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USA TODAY 10Best

10 travel memberships that are worth the money

November 11, 2021 // By Leila Najafi

By Leila Najafi November 11, 2021

— Our editors and readers independently select what you see on 10Best. When you buy through a link on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

We live in a subscription-obsessed world and there’s a subscription for everything you can imagine, from razors to clothing and even hot sauces. Travel memberships are on the rise, providing new ways to ease some of the stress that comes with traveling these days and help make the journey more seamless.

Whether you’re willing to pay a premium for exclusive travel experiences that provide a little more privacy or you're more budget-conscious and want to find the best travel deals, there’s a membership for every type of traveler. Here are 10 travel memberships that are worth considering.

Wheels Up offers private jet charter memberships so travelers can access a fleet of aircrafts, including a King Air 350i, an 8-passenger Citation Excel/XLS, and one of the fastest aircrafts, the Citation X. Wheels Up uses a dynamic pricing model offering competitive rates, so members can book flights on-demand with the flexibility to pay as they go.

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Additional m embership benefits include invites to signature events, President’s Circle status with Hertz, a complimentary trial of Inspirato Club subscription for 12 months (Core members only), certain perks at select Waldorf Astoria hotels across North America, a partnership with Delta SkyMiles, dedicated partnership rates with Porsche and more.

Membership cost: Three membership options are available – Connect, Core and Business. The Connect membership requires a one-time initiation fee of $2,995 and annual dues of $2,495 which begin on year two. The Core membership has an initiation fee of $17,500 and annual dues of $8,500 which begin on year two. The Business membership requires an initiation fee of $29,500 and $14,500 for subsequent years and includes up to six lead passengers.

Getting through airport security lines can be a drag, especially during holiday weekends and a pandemic that has increased the demand for more seclusion when traveling. PS (formerly known as Private Suite) is designed for first and business class travelers who are seeking privacy and convenience, allowing them to bypass LAX altogether.

Travelers check into a private terminal where they can relax in a fully-stocked luxury private suite that includes complimentary in-suite meals catered by h.wood Group , as well as additional services upon request such as in-suite massages, manicures and detailing services for personal cars. PS also provides a designated on-site TSA and Customs agent for expedited screening.

Upon boarding, travelers are transported across the tarmac directly to their aircraft in a BMW 7 Series sedan. Earlier this year, the Salon at PS launched, which features a new full-service lounge at the terminal for travelers who want the same benefits of PS but seek a more social experience.

Membership cost: Annual membership costs $4,500, which gives members access to a preferred rate of $3,250 for a one-way Suite experience for up to four travelers. The Salon is available to members and non-members for $695 per use per person.

Tips : Save big with the best loyalty programs and travel credit cards of 2021

Inspirato is a subscription-based luxury travel service that gives members exclusive access to over 150,000 luxury vacation homes and resorts around the world that are staffed by Inspirato. There are two membership types: Inspirato Club and Inspirato Pass. The former gives you access to the luxury residences and hotels around the world, on-site concierge and daily housekeeping with additional benefits such as late check-in and check-out, room upgrades, spa credits and more. However, members also pay nightly room rates.

With the Inspirato Pass, you automatically get the benefits of Inspirato Club plus nightly rates are already factored into the price of membership, so you can book as many vacations as possible in one month with one active reservation at a time. There is also no long-term commitment, so you can cancel the membership at any time.

Membership cost: Inspirato Club membership is $600/month plus a $600 enrollment fee and you pay nightly rates as you go. Inspirato Pass is a flat rate of $2,500/month which includes all hotel stays.

Scott’s Cheap Flights

A membership to Scott’s Cheap Flights includes flight deals and “Mistake Fares” accidentally published by airlines sent straight to your inbox. The team scours the internet for the lowest published airfare rates to popular destinations and shares them with members.

Subscribers can also track deals from a specific airport close to home or destinations of interest. A membership to Scott’s Cheap Flights is best for travelers who have flexibility on the destination and dates and are willing to fly based on low airfare rates. Flight deals don’t last long so you’ll have to act fast.

Membership cost: There are three membership tiers including Limited which is free, Premium costs $49/year and Elite $199/year.

PRIOR was started by a former travel editor who saw a gap in the market for travelers wanting a more immersive experience during their vacation. A team of experienced travel editors and local tastemakers on the ground design itineraries for curious travelers.

A PRIOR WORLD membership includes access to curated destination guides, unique local experiences in cities around the world, pre-planned group trips led by experts and for an additional fee, the team can create a custom itinerary based on your interests.

If you're a frequent traveler, PRIOR BESPOKE might be the membership better suited for you. For a flat fee per year, members get unlimited trip planning by their expert team of travel editors and membership managers.

Membership cost: PRIOR WORLD membership costs $249 per annum. PRIOR BESPOKE is $5,000 per annum.

Priority Pass

Airport terminals may have come a long way in the last decade, but killing time for a three-hour layover in a crowded airport isn’t exactly on anyone’s list of things to do, especially on vacation. Trade the busy terminals for private lounge access with Priority Pass and enjoy guaranteed Wi-Fi and snacks.

Members of Priority Pass receive access to over 1,300 airport lounges globally, including several airline lounges such as Virgin Atlantic, Air France and Turkish Airlines. Several credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express Platinum and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express offer free Priority Pass memberships as part of their member benefits.

Membership cost: Choose from three membership tiers which start at $99/year for the Standard membership plus $32 per visit and go up to $429/year for the Prestige membership which includes unlimited lounge visits.

Tips : You voted, and here are the best airlines and airports of 2021

TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry are services that allow travelers to expedite the security screening process upon departure and arrival. With CLEAR Plus, enrolled members get escorted to the front of the security line once they’ve been verified using facial recognition or fingerprint scans, so they no longer have to verify identification at security. However, for expedited clearance through security screenings, TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry are still required.

CLEAR uses biometric identifiers to create a unique ID assigned to each member that is used for verification at stations across airports, stadiums and other major venues nationwide.

Membership cost: A CLEAR Plus membership is $179 per year. American Express Platinum Card Members receive a $179 statement credit and United MileagePlus members receive a discounted membership rate.

Well Traveled

Well Traveled is a members-only social and booking platform that allows members to connect with friends to find and share travel recommendations. The community-driven platform is intended to make travel planning easier by allowing you to follow people in your network that you trust, in addition to other like-minded travelers who share similar budgets and travel preferences.

Members can also take advantage of the personalized booking service that includes perks like exclusive rates, room upgrades, food & beverage credits, complimentary breakfast and more. Currently, membership is invite-only but you can also apply to be considered.

Membership cost: $150 per year.

Travel + Leisure Club

Travel + Leisure Club is a new travel subscription service offered by Travel + Leisure Group. Members can pay a monthly fee for access to preferred pricing on curated itineraries and an average of 25% savings on hotels, resorts, car rentals and activities that are listed on Travel + Leisure GO, the online travel booking site. Plus, members get a subscription to the glossy print magazine.

Members also get access to a personal concierge that can assist with travel planning, scoring tickets to sold-out events, making dinner reservations and more.

Membership cost: Travel + Leisure Club is currently offering an introductory rate of $9.95/month.

Exclusive Resorts

Designed for families who value privacy, Exclusive Resorts is a small community of members (only 150 new members accepted each year) that get access to over 350 luxury residences around the world including the Amalfi Coast, Barcelona, Deer Valley, Kaua’i, Los Cabos, St. Barts and more.

Guests enjoy a more personalized experience with a dedicated on-site team who can assist with pre-trip planning details such as stocking the fridge with your favorite snacks, booking a massage or private chef, and housekeeping services.

Membership cost: There is a one-time, non-refundable initiation fee of $150,000 for a 10-year membership. Annual dues are $1,395/night and members travel 15-30 nights per year.

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About Leila Najafi

Leila Najafi is a luxury travel writer based in LA who is a member of more subscription services than she'd like to admit.

Read more about Leila Najafi here.

Connect with Leila via: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok

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Best Vacation Clubs You Should Join in 2023

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Are you a frequent traveler looking to enhance your vacation experience? If so, then you have probably looked into timeshares, vacation clubs, and travel clubs. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they each offer unique benefits. Joining a vacation club allows you more flexibility than ever. What’s not to love about vacation savings over a lifetime, luxurious amenities, and spacious accommodations at a resort? If your 2023 goal is to see the world, joining one of the best vacation clubs will surely help you vacation in luxury.

What is a Vacation Club?

Vacation clubs are a more modern form of timeshares. They are typically points-based and allow members to spend points at various resorts in the brand’s portfolio. Traditional timeshares are often a fixed week at one resort. Owners return to their resort at the same time every year and even stay in the same unit! Vacation clubs, however, offer more freedom and flexibility. Members can travel worldwide with their membership and stay at different resorts each year.

Vacation Club Vs. Timeshare

Did you know that some of the best vacation clubs are actually timeshares? Marriott Vacation Club, DVC, Hilton, and more offer flexible points-based timeshares that appeal to any type of traveler. Vacation clubs often have multiple resort properties and exchange options compared to a traditional deeded timeshare. However, they are one and the same these days!

Travel Club Vs. Vacation Club

Travel clubs are a great way to save money and access a variety of travel services and experiences. Whether it’s a free or paid membership, clubs offer a range of discounts and exclusive perks to members. Airline discounts, hotel bookings, car rentals, and travel packages are some of these discounts. With the help of a travel club, you can save money and enjoy a range of travel services and experiences. Vacation Clubs have shifted to letting owners use points towards experiences outside of only booking resorts, similar to how travel clubs aren’t just booking hotels. For example, using your points for theme park tickets, concerts, flights, and more. With a travel club, you get discounts, and with a vacation club, you get annual points that are used as currency to put towards different resorts and experiences.

What is the Best Vacation Club to Join?

This question relies entirely upon you and your travel preferences. Disney Vacation Club has you covered if you’re looking for some Disney magic with the little ones. Is a vacation club with the ultimate luxury package what you’re after? Marriott Vacation Club offers exceptional accommodations and resorts. Trying to go worldwide? Perhaps a Wyndham vacation club is up your alley. We’ll go through our top best vacation clubs that you should join in the upcoming year.

Is Disney Vacation Club worth it? Well, with 15 resorts across the U.S. and some of the most family-friendly resorts, Disney Vacation Club certainly isn’t a bad choice. As DVC’s recommended resale broker since 2005, we can’t deny this club’s impact on the timeshare industry.

With a points-based membership, DVC owners love their flexibility with their vacations. Aulani Resort & Spa in Oahu is a favorite among families for tropical beach vacations. Or, if you’re looking to stay as close to the magic as possible, head to one of the 11 resorts right in Orlando. The newest resort, Riviera Resort , offers guests an escape to the French Riviera through its theming and dining options.

