By far my favorite drinking game is the 7-11 game which I invented as a way to explore Hong Kong on foot. Today’s discussion of how many frequent flier account numbers I could recall by memory has inspired me and my new Twitter drinking buddy @Ahall41116 to combine two things I enjoy: points and drinking.
There are a few variations of the game that will be fun for the whole family.
Points War: My cousin George and I used to play War with the loser having to take a drink if he lost the best of 7 challenge and a shot if he lost a War. The same concept applies here. Randomly scroll down your Award List and challenge your balance of that program to that of your friends. Alternatively, you could challenge his status in that program. Loser drinks.
If you really want to get sophisticated, create your own valuation system for what each program is worth. With a valuation of .000000000001 for SkyPesos his 200k would come up short against your 25k SWA RapidRewards.
Points Poker/Points UNO: Have a cocky friend who thinks he has more points than you, challenge him to Points Poker. Create playing cards with the popular points programs and create a valuation system for evaluating which programs are worth what. Here is mine:
Ace: Alaska
King: Singapore
Queen: American
Jack: Hyatt
10: British
9: United
8: Hilton
7: Southwest
6: Lufthansa
5: IHG
4: Club Carlson
3: Frontier
2: Delta
Joker: LifeMiles
Not really sure how this is different from normal poker/uno nor would I be motivated to create the playing cards but it was fun to assign Joker’s Wild to LifeMiles- a little points humor for your Tuesday.
Points Memory: Switch Award Lists and challenge your friend to recite her frequent flier number, balance, expiration date for various programs. Mistakes means drink.
Preferred Venues:
Airplanes: Emirates, KoreanAir, and Virgin Atlantic all have open bars at 30k feet.
We walk up to the Southwest self-help kiosk. I don’t reach for my wallet as Ms. TPOL does to check-in. “No checked bags, print boarding pass, I win,” I boast with great satisfaction. I have my Rapid Rewards number memorized. Seinfeld would be proud.
Heading to the Admirals Club, I didn’t take out my Citi Exec card, I recited my AAdvantage number by heart. Even worthless Delta is no match for my memory as I login to verify that I have indeed drained my SkyPesos account to zero.
This brings me to SPG, a number that is too long and has no pattern. Every day it seems SPG has a promotion, targeted or not, that requires me to input my SPG number to register. I never remember it and have to go back to AwardWallet to look it up. The same can be said about the ugly Hyatt GoldPassport number whose use of a letter at the end throws of my rhythm. Finally, there is Club Carlson with enough digits to resemble a nuclear code. Even if I can remember one, there’s another for my business account that I have just forgotten.
The nerdiness of the points game is apparent by the number of accountants, lawyers, and financiers who blog on the topic. That is why I don’t feel ashamed to say that I feel cool when I can recall account numbers to agents and excel through the check-in process while fellow travelers bumble around for a credit card to swipe.
Any other nerds out there willing to admit to the satisfaction of knowing their frequent flier numbers?
The Hilton Colombo Residence Review is part of the Trip Report: The $77,000 Trip Heard Round the World which covers 5 Continents, 13 Countries, and 17 Cities.
Find the nerdy planning here. Find the picture preview here.
Getting Here: I braved life and limb and took a taxi from the airport. The driver took me to another Hilton. I discovered this at check-in where I had a welcome drink then was told I was at the wrong hotel. Even though it was late at night and I had just arrived after a long day of traveling, the Hilton wouldn’t use the courtesy vehicle to take me to my hotel. Instead, I hate to wait a half hour for a taxi to come and pay again to go to my hotel located a few minutes away.
Thanks for the unwelcome drink
In reviewing the Conrad Tokyo, I said that Hilton Gold is the best status abroad for the effort required to maintain it. The Hilton Colombo Residences is another reason why this is true. For 16,000 points and $82/night I had the three bedroom Japanese Penthouse with an unbeatable sea view.
