All About International Hotel Rewards Programs

Like everything else, the hotel/hospitality industry has evolved over time in size and approach to marketing. They’ve grown from a handful of major names like Hilton and Holiday Inn, each with a reputation based on the market segment they try to serve, into mega-corporations. These newer brands feature large collections of brands ranging from economical to deluxe accommodations. Many of these brands are now multi-national with many being global and because they all offer a range of types and price points that are very similar their marketing had to change to find a competitive edge.

Today every major hotel chain has a loyalty reward program with the goal of turning you into a returning guest. Most every program is free to join, but they are all not the same as there are different rules, earning point rates and comparative point values. In addition there are a variety of other benefits offered from free wifi, freebies on arrival and special discounts. How much you can save depends on your level of travel and how much you’re comfortable spending per night and especially how often you stay in hotels.

What follows are the top five hotel reward programs that also offer the ability to earn and use the points when traveling internationally. They are based on WalletHub.com scores, calculated for equivalent dollar values.

Wyndham Rewards

WalletHub Score 72.40 Equivalent Earned Per $100 Spent $13.46

For every qualified stay at a Wyndham Rewards hotel or vacation club resort, you’ll earn 10 points per dollar or 1,000 points—whichever is more. Choose how you want to redeem your points with three simple free night tiers—7,500, 15,000, or 30,000 points per night. Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Wyndham Grand, Dolce Hotels and Resorts, TRYP by Wyndham, Dazzler Hotels in Latin America, La Quinta hotels, Wingate by Wyndham, AmericInn, Ramada, Baymont, Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham, Days Inn, Super 8, Howard Johnson, Travelodge and Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham.

Radisson Rewards

WalletHub Score 65.95 Equivalent Earned Per $100 Spent $12.50

Free Award Nights starting at 9,000 points with no blackout dates on Standard Rooms. Members Only Rate – save up to 10% on the best available rate when you book directly on our Radisson’s website. Earn 20 points per US dollar spent on eligible stays. Redeem points for Free Award Nights, airline miles, gift cards, prepaid cards, and more. Brands include Radisson RED, Park Plaza, art’otel, Park Inn and Country Inn and Suites.

Best Western Rewards

WalletHub Score 63.71 Equivalent Earned Per $100 Spent $9.75

The Best Western Rewards program is divided into five levels: Blue, Gold, Platinum, Diamond and Diamond Select. •Worldwide Free Night Redemption • Points Never Expire • BWR® Exclusive Member Rates • Rich Rewards & Incentives – Earn points for redemptions including gift cards, free nights and one-of-a-kind adventures. Incorporates the Best Western branded properties along with, Glō®, Vīb® and Aiden® by Best Western.

Traveling internationally this is becoming our favorite choice in the moderate price category.

Choice Privileges

WalletHub Score 61.99 Equivalent Earned Per $100 Spent $11.63

Enjoy rewards beginning with your very first stay. Stay weekdays for extra perks like coffee cards and online shopping credits. Use your points your way, with reward options like free nights and gift cards. Save with member-only rates and exclusive offers. Elite members also receive bonus points or welcome gifts with every stay. Sleep Inn, Quality Inn, Rodeway Inn, and Comfort, Ascend Hotel Collection and Clarion.

Marriott Bonvoy

WalletHub Score 61.01 Equivalent Earned Per $100 Spent $10.89

Participating properties include The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis on the luxury side, JW Marriott and Westin in the middle of the range, and MOXY and Element toward the budget end of the spectrum. Cost – Elite Gold no fee, Silver Elite and base level members must pay a flat fee of $10. Marriott Bonvoy Points can be used for free nights, airfare, car rentals, gift cards, and even online shopping.

When traveling with enough accumulated points this is our choice in many large international cities.

Accor Hotels

These hotels are part of an international group with properties around the globe. Their brands represent hotels from economy to luxury and the group is famous for offering special packages at remarkable rates.

Approximate WalletHub Score range 60 to 45. Earn from 5 to 35 points for every $15 spent depending on the reward status and the hotel chain.

The Accor group’s brands welcome you to over 100 countries throughout the world, in over 5,100 hotels for the most unforgettable stays. The group includes Mercure Hotels, Swissotel, Ibis, Greet, Adagio, Jo & Joe, Tribe and Novotel.

In Asia we’ve stayed a number of times at their Mercure Hotels and have been very impressed with the accommodations and the value. Their emailed special offers are always worth considering.

Visit the website HERE

Todays Featured Poster • Grenada W.I.

