The annual U.S. Travel Association Daily Getaways sale has returned. It was cancelled last year due to the pandemic with no sign of when it would reappear. Now it’s back with a familiar array of point packages and certificates available in the coming days and weeks. If you’re contemplating travel, it’s definitely worth checking out and doing the math to see if any of the offerings would save you money on your trip. [Read more…]
Should You Book A Kimpton Hotel Before August 9? (10k Bonus IHG Points Per Night Till Dec. 30, 2021)
IHG Rewards has a new promotion where members will receive 10,000 bonus points per night at participating Kimpton hotels. You need to book by August 9 for stays up until December 30, 2021. Reservations are fully cancellable. If you think you might be travelling before the end of the year, you should consider this promo or at least take a moment to familiarize yourself with a rather interesting IHG hotel brand. [Read more…]
Summer Explorer Promo at 18 Canadian Hotels (IHG, Hilton, Marriott etc.) Book by July 16, 2021
I recently noticed this “Summer Explorer” hotel promotion in a Travelzoo Top 20 email and it looks pretty enticing. For stays of two to four nights, guests will receive a voucher ranging from $25 to $250 to use for a future stay at one of the 18 participating hotels. If you have any plans to travel within Canada this summer, you should probably take a look. [Read more…]
Two Double/Queen Bed Hotel Rooms in Europe – Marriott, IHG, Choice, Hilton
If you’ve done much travelling in Europe, you’ve likely discovered that the standard hotel room commonly found in North America with two double or queen beds is relatively scarce over there. If you’re travelling with family or friends and are okay with sharing one room, it could be a challenge to find suitable accommodation and even more so if you want to book a reward stay. In light of this reality, I thought it might be useful to highlight a few chain hotels that offer larger rooms bookable with points. [Read more…]
Travelzoo Hotel Deal – InterContinental Montreal $139 (Refundable Voucher Valid Until Dec. 30, 2021)
[UPDATE: this has sold out and the rate is now $129 but in a classic room with no breakfast or late checkout] There are a few decent hotel offers on Travelzoo for stays all the way into December 2021. I’ll highlight one in Montreal that looks particularly interesting. Even if you’re not contemplating a trip to Montreal, it’s good to be aware of various deal websites you can monitor in case something comes along that suits your travel plans. [Read more…]
My Holiday Inn History (Still Open, Rebranded or Imploded)
The other day I watched a video of a Holiday Inn in Virginia being imploded and realized I actually stayed there on three separate occasions. It made me wonder what’s happened to some of the other Holiday Inns I’ve stayed at in the past. If you’re interested in reading my rambling recollections, feel free to read on. [Read more…]
Booking Speculative Travel In The Age Of COVID-19
A current dilemma among avid travellers is whether to go ahead a book a trip in light of the enormous uncertainty around COVID-19’s continuing impact on the world. Hence, I thought I’d take a look at some of the considerations involved in making tentative plans for travel in 2021. [Read more…]
IHG Rewards Double Points (Oct. 1 – Dec. 15, 2020) and Atlantic Canada Resident Rate Reminder
IHG Rewards Club just announced its latest global promotion. Although it’s not very exciting, it’s at least straightforward. Members will receive double points on every qualifying stay. It’s certainly worth registering for if you’re going to be staying at an IHG hotel. And if you’re considering options for a getaway here in the bubble, remember to check for Atlantic Canada resident discounts. [Read more…]
Searching For New Hotels In Various Loyalty Programs
A recent post on this blog was about a new hotel in Venice with potential for a high value redemption of Choice Privileges points. Consequently, I thought it might be useful to go over a few resources for finding new properties in various hotel chain loyalty programs. Whether it’s a recent construction or a rebranding of an existing hotel, it’s nice to discover new options for redeeming your points. [Read more…]
Tip For Finding Semi-Hidden Rates At IHG Hotels
Sometimes finding the lowest rate at a hotel is not as straightforward as one would hope. If the hotel you’re eyeing is a chain property, you might assume that you can go on the chain’s website and the full gamut of rates will be on display: non-refundable, refundable, members’ rates, package rates, CAA, senior etc. The reality, however, is that discovering the actual lowest rate may require a little more digging. [Read more…]