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Business Travelers: What Do You Look for in a Hotel?

As much as I travel, and as great as my own gusto for travel is, I’m always impressed by the stamina of business travelers. You know, those travelers who week after week head out either to the same location or various locations due to living in one place and conducting business in another. I don’t actually have many friends who spend their weeks living this life, but recently I sat down and talked with my friend Rachel who has been a business traveler for a few years now and travels three weeks out of every month. I was curious about what she looks for in a hotel and how she makes accommodation choices.

Rachel’s Story

Due to a change in business travel locations, about two years ago Rachel switched from Marriott Rewards loyalty to Hilton Honors loyalty. She was pleased with Marriott, so the switch was based purely on Hilton property locations that worked better for her business location. She’s enjoying Hilton properties and has quite a huge accumulation of Hilton points now! For her, hotel location being close to her business is always more important than being close to an airport. Rachel easily maintains Hilton Honors Gold Elite Status. Continue reading

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Keep, Cancel or Convert? Old Chase IHG Rewards Select & Hyatt Credit Cards

Good morning everyone.  A few readers have asked me if they should keep their old Chase IHG Rewards Select Credit Card ($49 annual fee) and old Chase Hyatt Credit Card ($75 annual fee) in exchange for the annual free night certificate.  As a reminder, the free night certificates are not really free, since you pay the annual fee before getting the free night certificate – they are more like prepaid free night certificates with a strict expiration date.  Both of these credit cards are no longer available to new applicants, so if you do not have these credit cards right now, there is no way for you to get them now.  That also means that if you ever cancel or upgrade to the new Chase IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card or the new Chase World of Hyatt Credit Card, you will never be able to get the old Chase IHG Rewards Select Credit Card and old Chase Hyatt Credit Card again.

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Is Earning the Southwest Companion Pass Worth It?

Though many people who have been in the miles and points hobby for a while now know A LOT about travel related topics, there is ALWAYS something to learn. Especially since this year I’ve had the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass and book fares like a $177 one way non-stop fare from Newark to San Diego for TWO, I’m fielding questions about everything Southwest and particularly the Companion Pass.

It is for sure one of the best deals in travel. With the Companion Pass, you can bring a companion on any flight the Companion Pass holder chooses. It works for flights booked on points or paid for with cash. The companion only has to pay taxes each way. You can also change your companion up to three times per year. A Companion Pass is good from the time you earn it through the end of the next calendar year. The Companion Pass is also relatively easy to achieve with Chase Southwest Credit Cards because both spend and the initial welcome bonuses count toward the requirements to earning the pass. The Companion Pass can potentially save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Continue reading

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American Express Business Platinum 100K Offer Ends Tomorrow!

American Express has a limited time offer on the Business Platinum Card from American Express OPEN. New cardholders earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards Points.

If you’ve never had the small business version of the Amex Platinum Card and business is going well, this is a great offer. The card is available not just to formal business owners but also sole proprietors and even those who do consulting or freelance work on the side. This offer ends August 8, 2018.

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Don’t Overpay For Your Hotel Rooms!

Everyone loves a good hotel sale! I don’t know about you but to me, getting a hotel on sale means paying less than you normally would. Sales aren’t everyday events but getting the best price possible on each and every hotel stay can be an every trip event! It’s easy to know if the price you’re paying for your hotel stays is the very lowest price possible. Continue reading