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		<title>How Hertz Punishes Gold Members (or is it Just Americans?)</title>
		<link>http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/how-hertz-punishes-gold-members-or-is-it-just-americans/</link>
		<comments>http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/how-hertz-punishes-gold-members-or-is-it-just-americans/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2012 10:38:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Craig Ford</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Car Rental]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[address]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[american]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[associate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gold]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gold member]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hertz]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hertz car rentals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hertz gold]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[is it]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[members]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[overcharge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[punish]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[punishes]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/?p=2295</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I thought today&#8217;s post would be a good follow-up since earlier this week I talked about the amazing benefits of Hilton Gold status.Today, I&#8217;ll explain how Hertz punishes their valuable customers. Here&#8217;s the story. I was booking a one way rental car from Dallas to Houston.  Hertz had very good rates, considering it was a [...]<p><p><strong>To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/how-hertz-punishes-gold-members-or-is-it-just-americans/">How Hertz Punishes Gold Members (or is it Just Americans?)</a> </strong></p>
This is a post published at: <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com">Help Me Travel Cheap</a>.  If you are reading this on another website it has been illegally reproduced in violation of copyright laws.</p>

Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/business-gold-rewards-50000-american-express-rewards/' rel='bookmark' title='Business Gold Rewards Card | 50,000 American Express Rewards Sign Up Bonus'>Business Gold Rewards Card | 50,000 American Express Rewards Sign Up Bonus</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/25000-american-express-rewards-sign-up-points-for-american-express-premier-rewards-gold/' rel='bookmark' title='25,000 American Express Rewards Sign Up Points for American Express Premier Rewards Gold'>25,000 American Express Rewards Sign Up Points for American Express Premier Rewards Gold</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="plus-one-wrap"><g:plusone href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/how-hertz-punishes-gold-members-or-is-it-just-americans/"></g:plusone></div><p>I thought today&#8217;s post would be a good follow-up since earlier this week I talked about the amazing <a title="Best Hotel Credit Cards With Valuable Status Benefits" href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/best-hotel-credit-cards-with-valuable-status-benefits/">benefits of Hilton Gold status</a>.Today, I&#8217;ll explain how Hertz punishes their valuable customers.</p>
<p>Here&#8217;s the story.</p>
<p>I was booking a one way rental car from Dallas to Houston.  Hertz had very good rates, considering it was a one way rental ($72.95 inclusive of taxes and fees), so I decided to make the reservation.  On the last step of the reservation, it asked if I<br />
wanted to sign up for Hertz Gold.  I&#8217;m already a Hertz Gold member so I decided to say &#8216;no thanks&#8217; and sign in.  I figured there was a possiblity that my rate might drop or I&#8217;d get better service if I reserved the car as a Gold member.</p>
<p>Guess what happened when I signed in? <strong> The price jumped to $205.86 </strong>(I&#8217;m attaching screen shots below).</p>
<p>WHAT?!</p>
<p>I figured that it must be some type of a glitch, so I went back to the home page and tried to book again.  It was still showing $205.86.</p>
<p>Since signing in was what caused nearly a 300% price increase, I signed out.  I then opened a new browser, cleared the cache, and tried again.  This time I got my $72.95 rate because I said &#8216;no thanks&#8217; and didn&#8217;t sign into my account.</p>
<p>Now, the lesson could be that <strong>Hertz doesn&#8217;t like Gold members and wants to overcharge them</strong>, or &#8230; they just overcharge Americans.</p>
<p>Several months ago, I was in Papua New Guinea trying to rent a car (one way) in New York state.  I saw some great rates, and then at some point it asked for my residence.  I put USA, and the rate jumped dramatically.  I switched it back to PNG, and the rate dropped again.</p>
<p>In this case, my rate may have dropped when I entered my gold account because it&#8217;s registered to a US address.</p>
<p><strong>Moral of the story: When renting a car with Hertz, do it when you&#8217;re traveling because you might be able to rent it for a 300% discount if you do it from outside of the US.</strong></p>
<div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Hertz3.png"><img class="size-full wp-image-2297 aligncenter" title="Hertz3" src="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Hertz3.png" alt="Hertz car rental" width="202" height="549" /></a></span></span></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Hertz1.png"><img class="size-full wp-image-2296 aligncenter" title="Hertz1" src="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Hertz1.png" alt="Hertz Gold Rental" width="213" height="456" /></a></p>
<div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Hertz.png"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-2298" title="Hertz" src="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Hertz.png" alt="" width="592" height="319" /></a></span></span></div>
<div></div>
<p><p><strong>To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/how-hertz-punishes-gold-members-or-is-it-just-americans/">How Hertz Punishes Gold Members (or is it Just Americans?)</a> </strong></p>
This is a post published at: <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com">Help Me Travel Cheap</a>.  If you are reading this on another website it has been illegally reproduced in violation of copyright laws.</p>
<p>Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/business-gold-rewards-50000-american-express-rewards/' rel='bookmark' title='Business Gold Rewards Card | 50,000 American Express Rewards Sign Up Bonus'>Business Gold Rewards Card | 50,000 American Express Rewards Sign Up Bonus</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/25000-american-express-rewards-sign-up-points-for-american-express-premier-rewards-gold/' rel='bookmark' title='25,000 American Express Rewards Sign Up Points for American Express Premier Rewards Gold'>25,000 American Express Rewards Sign Up Points for American Express Premier Rewards Gold</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Best Hotel Credit Cards With Valuable Status Benefits</title>
		<link>http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/best-hotel-credit-cards-with-valuable-status-benefits/</link>
		<comments>http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/best-hotel-credit-cards-with-valuable-status-benefits/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 17:18:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Craig Ford</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hotel Credit Card]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[American Express]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[benefits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[best credit cards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[best hotel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budapest]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[card]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[centurion card]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Credit Cards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[employee benefit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hilton budapest]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hotel status]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hotels]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hyatt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[internet access]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lodging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[marriott rewards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[personal finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[status]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[visa inc.]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/?p=2284</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I don&#8217;t live the high life.  I&#8217;m a simple guy who enjoys traveling.  For that reason, I&#8217;ve never really paid much attention to status and benefits with either airlines or hotels. The point of this blog is to help you travel cheaply, not luxuriously. Until this week, I&#8217;ve always assumed that traveling cheaply and luxuriously landed on opposite [...]<p><p><strong>To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/best-hotel-credit-cards-with-valuable-status-benefits/">Best Hotel Credit Cards With Valuable Status Benefits</a> </strong></p>
This is a post published at: <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com">Help Me Travel Cheap</a>.  If you are reading this on another website it has been illegally reproduced in violation of copyright laws.</p>

Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/best-credit-cards-for-getting-free-hotel-stays/' rel='bookmark' title='Best Credit Cards for Getting Free Hotel Stays'>Best Credit Cards for Getting Free Hotel Stays</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/determine-best-credit-card-classifications/' rel='bookmark' title='How to Determine the Best Credit Card | Important Classifications to Consider'>How to Determine the Best Credit Card | Important Classifications to Consider</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/best-airline-miles-reward-sign-up-bonus-credit-cards-may-2011/' rel='bookmark' title='Best Airline Miles Reward Sign Up Bonus Credit Cards'>Best Airline Miles Reward Sign Up Bonus Credit Cards</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="plus-one-wrap"><g:plusone href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/best-hotel-credit-cards-with-valuable-status-benefits/"></g:plusone></div><p>I don&#8217;t live the high life.  I&#8217;m a simple guy who enjoys traveling.  For that reason, I&#8217;ve never really paid much attention to status and benefits with either airlines or hotels.</p>
