running Archives - Hanover Mortgages

Apache is functioning normally

June 8, 2023 by Brett Tams

If you’re saving for retirement, a broad market index portfolio is typically a good option. Investing in a target date fund or S&P 500 index fund, for instance, are low-cost ways to gain broad market exposure. However, newly published research indicates there may be a significantly more lucrative way to handle your nest egg.

A financial advisor can help find the right mix of investments for your retirement portfolio. Find a fiduciary advisor today.

An analysis from Dimensional Fund Advisors suggests retirement savers can do better than following the standard advice to use index funds, for instance, to get a balanced portfolio. Portfolios built with a focus on size, value and profitability premiums can generate more assets and better longevity than broad market portfolios, according to the DFA research. In fact, a DFA researcher calculated that a portfolio that emphasizes these premiums would leave a hypothetical investor with at least 20% more money by age 65, even if market returns were less than the historical average.

“These results are encouraging. A portfolio that incorporates controlled, moderate premium exposure can strike a balance between higher expected returns than the market and the cost of slightly higher volatility and moderate tracking error,” DFA’s Mathieu Pellerin wrote in his paper “How Targeting the Size, Value, and Profitability Premiums Can Improve Retirement Outcomes.”

“As a result, targeting these long-term drivers of stock returns is likely to increase assets at the beginning of retirement.”

What Are Size, Value and Profitability Premiums?

As part of its research, DFA compared the simulated performance of a broad market index portfolio – represented by the Center for Research in Security Prices (CRSP) 1-10 index – against that of the Dimensional US Adjusted Market 1 Index.

The DFA index comprises 14% fewer stocks than the CRSP index and places a greater emphasis on size, value and profitability premiums. Here’s how the firm defines each:

Size premium: The tendency of small-cap stocks to outperform large-cap stocks
Value premium: The tendency of undervalued stocks – those with low price-to-book-value ratios – to outperform
Profitability premium: The tendency of companies with relatively high operating profits to outperform those with lower profitability

As a result, the DFA index is more heavily weighted in small-cap and value stocks, as well as companies with higher profits.

Premiums Produce Better Retirement Outcomes

To test the long-term viability of its premium-based portfolio, DFA ran an extensive set of simulations and compared the results against the CRSP market index.

First, Pellerin calculated 40 years’ worth of hypothetical returns for each portfolio, assuming an investor starts saving at age 25 and retires at age 65. Both portfolios are part of a glide path that starts with a 100% equity allocation and beings to transition toward bonds at age 45. By age 65, the investor’s asset allocation eventually reaches a 50/50 split between stocks and bonds.

Then, he calculated how both portfolios would fare during the investor’s decumulation phase. To do this, DFA applied the 4% rule. This rule of thumb stipulates that a retiree with a balanced portfolio can withdraw 4% of their assets in their first year of retirement and adjust withdrawals in subsequent years for inflation, and have enough money for 30 years.

DFA tested the portfolios using both historical returns (8.1% per year) and more conservative returns (5% per year).

When applying the historical rate of return, the portfolio that targets premiums would be worth 22% more than the broad market portfolio by the time the hypothetical investor reaches age 65. In the lower growth environment, the DFA portfolios would still deliver 20% more median assets than its counterpart, according to the research.

The hypothetical investor would also have a lesser chance of running out of money with the DFA portfolio. Using historical returns, the premium-focused portfolio failed just 2.5% of the time over a 30-year retirement. That’s nearly half as many times as the market portfolio, which posted a 4.7% failure rate.

That spread grew even larger when Pellerin ran the simulations with more conservative return expectations. Over the course of a 30-year retirement, the DFA portfolio ran out of money in just 12.9% of simulations when annual returns averaged just 5%, while the market portfolio failed 19.9% of the time.

Bottom Line

Investing in index funds or target date funds that track the broad market can be an effective way to save for retirement, but Dimensional Fund Advisors found that targeting stocks with size, value and profitability premiums can produce better retirement outcomes. When comparing a broad market index to one that focuses on these factors, the latter produced at least 20% more median assets and had lower failure rates.

Retirement Planning Tips

How much will you have in savings by the time you retire? SmartAsset’s retirement calculator can help you estimate how much money you could expect to have by retirement age and how much you’ll potentially need to support your lifestyle.
Retirement planning can be complicated, but a financial advisor can help you through the process. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Photo credit: ©iStock.com/Tinpixels, ©iStock.com/PeopleImages, ©iStock.com/adamkaz

Patrick Villanova, CEPF®
Patrick Villanova is a writer for SmartAsset, covering a variety of personal finance topics, including retirement and investing. Before joining SmartAsset, Patrick worked as an editor at The Jersey Journal. His work has also appeared on NJ.com and in The Star-Ledger. Patrick is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, where he studied English and developed his love of writing. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, trying out new recipes in the kitchen and watching his beloved New York sports teams. A New Jersey native, he currently lives in Jersey City.

Source: smartasset.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 8, 2023 by Brett Tams

If you have a mortgage, you may be unknowingly participating in a mortgage-backed security (MBS). That is, your humble home loan may be part of a pool of mortgages that has been packaged and sold to income-oriented investors on the secondary market.

Being part of an MBS won’t change much (if anything) about how you repay your home loan, but it’s helpful to understand how these investment products work and how they impact the mortgage and housing industries.

Key takeaways

A mortgage-backed security is an investment product that consists of thousands of individual mortgages.
Investors can purchase MBSs on the secondary market from the banks that issued the loans.
When MBS prices fall, residential mortgage rates tend to rise – and vice versa.

What is a mortgage-backed security?

A mortgage-backed security (MBS) is a type of financial asset, somewhat like a bond (or a bond fund). It’s created out of a portfolio, or collection, of residential mortgages.

When a company or government issues a traditional bond, they are essentially borrowing money from investors (the people buying the bond). As with any loan, interest payments are made and then principal is paid back at maturity. However, with a mortgage-backed security, interest payments to investors come from the thousands of mortgages that underlie the bond — specifically, the repayments in interest and principal the mortgage-holders make each month.

Mortgage-backed securities offer key benefits to the players in the mortgage market, including banks, investors and even mortgage borrowers themselves. However, investing in an MBS has pros and cons.

How do mortgage-backed securities work?

While we all grew up with the idea that banks make loans and then hold those loans until they mature, the reality is that there’s a high chance that your lender is selling the loan into what’s known as the secondary mortgage market. Here, aggregators buy and sell mortgages, finding the right kind of mortgages for the security they want to create and sell on to investors. This is the most common reason a borrower’s mortgage loan servicer changes after securing a mortgage loan.

Mortgage-backed securities consist of a group of mortgages that have been organized and securitized to pay out interest like a bond. MBSs are created by companies called aggregators, including government-sponsored entities such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. They buy loans from lenders, including big banks, and structure them into a mortgage-backed security.

Think of a mortgage-backed security like a giant pie with thousands of mortgages thrown into it. The creators of the MBS may cut this pie into potentially millions of slices — each perhaps with a little piece of each mortgage — to give investors the kind of return and risk they demand. Mortgage-backed securities typically pay out to investors on a monthly basis, like the mortgages underlying them.

Types of mortgage-backed securities

Mortgage-backed securities may have many features depending on what the market demands. The creators of MBSs think of their pool of mortgages as streams of cash flow that might run for 10, 15 or 30 years — the typical length of mortgages. But the bond’s underlying loans may be refinanced, and investors are repaid their principal and lose the cash flow over time.

By thinking of the characteristics of the mortgage as a stream of risks and cash flows, the aggregators can create bonds that have certain levels of risks or other characteristics. These securities can be based on both home mortgages (residential mortgage-backed securities) or on loans to businesses on commercial property (commercial mortgage-backed securities).

There are different types of mortgage-backed securities based on their structure and complexity:

Pass-through securities: In this type of mortgage-backed security, a trust holds many mortgages and allocates mortgage payments to its various investors depending on what share of the securities they own. This structure is relatively straightforward.
Collateralized mortgage obligation (CMO): This type of MBS is a legal structure backed by the mortgages it owns, but it has a twist. From a given pool of mortgages, a CMO can create different classes of securities that have different risks and returns (like different size slices, if we use our pie metaphor again). For example, it can create a “safer” class of bonds that are paid before other classes of bonds. The last and riskiest class is paid out only if all the other classes receive their payments.
Stripped mortgage-backed securities (SMBS): This kind of security basically splits the mortgage payment into two parts, the principal repayment and the interest payment. Investors can then buy either the security paying the principal (which pays out less at the start but grows) or the one paying interest (which pays out more but declines over time). These structures allow investors to invest in mortgage-backed securities with certain risks and rewards. For example, an investor could buy a relatively safe slice of a CMO and have a high chance of being repaid, but at the cost of a lower overall return.

How do mortgage-backed securities affect mortgage rates?

The cost of mortgage-backed securities has a direct impact on residential mortgage rates. This is because mortgage companies lose money when they issue loans while the market is down.

When the prices of mortgage-backed securities drop, mortgage providers generally increase interest rates. Conversely, mortgage providers lower interest rates when the price of MBSs goes up.

So, what causes mortgage-backed securities to rise or fall? Everything from stock market gains to higher energy prices and even unemployment numbers have the ability to influence the prices. A variety of factors that affect the course of mortgage-backed securities, and lenders are constantly monitoring it.

Mortgage-backed securities and the housing market

Why do mortgage-backed securities make sense for the players in the mortgage industry? Mortgage-backed securities actually make the industry more efficient, meaning it’s cheaper for each party to access the market and get its benefits:

Lenders: By selling their mortgages, lenders save on maintenance costs, and receive money they can then loan out to other borrowers, allowing them to more efficiently use their capital. They often require borrowers to meet conforming loan standards so that they can sell mortgages to aggregators. They can also sell the loans they might not want to keep, while retaining those they prefer.
Aggregators: Aggregators package mortgages into MBSs and earn fees for doing so. They may give mortgage-backed securities features that appeal to certain investors. A steady supply of conforming loans allows aggregators to structure MBSs cheaply.
Borrowers: Because aggregators demand so many conforming loans, they increase the supply of these loans and push down mortgage rates. So, borrowers may be able to enjoy greater access to capital and lower mortgage rates than they otherwise would.

Of course, easier access to financing is beneficial for the housing construction industry: Developers can build and sell more houses to consumers who are able to borrow more cheaply.

Investors like mortgage-backed securities, too, because these bonds may offer certain kinds of risk exposure that the investors, mainly big institutional players, want to have. Even the banks themselves may invest in MBSs, diversifying their portfolios.

While the lender may sell the loan, it may also retain the right to service the mortgage, meaning it earns a small fee for collecting the monthly payment and generally managing the account. So, you may continue to pay your lender each month for your mortgage, but the real owner of your mortgage may be the investors who hold the mortgage-backed security containing your loan.

Pros and cons of investing in MBSs

No investment is without risk. MBS have their advantages and disadvantages.

For instance, mortgage-backed securities typically pay out to investors on a monthly basis, like the mortgages behind the securities. But, unlike a typical bond where you receive interest payments over the bond’s life and then receive your principal when it matures, an MBS may often pay both principal and interest over the life of the security, so there won’t be a lump-sum payment at the end of the MBS’ life.

Here are some of the other advantages and disadvantages of investing in MBSs.