Fort George sits above St. George the capital of Grenada. The town is surrounded on two sides by the hills formed by an old volcano crater with its center creating a horseshoe-shaped harbor. Grenada is a popular Caribbean destination as the the town has developed in recently, while still preserving its history. Fort George was built around 1710, on the site of an early battery erected by the French in the 1600s, and originally named Fort Royal, it was renamed Fort George in 1763, in honor of King George III by the British.

These giclée prints will soon be available in several sizes and styles, custom printed for each individual order on archival, museum grade paper using fade resistant inks.

Join us as we visit historic treasures, natural wonders and vibrant cities set against backdrops that are endlessly changing and visually magnificent. Celebrate a world of travel experiences with these decorating accessories that are perfect for framing.

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Getting To Your Florida Cruise – A Guide

Taking a Caribbean Cruise? Need to know the best options for getting to your cruise ship? Interested in visiting some more of Florida on your cruise vacation? Read on…

Getting To Your Florida Cruise Port By Plane, Car And Bus

Florida has become one of the largest destinations in the U.S. for people taking cruises. While passengers come from all over the U.S. and even the world a large number come from the Southeast and especially Florida. The close proximity to the Florida ports offers a number of advantages to cruisers from the region but it also presents some interesting challenges. The following is as complete a rundown on how to get to your cruise ship regardless if you come by planes, trains or automobiles. Okay, maybe not trains.

Miami from the Port

Florida has four major cruise ports; The Port of Miami, Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale, Port Canaveral at Merritt Island (sometimes called the Orlando port) and Tampa. Each one has its own environment that makes getting to your cruise ship different for each port.

Flying In

Tampa

The port is some distance from the airport but there is generally a fixed taxi fare for the trip of about $25 (plus luggage fees and tip). There are also a number of shuttles as well but expect to pay between $15 and $20 per person for these. A cruise ship transfer at last check was over $15 per person.

MORE INFORMATION ON THE PORT OF TAMPA

Disney Cruise Shuttle

Orlando

The nearest major airport to Port Canaveral. Expect to pay over $100 for a taxi to the port which is a 47 mile trip. There are a number of shuttles that charge as little as $15 per person. Booking a transfer thru your cruise line can cost above $35 per person. At last check Disney offers a bus service from Orlando airport and hotels at Disney World and to their cruises at $35 per guest.

Ft. Lauderdale

Port Everglades is only about 2 miles from the airport and while the airport taxi stand will usually quote a flat fare of $20 to the cruise ship if you go with the meter on, it should cost less and if you are going from the ship to the airport it should cost about $15 with tip (no delay exiting the port because of security). The cruise ships also offer transfers but they average $16 per person, which for two people makes a taxi the better choice.

MORE INFORMATION ON THE PORT OF FT. LAUDERDALE

Miami

If you are going from the Miami airport to the cruise terminal, current taxi charges are a $27 flat-rate fee. That’s not per person. So if you are traveling with a family of four, that’s just $7 per person (or $14 round-trip) — not a bad deal. Buying a transfer from your cruise line will cast around $17 per person though or $68 for four.

Rental Cars (In City)

Often people will fly into the port city a day or two early and if that is the case it is a good idea to rent a car. Depending on the city rentals can be very inexpensive and give more flexibility on how you get around. Be sure you check with the agency and make sure you can drop the car off near the port to save even more.

Miami

It is common in Miami for rental car agencies to allow a rental to be picked up at the airport and dropped off somewhere else in Miami. At between $25 and $40 a day this is a very economical way to get to the cruise port with the advantage of seeing some of Miami in the process. In the case of Avis and Budget*1 they both have drop-offs near the port with free shuttle service to your ship, which saves the cost of a short taxi ride.

Tampa

While it is possible to also pick up a rental car at the airport in Tampa and drop it in the city, there are no drop offs really near the port. When we come in to Tampa on a cruise it usually costs between $10 and $20 to get a taxi to the nearest rental car location.

Port Everglades

Ft. Lauderdale

Because the port and airport are so near each other, unless you plan on spending some time in the area before your cruise, there is little reason to rent a car. It is also worth noting that Avis and Alamo have free shuttles from their airport locations to Port Everglades and back (you must have a copy of the rental car reservation to board the shuttle though).

Orlando

It has become popular to rent a car for the one-way trips between Orlando or Orlando airport and Port Canaveral and the rental agencies have been very accommodating in recent years. A recent check showed three agencies (Avis, Budget and Alamo) offering cars between $50 and $75 per day for the one-way trip including free shuttles to the ships in Port Canaveral.

