Tag Archives: Gift Cards

Marathon Man: “Manufactured Spending is like Card Counting” and my #WestCoastDo Thoughts

Card Counting Casino

Marathon Man: “Manufactured Spending is like Card Counting” and my #WestCoastDo Thoughts

Don’t worry Marathon Man, your secrets are safe. The one thing you said that I will share is, “manufactured spending is like card counting.” That is such a great analogy that fits perfectly.  Just like card counting, MS is not illegal, but it is definitely frowned upon.  The comparison to MS is wonderful.  After catching up on some sleep, I have a few points I want to share about the #WestCoastDo and the other travel conferences I have attended.

1 – First off, great job to Matt @ Saverocity for putting together and pulling off a great travel conference.  I am sure those in attendance would agree.  The lunch was fabulous and the extended happy hour was much appreciated. Thanks for all the hard work, time, and money you spent on this conference.  You da’ man!

2 – Uber is great in Phoenix/Scottsdale.  I used Uber a few times to get to/from my Holiday Inn Express hotel (please don’t screw me over Into the Nights) as well as to get to the airport.  There are lots of drivers at all hours of the day and night.

Uber in PHX

3 – George @ Travel Blogger Buzz is much nicer in person.  I have been a long time reader and friend of George, but this was the first time meeting him in person.  He is very nice, funny, and just fun to hang out with.  He shared his thought on #WestCoastDo here.

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Random News: AMEX Offers for Best Buy and Starbucks; and Discover It Cash Back Confusion

AMEX-Offer-Logo

Random News: AMEX Offers for Best Buy and Starbucks; and Discover It Cash Back Confusion

Will the AMEX Offers ever end?  We hope not!  If you have not been following the Polar Vortex of AMEX Offers, please check out these posts:

Best Buy joins the party, spending $250 or more and get $25 cash back (hat tip Shawn @ Miles to Memories).

Best Buy AMEX Offer

Starbucks is also fashionably late (stuck waiting for drink in Starbucks line).  Spend $10 *online only* and get $5 cash back.

Starbucks Online AMEX Offer

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a close-up of a logo

New Citi American Airlines Executive Card with Admirals Club Logo

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Good Thursday morning everyone, here are some random news articles for you.  Recently, I wrote about the newly redesigned Citi American Airlines Executive Credit Card (link) and commented on the fast that the new design did not have an Admirals Club logo on the card.  Over the weekend, I visited the Admirals Club in SFO and the front desk agent told me that Citi forgot to include the Admirals Club logo on some of their new Executive Cards.  I called Citi and they sent me a new card via FedEx Overnight.  Here is what the back of the card looks like with the Admirals Club logo in the upper right corner.  If you have the old-new Executive Card, you can call Citi and request a new-new Executive Card.

New AA Exec Back Admirals Club Logo

American Express is on a roll with their AMEX Offers.  I wrote about the new offers this week (post 1 and post 2) but apparently AMEX is still rolling out new offers.  The latest offer to grab my attention is the Marriott Hotels offer, spend $200+ and receive a $50 statement credit.

Marriott Hotels AMEX Offer

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Quick Deal: 15% off Panera Gift Card with Chime Card and 3 New AMEX Offers

Chime Logo

Quick Deal: 15% off Panera Gift Card with Chime Card and 3 New AMEX Offers

I dedicate this post to my friend George over at Travel Blogger Buzz (he loves Panera).  If you have a Chime Card, you can receive $3 cash back on a purchase of $20 or more at Panera.  I always buy gift cards for these deals, since it is hard to spend more than $20 at one time, which represents a 15% discount ($3 / $20).  If you want to learn more about Chime Card, please read this post.

Chime Card $3 Panera Savings

For completeness, here are all the current Chime Card offers as of October 28, 2014:

Current Chime Card Offers 10-28-2014

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2 $10 Amazon eGift Card Giveaway – Announcing New Partnerships with Award Wallet and Award Magic (Giveaway Ended)

Update: 9am PST on 10/23/2014 – the winners have been announced. Joe and Ruth, thank you for your comments, you will receive an email from me with your $10 Amazon eGift Card.
2 Amazon Gift Cards

2 $10 Amazon eGift Card Giveaway – Announcing New Partnerships with Award Wallet and Award Magic

Good morning everyone, it’s been a while since I did my last giveaway and I thought you guys deserved a treat before Halloween.  The purpose of this post is to announce my new partnerships with Award Wallet and Award Magic.  I would also like to refresh your memory on my stance regarding my Amazon affiliate link, credit card referral links, credit card affiliate links, and sign up links.  The details of the $10 Amazon eGfit Card giveaway are at the bottom of this post.  So without further ado, let’s get started.

Full Disclosure: Award Wallet is showing my logo on their site in exchange for me showing their logo on my site.

I was contacted a few weeks ago by Award Wallet and asked if I would like my blog to be featured / promoted on their website (Duh Yes!).  When you refresh your Award Wallet account, you may see my logo appear beneath your updated account balances.  It is an honor to be featured on Award Wallet, thank you guys!

Travel with Grant on Award Wallet

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