Travel Guide - ThePointsOfLife

Grayson NYC: Stay for the Revival Bedding

thepointsoflife

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February 12, 2024

Grayson Hotel Review NYC is part of TPOL in NYC.

Getting There: The best way to get there if you’re coming from EWR is to take NJT to Grand Central and then walk.

Introduction When I came to NYC for work, I used to stay in Long Island City (see Hyatt Place Long Island City Hotel Review: It Was the Best Deal in NY). The points deal is over (see Long Island City: No Longer a Secret Thanks to Amazon). Points ‘middle class,’ I opt for convenience over frugality. For me, burning more points to stay in Midtown during winter and being within walking distance of my meeting were better than saving a few thousand points and enduring the subway. And since I was going to overpay on points, I decided to try out a new hotel: The Grayson.

Location The Grayson is located at 39th and 6th Avenue, steps away from my second pho restaurant (see Pho 39: Choice #2 in NYC). More importantly, I was within walking distance to my meeting in Midtown, something I did not want to do on the cold, slushy, freezing day. The alternative was a $50 Uber that would have taken much longer.

Room While the room wasn’t big, it was well-appointed.

a bed with a wood paneled headboard and a desk

View Got one window facing a brick wall. While it wasn’t facing a brick wall, there was not a view. I enjoyed the snugness of the enclosure. I also find something romantic about fire escapes.

a room with a tv and a painting on the ceiling

The Bedding When I checked out, I had to stop by and ask the front desk where they bought their bedding. The pillows were remarkable and the comforter was much better than the one at home. All of it comes from Revival New York. I went to order bedding from them but like all great items, they are not available to ship to my home in Puerto Rico.

a bed with a desk and a picture on the wall

Bathroom Jerry’s got nothing. Newman’s got nothing. You’re the only one I know who’s got the good stuff, and I need it bad, baby, cause I feel like I got bugs crawling up my skin. Now you gotta help me out. I couldn’t live in New York with this weak water pressure. Other than that, I liked the gold touches of the bathroom.

a shower with a gold faucet and a white towel on a rack

Notable Item The notable item in this room was the dog. I wonder how many go missing and how much guests are charged when they do.

Bar Absent a complimentary drink, TPOL does not drink or dine at a hotel bar. It is too bad I’m too frugal as this one was quite nice.

Overall Compared to the nightly rate of $400, 18k is a steal. Compared to the prices of other points hotels, 18k is a bargain. If it wasn’t the dead of winter, I would probably have saved my points and stayed in LIC as 18k is better used for vacation destinations, not work meetings.

Death Penalty for Opening an Emergency Door?

thepointsoflife

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February 9, 2024

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People do dumb things. Here’s the latest:

A Canadian man has been arrested in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai after he allegedly opened the door on a commercial plane and triggered the evacuation slide prior to takeoff (read full story here).

The article goes on to say that he faces the following penalty: If found guilty he could face the death penalty, imprisonment of up to 20 years, and/or a 600,000-800,000 baht ($16,700-$22,300) fine.

I’m going to guess that he gets fined and banned from returning to Thailand.

I’ve done some dumb things when I’ve traveled (see TPOL’s Travel Lessons), but I have yet to be arrested. How about you? What’s the dumbest thing you have done? So I, like my readers do to me when I share such stories, can call you stupid too.

a glass of champagne on a table in a plane — Sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight.

Avianca’s LifeMiles Chat Sucks: Are You Surprised?

thepointsoflife

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February 6, 2024

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Avianca’s LifeMiles Chat Sucks: Are You Surprised?

Avianca Chat is part of the Buenos Aires, Cape Town Residency. Read Vote for Where TPOL Will Move Next And… and TPOL in Madrid: Why A Second Residency? to understand this innovative residency phenomenon.

The first step in my Buenos Aires Residency was to book a flight from my full-time residence, Puerto Rico. In theory, this should be very easy. I found the business class flight on lifemiles.com for 40k points and hit ‘submit.’ I received an error that my reservation could not be completed and that an agent would assist me. I waited for a live person to come on the chat but the only one to show up was Mia, an ironic but fitting name. Mia didn’t understand anything. After repeated attempts to communicate with Mia, she gave me these options:

I selected the second one and thought progress was being made. I was wrong.

