Arabian Tea House- Old Town Dubai

It was a warm breezy day when we headed off to Old Town Dubai from our hotel in the Jumeriah Beach area of Dubai.   We first stopped by the Old Souk Markets, then walked across the street and took a boat over Dubai Creek into Old Town Dubai. Old Town Dubai Souqs Dubai Creek Marina Across the street is the Deira Old Souk Marine Transport Station.  Just get in line, buy a ticket, then jump in the boat when it’s your turn.  It’s a quick and smooth ride across Dubai Creek to Old Town Dubai. Old Souk Marine Transport Station Dubai Creek…

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How to Value Points and Miles

How much is an American Airline mile worth? What about a Chase Ultimate Reward Point? In this article we’ll layout a simple process for how to value points and miles. Specifically, on how to value points and miles based on your unique travel habits. Travel blogs might value a Citi ThankYou Point between 1.6-1.7 cents a point.  But how much is a Citi Thankyou point worth to you? In this article we share four simple steps on how to value a point or mile.  Without further ado.  Here we go:  Step 1 - Create a List of Ways in Which You Will Potentially…

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Exploring The Discover it Miles Card as a “3%” Card

If you’re someone in the points and miles community, you’ve heard of earning 3% with the Discover Miles It card. But if you go to Discover.com and search for their Discover it Miles “3%” card, you’ll come up empty.  And a reason you won’t find a “3%” card leads to the topic I want to explore.  In what way is this a 3% card? First a quick overview of the card.  When you go to Discover.com, you’ll “discover” that the Discover it Miles Card earns 1.5% cashback on all spending (they call it miles).  So how does a card that earns 1.5% turn into…

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Adding to the Mix – Four Credit Cards to Consider In a Points Earning Strategy

We recently wrote in article in which we compared a cash back card to a card that earns transferable, but cashable points.  For the cashback card we used an imaginary 2% card.  For transferable points we used the Chase Freedom Unlimited.  The article prompted some good discussion.  People brought up cards such as… The Discover it Miles Card at 3%The Amex Blue Business Plus which has the potential to cash out at 2.5%The Citi Double Cash at 2%The Bank of America card at 2.625% Those are four great cards.  Each offers an appealing overall value to the cardholder.  We personally use all four of the above-mentioned cards.  Any of…

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Shimmers on the Beach- Dubai, UAE

We took a cab from the Ritz Carlton Hotel to Jumeriah Mina A’ Salam.  It’s one of the Jumeriah Group properties, also home to Shimmers on the Beach.   Taxi Ride to Shimmers on the Beach Our cab driver was a little confused as to specifically where we were going.   The Jumeriah properties are very close together so it can be confusing.  Try and have a map if possible to show your driver. Map to Shimmers on the Beach It’s quite a walk from the front of the hotel to Shimmers, so allow yourself enough time so you aren’t late.  Jumeriah Mina A’ Salam is…

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Placing Our Bet: Deciding Between Cash back or Transferable (But Cashable) Points in Today’s Uncertain Environment

In light of current circumstances we’re looking at shifting credit card spending away from cards which earn program-specific points, and aiming them towards either… Cards which earn cashbackCards which earn transferable currencies that can be converted to cash.   The common theme being the ability to go to cash.    With non-essential travel on hold, cash is an appealing option.  But we also like premium travel, and normally get outsized value with transferable currencies.  So, as someone who prioritizes travel, but wants the fallback option of cash, which of the two above options is the best path forward, transferable but cashable points, or…

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Earn Points Through Credit Card Sign Ups- Part 1: Count the Cost

Do you want to earn a large number of points and miles for travel?  If so, the single best piece of advice may be to sign up for a credit card with a big welcome bonus. To learn more, read on! Welcome to the world of points and miles! We’re sharing how ordinary people can travel to extraordinary places with the use of airline miles and hotel points. This post is part of a series on “Getting Started with Points and Miles”. Here are the topics: Getting Started with Points and MilesLook and Learn Before You LeapDecide What Type of Reward Points…

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Archery at the Al Maha Resort in Dubai

A stay at the Al Maha Resort includes two activities each day.  During our stay, there were seven complementary activities from which to choose.  FalconryNature WalkGhaf Tree WalkWild Life DriveCamel TrekSundownersArchery Below is a handout that guests will receive upon arrival. We requested the document ahead of time in order to plan our activities. As you can see, Horse Riding and Desert Drive are also available for an extra charge.  We picked archery for one of our activities.   We meet our field guide, Shabaz at the Hotel Lobby and he took us in an SUV to the archery range.    Our guide helped…

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Ritz Carlton Dubai- Review of Club Lounge and Lobby Lounge

During our recent trip to Dubai, we stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Jumeirah Beach.  Upon arrival we were upgraded to a Club Level room, and as benefit, enjoyed access to Club Lounge.  In a previous post we reviewed the room and the grounds.  In this post we’ll review the Club Lounge and the Lobby Lounge. Every morning we had breakfast at the Club Lounge.  We found the lounge to be clean, modern and it was never crowded.  Club Lounge at the Ritz Carlton Dubai We chose the same table every day, by the glass doors that led to the balcony.  Every morning was…

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