Stupid Shit in Brazil

[Xpartan]

It's interesting to see how different people value different things. Mr. Cane and me flying in business class or better and staying in Mercure hotels, which in no case are shitty (and I don't think you meant they are) and other people flying coach and paying $200 or more per night for staying in Hyatt, Hilton or Intercontinental. In ten days or two weeks we all spend a similar amount of money on hotels and flights. There are so many good 4-star hotels, like Bourbon or Melia under $100 in SP, that I can't think of paying more than that. Parabens for those who can do both. Cheers.

I've stayed at Mercure hotels a few times, they're fine. But the truth is these megachains have consolidated so many distinctive brands, you can find whatever flavor you want WITHIN the chain. I normally look for a good deal that affords a bit of luxury. In cheap cities, I use cash, in expensive markets I'll try points or Airbnb for more space. I mean the difference is blurred between the both nowadays. In SP buddy and I stayed in a great 2 bdrm condo with a huge gym, lounge, two terrific swimming pools that were always empty. There really wasn't much difference other than room service, which I don't use anyway. In cheap markets I prefer upscale Airbnbs. You've got a lot of space and girls love frolicking in a private pool or Jacuzzi, LOL.

When traveling abroad, staying at American hotel chains is a waste of money. Of course if the company is picking up the tab, it's great to accumulate those award points and perks.

LOL, basic rooms in American or non-American 4-5* chains are all the same. There is no difference, I can think of. If anything, I've never stayed in a 4* American hotel without an AC, but apparently, it's not uncommon in Europe. Maybe some boutique hotels, but lots of them have merged with the chains.

You have to travel smart. If you do, you will find some great deals with "American" hotel chains as I tried to point out in my previous posts. It is the same principal as finding the best rate on air travel whether you are flying 1st class or coach.

For example, the incentive signing bonuses with various hotel credit cards are great. Hilton Amex offers 100,000 pts sign up bonus for their zero annual fee CC. That translates into 3 or 4 free nights depending on the Hilton hotel. Intercontinental also has a zero annual fee credit card with a nice incentive signing bonus too. Haytt Chase signup bonus is 60,000 pts for their annual fee card. The Hyatt SP rooms costs between 9,000 and 12,000 pts per night depending on the night. Marriot CC's offer similar sign up incentives. Get one or get them all like me. KKK.

The 1st year's membership fee is waived with all of these annual fee hotel CC's, so after you receive your bonus sign up points and stay at the hotel of your choice for free, you can cancel the card within the 1st 12 months and not pay any annual fee. Or you can decide to keep the card, pay the future annual fees which is between $60 to $90 after the initial 12 month grace period and in return receive a free voucher night every year which is good for say a free night at the Renaissance SP which is currently priced at around $250/ night.

Another benefit of membership status with "American" 5 star hotel chains is the free room upgrade that I briefly mentioned in my previous posts. Hyatt SP gave me a 1 bedroom suite upgrade gratis. Intercontinental SP the same. Hilton gave me an executive room upgrade. Marriott Renaisance SP same same. All 4 hotels added a complimentary breakfast upgrade as well.

So, check it out. A deal is a deal.

A. H.

The stupid shit is why 5 star hotels in SP and RJ are so expensive compared to their sister 5 star hotels in BKK and Jakarta. The answer is BKK & Jakarta have better infrastructure ie a lot more 5 star hotel rooms. RJ hotel space really surprised me on my 1st visit. I was expecting to see a lot more hotels lined up on Copacabana and Ipanema beaches than there was, RJ being such a famous & iconic beach destination.

Only Hilton guarantees a free breakfast with a better credit card that gives you Gold status like Surpass (and only abroad, in US Hiltons you get a lousy voucher). Not the others. You have to be at least Platinum at Marriott, Explorer (top status) at Hyatt, and there is no free elite breakfast at IC. Some hotels are super-nice and will extend this benefit to you, but that's just luck. Having said that, I've also had some amazing upgrades at Marriott, Radisson, and once at Hilton over the years.

And why is RJ is so pricey? Because there isn't nearly enough high-end hotels. Hilton is an especially good bet on points when the cost isn't astronomical (5 nights for 4). JW Marriott is often cheap, too, and also 5 for 4, but a) no breakfast unless you're Plat and b) ocean-view rooms are extra. At Hilton all rooms are ocean-view.