Pros

Pay a fixed interest rate
Typically have higher yields than U.S. Treasuries
Less correlated to stocks than other higher-yielding fixed income securities, such as corporate bonds

Cons

If a borrower defaults on their mortgage, the investor will ultimately lose money
The borrower may refinance or pay down their loan faster than expected, which can have a negative impact on returns
Higher interest rate risk because the cost of MBSs can drop as soon as interest rates increase

History of mortgage-backed securities

The first modern-day mortgage-backed security was issued in 1970 by the Government National Mortgage Association, better known as Ginnie Mae. These mortgage-backed securities were actually backed by the U.S. government and were enticing because of their guaranteed income stream.

Ginnie Mae began providing mortgage-backed securities in an effort to bring in extra funds, which were then used to purchase more home loans and expand affordable housing. Shortly after, government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac also began offering their version of MBSs.

The first private MBS was not issued until 1977, when Lew Ranieri of the now-defunct investment group Salomon Brothers developed the first residential MBS that was backed by mortgage providers, rather than a federal agency. Ranieri’s MBSs were offered in 5- and 10-year bonds, which was attractive to investors who could see returns more quickly.

Over the years, mortgage-backed securities have evolved and grown significantly. As of May 2023, financial institutions have issued $493.9 billion in mortgage-backed securities.

Mortgage-backed securities today

While mortgage-backed securities were notoriously at the center of the global financial crisis in 2008 and 2009, they continue to be an important part of the economy today because they serve real needs and provide tangible benefits to players across the mortgage and housing industries.

Not only does securitization of mortgages provide increased liquidity for investors, lenders and borrowers, it also offers a way to support the housing market, which is one of the largest engines of economic growth in the U.S. A strong housing market often bolsters a strong economy and helps employ many workers.

Mortgage Market

Bankrate insights

As of 2021, 65% of total home mortgage debt was securitized into mortgage-backed securities.

Bottom line on mortgage backed securities

While you might not deal with a mortgage-backed security in your daily life, your mortgage may be part of one. And if so, it’s a cog in the machinery that keeps the financial system running and helps borrowers access capital more cheaply. It can be useful to understand that the MBS market ultimately has a powerful influence over qualifications for mortgages, resulting in who gets a loan — and for how much.

Source: finance.yahoo.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 7, 2023 by Brett Tams

These are the best apartment gyms in Sacramento. Which one matches up with your workout style?

Known as the “City of Trees,” there’s no doubt that Sacramento is a beautiful place to call home. Because the city is peppered with parks and full of fun options to fill your days with outdoor activities, it’s important to stay in shape if you want to experience the full scope of everything Sacramento has to offer.

Whether you’re a CrossFit junkie, dedicated treadmill runner or committed to curls, there’s an apartment gym on this list that will look like it was built just for you. Find the Sacramento gym that best fits your exercise style and start the process toward signing that lease today.

Row machines and more at The Press Apartments

Source: Rent. / The Press Apartments

The Press Apartments is a modern complex designed to help residents maximize every aspect of their daily lives. From the private office spaces and 24-hour hangout area to the hound lounge to, of course, the pristine fitness center. Equipped with everything you’d expect to find in a community with more than a few things you seldom see outside of the most expensive monthly membership gyms, this gym sets the bar in Sacramento.

Providing residents with a yoga studio, multiple rowing machines and even a boxing machine, this gym has what you’re looking for regardless of how you like to get your heart rate up. Located in Sacramento’s highly sought-after Richmond Grove, life is good when you’re lucky enough to call The Press Apartments home.

Beautiful loft-style gym at Capitol Towers

Source: Rent. / Capitol Towers

The amenities at Capitol Towers are extensive. These downright beautiful apartments are located in Downtown Sacramento and it’s safe to say they boast one of the best apartment gyms in Sactown.

Featuring a loft-style fitness center with leg machines, a lat pulldown machine and enough free weights for all to enjoy a workout without any wait time, this fitness center doesn’t leave any room for complaints. The wellness amenities don’t stop at the expansive gym either. There are also two dry saunas, a spa/hot tub area and a large, rectangular pool that’s perfect for swimming laps.

The serene spin room at Vasari

Source: Rent. / Vasari

Situated south of Sacramento in Elk Grove, the Vasari apartment complex is complete with a fitness center that just might put your current gym to shame. With a dedicated spin area and yoga studio alongside a large gym equipped with an array of upper and lower body machines, heavy ropes and treadmills with pool views, it’s easy to see why residents often fall in love with this fitness center soon after signing the lease.

Whether you’re an early-morning lifter or more of an after-work elliptical person, you’re never short on options at this apartment gym. Not to mention the fact that you can work out hard with the comfort of knowing there’s a hot tub waiting for you to soak the soreness away.

View of the entire gym at Miramonte and Trovas

Source: Rent. / Miramonte and Trovas

Lit up by large windows and a lime green accent wall, the fitness center at Miramonte and Trovas is more than meets the eye. With everything you’d expect in a well-equipped gym, like a Smith machine for safe reps without a spotter, large free weight racks and plenty of benches to help you get a full workout with ease, this gym clearly covers all the essentials.

Where this North Natomas complex really separates itself from the rest is its offering of fitness on-demand. The gym TVs have fitness on-demand, a system that allows residents to learn more about working out and fitness from the comfort of their home gym. No personal trainer is required, this fitness center has it all and then some.

one of the best apartment gyms in Sacramento

Source: Rent. / The Mansion

With a name like “The Mansion” you better have some high-end amenities to match. Needless to say, the beautiful fitness center at this beautiful Boulevard Park apartment complex does not disappoint.

With strength and conditioning equipment as far as the eye can see, mirrored walls, flat-screen TVs and plenty of natural light, this gym sets up its residents for success and supports the journey toward accomplishing even the loftiest of personal fitness goals. Enjoy full-circuit workouts with top-tier equipment in this fine fitness center.

Natural light pouring through the large windows at the fitness center Kensington in Sacramento

Source: Rent. / Kensington

Stationary bikes, Hoist machinery and Matrix treadmills are just a few of the stellar pieces of equipment you can expect to find at the Kensington fitness center. With vaulted ceilings letting in all the natural light you could ever want and, most importantly, enough space to stretch out and get your sweat on without being disturbed by others, this gym was built with residents’ comfort in mind every step of the way.

This Arden-Arcade apartment complex also boasts three pools and a relaxing spa. That means you can start your day swimming laps and then cap it off by soaking away the pains of the day.

Cardio area in the brick-walled fitness center at Academy65

Source: Rent. / Academy65

Known for its youthful resident population, proximity to Sacramento State and impressive list of amenities, Academy65 is a great place for active people to call home. Boasting a 24-hour fitness center complete with a StairMaster, multiple treadmills under flat-screen TVs, and a mountain of medicine balls, this fitness center is equipped to handle all types of exercise styles.

Not just catering to the heavy lifters, the fitness center at this College Town complex is also equipped with a yoga studio and spin area. Whether you’re looking to pedal away your problems or just improve your flexibility a little bit, there’s a space for you at the fitness center at Academy65.

Exposed beams in the light-filled gym at The Woodlands

Source: Rent. / The Woodlands

The Woodlands is a magnificent Metro Center apartment complex with, as you may have guessed from the name, an appealing cabin feel. With more than one StairMaster, a lat pulldown machine and a squat rack all at your disposal, among many other pieces of top-tier equipment, there’s no questioning the Woodlands fitness center’s place on this list.

The opportunities for recreation don’t end at the fitness center either. This complex also provides residents with a cornhole court, three pools and two hot tubs. Regardless of what you’re feeling, there’s always something to do at The Woodlands.

Daytime view of the Irongate apartments gym

Source: Rent. / Irongate

Located in North Natomas, Sacramento, the fitness center at Irongate isn’t just spacious, it’s also equipped with everything you need to not just achieve but to exceed your fitness goals. Whether you are looking to up your cardio, tack on some mass, drop a few pounds or anything in between, you have more than a few options thanks to the exercise amenities at this North Natomas fitness center.

Adorned with upper and lower-body machines, lots of free weights and flat-screen TVs for when you need a mental break from your treadmill running or leg pressing, exercise options are never an issue. Thanks to white walls, a high ceiling and plenty of natural light, this fitness center feels large and always has enough space for residents to work out, even during the busier hours.

one of the best apartment gyms in Sacramento

Source: Rent. / The Fremont

Easily recognizable by its unique Mediterranean architecture, The Fremont is one of the more desirable buildings in Midtown to call home. With sizable windows to let in natural light, large free-weight racks, stacks of stationary balls and a couple of shelves of complimentary towels, this fitness center is fully stocked and ideal for fitness-minded folks from all walks of life.

Also boasting a professional-grade stationary bike alongside a state-of-the-art elliptical machine and treadmill, The Fremont’s fantastic fitness center supports your cardio goals.

Get your sweat on in Sacramento

Whether you’re a daily runner, a weekly weightlifter or someone just looking to improve flexibility the slightest bit, Sacramento is full of apartment gyms that are capable of supporting you through even the most ambitious fitness goals.

See yourself getting your sweat on in one of these next-level fitness centers? Fill out an application today and reignite your passion for personal fitness in your new apartment gym.

Featured image source: Rent. / The Press Apartments

Source: rent.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 7, 2023 by Brett Tams

One highlight of the World of Hyatt award program is that it still uses award charts to determine the points you’ll need to redeem for a free night. The World of Hyatt award chart for Hyatt hotels and resorts, as well as participating Small Luxury Hotels of the World and MGM Rewards destinations, has eight categories. Award prices range from 3,500 points for an off-peak Category 1 night to 45,000 points for a peak Category 8 night.

For this article, we selected some of the best Hyatt Category 4 hotels. We’ve chosen properties from various Hyatt hotel brands, ranging from a Hyatt Place to a Park Hyatt. A standard room at these hotels costs 12,000 points on off-peak nights, 15,000 points on standard nights and 18,000 points on peak nights. These hotels are also some of the best Hyatt free night hotels since you can use Category 1-4 promotional awards earned through the World of Hyatt Credit Card as Milestone Rewards and as Brand Explorer awards to book these hotels.

Hyatt Place Panama City Beach / Beachfront

Panama City Beach, Florida, USA

HYATT

Best for: Staying beachfront in Panama City Beach.

Why stay here: With a beachfront pool, beach access and family-friendly rooms, this Hyatt Place is a strong choice for a low-key beach vacation.

Best way to book: Book directly with Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

The oceanfront Hyatt Place Panama City Beach / Beachfront is just a short walk from Panama City Beach’s Pier Park. Ample shopping, activities and restaurants within walking distance make this a compelling location for a family beach vacation.

You can book a 333-square-foot room with a king bed and a sofa bed or a 367-square-foot room with two queen beds and a sofa bed using points or free night certificates. If you want to book a paid rate, the property also offers gulf-view rooms, rooms with kitchenettes and even family-friendly rooms with a king bed, bunk beds and a sofa bed. All rooms include at least a minifridge, but some rooms with kitchenettes have a full-size refrigerator.

The Hyatt Place Panama City Beach / Beachfront charges a daily resort fee of $45.20 from March 1 to Oct. 31 and a daily resort fee of $28.25 during the rest of the year. The resort fee includes parking for up to one vehicle. Plus, this Hyatt Place offers some amenities you wouldn’t typically expect at this brand, including a resort-style pool, lazy river, outdoor games, weekend entertainment and seasonal beach chair service. If you book a free night award — which includes redeeming Hyatt points or using Category 1-4 promotional awards — or you have Hyatt Globalist status and book an eligible rate, you can enjoy waived resort fees.

Daily breakfast at the Breakfast Bar is included in your stay. The Breakfast Bar offers hot and cold items, coffee, milk, juice and tea. You can purchase drinks and snacks poolside from Coconut Charlie’s Pool Bar or beachside from the Beach Bar. If you don’t feel like leaving the hotel for dinner, visit Coconut Charlie’s Beach Bar & Grill for waterfront views, food, drinks and occasional live entertainment. Finally, an on-site market offers a selection of packaged grab-and-go items.

