Hotel Loyalty Programs – Revolutionizing Your Journey

Turn Everyday Purchases Into Maximum Travel Rewards:Shopping Portals Explained (Ep.49)

By Bakir Djulic | November 20, 2024

Are you maximizing the potential of your everyday spending?

In this episode of the Revolutionizing Your Journey podcast, hosts DeAndre Coke and Taryn Gisbert dive into the power of shopping portals like AAdvantage Shopping and Rakuten. They break down how these portals work, their ability to stack rewards with credit card benefits, and how to time purchases around promotions for maximum gain. The episode also touches on earning loyalty points through dining and hotel portals, the impact of returns on points, and practical tips for navigating exclusions and fine print.

Whether you’re a seasoned points collector or just starting, this episode offers actionable advice to supercharge your rewards. Tune in to learn how to turn everyday spending into extraordinary travel opportunities!

Key Highlights:

Boost Your Points: Shopping portals are an easy way to accumulate significant points and miles.
Advantage Shopping: Use this portal to earn American Airlines loyalty points on purchases.
Rakuten Rewards: Convert Rakuten cashback into points for even more travel perks.
Browser Extensions: Simplify tracking points across multiple shopping platforms.
Holiday Promotions: Timing your purchases around holidays can yield higher bonuses.
Dining for Points: Advantage Dining lets you earn points when dining at select restaurants.
Returns and Points: Be cautious—returned items can negatively impact earned points.
Fine Print Matters: Always review specific offers and exclusions before making purchases.
Stacking Rewards: Combine shopping portal points with credit card benefits to maximize value.
Account Monitoring: Regularly check accounts to ensure points are credited correctly.
And much more!

Resources:

Rakuten referral link
Chase Sapphire Preferred/Reserve®
LTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course:
- Use coupon code “BOLDYGO” for a 50% discount!
BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook Group
Truicity Wealth Management

Connect with DeAndre Coke:

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Buying Points for Luxury on a Budget: Tips and Tricks with @German.Samvel (Ep. 47)

By Bakir Djulic | November 6, 2024

Ever wondered how to unlock luxury travel experiences without the luxury price tag?

Imagine staying at top-tier hotels or exploring dream destinations, all while staying within your budget. In this episode of the Revolutionizing Your Journey podcast, host DeAndre Coke sits down with points and miles expert German Samvel, who shares his story of transforming everyday spending into unforgettable getaways.

German reveals how he leverages Hilton’s rewards system, including the invaluable Fifth Night Free benefit, and explains why strategically buying points during promotions can often beat earning them through traditional spending. He also shares highlights from his recent trip to Hawaii, offering practical advice on using points for high-end stays, along with must-know tips for exploring scenic Kauai.

Tune in to uncover how you, too, can turn points into your ticket to the world of luxury travel.

Key Highlights:

E-commerce Origins: German’s entry into points and miles began through his e-commerce business, providing early insights into points-earning strategies.
Power of Sign-up Bonuses: Sign-up bonuses play a significant role in German’s points strategy, allowing rapid accumulation of points for luxury travel.
Hilton’s Points System: Hilton’s rewards program offers valuable deals on luxury properties, particularly with benefits like the Fifth Night Free.
Maximizing Reward Nights: German emphasizes the importance of booking standard reward nights to get the best value out of points.
Strategic Points Buying: German highlights that buying points, especially during Hilton’s promotions, can sometimes yield better value than earning them through regular spending.
Financial Responsibility: Using credit cards wisely is essential in the points and miles hobby to avoid debt and maintain financial health.
Realistic Luxury: While luxury hotels are rewarding, German notes that they don’t always meet expectations, and having realistic expectations can enhance travel enjoyment.
Hawaii Recommendations: German’s recent trip to Kauai offered beautiful landscapes, although it requires different travel planning compared to more explored areas like Maui.
And much more!

Resources:

Airbnb Link
Chase Sapphire Preferred/Reserve®
LTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course:
- Use coupon code “BOLDYGO” for a 50% discount!
BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook Group
Truicity Wealth Management

Connect with DeAndre Coke:

Connect with German Samvel:

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Honeymoon Hacks: How to Maximize Points and Miles for a Luxury Getaway (Ep. 43)

By Bakir Djulic | October 9, 2024

Ever wonder how to plan a luxurious honeymoon without spending a fortune?