One Way Car Rentals

Even if you live within convenient driving distance to a port, sometimes port parking can become an expensive proposition. This is especially true if the cruise is longer than seven days. Except for the Orlando – Port Canaveral connection, one-way drop-off fees can make renting a car very expensive. The one notable exception to that is if you live near Orlando. Because Orlando is the number one destination in Florida the rental car companies are always trying to balance their inventories and are usually not charging drop-off fees between Orlando and major Florida cities. Renting a one-way car is our normal method of getting to and from Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa and Orlando. We have rented cars for as little as $29 from Orlando to Ft. Lauderdale. One trick is to make reservations way in advance and check the rate a few more times before the cruise.

Port Canaveral

Buses Etcetera

Back in the day buses were good, inexpensive transportation between cities and there still is a number of options for economical fares. MegaBus offers a one-way ticket from Orlando to Ft. Lauderdale for $26. The problem with them as with most bus service is that you have to get to their terminal and to your destination at the other end. This can be a major additional expense impacting the economy of bus transportation. We should also note that some people live in communities with active travel groups that normally arrange charter buses as part of a cruise package.

New Rail Service From Miami To Orlando

Coming in 2022 are new extensions to the BRIGHTLINE rail service. BRIGHTLINE currently provides trains from Miami to Ft. Lauderdale and Palm Beach but service is expected to begin to Orlando and on to Tampa sometime in 2023. A train from Miami to Orland International will take about 3 hours but there has been no information on fares those Orlando fares. Currently round trip from Miami to Palm Beach starts at $30. Updates to follow.

Parking Near the Ports

Most parking structures inside the various ports are owned and operated by the ports and, on average, are fifty percent higher than private services near the port. Over the years there have been some interesting fights between these venues. Mostly it has been the ports trying to make it difficult for the private lots to compete and survive. Generally private enterprise finds a way.

Port Canaveral

Parking at the port garage inside the port is currently $17 per day and they charge for each portion of a day (that means full fare for the day you arrive and the day you leave). There are at least four dedicated private lots with shuttles near the port that average under $10 a day based on 24 hour days. There are also companies that contract with some local hotels for parking spaces and provide van service to and from the port.

Miami

Parking at the Port of Miami currently is $20 per 24 hour day with a daytime rate of $7. Because the port is located right in the heart of downtown Miami it is difficult to find reasonable rates nearby. There are a number of companies offering reduced rates but it would be recommended that you investigate where these lots are and how much security they provide.

Ft. Lauderdale

Parking inside Port Everglades currently is $15 per day but offers a location right next to the ships. Because the port is located near the airport there is a great deal of parking available in the area. There are official remote lots associated with the airport with shuttle service to the terminals as well as more than a few private lots not far away. Again it would be recommended that you investigate where these lots are and how much security they provide before reserving.

Notes & Links:

*1 Avis at Port of Miami with Shuttle to Cruise Ships. Address: 99 Southeast 2nd Street, (Cruise Ship Passengers Only), Miami, FL,33131. Phone: (1) 305-379-1317. Hours of Operation: Sun 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM; Mon – Fri 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Sat 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

*2 Miami Budget location with a free shuttle to the port. 89 SE 2nd St, Miami, Florida.

A Parking option at Port Canaveral

Shuttle from MCO to Canaveral 

Alamo Port Canaveral 

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Todays Featured Poster • Colonial Williamsburg

Located in Southeastern Virginia where the first English town in North America was established, Colonial Williamsburg is the world’s largest living history museum. Its 301 acres feature iconic colonial restored sites, people in period clothes and working tradespeople, historic taverns, and two world-class art museums.

These giclée prints will soon be available in several sizes and styles, custom printed for each individual order on archival, museum grade paper using fade resistant inks.

Join us as we visit historic treasures, natural wonders and vibrant cities set against backdrops that are endlessly changing and visually magnificent. Celebrate a world of travel experiences with these posters that are perfect for framing.

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Caribbean Cruise Options

This Weeks Cruise Deals And Featured Itineraries

Explore Cruise Life
Winter Is Caribbean Cruise Time

The Caribbean is one of the worlds most popular cruise destinations and winter is the Caribbean’s high season. There is an itinerary and a price point to meet virtually every interest and budget that include 2 day to 20+ day cruises.

Take a few minutes and check out some of these popular new listings below.

