Disclaimer: I don’t make anything off of credit cards. It’s a shame.
TPOL has slipped when it comes to maximizing the use of his credit cards for points. Perhaps it’s because I do not travel anymore (see What’s a Travel Blog Without Travel?) or perhaps because I am lazy. Hopeful that travel is coming, I have taken a hard look at my credit card portfolio and put together a plan to maximize each.
Wallet
Blue Business Amex: 2x on everything. The problem is that Amex is not readily accepted in Puerto Rico.
Sapphire: 3x on dining
Amex Business Platinum/Chase Sapphire: 5X on travel directly through portal.
Chase Freedom Flex: I need to pay attention to these rotating categories and maximize the 5x. The 3x on dining and drugstore purchases is huge (pre-Sapphire).
Mercenary
These cards have mins I have to meet. Once they are met, they will go back in the binder.
Chase Hyatt: I need to hit the 15k mark to requalify for Globalist and receive the free night.
BRG: I use this for digital marketing and receive 3x.
Chase Ink Preferred: I use this for digital marketing and receive 3x. I also charge my phone bill here to take advantage of the insurance program.
Chase Ink Cash: 5x for Internet. 2x for gas.
Keep Forever
I have called in retention for these cards and this year it was successful. However, I wouldn’t cancel them anyway because the free nights offset the annual fee.
March 4th, 2020, I was supposed to go to San Diego. Paranoid about COVID, I called AA to say that I wanted to cancel my flight. At that time, no one was worried about COVID and there was not an official government directive on the virus. As such, AA initially said it would not refund the ticket nor would it provide a voucher. After plenty of yelling, I was finally given the ‘courtesy’ of receiving a travel credit towards a future flight. The next step was to call the conference and ask for a refund. Initially, they also said no and promised that the conference would be safe. The person said, “Don’t worry, there will be plenty of hand sanitizer.” I insisted on a refund and was finally told I could have a voucher.
Fast forward a year later, my predictions, despite the angry comments along the way, about this terrible virus have sadly come true (see Travel Or Stay Inside? TPOL’s Thoughts on Coronavirus & Do I Stay Or Do I Go? Thoughts on the Second Covid Wave). As the anniversary of my canceled flight approached, I continued to ask AA for a refund for my ticket because I have no immediate travel plans. They would always decline stating that the ticket was non-refundable and that my voucher was valid through February 2022.
The issue is that when I viewed my voucher, it continued to say that it would expire on March 4, 2021. As the expiration date approached, I contacted American Airlines and they stopped responding.
To the shock of none, when I tried to access my voucher today, I received this:
If I call AA, they instruct me to email customer service. It seems like there is no alternative but to go back and not find justice in small courts. Perhaps this is an oversight. Or, more likely, AA did not appreciate that I called them crooks and thieves for not returning my money, opting to give me a voucher that I have no interest in using. Meanwhile, they are enjoying the bailout courtesy of American taxpayers. Contrast this to my experience with Delta which automatically extended my vouchers through December 31, 2022!
Many of you may know this, but since this debacle began I have been out of the loop. Sensing an end in sight, I called Delta to see when my unused vouchers for trips that were supposed to happen last year would expire. I assumed it would be by the end of this year. I found out that they do not expire until 12/31/2022. That is news to me. Now, I need to figure out the rules for canceling points flights across all airlines. And maybe, just maybe, I may book something one day.
When I wrote Keep vs. Cancel: Amex Green, I decided that I wanted to cancel the card and was not going to bother asking Amex to waive the annual fee. After a successful Marriott Business Bonvoy retention offer, I thought it wouldn’t hurt to see what Amex would give me. After a quick chat, I was told that I would receive 7,500 points if I did not cancel. I told the representative that I was not sure and wanted more time to think about it. He advised that I take the offer now and that I had still had a few days if I wanted to cancel.
Valuing the opportunity to qualify for the Hilton Amex versus over a few thousand MR’s, I contacted Amex again and said that I was changing my mind. The chat representative said it was my right to cancel but also sent me this warning, “I can honor your request to cancel your card. Before doing so, I would like to let you know some important information regarding the Retention Bonus Offer terms. If American Express determines that you have engaged or intend to engage in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with the loyalty offer, including if you cancel or downgrade your account within 12 months after acquiring it or if you return purchases you made to meet the threshold amount, we reserve the right to withhold, freeze, or revoke Membership Rewards from your Platinum Card account and cancel any accounts you have with us.”
