Loyalty Programs.

Today's letter is L.  I've written about Lake Erie here, a favorite spot for Ohioans.  And one must talk about Luggage for all kinds of travel, but I already wrote about that too, HERE

So today, I'm going to talk a bit about "loyalty" programs.  Everyone has one and it pays to take advantage of them when you can.  There are loyalty programs connected to your charge cards, example Eddie Bauer Charge Cards get connected to Delta Airline Miles.  Chances are your bank has one connected to their charge card.  Chase for example has a cash back program, and they have a 2nd program that gives you more points on certain types of purchases IF you go through their webpage.

Marriott has a rewards program and their rewards points can be used to book flights, and or hotel stays, you get more points if you're using their card.

Airlines have loyalty programs so it pays to be able to book most of your flights through one carrier.  You're not always able to, but if you're know you're going to be traveling for business and or pleasure, think about where you're going ...is there one particular airlines that generally goes where you go?  Make that your primary airlines and you'll be more inclined to earn enough miles to get free flights.  

Many grocery stores have loyalty programs where you can save money by purchasing gift cards through them and earn money back on your groceries, some are tied into free gallons of gas as well.  

Loyalty programs can indeed save you money; but you need to be willing to invest some time to check several programs out and determine which one works best for you.  Don't try to do too many different programs...not only is it confusing; but you'll be spreading your earnings/savings in too many directions to quickly reap the rewards.

Save money on your flights, and your hotel stays by seeing what loyalty programs you can take advantage off.

**Though Sunday is a free day, I did write a post yesterday, wanted to thank all my visitors, check it out HERE**

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.

AtoZchallenge, Sunday Wrap Up and Thank you

I wrote 98% of my A-Z challenge posts ahead and had them scheduled for the correct days, as I knew I would still be traveling for the first several days of the annual April Blog Challenge.  I visited briefly here and there while away (limited time and internet); and have played catch up since returning. **the picture is my hubby in Morocco, which is where we were when our blog challenge began, there will be lots of blog posts about Spain and Morocco after the a-z challenge**

I return every visit.............except when people don't leave links.  Very frustrating.  PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not leave the link to your google+ page.  It's next to impossible to find your blog.  What I think those who have google+ don't see is ...When a non google+ person visits your page we see the comments you've left on other peoples blogs........we have to hunt to find your blog, and even after hunting often it's not visible due the number of comments you've left elsewhere.  AND, if we non-google+ people are able to find your blog it's another 2 sometimes 3 clicks to get there..........then after reading and attempting to leave a comment we find we can not as your settings do not allow anyone (which includes wordpress, disgus, blogspot etc) who is not a member of google+ to leave a comment.  Since the whole point in the a-z challenge is to visit, meet new people....please open the doors to your blogs.

The easiest way to leave your link is to use the name and url option, url of the actual blog post, then I can return the favor of a blog visit and comment with 1 click.

The 2nd option is to leave a hyper link (NOT a cut and paste of your url)

Thank you to the following who've visited my blog:

grammy
Leslie Melby
Kate @Another Clean Slate
Corinne Vail
Nicky
Lila Asnani
Paige Rion
Daidri Smythe
Ann
Leslie
Jaimie Ramsey
Perry
Rhonda Albom
Nancy LaRonda Jackson
Chris Boothman
Rikaine Hernadez
Heather Gardner
Spacer Guy
il;akshee
melaniegobledvm
josephAlsarraf
Christine Rains
Arleen Bird
Heather Musk
Suzanne Sapsed
Liz A
Meandering Mind
Linda
Carolyn Branch
Fili
Wendy
Preethi Venugopal
Kimberly
Kirsten
betty
Paula
Melanie
Tina
Cascadian Nomands Bethany
Crystal
ovengoodies

 If I missed someone.., please sing out so I can add you.  I apologize if I did.

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.

Knitting Needles on Board Airlines

Knitting = K  and or Knoles Log Cabin (a K destination I've blogged about)

I have plenty of pictures of real knitting needles, knitted projects and the like; but thought the squirrel knitting might put a smile on your face.  Knitting starts with K...our letter for the day.  There are lots of discussions about whether or not one can knit on a plane.  Though you read and hear constantly you can't, I have more times then I can count.  I've flown domestically, and international to Aruba and to Mexico.  I've taken several different types of knitting needles, however........to be on the safe side I usually pack my good needles (like Turbo's) in my checked bag, just in case and only have back up needles in my carry on.  I've generally taken circulars or wooden needles and try to have them be some of the less sharp needles.  The ONLY time I was questioned was when I had a whole set of interchangeable needles with extra cords.  The cords caught the camera's attention and they had to be sure they weren't wires.  I demonstrated how they hooked to the needles.

That said, some airline's list they are permitted, others don't list them as ok or not.  AND my research on the subject indicates which country you're flying in or out of can also make the difference.  To be safe, don't take a pair of needles you'll be upset about losing if they're taken from you.  I've not yet decided if I'll try to take any during my flight to Spain, as I've not flown on Ibera Airlines before.

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.

Journey through your Journals

Journals, journals can be cute or plain; they can be big or small.  Write a journal of your trip/travels/vacation.

Moving right along with our A-Z challenge and today's letter is J=Journal.  Keeping a journal can serve several purposes.  If you're taking a family vacation, getting the kids involved in writing a journal about what they see, where you're going is a excellent way to keep them busy.  AND it's far more productive then letting them tune out with an electronic something.  They can keep track of mileage, dollars spent each day, particularly if you're travel by car.

Writing a journal is a good way to remember your trip.  What day you went where; even as an adult and makes for a nice momento.

Journals can aid you identify your pictures after the fact also.

Journals are a good educational tool also for the kids.  When they write about what they saw, what they learned, what they liked etc.  Find those places on the map, learn how to spell those words.  All very positive.

For a J destination, here's my post on Joshua Tree National Park

**REMINDER, please leave the url to your actual blog post, NOT your google+ page, NOT your blogger profile/dashboard page.  Use the name and url option, or leave a hyperlink.  As we all try to visit throughout the a-z network, leaving links that are not your actual blog post cause frustration and time loss.**

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.

Interval International

Interval International is the topic for today (but if you want a destination that starts with I, here's my post on The Iwo Jima Monument)  because it starts with the letter I.  If you're a member of Interval International you can travel the world more affordably.  People who belong to various timeshare groups have the ability to deposit the time share weeks to trade to go somewhere beyond their home resort.  You can purchase travel insurance through them as well, pretty reasonably priced.

There are multiple levels of membership, each providing additional benefits to the member.

• Regular, you can exchange your time share week, Getaways (vacant weeks more affordable then regular rental rates), E-Plus (options for re-trading your week for a different location or date), and travel insurance
• Gold, in addition to the above benefits you get $25.00 discount when you book a Getaway, ability to book short-stays (turn your week into 2 stays of 1-6 nights), Interval options (turn your timeshare week into a cruise, golf or spa specials), Hertz Gold (discounts on car rentals).
• Platinum, same benefits as above but, $50.00 discounts for Getaways, membership in airport lounges, free quest certificates (when you book a vacation for someone else there is a charge to change the certificate to their name, this fee is waved with this membership level), Priority Getaway viewing (you see the options before the other members

I've found the staff at Interval International to be very helpful and whenever possible very accommodating.  If you're a timeshare owner, I highly recommend you join Interval International.  Decide which membership works for you based on how you tend to use your timeshare, and how often you travel.


Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.