<p>The point of this blog is to <a href="http://helpmetravelcheap.com">help you travel cheaply, </a>not luxuriously.</p>
<p>Until this week, I&#8217;ve always assumed that traveling cheaply and luxuriously landed on opposite ends of the spectrum.  In other words, a person would be forced to choose either luxury or cheap.  However, when it comes to hotel status, it can help you enjoy some extra luxuries and save money.</p>
<h2>Best Credit Card Elite Benefit Hilton Surpass: Hilton H Honors Gold Status</h2>
<p>The <a href="http://www304.americanexpress.com/getthecard/learn-about/Hilton-HHonors-Surpass">American Express Hilton Surpass</a> gives card holders one year of gold status.  The card has a $75 annual fee, but if you time it right, you can get far more than a $75 value from the card.</p>
<p><strong>So, what&#8217;s the benefit of Gold Status?</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>25% bonus</strong> on all base points earned</li>
<li><strong>Complimentary high speed internet access.</strong>  In Budapest, the internet access would have cost about $15 per day.  Granted, I would never have paid that for a day of internet access, but it was nice for researching activities on vacation.</li>
<li><strong>Free breakfast.</strong>  At the <a href="http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/BUDHITW-Hilton-Budapest-hotel-/index.do">Hilton Budapest</a> we had an option of eating in the Executive Lounge or the ICON restaurant.  The restaurant had beautiful views of the parliament building across the Danube, so we ate there most mornings.  The cost would have been $38 per person.  Of course, I wouldn&#8217;t have paid that for breakfast.  But, I also would have missed out on some delicious cheese, fruit, sausage, and the works.</li>
<li><strong>Access to the Executive Lounge.</strong>  What we enjoyed about the lounge was free drinks between 11 a.m. &#8211; 11 p.m.  Neither my wife and I are &#8216;drinkers&#8217; to be technical.  My drink of choice was Coke and Fanta for my wife.  However, after a hot afternoon walk it was nice to relax in the lounge and enjoy the drinks.  Also, each evening the lounge offered small snacks that included meats, vegetables, fruits, cheese, and bread.  Each evening we found that their offers were more than enough to fill us up for supper.  Free supper (we did tip!) was a nice unexpected money saving benefit of Hilton Gold.</li>
<li>Access to <strong>discounted point rates on 4+ nights</strong> (also a benefit to silver and diamond members).  Stay 4 nights at a category 4-7 hotel and get a 15% point discount on your stay; stay 5 nights and get a 20% point discount; stay 6 nights and get a 25% points discount.  For an upcoming stay we plan to visit a HHonors Reward Category 7.  That would normally cost 50,000 points per night.  However, by staying 6+ nights, it is 37,337 per night.  Also, it&#8217;s important to note that Hilton is the only hotel program that offers a points discount on stays as short as 4 nights.</li>
</ul>
<div><em>Below is a sample of our free breakfast and view out the window at the Hilton Budapest.</em></div>
<div></div>
<div><a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5956.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-2287" title="IMG_5956" src="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5956.jpg" alt="Hilton gold elite" width="528" height="352" /></a></div>
<div><a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5957.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-2288" title="IMG_5957" src="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5957.jpg" alt="best hotel credit card" width="554" height="369" /></a></div>
<div></div>
<div>I was actually surprised that even as a <em>lowly gold member,</em> they actually treated us like we were special.  We checked in at the same time as another American couple who was on our shuttle.  They were given their keys and sent to their room.  We were greeted by one of the on-shift managers who showed us around the hotel and made sure we didn&#8217;t need anything before sending us up to our room.</div>
<div></div>
<div>Would I pay $75 to have those perks again?  Absolutely.  Again, this benefit only lasts for one year, so be sure you time your application to cover as many vacations as possible.  An alterative option that doesn&#8217;t involve a credit pull is to participate in the<a href="https://hiltonhhonors.com/processLanding6.aspx?lp=cwtoffer"> fast track to gold</a> where you can get gold status after just four stays.</div>
<div></div>
<div>If you can spend $40,000 per year, you can also get Dimond status!</div>
<div></div>
<div>Other cards that offer hotel status benefits:</div>
<div></div>
<div>Note, many of these programs offer very limited benefits like a few bonus points for stays or free internet.  For that reason, I&#8217;m not going to spend a lot of time covering the benefits, but if you&#8217;re interested in a particular card or offer, then you can click on the appropriate link.</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/go/hilton/" target="_blank">Citi Hilton</a> &#8211; <a href="http://hhonors1.hilton.com/en_US/hh/about/silver.do">Silver status</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/go/marriottcard/" target="_blank">Chase Marriott Rewards Premier Visa</a> - <a href="http://www.marriott.com/rewards/member-benefits/silver.mi">Silver Elite status</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/go/hyatt/">Hyatt</a> - <a href="http://www.hyatt.com/gp/en/benefits/membership_platinum.jsp">Platinum membership</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.mychasecreditcards.com/T500-002/default.aspx?LP=5000038&amp;OVERRIDE_CELL=3L2&amp;cm_sp=IMMerch-_-PC2_US_en-_-Partners_Chase_header" target="_blank">Priority Club Visa</a> &#8211; <a href="http://www.priorityclub.com/hotels/us/en/global/offers/platinum">Platinum Elite</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/go/amexplat/" target="_blank">American Express Platinum</a> &#8211; <a href="http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/account/member_benefits/gold_preferred.html">Starwood Gold membership</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.choiceprivilegesvisa.com/">Choice Privileges Visa</a> &#8211; <a href="http://www.choicehotels.com/en/choice-privileges/gp/elitemembership">Elite Gold status</a></li>
</ol>
</div>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><p><strong>To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/best-hotel-credit-cards-with-valuable-status-benefits/">Best Hotel Credit Cards With Valuable Status Benefits</a> </strong></p>
This is a post published at: <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com">Help Me Travel Cheap</a>.  If you are reading this on another website it has been illegally reproduced in violation of copyright laws.</p>
<p>Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/best-credit-cards-for-getting-free-hotel-stays/' rel='bookmark' title='Best Credit Cards for Getting Free Hotel Stays'>Best Credit Cards for Getting Free Hotel Stays</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/determine-best-credit-card-classifications/' rel='bookmark' title='How to Determine the Best Credit Card | Important Classifications to Consider'>How to Determine the Best Credit Card | Important Classifications to Consider</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/best-airline-miles-reward-sign-up-bonus-credit-cards-may-2011/' rel='bookmark' title='Best Airline Miles Reward Sign Up Bonus Credit Cards'>Best Airline Miles Reward Sign Up Bonus Credit Cards</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Addressing the Travel and Points Headache Factor | Feedback Needed</title>
		<link>http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/addressing-the-travel-and-points-headache-factor-feedback-needed/</link>
		<comments>http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/addressing-the-travel-and-points-headache-factor-feedback-needed/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2012 10:00:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Craig Ford</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Step By Step Guides]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/?p=2267</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Introduction. You may or may not know, but as of the first of April, this is my fulltime gig.  This?  Yes, this &#8211; writing, maintaining, managing, and whatever else needs to happen to my group of blogs.  Since I now have more time to invest in the blog (except when I&#8217;m traveling, which I seem [...]<p><p><strong>To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/addressing-the-travel-and-points-headache-factor-feedback-needed/">Addressing the Travel and Points Headache Factor | Feedback Needed</a> </strong></p>
This is a post published at: <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com">Help Me Travel Cheap</a>.  If you are reading this on another website it has been illegally reproduced in violation of copyright laws.</p>

Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/ultimate-rewards-alert-points-soon-to-transfer-to-southwest-rapid-rewards/' rel='bookmark' title='Ultimate Rewards Alert: Points Soon to Transfer to Southwest Rapid Rewards'>Ultimate Rewards Alert: Points Soon to Transfer to Southwest Rapid Rewards</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="plus-one-wrap"><g:plusone href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/addressing-the-travel-and-points-headache-factor-feedback-needed/"></g:plusone></div><p>The Introduction.</p>
<p>You may or may not know, but as of the first of April,<strong> this is my fulltime gig</strong>.  This?  Yes, this &#8211; writing, maintaining, managing, and whatever else needs to happen to my group of blogs.  Since I now have more time to invest in the blog (except when I&#8217;m traveling, which I seem to be doing a lot), I&#8217;ve been reflecting on the content and direction of this blog.</p>
<p>Keep reading, as I&#8217;ll need your help to make this blog better.</p>
<p>Over the last week or two, I&#8217;ve slowly been making some changes to the blog.  My goal for this blog is to make information more <strong>accessible to everyone</strong> (regardless of knowledge and experience with points and miles) and to<strong> reduce the headache and time factor required to collect miles and points.</strong></p>
<p>The two newest pages on the site are:</p>
<ol>