Get a look at all of DVC’s Home Resorts so you can decide exactly which one to purchase. Keep in mind that the latest resale restrictions from DVC make it a little more difficult for new resale owners to use their points at other DVC resorts. Disney Vacation Club is also part of the Interval International network, making it possible to exchange your DVC points for stays at other luxury resorts! Look through Disney Vacation Club timeshares for sale now.

Pros of DVC

• Points-based
• Resorts near best theme parks
• Transportation to parks
• Flexible banking and borrowing
• Exchange on Interval International

Cons of DVC

• Popular dates sell out quickly—you must plan ahead!
• Strict resale restrictions
• Expensive to join
• Fewer resort options for world travelers

Top Disney Vacation Club Resorts

• Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas
• Disney’s Boardwalk Villas
• Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
• Disney’s Vero Beach Resort
• Disney’s Villas At The Grand Californian

One of the most popular and largest ownership brands in the industry is Marriott Vacation Club . After its acquisition of ILG in 2018, Marriott has over 3,200 resorts in over 80 countries. Its system is more unified and comprehensive than ever before.

Several brands fall under Marriott Vacations Worldwide, such as Hyatt Residence Club, Vistana Signature Experiences, and even the growing exchange network, Interval International.

Ultimate luxury awaits Marriott Vacation Club owners in resorts across the U.S., the Caribbean, Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. Marriott’s world-class timeshare resorts offer top-notch accommodations with modern furnishings, spacious units, and amazing amenities.

Marriott Vacation Club is the first large hospitality brand to enter the timeshare industry and is now noted as one of the best vacation clubs for travelers. With locations in the most desirable destinations and a points-based system that offers flexibility, it’s no secret how great MVC is. Find the best Marriott timeshares for sale .

Pros of MVC

• Dozens of resorts in top destinations
• Join the loyalty rewards program for discounts and savings

Cons of MVC

• Popular dates sell out quickly, making it difficult to book

Top Marriott Vacation Club Resorts

• Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club
• Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club
• Marriott’s Grande Vista
• Marriott’s Summit Watch
• Marriott’s Timber Lodge
• Marriott’s Canyon Villas At Desert Ridge

Club Wyndham

Belonging to the world’s largest vacation ownership company, Wyndham Destinations, Club Wyndham owners have over 4,000 resorts to choose from in 110 countries. Club Wyndham is one of the best and most luxury vacation clubs out there for its travel opportunities. Plus, you can also think of them as your all-in-one travel agency.

Wyndham can help you plan your vacations, book your flights and car rental, and create an itinerary packed with excursions just for you. There are several levels of VIP status, where owners can receive even more benefits. Get the latest specials, last-minute deals, or even discounts on activities. There are several Club Wyndham ownership types: Club Wyndham Select, Club Wyndham Access, and Presidential Reserve. Each type offers different deed options and tiers of benefits.

Under the Wyndham Destinations company, there is also Shell Vacations Club, Margaritaville Vacation Club, Worldmark by Wyndham, and more. With the best Wyndham Destinations resorts , there are amazing getaway opportunities regardless of your vacation preferences. Search here for some Wyndham timeshares for sale .

Pros of Wyndham

• Over a hundred resorts in top destinations
• Exchange on RCI
• Works with a variety of budgets

Cons of Wyndham

• Somewhat complicated product (many clubs and brands under Wyndham’s umbrella)
• No rewards/loyalty program

Top Club Wyndham Resorts

• Wyndham’s Bonnet Creek Resort  
• Wyndham Kauai Beach Villas
• Club Wyndham Ocean Boulevard
• Wyndham Vacation Club Smugglers Notch
• Club Wyndham Midtown 45
• Club Wyndham Fairfield Harbour

Hilton Grand Vacations Club

Hilton Grand Vacations Club offers both flexibility and one-of-a-kind luxury experiences for owners. Their easy points system is unique, in which owners receive deeded ownership interests at their home resort. Depending on the resort you own with, the unit size, season, or week number is how many ClubPoints you receive each year.

Owners can use their ClubPoints at their home resort time and time again or take their vacations across the globe. Another benefit for Hilton owners: the Hilton Honors program! When you purchase an HGVC timeshare, you are automatically enrolled in the loyalty program. HGVC members and timeshare owners receive special perks like triple or double points when they stay at qualifying resorts and hotels.

HGVC owners can use their ClubPoints and get their HHonors benefits at more than 5,800 resorts within Hilton’s portfolio of brands, located in over 114 countries worldwide. Hhonors can also grant discounts on travel packages, car rentals, air miles, Experience Rewards, and even on Amazon.

Before you buy, make sure you know what to expect with Hilton’s annual fees & dues . Browse Hilton timeshare resales here.

Pros of HGVC

• Loyalty rewards program for discounts and exclusive deals

Cons of HGVC

• Pricier to join
• Fewer resorts than Wyndham or Marriott

Top Hilton Grand Vacations Club Resorts

• Ocean 22 By Hilton Grand Vacations
• Maui Bay Villas by Hilton Grand Vacations
• Elara, A Hilton Grand Vacations Hotel – Center Strip
• Sunrise Lodge, Hilton Grand Vacations
• The Residences by Hilton Club
• Hilton Grand Vacations at Tuscany Village

Bluegreen Vacations

Bluegreen Vacations has you covered for an outdoor adventure in the Smoky Mountains, an excursion to the best theme parks in Orlando, and more. Owners of Bluegreen get a glimpse of all sorts of vacations with their Lighthouse Collection, Cityscape Collection, Amusement Collection, Heritage Collection, and of course, the Great Outdoors Collection.

Bluegreen is a points-based vacation club offering owners flexibility when vacation planning. Not to mention, their one-of-a-kind resorts make it possible to get the best of all worlds—quiet cabins, outdoor yurts, or beach resorts with luxury amenities. Their partnership with Bass Pro Shops really identifies this vacation club as your calling for adventure. Check here for Bluegreen timeshares for sale .

Pros of Bluegreen

Cons of Bluegreen

• No loyalty rewards program
• Some resale restrictions

Top Bluegreen Vacations Resorts

• Oasis Lakes At The Fountains
• Bluegreen At Tradewinds
• Bluegreen Wilderness Club At Long Creek
• Odyssey Dells, A Bluegreen Resort
• Club Lodges At Trillium

Falling under the ILG family of vacation clubs, Hyatt Residence Club provides total luxury. Their Maui destination, the Ka’anapali Beach Resort , will make your vacation feel like a dream. If island time fits your lifestyle best, but you want to stay closer to land, the three Hyatt resorts in Key West make up for that.

Hyatt owners can enjoy any of the 16 resorts within the portfolio with their points-based system. As Hyatt is also within the ILG network, you can also trade your points on Interval International’s vacation exchange network.

You may also be interested in the World of Hyatt rewards program, where owners can earn points from qualifying resorts or hotels in Hyatt’s portfolio. With four different tiers and elevated benefits for each level, members can work their way up to earn a free night at a qualifying resort or receive suite upgrades. Look through our Hyatt timeshares for sale .

Pros of Hyatt

• Luxury resorts in popular locations

Cons of Hyatt

• Fewer resort options
• Properties have fewer family-friendly amenities

Top Hyatt Residence Club Resorts

• Hyatt Beach House Resort
• Hyatt Coconut Plantation Resort
• Hyatt Pinon Pointe
• Hyatt Wild Oak Ranch
• Hyatt Ka’anapali Beach
• Hyatt Highlands Inn

For a family-friendly getaway on a budget, Holiday Inn Club Vacations has been providing memorable experiences for guests since 2008. Offering over 25 resorts across the United States, families can use Holiday Inn timeshare points to stay at their favorite resorts in the brand’s impressive portfolio. Accommodations at every Holiday Inn Club resort location vary in size and include washers/dryers, living room areas to stretch out in, fully-equipped kitchens, and all of the comforts of home.

The flagship location, Orange Lake Resort in Kissimmee, Florida, is famous for its sprawling lazy river and on-site waterpark. There are multiple villages at Orange Lake, each with unique accommodations and amenities.

There are multiple levels of Holiday Inn Club, with varying tiers of benefits. Depending on your membership level within this luxury vacation club, you can receive 10% advanced booking window discounts, room upgrades, complimentary nights, and more.

Pros of Holiday Inn Club

• Family-friendly and budget-friendly
• Exchange on Interval International & RCI

Cons of Holiday Inn Club

• Fewer resort options (but growing!)
• Popular dates can sell out quickly

Top Holiday Inn Club Resorts

• Orange Lake Resort
• Holiday Inn Club Vacations South Beach Resort
• Hill Country Resort
• Galveston Seaside Resort
• Smoky Mountain Resort
• Holiday Inn Club Vacations Villages Resort at Lake Palestine

Westgate Travel Club

Westgate Resorts started out as a modest 16-unit resort. Today, Westgate Resorts boasts over 14,000 villas spread out across 27 resorts, and they continue to add more properties to their portfolio! With fractional ownership, Westgate owners can enjoy vacationing in different destinations across the country every year through Westgate Travel Club . This means that in addition to visiting your home resort annually, you can also explore other exciting places too.

Among Westgate’s diverse portfolio are resorts in some of the most coveted vacation destinations. Stay in teepees, covered wagons, and other themed luxury villas while glamping in Central Florida. Take a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and stay in a mountainside cabin. Is Las Vegas more your style? Westgate has a resort close to the Convention Center and the Strip.

The Westgate Travel Club is divided into three distinct categories known as dimensions. Dimension One is made up of Westgate Club Weeks, while Dimension Two consists of exchange through Interval International. Finally, Dimension Three is comprised of Westgate Cruise & Travel Collection. Each dimension of the Westgate Travel Club offers its own unique set of deals and opportunities.

Pros of Westgate Travel Club

• Family-friendly resort amenities
• Exchange for cruises

Cons of Westgate Travel Club

• Not points-based

Top Westgate Travel Club Resorts

• Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort
• Westgate Flamingo Bay Club
• Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort
• Westgate Lakes Resort And Spa
• Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino
• Park City Resort And Spa Westgate

How Much is a Vacation Club Membership?

Depending on the vacation club you want to join, the cost of a vacation club membership can vary. However, the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) has stated that the average cost of a timeshare is $22,942. Remember that while the cost of joining a vacation club is high, you are really paying for a lifetime of vacations. Plus, buying a vacation club membership on the timeshare resale market can save thousands of dollars. Of course, there are maintenance fees as well to keep in mind. These are normally due on an annual basis.

Learn more: 10 Best Timeshare Resorts for Families Across the U.S.

Join One of the Best Vacation Clubs for Less

When you buy a timeshare or the resale market, you can save a substantial amount of money while still getting to stay at luxurious resorts. To learn more about the difference between buying resale versus direct, check our video to the left.

