Perhaps the title borderlines on dramatic but I challenge you to spend a winter in Mongolia and find a more suitable one. The unexpected Exodus which is part of the So Long Mongolia, Hello SE Asia (December-January 2015) Trip Report begins, as it must, with another visit to the highly rated Ulaanbaatar Business Class Lounge (click the link, you will be disappointed).
The Air China business class flight from Ulaanbaatar to Beijing is only 2 hours so I’m not going to take up too much of your time with photos and descriptions of what every airplane looks like. Indeed, this is the case for all my Flight Reviews where only the memorable ones are submitted for your pleasure. Having said that, I feel it’s appropriate to document this flight because of its significance of which at the time I was unaware e.g., I was leaving Mongolia for good.
One step for Alex, one step for all mankind .Bye bye Mongolia
The plane had seats, they weren’t too comfortable, and the pizza was meh. The Jack and Pepsi was great. That is all.
On a flight from Florida back to Detroit, an Arab-American woman wearing a head scarf was harassed by a passenger who apparently yelled at her, “This is America.” The Detroit Free Press reports and the YouTube video seems to confirm that the flight attendant did not come to the rescue of the passenger. Instead she says the following to the woman’s husband, “You are at my wit’s end. You better be quiet before I kick you off of this plane!” The story has gained plenty of attention both because of the comments of the unruly passenger and because of the actions of the flight attendant.
Many in the Arab-American and Muslim community feel that they are unfairly profiled and harassed because of, as the article states,” their faith or ethnicity.” As a Chaldean person, a Catholic from Iraq, I have been dealing with this issue my entire life. As a youngster returning to the United States after traveling abroad with my parents I would go through immigration in a separate line. I would joke that since my passport says birthplace United States I would have an easier time clearing customs than my parents. I hoped there was a multitude of factors for why my parents were put through extra security e.g., they pack way too many luggage, bring back too many souvenirs (English chocolates).
Still, the stigma as an Arab-American especially after September 11th had me anxious and perhaps paranoid about going through security. The words “You’ve been randomly selected,” stopped feeling so random when it happened over and over again. It happened so frequently that I used to tell my friends that they were jealous that they were missing out on the VIP treatment.
Here was my comedic bit:
After walking through screening machine:
TSA Agent: Sir you have been randomly selected for additionally screening.
Agent: Sir, we are going to run your bag again through the machine.
Me: How personal!
Agent: Sir, I need to swipe your hands.
Me: How thoughtful to make sure I wasn’t exposed to explosives.
Agent: Sir, thank you and have a great flight.
Me: Who else gets that sort of red carpet treatment?
And off to the gate I went.
The more troubling part aren’t the TSA Agents or the immigration officers but the growing sentiment where being Arab or Muslim equates to being a terrorist. The same friends who get a kick out of my TSA story nonchalantly make terrorist jokes about me that are meant to be humorous but would be in bad taste if made outside the confines of our friendship. Having said that, there is a fine line between joking and ignorance like that displayed on this Delta flight.
To the ignorant passenger I say, “Damn right this is America,” and because it is anyone can practice any religion she chooses without simpletons making comments such as this.
As far as the Delta agent’s handling of the situation, let me, a Michigan native and frequent flier of Delta, generalize by saying that the Detroit crew is routinely less than courteous so the agent’s behavior wasn’t shocking.
To all those who do feel they are racially profiled because of their race or ethnicity, I recommend signing up for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. That will save you the hassle of security. This is generally true except for my first time using Global Entry when I was, you guessed it, randomly searched.
This is my reaction to a great post from fellow BA blogger and consumer advocate Elliott:
As a travel/points blogger on BoardingArea myself who unfortunately cannot get affiliate links on my site (meaning I’m not biased), I’d have to disagree with the premise that the bloggers are to blame for the uninformed decisions of those applying.
Yes there are those who shove the latest Chase card down everyone’s throats every chance they get but come on, what happened to being responsible with one’s finances?
This is the same problem I have with people who took out ARM mortgages and blamed the banks when they couldn’t refinance their million dollar house at an affordable rate even though their reported household annual income was 50k. Those people were trying to flip a house for a profit much like a points player is trying to churn points for a free ride. Both got caught, both are unhappy and looking for someone to blame.
To be clear, this is separate from predatory lending practices that duped consumers into taking out subprime loans that no one underwriter in his right mind would approve. This has to do with irresponsible people who get in over their heads because they see “2 Free Hyatt Nights” and go out and buy a plasma TV to meet the minimum spend. In fact, if they were paying more attention to the BA bloggers and understood MS better they wouldn’t wind up in their current predicament.
