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🏝️ Travel Smarter This Summer With Bonus Points, How To Get Room Upgrades Through Your Card, and More!

🏝️ Travel Smarter This Summer With Bonus Points, How To Get Room Upgrades Through Your Card, and More!

Discover the latest news in the world of points.

PointsParadise
August 03, 2023

👋 Welcome Back!

If you’re new to Points Paradise, welcome to the community! Otherwise: welcome back to your go-to source for points updates. Our community is up to 3,700 subscribers now!

Some of you must have shared it in a group, because a ton of people came from Facebook 😮. So thank you to whoever did that!

If you’re like me: one of the best feelings in the world is booking a trip for free with points.

I decided to work remotely from Texas for a month, and started looking for hotels.

I’ve banked a ton of points this year and haven’t spent many on trips yet.

I love staying at Marriot because I’m a Platinum Elite (which gives a ton of perks) but also because they give you a night free when you book 4 in a row.

Using that & my points, I was able to book a 3 week stay at a hotel for free.

This made me much happier than it probably should…but I think many of you will understand!

🗞️ News From This Week

New $250 Credit For Booking With An Amex on Marriot Homes & Villas

Last week I posted that there was a new 10% discount on Marriot Homes & Villas. It seems they really want new bookings, because this week they introduced another new discount.

American Express is offering a new targeted deal that provides a $250 credit on stays at Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy when at least $1,000 is spent from July 28 to September 30, 2023.

This offer is valid for over 1,000 properties in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

Also, that 10% discount stacks and is available if you book by August 31, 2023, for stays through September 30, 2023.

Best August Credit Card Offers For Gaining The Most Points

There’s a number of good offers right now if you’re looking for sign on bonuses for points.

Here’s some of the ones I’ve been eyeing:

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card: If you have a business with good spend, you can get up to 120k bonus points ($1500 to $1800 in value) plus a Companion Pass so a family member / friend can fly with you for free.

American Express Green Card: A great card for general use, it’s 60k bonus is worth $1200 in value.

Capital One Venture X: 75k miles is a great current bonus, as well as the $300 annual travel credit.

Here’s How To Save More On Hotels, In August

If you’re looking for a trip before Summer 2023 ends, there’s some strong deals you can take advantage of.

Marriot Bonvoy: Marriot is giving a 50% bonus on transfers from Chase Ultimate Rewards until September 30, 2023.

👉 Important Note: This is still good if you have a hotel stay you’re already looking to use points for. But in general, it’s better to use your Chase points for flights and/or the Chase Pay Yourself Back program. You get better value through those (even with this 50% bonus).

IHG Bonuses: They have some big bonuses this summer including the following:

Enjoy a 30% discount at newly launched hotels in Asia with IHG One Rewards, if you book by October 5.
Existing IHG One Rewards members have two options: earn 1,000 bonus points per night for every two-night stay or get 2,500 bonus points per night for each four-night stay.
Enjoy a 90% Bonus with IHG's Flash Sale on Points Purchases, Available Until August 7, 2023.
A 15% discount on award bookings at select new IHG One Rewards Hotels until August 31, 2023.

🏖️ Resource Roundup

A quick roundup of the top offers, deals, and more that you should know:

Get Air France-KLM Flights For Up to 50% Less In Points: Air France-KLM Flying Blue updated its promotional awards for travel through March 31, 2024, offering up to 50% off the usual miles required for certain routes if booked by August 31, 2023.

Amex Adds Qatar Airways as 1-1 Transfer Partner: American Express just added Qatar Airways, a top-ranked global airline, to its roster of Membership Rewards transfer partners. This allows cardholders to instantly transfer their points at a one-to-one ratio, thus expanding their transfer options to 19 airlines and three hotel brands, far surpassing competitors.

Earn 2x Hilton Points Through Targeted Amex Offer: American Express has introduced a new offer for select Hilton Honors cardholders, allowing them to earn up to 9,000 bonus points, equivalent to 2X Hilton points per dollar, by spending a minimum of $1,500 up to three times within 90 days of enrollment

Global Hotel Alliance Has 2x Bonus Points: Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) is offering its Discovery members double Discovery Dollars (D$) on stays booked and consumed between August 1 and September 30, 2023, with the percentage of bonus varying based on membership level, up to a maximum of 14% for Titanium members.

Accor Plus Program Adds 20 Elite Qualifying Nights Bonus: Accor Plus now offers a new membership benefit of 20 elite qualifying nights within a month of signing or renewing, with an extra bonus of 20 nights for those renewing between August and December 2023, potentially enabling more members to reach or renew their Platinum status.

Hilton Adds 100% Bonus On Points Purchases: Hilton has introduced a Mystery Bonus Sale allowing members to buy points with up to a 100% bonus and a doubled annual limit, enabling the purchase of up to 320,000 points, valid through September 19, 2023.

