Podcasts about bonvoy

Gray's got a lot of Bonvoy points and Halle has a story of over lactation.

In this week's podcast, we'll talk about how Citi Travel hides thousands of hotels, we'll describe our favorite flights from 2025, and we'll find out who on the FM team is willing to book a 3.5 rated hotel...Giant Mailbag(01:51) - Hyatt Elite Status Hack See episode 334 "Super Stacking Stories " here.Bonvoyed:(07:07) - Citi Travel blocking hotel bookings in Egypt, UAE, Malaysia, and Indonesia (and maybe other places?)Bonvoyed runner-ups(10:15) - PSA: Wyndham book and cancel trick may appear to extend points, but then they may expire anyway(13:02) - Turkish Airlines devalues Miles & Smiles redemptions for US flights(17:52) - British Airways devaluation Dec 15(18:54) - Capital One transfer ratio to Emirates will reduce to 1,000:750 (Jan 13)Awards, Points, and More(20:35) - Citi loses Aeromexico as transfer partner 1/25/26(22:13) - Omni Hotels & Resorts added as Mesa transfer partner(26:36) - Delta Leaves SkyMiles Status Requirements Unchanged For 2026, and Delta Choice benefits changes for 2026(34:36) - United cardholders can earn 2x on rent with Bilt (3% fee applies)(36:58) - Accor → Flying Blue 30% xfer bonusThe lowest hotel ratings we're willing to book(40:51) - What were our favorite flights that we took with points and miles in 2025?(50:17) - What are the FM team's thoughts on the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card / Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card train derailing? It seems like the so valuable pool to earn our sweet Hyatt points is drying up.(51:35) - A lot of good Bonvoy'ed options this week. Capital One/Emirates, Turkish, and British Airways... rank them from least worst to worst.(55:52) - Do you have any insight on the United business partner awards between the US and Europe? I'm attempting to book via Aeroplan, but availability seems to have vanished.(57:40) - ​​How the heck do I know what's actually going to earn rewards with the new Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card? Does Chase give MCC codes?(59:16) - Are any of y'all nervous flyers?(1:03:02) - Have you guys ever thought about visiting every single country in the world using points/ miles as much as possible?(1:10:51) - Do you have insight into what Sapphire status gives with Alaska when someone is flying with Alaska or another oneworld partner?(1:17:28) - What would you value more….achieving Bilt Platinum status or ATMOS Gold status (I live in Charlotte, an AA hub)?(1:20:10) - ​​Aloha! In yesterday's coffee break, you spoke about the great deals you found. How do you find when a great sweet spot becomes available? Are you setting alerts for 20+ locations? Scouring every day?(1:23:56) - Now that the Turkish sweet spot to Hawaii has died, are there any other sweet spots worth seeking out in the Turkish program?Read Nick's best use of Turkish Miles and Smiles here.(1:26:18) - How long is too long to spend comparing hotels on websites like flyertalk or reading reviewsSubscribe and FollowVisit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don't forget to like and follow us on social media.Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie YoderMentioned in this episode:Check out this month's sponsor and support our showJoin the...

Send us a textLinking the Travel Industry is a business travel podcast where we review the top travel industry stories that are posted on LinkedIn by LinkedIn members.  We curate the top posts and discuss with them with travel industry veterans in a live session with audience members.  You can join the live recording session by visiting BusinessTravel360.comYour Hosts are Riaan van Schoor, Ann Cederhall and Aash ShravahStories covered on this podcast episode include:UK airline Blue Islands collapses, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. Hilton revamps their Honors loyalty scheme - Rob Burgess talks us through the changes.Rob also brings us news about Marriott Hotels launching two new payment cards in the UK, linked to their Bonvoy reward scheme: Google's new AI travel search function drives down the share prices in major OTAs.Russian hackers clone more than 4,300 travel sites in attempts to steal payment and other customer data.In Australia, Helloworld Travel Limited makes an aggressive bid for Webjet.com.au.The German government will reduce air taxes in 2026. Airlines are clamping down on the use of power banks on flights.Space News!You can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created, edited and distributed by BusinessTravel360.  Be sure to sign up for regular updates at BusinessTravel360.com - Enjoy!Support the show

Jared is coming to you from Durham, NC for another gloriously petty Ticked Off Tuesday, and he's got thoughts about “former bank” hotels, mysterious staff-only Wi-Fi, rogue outlets, and the front desk guy who hit him with the dreaded “you look familiar.” Between burps, coffees, and Bonvoy vs. Hilton debates, he breaks down life on the road and why all he wants is a cute, functional room where he doesn't have to move furniture just to charge his laptop. Then it's on to listener complaints: a cursed U-Haul mirror box order that vanishes into the ether, a nightmare flight seated next to the world's greasiest seatmate, and someone finally saying what we're all thinking about pumpkin spice lattes (liquid fall-flavored disappointment). Along the way, Jared dishes on his upcoming tour stops in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Royal Oak, Columbus, Orlando, San Diego for New Year's, and Philly, and why you need a night of laughs away from your family this holiday season. Hit play, submit your own grievances, and remember, if you're annoyed, you're in the right place.Support the show and get $10 off your 1 st month of Nutrafol. Head to https://www.nutrafol.com and use code FEATHER Support the show and get 10% off your Hero Bread order with code JTRAIN at https://www.hero.co

In this episode of The Digital Marketing Podcast, Daniel Rowles is joined by Matthew Gardiner from World Travel Market for a special look at how the user journey is being radically reshaped, and why the travel industry offers a powerful lens for understanding the broader changes all marketers now face. From AI-powered search and agents, to disconnected content ecosystems, collapsing funnels, and new expectations for sustainability and meaning, the way users discover, evaluate, and buy has shifted. Whether you work in travel or not, this episode delivers insight into how to adapt your digital strategy for a fragmented, AI-enhanced, and purpose-driven customer journey. In This Episode: Why AI is collapsing the funnel Users no longer move in a straight line from awareness to action. Conversations with AI agents like ChatGPT are replacing multi-step journeys. Whoever owns the AI conversation, owns the customer. From connected to disconnected content The shift from traditional, connected social feeds to short-form, algorithmically driven discovery (Reels, TikToks, Shorts) has changed how we build awareness and trust. AI Overviews and Answer Engine Optimisation With 55% of Google searches now including AI summaries, Daniel explains why SEO alone is not enough and how Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) and Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) are the new battlegrounds. Agents are doing the work From itinerary planning to automated bookings, AI agents are reshaping how users interact with brands, often bypassing websites altogether. The new role of structured data Matthew shares how travel brands must now treat structured markup (schema) as a new kind of distribution, ensuring they are machine-readable to AI systems. Why user testing must change Daniel explains why marketers must rethink usability testing to account for personalised algorithms, behaviour-based ad targeting, and AI-powered search. Brand loyalty as a survival tactic In an age of disintermediation, programmes like Bonvoy are keeping users loyal through gamification and exclusive benefits, offering lessons for all industries. Content strategy for the AI era From FAQs and multilingual support to video answers and UGC, the path to visibility is paved with granular, high-quality, human-first content. Industry Case Study: Travel Through a detailed conversation with Matthew Gardiner, the episode explores how the travel industry has continually adapted to disruption. From the rise of OTAs and TripAdvisor to today's challenges around AI agents, soft adventure trends, live tourism, and sustainability expectations, travel may be the canary in the coal mine but its lessons are highly applicable to every sector. Key Takeaways: AI is not just changing how people search; it is rewriting how people trust, book, and choose. Being mentioned in AI conversations is the new SEO. Structured data and FAQ-rich content are your ticket in. Agents now do things, not just recommend. Optimising for transactions and post-click experience is vital. Loyalty schemes, brand identity, and customer advocacy matter more than ever to bypass AI's generic results. Usability testing must reflect real, personalised experiences, not idealised lab setups.

