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The Ultimate IHG One Guide

by Cory Santos Wednesday September 23, 2020

Last updated on April 3rd, 2024

Ranked as one of the best hotel loyalty programs in the industry, the IHG® One features four membership tiers and allows participants to earn points on all hotel bookings. These earnings can be redeemed for several options, including Reward Nights, merchandise and gift cards, exclusive experiences, airline miles, and more.

What Hotels Are in the IHG Portfolio?

IHG Hotels & Resorts (also known as InterContinental Hotels Group) has 14 brands, which feature over 5,600 IHG properties and brand hotels located worldwide that range from budget-friendly to upscale luxury.

Regent Hotels and Resorts	Even Hotels	Holiday Inn	avid Hotels
Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts	Hualuxe Hotels and Resorts	Holiday Inn Express	Staybridge Suites
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants	Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts	Holiday Inn Resort	Candlewood Suites
Hotel Indigo	voco	Holiday Inn Club Vacations	Six Senses

How to Earn Rewards with IHG One

Staying at IHG hotels offers the easiest route to earning large amounts of points per stay with the IHG One program. The number of points per night members earn with IHG varies depending on their tier status, with higher elite tiers earning a points bonus on the normal rewards rate. That rewards rate is as follows:

Earn 10X points for every $1 spent at most IHG hotels
Earn 5X points per $1 spent at Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites

Other Ways to Earn Points

Dining: Members can earn up to 8X points per dollar spent on dining at eligible restaurants, including tax and tip, through the IHG Rewards Club Dining Program.
Car Rentals: Earn up to 1,500 points when booking rental cars through the IHG portal.
Apple: Earn up to 4X points when purchasing through the IHG portal.
Opt-Out of Housekeeping: Guests receive a maximum of 500 points when they stay at least two consecutive nights and opt out of housekeeping.
Transfer from Partners: Members can also transfer points from other credit card programs, including Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Buy points through the IHG Rewards Club points portal

IHG One Elite Tiers

As mentioned, points in the IHG One program are earned on eligible stays, with elite tiers enjoying more points. The entry tier in the program s Club Member, offering essential perks, like no blackout dates, access to member rates and promotions, free in-room Wi-Fi, late check-out (2 PM), and more.

As you earn more points you can progress to higher tiers. Here is how much is needed to upgrade elite status in IHG One:

Silver: 10 nights
Gold: 20 nights or 40,000 points
Platinum: 40 nights or 60,000
Diamond: 70 nights or 120,000 points

And here is what members can expect from those elite tiers:

	Silver	Gold	Platinum	Diamond
No blackout dates	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Points don’t expire	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Promotions access	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Rewards night discount	–	–	✔️	✔️
Free Wi-Fi	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
72-hr. room guarantee	–	–	✔️	✔️
Comped upgrades	–	–	✔️	✔️
Welcome gift	–	–	✔️	✔️
Early check-in	–	–	✔️	✔️
Late check-out	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Diamond support	–	–	–	✔️

What Are IHG Rewards Points Worth?

Program	Value (cents/point)
Best Western Rewards	0.6
Caesars Rewards	0.8
Choice Privileges	0.6
Drury Rewards	1
Hilton Honors	0.7
IHG One	0.6
Marriott Bonvoy	0.9
MGM Rewards	0.8
Radisson Rewards	0.4
Sonesta Travel Pass	0.5
VOILÀ Rewards	0.7
World of Hyatt	1.75
Wyndham Rewards	1.1

How to Redeem Rewards with IHG

Redeeming points for Reward Nights is easily the most useful method of points redemption within the IHG® One. Points can be used for complimentary hotel stays for as little as 10,000 points and for booking reservations at any of IHG’s thousands of properties.

Points & Cash

An alternative points redemption method for hotel stays, IHG One members can use points for partial payment of a hotel booking. This is useful for those who don’t have enough points to cover an entire booking, or for those who want to stretch their points as much as possible. This option requires a minimum of 5,000 points to redeem.

Transfer to Travel Partners

IHG points transfer to dozens of travel partners worldwide, including major airlines:

Aeromexico	American Airlines AAdvantage	El Al Israel Airlines	Japan Airlines	Qantas Airlines
Aeroplan	Asia Miles	Emirates	Jet Airways	Saudi Arabian Airlines
Air China	Asiana Airlines	Etihad Airways	JetBlue TrueBlue	Singapore Airlines
Air France	British Airways	Gulf Air	KLM	South African Airways
AIR MILES®	China Eastern	Hainan Airlines	Lanchile	TAP Air Portugal
Air New Zealand	China Southern Airlines	Hawaiian Airlines	LifeMiles	Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
All Nippon Airways	Delta SkyMiles	Iberia Airlines	Malaysia Airlines	United Airlines
Virgin Atlantic			Velocity Frequent Flyer

Other Ways to Redeem

Known as IHG® One Rewards Access, members can bid on unique, members-only experiences that range from vacations to lifestyle and entertainment. Opening bid amounts may vary, but typically they require bid increments of 1,000 points. Not for the easily discouraged, bidding wars can cause costs to go into the hundreds of thousands (in points).

Current IHG Credit Cards

Chase IHG Rewards Premier Business Mastercard credit card

IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card

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Travel Rewards Credit Cards

The Ultimate Sonesta Travel Pass Guide

by Cory Santos Wednesday September 23, 2020

Last updated on April 3rd, 2024

Named “Best Hotel Rewards Program” by the U.S. News and World Report 2019-2020, the Sonesta Travel Pass is the guest rewards program from Sonesta Hotels, Resorts, and Cruises. Make each stay rewarding and earn free nights in as few as 15,000 rewards points, along with great perks, privileges, and exclusive opportunities not available to just anyone.

Sonesta Brands

Here is a list of current Sonesta Travel Pass eligible brands:

Royal Sonesta	Sonesta ES Suites	Sonesta Posadas del Inca
Sonesta Hotels & Resorts	Sonesta Cruise Collection	Sonesta Select
Sonesta Simply Suites

How to Earn Sonesta Travel Pass Points

Members spending money directly with Sonesta to book hotel stays at properties in the hotel chain across the United States and in more than six countries earn points in the Travel Pass program. These chains include stays at Sonesta Es Suites, and Sonesta Simply Suites.

For every dollar, a member spends at participating Sonesta properties, ten points are credited to their account. Additional point-earning can be found when you combine spending with the power of the Sonesta World Mastercard® – every $1 spent with the card earns a single point, and cardholders get 2x points per $1 on eligible airfare, car rentals, and dining purchases.

Best of all, cardholders get 3x points per $1 spent on all eligible Sonesta purchases, which means that Travel Pass members can score up to 13x points (3x points for using your card, and 10x for spending on a qualified room rate) just for booking a room directly with Sonesta using their co-branded Mastercard® credit card.

Sonesta Travel Pass members can book with the Member Rate and enjoy a minimum of 5% off at all locations worldwide. Members can book rooms without worrying about blackout dates, and receive complimentary upgraded internet access during every stay, as an exclusive member offer just for signing up. Additionally, Sonesta will happily match your status with any other hotel loyalty program to sweeten the deal for you. Points never expire.