Did any of the best vacation clubs listed speak to you? Our timeshare resale experts can help you get the best deal on vacation clubs like Wyndham, Disney, Hilton, and more. Start by browsing our timeshares for sale . Or give us a call today at   1 (800) 410-8326 .

Are there any other best vacation clubs that we missed? Leave a comment to let us know! If you’re an owner with any one of these brands, tell us your favorite vacation experience. We want to know!

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Lauren McGee

Lauren McGee is a University of South Florida graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Advertising. She is a social media strategist and digital marketing specialist with a diverse background in brand recognition, quality control, and content production. Lauren has lived in Central Florida for over ten years and loves to travel, cook her favorite recipes, and spend time with her family.

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Best (and Worst) Travel Discount Programs

Sarah Pascarella

Sarah Pascarella has a master's degree in writing, literature, and publishing from Emerson College, where she specialized in magazine writing and nonprofit publishing. She is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Association and the New England Writers association.

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In response to my recent story on travel rip-offs , many of you wrote in to add travel discount programs to the list. Specifically, membership- or buy-in programs promising travel discounts, freebies, and more seemed to have left you with buyers’ remorse. Common complaints included lackluster perks, inflated pricing, and sneaky “gotcha” policies.

“Many of the promised ‘free entry’ venues were free to all, anyway!” wrote reader meg .

“I ordered an Entertainment Book on sale last year,” says reader mik . “What they did not tell me is that buying the book includes a ‘membership’ which means they automatically sent me a full priced book this year and then wanted to charge me return shipping to send it back.”

So, what’s the latest with these discount programs? Are there any that actually deliver on their promises to the customer, or are most not worth purchasing? I did a bit of digging to find out.

I put CityPass to the test in three different cities: New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. At first glance, the passes appear to offer good deals.

From a purely monetary standpoint, the CityPasses will save you money compared to buying all the admission fees individually. But let’s put emphasis on the all here: With each respective pass, take a closer look at the offerings to see if they appeal to you. It’s great that you’ll be getting a discount, but if most of the attractions don’t interest you, you’re not getting much value. Additionally, if you have limited time (e.g., just a weekend, say, rather than a week or two to explore), you may not be able to hit every attraction, or at best have limited time at each one as you rush to take them all in.{{{SmarterBuddy|align=left}}}In short, use critical and realistic judgment, taking time, logistics, and interests into consideration when shopping for a CityPass. If you like the offerings and have enough time to see them all, CityPass can be a great deal. If you’re not interested in some of the attractions or are crunched for time, you might want to consider going a la carte.

Many travelers tend to take advantage of AAA ‘s travel discount program, particularly in regard to hotel stays. While you can often get a few bucks knocked off a hotel’s per-night rate, be sure to shop around before choosing the AAA rate to ensure it’s the lowest or best fit for you.

I tested AAA prices against other rate classes at several hotels in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. In two cases (New York and Chicago), I found the AAA rate was equal to the hotels’ other promotional prices, and in San Francisco the AAA price was the lowest available. Additionally, I found that the AAA rate offered greater flexibility than some of the other sales, in that the only requirement was presenting the card at check-in. Some of the properties’ other sale rates required payment in advance, no cancellations or refunds, and other restrictions.

In short, every property is different and may have a variety of pricing structures. Do a little legwork to see what else is on hand before booking. While you may find the AAA rate fits your budget, there may be other sales that offer lower prices—you’ll only know if you do a bit of advance research.

AARP’s “discounts” are the most disingenuous of the programs I researched. On the AARP travel website , you’ll see an “AARP Travel Center” reservations area, affiliated with Expedia. I tested a variety of hotels to see if senior-only special offers or discounts were featured in the search results, and found in most cases they were not—the AARP results were nearly identical with Expedia.com’s own sale offerings for almost every property I checked.

As with AAA, you’ll have to do a bit of digging to determine if AARP’s discounts offer a good value. Don’t assume the first price you see is the lowest, whether you’ve found it on AARP or elsewhere. Compare prices among a variety of providers, and call companies directly to see if senior discounts or other sales (open to anyone) are available.

Student Advantage

The Student Advantage card offers a host of student discounts at retailers around the country, with travel providers such as American Airlines, Amtrak, Choice Hotels, and more represented.

The card costs $20 for a one-year membership, $30 for two years, $40 for three years, and $50 for four years. Here’s where the value proposition comes in: Do you think you’ll use the card enough to offset the sign-up cost? Do you think the perks, once purchased, are worth the membership fees? (Many travel providers offer discounts ranging from 5 to 25 percent off, with some restrictions, black-out dates, etc.)

Browse the available offers with a critical eye to see if you frequently visit participating retailers. If you do, signing up might be worth it. If you don’t, you may want to forego membership and search for non-member deals.

Entertainment Books

Entertainment books offer a variety of discounts throughout a specific region and/or city (e.g., Las Vegas, Orlando, Hawaii, and the like). Each book’s coupons are valid throughout the current calendar year and retail for $35. Additionally, once you’ve purchased your book, you’ll receive a link to a dedicated discount section of Entertainment’s website, where you can print additional coupons not found in the print edition.

Like Student Advantage, the Entertainment pay-for-discounts model requires careful consideration. You can see previews of current offers on the Entertainment website before you buy, as well as a breakdown of what types of retailers are offering discounts. Whether the discounts are a good value, appeal to your tastes, and the purchase price is affordable, is up to you.

Have you found membership and/or pre-purchase discounts to offer good deals? Or do you think they’re rip-offs? Share your thoughts by submitting a comment below!

(Editor’s Note: SmarterTravel.com is a member of the TripAdvisor Media Network, an operating company of Expedia, Inc. Expedia, Inc. also owns Expedia.com.)

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Travel Subscription Services Are on the Rise—But Do They Really Save You Money?

By Shannon McMahon

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Have you ever wished you had an assistant to research and book the best travel deals for you? From plane tickets to hotel stays, it can take many hours to comb through booking options for the right offer, especially in the new world of fast-disappearing travel deals . Enter travel subscription services, also known as travel clubs, which make it possible to offload that task for a set monthly or annual fee. Such online travel subscriptions have been rising in popularity—with several new services launched in recent weeks—but not all are created equal.

Companies including Tripadvisor and airfare alert site Scott's Cheap Flights have rolled out new travel club subscription services that offer deals exclusively for paying members. The new Tripadvisor Plus offers reduced hotel and activity bookings (as well as perks like free rental car upgrades and a Dollar Flight Club membership) for $99 per year. Scott's Cheap Flights' new Premium and Elite subscription tiers alert members to either economy or business-class fares for $49 or $200 per year, respectively. And then there are the top-dollar travel membership providers, like Inspirato , which offers luxury travel experiences for $600 to $2,500 per month, the latter of which includes all nightly rates, taxes, and fees in your monthly dues.

The main appeal of membership-structured deal clubs, experts say, is that they afford you deals that can't be listed for the general public online—rates that are typically better than any deal website's. “There are rates that are not to be promoted or distributed in a mass-market situation," says Mike Putman, CEO of Custom Travel Solutions , a business-travel provider that works with dozens of existing travel clubs. The services that provide those deals, Putman says, “require they only be distributed to membership organizations, which are paying for the right to them.” So it's clear you're paying for exclusive travel prices that often can't be found elsewhere.

But can you make your membership money back in order to actually save money, and quickly? For memberships that charge modest fees (about $200 or less per year), the answer seems to be yes. Willis Orlando, a member operations specialist for Scott's Cheap Flights' paid services, says it's his job to find the mistake fares that make a Premium or Elite membership worthwhile. “Many people don't have the time or energy to look for great airfare deals, but I'm fortunate enough to be paid to do exactly that,” Orlando says. He's part of a three-person team that hunts for flight deals, the best ones of which are a fraction of their usual price: Long-haul economy fares found for the service's Premium tier membership are typically around $500 or below as opposed to the normal average of about $800 dollars, Orlando says. Business- or first-class fare deals are usually around $1,200 to $1,700 instead of the typical $2,500 premium ticket.

While Scott's Cheap Flights is an airfare-only subscription, there are hotel and experience-geared subscriptions for those who fly less often. Abigail A., a Connecticut-based frequent traveler and blogger who signed up for Tripadvisor Plus this June, says she already made her $99 annual fee back in savings. Her first booking, a domestic work trip to New York , saved her about $200 on a weekend-long hotel stay, compared with prices listed elsewhere on the internet. Abigail says she chose Tripadvisor Plus because it offers cancellation (for a full refund ) within 90 days of signing up if you're not happy with the deals offered, but she's sticking with her membership thanks to the hotel savings she's found. Tripadvisor said in a statement that its Plus offering saves members an average of $350 per hotel stay, and that “most members recover the annual fee on their very first trip.”

“I'd recommend people [enroll in Tripadvisor Plus] around a time that they already have a trip they're planning, so that if you don't get your money back within those 90 days that you're planning something, you won't feel jipped,” she says.

And in the time of coronavirus, it's also important to consider losses you could see due to unexpected cancellations or illness, which Abigail says she is protected from separately of Tripadvisor Plus, through travel insurance that comes with her credit card . Putman, of Custom Travel Solutions, says that travel insurance and flexible booking options will typically depend on the service, and that some travel clubs or subscriptions do offer add-on insurance for an extra fee. For now Tripadvisor Plus recommends users acquire their own travel insurance, and most flight-deal subscriptions, including Scott's Cheap Flights, leave booking the actual reservation up to the member, which means cancellation terms vary depending on the airline. 

But the major added bonus of enrolling in a travel club across-the-board, Putman says, is having someone to talk to should you need help with a booking as you return to travel, whether it's a flight cancellation the service can remedy for you or a hotel upgrade you're hoping to snag. 

“Right now people really appreciate, when something goes wrong, if there's someone you can call,” Putman says. “Especially during a time when there's so much uncertainty in the marketplace and in travel overall.”

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Elliott Report

Home » Ultimate Consumer Guides » The ultimate guide to joining and leaving a travel club in 2024

The ultimate guide to joining and leaving a travel club in 2024

By Christopher Elliott

Published December 18, 2020

Updated February 22, 2024

You can’t always escape

What is a travel club.

• Are travel clubs legit?
• How do I get out of a travel club membership?

What does a travel club offer?

• A 50 percent or more discount on travel.
• Buy one/get one free airfare, or a companion certificate.
• A “free” cruise.
• A “free” two-day vacation.
• A discount access card that offers a special deal on nontravel items, such as restaurants and attractions.

Wait! My travel club is different

• If you drive in the United States, you probably need an AAA membership. AAA members have access to roadside assistance, insurance discounts and travel services.
• Costco Travel  offers discounts on everything from airfares to cruises. But it also has real stores with actual products.
• Priority Pass gives members access to a global network of airport lounges, even if they hold only economy or premium economy tickets.

