Travel Credit Cards Archives | Page 2 of 4

Sep 15

0

When SPG Platinum Status Falls Short…By One Stay

By Barbara Jones | September 15, 2016| Credit Cards, Everyday Loyalty Program, Hotel Cards, Reward Credit Card, Rewards Credit Cards Article, Travel Credit Cards | No Comments

At the beginning of 2016, one of our savviest of peeps opened her email from Starwood Preferred Guest to find that she had been awarded Gold Status for this calendar year. Most people would be ecstatic. But for a person who is on a first name basis with front desk managers at Starwood hotels up and down the eastern seaboard, and counts SPG points in her sleep – Gold Status was not an option. Our girl carefully crafted every vacation and business trip to make every single one of her 25 stays and 50 nights count in 2015. But they only counted 24 stays and 47 nights.

Sep 15

3

Chase Ultimate Rewards – The Ins and Outs of Cashing In Points

By Barbara Jones | September 15, 2016| Airline Cards, Reward Credit Card, Travel Credit Cards, Travel Credit Cards Article | No Comments

The Ultimate Rewards Program from Chase is getting lots of free press these days. Thousands of people are applying for their newest addition to the Chase family of cards – The Chase Sapphire Reserve. Its 100,000 sign-up bonus can be redeemed at a rate of 1.5 cents apiece.

Sep 14

3

Why Citi Prestige and Amex Platinum Offer You Better Lounge Access Than Chase Sapphire Reserve

By Barbara Jones | September 14, 2016| Travel Credit Cards, Travel Credit Cards Article | No Comments

With the addition of the Chase Sapphire Reserve to the high end travel rewards market, and the discussions about all of its benefits and services to offset the $450 annual fee, we thought that it would be a good time to compare the airport lounge benefits associated with each of the 3 top cards in this upscale travel rewards category. What we found out might surprise you.

Sep 13

0

Deal Alert: Earn 25,000 Bonus AAdvantage Miles With a New Sprint Account

By Barbara Jones | September 13, 2016| Airline Cards, Savvy Approved Product, Travel Credit Cards, Travel Loyalty Programs Article | No Comments

Are you an American AAdvantage member currently looking to switch wireless service providers? Look no further. For a limited time you can earn up to 25,000 AAdvantage Miles – that’s enough for a round-trip flight when you activate a new Sprint account with one new phone line. It’s simple to do just follow the following steps, and before you know it – you’ll be on your way to a free vacation.

Sep 12

0

Free Just Got Even More FREE! Starwood Luxury at 35% Off

By Barbara Jones | September 12, 2016| Credit Cards, Hotel Cards, Reward Credit Card, Travel Credit Cards, Travel Credit Cards Article | No Comments

It’s promotion time again with the Starwood Preferred Guest program. SPG is currently offering a limited-time offer that gives travelers 35% off Free Night redemptions at select resorts. This promotion is available at only 8 of Starwood’s most sought after luxury properties, and is valid through February 28, 2017. The resorts included normally start at a 40,000 point redemption per night and goes up to 90,000. Now you can take advantage of a night free for as little as 26,000 at some of the brand’s most coveted and exclusive hotels.

Sep 09

3

Why British Airways and the “Avios and Cash Option” is the Place For All of Your Misfit Points

By Barbara Jones | September 9, 2016| Airline Cards, Reward Credit Card, Travel Credit Cards, Travel Credit Cards Article | No Comments

Any points junkie worth his or her weight will tell you to sign up for any and all loyalty programs that cross your path. They are generally free, and it takes little time and energy to answer a few questions. So if you’re like us you have a member number for every hotel chain, airline frequent flyer program, and car rental company – but not necessarily tens of thousands of points with each. What do you do with…

Sep 09

3

Get $1,500 Toward FREE Travel With The Chase Sapphire Reserve

By Barbara Jones | September 9, 2016| Airline Cards, Hotel Cards, Reward Credit Card, Rewards Credit Cards Article, Savvy Approved Product, Travel Credit Cards | No Comments

The Chase Sapphire Reserve and Platinum Card from American Express are now contending for top position of the luxury card category in the U.S. Both come with high annual fees and appear to be similar. What you need to do is determine which card is worth paying the $450 annual fee. There are many less expensive choices, so let us help you narrow down which is a better choice.

Sep 08

0

How to Save a Bundle on ATM Fees When Traveling Abroad

By Barbara Jones | September 8, 2016| Airline Cards, Credit Cards, Hotel Cards, Travel Credit Cards, Travel Credit Cards Article | No Comments

Be careful the next time that you leave the country. Without a few key insights, that handbag that you bargained over in Florence could end up costing you more than you ever thought, and with every swipe of your credit card or ATM cash withdrawal your travel budget could easily get out of hand. But it doesn’t have to. We’ve identified the best ways to avoid banking fees while traveling, and have hopefully made it easier for you to travel knowing about all of those annoying fees.

