Michael

Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Preferred

Two of the most common travel credit cards to find in someone’s wallet are the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Sapphire Reserve. These two cards come up a lot because they are siblings and because they are mutually exclusive: you can’t have both a Reserve and a Preferred at the same time. And really, thereContinue reading “Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Preferred”

Berlin to Warsaw: the sequel

After a stay at the Berlin JW Marriott Hotel, it was time for me to begin my return trip to the US. Last time I went to Berlin, in April 2022, I flew from Berlin to Warsaw to London in Business Class on LOT that I had purchased as a United award ticket. At thatContinue reading “Berlin to Warsaw: the sequel”

Finnair’s standard Euro-Business (HEL-BER)

Following up on my Finnair Platinum Lounge experience is the actual flight from Helsinki to Berlin. This was the next flight on my trip in Europe, and it was a more typical European Business Class flight from Helsinki to Berlin. The Finnair Platinum Wing is a great lounge, but has suffered some cutbacks. I was curiousContinue reading “Finnair’s standard Euro-Business (HEL-BER)”

Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card

The top Southwest co-branded business card is the Southwest Performance Business Card. This is also the most expensive Southwest card available at $199. The immediate question here is if this card deserves to be the most expensive card. The second most expensive is the personal $149 Priority card, which we decided was worth the incrementalContinue reading “Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card”

Finnair’s Platinum Lounge: 2023

The next flight on my trip in Europe after my flight from London to Helinski was a more typical European Business Class flight from Helsinki to Berlin. I split this post in two because I wanted to talk more about Finnair’s Platinum Lounge, which is my favorite lounge in Europe. Normally, one doesn’t get access toContinue reading “Finnair’s Platinum Lounge: 2023”

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business

Earlier this summer, I posted about Southwest’s personal credit cards issued by Chase, which included the Rapid Rewards Plus, Rapid Rewards Premier, and Rapid Rewards Priority cards. I tend not to often post much about business credit cards on here. I am, in general, less interested in them because I find most of them toContinue reading “Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business”

Finnair’s new business class (LHR-HEL)

It’s been nearly a year since I last flew Finnair, which is one of my favorite airlines, and is my favorite in Europe. So, I decided to flew with them for the second part of my trip to Europe and booked an award ticket on Finnair from London to Helsinki to Berlin. Normally, I wouldContinue reading “Finnair’s new business class (LHR-HEL)”

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant 2023 edition!

Last year, I posted about the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card. In late 2022, American Express updated this credit card, but since I use The Ritz-Carlton Card, the updates didn’t affect me. It’s now been long enough since I posted about a Marriott credit card that I figured it was worth effectively “reposting” about this card.Continue reading “Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant 2023 edition!”

British Airways Updating Executive Club

British Airways has announced that it is officially transitioning its Executive Club Avios program from distance-based earning to revenue-based. This brings the program in line with the its primary competitors, including the US legacy carriers, Air France/KLM, and the Lufthansa group. British Airways had been one of the last holdouts, and I generally think thatContinue reading “British Airways Updating Executive Club”

Back to Europe for the first time in a year! (SFO-LHR)

It is finally time: my first trip to Europe since moving out in August 2022. I scheduled my trip to take place between a flex day at work and a federal holiday (Juneteenth). I was able to leverage these two free days off to schedule an 11-day vacation for only 5 days off work. WhenContinue reading “Back to Europe for the first time in a year! (SFO-LHR)”