What Are Sonesta Travel Pass Points Worth?

Program	Value (cents/point)
Best Western Rewards	0.6
Caesars Rewards	0.8
Choice Privileges	0.6
Drury Rewards	1
Hilton Honors	0.7
IHG One	0.6
Marriott Bonvoy	0.9
MGM Rewards	0.8
Radisson Rewards	0.4
Sonesta Travel Pass	0.5
VOILÀ Rewards	0.7
World of Hyatt	1.75
Wyndham Rewards	1.1

How to Redeem Sonesta Travel Pass Points

Points earned through the Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program and from the Sonesta World Mastercard® can be redeemed for a free night. The lowest tier for redemption begins at 15,000 points per free hotel stay, and there are nine tiers; at the highest level, your free night can cost 90,000 points!

To redeem points for a free hotel stay, you can either redeem online by logging into your membership account and then completing Sonesta’s online redemption request form, or by calling 1-855-622-2160.

Sonesta Travel Pass Membership Tiers

Upon enrollment, you’ll begin your membership at the Member level. The preferred level requires six (6) qualifying nights in a calendar year. Elite level requires twelve (12) qualifying nights in a calendar year.

	Member	Preferred	Elite
Earn points	✔️	✔️	✔️
Free upgraded Wi-Fi	✔️	✔️	✔️
5% off at Sonesta	✔️	✔️	✔️
Express check-in/out	✔️	✔️	✔️
Customized room prefs.	✔️	✔️	✔️
Priority reservations	–	✔️	✔️
Guaranteed room type	–	✔️	✔️
Early check-in/late check-out	–	✔️	✔️
Priority parking	–	–	✔️

Member Status

Enrolling at the basic Member level grants you the following:

Reward points to earn free nights
Complimentary upgraded Wi-Fi
5% off across Sonesta locations worldwide
Express check-in/check-out
Customized room preferences
Exclusive member-only offers
Assistance from Member Champion during the stay

Preferred Status

Achieve Preferred status by completing six or more visits in a calendar year and enjoy all of the perks associated with the basic level, along with:

An exclusive priority reservations line
Guaranteed room type (bed type)
Early check-in/late check-out

Elite Status

Unlock Elite hotel rewards program status by completing 12 or more stays in a calendar year and enjoy all of the above perks, in addition to priority self-parking

Current Sonesta Hotels Credit Card Offers

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Common Debt Myths That Keep You from Enjoying Life

by Cory Santos Tuesday September 22, 2020

Last updated on November 3rd, 2020

Debt is something from which millions of Americans suffer. Fortunately, debt doesn’t need to be a burden that keeps you from enjoying life. Reclaiming your control from the grips of debt is as easy as breaking negative thought processes and embracing solutions. Here are some of the most common debt myths that keep you from tackling debt and living life to its fullest.

All Debt Will Hurt Your Credit Score

One of the biggest debt myths is that all debt is created equal. Some debts, like mortgages, are classified as “good debt” because they come with lower interest rates, positive tax benefits, and more.

Other debts, such as those with high interest rates, are bad debts. Credit card debt is one of the most common forms of “bad debt,” as the average APR on a credit card is typically much higher than a personal loan, mortgage, or other types of debt.

Having debt won’t hurt your credit score. Instead, it’s how you manage that debt that causes harm. Since payment history accounts for 35% of your FICO Score, establishing a steady string of on-time payments can actually boost your score.

Additionally, recent FICO changes are limiting the negative impact of some debts, like medical debt. This reduction in importance, plus the emphasis on your ability to repay debt, is far more critical than the debt you hold in most cases.

You Can’t Enjoy Life Until You Are Debt Free

Being in debt isn’t fun. Because of the mental stress debt causes, many people believe they can’t enjoy their life until they repay everything they owe. The fact is, however, that repaying debt doesn’t have to eat up all your finances.

The thought that your enjoyment of life is over until you are 100% debt-free is another of the most prevalent debt myths. Many types of debt – notably student loans and credit cards – can be refinanced. Refinancing options for student loans include income-based repayment plans (IBR), income-driven repayment plans (IDR), and simple rate negotiations. Since many student loans are issued through the federal government, there are plenty of options to refinance student debt and make monthly budgets stretch further.

For credit cards, the options aren’t as numerous. Fortunately, there are still great ways to reduce the budget you must set aside for repayment each month. These refinance options include:

Balance transfer credit cards
Renegotiating interest rates with your lender
Hardship assistance programs

Balance Transfer Cards

A balance transfer is an excellent way to reduce costs and save money each month. When you conduct a balance transfer, you shift the balance of one credit card to another card, often at a much lower interest rate.

Many of the best balance transfer credit cards come with 0% intro APR for a year or more. These introductory periods allow you to pay off debt without incurring more interest on the balance.

Remember that once these introductory, interest-free periods end, the APR will likely be in the 13% range (or higher). Some unique balance transfer cards, like the Upgrade Card, counteract this by featuring rates as low as 6.99%. These cards, however, are the exception – and not the rule.

Renegotiating Interest Rates

Asking your bank for an interest rate reduction on your credit cards is something many people overlook. While requesting a rate reduction doesn’t guarantee success, it is a useful way to reduce the damage carrying a balance can cause on finances.

The keys to success when requesting an APR reduction are a solid history of repayments on the account, an established history with the bank, and politeness. Just make sure you prepare beforehand, state your case clearly, and be willing to negotiate.

Hardship Programs

Credit card companies offer payment relief services. These hardship programs have come to the fore during the coronavirus pandemic but are available for all credit cardholders. Some of the hardship assistance programs available to consumers include:

Deferred payments (either with or without interest)
Delayed payments for the next month
Waiving of fees (including late fees or annual fees)

Never be afraid to ask for assistance from your lender, including forbearance options. It’s in the best interest of all lenders to work with you to help you make payments. After all, if a credit card account goes to collections, the bank stands to lose out on a lot of money.

You Need to Pay Off All Your Debt as Fast as Possible

Eliminating your debt is ideal, but don’t let it get in the way of living your life. Focus on paying off bad debts first through the methods mentioned above.

Other types of debt, such as student loans or mortgages, have much lower interest rates and better tax benefits. Because of these benefits, you can afford to pay them off more gradually, and use the remaining budget to save towards your retirement – or even for treating yourself once in a while.

Conclusion

Paying off debt may seem difficult, but don’t let it destroy your quality of life. Many individuals suffer from debt, but it doesn’t mean you should let it ruin your enjoyment of the now. Simply switching your mindset and avoiding common debt myths can lead to greater joy in life – and less worry about the burdens of personal debt.

There are plenty of ways to repay debt that won’t force you to suffer financially and mentally. Take the time to research your debt repayment options, consider simple refinancing options (like balance transfers, assistance programs, or consolidation loans), and reclaim your life!