Are travel club deals legit?

• The discounts are generally no better than those you’ll find on Expedia, Orbitz, or Travelocity.
• The companion certificate requires you to buy a full-fare economy class ticket, which costs twice what you’d pay for a normal coach seat.
• The discount access offers no better discounts than your AAA or AARP membership.
• And then there’s the “free” vacation or cruise. Let’s dive right into that one.

Is that “free” cruise for real?

What about affiliated resorts, how do i survive the pitch, what to do during a travel club presentation, why you won’t get 60 percent off your next travel purchase (even if you’re part of a travel club), can i get out of a travel club, what’s the bottom line on vacation clubs, about this story.

Christopher Elliott

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5 Exclusive Vacation Clubs to Discover

If the thought of vacationing at a different resort every year appeals to you, vacation clubs might be your thing. Not to be confused with timeshares, vacation clubs operate differently.

Photo: Grand Velas via Flickr/ CC BY-SA 2.0

Timeshares are purchases of time at a single community or resort every year. The length, and often dates, are predetermined. Timeshare owners are responsible for a portion of annual maintenance fees (which usually increase yearly), as well as special assessments and taxes. The length of time you can purchase at a timeshare can vary, but it’s almost always at the same place.

Vacation clubs and travel clubs offer a bit more variety. Members typically pay an initial membership fee and then receive an annual (usually) allocation of points that can be used as currency to book at different resorts under the club’s umbrella. High-season dates and desirable properties may cost more than less popular ones, and book up faster. For travelers who like to visit different new or different locales each year, vacation clubs can be an attractive option, but like timeshares, they come with ever-increasing yearly maintenance fees.

Many large hotel chains such as Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, and Wyndham have their own vacation clubs, while others operate their own private networks of resorts. Available properties can range from privately-owned condominiums in major cities to exclusive high-end villas and even cruises. We compared several vacation and travel club options and came up with a list of five top options.

My Travel Rewards Club

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My Travel Rewards Club offers members-only exclusives and private discounts on resorts, hotels, airfare, car rentals, and more. Members get special access to thousands of discounted resort weeks at prices unavailable to the general public, as well as more than 700,000 hotel properties around the world at discounts up to 70% off OTA pricing. With every resort, hotel, or cruise booking, members accrue same-as-cash rewards, which can be redeemed on the platform for resort weeks, hotels, cruises, or even used to cover the nominal annual dues. Three membership tiers offer different benefits—the Platinum level, for example, offers up to 8% back in Travel Rewards on each booking, three guaranteed resort week rentals each year at $699 or less (any week, any resort, any unit), and personalized concierge services are available 24/7 to help members book accommodations, tee times, spa treatments, private tours, and more. What truly sets My Travel Rewards Club apart, however, is that it is not affiliated with any single brand, resort, or hotel chain. Members enjoy discounts from thousands of well-known brands, providing the utmost in flexibility.

An Inspirato subscription grants you access to a six-continent portfolio of luxury vacation homes, five-star resorts, and boutique experiences—plus a dedicated team of on-site staff at your destination. The private homes offer top-notch amenities like gyms, chef-worthy kitchens and infinity-edge pools and their many resort partners are household names. Membership also includes boutique experiences such as safaris and VIP access to special events. Two membership tiers can accommodate all types of travel: the Inspirato Club ($600/month) allows you to pay nightly rates and select specific travel dates, while the $2,500/month Inspirato Pass lets you choose from a list of trips with pre-selected dates with no nightly rates, taxes, or fees.

Solstice Collection

The Solstice model operates a bit differently than other vacation clubs. They have eight signature properties in Europe, United States, St. Barth’sand Mexico, plus additional properties that are owned by their shareholders. All embody the spirit and character of their unique location and are suitable for even the most discerning traveler. Members pay a one-time administrative fee, then choose from three levels of membership that each offer a designated number of Advance Access, Space Available, and Spontaneous Usage days (more days can be purchased at $250/night). Solstice is not for everyone: they keep their membership small with an ideal member-to-home ratio of 6:1 in order to maintain an open and fluid scheduling calendar. In addition to having a dedicated Solstice representative to assist with trip planning, each vacation includes daily housekeeping services and a local team member to ensure a smooth stay.

Exclusive Resorts

For those who want a more secluded, upscale experience, Exclusive Resorts is the answer. Almost all their properties are located in more than 380 private resorts and gated communities and with 75 destinations, there are plenty of vacation spots to choose from. Exclusive Resorts is very discerning and keeps its membership small, accepting just over 100 new applicants per year. Once inside the club, members receive perks such as premium upgrades, medical care and discounts on everything from luggage delivery to private aviation. Members pay a one-time initiation fee for a multi-year membership, then select the number of days they want to travel each year for one set rate. Unlike some other vacation clubs, there’s a set price per night no matter where you stay or when (including peak seasons and holidays).

Disney Vacation Club

This one is more of a timeshare/vacation club hybrid: you do purchase real estate interest in a Disney Vacation Club Resort, but it comes in the form of an annual allotment of Vacation Points which you can use to book accommodations at other Disney properties. Most are in Florida, South Carolina, Hawaii, and California. Eligible Members receive exclusive invitations to special events like holiday celebrations, culinary experiences and “Moonlight Magic” events (complimentary after-hours celebrations at select Disney parks). Membership pricing starts at more than $300 plus an additional $100 and up in dues each month—but members can borrow points from upcoming years or bank points that go unused.

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Marriott Vacation Club Resorts: 10 Most Popular Locations [2023 Guide]

Lindsey Olander

Former Content Contributor

23 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 24 U.S. States Visited: 25

Jessica Merritt

Editor & Content Contributor

82 Published Articles 462 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 4 U.S. States Visited: 23

Keri Stooksbury

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29 Published Articles 3091 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 45 U.S. States Visited: 28

Marriott Vacation Club Destinations Program

In-room amenities, marriott vacation club pulse properties, recommended marriott bonvoy cards, 1. marriott vacation club pulse, san diego (san diego, ca), 2. marriott’s grande vista (orlando, fl), 3. marriott’s grand chateau (las vegas, nv), 4. marriott’s oceanwatch villas at grande dunes (myrtle beach, sc), 5. marriott’s crystal shores (marco island, fl), 6. marriott vacation club pulse, new york city, 7. marriott’s ko olina beach club (oahu, hi), 8. marriott’s grande ocean (hilton head, sc), 9. marriott’s frenchman’s cove (st. thomas, u.s. virgin islands), 10. marriott’s maui ocean club – molokai, maui & lanai towers (maui, hi), final thoughts.

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For some travelers, there’s a particular magic around returning to the same place year after year. You get that feeling of returning home without committing to buying a second home. We’re referring, of course, to timeshares — condo-style vacation accommodations that multiple owners share throughout the year.

Marriott Vacation Club is the leading timeshare brand of the Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation. It is  composed of over 90 resorts located in key vacation destinations throughout the Caribbean, Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia, and the U.S.

Accommodations at each property typically range from studio suites to 3-bedroom units. However, while these properties are designed with timeshare owners in mind, you don’t need to be one to book a reservation and take advantage of their ultra-spacious digs.

Whether you buy into a membership or simply want to enjoy a hotel and its features as a regular guest, here’s what you can expect from a stay at a Marriott Vacation Club property.

Everything You Need to Know About Marriott Vacation Club

Marriott Vacation Club resorts are just that — vacation destinations designed to serve your long getaway needs. As mentioned above, while Club properties can be booked for single overnight stays, their setups are based on the timeshare model, with amenities for long-term visits .

Rooms are typically larger than what you’d find in a standard hotel, on-site restaurants are limited, and many guests are Marriott Vacation Club members who stay for a week or more. Although couples will find plenty to enjoy at these properties, the added space makes Marriott Vacation Club an especially popular choice for families and groups .

Because Marriott Vacation Club properties cater to repeat and long-term timeshare guests, regular paying travelers often contend with decreased room availability , especially during peak travel windows.

Timeshare ownership can be purchased through the Marriott Vacation Club Destinations Program , which works differently from the timeshares you might be familiar with.

Instead of owning the rights to a specific unit or travel window, members receive an annual allotment of Vacation Club points that can be redeemed for stays at any Marriott Vacation Club resort or hotel. This makes the program perfect for those who plan to vacation every year but don’t want to commit to a single destination or room.

A member’s annual points allotment is replenished annually and can be added at any time. Got a big trip in the works? Members can also carry over unused points from a previous year and borrow from the following year to amass the amount they need.

In addition to overnight stays at Marriott Vacation Club resorts, timeshare owners can convert their Vacation Club points into Marriott Bonvoy points , which can be used towards several unique travel experiences like cruises and guided tours (as well as at over 8,500 Marriott-branded hotels and affiliated resorts ) via the Marriott Vacation Club Destinations Exchange Program.

However, it’s important to note that it doesn’t work the other way around. In other words, Marriott Bonvoy points cannot be converted into Vacation Club points . So while you can use your Marriott Bonvoy points to stay at a Marriott Vacation Club property, you can only do so as a regular paying guest — not as a timeshare owner.

Décor varies by location, but guest rooms at Marriott Vacation Club properties are generally designed for long-term use — be it a long weekend or a week-long vacation.

Units range from studios to multi-bedroom villas and feel more like mini residences than hotel rooms. Whether you book a room for a twosome or a family of 5, most accommodations come ready with a kitchen or kitchenette, a separate living area, a small or large dining area, and, in bigger units, multiple bathrooms.

Unlike the typical beachside set-up of many Marriott Vacation Club resorts, Pulse — a subset of the brand — comprises hotels located within major cities designed for shorter-term stays.

These properties are much more sleek and cosmopolitan in style and include standard rooms that lack kitchenettes in addition to regular condo-style units. The properties often forgo essential amenities (full-service restaurants and pools, for example) in exchange for an unbeatable downtown city location near major sights .

There are 6 Pulse properties in the Marriott Vacation Club portfolio. These are in Boston, Miami, New York City, San Diego, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.

American Express and Chase Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards

It’s important to stress this fact: you cannot redeem or earn Marriott Bonvoy points at a Marriott Vacation Club hotel as a timeshare owner . You can still cash in points for a regular overnight stay.

To that end, Marriott Bonvoy offers several co-branded credit cards, making it easy to rack up the points you need to redeem award nights at these properties.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold ® Credit Card

A great option for Marriott hotel fans who want a no annual fee card and automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

Casual travelers who like to frequent properties that are part of the Marriott Bonvoy collection of brands may want to consider the Marriott Bonvoy Bold ® Credit Card.

