This is only tangentially related to miles & points, but given the overlap between Real Housewives viewers and miles & points enthusiasts (I’ll let you deduce why), I figure this will interest a good number of people…
In this post:
Notable new Real Housewives cast member
The cast for season 16 of the Real Housewives of New York City has just been revealed. There were rumors that the show might be canceled at this point, given that its popularity has gone down massively over time, as Bethenny Frankel loves to remind people (along with how no one has done more for Puerto Rico than her!). However, the show is coming back, with a largely new cast.
Among the new cast members is Erika Hammond, a 34-year-old former WWE wrestler and celebrity fitness trainer. She’s also the wife of Ankur Jain, the founder and CEO of Bilt.
Hammond married Jain in 2024 at a wedding in Egypt (the celebration took place in countries across Africa, but the actual ceremony was in Giza).
Season 16 of Real Housewives of New York City will also see the return of Carole Radziwill, who hasn’t been on the show in eight years. So it’ll be interesting to see to what extent Jain is featured in the show.
Congrats on the new gig, and good luck!
Congrats to Hammond on landing a role on Real Housewives of New York City. It’s certainly a good platform for gaining attention and an audience, and can help with other business ventures.
That being said — and this isn’t at all directed at Hammond, but rather at the show overall — Real Housewives really doesn’t have a great track record when it comes to its alumni (in terms of staying married and staying out of jail — not that everyone has to stay married to the same person forever, but the statistics are really bad for those who appear on Real Housewives).
I used to watch just about every Real Housewives franchise back in the day, but I just can’t bring myself to watch any of it anymore. As I see it, the issue is that this show largely attracts some massive narcissists… I don’t know how else to put it. This is why you have people like Jen Shah and Teresa Giudice who end up in jail, you have people like Erika Jayne having vanity pop star careers using funds stolen from 737 MAX crash victims, and you have people like Mary Cosby running highly questionable churches. And they can’t help but show off that lifestyle on TV! The whole show very much seems to center around the concept that “any publicity is good publicity.”
Bigger picture, being on the cast of Real Housewives just seems really bad for marriage. That’s not surprising when you consider the impact a TV show can have on your life, especially when you’re encouraged to share everything so openly, and conflict is praised, rather than frowned down upon.
So anyway, good luck to Hammond, and I hope for her sake it brings her happiness and success, and not… well, what seems to happen more often than not to people who choose to join the show.
Bottom line
Erika Hammond, the wife of Bilt CEO Ankur Jain, will be on the cast of season 16 of the Real Housewives of New York City. It’s interesting to see a bit of a crossover between a Real Housewives franchise and the (sort of) miles & points world.
This is obviously a good opportunity for publicity, and I wish her the best when it comes to success and marriage, given the impact this show all too often has on people.
What do you make of Hammond joining RHONY?
Drop the puff pieces. Who cares?
@Ben,
Why write about such GARBAGE?????????
What ? Seriously
My god. There needs to be clip clip clip in this comment section. Lucky is just mention it all for the ones who watches the housewives. He’s no fancy pants. There is no need to check him boo. Be cool. Don’t be all, like, uncool.
A KL hotel review < 20 reviews...
Whatever it is has gathered triple that volume...
Nuff said...
Comments do not signify the success of a post. Clicks do. And you don't see those. Further, the long term viability of a review is far greater than the gossipy ones. A review of PH KL will be over the long term far more valuable and have lasting returns. This one will be dead in a matter of days. It's nothing more than a quick one-time money grab at the expense of people's intelligence.
Ben, I remember recently you put out a post reflecting on the realities of running a travel blog in 2026. You noted that some categories of posts seemed to do better than others, and you also alluded to future shifts in the topic mix for the blog.
My guess is "Bilt's founder's wife gets cast on Housewives" is exactly the kind of topic that you would not have posted about in the past. I want...
Ben, I remember recently you put out a post reflecting on the realities of running a travel blog in 2026. You noted that some categories of posts seemed to do better than others, and you also alluded to future shifts in the topic mix for the blog.
My guess is "Bilt's founder's wife gets cast on Housewives" is exactly the kind of topic that you would not have posted about in the past. I want to say that as a long time reader of the blog, I am absolutely here for this type of "frivolous" content. It's a fun topic intrinsically. But more importantly, this is another data point to understand Ankur himself. His wife is the type of person to seek exposure through Housewives -- so how does that reflect on him? Add this to everything else about how Bilt is positioned, the celebrity partnerships they engage in, how Ankur casts himself as a main character in his rent day promos, etc. etc. It really paints a picture!
So to all the people who would rather this blog be a personalized RSS feed - y'all are too narrow minded. Let Ben cook!
Oh my gosh - all these comments are just cracking me up!!