Rates at the Hyatt Place Panama City Beach / Beachfront start at 12,000 points or $198.93 per night, including the $28.25 resort fee.

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort

Orlando, Florida, USA

MICHAEL STAVARIDIS/HYATT

Best for: A family-friendly golf trip to Orlando.

Why stay here: With a lagoon-style pool with a slide, an award-winning golf course and complimentary shuttle service to Disney and Universal, this resort is a particularly good choice for families.

Best way to book: Book directly with Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando several times almost 20 years ago. What I remember most about the resort is its Grand Cypress Golf Club, with holes designed by Jack Nicklaus. I also remember relaxing at its 800,000-gallon pool as well as its waterfalls, caves and waterslide.

The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort has 779 rooms, including 46 suites. Rooms are 360 square feet and offer one king bed or two double beds with views toward Orlando, the pool or a lake. Meanwhile, suites start at 702 square feet. You can book standard rooms starting at 12,000 points per night, standard suites starting at 21,000 points per night and premium suites starting at 24,000 points per night.

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Unfortunately, the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort charges a nightly resort fee of $45 plus taxes and fees per room. However, you can avoid this fee if you book a free night award. Plus, Hyatt Globalist members can avoid the fee when booking any eligible rate. You’ll get transportation to and from Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and Disney Springs as part of the daily resort fee. You’ll also get access to a seven-hole pitch and putt course, a miniature golf course, bike rentals, a rock climbing wall and more.

The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort offers various dining options. Guests looking for a quick, casual experience will enjoy the grab-and-go market and the On the Rocks poolside restaurant. Meanwhile, guests looking for an upscale experience can book dinner at Four Flamingos, A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen. Lakehouse Restaurant & Bar offers all-day dining, and its sub-restaurant, Lakehouse Sushi Bar, is open for dinner. Finally, you can enjoy afternoon or evening drinks and snacks at The Lobby Bar.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort start at 12,000 points or $229.51 per night, including the $50.63 resort fee.

Related: Splash into fun: The 14 best hotel pools in Orlando

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

Downtown, San Diego, California, USA

MANCHESTER GRAND HYATT SAN DIEGO/ZACH BENSON/FACEBOOK

Best for: Hyatt loyalists wanting a downtown stay right on the water.

Why stay here: Whether you’re in town for a convention or simply want to explore downtown San Diego, this luxurious Hyatt property is a great use of points.

Best way to book: Book directly with Hyatt to earn and redeem points, or via Chase’s Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection for elitelike perks and on-property credits.

The Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego hosts plenty of conference and convention guests, but it’s also well located for tourists near Seaport Village. Many guests applaud this waterfront hotel for its views, including those from its 40th-floor bar and rooftop pool decks.

Most Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego rooms are 340 square feet with city or bay views and one king bed, two double beds or two queen beds. However, the property also offers several different suite types, starting with a 700-square-foot Signature Suite. You can book standard rooms starting at 12,000 points per night, club rooms starting at 18,000 points per night, standard suites starting at 21,000 points per night and premium suites starting at 24,000 points per night.

The Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego has two outdoor pools: a fourth-floor family pool and a third-floor adults-only pool (that, at the time of writing, was closed). There’s also a 24-hour fitness center.

The hotel charges a destination fee of $39 plus tax per night. Unfortunately, this fee doesn’t offer enough value for most guests. However, you can avoid paying the destination fee if you’re a Hyatt Globalist staying on an eligible rate or if you book a free night award.

You’ll have seven dining options at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. One highlight is Sally’s Fish House & Bar, which lets you enjoy sustainable seafood, craft cocktails and California wines at lunch and dinner next to the boardwalk and the San Diego Bay. Another highlight is Top of the Hyatt, a 40th-floor lounge offering cocktails and small plates alongside city and bay views. There’s also a seasonal pool bar and grill. Or you can order something from GrandEats if you want food delivered to your room.

Rates at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego start at 12,000 points or $262.82 per night, including the $43.88 destination fee.

Related: The best hotels in San Diego

Thompson Chicago

Gold Coast, Chicago, Illinois, USA

THOMPSON CHICAGO/FACEBOOK

Best for: Luxury travelers looking for homey touches and easy access to Lake Michigan running trails and other local venues.

Why stay here: You’re looking for a neighborhood feel to your stay and want easy access to the Loop — without actually staying in the Loop.

Best way to book: Book directly with Hyatt or the hotel website to earn and redeem World of Hyatt points, or through the Chase Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection to enjoy elitelike benefits.

The Thompson Chicago is a boutique hotel located a short walk from the start of the Magnificent Mile. The surrounding neighborhood is great for food and shopping.

You can redeem Hyatt points for a 320-square-foot standard room at the Thompson Chicago with one king or two double beds. If you want to book a paid rate, there are also high-floor rooms, lake-view rooms and various suites. Dogs are welcome at the Thompson Chicago for no additional charge, although you should contact the hotel before your stay for more details.

The Thompson Chicago has a popular lobby bar, Salone Nico, that serves rustic Italian cuisine and drinks. Meanwhile, Nico Osteria offers all-day dining with a focus on Italian seafood. You can also order room service or venture out to sample the many restaurants in the neighborhood.

This property charges a $17 destination fee that provides premium internet, local newspapers and 24-hour fitness club access. There aren’t many other amenities to note at this hotel. You can avoid paying the destination fee if you’re a Hyatt Globalist staying on an eligible rate or if you book a free night award.

Rates at the Thompson Chicago start at 12,000 points or $216.69 per night, including the $17 destination fee.

Related: The 17 best Chicago hotels

Hyatt Regency Seattle

Seattle, Washington, USA

TAGGART COJAN SORENSEN/HYATT

Best for: Tidy, clean rooms in a quiet part of downtown Seattle.

Why stay here: This beautiful hotel with modern rooms is in an excellent location just a block away from the Paramount Theatre and within walking distance of many major attractions.

Best way to book: Book directly with Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

The Hyatt Regency Seattle is in the heart of downtown Seattle. It’s within walking distance of both convention centers and just a short walk from tourist attractions such as Pike Place Market and the Seattle Art Museum. Moreover, the hotel participates in various sustainability initiatives, including donating leftover, untouched food to a local nonprofit.

You can book 320-square-foot standard rooms starting at 12,000 points per night, 500-to-725-square-foot standard suites with a separate living area starting at 21,000 points per night and 735-square-foot (or more) premium suites starting at 24,000 points per night. One of the premium suite types even offers a private fitness space with a Peloton bike, yoga mat and arm weights. All rooms have either one king bed or two queen beds.

The Hyatt Regency Seattle offers the largest hotel meeting venue in the Pacific Northwest, so it understandably caters to conference, wedding and convention travelers. The hotel has a 24-hour fitness center with Technogym equipment and Peloton bikes (although the bikes were temporarily unavailable at the time of writing). You can bring one dog weighing 50 pounds or less if you pay the $50-per-stay pet fee.

Andare Kitchen & Bar on the lobby level offers all-day, Italian-inspired dining. The venue offers a vegan menu, a weekday happy hour and a bar that’s open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. You can also enjoy downtown views alongside steakhouse favorites and wine if you opt for dinner at Daniel’s Broiler on the hotel’s second floor. Check out the Market on the second floor if you want something quick. You can also order room service or check out the neighborhood’s many restaurants outside the hotel.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency Seattle start at 12,000 points or $195.62 per night.

Related: A Hyatt hop through Seattle: Which Hyatt should you choose on your next trip to the Emerald City?

MGM Grand

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

MGM GRAND/MGM

Best for: Travelers looking for a mix of relaxation and action in one place.

Why stay here: There’s an epic lazy river you can float around on all day.

Best way to book: Book directly on the MGM Grand’s website.

The MGM Grand in Las Vegas is well known for its 6 1/2-acre Grand Pool Complex, which features four pools, three whirlpools and a lazy river. There are always great shows at the MGM Grand, which currently hosts Ka by Cirque du Soleil, Jabbawockeez and David Copperfield; of course, there are also slots, table games and poker in the casino. You can also get a spa treatment at the MGM Grand Spa & Salon or hit some balls at the on-site Topgolf.

The MGM Grand has many different accommodation types and categories across its 5,000 rooms and suites. However, you can only book a 350-square-foot studio king room with Hyatt points or free night certificates. Unlike other stays where resort fees are waived if you book a free night award, this policy doesn’t apply at MGM Rewards destinations like the MGM Grand.

Hyatt members can match their status to MGM Rewards. By doing so, Hyatt Explorists and above can get waived resort fees at MGM properties with their matched MGM Rewards Gold status — but only when booking through MGM Rewards (not World of Hyatt). The MGM Grand charges resort fee of $39 plus tax, so you may want to forgo redeeming Hyatt points for your stay and instead book a paid rate through MGM Rewards if you have Gold status or higher. Best of all, you can still earn Hyatt elite-qualifying nights when you book through MGM Rewards.

You’ll find plenty of dining options at the MGM Grand. On the upscale end, MGM Grand offers L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon for French dishes prepared in front of you, Hakkasan Restaurant for Cantonese dishes, Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak for high-quality cuts from small family farms, and Joël Robuchon for fine French dining. If your dining budget is more modest, there’s also Grand Wok Noodle Bar, Nellie’s Southern Kitchen, Greek Sneek and Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House. Or, you can enjoy the MGM Grand Buffet, Tap Sports Bar or various options in the food court.

Rates at the MGM Grand start at 12,000 points or $114.63 per night, including the $44.22 resort fee.

Related: Why Hyatt elite members should book through MGM when visiting Las Vegas

Andaz Mexico City Condesa

Cuauhtemoc, Mexico City, Mexico

HYATT

Best for: An eclectic stay in the artsy Condesa neighborhood near Parque Mexico.

Why stay here: This chic hotel offers great service, an appealing location, compelling views from the pool and a dog-friendly Wooftop Beer Garden.

Best way to book: Book directly with Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

The Andaz Mexico City Condesa opened in January 2023 with 213 rooms and is already getting good reviews. However, guests note you can sometimes hear music in the rooms at night, so this may not be the best property for you if you’re a light sleeper. The hotel’s neighborhood provides ample dining options and a central location for tourists — just a short walk from Parque Mexico and various art galleries.

Booking a free night award will get you a 344-square-foot standard room with one king bed or two double beds overlooking Insurgentes Avenue or the hotel’s internal patio. If you book a paid rate, you can reserve a city-view room or several suite types, including a 667-square-foot terrace suite with a large private outdoor terrace.

The 17th floor of the hotel offers a rooftop pool with great city views, and the Cabuya Rooftop restaurant and bar. The hotel also offers a 24-hour fitness center, a spa and a beauty salon. You can get teas and coffees at the Derba Matcha Cafe and enjoy a drink in the dog-friendly Wooftop Beer Garden & Canine Club. If you bring your dog for your stay, you’ll need to pay a fee of $100 per pet per room.

Rates at the Andaz Mexico City Condesa start at 12,000 points or $259.02 per night.

Related: Here’s how to quickly stock up on Hyatt points for your next vacation

Alila Fort Bishangarh

Bishangarh Village, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

HYATT

Best for: A luxurious stay in a converted 233-year-old fort.

Why stay here: With a thoughtful design, farm-to-table dining and activities native only to Bishangarh, you won’t regret adding this unique Alila to your India trip.