The Ultimate Choice Privileges Guide

by Cory Santos Tuesday September 22, 2020

Last updated on April 3rd, 2024

Choice Hotels is a hospitality franchise that has quickly become one of the largest hotel chains in the world and owns several hotel brands that range in price and amenities, from economy to upscale.

What Is Choice Privileges?

The Choice Privileges® Rewards loyalty program from Choice Hotels is free to join and allows members to earn perks with every stay. Unlike many hotel rewards programs, Choice Privileges Rewards will enable you to use your points for a variety of redemptions, including free night stays, gift cards, experiences, and much more. You’ll enjoy faster bookings, lower rates, complimentary stays, and other exclusive rewards.

Program Elite Tiers

	Member	Gold	Platinum	Diamond
Exclusive rates	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Yours extras	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Elite pts. bonus	–	10%	25%	50%
Early check-in/late check-out	–	✔️	✔️	✔️
Rollover nights	–	9	19	39
Elite customer hotline	–	✔️	✔️	✔️
Welcome gift	–	✔️	✔️	✔️
Avis® Preferred Plus*	–	–	✔️	✔️

How to Earn Rewards with Choice Privileges

Points are earned by booking stays at the thousands of properties that Choice Hotels has for you to choose from:

Ten points for every dollar spent at one of more than 6,800 Choice® Hotels
5-10 points per dollar spent at Choice® vacation rental homes, villas, cabins, condos, and more
Earn points as well as other perks, like a $100 Reward Card or free tickets to Walt Disney World® theme parks, by booking a stay with BlueGreen Vacations – a travel partner of Choice Hotels

In addition to the earning power mentioned above, Choice Privileges Rewards members who book weekday stays. Any point-eligible stay that includes a Sunday through Thursday night can earn Your Extras rewards; these are special benefits that are only available when a weekday stay is booked through Choice’s loyalty program. Pick from:

Choice Privileges points	Airline miles	Fuel Rewards savings at the gas station
Amazon credits	Starbucks gift cards	Uber trip discounts

Choice Privileges® also rewards you for staying at Cambria® Hotels – get Double Your Extras and much more:

Cambria Credit to use at the restaurant, bar or hotel marketplace
Diamond Elite Status Jump if you’re an elite tier with another hotel loyalty program
Elite benefits like early check-in, late check-out, and preferred parking where available

Other ways to earn points

Rewards points can also be earned through Choice’s partner programs. Earn points and get exclusive discounts on qualifying car rentals with well-known rental companies like Budget® and Avis® or cruise your way to a free hotel stay by earning points when you book a vacation voyage with more than 20 different cruise lines. You can even exchange points that you earn with other rewards programs for Choice Privileges points.

Perhaps the best way to earn Choice Privileges points is by opening a Choice Privileges® Visa Signature® Card account. With this powerful spending tool, cardholders will earn:

15 points for every $1 spent on completed stays at eligible Choice Hotels®
Five points for every $1 spent on the purchase of Choice Privileges® points or other Choice Hotels card purchases
An additional two points for every $1 spent on all other purchases made with the card
8,000 anniversary bonus points each year after qualifying spending ($10,000 or more) with their card
32,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within 90 days of account opening
10% points bonus each time the card is used to book a qualifying stay at Choice Hotels properties

What Are Choice Rewards Points Worth?

Here are the latest point valuations for the major hotel loyalty programs:

Program	Value (cents/point)
Best Western Rewards	0.6
Caesars Rewards	0.8
Choice Privileges	0.6
Drury Rewards	1
Hilton Honors	0.7
IHG One	0.6
Marriott Bonvoy	0.9
MGM Rewards	0.8
Radisson Rewards	0.4
Sonesta Travel Pass	0.5
VOILÀ Rewards	0.7
World of Hyatt	1.75
Wyndham Rewards	1.1

How to Redeem Points with Choice Privileges

Points can be redeemed for a multitude of great rewards, and they never expire, so there’s no rush to redeem them. Use points towards free nights, which start at 8,000 points per stay. Points can be exchanged for gift cards from some of your favorite retailers or donated to a charitable organization.

Additionally, if you have at least 6,000 points and can’t entirely book a free night with points, but still want to use them, you can use Points Plus Cash to combine the points total you have with cash for a discounted rate.

Finally, points can be redeemed for cruises (85,000 points add up to a $250 cruise credit, and 160,000 points equals a $500 cruise credit), Amtrak rewards, and even miles with the following airline partners:

Aeroplan	Alaska Mileage Plan	United MileagePlus
Qantas	Aeromexico Club Premier

Current Choice Credit Cards

Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard®

Choice Rewards credit card from Wells Fargo review

Choice Privileges® Mastercard®

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Travel Rewards Credit Cards

American Express Centurion Lounges to Reopen

by Cory Santos Monday September 21, 2020

American Express is gearing up to reopen its prestigious Centurion Lounges. The private spaces for Amex cardholders, which have remained shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic, will reopen beginning October 5, 2020. The Philadelphia and Seattle lounges will be the first to open (on the 5^th), with other locations following suit after that. As of now, there are no definitive opening dates for the other lounges.

Expansion Plans

The Centurion Lounge will also undergo an expansion in some locations. According to American Express, both the LaGuardia (New York) and McCarran (Las Vegas) locations will grow substantially.

The New York lounge will relocate to the new Terminal B at New York’s LaGuardia International Airport. This new location will allow the Centurion Lounge to double in size, with new features including:

Family room
Extra workspaces
Private telephone rooms
Views of the NYC skyline

The lounge at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas will also expand, with an additional 9,000 sq. ft. of floor space. This expansion will include extra multipurpose areas, a newly designed reception area, and workspace areas.

What Is the American Express Centurion Lounge?

The Amex Centurion Lounge is the pinnacle of luxury for traveling American Express cardholders. Access to these exclusive spaces is only available to customers of the following American Express cards:

The Platinum Card from American Express
Delta Reserve Card
Centurion Card (aka, the Black Card)

The Centurion Lounge provides first-class amenities, including world-class dining and cocktails, spacious rooms for work, family time, and relaxation, and more.

Centurion Lounge Locations

There are currently 11 Centurion Lounges within the American Express airport lounge network. These lounges are in the following U.S. airports:

Miami, FL (MIA)
San Francisco, CA (SFO)
Seattle, WA (SEA)
Las Vegas, NV (LAS
Los Angeles, CA (LAX)
Phoenix, AZ (PHX)
Houston, TX (IAH)
Dallas, TX (DFW)
Charlotte, NC (CLT)
Philadelphia, PA (PHL)
New York, NY (LGA)

The Ultimate Guide to Airline Credit Cards

by Cory Santos Monday September 21, 2020

Last updated on August 24th, 2023

Are you considering getting a co-branded airline credit card? Or maybe you already have one and are looking for tips on how to maximize your miles or award redemptions? No matter what you are after, you’ll find it here in our ULTIMATE guide to all things airline credit cards.

Why Choose a Travel Credit Card?

One of the most popular uses for credit cards is booking vacations. Booking airfare is one of the most expensive aspects of travel. Fortunately, there are loyalty programs that help customers earn rewards and book free flights.

