I have my tickets to the World Cup (see Is TPOL Going to The World Cup?). And now, I have the Urban Turban available for all 32 countries participating in this great event. Pre-order today for delivery worldwide before the World Cup!
I Should Receive Globalist Perks with Ms. TPOL’s Booking
Ms. TPOL’s Chase stay certificate was expiring this week (see Don’t Let Your Chase Hyatt Cert Expire). With nowhere to go, I booked a stay at the Hyatt Grand Reserve Puerto Rico, a resort located down the street from my home (see Hyatt Grand Reserve Puerto Rico: Good But Grand?). The reason her certificate almost lapsed is that I want to make the most of my Globalist status while I have it (see Becoming Hyatt Globalist Again: TPOL’s Masterpiece Strategy). When I checked into the hotel, I gave them my Globalist number in the hopes that they might extend some of the perks. They did not. While I didn’t care if I received a room upgrade, I thought that asking for free breakfast wouldn’t be a big deal. The next day when they said no, I decided to take my ball and go home, mooting the point as to whether I would have been granted late check-out.
I’m not mad at the hotel. They are following Hyatt’s rules. I am annoyed with Hyatt for having this bad policy. It makes no sense that I can transfer points from Ms. TPOL’s account and book a room in my name and receive Globalist perks, but I can’t transfer the cert to my name and receive the same. I had two options: 1) See the world from a peasant Discoverist point of view for one night. 2) Let the e-cert expire. Who is going to do the second? What’s also vexing is that I won’t receive a credit for the stay. Next year I won’t have this problem as neither of us will have status.
I’m sure there is some annoying person out there that will agree with Hyatt. So have at it in the comments section if you do.
Don’t Let Your Chase Hyatt Cert Expire
I just wrote about how I try to track everything regarding credit card benefits (see World of Hyatt Business: $100 Statement Credits Per Year). What I do not have on my check-in list, I leave to AwardWallet to track. A few months ago, I received a notification that Ms. TPOL’s Chase Hyatt Cert was expiring. Trying to make use of my Globalist status, I put off using her cert in favor of making bookings under my name. Interestingly, I have only stayed at two Hyatts this year: the Grand Hyatt Istanbul and the Park Hyatt: St. Kitts, leaving me to wonder what good is status if I don’t use it. Last week, I received another notification that the cert was set to expire on August 8th. As a great lawyer (visit BachuwaLaw.com) who does not read the fine print, I thought that the cert was good so long as the booking was made before the 8th. That is not the case. The first sentence of the terms and conditions reads, “Free Night Award must be redeemed in connection with a reservation with a checkout date before the award expiration date.” My attempts to extend it proved futile.
Fortunately, there’s a Grand Hyatt Reserve down the street from my house (see House Hunters Puerto Rico: TPOL Finds His Home). I will golf, swim, and bask in the Puerto Rican sunshine knowing that I went from losing a cert to having more content for this fabulous blog (see Hotel Reviews & Golf Course Reviews).
TPOL’s Tip: Read the fine print. Don’t let your Chase Hyatt Cert Expire.
World of Hyatt Business: Almost Missed $100 Statement Credits Per Year
Having too many credit cards makes it difficult to keep up with the benefits of each. I have a running list of perks/minimum spends that I review weekly to ensure that I don’t miss anything. Despite this proactive strategy, I still miss things. This time I almost missed that the Chase World of Hyatt Business card comes with a $100 statement credit. Specifically, cardholders earn a $50 statement credit, up to twice per anniversary year (for a total of $100), when you spend $50 or more at any Hyatt property. Last month, I stayed at the Park Hyatt St. Kitts. I charged the ferry to Nevis and the dinner to my room. When I reviewed the charges on my World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, I noticed a $50 credit.