Marriott introduced the Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy—lodges and cabins—alongside a Marriott Bonvoy Outdoors platform that curates trips by activities like hiking and skiing, citing strong loyalty-member interest in outdoor travel. Capital One Travel's new head, Sarah Kaplan Moore (ex-Agoda B2B), signaled continued collaboration with Hopper while keeping options open on the portal's long-term model. At a Senate hearing, Frontier's Barry Biffle argued that “fortress hubs” and gate control stifle competition, urging measures to free up underused gates—while also calling for antitrust immunity for ultra-low-cost carriers. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://facebook.com/skiftnews⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/⁠⁠ Threads: ⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews⁠⁠ Bluesky: ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/skift⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠⁠@SkiftNews⁠⁠ and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Marriott held its first “Members' Day,” inviting 75 Bonvoy members to HQ to test concepts like revamped lounges, new spa amenities, and an AI chatbot that lets travelers describe complex trip needs—underscoring the value of direct relationships as AI reshapes booking. In Asia Pacific, hotel investment dropped 23% in H1 2025 (with fewer big deals in Japan), but JLL still forecasts $12.8 billion for the year—about 5% above 2024—on the back of lower borrowing costs, steady tourism growth, and active private capital. Skift Research's new Loyalty Stickiness Index shows airlines scoring 62–66 and hotels 53, revealing significant “leakage” as travelers defect for better schedules, locations, and perks that match the purpose of their trip. Connect with SkiftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnewsBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.socialX: https://twitter.com/skiftSubscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

This week's episode of Travel Deals Thursday is all about unexpected luxury at a great value. We're talking about: Marriott's brand-new Postcard Cabins — 15% off 3+ night stays for Bonvoy members Expedia Autumn Sale — 25%+ off thousands of hotels through March 2026 Explora Journeys luxury cruises — like a 6-night Barcelona to Tenerife sailing this fall, and a 2027 Egypt-to-Greece adventure starting at just $3,525 (with tons included) Some links in this email may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book or purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. We only share deals we genuinely believe in and would recommend regardless of compensation. See our full disclaimer here. Deal 1: Marriott Postcard Cabins Get 15% off 3+ night stays at Marriott's stylish new Postcard Cabins — boutique, design-forward escapes in 29 nature-focused locations across the U.S. Bonvoy members can earn/redeem points, and weekday rates start around $132/night. Explore Postcard Cabins here Deal 2: Expedia Autumn Hotel Sale Save 25% or more on thousands of hotels worldwide when you book through a travel advisor now through October 20, 2025, for stays through March 31, 2026. Perfect for fall getaways, holiday travel, or spring break planning. We can help you book any of these deals, click here to learn more or click here to explore Expedia deal. Deal 3: Explora Journeys Luxury Cruises Two ultra-inclusive cruise deals from Explora Journeys: • Oct 2025 – 6-night Barcelona to Tenerife from $3,655 per guest, with up to $1,000 in shore excursion credit. • Mar 2027 – 7-night Luxor to Athens from $3,525 per guest. Both include gratuities, Starlink Wi-Fi, all dining and drinks, and spacious oceanfront suites. Click here to learn more about Explora's current special offers and here to let us help you get it booked! ✨Want even more exclusive travel deals emailed straight to your inbox? Join Travel Deal Insiders at sunshinetravelers.com/deals and use code PODCAST to unlock your membership for just $50/year ✈️ Travel more. Spend less. Skip the Search. Disclaimer: All travel offers shared are subject to availability and may change without notice. Sunshine Travelers Podcast and Travel Deal Insiders curate deals from trusted travel suppliers but do not guarantee pricing, availability, or booking conditions. Please refer to the original provider or booking platform for the most up-to-date information, terms, and conditions. Travel Deal Insiders and Sunshine Travelers are not responsible for third-party content, pricing errors, or changes in promotions. Some links in this email may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book or purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. We only share deals we genuinely believe in and would recommend regardless of compensation. See our full disclaimer here.

Booking Holdings is developing agentic AI to create a more personalized travel assistant capable of taking actions like booking flights, with CFO Ewout Steenbergen calling it key to delivering the long-promised “connected trip.” Marriott is expanding its Bonvoy loyalty program through partnerships with retailers such as Flipkart and Nectar, aiming to reward everyday shopping and draw new customers into its hotel portfolio. Meanwhile, a Skift Research report finds hotels still devote most tech budgets to legacy systems, but the biggest revenue gains will come from upgrading core infrastructure and applying AI to behind-the-scenes tasks like pricing and issue resolution. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://facebook.com/skiftnews⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Threads: ⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews⁠⁠ Bluesky: ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/skift⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠⁠@SkiftNews⁠⁠ and never miss an update from the travel industry.

citizenM CEO Lennert de Jong joins our innovation correspondent Matthias Hüttebräuker to discuss citizenM's strategic sale to Marriott, future growth, and implications for the hotel industry. Learn how this deal accelerates global expansion, leverages Marriott's Bonvoy loyalty program, maintains citizenM's unique brand identity, and integrates operational excellence with technological innovation. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Send us a message!What happens when one of the world's most trusted hotel brands steps into the vacation rental space?In this episode, we're joined by Jane Gavin (Senior Director of Brand Marketing & Guest Experience) and Keven Wishard (Senior Director of Global & Continent Operations) from Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy.With decades of hospitality experience between them, Jane and Keven take us inside Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy's bold approach to short-term rentals. One built on consistency, elevated design, professional management, and the power of one of the largest loyalty programs in the world.If you've ever wondered how Homes & Villas selects properties, enforces its standards, or attracts millions of Bonvoy members to luxury homes, this conversation will give you a whole new understanding of what it means to raise the bar in vacation rentals.Key Topics Discussed:1️⃣ Homes & Villas' unique position at the intersection of hotels and vacation rentals2️⃣ How trust, consistency, and personalization drive guest satisfaction3️⃣ What Homes & Villas' brand standards really look like for property managers4️⃣ The power of Bonvoy's 200M+ members to drive bookings5️⃣ “Curated Collections” and how Homes & Villas highlights one-of-a-kind stays6️⃣ Why professional management is non-negotiable on the platform7️⃣ How Homes & Villas is helping raise the bar for the entire STR industryConnect with Jane:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-gavin/ Connect with Keven:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevenwishard/ Go live with Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy by August 4, 2025, and receive Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Status for one year, 36000 bonus points, and a marketing feature on a Homes & Villas marketing channel after you launch:https://partners.homes-and-villas.marriott.com/s/event-property-managers-contact-us?ev=AApod25Get a free Growth Hack Review and P&L Evaluation when you mention “Alex & Annie” during your discovery call with the Grand Welcome team:https://calendly.com/jessica-singer-grandwelcome/intro#VacationRentals #ShortTermRentals #HomesandVillasbyMarriottBonvoy, 

Ever wished you could waltz into a beachfront Ritz‑Carlton or a kid‑friendly Residence Inn and hand over points instead of a credit card? In this episode I pull back the curtain on Marriott Bonvoy—the world's largest hotel loyalty program—and explain why it's one of my go‑to platform for turning everyday spending into unforgettable stays.Tune in to learn:Why Bigger Really Is Better – With 30+ distinct brands and 8,500‑plus properties worldwide, Marriott's footprint means there's almost always a Bonvoy hotel where you want to go—whether that's an overwater villa in the Maldives or a quick road‑trip stop with the kids.Easy Ways to Earn Free Night Certificates- So many ways to earn them for amazing stays!Point Power Plays – My favorite sweet‑spot redemptions, like 50K‑point free‑night certificates at resorts that normally cost $600+.Stacking & Fast‑Tracking – How to combine welcome bonuses, transfer partners, and promos to rack up a year's worth of free nights faster than you think.Whether you're dreaming of a family Disney trip, a luxe couples' getaway, or a business‑trip upgrade, this episode will show you how Marriott Bonvoy can get you there—often for pennies on the dollar.Grab your headphones, your bucket list, and maybe a piña colada… it's time to Bonvoyage!Links: $100 Vacay ChallengeMarriott Credit Card: American Express Marriott Bonvoy Business | Travel FreelyTravel Points Academy: Travel Points Academy | Points Too Paradise

In this episode, we highlight the credit cards that are becoming "collectables", we had a heated debate about "Strawberry season", discuss changes from ANA and Alaska Airlines, and share tips for saving on your domestic flights. (01:29) - Delta Sky Club access with multiple American Express platinum cards in your name... (06:40) - Chase Sapphire Preferred 100K (Read more about this offer here) (07:58) - United Business 125K ... (08:59) - Citi Rewards+ no longer available new OR for product changes (12:05) - US Bank Smartly changes for new cardholders as of 4/14. Read about the US Bank Smartly card changes here. (18:50) - Strawberry Hotels Summer Pass 2025 (Read more about this Strawberry Hotels Summer Pass here) (25:14) - IHG increases top award rates at Intercontinental hotels to 200K+ per night (27:02) - Amex Biz Plat nerfs Dell credits (31:57) - ANA Round the World award tickets are dead as of June 24th (34:46) - More ANA news starting June 24 Read more about these ANA updates here. (38:32) - Updates from Alaska Airlines (40:29) - Tools/services to find cheapest cash rates (e.g. google flights) (42:30) - Tools/services to find cheapest award prices (e.g. points path) Read our "Which Award Search Tool is Best" post here. (44:58) - Saving miles with partner awards (49:21) - Credit card travel discounts/rebates (52:59) - Find our Amex Airline Reimbursement Fees post here. (54:46) - Companion tickets (1:03:26) - Pay w/ points through a bank travel portal (1:05:30) - Cardholder award discounts (Delta, United, JetBlue, etc.) (1:06:32) - Discounted Airline gift cards (1:07:59) - Membership discounts (1:09:36) - Change the way you book it (1:17:46) - Read more about skiplagging here. (1:18:42) - Choosing between the Amex Hilton Aspire card or the Amex Bonvoy Brilliant card: Do you think Bonvoy will listen to the negative feedback and will get better? And will Hilton get worse because they've been too generous? Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don't forget to like and follow us on social media. Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder

Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description This week we learned that Hyatt has changed their terms to give another property an exemption from honoring elite benefits. With their exclusion list growing longer and longer is this a move in the wrong direction? Is Hyatt's growth coming at the cost of a consistent loyalty program?   In other news American Express released increased offers for two of the Marriott cards where you can get a welcome offer up to 185K. We also discuss: US Bank's way too generous 4% cashback card, Air India's poopy flight, popping champagne on an airplane, Wyndham and Discover debit rewards cards, 20K Amex pay over time offers and a hotel ice machine hack.   Episode Guide 0:00 Popping champagne on an airplane 0:51 Air India's poopy flight 2:40 Southwest gets even worse than last week 5:33 Hyatt's Globalist benefits are declining 7:16 Hyatt's growth is pressuring elite benefits 9:10 Up to 185K increased Marriott Bonvoy card offers 11:09 US Bank's insane 4% back card - Too good to be true? 13:01 Melio $200 offer - Easy spend and profit 14:17 Wyndham launches new debit rewards card 15:59 Discover's cashback debit card may be a better option 16:43 Amex 20K Pay Over Time offers return 17:47 Cool S - Hotel ice machine hack Links Popping champagne - https://x.com/InternetH0F/status/1901438364546740605 Air India - https://x.com/sjlazars/status/1899074610689384771?s=46 Hyatt elite issues - https://viewfromthewing.com/hyatt-hotels-are-ignoring-elite-perks-and-no-one-is-stopping-them/ US Bank Smartly - https://milestomemories.com/u-s-bank-rethinking-the-smartly-visa-credit-card/ Wyndham debit - https://travel-on-points.com/wyndham-debit-card/ 20K Pay Over Time - https://milestomemories.com/pay-over-time-offers-an-easy-20k-in-points/ Hotel ice hack - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BrX-scnvl-o Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at podcast@milestomemories.com.  You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know!

Episode 111 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, hosted by Angie Sparks with guest Joseph Petrovic, covers key updates in the world of points and miles. They discuss a travel hack to avoid costly airline upgrades by using schedule changes instead. In industry news, Southwest has reduced reward rates, Etihad is offering up to a 40% transfer bonus until March 2025, and Singapore Airlines is celebrating 10 million KrisFlyer members with bonus miles and a 20% discount on select award flights.Angie and Joe also share recent travel and credit card updates. Angie rebooked her return flight from Croatia to avoid an overnight layover, while Joe optimized his Japan trip by securing multiple flights and award hotel stays. He also saved points by rebooking a Bonvoy stay at a lower rate. Their credit card strategies were a major focus—Angie manages 53 cards with over $8,000 in annual fees and plans to close 10 to save costs, while Joe, with 50 cards, offsets fees through tax strategies and benefits, making his collection cost-neutral.To wrap up, Joe highlights ExpertFlyer as a valuable but often overlooked tool for securing first and business class upgrades on airlines like Alaska, American, Hawaiian, and Korean. While many tools have emerged in the award travel space, ExpertFlyer still provides an edge for certain travelers. The episode offers valuable insights into maximizing award travel, staying flexible with bookings, and making the most of credit card benefits.Links to Topics DiscussedSouthwest Slashes Earn RatesHotel Program to Etihad Guest Transfer BonusSingapore Airlines Krisflyer PromosWhere to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT and the waitlist is exhaused but stay tuned for news about our next meetup! Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

On this week's episode, we talk about our Capital One mistake, how Uber has tried to "Bonvoy" us, and the many ways we use our Platinum credit card credits. (01:27) - OOPS: Capital One doesn't transfer to JetBlue like we implied (02:33) - BUT...then this week Capital One announced they ARE adding JetBlue as a transfer partner, (but at horrible rates) (05:24) - Hotel transfer bonuses, yay or nay? (10:29) - Uber adding 1.5% charge to rides abroad – here's how to avoid overpaying Read more about this Uber change here. (14:37) - How we use our Amex Platinum "coupon book" credits... (15:34) - Read more about maximizing American Express credit card rebates and credits here. (16:07) - Both consumer & business cards (30:50) - Amex Platinum (consumer card) Learn more about the Amex Platinum consumer card here. (48:37) - Amex Business Platinum Card Learn more about the Amex Business Platinum Card here and read the Platinum Guide here. (58:03) - Read about the indirect Amex Platinum benefits here. (58:51) - One reader asks for advice about a Qatar Airways issue they experienced on a cash flight (for Q-Suites) where the entertainment system went out and the reimbursement offered for this problem was unsatisfactory.

Welcome to the Travel Tuesday episode of the Sunshine Travelers Podcast. If you've never heard of Travel Tuesday, think of it as the low-key sibling of Black Friday and Cyber Monday - except instead of gadgets, you can score great deals on travel and give the gift of experiences. It's the perfect excuse to start planning your next adventure without breaking the bank. In this episode we'll share a few of the savings we have discovered, but don't wait! Many of these offers end today. Jump on then now; you'll never regret giving the gift of memorable experiences plus we'll share a few tips along the way that are good anytime! Episodes we mentioned that you'll love: Episode 70 - Europe Family Trip: First-Time Tips & Traveling with Kids Episode 2 - The Galapagos Islands Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure. Links to some of the deals we talk about in the episode: Never Overpay for a Flight Again, Get Daily Drop Pro and gets flights at up to 80% off plus now you can search for flight redemptions using your points and miles. For a limited time, get $50 off Daily Drop Pro. **Tip**Our tip is to join any flight and hotel rewards programs you think you might EVER use! You'll need those accounts to view available rooms and seats with points and accounts to transfer those points from your credit card programs. You'll want to have them ready and available when you want to use them. Aeroplan - 80% bonus when you buy points (ends Dec 11) TAP Air Portugal - direct flights from NYC to Lisbon for as low as $232 per person American Airlines - Deals to Europe $599 per person, Tokyo for as low as $689 - many more check right away Hawaiian Airlines less than $120 one way from CA to Hawaii One-way flights from NYC to London from $244 on KLM and Virgin Atlantic Booking.com 50% off when purchased by Dec 4 for dates through the end of 2025 Marriott - Until Dec 6, Bonvoy members can get 25,000 Bonvoy bonus points for any 5+ night stay on a Marriott Vacations stay Hilton is offering sales on Stays up to 50% off for various dates and various locations (40% off Hilton Los Cabos) Up to 50% savings by Dec 9 on HX Cruises trip to the Galapagos and Macchu Pichu. Come with us on a Trip of a Lifetime to the 7th Continent! Go to sunshinetravelers.com/grouptrip to sign up for more information about the trip. You will also love: 7 Tips to Make Your Holiday Travel Less Stressful Get Our Ultimate Packing Guide for Traveling Smart and Packing Light + Access to Exclusive Weekly Content here. Protect your privacy & increase your security and keep your browsing data secure and don't get locked out of websites with Express VPN - Use this link to get 4 Free Months with a Yearly Plan and 6 Free Months with a 2 year plan. Learn more about Staying Safe Online when Traveling here! Follow our travels on Facebook Follow our travels on Instagram Save our travel ideas on Pinterest See our travel videos on You Tube Follow us on X (Twitter) Connect with us on LinkedIn Music Credit Music by OYStudio from Pixabay

Waterfront locales are one of the most popular destinations for weddings for good reason. Offering up beautiful backdrops and endless things to do for your group, having a wedding on the coast is always a great idea. In this episode, our host, Jennifer Stein, is joined by Christopher Edwards, Catering Sales Manager at Delta by Marriott Virginia Beach Waterfront to talk about why a waterfront wedding might be the perfect place for you.Christopher has years of experience successfully orchestrating events ranging from intimate gatherings to large corporate galas.The two discuss ways to keep costs in check while creating the coastal wedding you've been dreaming of as well as what some of the pros and cons you should be aware of. From helpful tips on ways to save and keep your stress down, to how to plan for inclement weather and the best times of year to plan for, they cover it all.Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:Lovebird - Digital Wedding Invitations, Websites and Save-the-dates: Lovebird.comMarriott Bonvoy Weddings and Events: https://experiencemarriott.com/weddingsAbout Marriott Bonvoy Weddings and Events:At Marriott Bonvoy, we take every event “a step beyond.” Our events let you break away from the traditional toward meaningful experiences for guests. Our hotels and resorts reframe events as high-impact getaways hosted at incredible indoor and outdoor spaces, with catering menus that leave a lasting impression and local flavors inspired by the destination – while keeping sustainability in mind at each venue.Marriott Bonvoy hotel and resort teams help to reimagine the complete event experience with personalized service for seamless celebrations that spark genuine connections among guests. There are countless benefits of hosting your wedding and honeymoon at Marriott Bonvoy Hotels. Among them are room upgrades, resort credits and special promotions for your honeymoon when you plan your wedding at a Marriott Bonvoy hotel, plus earn bonus points on member-exclusive deals. Join Marriott Bonvoy to start earning, redeeming and reaping the benefits of membership.For more about Marriott Bonvoy Weddings and Events, log on to https://experiencemarriott.com/weddings or follow @marriottbonvoyMore about Destination I Do:Destination I Do was established in 2004 and has been publishing real destination weddings, helpful content about planning your wedding away (or honeymoon) and giving advice and inspiration for every couple who is dreaming of their perfect celebration away from home. To learn more about Destination I Do, log on to https://destinationido.com/ and follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/destinationido/ or @destinationido on any other social media platform.

