Surviving Avianca’s ‘Business Class’: Medellin to Buenos Aires

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Surviving Avianca’s ‘Business Class’: Medellin to Buenos Aires

I used to proudly say that I could sit in any seat, including the middle, so long as the flight was less than five hours. Then I learned of points and decided that flying coach was not for me. More spoiled than ever, flying business is also not enough for me to get off the island (see AA SJU-MIA-LAS: Borracho in Business (First)).

When I went to book my flight for my Residency in Argentina, the only reasonable deal in terms of points was the absurd schedule of SJU-PTY-MDE-EZE (see Copa Business SJU-PTY: Passed Out Comfortably & Copa Business: PTY-MDE, More ZZZ). The worst part of the journey was the leg from Medellin to Buenos Aires. It was 6:35 in a ‘business class’ seat with no Wi-Fi.a group of people standing next to a plane

Blocking Out the Middle Seat

When I flew from Madrid to Barcelona, I was content with Iberia purporting to sell premium economy as business. The flight was short, and the COVID concept of socially distancing passengers by leaving a seat empty was almost clever (see Iberia MAD-BCN: Some Funny Business). For an airline to use this tactic for a long-haul flight and market it as business is borderline criminal.

a seat on an airplanea seat with a magazine in it

TPOL’s Transparency: While I was aware of this bootleg business before I flew, I contemplated whether it was better to sit back in peasant class. For 36k points, 10k points more than coach, I decided it wasn’t. But that has nothing to do with comfort.

No Wi-Fi, Limited IFE

If you’re going to stick me on a plane for this long, the least you can do is offer Wi-Fi so I can be productive. If you’re going to have IFE, perhaps have something newer than the first season of Curb or the Harry Potter series.

a map of the united states
Look, it’s the Gulf of Mexico

Food & Drink

My time on flights is spent catching up on blog posts and cataloging my video clips for my YouTube channels (like, comment, and subscribe to both: ThePointsOfLife & Alexander Bachuwa). The one exception is the first flight of the journey, which should be spent eating, drinking, enjoying, and comfortably sleeping. On this long flight, I was surprised that food was not offered for free for economy passengers. In business, I was served a steak that was surprisingly good, though difficult to cut.

a menu of a restaurant a plate of food and a drink on a tray

For drink, I had two glasses of wine with my dinner and did not see the flight attendant come by to ask if I needed anything further.a drink and glasses on a tray

Kama Sutra

With no ability to work and no fun to be had, I mentally challenged myself to sleep. As someone who has flown Ethiopian coach long-haul, I knew I could summon my Kama Sutra skills if the moment called for it (see The Kama Sutra of Airplane Sleep: Surviving a 17 Hour Flight).

a bag on a person's lap
At least I received a blanket and pillow.

Bright Light

Despite wearing eye shades, I was awoken by a piercing bright light. It was not an ignorant ignoramus opening the window shade on a red eye (see Etiquette of Things: Put Down Your Window Shade). This was much worse. It was my neighbor who decided that his personal light was not enough. He turned mine on as well. I turned it off, which was met with shock. He said he was trying to write. To which I said, I too will be writing, and it will be a post about you (see The Etiquette of Things: The Overhead Light).

a bag and socks on a table
The sparse amenity kit does come with eyeshades.
a close up of a seat
Don’t touch my light.

30 Minutes

Torn away from my unsatisfying sleep, I checked the IFE app on my iPad and was delighted to see there were only 30 minutes till landing. My Kama Sutra technique had worked better than expected.

Overall

I have to fly this hell route back to MDE in December. I am not looking forward to it. But for 30k ANA points, I cannot rationalize changing it.

Copa Business: PTY-MDE, More ZZZ

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Copa Business: PTY-MDE, More ZZZ

The flight from PTY to MDE is quick. Weak from no food at the lounges (see Copa Lounge Panama City: Food Famine & Take 2, Lounge 2: Priority Pass Panama City), and similar to my experience from SJU-PTY, I did nothing but sleep. It is worth reiterating how much more comfortable the business class seats on Copa 737’s are in comparison to what Avianca describes as business class on its A321-Neo (see Kama Sutra: Surviving Avianca)

a white airplane on the runway a seat in an airplane

Take 2, Lounge 2: Priority Pass Panama City

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Take 2, Lounge 2: Priority Pass Panama City

I could only fast for so long (see Copa Lounge Panama City: Food Famine). I went to see if the other lounge had food.

a sign on a wall

a room with tables and chairs

Here is what I found:

a cutting board with meat and cheese on it a plate with cheese and tongs on it a wooden board with food on it a tray of bread on a table next to a drink dispenser

Disappointed, I sat at a table and scanned the QR code, hoping there was something. I was surprised that the eggs and potatoes were pretty good. a plate of scrambled eggs and potatoes with a drink on a table

The coffee was terrible, like the Copa lounge.

a coffee machine and a flag from a wall

Still hungry, I contemplated whether it was worth breaking my rule of not spending money at airports for the world’s best Italian food (see Olive Garden Times Square: Real Italian Food).

a sign in a restaurant

Overall

PTY airport is excellent for quick connections, not for lounges.

