Author Archives: Shelli

About Shelli

Shelli Stein is a health and fitness entrepreneur who travels the world in search of culture, food, and fun! Besides contributing to Travel with Grant, you can find her at Joy in Movement.

a hammock on a beach

The Versatile World of the Buff

Posted on by . 1 Reply

We all have shopping lists, right? I’m talking about that list titled “Buy sometime soon” list. Why is it then that for some items “sometime soon” can become years :) That’s where my story of me and my Buff begins. The first time I saw someone wearing a Buff I knew I had to get one. That, however, was so long ago I can’t even recall the year. Every time I saw anyone wearing a Buff I’d yell to them, “Great looking Buff.” And then I’d say to myself, “I gotta get a Buff, too!” Yes, I’m weird, I get that! Finally, on a bitter cold night, December 24th, 2015, in Vancouver, B.C. I bought a Buff. Well I didn’t exactly buy it, Alaska Airlines bought it for me, but that’s another story entirely. The result was the same, though. I finally joined the Buff club and I absolutely love my Buff!

a close up of a spool of grey fabric Continue reading →

a close-up of a stamp

Are You Spending Too Much Time in Hotels?

Posted on by . Leave a reply

Good morning, everyone. Thought I’d start the day by asking you a question. But first some backstory.  A few days ago, a friend asked me if I’d heard about something happening in the news and I replied, “Yup, I saw something about it in a hotel elevator news feed the other day.” Seemed like a “normal” reply and then a few hours later I realized what I had replied. Yikes. Hotel elevators were becoming my news source. Now that’s a scary thought. I’ll admit to being on the road a lot these past few months. I’ve been traveling a ton and well, I do have a tendency to glance up at those screens. Mostly I’m looking for the weather, but one can’t help but take in the other news as well.

I shook my head and laughed after remembering this conversation and then I wondered if anyone else has an answer to the question… How would YOU know you’re spending too much time in hotels??

a close-up of a credit card

35% Off SPG Points – Maybe for the Last Time?

Posted on by . 12 Replies

Starwood Preferred Guest is back with their offer to buy SPG points for a 35% discount now through May 31, 2018. Recently, I told you about some of the new benefits that will come to those of us who hold SPG cards now that Marriott’s plans for the SPG program start in August. And one thing I think we’ve all learned from the blending of the programs is to maximize our opportunities before they disappear. Though for now the programs do remain independent, buying SPG Starpoints could be one of those fading opportunities.

But there is still time to enjoy a 35% savings on Starpoints right now! Over the years I’ve been a buyer of Starpoints and have always, whether using them for hotels or transferring them to airlines to book award flights, gotten greater value out of the points than the cost to purchase them. If you are looking to make some Starwood reservations and need to top off your account, or if you have a paid stay coming up, check out this opportunity to purchase Starpoints at 35% off.

a screenshot of a website Continue reading →

a black letter with a star and text

When Will I Get my Free Night Certificate on my SPG Credit Card?

Posted on by . 22 Replies

I called American Express because I was confused about something. Maybe it’s just me, but I always think my anniversary date with an AmEx card is the same as the expiration date ON my card. Ain’t so. We’re all getting these emails with the changes and updates spelled out for us. I paid particular attention to the Annual Free Night part. The benefit begins with renewal on or after August 1.

a card on a website Continue reading →

a black and white logo

Double Points Returns for Hilton Honors Members

Posted on by . Leave a reply

May is here and that might mean one of your favorite Hilton Honors’ promotions is here: Double Points! Starting May 1, Hilton Honors members can earn Double Points on every stay through August 31.

a beach with a couple umbrellas and a sunset

Some additional details:

  1. Registered Hilton Honors members earn Double Points on every stay
  2. For every $1 spent on stays, you’ll earn 10 Base Points, plus an additional 10 Bonus Points (5 Base Points plus 5 Bonus Points at Home2 Suite by Hilton and Tru by Hilton). Silver, Gold & Diamond members will earn their Elite Tier Bonus on top of that.
  3. Promotion Stay Period May 1 – August 31, 2018
  4. This offer is available at over 5,000 hotels worldwide. There are
    no caps and no minimum stay requirement.

If this promo doesn’t work for you but you need to top off your Hilton Honors account for an award stay, here’s where you can do that. Will this promo work for you? I don’t have any Hilton stays during the summer, so maybe they’ll have another fun promo this fall.