I clicked the option again and again but Mia’s brain continued to be unavailable. Instead of cyber-bullying Mia the moron, I called Lifemiles by phone. Now, I am waiting for them to send me the payment link which could take up to 72 hours.

2024 Residencies Announced! Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Cape Town

thepointsoflife

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February 5, 2024

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2024 Residencies are part of the Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Cape Town Residency Directory. Read Vote for Where TPOL Will Move Next And… and TPOL in Madrid: Why A Second Residency? to understand this innovative residency phenomenon.

I have completed three residencies thus far: Madrid, Melbourne, and Bangkok. All were in 2023. All were a great success. To keep the party going, I consulted the list of possible candidates and came up with three cities I have visited before: Barcelona, Buenos Aires, and Cape Town. The plan is to spend 6 weeks in each city living, eating, drinking, and enjoying my life as a local. The first trip will be to Barcelona in the summer followed by a joint a back-to-back residency of Buenos Aires and Cape Town in the fall and winter. I will provide the details of air travel and long-term accommodations as the process unfolds. Of course, like moving to Albania (see Canceled! TPOL’s Move to Albania), everything is subject to change.

a man standing on a ledge with a marina and boats in the background — Post GM firing in Barcelona 2011.

a man holding a bottle of wine — Post Weisberg Meyers Firing in 2013. My last time working for someone excluding the 2014 Mongolia debacle.

a man standing on a platform with a city in the background — TPOL’s Tip: Do not trek Table Mountain in flip-flops and with no water.

Pho 39: Choice #2 in NYC

thepointsoflife

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February 2, 2024

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Pho 39 is part of TPOL in NYC.

Welcome back to New York City. Or should I say, welcome back NYC. The city has come a long way since I celebrated NYE here in 2021 (see Your Papers, Please: NY, The Lame Apple & Happy New Year! TPOL’s NYC NYE Party Guide). After many failed pho experiments in the City (see Pho No), I no longer take chances and head straight downtown to Sao Mai (see Game Over: TPOL Found the Best Pho in NYC). That was not an option this January morning as the weather looked like this:

I was staying at the Grayson Hotel which is located on 39th Street and 6th Avenue (see Stay for the Bedding). I didn’t want to go too far out of my door for anything. As the name suggests, Pho 39th is located on the 39th. Within two minutes, I arrived, ordered, and received the following:

a plate of food on a table — The spring rolls were exquisite.

a bowl of soup with meat and noodles — As far as the bowl, I was a little skeptical because it came out instantly, and I didn’t care for the chic spoon. It is awkward to use and does not add to the experience.

a bowl of soup with meat and sprouts — I was impressed by the number of sprouts and the size of the bowl.

a bowl of soup with meat and vegetables — Size matters but a big taste is most important.

Overall If you don’t want to go downtown because of the weather or because you dread the subway, go to Pho 39.

TPOL’s Tip: Pho 39 is located at 70 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018.

Simply The Best: January 2024

thepointsoflife

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February 1, 2024

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Here are the best posts from January. The first may be the best post in eternity.

Michigan Wolverines National Champions! I Can Die in Peace
As Michigan football goes, so goes my life. All problems feel tremendously worse with a Michigan loss. All problems feel trivial with a Michigan win. Today, I have zero problems and Ohio State ain’t #won.
Bula! Fiji Airways Vancouver to Nadi Flight Review
Bula was a word I would hear frequently throughout this trip. It means hello or welcome in Fijian, but the sincerity of the word cannot be translated. This warmness of the flight attendants and the Fijian people is authentic.
Sheraton Fiji: We Appreciate Your Loyalty!
“We appreciate your loyalty,” is a phrase that is used but not meant. At the Sheraton Fiji it was sincere and I appreciated it.
Fiji Airways Nadi to Tonga: The Best Business 737 Experience
I have flown many 737s in my day. Some were better than others (see Ethiopian Business JNB-ADD: The Worst Flight Experience). Undoubtedly, the Fiji Airways flight from Nadi, Fiji to Tonga was the best.
2023 What I Spent (And Received) in Annual Fees
$2772 is not a small amount of money to pay for fees. This doesn’t include Ms.TPOL’s annual fees in the amount of $1205.06
Am I Losing the Points Game?
Should I give up churning? What would I do after that? Stop points traveling altogether? Stop blogging? I must not. I can’t. I will find a way to keep winning this points game.
Simply The Best: TPOL in 2023
Was 2023 the best year of my life? It sure felt that way. Here are the best posts from a historical year of greatness.