Best way to book: Book directly with Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits, or via American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts.

Alila Fort Bishangarh, located between Delhi and Jaipur in India’s Rajasthan, has 59 rooms and suites and is housed in a 233-year-old fort. I used two Category 1-4 promotional awards to stay at this amazing property and can wholeheartedly recommend a stay if you visit Rajasthan.

You can book a 562-square-foot Heritage Room with one king bed or two twin beds starting at 12,000 points per night or an 800-square-foot Grand Suite with one king bed starting at 24,000 points per night. You can also use points plus cash to book a 700-square-foot Royal Suite with one king bed or two twin beds. If you want to book a paid rate, you have all these options plus a 912-square-foot Regal Suite and a 1,054-square-foot Presidential Suite on offer.

There’s plenty to keep you busy at Alila Fort Bishangarh. You’ll find Spa Alila, an infinity pool with compelling views of the fort, a 24-hour fitness center and Play Alila for children. The hotel also offers numerous excursions and experiences, including cooking classes, a guided visit to the Bishangarh Village Market and the opportunity to visit a milk factory.

And you’ll find some impressive dining options on-site — which is good since most guests will eat most, if not all, of their meals on-site. Amarsar is open all day with Indian and international dishes on offer. On select nights, Nazaara is open with local cuisine prepared in traditional Rajput hunter style; it’s a memorable terrace-dining experience that you’ll enjoy if you can handle some Indian spices and aren’t a picky eater. Meanwhile, Haveli is open for poolside meals and drinks throughout the day, and Madhuveni offers cocktails, cigars and tapas in a beautiful, intimate space.

Rates at the Alila Fort Bishangarh start at 12,000 points or $206 per night.

Related: The best ways to fly to India with points and miles

Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile

Paris, France

HYATT REGENCY

Best for: Travelers looking to stay just a short walk from historic sights, such as the Arc de Triomphe.

Why stay here: Located between La Defense and the Champs-Elysees, this well-located hotel offers excellent views over Paris (from the city’s highest bar), a Regency Club and small but functional rooms.

Best way to book: Book directly with Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

The Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile in France offers amazing views from its 34-story skyscraper, especially if you snag a room with Eiffel Tower views. Although it’s northwest of the Paris core between La Defense and the Champs-Elysees, it’s just a 20-minute walk to the Arc de Triomphe and a 20-minute journey by metro and foot to the Louvre.

Despite having 995 rooms and suites, finding standard room award availability at this hotel can be difficult. The rooms are small — even for Paris — but 237-square-foot rooms with Regency Club access start at 18,000 points per night. Standard 474-square-foot suites start at 21,000 points per night, and premium 753-square-foot suites start at 24,000 points per night. Award availability is often limited at this hotel, so you may need to book a paid rate to get the room type you want. If you want to ensure your group gets connecting rooms, consider booking a family room.

The Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile doesn’t have too many amenities. Still, it has a 24-hour fitness center and a Regency Club on the 34th floor (for Hyatt Globalist members and those in eligible rooms). You’ll likely want to eat outside the hotel for many of your meals, but you may want to visit the 34th-floor Windo Skybar for views, cocktails and tapas. If you do want to eat on-site, Mayo Restaurant offers daily breakfast and weekday lunch buffets, and the grab-and-go Mayo Market offers quick bites daily from 7 a.m. until 2 a.m.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile start at 12,000 points or $253.85 per night.

Related: The best hotels in Paris

Park Hyatt Jakarta

Jakarta, Indonesia

HYATT

Best for: City views and that new-hotel vibe in the heart of Jakarta.

Why stay here: Spacious rooms with modern, yet dark, design and a friendly, professional staff make this one of the best luxury hotels in Jakarta.

Best way to book: Book directly with Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

The Park Hyatt Jakarta in Indonesia opened in July 2022 with 220 rooms, including 36 suites. This Park Hyatt is a nine-minute walk from the Stasiun Gondangdia train station and within walking distance of various shopping malls and restaurants.

You can book 613-square-foot standard rooms with a king bed or two twin beds starting at 12,000 points per night. Meanwhile, you can book three standard suite types ranging from 936 to 1,367 square feet starting at 21,000 points per night. You can book premium suites starting at 24,000 points per night. The rooms and suites have Indonesian touches and excellent views, as the rooms start on the 25th floor.

While staying at the Park Hyatt Jakarta, you can enjoy the outdoor pool, a sun deck with city views and a 24-hour fitness center on the 35th floor. The hotel also offers a spa.

The Park Hyatt Jakarta offers several dining outlets. Dining Room serves Indonesian and Italian cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner on the 22nd floor, while Kita Restaurant offers Japanese cuisine for lunch and dinner on the 37th floor. On the 23rd floor, Conservatory offers several multiuse spaces where you can work, relax or socialize while enjoying European cafe-style comfort food and light meals.

If you’re looking for a drink or live music, check out The Bar on the 23rd floor or Kita Bar on the 36th floor.

Rates at the Park Hyatt Jakarta start at 12,000 points or $308.04 per night.

Related: The 23 best Hyatt hotels in the world

Hyatt Regency Tokyo

Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan

HYATT

Best for: This old yet stunning hotel is well connected to Tokyo’s JR trains and metro.

Why stay here: Clean and spacious (albeit slightly dated) rooms and a Regency Club let you rest while the hotel’s location in the middle of Shinjuku lets you explore Tokyo.

Best way to book: Book directly with Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

The Hyatt Regency Tokyo is an older property, but it’s in a solid location, just a five-minute walk from Tokyo’s Shinjuku station. This hotel offers 746 rooms, including 18 suites, across 17 room types. Although it doesn’t offer a pool or onsen, it does have a spa and fitness center with Technogym equipment.

If you want to redeem a Hyatt free night award, you can book a 301-square-foot standard room with one king bed or two twin beds starting at 12,000 points per night. Meanwhile, 376-square-foot Regency Club rooms start at 18,000 points per night, and standard suites start at 21,000 points per night. The Regency Club, available to Hyatt Globalist members and guests staying in club rooms and suites, offers views over Shinjuku Central Park for breakfast, tea service and evening cocktails.

You may want to eat outside the hotel for many meals while visiting Tokyo. If you prefer to eat on-site, the Hyatt Regency Tokyo offers Beijing and Shanghai cuisine for lunch and dinner at Jade Garden, Italian-inspired fares at Caffe and Japanese dishes at three different venues. You can also try fine wines and whiskeys at Eau de Vie or order room service if you want to dine in your room.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency Tokyo start at 12,000 points or $266.07 per night.

Related: The best ways to travel to Japan with points and miles

Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui

Kowloon, Hong Kong

HYATT

Best for: A prime location in the heart of Hong Kong, just a short walk from the harbor and two metro stops.

Why stay here: Offering spacious (for Hong Kong) rooms and a Regency Club, this well-located property provides compelling city and harbor views from most rooms.

Best way to book: Book directly with Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

The Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui is in the heart of Kowloon next to the Tsim Sha Tsui station. It’s an easy walk from the Star Ferry and Avenue of Stars. Tourists will enjoy its excellent location, as many attractions are easily accessible by foot or public transit.

This Hyatt Regency has 381 guest rooms and suites, each offering views of Victoria Harbour or the city. The least expensive room type — and the one you can book starting at 12,000 points per night — is a 301-square-foot standard room with one king bed or two twin beds. You can also book club rooms starting at 18,000 points per night, standard suites starting at 21,000 points per night and premium suites starting at 24,000 points per night. If you’re looking to book a paid rate, it may be worth shelling out a little more to guarantee a corner room or a view of Victoria Harbour.

You’ll find an 82-foot outdoor heated swimming pool with views over the surrounding neighborhood at the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui. The outdoor pool deck includes a children’s pool, a whirlpool and lounge chairs. Plus, you’ll find a 24-hour fitness center with Technogym equipment on the 10th floor.

There’s plenty of excellent dining in Hong Kong, regardless of your budget. But, if you want to eat at the Hyatt Regency, you’ll find dim sum and barbecued pork at The Chinese Restaurant, an international buffet at Cafe, fine dining cooked tableside at Hugo’s and drinks with nightly live entertainment at Chin Chin Bar. Additionally, eligible guests can enjoy continental breakfast, all-day coffee and tea service, and evening canapes and cocktails at the Regency Club.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui start at 12,000 points or $219.44 per night.

Related: What is World of Hyatt elite status worth?

Andaz Bali

Sanur, Bali, Indonesia

HYATT

Best for: A relaxing holiday that feels authentically Balinese.

Why stay here: Built around mature landscaping in the style of a modern Balinese village, this beachfront resort lets guests relax with an attentive staff and a thoughtful design.

Best way to book: Book directly with Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

Andaz Bali is an attractive beach resort next to the Hyatt Regency Bali on the eastern coast of Bali, Indonesia. Guests love the resort’s landscaping, modern rooms and large pool.

There are 149 rooms, including 20 suites and 22 villas. The standard rooms are 710 square feet and include a living area, floor-to-ceiling windows, garden views and one king bed or two twin beds. But you can also reserve pool-view or ocean-view rooms and private pool villas if you book a paid rate.

There are various types of suites you can book with points or cash. Standard rooms start at 12,000 points per night, standard suites start at 21,000 points per night and premium suites start at 24,000 points per night.

The Andaz Bali is designed to feel like a modern interpretation of a Balinese village. The resort has three swimming pools: ocean-facing Liang for fun, secluded Santhi for relaxation and kid-friendly Alit for families. Andaz Bali also offers a spa with a 24-hour fitness center, sauna, steam room, yoga studio and hydrotherapy pools.

There are ample dining options at the Andaz Bali. The Fisherman’s Club offers light bites, meat and seafood for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Wok Wok is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner with Indonesian comfort food. Blue Oven is open daily for dinner with Mediterranean favorites, while Fire Fox is open Thursday through Saturday in the evening for Asian steakhouse delights. Deli & Bakery is open daily from noon to 10 p.m. with drinks, cakes, desserts and homemade ice creams.

Rates at the Andaz Bali start at 12,000 points or $256.52 per night.

Related: 5 easy ways to maximize Hyatt award redemptions

Source: thepointsguy.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 7, 2023 by Brett Tams

We may primarily focus on airline loyalty programmes and air miles here at TPG but there are a ton of other money-saving loyalty programmes that we also love and help us save money and maximise our travel adventures.

There are dozens of U.K. loyalty schemes out there – of which the Tesco Clubcard and the cross-retailer Nectar card are among the best known.

Both of the above work for travellers who use points and miles, albeit in different ways (their points earned from the loyalty programmes can be converted to Virgin Points and Avios respectively) – but there are other loyalty cards and programmes out there that have similar potential, if sometimes small, benefits for holidaymakers. The key thing to remember is that everything is cumulative, and even the smallest reward can eventually add up.

Here are a handful of loyalty programmes that may be worth signing up for, helping you earn on everyday spending, such as grocery shopping, buying toiletries, or even filling up your car with a tank of petrol.

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Tesco Clubcard

(Photo by Jason Alden/Bloomberg/Getty Images)

Good for: Collecting Virgin Points, earning points on everyday spending, and getting discounts on select items in your weekly food shop
Sign up here: Tesco

Tesco Clubcard is perhaps one of the best-known loyalty schemes in Britain– you can read TPG U.K.’s full guide here.

Though you can no longer transfer Clubcard points into Avios (its partnership with BA ended in early 2021), you can turn £1.50 of Clubcard vouchers into 375 Virgin Points, to boost your Virgin Atlantic Flying Club total. Essentially, you can get 2.5 Virgin points for every one Clubcard point.