Book Now Winter Is Just Around The Corner

Major Itineraries – Sailing from cruise ports in Florida, Louisiana,Texas and San Juan, there are four major itinerary groups.

  • Shorter cruises into the Bahamas from Florida’s east coast
  • Four to seven day Eastern Caribbean
  • Four to seven day Western Caribbean
  • Longer cruises including the Southern Caribbean

Bahamas Cruises – Mostly sailing from Florida’s East Coast these cruises range from two to five days and can make calls on Nassau, Grand Bahama, Grand Turk and those popular private islands,

Eastern Caribbean Cruises – The popular ports of call on these cruises include Nassau, St. Thomas, San Juan, Sint Maarten and Antigua.

Western Caribbean Cruises – Popular ports include Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel Mexico, Costa Maya Mexico, Roatán Honduras, Belize City and Jamaica.

Southern Caribbean Cruises – Sailing from Florida, Louisiana,Texas and San Juan. These longer cruises of 12 to 20 days will frequently visit many of the previously listed ports along with St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Granada, Barbados, Curacao and Aruba.

ONE OF OUR FAVORITE CRUISE TRAVEL SITES

There are a lot of cruise booking sites but some are easier to navigate than others and we’re particularly fond of Cruise Specialists.

Please Note • Todays cruise industry is incredibly dynamic with new itineraries and special deals changing daily. With endless possibilities and ever changing offers it is nearly impossible to stay up-to-date. This series will regularly highlight new offerings we think you might find interesting. Most links here will take you to individual cruise line websites where you can search for specific cruise offers. We do not receive any discounts or commission from travel or cruise companies.

Explore Exotic And Amazing Ports of Call

From lost civilizations to some of the greatest natural wonders, cruises can help you explore the world in luxury. Explore your cruise options using these convenient links:

Royal Caribbean
Norwegian Cruise Line
Princess Cruise Line
Carnival
Celebrity
Holland America
VIKING
AZAMARA

Cruising Around Vietnam

Impressions from Vietnam

Cruise itineraries in the South China Sea visit up to five ports in Vietnam. Phu My, the port for Ho Cho Min City (Saigon), Da Nang, Nah Trang and Hai Phong, the port nearest Hanoi. You’ll find the Vietnamese people are friendly and eager to welcome visitors. Shopping is inexpensive and easy because the U.S. dollar is actually the preferred currency. Almost all prices were quoted in Dong and U.S. Dollars (about 22,000 Vietnamese Dong to 1 U.S. Dollar).

Market in Hoi An

The official position of the Vietnamese government is that they are friends and trading partners with the United States and that the Vietnamese people should welcome American tourists.

The wisdom of Uncle Ho is everywhere
The new Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City

Telcom in Vietnam

Ho Chi Min City

Visiting Ho Chi Min City (Saigon) ships dock at Phu My, an industrial port area without much within walking distance. There are some residential areas and a business strip between 5 to 10 miles from the port but nothing of specific interest.

Ho Chi Min City is an hour plus drive from the port. The easiest way to get around is booking cruise ship offered tours and most cruises also provide round trip bus service into the city averaging about $60 per person. Local taxis into the city are available but you’ll need four passengers to share the ride to make it cheaper than cruise buses (US$120).

Mekong River

Ho Chi Min City highlights include the old Presidential Palace (now Reunification Palace), the Catholic Cathedral, and the old Post office. A short walk  from the city center are the Opera House, The Rex Hotel (the roof bar was a gathering place for journalists and military during the war) and Dong Khoi Street with many souvenir shops, good restaurants and fashion boutiques.

Tours to the Mekong take about three hours each way.

Da Nang and China Beach

Da Nang

Da Nang is a major city with a lot to see. It features the Dragon Bridge which is actually a recent addition. Nearby is China Beach, now a modern seaside resort but during the war it was a “rest and relaxation” area for the U.S. military.

Just south of Da Nang is the city of Hoi An which is well worth a visit. Hoi An is also becoming a beach resort with lots of new properties being developed but it is the old town (Ancient Town) that should get attention. It’s full of history, architecture, shops and restaurants (tee shirts $3 to $5).

Village near Nah Trang
The Japan Bridge, Hoi An

Nah Trang

This is also a developing area that is a seaside resort and has been particularly popular with Russian tourists. There is a cable car that crosses the bay, an amusement park, a water park and some good beaches. The port town itself is small with only a few shops and cafes. Taxis are inexpensive and many will offer a tour at a reasonable price.

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