Hotel

Hilton HHonors Points – Targeted Promo

Posted on November 25, 2014 by 2btravel

2014-11-25 Hilton Points Sale

Hilton is currently running a targeted promo that allows you to buy HHonors points and get a bonus. You’ll have to log in to your HHonors account to determine whether you’ll earn a 20%, 30%, 40% or 50% bonus when buying points.

I was targeted for a 40% bonus which means if I buy 1000 points for $10 I get 400 bonus points at no additional charge. Likewise, if I buy the max of 40,000 points for $400 I get 16,000 bonus points. This works out to 0.71 cents per point. As always, I look to One Mile At A Time and The Points Guy to determine whether or not this is a good deal. Lucky (of OMAAT) values HHonors points at 0.4 cents per point while Brian (TPG) sets their value at 0.5 cents each. So buying points probably does not make sense unless you need just a few points to top off an award.

The promotion ends on December 22 at 22:59 ET.

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30% Bonus on Purchased Hyatt Gold Passport Points

Posted on November 10, 2014 by 2btravel

Hyatt Winter Points Sale

 

Now through December 10th you can get a 30% bonus when you purchase 5,000 or more Hyatt Gold Passport points. So you can buy 5000 points for $120 (plus fees) and get a bonus of 1500 points. Or buy 55,000 points and get a bonus of 16,500 points for $1320. This brings the cost per point to 1.8 cents each. What is a Hyatt point worth? Well, it all depends on who you ask. Lucky (of One Mile at a Time) values them at 1.4 cents while Brian (The Points Guy) values them at 1.8 cents each.

I say it all depends on your needs. Do you need just a few points to top off your account so you can get that dream award? Then by all means jump at this offer. But remember that you can convert Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt points and it’s very easy to manufacture UR points through credit card spend. (Of course if you have the Chase Hyatt Visa you can generate points that way too!)

I’ve got a nice stash of UR points so won’t be taking advantage of this offer but it may be perfect timing for you.

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Double Points or Double Nights at Club Carlson

Posted on November 8, 2014 by 2btravel

Club Carlson is a hotel loyalty program that often gets overlooked here in the US.  The brands we see mostly commonly here are Radisson and Country Inns and Suites.  But overseas you’re more likely to see Radisson, Radisson Blu and Park Inn.  Radisson Blu can be quite nice.  I recently stayed at the Radisson Blu in Istanbul (review forthcoming!) and quite enjoyed it.

Now Club Carlson is running a promotion whereby you can earn your way toward elite status more quickly.  If you’re a member of Club Carlson (and it’s free to join) just register HERE for Double Nights or Double Points.  Then, for each stay between now and December 30, 2014 you’ll earn your selection toward elite status.

Club Carlson Points or Nights

 

Of course, the easiest way to earn Gold status is to pick up the Club Carlson Visa Signature card.  You’ll earn 50,000 points after your first purchase and another 35,000 points if you spend $2500 within 90 days of applying.   This card allows you to earn 10 points per dollar at Club Carlson hotels and 5 points per dollar elsewhere.  Plus you get 40,000 points each year when you pay the $75 annual fee!  And if you need any more incentive to pick up the card, when you make an award reservation of 2 nights or more, the last night is free to all card holders!  It’s a hard deal to beat.

Club Carlson Credit Card

 

Disclaimer: I do not have any affiliation with Club Carlson or Visa and I do not receive any referral incentives

Categories: Club Carlson, Club Carlson Visa, US Bank | Leave a comment

Free Wi-Fi for Marriott Rewards Members

Posted on November 8, 2014 by 2btravel

It’s always amazed me how budget hotels offer free wi-fi yet more expensive hotels might offer it in common areas but want you to pay for it in your room.  I, for one, don’t like sitting out in public checking my email and Twitter – I prefer to do that in my jammies right before I fall asleep and first thing when I wake up.  Starting January 15, Marriott is going to make that easier.  Wi-Fi will be free to all Marriott Rewards members beginning on that date if you’ve booked directly with Marriott. That includes booking with their mobile app, via the website, calling 1-800-Marriott or through a Marriott hotel.  Gold and Platinum Elite members will be able to get enhanced wi-fi where available.Marriott Free-wifi1

 

I’ve got to admit, I think in today’s world, free wi-fi should be the standard everywhere, regardless of where you book and whether or not you’re a member of the loyalty program.  But this is certainly a step in the right direction.

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Even More Promos

Posted on October 8, 2014 by 2btravel

Can you tell that we’re right in the midst of shoulder season?  There are all kinds of promos coming through every day.  Here are recent ones I’ve seen, in no particular order:

2014-10-08 IHG Purchased Points Bonus

IHG Rewards Club is featuring a bonus on purchased points this month.  The bonus depends on how many points you’re purchasing.  I’ve got a nice stash of points at the moment so I’ll sit this one out.