Anyhoo, when hotels in Rio cost a lot, Airbnb here I come.

[Axel Heyst]

When traveling abroad, staying at American hotel chains is a waste of money. Of course if the company is picking up the tab, it's great to accumulate those award points and perks.

You have to travel smart. If you do, you will find some great deals with "American" hotel chains as I tried to point out in my previous posts. It is the same principal as finding the best rate on air travel whether you are flying 1st class or coach.

For example, the incentive signing bonuses with various hotel credit cards are great. Hilton Amex offers 100,000 pts sign up bonus for their zero annual fee CC. That translates into 3 or 4 free nights depending on the Hilton hotel. Intercontinental also has a zero annual fee credit card with a nice incentive signing bonus too. Haytt Chase signup bonus is 60,000 pts for their annual fee card. The Hyatt SP rooms costs between 9,000 and 12,000 pts per night depending on the night. Marriot CC's offer similar sign up incentives. Get one or get them all like me. KKK.

The 1st year's membership fee is waived with all of these annual fee hotel CC's, so after you receive your bonus sign up points and stay at the hotel of your choice for free, you can cancel the card within the 1st 12 months and not pay any annual fee. Or you can decide to keep the card, pay the future annual fees which is between $60 to $90 after the initial 12 month grace period and in return receive a free voucher night every year which is good for say a free night at the Renaissance SP which is currently priced at around $250/ night.

Another benefit of membership status with "American" 5 star hotel chains is the free room upgrade that I briefly mentioned in my previous posts. Hyatt SP gave me a 1 bedroom suite upgrade gratis. Intercontinental SP the same. Hilton gave me an executive room upgrade. Marriott Renaisance SP same same. All 4 hotels added a complimentary breakfast upgrade as well.

So, check it out. A deal is a deal.

A. H.

The stupid shit is why 5 star hotels in SP and RJ are so expensive compared to their sister 5 star hotels in BKK and Jakarta. The answer is BKK & Jakarta have better infrastructure ie a lot more 5 star hotel rooms. RJ hotel space really surprised me on my 1st visit. I was expecting to see a lot more hotels lined up on Copacabana and Ipanema beaches than there was, RJ being such a famous & iconic beach destination.

[WyattEarp]

It's interesting to see how different people value different things. Mr. Cane and me flying in business class or better and staying in Mercure hotels, which in no case are shitty (and I don't think you meant they are) and other people flying coach and paying $200 or more per night for staying in Hyatt, Hilton or Intercontinental.

When traveling abroad, staying at American hotel chains is a waste of money. Of course if the company is picking up the tab, it's great to accumulate those award points and perks.

[The Cane]

It's interesting to see how different people value different things. Mr. Cane and me flying in business class or better and staying in Mercure hotels, which in no case are shitty (and I don't think you meant they are) and other people flying coach and paying $200 or more per night for staying in Hyatt, Hilton or Intercontinental. In ten days or two weeks we all spend a similar amount of money on hotels and flights. There are so many good 4-star hotels, like Bourbon or Melia under $100 in SP, that I can't think of paying more than that. Parabens for those who can do both. Cheers.

When I finally get to retirement I hope to be able to comfortably do both. That's the plan anyway hehe! But you're exactly right that over 10 days to two weeks we're probably laying out a similar sum of money for airfare and hotel lodging when you add it all up, at least for those of us who have written recently on this topic.

[Nordico]

That's true, there aren't right or wrong way, at least for occasional travelers like me. If I was traveling every month (like I did at one point in my life), I would feel differently.

But now that I only travel 2-3 times a year, I just refuse to stay in shitty hotels or apartments, or save on good food. Hell, I've saved tons of travel money during Covid, LOL.

As to Business Class, I agree it's addictive, but I only book them on miles when I can. I just don't feel comfortable to blow a few K to feel comfortable (pun intended) for 10 hours.

Spending on pussy is another story. If I can have the time of my life in Rio for 150-200 Reals, my greedy self really hates me spending 500, unless there is an added value, like a terma environment.

