Hungry for Points

Strategies | Trip Reports

A Math Nerd’s Quest to Become A Points & Miles Millionaire – Why Stop at Miles and Points?
ByPeter November 6, 2015December 28, 2023

The points & miles hobby is at the cross roads of travel loyalty programs and credit card rewards. Some travel hacking purists only believe in airline and hotel currencies. As for me, this game is about saving money in whichever way possible. Maximizing the value of a purchase sometimes involves receiving rewards in different shapes and forms. Cashback and statement credits, anyone? If you don’t look at your options holistically, you may be missing out!

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Flight Reviews | Trip Reports

Flight Review: Etihad First Class (Jet Airways Config) Abu Dhabi To San Francisco
ByTerence Chan November 2, 2015December 28, 2023

As I wrote about here, it seems like I was the only person in the frequent flyer community that was actually excited for this flight. On the plus side, because I’d heard so many negative comments, the bar had been set really, really low. After a few final stretching exercises in the Etihad US Premium Lounge, we headed over to the gate and on-board our 16-hour flight back home to San Francisco. It was well past midnight and I was half-asleep, so I remember having to do a double-take when I saw the exterior of the plane showing the Jet Airways livery.

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Strategies

Why Do People Think I’m Always Traveling?
ByTerence Chan November 1, 2015December 28, 2023

I can’t remember the last time that I was out with friends, family, or coworkers, and someone hasn’t made the comment “you seem like you’re always traveling”. That always cracks me up. Sure, through the nature of having a travel blog I’m sure that I talk about my travels more often than the average person, but I really don’t feel like I travel all that often.

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Lounge Reviews | Trip Reports

Lounge Review: Etihad Premium Lounge At AUH
ByTerence Chan November 1, 2015December 28, 2023

We disembarked and navigated out way over to the Etihad Premium Lounge. While the First Class Lounge is under construction, there was a small section in this lounge roped off for First Class passengers. However, the section was filled so we ended up finding a seat elsewhere near the bar.

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Flight Reviews | Trip Reports

Flight Review: Etihad Business Class Hyderabad To Abu Dhabi
ByTerence Chan October 31, 2015December 28, 2023

Even on partner mileage redemptions, Etihad provides chauffeur service for premium cabin passengers and this made for a relaxing start to our 24-hour journey home. Pick-up from our hotel was scheduled in advance, and I was very impressed with the logistics. Not only did we receive an email and phone call the day before to confirm, we also received about 2-3 text messages the day-of with updates on when the driver was expected to arrive. We jumped into the sleek Mercedes S-Class, which definitely stood out like a sore thumb as we drove through the streets of Hyderabad on the way to the airport.

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Food Reviews | Trip Reports

Big Fat Indian Wedding: Exploring Hyderabad
ByTerence Chan October 31, 2015December 28, 2023

As I mentioned in the introduction, the whole reason for this trip was to attend my coworker’s wedding in Hyderabad. While I’ve attended Indian weddings in the US, this would be my first one in India. And from the itinerary, it appeared that was going to be an action-packed several days.

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Hotel Reviews | Trip Reports

Hotel Review: Park Hyatt Hyderabad
ByTerence Chan October 31, 2015December 28, 2023

While I’m primarily a Hilton loyalist, Hyatts are a close second and the Park Hyatt brand in particular is my favorite within that group. And what if I told you that you could stay in a Park Hyatt for just $90 per night? Or how about a 1,200 square ft. suite for $175 per night? Welcome to the Park Hyatt Hyderabad.

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Flight Reviews | Lounge Reviews | Trip Reports

Premier Lounge At SIN, SilkAir Economy Class To Hyderabad
ByTerence Chan October 30, 2015December 28, 2023

Our flight wasn’t scheduled until 8P, so even with a late check-out time of 3PM, it still left several hours to kill. We mulled over the various options, but ultimately decided to just head over to the airport early. Besides, if you had to spend time at an airport, Changi is probably the best place to do that. We had about an hour left and had exhausted all of the options in that terminal, so we decided to hop into the Premier Lounge to relax. This lounge was part of the Lounge Club network, and I used my two free passes that come with the Chase Ink card since they were about to expire.

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Food Reviews | Trip Reports

Dinner At Singapore’s Best Restaurant, Restaurant Andre
ByTerence Chan October 30, 2015December 28, 2023

This was far and way the most inventive meal we’ve ever had. Restaurant Andre currently sits at #46 and I think it’s going to continually ascend in the coming years. Unlike many restaurants on the list, it was surprisingly easy to get reservations to especially considering that this is a relatively small 30-seat place. They do require a small deposit, so perhaps that keeps people from making reservations speculatively, only to cancel later on.

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Food Reviews | Trip Reports

Eating Singapore – Hawker Stands, Chili Crab, And Kouign Amanns
ByTerence Chan October 30, 2015December 28, 2023

Now for my favorite half of the trip, all the food! As I mentioned in the introduction, I’d rank Singapore as a close 2nd behind Japan as the best eating destination in the world. One of the big reasons that I could never rank it first? For a big-sweater like myself, it’s literally impossible to sit down and truly enjoy a meal at an open-air hawker center because of the insanely hot and humid weather. I’d literally shovel the food into my mouth just so I could get out of there faster and escape to an air-conditioned oasis.

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