In the old days, I was more attentive to such things. Now, I am increasingly sloppy, like Willie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0W6ufDtdS8
Simply The Best: July 2022
It didn’t take long for me to fall behind on Trip Reports. I have not finished Punxsutawney TPOL from 2021, and I am getting ready to leave before finishing the much anticipated Iraqi Homecoming Report. Nevertheless, here’s the great content from the month of July.
- The KGB Hotel in Tallinn: Someone’s Always Watching
My visit to the Hotel Viru was the most interesting hotel experience I have had since I stayed in the Hollywood Tower Hotel in Orlando, Florida. - Seafood in Estonia: What a Treat
Everything on the menu looked delicious. Rather than choosing one item over another, I ordered everything. - Is TPOL Going to The World Cup?
All I have are tickets to a game whose opponents are TBD. - LOT JFK-WAW: It’s How You Finish
It wasn’t shower suites. It didn’t start off smoothly. But it ended perfectly. - Devil’s Museum Kaunas: Every Single One of Us
Am I the spawn of satan? Some blog readers might think so. Some opposing lawyers might say so. My actions would suggest the same. - Pho-usion in Estonia
Maybe pho fusion isn’t bad after all. - Back to Phoenix on Frontier
Radisson Kaunas: Another Great, Overlooked Radisson
Radisson Kaunas Hotel Review is part of the Iraq Homecoming Trip Report.
I just wrote about my love of the Radisson brand (see Park Inn Tallinn: Good Enough for Me), but that was due to the global footprint, not the tidiness of the hotels. While I have stayed at few Radissons that were more luxurious (see Radisson Cape Town), most have been basic. Surprisingly the Radisson Kaunas was anything but.
Location
The location is perfectly situated to all the sights of quaint Kaunas including Žalgirio arena (see Guns & Butter: Lithuania Travel Guide) and the train station (see Vilnius to Kaunas: An Easy Train).
Welcome Gift
A bottle of bubbles is always appreciated.
Upgrade
So is a nice suite. Unlike the Park Inn Radisson Tallinn, the space was efficiently used.
Shower
I can’t get away from these dangerous European showers, but at least the water pressure was strong.
Overall
For points and the unexpected luxury, this was the best Radisson.
Radisson Kaunas Hotel Review is part of the Iraq Homecoming Trip Report.
Devil’s Museum Kaunas: Every Single One of Us
Devil Museum Kaunas is part of the Iraq Homecoming Trip Report.
Am I the spawn of satan? Some blog readers might think so. Some opposing lawyers might say so. My actions would suggest the same: I’ve danced with the devil in Acapulco (see Where to Party? New Year’s Eve). I graduated law school from Arizona State (see TPOL in the Desert). I’ve swum in the Devil’s Pool in Zambia (see The Devil’s Pool Zambia: Loungin Atop Victoria Falls). And finally, I went to the Devil’s Museum in Kaunas.
The Lithuanian devil folklore was captivating.
There was also an exhibit showcasing devils from all over the world. 
Even the bathrooms were devil inspired: 
Naturally, I had to take the devil home with me (see Iraq Homecoming: Souvenir Price Index).
Devil inside
The devil inside
Every single one of us
The devil inside
TPOL’s Tip: The Devil’s Museum is located at V. Putvinskio g. 64, Kaunas 44211, Lithuania
Vilnius to Kaunas: An Easy Train
Vilnius Kaunas Train Review is part of the Iraq Homecoming Trip Report.
I have been trying to battle my train anxiety by being more prepared (see “Tickets, Please, Tickets”: Train Anxiety). Going from Vilnius to Kaunas, I proactively booked online to avoid having to use a mysterious machine at the train station, going to the station to discover the train is sold out, or having to wait in an endless line to buy a ticket from a live human. This time, I arrived early and readily found the platform. I was nervous because the display read ‘Kauna’ and not ‘Kaunas.’ I Googled to double-check that these were not two distinct places.
Apart from a quick photo, I boarded as soon as the train arrived. 
I was seated in car 1 seat 1 and was reassured when the monitor in the train said Kaunas with an “s.” Moments later, the moment I always dread arrived – “Ticket please.”