Fed up with Amazon pop up advertising which distracts from one’s reading routine while visiting this site?
Tune your VPN into a Asian server, however, don’t tell Ben, as he might loose advertising revenue.
You dumb walker. All you did was getting ads from Asia.
However don't tell AeroB13a, as he might think Ben loose advertizing revenue.
“Dumb” yourself EskimoBot, what I actually get is NO pop up advertisements. You need a script rewrite, I’ll ask 1990Bot to help you out of the hole in which you find yourself, again. Such a thick numpty …. yes?
I am posting from Asia, you dumb wanker.
+1 for the both of you as wankers
It would appear that your new script writer is apparently the same sick individual who writes for ORD *** too. How is the weather at FNJ by the way? Oh! It is still the early hours of Thursday morning, you won’t know what it’s like outside if you are tucked up in your crib …. yes? Ask your wet nurse when she wakes you up to change your nappy.
So the Bilt stuff 24/7 is already annoying but this is a new low for this blog Ben. Wake up before we all leave.
Quentin, glad you're 'alive and well' ...now, could you please come out of retirement and start making more great films again? Thankx.
And...
This is the 16th OMAAT post about Bilt since the start of 2026 - nearly two per week. No other miles, points, or rewards topic is getting anything close to this level of coverage. Is Bilt really more important than any other travel loyalty topic for OMMAT's global and longstanding audience?
It's not Bilt .. it's Bolt(ed) on.
LoL.
Really?! Society news now! How desperate are you for clicks, Ben?
#ben,
I seem to remember you being hauled over the coals for 4-5 days of Atmos Rewards. This continuous Bolt promotional stuff is really making an unwelcome annoyance for many of your readers. It has been ongoing for weeks.
D list celebrity ( loosely applied) married finance promoter who has trouble coherently explaining / selling his credit card / points solution in the USA. Do you not see a problem ?
Where's that "vomit" emoji when I really need it?
What on earth does this have to do with travel?
Can she cook and clean the House and will she look the same after a Dozen kids?
I haven’t watched it since the recast, and this new addition doesn’t entice me to start.
Something smells like fish.
She looks pretty good to me! Can I trade my wife in for her?
One word comment: "Pathetic" and that applies equally to those who join the cast of Real Housewives and those who watch it.
Eh, a little trash TV is good for the soul. As for the cast, well, I think we all know that it’s not the gracious, old-money establishment women of New York who are on the show. They would never be seen dead at the Met Gala, either. Those… occasions… are for celebrities, the nouveau riche, and the press.
I looooved old RHONY, nothing beats seasons 3-10. Social media really has damaged the authenticity of the franchise though. Glad Carole is coming back, but most of the other ladies aren't that captivating to watch - nothing beats Lu on snatchguard!
The admission that you find these shows offering our society anything beyond stupidity is telling. In fact, as we find with Trump now, they just actually promote narcissism and anger. I'm surprised that you actually are a fan of this let alone giving it any sort of promotion.
No way if I had that money would I allow my wife to join that trash television show. It's made for the permanent unemployable class. She'd be getting divorce papers from me.
"And then the whole bus clapped"
This is so low class.
Trash that just won't burn.
Bilt is trying to be a lifestyle / neighborhood / whatever and its founder's CEO is going on a popular / on for a very long time lifestyle show. 100% chance Bilt will be mentioned in episodes ("have to go downtown today for the Thomas Keller Rent Day pastry!" or whatever). People will literally learn about Bilt because of this show. It's fair game journalism let alone fair game for someone's personal blog. Chill out!
How do you literally learn something?
Gee, I don't know, by using a word to emphasize the fact that it is likely that more people will learn about Bilt through a TV program than from miles and points blogs. But if you disagree with the figurative and hyperbolic use of the word literally, that's fine, although I would highly recommend reading the Merriam-Webster colloquy on the subject.
Again - chill out!
Anyone who considers “Merriam-Webster” to be a trusted authority on any subject, must themselves be considered to possess a flawed knowledge.
I guess you prefer the OED then-
literally, adv. 1c. colloq. Used to indicate that some (freq. conventional) metaphorical or hyperbolical expression is to be taken in the strongest admissible sense: "virtually, as good as"; (also) "completely, utterly, absolutely."
—Oxford English Dictionary, 3rd edition, Sept. 2011
Even Dickens used literally in a figurative sense, but you know, grammar police are never wrong, so hope you are literally enjoying your sense of moral superiority!
I guess you prefer the OED then-
literally, adv. 1c. colloq. Used to indicate that some (freq. conventional) metaphorical or hyperbolical expression is to be taken in the strongest admissible sense: "virtually, as good as"; (also) "completely, utterly, absolutely."
