of these beauties all available for hire for four hours, a complete day, or three to seven days. They were magnificent.
We took the free tour of the city (45 minutes) with the catch that they would drop us off at the Gold Center for some retail time if we wanted. We had a beautiful view of the city. We saw Black Island and the Isle of Kos in the distance from the highest peak in town, we went by the amphitheather that sat 5000 in the good old days (BC), then we were dropped off at Gold City (or whatever they called it). First-class place and absolutely no pressure whatsoever. We just walked to the exit sign and caught the shuttle to the city market.
The market was just what you would expect — full of teeshirts, blue jeans (Levis were 22 euros per pair), scarves, and other junk. I was disappointed as I was hoping for something more out of the ordinary. The only thing I found was a stall of bongs, but that was a previous lifetime ago…
We headed down the main shopping street, which offered more upscale shopping as well as the typical tourist stuff. When I saw a McDonalds and Burger King in Bodrum, I knew we weren’t at the end of the earth. Most of the signage was in English but we saw very few American tourists — Brits and other Europeans primarily. We were the only Americans on our bus.
We felt safe the entire time we were in Bodrum. People were extremely friendly. An orange and juice vendor was intrigued by my Challenge coin that I got from the US Army. When our guide explained that I got it for helping our servicemen and veterans, he ran over to give Katy and me each a free, fresh orange with a warm smile and thank you. I guess we’re on the same side now, or have been in the past. It was a touching gesture.
The most interesting moment came while we were sitting in a falafal shop eating a sandwich. The haunting, chanting sound of the call to prayer came over loudspeakers — just as we’ve heard so many times on CNN and Fox News. We knew we were not in Kansas! But we still we felt safe and secure. The people were so friendly.
I saw many people drinking a small, tan, hot drink in uniquely shaped glass containers, so I asked a vendor if we could try one. It was Turkish black tea served in the small glass on a saucer with two cubes of sugar and a very small stirring spoon. Several elderly local gentlemen cleared a space for us and asked us to join them. Although we could not converse, their hospitality was genuine and warm. The tea was tasty and strong, but it really didn’t make much sense to me in that heat. But, “when in Rome…….”
We found the Mosque as we continued down toward the harbor. It was built in 1720 and featured a minaret on top or beside it. (I think minaret is the right word.) There were numerous shoes lined up outside the Mosque. We didn’t attempt entry.
So — add another country to the list. Don’t expect to see many Americans, but since this is a tourist town most of the shopkeepers speak at least broken English. Of course, their English was sure better than my Turkish. I think that’s typical of Americans: So few of us speak another language and the rest of the world seems to know their way around ours.
But what we do have is an adventurous spirit. And by keeping our eyes open for the next great promotion, we can see the world at prices we all can afford. So far: free airlines tickets to Greece, free hotels, and a 25 Euro tour ticket to Turkey. 
The next two days are going to be all about rest by the pool and the Aegean Sea.
50,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points with the Sapphire Preferred Card, No Fee 1st Year, Transferable to Many Programs
Blogging For National Car Rental For The Next Two Weeks
Posted by Rick Friday, May 20, 2011, No Comments
Rookie winning tip from last week goes to Chris D ! Thanks, you are in the May $100 gift card drawing!
Hello to all you National Car Rental fans out there. For the next two weeks, I’ll be sharing travel tips I have used successfully in the past to significantly lower our travel expenses. To all my regular readers, don’t worry: I’ll keep you updated on our current free trip to the Greek Isles, Croatia, and Amsterdam while at the same time mixing in past articles from the blog to help keep our techniques fresh and available for your use.
National has offered some nice giveaways as part of this promotion, and in the near future (when we get home), we’ll figure out a way to give away five free rental car nights, Victorinox carry-on bags, and (if I don’t keep this one for myself…) a one-year upgrade to Emerald Club Executive Elite status.
The beauty of this assignment for me is that I am under no obligation to conform to anybody’s list of topics or programs. I have been given free reign on what I will discuss. My idea was this: I’ll alternate days with past travel technique articles and then the next day fill you in on the doings of our free trip. Katy will supply the photos and comments and suggestions will still be welcome.
As many of you know, I am not a big rental car fan. The reason: When I arrive at my destination, I want to keep moving. When I hit my destination, I don’t want to stand in another line at a rental car counter and fill out paperwork. That is the one thing that intrigues me about this “Choose Any Car” concept you hear John McEnroe screaming about on the TV ads. That, to me, sounds like a significant time saver and may push me into considering renting more cars.