The Marriott Bold card rewards cardholders for Marriott stays and gives them a boost towards Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

• Up to 14x points per $1 on Marriott purchases
• 2x points per $1 on travel purchases
• 15 Elite Night Credits each year (automatically gives you Silver Elite status)
• No foreign transaction fees
• No annual fee
• Lower point earn rate than other Marriott Bonvoy cards
• Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status is the lowest status tier
• Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Pay no annual fee with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold ® Credit Card from Chase ® !
• Earn up to 14X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy ® with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold ® Card.
• 1X point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
• Your points don't expire as long as you make purchases on your card every 24 months.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.49%–28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Marriott Bonvoy Boundless ® Credit Card

Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual free night award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.

If you’re a frequent traveler and a Marriott loyalist, there’s a lot to love about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless ® Credit Card . The card comes packed with several great benefits like a free hotel night once a year, automatic Silver Elite status (with a fast-track to Gold Elite status), and multiple options for redeeming points.

• Earn big when you use your card at thousands of participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
• Earn big at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
• Automatic Silver Elite Status
• 1 Free Night Award each cardmember anniversary (valued up to 35,000 points)
• One year complimentary DoorDash DashPass subscription
• $95 annual fee
• Marriott Silver status is the lowest status tier
• Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases.
• Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
• Earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
• 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
• Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy ® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless ® Card.
• Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatic Silver Elite status, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees. Your points don't expire as long as you make purchases on your card every 24 months.
• The 75,000 or 100,000 Bonus Point Offer for the Marriott Boundless
• 23 Valuable Benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
• Best Hotel Credit Cards for Free Nights

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express ® Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express ® Card , the latest mid-tier offering in the Marriott Bonvoy lineup of cards, offers cardholders automatic elite status and ways to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on each of their stays and daily purchases.

• 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
• 4x points per $1 at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per calendar year, then 2X points)
• 2x points per $1 on all other purchases
• Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
• 15 Elite Night Credits per year
• 1,000 bonus points per paid stay
• 1 Free Night Award (up to 50,000 points) when you spend $15,000 on the card in a year
• No foreign transaction fees ( rates and fees )
• $250 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Free Night Award certificate is not an automatic benefit
• Earn 155,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy ® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
• Earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2X points).
• Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Marriott Bonvoy 1K Bonus Points Per Stay: Earn 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy ® bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott for properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
• With complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elites status, earn up to 2.5X points from Marriott Bonvoy ® on eligible hotel purchases with the 25% Bonus Points on stays benefit, available for Qualifying Rates.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Free Night Award: Earn 1 Free Night Award after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy ® points) at a hotel participating in Marriott Bonvoy ® . Certain hotels have resort fees.
• 15 Elite Night Credits: Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express Card ® you can receive 15 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy ® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
• Plan It ® is a payment option that lets you split up purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee. Plus, you'll still earn rewards the way you usually do.
• $250 Annual Fee.
• Terms apply.
• APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card  is a premium card designed with road warriors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalists in mind.

So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?

• 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy   program
• 3x points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines and restaurants worldwide
• 25 Elite Night Credits each year
• Priority Pass Select membership upon enrollment
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit
• Annual Free Night Award after card renewal
• Complimentary Platinum Elite status
• Steep annual fee of $650 ( rates and fees )
• 6x points per $1 is the same earn rate offered with lower annual fee alternatives like the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express ® Card
• Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card at restaurants worldwide.
• With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy ® . 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy ® . Certain hotels have resort fees.
• Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
• $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton ® or St. Regis ® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ® : Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck ® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy ® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
• Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
• With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• $650 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.
• Best Sign Up Bonuses
• Best Credit Cards with Priority Access

The 10 Most Popular Marriott Vacation Club Locations

Of the 90 or so hotels that make up Marriott Vacation Club’s portfolio, people tend to search for — and stay at — these 10 locations more than any other. Let’s check them out!

By far, the most well-searched hotel in the Marriott Vacation Club portfolio is its high-rise in downtown San Diego — 1 of 6 Pulse properties across the U.S. defined by their chic urban design aesthetics and downtown city settings.

As with all Pulse locations, these condo-style accommodations put guests in the thick of it all. In this case, the trendy Gaslamp Quarter and scenic Balboa Park (home to the San Diego Zoo ) are just a 15-minute walk away .

Rooms are stylish, comfortable, and well-equipped for multi-day visits with a kitchenette and separate living area. However, because guests anticipate spending most of their visit off-property, on-site amenities are limited to an up-to-date fitness center and SHAKE Bar & Lounge — a solid American restaurant when you want a low-key meal at your home away from home.

Cash room rates at this property hover around $200 for a standard room, while award redemptions average between 40,000 and 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Whether you plan on spending most of your visit on the property or off of it, there’s no denying that Marriott’s Grande Vista has everything families could want for an extended Orlando vacation .

The 160-acre resort complex houses a whopping 1,616 rooms that run the gamut from standard kings to 3-bedroom villas that can house up to 12 overnight guests . All units have a sleeper sofa, kitchenette, and a screened-in furnished patio or balcony; villas feature the added benefits of a full kitchen, washer and dryer, and a whirlpool tub in the bathroom.

The location is stellar — 5 minutes from SeaWorld and 20 minutes from Walt Disney World Resort — but you might never feel the need to leave. In addition to a full-service spa, fitness center, and handful of restaurants, guests can access a 9-hole golf course and practice facility where experts give lessons, a game room, an indoor playground, and 4 outdoor pools.

You can even rent paddle boats and fishing gear at the nearby lake, play volleyball on the beach, or utilize the Boathouse’s billiards and ping-pong tables. The marketplace is convenient for stocking up on groceries.

Unfortunately, there are some downsides. Daily housekeeping costs extra, and there is no shuttle service to nearby amusement parks — a perk often available at hotels in the area.

Likely because of these details, overnight stays remain relatively affordable. Expect to redeem 30,000 to 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for an award stay or pay around $210 per night for a standard room.

In Orlando for the amusement parks? Take advantage of the discounted tickets at Marriott’s Grande Vista’s concierge desk.

Despite being just a 5-minute walk from the Strip , Marriott’s Grand Chateau — a high-rise timeshare directly across the street from Planet Hollywood — forgoes the typical Vegas glitz for a much homier vibe, making it great for groups and families seeking a no-fuss sleep close to main attractions.

The lobby features crystal chandeliers and wood-paneled walls; upstairs, 3 wings house 643 guest rooms and suites that maximize comfort. Every room category includes a kitchenette and sitting area, while suites allow more space for a dining area, washer and dryer, and a separate master bedroom.

Although the property lacks a casino, spa, and full-service restaurant, there’s a 24-hour marketplace for grocery and snacking needs. You’ll still find a few excellent amenities, including a fitness center, a lobby bar, a top-floor cocktail lounge with stellar city views, and a rooftop pool — 1 of 2 pools at the hotel.

Other perks we love: valet parking is free, and there’s no resort fee .

Award nights can be redeemed from 40,000 to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. Cash rates average about $250 for a standard room.

The golden sands of Myrtle Beach set a breezy backdrop for Marriott’s OceanWatch Villas at Grande Dunes, which seems aptly named, considering many of its 374 rooms look out over the water .

Whether visiting as part of the timeshare program or just enjoying a quick getaway along South Carolina’s coast , this condo-style property offers ample space to relax. Every unit is a 2-bedroom villa with a full kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and a balcony. The majority of the 5 resort buildings sit right on the sand, and the grounds feature no less than 5 pools when you tire of the ocean.

In addition to a kids club and playground, there are facilities for basketball, shuffleboard, volleyball, table tennis, and bocce ball, as well as 2 restaurants, a pool bar, a fitness center, and complimentary self-parking. Myrtle Beach’s central hub is roughly 10 miles away.

Expect to redeem 40,000 to 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for an award night here. Otherwise, units average about $400 per night — though you’ll often find rates much higher or lower depending on seasonality.

For those craving a massage, guests of Marriott’s OceanWatch at Grande Dunes have access to the spa at Marriott Myrtle Beach Hotel nearby.

Naples and Everglades National Park are within striking distance of Marco Island, a sun-soaked barrier isle on Florida’s southwest shoreline facing the Gulf of Mexico. If you plan on spending time in either, Marriott’s Crystal Shores is a great place to base yourself.

The 219-room beachfront resort is modern and comfortable, offering 2- and 3-bedroom villas with full kitchens, separate living and dining rooms, washers/dryers, and furnished balconies. Families especially love the kid-friendly amenities, including 3 outdoor pools (one of which features a waterslide) and direct access to Marco Island Beach .

Stilts Beachside Bar and Grill and Pizza Cucina are pleasant, casual options, whether you visit for lunch or dinner. Otherwise, Naples’ dining scene is a 40-minute drive away.

Award night redemptions range from 50,000 to 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, though award nights appeared unavailable at press time. Cash rates hover around $660 per night.

It doesn’t get more central than the Marriott Vacation Club Pulse, New York City, which sits just 3 blocks from Bryant Park in the heart of Midtown. From here, you’ll be within walking distance of some of Manhattan’s most iconic sights , including Times Square, the Empire State Building, the New York Public Library, and luxury shopping along Fifth Avenue.

Still, there are a few reasons why you’d want to hang back at the property. Guest rooms are sleek and stylish, with mahogany furniture, a pull-out sofa bed, and city views. The place to be is the rooftop bar , Top of the Strand , which serves creative cocktails and whose outdoor terrace looks straight out at the Empire State Building. There’s also a fitness center.

Award night redemptions range between 40,000 and 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, while standard rooms average about $190.

It may not have Disney’s stamp of approval like Aulani does next door. However, you’ll still be able to enjoy the same Hawaiian paradise (at a comparatively lower rate) when you stay at Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club, located inside a quiet gated community on Oahu’s southwest shore .

Families love the space you get here thanks to 1- to 3-bedroom villas equipped with kitchens, washers/dryers, separate living and dining areas, sleeper sofas, and often multiple bathrooms. Whether you get a patio or balcony depends on the floor; the views are either ocean or mountains.

After indulging at the 2 restaurants and poolside bar, burn off those mai tais at 1 of the 3 lagoon-style pools or during complimentary classes at the fitness center. Alternatively, continue your R&R with a massage at the spa, a nap by the beach, or a dip in 1 of the hotel’s multiple hot tubs. The weekly Polynesian luau dinner is a nice touch and a must-do during any Hawaiian vacation.

Both valet and self-parking are expensive at $40 a night, but thankfully, there’s no resort fee . Honolulu and its famous Waikiki Beach are a half-hour drive away.

Award night redemptions range from 40,000 to 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, while cash rates hover around $375 per night.

Keep a lookout for the property’s collection of gas grills — free for guests to host a beachside barbecue.

“Tranquility” is a byword for Marriott’s Grande Ocean on Hilton Head Island, a timeshare resort that sits on a quiet, lush stretch of waterfront real estate known as Forest Beach, where it’s only a quick walk to the sand .