As a final example, take the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) a law intended to protect consumers from overzealous debt collectors. Some consumers manipulate their debt by trying to file suit against the debt collector simply because they don’t want to pay the debt they rightfully owe. These plaintiffs who usually file pro se run this scheme over and over until it is the debt collector who is paying the debtor.
In the words of Mike Ditka, “Come on Man!”
And having just spent all this time writing this comment, I think I’m going to post it on my blog to further the discussion.
Till then,
Keep churning my friends.
#ThePointsOfLife Legal Disclaimer: Only those who are disciplined with their finances should partake in this hobby. Otherwise, you may find yourself submerged in credit card debt, staying for free in a double room that will certainly not have a view of the ocean but may have a complimentary gym.
Thailand-Myanmar-Hong Kong-Disney-Home is how it went. But home was supposed to be back to Mongolia instead of the Magic Kingdom. A quick glance at this Trip Report’s overview confirms this to be true. While pixie dust is attributable to Disney’s Tinker Bell, there is no shortage of golden glitter powder spread throughout Mongolia where promises of fortune are sold everyday by way of Dutch auction.
What started off as a visa run ended up being a mass exodus with many fascinating stops along the way:
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Bangkok, Thailand
Chiang Rai, Thailand
Yangon, Myanmar
Ngwe Saung, Myanmar
Mandalay, Myanmar
Bagan, Myanmar
Hong Kong
Orlando, Florida
The obvious outlier is Orlando which as I mentioned was supposed to be Mongolia. In any event, here’s the picture preview of the second book of the Old Testament:
In the words of Jim Rome, “I’m out!”Might as well leave in style.Ah BangkokThe White Temple in Chiang RaiShwedagon Pagoda, YangonThis is MyanmarMandalay is not worth the trip.The Pagodas of Bagan at sunsetVictoria’s Peak, Hong KongBye Bye Mongolia
Groundhog Day 2015: Punxsutawney Phil sees shadow, predicts six more weeks of winter.
Translation: ThePointsOfLife predicts six more years of his friend Musberger working at the same office, complaining about the same things.
It’s been a few weeks since I’ve plugged my book Everyone’s Advice Is Wrong . . . Including Minebut it is a safe bet to suggest that those of you reading this from the office at 11PM EST or bright and early tomorrow morning are still going through the same routine year in and year out.
Nothing besides handing off the ball to Lynch is more of a sure thing to reverse the groundhog trend and get you out of your cubicle. While ThePointsOfLife shows you how to take a trip anywhere in the world for free, reading the book will liberate you from daily monotony once and for all.
Don’t believe me? Let’s make a wager for Groundhog Day 2016, if you’re still in your cubicle then you have to buy two copies of the book.
SEO, analytics, and blah blah blah may help the patient blogger expand his readership but here at ThePointsOfLife ain’t nobody got time for that.
That’s why I’ve spent $150,000 for a one second ad ($4.5 million on a thirty-second ad is the going rate) to introduce the Academy Awards of Beers, cleverly called The International Guide to Local Brew during today’s Super Bowl. Traveling to 70 countries, I’ve done my fair share of drinking and now it’s time to pay homage to the brew masters, the drunks, and the aficionados of the hops, barley, and yeast concoction better known as beer.
Light or dark, dunkel or hefe, port or stout, lager or amber, blond or brunette, whatever your fancy, I’ve tried them all. I along with the esteemed members of the Academy are set to announce the winners.
So today whether you are enjoying Budweiser, the official beer of the NFL, or a micro brew, keep an eye out for my commercial featuring the world’s fastest slide show of my beer consumption throughout the world.
For those who can’t wait, here’s a sneak peek of the montage without the fireworks.
Over the past few days I’ve come across this prototypical or atypical Euro traveler (depending on which side of the aisle you are on) who goes out his way to be gracious to the local populace, overuses the word ‘amazing’ in any description, and fails to recognize the reality of the country he is visiting.
In 2008 the Patriots lost to the awful Giants in Super Bowl XLII in Arizona when David Tyree reeled in an improbable catch from the luckiest QB of all time, Eli the Interception Manning. (Eli unlike his brother plays exceptionally well in the postseason.)
That year I missed seeing fellow Michigan alum Tom Brady almost complete the greatest season of all time since I was in Rio celebrating Carnaval.
This year the Superbowl has returned to the Valley of the Sun and once again I will not be in town for the game. But, as was the tradition for the World Cup, ThePointsOfLife brings you a preview and prediction of what’s to come this Sunday since I’m sure you’re all sick of hearing about Jaws watching the tape from every throw that Russell Wilson has made.