This is why I don't like mongering in Europe. I love Europe, but I sparingly engage while there. Every time I see a 200-euro price tag, my brain involuntarily starts calculating how much Brazilian pussy I could have for that kind of dough, LOL.

It's interesting to see how different people value different things. Mr. Cane and me flying in business class or better and staying in Mercure hotels, which in no case are shitty (and I don't think you meant they are) and other people flying coach and paying $200 or more per night for staying in Hyatt, Hilton or Intercontinental. In ten days or two weeks we all spend a similar amount of money on hotels and flights. There are so many good 4-star hotels, like Bourbon or Melia under $100 in SP, that I can't think of paying more than that. Parabens for those who can do both. Cheers.

[Axel Heyst]

It seems that I'm total opposite of you. I spent 2840 euros on my business class ticket to So Paulo in October-November.

I usually stay in Novotel or Mercure hotels which I think are very good, but not luxurious like Renaissance or other 5 star hotels. I found a really good Black Friday deal and I paid only 417 euros plus 160 euros worth of points for 16 nights in a Mercure hotel in Jardins in their best room, I will probably visit Scandallo few times during my trip, but I prefer going to Bomboa and Casarao. I have always found what I have been looking for for BRL 400-500 and then I have the Twitter girls and couple of girls I know from my previous trips whom I pay something similar.

I'm not rich, but I like small luxuries like flying in the business class and I can afford it. Flying business class is like Brazilian garotas. You get addicted very easily.

There isn't any right or wrong way to travel and monger, even if some people here tell otherwise.

I don't think we are that far apart actually. You place a higher priority on air travel while I place a higher priority on hotel accommodations, but neither one of us is interested in overpaying. We both look for the best price for the things we want.

I also think we both place the highest priority on the girls. Do we have different taste in girls? I don't know, maybe, but that is what makes things interesting, and SP can certainly satisfy the needs and desires of a variety of gents.

Yeah, I am a big fan of Scandallo. I really like the joint and have compared it favorably with Malio Club in Jakarta and Rio Sauna in Macau, two of my favorite joints in the world. But as I posted a little while back, most of my Scandallo girsl are what I refer to as tier 2 girls ie sexy, naughty, slender, all natural, pretty girl next door types. These girls are currently in the 600 to 700 br price range. Occasionally though, I meet a Scandallo stunner who is real friendly on top of amazing looking. It is real nice to go model quality once in a while albeit for 1000 to 1200 br. On my last trip one of my favorite Scandallo girls was just such a gal and she was amazing in bed on top of looking fantastic and sporting a wickedly slender, natural body with "Bee" cup ta tasa. So, I happily hooked up with her 3 times before she went on her European tour, but we have kept in touch and I am pretty sure we will get together again when I return in October.

But my current favorite SP girl is a sexy little tier 2 spinner. She is so cute and adorable. LOL. I love her although I could not rate her face higher than 6. 8 and her body is 7. 5 (a real, real good body). She is just the sweetest girl I have met in a long time and she checks off all of my boxes. I am going to take her to Ilhabela Island for a few nights. It should be a lot of fun. A. H. Is in love! KKK.

But getting back to our mutual likes: You like Bomboa. Hey, so do I! On my last trip I pretty much spent 45% of my time in Scandallo or with Scandallo girls at my hotel and I spent 45% of my time in Bomboa or with Bomboa girls at my hotel. Do you know Orlando?

The remainder of my time was spent at the clinicas plus I visited Casarao a couple of times and had a good time there. IMHO, the SP clinicas offer the best bang for your buck in Brazil. I think they have better quality girls than the Prive's in RJ. I also think that the best looking 5% of clinica girls (at the better places) could do alright in Scandallo or Bomboa, but for one reason or another they choose to work in a clinica.

Anyway, I really agree with your final thought, "There isn't any right or wrong way to travel and monger, even if some people here tell otherwise. " Right on.

[Xpartan]

It seems that I'm total opposite of you. I spent 2840 euros on my business class ticket to So Paulo in October-November. I think if I were 15 cm shorter or 20 years younger, I would travel in the economy class, but I'm quite tall and over 50 and therefore I prefer spending the 16 hours of travel each way comfortably. Another thing to consider is the jet lag, which you guys traveling from the US, don't have to suffer. It helps when you can sleep properly during the flight.