While some may think it is worth the risk of accepting the 7,500 and then cancelling or downgrading, I am not one of those people. I told the rep that he could take away the 7,500 points right now. I explained that I only took the offer because it was advised that I do so. He reiterated that they ‘reserve the right’ to claw back the points and said it would happen automatically if it happened at all. If they go away, so be it. If not, I certainly won’t blog about it because posting about it may make me an accomplice in gaming the system.
I still haven’t gone anywhere. That’s fine because I still haven’t finished my final two Trip Reports:Quest Around the Globe & Tahiti Triumph. Yes, they are from 2016, but once they are done seven years of TPOL travels will be in the books. Here are the best posts from February:
The days of normal are going to come soon whereby the banks will say, “There is no offer on this card. We will go ahead and close your account.” That day was not yesterday. When the $125 annual fee comes due on my Marriott Bonvoy, I pay it without hesitation because I value the award certificate more than the fee. Indeed, I value the certificate more than I value the points because I have no emotional connection to the certificate i.e., if I don’t use the certificate, it expires. If I use my points, how do I get more in a post SPG world?
I was surprised when I received the following offer. $50 for keeping the card. $100 if I spend 2k on the card within 3 months. In addition, Bonvoy business also provides a $15 credit for using it to pay the wireless bill.
TPOL’s Guns & Butter Travel Guide is the best way to see as much as you can in as little time as possible. Here’s how it works – A trip is composed of two factors: Labor And Lazy. The opportunity cost (what is given up) for relaxing and being Lazy is gained by being adventurous in the form of Labor and vice versa. The guide includes inefficient activities i.e., tourist traps that should be avoided and aspirational activities that are worth doing but may be impossible to see given the constraints of time and resources.
The best way to travel is by train. The train from Moscow to St. Petersburg is convenient and a better alternative than going back to the airport (see Take the Train to St. Petersburg!).
What other city has so many beautiful buildings and statues?
Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood
Built on the site where Alexander II, the former Emperor of Russia, was assassinated in March of 1881, this building was once a church but is now a secular museum. It is also the prettiest attraction in St. Petersburg from any angle, by day or night.
My old Cadillac.
Palace Square
Stroll around the Palace Square while simultaneously reading the Wiki page on all the major historical events that transpired here. It includes the following: The Bloody Sunday massacre, which gave way to the First Russian Revolution (the Revolution of 1905), which led to the Russian Revolution in 1917, which culminated in the overthrow of the monarchy, execution of the imperial family, and creation of the Soviet Union by the Bolsheviks, which was founded by Lenin. How’s that for a historical synopsis?
The General Staff Building was the HQ of the Russian Armed Forces.
The Alexander Column
The Alexander Column was raised after the Russian victory in the war with Napoleon’s France. The column is named for Emperor Alexander I of Russia, who reigned from 1801–25.
Alexander under the Alexander ColumnAlexander at night
The Winter Palace
The Winter Palace was the residence of the Russian Emperors from 1732 to 1917. Today, it is a museum. See it both day and night.
Wandering
Wandering the streets with no map is my idea of exploring. From the rivers and bridges to the statues, St. Petersburg is a city worth seeing on foot.
TPOL: JD/MBA/WorldExplorer
Nespresso
Maybe not on the top of your lists for places to go domestically or internationally, but stopping at the Nespresso bar provided for caffeine and great pictures.
This is probably better coffee.
Vodka & Caviar
Vodka and caviar tastings are a must if you visit St. Petersburg. I recommend the Grand Hotel Europe, which also is the birthplace of beef stroganoff.
International Cuisine
The restaurants in Moscow were great. The restaurants in St. Petersburg were even better. Topping the list:
Start with Uzbekistan
Looking to relive the glory days of good eating in Mongolia, an underrated city for international fare, I went to Baklajhan, an Uzbek restaurant (see Shashlik in St. Petersburg).
Georgia on My Mind
Following my wonderful time at Baklajhan, I tried to go to Tarkhun, a famous Georgian restaurant, in St. Petersburg. I arrived too late and they wouldn’t seat me. Hungry and trying to avoid McDonald’s, I searched for restaurants that were still open. I came across Khochu Kharcho and decided to give it a shot.