Am I Losing the Points Game?

thepointsoflife

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January 31, 2024

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I wrote the post 2023 What I Spent (And Received) in Annual Fees. I concluded the post with this photo and caption:

a man in a canoe in the water — It’s worth it.

After it was published, I reread the post. I honed in on this line: Grand Total: $3977.06. Is $4000 in annual fees worth it? In the old days, I would say yes because the value of my redemptions vastly outweighed the actual retail price (see Bus-Ted: TPOL Points & Cash Summary). Today, I am not so sure. First, devaluations have killed aspirational redemptions (see Do You Believe in Miracles? Emirates Showers, Dreamliner Suites, Tahiti Triumph!). Yes, QSuites is readily available but how many times do I want to be surrounded by the purple monster for a long-haul flight? While business class is fine, I much prefer flying first. But these days airlines are eliminating first-class altogether. And those that offer them do so at alarming rates. I don’t care how many points I have, I am not going to pay for anything but ‘saver,’ which is next to impossible to find. I once wrote, Devaluation? I Laugh in the Face of Devaluation. As I continue to rack up points, I fear that the joke is now on me. I have more free time now, more income now, and more points now. The problem is that there aren’t many places left that I want to go (see 126 Countries Left, If I Go), and even when I find a place, I do not have a way of getting there in style. Fiscally, it doesn’t make sense to keep applying for cards, paying the annual fee, and sitting on points that lose value as each day passes (see Virgin Atlantic Devaluation: I Waited Too Long). Should I give up churning as I said I would in 2016 (see I Quit Churning!)? If I did, wouldn’t I miss the thrill of instant approvals and the thick envelope coming in the mail? What would I do after that? Stop points traveling altogether? Stop blogging? I must not. I can’t. I will find a way to keep winning this points game.

a man taking a selfie — Come on Emirates. Let me back in the first class club!

Fiji Airways Nadi to Tonga: The Best Business 737 Experience

thepointsoflife

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January 30, 2024

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Fiji Airways Nadi Tonga Business Class is part of the Bula! Fiji Hub Trip Report.

I have flown many 737s in my day. Some were better than others (see Ethiopian Business JNB-ADD: The Worst Flight Experience). Undoubtedly, the Fiji Airways flight from Nadi, Fiji to Tonga was the best.

Here’s why: Bula! Service I wrote about the great service aboard Fiji Airways on my first flight from Vancouver to Nadi (see Bula! Fiji Airways Vancouver to Nadi Flight Review). That service isn’t only found on long-haul. It was also provided on this short 1.5 hour flight to Tonga.

a glass of liquid and a glass of orange juice on a tray — Welcomed with a welcome drink.

So Much Space Some airlines cram in as many business class seats as possible. Fiji Airways had a total of 4.

Food Despite the short duration of the flight, there was great meal service.

Fiji Water Cost It only costs 12,500 Avios and $52 versus $466 to fly business (see Bus-Ted: Bula! Fiji Hub Points & Cash Summary). Another Go Around The Fiji Airways experience lasted a little longer than expected. Right before landing, the wind picked up and the pilot had to abort and go around one more time.

a building with a sign on it — Welcome to Tonga!

Overall I didn’t have any luck finding business class flights on Fiji Airways for islands in the Pacific. I am glad I was able to experience it when I could.