Sep 07

3

Travel to London in First Class with British Airways for (almost) FREE

By Barbara Jones | September 7, 2016| Airline Cards, Reward Credit Card, Rewards Credit Cards Article, Savvy Approved Product, Travel Credit Cards | No Comments

I made the British Airways Visa Signature card top of wallet with plans of flying first class directly out of Baltimore (BWI) to London. When I signed up for the credit card, 100,000 Avios were enough for a first class round trip flight across the pond so I immediately started planning. What I quickly found out was that finding a first class seat from BWI became almost impossible – even a year in advance. Read how I finally flew first class.

Sep 02

0

DC to NYC for $49 on Amtrak Takes a Big Bite Out of a Big Apple Getaway

By Barbara Jones | September 2, 2016| Reward Credit Card, Savvy Approved Product, Savvy Approved Products Article, Travel Credit Cards, Travel Credit Cards Article, Travel Loyalty Program | No Comments

Amtrak tickets for it’s Northeast Corridor can be very pricey, and can make a trip to New York City extremely pricey – until now. To save the most when booking Amtrak we suggest taking the Northeast Regional Saver and start your booking at least two weeks in advance. There are many options to travel on Northeast Regional trains to enjoy a $49 fare.

Sep 01

0

Male office worker relaxing on unit in storage area, smiling, portrait

Credit Card 101 and the College Student. Good Choices and Best Practices.

By Barbara Jones | September 1, 2016| Balance Transfer, Cash Back Credit Card, Reward Credit Card, Rewards Credit Cards Article, Travel Credit Cards | No Comments

We have all have witnessed the sight of the typical parent dropping their kid off at college. With a ton of pride, tears in their eyes, a little anxiety and a touch of fear, we parents leave our kids alone for the first time to blaze their own path socially, academically, and yes…financially.

Aug 24

3

Move Over Platinum Card from American Express – Chase Sapphire Reserve Has Arrived

By Barbara Jones | August 24, 2016| Airline Cards, Hotel Cards, Reward Credit Card, Rewards Credit Cards Article, Savvy Approved Product, Travel Credit Cards | No Comments

In our opinion, the Platinum Card from American Express has firmly held the position as the exclusive travel benefits and rewards fixture for almost 3 decades. For the person that carries the card, it conveys a sense of financial accomplishment coupled with the expectations of premium service and travel savvy- until maybe now. Enter Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Aug 12

0

Best Credit Card For Wedding Purchases That Get You A Free Honeymoon

By Barbara Jones | August 12, 2016| Credit Cards, Hotel Cards, Reward Credit Card, Travel Credit Cards, Travel Credit Cards Article | No Comments

If you’re planning an event, do it at a Marriott for the absolute best rewards. We, at Point Savvy, are currently in the process of helping plan my sister-in-law’s Connecticut wedding by maximizing points so to offer her and her husband-to-be a variety of options for a free honeymoon that they will remember.

Aug 08

0

Get a Free Night with Starwood. No Cash. No Points. No Kidding.

By Barbara Jones | August 8, 2016| Credit Cards, Hotel Cards, Reward Credit Card, Travel Credit Cards, Travel Credit Cards Article | No Comments

I have been a loyal guest at Starwood Hotels and a diehard user of Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Starpoints for over a decade. I have spent more time dragging my family from Sheraton to Four Points to every W Hotel in the continental U.S. to rack up hotel stays to achieve Platinum Status, which just happened last week for the ninth time! Needless to say, I’m excited. But you don’t need to achieve Platinum Status to take advantage of one of the best Starwood offers – their fifth night free benefit.

Aug 04

3

The Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard Pays You For A Flexible Family Vacation

By Barbara Jones | August 4, 2016| Airline Cards, Reward Credit Card, Rewards Credit Cards Article, Savvy Approved Products Article, Travel Credit Cards | No Comments

With limited days available to leave the office and specific openings in kids’ sports schedules, staycations and short trips are often the best option for a busy family’s vacation. Because these types of trips are more affordable than, say, a European vacation, you can pay for a big chunk, if not all, of your family’s vacation with points.

Aug 02

0

New Flight! British Airways Brings 787-8 Dreamliner International Service to Baltimore

By Barbara Jones | August 2, 2016| Travel Credit Cards, Travel Credit Cards Article | No Comments

Baltimore became the fourth U.S. market to use British Airways’ bigger, better Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, which departed on its first flight for London Heathrow from BWI Marshall Airport on Monday. There are only eight Boeing 787-8 aircraft in British Airways’ fleet, so one coming to Baltimore is a big deal.