These programs also offer co-branded credit cards with some of the largest banks in the United States. These cards allow account holders to make purchases that earn additional rewards – and may even offer extra benefits before, during, and after their flights – including airport lounge access, statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck, and more.

Travel credit cards offer numerous benefits for everything, from the weekend getaway to the round-the-world journey of a lifetime. Here are some of the plusses – and negatives – about travel cards:

Pros	Cons
Credit cards for travel can make traveling significantly cheaper. That’s because they offer points. These points can apply to future travel, reducing costs. Some cards also offer discounts with hotel chains, airlines, or car rental companies.	The best travel cards charge an annual fee. These fees range from approximately $95 to $650 per year. While there are plenty of great no annual fee cards, the rewards and points won’t be as plentiful as they are with a card that charges an annual fee.
Many travel rewards credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee – a charge on using the credit card outside of the United States. Fortunately, many travel rewards cards offer no foreign transaction fees, meaning travelers aren’t penalized for daring to spend money abroad.	Credit cards with travel rewards typically require an excellent credit score or a good credit score.
Signup bonuses and introductory offers are two of the best perks with this type of credit card. Some cards come with bonuses of up to 100,000 miles, with a cash value of hundreds of dollars. While these bonuses require a minimum spend, the reward rate is typically many times more than the normal rate – making them an excellent value.	Because they offer rewards and huge bonuses, credit cards for travel have higher than average APR. Interest rates with travel cards are, on average, one percent higher than cash back rewards cards and three-percent lower than 0% intro APR credit cards.

Which Airlines Offer US Credit Cards?

You might associate airline credit cards with the big carriers only. After all, co-brand credit cards are only for the very biggest brands – but that’s not the case. Dozens of regional, national, and international airlines and alliances offer a co-branded credit card for US market.

Here’s who currently offers a co-branded airline card to the US consumer or business markets:

American Airlines	Iberia	Japan Airlines	Air France/ KLM	Virgin Atlantic
Aer Lingus	Cathay Pacific	JetBlue	All Nippon Ailines (ANA)	Allegiant Airlines
Aeromexico	Delta Airlines	Korean Air	Spirit Airlines	Lufthansa
Alaska Airlines	Emirates	LATAM	Southwest Airlines	Sun Country Airlines
British Airways	Frontier Airlines	Hawaiian Airlines	United Airlines	China Airlines

What Credit Score Do You Need to Get an Airline Credit Card?

Airline credit card offers differ from hotel credit cards in that there are options for nearly every credit score or profile. Some airlines, such as LATAM and Korean Airlines, offer secured credit cards. These options provide an excellent way to earn miles for those who love to travel but still need to improve their credit score.

Most other co-branded airline cards require good or excellent credit. An excellent credit score varies depending on the scoring model. According to FICO – the credit scoring model that more than 90% of issuers use – “excellent” is any score between 800 and 850. The VantageScore model is the next most commonly used scoring method. Under this model, an excellent credit score is between 781 and 850.

Tips for Boosting Your Credit Score

If your credit score isn’t high enough to get your dream airline card just yet, don’t worry. Millions of Americans struggle with bad credit and low credit scores.

There are several steps you can take today to help raise your credit score, including:

① Check and review your credit reports	Ⓐ Check your credit reports from all three of the nationwide consumer reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
① Check and review your credit reports	Ⓑ Check for negative credit information, like potential fraud or ID theft, accounts in collection, or unpaid balances.
② Pay your bills on time	Ⓐ Automatic payments are a great way to avoid accidentally missing a payment.
② Pay your bills on time	Ⓑ Splitting monthly payments into two smaller payments can help stretch budgets while ensuring you pay on time.
③ Keep credit use low	Ⓐ Credit utilization accounts for roughly 30% of your credit score, so aim to keep credit use as low as possible.
③ Keep credit use low	Ⓑ Consider a balance transfer credit card if your credit use is creeping up and you want to consolidate that debt into one new account, typically at 0% Intro APR.
④ Limit new applications	Limit any new credit applications to only what is essential (i.e. if applying for a balance transfer credit card).
⑤ Keep old accounts open	Don’t close any old, unused accounts. Closing accounts can lower your average credit utilization.

These tips are easy to follow and can show impressive results in as little as a month. Realistically, however, these best practices may take up to six months (or more) before your score rises significantly.

What to Look for In an Airline Credit Card

Here are some of the more critical features to look out for when deciding on a co-branded airline credit card:

① Sign-up bonuses	One of the reasons why airline rewards cards are so popular is that they offer signup bonuses. As with travel cards and hotel credit cards, airlines provide big bonuses to entice new passengers. While the exact bonuses differ depending on the annual fee, some cards, such as those from Delta, Aer Lingus, British Airways, and others, offer signup bonuses of up to 100,000 miles.
② Airline alliance and codeshare agreements	Many people get airline rewards credit cards because they frequently travel with an airline and want rewards for their loyalty. One of the excellent things about these cards is the ability to rewards with several different carriers. These alliances allow people with airline credit cards from one carrier to earn – and redeem – miles with any other member of the partnership
③ Flexibility of rewards	Rewards flexibility is another critical consideration when it comes to this type of card. Many airline rewards credit cards – especially those part of frequent flyer programs, like Delta SkyMiles – have fairly strict terms of redemption. These are typically for flights with SkyTeam, seat upgrades, lounge access, or bookings with select hotel partners.
④ Travel perks	Before you apply for an airline rewards card always be check out the benefits cardholders can expect from card membership. The higher the annual fee, the better the perks. The same rationale applies to other perks, like frequent flyer tiers with airlines or other partners.
⑤ Foreign transaction fees	Many people overlook foreign transaction fees when exploring airline rewards credit cards. But what good is an airline card if you must pay to use it when you are traveling overseas? If you plan on using the credit card abroad, look for a card with no foreign transaction fees.

Of those tips listed above, pay special attention to the foreign transaction fees of any airline card you consider. Foreign transaction fees are charges from card issuers for transactions at non-U.S. retailers. However, these fees occur for more than physically paying with your credit card overseas. Foreign transaction fees include online purchases to foreign companies, ATM withdrawals outside the U.S., or currency conversion fees.

Currency conversion fees occur when the payment networks (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, etc.) charge the card issuer (Capital One, Chase, Wells Fargo, etc.) a processing fee. Typically, this fee is 1% of each U.S. dollar spent. Look for cards with no foreign transaction fees to avoid headaches abroad.

Other Things to Look For

No Annual Fee

Many co-branded credit cards come with “free” and “premium” versions. Premium versions come with an annual fee. These fees can range anywhere between $95 and $900. No-annual-fee airline cards offer frequent flyer rewards at a lower rate than premium cards but without a yearly membership fee.

Should you apply for a no-annual fee card or opt for the premium version?

No annual fee credit cards are an easy way to boost your frequent flyer miles quickly. These types of cards are perfect for folks who may not travel enough to warrant things like lounge access, security fast-pass, or priority boarding.

