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February 17, 2025 | View Online |
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Peru-sing travel deals? Hereâs one that gives back.
A Patagonia lodge is recruiting travelers for a free trip to Peru to help build a sustainable trail in Torres del Paine National Park. The only catch is that you have until February 19 to apply. A little sweat, glorious scenery, and bragging rights. Yeah⌠I am so down.
In todayâs edition:
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Hilton Honors status match is back, offering two years of Diamond status
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Airline loyalty programs that actually pay off
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And the winners are⌠Forbesâ travel guide winners for 2025
Cheers,
Kaylen
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| HOTELS |
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Hilton Honors Status Match is Back and Rewarding
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Hilton Honors is back with one of the most generous status match offers for frequent travelers and loyalty pros alike. If youâre not loving your current hotel rewards or your travel habits have changed, Hiltonâs try-before-you-buy deal lets you test-drive elite status and get perks on a trial basis.
đ How does it work?
Hilton Honors offers a status match to elite members of other hotel programs, giving you a generous 90 days of Gold status. During the trial period, you can complete challenges to extend your Gold status or fast-track to Diamond status by staying 8 nights for Gold or 14 nights for Diamond, both valid until March 2027. To apply, submit your current hotel loyalty status and proof of recent stays. Approval can take 7â12 business days.
đ¨ Which elite status programs can I match with?
Hilton Honors lets elite members from Marriott Bonvoy (Gold Elite+), IHG One Rewards (Gold Elite+), World of Hyatt (Explorist+), Best Western Rewards (Diamond+), and Choice Privileges (Diamond) match their status. Hilton status can also be earned through credit cards, with Silver, Gold, and Diamond benefits based on the card you have.
The comeback of this status match is a solid deal to test out Hilton Honors and see if you want to commit!
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| INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY |
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BOXABL Announces New $20,000 House |
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When the biggest names in your industry take an interest, you know you're onto something.
That's the story with BOXABL. They've rethought housing by bringing assembly lines to new home construction. Not to mention, the company has gained the attention of investors like D.R. Horton. Where traditional homes take over 7 months to build, BOXABL factories can produce their signature Casita home in nearly four hours.
And theyâre just getting started. BOXABL just announced a new $20,000 house called Baby Box. Itâs a turnkey home designed for affordability, flexibility, and versatility. Perfect for disaster relief, workforce accommodations, community projects, or you just need extra space, the Baby Box is another great solution added to their product line.
Now, everyday investors can join them too. When BOXABL last opened a Reg A investment opportunity, they maxed out the $75M regulatory limit, and they believe their new $20,000 house is the key to unlocking even greater potential. Become an investor today.*
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| AIRLINES |
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The Airline Loyalty Programs Worth Your Miles
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We all want our miles to work harder for us, and that starts with knowing which airline loyalty programs are worth the upgrade. If youâre curious about a new program, these airlines offer quality perks, flexibility, and value. Letâs see which ones are truly worth it.
âď¸ Best loyalty programs
Alaska Airlines: Alaskaâs miles are worth 1.45 cents eachâpretty much top of the class, and good for redemption rates and upgrades. You even get to book flights with partners like American for fewer miles. Plus, their elite perks, like upgrades, are a sweet deal, especially on short trips like from LAX to SEA.
American Airlines: Americanâs Loyalty Points system is the best for unpredictable travel days and earning potential. You can earn points from shopping, hotels, and credit card purchases. It makes earning elite status easier, and I have to say, the program comes in clutch when youâre dealing with flight delays or cancellations. Itâs saved me numerous times.
Southwest Airlines: This loyalty program is the best for ease of use with Rapid Rewards, which lets you track cash prices, and there are no blackout dates or hidden fees. No fuss! Just easy planning and redeeming.
At the end of the day, the best loyalty program is the one that fits your travel style. Sometimes, being flexible and hopping between programs works out better than locking yourself into just one. The key here is to know how to play the game and make the rewards work in your favor.
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| TRAVEL REPORTS |
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Forbes Travel Guideâs 2025 Star Award Winners |
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Forbes Travel Guideâs 2025 Star Awards have been revealed, highlighting the best in hospitality across 90 countriesâits most diverse list yet. When it comes to excellence, I know Forbes will always come through. This yearâs 2,187 winners are ones youâll want to jot down.
đď¸ Winning destinations
Macau is still the worldâs five-star hotel capital for the third year in a row, with 24 top hotels, including Epic Tower at Studio City and Raffles at Galaxy Macau, plus two new spas. London follows with 20 five-star hotels. Europe shines with new winners like Four Seasons Hotel Baku in Azerbaijan, Carlton Cannes, and Mandarin Oriental Costa Navarino in Greece, along with luxe spas in France and Turkey.
đ´ New restaurant winners
In the foodie world, Macau dominates again in the Five-Star restaurant scene this year with spots like Aurora, Chef Tamâs Seasons, and Don Alfonso 1890 leading the way. Mexico also made its mark with its first Five-Star restaurant, MarĂa Dolores in Cancun. In the US, Olivella in Ojai, California, is a go-to spot Iâve raved about to friends, known for its Italian-inspired California cuisine.
đ Wandering for wellness
The worldâs top hotels are really leaning into wellness these days. Baliâs Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, helps guests unplug with a cool fire blessing ritual, while The Canyon Suites in Scottsdale, Arizona, keeps things active with yoga, hikes, and everyoneâs favorite, pickleball!
Check out all of the stellar winners and get inspired for your next swanky getaway.
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| TWEET OF THE WEEK |
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| WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING |
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*This link is sponsored. |
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