Category Archives: Hotels + Points

close-up of a currency note

The Era of Visa-Free Living in Mexico is Over

Buenos días everyone,

If you’re thinking about spending a significant amount of time in Mexico or even making multiple trips over the course of a year, you should be aware of a change in practice by Mexican immigration authorities.

For many years, it’s been very easy for U.S. citizens (and certain other nationalities) to spend a virtually unlimited amount of time in Mexico. Visa-free entry with a tourist permit (the cost of which is automatically included in your plane ticket) is granted for up to 180 days (six months) and for years the standard practice has been to grant virtually everyone a 180 day entry permit regardless of their trip plans and travel history. (Land border crossings have different rules if you’re staying in the border area.) As a result, it was common for foreigners living in Mexico to just travel to the US or Guatemala (or another nearby country) at least once every six months and live in Mexico indefinitely without a resident visa. Continue reading

blue letters on a white background

5 Buy Miles / Points Promos Ending Soon: United (40%), American (35%), Air Canada (100%), Southwest ( 45%) & Choice Hotels (25%)

Good afternoon everyone, happy Friday!  I was working on my Buy Miles & Points Page and found 5 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 5 offers that end soon.  Up first, United Airlines is offering up to a 40% discount, depending on the number of United Airlines MileagePlus Miles you purchase.   This offer expires today – January 28.

a screenshot of a website

Continue reading

a close-up of a credit card

Chase IHG Rewards Cardholders: 20% Discount on Award Stays of 1-3 Nights (Targeted?)

Good morning everyone.  I just received an email from IHG this morning about a promotion for Chase IHG Rewards Cardholders (this may be targeted, YMMV).  You can get a 20% discount on award stays of 1-3 nights when you book your reservation by February 8 and complete your stay by March 13.  I have the old $49 Chase IHG Rewards Select Credit Card, the $89 Chase IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card, and I am also an IHG Spire Elite member.  Here is the landing page for the offer, but I think the 20% discount will only show up if your account was targeted, there is no enrollment link.  I decided to do a dummy 3 night stay and a dummy 4 night stay to see what the discount looks like and how it works.

a screenshot of a web page

Continue reading

a blue credit card with white text

Unboxing Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card: Card Art, Welcome Letter & Benefits Booklets

Good morning everyone.  Last week, I applied for the Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card and I was instantly approved.  I have a few large bills to pay in the coming weeks, so I decided to apply for this card.  The current sign up bonus is 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points (equal to $750 cash back) after spending $7,500 in 3 months which fits perfectly with my upcoming purchases.  In today’s post, I wanted to share the card art, welcome letter, benefits booklet, activation process, and the process of moving credit limits around between business credit cards.

Here is the front and back of the Chase Ink Unlimited.  The card design is clean, simple and very similar to the design of the Chase Ink Cash and Chase Ink Plus.

Continue reading

a blue text on a white background

Wyndham Timeshare Vacation Package: 3 Nights + 15K Points for $199 in Anaheim, Orlando, Las Vegas & More

Good morning everyone, I hope your week is going well.  Yesterday, I received an email from Wyndham Vacation Resorts for a 3 night stay in Anaheim, Orlando, Las Vegas and 7 other cities + 15,000 Wyndham Rewards Points for $199.  These vacation packages require attending a 2 hour timeshare presentation (please see the terms and conditions before booking).  You may be able to get an even better deal if you call the Wyndham Vacation Resorts phone number (1-877-393-8405).  The phone reps really want people to attend the timeshare presentation and have the power to give you more incentives, like more free points or a $100 Visa gift card.

I’m not sure if this matters, but I am in California, I have Wyndham Rewards Diamond Elite Status and I have the Barclays Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Credit Card.  You need to book your reservation by February 8 and you must complete your stay by December 31, 2022.  Here is the email I received from Wyndham Vacation Resorts:

a screenshot of a website

Continue reading