In this episode, DeAndre Coke is joined by Elliot Rosenberg, founder of Hack My Honeymoon, to share insider tips on using points and miles to plan luxury honeymoons without breaking the bank. Elliot talks about how his journey into the points and miles world led to the creation of Hack My Honeymoon, a service that helps couples pick dream destinations, develop points-earning strategies, and book flights and accommodations. He highlights the key benefits of using points for honeymoons, offering expert advice on flexibility in choosing travel dates, maximizing referral bonuses, and leveraging hotel loyalty programs. Whether planning to DIY your honeymoon or work with a service, Elliot’s insights on earning and redeeming points can turn your honeymoon into a five-star experience without the five-star price.

Tune in to learn the strategies behind using points and miles to craft the honeymoon of your dreams, from destination selection to wedding expense hacks!

Key Highlights:

Luxury for Less: Using points and miles can make even the most extravagant honeymoons affordable.
Hack My Honeymoon Services: Elliot’s company guides couples in planning their honeymoons with customized points-earning strategies.
Set Your Goal: Know your travel preferences and set clear objectives to maximize points-earning opportunities.
Transferable Points Are Key: Points from Chase, Amex, and Capital One offer the most flexibility for earning and redeeming.
Leverage Small Business Cards: Opening business credit cards can unlock higher earning potential and additional benefits.
Referral Bonuses: Referring your partner as ‘player two’ to maximize rewards.
Wedding Expenses as a Points Strategy: Use credit cards for wedding costs to earn points, but make sure the fees are worth it.
Hotel Loyalty Programs Matter: Participating in hotel loyalty programs and negotiating with event coordinators can earn additional points.
Start Early: Get a head start on earning and consult with experts to navigate the complexities of points and miles.
And much more!

Resources:

LTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course:
- Use coupon code “BOLDYGO” for a 50% discount!
BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook Group
Truicity Wealth Management

Connect with DeAndre Coke:

Connect with Elliot Rosenberg:

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Turning Points into Priceless Experiences with Tom Marsden (Ep. 13)

By RevolutionizingYourJourney | March 13, 2024

How did a Toronto native use simple points to unlock world-class luxury travel?

Meet Tom Marsden, a native Canadian turned global wanderer, whose savvy travel strategies turn everyday points into luxurious global escapades. In this fascinating episode of “Revolutionizing Your Journey,” host DeAndre Coke invites us to dive into Tom’s world of strategic travel planning. Discover how Tom’s regular points have paved the way to extraordinary journeys for him and his family.

Key Highlights:

From Toronto to Travel Guru: Explore how Tom’s early life fueled his passion for travel and led him to become a mastermind travel strategist
Crafting $50,000 Journeys for $2,000: Tom’s Luxury Travel Secrets – Uncover the strategies that enabled Tom’s family to secure an opulent European adventure at a fraction of the regular cost
Why Tom Chooses Hyatt: A Look at Globalist Perks – Dive into Tom’s preference for Hyatt, detailing the luxurious family suites and unmatched customer service that come with Globalist status
The Road to Hyatt Globalist: Learn about achieving Hyatt’s top-tier Globalist status through smart and ethical travel strategies
Extending Luxury with Guest of Honor: Discover how Tom enhanced DeAndre’s Maldives trip using the ‘Guest of Honor’ benefit and its recent changes
Tips for Aspiring Travelers: Gain valuable advice on starting your journey and maximizing the value of credit card bonuses and offers
And much more!

Resources:

Best Current Card Offers to Maximize Points
LTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course:
- Use coupon code “BOLDYGO” for a 50% discount!
DeAndre Coke (forbes.com)
Truicity Wealth Management
Frequent Miler
seats.aero

Connect with DeAndre Coke:

Connect with Tom Marsden:

About Tom Marsden:

Tom Marsden is a seasoned traveler, originating from Toronto, Ontario. His journey began in 2010, leveraging his business travels to gather points and elite status. As a Hyatt Globalist and lifetime Marriott member, Tom has crafted unique and luxurious travel experiences for his family, turning points into priceless memories. His story is not only about luxurious travel but also about sharing his expertise with others, inspiring them to explore the world through smart and strategic travel strategies.

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