The easiest way to determine whether applying for a card with an annual fee is right for you is to closely examine your current travel habits and consider your spending levels to see if they match a premium version. Often, individuals will prefer a premium airline card for all the perks it offers. But if they do not take advantage of all these benefits and do not fly very often, they will unnecessarily spend money on unused features.

What Airline and Airport Perks Should You Look for In a Co-Branded Airline Credit Card?

Airport perks and benefits are another aspects of airline credit cards. These perks come from the carrier itself – and not the card issuer. These benefits allow account holders to enjoy exceptional amenities and luxury – at no additional cost.

Here are some of the most popular features to look out for:

Free checked bags	Specific amount of miles per dollar spent	Priority boarding
Lounge access	In-flight discounts	Airport of in-flight Wi-Fi

Targeted Offers

Credit card companies and frequent flyer programs often offer exclusive, invite-only, invite-only, exclusive promotions to their customers. Card issuers offer these discounts on criteria including credit history, spending habits, and geographic location.

The metrics used to determine who gets which offer vary by the credit card issuer. Unless you have an excellent credit score, clean credit history, and are actively using revolving credit (and are a member of the frequent flyer program that’s being targeted), you may not see a targeted offer in your mailbox.

Lounge Access

Paying for lounge access per trip can be pricey (if that lounge even accepts day passes), so the easiest way to ensure you can enjoy the finer things the airport has to offer is with a co-branded airline card. Airline lounges provide a wide variety of amenities, including showers, private rooms, complimentary cocktails, and more.

Anniversary Bonuses

An anniversary bonus is a perk that is granted to a qualifying cardholder or rewards program member on the anniversary of their program activation. Each calendar year, the card issuer gives the cardholder this special bonus.

What Are My Miles Worth?

Before you decide on a co-branded airline credit card, make sure you understand how much the points or miles you earn are worth. Here are the latest valuations for leading frequent flyer loyalty programs:

Program	Value (cents/point)
Air Canada (Aeroplan)	1.5
American Airlines (AAdvantage)	1.5
Alaska Airlines (Mileage Plan)	1.4
Avianca (LifeMiles)	1.5
British Airways (Avios)	1.3
Delta Air Lines (SkyMiles)	1.2
Frontier (Frontier Miles)	1.2
Hawaiian Airlines (HawaiianMiles)	0.9
JetBlue (TrueBlue)	1.4
KLM/ Air France (Flying Blue)	1.2
Korean Air (SkyPass)	1.6
Lufthansa (Miles & More)	1.5
Southwest (Rapid Rewards)	1.5
Spirit Airlines (Free Spirit)	0.8
United Airlines (MileagePlus)	1.2
Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club)	1.5

These valuations change depending on how you redeem miles or to which partners you choose to transfer miles.

Browse Airline Alliance and Codeshare Guides

Looking for a comprehensive guide to your favorite airline alliance or loyalty program? Chances are that we have it! Browse our Ultimate Guides:

Browse Frequent Flyer Program Guides

Looking for a comprehensive guide to your favorite airline loyalty program?

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New X1 Card Bases Credit Limit on Income, Not Score

by Cory Santos Sunday September 20, 2020

Last updated on April 7th, 2023

There’s a new card that claims to be changing the credit card landscape. The X1 Credit Card, set to launch this winter, bases a cardholder’s credit limit on their income – and not their credit score. Here’s what you need to know about the new X1 Card.

“We’ve Reimagined the Credit Card”

The team behind the X1 Card claim it is the “smartest credit card ever made.” They base that hype on the new – and unique – way the X1 is issued. Instead of determining who gets a credit card on credit score alone, the X1 focuses on a person’s current income.

Thrive, the company that created the X1 Card, includes co-founders Max Levchin, David Sacks, and Deepak Rao. They believe the traditional credit card market relies too heavily on what they term the “archaic credit score system.”

“We reimagined the credit card from the ground up to have smarter limits, intelligent features, modern rewards, and a new look.”

Deepak Rao

Co-Founder, X1 Card

“Credit Limits 5X What Users Expect”

With the X1 Card, its team believe that many applicants can anticipate credit limits up to five times what they could typically receive from other lenders. This figure assumes a $4,479 credit limit to the average Generation Z cardholder from an Experian study.

Variable APR Based on Creditworthiness

Of course, not everything with the X1 Card will be income reliant. Interest rates will depend on an applicant’s creditworthiness, with APRs ranging from 12.9% for those with excellent credit, to 19.9% APR for those with fair or good credit scores.

Earning Rewards

Like many other tech credit cards, the X1 Card claims to offer “unparalleled rewards.” The card will earn 2X points on every purchase, with those spending $15,000 or more every year getting an enhanced 3X points per dollar spent.

Those joining the card’s waitlist can invite a friend and receive a special 30 days of 4X points for each friend that signs up and gets the card. Points are unlimited and they never expire.

Points appear to apply towards merchandise and travel, with a large selection of merchants, airlines, and other service providers included:

Of course, any claims of “unparalleled rewards” mean nothing if we don’t know what those rewards are worth. The company claims its assessment is based upon advertised terms for cards like the Citi Premier, Amex Blue Cash, and Chase Sapphire Preferred. Those cards, however, have established rewards programs with a known value. How the X1 rewards stack up is yet to be seen.

Other Card Features

Other selling points of the X1 Card include:

Automatic credit limit increases as a user’s income and job title change
2% balance transfer fee
Pay with Points one-touch app
Cancel subscription payments in one click
Ability to spend anonymously without divulging payment information
End free trials automatically with auto-expiring virtual cards
No annual fee
17g stainless steel Visa Signature card

When Does the X1 Card Launch?

While the exact launch of the X1 Card is not yet known, the company is advertising a winter 2020 launch. Those interested in the card can join the waitlist at the official site and reserve their spot in line.

Three Simple Steps to Save You Money Now

by Cory Santos Saturday September 19, 2020

Last updated on September 19th, 2023

The current economic climate is having a severe impact on the budgets of millions of Americans. Fortunately, there are proactive steps you can take to reduce waste and save money. Here are three simple steps to save money now.

Streamline Your Expenses to Save Money

One of the easiest ways to save money is by budgeting. Cutting unnecessary expenses like streaming services that you don’t use, dining out at restaurants, or needless shopping can save significant money in months.

Another option is to consider streamlining your expenses for essentials. If you spend heavily on groceries, for example, consider adding a credit card (like the Chase Freedom Unlimited) that earns enhanced cash back earning potential on groceries. Other cards, like the Platinum Card from American Express, provide statement credits that cover streaming costs.

Streamlining your spending so that your costs are offset by rewards, or subsidies just by being a cardmember, can free up budget space for other essential items.

Related Article: How to Earn More Points, Miles, and Cash Back

Reduce Your Credit Card’s Interest Rate

Most consumers fail to renegotiate their credit cards’ interest rates, even though their credit score has improved. The APR on your card is not set in stone. Rather, these are interest rates that are fully negotiable with your card issuer.

The APR you receive when a bank approves your credit card application is a gauge of your risk as a borrower. If you establish a lengthy period of on-time payments, however, the bank may consider lowering your rate – but only if you ask.

