Euro Trip 2019 Planning: Booking initial hotels (Part 2)

Today’s article will resume the discussion of booking the initial hotel stays for our 2019 Euro Trip. I will address the value of points and miles and why I prefer award nights for this trip. I use Milan as a detailed example and will close with the hotels selected for each city on our itinerary.

Euro Trip 2019, Travel PlanningDerek CookJune 8, 2019Europe, Milan, Marriott Rewards, IHG Rewards, Hilton Honors, hotel stays, points and miles, point values

The Marriott-SPG loyalty program merger brings credit card benefits

With the merger of the Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest loyalty programs occurring in August, I wanted to highlight some of the practical benefits of that combination for moderate travelers like me. Specifically, there are some definite benefits coming to Marriott/SPG co-branded credit card portfolio.

Credit Cards, Loyalty ProgramsDerek CookJuly 23, 2018Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest, American Express Starwood Preferred Guest credit card, Chase Marriott Premier Plus Visa, credit cards, Chase, American Express Hilton Honors Ascend Card, American Express Company

Evaluating my credit card portfolio - American Express

Since my pursuit of points and miles has resulted in many open credit card accounts, I recently began a top-to-bottom review of my overall credit card portfolio. In today's entry in the series covering this review, I will consider the American Express card products I hold.

Credit CardsDerek CookMarch 15, 2018credit cards, American Express Business Platinum Card, American Express Company, American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles Card, American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles Business Card, points and miles, Amex EveryDay Preferred Cad, credit card rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest, American Express Starwood Preferred Guest credit card, Sheraton, Marriott Rewards, Hilton Honors

Fall 2017 hotel promotions: Marriott Rewards

"Mega Bonus" from Marriott Reward can be very rewarding to a customer who makes only a couple of stays...literally...this fall. If you complete two stays, you will earn a free hotel night. That is a very attractive promotion!

Loyalty Programs, Points and Miles, HotelsDerek CookOctober 4, 2017promotions, Marriott Hotels, Marriott Rewards, points and miles

Winter hotel promotions

If you will be traveling in winter or early spring of 2017, you will want to be registered for the promotions of your preferred hotel chain. Get the details here for Starwood, Marriott, Hilton and IHG.

Hotels, Loyalty ProgramsDerek CookJanuary 2, 2017promotions, Marriott Hotels, Marriott Rewards, Starwood Hotels, Starwood Preferred Guest, Hilton hotels, IHG Rewards, Chase IHG Rewards Mastercard, IHG, Hilton Honors

Marriott Autograph Collection to add two Atlanta hotels

Atlanta's TWELVE Atlantic Station and TWELVE Centennial Park hotels will soon join the Marriott Autograph Collection. The Atlanta Business Chronicle reports that an investor group will buy the hotels, renovate them and convert them to the new branding.

HotelsDerek CookDecember 22, 2015Marriott Hotels, Marriott Rewards, Marriott Autograph Collection, Atlanta

Thoughts on Marriott acquiring Starwood

Marriott recently announced it would acquire Starwood hotels, creating the world's largest hotel company. While there is good reasons for this mergers, questions remain as to the impact on the Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest loyalty programs.

Derek CookNovember 25, 2015Marriott Hotels, Starwood Hotels, Starwood Preferred Guest, One Mile at a Time, merger, Hyatt, Marriott Rewards