Families and couples love how much room they have to roam. The 2-bedroom villas   comfortably sleep 6 . All have a furnished balcony, separate living and dining rooms, and a full kitchen. The expansive grounds are home to 5 pool areas , a whirlpool spa, a fitness center, and spots to play shuffleboard, bocce ball, ping pong, tennis, and mini-golf.

In addition to a seasonal pool bar, an American restaurant hosts weekly dinner events, and grills are around the property for guests to use. Those with energy to burn should consider renting a bike from the front desk and exploring the local nature trails.

If you’re not a timeshare holder, you can redeem anywhere from 32,00 to 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for an overnight award stay. Alternatively, units average about $420 per night.

No wonder many people buy into ownership at Marriott’s Frenchman’s Cove. This stunning hillside resort faces a picture-perfect beach on St. Thomas — one of the dreamiest of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Life here is extra spacious, where even the smallest units can accommodate up to 8 guests. Guests choose between 2- and 3-bedroom villas , which are as bright and tropical as their breezy surroundings and come with separate dining and living areas, a kitchen, and a furnished patio or balcony overlooking Pacquereau Bay.

Elsewhere on the property, there’s an infinity pool with a waterslide overlooking the ocean, a fitness center for maintaining that beach bod, an on-site barber and beauty salon, and a poolside restaurant (in addition to multiple grab-and-go markets) — not to mention even more restaurants at Marriott’s Frenchman’s Reef, which shares its property and amenities with Cove guests .

Between the location and villa-style accommodations, the price to stay here is high. Thankfully, there is no added resort fee. Villa rates hover around $770 per night for a 2-bedroom unit, while award redemptions range between 50,000 and 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Free hotel parking makes it easy to plan a day trip to Charlotte Amalie , the U.S. Virgin Islands’ historic capital city located 10 minutes up the coast.

You’ll be facing one of Maui’s best beaches — Ka’anapali — when you stay at Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club, though a swoon-worthy setting is not all you’ll find here.

The grounds feature 3 pool areas  featuring waterslides and a climbable “shipwreck,” making this spot a big hit with families and groups that don’t mind the number of kids.

Units range from studios to 2-bedroom suites with a kitchenette and furnished balcony overlooking the ocean or the grounds. However, suites have more space for a dishwasher, separate bedrooms, and multiple bathrooms.

Although there’s only 1 full-service restaurant on-site, the Starbucks outpost is a nice feature, as are the 2 poolside bars that serve appetizers, tropical cocktails, and stunning sunset views. Makai Tiki is particularly popular for its live Hawaiian music and nightly hula performances . There’s also a tiny but solid day spa.

From here, it’s just a 5-minute walk to Whalers Village — an outdoor mall home to a handful of boutique shops and restaurants. Daily parking costs a $20 fee ($22 for valet parking).

Award stays range from 50,000 to 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. Cash rates average about $460.

Staying at a Marriott Vacation Club hotel is not for everyone . The large, often multi-bedroom units might prove unnecessarily large for singles or couples, while limited facilities force visitors to be mostly self-sufficient. Even timeshare loyalists may not appreciate the program’s points-based model, which prevents members from securing a set unit or week indefinitely.

That said, the program offers incredible flexibility for travelers who want a timeshare experience but can enjoy different resorts and destinations year after year.

Marriott Vacation Club hotels are also perfect  for groups or families who need more space than a traditional hotel room but don’t want to book (or waste points on) a second, potentially unconnected room.

If you want to spread out and stay awhile, Marriott Vacation Club offers compelling options in sought-after vacation destinations worldwide — including Aruba, Hawaii, Florida, and Las Vegas — for your next getaway.

The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Bold ® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless ® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express ® Card, click here . For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® card, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to join the marriott vacation club.

According to Marriott’s website, Vacation Club points packages begin at $22,000. However, that cost will vary depending on various factors, including the destination, the season you plan to travel, how many days you purchase, and the room category you reserve.

Is Marriott Vacation Club a timeshare?

Yes, Marriott Vacation Club is a timeshare program that offers various ownership options at locations around the globe.

How do I get out of Marriott Vacation Club?

Did you try out the experience and discover it’s not quite what you sought? Contact one of Marriott’s timeshare Exit Specialists who are on call to walk you through using leftover points and leaving the program.

What is the best Marriott Vacation Club?

While there are over 70 Marriott Vacation Club properties across multiple continents, this list of the brand’s 10 most popular locations should give you a good idea of the ones that beat out all the rest.

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About Lindsey Olander

Currently based in New York, Lindsey spent her childhood in Connecticut dreaming of far-off places. Her first flight was to Disney World at age 11. Her second flight was for a high school field trip to Italy, though travel as a career didn’t stick until she studied abroad in London during college and discovered the true power of her passport. Since then, she’s worked as a travel editor at Jetsetter  and Travel + Leisure , where she reported on everything from African safaris to hot hotel openings to, yes, Disney World.

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10 best last-minute travel websites

W ith spring in the air and summer just on the horizon, many will be starting the search for suitably affordable last-minute trips abroad. 

But organising a holiday at short notice is often easier said than done, whether it’s a spontaneous couples’ getaway or last-minute break with friends and family. The excitement of researching a destination can quickly dissipate once the slog of trawling travel agent, airline and tour operator websites has begun. Comparing flights and accommodation costs on different days for different destinations can really feel like hard work, the antithesis of the fun holiday you’re hoping to book.

The good news is that, whether you want to jump across the Channel to see the Eiffel Tower or head long-haul to the beaches of Cancun, there are hundreds of online options to help you find the best deals for booking transport, places to stay and other extras.

Instead of spending hours on dozens of different websites, check out this list we’ve compiled of some of the best in the travel marketplace. You’ll save time on the research and money on the holiday too – what’s not to like?

Holiday Pirates 

This travel deals site manually searches for the best holiday offers daily, finding a range of big discounts and emailing them to subscribers. At the moment you can book an eight-night tour of Turkey, staying in four and five-star hotels, for under £560pp. Other destinations with deals range from as close as Amsterdam to as far away as Mexico.

holidaypirates.com

Jack’s Flight Club

Sign up – for free – to the club and get emailed the cheapest flights from the UK and Ireland including discounts, hidden offers and error fares – think UK to Brazil for £290. Many are last-minute deals, but remember, with prices like this it’s fastest finger first.

jacksflightclub.co.uk

Google Flights

As you’d expect from the algorithm masterminds, this site compares and tracks fares to find you the best deal. But it also has features for the last-minute traveller, such as an option to search for flights in any number of cities for a specific date – so you can see if it’s cheaper to go jet off to Athens or Oslo this weekend.

google.co.uk/flights

Hotel Tonight

This handy website offers last-minute deals if you need a place to stay tonight, tomorrow or within the next seven days. While some deals – especially in the US – are not so good, it can deliver deep discounts in Europe and the UK while also saving you time browsing the best deals.

hoteltonight.com

Kayak 

On the “Explore” section of Kayak you can enter your trip length, travel time and dates and the site will come up with a range of options for you to choose from. The easy-to-use map feature is a great way to compare locations and prices for a last minute trip.

kayak.co.uk/explore

BA Holidays

No, it’s not a discount specialist, but BA Holidays – the package wing of British Airways – can offer deep discounts for last-minute trips, pairing unsold flight inventory with empty hotel rooms. In fact, the deals can be so good that a city break with hotel included can work out cheaper than the flights alone, and a week’s car hire in Europe can be close to free.

baholidays.com

With more than 30 million subscribers worldwide, Travelzoo features a host of deals ranging from trips abroad to activities such as spa visits, theatre ticket deals and cruises. A sign-up is required to see full details of deals, but it seems worth it for trips such as four nights and return flights to Ibiza for £149pp.

travelzoo.com

Secret Escapes

You’ll find discounts of up to 70 per cent at Secret Escapes, which follows a similar model to Voyage Privé , offering flash sales to registered members. It’s a great place to scout high-end discount holidays and the customer service of the site has been praised as excellent.

secretescapes.com

Best at Travel

This company’s central London call centre means someone is always on hand to help you out. It’s a “normal” tour operator but has a last-minute deals section on the website, which can offer good discounts on upmarket breaks. Deals at the time of writing included seven nights’ all-inclusive in Crete from £811pp including flights, departing on 15 April.

bestattravel.co.uk

Travel Republic

With about two million customers using the site to book holidays, Travel Republic is bound to have some good deals, and there’s a vast number to choose from, since it shifts flights, tickets for attractions and traditional package holidays. For its top destinations, such as a week self-catering in Corfu, you could find holidays for as little as £218pp . The site also features a lowest-price guarantee, should you spot a better offer for the same holiday elsewhere.

travelrepublic.co.uk

Perhaps the best known site on this list, Skyscanner currently claims to have over 100 million users per month. The site provides you the cheapest, fastest and ‘best’ option for flights. Available in over 30 languages and offering a quick comparison for flights, hotels and car hire, the chances are that you’ve used it before and will use it again.

skyscanner.net

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Daily getaways returns with travel deals, offers from top brands.

PRESS RELEASE April 08, 2024

WASHINGTON -

The U.S. Travel Association today unveiled a weeklong preview of its popular Daily Getaways program. Officially launching for sales on April 15, Daily Getaways will feature exclusive offers from major travel brands—offering discounts up to 50% off loyalty points, theme park tickets, vacation packages and hotel stays.

Daily Getaways offers provide many opportunities to get started on trip planning for the summer and beyond—with long-lasting offers and points that won’t expire.

Available Deals

Since 2010, Daily Getaways has offered travelers access to deals from top travel brands in a one-stop, once-a-year marketplace, with deep discounts on points from top loyalty programs being among the fastest sellers.

The following breaks down how travelers can view and buy the deals:

• Deals Preview: Starting April 8, U.S. Travel begins previewing the first week of Daily Getaways deals online, allowing travelers to sign up for reminders when the deals go live.
• Daily Deals: A limited number of offers will be available for online purchase in the United States and Canada each weekday beginning Monday, April 15 until May 10 or until supplies last.
• Deals Platform: To preview and later purchase the deals, consumers can visit DailyGetaways.com . Travelers can also sign up for daily alerts to be reminded of deals that interest them before limited quantities sell out.

In 2024, travelers can look forward to Daily Getaways travel opportunities from these travel brands and more:

Visit DailyGetaways.com for more information or follow @DailyGetaways on X.

U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing the $1.3 trillion travel industry, an essential contributor to our nation's economy and success. U.S. Travel produces programs and insights and advocates for policies to increase travel to and within the United States. Visit ustravel.org for more information.

