Page 85 – The Points Of Life

Keep vs. Cancel: US Bank Radisson (Update)

thepointsoflife

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February 19, 2021

Keep vs. Cancel: US Bank Radisson (Update)

Here’s the transcript of my call to U.S. Bank on my Radisson cards which I planned on keeping regardless of the annual fee (see Keep vs. Cancel: US Bank Radisson).

Me: I have an annual fee on my Radisson personal for $75, a $2 interest fee, and a $28 late fee. I would like those fees removed.

Agent: No problem.

Me: Thank you. Can you transfer me to the business side?

Agent: Sure.

New Agent: How can I help you?

Me: I have an annual fee, interest fee, and late fee. I would like those fees removed.

Agent. Sure, no problem.

Me: Thank you.

Thank you to reader ‘Phil’ for letting me know that he called and received a retention bonus from U.S. Bank. Like Phil, I never put a spend on the card. Unlike Phil, my request was immediately granted. Can banks stay this nice beyond COVID? I like free.

Invalid request error occurred. — Last year I was at the Radisson Grenada.

VIDEO: SkyDio 2 Inaugural Flight: Rio Mar, Puerto Rico

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February 18, 2021

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VIDEO: SkyDio 2 Inaugural Flight: Rio Mar, Puerto Rico

Inaugural Flight is part of the Dronin! Trip Report.

Excuse me, but I was on an impromptu vacation (see TPOL’s Vacation Post Policy). During said vacation, I managed to win the Valentine’s couple tournament and claim a $300 food and beverage credit which will be spent faster than I can go back from first to worst (see Simply The Best (And Worst): TPOL in 2020). More importantly, I received my SkyDio 2, the drone that will revolutionize my blog (see Skydio Is on the Way! Blogging, Vlogging, You, Me & TPOL Will Never Be the Same). Here is the inaugural flight. Be sure to adjust the settings to 4k to see how crisp the video is. Then follow TPOL on YouTube.

End the Busiest Flight Path in the World

thepointsoflife

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February 12, 2021

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Some fun news for today. The busiest flight path in the world used to be London to Dubai. Covid shut that one down. Now that dubious distinction belongs to the route from Orlando to Puerto Rico. Because we are part of America, there is no shutting down the super spreaders coming this way on a daily basis (see Frontier Airlines: The Covid Super Spreader for Puerto Rico). The article attributes this to the popularity of Disney and the appeal of Americans wanting to get away to the Caribbean. However, I’m guessing that more people are coming to see me and my drone than to see Mickey and his ears (see Skydio Is on the Way! Blogging, Vlogging, You, Me & TPOL Will Never Be the Same). My advice is the same as it was last year: stay away! (See Can I Go Visit Puerto Rico?.)

a group of people in clothing — Hope not to see you real soon.

S7 Airlines: St. Petersburg to Cyprus Because No Train Is Available

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February 11, 2021

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S7 St Petersburg – Cyprus is part of the Quest Around the Globe Trip Report.

I took the train from Moscow to St. Petersburg. That was excellent (see Take the Train to St. Petersburg!). There is no train from Russia to Cyprus. There is a direct flight on S7 Airlines to Larnaca after a stop in Moscow. While not as romantic as the train and not as convenient as the train, it was only $125 to go from LED-DME-LCA.

As for the flight, I expected more from a One World partner, but what could I expect when I’m riding peasant? Here are the dazzling photos:

Skydio Is on the Way! Blogging, Vlogging, You, Me & TPOL Will Never Be the Same

thepointsoflife

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February 10, 2021

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Disclaimer: This blog is about to kick some serious ass.

I asked this question last year: What’s a Travel Blog Without Travel? Without an answer, I focused on catching up on old Trip Reports (How are you enjoying the Quest Around the Globe Trip Report circa 2016?) and bitching about the incompetence of the only President to be impeached twice (see Lost & Found Year(s): Covid Trip Report). While finally putting finger to keyboard and captions to pictures have been productive and a great way to relive trips that I forgot to remember and while I enjoyed the comments of the ignorant folks who thought Covid was fake (see Social Distance Yourself from Misinformation), I needed fresher content. I needed something new that matched TPOL’s mantra – Living Doesn’t Have to Suck. Travel, though enjoyable, does not define TPOL. Indeed, you won’t hear me pondering the following: Travel Used to Be My Identity. How Do I Move Forward?

But what can I do given that I am hiding in my basement (see NYC Twice: A Recap of My 2020 Travels) too scared to come out and see my shadow (see Punxsutawney TPOL)? The answer is obvious. Perfect my golf game, buy a mobile fitness studio, and broadcast it all from my beautiful home in Rio Mar, Puerto Rico. There was only one problem. Who would film the reality of how badly I play at golf and how imperfect my gym form is? The answer is Skydio 2, a drone that needs no pilot. And now, after months of waiting, it is on its way to me (via New York). In the groundhog year of 2021, I am ready to defy my old thinking (see TPOL’s Way Out of Poverty Is Not Vlogging) and emerge as the most famous vlogger, golfer, and bodybuilder of all time.

Are you ready?

a green sports car parked on a road — In the words of 2pac, “Picture me Dronin'”.