So, how do you earn Clubcard points? Once you’ve got the card (or have it attached to your online account), you just do your usual grocery shopping at Tesco, picking up one Clubcard point for every £1 you spend. If you drive, fill up your car with fuel at Tesco and earn one point for every £2 spent. Once you’ve earned a certain amount of points, they’ll be collected into Clubcard vouchers, which you can then transfer into Virgin Points. Simple, really.

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Another benefit for Clubcard holders is that it can help save cash on shopping if they keep an eagle eye out for Clubcard Prices (reductions in prices) and various offers, both in-store and online.

Finally, if you’re keen to rack up even more Clubcard points, there is the Tesco Clubcard Credit Card –a no-fee Mastercard (alas with no signing bonus) that offers points for every transaction over a certain amount. Namely, you’ll get five points per £4 spent at Tesco supermarkets, five points for every £4 spent on fuel at Tesco, plus one point per £8 you spend at other shops and retailers. This is on top of the one point per £1 you’ll get from scanning your card, or shopping online.

Say you spend £100 a week (or £400 a month) at Tesco on your family’s food shopping, that’s 400 points (from your loyalty card) and 500 (from your credit card), totalling 900 Tesco Clubcard points, a £9 voucher or 2,250 Virgin Points per month.

Nectar

Good for: Collecting Avios, earning points on everyday purchases and regular food shopping.
Sign up here: Nectar

If you’re an Avios collector, then it’s definitely worth also getting a Nectar account. If you’re yet to sign up, you can read TPG U.K.’s full guide here.

Similar to the Tescon Clubcard you can earn Nectar points on everyday transactions. 400 Nectar points can be transferred into 250 Avios, meaning your everyday shopping can contribute to your points-funded dream trip. Until 16 November you can also transfer Avios back to Nectar points at this same rate (250 Avios to 400 Nectar points), after this date this conversion rate will change so you need to convert 300 Avios to get 400 Nectar points. The Nectar to Avios conversion however will remain (for now) set at 400 Nectar points for 250 Avios.

The easiest ways to collect Nectar are to shop at Sainsbury’s (where many purchases, including fuel, will earn you one Nectar point for every £1 spent), as well as at Sainsbury’s Bank, Esso, Argos, Very, even eBay on eligible items. You can also earn by spending with Booking.com, British Airways, DFDS, Expedia and Nectar Hotels (plus more brands, listed on the Nectar website).

To amplify your Nectar-collecting ability, there’s also the Nectar American Express Credit Card, which has a £0 annual fee in the first year (£25 from year two), offers a bonus of 20,000 Nectar points (when you spend £2,000 in the first three months) and a friend referral bonus of 5,000 Nectar points.

Spending on this card gives you two Nectar points per £1 spent on virtually all purchases, but you’ll earn three points per £1 on purchases at Sainsbury’s, Argos and other Nectar partners — as you can double dip for that third point with your loyalty card. Say you spend £100 a week (or £400 a month) at Sainsbury’s on your family’s shopping, that’s around 4,800 Nectar points or 3,000 Avios earned per month.

Related: The ultimate guide to British Airways Avios

Boots Advantage Card

Good for: Buying travel essentials, earning points on regular purchases
Sign up here: Boots

With Boots Advantage Card, you collect four points for every £1 you spend in shops, online or via their app, meaning you’ll be racking up points every time you pick up toiletries, make-up, skincare or even a Boots meal deal.

Every point is worth 1p, meaning 1,000 points is £10 to spend. They quickly add up, and though you can’t use your points to get money off a purchase (only to wipe out the full amount), they may well come in handy for frequent travellers. Whether you travel by plane or train, you might find yourself in an airport or station Boots picking up some forgotten sunscreen, travel minis, flight socks, travel adapters, eye masks, or a disposable camera to document your trip… the list could go on.

A range of offers and discounts will be available to holders, too, potentially saving you a bit of money in the long run… though only if you aren’t tempted by sales prices, and only buy what you actually need.

Heathrow Rewards

Good for: Collecting Virgin Points, Avios or other airline rewards
Sign up here: Heathrow

In a nutshell: if you spend a lot of time (and money) at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), then you’d be daft not to consider joining Heathrow Rewards.

Generally speaking, you get one point per £1 spent at the airport, as well as one point for every £10 spent at Travelex exchanging money, with a sign-up bonus of 100 points. You’ll even get extra points when you splash out on expensive items from the airport’s designer shops.

You can transfer your points (at a 1:1 rate) to either Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, into Avios points for use with British Airways, as well as Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and Emirates Skywards, among others. Check out our guide to Heathrow Rewards for the full list.

Related: The best points and miles promotions running right now

Superdrug Health & Beautycard

Good for: Buying travel essentials, earning points on regular purchases
Sign up here: Superdrug

Similarly to Boots’ Advantage Card, Superdrug has its own rewards scheme called the Health & Beautycard, which could be useful for travellers in need of a few essentials such as travel toiletries, skincare products, vitamins, etc.

You’ll earn one point per £1 spent, with 100 points equating to £1 to spend in-store – though crucially you can use your points to pay for part of a purchase if you prefer. You’ll also have the chance to earn extra points as you shop, with periods where quadruple points are on offer, as well as receive various offers and discounts.

BPme Rewards

Good for: Collecting Avios, getting money off travel products such as luggage and tech, and earning points on regular fuel top-ups
Sign up here: BPme Rewards

Previously, petrol station BP’s rewards scheme was linked to Nectar, but it now runs its own programme called BPme Rewards.

Essentially, you can earn every time you top up your vehicle, wash your car or by nipping into a BP garage for a snack – snapping up two points for every one litre of Ultimate fuel, one point for every litre of regular fuel, and one point for every £1 spent in a BP shop or car wash.

So, how does this help holidaymakers? Well, you can convert 40 BPme points into 25 Avios (though note you can’t turn Avios into BPme points), with an upper limit of 30,000 BPme points being turned into Avios per day. An alternative might be saving them up for Amazon or Marks & Spencer gift cards, to be used for big travel-related purchases such as new luggage, camping gear, clothing, cameras or other handy tech.

Related: British Airways is launching a new wine club where you can earn up to 15 Avios for every £1 spent

Airtime Rewards

Good for: Saving money on your phone bill, earning cashback on everyday spending (even at stores without their own loyalty schemes).
Sign up to the app: Airtime Rewards

Airtime Rewards is a bit of an outlier in this list, as though its app rewards you for shopping at around 150 retailers like a traditional loyalty scheme, the reward comes not in point form but as cashback — which can only be used for the specific, immovable purpose of knocking some money off your monthly phone bill.

All you need to do is check if your phone provider will actually let you get the money off your bill (O2, 3, EE, GiffGaff and Vodafone are signed up) and be willing to download the Airtime Rewards app and submit your debit or credit card details, allowing them to track your spending and automatically apply the discount to your account’s wallet when relevant (but P.S. it won’t work for American Express cards).

Retailers signed up to Airtime Rewards offer varying percentages of cashback on your purchases, which could be anything from 1% to as much as 8%. Popular retailers the app lists include Boots (5% back), Argos (2%), Wilko (3%), New Look (2%), Halfords (4%), Currys (1%) and Waterstones (6%). Foodies can get money back from Wagamama, Zizzi, YO! Sushi and Ocado, while people who utilise public transport can get 8% cashback on LNER Trains.

How much you save depends on how often you shop at retailers like these, but it all adds up – and could knock the odd £5 or £10 off your phone bill, perhaps even monthly, meaning more to save for your next getaway. Or to help with any unexpected roaming charges.

Red by Dufry

Good for: Discounts on duty-free shopping, lounge access and even hotels
Sign up for the app here: Red by Dufry

Red by Dufry is the loyalty scheme for duty-free shopping at the airport, earning you points when you buy from Dufry shops – such as WorldDutyFree (which we have in the U.K.), ExpressDutyFree, Nuance (Asia, Europe and North America) and Hudson (U.S. and Canada), though tobacco purchases don’t count. You can use the discount and earn points at airport Michael Kors, Gap, Superdry, and Victoria’s Secret stores, too.

Sign up for the app and you’ll immediately get a Silver card (and QR code), which is scanned at checkout to earn five points per €1 EUR spent and get up to 5% off the price of your purchases. Other potential benefits, such as discounts on airport lounge access, various hotels, restaurants, museums and car rentals, are also worth exploring.

Over time, you can increase your discount. Once you’ve spent €400, you’ll have 2,000 and reach Gold status, giving you up to 7% discount – while spending €1,000 EUR gets you 5,000 points and up to 10% off your shopping with the Platinum card. A big bonus is that if your airport of choice is Heathrow, Dufry has confirmed you can also double dip and earn Heathrow Rewards at the same time as Red points – as well as redeem Heathrow Rewards as WorldDutyFree vouchers.

Related: Virgin Red vs BA Shopping: which one is most worth your time?

Waterstones Plus

Good for: Earning point on book purchases, and getting money off your travel guidebooks and holiday reads
Sign up here: Waterstones

As far as rewards go, Waterstones Plus is relatively low stakes, but when it comes to maximising your travel, every pound saved is worth the effort. Particularly if you’re an avid reader, who can’t survive a long-haul plane journey without (at least) one book to delve into, need the latest holiday read for a day at the beach, or prefer exploring a new destination with a trusty guidebook in hand.

Simply, you get one Plus stamp for every £10 you spent in Waterstones shops, on the website or in its cafés. When you have 10 Plus stamps, you’ve got £10 to spend in-store. You might also get some useful offers. There’s an option for students, too, which offers the same stamps-to-cash scenario but adds a bumper 5% discount on most purchases.

Texaco Star Rewards

Good for: Earning points on regular fuel top-ups, and getting money off travel purchases such as luggage and tech
Sign up here: Texaco Star Rewards

Another rewards scheme for drivers, petrol station Texaco’s offering – called Star Rewards – has another straightforward premise, with one litre of fuel purchased equaling one point. When you have 500 points, you’ve got £5 to spend, either with Texaco or by converting your points into vouchers that can be used with various retailers – plus you get a 200-point sign-up bonus.

Most notably for travellers, Texaco points can be converted into a Love2Shop voucher, which can pay for or be put towards online purchases at Argos, Currys PC World, John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and Sports Direct – potentially saving you money on travel purchases such as luggage, cameras, or even just some new shoes. You can also use a certain value of voucher towards purchases with the National Trust, boosting any U.K. trips you might take.

Costa Club

One for tea drinks and coffee addicts (Photo by Allina Rosanova/Getty Images)

Good for: Coffee lovers who want regular freebies while in transit
Sign up here: Costa Coffee

If you frequently find yourself drawn to the unmistakable mauve exterior of Costa Coffee when at any British train station or airport, then joining Costa Club – the brand’s loyalty scheme – is a no-brainer.

To be fair, there isn’t loads to think about here. When you buy eight (hot or cold) drinks, you’ll get the ninth free, or if you get your beverage in an environmentally-friendly reusable cup, you’ll only need to buy four to get your next freebie. A bonus is a free piece of cake on your birthday, too.

Costs can quickly add up as you wander the airport or while dipping into train station shops to buy snacks for your rail journey, so you might as well make the most of any savings.

Source: thepointsguy.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 7, 2023 by Brett Tams

To remain completely safe and protected in any situation, insurance is a necessity. A lot of people think about life insurance as a financial tool that protects them and their families. It’s one of the best decisions that you can make to protect your loved ones if you were to pass away. Not having life insurance can be one of the worst mistakes that you can make.

This may be obvious for many people, but it applies to more than an individual. Life insurance can also be used as a tool in businesses.

