Credit Cards My first solid hotel points redemption with Hyatt Upgraded to Economy, September 22, 2023September 22, 2023 After years of hoarding my credit card points for a solid hotel redemption, I’ve finally found one. I tend to not use my points unless the opportunity truly presents itself. That happens whenever there is an amazing points deal or if the cash price is extremely high and it’d be… Continue Reading
Travel My tips on going through the border crossing interview in the U.S. and Canada Upgraded to Economy, August 21, 2023August 23, 2023 Hate the intense questioning that the U.S. and Canadian border guards ask you? I got so tired of it that I first applied for Global Entry and then later NEXUS. Ben Schlappig from One Mile At A Time has a poignant article explaining he wants NEXUS because of the intense… Continue Reading
Trusted Traveler Programs Finally approved for NEXUS! (And how I was almost denied) Upgraded to Economy, August 20, 2023August 23, 2023 As I said in my previous post, I was able to snag an August appointment in Blaine, WA after using Appointment Scanner. Previously, I was only able to schedule a September appointment. I made the trek this past Friday for my interview. I was almost denied for NEXUS, but eventually… Continue Reading
Travel Transborder arrival and departure experience at Montréal–Trudeau International Airport Upgraded to Economy, August 16, 2023August 23, 2023 This week, I took flights to and from Montréal via LaGuardia Airport. I had a trip to New York with friends that got cut short because of some late cancelations. Therefore, due to my proximity to Montréal, I booked last-minute plane tickets between LaGuardia Airport and Montréal–Trudeau. Flights between major… Continue Reading
Trusted Traveler Programs NEXUS conditional approval after 15 months Upgraded to Economy, August 8, 2023August 16, 2023 On May 11, 2022, I applied for NEXUS after becoming a member of Global Entry in March of that year. I was planning on moving to Seattle and anticipated driving across the border to Vancouver every other month. From prior experience, I knew crossing the border could take a few… Continue Reading
How to get your travel history into Canada as a U.S. citizen Upgraded to Economy, August 1, 2023August 2, 2023 The United States and Canada each keep track of entries into and exits from the respective countries. On July 7, I submitted a request for all of the records that the United States federal government and the Government of Canada have for my entries into and exits out of each… Continue Reading
My strange experience with applying for the Chase Ink Business Preferred Upgraded to Economy, July 25, 2023 Recently, I found out that the Chase Ink Business Preferred card was offering a new sign-up bonus of 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after $8,000 of card spending in the first three months. With this greatly improved offer that reduces the spend requirement and increases the number of bonus points,… Continue Reading
Credit Cards Your old Discover Card from college becomes useful again for the next 3 months Upgraded to Economy, July 24, 2023 For the third quarter of 2023, those of you with the Discover it® Cash Back Card that gives 5% back on rotating quarterly categories will find the cash back category widely applicable and generally useful for a limited time. From July to September 2023, in addition to 5% back on… Continue Reading
Credit cards to apply for after starting your first job Upgraded to Economy, July 21, 2023August 16, 2023 So you’ve just started your first job. Congratulations! With your new source of consistent income, you’ll want a good credit card to help you save money on your everyday spending. Do you have a credit card from college? Many college students will have a Discover it® Student or Discover it®… Continue Reading
Travel Is going to Point Roberts worth it? Upgraded to Economy, July 18, 2023 Have you ever been to a peninsula of the United States that’s only accessible by land through Canada? Like almost every single American, neither did I until recently. Point Roberts is a pene-exclave of the United States located just south of Vancouver. Politically, it is part of Whatcom County in… Continue Reading
Travel I was a digital nomad for 3 months in Europe. Would I do it again? Upgraded to Economy, July 15, 2023July 18, 2023 As the pandemic ended, the world started opening up. Even though things weren’t quite back to normal, travel began to rebound. Europe was reopening around this time, finally allowing me the chance to explore a continent I had always wanted to visit. With my N95 masks, CDC vaccine cards, and… Continue Reading
Travel Is it better to travel alone or with others? Upgraded to Economy, July 14, 2023August 16, 2023 The ultimate travel dilemma is whether you want to do it solo or in a group. Is one superior over the other? I typically travel alone, but I’ve organized successful trips with friends before. (I’m not counting trips with my family.) The vibe between each of them are very different…. Continue Reading