I had my tickets ready. He scanned them. It went through and then he said, “You actually booked a first-class ticket, that’s upstairs.” Stunned, I asked if it was nicer upstairs. He said yes. Even when I think I do it right, I still do not.
The express train to Kaunas is only an hour-long, giving me plenty of time to write this review but fortunately not enough time to take a nap, preventing me from failing to get off at the correct stop.
Vilnius Kaunas Train Review is part of the Iraq Homecoming Trip Report.
Hotel Pacai Vilnius: No Marriott Devaluation Here
Hotel Pacai Review Vilnius is part of the Iraq Homecoming Trip Report.
Do you know what Marriott benefits you receive when you stay at the Hotel Pacai Vilnius, a member of the Design Hotels? None. There was no free breakfast and there was no option to use a suite upgrade. Having said that, there was welcome champagne, even at 1:21am in the morning (see airBaltic: When It Finally Takes Off).
Room
I was ‘upgraded,’ leaving me to wonder what a standard room looked like in comparison. I had no complaints about the room itself. It had the amenities required for a restful stay: a comfortable bed, strong Wi-Fi, and a Nespresso machine.
Still vs. Sparkling
I get very annoyed when I check into European hotels, and they have one bottle of still and one bottle of sparkling. Either have two of each or have still. Who’s waking up in the middle of the night craving sparkling? And who is drinking sparkling at room temperature? How am I supposed to hydrate myself and fill up the Nespresso?
Balcony
It was May when I stayed here and even then it was cold. The balcony is a nice area to relax, but I can’t imagine it being of much use most of the year.
Bathroom
This was another loathsome euro shower tub. It did have the infinity function but I was barely able to fit underneath it.
A Note on Light Switches
As a never-ending remodeler, I appreciate the small touches like the tile work in the bathroom and this light switch.
Hotel Itself
The original structure was built in 1677. It is a beautiful building that reminded me of one of my favorite hotels, the Park Hyatt Buenos Aires.
Location
I stayed here because it is located in the heart of old town. The Park Inn in Tallinn was a ten-minute walk to old town which is advantageous for those looking to avoid tourist traps (see Old Town? Tourist Trap Or Timeless) but inconvenient for those short on time looking to explore.
Spa
Included in the stay was access to the sauna and Turkish dry hammam. I could only withstand the 80C sauna for a few minutes. The hammam was just right for a mid-day nap.
Price
I stayed for two nights at a nice price of 25k points per night. With Marriott’s never-ending devaluation, this was a steal in points and a good value considering the room goes for $235/night.
Overall
At Hotel Pacai, despite having status, I did not have any perks. Yet, somehow, I survived.
Priority Pass Riga: Bonus Lounge Review Thanks to airBaltic
Priority Pass Riga Review is part of the Iraq Homecoming Trip Report.
Damn airBaltic‘s cancellation (see airBaltic: When It Finally Takes Off). It’s bad enough that I have to arrive late into the night to Vilnius, but now I have to go to another Priority Pass Lounge and write another ‘review.’ If you read my Tallinn Priority Pass Lounge Review, you will recall that I am no longer over-consuming at lounges (see Priority Pass Tallinn: Sorry No Food Pics). Despite this new health policy, I still feel obligated to include a ‘lounge review’ so that this trip report is complete.
What can I say about the Riga Lounge? First, I sat in front of the flight monitor, paranoid as usual that I would miss my flight despite its delay (see Boarding Announcement Paranoia). Second, I had a grapefruit. Third, I recognize that over-drinking in a lounge is as bad as overeating. I skipped the skull head full of libations as well as the locally made Rigan liqueurs. I only had one glass of vino blanco while staring intently at the aforementioned flight monitor. Other than that, there’s nothing special to report. Here are the photos:
Priority Pass Riga Review is part of the Iraq Homecoming Trip Report.