Travel Guide - ThePointsOfLife

Recap: Trinidad Carnival (Good), Injured (Bad), 737-Max (Worse), Home (Safe)

thepointsoflife

-

April 3, 2020

Recap: Trinidad Carnival (Good), Injured (Bad), 737-Max (Worse), Home (Safe)

This recap is part of the Rum Rum Caribbean Castaway Trip Report. It is one chapter of my quest of Visiting Every Island in the Caribbean: TPOL’s Latest Trip Report.

Here’s the roller-coaster ride.

I leave you with these powerful words: You got the juice? I got the rum!

Amex Extends Spending Req by 3 Months (With Screenshots)

thepointsoflife

-

April 2, 2020

4

Shout out to fellow Thunderbird grad and fellow BA blogger, Ashish, for breaking the good news that Amex is extending the min spending requirement by three months. I intended to hit the 2k by paying the accountant, but now that taxes are delayed, I found myself with only two weeks from the min spend deadline with nothing I needed to buy. For weeks, I’ve been lobbying Amex to extend my Green Card’s spend deadline. Initially, they said they would request an extension and it would take 7-10 business days to receive a response if it was approved. Yesterday, I was told that no extension would be given, and due to Covid they couldn’t have launched the investigation in the first place. Covid excuses are the new normal both for businesses and consumers (see From Your Grade School Principal: Regarding COVID-19). Today, Amex had a sudden change of heart and granted the extension to applicants. While you can give the hat tip to Ashish, you can thank powerful TPOL for this new development.

Because I don’t trust companies and because I advise clients to always take screenshots in the event they want to file a consumer claim (visit Bachuwa Law if you have a consumer dispute), I hopped on the chat and asked Amex to confirm. Initially, Amex misconstrued my request of wanting to confirm this change with launching a request for an extension. I quickly shot that down and eventually received confirmation that the deadline would be extended.

TPOL’s TIP: If I apply for cards in lock-down, I’m going back to the old days of putting all spend on those cards. My strategy was to use the right card for the right transaction e.g., Google Ads on Ink, knowing that I would recklessly spend enough to hit the min. The good thing about lock-down is that I am not spending as carelessly as before.

Hyatt Place Miami Airport: Careful, There’s East & West!

thepointsoflife

-

April 2, 2020

3

Hyatt Place Miami Airport is part of the Rum Rum Caribbean Castaway Trip Report.

For those of you just joining, let’s catch up on how I got here. I booked Trinidad Carnival Last Second. I enjoyed every minute of it. I left for Grenada to detox. I got hurt and decided to go home. I had a one night layover in Miami and then it was back to Puerto Rico. To recap, everything went right, then everything went wrong.

Hyatt Place Miami Airport

I booked the Hyatt Place Miami Airport on points. I waited for the shuttle which came quickly (see Complaint Of The Day: Hotel to Airport Shuttles) and tried to check-in. The hotel couldn’t find my reservation. I pulled it up on my phone and showed it to the front desk. He said, “This is Hyatt Place Miami Airport East. You booked Hyatt Place Miami Airport West/Doral.” Attention to detail has been an issue in the past. I have gone to the Four Points Midtown West only to find out that I was staying at the Four Points Midtown – Times Square. Why have hotels with the same brand and almost the same descriptor in the name?

a white van with a person sitting in it — Welcome to a different place? See below, what’s so different?

Uber

I picked an airport hotel because I wanted to take advantage of the free shuttle. Paying another $30 for Uber in addition the $624 I blew on my exodus flight would underscore how irresponsible this trip had become. I called the Hyatt Place Miami Airport West. They told me that I could use their free shuttle if I went back to the airport, or that if I showed them a receipt, they would reimburse me for the taxi. I chose the latter.

Free Points

Upon arriving, I explained my confusion to the front desk. Since this was clearly my fault, I wasn’t complaining as I have been known to do (see Have You Ever Not Complained?). I was simply making the point that the hotels should have more distinguishable names or that the airport transfer should warn riders that they need to check their reservation to make sure it is east or west. Apparently, this is a known problem between the Biggie 2PAC Hyatt Place. Unprompted, the front desk credited me 4,000 points which was half the redemption rate.

