Another Bump the Bonus???? Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and/or SPG Card
Posted by Rick Thursday, July 28, 2011, No Comments
I don’t know if you guys caught this reader comment several days ago, but it is worth repeating. I’m really becoming a Sapphire Preferred fan. This is fantastic customer service. Read on:
Rick,
I recently made a few charges on my Sapphire card for travel (purchases made in June and July). After finding out that Chase Sapphire℠ Preferred Card is now offering two points per one dollar spend on travel, I emailed Chase through the secure messaging system, asking them to consider awarding me the extra points for the purchases that I had made prior to the terms of this change.
Their response was as follows:
“I would like to inform you that, the two points per dollar spent when you purchase flights, hotel accommodations, car rentals, and time shares offer is effective for purchases made after 07/17/2011.
Since the purchases made are before 07/17/2011, the two points per dollar spent offer will not be applied on these purchases.
But as a gesture of my commitment to you, I have added 25,000 points to your account. You will see this adjustment on your next billing statement.”
SCORE! I asked for approximately 1000 extra points and they said no. Instead they gave me 25,000 points!
If you made travel expenditures prior to 7/17/2011, I suggest giving this a shot!
– Jezzel
My secure email netted zero but I received confirmation that I earned double on my past Hilton stays. It only takes a minute to try!
Dmitriy Has Success with SPG Bump the Bonus
I just got his email. Dmitry got the SPG card when it was a 25K signup. Here is his email:
Hello Rick,
Just got off the phone with AX. They gave me 3k so you can let people know its worth a call and ask if you are an active member.
Thank you,
Dmitry
Way to go. “Ask and in many cases you shall receive” Paraphrase and not my quote, but I always ask.
Hearst Castle and the Trip Back to San Jose
Posted by Rick Tuesday, September 29, 2009, No Comments
We had a great time at the castle meeting up with Peter, Oscar and Bill. Peter and Bill were mileage running from the east coast to reach Exec Plat status on American, and met up with their buddy Oscar from Oakland for the trip to the castle. They were doing multiple tours and we were scheduled only for the 10 AM intro tour.
The night before at the San Simeon Lodge reconfirmed my belief that I am becoming a chain hotel kind of guy. There was nothing wrong, it just wasn’t nice enough for the $9 I spent along with my Expedia refer a friend coupon. The hotel was old and dated. Clean, but old and dated with old bedding and sheets. A 2 1/2 star rating would be being generous.
The Hearst property currently consists of 82000 acres and at one time was over 250,000 acres of ranch land overlooking the Pacific. The still raise natural beef without additives in the feed and you can order it online and not pay any shipping. The ones we saw all looked healthy enough to me, but not the bloated cattle we are used to seeing all stuffed with steroids. I may give it a try.
They supposedly have zebras mixed in with the cattle herds but we never saw one. My bride, the Bug, suggested putting up cardboard ones in the distance so nobody would be disappointed.
The house and grounds were 5 miles up the hills from the visitors center and a bus was used to transport us to the house and grounds. The whole operation was very well run and worth the $2o admission fee.
The photos are of the main house with towers, all 64,000 square feet of it. The photo looking up with the tops of our heads sticking out from the bottom of the photo was one of the 3 guest houses. This one was 4 bedroom, 4 baths on the upper level and two additional bedrooms and baths on the lower level.
I guess this Hearst guy was loaded, as he spent his whole life buying stuff for this palace he built. Newspapers and radio were his gigs totaling 90 businesses and a desire to spend his bucks on opulent artwork and goodies. It was really over the top for Katy and I, as we could see putting some of that cash to better use, but then again it was his money. I understand the Hearst Foundation is now involved in philanthropic endeavors so that makes up for this guys urge to spend.
And quite the “player” I guess. His wife and 5 sons lived in New York for all the years he was out west. He at 54, and his girlfriend of 18 that became the star of his movies. From what the guide said the arrangement worked out for everyone so “no harm, no foul I guess” .
Would I go again? I don’t think so, although the tour we got, just touched the estate and buildings barely. If you are into opulent spending and old artifacts, you’ll enjoy the show.
We drove back to San Jose inland although I lobbied hard for a return along the coast. The fog had lifted, but I think Katy just wanted to get back here as quickly as possible on roads as straight as can be. She has vertigo of some sort and can’t look out the car window sideways if there are any obstructions zooming past her eyes. she slept most of the way north although I love the drive through he valley. At one point I was passing vineyards on both sides for at least 10 miles non stop. For you older readers, that was lots of Ripple.