If your credit score is growing, why not consider contacting your card issuer and renegotiating your interest rate? This process makes even more sense if you typically carry a balance on your card yet always ensure you pay your balance on time. Renegotiating can save you hundreds of dollars a year in interest payments.

To request an interest rate reduction, call the number on the back of your card. Always be receptive and flexible when talking with the bank and state your case with clarity.

Consider A Balance Transfer

Balance transfers are an excellent way to reduce costs and save money. When a person conducts a balance transfer, they move the balance of one credit card to another card, often at a much lower interest rate.

Combining balances reduces the number of payments an individual must make each month. Not only that, but often the new payment benefits from a promotional APR period.

Many balance transfer credit cards come with a 0% intro APR offer on any balances moved over to the new card. These interest-free periods are an excellent way to consolidate debt and pay it off significantly over a period of 12, 15, or even 18 months without accruing interest charges.

Keep in mind that you must list any balances you plan to transfer on the card application. Any other transfers are also subject to bank approval. The bank might only permit a certain amount of balance to transfer to the new account.

Conclusion

When budgets get tight, there are proactive steps you can take to relieve some of the pressure. Even a simple phone call to your credit card issuer can result in significant savings.

There are hundreds of ways to save money today, but the best ones are also the most basic. Keep an eye on your spending, identify what is not necessary, and find a way to eliminate those items. Additionally, make sure to see where you can streamline your spending to claw money back through rewards, cash back, and intro APR offers.

The Ultimate World of Hyatt Guide

by Cory Santos Saturday September 19, 2020

Last updated on April 3rd, 2024

World of Hyatt is the hotel rewards program from Hyatt Hotels Corporation. This lucrative rewards program opens a world of great amenities for travelers who frequently stay with Hyatt. Enjoy nearly 1,200 properties on six continents and earn points that can be redeemed for free stays at luxurious Hyatt hotels, resorts, and vacation properties across the globe. The program is free to join and offers not only exclusive rates and special amenities for members, but incredible redemption value as well.

What Hotels Are in the Hyatt Portfolio?

The following brands make up the Hyatt portfolio of properties:

Park Hyatt®	Hyatt	Hyatt House	Thompson Hotels
Miraval	Hyatt Ziva	Hyatt Residence Club	Hyatt Centric
Grand Hyatt	Hyatt Zilara	Andaz	Destination Hotels
Hyatt Regency	Hyatt Place	Alila	Joie de Vivre Hotels and Resorts

How to Earn Points with World of Hyatt

Hotel bookings offer the easiest route to earning vast amounts of rewards points. Members earn points for stays at Hyatt-owned properties worldwide. The number of points members earn varies based on their membership tier status. The points-earning potential for Rewards members breaks down as follows:

Members: Earn 5X points on every $1 spent at Hyatt properties
Discoverist: Earn a 10% points bonus on the member rate.
Explorist: Earn a 20% points bonus on the member rate.
Globalist: Earn a 30% points bonus on the member rate.

Loyalty program members also earn those same rewards on purchases and stays with other select loyalty programs, inclduingMGM Resorts, Small Luxury Hotels of the World, and Lindblad Expeditions.

What Are World of Hyatt Points Worth?

Program	Value (cents/point)
Best Western Rewards	0.6
Caesars Rewards	0.8
Choice Privileges	0.6
Drury Rewards	1
Hilton Honors	0.7
IHG One	0.6
Marriott Bonvoy	0.9
MGM Rewards	0.8
Radisson Rewards	0.4
Sonesta Travel Pass	0.5
VOILÀ Rewards	0.7
World of Hyatt	1.75
Wyndham Rewards	1.1

How to Redeem Points with Hyatt

The easiest way for World of Hyatt members to redeem points is through award nights with participating properties.

Hotel stay reward nights rates vary depending on the category of the property, the date of the booking, and the location of the hotel or resort. Free nights in the program are bookable either with Points, or a combination of Points + Cash.

Points: Points bookings start as low as 5,000 for standard rooms to 10,000 points for premium suites with Category 1 hotels, and up to 40,000 points per night for Category 8 properties.
Points + Cash: Points + Cash bookings provide greater flexibility, with as few as 2,500 points plus 50% of the standard rate required to book a standard room in a Category 1 property.

Transfer Points to Travel Partners

Points also transfer to nearly 30 partners worldwide. These partners offer a transfer ration of approximately 2.5 Hyatt points to one partner mile/points.

Aeromexico	Cathay Pacific	JAL	Royal Brunei Airlines
Air China	China Airlines	KLM	Singapore Airlines
Air France	China Eastern Airlines	Korean Air	Southwest
ANA	Delta Air Lines	Lufthansa	Thai Air
American Airlines	Emirates	Multiplus	Turkish Air
Asiana Airlines	Etihad	Qantas	United Airlines
British Airways	Hawaiian Airlines	Qatar Airways	Virgin Atlantic

Other Ways to Redeem Points

Rental Cars: Points are redeemable for car rentals with Avis.
Spa Credits: Points are applicable towards spa and health credits with Hyatt properties worldwide.
Dining Credits: Points apply towards credits for discounts or free meals with brand restaurants at hotels and resorts worldwide

World of Hyatt Membership Tiers

Here is a quick breakdown of each status tier in the World of Hyatt loyalty program – and what those tiers can expect:

	Member	Discoverist	Explorist	Globalist
Points bonus (All earn 5X)	–	10%	20%	30%
Free night	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Member rates	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
No resort fees	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
MGM tier match	Sapphire	Pearl	Gold	Gold
Small Luxury Hotels benefit	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Premium internet	–	✔️	✔️	✔️
Bottled water	–	✔️	✔️	✔️
Room upgrades*	–	✔️	✔️	✔️
Elite check-in	–	✔️	✔️	✔️
Late check-out	–	✔️	✔️	✔️
AAdvantage bonus	–	✔️	✔️	✔️
Guaranteed availability	–	–	–	✔️
Club/breakfast access	–	–	–	✔️
Free parking	–	–	–	✔️
Priority room access	–	–	–	✔️
Guest of honor				✔️

Discoverist

Discoverist status allows you to enjoy a higher level of service and comfort around the world; complete ten qualifying nights, or earn 25,000 Base Points, or hold three qualifying meetings or events per the calendar year to achieve Discoverist status.

Discoverist Benefits

Discoverist members enjoy the following benefits:

Premium internet access
Complimentary bottle of water
Free breakfast (where available)
Waived resort fees
Late check-out (until 2 PM)

Explorist

Achieving the Explorist tier requires a Member to complete 30 qualifying nights, or earn 50,000 Base Points, or hold ten qualifying events or meetings in a calendar year.

Explorist Benefits

Explorist members enjoy the following perks above what Discoverist members can expect:

Room upgrades (when available)
Club lounge access
10% savings over Members
Gold status in MGM’s M Life program

Globalist

The highest level of World of Hyatt’s luxury membership program, Globalist status, requires each Member to complete 60 qualifying nights, or earn 100,000 Base Points, or hold 20 qualifying meetings or events per calendar year.