Hyatt Place Photos

Do you really want to see photos of this hotel? Or can you click on all my Hyatt Place reviews and enjoy those? Here are the photos in case you are indecisive.

Overall

Make sure you’re going to the right Hyatt Place Airport hotel.

Priority Pass Lounge Grenada: The Walk of Shame

thepointsoflife

-

April 1, 2020

0

Priority Pass Lounge Grenada is part of the Rum Rum Caribbean Castaway Trip Report.

I went from the high of Trinidad Carnival to the low of being i njured on vacation. It was time to go home and hide. Going through immigration, I was not asked the usual questions. Instead, the agent wanted to know what happened to my face. Lying to an immigration officer is prosecutable. As such, I think he bought my basketball story. Before boarding, I went to the Priority Pass Lounge to drown my sorrows in beer.

a glass mug with a liquid in it — The beer came in a frosted mug.

a bar with a television and bottles on the wall — The food was light snacks.

priority pass lounge review grenada — The patrons gave me weird looks. I don’t think it was the usual reason of taking creepy photos in a lounge.

Overall

I was happy to hide out in the lounge for as long as I could. The walk of shame to the gate was no fun.

Priority Pass Lounge Grenada is part of the Rum Rum Caribbean Castaway Trip Report.

Radisson Grenada: A Beautiful Beach for a Wounded Blogger

thepointsoflife

-

March 31, 2020

0

Radisson Grenada Hotel Review is part of the Rum Rum Caribbean Castaway Trip Report.

Before my Rum Rum Tour began (see Visiting Every Island in the Caribbean: TPOL’s Latest Trip Report), I debated whether it was worth staying at a hotel with amenities or just staying somewhere that’s close to the beach and renting a chair for the day. I had the same conflict in Barbados (see Radisson Barbados: Beach Club Or Resort?). I am convinced that if you have points, then burning them for the comforts of a resort is the way to go. This is especially true if you’re dumb enough to hurt yourself while on vacation (see Surrendering Vacation: When to Cut a Trip Short). On the other hand, if you don’t have points, I don’t see the point of spending $350 a night for a beach hotel, the going rate when I booked, when there are plenty of beach bars that offer better food, cheaper drinks, and the same ocean.

After two nights at an acceptable Airbnb and a vacation-altering injury (see Surrendering Vacation: When to Cut a Trip Short), I took my own advice and checked into the Radisson Grenada. While I was upgraded to an ocean view room, I was still given a room with two double beds. For some reason, Radisson Rewards are more readily available for double rooms versus king size ones.

Room

Here’s where I spent my time as a recluse.

Bathroom

Here’s where I tended to my wounds.

Pool

Here’s where I slept with a towel over my face.

Beach

Here’s where I should’ve been.

Location

The hotel is right next door to the Spice Market, the place I started my trip so joyfully (see Grand Anse Beach Grenada: Detox After Carnival).

a sandy beach with water and mountains in the background — Go right to the Spice Market.

Overall

If these were the old days of Club Carlson, I would’ve had two nights at the Radisson for the price of one. Had that been the case, I would have walked on the beach back to the hotel rather than going through the parking lot and the infamous basketball court. But for the devaluation, I would not be injured. Besides that, I recommend the Radisson.

Free Pornhub: Will That Help People Finally Stay Home?

thepointsoflife

-

March 30, 2020

14

Free Pornhub: Will That Help People Finally Stay Home?

I’ve written some scathing posts about people who still believe this coronavirus is a hoax and continue to go out (see Stop Going to the Bar Jerks). While people are finally taking this seriously, many find themselves bored at home with idle hands.

Luckily, Pornhub, the Disney+ for inquiring minds, is offering free access to its premium content to help fill those long hours. According to Bossip, Pornhub is also donating money to help NY medics.

This is a win win for everyone.

Note: TPOL doesn’t have an affiliate relationship with Pornhub…yet.

a man sitting in a chair on a beach — If the beach is a no go, next week I’ll know where to go.

Surrendering Vacation: When to Cut a Trip Short

thepointsoflife

-

March 30, 2020

4

Surrendering Vacation is part of the Rum Rum Caribbean Castaway Trip Report.