As we crossed over to the central valley we passed literally hundreds of small wineries with their fancy advertising, tasting rooms and wrought iron gates. If we were still drinkers there were plenty of wine tasting rooms to get the job done and then some. I just wonder how they distinguish themselves from the guy across the street growing the same grapes. It is not our world for sure.
But we had a nice time meeting fellow travellers, seeing something different and experiencing new sights and sounds.
Sometimes it is not about what you see, but who you meet along the way.
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I Higly Recommend this Email Subscription and it is FREE .
Rio to London on BA Flight 248 B777 Business Class
Posted by Rick Tuesday, April 21, 2009, No Comments
We are 40 minutes from landing in London after a restful 10+ hours in the air. The meal was served late as we were late on takeoff, due to fog the previous morning in London. So I was eating tenderloin at close to midnight before retiring for the evening. The British Airways 777 was full to the gills. We were in Seats 3C and 3D. Katy was facing in the wrong direction. How typical.
The Club World cabin is an efficient use of space but still feels very crowded and the seats somewhat narrow. I have been in better business class enviroments, but my plans for myself and Mr. Ambien did not require luxury at this point. I’m 6’ 2 ½ “ tall and the lay flat is half an inch too short. We’ve got to learn to struggle through these things. I was out for 6+ hours straight.
At 58 years of age, it is imperative that I take a break from a full night’s sleep and struggled to the facilities and back into bed without issue. I did check the flight map at the time, and we were dead square in the middle of the Atlantic, with 3+ hours remaining. After rearranging the blanket, moving my headphones and other goodies off the bed, I was out again until just a few moments ago. I really do need to converse with upper management of these airlines about making me choose my breakfast entree while still asleep. Give me a cuppa joe first before the critical questions about the menu. I don’t do well under pressure and in a fog of my own.
It is a simple day planned at Heathrow with customs and a jump on the Hotel Hoppa bus to the Skyline Sheraton for my big TV interview. And then tomorrow it’s off to Switzerland for sightseeing and hiking. We will not be partaking in the latest Swiss fad of nude hiking, although after our pool time in Rio, nude will seem the same as Rio.
Princess Katy had a restful evening as well. She likes to fidget. Here’s a few examples. A few hours before we were headed to the airport yesterday, she decided it was time to get in a car and go to H.Stern jewelry shopping? Inevitably moments before our next task she wants to add another item to the agenda. We are about to leave the lounge last night and board our flight and now its time for dinner at the nearest coffee shop. And in the business class seat, she is truly in her princess mode. Fidget with this, try out that, readjust this, get something out of the bag, put the bag back, then get something else out of it, but its too heavy now.
And jibber? Whenever I’m involved in a project that requires concentration, that’s the time for conversation. “Can you help with me the camera again?” “The computer won’t work again”
There has never been a luckier man on the face of this earth than me. Princess Katy is the most unpretentious woman in the world. Everybody loves her, and she is kind to all. To watch her live life brings me such joy. You see, some of us have A.D.D. (attention deficit disorder).
Katy Coyle is the definition of A.D.D.
We all call her “fidgets” and love her just the same. I hope someday , you get to meet my bride. She’ll make you smile just being around her.
And we got news last night that my friend Andrew is doing a mileage run to Munich and happens to be staying at the same hotel the same nights we are there. So we will meet up Andrew and his wife (I’m pretty sure, or fiance, I think) and swap stories.
Andrew’s family lives in Thailand and they are keeping watch of the political events there on our behalf. We’d hate to walk into another coup and Katy and I both feel much safer knowing that Andrew is watching out for us.
And Now in London
Terminal 5 at Heathrow is huge, new, spacious and well Big. We navigated up and down escalators, took a tram and finally got to Passport Control where the hole in Katy”s passport is still the talk of the town. Our explanation made sense and we made our way to the Hoppa bus. 4 GBP per person is a bit steep for a ten minute shuttle but I was just too tired to hunt down the local bus. (I’ll get it on the way back)
Upon arrival at the Sheraton Skyline it seemed like they were expecting me. The door was opened and when I checked in, I was asked to wait a minute as the general manager wanted to meet me?
