With a network of seven brands (Quorvus Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Plaza, Park Inn, Country Inns & Suites) and around 1,400 individual properties in operation or under development, Carlson Hotels is bigger than Hyatt but smaller than Hilton or Marriott. As hotel chains go, it’s mid-pack, size-wise. That’s still big, and the…
Wyndham’s current systemwide promotion—$100 in Wyndham Rewards gift cards after two qualifying stays through September 6—is a dud, riddled as it is with hurdles and restrictions. But its just-announced mobile-app bonus offer is a winner. Offer Details Between April 27 and July 31, Wyndham Rewards members can earn 5,000 bonus points for each of up…
Most companies, on the verge of being acquired by a larger organization, would be content to sit back and let operations continue on autopilot through the merger process. In case anyone needed reminding, however, Virgin America is not most companies. Even as Virgin America’s days are numbered, pending its acquisition and absorption by Alaska Airlines,…
Of all the many grievances air travelers harbor against the airlines, perhaps ticket prices shouldn’t be among them. According to the DOT’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ latest airfare survey, inflation-adjusted prices for domestic airfare reached their lowest point since 2010 in the 4th quarter of 2015 (the latest available data). The average domestic airfare decreased…
Buying loyalty points or miles is normally a dicey deal: a profit windfall for the hotel or airline selling the points, but subpar value for the traveler buying them. There are exceptions, however, when limited-time promotions boost the value of the purchased points and shift the value proposition in the buyer’s favor. Hilton’s 100 percent…
How satisfied are travelers with the airlines? The latest edition of the American Customer Satisfaction Index, an independent benchmarking service developed at the University of Michigan, was released today. And the results were a rare bit of good news for flyers. Airlines have long been one of the lowest-scoring industries in the American Customer Satisfaction…
IHG Rewards this week released its latest list of PointBreaks hotels that are available for booking for just 5,000 points per night. Offer Details Beginning on April 25, IHG Rewards members can book award nights for 5,000 points at 141 participating hotels, for stays through July 31, 2016. The new list includes 93 hotels in…
Enter the Golf Advisor “Great Scot Getaway” sweepstakes by May 22, 2016, for a chance to win the grand prize: a seven-night trip to Scotland for four, including air, hotel, golf rounds at five clubs (including St. Andrews), rental car, and $1,000 spending money. To enter, provide the requested contact information (name, email, etc.) on…
No cash, no tip, no hassle… When you arrive at your destination, just hop out—we’ll automatically charge the credit card on file. And there’s no need to tip. That’s front and center on Uber’s website. And it pretty neatly sums up the company’s value proposition, which has captured the hearts and minds of millions of…
Following is our regular summary of the latest travel news and best frequent traveler promotions reviewed during the past week. If it was a good deal—or a notably bad deal—from an airline, hotel, or car rental loyalty program, you can read all about it here, and plan your travel accordingly. Yet Another Survey Picks Virgin…
Another day, another survey designed to put the airlines in rank order, from best to worst. And another win for Virgin America, which will soon be merged into Alaska Airlines. The latest in the ever-growing list of such airline rankings comes from WalletHub, “The Web’s Best Personal Finance Resource.” Like the Airline Quality Rating report,…