October 2019

How cheap are Travelzoo’s business class fares to the Middle East?

Travelzoo recently has been promoting a business class fare sale to the Middle East through YesFares. The cheapest advertised fare is $2,232 for a business class ticket between Chicago and Istanbul. The highest fares are for flights originating in the […]

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New Hilton Honors American Express Credit Card

Amex no-lifetime language referrals available and more

I found some preapproved referrals in mine and my wife’s Amex accounts for Hilton Aspire, Hilton Surpass and there is no lifetime language in these referral offers. I can confirm the pre-approval wording is in the referral email sent to you. 

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Walmart Money Orders Manufactured Spending

Walmart money order ban update and rumor about a system change

A few weeks ago I wrote about a possible Moneygram ban on churners buying money orders at Walmart. At the time, I was getting flooded with reports from readers who had tried to purchase money orders over $1,000 (which triggers an

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Reward Credit Cards for Beginners

BB&T offering a second bonus opportunity

Back in June BB&T Bank offered a $300 new account bonus (the amount changes constantly) if I deposited $1500 and made three small bill payments of $25 or more. I loaded the app on my phone and said “forget it”

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King Garden Room Marriott Markham

Review: Marriott Markham hotel (during the Gilmore Girls Fan Festival)

I stayed at the Marriott Toronto Markham a couple of weeks ago while attending the Gilmore Girls Fan Festival in Unionville Ontario. As you may recall, I confessed my obsession with the show Gilmore Girls a few years ago when

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Simon Mall Visa gift cards and receipts

Manufactured spending: How much is too much?

These two questions haunt me almost every day. It usually goes like this: Me: “You’ve got a free hour today,  shall I go MS?” “When was the last time I went?” “If I go, how much can I do?” The

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Walmart money orders

“Manufactured spending is dead”: Reality or fake news?

There’s a tendency in this hobby to proclaim everything “the death of” whatever isn’t going well at the moment. I remember back in 2011, I came across a FlyerTalk thread where a long-time gamer announced that he was quitting points

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Staples Visa $0 Fee Promotion

A successful morning manufactured spending run

Now that tourist season is over, its much easier to get about and make good use of my retired time. I’m an early riser and after grabbing coffee, I head to the Internet for email and to see what’s new

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iPhone

Why your Citi Card keeps getting declined for gift card purchases

I’ve recently been struggling with my new Citi AAdvantage Platinum Card and fraud alerts. I’ve had about four in the last week and became extremely frustrated. But a nice gal on Saturday morning straightened me out. With new Citi cards,

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