Stick to the Plan! is my best travel advice. Trips, no matter how last minute, take a degree of planning. Along the way, bumps and bruises are expected. In China, I misinterpreted the visa policy and was detained all night in the airport on my birthday (see China 72-hour Visa-Free Transit Disaster (again)). I was told I could either go to Hong Kong for the day or return to Japan where I had just come from.

I couldn’t find any award availability (see British Avios Trickeration: No Online S7 Booking, No Cathay, No Dragon) and contemplated scrapping the rest of my trip and heading home to the US via Japan. I would have had to give up my tailor-made clothes that I ordered when I arrived in Shanghai earlier in the trip (see TPOL’s Guide to Bargaining Abroad), and, most notably, I would have had to give up my business class flight home and fly revenue in coach. I thought of it as penance for my critical error.

On account of the fact that it was my birthday and that Ms. TPOL said we came too far to give up, I paid $650 for two round trip ticket to Hong Kong (see TPOL’s Worst Flight Experiences). The result was the best birthday in recent memory. I had Dim Sum by day in Hong Kong and partied by night at M1NT Shanghai (see TPOL’s Guide to A Night in Shanghai).

This leads me to my most recent trip where I experienced bumps, bruises, and one nasty laceration I planned a last-second Caribbean Island Tour (see How to Book Trinidad’s Carnival Last Second for Free*) which started in Trinidad for Carnival, by far the most enjoyable thing I have ever done (see Last Minute Trinidad Carnival Guide! Everything You Need to Know And Stuff You Will Figure Out On Your Own!). After Trinidad, I went to Grenada which was supposed to be relaxing (see Grand Anse Beach Grenada: Detox After Carnival). While the day of lounging was a great time, I had a small accident in a pick-up game of basketball. My Ben Wallace block was clean but my landing was not.

As you can see from the photo, I was in good spirits. My face, on the other hand, was not. Wounded, I still went to the bar and tried to power through the injury. I must’ve looked a lot worse than I thought because people were giving me troubled looks, and some even told me it was best for everyone if I went home.

Ostracized like the Phantom of the Opera, I retreated into the shadows. The next day, a quick visit to the doctor confirmed that the only thing hurt was my pride, so I again attempted to socialize. Again, I was met with strange looks and a few, “Hey man, who beat you up?” Nobody was buying the basketball line. Depressed, I decided to stay in that night. The next day, I looked outside at the happy people at the beach, and then I looked in the mirror. My face looked worse than before.

Fed up, I searched for flights back to Puerto Rico but couldn’t find Avios availability. I then looked for revenue flights and found one that connected through Miami and would arrive early the next day. For $624 TFOL, The Freak of Life, could go home to hide and heal. Like my time in Iceland when I messed up my flight and had to pay full fare to fly home because Norwegian doesn’t fly from Reykjavik (see Flying Icelandair by Mistake), I decided that this was enough for one trip and booked my extraction home.

I’ve rationalized that I would have had to pay money to stay at a hotel in my next destination since there weren’t points options in those places anyway. I also factored in that I would be saving money by not having to pay to drink and eat. Finally, unlike being on the other side of the world like when I was in Hong Kong, Puerto Rico was relatively close by.

Overall, I figured that it would be worthwhile for Humpty Dumpty to put his face back together and his mental health back in order before heading out once again. I didn’t see it as a complete surrender. I saw it as a tactical retreat. However, like my beautiful face, my beauty of an itinerary which thus far had cost me next to nothing and my swagger as a savvy traveler, now has a black mark that will take some time to heal.

What say you?

Grand Anse Beach Grenada: Detox After Carnival

thepointsoflife

-

March 27, 2020

6

Grand Anse Beach Grenada is part of the Rum Rum Caribbean Castaway Trip Report.

After too much partying in Hong Kong for New Year’s (see Lan Kwai Fong New Years Eve: Beware of Blackout), the only thing I wanted to do was go to the beach when I arrived in Sydney (see Bondi to Bronte: How to Spend A Day in Sydney). Likewise, after Carnival in Trinidad, the only thing I had energy for was a day on the beach. If you’re in Grenada, the beach to visit is Grand Anse. And if you’re on Grand Anse, the places to go is the bountiful amount of bars located within the Spice Market and Umbrellas.