The Staff
The staff was very friendly and helpful providing tips on where to go eat and drink as well as arranging transport.
The Room
The room was ridiculously large for one person if not ten. It was so big that it had its own router. Walking in, I was given a tour of all the amenities and provided with a welcome fruit basket along with a bottle of wine. The best feature by far was the enormous balcony. With a bottle of wine in hand and the Jambox, I had a nice time watching the sun go down from the balcony overlooking Colombo.
Master bedroomThe living roomThe welcome tableI used all the dishesThe snake pit
The Location
The Hilton Colombo Residences is located in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Colombo. It is a train ride or tuk tuk away from the beach but is walking distance for exploring the city’s attractions and near many restaurants and bars.
33 FloorsThe Hilton Colombo Residence
Overall
This was a great bargain for points especially because of the penthouse upgrade. I would definitely return/live at the Residences if I was back in Colombo.
The Malaysia Airlines Business Class Lounge Review is part of the Trip Report: The $77,000 Trip Heard Round the World which covers 5 Continents, 13 Countries, and 17 Cities.
Find the nerdy planning here. Find the picture preview here.
While Kuala Lumpur’s International Airport is first class, it doesn’t have the soul of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi or swag of Singapore’s Changi. The same can be said of Kuala Lumpur as a city. Sure, it has the Petronas Towers which are the tallest twin towers in the world but there’s little else in the capital that makes it a city worth seeing.
To pile on the negativity, the Malaysia Airlines Business Class Lounge was also mediocre. It had the amenities of a modern business class lounge: a chef, premium drinks, a masseuse, and plenty of comfortable seating but it didn’t have the pizzazz. Though I wasn’t expecting the over-the-top Cortez gaudiness of the Emirates lounge, perhaps some flair to make me feel a level of excitement that comes from being in an international hub would be appropriate. (see Cathay Pacific Arrival Lounge.)
Eh, I guess they can’t all be winners. Despondent, I had my warm bowl of soup and double espresso and was ready to board another drab Malaysian Airline flight to Bangkok. At least the flight from BKK-CMB would be back on the best airline for quality consistency, Cathay Pacific.
The Malaysia Airlines Business Class LoungeSoup + PressFeeling Home Alone
The Malaysia Airlines Sydney to Kuala Lumpur Review is part of the Trip Report: The $77,000 Trip Heard Round the World which covers 5 Continents, 13 Countries, and 17 Cities.
Find the nerdy planning here. Find the picture preview here.
In the United States, more flights go through Atlanta than anywhere. It’s been said that on the way to heaven, worthy souls still would have to connect through Atlanta. The same can be said of Kuala Lumpur. Too many of my passport pages have been used transiting on AirAsia flights through KL.
When I booked my RTW ticket, the airline with the greatest availability was Malaysia Airlines on dated planes. With no other routing choices, I was forced to fly Malaysia business aboard a 777 from SYD-KUL. The flight was at 8:50AM and I was ready to get to my window seat and fall asleep. Upon receiving my boarding pass, I was informed that my seat was changed to a middle one.
The configuration was a 2*3*2 old school business class. I had someone to my right and someone to my left. The angle flat seats weren’t comfortable and the food was nothing special. I ended up sleeping the majority of the eight hours, purposefully neglecting to take pictures.
At least on the way out, I had some good breakfast in the Qantas lounge. Next stop Bangkok en route to Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Find the nerdy planning here. Find the picture preview here.
Here is the Sydney Travel Guide using the Guns & Butter methodology:
A trip is composed of two factors: Labor And Lazy
Anything on the line (Production Possibilities Frontier for my fellow economists) is an efficient use of your time depending on your tastes and preferences.
Anything inside the line is inefficient as should be avoided.
Anything outside is aspirational but may be impossible to do given the constraints of time and resources.
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.