Twenty Minute Travel News has now joined the MtM Podcast feed! You can catch this show each week right here in addition to the regular MtM Travel podcast or watch both shows on Youtube!  Episode Description This week Spirit Airlines finally filed for bankruptcy following several failed merger attempts and sales. While the airline plans to stay in business, should you avoid them until the bankruptcy is settled? What does this mean for tickets, miles, etc. and if we lose Spirit what will the overall effect be on the airline industry?   In other news several new end of year card offers have dropped including increased offers for United cards and some outside the box thinking with Southwest's offers. We also discuss the Capital One Spark $750 welcome offer, how to score a 750 free and easy Bonvoy points, the craziness of blob jumping, when all of the new Chase Sapphire lounges are opening and how those gate agents trick you.   Episode Guide 0:00 When the gate agent lies to you 1:08 Spirit Airlines files bankruptcy 2:50 Should you avoid flying Spirit because of the bankruptcy 4:26 Capital One Spark Cash $750 welcome offer 6:05 New Southwest card offers - Cash back? 7:55 How banks are thinking outside of the box with their welcome offers 10:04 United's increased end of year welcome offers 11:30 The one perk that might make you want to have a United credit card 12:17 4 new Hyatt promos - Anything good? 14:03 Get 750 Marriott Bonvoy points by linking Uber 15:01 More Hawaiian/Alaska points transfer woes 16:22 Chase Sapphire Lounge opening dates for many cities announced 18:57 Blob jumping - Fun travel activity? Links Empty bins - https://x.com/jonathankennell/status/1857385339951722843 Spirit bankruptcy - https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2024/11/18/spirit-airlines-files-bankruptcy-protection.html Hyatt promos - https://travel-on-points.com/hyatt-holiday-promotions/ Marriott Uber - https://milestomemories.com/link-marriott-and-uber-accounts/ Alaska woes - https://travel-on-points.com/hawaiian-airlines-blocking-membership-rewards-transfers/ Sapphire expansion - https://milestomemories.com/chase-sapphire-lounge-by-the-club-adds-more-locations/ Blob jumping - https://www.facebook.com/watch/?mibextid=UalRPS&v=1281980536516434&rdid=FCQtpSE1wjlLwqXs Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at podcast@milestomemories.com.  You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know! Music: Rewind by Jay Someday | https://soundcloud.com/jaysomeday Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

Welcome to another episode of TICKED OFF TUESDAY!

In this episode of Good Morning Hospitality, the team welcomes Keven Wishard, Head of Global and Continent Operations at Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy. He discusses the seamless integration of hotel and vacation rental experiences, the significance of the Bonvoy loyalty program, and the evolution of partner onboarding processes. Keven also touches on Marriott's strategic growth in emerging markets and the company's efforts to maintain high standards while adapting to different international markets. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with industry insights and personal anecdotes from the world of hospitality. — Good Morning Hospitality is part of the Hospitality.FM podcast network and a Hospitality.FM Original. If you like this podcast, then you'll also love Behind The Stays with Zach Busekrus, which comes out every Tuesday & Friday, wherever you get your podcasts! This show is structured to cover industry news in travel and hospitality and is recorded live every Monday morning at 7 a.m. PST/10 a.m. EST. So make sure you tune in during our live show on our social media channels or YouTube and join the conversation live! Thank you to all of the Hospitality.FM Partners that help make this show possible, and if you have any press you want covered during the show, fill out this form! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we are chatting with Richard from the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. . Welcome to this week's episode. . If you find value in this video and wish to help this channel, you can donate using THIS LINK. . THE LUXURY YACHT EXPERIENCE ALL-INCLUSIVE VALUE Designed to combine the luxury lifestyle of The Ritz-Carlton with the casual freedom of a yachting vacation, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection offers itineraries at a relaxed pace. It introduces guests to the local cultures of each destination through curated immersive experiences ashore. Personalized service of the Ritz Carlton, including multiple dining experiences, 24-hour in-suite dining, specialty dining, and specialty dining in all suites. Accommodations, each with a private terrace, a unique marina-style platform, and direct access to water. . EVRIMA BY THE NUMBERS 624 Feet, 190 meters 25,400 Tons 149 Suites 298 Guests 246 Crew 1 to 1.22 Crew-to-Guest Ratio 1 to 85.2 Guest to Space . THE ALL-INCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE INCLUDED • Luxury all-suite accommodations, each with a private terrace (no inside staterooms) • Multiple dining experiences, including 24-hour in-suite dining and beverages throughout the yacht (including alcoholic beverages) • Onboard gratuities • Premium Wi-Fi throughout the yacht, supporting browsing, social media, streaming services, video calls and VPN access The Dress Code is Yacht Smart, Elevated Casual with no formal nights. We then looked at the beautiful suites. They are: .• The Owners Suite is 1091 square feet • The View Suite is up to 574 square feet • The Loft Suite is 611 square feet • The Grand Suite is 587 square feet • The Signature Suite is 429 square feet • The Terrace Suite is 300 square feet. Did you know that if you want to charter a private yacht, it would be a logical step to save some money and cruise on the Ritz Carlton Evrima? It's a better value to cruise on a 5-night trip with Ritz Carlton than it is to do a 3-day weekend in a destination like St Bart's. The Fleet Overview is: EVRIMA's Gross tonnage is 25,400 GT. The Length is 624 FT. Evrima has 149 suites. Evrima has a capacity of 298 guests with a crew of 246. She was launched in October 2022. ILMA's Gross tonnage is 46,750 GT, and its length is 790 FT. It has 224 suites, a capacity of 448 guests, and a crew of 374. She was launched in September 2024 LUMINARA's Gross tonnage is 46,750 GT, and her Length is 794 FT. Luminara will be launched in 2025 and has 226 suites, a capacity of 452 guests, and a crew of 374. . The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will visit the Mediterranean, Central America, and the Caribbean, take Transatlantic cruises, & visit Northern Europe. . SUMMER 2025 SEASON Season highlights: 9-night Lisbon to Portsmouth - Wine Voyage 9-night Portsmouth to Amsterdam - Open Championship 7-night Amsterdam to Copenhagen - Baltic 7-night Copenhagen to Stockholm - Baltic 7-night Stockholm to Olso 11-night Oslo to Reykjavik - Norwegian Fjords 7-night Reykjavik to Reykjavik - Iceland! 10-night Reykjavik to Amsterdam - Scotland 9-night Amsterdam to Lisbon - Wine voyage.. Curated shore experiences offer personalized, flexible excursions led by local experts in small groups tailored to your preferences for a rewarding and immersive journey. Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has an excellent pre and post-stay program that I can set up for you. They also have Concierge Air and transfers to and from the cruise port. I love my Marriott Bonvoy points and am so happy that the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is now part of the Bonvoy rewards program! Please email me if you want to learn more about the Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection or any other cruise lines I have met with. You can also fill out THIS simple form. Search #PlentyofSunshineTravel on Facebook or Instagram to see our posts. . . . #RitzCarltonYachtCollection #RitzCarlton #CruiseSpecialist #travelagenttips #luxurytraveladvisor #LuxuryCruiseTravelAgent