I’d love to hear your comments on how smoothly the “bypass the rental counter” works with National.
Tomorrow: “We are off to Greece!”
PS: Sorry I didn’t get to comment back on all of yesterday’s comments from readers. I spent the day in Miami with my son Andrew, who lives in Australia. He is in the country for just a short time. I’ll try to catch up tomorrow.
How Often Can I Apply For Credit Cards?
Posted by Rick Saturday, April 09, 2011, 18 Comments
Switch Over to WordPress Today
Howie is attempting to move the blog today to WordPress so service may be interrupted. We are still here, just trying to improve the look of the blog.
The question of the day seems to be:
I applied for a Chase card in December and February and really want the 100,000 miles from the British airways card. Can I apply for this and expect success?
Here is an email I just got:
“Hey Rick, just a follow-up from our previous emails.
My girlfriend applied for the Chase Continental credit card two weeks ago and was accepted/received her card this past Saturday. She then applied for the Chase British Airways credit card yesterday and was denied. She called Chase today and they simply lowered her Chase Continental credit line and then approved her for the British Airways card.
So it looks like you can apply for and receive both of these cards within a short time period after all! Might be helpful to some of your other readers who are wondering the same!
Thanks again for your help!
Scott”
This proves that the Chase six-month rule is bunk. I knew it was, as I got five cards in six months from Chase. But here is the same result from another reader. You need high scores and few inquiries and the ability to lower the limits on your existing cards with the same card issuer, or be willing to close an older account. Your Mileage May Vary, but don’t believe that six-month rule line you get on the phone sometimes.
Every inquiry costs your credit score two to five points. That’s the amount you’re risking. If you are denied for a card, it does not go on your report as a negative factor. There is no drop in your score for a credit card denial.
This offer is large enough that if you aren’t sure of the outcome, it may still be worth the try, particularly if you have another Chase credit card you can cancel to earn the approval. Don’t cancel anything before applying. Wait until you get the denial if you do and then call the reconsideration phone number.
Reader emails are really providing valuable information to you, the readers. Several days ago we heard an example of a Premier Rewards credit card producing another sign-up bonus in the short term. Last month another reader email indicated that a Platinum Card from American Express, closed at least two years, could be applied for again and the new application would produce the points. I personally verified that one with my account at two years and three days since I closed my first Platinum Card.
This British Airways card has plenty of positives as a long term card for many people. It can be a terrific compliment to those carrying the Starwood Preferred Guest American Express credit card where Amex is not accepted.
1.25 miles per dollar spent
$30,000 spend to earn a free companion pass
No foreign transaction fees
I wish I hadn’t closed mine this year. Although I am not a fan of the fuel surcharges that British Airways charges on awards using their own metal to Europe, there are plenty of other options for using the miles with OneWorld partners. I also wish the companion pass provision was good on all OneWorld partners, but that is way too much to expect.
BTW: The 100,000 frequent flier mile offer is scheduled to last until May 6th.
Chase has really stepped up as the primary issuer of great credit card offers for travelers. Look at the offers we have recently seen.
100,000 Mile British Airways Card Offer. Limited time only.
Time to Consider the Time Frame of the Platinum Card Delta Promotion
Posted by Rick Tuesday, March 29, 2011, No Comments
We have been promoting the Platinum Card from American Express and then using the Delta Airlines Get More Miles Promo for a 50% bump in the transfer to Delta for first-time transferers. The promotion ends on May 31st. That is just more than two months away. To make this deal still work, an applicant would need to apply for the credit card, receive the card, complete the required spend, have the points post (or borrow them), and then make the transfer.
I am not advocating starting now, nor am I suggesting you are too late to start. If you are confident in borrowing the points for a later payoff when they do post, you may have a chance. But I think the hope of getting everything done now by May 31st is becoming increasingly difficult.
This is meant as nothing more than wake-up call that the calendar is ticking. My points posted on March 12th on an application I completed in early to mid February and I met the minimum spend within the first billing period, which ended on March 21st. Go figure!
Nate K Donating United CR1 to the Blog
If you have a long haul on United Airlines between now and March 31st, Nate K is donating a confirmed regional upgrade to the next class of service. It will not work on an award ticket and space must be available for the upgrade. You can email him direct at:
nastyn8 at gmail.com
Platinum Card for the Delta Transfer Bonus, Elite Status, Lounge Access, $200 Incidental Credit and More. Read my February 6th blog post for details.