Even though it was past 10PM, the place was packed and lively.
Just because a place is open 24/7, does not make it Denny’s. The dinner was as quality as my other culinary experiences in Russia. I ordered appetizers, wine, entrees, and dessert. The price was around $100.
TPOL’s TIP: Khochu Kharcho is located at Sadovaya St, 39/41, St Petersburg, Russia, 190031
Japan are you in the house?
Hungry for sushi after hours? Go to две палочки. It’s open 24 hours and it’s fantastic.
TPOL’s TIP: Dve Palochki is located at Nevsky Ave, 47.
Dumplings?
This strange restaurant isn’t the place I would recommend for dumplings but you should certainly sample some before you leave.
Souvenirs
The nesting dolls were over $50. Clearly, they are made for tourists. I had to pass despite wanting the Michigan one.
Look who’s next to old Jimmy.
Russian Motors
I recall the business school case study on Lada. What’s a trip to Russia without seeing their stellar auto lineup?
Anyone for a Drink?
A travel guide wouldn’t be complete without a few libations. Here’s where I went:
Craft Brew Cafe
Next to Leffe Brune, my second favorite beer is Delerium. I first had it at Craft Brew Cafe.
TPOL’s TIP: Located at Malaya Morskaya Ulitsa, 15, St Petersburg, Russia, 190000
Ivan & Maria Gastropub
Looking for serious beer? Try Ivan & Maria. It’s not as potent as vodka but it’ll get you there.
TPOL’s TIP: Located at Nevskiy Ave., 64, St. Petersburg 191011 Russia
If cocktails are more to your liking, I suggest these two places:
географя (Geography)
Damn right that’s all I need.
TPOL’s TIP: Located atRubinstein St, 5, St Petersburg, Russia, 191025
Tesla Bar
This was my favorite bar in St. Petersburg because of the atmosphere and the cocktails.
TPOL’s TIP: Located at Rubinstein St, 30, St Petersburg, Russia, 191002
Overall
It is clear why St. Petersburg is one of my favorite cities.
This is not a Golf Review. This is not a review of Rio Mar (see House Hunters Puerto Rico: TPOL Finds His Home). It’s another post of another cool video captured with the Skydio 2, aka WALL-E Wingman. I’m still trying to figure out how to use it and how to keep him from losing me. I should also add that I’m still trying to figure out how to play golf, but I certainly can say that I’m improving. Check out these drives and a birdie on a par 3. Unfortunately, Wingman’s battery was running low and all that shows up is the result of the hybrid. But the putt is on film, sort of.
The card was fun while it lasted (see Amex Green Approved!). But now it is time to move on. Why? First and foremost, I am anti-annual fees and loving it (see Keep vs. Cancel: US Bank Radisson (Update)). The renewal fee is $150 and it doesn’t get me much. 3X on travel? You already know where I’ve gone (see NYC Twice: A Recap of My 2020 Travels). 3x on restaurants? That’s not a bad deal except in Puerto Rico where Amex is not accepted at most restaurants. But that’s not the reason I am canceling. The real reason is because this card is considered a credit card by Amex which caps the number of credit cards to 4. I have 2 Marriott’s, the Blue, and this Green. When I applied for the Hilton personal, I was rejected for hitting the max. Whether recon ultimately approves me for the Hilton is a topic for another post. For now, it’s time to say goodbye. It ain’t easy being green.
Hi kids! Do you like violence? Wanna see me stick Nine inch Nails through each one of my eyelids? Wanna copy me and do exactly like I did?
Then go ahead and click this link and buy your own set of Battle Ropes. Amazon has all sorts of them for sale. The ones I purchased were $150 and are top-notch quality and have not frayed at all. I recommend 1.5 inch diameter and 50 feet. Anything over 1.5 inches may be challenging if you have ‘cheese grip’ and anything under 50 feet isn’t really a battle.
Eventually, my YouTube channel will have workouts as part of TPOL’s goal of becoming a lifestyle blog, not just a points pusher. To that end, I think it’s time to revive my original catch-phrase, “Living Doesn’t Have to Suck.” Check out this drone video and I dare you to disagree.
TPOL’s TIP: Located atRubinstein St, 5, St Petersburg, Russia, 191025