I usually stay in Novotel or Mercure hotels which I think are very good, but not luxurious like Renaissance or other 5 star hotels. I found a really good Black Friday deal and I paid only 417 euros plus 160 euros worth of points for 16 nights in a Mercure hotel in Jardins in their best room, which is very spacious, breakfast included. That means I paid 26 euros cash per night. The lowest I have paid was 18 euros per night in Mercure Times Square in Moema last year. I have also booked Novotel in Belo Horizonte for three nights. That was more expensive.

I will probably visit Scandallo few times during my trip, but I prefer going to Bomboa and Casarao. I have always found what I have been looking for for BRL 400-500 and then I have the Twitter girls and couple of girls I know from my previous trips whom I pay something similar.

I'm not rich, but I like small luxuries like flying in the business class and I can afford it. Flying business class is like Brazilian garotas. You get addicted very easily.

There isn't any right or wrong way to travel and monger, even if some people here tell otherwise.

That's true, there aren't right or wrong way, at least for occasional travelers like me. If I was traveling every month (like I did at one point in my life), I would feel differently.

But now that I only travel 2-3 times a year, I just refuse to stay in shitty hotels or apartments, or save on good food. Hell, I've saved tons of travel money during Covid, LOL.

As to Business Class, I agree it's addictive, but I only book them on miles when I can. I just don't feel comfortable to blow a few K to feel comfortable (pun intended) for 10 hours.

Spending on pussy is another story. If I can have the time of my life in Rio for 150-200 Reals, my greedy self really hates me spending 500, unless there is an added value, like a terma environment.

This is why I don't like mongering in Europe. I love Europe, but I sparingly engage while there. Every time I see a 200-euro price tag, my brain involuntarily starts calculating how much Brazilian pussy I could have for that kind of dough, LOL.

[The Cane]

It seems that I'm total opposite of you. I spent 2840 euros on my business class ticket to So Paulo in October-November. I think if I were 15 cm shorter or 20 years younger, I would travel in the economy class, but I'm quite tall and over 50 and therefore I prefer spending the 16 hours of travel each way comfortably. Another thing to consider is the jet lag, which you guys traveling from the US, don't have to suffer. It helps when you can sleep properly during the flight.

I usually stay in Novotel or Mercure hotels which I think are very good, but not luxurious like Renaissance or other 5 star hotels. I found a really good Black Friday deal and I paid only 417 euros plus 160 euros worth of points for 16 nights in a Mercure hotel in Jardins in their best room, which is very spacious, breakfast included. That means I paid 26 euros cash per night. The lowest I have paid was 18 euros per night in Mercure Times Square in Moema last year. I have also booked Novotel in Belo Horizonte for three nights. That was more expensive.

I will probably visit Scandallo few times during my trip, but I prefer going to Bomboa and Casarao. I have always found what I have been looking for for BRL 400-500 and then I have the Twitter girls and couple of girls I know from my previous trips whom I pay something similar.

I'm not rich, but I like small luxuries like flying in the business class and I can afford it. Flying business class is like Brazilian garotas. You get addicted very easily.

There isn't any right or wrong way to travel and monger, even if some people here tell otherwise.

So, we are alike when it comes to airfare and hotel preferences. Oh, also same for the garotas too LOL!

[Nordico]

So, that is how I prioritize my travel expenses based on my preferences and constrained only by my finances. I never spend more than I can afford to pay off on the due date. Nobody has exactly the same preferences or the same constraints. So, we all plan differently, but we all want to have the best time that we can afford.

It seems that I'm total opposite of you. I spent 2840 euros on my business class ticket to São Paulo in October-November. I think if I were 15 cm shorter or 20 years younger, I would travel in the economy class, but I'm quite tall and over 50 and therefore I prefer spending the 16 hours of travel each way comfortably. Another thing to consider is the jet lag, which you guys traveling from the US, don't have to suffer. It helps when you can sleep properly during the flight.

I usually stay in Novotel or Mercure hotels which I think are very good, but not luxurious like Renaissance or other 5 star hotels. I found a really good Black Friday deal and I paid only 417 euros plus 160 euros worth of points for 16 nights in a Mercure hotel in Jardins in their best room, which is very spacious, breakfast included. That means I paid 26 euros cash per night. The lowest I have paid was 18 euros per night in Mercure Times Square in Moema last year. I have also booked Novotel in Belo Horizonte for three nights. That was more expensive.