A business requires insurance to avoid legal and financial issues that could threaten to shut everything down.

The security insurance can offer help to keep people employed and the business running, no matter what problems the company may face in the future.

Having business insurance keeps everyone safe from the disasters that could happen. These may cover many different things, but there is one thing that they all have in common, which is the total protection of both the business and everyone who works there. This helps to avoid problem areas and holes that could otherwise cause the business to shut down.

Knowing what is out there and how they can benefit the company as a whole is an important step to ensure everything runs as it should, if not better than it did, for years.

Buy-Sell Life Insurance

One type of insurance that every company must consider is buy-sell life insurance. When the owners buy this for themselves, they can have peace of mind for the future. If one owner were to die, the other owner can then purchase their share of the company. This gives the deceased’s family the money they need and avoids possible problems within the business. Since new owners can be disa

strous, even if they are family, this prevents their takeover and the fall of the company after such a tragic event. With others who invest their time and money into the company, this also keeps them interested and free of worries.

This is a great way that owners can protect themselves and they can know that their family and business will be secure if anything were to happen to them. You’ve worked hard to make your business successful, don’t let all of that work be wasted.

This can also be a very affordable life insurance policy for the business to take out.

Key Man Life Insurance

Another type of insurance to consider is key man insurance. With most companies, there are several people who matter a lot and keep the company up. When this person passes, the company may suffer as a result.

Whether this is someone high up, like an owner or investor, or an employee whose contribution cannot be replaced, having insurance on them can save the company from going under.

This provides the company with enough money to do what it has to do so that problems can be avoided completely. With the absence of someone of such high importance, this could keep everyone from losing what they have.

The Importance of Business Insurance

Keeping a business up and running takes money. Business life insurance, and insurance for those who are important in the company, can keep everything in the green if something tragic were to occur. With the death of a co-owner, buy-sell life insurance can help the other owner avoid dangers. This makes sure no one else can come in to become a majority owner and that the family of the deceased is well cared for with the passing of a loved one.

Key man insurance is another type that can keep everything moving smoothly. If someone important were to die, this insurance gives the business money so that the person’s absence does not create a financial hole. These keep businesses afloat in dark times, helping to ensure everyone is free from worries.

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The Advantages to Key Man Insurance

If you’re a business owner, or a co-business owner, imagine a scenario where something tragic happens to you or your business partner. What would happen to the business? Would your family be left with business debt or personal debt? Would your business partner be able to recover from losing you? These are a lot of questions that most business owners never consider.

Maybe it isn’t an owner, maybe it’s a key employee, an adviser, or someone else. Regardless of who it is, losing someone inside of your business can be devastating, it could even cause your business to close. Key man insurance can help protect you against these losses and give you the funds you need to replace that person, outsource the job, or find a way to get the business running again.

Aside from deciding which type of policy you need for your business, you also have to determine how large of a policy you’ll need. There is no “perfect number”, especially when it comes to key man insurance policies. A lot of this decision is going to depend on how important that person is, what their duties entail, how much it would cost to replace them, have their job completed otherwise, and how much you pay that person. While there is no magic number, most insurance agencies agree that anywhere from 5 – 10 times that person’s annual salary is a good target for your insurance policy (this is the most that the majority of insurance companies will approve).

Getting a Business Insurance Policy

Getting a key man insurance policy, or any other type of business insurance is just like getting a typical life insurance policy. You’ll submit an application with basic information about the person you are insuring.

There is going to be several different questions that you wouldn’t see with a normal insurance policy. The insurance company will need to know basic information about the business, like when it started, what type of business you run, how much the net worth is, and what type of rationality the insured person has.

If you’re looking to buy a business insurance policy, or even a traditional policy, we can help. Our agent are experienced in every type of insurance policy and they can answer your questions and point you in the direction of the policy. There are hundreds of companies that offer different insurance plans, it can be difficult choosing which one works well for you and your business. Let us give you the lowest rates from the best-rated companies in the U.S.

When you run a business, or you are a vital part of that business, the main goal is to make sure that you’re making money. You want to keep your profits up and your expenses down. Regardless of the size of your business, you don’t want to have to pay more for insurance than you have to. One of the best ways to ensure that you’re getting the best rates possible is to compare several different companies before you choose one that works for you. You could spend hours researching companies in your area and calling dozens of insurance agents, but your time is valuable and we know that. Let us do all of that work for you. Fill out the quote form and we can give you some of the lowest rates in your area based on your specific situation.

Source: goodfinancialcents.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 7, 2023 by Brett Tams

Creativity involves generating new and valuable ideas with your imagination, and original thinking. Creative individuals have an ability think outside the box and experiment with new concepts. Unlike the lightning bolt of inspiration, creativity is like a muscle that requires training and development. The good news is if you want to enhance your creative ability, you can learn. Below are some tips to exercise your creative muscles!

1. Keep Learning

Continuous learning is crucial for success regardless of age, profession, or interests. It is essential to keep up with emerging trends and technologies to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced world. But more than that, learning new things gives you a larger pool of ideas and patterns to draw from when you’re trying to be creative.

Stay Curious

More learning will also enhance your curiosity, and curiosity is a great fore-runner to creative thinking. Cultivating a curious mind and developing learning as a skill can really improve your creativity. Challenging yourself and seeking out new information will only inspire more growth.

2. Do what You Love

When you genuinely enjoy your job, you naturally feel more inspired and enthusiastic about finding creative solutions and generating new ideas. Conversely, a task that you keep procrastinating on will be challenging to approach with a positive and imaginative mindset. But even if you don’t love your job, keeping creativity front-of-mind as one of your goals can help you to be a bit more invested, and unlock that creative-thinking potential you’re hoping for.

Find a Fun Hobby

Doing what you love doesn’t just have to be your 9-5! You could choose a hobby that you love and that allows you to be creative, such as playing an instrument, painting, or participating in a sport that keeps you in the present moment. Picking up a new hobby is not just an enjoyable pastime, but taps into the creative boost you get from learning new things and staying curious.

3. Take Breaks

While it is possible to improve your creativity by training yourself rather than waiting for inspiration to strike, it’s crucial not to put too much pressure on yourself. If you find yourself sitting at your desk for hours struggling to generate new ideas and solutions, it’s essential to take a break and step away.

Turn your Mind Off

Our minds do a lot of processing and thinking even while we sleep; things like storing long-term memories. So even when we just take a break, often our subconscious mind will be working away at a problem we’re trying to solve or an idea you’re trying to unfold. Let your mind do it’s work by taking breaks and letting those thoughts percolate!

4. Exercise

Physical exercise is an excellent way to clear your mind when you’re feeling stressed or under pressure. Studies have demonstrated that even a 30-minute session of aerobic activity can enhance brain function and increase creativity. So, if you find yourself in a creative slump, try putting on your running shoes and getting your heart rate up to stimulate your creative juices and get them flowing freely.

5. Get a Change of Scene

Changing your environment can help to boost creativity by engaging your brain in new ways and providing fresh perspectives and inspiration. This can be achieved through traveling to new places or making small changes to your everyday surroundings. Changing your environment can also help to prevent creative burnout and break up the monotony of routine.

6. Brainstorm

Brainstorming sessions are an effective way to boost creativity. To conduct effective brainstorming sessions, it’s important to set clear goals, create a safe and non-judgmental environment, use visual aids, diversify perspectives, encourage quantity over quality, build on each other’s ideas, and take breaks to recharge.

Learn from Each Other

The focus should be on generating as many ideas as possible and building on each other’s ideas to come up with creative and innovative solutions. While each person in the room may only have one or two ideas, when you begin to put them together, ideas link up into actionable plans, or new ideas form from the combination of old ones. So get together with your colleagues and brainstorm for a while!

7. Writing Down your Thoughts

Writing is a powerful tool for boosting creativity, as it engages the mind, activates the imagination, and allows for the exploration of new perspectives. Writing can help break out of usual thinking patterns and access the subconscious mind, leading to surprising and creative ideas. Therefore, writing down thoughts and ideas, without overthinking, can unlock hidden insights and generate new ideas.

8. Try New Things

Trying new things is an effective way to enhance creativity, and provides several ideas to get started. Some ideas are taking a different route, learning a new skill, engaging with different people, trying a new hobby, and experimenting with surroundings. The passage emphasizes the importance of keeping an open mind when trying new things to promote creativity.

9. Make time for Creativity

Often, people wait for inspiration to strike, mistakenly believing that creativity is an innate talent rather than a skill that can be developed with practice. Reframing your perspective on your creative abilities and dedicating time to creative thinking can help you to hone and improve your skills.

Schedule Creative Time

If you have a job that requires frequent and substantial creativity, it can be helpful to schedule time in your diary for this purpose. Though scheduling “creative time” may feel odd at first, it can alleviate the pressure of needing a sudden burst of inspiration, which is not a sustainable way of working in the long term.

10. Collaborate with Others

Collaborating with colleagues and tapping into your network can provide a valuable source of inspiration for creative projects. If you’re feeling stuck and unable to generate fresh ideas, involving a trusted peer can be an effective way to jumpstart your creativity.

Multiply your Efforts

Brainstorming with others can often spark new thoughts and approaches, particularly when you’ve been grappling with a particular challenge on your own for an extended period. And collaboration is usually more than just the addition of new ideas; it can multiply your ideas, and theirs, into something even bigger than just the sum of two parts. Don’t be afraid to seek out the input of others—it can be the key to unlocking your next big breakthrough.

Creativity is a highly valued skill that requires constant training to improve. By implementing things like continuous learning, writing down your thoughts, and other ideas, you can enhance your ability to think creatively. Remember, creativity is like a muscle—the more you use it, the stronger it becomes.

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Some inventions are world-changing, and some of them, well, they change the world in the wrong ways. Here are some of the worst inventions Redditors could think of.

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About the Author

Dan Williams

Source: financequickfix.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 7, 2023 by Brett Tams

Do you have a Spending Identity? You do, whether you know it or not. It’s as real as the data on your driver’s license, but if you’re like most people, you’ve probably never given it much thought. Your Spending Identity dictates who you are as a consumer:

Are you frugal or extravagant?
Do you impulse shop?
Do you clip coupons?

These are all part of your profile.

A budget, by any other name…
I’m currently reading The Money Book for Freelancers, which I’ll review here soon. It’s a great book with a lot of juicy info, including the concept of the Spending Identity. The authors ask you to write out a Spending Identity for yourself to get a picture of who you are and what you can spend. It’s a step between learning to track your income & expenses and developing a fully realized spending plan to manage your money.

The authors fully acknowledge that their Spending Identity concept is a sneaky way to start readers budgeting. It’s just a less scary word. But it also contains an important concept.

The Spending Identity is a lot less specific than a budget. Its goal isn’t to get you to commit to spending $170 a week on groceries; its goal is to turn you into a person who knows about how much money you can reasonably spend when you walk out the door each day. Not your bank balance to the penny, just the overall reality of your cash flow. Are you in the Gucci tax bracket or the Gap one? Being realistic about this can save you a lot of financial headaches.

This feels like an essential skill to develop, and one I’m still shaky on. I’ve learned to track my spending, and I’m pretty good about sticking to my spending plan. If I’m not sure whether or not I can afford $40 for hair dye or $90 for cat flea treatments (two unusual expenses that cropped up this week), I can check the Mint app on my cell phone and get the answer in seconds.

But my core sense of what I can afford is all over the map. Sometimes I’m incredibly frugal, and other times I’m prone to impulse shopping. One week, I’ll meticulously pare down our grocery list to keep it under $100; the next, I’ll drop that much cash on thermal curtains or bike parts without a second thought.