This Day in Legal History: Salem Witch Trial ExecutionsOn August 19, 1692, five individuals—four men and one woman—were executed for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts, during the height of the Salem Witch Trials. This dark period in American colonial history saw widespread hysteria and a fervent belief in the supernatural, leading to accusations against more than 200 people. The five executed on this day were Reverend George Burroughs, John Proctor, John Willard, George Jacobs Sr., and Martha Carrier. Despite their protests of innocence, they were condemned by the courts based on dubious evidence, including spectral evidence, which allowed testimonies of visions and dreams to be admissible. Reverend Burroughs, who had previously served as a minister in Salem, recited the Lord's Prayer perfectly before his execution—an act thought impossible for a witch—yet he was still hanged. The executions marked a turning point in the trials, as public opinion began to shift, questioning the legitimacy of the proceedings. The tragic events of this day highlight the dangers of mass hysteria and the miscarriage of justice when reason is overshadowed by fear.Former U.S. Representative George Santos, expelled from Congress in December 2023, is expected to plead guilty to multiple criminal corruption charges on August 19, 2024, according to sources. Santos, a Republican, faces federal charges for misusing campaign funds for personal expenses, fraudulently charging donors' credit cards, and receiving unemployment benefits while employed. These actions led to his removal from office after just 11 months, during which he was widely discredited for fabricating parts of his past. A House Ethics Committee investigation revealed Santos spent campaign funds on luxury items and services, further fueling the scandal. Democrat Tom Suozzi won the seat in a special election.Expelled former Rep. Santos to plead guilty to corruption charges, source says | ReutersOn August 17, 2024, the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, announced it would close its operations in Brazil immediately due to what it described as "censorship orders" by Brazilian judge Alexandre de Moraes. X, owned by Elon Musk, claims that Moraes threatened to arrest one of the company's legal representatives if X did not comply with orders to remove certain content. The platform shared a document, allegedly signed by Moraes, outlining fines and arrest threats against their representative. In response, X decided to shut down its operations in Brazil to protect its staff. Despite the closure, the service remains accessible to Brazilian users. The conflict stems from earlier legal disputes, where Moraes ordered X to block accounts associated with spreading misinformation and hate speech during former President Jair Bolsonaro's government. Musk has publicly criticized Moraes, calling his actions unconstitutional.X says it is closing operations in Brazil due to judge's content orders | ReutersSonder Holdings Inc., an alternative-lodging company, has struck a series of deals to raise capital and integrate its brand into Marriott International Inc.'s system to improve its financial stability. After a steep decline in market value from $2.3 billion to $29 million, Sonder secured $43 million in preferred equity and $83 million in additional liquidity from existing lenders. The company has also entered a long-term licensing agreement with Marriott, allowing its properties to be listed on Marriott's platforms under the "Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy" brand. This partnership is expected to drive demand and reduce costs, aiding Sonder's path to profitability. Additionally, Marriott's Bonvoy loyalty program will allow members to earn and redeem points at Sonder properties. Sonder's CEO, Francis Davidson, believes this collaboration will help the company expand and attract more business travelers. The integration is expected to be completed by 2025, providing Sonder with a more stable financial footing.Sonder to Announce Marriott License Deal, Additional Liquidity This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/7lwy9nh8rl9g Episode Description: As a reminder you can watch this show as well at: https://www.youtube.com/@20minutetravel This week Spirit Airlines finally evolved into a more normal carrier with the introduction of their new fare buckets. Depending on what you choose you can get anything from a basic fare all the way up to the equivalent of domestic First Class, but will this end up costing consumers more in the end or is it a good thing? In other news American Express has some good card offers out right now including two increased Bonvoy offers and a very good deal on the Blue Business Plus without lifetime language. We also discuss crazy travel influencers, the Brazil plane crash, a new VR waterslide, timeshare presentations from home and Hyatt/AA's new status match offers. Episode Guide: 0:00 Over the top travel influencers 0:44 Crazy plane crash in Brazil 2:07 Airline safety in different countries - Something to worry about? 2:58 Spirit's new fare buckets are now live - No more low cost carrier? 4:01 Will Spirit's new fare system ending up costing customers more 6:00 Increased offers for Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant - 185K welcome offer 7:47 Bonvoy Bevy Amex 155K welcome offer 8:35 Amex Blue Business Plus 50K no lifetime language offer & lower spend 10:26 Hyatt hotel demands customer signs a contract to get compensation 11:35 Why you may not want to deal with a hotel directly to ask for compensation 13:55 Get 50K Bonvoy points in your pajamas - Great virtual timeshare presentation offer 15:51 Why timeshare presentations can be an incredible path towards discounted trips & points 16:51 Hyatt/American airlines status match offers 18:35 Don't sleep on status match merry-go-rounds 19:17 Cool new VR waterslide About the Show: We love to travel and love to laugh! 20 Minute Travel is designed to get you all of the info you need to supercharge your travel by utilizing credit cards, travel rewards and other tricks to pay pennies on the dollar.  Shawn Coomer is the founder of Miles to Memories and has traveled all over the world with his family utilizing miles & points. He has been writing and podcasting about miles, points and travel since 2013 and has earned and spent millions of points & miles across dozens of programs. Mark Ostermann is the former Managing Editor of Miles to Memories and is the Managing Editor at Travel on Points. He has been writing about his travel experiences since 2017 and loves to dive into the weeds so you don't have to. He also enjoys a good beer and a laugh or fifty. Each week tens of thousands of people tune into our MtM Vegas news shows at http://www.YouTube.com/milestomemories. If you like this show check it out! Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at 20minutetravel@gmail.com. Melio Offer Terms: This is a business to business payment platform - no personal bills / payments. The offer is for new accounts only. If you sign up using the 20 Minute Travel link new members will get $200 cash back after making a $200+ payment via Melio pay. Gal from Melio will reach out to finalize the details of your payment. That is $6 in processing fees for a $200 bonus! After signing up and making your first payment with a vendor you will want to upload your bank info to your Melio account. Do it as the receiving method so you have a checking account set up to receive payments. You will then receive an email from (Gal) Melio saying you are eligible for the $200 bonus and it will tell you to set up your receiving method, or you can share your bank information if you prefer that.

When Tony Capuano took over as President and CEO at Marriott, the company was wrestling with the most significant challenge it's ever faced as travel essentially shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Further complicating matters, Marriott's beloved, iconic CEO, Arne Sorenson, had recently passed away and many in the company were dealing with the loss of their visionary leader, mentor, and friend. On this episode of Redefiners, Tony talks with Clarke and Hoda about leadership lessons he's gleaned from almost 30 years at Marriott, including his top advice for leaders transitioning into the CEO role. He'll also dig into Marriott's Bonvoy customer loyalty program, sustainability at scale in the hospitality industry, and how technology and AI can help deliver high touch personal service. We'll also hear from Ty Wiggins, an Executive Director in our London office and author of RRA's latest book, The New CEO: Lessons from CEOs on How to Start Well and Perform Quickly (Minus the Common Mistakes). Ty discusses why transitioning into the CEO role is one of the most challenging—and rewarding—moves of an executive's career, and how new leaders can get off to a strong start. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes: Leadership Lounge – How to nail your first year as CEO The Business of Football with Los Angeles Rams COO Kevin Demoff Planting Long-Term Investment Seeds with Markel Group CEO Tom Gayner Reimagining Patient Care: A Conversation with Healthcare Innovator Ashley McEvoy Sunscreen and Success: Supergoop!'s Winning Formula with CEO Amanda Baldwin

The luxury accommodations market has exploded over the past few years, with more options for luxury clients than ever before. From luxury all-inclusive resorts to villas and luxury homes to lodges and boutique hotels, there is something for every one of your clients. This panel examines what luxury options are available for you to book and how to choose the right upscale accommodations to suit your client. This panel, moderated by Alan Fine, chief multimedia officer for Insider Travel Report, includes Willie Fernandez, chief marketing officer for Rental Escapes (www.rentalescapes.com);  Xavier Pineda, director of sales and marketing, Marriott All-inclusive by Bonvoy (all-inclusive.marriott.com); and Libby Cooke, CEO of Antipodal (www.antipodal.net) representing Baillie Lodges and Tierra Hotels in Chile. To watch the entire Virtual Roadshow on demand, RSVP for free at www.taconnect.travel/2024-agent-reg-lux-vrs. If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.