2023 What I Spent (And Received) in Annual Fees

thepointsoflife

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January 29, 2024

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Here is what I have spent in annual fees historically:

2020: $744
2021: $1,571
2022: $1937

Here is what I spent in 2023 and what I received: New Cards

$95 Citi ThankYou Premier: 80k sign-up bonus.
$95 Alaska: 70k sign-up bonus.
$99 IHG Business: 165k sign-up bonus.
$95 Hilton Business: 150k sign-up bonus, free night in any category
$395 Capital One Venture X: 75k sign-up bonus
$695 Amex Platinum Business: 150k sign-up bonus
$595 Citi AA Exec: 100k sign-up bonus.
$99 Alaska Business Card: 50k sign-up bonus

Total: $2168 Renewed Cards

$95 Chase Ink: 3X marketing
$99 IHG Personal: 1 free night
$95 Chase Hyatt: 1 free night
$125 Amex Marriott Business: 1 free night
$95 Amex Marriott: 1 free night
$95 Chase Marriott: 1 free night

Total: $604 TPOL’s Total: $2772 I don’t have to calculate how much value I have received out of these cards. My redemptions speak for themselves. Still, $2772 is not a small amount of money to pay for fees. This doesn’t include Ms.TPOL’s annual fees in the amount of $1205.06 Grand Total: $3977.06

Sheraton Fiji: We Appreciate Your Loyalty!

thepointsoflife

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January 26, 2024

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Sheraton Fiji Hotel Review is part of the Bula! Fiji Hub Trip Report.

Getting There There is no Uber in Fiji. You have to negotiate to get to the hotel. $40FJD ($18USD) is what I paid from the airport. On the way back, there is a set price of $52FJD ($23USD).

Introduction

a large lawn with trees and a building in the background

Bula! And welcome to the Sheraton Fiji where they appreciate your loyalty. My flight landed at 5:20AM (see Bula! Fiji Airways Vancouver to Nadi Flight Review), and I arrived at the hotel far too early to check-in. At check-in, I was offered espresso and was told that it may take some time for my room to be ready. Instead of taking a nap at the pool like I did when I arrived too early in Barbados (see Radisson Barbados: Beach Club Or Resort?), I found a comfy couch and worked on my laptop. After a half hour, the manager of the hotel came to greet me. He apologized that my room was not ready and offered me complimentary breakfast. Breakfast There are two choices for breakfast. One is a buffet zoo full of children, the other is an adults only, all-you-can-drink mimosa experience. Which would you select?

As far as the breakfast goes, it was basic but filling. I had it both days I was there. Had I stayed longer, I may have braved the screaming children in exchange for variety.

a plate of breakfast with sausages and eggs

At the conclusion of breakfast, I received this surprise:

Time to Check-In After three hours of too many mimosas, I was told that my room was ready.

a glass of orange liquid next to a bottle of water — Stay hydrated.

Room The room was in a private caseta with a view of the ocean.

a bed with white sheets and blue headboard in a room

a round table with pillows on it outside with a view of the ocean

Bathroom

Champagne Anyone? Ready to unwind, I heard a knock on the door:

a bottle of champagne in a bucket with ice and two wine glasses on a table — Another welcome gift!

two bottles of water on a table — Water was also complimentary.

Champagne Party As a lifetime elite, I was invited to an art exhibit in the hotel where I was offered even more champagne.

a group of champagne bottles in a container with ice

a group of cartoon characters on a white wall

a glass of wine on a table with food on it

a man standing at a podium with a sign behind him — The keynote speaker.

Resort Itself I live in a golf resort in Rio Mar, Puerto Rico. For me, the experience of unwinding at a resort is not my idea of travel, especially when there are so many kids running around. But that isn’t to say that the resort was not beautiful.

a pool with palm trees and a building in the background

a pool with tables and chairs and palm trees

a pool with palm trees and a building — Adults only pool, next to adults only breakfast.

a pool with a lounge chair and palm trees

a grass lawn with palm trees and a body of water

Golf Like the golf course in Rio Mar, the Sheraton’s golf course is in need of hydration and irrigation. I did not inquire how much it would cost to play but given the condition of the course and my previous experience of golfing in Tahiti (see Golf in Tahiti? Not in This Town), I am glad I passed.

a golf cart with a person in the back — Only golf cart I used was to get to my room.

Overall “We appreciate your loyalty,” is a phrase that is used but not meant. At the Sheraton Fiji it was sincere and I appreciated it.