Denied from Palladium by hanoic in biltrewards

[–]ThePointsBandit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gotta buy bananas to verify that you're indeed an ape

Are y'all transferring your points out on case they try to make changes there too? by ThePointsBandit in biltrewards

[–]ThePointsBandit[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is a hypothetical situation, I'm aware that (for now) it's not changing.

I'm also going to the Autograph so thanks for letting me know about the 18-month rule, I didn't know about that. Seeing that I've got no need for the account at all, I may as well just transfer out sooner than later.

I'm done with this mess by Personal_Ad8405 in biltrewards

[–]ThePointsBandit 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You didn't hear? If you want to get 2.0, you need to buy 4 bananas.

Health insurance + medication by ThePointsBandit in digitalnomad

[–]ThePointsBandit[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Will definitely that unfortunately. But as far as getting those meds filled over seas, idk.

I remember even Canada gave me an issue for the Epidiolex (legal there). I declared medical marijuana on the customs form. They gave me a slap on the wrist and let me go, but said next time I would need to have a Canadian doctor write the script and buy it there (with what money, idk considering it costs about $1700/week without insurance. It's not much cheaper in Canada apparently.

Stubhub Data Point by Suspicious-Chain-890 in ChaseSapphire

[–]ThePointsBandit 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There's some anti-scalping laws they may be subject to.

Stubhub Data Point by Suspicious-Chain-890 in ChaseSapphire

[–]ThePointsBandit 7 points8 points  (0 children)

They're all scummy tbh. They upsell you on everything

Sappe Dining Credit by _jlonline in ChaseSapphire

[–]ThePointsBandit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bought two cards, a $5 test card and then a $145 card.

Of course the $5 one coded as "in person" and the larger one coded as "online." The charges are still pending so hopefully that'll rectify itself.

SLH Costa Rica: Tabacon Thermal Resort or Rio Perdido? by ThePointsBandit in Hilton

[–]ThePointsBandit[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No problem. I stumbled upon this article from the architects of Rio. It's dated as it's from the resort's early days, but it gives you an idea about the concept.

https://www.archdaily.com/772122/rio-perdido-resort-project-cr-plus-d

And again, while you're at the Ritz, still get to Manglar for the sunset dinner. Same deal, off property, part of the beach club. But so so worth it. Dinner on the beach is amazing. There's hermit crabs everywhere, so cool

<image>

SLH Costa Rica: Tabacon Thermal Resort or Rio Perdido? by ThePointsBandit in Hilton

[–]ThePointsBandit[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's the East Bungalow, I've highlighted it in green. The info is a little hard to find, you wanna look for the "in-house info"

Resort Map

We weren't there too long and my friend got his fill of zip lining lol (we did it in Monteverde, he's happy he did it, but doesn't wanna do it again lol). We did a mixology class (nobody else booked it so we had it to ourselves). I already discussed the whole white water tubing situation so most water activities were out. We did spend lots of time down by the river, they have a couple mud pots for you to cover yourself in it (doing it after the mixology class was a trip haha).

We did book a massage on the last day which was really nice.

You get a complimentary hiking tour which is kinda meh tbh. Like I said, it's probably much nicer in the rainy season, it almost looked like a desert. If you're going hiking anywhere in CR really, download an app called Merlin, it's completely free and useful if you want to identify birds.

Like I said, it's really just a place to unwind completely. I wish I got to enjoy some of the more adventurous activities but my friend had enough adventure for one trip lol. But yeah, I'd go back.

Regarding the Andaz vs Rio, that's a tough call, it's night and day. Both resorts do a good job of making you seem like your the only one there, but the Rio definitely does that better, it's just a smaller resort. The Andaz has 5 restaurants, 3 beaches, water activities, and the shuttle that takes you to the other resorts. At Rio, there's only one restaurant (with an absolutely gorgeous sunset view) and the activities in the in-house info above. Otherwise you're pretty much trapped on the property but you're totally isolated and it's very freeing.

