Author Archives: Grant

About Grant

Grant is an expert in frequent flyer miles, hotel loyalty points, credit card rewards, and cash back deals. He also has a pretty cool travel blog. Find him on Twitter @travelwithgrant.

Synchrony Premier Credit Card 2% Cash Back + $100 Statement Credit Posted Quickly and Automatically

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Good afternoon everyone, I hope you had a great weekend.  Last week, I received my new Synchrony Premier Credit Card in the mail.  This credit card used to be the Rakuten Visa Credit Card, but was automatically converted to the Synchrony Premier Credit Card.  Usually, when a credit card is converted / product changed, there is no sign up bonus or new member bonus, but Synchrony was offering cardholders a $100 statement credit after spending $1,000 in 3 months.  In this post, I will share the email, welcome letter, and sign up bonus posting details.  Here is the front and back of the credit card.

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Buy Tickets to the Chicago Seminars (Oct 21-23), FTU Virtual (Oct 29), Orange County FTU (Nov 12-13) & FTU Virtual (Dec 3)

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Good afternoon everyone, happy Friday!  There are lots of fun miles & points events coming up in the next few months, so check your schedule and see if you can attend any of these events.  I will be presenting on Vacasa Vacation Rentals and How to Cancel & Rebook Hotels, Airlines & Rental Cars, so if you are interested in those topics, I recommend attending the in-person or virtual events.  Here are details for these 4 events:

Chicago Seminars

  • Date / Time: October 21-23 (4pm – 8:30pm on Friday, 8am – 8pm on Saturday, 8am – 4pm on Sunday)
  • Location: Holiday Inn Chicago-Elk Grove (next to Chicago O’Hare Airport with free airport shuttle)
  • Price: $135
  • Info: FlyerTalk thread
  • Purchase: Eventbrite booking link
  • Grant’s Presentations: Vacasa Vacation Rentals and How to Cancel & Rebook Hotels, Airlines & Rental Cars – date and time TBD

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3 Buy Miles / Points Promos Ending Soon: Hyatt (30%), Radisson Hotels (40%) & Air Canada (85%)

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Good afternoon everyone, happy Friday!  I was working on my Buy Miles & Points Page and found 3 offers that end in the next week.  Always check the math to make sure that buying miles & points makes sense for you.  Do not buy miles & points speculatively unless you have a use in mind.  With that said, here are 3 offers that end soon.

Up first, Hyatt is offering up to a 30% discount, depending on the number of World of Hyatt Points you purchase.  This offer expires today – September 30.

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A Letter to my Younger Travel Hacker Self

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Good afternoon everyone, I hope your week is going well.  Last night, my wife and I were watching Lifetime’s Married at First Sight.  On that episode, the contestant wrote letters to their younger selves, so I thought it would be fun to write a letter to my younger travel hacker self.  Here goes…

Dear Grant,

Your love of travel will continue to grow and you will experience many amazing sights, sounds, food, and memories along the way.  Enjoy the little things in life (like an upgrade or two), but remember to be flexible with your travel plans when things don’t go your way. 

Find people who love travel and travel hacking as much as you do, but don’t be discouraged if your close family and friends are not as excited about these things as you are.  

Take the trips you want to take when you want to go, even if they are not the most flashy or exciting. Don’t chase other’s dream trips and don’t compare yourself or your trips to others.  

Set low expectations for your trips so that you will be happily surprised with the journey.

Last but not least, don’t fall in love with a single credit card or reward program, they can break your heart at a moment’s notice.  Remember, loyalty is not always a two way street.

Sincerely, yourself, from the future

Grant

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Last Call for FTU Virtual Seminar on Saturday, September 17 ($25) or Free with Online Annual Membership

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Good afternoon everyone, happy Friday!  If you are not busy tomorrow (September 17), I highly recommend attending the FTU Virtual Seminar (tickets available for $25) or free if you have the FTU Online Annual Membership.  The seminar starts on Saturday, September 17, at 8am PT / 11am ET.  I have attended all of the FTU Virtual Seminars over the last 2 years and they are always well done, educational, and entertaining – and I am sure this seminar will be no exception!  Click here to view the complete 3-4 hour schedule and lineup of speakers.

If you register for the seminar, but are unable to watch the live stream, you can access the recording of the seminar and watch later on.  This is also a great way to re-watch your favorite presentations and catch any details that you originally missed.

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