Travel Guide - ThePointsOfLife

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

thepointsoflife

-

February 10, 2021

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

thepointsoflife

-

February 9, 2021

0

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

-

February 8, 2021

3

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

-

February 5, 2021

0

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

-

February 4, 2021

0

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

-

February 3, 2021

0

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.

a group of men wearing face masks and holding a drink — Ducking masks forever.

JetBlue Business Approved! Brex Approved! Citi AA Biz No, Hilton Amex No

thepointsoflife

-

February 2, 2021

1

JetBlue Business Approved! Brex Approved! Citi AA Biz No, Hilton Amex No

I fought and I scrapped for these applications and have mixed results.

JetBlue Business: I was finally approved for the 100k offer months after the process started. Here is the chronology:

Look at all that work for one credit card. Now let’s see if I’ll get approved for the personal card.

Brex: This is a quasi-business checking account. I was initially approved, but then they requested my EIN documentation before formally approving me (see Brex: The 110K Application, The Approval, But Only Conditionally). 110k points coming my way!

Citi AA Business: After a similar effort to Barclays, I was rejected because my address did not match my EIN address. I’m going to have to reapply and figure out a way to prove that I am who I say I am (see About That Citi AA Business Application…).

Hilton Amex Personal: After receiving the warning prompt that I was not eligible for the sign-up bonus for the business card (see Amex No Bonus Alert: Am I Responsible for This?), I attempted to apply for the personal card. I was immediately rejected. This is now normal with Amex. When I call they say that there’s negative information in my credit report. I pull my reports and see nothing. I tell them the same. They continue to say that they won’t approve me. The next step may be to file a demand for arbitration (see Amex Shutdown? Remedy & Going Forward) in order to have someone tell me what’s going on with my account. The only personal Amex I have is the Marriott card which was my first Amex.

While it’s not like the old days, the points game carries on.

Amex No Bonus Alert: Am I Responsible for This?

thepointsoflife

-

February 1, 2021

1

I am applying for new cards, not because I have a trip in mind, but because I have nothing better to do. I saw the 150k Amex Business Hilton offer and thought I would give it a shot. After filling out the usual, I clicked submit and received this:

I vaguely recall having a Hilton business account. I had to search my blog to see when I had applied (see Keep Vs. Cancel: Amex Hilton Honors Business Card). Apparently, it was in 2018. Disappointed that I was not eligible, my next reaction was pride. Amex is finally being transparent about who is eligible for their bonuses. This is in contrast with many of my law clients who thought they were eligible, met the spend, and then were denied the bonus (see Amex Shutdown? Remedy & Going Forward). Maybe all those arbitrations made Amex take action. Now, if someone does complain Amex can point to this clear warning as a defense.

Are You Guilty of Traveling Under the Social Influence?

thepointsoflife

-

January 29, 2021

4

These days everyone seems to talk about how they are waiting for life to return to normal so they can travel again. I nod in affirmation but smugly think to myself, “Travel again? Where did you go before the pandemic? Playa del Carmen (see Where I’ve Been to see how you measure up)? And when you went on your international escapade to a tourist trap Amalfi Coast, did you come back bragging about how much you love Italy? Did it change your life forever like your high school senior trip? Or, worse still, are you a naive traveler that loves to tip every child who tugs at your shirt when visiting temples in SE Asia believing you’re a philanthropist?”

If any of those revolting attributes belong to you, I have one thing to say: Who cares what I think? Travel and enjoy yourself. However, while doing so, please take note of this PSA and stop traveling under the social influence.

I’m guilty of the arms raised posed from a scenic vista. Here’s a good example from Bruny Island, Tasmania:

a man standing on a wooden staircase with his arms out — I don’t know why the Christ the Redeemer pose is one of my go-to moves, I know I do it too much.

My best move is the one I stole from Usain Bolt, pictured here on top of Victoria’s Peak in Hong Kong.

a man standing on a ledge with Victoria Peak in the background — This was in 2009, I was bad as duck before social media bullshit.

And my most beautiful was at the aforementioned Amalfi Coast.

The other move noted in the PSA I will never do and you shouldn’t either, though calling it hot dog legs is hilarious. But if you do find yourself recycling overused poses, do it for yourself, don’t do it for the ‘Gram, lest you end up like Roxanne, who I’m sure is not sheltering in place these days.

Roxanne
Roxanne
All she wanna do is party all night
Goddamn, Roxanne

TPOL’s TIP: You want to see the real world of travel blogging? Check out the one they don’t show you on TPG or OMAAT – Follow TPOL on Instagram.

Brex: The 110K Application, The Approval, But Only Conditionally

thepointsoflife

-

January 28, 2021

2

I’ve been searching the Internet for a credit offer to quench my churn thirst. I tried with the Citi AA Business. I was rejected (see About That Citi AA Business Application…). I am still in labor with the Barclays card (see Barclays JetBlue App: Please FAX Your Business Lease). Then I saw Lucky peddling a card called Brex with a 110k sign-up bonus. 100k+anything sounds good right now so I decided to take a look. Lucky gets paid for referring you to Brex so you can read the full details on his site. Personally, I’m not a fan of the brand name, reminds me of the ultimate backfire movement- Brexit.

From what I gathered by skimming my way down to the sign-up link, Brex is a business checking account for people with actual businesses, not an imaginary dog named SHRED sole proprietor (supra Citi AA Business Application). By spending 4k and linking payroll, something that I actually have along with applying via OMAAT’s link, 110k points will be mine.

I submitted the required documents and was instantly approved. Then I received an email saying they needed my Articles of Incorporation and that my approval was conditional. I submitted that document and now I wait. Since there is no credit check and no bullshit 5/24, I expect to be approved, something that I never say aloud in fear of angering the churn gods.

The reason I am excited for this card is because of the great opportunities for transferring points to airlines at a 1:1 ratio should any of these airlines be in business in 2025:

Aeromexico Club Premier
Air France/KLM Flying Blue
Avianca Lifemiles
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Emirates Skywards
JetBlue TrueBlue
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

*Chart courtesy of OMAAT

Have you applied for the Brex card, Shredder?