Funnies, Fotos, and Tokyo, Japan, and Chicago Seminar DO Registration Open
Posted by Rick Wednesday, March 16, 2011, No Comments
Tokyo’s Rainbow Bridge © Andrew Ingersoll
I wrote this post about my on-the-fly experience in Japan a couple weeks ago. In light of recent events, I encourage those able to support the Japanese to do so in any way you see appropriate.
Tokyo on the fly
by Andrew Ingersoll
by Andrew Ingersoll
Over my few years of frugal flying, you will notice how much I have come to deeply respect and appreciate Asian culture.
My first trip to Asia was on a United Mileage Plus ticket to Singapore via Tokyo.
After a 10-hour flight from Seattle to Tokyo, my heart rate was through the roof, palms sweaty — I was so excited to be somewhere so new. I was scheduled to depart Tokyo Narita in a couple hours. When I climbed down the stairway from the remote gate and saw the Japanese air field workers hustling around and the welcome staff smiling, I said, “Screw my connecting flight. I’m staying the night.”
“Yokoso” — Welcome to Japan! I rearranged my flights to depart the next day, purchased my surprisingly expensive round-trip Narita Express ticket into central Tokyo, and I was off.
The Shinkansen Bullet train was pulling out of Tokyo Station as I was coming in. “Holy crap, this is cool!” I thought.
With carry-on baggage in tow, I began wandering the streets of Tokyo, attempting to find a place to rest my head for the night. What surprised me the most was the lack of English lettering. Second was the lack of Japanese people who spoke English. Thinking back now, what did I expect? I was in Japan. “Get over yourself, Andrew,” I thought. “The world is so much bigger than America.”
I ended up back at the train station hotel, donned my tiny kimono and slippers and dozed off to sleep, excited about my full day of exploring one of the world’s most amazing cities.
Don’t let a language barrier stop you. Embrace and appreciate the difference!
Tokyo can be an expensive city. I’d recommend redeeming hotel points to keep costs down. If you’re looking for an authentic experience, bed and breakfast inns can be reasonably priced and an authentic cultural experience. The opening of Haneda Airport to International commercial travel will significantly reduce the costs of getting into downtown Tokyo as Narita is a good hour outside of the city.
Tokyo Metro Website
Japan Rail East Map (How intense is this map? Both Haneda and Narita Airports are serviced via train)
Andrew’s TripAlertz Referral Link. Thank You.
Chicago Seminar DO Registration Now Open
We have another great line-up of speakers and topics. Come join us in Chicago October 29th and 30th with two sessions on the evening of the 28th.
Platinum Card for the Delta Transfer Bonus, Elite Status, Lounge Access, $200 Incidental Credit and More. Read my February 6th blog post for details.
Frugal Travel Guy Readers Reach Antarctica
Posted by Rick Thursday, December 23, 2010, No Comments
My son Andrew is safe and somewhat sound after his trip to Antarctica. Seems like he developed a neck strain enroute, but got some amazing photos for us to see. He will be providing photos from around the world all year on the Wednesday and Sunday blog posts.
AND, he met two Frugal Travel Guy readers on this tiny expedition ship. Jonathon and Lindsay from Texas, recognized Andrew’s last name and struck up a conversation. It seems they paid their taxes of $3700+ with Mint coins and also have been to all seven continents in just the last 6 months. Jonathon emailed me this morning to report the encounter and let me know the first thing my son did when he got back to civilization was check his Delta account for his 125K Suntrust miles. The miles posted. The fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree.
It is hard for me to believe the reach of this blog. A ship with 103 passengers and three of them are blog readers. What a hoot.
We Can See the World at Prices We All Can Afford and I am so happy to be part of that.
To our Three Antarctic Explorers You are the Frugal Travel Guys and Gals of the Day
TripAlertz.com Let me Refer You
I get a $5 referral for every one that signs up for their program.They offer discounted prices for higher end travel destinations and have no limit on the number of referrals. I would appreciate your support by joining through this link. The program is new and promises your travel can even be FREE if you refer enough friends. I’ll report if that is indeed true. Thanks
Need Continental Miles Now? These Convert 1:1 and No First Year Fee