Globalist Benefits

Late check-out (up until 4 PM)
Club lounge access including continental breakfast and evening hors d’oeuvres
Week of Wellbeing at participating Exhale Spa locations

Current Hyatt Credit Card Offers:

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Travel Rewards Credit Cards

The Ultimate Hilton Honors Guide

by Cory Santos Friday September 18, 2020

Last updated on April 9th, 2024

Hilton Honors is the hotel rewards program from Hilton Worldwide Holdings – more commonly known as Hilton Hotels. The Hilton Honors program is regarded as one of the richest rewards programs available today. This reputation is built on the back of the impressive signup bonuses of Hilton co-branded credit cards, such as the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.

What Hotels Are in the Hilton Portfolio?

The following hotels and resorts make up the Hilton Worldwide Holdings portfolio, and participate in the Hilton Honors program:

Canopy by Hilton	DoubleTree	Hilton Hotels & Resorts	Homewood Suites
Conrad Hotels & Resorts	Embassy Suites	Hilton Garden Inn	LXR Hotels & Resorts
Curio Collection by Hilton	Hampton by Hilton	Home2 Suites by Hilton	Motto by Hilton
Tapestry Collection	Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts	Signa by Hilton

How to Earn Points with Hilton Honors

The easiest way to earn Hilton Honors points is through stays booked directly with Hilton properties. Basic Hilton Honors members earn ten base points for every dollar they spend on their room when booking through Hilton.

Honors members can also earn additional points when they take part in bonus promotions designed to encourage members to stay at participating Hilton hotels, resorts, and suites. These promotions typically offer the prospect of double, triple, or even more points with every participating stay.

Bonus Points with Elite Status

Members can also earn points with their elite status levels:

	Member	Silver	Gold	Diamond
Guaranteed rate	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Earn points	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
No resort fees	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Digital check-in/out	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Choose your room	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Digital key	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Free Wi-Fi	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Access exclusive exeriences	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Free bottled water	–	✔️	✔️	✔️
5th night free	–	✔️	✔️	✔️
Elite rollover nights	–	✔️	✔️	✔️
Spa discount	–	✔️	✔️	✔️
Room upgrades	–	–	✔️	✔️
Food credits	–	–	✔️	✔️
Milestone bonus	–	–	✔️	✔️
Lounge access	–	–	–	✔️
Status extension	–	–	–	✔️
48-hr room guarantee	–	–	–	✔️
Elite status gifting	–	–	–	✔️
Points bonus on stays	–	20%	80%	100%

Travel Partners

Lyft: Honors Club members earn 3X points for every dollar spent on eligible Lyft rideshares in the U.S. and Canada (excluding shared rides) and 2X points for every dollar spent on eligible Lyft shared rideshares.
Priority Pass: Honors members who join Priority Pass receive not only access to over 1,000 lounges across the globe but also earn up to 10,000 bonus Honors points. Priority Pass signup bonuses are as follows:
- 4,000 Points for a standard membership
- 6,500 points for a standard plus membership
- 10,000 points for a Priority Pass Prestige membership

Alamo: Honors members can earn 500 bonus points on each Alamo rental, up to a maximum of 5,000 points.
Enterprise: Honors members can also earn 500 bonus points on Enterprise car rentals, up to a maximum of 5,000 points.
National: Honors members receive 25% savings on National car rentals and can earn up to 500 bonus points with qualifying rentals – up to a maximum of 5,000 points.

Shopping and Dining

Hilton has partnerships with thousands of retailers around the world, making it easy to earn rewards points. For a complete list of participating shopping or retail locations, visit the dedicated Hilton shopping page.

Honors members can earn up to 8x points for every $1 spent with over 10,000 dining partners worldwide. Members also earn an additional 5x points per dollar spent when they sign up for Hilton Dining email alerts notifying them of new locations near them, and they then book a table.

Hilton offers far more than just hotel rooms, as it also plays host to thousands of events each year. The Hilton Honors program allows event planners to earn one point per dollar spent when they book their activities with participating Hilton hotels and properties – up to 100,000 points.

To earn points, an event planner must contact the sales department at the participating hotel directly, request a proposal, and ask for events planner points and have them included in the event contract.

Limitations on Earning Points with Hilton Honors

As with many hotel rewards programs, there are limitations on how points can be earned in the Honors loyalty program. Points cannot be earned on bookings made through third-party discount websites, such as Trivago, Orbitz, Priceline, Booking.com, Expedia, Kayak, Hotwire, Travelocity, or others.

What Are Hilton Honors Rewards Points Worth?

Program	Value (cents/point)
Best Western Rewards	0.6
Caesars Rewards	0.8
Choice Privileges	0.6
Drury Rewards	1
Hilton Honors	0.7
IHG One	0.6
Marriott Bonvoy	0.9
MGM Rewards	0.8
Radisson Rewards	0.4
Sonesta Travel Pass	0.5
VOILÀ Rewards	0.7
World of Hyatt	1.75
Wyndham Rewards	1.1

How to Redeem Points with Hilton Honors

The easiest way to redeem Hilton Honors points is through booking free night stays with participating Hilton properties. While Hilton claims that reward nights start as low as 5,000 points, most free nights usually cost between 30,000 and 40,000 points.

The exact rate of points required for booking a free night depends on the category of the hotel, the time of proposed booking (whether off-peak or peak season), the room is booked, and the location of the property. Silver, Gold, and Diamond Elite members also receive a complimentary 5th night free when they book standard rewards stays of five consecutive nights or more.

To book rewards nights, members need to book their stay via the Hilton website or through the mobile app, and check the box labeled “Use Hilton Honors Points.”

Transfer Points to Travel Partners

Hilton Honors points also transfer to the frequent flyer rewards programs of over 40 different airlines. The following airlines are partners with Hilton:

AeroMexico	Air New Zealand	China Eastern Airlines	Ethiopian Airlines
AirAsia Big	All Nippon Airways	Delta Airlines	Eurowings
Air Canada	British Airways	Emirates	Eva Air
Air France	Cathay Pacific	Etihad	Hainan Airlines
Iberia	KLM	Qatar Airlines	Turkish Airlines
Japan Airlines	Korean Air	Saudi Airlines	United Airlines
Jet Airways	Malaysia Airlines	SAS Scandinavian Airlines	Virgin Atlantic
JetBlue	Qantas	Singapore Airlines	Virgin Australia

Other Ways to Redeem Points

Shopping: Honors points are redeemable towards merchandise through the dedicated Hilton Honors Shopping Mall, for gift certificates with some of the largest merchants in the world, or shopping with Amazon.
Share or Pool Points: Hilton also allows members to either share their points with loved ones through gifting or pooling points with friends or family to help reach expensive redemption goals.

Hilton Honors Membership Tiers Explained

Here is a more detailed breakdown of what each tier in the Hilton Honors loyalty program can expect:

Silver

Silver is the first elite tier in the Hilton Honors program that offers perks beyond what regular (Blue) members can expect. Silver status requires at least four stays or ten nights per year, or a Hilton Honors Amex cardholder.

