Version 4 of the Vanilla Reload Card and Serve Card News
I wrote a very similar post a few months back called Vanilla Reload Card Grows Up. Today, I am posting an update to that post. Follow me on this flash back…
Version 1.0, originally found at Office Depot
On the back of the card, located on the right side under the Vanilla cone, is a code “1011v01.” I think that codes means October 2011, version 1. That might indicate that this card was manufactured in October 2011.
Why Did my Credit Score Tank? Analyzing Credit Karma and Credit Sesame for Answers
Like every good points and miles junkie, I check my credit score with Credit Karma and Credit Sesame at least once a month. My credit score is the magic key to getting hundreds of thousands of points and miles each year from credit card sign up bonuses. Without a good/excellent credit score, I would not be approved for many of the best offers out there, so I try to take very good care of my credit score. If you are unfamiliar with Credit Karma or Credit Sesame, please read my tutorial page.
Today, I logged into my Credit Sesame account and saw the above picture. A drop of 18 points is strange since I didn’t do anything to deserve the drop. I didn’t:
I still couldn’t figure out why my score dropped, so I had to do some research. Continue reading
This post isn’t travel related, but if you are anything like me, you enjoy movies and I bet you would enjoy watching them for free and months before they premier in theaters. Last night (Tuesday, October 15), my dad and I went to a free screening of Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (wiki page). Here is a brief summary of the movie:
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is an upcoming American action-thriller film directed by Kenneth Branagh, based on the character of Jack Ryan created by Tom Clancy. It is the fifth film in the Jack Ryan film series and is also a reboot that departs from the previous installments. Unlike the previous films in the franchise, it is not an adaptation of a particular Tom Clancy novel but instead an original story initially conceived by screenwriter Hossein Amini featuring the Jack Ryan character. The film stars Chris Pine in the title role, becoming the fourth actor to assume the role, following Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, and Ben Affleck. It is scheduled for release on December 25, 2013. (YouTube Trailer).
To read the entire post, please click here.
Join The Screening Exchange to Watch Free Screening of New Movies
This post isn’t travel related, but if you are anything like me, you enjoy movies and I bet you would enjoy watching them for free and months before they premier in theaters. Last night (Tuesday, October 15), my dad and I went to a free screening of Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (wiki page). Here is a brief summary of the movie:
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is an upcoming American action-thriller film directed by Kenneth Branagh, based on the character of Jack Ryan created by Tom Clancy. It is the fifth film in the Jack Ryan film series and is also a reboot that departs from the previous installments. Unlike the previous films in the franchise, it is not an adaptation of a particular Tom Clancy novel but instead an original story initially conceived by screenwriter Hossein Amini featuring the Jack Ryan character. The film stars Chris Pine in the title role, becoming the fourth actor to assume the role, following Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, and Ben Affleck. It is scheduled for release on December 25, 2013. (YouTube Trailer).
Anyways, long story short, it was a great movie, my dad really enjoyed it, it was free, and I was able to watch it 2+ months before it comes out in theaters. If you are interested in joining, membership is free and you can register here.
If they are screening a movie near your zip code, you will receive an email. You must register for the movie (usually shown Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday evening). This is what a sample email from them looks like:
At the end of the movie, they ask you to fill out a 1 page survey (front and back) with your thoughts, what you liked, what you disliked, and how you rated the actors/actresses performances.
I have only seen 2 movies from The Screening Exchange. The first movie I saw was called Noah and it featured Emma Watson, Russell Crowe, and Anthony Hopkins. The movie is scheduled to premier March 28, 2014, but I didn’t like it very much. Some of the movies will be good, some will be bad. But it’s free and kind of cool.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.
Hotel Review: Sheraton Four Points by San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Being an SPG Gold member does have its perks. This is my attempt at a hotel review (sorry for the pics, it was late at night with my iPhone).
I stayed Friday night here with SPG Cash and Points (Cat 3 = 3,500 SPG points + $55). The $55 includes all taxes, which can sometimes be a lot in SF. The hotel has an airport shuttle that it shares with a few local hotels. The shuttle runs every 25-30 minutes to/from the airport, which is only 5 minutes away.
Upon entering my room, I see a staircase. How cool, I had never stayed in a hotel room with a staircase inside my room. There is a first for everything.