This week I first discuss the latest trending news in the travel industry, including the State Department's recent worldwide travel warning, projections for Memorial Day weekend, and much more.  Later, I welcome two guests: Alicia Evanko-Lewis, Executive Vice President, Events at Northstar Travel Group, and Christen Perry, owner of Classic Travel Connection.  Together we discuss the events space in the travel industry. Evanko-Lewis provides insights into how the events space is doing in travel and the toughest part about putting on an event. Perry shares her thoughts on why it's so vital for travel advisors to attend events, as well as her best tips and practices.  The events in travel discussion begins after the 10-minute mark.  Today's episode sponsor: All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy Looking for a vacation that's beyond the ordinary? Immerse yourself in a world of unparalleled luxury and adventure with All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy. From the sun-kissed shores of Barbados and Jamaica to the lush landscapes of Mexico and Costa Rica, they bring you to the most coveted destinations. Whether you're traveling with your partner, family, friends, or flying solo, All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy® caters to your every whim. They specialize in crafting authentic moments that resonate with your unique travel style. And here's the best part – as a Bonvoy member, you unlock unlimited travel possibilities. The longer you stay, the more benefits you enjoy. Learn more at all-inclusive.marriott.com Have any feedback or questions? Want to sponsor the show? Contact us at Podcast@TravelPulse.com and follow us on social media @TravelPulse. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week I welcome Tyson Wharton, owner of Sioux Empire Travel, back to the podcast. We first discuss top trending travel news, including top U.S. airlines suing the Biden Administration, Boeing's continued woes, summer travel pricing, and more.  Later, we answer the question: who are the MVPs of the travel industry? Listen to hear what travel advisors can offer their clients, a special shoutout to Moms, as well as Wharton's advice for having an MVP-like summer travel season.  The discussion on MVPs of travel begins after the 17-minute mark.  Today's episode sponsor: All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy Looking for a vacation that's beyond the ordinary? Immerse yourself in a world of unparalleled luxury and adventure with All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy. From the sun-kissed shores of Barbados and Jamaica to the lush landscapes of Mexico and Costa Rica, they bring you to the most coveted destinations. Whether you're traveling with your partner, family, friends, or flying solo, All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy® caters to your every whim. They specialize in crafting authentic moments that resonate with your unique travel style. And here's the best part – as a Bonvoy member, you unlock unlimited travel possibilities. The longer you stay, the more benefits you enjoy. Learn more at all-inclusive.marriott.com Have any feedback or questions? Want to sponsor the show? Contact us at Podcast@TravelPulse.com and follow us on social media @TravelPulse. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to another episode of the TravelPulse Podcast! This week I first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including the U.S. Travel Association's statement that Congress could create chaos for air travel this summer, big news in Hawaii, and much more.  Later, I welcome Alex Fiz, Area Vice President for the Caribbean and Managing Director All-Inclusive at Marriott to the show. Fiz provides updates on what's new with All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy, from renovating Marriott Cancun to the new properties slated to open in 2024. He also shares how the brand works with travel advisors.  The interview with Fiz on All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy begins after the 11-minute mark.  Today's episode sponsor: All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy Looking for a vacation that's beyond the ordinary? Immerse yourself in a world of unparalleled luxury and adventure with All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy. From the sun-kissed shores of Barbados and Jamaica to the lush landscapes of Mexico and Costa Rica, they bring you to the most coveted destinations. Whether you're traveling with your partner, family, friends, or flying solo, All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy® caters to your every whim. They specialize in crafting authentic moments that resonate with your unique travel style. And here's the best part – as a Bonvoy member, you unlock unlimited travel possibilities. The longer you stay, the more benefits you enjoy. Learn more at all-inclusive.marriott.com Have any feedback or questions? Want to sponsor the show? Contact us at Podcast@TravelPulse.com and follow us on social media @TravelPulse. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you'll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience! Watch us on YouTube! Richard is sharing his Bonvoy moment, scoring baseball tickets using his Bonvoy points. Ed is sharing pictures of a Slack community member's great trip to Algarve.  He also recaps his son's behind-the-scenes trip to Disney World They're also discussing the rollout of Mr. And Mrs. Smith properties as a part of World of Hyatt. Lastly, Richard is taking a swing at The Final Two Pennies. If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community.  Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways. Monthly access Annual access Personal consultation plus annual access We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month. See More: https://milestogo.boardingarea.com/ Follow Us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast Ed Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/pizzainmotion/ Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/

Yo-Eleven MinutesMostly Vegas. No BS. Casino Experience +more⬇️“Swanky Ambassador Elite ‘Swag - MGM Collection with Marriott BonVoy” - Yo-11 Minutes: E51 Season 2 On this episode:Michael discusses: Swanky Swag from Bonvoy Ambassador Elite status and further details on what Bonvoy Ambassador Elite entails.Movestro's News Story: Valentine's Day in Vegas aka People Getting Married at Denny'sLinks:TravelZork Travel  - The Vegas ExpertsLink to BonVoy Ambassador Elite Status Watch, Like and Sub on YouTubeThe Yo-11 Minutes Playlist on YouTubeSupport the show⁉️ Want to contact us or share something?Chat to TravelZork, ZorkCast and TravelZork Travel!

If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you'll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience! No, Richard didn't get Bonvoyed.  But, Ed is wishing Richard farewell as he heads out for a European cruise.  Ed and Richard are doing a deep dive into the Hilton Honors program in response to a listener e-mail.  They're discussing elite status, benefits, credit cards and the overall value proposition of the Hilton Honors program. If you're looking for a way to support the show, consider joining our Slack Community. You can support the show and purchase access below: Monthly access Annual access Personal consultation plus annual access We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month.

Festivus: The non-commercial holiday's celebration, as depicted on Seinfeld, occurs on December 23 and includes a Festivus dinner, an unadorned aluminum Festivus pole, practices such as the "airing of grievances" and "feats of strength", and the labeling of easily explainable events as "Festivus miracles"  0:15 Intro, some history about Festivus as we held it on the Observation Deck. 03:27 Airing of Grievances: Everyone gets two each. ONE towards an airline or loyalty program, ONE towards a bank. Sam: No Knock Devaluations in general. Trevor shared one of these happening in real time. Bank: Bank of America. Fraud happy, and full of themselves. Tom: Alaska Airlines end of 50K to asia MGM stays get bonvoyed Trevor: Loyalty program: Another Alaska no notice devaluation, making JAL awards even more expensive, from 70k to 100k for JAL F to Japan, one way. US Bank: I have a history of being unimpressed, such that I stayed away for a while, however I went back to the well, with a $500 business checking bonus. This may have been self inflicted, but US Bank is not the easiest to work with. 13:45 Alaska/Hawiian Merger Talk 20:20 Hyatt requalification and “Settle for Good Enough” 23:20 Feats of Strength Traditionally, it's "Your favorite redemptions/miles and points usage over the course of the year. But lets switch it up som: ONE towards an airline or loyalty program, and one towards a bank. Doesn't have to be the "best" or "best value", but just the one that defined your 2023 or you will remember going forward" Sam: Japan for 4 in Business class both ways. Not that this was an especially strong feat of strength but it seems like it is. I'm Bank: AA miles with a Citi Business card Tom: Award trip to Australia exact dates i needed for a Trevor: Loyalty Program: The incredibleness that has been Aeroplan with the super cheap lap infant that let us travel at a ludicrous pace. Bank: AMEX Business Gold + Employee cards (though I can of course try picking something else, but having done 80 employee cards on 1 card, and 5 on 3 other cards they moved the needle for me). 37:55 Festivus Miracles This is your deal of the year, or really anything. Whatever brought you the most miraculous joy in the miles and points game this year. Sam: Vacasa with Wyndham Rewards. 1 year ago I bought 300,000 of these for cash on points.com. This year I earned 2x that many from the comfort of my living room. Tom: Surprise Elite Status (thanks Delta) Delta Gold 2024, AS MVP, Spirit, Frontier Trevor: 68k/night Bonvoy points for St. Regis Maldives To close out we ask you to share your Festivus Grievances, Miracles and Feats of strength! Share here in the comments or on Slack! 

We're all about accountability on the Remarkable Retail podcast, so as we get close to wrapping up Season 7, it's time to grade Steve on his annual predictions. In part one of a two-part episode, Michael takes out his virtual chalkboard as we assess the first batch of Steve's prognostications on a disrupter reset, whether retail media networks are more hype than hope, what to make of an accelerating pace of C-suite changes, and a whole lot more.We start with retail news, including a surprise US jobs report, NRF's back-tracking on causes of retail shrink, and Amazon getting more nervous about Temu and Shein. We wonder whether lower gas prices may save retailers' fourth quarters and whether a marriage between Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue is inevitable. Then it's on to ponder what's next for Farfetch and whether a Bonvoy and Camp partnership will create happy campers, And as earnings season wraps up. we got a mixed picture from some of our favorite retailers: RH, Lululemon, and Ulta. We close with a return to visit Rent the Runway and Stitch Fix in the wobbly unicorn corner of the internet.**********************************Don't forget to join Steve's new Linked Group for his new book.About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor, board member, and keynote speaker focused on strategic growth and transformation and the impact of digital disruption. He is the author of the bestselling book Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption and the forthcoming Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption , which will be published in March 2024 and is now available for pre-order at book retailers everywhere. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior contributor and on social media..Michael LeBlanc  is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice.   He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career.  Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada's top retail industry podcast,       The Voice of Retail, plus  Global eCommerce Leaders podcast, and The Food Professor  with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois.    You can learn more about Michael   here  or on     LinkedIn. Be sure and check out Michael's latest venture for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue,  his YouTube BBQ cooking channel! 