I will probably visit Scandallo few times during my trip, but I prefer going to Bomboa and Casarao. I have always found what I have been looking for for BRL 400-500 and then I have the Twitter girls and couple of girls I know from my previous trips whom I pay something similar.

I'm not rich, but I like small luxuries like flying in the business class and I can afford it. Flying business class is like Brazilian garotas. You get addicted very easily.

There isn't any right or wrong way to travel and monger, even if some people here tell otherwise.

[Sam 14]

. .Regardless if I agree with him or not, I'm sure he can defend himself, but like I said, cute.

Thanks. Well, in hindsight I did exactly what I was complaining about: Wasting bandwidth, attacking another poster, while adding nothing.

Rather than defending anyone, I meant it more as a thank you to members (such as yourself) who frequently post good shit, regardless if I agree with it or not, as you say.

[Nordico]

This thread should be called Stupid Shit in the Brazil Forum. Most of Vagabundo's posts, which he kindly takes the time to write, are funny. And every one of them contain useful information. As opposed to Gordo's, which are neitherOnly fixation on Vagabundos posts..Haha. Who's jealous?

This is cute. Vagabundo has his own "defensor del pobre". I think there is no need for the fanboys to come to his defense. Regardless if I agree with him or not, I'm sure he can defend himself, but like I said, cute.

[WyattEarp]

This thread should be called Stupid Shit in the Brazil Forum. Most of Vagabundo's posts, which he kindly takes the time to write, are funny. And every one of them contain useful information. As opposed to Gordo's, which are neitherOnly fixation on Vagabundos posts..Haha. Who's jealous?

There are many ways to monger in Brazil. I always appreciate all the different perspectives. I also enjoy the levity.

Sometimes the zeal has become aggressive and intimidating. So of course, there's going to be some push back. The Board should be open to differing point of views.

[Sam 14]

Here we go again with the jealousy.

This thread should be called Stupid Shit in the Brazil Forum. Most of Vagabundo's posts, which he kindly takes the time to write, are funny. And every one of them contain useful information. As opposed to Gordo's, which are neither—Only fixation on Vagabundo’s posts..Haha. Who's jealous?

[GordyGekko]

You've contributed the technique of showing your tests to get BBFS.

I would add showing your tests in Porto is even better.

Further, if you go to 4 x 4, then you can walk 200 meters to emporio de banho.

https://www.emporiodobanhorj.com/massagistas

The girls are the same!

Top Vila girls go to 4 x 4 or on photoa in a week.

The tier 1 prive girls and 4 x4 girls are the same. It's just which hours they work.

The 4 x4 girls and perola negra girls are the same. Penelope has been at both, on any given night.

It's all just 50% deductible on corporate taxes meals and entertainment anyway. Right?

Here we go again with the jealousy. You're so jealous of Anaggie and always calling him out on what he spends, especially that one night at 4 x4. You were obviously floored and jealous that you could never do that. He can pay for R1K overnights, meanwhile you're digging through prives or R50 favela rats!.

I bet you're some military reject living off a modest pension (definitely not a retired Swiss Naval Commander from Lugano, Switzerland LOL). I've met many of your types while in Colombia. Trying to stretch that mongering budget as far as you can on that modest income. The difference is that the other retired military mongers I've met aren't delusional into thinking they're some slick market makers in mongering. This isn't a stock market. This isn't war. It's just a hobby where we can pay for what we want, if we can afford it.

[Vagabundo1]

You've contributed the technique of showing your tests to get BBFS.

I would add showing your tests in Porto is even better.

Further, if you go to 4 x 4, then you can walk 200 meters to emporio de banho.

https://www.emporiodobanhorj.com/massagistas

The girls are the same!

Top Vila girls go to 4 x 4 or on photoa in a week.

The tier 1 prive girls and 4 x4 girls are the same. It's just which hours they work.

The 4 x4 girls and perola negra girls are the same. Penelope has been at both, on any given night.

It's all just 50% deductible on corporate taxes meals and entertainment anyway. Right?

If you say so.