Copa Lounge Panama City: Food Famine

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Copa Lounge Panama City: Food Famine

I booked one of the least efficient routes to Buenos Aires from Puerto Rico because there were no other options. Part of my suffering included my time at this unexpectedly terrible lounge. I assumed that Copa’s flagship lounge would be at least on par with United or Delta. I was wrong.a glass doors with signs on them

I entered a gigantic lounge with plenty of seating, only to find nothing to eat. There was toast, desserts, and thinly cut lunch meat. There was a coffee machine that put out bean water Americano. There was no espresso option.people sitting in chairs in a room with a large window a room with chairs and a table a room with desks and chairs a room with chairs and a wall with a ceiling and a window a room with a bar and chairs and a television on the wall

a row of bowls of food on ice a trays of pastries on a table a toaster oven and bread on a table a stack of paper cups a screen on a machine

I tried to have cornflakes and could not get in more than one bite. They were stale. Scanning the crowd, I wonder if anyone else was also starving.cereal in containers on a table a bowl of cereal with a spoon on a napkin

With 4 hours to go, I decided now was the time to go all in on the fast diet.

a plane on the runway
Gloom day for a gloom lounge

The final straw was the organ music blaring from the speakers. I had to leave.

Overall

Budget cuts, tariffs? What is the reason for this less than continental breakfast offering? It’s a disgrace! I’ve never seen anything like it. I’m asking Pam to launch an investigation at once!

Copa Business SJU-PTY: Passed Out Comfortably

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Copa Business SJU-PTY: Passed Out Comfortably

What can I say about a flight I don’t remember? That is the ultimate compliment. Copa’s seats are damn comfortable, even if they are not lie-flat. Having left the house at 2:30AM in anticipation of drama due to the government shutdown, I was a zombie by the time we boarded at 5:30AM. The last thing I recall is asking for a breakfast sandwich. The next thing I remember is landing in Panama. Here are the photos:

a seat in an airplane a seat in a plane

Buenos Aires Residency Begins!

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Buenos Aires Residency Begins!

Read Why A Second Residency? to understand this innovative phenomenon of my creation.

Past residencies include:

I’ve come a long way from living in Mongolia (see Aug 1, 2014: The Mistake of Mongolia). I’ve come a long way from the asinine idea of having my angry readers tell me where to live (see Vote for Where TPOL Will Move Next And…). My next residency begins tomorrow in Buenos Aires. It was supposed to happen last November, but I foolishly canceled (2024 Residencies Announced! Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Cape Town). Not one to look back, I made it happen this year. What will I do? Who will I see? How much steak will I eat? How much Malbec will I drink? Stay tuned to find out.

a man holding a bottle of wine
Argentina 2013

Hyatt Centric Philadelphia: The Softer Side of Philly

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Hyatt Centric Philadelphia: The Softer Side of Philly

I have been told I am mean. I have been told that people from Philadelphia are mean. Both statements can be true and false depending on the situation. If the staff of the Hyatt Centric Philadelphia and the businesses surrounding it are representative of Philadelphians, I would say that Philly is the sweetest city in the world.a wall with colorful art on it

Double Dip Amex Fine Hotel + Globalist Benefits

I recently was approved for the coupon book of credit cards known as the Amex Business Platinum. One of the perks is a $300 statement credit for a 2-night stay at a Fine Hotel. As the year is coming to an end, I wanted to make sure I used this perk before it expired. The cheapest option for my two nights in Philadelphia was the Hyatt Centric. The retail price was $539.36. Out of pocket, I paid $239.36, an effective use of the credit. In addition to the hotel credit, I received a $100 stay credit which I used for a mediocre dinner (see $100 Credit Amex Fine Hotels: What a Pain).

My concern with using this Amex perk is that I would be denied my Globalist benefits, namely, two free bottles of water! Namely, free breakfast. Amex said it was at the discretion of the hotel. That was not the case. At check-in, my status was recognized and my bottles of water were dispensed with no fuss.

a room with wood columns and a bar

Location

The hotel is in the city center, full of bars, shopping, and restaurants, including Cleavers, the better option for a Philly Cheesesteak (see Best CheeseSteak in Philly? Don’t Ask Me).a street with cars parked on it a building with glass windowsa black rectangular mat with white text on it

Room 

a room with a bed and a wood floor a room with a bed and a tv a couch and table in a room a room with a bed and a couch a tv on a walla city with tall buildings and a steeple a tall buildings in a city

Bathroom 

a bathroom with a mirror and sink a shower with a shower head and a shower head a group of black bottles with green text on a metal shelf

a toilet in a room with a hockey stick
Strange the toilet was across the hall from the shower.

Bean Water Coffee

Hotels must have Nespresso machines. Keurigs are terrible and should be outlawed.a coffee machine on a table

Breakfast

I opted for the buffet. I am glad it was free. Imagine paying $100 for this:

a plate of food on a table

a receipt with a band on a table
Service charge included!

