Educational Posts on Loyalty Programs

Even though Wine Enthusiast’s list of the top wine destinations for 2017 only included two wineries in the United States, you don’t have to go overseas to do some quality wine tasting and sightseeing.

With so many new and exciting developments throughout this country – from Napa’s many trendy and stylish new tasting rooms and cutting edge restaurants to the much buzzed about Finger Lakes and Texas Hill Country wine regions – it isn’t necessary to travel half-way around the world to have a memorable wine themed vacation.

Are you ready to apply for a new rewards credit card? But maybe you’re not sure which one you’ll qualify for? We’ve taken a look at the major travel cards on the market and figured out the credit scores you’ll need to get them.

Maybe it’s the Justin Trudeau factor.

Maybe it’s the drop in the value of the Canadian dollar, as compared to other currencies. Or perhaps it’s the fact that Canada is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, an occasion that brings with it all sorts of special events, festivities and fanfare.

H&R Block tax experts are prepared to meet the needs of clients both in the U.S. and abroad. With a few simple steps and information literally at a user’s fingertips, H&R Block can help anyone complete their taxes, whether they live right down the street from one of their offices, or thousands of miles away.

United is a transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Delta is a partner of American Express Membership Rewards, but you won’t find American Airlines in the transfer partners list of major credit card rewards programs. That, however, doesn’t mean you can’t fly American using the points from these programs and Citi’s ThankYou program.

Do you dread searching the Internet for flights, hotels and rental cars? Do you long for the days when real, live travel agents were plentiful and available to help you plan the details of any trip—not just book a cruise or European tour?

Are you ready to get back to doing what you do best—i.e. meeting with clients, developing your latest product, or otherwise building your business—and turn your travel arrangements over to an expert?

Do you want to enjoy all the benefits of elite status at your favorite hotel including complimentary room upgrades, discounts, club access and more? There are a number of ways you can earn status quickly.

Long, frustrating commutes. Cramped cubicles within windowless rooms. Mind-numbing tasks requiring little if any face-to-face interaction with others. These statements describe the day-to-day office experience for many professionals. Unless, that is, they have the option to telecommute.

It’s always a unique story when a global company is founded by friends with a double-decker bus and a passion for adventure. It’s even more remarkable when that thirst for exploration results in a company that promotes travel on multiple continents.

Chase Ultimate Rewards is one of the most valuable credit card rewards programs available today. Chase offers several business and personal credit cards that allow you to earn these points, which can be redeemed directly for travel reservations using the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel center. But the best feature of this program is the ability to transfer points to miles in seven different frequent flyer programs and four hotel programs.

Whether you’re planning a school trip, yoga retreat, culinary tour, photography workshop or family gathering, none of us want to find ourselves responsible for covering expenses such as airfare or lodging if an expected participant fails to show up and pay his or her fair share. Fortunately, WeTravel’s group-trip planning website was designed to prevent that problem.

Johannes Koeppel, a WeTravel co-founder and current CEO, recently spoke with RewardExpert about the inspiration behind the site, how you can use it to plan your next group excursion, and an exciting new feature slated for early 2017.

One of the finer things in life is being able to stay and play on a luxury ship in the middle of some of the most serene locales on the planet.

Companies like Paul Gauguin Cruises makes those recreational dreams realities, taking passengers from around the world on idyllic voyages to destinations like Tahiti, French Polynesia, Fiji and the South Pacific.

Star Alliance is the biggest airline alliance in the world with 28 member airlines including Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Avianca Brazil, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Egyptair, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI and United. In the second quarter of 2017 Shanghai-based Juneyao Airlines is set to become the Alliance’s “connecting member.”

Next to airline tickets, hotel stays can be the biggest ticket item on the travel budget. Just a few nights can add up to hundreds of dollars. Getting the best rate, however, is all about timing. The price of a room can change daily, according to demand.

TRIPBAM uses this principle to find significant savings on quality hotels for their customers and clients. Steve Reynolds, the company’s founder and CEO recently talked to RewardExpert and shared the company’s secret for catching hotel rooms at their lowest possible price.

Every week I see a post or a picture in one of the frequent flyer communities of someone celebrating their Million Miler status with one of the legacy carriers. Often the elated and relieved poster will recall countless years and flights it took to achieve the milestone. This is followed by congratulatory remarks, memes, and GIFs from onlookers who themselves recall their personal victory or their current journey towards that goal.

I hope I never achieve it, and I hope you don’t either. I do have an alternative goal to strive for though.

Owning a yacht is part of a luxurious lifestyle. However, many fail to realize that the upkeep of a personal maritime vessel comes with a lot of responsibility and work. Often, those who were once gung-ho about owning a yacht eventually lose interest and end up selling their boat to someone else looking to get into the hobby of recreational sailing.

Food might not be the sole reason why people travel, but savoring foreign delicacies still remains a vital part of the traveling experience. There are plenty of services out there looking to connect you to restaurants while abroad, but how many are able to treat you to a fresh, home cooked meal?

Alaska bought Virgin America last December, and though have released a few details on how the merger would impact elite benefits, mileage earning, and other short-term concerns, they have kept travelers waiting for a bigger picture view of what these airlines will look like when the merger is complete.

Now, we finally have the answers. In general, there are more positives than negatives, especially for Alaska elites, though some features will be disappearing that Virgin America loyalists will probably miss.

Ever dream of venturing to far-flung places, such as the Andes or Thailand? Do you hesitate because of safety concerns? Global Rescue reduces the risks associated with traveling abroad by providing advisory and emergency services to travelers anywhere in the world.

In the world of wanderlust, life’s daily rituals don’t usually become monotonous or commonplace. That feeling is multiplied when you share adventures with other people—notably significant others who know your tastes and life goals.

And, sometimes, a loving relationship centered on exploring the globe can result in an even more romantic relationship. In the case of Scott and Collette Stohler, their migrant journeys encouraged them to base their professional lives around their own recreational interests.