Here is the official breakdown:
Caroll vs. Belichick
After the invincible Saban lost to Meyer it became open season for larger than life coaches like Belichick. Caroll is not intimidated by Belichick’s stature and will come at him with everything.
Edge: Caroll
Wilson vs. Brady
Wilson had a horrendous QB rating last week and I don’t see his receivers giving him much help against the Pats decent defense.
Edge: Brady
Lynch vs. Blount
Though Lynch is the baddest man to run the ball since my main man Thurman Thomas, his effectiveness could be neutralized if the Hawks fall behind early.
Edge: Lynch on paper
Legion of Boom vs. Revis and whoever else is back there.
The legion is beat up: Thomas’s shoulder and big talker’s elbow not to mention Chancellor’s knee injury.
With Richard Sherman not at 100 percent and the others with nicks and bruises look for the Gronk to come off free across the middle with no one healthy enough to stop him for 60 minutes.
Edge: Old man Revis
Hawks WRs (who are they) vs. Edelman
Edelman knows if he has a Wes Welker drop he’ll be dropped from the team. I’m sure he’s sick of the comparisons.
Edge: Edelman
Special Teams
Historically the Pats have been clutch in the kicking game in past Super Bowls. Second, let’s say it comes down to an onside kick, what are the odds the Hawks recover again? Also, where’s Percy Harvin?
Edge: Pats
So who wins?
Lynch is the linchpin to the Hawks success but I’m afraid that Beast Mode won’t be making an appearance because he won’t get enough touches in the game due to Wilson’s poor QB play and the intensity of Mr. Brady. This will lead to the improbable Blount capturing the MVP.
Final Score: NE 24 Seattle 16
How’s this post relevant to points? Flights to Arizona are a tad steep this weekend and hotels for those wise enough to book them months in advance were still costly. For me there’s no better use of points than seeing the spectacle of a world championship in any sport whether it be the World Cup, the Final Four, or this year’s Super Bowl.
Rise up this mornin’, Smile with the risin’ sun, Three little [red] birds Each by my doorstep Singin’ sweet songs Of melodies pure and true, Sayin’, (“This is my message to you-ou-ou: “)
Luckily the Red Bird has come to save the day. With the birds in my pocket it’s time to come up with a MS strategy.
Here’s what I’m thinking:
1. Hilton Reserve: 10k for a free night for Tahiti.
2. Barclays Arrival retention offer: 1k spend for some nominal amount of travel credit.
3. The Bullpen:
SPG
LifeMiles/Club Carlson (if US Bank works)
Giftcards on Ink at office supplies store
Should make for an exciting few months till a billion mile man no longer keeps it a secret.
Till then, sing on Bob…
“Don’t worry about a thing, ‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right. Singin’: “Don’t worry about a thing, ‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right! “
There’s a debate about whether I’m a points blogger or if I’m a travel blogger. Up to today, I didn’t pay much attention to the distinction as I considered myself to be a little bit of both. With the ‘breaking news’ of British Avios devaluation, I’m going with travel blogger.
Why does it matter? It matters a great deal because many points bloggers do not travel. They report news that the sky is falling down when a program undergoes a change not realizing that it has essentially no effect on those that actually utilize the program.
Cue in the British Airways announcement. I woke up to frantic Tweets about British implementing off-peak vs. peak awards, fewer miles earned for miles flown, and an increase in the price of business and first class awards. Since I’ve used my Avios for many memorable trips up to this point, I rationalized that a Delta-esque devaluation was a long time coming.
Frantically scrolling through posts searching for how much distance-based awards would cost on partner airlines, I found no information on any relevant changes. Turning to the voice of reason, MileValue, my suspicions were confirmed: distance-based awards will remain the same.
If you’ve never redeemed Avios and just collect them for your points showcase then on paper your collection is worth a lot less. If you actually utilize Avios efficiently by booking distance-based award flights not on British metal from Yangon to Hong Kong for pennies on the dollar instead of $900 each, flights to the Final Four in Atlanta for next to nothing, or flights from Buenos Aires to Mendoza that are always $500 round-trip if you aren’t a resident of Argentina, then you can rest easy knowing that all of that is still possible.
Otherwise keep calm and remain at home as you weren’t ever going to use your points in the first place, devaluation or not.
![Three Little [Red] Birds](https://thepointsoflife.boardingarea.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Capture6-768x589.png "Three Little [Red] Birds")
