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Which Credit Cards Offer Free (or Almost Free) Companion Tickets?

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There are many choices when it comes to increasing our miles and points so we can travel more for less. Recently, however, when using my companion passes and free tickets from credit cards, my friend Carrie asked how that worked and which credit cards came with that perk. Good question!  There are many credit cards that come with free bags or priority boarding. Along with those benefits, these three credit cards also provide a free (or almost free) companion ticket benefit.

Bank of America Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card

The Alaska Airlines credit card is one I’ve had for many years and I never miss using the Companion Fare. Essentially, this annual benefit is a free buy-one-get-one ticket in economy class. The primary traveler must pay the fare, but the companion pays just $99 plus taxes and fees. I always get more than the annual fee of $75 in value per year using this fare. I’ve used it for trips across the US and most recently to Seattle. The certificate is easy to apply to your fare and more than worth the annual fee.

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Chase IHG Premier Credit Card $50 Statement Credit Posted (1 Week After First Purchase)

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Good afternoon everyone, I have a quick update to my recent post: Get Matched to the New Chase IHG Rewards Premier 100,000 Point Sign Up Bonus.  In that post, I sent Chase a Secure Message (SM) and got matched from the 80,000 IHG Points sign up bonus to the 100,000 IHG Points sign up bonus.  In the comments section of that post, readers wanted to know if I would still get the $50 statement credit after my first purchase if I accepted the higher sign up bonus offer.  I’m happy to report that the $50 statement credit posted a few days ago.  My first purchase posted on August 7 and the $50 statement credit posted on August 13, roughly 1 week later.  My $89 annual fee posted on August 1, which is roughly 2 weeks before the $50 statement credit posted.

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What Tour Guides Never Tell You

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Group dynamics are tricky. And group dynamics when we travel…….well, they can be super tricky. Friends of mine just came back from an African safari and were telling me stories about the group dynamics on their tour. I’ve never been on a tour of any kind, or even on a cruise where you get off at ports and take tours. I guess I’m more of an independent style traveler. However, I do find group dynamics and whether or not people enjoy tours a fascinating topic.

The day after hearing the saga of my friend’s safari trip, I came across this article. So interesting to read about what tour guides have to share from their side of the tour experience. Though some of what guides mention seems like common sense, I often think common sense isn’t too common!

If you’ve ever taken a tour or plan to, it’s a fun, easy read. See what you think.

 

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Get to the Oakland International Airport (OAK) Escape Lounge Like a Pro

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Disclosure: I have TSA PreCheck, a Clipper Card, and travel with carry-on bags.  If you do not have TSA PreCheck, your security screening will take longer.  If you do not have a Clipper Card, you will need to buy a one-way BART ticket prior to riding BART.  If you need to check your bags, you will need to drop off your bags before going through security.  With that said, here is how to get to the Oakland International Airport Escape Lounge like a pro.

Good morning everyone.  Last week, I wrote Get to the SFO Centurion Lounge Like a Pro.  I wanted to show the East Bay some love too, so I will show you how to get to the Oakland International Airport Escape Lounge like a pro.  This lounge is part of the Escape Lounge collection and is accessible for free if you have an American Express Platinum Charge Card (you can bring in 2 guests for free).  The lounge is located in Terminal 1, between gates 8 and 8A.  The lounge opens at 5am and closes at 9pm, unless the airport is quiet and the lounge will close early.  I’ve been to the Escape Lounge a few times and I recommend reading Points with a Crew’s review of the Escape Lounge.

a bar with a counter and a television

Image source: https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2016/11/11/norwegian-partners-escape-lounge-oakland-san-francisco/

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Hilton, Hyatt, IHG and AAdvantage Points Sale–Expiring Starting Tomorrow!

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Seems to me hotel and airline loyalty program points fall into a few different categories. Some points you know you’ll put to great use, and some points you’ll likely use and even have a general travel plan for. And some hotel and airline points you scratch your head and wonder how the heck you’ll use them! Whether or not to buy hotel and airline points when promotions are running depends on which of these three categories the loyalty program falls into. When it comes to Hyatt points, Hilton points, and IHG points, I always have a plan for them!

We have a few hotel points sales going on right now with Hyatt, Hilton, and IHG. The sales expire soon, so take a look if you’re planning some hotel stays and can use these points at a discount. We also have an American Airlines AAdvantage sale going on right now, as well. It’s not the best offer ever. But if you’re tapped out of AA miles like I am after using a huge stash of my miles for my trip to Spain, and need some AA miles for trips you’re planning, a discount, even a small one, is better than paying full price when you need to top off your account. Continue reading →