Jul 29

0

Starwood Birth Year Promotion: The Older You Are The Less You Pay

By Barbara Jones | July 29, 2016| Credit Cards, Hotel Cards, Reward Credit Card, Travel Credit Cards, Travel Credit Cards Article | No Comments

Here at Point Savvy we talk about the aging process more than we would like to admit. But with Starwood’s Birth Year Promotion we are happy to shout how old we are from the rooftop of any 5 star hotel under the Starwood umbrella. If you’re not quite sure where your next quick getaway may be, this program may help you to narrow your search while saving you some real money on your hotel stay.

Jul 22

0

Avery and Regan at the Ritz Carlton in Sarasota

How You Can Make Over $1,250 With the Citi Prestige Card

By Barbara Jones | July 22, 2016| Airline Cards, Credit Cards, Hotel Cards, Reward Credit Card, Travel Credit Cards, Travel Credit Cards Article | No Comments

Even though everyone around us is taking a summer vacation, here at Point Savvy we are looking ahead to a winter escape – of course, one where we can snag a deal on a high-end experience.

Jul 21

0

Fare Alert! Norwegian Air Flies Direct to Martinique and Guadeloupe Starting at $198 RT from Baltimore

By Barbara Jones | July 21, 2016| Credit Cards, Hotel Cards, Reward Credit Card, Travel Credit Cards, Travel Credit Cards Article | No Comments

Once again, Norwegian Airlines is offering great fares direct from BWI to both islands giving you a great jumpstart to a vacation when you really need starting in early November. Best of all, these fares start in November and run through March so that you can take advantage of them from Thanksgiving through Spring Break.

Jul 20

0

Redeem SPG Starpoints for a Tennis Lesson with Andy Roddick or Other Incredible 2016 U.S. Open Experiences

By Barbara Jones | July 20, 2016| Credit Cards, Hotel Cards, Reward Credit Card, Travel Credit Cards, Travel Credit Cards Article | No Comments

True, some loyalty points only get you discounted plane tickets or hotel upgrades. But Starwood’s Preferred Customer program gets you tennis superstar Andy Roddick. Today, Starwood makes available one of its most popular SPG Moments by giving members the opportunity to redeem Starpoints for once-in-a-lifetime VIP experiences at the 2016 U.S. Open, including access to media tours, courtside seats to the finals and the aforementioned Andy Roddick (via a personalized tennis lesson).

Jul 12

3

6 Assumptions About Frequent Flyer Programs That Will Keep You Grounded

By Barbara Jones | July 12, 2016| Airline Cards, Travel Credit Cards, Travel Credit Cards Article | No Comments

The changes that have occurred since Frequent Flyer Miles were introduced in 1981 are endless. Long gone are the days when you could call a representative on the phone that would help you navigate the system and find you a free seat on a non-stop flight to the destination of your choice at the last minute without fees. With consumers now smarter, technology more advanced, and fuel prices higher, the airlines have made the process of free travel more difficult to achieve – unless you know how to navigate the system.

Jun 25

3

What Are the 5 Best Airline Credit Cards?

By Barbara Jones | June 25, 2016| Airline Cards, Travel Credit Cards, Travel Credit Cards Article, Travel Loyalty Program | No Comments

Savvy reader LeeAnn asked me for my opinion on how to choose an airline credit card. “What’s the best credit card that will get me a free vacation in the next three months?” The basic answer is what airline hub works for you. If you live close to major airport then you’re probably already signed up for a frequent flyer program that is tied to an airline that you already fly frequently.

Jun 18

0

An Invitation to Earn up to 120,000 Ritz-Carlton Bonus Points

By Barbara Jones | June 18, 2016| Travel Credit Cards, Travel Loyalty Programs Article | One Comment

My husband loves his Ritz-Carlton Rewards credit card. It’s black and metal and he makes sure he plops it down on the bar when he pays his tab. There’s nothing he likes more than when a waitress oohs and ahhs over his card and gushes “it’s metal”. I typically roll my eyes and let him have his credit card moment.

Jun 17

0

Businesswoman using mobile phone at her desk

Are Credit Card Rewards Taxable?

By Barbara Jones | June 17, 2016| Cash Back Credit Card, Cash Back Credit Cards Article, Reward Credit Card, Travel Credit Cards | No Comments

With credit card sign-up bonuses ranging from 10,000 – 100,000 points or miles, these rewards can be redeemed for hundreds of dollars. A credit card with an offer of 50,000 bonus points can be worth at a minimum of $500. Are these credit card rewards taxable?

Jun 15

0

Get the Best Credit Card for Your Everyday Summer Savings

By Barbara Jones | June 15, 2016| Cash Back Credit Card, Reward Credit Card, Rewards Credit Cards Article, Travel Credit Cards | No Comments

If you are like us, you’re spending the warm weather outside grilling, cooling off by the pool, and beginning to enjoy your summer. Why not take advantage of the best credit card for your summer spending and beyond by putting more money in your pocket for the items that you buy everyday.