—Oxford English Dictionary, 3rd edition, Sept. 2011
Even Dickens used literally in a figurative sense, but you know, grammar police are never wrong, so hope you are literally enjoying your sense of moral superiority!
Both miles and points enthusiasts and housewives watchers are disproportionately gay, is that the reason for the overlap?
I imagine so as well. I'm gay and have never watched this nor any other reality TV but I'm the outlier. All my gay friends watch this and other reality TV shows
Is ‘agent orange’ the new skin colour of choice in the U.S.?
Whatever …. The No: 1 ‘agent orange’ man, Donald ‘rump, has earned himself a few brownie points here on the right side of the pond. He correctly characterises ’flip-flop’ Starmer as “No Winston Churchill”. Mind you ‘rump does have extremely poor taste in headgear …. hardly world class statesmanship attire.
As someone who was familiar with her on the NYC-based fitness scene, and is obviously familiar with Bilt via this hobby... it's been kind of wild to see these 2 worlds collide.
Really? You're running a story like this? I thought you were going tabloid, now I'm convinced. Do better. And whatever the heck bilt is anyway. You used to provide constant genuine information. Not much anymore.
If you don't know what Bilt is, I can't imagine you visit this website very often.
I saw the headline and knew what the piece would be about, AND THEN I CLICKED ON IT ANT READ TEH ENTIRE THINK AND I AM FURIOUS THAT THIS BLOG IS TALKING ABOUT SOMETHNG I DON"T CARE ABOUT BUT READ ABOUT ANYWAYY WRITE THINGS I LIKE ONLY YOU ARE GONioG DOWNHILL ARRRRRGH@@@2!!!!!!!!!!11!!!!!!!!
Dude
please.....MAKE ALL THE BILT POSTS STOP!
Wow, glad I never did anything with Bilt. Looks a little shady.
“…given the overlap between Real Housewives viewers and miles & points enthusiasts (I’ll let you deduce why)”
If you mean what I think you mean, you’re basically implying that your blog caters to the gay/queer community and that said community tends to get excited about real housewives… well it’s two very broad generalisation, and the latter is also somewhat offensive. Really unnecessary. Your position on the sexual spectrum doesn’t determine your taste. That’s what...
“…given the overlap between Real Housewives viewers and miles & points enthusiasts (I’ll let you deduce why)”
If you mean what I think you mean, you’re basically implying that your blog caters to the gay/queer community and that said community tends to get excited about real housewives… well it’s two very broad generalisation, and the latter is also somewhat offensive. Really unnecessary. Your position on the sexual spectrum doesn’t determine your taste. That’s what 1990 sitcoms used as stereotype. No need to go back there.
If that’s not what you meant, you probably should think about possible interpretations of your innuendo. Humour can backfire.
Ben: you asked not very long ago about how you can improve the blog. Because you asked I feel comfortable telling you that it has been going in a direction that many of your readers do not love. It is your blog and you can and should do whatever you see fit, just ensure you’re not losing your base.
I’ve been reading this blog a long time and I remember that Ben has always liked Real Housewives and has made several references to it in past. I’m ok with this post. It is Bilt related. Enjoy the post.
The world is upside down and we are the closest we have been do a nuclear war since the Cuban Missile Crisis. Chill. I’m an OG as well.
jesus christ dude chill tf out
She'll be the next Erika Jayne as far as marriages...
Wonder if the season premier goes live on the scheduled day or if Bravo will have to hire Richard Kerr to write reddit posts explaining what was supposed to happen for the next three days.
OGs on OMAAT will remember when every trip review included a snippet of whatever show Lucky is watching, and most of the time it was Real Housewives
@ betterbub -- That's what I'm talking about!! Thanks for seeing where I'm coming from, hah.
@betterbub, thanks for breaking this down for us relatively new readers.
And Ben didn't stop watching because the show is trash but because Ben grew up and realize what trash looks like.
Now he probably wished his wasted life back.
You’re really scraping the bottom of the barrel.
Meanwhile that thug in the White House is responsible for a war, 1000s of people are stranded in transit. He’s called for a suspension of trade with Spain. The Iranian government isn’t the only that needs to be overthrown.
Woah. We got an election in 244 days. Let's vote.
Really playing fast and loose with the word ‘notable’…
I was told by my spouse that “ The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” is even trashier than “Real Housewives” series
Ya know.. kind of a downgrade after you rent out the literal Pyramids...
(Naw, naw... be nice... good for them...)
What is this garbage? Are you getting paid for posting this trash?
The most useless, nonsensical post on OMAAT I've seen.
That's because you're up-state. You couldn't handle the city...
Real housewives of NYC live in Queens, Bronx and SI. And they worry about making ends meet and raising kids. This post and program are like p0rn.
lol. clearly someone needs to show you some actual porn...