Greg Staley

Head of Media Relations

202.408.2162

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Sam's Club has an April deal for new members: Get a yearly membership for less than half price

By Fox Van Allen

Updated on: April 5, 2024 / 11:07 AM EDT / Essentials

CBS Essentials is created independently of the CBS News editorial staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms.

This content is sponsored by Sam's Club.

Spring expenses can kind of sneak up on you. With the weather improving this April, you might be more likely to eat out. Spring break travel can add up. There's spring cleaning , of course -- you may need to pick up a  new robot vacuum . And if you've been itching to spend time outside this spring, you might want to pick up some new patio furniture or a grill for your outdoor space. Before you know it, your bank account is looking a little... thin.

Here's the thing, though: There's a way to save on all those big spring purchases. Warehouse chain Sam's Club offers deep discounts on all of the above -- yes, travel and eating out included. Altogether, you can save  thousands of dollars a year.

If you're not a Sam's Club member, we have even better news: The warehouse giant is discounting new memberships in April 2024, all the way down to $20 for a yearly Club-level membership. That's a savings of 60% off the usual $50 yearly membership fee. (Note that you'll need to be a new Sam's Club member, and you'll need to agree to auto-renew.)

We also found a deal on Sam's Club Plus memberships , which offers 2% cash back on purchases, plus other sweet perks. Sam's Club Plus memberships are $40 off.

This is a limited-time offer. So tap the button below to sign up for Sam's Club now at the discounted $20 rate, or read on to learn more about why Sam's Club is one of our favorite places to shop.

Top 10 reasons why we like Sam's Club

There are a ton of benefits to a Sam's Club membership -- so many that even long-time Sam's Club customers may not know about them all. Here are our favorite reasons to sign up for Sam's Club. 

• Sam's Club offers bulk prices on grocery essentials. No one likes paying full price for toilet paper, garbage bags, laundry detergent and other home essentials. No one likes running out of those essentials, either. Sam's Club offers excellent prices on items from top brands that your family uses most, with bulk sizing that reduces the need for constant grocery store trips. Tip: Check out the Sam's Club Member's Mark brand for even more savings.)
• Sam's Club offers the most affordable warehouse membership.  While there are different benefits to every warehouse store, Sam's Club offers the lowest yearly membership fee. You won't be able to beat this $20-per-year offer at another major warehouse chain.
• Sam's Club members get access to gas discounts --  gas at prices lower than competing nearby stations. You can find your local Sam's Club Fuel Center  using the club finder tool on the Sam's Club website .
• Sam's Club offers a yearly rebate on purchases (with a Sam's Club Plus membership). If you're planning on doing a lot of shopping at Sam's Club, you can save even more with a Sam's Club Plus membership. It's more expensive (currently discounted to $70 per year for your first year), but you'll earn a 2% rebate on your Sam's Club purchases. As warehouse store aficionados, we can tell you that the rebate offer pays off, and fast.
• Sam's Club can save you money on a new car or truck.  The  Sam's Club Auto Buying Program  makes it easy to sell your used car and get a great price on a new one. Plus, you can take advantage of members-only incentives -- right now, you can save an additional $500 to $4,500 on select Mercedes-Benz models.
• Sam's Club offers everyday deals on home services and repairs.  You'll get a 10% discount on home improvement services -- great if you're planning a remodel in 2024. You can also get discounts on water delivery, home warranties, pest control,  home security plans  and more.
• Sam's Club has discounts on travel, including vacation packages, flights, car rentals and more.  Don't head to  Disney World  or a cruise this year without checking out  Sam's Club's travel and entertainment deals . Sam's Club members can get preferred pricing on hotel rooms and rental cars, plus discounts on theme parks, zoos, museums and show tickets. We've also seen discounts on airline gift cards at Sam's Club, so you can save no matter where you travel.
• Sam's Club can save you money on health care.  The Sam's Club pharmacy offers members-only discounts on prescriptions, with prices starting at just $4 for generics. Select prescriptions are even free for Sam's Club Plus members. Sam's Club also offers hearing and eye exams, with designer  glasses  starting at $59.
• Sam's Club is a great place to pick up lunch for the family. We love the in-store Sam's Club Cafe, which offers tasty treats to hungry shoppers at eye-popping prices. It's hard to beat the $1.38 Sam's Club hot dog and soda combo. Pizza, salad and brownie sundaes are available too. Or, for a more substantial meal, take home an under-$5, fully cooked Sam's Club rotisserie chicken -- it makes an excellent dinner centerpiece.
• Unlike other warehouse stores, you don't have to wait in a long checkout line. One of our favorite Sam's Club perks is Scan & Go, which lets you pay for your shopping trip right from your phone. When you add items to your shopping cart, you can scan their barcodes yourself with the Sam's Club app. You pay through the app when you're done, and simply show your digital receipt on the way out.

Convinced? Tap the button below to sign up for a year of Sam's Club at the discounted rate of $20. (See site for more details.)

Why you should upgrade to Sam's Club Plus

There are a lot of perks to a Sam's Club membership, but there are even more when you upgrade to Sam's Club Plus. You'll get free shipping for online orders, free curbside pickup, 2% back on qualifying purchases (up to $500 back per year), free select generic prescriptions and 20% off eyeglasses. Sam's Club Plus members can also shop sales before other Sam's Club members. Terms apply. (See the Sam's Club site for more details.)

The warehouse retailer also has a deal for customers who want to become Sam's Club Plus members. Right now, you can get $40 off a Sam's Club Plus membership. That brings the annual price down to $70.

Again, note that you'll need to be a new member and agree to auto-renew to score this deal.

Save money at other stores: Best Sam's Club gift card deals

Here's a Sam's Club secret you might not know: Your membership can save you money while shopping at other stores, too.

If you plan on eating out this spring, you can save a lot of money at Sam's Club by buying gift cards for your favorite chains. You can get  $60 in Wendy's gift cards for $48 ,  $50 in California Pizza Kitchen e-gift cards for $40  and a  $50 Krispy Kreme e-gift card for $37.50 . 

Sam's Club is a great place to get discount movie tickets to an  AMC Movie Theatres  or  Regal Cinemas  theater near you. And there are gift card deals for gamers, too -- get  $100 in Nintendo eShop gift cards for $90 . (Some great Nintendo games are coming this spring .)

There are so many gift card deals at Sam's Club that we don't have the space to list them all here. Tap the button below to see all of Sam's Club's discount gift card offerings and start saving no matter where you shop or eat.

Managing editor Fox Van Allen is an expert in tech, laptops and computers, toys and video games for CBS Essentials. When he's not writing about (or playing) the Nintendo Switch and PS5, Fox's hobbies include reality TV podcasting, designing board games and hanging out in his favorite warehouse stores.

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Best no annual fee travel credit cards of April 2024

Fortune Recommends™ has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends™ and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.  

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.  

Travel rewards cards are a lot like gyms. The best ones may come with tons of added benefits (saunas, yoga class, etc.) but they also cost a lot, usually with a big financial commitment upfront. 

As a result, whether you’re considering a Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card (with its $95 annual fee) or a CrossFit membership, you probably have the same question on your mind: will I really use it enough to justify paying for it? 

While there aren’t any free gyms we know of, there thankfully are plenty of no-annual-fee travel rewards cards that require essentially zero commitment. And just like an ab roller or a Richard Simmons DVD, you can simply use them a few times, forget about them, and put them in a drawer until beach season. Or, you can stick with it and make them part of your daily routine—whatever works for you.

You’re also far more likely to see “instant results” with these cards, too. From 100,000-point welcome bonuses to rewards for paying rent, free travel insurance to 3X on gas, these cards offer way more than you’d expect for a fee of $0 per year. 

The best no-annual-fee travel cards for April 2024

Best overall: bilt mastercard, best for hotel rewards: ihg one rewards traveler credit card, best for airline rewards: united gateway℠ card, best for travel earnings: wells fargo autograph℠ card, best for flat-rate earnings: capital one ventureone rewards credit card.

The Bilt Mastercard allows you to earn points from paying rent and transfer them 1:1 to well over a dozen different travel partners including United MileagePlus and Marriott Bonvoy. Toss in some surprisingly robust travel insurance and you have our unconventional—yet logical—choice for the best overall no-annual-fee travel card of 2024.

Bilt Mastercard®

See Rates and Fees

Special feature

Rewards rates.

• 1x Earn 1X points on rent up to 100K/year
• 1x Earn 3X points on dining
• 2x Earn 2X points on travel
• 1x Earn 1X points on other purchases
• Use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points
• Uniquely earns points on rent
• Rent Day bonus every first of the month offers double points (excluding rent)
• Robust travel transfer partners
• Cash redemption rate is poor
• No traditional welcome bonus
• Travel perks: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection, Trip Delay Reimbursement, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
• See this page for details
• Foreign Transaction Fee: None

Why we like this card: As mentioned, the Bilt Mastercard’s most compelling feature is that it allows you to pay rent with a credit card—even if your landlord doesn’t take plastic—and avoid the transaction fee paying rent by credit card would typically incur. Then, as long as you complete five transactions each month, you’ll trigger 1X rewards on your rent payments. 

Note that rewards on rent are capped at 100,000 points per year.

In terms of earning potential, if you pay the median ~$2,000 rent in the U.S., you could earn approximately 24,000 points per year which can be used to book travel in Bilt’s portal at a value of 1.25 cents per point or transferred to any of Bilt’s airline or hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio. In other words, you could likely earn a domestic flight with United or a weekend stay at Hyatt, all for simply paying rent on time.

The Bilt card also provides trip cancellation and interruption protection, trip delay reimbursement, and primary rental car insurance (terms apply)—perks you wouldn’t typically find on a no-annual-fee credit card.

If you’re looking for a hotel rewards card that offers the most free nights for no annual fee, wait until you read about the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card. With a six-figure welcome bonus, up to 17X on stays and other compelling rewards, it’s currently the gold standard for no-fee hotel rewards.

IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card

Intro bonus.

• 17x Earn up to 17X points when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts 
• 3x Earn 3X points on dining, utilities, internet, cable, and phone services, select streaming services, and at gas stations
• 2x Earn 2X points on all other purchases
• Generous welcome bonus not typically seen in a $0 annual fee card
• Travel protections that are unusual for a no-annual-fee card
• Fourth night free on award bookings
• Limited redemption options outside of IHG
• IHG points are worth less than some other rewards currencies
• Silver status granted with the card has limited benefit
• Additional perks: Trip cancelation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, purchase protection, ability to spend to Gold status
• Foreign transaction fee:None

Why we like this card: We like calling the IHG One Rewards Traveler card the “Liam Hemsworth” of travel rewards cards because it lives in the shadow of its big brother—the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card —but still delivers plenty of quality and substance in its own right (with no annual fee, to boot). 

For starters, you can get a welcome bonus of 80,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening, potentially worth around $500 to $700 in IHG redemption. 