<li><a title="Best Hotel Credit Cards" href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/best-hotel-credit-cards/">Best Hotel Credit Cards</a> - This page is similar to my <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/best-travel-credit-cards-offers/">best travel credit cards page,</a> but focuses on the best current hotel credit card offerings available.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/multiple-credit-card-application-suggestions/">Suggested Application Strategy </a>- For the sake of convenience, I highlight what I think are the best credit card offers by issuing bank.  This way if you want to do multiple applications at one time, a suggested strategy is in place.</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>What is the headache factor?</strong></p>
<p>There&#8217;s a story I read about a company that went into a grocery store to sell jam.  On the first day, they showcased their full range of 24 jams.  They had a lot of people taste a lot of jam, but they had few sales.  On the second day, the had samples of only three types of jams, and they sold a lot more.</p>
<p>The reason?</p>
<p>When there are <strong>too many choices on the table, our brains take the easy way out and decide not to choose.</strong>  That&#8217;s what I call the headache factor.</p>
<p>One of the things I&#8217;ve recognized when I talk to<em> regular people</em> about miles and points is that they <strong>don&#8217;t want to know all the details</strong>.  They want to get in, get as much useful information as possible, get their points, and move along.</p>
<p>So I need to let you know that with each of the pages and posts on this blog, I need to offer a little bit of caution or sort of <em>caveat emptor</em>.</p>
<p>I do a significan amount of filtering.  Filtering offers.  Filtering benefits.  Filtering hacks.  Filtering tips.  I limit what I write to two and sometimes three posts every week.</p>
<p>I do that <strong>with the assumption that you have a life and like it.</strong>  If you were a points junkie, you&#8217;d be on FlyerTalk every day and subscribe to every travel blog.  You&#8217;d want to know how to spend 6 hours just to end up with 60 miles.  You&#8217;re happy to spend a Saturday morning reading and researching about deals, offers, and benefits.</p>
<p>I&#8217;m that way, but I don&#8217;t think most people are.</p>
<p>See, I&#8217;ve made an assumption about you.  <strong>I&#8217;ve assumed that you want to apply the 80/20 principle.  You want to get 80% of the benefits by applying 20% of the time.</strong></p>
<p><em><strong>My question is this &#8211; am I right?</strong></em></p>
<p><em>Would you rather more posts, more details, more information?  All of this requires you to process more information.  </em></p>
<p><em>Or </em></p>
<p><em>Do you like fewer posts and like knowing that you&#8217;re not missing out on the best offers?</em></p>
<p>You can leave your feedback by sending me an email (htcheap at gmail dot com), leaving a comment, or hitting reply if you&#8217;re an email subscriber.</p>
<p>Oh, and one last thing.</p>
<p>Because I don&#8217;t share everything with you, I&#8217;ve done my best to make myself accessible.  I&#8217;m always happy to provide customized and personalized assistance.    Always feel welcome to email me, and I&#8217;ll do my best to get back to you as soon as possible</p>
<p><p><strong>To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/addressing-the-travel-and-points-headache-factor-feedback-needed/">Addressing the Travel and Points Headache Factor | Feedback Needed</a> </strong></p>
This is a post published at: <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com">Help Me Travel Cheap</a>.  If you are reading this on another website it has been illegally reproduced in violation of copyright laws.</p>
<p>Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/ultimate-rewards-alert-points-soon-to-transfer-to-southwest-rapid-rewards/' rel='bookmark' title='Ultimate Rewards Alert: Points Soon to Transfer to Southwest Rapid Rewards'>Ultimate Rewards Alert: Points Soon to Transfer to Southwest Rapid Rewards</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>An Eclectic Collection of New, Recent, or Updated Travel Credit Card Offers</title>
		<link>http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/an-eclectic-collection-of-new-recent-or-updated-travel-credit-card-offers/</link>
		<comments>http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/an-eclectic-collection-of-new-recent-or-updated-travel-credit-card-offers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 May 2012 10:00:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Craig Ford</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[credit card]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/?p=2276</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Today&#8217;s post is much like a bowl of stew. Growing up, my mum always told me that you can grab just about any item in the kitchen and throw it in a stew and it tastes great. I&#8217;m hoping the same principle applies to blog posts. If I add a bunch of recent credit card [...]<p><p><strong>To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/an-eclectic-collection-of-new-recent-or-updated-travel-credit-card-offers/">An Eclectic Collection of New, Recent, or Updated Travel Credit Card Offers</a> </strong></p>
This is a post published at: <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com">Help Me Travel Cheap</a>.  If you are reading this on another website it has been illegally reproduced in violation of copyright laws.</p>

Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/credit-card-cancellation-offer/' rel='bookmark' title='Consistently Capitalize on Credit Card Cancellation Offers'>Consistently Capitalize on Credit Card Cancellation Offers</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/latest-and-greatest-travel-offers-and-deals-from-around-the-web/' rel='bookmark' title='Latest and Greatest Travel Offers and Deals from Around the Web'>Latest and Greatest Travel Offers and Deals from Around the Web</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/6-credit-card-and-award-travel-predictions-for-2012/' rel='bookmark' title='6 Credit Card and Award Travel Predictions for 2012'>6 Credit Card and Award Travel Predictions for 2012</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="plus-one-wrap"><g:plusone href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/an-eclectic-collection-of-new-recent-or-updated-travel-credit-card-offers/"></g:plusone></div><p>Today&#8217;s post is much like a bowl of stew. Growing up, my mum always told me that you can grab just about any item in the kitchen and throw it in a stew and it tastes great.</p>
<p>I&#8217;m hoping the same principle applies to blog posts. If I add a bunch of recent credit card deals, bonuses, and offers, will it make for a good blog post?</p>
<p>I hope so.</p>
<h3>Citi Business ThankYou Card</h3>
<p>The<a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/go/citibiz/"> Citi Business ThankYou</a> account is a business card that earns ThankYou Rewards points.  The card offers 15,000 ThankYou points after spending $3,000 in the first three months of card membership.  It&#8217;s not the most amazing business card available.  Personally, I&#8217;d lean more towards either the <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/go/starwoodbiz/">Starwood business</a> or <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/go/inkbold/">Ink Bold</a> business cards.  However, this is a card with no annual fee while both of the other cards mentioned do have annual fees.</p>
<p>There are rotating categories where you can earn bonuses of up to 3 points per dollar.</p>
<ul id="ul-1">
<li><strong>January-March:</strong> Office supply merchants, advertising services and<br />
professional services</li>
<li><strong>April-June:</strong> Computer equipment merchants, software merchants and<br />
telecommunications merchants</li>
<li><strong>July-September:</strong> Airlines, hotels and car rental merchants</li>
<li><strong>October-December:</strong> Restaurants and entertainment</li>
</ul>
<h3><script type="text/javascript" src="http://content.linkoffers.net/ID.aspx?ID=3805552&amp;Type=34&amp;Track=9999"></script>United MileagePlus Club Card</h3>
<p>This is another one of those cards with an annual fee that makes you want to gag &#8211; $395.  However, like the American Express Platinum, there are some benefits to back up and justify the fee. The main benefit is access to the United Club lounge every time you fly.  If you fly on United a lot, then this benefit wouldn&#8217;t take long to pay for itself, but if you fly United a lot, you probably already have status that gives you free access! Benefits:</p>
<ul>
<ul>
<li>Get your first and second bag free</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<ul>
<li>No foreign transaction fee</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<ul>
<li>Earn 1.5 miles per dollar spent.  Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on United</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<ul>
<li>There are also some minor Avis and Hyatt benefits.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<p>    My final verdict: I personally couldn&#8217;t see any reason to own this card.  There is no sign up bonus, which is important to me.  Also, if you want lounge access, try using <a href="http://millionmilesecrets.com/2012/04/19/update-on-12-lounge-passes-for-32-94-certified-mail-cost-with-an-amex-credit-card/">this method explained by Million Mile Secrets</a>.<br />
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://content.linkoffers.net/ID.aspx?ID=3798848&#038;Type=34&#038;Track=9999"></script></p>
<h3><strong>Chase Ink Bold</strong></h3>
<p>I mentioned in a post last week that I assumed that Chase was making changes to the <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/go/inkbold/">Ink Bold</a> bonus.  If I remember correctly, I don&#8217;t think I&#8217;ve confirmed what those changes were.  As I predicted, the minimum spend is no longer $5,000 in the first 3 months.  It has officially increased to $10,000 in the first 3 months.  I got the card when I posted, and I&#8217;m glad I did!<br />
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://content.linkoffers.net/ID.aspx?ID=3766224&amp;Type=34&amp;Track=9999"></script></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><p><strong>To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/an-eclectic-collection-of-new-recent-or-updated-travel-credit-card-offers/">An Eclectic Collection of New, Recent, or Updated Travel Credit Card Offers</a> </strong></p>
This is a post published at: <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com">Help Me Travel Cheap</a>.  If you are reading this on another website it has been illegally reproduced in violation of copyright laws.</p>
