- No, TPG, Marriott Devaluations Aren’t Good for Members by View From The Wing. First a piece critical of Marriott was removed and no explanation given, now they are just copying and pasting press releases from Marriott.
- US Bank Altitude Reserve Credit Card Review (2019.3 – 50k Bonus Churned with First Acct. Still Open!) by US Credit Card Guide. Interesting that it’s churnable even with the first card still open.
- Google Pay Is Coming To eBay by PYMNTS. Fingers crossed we get some promotions as a result of this.
- China Southern Flights Now Redeemable with AAdvantage Miles by US Credit Card Guide
Deals expiring at the end of today or starting today (view the full deal calendar here):
- [MT, ND, SD, MN, WI] Wells Fargo $500 Checking & Savings In Branch Bonus
- Chase Offers/BofA: 10% Back On Best Western ($29 Maximum)
- [MN, WI] Royal Credit Union $200 Checking Bonus
- Chase Offers: $8 Cashback with $3 Amazon FreeTime Subscription
- [Targeted] eBay: up to 8% back in eBay Bucks (3/20-3/22)
- Giant, Stop&Shop, Martin’s: 8x Fuel Points on Happy Gift Cards [3/22-3/28]
- Lowe’s: $50 off $250+ In Store
Deals expiring at end of tomorrow:
- [Targeted] AmEx Offer: Advance Auto Parts, Spend $50+ & Receive $10 Statement Credit
- [YMMV] Chase Offers/BofA: 20% Back On Five Guys ($6 Maximum)
- Chase $600 Checking + Savings Bonus
- Safeway: 8x Rewards On Happy Giftcards [Vons, Randall’s, Albertsons, Tom Thumb, Acme, Jewel, Shaw’s]
- Publix: Spend $50 On Groceries & Get $10 Off Gas Giftcard
- Lowe’s 11% Rebate of up to $500 in Select Stores [3/17-3/23]
Here are some of the most popular posts from yesterday:
Churning the Altitude Reserve card is probably just a result of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing at US Bank. That bank literally has the most clunky website – out of all major banks.
US Bank is also eminently susceptible to social engineering; giving out 5k or 10k points just for asking nicely; or presenting a first-world-problem.
Furthermore, it takes a whole statement cycle just to get points credited from the previous month… even when they straight up give you points.
However, all of this incompetence doesn’t mean that the bank wouldn’t promptly close your accounts – should an actual person at the bank find out that you’re abusing their systems.
I tried churning the Alt Reserve and did not receive the sign up bonus a second time.
When was this, and how long between when you closed the first reserve account and when you applied?
Ugh, the linked page does have a YMMV quote. “The bonus is not available to Cardmembers who currently have, or had, a U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite account” (though I couldn’t find that clause on the US Bank site)
From my understanding, according to Marriott/TPG, we’re going to do Marriott a very big favor the more we avoid (boycott) using their hotels.
Last year TPG published an article that basically described how to smuggle in goods past customs into South America as a means of funding mileage runs for status. Yes, seriously. It was pulled after a few hours with no notice or explanation. They do crap like that all the time, one of the worst blogs one could read, there’s zero integrity there.
Anything to get away from fucking paypal
Not to mention effectively 4.5% on my Altitude!
TPG has been trash for a long time, its been commercialized garbage for years now
It has and they have even gotten worse lately by publishing politically hot button articles for the purpose of generating clicks. Seems like they drop these in whenever they are slow on news. I imagine this is strategic to meeta dveristing click minimums and thresholds.
+1. TPG has converted into an advertising and marketing platform for the banks, travel reward programs, etc. with all the affiliate revenue coming in.
It is funny how the popular TV programs like “Today” look for the TPG to interview on how best to optimize reward miles and points. WTH???
TPG took down a piece critical of marriott? Wow, no journalistic integrity at all and just proves they’re Marriott’s mouthpiece.
Finally got to read the TPG article in question, and at the bottom of the article I see this:
“Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.”
They’ve hired a Marriott parrot to write an article.
For a good overview of cards rewards etc. go to Amex investor relations website. They have multiple IR decks (one for bond investors, one for credit, and one for stocks investors). Take a look at the one for the stock guys. It’s from about a week ago, I think 3/13. It’s a really good read. Amex is crushing it in that space. Wish I’d bought some shares after the GFC, or even after the Costco loss.
Are these type A people genuinely deluded or are they just good at lying.
Once it becomes clear to me that it’s obvious to everyone that I am lying I would stop lying. But not these people. They keep putting that shit out with straight face. How can they do it?
Money.
The motivation doesn’t matter. But are they aware they are lying.
“It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends upon his not understanding it!” – Upton Sinclair
What a profound statement! Much of our economy exists because of this principle!
News Flash: TPG is bought and paid for by the big banks/travel companies. Hence the cookie cutter content and kids gloves handling of Bonvoy.
Sounds like Marriott is trying to instill a sense of Pride and Accomplishment by earning a stay in one of their rooms.