If you’ve signed up already, or plan to sign up for the newest Alaska Airlines promo, called Dash for the Miles, here’s some news for you. I registered for the promo right away and started working on the three tasks for the miles. The Opinion Survey, IMHO, is a waste of time. That story is for another time :) But the other two, one for dining and one for shopping using the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan portal, are easy enough to do, so I got started on those.
Did you catch the offer from World of Hyatt called Try The World? Hyatt wants to “connect us to the people, places and experiences at the heart of our world.” Their Try The World concept involves a “box of the month” filled with foods and ingredients from all across a specific country. I decided to give this Try The World a go, and ordered the first three boxes. The total cost was $105, so that’s $35 a box. I’ve never subscribed to a box of the month club before!
Everyone seems excited about the total solar eclipse on Monday, August 21. I’m excited too, but I won’t be doing any special traveling to see it. But some people are more excited than others! I found this great article about “eclipse chasers.” Maybe you know someone who qualifies? Or maybe you’re an eclipse chaser yourself?
Are you doing anything special for this seldom-seen-clearly(-from-the-US-at-least) astronomical event? Let us know in the comments below!
Solar Eclipse. Image source: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/08/08/539553696/go-see-it-eclipse-chasers-urge-your-first-time-is-always-special
Good morning everyone, happy Friday! A few days ago, we held a giveaway to celebrate my 100th post on TWG. Many, many thanks to all of you who read that post. I appreciate the time you took to leave comments. They were so much fun to read. And they’ve given me great ideas for the next 100 posts :) Encouragement from readers means a latte a lot to me!
After Grant and I read all the comments, it was unfortunate we couldn’t choose them all. Here are the winning comments:
| Gaston | I really enjoyed your most recent post “My Citi Prestige Credit Card Saved Me $1,000+ this Year with the 4th Night Free Benefit”. As always, you combine your sharing of great travel experiences with saving us $! |
| Denise | My favorite post was learning about Slovenia. I am looking forward to hearing more about your travels. |
| Mike | I loved the series on San DIego/Coronado! Now that the Hotel Del Coronado is a Hilton property I am planning to schedule a trip there and this series couldn’t have been more perfectly timed. |
| YoLaViajera | My favorite post was one you wrote several months ago, but I saved it in my Favorites, for when I go to Vancouver. It’s titled “See, Eat & Drink: The Perfect Long Weekend in Vancouver, Canada”. I love the posts where you write not only about the hotel you’re staying at, but when you also give tips on dining and things to do. Congrats on your 100th post. Here’s to many more! :) |
| Jon W. | Oh Gd, as you know, I love many of your posts but I guess my favorite is your BEAN around the world San Francisco Part 2 because it contains my personal favorite local roaster – Verve! Looking forward for your next visit to the Bay to try our roasters on the other side of the Bay. P.S., did you publish your Vancouver post? PLan to try some coffee shops there next time I’m in town (aside from 49th parallel) |
| Leslie | I really appreciated the post on “Italian Vacation Part 1: Gelato in Venice, Park Hyatt Milan Meat Slicer and the Last Supper.” I have been dying to visit Milan and I didn’t know about La Scala Museum. I love art, history and culture so this was just up my alley. Thanks for the detailed information on eateries and the gelato! YUM! |
| rm | the post about coffee in boston was super. especially because i am a coffee aficionado. and even though i now am a caretaker and horsekeeper in talking rock, ga where my niche coffee market is all but absent…i am soon to fly to visit my sister/husband/my niece in boston. they are exclusively starbucks people. and based on your post, i plan to open their eyes (and all other senses!) to some alternatives…and to funding some local shops! thanks! |
| Liz | I enjoyed your article on how to book flights using Citi Thank You points. I have a bunch of Thank You points and I never know when to use them, so this had some great advice! |
| Joe O | You did a post interviewing an Uber driver about how much they earn I thought was really interesting… it was awhile ago, so I can’t find it now, but I swear it happened. :) |
| Bill Pisor | We really enjoyed your post on “Which IHG hotels you’d book with 100,00 points”. We don’t as yet have that many points with IHG but your article gave us a wonderful goal to shoot for and many options on which hotels to choose! Keep up the great advice! |
We will send out $10 Amazon eGift Cards to the winners via email, so check your email (and spam) folders for an email from Grant. Thanks again to everyone who left a comment and for all the readers out there, wherever you are in the world. Have a great day, and enjoy your travels!
There are a few credit cards I always carry just for the benefits. Because I have a business, I put plenty of spend on my American Express SPG Business Credit Card. I like earning those SPG points! But when I travel, I take it with me for a different reason. I’ve had my American Express SPG Business Credit Card for many years, and it was always a keeper for me. Back in 2015 when American Express added new benefits to their personal and business SPG credit cards, I was glad to see complimentary Sheraton Club access added as one of those benefits.
I’ve always been an SPG Gold elite member, but I’ve never had SPG Platinum elite status. Sometimes as an SPG Gold elite member, I’d be given a complimentary upgraded room and Sheraton Club access, but it certainly wasn’t guaranteed. This did, however, give me an introduction to Sheraton Clubs, and since I knew I’d always keep the American Express SPG Business Credit Card, I looked forward to experiencing the Sheraton Clubs whenever I stayed at a Sheraton. I also liked that Sheraton Club access was available no matter how I paid for my stays, regardless if my stay was paid for with points, cash and points, or all cash.
Sheraton Club sign at Sheraton Chicago O’Hare. Image source: http://www.sheratonchicagoohare.com/club