Overall

I received maximum value at this hotel and I received great service. Who says Philly is full of mean people? Everyone was very nice and accommodating. Who says TPOL is a not a nice guy? I have people skills!

a framed picture on a wall

 

$100 Credit Amex Fine Hotels: What a Pain

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$100 Credit Amex Fine Hotels: What a Pain

I am frugal. When something is free, I have to make sure I use it. This time, the free offering was a $100 statement credit at the Hyatt Centric Philadelphia for booking the room with my new Business Amex Platinum (see Approved! Amex Business Platinum: 200k MRs, $895 Annual Fee).

The problem with a statement credit is that I am forced to stay in the hotel instead of going out and exploring. That is great in a beach resort, but not when staying in a city. Having had two or too many cheesesteaks (see Best CheeseSteak in Philly? Don’t Ask Me), I decided to burn my $100 at the hotel on food and drinks. Here’s what I got:

a plate of shrimp and salad a plate of salad with cheese a plate of food on a marbled surfaceHow mad would you be if you had to pay for this?

a receipt with black text and numbers
The fountain sodas (not cans) did not have refills. 

How mad do you think I was when I was $17 over my $100 allowance? Do you think I would have tipped less if I knew I was over? TPOL readers will know the answer to that.

Best CheeseSteak in Philly? Don’t Ask Me

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Best CheeseSteak in Philly? Don’t Ask Me

When I was in Chicago, I was in search of the best pho (see Pho Paradise Found: Asia on Argyle, Chicago). When I was in Chicago, I was also in search of the best deep-dish pizza (see The World’s Best Pizza: Chicago Deep Dish Edition). I overindulged on both of these foods because they are my favorites.

When I was in Philly, I had to try an authentic Philly cheesesteak. The problem is that I’ve never been a big fan of the sandwich. It’s cheese, low-grade beef, and onions. How great can it be? Before offending the city of brotherly love, I thought I owed it to them to try as many cheesesteaks as possible.

I started with Cleavers, a joint next to where I was staying, the Hyatt Centric. I went with the basic: Kraft cheese, steak, and onions. It was good, but I wouldn’t pay $18 again for it.a sign in a store a box on a table a sandwich in a box

TPOL’s TIP: Cleavers is located at 108 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

After my epic run up the Rocky steps (see The Best Experience in Philadelphia & Worldwide)  and a visit to Independence Square (see Guns & Butter: Philadelphia Travel Guide), my heart told me that it was ready for my second sandwich. 3.1 miles later, I arrived on foot at Geno’s.

a street with cars and a sign on the front of a restaurant a plaque with a chain around it

My friend from Philly said it was a tourist trap, a sentiment echoed by the bartender at my hotel and other Philadelphians I asked for recommendations. There is a distinction between a tourist trap and a tourist attraction.

a group of men cooking meat

$18 must be the market rate for steak and cheese. For the same price as Cleavers, I ordered a cheesesteak with onions and copper cheese.

Neither the destination nor the journey was worth the trek.

a sandwich on a paper wrapper a sandwich on a paper

Full, I was determined to try one more cheese steak. This time, I was going to order it with what I thought was the missing link—mushrooms.

Unfortunately, Google gave me incorrect directions to Skinny Joey’s, a recommendation by another local. Since I was thus far unimpressed with the cheesesteak concept, I gave up on the cheesesteak mission.

TPOL’s Tip: This is the correct address: 3020 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19145

If I had to rank the two, I would go with Cleavers because of the sesame bread. But if I never have either again, that would be fine as well.

TPOL’s Trivia: I later found out that sesame is a ‘no,no’ in the traditional world of cheesesteak, further reinforcing that I am not the one to ask about what makes a good cheesesteak.

TPOL’s Tip: Yet another local recommended Angelo’s. Unfortunately, they were closed.

Simply The Best: October 2025

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Simply The Best: October 2025

Wasn’t a very strong showing in terms of number of blogs posts for October 2025. Here’s what I wrote:

  1. Grand Hyatt Athens: It’s Time to Drop the ‘Grand’

    a group of people on a rooftop pool
    Hyatt needs to change the name of all Grand Hyatts to Grande Hyatts. Grand means opulent, visible. Grande means big. And that’s all Grand Hyatts are—big hotels.
  2. New Passport to Go to Canada?

    a passport and a passport case
    It’s with joy and pain that I announce that my old passport is no more.
  3. What Happened to Toronto?

    a street with a street light and a street sign
    Toronto looks like a scene from The Penguin.
  4. The Anndore House Toronto: In Yorkville, Sort Of

    a building with a street and trees
    My room had a great view of the high-rises, a distraction from what was going on at night below.
  5. AA Admirals Club Toronto: Not Worth a Review

    a sign on a wall
    I write these ‘Lounge Reviews’ differently from other bloggers. While they will show up first to the lounge and take a picture of all the chairs and zoom in to capture photos of the day-old hummus, I document my experience to catalog all of the cities in the world I have been to an Admirals Club.
  6. AA Hopper Toronto to Philadelphia: You Can’t Sit There

    an airplane on the runway
    After encountering my defective seat, I moved to the unoccupied exit row…
  7. Timed-Out: Barclays Hawaii Business Application

    a close up of a sign
    I am applying again and will let you know the result . . . in 90 days.
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