<p>Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/credit-card-cancellation-offer/' rel='bookmark' title='Consistently Capitalize on Credit Card Cancellation Offers'>Consistently Capitalize on Credit Card Cancellation Offers</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/latest-and-greatest-travel-offers-and-deals-from-around-the-web/' rel='bookmark' title='Latest and Greatest Travel Offers and Deals from Around the Web'>Latest and Greatest Travel Offers and Deals from Around the Web</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/6-credit-card-and-award-travel-predictions-for-2012/' rel='bookmark' title='6 Credit Card and Award Travel Predictions for 2012'>6 Credit Card and Award Travel Predictions for 2012</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>How to Determine the Best Credit Card | Important Classifications to Consider</title>
		<link>http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/determine-best-credit-card-classifications/</link>
		<comments>http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/determine-best-credit-card-classifications/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2012 11:12:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Craig Ford</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Best Credit Card]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[American Express]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[benefits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[best credit cards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bonus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business credit cards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[card]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[centurion card]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chase cards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[classification]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[classifications]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[consider]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Credit Cards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debit card]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[determine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[the best credit cards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[visa inc.]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/?p=2266</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In an effort towards simplicity, I&#8217;ve suggested to many of you the best credit cards.  I even just finished up a page on this site where I suggest the best hotel credit cards.  However, be aware that the biggest factor in determining the best credit card depends on which credit card basket you&#8217;re trying to fill. [...]<p><p><strong>To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/determine-best-credit-card-classifications/">How to Determine the Best Credit Card | Important Classifications to Consider</a> </strong></p>
This is a post published at: <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com">Help Me Travel Cheap</a>.  If you are reading this on another website it has been illegally reproduced in violation of copyright laws.</p>

Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/airline-branded-credit-card/' rel='bookmark' title='Warning: You May Get a Better Rate of Return By Avoiding an Airline Branded Credit Card'>Warning: You May Get a Better Rate of Return By Avoiding an Airline Branded Credit Card</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/6-questions-to-ask-before-applying-for-an-airmiles-credit-card/' rel='bookmark' title='6 Questions to Ask Before Applying for an Airmiles Credit Card'>6 Questions to Ask Before Applying for an Airmiles Credit Card</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/best-airline-miles-reward-sign-up-bonus-credit-cards-may-2011/' rel='bookmark' title='Best Airline Miles Reward Sign Up Bonus Credit Cards'>Best Airline Miles Reward Sign Up Bonus Credit Cards</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="plus-one-wrap"><g:plusone href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/determine-best-credit-card-classifications/"></g:plusone></div><p>In an effort towards simplicity, I&#8217;ve suggested to many of you the <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/best-travel-credit-cards-offers/">best credit cards</a>.  I even just finished up a page on this site where I suggest the <a title="Best Hotel Credit Cards" href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/best-hotel-credit-cards/">best hotel credit cards</a>.  However, be aware that the biggest factor in determining the best credit card depends on which credit card basket you&#8217;re trying to fill.</p>
<h2><strong>Three Credit Card Classification Baskets</strong></h2>
<h3><strong>The Sign Up Bonus Basket</strong></h3>
<p>There are cards in my wallet that are only there because of the sign up bonus.</p>
<p>I wouldn&#8217;t care if it has a $10,000 annual fee as along as the fee was waived for the first year.  I could care less if it gave me one mile per 20 dollars spent.</p>
<p>The reason?  I&#8217;m only getting the card for the sign up bonus.  Once I&#8217;ve reached the minimum spend, I&#8217;ll put it away and probably never use it again (unless it is a Chase account, and then I&#8217;ll use my <a title="My Chase Appeasement Strategies (Untested)" href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/my-chase-appeasement-strategies-untested/">Chase appeasement strategy</a>).</p>
<p>A current prime example is the British Airways Visa which has a<a title="British Airways Visa 100,000 Avios Bonus is Back" href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/british-airways-100000-back-2012/"> 100,000 Avois bonus offer running</a>.</p>
<h3><strong>The Earning Potential for Everyday Spending Basket</strong></h3>
<p>There are some cards that are in my wallet because I want to use them for purchases.  Why?  They offer the biggest earning potential.</p>
<p>Depending on your spending, this would include cards like:</p>
<ol>
<li><a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/go/sapphirepreferred/">Chase Sapphire Preferred</a> &#8211; 2 points per dollar spent on travel and dining out</li>
<li><a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/go/freedom/">Chase Freedom </a>- rotating categories with 5 points per dollar spent</li>
<li><a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/go/amexpremiergold/">American Express Premier Gold</a> &#8211; 3 points per dollar spent on air fare, 2 points on gas and groceries</li>
<li><a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/go/starwood/">Starwood American Express</a> &#8211; 1 point on everything that can later be transfered to airlines at a 1.25 rate if transfered in a block of 20,000.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/go/inkbold/">Ink Bold</a> &#8211; A business credit card with bonus categories of up to 5 points per dollar spent.</li>
</ol>
<h3><strong>The Benefits Basket</strong></h3>
<p>In addition to the other two types of credit cards, there are also the ones that a person might get simply for the benefits.  The bonus might not be much to sing praises about, nor does the card really reward you much for spending.  However, there is a certain benefit or bonus that makes card ownership worth the annual fee.</p>
<p>Sampel benefits options include:</p>
<ol>
<li><a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/go/amexplat/">American Express Platinum </a>- This is the quintessential benefits account.  It gives you US domestic airport lounge access when flying on airlines like American, Delta, and US Airways.  The card also offers a $200 airline credit and other benefits, including Starwood Gold status.  Here&#8217;s <a title="Justifying a $450 Annual Fee: Why I Signed Up for an American Express Platinum" href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/justifying-a-450-annual-fee-why-i-signed-up-for-an-american-express-platinum/">how I&#8217;ve justified having the card</a>.</li>
<li>There are several hotel credit cards that give status.  Samples include the <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/go/hyatt/">Hyatt </a>account which gives Platinum status, the <a href="http://www304.americanexpress.com/getthecard/learn-about/Hilton-HHonors-Surpass">Hilton American Express Surpass </a>which gives a year of free Hilton Gold, the <a href="http://www.priorityclub.com/hotels/us/en/global/partners/us">Priority Club</a> account which provides you with Platinum status as long as you have the card, and the <a title="Best Hotel Credit Cards" href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/best-hotel-credit-cards/">Hilton Citi</a> which will give you Silver status.</li>
<li>The <a href="http://www.alaskaair.com/content/deals/mileage-plan/visa-signature-promo.aspx">Alaska Airlines visa</a> offers a $99 companion pass each year you are a card member.</li>
</ol>
<p>Once you&#8217;ve determined what you&#8217;re looking for, then you should easily be able to determine which is the best credit card for each basket or classification type.</p>
<p><p><strong>To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/determine-best-credit-card-classifications/">How to Determine the Best Credit Card | Important Classifications to Consider</a> </strong></p>
This is a post published at: <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com">Help Me Travel Cheap</a>.  If you are reading this on another website it has been illegally reproduced in violation of copyright laws.</p>
<p>Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/airline-branded-credit-card/' rel='bookmark' title='Warning: You May Get a Better Rate of Return By Avoiding an Airline Branded Credit Card'>Warning: You May Get a Better Rate of Return By Avoiding an Airline Branded Credit Card</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/6-questions-to-ask-before-applying-for-an-airmiles-credit-card/' rel='bookmark' title='6 Questions to Ask Before Applying for an Airmiles Credit Card'>6 Questions to Ask Before Applying for an Airmiles Credit Card</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/best-airline-miles-reward-sign-up-bonus-credit-cards-may-2011/' rel='bookmark' title='Best Airline Miles Reward Sign Up Bonus Credit Cards'>Best Airline Miles Reward Sign Up Bonus Credit Cards</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>A Chicago O’Hare Induced Near Panic Attack and the Value of Knowledge</title>
		<link>http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/insider-travel-credit-card-knowledge/</link>