S7 Priority Pass Lounge St. Petersburg: Time’s Up

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February 9, 2021

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S7 Priority Pass is part of the Quest Around the Globe Trip Report.

The good days of eating and drinking in St. Petersburg had to end (see Guns & Butter: St. Petersburg Travel Guide). I went to the S7 Lounge and used my Priority Pass for a final taste of Russia. The views from the lounge were better than the food, which was a mashed selection of nothing that looked that delicious.

Radisson Royal St. Petersburg, Russia: Where’s the Sauna?

thepointsoflife

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February 8, 2021

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Radisson Royal St Petersburg Hotel Review is part of the Quest Around the Globe Trip Report.

I don’t know why this hotel is called “Royal.” It’s a basic Radisson, not even a Blu. The best part of the hotel is its location, right in the city center (see Guns & Butter: St. Petersburg Travel Guide). Compared to the W St. Petersburg or the other Radisson in the city (see Radisson Sonya St. Petersburg: KGB? A Sauna In My Room? TPOL on TV?), this hotel was bland.

Let’s look at some photos:

The Outside

The hotel reminded me of the St. Regis New York from the outside.

Inside

But this was not the Bloody Mary bar.

Bathroom

And this phone did not call the butler to prepare my bubble bath.

a shower with a shower head — Only a shower anyway

a group of small white bottles on a counter — And these basic soaps

Room

The room may have been royal in its glory days much like the Waldorf New York was in its youth.

Overall

Stay here if there’s a good points deal or if the room rate is inexpensive. At the least, you’ll be close to the action.

Radisson Royal St Petersburg Hotel Review is part of the Quest Around the Globe Trip Report.

Simply The Best: January 2021

thepointsoflife

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February 5, 2021

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January is done. Nothing has changed, just more awesome blog posts from the best blogger in the universe. Here were the top posts from last month.

Are You Guilty of Traveling Under the Social Influence?
Please take note of this PSA and stop traveling under the social influence.
Behind the Scenes: TPOL’s Interview with Richard Quest
TPOL needs to be on TV more often. Contact your local TV provider and say you want more of TPOL and Quest.
Radisson Sonya St. Petersburg: KGB? A Sauna In My Room? TPOL on TV?
I’ve stayed in some interesting hotels in my life. This one was by far the strangest.
2022: The Year of Status
I originally thought that international travel would be possible in November of last year. Then I moved my prediction to spring of this year. Now I’m thinking it won’t be until October. But once it happens, I will have the status needed to enjoy it fully.
Instant Pho? En Casa Costco Pho Review
Maybe it’s because I haven’t left the house in years, but I was very impressed with instant pho.
2020: What I Spent (And Received) in Annual Fees
In total, I spent $744.
Simply The Best (And Worst): TPOL in 2020
2020. Need I say more?

W St. Petersburg: Vivid Veuve Memories

thepointsoflife

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February 4, 2021

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W St Petersburg is part of the Quest Around the Globe Trip Report.

The W St Petersburg is now the SO Sofitel. But that wasn’t always the case. It used to be a W, a brand that I love to hate, but can’t help to stay (see The W Scottsdale: Too Cool to Care & The W Hollywood: Unwelcome Even on Your Birthday). What makes W a W? Indifferent service of course. That impersonal, inconsistent treatment was on full display at the W St. Petersburg. On the one hand, I was given a great suite. On the other, I was refused late checkout.

a man standing in front of a wall with black letters — Mood when I arrived

a man standing in front of a wall with black text — Mood five minutes later

From the Outside

Unlike the W Barcelona, this W was hidden among the beautiful buildings of St. Petersburg.

To the Inside

Say what you will about the cold treatment at W Hotels, there’s still a buzz in their eclectic lobbies.

Veuve

Though I was not treated like royalty at the front desk, I was treated like a celebrity at the rooftop patio. From vodka tasting to champagne, I soon remembered why I enjoy the W brand.

TPOL’s TIP: Check out Grand Hotel Europe St. Petersburg: Vodka + Caviar + Birthplace of Beef Stroganoff for more vodka tasting.

Suite

In better spirits (pun intended), I walked into my unique suite.

The Bedroom

I used to own a W mattress. While I prefer my Sealy hybrid, W beds are also great.

The Bathroom

W is no longer in St. Petersburg and my favorite soaps from Bliss are no longer with W.

a toilet and bidet in a bathroom — When in Europe…

View

The view was much better than the Radisson Sauna which was allegedly across the street from KGB HQ.

Breakfast

The breakfast was far from average. I was surprised by the selection.

a group of chefs in a kitchen — And he was surprised that I would take pictures of him making breakfast.

Goodbye

I leave you with a welcome gift from W and a note with words that are never more.

Spare Me Your Vaccinated Guilt

thepointsoflife

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February 3, 2021

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Thankfully, some of my friends and family have been vaccinated. It’s one less thing I have to worry about in this endless stream of shit. As sincerely happy as I am for each and every one of them, I have to publicly denounce their insistence on saying how lucky they are to have been vaccinated. No one should feel guilty for being given the gift of peace of mind. Eventually, everyone who wants a vaccine will receive a vaccine. Sound familiar?

Having said that, I don’t want to hear about their anxiety about if and when they will receive their booster shot. My arm is still waiting for the first dose of Sputnik.