Sydney, Australia is a city that everyone wants to visit. Out of the three cities I went to in Australia & New Zealand which included Melbourne and Wellington, it was definitely my favorite. It combines the city life with beach life and features one of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed at, the Park Hyatt Sydney.
What makes it great? The countless things to do and see even if you only have three days.
The Beach
The beach is graphed on both sides of the spectrum, labor and lazy because it takes some effort to get to Manly Beach but is divine when you arrive at either. Manly Beach is accessible by boat and I recommend taking the fastest boat to get there. Bondi is accessible by bus and is less of a chore to reach. Next time I’m in Sydney, I probably will skip the city center and stay at the beach the entire time .
The best part of going to Manly Beach is the amazing photo-ops along the way.
Take the speed boat if possibleManly WharfNice beach townSurfers’ Code DudeManly BeachThe return from ManlySun going downHeading BackBondi BeachMore BondiA day at the beachTime to move
House Hunting
It won’t take long till you convince yourself that you could live in Sydney. It is an expensive city and housing is not cheap. Furthermore, getting a long term visa is pretty difficult unless you want to pick fruit. Still, it is fun to walk around the beach towns pretending that this waterfront condo is your home.
I can see it now
Nightlife
Nightlife in Sydney was not the best in the world. Granted, I was not there during the weekend but an international city should have something big going on every night. A nice bar was The Establishment which was packed to the brim on salsa night. Another was Ivy which was four floors of festivities. The Pool Club located within had a Christmas party when I was there.
IvyBar on George Street
Kings Cross is a tourist trap of strip clubs that may be worth checking out for laughs but there’s nothing great in that area.
The infamous Kings CrossJust like homeEnjoy Coke
City Tour
Walk down George Street for as long as you please. There will be bars, restaurants, and life to see. For $300 you can climb the Sydney Bridge but I believe just going to the lookout point was good enough.
If you can leave the Park HyattThe RocksThe Harbour and Park HyattThat could be you on the bridgePerfect day in SydneyThe Lookout is a cheaper alternativeA view from atop the RocksView from the bridgeOne more of the opera houseThe City CenterPerfect photosDon’t climb the bridgeWatch for trafficYou’ve been warnedWalking pathCruise ship by Park HyattOne more of the bridge
Food
Sydney had great food. One of my favorite pho restaurants was somewhere along George Street though I didn’t think to write down the name or address. Gimmicky restaurants that had kangaroo burgers are a tourist must along with a glass of Shiraz. The restaurants near the Park Hyatt in the Rocks were decent but a little overpriced for my budget. While they provided great views of the Sydney Bridge and Opera House, I am sticking with my rule of advising against eating in the city center.
Obscure foodsTop ranked phoKangaroo SlidersMight as well be a touristOr just relax and enjoy the view from the Park HyattHarbour by nightOpera House by night
Sydney Opera House
Besides taking your iconic photo in front of the Sydney Opera House, consider going to the opera. I’m a classic man but not that classy to be bothered.
Twelve weeks of training is done for the Athens marathon and in order to keep myself honest and motivated, here’s my weekly diary of all things marathon.
Here’s what happened this week:
Today was distance day and I hit 9 miles in 81 minutes around the track. This is getting boring.
Yesterday was carb load day which was an excuse to eat delicious food bringing me back to my days in Mexico City.
The Qantas Business Lounge & Flight Review is part of the Trip Report: The $77,000 Trip Heard Round the World which covers 5 Continents, 13 Countries, and 17 Cities.
Find the nerdy planning here. Find the picture preview here.
As I discussed, I don’t think it’s worth 40k Avios for a round trip to New Zealand from Australia. It is better to pay cash for coach and save your points. Still, it was interesting to see what flying Qantas business is like. As a company, Qantas has had a rough time competing with Virgin, the ever expanding number of competitors flying into Australia, and discount carriers. Qantas’s prices are usually higher than their competitors despite nothing too special about their domestic product. I’m including SYD-MEL and MEL-WLG-SYD in this analysis.