		<comments>http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/insider-travel-credit-card-knowledge/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 May 2012 11:00:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Craig Ford</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[United]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[asiana airline]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[card]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cards knowledge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chase united credit card]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit card applications]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Credit Cards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[increase your credit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[insider]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[insider travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[knowledge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[travel credit card]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[travel credit cards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[value]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/?p=2238</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This is a typical story about a country boy who goes to the big city. In our story today, I&#8217;m the country boy and Chicago is the big city.  Yesterday, I arrived on US soil for the first time in seven months.  What I didn&#8217;t know when I arrived into Chicago O&#8217;Hare airport &#8230; By [...]<p><p><strong>To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/insider-travel-credit-card-knowledge/">A Chicago O&#8217;Hare Induced Near Panic Attack and the Value of Knowledge</a> </strong></p>
This is a post published at: <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com">Help Me Travel Cheap</a>.  If you are reading this on another website it has been illegally reproduced in violation of copyright laws.</p>

No related posts.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="plus-one-wrap"><g:plusone href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/insider-travel-credit-card-knowledge/"></g:plusone></div><p>This is a typical story about a country boy who goes to the big city.</p>
<p>In our story today, I&#8217;m the country boy and Chicago is the big city.  Yesterday, I arrived on US soil for the first time in seven months.  What I didn&#8217;t know when I arrived into Chicago O&#8217;Hare airport &#8230;</p>
<p>By the way, I guess I should tell you that I flew from Phuket to Seoul to Chicago to Toronto on Asiana Airlines on United for $52 out of pocket.  You didn&#8217;t actually expect this story to involve me paying for a ticket, did you?</p>
<p>Anyway, back to the Chicago O&#8217;Hare airport.</p>
<p>The airport has turned into<strong> the largest advertising set that I&#8217;ve seen in a long time.</strong></p>
<p>I should have been smart enough to get some pictures, but since I had already been traveling for 20 hours with young kids, my brain wasn&#8217;t fully functioning.</p>
<p>So let me paint the picture for you:</p>
<ul>
<li>When we were approaching the escalator to Terminal 1, I noticed the handle of the escalator had text all over it.  It was a moving advertisement for the <a title="60,000 United MileagePlus Miles Treasure Hunt" href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/60000-united-mileageplus-miles-treasure-hunt/">Chase United credit card</a>.</li>
<li>Then there was a huge banner overhead promoting the card.</li>
<li>At main entry levels, there were people trying to get travelers to sign up for the credit card.</li>
<li>On the flight, there was an insert in the seat back pocket promoting the card.</li>
<li>There were more signs plastered all over the airport.</li>
</ul>
<div>Those were just the things I noticed in a near comatosed state.</div>
<p><em><strong>What caused my near panic attack?</strong></em></p>
<p><strong>There were actually people at the booths signing up for the card</strong> with a 25,000 point sign up bonus and the opportunity to earn up to 40,000 miles (5,000 for authorized user and 10,000 for spending $25,000 in a calendar year).</p>
<p>I wanted to go over and say, &#8220;Hi, I&#8217;m Craig, and I run a blog called Help Me Travel Cheap.  Yes, I know that the title is grammatically incorrect, but I know that I can help you earn more miles by being smarter with your credit card applications.&#8221;</p>
<p>But I didn&#8217;t .</p>
<p>I suspect that I&#8217;d at least make enemies with the folks at the sign up tables, and at most, I&#8217;d probably be breaking some law about soliciting in an airport.</p>
<p>Just this morning I checked to confirm that I can still go to the United page,  sign into my account, and see a better offer.  Here&#8217;s what I found.</p>
<p>First, when you go to United.com you&#8217;ll see an offer for 40,000.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Unitedhome402.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-2242" title="Unitedhome40" src="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Unitedhome402-1024x545.jpg" alt="United 40,000 " width="574" height="306" /></a></p>
<p>However, if you sign into your account (and you have an account balance), you&#8217;ll likely be able to see a better offer.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/UnitedSignin1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-2243" title="UnitedSignin" src="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/UnitedSignin1.jpg" alt="United Sign In" width="581" height="299" /></a></p>
<p>After clicking on &#8216;Learn More&#8217; after signing in, I&#8217;m taken to an offer with 50,000 points after first purchase and 5,000 points for adding an authorized user.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/UnitedBestOffer.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-2244" title="UnitedBestOffer" src="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/UnitedBestOffer.jpg" alt="United 50,000 offer" width="602" height="408" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Only part of what really caused my concern was that there were <strong>people signing up for this inferior offer</strong>.  People do it all the time.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">But two other things bothered me.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>First, did they realize that, for spending, they were almost certainly better off having the <a title="Chase Sapphire Preferred 40,000 Point Credit Card Sign Up Bonus" href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/chase-sapphire-preferred-50000-point-bonus/">Chase Sapphire Preferred</a>?</strong>  Spending on the Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 2 points per dollar spent on travel and dining out.  Also, the Ultimate Rewards points are much more flexible with several transfer partners like Southwest, British Airways, United and more.  I suspect a lot of people would sign up for the card and start doing most of their spending on it and bragging to friends about free flights.  Even though, with a little collaborative effort, they could be earning at least twice as many points.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Second, did they know that if they later learned about a better offer (usually within 3 months), they could send a secure message to Chase to ask them to match the better offer?</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Instead of having a panic attack, I decided to do something a little more productive.  Today, I want to remind you of my free credit card consult service.  You tell me what cards you currently have or you tell me your preferred travel destination, and I&#8217;ll help you discover the cards that best suit your needs.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">If you want a credit card consult, you can do that now at no cost.</p>
<p><p><strong>To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/insider-travel-credit-card-knowledge/">A Chicago O&#8217;Hare Induced Near Panic Attack and the Value of Knowledge</a> </strong></p>
This is a post published at: <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com">Help Me Travel Cheap</a>.  If you are reading this on another website it has been illegally reproduced in violation of copyright laws.</p>
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		<title>Enjoying the Rewards: Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia</title>
		<link>http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/rewards-sheraton-imperial/</link>
		<comments>http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/rewards-sheraton-imperial/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:00:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Craig Ford</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Starwood American Express]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel Story]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kuala]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kuala lampur]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kuala lumpur]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[malaysia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[open travel alliance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sheraton imperial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sheraton imperial kuala lumpur]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[starpoint]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starwood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[starwood hotels & resorts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[starwood hotels & resorts worldwide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[starwood starpoints]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stays]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/?p=2226</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last week my wife and I along with our three kids enjoyed a wonderful week at the Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lampur in Malaysia. How did we manage to stay at &#8216;such a nice hotel&#8217;?  A friend who lives in Kuala Lumper was explaining to us that there is just no cheap way to stay in [...]<p><p><strong>To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/rewards-sheraton-imperial/">Enjoying the Rewards: Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia</a> </strong></p>
This is a post published at: <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com">Help Me Travel Cheap</a>.  If you are reading this on another website it has been illegally reproduced in violation of copyright laws.</p>

Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/im-enjoying-a-free-hotel-this-weekend/' rel='bookmark' title='I’m Enjoying A FREE Hotel This weekend'>I’m Enjoying A FREE Hotel This weekend</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/starwood-american-express-review-why-this-amex-has-a-home-in-my-wallet/' rel='bookmark' title='Starwood American Express Review | Why this AMEX has a Home in My Wallet'>Starwood American Express Review | Why this AMEX has a Home in My Wallet</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/starwood-cash-and-points-vs-starwood-points-discover-the-best-value-per-point/' rel='bookmark' title='Starwood Cash and Points Vs. Starwood Points| Discover the Best Value Per Point'>Starwood Cash and Points Vs. Starwood Points| Discover the Best Value Per Point</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="plus-one-wrap"><g:plusone href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/rewards-sheraton-imperial/"></g:plusone></div><p>Last week my wife and I along with our three kids enjoyed a wonderful week at the <a href="http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=129">Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lampur </a>in Malaysia.</p>
<p>How did we manage to stay at &#8216;such a nice hotel&#8217;?  A friend who lives in Kuala Lumper was explaining to us that there is just no cheap way to stay in downtown Kuala Lumpur.</p>
<p><strong>We did it for $30 per room per night.</strong></p>
<p>Here&#8217;s how.</p>
<p>Instead of paying $95 per night, we decided to use a small portion of our <a title="Starwood Hotel Rewards Points: Starpoints" href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/starwood-hotel-points-program-starpoints/">Starwood Starpoints</a> to reduce the rate to $30 per night.  At first we were just going to use all points to get the room for free, but after I did this <a title="Starwood Cash and Points Vs. Starwood Points| Discover the Best Value Per Point" href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/starwood-cash-and-points-vs-starwood-points-discover-the-best-value-per-point/">analysis on Starwood cash and points</a>, I decided that the cash and points options was indeed a better value.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/sheraton.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-2229" title="sheraton" src="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/sheraton.jpg" alt="" width="602" height="279" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/starwood1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-2230" title="starwood1" src="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/starwood1.jpg" alt="" width="597" height="304" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The rooms were huge, but since we&#8217;re on vacation we opted for two adjoining rooms &#8211; one for my wife and I, and one for the kids.  At $100 per night, I&#8217;m not sure we would have paid for the luxury, but for $30 it seemed like something within our budget.</p>
<p><strong>We needed 11,200 Starwood Starpoints per room</strong>.  That&#8217;s pretty simple to do with the <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/go/starwood/">Starwood American Express</a>.  The standard offer is for 10,000 Starpoints after first purchase and an additional 15,000 for spending $5,000 in the first six months of card ownership.</p>
<p>Also, since I have the <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/go/amexplat/">American Express Platinum</a> card, I receive free Starwood Gold status.  Internet in the hotel costs $15 per day.  This was one small way that the huge annual fee for the Platinum card already provide me with some real cost savings.  Here&#8217;s how I <a title="Justifying a $450 Annual Fee: Why I Signed Up for an American Express Platinum" href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/justifying-a-450-annual-fee-why-i-signed-up-for-an-american-express-platinum/">justify paying a $450 annual fee</a>.</p>
<p><strong>So, what did we think of the experience?</strong></p>
<p>We loved staying right downtown.  We were only meters away from the Monorail.  From there, we could easily get to some great dining and shopping areas.  About two blocks away was the underground rail that we used to get to places like Chinatown and the Petronas Towers.</p>
<p>While I&#8217;m a camera dud, I did manage to snag a picture of my family in the Executive Lounge on the 38th floor.  It was a beautiful place to enjoy a breakfast and evening snacks.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/P41103701.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-2228" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/P41103701-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="573" height="430" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div>This was my temporary office that I used when the kids napped in the afternoon.</div>
<div><a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/P4100361.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-2231" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/P4100361-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="614" height="461" /></a></div>
<div></div>
<div>Coming from PNG, the kids were amazed by the view and the number of buildings.</div>
<div><a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/P4100353.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-2232" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/P4100353-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="614" height="461" /></a></div>
<div></div>
<div>It&#8217;s during times like these that I&#8217;m glad I invest the time and effort into collecting points and miles.  I hope in the process I can teach you what you need to know to do some amazing travels as well.</div>
<div></div>
<div>By the way, I&#8217;m in Phuket, Thailand right now.  We&#8217;ve been enjoying the beach, swimming pool, and hanging out with grandparents.</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<p><p><strong>To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/rewards-sheraton-imperial/">Enjoying the Rewards: Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia</a> </strong></p>
This is a post published at: <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com">Help Me Travel Cheap</a>.  If you are reading this on another website it has been illegally reproduced in violation of copyright laws.</p>
<p>Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/im-enjoying-a-free-hotel-this-weekend/' rel='bookmark' title='I’m Enjoying A FREE Hotel This weekend'>I’m Enjoying A FREE Hotel This weekend</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/starwood-american-express-review-why-this-amex-has-a-home-in-my-wallet/' rel='bookmark' title='Starwood American Express Review | Why this AMEX has a Home in My Wallet'>Starwood American Express Review | Why this AMEX has a Home in My Wallet</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/starwood-cash-and-points-vs-starwood-points-discover-the-best-value-per-point/' rel='bookmark' title='Starwood Cash and Points Vs. Starwood Points| Discover the Best Value Per Point'>Starwood Cash and Points Vs. Starwood Points| Discover the Best Value Per Point</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Southwest and AirTran Points Merging | Your Quick Guide to Maximizing Points and Credits</title>
		<link>http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/southwest-and-airtran-points-merging-youre-quick-guide-to-maximizing-points-and-credits/</link>
		<comments>http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/southwest-and-airtran-points-merging-youre-quick-guide-to-maximizing-points-and-credits/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:00:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Craig Ford</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Southwest]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[airline]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[airtran]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[airtran airways]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit program]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[freedom credit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[guide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[low-cost airlines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[maximize]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[merging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[open travel alliance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[points]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[possibilities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[quick guide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[southwest credit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[travel]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/?p=2204</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Effective immediately, you can now transfer AirTran credits and Southwest points back and forth.  This is the first step in the upcoming full merger between AirTran and Southwest. As always, there are benefits available for customers because right now there are some extended number of choices available. A Quick Overview of the Transfer Possibilities Between Southwest [...]<p><p><strong>To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/southwest-and-airtran-points-merging-youre-quick-guide-to-maximizing-points-and-credits/">Southwest and AirTran Points Merging | Your Quick Guide to Maximizing Points and Credits</a> </strong></p>
This is a post published at: <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com">Help Me Travel Cheap</a>.  If you are reading this on another website it has been illegally reproduced in violation of copyright laws.</p>

Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/lowest-rate-guarantee-southwest-i-saved-500/' rel='bookmark' title='How to Make Your Own Lowest Rate Guarantee with Southwest | I Saved $500+'>How to Make Your Own Lowest Rate Guarantee with Southwest | I Saved $500+</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/southwest-companion-pass-free-flights/' rel='bookmark' title='Southwest Companion Pass: How to Get Two Years of Free Southwest Flights in 15 minutes'>Southwest Companion Pass: How to Get Two Years of Free Southwest Flights in 15 minutes</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/rapid-rewards-credit-card-by-chase-get-a-free-southwest-airlines-flight/' rel='bookmark' title='Southwest Airlines Credit Card by Chase | Get a Free Southwest Airlines Flight'>Southwest Airlines Credit Card by Chase | Get a Free Southwest Airlines Flight</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="plus-one-wrap"><g:plusone href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/southwest-and-airtran-points-merging-youre-quick-guide-to-maximizing-points-and-credits/"></g:plusone></div><p>Effective immediately, you can now transfer AirTran credits and Southwest points back and forth.  This is the first step in the upcoming full merger between AirTran and Southwest.</p>
<p>As always, there are benefits available for customers because right now there are some extended number of choices available.</p>