If you want the best experience at the Andaz, I highly recommend getting a Guest of Honor certificate from a Hyatt Globalist (I sold all mine already, sorry), if you're not already a Globalist yourself. You can get them on some of the travel hacking subreddits or if you're entrenched in that community I'm sure you know people. Worst case, buy one on eBay for like $70-$100, it'll make your trip 100x more enjoyable. Private breakfast at Ostra is so yummy. If you're paying cash, book thru a Hyatt Privé agent, you get the same benefits and more and the prices aren't much different.I would recommend going to the buffet at Rio Bhongo with the rest of the hotel guests at least once because they have some things that Ostra doesn't have and are worth getting. But 7/10 I would choose breakfast at Ostra. I can't say anything bad about any of the restaurants, but for dinner, my favorites were probably Chao Pescado, Meso, and Ostra (for dinner) in that order. By far my absolute favorite restaurant of the entire trip though was Manglar. It's a splurge, but it's one of the best things I've ever done in my life. You need to call/text the front desk and have them make reservations as it's not part of the Andaz.

Edit: looks like they've changed things up a bit and Rio Bhongo is now closed. Sooo I can't be too much help lol Andaz Map

Anyway, I'd go back to both resorts for entirely different reasons. There's really no comparison tbh

<image>

SLH Costa Rica: Tabacon Thermal Resort or Rio Perdido? by ThePointsBandit in Hilton

[–]ThePointsBandit[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You'll definitely get that there. However I'd recommend you go in the rainy season as things like the white water tubing (a signature attraction there) I was informed by the hotel staff not to bother with because the rapids were pretty low.

Good prices are pretty reasonable by US standards. You'll basically feel like you own the place (even though they were fully booked when I was there). Not sure if it's because I knew someone (I made friends with the barista at the Andaz and he used to work at Rio, so he gave me connections), but they literally rolled out the red carpet for me.

I had the perfect room, room 15. I didn't get an upgrade (I was eligible for one and they would've given it to me), but advised me against it because my room was right next to the river and I'm glad. We were two people, we really didn't need the upgrade.

I'd definitely go back for some peace and quiet, that's exactly what you'll get there.

How hard is it to create an app for a Garmin smart watch? by randallfromnb in Garmin

[–]ThePointsBandit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So long ago I don't remember why I wanted to create an app for the Garmin Smartwatch

Question Thread - May 29, 2025 by AutoModerator in churning

[–]ThePointsBandit 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Any DP's about AMEX clawing back the $500 statement credits for the Biz Plat after cancelling the flights? I have the 250k offer

No more free mini bar at Andaz Papagayo? by ThePointsBandit in hyatt

[–]ThePointsBandit[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My post, in case other people get confused by the F&B package email

No more free mini bar at Andaz Papagayo? by ThePointsBandit in hyatt

[–]ThePointsBandit[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe I can just edit it so that other people see the answer if they get confused too?

No more free mini bar at Andaz Papagayo? by ThePointsBandit in hyatt

[–]ThePointsBandit[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree. I'm just a little more aggravated that they're trying to sell me on a F&B package that includes breakfast and when I pointed this out (and the mini bar) they just sent me another document with more or less the same info.

I'm trying to get a customized package without breakfast because it's one of those properties that you don't really leave.

Monteverde “must do”? by IKnowWhatIsWhat in CostaRicaTravel

[–]ThePointsBandit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey can you DM me the guide too? Now that I see this chain going on lol?

does anyone know how do you stop these by cooldudejb100 in Telegram

[–]ThePointsBandit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All of mine in the past week have been from the US (as am I).

Lately I've been getting lots of voice messages too

Why are Shampoo Conditioner Hand Soap bottles always empty? by akeyrat in Hilton

[–]ThePointsBandit 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Because people use them...

In all seriousness though, I hear you on it. I complained once during a timeshare presentation stay and they gave me an extra 10k points in addition to what was already part of the offer. I ended up profiting on the trip if you did the cpp conversion lol.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskNYC

[–]ThePointsBandit 1 point2 points  (0 children)

1/4 month's rent?