Plus, enjoy up to 17X points when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts, instant Silver Elite status and a handy bonus where you redeem points for three consecutive nights and get the fourth night in your stay free. So, if you book a three-night stay using your welcome bonus, you’ll essentially be getting a complimentary four-night stay at a nice IHG property for no annual fee. The IHG One Rewards program could be very rewarding for the right traveler.

Check out our full review of the IHG One Rewards Traveler .

As a no-annual-fee airline card, the United Gateway℠ Card currently edges out its rival the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card by offering a more generous welcome bonus and travel insurance that the Delta card does not provide. If you fly occasionally and would like to earn miles, but aren’t willing to make the commitment of $95 or more for a mid-tier airline card with more perks, the Gateway is a strong choice. 

United Gateway℠ Card

• 2x 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, including tickets, Economy Plus, in-flight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, baggage service charges and other United purchases.
• 2x 2 miles per $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare services, taxicabs, train tickets, tolls, and mass transit.
• 1x 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
• No annual fee or foreign transaction fee
• Reward bonus categories outside of United Airlines
• Robust travel protections for a no-annual-fee card
• No baggage or expanded award availability benefits like with other United cards
• Subject to Chase 5/24 rule.
• United perks: 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Gateway Card
• Other perks: Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance, Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty
• Foreign transaction fee: None

Why we like this card: The United Gateway card offers 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting plus 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. Considering a United Mile is worth roughly around 1.2 cents these days, effectively earning 2.4 cents back on everyday purchases is a solid value proposition. 

You’ll also get a welcome bonus of 20,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. And, you can save with a discount of 25% back on United in-flight and Club Premium drink purchases. 

New cardholders will enjoy a 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months, after 21.99%–28.99% variable applies.

If the United Gateway card has a small lead on the Delta Skymiles Blue Amex at this point, it soars ahead (pun intended) when you look at the included travel and shopping protections. Both cards offer secondary rental car insurance, but only the Gateway includes trip cancellation and interruption insurance, purchase protection and extended warranty protection. 

So, if you’re seeking a no-annual-fee card you can use to rack up miles—and you either tend to fly United most of the time or you’re at minimum not devoted to a competing airline—the United Gateway is the card to beat.

Check out our full review of the United Gateway Card for more info.

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, see this page  

With a generous welcome bonus in exchange for an attainable spend amount, 3X on travel, and a fancy name, you’d think the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card would command an annual fee of at least $95. But it doesn’t, making it a superb candidate for general travel use.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Intro bonus.

• 3X 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans
• 1X 1X points on other purchases
• No annual fee
• 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months (that's a $200 cash redemption value)
• Points transfer to partners
• Car rental insurance is secondary
• No travel insurance
• Transfer partners are limited
• Additional perks: Cell Phone Protection: Provides up to $600 in cell phone protection when you pay your monthly cell bill with your Wells Fargo Autograph card. Coverage is subject to a $25 deductible and limited to two claims every 12-month period.
• Foreign transaction fee: N/A

Why we like this card: The Wells Fargo Autograph offers unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans and even your landline bill too if you have one, plus 1X points on other purchases—all without charging an annual fee. And, to make traveling a little cheaper/less stressful, you’ll also get $600 worth of cell phone protection (minus a $25 deductible) as long as you pay your phone bill with this card and secondary rental car insurance. 

Cardholders can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio to Wells Fargo’s first wave of transfer partners including Air France‑KLM Flying Blue, Avianca Lifemiles, British Airways Executive Club, AerClub, and Iberia Plus and 1:2 to Choice Privileges. 

But even if you aren’t a member of those loyalty programs, earning 3X on dining, travel, gas, and more is hard to pass up. You can redeem points at a value of 1 cent each to offset past purchases on your account, meaning you can wield the Autograph either as a no-annual-fee travel card or as a cash-back card effectively earning unlimited 3% back in a wide swath of useful categories. 

Check out our full review of the Wells Fargo Autograph .

Sometimes, you just want a card that offers a little more than 1X on every purchase—without having to worry about what this quarter’s rotating rewards are, or whether a specific merchant qualifies as “groceries” for the purposes of your card’s rewards. If you value simplicity and the lack of an annual fee in your travel card, you’ll probably be a fan of the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card and its straightforward rewards program.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Reward Rates

• 5x Earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 1.25x Earn 1.25x miles on every other purchase
• Flexible travel rewards
• No foreign transaction fee
• Maximizing Capital One Miles requires a learning curve
• Cash redemption value is limited
• The VentureOne offers travel accident insurance, rental car coverage, extended warranty protection, exclusive access to events through Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment

Why we like this card: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards offers 1.25X miles per dollar spent on everyday purchases and 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. That’s pretty much all that you have to remember. You can also get a nice welcome bonus of 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, which is a solid payout for a very attainable spending target. 

Capital One Miles can be transferred to well over a dozen airline and hotel partners, most at a 1:1 rate. Partners include Air Canada’s Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, Choice Privileges, Virgin Red, and Wyndham Rewards, among others. Other ways to book travel include redeeming miles through Capital One’s portal or making the purchase directly, paying with your card like normal, then using miles for a statement credit to cover the transaction. 

The Venture One also offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months (after that, the variable APR will be 19.99%–29.99%). There’s an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account during the first 15 months that your account is open , then 4% per transfer for any promotional APR offered after. 

Come to think of it, provided you have the excellent credit needed to apply, the VentureOne could make a great travel companion for a grad student given its simplicity, lengthy intro APR period and low spending threshold required to trigger the welcome bonus.

Check out our full review of the Capital One VentureOne Rewards .

Frequently asked questions

Which card is best for international transactions without extra charges.

Zero foreign transaction fees is actually a common benefit among travel rewards cards, including many with no annual fee. For example, neither the Bilt Mastercard nor the United Gateway card charges a foreign currency conversion fee. 

What is the best travel credit card for a young person? 

If you’re still paying rent, the Bilt Mastercard is an excellent choice since it can generate points from rent payments which can then be transferred 1:1 to well over a dozen airline and hotel partners. If you’d prefer a card with a welcome bonus, which the Bilt card lacks, the IHG One Rewards Traveler card currently offers a massive welcome bonus for a no-annual-fee card—potentially worth hundreds of dollars toward a future IHG hotel stay. 

Is a travel card with an annual fee worth it?

Using a travel rewards card with an annual fee can be worth it as long as you’re extracting enough points and benefits to justify paying the fee each year. If you travel infrequently or just want one less fee to worry about, consider one of the no-annual-fee cards on our list above. But, the best perks and protections are typically available on cards with annual fees.

For example, the Capital One Venture X card offers a $300 annual travel credit for bookings made through Capital One Travel. If you use that every year, you’ve gone a long way toward offsetting the $395 annual fee. You also get 10,000 bonus miles, worth at least $100 toward travel, every year starting on your account anniversary.

Methodology

To bring you our top picks for the best travel rewards cards with no annual fee, the Fortune Recommends surveyed more than a dozen cards currently available from today’s top issuers. From there, we ranked each one based on the following core categories and weights:

• Welcome bonus (10%): Some cards—even those with no annual fee—offer welcome bonuses that you can earn once you make enough purchases within a certain time frame, such as spending $1,000 within three months of account opening.
• Travel earnings (25%): These are the point rewards you’d earn by making travel-related purchases (e.g. 3X on hotels, 2X on airfare).
• Car rental insurance (15%): Many, but not all travel-centric rewards cards include an auto rental collision damage waiver, which allows you to decline a portion of the rental company’s insurance and save potentially up to $30 per day. We gave extra consideration to if a card offers primary rental car insurance versus secondary, because primary kicks in immediately in a covered scenario—whereas secondary only applies after your own, personal insurance. 
• Travel insurance benefits (15%): Some travel rewards cards automatically apply trip cancellation/interruption insurance, lost/delayed luggage reimbursement and even travel accident insurance on travel bookings made using the card.
• Gas earning (5%): Since road trips remain a common form of travel, whether or not a card offers points rewards at the pump factored into our rankings.
• Dining earning (10%): If a no-annual-fee travel rewards card offered 2X or more on restaurant purchases it favored well in this category.

The remaining 20% was based on the card’s main focus: hotel, airline or general travel rewards. 

• For general travel—points transferrable to partners (20%): Points are literally worth more if you can transfer them to certain partners, so a card’s ability to transfer rewards to airline and hotel partners factored into our rankings.
• For hotel rewards—free award night with booking (20%): Some hotel rewards cards offer a BOGO-like perk where if you redeem a certain number of nights with points you get an extra tacked on for free.
• For airline rewards—ability to spend towards status (20%): Most airline rewards cards allow you to earn miles, but not all of them count those miles towards your next loyalty status. If a card treated them as “qualifying miles,” it fared better in this category.

Lastly, just keep in mind that virtually every aspect of a travel rewards card—from the rewards to the welcome bonus and fee structure—is subject to change, which could impact how many miles or points you earn. 

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.  

Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.  

EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE : The advice, opinions, or rankings contained in this article are solely those of the Fortune Recommends ™ editorial team. This content has not been reviewed or endorsed by any of our affiliate partners or other third parties.

Guide to travel rewards credit cards

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Travelocity's Russia hotels database doesn't list any place to sleep in Elektrostal.

When you and your family plan to book Travelocity-listed hotels near this region of Russia, Moscow could be an ideal alternative. It can be located 35 miles (54 kilometers) from Elektrostal. Moscow hotels and apartments include he The Ritz-Carlton, Moscow and Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow .

Once you and your family have got to know Elektrostal, why not explore a little more of the area? The Central Russia district has myriad things to offer visitors. Discover Central Russia's old towns and don't forget to see the region's forests, rivers, canals and mountains. In this corner of Russia adventurous travelers might partake in ice skating and four-wheel driving.

35 miles (59 kilometers) to the west of Elektrostal you will find Garden Ring, where you can spend a little time at the Arena CSKA. Khoroshevskiy rooms include the Kutuzovsky prospekt II and Hotel Bega . If you're looking for an alternative, you can visit Garden Ring, 35 miles (53 kilometers) west of Elektrostal. While you are in Garden Ring, take the time to explore the State Literary Museum. The Hotel Savoy Moscow and Hotel Metropol Moscow are great places to retire for the night.

While in town, don't miss out on enjoying thrills and spills in the company of fellow supporters at an engaging game. Luzhniki Stadium can be found 35 miles (58 kilometers) to the west of Elektrostal. Book a Travelocity-listed hotel right in the thick of the sporting action at the Moscow Suites Noviy Arbat or the LikeHome Apartments Arbat .

Before you and your traveling partner journey to Elektrostal, make sure you browse Travelocity's Elektrostal city guide where you can hear local secrets about the numerous attractions on offer.

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