<h2>A Quick Overview of the Transfer Possibilities Between Southwest and AirTran</h2>
<p>In general, you can turn 1 AirTran credit into 1,200 Southwest points, and it takes 1,200 points to get 1 AirTran credit.  If you have more complicated transfers (like old credits or freedom credits), you can research your options on the <a href="http://www.rewardsfarther.com/">Southwest/AirTran conversion page</a>).</p>
<p><a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/SW-AT.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2206 alignleft" title="Southwest to AirTran" src="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/SW-AT-300x105.jpg" alt="Southwest to AirTran" width="300" height="105" /></a></p>
<p>Because Southwest now has a points based system and AirTran has a credit based system, there are savings possibilities.  Below I&#8217;ll show some samples and give you an idea of when it is best to use AirTran and when it is best to use Southwest.</p>
<h3></h3>
<h3>When Does Using Southwest Credits Make Sense?</h3>
<p><strong>1.  When you are booking domestic flights that cost less than $160 one way.</strong></p>
<p>As an example, I searched sample flights between Buffalo and Denver on a selected date in October.</p>
<p>AirTran would require 8 credits for this flight and does not have availability on the exact date I&#8217;m looking for.  On Southwest I could get a ticket for 7,740 points.  9,600 Southwest points gets 8 AirTran credits (8 *1,200), so clearly Southwest would be the better option for this flight.</p>
<p>Which to do?  Since it would take less Southwest points, I&#8217;d convert 8 AirTran credits into 9,600 Southwest miles and then only use 7,740  for the flight.</p>
<p>2.  When there is a possibility that <strong>your plans might change.</strong>  Southwest changes can be made free of charge, but AirTran changes will cost $75.</p>
<h3>When Does Using AirTran Credits Make Sense?</h3>
<p><strong>1.  International Travel.</strong>  I looked at a flight from Buffalo to Cancun, and the cost is 8 credits.  Since Southwest doesn&#8217;t have international destinations that they service, clearly AirTran is the go to airline for Mexico and the Caribbean.</p>
<p>2.  <strong>Domestic flights that cost over $160 each way</strong> or $320 round trip.  The more expensive the trip is with dollar, the better value you&#8217;ll get out of the AirTran credits.</p>
<p>* The one factor that will impact your math is if you plan to take a bag.  AirTran charges $20 for the first bag and $25 for the second.  If my family of five was traveling with five bags, we&#8217;d need to find tickets cheaper than $180 one way or $360 roundtrip to break even.</p>
<p>3. <strong> When you want to fly business class</strong>.  Again, this one is obvious because of the fact that Southwest doesn&#8217;t really have business class. Southwest does have business select, but that only allows you to board early and pick better seats.  AirTran actually has larger business class seats.</p>
<p>4.  When you <strong>don&#8217;t have enough points for a full flight redemption.</strong>  If you have a small Southwest account balance (4,800 or more), you could turn your stray Southwest miles into 4 AirTran credits.  If you purchase an AirTran ticket, you can use 4 credits to upgrade (oneway) to a business class seat.</p>
<p>* A note about AirTran credits: There is limited availability for using the credits.  Be sure you find flights with availability using credits before assuming that AirTran is the better way to go.</p>
<p>To get more information, you can <a href="http://www.rewardsfarther.com/">visit the official site</a>.</p>
<p><p><strong>To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/southwest-and-airtran-points-merging-youre-quick-guide-to-maximizing-points-and-credits/">Southwest and AirTran Points Merging | Your Quick Guide to Maximizing Points and Credits</a> </strong></p>
This is a post published at: <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com">Help Me Travel Cheap</a>.  If you are reading this on another website it has been illegally reproduced in violation of copyright laws.</p>
<p>Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/lowest-rate-guarantee-southwest-i-saved-500/' rel='bookmark' title='How to Make Your Own Lowest Rate Guarantee with Southwest | I Saved $500+'>How to Make Your Own Lowest Rate Guarantee with Southwest | I Saved $500+</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/southwest-companion-pass-free-flights/' rel='bookmark' title='Southwest Companion Pass: How to Get Two Years of Free Southwest Flights in 15 minutes'>Southwest Companion Pass: How to Get Two Years of Free Southwest Flights in 15 minutes</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/rapid-rewards-credit-card-by-chase-get-a-free-southwest-airlines-flight/' rel='bookmark' title='Southwest Airlines Credit Card by Chase | Get a Free Southwest Airlines Flight'>Southwest Airlines Credit Card by Chase | Get a Free Southwest Airlines Flight</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>How to Save Up To 75% Off Priority Club Hotels</title>
		<link>http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/how-to-save-75-priority-club/</link>
		<comments>http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/how-to-save-75-priority-club/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:17:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Craig Ford</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hotel Credit Card]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[crowne plaza]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[holiday inn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[holiday inns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hotels]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[how to save]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[intercontinental hotels group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[location hotel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[locations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lodging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[loyalty program]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[microeconomics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[monopoly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pricing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[priority club]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[priority club credit card]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[priority club point]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[select hotel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[travel planning]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/?p=2200</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Right now, Priority Club hotels (includes brands like Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn) are combining two promotions that can lead to huge money saving opportunities. Priority Club PointBreaks Every few months, Priority Club deeply discounts the points required for stays at select hotels. The list is rather limited (about 100 locations in the States). Priority [...]<p><p><strong>To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/how-to-save-75-priority-club/">How to Save Up To 75% Off Priority Club Hotels</a> </strong></p>
This is a post published at: <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com">Help Me Travel Cheap</a>.  If you are reading this on another website it has been illegally reproduced in violation of copyright laws.</p>

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<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/priority-club-sale-in-australia-and-new-zealand/' rel='bookmark' title='Priority Club Sale in Australia and New Zealand'>Priority Club Sale in Australia and New Zealand</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="plus-one-wrap"><g:plusone href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/how-to-save-75-priority-club/"></g:plusone></div><p>Right now, Priority Club hotels (includes brands like Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn) are combining two promotions that can lead to huge money saving opportunities.</p>
<h2><strong>Priority Club PointBreaks</strong></h2>
<p>Every few months, Priority Club deeply discounts the points required for stays at select hotels. The list is rather limited (about 100 locations in the States).</p>
<p>Priority Club just released its most recent list. You can <a href="http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/pc/1/en/c/2/content/dec/pc/0/en/points/us/hre/pointbreaks.html?rateCode=IVANI">view the list of selected locations here</a>.</p>
<p>Each of those locations only require 5,000 Priority Club points per night. Typically, these locations start at 15,000-35,000 points per night.</p>
<p>The special rates are available for stays through May 31st, 2012. There are only a select number of rooms available, so if you have travel plans during those dates and can find availably, then book your trip as soon as possible.</p>
<p>But what if you don&#8217;t have any Priority Club points?</p>
<p>No worries. This is where the second promotion comes in handy.</p>
<h2><strong>Purchase Priority Club Points at a Discount</strong></h2>
<p>If you buy between March 30 and April 30, 2012, you have an opportunity to <a href="https://buy.points.com/PointsPartnerFrames/partners/ihg/container.html?product=buy">earn up to 50% more points</a>.<br />
Buy 1,000 – 19,000 points: get a 20% Bonus<br />
Buy 20,000 – 29,000 points: get a 30% Bonus<br />
Buy 30,000 – 39,000 points: get a 40% Bonus<br />
Buy 40,000 – 50,000 points: get a 50% Bonus</p>
<p>For illustrative purposes, let&#8217;s imagine that someone were to buy 40,000 points. They would end up with a stash of 60,000 Priority Club points. The total cost for those points would be $460.</p>
<p>Additionally, if you earn 60,000 points in a calendar year, you are also eligible for <a href="http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php/Priority_Club_Rewards_Elite_Levels">Priority Club Platinum Status</a>.</p>
<p>To be honest, there is a method where you can get 60,000 points for $360, but involves booking an itinerary and knowing you&#8217;ll cancel it just as a way to earn the points. However, what I&#8217;ve outlined above is the simplest and cleanest method.</p>
<p>Another option for <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/best-credit-cards-for-getting-free-hotel-stays/">getting free hotel stays</a> using Priority Club points is the Priority Club credit card with a <a href="http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milesbuzz/1282804-80k-points-no-fee-1st-yr-priority-club-select-visa.html">80,000 signup bonus</a>. The card also gives you Platinum Status for life.</p>