Marcus Räder started his first company when he was 11 years old. Since then, he's been learning about the world of business, growing up in an environment where global communication and connectivity gets better each day. With 10 years of experience in EdTech and online marketing at various startups, he decided it was time to help others. By founding Hostaway, he helps Airbnb and short-term rental hosts improve their businesses. (0:50) - Hostaway origins(3:16) - State of Short-term Rental industry(8:37) - Airbnb regulation(14:32) - Marketplace fee monetization & consumer psychology(21:28) - Adam Smith's free market, market failure & regulation vs. monopoly(22:52) - All-in-one vacantion rental software(29:18) - Role of online travel agencies(31:26) - Proptech & Travel Tech lessons from EdTech(34:28) - Collaboration Superpower: Alice Cooper

Episode Description On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss even more consolidation happening in the travel realm. Similar to hotels and airlines we are seeing two major amusement park operators join forces, but will it be good for consumers? They also discuss the return of a good 3 free night Marriott offer, how Bonvoy is making a popular perk better, custom liveries and the top 50 travel destinations in the world. Episode Notes 6:52 - Six Flags/Cedar Fair merger 13:03 - Alaska Airlines Mickey's Toontown livery 17:21 - Marriott Bonvoy card offer and suite upgrade changes 24:14 - Jetblue tile bonus offer 33:48 - Lonely Planet top 50 destinations Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at podcast@milestomemories.com.  You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Sticher, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know! Music: Rewind by Jay Someday | https://soundcloud.com/jaysomeday Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

It's Halloween and there is no better time to address some of the common fears about travel. We asked our followers to tell us what keeps them from achieving their travel goals and have distilled it down to the top 5 reasons. But we don't think travel is scary at all, so we want to give you some suggestions on what you can do to tackle those fears and live your best life seeing the world one place at a time. So grab your trick or treat bags because we have some goodies for you today. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure. Top 5 Scary Things About Travel 1. Travel can be expensive but knowing how to look for cheap flights, discounted travel, & use "travel hacking" to your advantage can make travel way more affordable. Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights) sends you cheap flight alerts for free with signup (there is a paid version but I encourage you to just start with the free cheap flight alerts. We also just recently found out about Thrify Traveler, a similar service. I signed up for the Free Version to see how I like the deals because who doesn't like Free Flight Alerts for Cheap Flights! There is also a Premium Version in order to get full access to the deals. We use different cards for different things but getting the welcome bonuses is the best and fastest way to get points. 10X Travel has a great free starter course. We have a Bonvoy American Express with a lower annual fee that more than covers the annual free night. Using Marriott points to book your rooms gives you the 5th night free when you book through the Bonvoy site. We recently started leveraging both the welcome bonus and the 3x on all dining purchases on the Chase Sapphire Card - you can transfer the points to a variety of airlines and hotels depending on how you want to use it. HERE IS THE LIST of places to look for discounted travel deals and package deals: Vip Traveler - for luxury travel deals, Travel Zoo, Vacations to Go, Great Value Vacations For Cruises check: Cruise Critic & Cruise Direct We've also used Hopper for flights and hotel deals as well. We also have been able to take advantage of Interval International Getaway Deals through our Sheraton/Westin Vacation Club Ownership (now a part of Marriott Vacation Club). Recently we also learned about Status Matching your Hotel or Airline Status in order to get perks with another Brand. We were able to status match our Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Status to the Caesar's Diamond Status when Scott was recently in Vegas. Then with that, Atlantis Resort and Casino in the Bahamas offers free stays to those who hold status with another Casino (we've also heard of Caesar's and MGM doing this with other brands so it doesn't hurt to ask). In addition, Holland America also offers a free cruise in an inside stateroom to those holding status with a Casino Brand. So these types of Status Matches are definitely worth checking out. We just got back from Atlantis for our free stay so we will be doing a podcast episode soon and we go on the Holland America cruise after Thanksgiving. 2. Solo Travel - Hear Melissa's experience on traveling solo home and her flight getting cancelled on Episode 23 - How to Handle Travel Disruptions Episode Tours can be a great way to see more when traveling solo (Melissa has used Viator to book several in Portugal when Scott was working - see them here) 3. I'm un-familiar with the destination For more help with Trip Planning Listen to Episode 20 - How to Plan a Trip Step by Step 4. Travel Insurance, especially have medical coverage when traveling internationally could potentially save you so much money. This year we took out a one year travel insurance policy that included travel medical coverage. Check out World Nomads, Travelex, and Allianz as possible carriers. 5. Time off for Travel - Check out Take More Vacations for more ways to Maximize your Time Off for Travel Read more about this and other travel destinations on our BLOG Follow our travels on Facebook Follow our travels on Instagram here and here Save our travel ideas on Pinterest See our travel videos on You Tube Music Credit Music by OYStudio from Pixabay

Hey listeners, it's throwback time! Today we're looking back at a very special episode from 2022 with Jennifer Hsieh, VP of Homes & Villas by Marriott. Here's a fun fact: Annie had just completed her final interview for the position of Director of Business Development with Jenny just moments before we recorded this episode. A lot has changed since we first started this podcast, and it's fun to reflect on past episodes to see how far we've come; individually, collectively, personally and professionally. We are SO grateful for everyone who tunes in to the show each week – thank you for your support and friendship!Show Notes from original air date October 5, 2022:It was beyond a pleasure to sit down with Jennifer Hsieh, VP of Marriott Homes & Villas, to learn about both the challenges and opportunities Marriott has uncovered by bringing one of the world's largest hospitality brands into the world of vacation rentals. While Marriott International represents 30 hotel brands and 8,000 properties as part of their portfolio, Homes & Villas has presented perhaps the most unique - yet sought after - option for their loyal Bonvoy members.Alex, Annie & Jenny dive into the details of the complexities of growing a start-up in a grown-up enterprise, along with HVMI's position on working exclusively with professional property managers.Jenny shares career insights on her first major role with Target, and then how she worked in various departments in Marriott before moving into her current role to launch HVMI. She is an inspirational leader and one certainly worth following.Find out more about Homes & Villas by Marriott here: https://homes-and-villas.marriott.com/This episode is brought to you by our Premiere Brand Sponsor, Casago, and Co-Sponsor Rev & ResearchCONTACT JENNIFER HSIEHLinkedInCONTACT ALEX & ANNIEAlexandAnniePodcast.comLinkedIn | Facebook | InstagramAlex Husner - LinkedinAnnie Holcombe - Linkedin

A TCR listener just got told "I love you!!" on a THIRD date, Serina wonders if it's a "man thing" to not notice when women get their hair/nails done, Are You Smarter Than Nicasio, Tino blows everyone's mind with the pronunciation of a well-known hotel brand, and Matt breaks down the IOS updates...

Cristin and Lindsey join us to talk vacation. Then the conversation turns to the impending grand opening of Jeremy's pizza palace.

Episode Description On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss Charlotte and Joe's recent revelations about the Hyatt House brand. Hyatt's limited service brands can be broken into "old" and "new" categories and there is a big difference even under the same brand. Other topics discussed in this episode include: missed opportunities for student discounts to save on travel, Expedia launching a new rewards program while killing an old popular one, LifeMiles is back with a transfer bonus, Marriott Bonvoy has brought back a popular welcome offer and Chase Aeroplan Pay Yourself Back has claimed its first victim with a full shutdown for violating the promotional terms. Episode Notes 8:04 - Hyatt House brand old vs. new 16:24 - Hyatt family rate and how it can save you money 19:29 - Marriott Bonvoy Boundless big offer returns 21:39 - Missed opportunities with student discounts 24:49 - Expedia launching new rewards program and killing a popular old one 27:07 - Lifemiles transfer bonus to multiple programs 28:12 - Chase Aeroplan Pay Yourself Back shutdown Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at podcast@milestomemories.com.  You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Sticher, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know! Music: Rewind by Jay Someday | https://soundcloud.com/jaysomeday Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

Free night in San Jose.

In the episode, you will find out which luxury Marriott hotel is the best fit for you.Marriott Luxury hotels include:Ritz-CarltonSt. RegisJW MarriottEdition Luxury Hotel CollectionBugalri Hotels (Not a part of the Bonvoy program) Belvin's contact informationLinkedinYouTubeShowtime TravelInstagram Showtime TravelInstagram - Luxury Travel by BelvinFree ConsultationSupport the show

