Educational Posts on Loyalty Programs

Elite status with an airline can get you some fantastic benefits: free upgrades, discounts, bonus points and more. While status is generally limited to those who earn the hard way—through flying and spending—you shouldn’t forget about status matches and challenges. These offers can be a quick way to get status with an airline, particularly if you plan to do a lot of traveling in a short period of time.

This month, there are several bonus offers for those with specific credit cards; don’t miss out! And learn how Best Western elite members are getting some extra perks for their loyalty.

Maybe you’ve flown across the country and want a car for tooling around town. Perhaps you’re planning a road trip and need a vehicle that can hold your passengers and gear. Whatever the reason, you’ve found yourself at the counter of a car rental company, answering the inevitable question: do you want economy, standard or full size? If you have your heart set on a specific make, model or color, you’re likely out of luck—unless you choose to rent from Turo.

Priority Pass hit a milestone last year by offering members access to over 1,000 lounges worldwide. That makes it the most comprehensive independent airport lounge network available, all but guaranteeing that you’ll have a comfy place to relax, snack or get a little work done at any major airport in the world. The best part? You can get a free membership with the right credit card.

The days of sitting in an airplane and worrying about your possible demise are over.

SkyGuru, a company that provides flight travelers with real-time aviation data, is the first iPhone app that merges mobile technology and professional aviation to analyze and predict fight process. It guides passengers through potential anxieties that come with traveling in the clouds. Denis Frolov, a representative for the company, talked to RewardExpert.com about the benefits.

It might be hard to believe, but there was a time when you could check a bag on any airline for free. These days it will cost you at least $25 per bag on nearly all domestic flights. Each airline has its own policies, and some will even charge you for carry-ons. We have some suggestions for getting around those fees.

In a rare win for travel hackers, recent changes to the Delta Medallion program actually increase the value of top tier Diamond elite status, without reducing benefits for lower levels of status. The main change was that for the 2018 Medallion year they substituted an automatic Sky Club membership for a third Choice benefit, whereas before Diamond members only got two Choice benefits.

While taking time away from the daily grind to explore a new destination can be an exciting and invigorating way to recharge and unwind, the pre-trip planning process is often overwhelmingly stressful. Fortunately, the developers of TripSee have found a way to eliminate the need for the cumbersome spreadsheets, endless email chains, and stacks of written notes many of us previously relied on when creating a family or group vacation itinerary.

American started rolling out its basic economy fares this month, joining the other two major legacy airlines in their attempt to compete with ultra-low cost carriers. That means service aboard domestic flights has taken another hit, but there are ways to get around at least some of the drawbacks of flying.

Hilton Honors is about to add its newest feature with cash and points redemptions, which is exciting for many travelers. Plus, there are some new routes for mileage earning and redemption that are worth exploring, but beware the basic economy fares that seem to be expanding from third-party sites.

In the world of travel, children are a top priority. However, the process of traveling is like raising children themselves: messy, fun and a brand new adventure every day.

Stopovers and open jaws are great way to see more of the world for less money. Some airlines allow you to add a stopover to your award ticket itinerary on the way to or from your final destination. So what exactly is a stopover and an open jaw and which carriers let you take them? Read on for the airlines and their rules.

During a visit to Nepal, John Wood was simultaneously struck by the enthusiasm of the local students and the lack of resources in their schools. That led him to leave his senior executive position at Microsoft and start Room to Read in 1999. The organization’s scope has grown over the years, but its mission remains essentially the same: transform the lives of children in developing countries through education.

If you’re looking to breeze through airport security, then you may want to consider signing up for Clear.

Similar to Global Entry, in the sense that you’ll be able to verify your identity at a kiosk and avoid waiting in line to have your ID checked by the TSA, this program is expanding to several new airports nationwide.  Clear allows members to leave their ID at home as your identity is used by verifying either a fingerprint or iris scan.

Students might think high school and college is only a time for classes and exams, but it’s also an opportunity to explore the world. American students backpack through Europe, Japanese students adventure around the Outback, and along the way, all learn more about new places and cultures.

There is a new travel credit card in the market. Read on to learn more. Also, hotel companies are awarding big bonuses for upcoming stays. See which ones and where in the latest offerings in this week’s report.

Vacation travel can feel magical, especially when finding an off-the-beaten-track spot. Travel apps are great to find places to go, but often algorithms miss hidden treasures.

The first quarter of the year is a great time to re-evaluate your loyalties to frequent flyer programs. You have the rest of the year to reallocate your flights and credit card spending in order to earn elite status for the rest of the year as well as 2018. With so many devaluations, mergers, and new reciprocal elite benefits you may be inclined to change the programs which you prioritize.

Life’s most interesting journeys are about more than the fastest way to get from Point A to Point B. While there are plenty of navigation apps to assist you with maneuvering your way through city streets by car, those traveling by foot have had a dearth of options—until now.

Whether you’re traveling at home or abroad, exploring an unfamiliar city or just running errands in your own hometown, Sidekix will help you make the most of every step of your expedition.

RewardExpert spoke with Jenny Drezin, CMO and one of the company’s three co-founders, to find out more about the inspiration behind the app, how it works, and how any traveler can use it to discover new places on foot.

Transcontinental flights from the New York City area to LA and San Francisco are among the most grueling domestic routes in existence, with flight times of approximately six hours depending on the direction of travel.

Fortunately, all the major airlines that fly these routes offer premium products that go above and beyond traditional domestic premium cabin service. In addition to the big three legacy carriers, there is competition provided by smaller airlines such as Jet Blue and Virgin America. We will compare quality of product, award availability and costs, and note a few things to consider when booking these flights.