Most US citizens want Global Entry because it includes PreCheck, for an extra $15 gets expedited immigration (of decreasing importance as immigration kiosks roll out), and it reimbursed by more premium credit cards than PreCheck. Frequent Canadian visitors should get Nexus, and it’s cheaper, but the waits and dual approvals may discourage.
Here’s the rub in all of this. Wait times. If you sign up for Global Entry now, you may not get it this year.
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
Hotels set their price, and generally they have to offer the same price through their chain’s website that they offer through online travel agency sites like Expedia or Hotels.com. Online travel agencies get a commission, but usually aren’t able to reduce the hotel’s price. If they did, you could claim the chain’s ‘best rate guarantee’.
But a membership website isn’t going to be subject to a best rate guarantee. A new one promises big savings, rebating their commissions, and is giving away free one year memberships — and a reader will get $500 to spend on a hotel there as well.
Last week’s big news was that the Marriott acquisition of Starwood closed, and immediately they offered to let members transfer points between accounts and status match.
That’s great, but today we have more good news. Depending on your perspective this may be even better news — not for the loyalty program, but for actually staying at their hotels.
Marriott has been investing in their rewards program more than I’d have expected since announcing the Starwood merger, which has now closed. I see Marriott Rewards getting stronger. And Ritz-Carlton Rewards status is honored equally as Marriott status.
So earning Gold status just for having a credit card is great, $10,000 in spend each year to keep it is as well. And being able to earn Platinum status through spend is impressive.
Earlier in the year Hollywood Report said this is the golden age of flying thanks to the ability of anyone — Hollywood star or not — bring their emotional support turkey on a plane. For free.
Reader YMX asked, “Gary, don’t you think the status match is inequitable for current Marriott Golds or Platinums?”
I’ll lay out the argument, and then offer what I think are pretty compelling reasons why Marriott Gold and Platinum members should be loving their newfound benefits.
Marriott’s merger with Starwood closed yesterday. They immediately launched the ability to status match and move points between accounts. What dictated the 3:1 transfer ratio between Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest is the decision to allow members to move points back and forth between the programs.
What comes next is actually embedded in changes to Starwood’s terms and conditions.
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
American has 4 ‘cycles’ of domestic first class meals that they rotate. New meals debuted in August 2015, and were supposed to cycle for a year.
The same food is still being served, but there are changes to breakfast in October and last I heard there’s to be an update to other meals in November.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