What is the state of commercial real estate? Who will be selling next year in 2023? Which asset class do we think will hurt the most next year? Deidre Wollard, a writer and editor at The Motley Fool will share her insights. You can read this entire episode here: bit.ly/3uxdx70 What is the state of commercial real estate today? It is an interesting time. It has always an interesting time in real estate. Right now, I feel like everybody is waiting for something to happen, which is really interesting. We're certainly seeing that on the residential side, because the housing market is sort of on pause. And we are seeing that on the commercial side as well, interest rates are so high that people can't get access to capital the way they could. And there's that little uncertainty about what's next in the overall economic sector. Are we headed into a recession? Consumers are spending a lot right now, is that going to shift? All of that uncertainty is leading to a bit of a lack of deal flow from what I've seen. Which asset class do you think will be the one that is most hurt next year? I think it continues to be office, office has really struggled. We are also starting to see a little bit of a weakness in industrial. That has been happening ever since Amazon about three or four months ago made a statement about looking at their warehouse spacing, we have seen that sort of fall throughout the industry. So there's a little bit of a weakness starting to happen in industrial. Overall, it's nothing to worry about. But with office, the question I keep asking myself is, is this a permanent shift? And I think my viewpoint on that has changed throughout the cycle as different things just keep happening. Because the employers are starting to have more of the power, you're getting more and more employers demanding people to go back to the office. That is one reason that I'm getting a little bit optimistic about office. When you invest in your next deal, what asset class is more interesting to you right now and why? Multifamily is forever interesting, because we're never going to run out of need for it. And it's not as much driven by what happens with the economy. Rent prices right now are definitely stabilizing, the question though is where are we overbuilding and that's the thing that's really important to watch because we saw so much activity flow into the Sunbelt, both before the pandemic and during, and that's moderating a bit. You see some of these hot markets get a little different and you start to wonder, are we building too much in Austin, Texas, for example, and start to think about, where's the money going next? Where are the people going next? That I think that is the puzzle that is most interesting. I think hotels is an interesting one to follow. Because when we look at consumer behavior, everybody spent on goods during a portion of the pandemic, then everybody switched over to experiences, and that changed the forecast of hospitality. The longer term trend that I'm watching there that I think is really interesting, is what we saw with Airbnb and long term stays, they saw their 28 day and higher stays keep growing.They announced recently that they're now letting apartment renters rent on Airbnb, which is interesting. At the same time, you've got Marriott, that just announced Apartments by Bonvoy, which is basically, medium term rentals of more apartment style units. There's something happening there with medium term 30 to 90 days, stays, I think that's an area to keep an eye on. Deidre Wollard at The Motley Fool twitter.com/deidre --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/best-commercial-retail-real-estate-investing-advice-ever/support

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card annual fee is waived for military servicemembers and military spouses. In this episode Spencer Reese and Jamie break down the differences between two of the best Amex hotel credit cards available: The Amex Bonvoy Brilliant and the Amex HIlton Honors Aspire Card. If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon at or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3.

It was beyond a pleasure to sit down with Jennifer Hsieh, VP of Marriott Homes & Villas, to learn about both the challenges and opportunities Marriott has uncovered by bringing one of the world's largest hospitality brands into the world of vacation rentals. While Marriott International represents 30 hotel brands and 8,000 properties as part of their portfolio, Homes & Villas has presented perhaps the most unique - yet sought after - option for their loyal Bonvoy members. Alex, Annie & Jenny dive into the details of the complexities of growing a start-up in a grown-up enterprise, along with HVMI's position on working exclusively with professional property managers. Jenny shares career insights on her first major role with Target, and then how she worked in various departments in Marriott before moving into her current role to launch HVMI. She is an inspirational leader and one certainly worth following. Find out more about Homes & Villas by Marriott here: https://homes-and-villas.marriott.com/CONTACT JENNIFER HSIEHLinkedInCONTACT ALEX & ANNIEAlexandAnniePodcast.comLinkedIn | Facebook | InstagramAlex Husner - LinkedinAnnie Holcombe - Linkedin

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast Shawn & Mark discuss the latest in miles & points including two new Marriott cards that are probably coming, tacos in Mexico City, what you need to know about partner awards and bank travel portals, a new best ever bonus for Citi Double Cash and how Choice Hotels responded to Mark's issues.  Episode Notes 2:00 Discussing Marriott brands Le Meridien & AC Hotels 4:26 Update on Mark's Choice Hotels issues 8:02 Partner bookings issues & flight changes - Delta edition 13:17 What happens to an upgrade during irregular operations 14:52 The problems and benefits of bank travel portals 21:46 Citi Double Cash has the best bonus ever. Learn more on Travel Freely 24:29 2 New rumored Marriott Bonvoy cards coming?!? 28:52 Is Bonvoy Platinum status worth it? 29:33 Hyatt hotel map - A handy tool for wanderlusting 33:11 Choosing Hyatt all-inclusives in the Cancun area 38:09 Why tacos in Mexico City are so good   Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at podcast@milestomemories.com.  You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Sticher, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know! Music: Rewind by Jay Someday | https://soundcloud.com/jaysomeday Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

Follow Us on YouTube Everything Coworking Featured Resources: The SEO Action Guide Masterclass: 3 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Opening a Coworking Space Community Manager University Creative Coworking Partnerships: How to negotiate and structure management agreements from the landlord and operator perspective   Jason Anderson is the President of the World's Largest Coworking Franchise, which today includes the brands Venture X and Office Evolution. Check out the NEW Flex Uncensored Podcast with my co-host Giovanni Palavacini!  If that link doesn't work, just search for it in your podcast player and hit that subscribe button! Jason Anderson started his career in the Air Force when he was 17. His first deployment was to the UK where he was stationed over 9/11. Before that assignment, Jason had never left the country. Jason didn't know at the time that some years later, he'd return to London to celebrate the expansion of a Venture X franchisee….one location that is part of a global footprint of the third largest coworking company in the world. Jason had a vision (literally on a board) of creating the “Bonvoy” of coworking brands. He's just getting started.   In this episode, he shares the “why” behind the Venture X acquisition of Office Evolution. He talks through the way he looks at the flex industry through a hospitality lens. We learn why it's natural for VentureX to operate globally early in its life as a brand. We also get some behind-the-scenes details on how the Venture X model has evolved over time and what Jason's predictions are for the next 5 years.  

After planning of months, our Napa Valley trip was destined to begin in San Francisco. Flying from south Florida to California meant our flight options required a layover, so we chose to splurge to fly first class on American Airlines (AA). American Airlines seemed to have the best options to fly from Southwest Florida. After a pretty easy travel experience, thanks to TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry, we arrived at our hotel, the Marriott Fisherman's Wharf which was just. short walk to all the action at the Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39.Since we were staying for two nights, we stayed at the Marriott and used Bonvoy points, and enjoyed the Marriott accommodations like food/drink vouchers and credits. The next morning, we woke up early to walk around Pier 39 and had a quick bite to eat and drink at Biscoff Coffee Corner, which had the best White Chocolate Mocha EVER. Pier 39 was so much fun and worth seeing because they have Sea Lions there that you can't miss. Especially during the summertime, this spot has tons of restaurants and entertainment for the whole family. After a morning exploring nearby, we headed off to Bay City Bikes where we booked a tour of the Golden Gate Bridge to a neighboring town called Sausalito. This was a guided tour on Electric Bikes that lasted about 3.5 hours before we were able to do our own thing and have options once we arrived in Sausalito. Our experienced tour guide from Bay City Bikes took us on bike paths through the city showcasing Fort Baker, views of Alcatraz Island, the passing of Ghirardelli Square, history of the city, and then we got to go over and UNDER the Golden Gate Bridge. That experience was somewhat wild - as it's very narrow on the walking/biking path on the bridge, but the views were truly unmatched and the pictures will last a lifetime. Once we were done with the Golden Gate Bridge, we made our way down some winding paths to Sausalito. The town was lined with boat home communities, painted mailboxes, quaint coffee shops, chocolate stores on every corner, and the most delicious restaurant, Poggio. After biking around for a few hours, the tour ended in Sausalito and you could either bike back on your own through the city, continue on to Tribuon, return your bike there for a surcharge, and take the ferry back. The ferry cost $16 a person and would take you back to San Francisco with your bike, but we chose to return our bikes in town, find a fun spot for dinner, and Uber back to our hotel. Uber was readily available everywhere we went in the city, and seemed to be somewhat cost effective compared to renting a car and paying for parking. The beautiful thing about traveling is when your friends and family are all spread out and your travels allow you to connect with the ones you love most. Our second and final night in San Francisco was dedicated to getting together with my high school best friends who reside in Berkeley/ Oakland area. For seafood lovers and a more high end atmosphere with one of the best views in San Francisco, the Waterfront Restaurant was perfect for lovers, friends, and celebrations. We wrapped up our night there, and began preparing for the next 3 days in Napa Valley. Before getting picked up in the morning to begin our wine excursions, we ate at Boudin and had lunch for breakfast - chili and soup in bread bowls. Best meal of the trip. If our trip was extended, we would have loved to go to Chinatown to explore, get a tour of Alcatraz island, and actually stop at Ghirardelli Square. Also, there are tons of great museums to visit, such as the pop up immersive museum for Frida Kahlo. Enjoy your next trip to San Francisco and as always stay safe and share your favorite recommendations with the travel brats. Thank you for tuning in and stay connected for the ultimate guide to Napa Valley coming your way. 

Just a solo podcast. Maybe weekly. Who knows. This one I recap a week on the road. Huntsville, Atlanta, Palm Harbor & Palm Beach. I complain about the BonVoy app for a second and something else, I forget at the moment.... Also, big announcement I can't talk about yet..... Don't you hate that? Just tell me when you can tell me... Come see me live! Dates at NeilRubenstein.com And if you can, support the Patreon.com/NeilRubenstein --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/neilrubenstein/support