(ThePennyWatcher.com) – Ah yes, how to best use travel rewards and all those flashy perks and benefits. It feels like most people don’t utilize their cards to their potential, and that is probably normal. But there are also probably some small adjustments to usage we all can make so that we see the actual benefit in having the card in the first place.
Sometimes it’s a matter of having to many cards, and not knowing which ones really fit your lifestyle. Do you fly often, do you shop more, etc.
The key is to narrowing down where you can realize the full benefits. Let’s start by looking at the big guns in the industry, and you can make the decision.
Priceline is one of the best travel sites around. The company proudly sports an outstanding 4.6/5 rating. They offer vacationers a variety of services such as booking hotels, or renting cars. The Priceline Membership Program helps customers save money on car rentals, flights and hotels. There is even special pricing for bags and seat selection.
Expedia offers a lot of different priced activities and hotel bookings. The average rating on here is about 4.7/5 stars, which shows how reliable Expedia really is. Expedia has a VIP program that helps you receive discounts on flights, hotels, and car rentals. Benefits for customers who are a part of the Business Travel Club include upgrading their hotel room, priority boarding, and there is even points that can be redeemed for free flights or staying in a hotel.
Orbitz provides access to countless offers on discounted hotels and flights. Orbits currently has a 4.5 star rating that it proudly holds along with its Price match guarantee feature.
Orbitz Rewards allows customers to earn a currency called “Orbucks” which can be traded in. Silver, Gold, and Platinum are the different levels of membership. Gold and Platinum members are able to upgrade flights for free, and provide priority boarding.
Booking.com is a reliable source to find hotel bookings and car rentals. With a rating of 4.8 stars being earned through its money saving offers and well designed search engine. Their spectacular rewards program they have consist of tiers 1,2 , and 3.
All of which get customers deals on hotel bookings. Level 3 members get to enjoy even more perks, including priority boarding which includes refreshments on the flight. This makes Booking.com one of the best platforms around! Not many platforms offer deals as well as Booking.com!
Trip Advisor is another very well put together travel site, having a rating of 4.7/5 stars.
Trip Advisor’s search engine allows you to find great deals on bookings, whether it be flights or hotels.
Trip Advisor’s rewards program, “Tripp Collective” awards you points for every review, photo, video or posts on the forum you contribute. There are Tiers, such as Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum depending on how many points that you earn.
So whatever you do, choose a card that you can utilize in your daily life right away, and start to rack up those rewards.
Happy spending and traveling, especially during the holiday season.