Outsmarting myself
My Spending Identity hasn’t changed much since college: I always live right at the edge of my means, spending everything in my checking account — and a little more. I often hit the end of the month juggling grocery expenses against a financial surprise like a parking ticket or an invitation to a kid’s to which I’m expected to bring a gift.

As I’ve grown more financially savvy, I’ve learned ways to fool that Spending Identity into doing the right thing. Most of my money gets swept into an ING account where I put it into automatic savings plans and pay bills. In those accounts, my savings are piling up and I’m paying off debt. In my local checking account, I’m still juggling my cash flow problems like I always have.

I learned to work around my innate personality as a spender, but I didn’t really change it.

Now, I’m kind of inspired to do so. I’d like to be the kind of person who has a consistent, accurate sense of what I can spend money on, how much I can afford, and how it relates to my priorities. Not just the sense that comes from meticulous record-keeping &mdsah; what I’m looking for is better instincts.

I know about how far I can run, how often I need to eat, and how much I can write in a day. I keep records of my diet, exercise, and writing habits, but I don’t need to consult them for a broad sense. I just use them to track details. Sometimes those details show me shifting trends that surprise me, but I don’t look at my running log when I’m mid-run to find out if I’m tired. I just know.

I’d like to have a similar built-in sense for what I can spend, and what I’d like to spend it on. I can use the data I’ve collected over two years of tracking my spending to help with that. A few minutes spent journaling can also help me understand myself better:

What do I like to spend money on?
Where are the weak spots in my budget?
What are my strengths as a frugal shopper?

After answering questions like these, I should be able to have a pretty clear profile for myself, with stats to reflect my superpowers and my flaws. (What’s my financial kryptonite?) For the geeks out there, this might be like a character sheet for financial planning.

A license to spend
I think it’s time I not only explored my Spending Identity, but created a Spending License. I love little visual reminders of my goals. I’m imagining a small card in my wallet that says, “Sierra Black, licensed to spend about $20 this week on personal fun, $150 on groceries, and up to $100 on other household expenses.” Or whatever those ballpark numbers turn out to really be.

My spending records will tell me what numbers to put on my license. Having that license should help me with the vague middle step between knowing exactly what I spend and reconciling it exactly with what I do spend. That vague step that has for me been the hardest: just knowing what I can afford, without doing all of the math while standing in line at the drugstore.

Source: getrichslowly.org

Apache is functioning normally

June 7, 2023 by Brett Tams

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Southwest Airlines is a favorite amongst many domestic U.S. flyers. The airline offers free checked bags, operates a ton of obscure routes and makes travel easier for families with complimentary priority boarding. Of course, the airline has its own points program, too: Rapid Rewards. You can use these points to book free flights (plus taxes) on any Southwest route with zero blackout dates. The airline also offers the Companion Pass, one of the most lucrative perks in the frequent flyer world.

But how do you earn Rapid Rewards points? Well, that’s what we’re going to answer in this article. We’ll dive deep into the program and show you all the different ways you can earn Southwest points by flying, using cobranded credit cards and leveraging your everyday purchases.

Earn points by flying Southwest

As you’d expect, you can earn Rapid Rewards points by flying on Southwest Airlines. The amount of points you earn per flight depends on three things: how much you paid for your ticket, the fare class you booked (Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime or Business Select) and your elite status.

Thankfully, determining how many points you’ll earn for each flight is easy. Here’s how much each Southwest Airlines booking class earns before tax:

Wanna Get Away: 6 points per dollar.
Wanna Get Away Plus: 8 points per dollar.
Anytime: 10 points per dollar.
Business Select: 12 points per dollar.

Additionally, Southwest A-List and A-List Preferred elite members earn extra points on their flights:

A-List: 25% additional Rapid Rewards points.
A-List Preferred: 100% additional Rapid Rewards points.

So, if you book a one-way Wanna Get Away flight from Chicago’s Midway International Airport (MDW) to New York City’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) for $100 before taxes with no elite status, you’d earn 600 Rapid Rewards points. It’s important to note that distance is not a factor when earning Rapid Rewards points.

In other words, if you paid that same amount for a flight from MDW to St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) or one from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) to Oakland International Airport (OAK) in California, you’d earn the same 600 points.

Southwest also makes it very clear how many points you’ll earn for each leg of your trip during the booking process. From the search results page, hover over the flight you’re considering and it will display the number of points you’ll earn:

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If you’re noticing that the math doesn’t add up based on the numbers above, you’re right. The base fare of this ticket is actually $127.80. When you multiply that by six (since it’s a Wanna Get Away fare), you get 766.8, which Southwest generously rounds up to 767 points.

At this time, Southwest does not have any partner airlines. This means that you can only earn Rapid Rewards points by flying on Southwest Airlines-operated flights.

Earn points with a Southwest credit card

Southwest Airlines has several cobranded credit cards you can use to earn Rapid Rewards points. The great thing about these cards is that the welcome bonuses, in addition to credit card spending, will count towards the Southwest Companion Pass.

Just keep in mind that these cards are subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule, meaning you likely won’t be approved if you’ve had five or more credit applications across any bank in the last 24 months. Here are the cards and their current bonuses:

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card: Earn 60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card: Earn 60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card: Earn 60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card: Earn 60,000 points when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card: Earn 80,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Related: The best Southwest Airlines credit cards

Transfer Southwest points from Chase Ultimate Rewards

Southwest has one credit card transfer partner: Chase Ultimate Rewards. You can transfer your Ultimate Rewards points to Rapid Rewards at a 1:1 ratio, which typically process instantly.

Whether you should execute these transfers, however, is a different story. TPG currently values Rapid Rewards points at 1.5 cents each, while Ultimate Rewards points are worth 2 cents apiece. As a result, if you transfer points to Southwest, you may sacrifice some value that could be put toward redemptions like top-tier Hyatt properties or Singapore Airlines business class.

If you want to give your Ultimate Rewards balance a boost for a Southwest transfer, here are some cards that offer nice sign-up bonuses at the moment:

Quick note: Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers can redeem their Ultimate Rewards points at 1.5 cents per point through the Chase travel portal to book flights. Meanwhile, Sapphire Preferred and Ink Business Preferred cardholders can redeem at 1.25 cents each. Unfortunately, Southwest Airlines itineraries are not bookable in this way since the portal is powered by Expedia and Southwest doesn’t sell its tickets through OTAs.

Related: From international business class to domestic hops: 6 of the best Chase Ultimate Rewards sweet spots

Transfer Southwest points from Marriott

You can also transfer hotel points from a variety of programs to Southwest Rapid Rewards. Most of these offer a relatively poor value proposition, but there is one exception to this rule: Marriott Bonvoy.

Marriott points transfer to Southwest Rapid Rewards at a 3:1 ratio. Plus, you’ll get a 5,000-point bonus when you transfer 60,000 Marriott points at a time. As a result, 60,000 Marriott points will get you 25,000 Southwest points, improving the effective transfer ratio to 2.4:1.

Related: The best Marriott credit cards

Earn Southwest points with partners

Beyond flying and using credit cards, you can earn Rapid Rewards points through many of your everyday purchases by filling out surveys and even by transferring points from other loyalty programs. Here are some additional ways to earn bonus Rapid Rewards points through Southwest’s assorted partners.

Rapid Rewards shopping portal

Southwest’s online shopping portal is a great way to earn points on online purchases. Just like Rapid Rewards dining, the points earned through Rapid Rewards Shopping are separate from the points earned with your credit card.

Just sign up for a Rapid Rewards Shopping account, find a participating merchant and click through the link before purchasing. You’ll automatically earn bonus points on your purchase just by starting at the portal instead of going to the merchant’s website directly.

Each merchant awards a different number of points per dollar spent and these rates frequently fluctuate, so check Rapid Rewards Shopping often. You may also come across promotions and other deals that may give you extra points, especially around the holidays.

However, bear in mind that Southwest isn’t the only airline with a shopping portal. You can easily compare earning rates with shopping portals by using an aggregator like CashBackMonitor.com. We recommend doing this to ensure you’re always getting the best return on your online purchases.

Related: TPG reader credit card question: Which credit card should I use in shopping portals?

Rapid Rewards Dining

Most airline loyalty programs have dining rewards initiatives and Southwest Rapid Rewards is no exception. Through Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining, you can earn extra miles at participating restaurants. To do this, all you have to do is sign up for an account and link your favorite credit card(s) that you use for restaurant purchases.

Whenever you swipe one of those cards at a participating restaurant, you’ll earn extra Rapid Rewards points. These come in addition to the miles you earn with your credit card, so make sure to use one of the best credit cards for dining for the best return on your purchases.

If you do utilize the Rapid Rewards Dining program, you’ll definitely want to sign up for email notifications. By enrolling in email notifications, you will earn 3 points per dollar spent at participating restaurants. If you opt out of receiving emails, your earning rate is cut to 1 point per two dollars spent. Additionally, Southwest members earn tiered bonuses:

New member: Earn 500 bonus points when you spend $25 at a participating restaurant and complete an online review within the first 30 days of joining.
First step: 500 bonus points after earning 1,500 points from dining and completing reviews (one time only).
Thank You: 300 bonus points after every 1,000 points accrued from dining and completing reviews (ongoing).

While privacy is important, agreeing to receive a few emails a week is a small price to pay for substantial bonus points, especially if you order takeout quite a bit or charge reimbursable dining expenses to your credit card.

Related: 12 restaurant loyalty programs that are worth joining

Southwest Rapid Rewards hotel booking site

Hotel Indigo London Paddington in the United Kingdom. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

Have a hotel stay coming up? Use Southwest’s hotel booking portal to earn extra points on each stay. The amount of points varies by the price of your stay. Generally, the more expensive a room is, the more points you’ll earn. Southwest states that rooms can earn up to a whopping 10,000 points per night. Usually, though, you’ll earn much less.

For example, I conducted a test search for a one-night stay at the Club Quarters Hotel Embarcadero in San Francisco. The room costs $260 for a night in August and awards 260 Rapid Rewards points per night. While this is certainly better than nothing, it’s a small number of miles.

You will, however, earn more points on “Southwest Airlines Points Plus properties” through the portal. The InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco is one such hotel. This property costs $313 for a one-night stay in August, which yields 7,000 Rapid Rewards points. This is worth $105 based on TPG’s valuations — a much better return.

Note: You probably won’t earn traditional hotel points on these bookings, nor will you earn credits toward elite status qualification. Even if you already have elite status with the hotel in question, you may not enjoy the standard on-property perks since you booked through a third-party website. Thus, you’ll need to decide whether you value your hotel points and elite status benefits more than the bonus Rapid Rewards points you could earn.

Southwest also partners with several hotel programs, so travelers can earn Rapid Rewards points instead of hotel points.

Related: 6 reasons to avoid booking through an online travel agency

Earn points through rental car bookings

Southwest also partners with all the major rental car companies, allowing you to earn Rapid Rewards points. You can typically earn 600 Rapid Rewards points by booking your rental car through Southwest or requesting points at check-in. Some partners even allow you to request points on past bookings.

Earn points by taking surveys

Finally, you can earn Rapid Rewards points by filling out quick surveys through Rewards for Opinions and E-Rewards. Each survey earns a different amount of points and the length of the surveys vary, so this can be a good way to kill time while earning extra points. After you sign up and complete your first survey within three months, you’ll earn 500 bonus points. Just keep in mind that points can take up to six weeks to post to your account.

