One Mile at a Time [OMaaT] discussions [merged]
#2433
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,026
Does RewardsNetwork cover Sri Lanka also?
It's almost like you're implying that they should spend money on food and get nothing but food in return.
#2434
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 108
Come on man, that's a bit much. If they wanted Italian, let them have it. I just recently went to London. My hotel had a fantastic Italian restaurant which I really enjoyed. I guess I should have skipped it and went looking for Fish n' Chips?
#2435
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,416
Are you new here? He never leaves the hotel. He actually ate Moroccan food in Morocco, but again, they didn't leave the hotel.
#2436
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Even if he is still banned by MP it's not a huge loss for him points / miles-wise unless he's actively chasing UA status.
Without status he's better off crediting all his UA flying to SQ anyway for any el Cheapo fares (which I'm sure he'd quickly point out is a Citi, AMEX, Chase, and SPG partner) and crediting to AC for anything that's a P fare or higher (150% earn on AC which also happens to be an SPG and AMEX partner).
Without status he's better off crediting all his UA flying to SQ anyway for any el Cheapo fares (which I'm sure he'd quickly point out is a Citi, AMEX, Chase, and SPG partner) and crediting to AC for anything that's a P fare or higher (150% earn on AC which also happens to be an SPG and AMEX partner).
#2437
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,308
If you're going to claim to be well-traveled, and market your expertise in seeing the world, yes, you should go off property.
#2438
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 108
#2439
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,308
The point was no one is talking about you, buddy. We're talking about Lucky. Who bills himself as a travel expert and makes a living off that "expertise". And spent his one night in Sri Lanka at an Italian restaurant at the Hilton. Similar to his one night in Morocco , and every other country.
No one asked you where you ate or cares. You brought it up.
#2440
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 108
#2441
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,416
#2442
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,265
I guess he prefers to eat Sri Lankan when staying in Dubai. Al Maha serves a fab Sri Lankan menu with specialty curries and dishes .
And just FYI: Al Maha is one of those few properties where even a travel expert should not be allowed to leave the property for having dinner .
#2443
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Jakarta
Programs: Flying Blue, Marco Polo, Skywards, Etihad Guest, IHG, Aeroplan
Posts: 269
On lucky's defense, the italian restaurant is really good. I ate there once when I stayed at the Hilton (also for one night). But I do agree with all of you that he was probably unwilling to venture outside the hotel. This is a pity because only 5-10 minutes on foot, there is Dutch Hospital shopping area with great local restaurants, bars, and clubs.
#2444
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,308
I'm sorry you seem to be looking for a fight with a strawman like that. Either that or you're not familiar with Ben's blog and are inserting yourself into a conversation with little knowledge.
I stand by what I said, which is that someone who never eats off property is not someone I consider "well traveled" or a travel expert. You're free to disagree, but there's no need for you to take this personally or put words in my mouth, sir.
#2445
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: DC
Posts: 360
I've never seen Ben calling himself a travel expert in that sense. He's a travel expert on two things: premium cabins and US-based hotel chains. That's it. And he makes that point very often and tells clearly that if you're looking for local culture there are better blogs out there.
Ben does plenty that can be criticized. No need to criticize him for something he's not.
Ben does plenty that can be criticized. No need to criticize him for something he's not.