Roadrunner: The FirstUSA Mileage Plus Visa/masterCard is a credit card. I use it to pay for things, which costs 1% over the Interbank rate, about the best exchange rate you can get. I do not use any credit card for cash advances because it is much cheaper to withdraw money from my checking account using my ATM card, again incurring a 1% markup over the Interbank rate.

MRKEY: Thanks. I sometimes take notes but usually just write first thing in the morning from memory.

"QuiteLion": Nice handle. I was escorted up, as usual, by a beautiful Thai woman in a colorful dress/uniform. The bellman took a separate elevator and met us up there. I did not tip him since a 10% service charge is added to the hotel bill.