He arrived shortly with an assistant and informed me that he was glad to have me at his hotel and that CNN would be arriving at 5:30 for my interview. Pretty fancy stuff for the Frugal Guy to have somebody actually want to meet me. Especially when I’m staying on a points and cash redemption. And while I’m in the shower the kitchen sends up this nice dessert plate that was really fancy with chocolate lettering and a pastry of some sort of whipped cream that was extremely tasty. A very nice touch and greatly appreciated. I’m glad I hurried out of the shower or Katy would have finished it all.
So now its rest up and get ready for some fun. I love sharing the frugal word and this could be our largest audience to date.
Remember: We can do this. We can see the world at prices we all can afford.
And on that Note
Steve sent us info on a Radisson promotion that offers up to 2000 points per stay instead of the typical 500. It is good through July of this year and available through an AA link he found at the Aadvantage Passport Promotions page.
Here is the link and thanks again Steve.
Rio to Iguazzu Falls
Posted by Rick Tuesday, April 14, 2009, No Comments
We rested yesterday at the Luxor Hotel at GIG. I slept from 6 PM to 8 AM straight through. Katy says I was talking to the TV occasionally but gave away no deep dark secrets as I’m still her main man. She did say I asked her to pick up the phone and commented several times on the TV commentary.
The reason for taking this trip now became apparent over the last two days. We are not in the greatest of physical condition and it can only get tougher. Sure I could lose a few pounds but it is the hips and joints from all that climbing that is killing me. And Katy is suffering as well. Maybe the altitude had something to do with it.
The Rio airport is very modern with plenty of shopping and the people watching is fantastic. It is infrequent that we hear English spoken and unlike Lima, the announcements are not repeated in English.
The women’s apparel is much more revealing in style and the TAM uniforms are skin tight tops regardless of the body shape. Obesity is not a rampant issue here at least It has not shown itself here at the airport. High heels are the norm for women.
Security issues at both Lima and here are lax in comparison to ours. The shoes stay on, laptops stay in the carry ons and liquids are not checked. Prices seem reasonable for airport food and coffee and our dollar is about 2 Reas. A Burger combo at Big Bobs’ was 13 Reas for a diet coke, double cheeseburger and fries.
WiFi is limited in the airports as are 110 Volt plugs. Battery life becomes an issue. The Acer is acting better. It may have just been moisture.
The flight to Iguassu was aboard an A 319 with 6 across seating and all coach configuration. In keeping with my philosophy of no food shots I’ll try to demonstrate the the seat pitch some other way. If a US coach seat has 30”-31” as standard, we were packed in about 28” seat pitch. The napkin across the headrest on the seat in front advertised for PriceWaterhouseCooper and there was also an ad for Fiat on the underside of the tray table. Tomorrow I’ll ad the photos.
Hot and humid is the weather forecast and air-conditioning is limited. I found it strange that the men are all in long pants.
Enzo picked us up as planned at the airport for the 40 minute trip to the Sheraton Iguassu. His English was understandable and he gave us some info about the area. Iguazzu in Brazil is 400,000+ and in Argentina about 45K. From the bridge over the river you can see 3 countries, Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. We’ll check it out on the way back.
Passport troubles again in Argentina. Some fool punched a hole in Katy’s passport in the Chicago passport office. Every country asks questions and we were delayed for probably 20 minutes at the Argentina border. I guess we’ll swing by the US Embassy when we get back to Rio. It’s 1500 kilometers to Buenos Aires, so we’ll pass on that option.
The Sheraton appears first rate and we were warmly welcomed. It is the Peso here which is about $1 US for 3.5 pesos. A steak sandwich was $40 Pesos. so about $13.00 US.
We can walk to the falls from here and will spend our time on the Argentina side only. We can get up close on this side and the Brazil side has more panoramic views. We’ll take it up close and personal.
Photos tomorrow.
The Falls. As you read this we will be in the National Park on the Argentina side at Iguassu Falls and will follow up with pictures tomorrow.
PS: A hearty Thank You to Andrew a regular reader and friend. He is from Thailand and is keeping us informed on the latest political developments there. His help is greatly appreciated. I guess we could start a poll on if we should go to Thailand or not. All of you please, keep us in mind. Thanks
The Photo is one of many falls at Iguazzu. More to follow tomorrow. It is an amazing place.