Overall, this government subsidized airline needs to make serious changes in its operations if it’s going to remain a player in the future. It can’t just rely on its rich history and its past dominance to get it through the turbulent times. Qantas is a symbol of pride throughout the country though the people recognize how mismanaged the airline has become. In many ways it reminds me General Motors in the United States.
Here is the happier photo review:
The gloomy future of QantasThe Lounge in WellingtonSkippy! Ricies, wtfNice smoothiesA little Aussie breakfastCare for some cloudy apple juice?And bad champagne
The Wellington New Zealand Travel Guide is part of the Trip Report: The $77,000 Trip Heard Round the World which covers 5 Continents, 13 Countries, and 17 Cities.
Anything on the line (Production Possibilities Frontier for my fellow economists) is an efficient use of your time depending on your tastes and preferences.
Anything inside the line is inefficient as should be avoided.
Anything outside is aspirational but may be impossible to do given the constraints of time and resources.
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.
Windy Wellington! Do you know that Wellington is the capital of New Zealand? Seriously, it isn’t Auckland. I’ve traveled near and far and have to say that Wellington is far. Just look at the Great Circle Mapper to see how far it is from the hometown of Flint.
FNT-WLG on a380
I felt isolated and somewhat abandoned in New Zealand. The remoteness was unlike anything I’ve experienced. Even the Maldives felt more accessible. Not to belabor the point but Australians don’t go to New Zealand with great frequency.
Having said that, I had a great time in Wellington. While other cities like Queenstown and Christchurch are more scenic, there was still plenty to do for the three days that I was there.
Drink
Wellington is a party city. There is drinking along Cuba Street and clubs in the party area of Courtenay Place. By day there are pub crawls and by night there are more pub crawls. Saturday night was just as lively as Sunday night.
Irish BarLocal BeerDrinking at the waterfront
Botanic Garden
Take the cable car up to the Wellington Botanic Garden for great views of the city and the beauty of New Zealand. After a night out, it’s nice to enjoy an organic buzz.
Virtually straight up!View from the topWellingtonFrom aboveThe MapWellington Botanic GardenSmell the flowersMore flowersAnd more flowersNice place for a picnic
City Tour
Walk through the botanic garden down to the city to observe the capitol and other weird buildings.
This was happeningThe Beehive which is the Executive Wing of the New Zealand Parliament Buildings
Oriental Bay
Looking to go to the beach? Wellington is not the city for that. Oriental Bay is a small strip of sand right on the harbor suitable for a day of relaxing.
Oriental BayThe beachR&R
Sleep
I have regrets about my time in Wellington because I spent too much time asleep as a result of certain activities outlined above. I would have liked to have gone wine tasting like I did in Melbourne and lost less money sports gambling at TAB. Coming all the way from the United States to New Zealand and getting sidetracked by partying isn’t what a world traveler should do. Alas, it happens.
Earlier today I wrote about how SPG’s Best Rate Guarantee didn’t work. To demonstrate the tediousness of the process, I took screenshots of what I submitted and the ultimate outcome. Since I had gone through the trouble of showing what I did, I figured I might as well submit the claim again to see if it would work. I am happy to say that SPG did confirm the rate and provided a 20% discount. The room went from the SPG rate of $64 a night to $39 a night.
Many readers commented that it is worth submitting the claim over and over until it is approved. Since res judicata doesn’t apply for SPG claims, I highly recommend heeding this advice and repeating the process until justice is served.
$39 a night for a Sheraton? How can you beat that? You can’t thanks to SPG’s Best Rate Guarantee.
Update: A reader pointed out my stupidity. In the BRG, SPG always matches the rate. From there the option is 20% off of that rate OR 2k points. I inexplicably read it as no rate match, just 2k points which would hardly ever be a good value. After an emotional plea to SPG Platinum, they graciously gave me 1500 points despite my mistake.