2014-10-08 Club Carlson Bonus

Club Carlson is having a sale at select hotels when you book by this Friday, October 10 and stay on select dates through the end of the month.  Talk about restrictions!  Since I just returned from vacation I won’t take advantage of this either.

2014-10-08 New AF A380 Route

I’m not an aviation geek by any means but one of the few planes I can recognize on sight is the Airbus A380, since it’s a full-length double-decker.  Air France is starting a new route, Miami to Paris (CDG), on December 1st.  Remember Air France is part of SkyTeam which means you can use Delta miles on this flight.  Sadly, Delta will not allow you access to La Premiere (first class) and if you book before the end of the year a one-way ticket will cost as much as a round-trip.  However, Air France’s Flying Blue program is a transfer partner of both Starwood and Amex Membership Rewards, so that’s the way to book first class on the new bird.

2014-10-08 Hilton Purchased Points Promo

And finally, if you hold one of the Hilton co-branded credit cards (Amex has two, Citibank has one) you should have received this offer via email.  The link in the mail is specific for each recipient but you can buy or give Hilton HHonors points until October 22 and get a bonus, depending on how many points you buy or give.  Might be a nice way to top off your account if you’re just a little short.

Categories: Air France, American Express, Citibank Hilton Reserve Visa, Club Carlson, Hilton, Hilton Amex, Hilton Surpass, Hotel, IHG, SkyTeam | Leave a comment

A Plethora of Promos

Posted on October 3, 2014 by 2btravel

Oh, I’m so far behind! I went on vacation for 10 days and have been scrambling ever since I got back. There are several promotions going on right now, so let’s get to the good stuff:

30% Bonus on Purchased Club Carlson Points

2014-10-03 Club Carlson Promo

Between now and the end of the month you can get a 30% bonus if you buy 10,000-40,000 Club Carlson points. I recently points for a two-night stay at the Radisson Blu in Istanbul. If you also have the Club Carlson credit card, the last night of any multi-night stay is free! Click HERE to learn more.

 

100% Bonus on Purchased Dividend Miles Extended Through October 12

2014-10-03 US Airways Buy Miles Promo

Buy or gift US Airways Dividend Miles through October 12 and get a 100% bonus. Click HERE to be taken to the US Airways site.

 

 

1000 Bonus Gold Passport Points

 

2014-10-03 Hyatt Mobile Booking Promo

Book your next Hyatt stay via their mobile app and earn a 1000 point bonus. There doesn’t seem to be any limit and it’s good through the end of the year! Click on the HERE to be taken to the Hyatt site.

 

 

2500 Bonus US Airways Dividend Miles

 

2014-10-03 USDM Credit Card Bonus

 

Use your US Airways Dividend Miles MasterCard at gas stations, restaurants, toy & game stores and department stores through the end of the year and receive up to 2500 bonus miles. That’s a bonus of spend in these categories up to $1250. You must activate this offer by October 20th! If you’re already a cardholder, you should have received info about this offer already.

 

That’s it for now. I’ve got some more updates coming including a report on my recent trip to Turkey. Stay tuned!

Categories: Club Carlson, Credit Card Promos, Hotel Promos, Hyatt, US Airways, US Airways MasterCard | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Marriott eBreaks for Next Weekend

Posted on September 1, 2014 by 2btravel

2014-09-01 Marriott eBreaks

Want to get away next weekend?  Marriott has certain properties on sale this Thursday through Sunday (Sept 4-7).  Not all properties are included but if you can sneak away on a whim, now’s the time!  Check HERE to see if the property you’re interested in is featured.

Categories: Hotel Promos, Marriott | Leave a comment

Hilton HHonors Triple Your Trip promo

Posted on July 21, 2014 by 2btravel

Hilton Hotels and their related brands like DoubleTree, Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Conrad, Homewood Suites and Embassy Suites are usually very easy to find wherever you’re traveling. Their rooms can often cost what seem to be a lot of points, but Hilton points are easy to come by, especially if you have one of their co-branded credit cards.

2014-07-21 HHonors Triple

Right now they’re running a promotion on paid stays where you can earn double or triple points per night. Double points are awarded for stays on Monday-Thursday nights and triple points for weekend nights, Friday-Sunday.

You must first register for this promotion at HERE and then your paid stays between August 1 and October 31, 2014 will be included.

I really enjoy Hiltons as the lower-tier properties like Hamptons usually include breakfast with the room and even though it may cost more points, we can use those points to get larger rooms that have a sofa bed whereas a lot of hotel chains only allow standard rooms when using points.

Even if you don’t think you’ll be staying at a Hilton during this time period, go ahead and sign up for the promotion. That way if your plans should change you’ll be covered!

Categories: Hilton, Hotel, Hotel Promos | Leave a comment

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