Spice Market

If you’re looking for great food, affordable drinks, and fun people, go to the Spice Market. Start by having a drink or two at Esther’s before renting a chair on the beach. From there, test your resolve by ordering a few Stag beers and a few Rum Punches. Cap off the evening by going back to the stalls for a conch sandwich.

Umbrellas

I’m not sure what makes this place so popular, but it was very busy when I went. I had a Bloody Ceasar and decent wings before heading back to the Radisson.

a beach with blue water and clouds — The walk to Umbrellas. Go left from the Radisson.

The Beach

The beach wasn’t crowded when I went, allowing me to capture many photos of tranquility. Compare this to my time in Trinidad.

Overall

Grand Anse is a beautiful beach and a great way to spend a day or two or three if you’re in Grenada.

Grand Anse Beach Grenada is part of the Rum Rum Caribbean Castaway Trip Report.

Courtyard Trinidad: Pure Bliss for Carnival

thepointsoflife

-

March 26, 2020

4

Courtyard Trinidad Hotel Review is part of the Rum Rum Caribbean Castaway Trip Report.

Getting There: Download TT Rideshare App. Local cabs are far too expensive.

After partying from 3AM until 11PM (see Last Minute Trinidad Carnival Guide! Everything You Need to Know And Stuff You Will Figure Out On Your Own!), I grabbed my bags from the Hilton Trinidad and checked into the Courtyard Trinidad. Where is the surveillance footage of me dancing into the lobby? Though I may have been slightly inebriated, the front desk did not care. In fact, they sang along to If you want me to go…. a carnival classic.

Food

First, let me discuss the food. It was heaven-sent that the bar-restaurant was still open. After such a long day of liquid nutrition, I needed sustenance. I ordered a burger and it was gone upon arrival.

Room

I came in. I took pictures. I took a shower. I went to sleep. I did this for two nights. The bed was comfortable but I could’ve slept anywhere and been fine. Carnival is that exhausting.

Boom!

The next day, I woke up to the sound of Soca music. Even though I was dead tired, I refused to miss out on the fun, so snoozing was not an option. I put on my board shorts, grabbed my cup, and headed out the door.

Location

The Hilton is in a better location logistically for Carnival. You only have to come down the hill and you’ll reach Savannah Grass, the launch point for the bands. The Courtyard was farther away and due to traffic barricades, my driver had to circumnavigate Port of Spain before finding a place where he could drop me off.

Pool

The day after it was all done, I went to the pool to try and put my life together. Did all of this really happen?

Overall

Pure bliss! That’s how I would describe Carnival and that’s how I would describe my stay at the Courtyard.

Courtyard Trinidad Hotel Review is part of the Rum Rum Caribbean Castaway Trip Report.

Ready to Party in Shanghai? Bring Your Passport, Mask, and QR Code

thepointsoflife

-

March 25, 2020

2

Ready to Party in Shanghai? Bring Your Passport, Mask, and QR Code

I put this post under Expat Life because this is the norm if you are living in China these days (see Color Code? China’s Way to Measure Contagion Risk). I also included it in the Food and Drink page, so one day I can look back in amazement at either how we used to go to bars without these restrictions or, hopefully, only to remember the extreme measures that were taken during this time.

When I was living in Shanghai last fall, I wrote a post called TPOL’s Guide to Libations in Shanghai. In it, I said that my favorite place to party was Revolucion Cocktail. Since the lock-down, the WeChat Revolucion group has been silent. That changed as the bar has finally reopened. Before you book your flight to Shanghai, take note of two things: 1) You will be quarantined in China upon arrival (see An Expat Quarantine Experience in Shanghai). 2) You may have to abide by the following rules to enter public establishments.

I have no idea if bars are following these guidelines or post them up just to look compliant. I can’t imagine walking to a club and having my temperature checked let alone bringing my passport to a bar. Also, nothing says party like wearing a mask and applying hand sanitizer. Finally, what happens when the person in front of you flashes his QR code and it comes back as red?

Crazy time we’re living in but happy that some semblance of normalcy is returning to China. It gives me hope while I wait in solitude (see Social Distance Yourself from Misinformation).