Related: Earn points and miles for completing surveys

Buy Southwest points

If you need Southwest points fast and transferring isn’t an option, buying Southwest points might be a worthwhile way to top up for a specific award. The standard rate — 3 cents per point — is more than twice TPG’s valuation. We don’t recommend buying at this price under most circumstances.

That said, the airline frequently runs promotions that offer better deals. For example, the airline is currently running a targeted promotion where you can buy points with up to a 50% discount through June 20, 2023. This brings the purchase rate down to 1.5 cents per point. That’s a perfect match for our valuation, which can make it worth it to top off your account for your next flight.

Related: Current buy points and miles promotions

Bottom line

Southwest Rapid Rewards points are easy to earn. In addition to earning points from flying, you can also earn them by allocating your everyday spending to the proper credit cards or by shopping and dining with select merchants. Using a combination of all of these methods may help you stockpile Rapid Rewards points quickly.

Additional reporting by Kyle Olsen and Christina Ly.

Source: thepointsguy.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 7, 2023 by Brett Tams

Step into a realm of unparalleled vacation rental mastery, where insider secrets await to catapult your property to five-star excellence. In this Redfin article, we explore these closely guarded secrets that will elevate your guests’ experience during their stay at your vacation rental

Whether you’ve already established your venture on Airbnb and VRBO, or are beginning to enter the industry in unique destinations, like the beautiful shores of Virginia Beach or the charming community of Katy, Texas, our guide will equip you with distinct strategies to unlock your property’s true potential. Ready to transform your vacation rental into an enchanting sanctuary where guests revel in unforgettable moments and glowing reviews naturally follow?

Luxury Apartment With Private Pool

1. Become an informed and successful host in the travel and hospitality industry

Heather Bayer from Vacation Rental Formula states, “The moment you exchange your accommodation for money, you have entered the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry. It is not a passive business. Gain comprehensive knowledge through continuous learning: engage in networking, read industry-related materials, listen to informative podcasts, attend conferences, and enroll in relevant courses. Being the best-educated host on the block will be the key to your success.”

2. Set the stage for a memorable stay in the first 10 minutes

“The first 10 minutes of your guests’ stay is pivotal to their overall experience,” says Heather. “Ensure entry is easy, the temperature is right, it looks just like the photos, it smells fresh, the Wi-Fi code is prominently displayed, and there is a welcome message.”

3. Leverage the pre-stay period by sharing your local knowledge and expertise

“Don’t leave your guests wandering in tumbleweed time,” says Heather. “This is the period between booking and the stay when travelers are eagerly anticipating their vacation, yet most hosts and managers ignore this opportunity to share their local knowledge and expertise. Share your best recommendations for restaurants, tours, activities, and events way before your guests arrive. They will be able to plan and make reservations and avoid the disappointment of finding the things they want to do are sold out.

Woman packing suitcase for summer trip, including face masks and travel-sized antibacterial hand gels

4. Make a direct booking website for your vacation rental

“Savvy owners and managers are creating content-rich websites that serve as a showcase for their location,” shares Heather. “They no longer rely on the big platforms to deliver their guests – instead, guests are being encouraged to book directly for the best value and experience.”

6. Control the guest experience by owning the entire rental stack

“In our experience, the key to maintaining a five-star rental property lies in a balanced blend of hospitality, high-quality amenities, and efficient communication. Our motto is ‘Strive not just to meet, but exceed guest expectations,’” says Murat Gocmen from MG Vacation Rentals.

“Owning the entire stack, from the cleaning company to the hot tub cleaning and snow plowing businesses, is a cornerstone of our vacation rental management strategy. It allows us to ensure an exceptional level of service and quality that’s consistent across all aspects of a guest’s experience.

Our hot tub cleaning company makes sure that this popular amenity is always in top condition, while our snow plowing company ensures clear and safe access to the property regardless of the weather, and our in-house professional cleaning service is employed after each stay to ensure a thoroughly cleaned and comfortable experience for the next guest.

By controlling these critical services, we have the ability to directly address any potential issues swiftly, maintain high standards, and uphold our promise of a pristine environment for every guest.”

MG Vacation Rentals property in a mountainous area with a cabin like feel

In Courtesy of MG Vacation Rentals – North Lake Tahoe Vacation Rental Management Company

7. Address guest’s needs promptly

“Our most successful strategy for ensuring guest satisfaction and positive reviews has always been proactive communication,” insists Murat. “We believe in the power of listening to our guests’ needs and promptly addressing any concerns. This creates a trust-based relationship that often results in repeat bookings and glowing reviews.”

8. Personalize your amenities

“We’ve found that offering personalized amenities, like local coffee or guidebooks for local attractions, adds a special touch that enhances the guest experience. These thoughtful extras show guests that we care about their stay and are invested in making it memorable,” recommends Murat.

9. Provide feedback-driven improvements

“The main focus of creating a five-star rental experience lies in continuous improvement based on valuable guest feedback. While meticulous upkeep and personalized service are crucial, understanding guests’ unspoken needs and consistently enhancing your property based on their input is key,” shares Lotus West Properties.

“By prioritizing immaculate cleanliness and providing amenities that offer a true ‘home-away-from-home’ experience, you establish a strong foundation for guest satisfaction. Moreover, incorporating a personal touch, maintaining open communication, and actively implementing improvements based on feedback become the pillars of a rewarding and unforgettable rental experience for your guests.”

10. Deliver impeccable cleanliness

“As a frequent traveler and hospitality industry professional, I leverage specific elements to create a wow factor that ensures an exceptional experience for my guests. Anyone can provide basic accommodation, but to maintain a five-star experience, I always want to ensure immaculate cleanliness,” says ResortCleaning. “Guests should have peace of mind that your rental is cleaned to the highest standards.”

Shot of a couple relaxing in the chairs at a balcony

11. Shift your focus from ratings to guest care and unique experiences

“My first advice is to stop pursuing five-star ratings. It makes you one-dimensional. Instead, make it clear that your top priority is to genuinely welcome and care for your guests,” insists founding member Alan Colley of Host2Host and co-owner of Summit Prairie. “Caring is the secret sauce of superior hosts. Do your honest best to ‘sell the sizzle’ that makes your place one where a guest feels comfortable and enthusiastic about telling others why they chose you.”

12. Build a top-notch management team for the unexpected

“In my opinion, to maintain a five-star rental managed by a property management team, it is essential to uphold the highest cleaning standards, incorporate pre-checks between cleaning crews and guest check-ins, hire experienced reservationists for top-notch guest communication, and ensure the amenities are delivered as advertised,” recommends Reservation Specialists.

“Setting accurate expectations is critical. In case of unexpected circumstances, maintaining upbeat and positive communication is essential, along with providing alternative options if advertised amenities are unavailable.”

13. Have a single, dedicated point of contact for guests that can streamline communication between all channels

“The key to maintaining a five-star rental property goes well beyond mere upkeep and starts with having a dedicated point of contact for seamless communication,” suggests Jim Lagan from Home Realty LLC. “From there, having a mindset for meticulous maintenance, an unwavering focus on cleanliness, and a commitment to providing swift resolutions is what creates an exceptional experience for every guest or resident.”

14. Creating unforgettable stays goes beyond cleanliness with thoughtful details

“When it comes to running a five-star rental, it’s the details that make the difference. Immaculate cleanliness, combined with thoughtful touches like curated amenities, crafts an unforgettable guest experience,” explains Soda Stays. “It’s more than just maintaining high cleaning standards. It’s about putting your heart and soul into creating an environment where guests don’t just stay, they feel valued and appreciated. This unwavering dedication not only ensures an exceptional stay but also engraves an unforgettable experience.”

Modern patio next to swimming pool

15. Manage your guest’s expectations

“I’ve managed everything from mansions in Malibu to cabins in the woods, but the best thing you can do for five-star ratings is manage guest expectations,” recommends Jeff Iloulian, CEO of HostGPO. “You should take great photos and your place should look like the photos. Is there anything guests should know about your place? Send them a message to let them know in advance. Share the amenities you provide in your listing so guests know what will be there for their stay.”

16. Provide the guests with a guidebook and all essential information about their stay

“I’ve found that answering all guests’ questions before they even have a chance to ask them through the use of a digital guidebook such as Touchstay, is essential,” says Avery Carl from The Short Term Shop. “Many guests are traveling in the evening to an area they are unfamiliar with, and having a resource prior to arrival that provides them with all the necessary information, such as the nearest grocery store and the type of coffee maker in the rental, can really take the stress off of guests after a long day of travel.”

17. The importance of high-quality products in vacation rental properties

“High-quality and durable products are crucial in a vacation rental property as they enhance the guest experience and reduce operational hassles. By providing reliable appliances, comfortable and well-kept furniture, and durable fixtures, vacation rental owners can ensure guest satisfaction, receive positive reviews, and minimize the need for frequent repairs or replacements,” insists Minoan Experience. “This not only leads to repeat bookings but also contributes to the long-term success and profitability of the vacation rental property.”

18. Positively set the ground rules

“One of the biggest keys to keeping any rental – as in not getting banned – is ensuring your guests behave respectfully in your community,” says Alexa Nota, Co-Founder and COO of Rent Responsibly. “Frame your house rules positively but clearly before guests arrive so they know what to expect. For example, for noise hours, you can say, ‘We love our neighbors and our neighborhood, so we kindly ask all guests to honor local quiet hours of 10 AM to 7 AM.’

Another tip is to offer an alternative. If you can’t accommodate many cars, for example, recommend a great parking area nearby so guests don’t park where it disrupts nearby homes.”

Personalized welcome note from a host given to a renter

19. Quick tips for managing your vacation rental listing

Lifty Life provides a straightforward list of tips and tricks with managing rental vacation properties “to enhance the guest experience and satisfaction”:

Clear and accurate property descriptions: Provide detailed and accurate information about your vacation rental in your listings. Highlight the unique features, amenities, and any restrictions or limitations. Use high-quality photos that showcase the property’s best aspects.
Transparent communication: Be transparent about your rental policies, pricing, and any additional fees. Clear communication helps build trust and ensures guests have the necessary information before booking.
Thoughtful welcome pack: Create a welcome pack or basket that includes small but meaningful items such as bottled water, snacks, local maps, and guides. You can also leave a handwritten note to greet guests upon arrival. These small gestures make guests feel welcomed and appreciated.
Guest feedback and reviews: Encourage guests to leave feedback and reviews after their stay. Positive reviews can attract more guests, while constructive feedback helps you identify areas for improvement. Respond to reviews promptly and professionally, addressing any concerns or issues raised.
Flexibility and personalization: Whenever possible, try to accommodate special requests or preferences from your guests. This could include flexible check-in/check-out times, arranging transportation, or offering additional services like grocery shopping before their arrival. Personalized touches can leave a lasting impression.
24/7 support: Provide a reliable point of contact for guests in case of emergencies or any issues that may arise during their stay. Make sure they have access to a phone number or email address they can use to reach you at any time.

20. Invest in your vacation rental

“The number one trick to keeping your property rated as a five-star rental is understanding that, as owners, we must be willing to invest each year in the upkeep and maintenance of our properties,” suggests Norman Block from Block & Associates Realty. “Everyone who buys a car knows and expects that they will spend money annually to maintain the vehicle and protect their investment in that car. Yet, when it comes to rental homes, I am always amazed that landlords are reluctant to do the same.

Every property owner should expect to spend somewhere around a fourth to a half percent of the property value annually for repairs, fix-ups, and improvements. Real estate properties are most people’s biggest assets and these properties often carry our largest debts.”

family walking outdoors at beach house

Source: redfin.com