<p>So let&#8217;s explore some examples to show the value of the current promotion:</p>
<p>Let&#8217;s say that Craig Ford (hey, that&#8217;s me!) goes out and spends $460 to buy 60,000 Priority Club points. He&#8217;s also planning to be in Budapest, Hungary in May.</p>
<p>Guess what? The Holiday Inn in Budapest is a PointBreaks location.</p>
<p>The best current price for this hotel is <strong>$93.50 per night</strong>. The five nights would cost $467.50. However, with the current PointBreaks promotion, my five nights there would require 25,000 points. I could purchase those points for $191.67 (if I bought 40,000 with the 50% bonus). <strong>That&#8217;s a savings of close to 60%</strong>.</p>
<p>Not a bad price for five nights in Europe.</p>
<p>After traveling to Budapest, my family is going to be flying out of JFK. We need to overnight in New York. While there are a couple of New York options, I decided to stay in New Jersey at a Crowne Plaza. The hotel&#8217;s best price is $153 per night. I&#8217;m going to pay 5,000 points. That means <strong>I&#8217;m paying $38.34 per night for a $153 hotel. That&#8217;s a 75% savings.</strong></p>
<p>If you&#8217;ve got some travels planned between now and May 31st, 2012, you might want to check and see if there are any <a href="http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/pc/1/en/c/2/content/dec/pc/0/en/points/us/hre/pointbreaks.html?rateCode=IVANI">PointBreaks locations</a> for your desired destinations. If there is availability, then go ahead and <a href="https://buy.points.com/PointsPartnerFrames/partners/ihg/container.html?product=buy">purchase some points</a>.</p>
<p><p><strong>To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/how-to-save-75-priority-club/">How to Save Up To 75% Off Priority Club Hotels</a> </strong></p>
This is a post published at: <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com">Help Me Travel Cheap</a>.  If you are reading this on another website it has been illegally reproduced in violation of copyright laws.</p>
<p>Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/till-may-29th-get-select-priority-club-hotel-stays-for-54-per-night-around-65-off/' rel='bookmark' title='Till May 29th get select Priority Club hotel stays for $54 per night. Around 65% off. EXPIRED'>Till May 29th get select Priority Club hotel stays for $54 per night. Around 65% off. EXPIRED</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/priority-clubs-my-second-favorite-program-for-getting-free-hotels/' rel='bookmark' title='Priority Clubs: My Second Favorite Program for Getting Free Hotels'>Priority Clubs: My Second Favorite Program for Getting Free Hotels</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/priority-club-sale-in-australia-and-new-zealand/' rel='bookmark' title='Priority Club Sale in Australia and New Zealand'>Priority Club Sale in Australia and New Zealand</a></li>
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		<title>Chase Ink Bold Sign Up Bonus Changes Effective Wednesday</title>
		<link>http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/chase-ink-bold-sign-up-bonus-changes-effective-wednesday/</link>
		<comments>http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/chase-ink-bold-sign-up-bonus-changes-effective-wednesday/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:51:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Craig Ford</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Chase]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bold]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bonus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bonus offer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[changes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chase]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chase for the sprint cup]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[effective]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ink]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[offers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sign up bonus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ultimate rewards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wednesday]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/?p=2167</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Update: The changes explained in this post have already been implemented.  The current offer for the Ink Bold is 25,000 points after first purchase and an additional 25,000 points after spending $10,000. For several months, we&#8217;ve been able to take advantage of the great combination of the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Ink Bold to [...]<p><p><strong>To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/chase-ink-bold-sign-up-bonus-changes-effective-wednesday/">Chase Ink Bold Sign Up Bonus Changes Effective Wednesday</a> </strong></p>
This is a post published at: <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com">Help Me Travel Cheap</a>.  If you are reading this on another website it has been illegally reproduced in violation of copyright laws.</p>

Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/50000-point-bonus-chase-ink-bold/' rel='bookmark' title='50,000 Points Sign Up Bonus | Chase Ink Bold with Ultimate Rewards'>50,000 Points Sign Up Bonus | Chase Ink Bold with Ultimate Rewards</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/southwest-50000-chase-credit-card/' rel='bookmark' title='50,000 Chase Southwest | $833 Worth of Flights | Sign Up Bonus is Back (and Better)'>50,000 Chase Southwest | $833 Worth of Flights | Sign Up Bonus is Back (and Better)</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/chase-freedom-2012-bonus-categories-my-growing-attraction-to-the-chase-freedom-card/' rel='bookmark' title='Chase Freedom 2012 Bonus Categories | My Growing Attraction to the Chase Freedom Card'>Chase Freedom 2012 Bonus Categories | My Growing Attraction to the Chase Freedom Card</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="plus-one-wrap"><g:plusone href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/chase-ink-bold-sign-up-bonus-changes-effective-wednesday/"></g:plusone></div><p><strong>Update:</strong> The changes explained in this post have already been implemented.  The <a title="50,000 Points Sign Up Bonus | Chase Ink Bold with Ultimate Rewards" href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/50000-point-bonus-chase-ink-bold/">current offer for the Ink Bold </a>is 25,000 points after first purchase and an additional 25,000 points after spending $10,000.</p>
<p>For several months, we&#8217;ve been able to take advantage of the great combination of the <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/go/sapphirepreferred/">Chase Sapphire Preferre</a>d and the <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/go/inkbold/">Ink Bold </a>to get a business class ticket to Europe.</p>
<p>However, just a week or two ago, the Chase Sapphire Preferred reduced its sign up bonus to 40,000 (still a fantastic bonus).</p>
<p>Today I received notification that thecurrent offering of the Ink Bold (50,000 points after  spending $5,000) will be expiring.</p>
<p>At the moment, I don&#8217;t have concrete information as to what details are changing.  Still, if you know me, that <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/6-credit-card-and-award-travel-predictions-for-2012/">won&#8217;t stop me from speculating</a>.</p>
<p>I&#8217;m very confident saying the bonus offer is not getting better.  We just saw Chase reduce the sign up bonus on the Sapphire Preferred, and I doubt they are out to make the Ink Bold a better offer when they are reducing the bonus on the personal card.</p>
<p>On the <a href="https://www.chase.com/online/business-credit-cards/ink-bold.htm">Chase website</a> the terms are that you&#8217;ll recieve 25,000 Ultimate Rewards points when you first sign up and another 25,000  when you spend $10,000 in the first three months.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ChaseInkBold.png"><img class="alignnone  wp-image-2171" title="ChaseInkBold" src="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ChaseInkBold.png" alt="Chase Ink Bold" width="500" height="245" /></a></p>
<h2>Chase Ink Bold Changes</h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Effective 10 a.m. on Wednesday April18th, the current link and current offer for the card will be expiring.</strong></p>
<p>Remember, if you are initially denied, you can call the reconsideration line, but you can expect a bunch of questions about this card and may ultimately be denied.</p>
<p>While $5,000 may be tough for some businesses to spend in 90 days, I&#8217;m guessing if it&#8217;s hard to spend $5,000, then $10,000 is out of the question.</p>
<p>Just so you know, I did sign up for this card a week ago. I had indications this was going to happen, and now it&#8217;s confirmed.  I&#8217;ll be making some larger business purchases over the next few months, so I knew I could complete the minimum spend.</p>
<p>To get more information about the <a title="50,000 Points Sign Up Bonus | Chase Ink Bold with Ultimate Rewards" href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/50000-point-bonus-chase-ink-bold/">Ink Bold click here</a> or you can <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/go/inkbold/">apply for the card</a>.</p>
<p><p><strong>To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/chase-ink-bold-sign-up-bonus-changes-effective-wednesday/">Chase Ink Bold Sign Up Bonus Changes Effective Wednesday</a> </strong></p>
This is a post published at: <a href="http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com">Help Me Travel Cheap</a>.  If you are reading this on another website it has been illegally reproduced in violation of copyright laws.</p>
<p>Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/50000-point-bonus-chase-ink-bold/' rel='bookmark' title='50,000 Points Sign Up Bonus | Chase Ink Bold with Ultimate Rewards'>50,000 Points Sign Up Bonus | Chase Ink Bold with Ultimate Rewards</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/southwest-50000-chase-credit-card/' rel='bookmark' title='50,000 Chase Southwest | $833 Worth of Flights | Sign Up Bonus is Back (and Better)'>50,000 Chase Southwest | $833 Worth of Flights | Sign Up Bonus is Back (and Better)</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.helpmetravelcheap.com/chase-freedom-2012-bonus-categories-my-growing-attraction-to-the-chase-freedom-card/' rel='bookmark' title='Chase Freedom 2012 Bonus Categories | My Growing Attraction to the Chase Freedom Card'>Chase Freedom 2012 Bonus Categories | My Growing Attraction to the Chase Freedom Card</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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