Silver Benefits

Silver members can expect the following perks:

20% bonus points on stays
Priority late check-out
Access to the dedicated reservations line
Elite tier rollover nights
5th night free
The second guest stays free
No resort fees on reward stays
Two complimentary bottles of water
Complimentary Wi-Fi

Gold

Gold is the next tier in the Honors loyalty program and offers enhanced perks beyond those of Silver Elite members. To qualify for Gold Elite, members must have at least 20 stays, 40 nights per year, 75,000 points, or be a Hilton Honors Amex Surpass or Hilton Honors Amex Business cardholder.

Gold Benefits

Gold members can expect the following perks in addition to those experienced by Silver members:

80% bonus points on stays
Space available room upgrades (up to Executive room-type)
Complimentary breakfast
Unlimited milestone bonuses

Diamond

Diamond is the top tier in the Hilton Honors in the loyalty program and offers further enhancements than those Gold members can expect and requires 30 stays, 60 nights per year, 120,000 points, or being a Hilton Honors Amex Aspire cardholder.

Diamond Benefits

Diamond members can expect the following perks beyond Gold:

100% bonus points on stays
Up to one suite upgrade
Executive lounge status
Elite status gift
48-hr room guarantee
Diamond status extension
Choice of a free welcome gift of points, breakfast, or amenities

Current Hilton Credit Cards

There are currently three personal Hilton Honors credit cards and one business credit card through American Express. These cards offer lucrative impressive perks, points on gas stations, restaurants, and other categories, and excellent Hilton Honors bonus points after meeting minimum spending requirements within the first months of card membership – or in a calendar year.

Hilton Honors Surpass credit card review

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

Hilton Honors American Express Card

Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

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Wells Fargo Launches Hotels.com Rewards Visa Card

by Cory Santos Friday September 18, 2020

Last updated on April 12th, 2023

Wells Fargo has a new, no-annual-fee credit card for those who love to travel. The card, co-branded with Hotels.com, offers free night stays, no foreign transaction fees, and more. Here’s all you need to know about the new Hotels.com Rewards Visa Card from Wells Fargo.

New Hotels.com Visa from Wells Fargo

A new, co-branded hotel card from Wells Fargo, the Hotels.com Rewards Visa Credit Card, provides robust rewards with no annual fee. The card lets customers collect one Hotels.com Rewards stamp for every night they stay at an eligible property booked through Hotels.com. They’ll also receive one stamp for every $500 in purchases made with the card.

When Hotels.com Rewards members collect ten stamps, they’ll earn one free reward night. Wells Fargo bolsters that simple rewards process with an introductory offer of one free night after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Other Card Features

Other features of the Hotels.com Rewards Visa Card include no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. Given the near-global purchasing power of the Visa payment network, that’s an excellent feature for those who are planning to escape to an exotic destination once international travel becomes more prevalent as the coronavirus pandemic eases.

While the card does not offer an introductory APR on purchases or balance transfers, the regular interest rates for these transactions are highly competitive. The APR, for example, is practically identical to the Expedia Rewards Card from Citi.

Is the Hotels.Com Card Worth It?

The Hotels.com Rewards Visa is a decent hotel card for those that prefer booking through the popular website. At a rate of $500 per Rewards stamp, however, the value of the card is roughly equivalent to the Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer. For those who love Hotels.com, that’s not a bad earning rate. For those who prefer a little more booking flexibility, however, a regular cash back credit card – or even an option like the Blue from American Express – might be a better bet.

Five Tips for Using Your First Credit Card

by Cory Santos Thursday September 17, 2020

Last updated on August 24th, 2023

Getting a first credit card is an exciting experience. Having access to credit allows you to buy the things you want – and pay for them later. What’s not to love? Before you go on a spending spree, however, make sure to learn these five tips for using your first credit card.

Always Keep a Budget

Rule number one with any credit card is knowing your budget – and sticking to it.

Credit cards have two significant appeals: the ability to pay later and the chance to earn rewards. Because of these features, it is easy to fall into the trap of overspending and getting into unnecessary debt.

Before you use your first credit card, understand what you can afford to spend. Most financial experts suggest budgeting with the 50/30/20 method:

50% of take-home pay towards housing, groceries, and utilities
30% of take-home pay for everyday spending and non-essentials
20% of take-home pay for savings

Using budgeting techniques is a great way to prevent becoming overwhelmed by spiraling credit card bills and debt.

Keep Your Credit Utilization Low

Credit utilization is a term referring to how much of your available credit you use. Credit utilization is also a critical factor in what makes up a FICO credit score.

At 30% in weight, credit utilization is the second most important factor in a FICO Score, after payment history. Keeping credit use below 30% is necessary for maintaining and building a good credit score. Those hoping to boost their score even faster should aim for a credit utilization rate of 10% or lower.

Pay Your Bill in Full Every Month

Paying your credit card statement in full every month is an essential part of responsible credit use. When you pay your entire statement balance, you set yourself up for financial success.

When a cardholder makes the minimum payment only, interest quickly adds up – especially if the remaining balance is large. Most people who receive their first credit card shouldn’t expect a low APR. Instead, most first-time credit cardholders can anticipate a purchase APR in the 18% to 25% range.

Even the best interest rates, however, are far higher than you can expect with a personal loan. The takeaway? Pay your bill in full every month – otherwise, anticipate interest to pile up quickly. Keep in mind, however, that you don’t have to pay your entire statement balance in one go. You can divide the payment into chunks throughout the billing period – as long as you pay it off before the due date – so that it’s easier for you while you cover other costs.

Set Up Autopay

Automatic payments are the easiest way to ensure you pay your bill on time each month. Payment history makes up 35% of a FICO Score – and even one missed payment can damage your credit and remain on your credit report for up to seven years.

Putting your credit card bills on autopay is the easiest way to achieve these goals and give yourself the peace of mind that everything is under control. Autopay is a near-universal feature with credit cards, meaning this option is a no-brainer and available on most first-time cards.

Don’t Forget About Fees

Most consumers pay attention to things like interest rates on purchases, annual fees, and rewards points earning rates. Unfortunately, many ignore other numbers – namely, fees.

Credit cards have a whole host of fees and charges, including late payment fees, cash advance fees, balance transfer fees, and foreign transaction fees. These might seem small on their own, but they can quickly build up. Perhaps the most dangerous of these charges are those for cash advances. Cash advances can provide access to funds when you need them most but come with fees and high interest charges. As such, they’re not recommended unless you have no alternative.

First Credit Card Tips: Summing It Up

Getting your first credit card is exciting, and it’s a great first step towards building up a long and exemplary financial profile. However, it’s easy to fall victim to rookie mistakes and ongoing slip-ups – like those mentioned above. Make it a habit to keep these in mind to ensure that you’re setting yourself up for success. As long as you’re disciplined and realistic about what you can do with your credit card, you’ll have a convenient and satisfying way to purchase the things you need and want.