Shaving the Bologna Ever-Thinner First, Starbucks tried to make me learn Italian. Always bad at languages, I ignored their preferred “venti” and “grande,” and continued to order my (very occasional) “16 oz. skim latte,” same as always. Next, I had to decipher the rental car companies’ vernacular. Let me save you 20 minutes on hold: a...Read More
Thanks for (Almost) Nothing No, that’s not actually what the email from my cell phone carrier (rhymes with “Schmerizon”) said earlier this week. That would be this: “It’s time to celebrate! Thank you for another year. In honor of your account anniversary, we’ve added 2,000 Smart Rewards points to your balance. Now, that’s a sweet...Read More
3,000 Bonus Points vs. $60 Quick! Which sounds more valuable? Sixty dollars, or 3,000 bonus points? If you guessed the latter, you’d have lots of company — and be flat wrong (at least, according to the terms of a year-end credit card promotion I just received). Conversion Confusion Assuming 15,000 points converts into a $300...Read More