New Amex Business Cardholders Credit: American Express is offering a one-time $50 statement credit for business cardholders who make a single purchase of $120 or more on Verizon FiOS Business Internet by August 26, 2023.

🗺️ Pro Tip of the Week

Navigating the World of Travel Insurance: A Look into Credit Card Benefits

What is Travel Insurance?

In essence, travel insurance is a safety net. It’s designed to protect you against unforeseen problems, from a last-minute trip cancellation to emergency medical costs abroad. But while travel insurance can be purchased separately, a little-known fact is that many credit cards already offer robust travel insurance benefits.

Top Credit Cards with Great Travel Insurance Benefits

Chase Sapphire Reserve: Offers trip cancellation/interruption insurance, emergency medical and dental benefit, and trip delay reimbursement. Coverage extends up to $20,000 per trip and $2,500 for medical expenses.

The Platinum Card from American Express: Provides baggage insurance, travel accident insurance, and access to the Global Assist® Hotline for emergency coordination and assistance services.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Features automatic travel accident insurance and 24-hour travel assistance services, including emergency card replacement and cash advances.

Citi Prestige Card: Offers trip cancellation and interruption protection, travel and emergency assistance, and medical evacuation. Coverage can reimburse up to $5,000 per traveler, per trip for eligible disruptions.

✈️ Reward Reminder of the Week

How To Get Room Upgrades For Free, Using Your Credit Card Loyalty Program

Why Room Upgrades?

Room upgrades can significantly enhance your travel experience. Imagine relaxing in a more spacious room, enjoying a superior view, or indulging in additional amenities. Best of all, these upgrades sometimes come without any extra cost!

The Strategy for Success

While there's no guaranteed method to get a room upgrade, here are a few strategies that may boost your chances:

Loyalty Programs: Many hotel chains have loyalty programs that reward frequent guests with room upgrades. If you're not already a member, consider joining - it's usually free!
Credit Card Perks: Certain credit cards offer complimentary room upgrades as part of their benefits. Check with your card issuer to see if you qualify.
Ask Directly: Sometimes, all you have to do is ask! Mention that you're interested in a room upgrade when checking in. If one is available within your budget, hotel staff are often happy to accommodate.

Expert Tips on Requesting Upgrades

Navigating the upgrade conversation can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Here are some tips:

Politeness Pays: Remember, you're asking for a favor. Always be polite and courteous to the hotel staff. A good attitude goes a long way!
Timing is Key: Consider checking in later in the day. By this time, the hotel has a better idea of their occupancy and may be more willing to offer upgrades.
Special Occasions: If you're celebrating a special occasion, like a birthday or anniversary, don't be shy to mention it. Hotels often provide upgrades to help make your celebration even more special.

Next time you book a hotel stay, remember these tips, and you might just find yourself enjoying a little extra luxury. Happy traveling, and here's to hoping your next check-in brings a pleasant surprise!

🌎 Community Corner

Hey Points Pro, I’m a student with no credit card history.

I really want to get my first card but don’t know where to begin. I’ve heard that you need credit history to even apply?

Do you have any recommendations on this?

- Question from a subscriber

My Answer:

Great question! Starting your credit journey can seem a little confusing, but it's great that you're taking this first step. Indeed, some credit cards do require a good credit history to be approved. However, there are also credit cards designed specifically for people who are just starting out or who are looking to build their credit. These cards are usually called "starter" credit cards, or "student" credit cards.

Here are a few steps you could take:

Check Your Credit Score and Report: Before applying for a credit card, it can be useful to know where you stand credit-wise. Even without credit card history, you may have some credit history if you have student loans or have ever paid utilities in your name. You can request a free credit report annually from each of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) through AnnualCreditReport.com.
Consider a Student Credit Card: Many banks and credit card companies offer cards specifically designed for students. These cards often have lower credit limits and higher interest rates than standard cards, but they're designed to help you build credit. They may also offer rewards like cash back on purchases.
Consider a Secured Credit Card: If you're unable to get a student card, you might want to consider a secured credit card. These cards require a cash deposit that serves as your credit limit. If you use the card responsibly, over time you may qualify for an unsecured card.
Apply for a Credit-Builder Loan: These are small loans that banks lend to individuals specifically to help them build credit. They're typically for small amounts, and the bank holds onto the money as you pay off the loan.
Consider a Co-Signer: If you're unable to get approved for a card on your own, you might consider asking a parent or other trusted individual with established credit to co-sign a credit card application with you.
Become an Authorized User: If a family member has a credit card, they might be willing to add you as an authorized user on their account. This can help you start building credit.

Remember, the most important part of building credit is to make your payments on time and to keep your balance low compared to your credit limit. This shows lenders that you're responsible and can manage your debt well. And be sure to read all terms and conditions before applying for any credit card to make sure you understand any fees and interest rates.