Welcome to The Morning Shave for Thursday, August 7, 2025. Learn how to avoid blood clots while flying, the 9 activities that won’t earn American Airlines Loyalty Points, and Choice Privileges extending the booking window on award tickets. Visit BaldThoughts.com/tms to read all the stories.
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The Morning Shave
How to tell if you’re getting a blood clot while flying.
It’s not something that happens all the time, but getting a blood clot while in the air could cause serious trouble. Especially if there’s no doctor, nurse, or other medical professional on board. If you’re at risk of getting blood clots (based on medical conditions or family history), consider getting this pack of 8 pairs of compression socks from Amazon (affiliate link).
Be careful: 9 times you won’t earn American Airlines Loyalty Points, even if you earn miles.
With airline loyalty programs changing regularly, the methods for earning qualifying points and miles are also evolving. If you’re a fan of American Airlines or are seeking AAdvantage elite status, check out this list of activities that no longer qualify for Loyalty Points.
Choice Privileges program changes for 2025.
I opened the Wells Fargo Choice Privileges Select Mastercard because it looked like there were some valuable sweet spots in the program. However, I was disappointed when I realized that you could only book award reservations close to your travel dates. Plus, many of the travel dates I wanted were blocked off at properties in Europe. So, when I heard about Choice extending the booking window, I was really excited.
I scammed my bank.
It is becoming increasingly simple for scammers to use deepfakes to impersonate everyday people. The technology is cheap, and many banks, insurance companies, and other providers are using basic technology to safeguard your acccounts. It is critical for you to protect all of your accounts (including your airline and hotel loyalty programs) using two-factor authentication and other tools against these criminals. Scammers tend to find ways around these safeguards, but you’ll sleep easier at night knowing you’ve taken every action you can against them.
Hotel Pool Chairs Reserved With Towels: Curb Your Enthusiasm.
One of the most frustrating situations at resort pools is the lack of available chairs. Often, you’ll find people reserving chairs with no intention of using them for hours on end. I don’t know what the right answer is, but Gilbert has some interesting suggestions. What do you think about this practice? And how would you solve the abandoned towel situation at resort pools?
Thinking of getting a new credit card?
To see the best credit card offers available, go to our credit card marketplace to find your next card.
Choice has some solid value. I paid 10,000 points per night per room for a couple of rooms in a Clarion in Prague that was a 15 minute walk from Wenceslas Square last week, including breakfast. Pretty nice place.
What an amazing redemption! I was really looking forward to using my Choice points in Europe because I know they tend to have nicer properties outside the U.S. So, I was disappointed when I couldn’t make it happen.