Category Archives: Travel

Travel Reward Credit Cards – Are You Making These Mistakes?

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By using a travel reward credit card, many smart travellers are maximizing points and getting a lot of free travel as a result. The benefits of a travel reward credit card are many, from free travel to discounts on hotels and rental cars. But there are some clear disadvantages too, and it is important for the consumer to know what to look for before jumping on board with a travel reward program.

So What Is A Travel Reward Credit Card Anyway?

Simply put, a travel reward credit card is one which issues points for the amount of financing it is used for, and these points can be used as travel credits with various airlines. Many credit card companies offer such point programs, generally redeemable for things like groceries and gas, or consumer products. A travel reward credit card is only redeemable for travel points, so obviously the first thing is to be sure that travel points are what you are hoping to achieve by using the card, otherwise it is better to go with a card that offers rewards more in line with what you would like.

Before enrolling in a travel reward credit card program, it is important to be aware that:

  • There is usually a yearly membership fee for the card
  • The interest rates are often higher than other cards
  • The points are redeemable only with the airline with which the card is affiliated
  • There is often a large purchase to points ratio involved with the card.

Many people sign up for a travel reward credit card dreaming of winter escapes or European adventures, only to realise too late that they now they simply have another credit card that is more expensive than the others, and that any points they achieve are negated by the interest rates they have to pay. Some cards give only one point for every two dollars spent, and most travel rewards programs require about 25,000 points for one domestic flight. That means you are spending anywhere from $25,000 to $50,000 to get a flight whose average cost might be $400! If you are carrying a balance month to month, the interest paid out could easily amount to more than the flight is worth.

Getting The Most Out of a Travel Reward Credit Card

To avoid making the most common mistakes and get the most benefit out of your travel reward credit card, follow these four steps:

  1. Be sure that travel reward points are what you want from the card in the first place.
  2. Determine which airlines’ travel rewards program most fits your travel plans, then find out if they offer a card.
  3. Investigate the membership fee, and the purchase to points ratio to make sure it is realistic with the amount you will use the card.
  4. Most importantly, after you begin using the card: pay off the balance in full every month!

Following these steps, particularly paying off your monthly balance, will ensure that you get the most out of your travel reward credit card and can start saving points for the trip of your dreams today.

Women Traveling Together

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Women traveling together can be a powerful experience that forms bonds and memories that bridge differences and last a lifetime. According to a Travel Industry of America survey, 72 million U.S. women traveled during the past year. Of those who currently take nature, adventure or cultural trips, 75% are women.

Women spend so much of their time taking care of and worrying about others, that traveling with other women offers a much-needed respite that gives you room to relax, be yourself, and do whatever you want to do. And most of all, it gives you the opportunity to enjoy adventures all over the globe as you discover new sights, sounds, tastes and experiences. Whether it’s browsing for bargains in Paris, learning about your ancestry in the cultural mecca of Rome or relaxing in a blissful spa along a tropical beach you’re after, with women’s traveling packages, you can do it all with the support and guidance of an experienced travel leader and the companionship of other women travelers.

For women, traveling together offers security, sisterhood, exploration, enrichment and the chance to explore the world with a group of girlfriends. We as women are more than the roles of mother, wife, boss, employee, sister, daughter, grandma, retiree, student or senior, that are used to define us. Women are powerful, strong, adventurous, free-spirited, joyous, compassionate, alive, changing, dynamic and inspiring, and what better way to celebrate and nurture these qualities than by embarking on a journey together with like-minded women.

Women’s traveling groups have become popular in today’s world because more women have the ability, funds and independence to join other women with similar interests to explore new places. According to statistics from the travel and tourism industry, women are making 70 percent of travel decisions for their family, for their own getaways, or for people at work. Until recently, most women were not allowed or able to travel on their own and were instead relegated to planning trips for the whole family, taking into consideration everyone’s interests except their own. But now, with women gaining power every day, making more money than ever and feeling pressures from many sides, many are finding a much-needed break by taking girlfriend getaways and leaving their worries behind.

The typical group of women traveling together is as varied as the interests and backgrounds of the world. Some women need a break from homemaking and with their husband’s blessings, sign up for a girls-only getaway with old college friends. Some women are high-level business professionals who sign up for a women’s trip on their own and return with many lifelong friends. Some women celebrate their family relationships, choosing to book a travel package with three generations of women. In short, participants of all ages and backgrounds are living it up and enjoying the benefits of women’s travel groups.

Part of what makes women’s traveling packages so popular is that they can be personalized to cater to each group’s interests, offering anything from upscale entertainment to cooking classes to spa services and cultural sightseeing. And with the expertise of a knowledgeable travel agent, women can rest assured knowing they have one less thing on their to-do list, leaving the details and planning to the pros.

As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” So go ahead, dream a little, and find some peace, pampering and excitement, as your girlfriend getaway takes you to places you’d never thought possible. The office, laundry and children can wait.