Author: Saverocity

Semi-official: Hilton free night certificates being extended

Featured, Travel

Written by Saverocity @ Saverocity

While nothing has been announced officially, my friend and I have confirmed with multiple Hilton representatives on the phone and on Twitter that some free night certificates (FNC) are extending by some time.  The exact detail seems murky still, but expect something to be announced soon.He and I each have a FNC currently expiring Aug 31, 2021.  They have been extended before.  He was told by multiple phone reps that his can be extended by Dec 31, 2022.  However, they cannot do it just yet because the system is not ready, but they’ve been told it’s coming.  Separately, he was told there was no plan to extend his FNC currently expiring in 2022 yet.In my case, I was told by @HiltonHonors on Twitter that my FNC, because it was originally issued before May 1, 2020, would soon be extended to Jan 3, 2022, and that the announcement and capability to extend would be coming.I wouldn’t trust the dates until we see official communication, but it seems the extension is real and follows IHG’s lead (gasp).          ..
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Semi-official: Hilton free night certificates being extended

Featured, Travel

Written by Saverocity @ Saverocity

While nothing has been announced officially, my friend and I have confirmed with multiple Hilton representatives on the phone and on Twitter that some free night certificates (FNC) are extending by some time.  The exact detail seems murky still, but expect something to be announced soon.He and I each have a FNC currently expiring Aug 31, 2021.  They have been extended before.  He was told by multiple phone reps that his can be extended by Dec 31, 2022.  However, they cannot do it just yet because the system is not ready, but they’ve been told it’s coming.  Separately, he was told there was no plan to extend his FNC currently expiring in 2022 yet.In my case, I was told by @HiltonHonors on Twitter that my FNC, because it was originally issued before May 1, 2020, would soon be extended to Jan 3, 2022, and that the announcement and capability to extend would be coming.I wouldn’t trust the dates until we see official communication, but it seems the extension is real and follows IHG’s lead (gasp).          ..
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Survival Tip: How to “go back” on a miles & points blog page

Featured, Travel

Written by Saverocity @ Saverocity

It’s a well-established fact that reading good miles and points blogs is essential for survival.  So when a basic functionality stops working, our well-beings are at jeopardy.  That’s why I’m here to share a tip, in hopes of restoring order to our lives.Recently, a new signature has emerged for the VIPs of miles and points blogs.  At several such important blogs, the back button on your browser will seemingly do nothing.  No longer does it go back to the previous page.  Clicking again yields the same result.  You’re stuck on the same page, with nowhere to go!  Panicking questions like “should I read the article again?” rush to your brain as you hopeless jam the back button hoping for a miracle.I know I’m not the only one who’s been driven to the edge by this breach of order!At the same time, it must be comforting as the owners of the affected blogs to know that you are part of an elite group of blogs, as this issue does not seem to affect small-time blogs – like this one.With so much..
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Sedona Rouge Hotel back to 15,000 Wyndham points!

Featured, Travel

Written by Saverocity @ Saverocity

Sedona Rouge Hotel and Spa is a 4-star hotel in gorgeous Sedona.  With a great location in town, it’s part of the Wyndham Trademark Collection, which has some of the best hotels in the Wyndham group.  Since the devaluation last year (which came after the massive devaluation 2 years ago), most (if not all) of them went up to 30,000 points per night, including Sedona Rouge.  However, the price is back down to 15k again! { View of red rocks from hotel rooftop }  While researching hotel prices for a blog post about Sedona hotels, I was surprised to find the following prices in October 2021.  I checked a few other dates and confirmed they all say 15k per night.As you can see, multiple room types are bookable for 15k (including the King room not shown).  The Spa Room is a romantic room in the Spa building with a tub.  There’s also a note about a resort fee:I’m pretty sure I wasn’t charged this fee during my Oct 2020 stay.  When you look at the details in the “Total for..
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Sedona – a Magical Place of Vast Beauty

Featured, Travel

Written by Saverocity @ Saverocity

October 2020. I visited Zion National Park for the first time.  When I reached the town of Springdale and the Zion canyon wall appeared before my eyes, it was a sight I’ll never forget.  I thought: surely this is the most majestic of all red rocks in the country, other than maybe the Grand Canyon?Less a month later, after spending 4 days in Sedona, a new thought emerged: THIS is the gold standard for red rocks – and the freedom to enjoy them.Sedona with its vast open space was a sanctuary during Covid.  It’s also a great destination during normal times.  I wanted to share what made me fall in love with it, and why I can’t wait to go back (for the 4th time). First ImpressionLike many before me, I made the 2 hour drive from Phoenix.  While there was some view on Highway 17, in no way do they compare to the visual feast that is Sedona itself, which only starts to unfold in the last 10 minutes on AZ-89A en route to my hotel – Sedona Rouge. ..
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Low Category IHG Redemption – Staybridge Suites Palm Springs

Featured, Travel

Written by Saverocity @ Saverocity

In a normal year, I’d tell you about some great low category hotel redemptions around the world.  But in the year of Covid, I have been checking out things near my base of Southern California.  I wanted to share a good points redemption at home.  I’m talking about Staybridge Suites Cathedral City Palm Springs.  It’s a limited service hotel, so don’t expect plushy bathrobes dangling in the marble bathroom.  What you’ll find though is a new, resort-like hotel in a prime vacation spot, surrounded by nature with stunning views. { Around the hotel }  I first noticed this property a few years ago when it cost 25k IHG points per night.  I considered it a good deal then, as it was brand new with great reviews amid the high cost of redemption in Palm Springs.  Nowadays it’s often available at 17.5k IHG points, including weekends.  Here’s Friday and Saturday the week of March 12:The keen eye will notice the Mountain View studio “suite” is available for the same # of points as the regular studio “suite”.  This is a great..
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One reason to potentially defer your Covid-19 vaccine

Featured, Travel

Written by Saverocity @ Saverocity

If you want to be vaccinated against Covid-19, should you get it as soon as possible?  For many, including me, the answer is yes.  But there is one travel-related reason you might think twice about.It’s the likeliness that many countries will continue to be conservative in reopening to visitors.  Personally, I think it’s unlikely that countries that have closed their borders and effectively minimized Covid cases will suddenly open their borders to all vaccinated visitors.  Were I to guess, it’s more likely they’ll wait until data proves vaccination effect on transmission.  Personally, based on some basic understanding of vaccines and the outstanding clinical performance of the current vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J, I think it’s likely they will be highly effective in preventing transmission for more than 3 months.  However, until such data comes out about the longevity of immunity, the current conservative assumption I’m hearing is 3 months. Over time, say by summer 2021, we should see some countries/regions open their borders to some vaccinatees.  My guess is many will have a policy that prioritizes those vaccinated within the..
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