Note: Like any points earning technique, rules may change in the future to prevent this type of technique from working, but as of January of 2013 this method still works. While I am surely not the first person to post about the use of Vanilla Reload cards + American Express Blue Bird to earn points on expenses that usually don't earn points (your US Bank Mortgage being a … [Read more...] about How to Pay Down US Bank Mortgage for 5x Points
Does Posting Reviews to Trip Advisor Help or Hurt Your Travel Blog?
At the same time I started Jeffsetter, I also decided to try and get "serious" about my Trip Advisor account. While I have lurked on the site for years and enjoyed their reviews, I never really took the time to become a reviewer myself. Now that I am doing reviews of hotels and trips on Jeffsetter, I thought it might help my brand to also post them on Tripadvisor.com. Maybe … [Read more...] about Does Posting Reviews to Trip Advisor Help or Hurt Your Travel Blog?
What is the Best Way to Book Maldives Award Redemptions?
The following is a Reader Question from Kyle in Chicago, IL Dear Jeffsetter, I have been trying to read up on flights and airline partners as much as possible. However I still find it VERY confusing the best way to earn points for flying. My confusion lies in which airlines transfer to which, which often offer transfer bonuses, and how to get the best deal when … [Read more...] about What is the Best Way to Book Maldives Award Redemptions?
Delta Shifting to a Miles + Delta Revenue Based Frequent Flyer Program
In what may have been the worst kept secret in the Frequent Flyer Miles/Travel Points ecosystem, Delta announced earlier this week that they would be shifting the Skymiles elite status earning rules from a miles-only system to a miles + revenue-based system beginning in 2014. This is the long rumored Delta Revenue Based Frequent Flyer Program. Delta Revenue Based Frequent … [Read more...] about Delta Shifting to a Miles + Delta Revenue Based Frequent Flyer Program
Booking on Air Tahiti From Papeete to the Cook Islands is Scary
I just booked a flight that has my stomach in knots for many reasons. It's equally exhilarating, unknown, scary and awesome. First, some background. While I'm still slowly posting about my honeymoon trip from September/October of this year, I have actually been planning our first anniversary trip to French Polynesia for June of 2013 for quite some time. In fact, I booked … [Read more...] about Booking on Air Tahiti From Papeete to the Cook Islands is Scary
Hotel Review: Hilton Munich City
Mauritius, Munich, Oktoberfest, Berchtesgaden and Paris: Hotel Review - Hilton Munich City Trip Summary: Back in January of 2012 I decided to put my frequent flyer mileage knowledge, skills and learnings to the test and book the honeymoon of our dreams for my wife and me. While it took several months for the plans to fully materialize, the result was an amazing, while not … [Read more...] about Hotel Review: Hilton Munich City
Someone Please Explain Delta Airlines Carrier Imposed International Surcharges
A few months ago I teased about going on a trip to Turkey. I may have cleverly stated I would be spending Thanksgiving in Turkey, but the intent all along was to make it a trip for 2013. The stars finally aligned a few weeks ago when my brother and my dad booked their flights to Istanbul for a week in April. I did not book my flight on the same itinerary, because I was … [Read more...] about Someone Please Explain Delta Airlines Carrier Imposed International Surcharges
Reader Question: Club Carlson Credit Card Signup Bonus
Question from reader Wyn in Minneapolis, MN: Hey Jeffsetter, I just received this email from Club Carlson introducing their 85,000 Gold Point Signup bonus. Is this a good deal or a bad deal? Club Carlson Credit Card Signup Bonus Thanks for the question, Wyn. While Club Carlson has not been around for a long time in its current incarnation, the name still makes me … [Read more...] about Reader Question: Club Carlson Credit Card Signup Bonus
Four Seasons Tanzania Resort – Luxury on the Serengeti National Park
I signed up for the email list for the Four Seasons after staying at the Four Seasons Mauritius earlier this year and I must say that their approach to email is interesting. They don't ever run discounts, which makes sense as a luxury brand trying to keep a luxurious status. They do, however, highlight their beautiful destinations and make me want to visit them each time I open … [Read more...] about Four Seasons Tanzania Resort – Luxury on the Serengeti National Park
Hilton Honors Increases Stay Requirements to Make Gold and Diamond
I really want to have this post title say Hilton Increases Stay Requirement to Make Gold and Platinum. Drats! Says the One Guy that actually achieves Hilton Status through staying at their hotels That's really how I feel about this announcement from Hilton, since I have been a Gold member for years and don't remember an actual time where I made the status on hotel … [Read more...] about Hilton Honors Increases Stay Requirements to Make Gold and Diamond