Downside Of Partner Award Bookings, Why We Do & Don’t Avoid Travel Portals, New Bonvoy Cards & Hyatt’s Overwhelming Map
In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast Shawn & Mark discuss the latest in miles & points including two new Marriott cards that are probably coming, tacos in Mexico City, what you need to know about partner awards and bank travel portals, a new best ever bonus for Citi Double Cash and how Choice Hotels responded to Mark’s issues.
Episode Notes
2:00 Discussing Marriott brands Le Meridien & AC Hotels
4:26 Update on Mark’s Choice Hotels issues
8:02 Partner bookings issues & flight changes – Delta edition
13:17 What happens to an upgrade during irregular operations
14:52 The problems and benefits of bank travel portals
21:46 Citi Double Cash has the best bonus ever. Learn more on Travel Freely
24:29 2 New rumored Marriott Bonvoy cards coming?!?
28:52 Is Bonvoy Platinum status worth it?
29:33 Hyatt hotel map – A handy tool for wanderlusting
33:11 Choosing Hyatt all-inclusives in the Cancun area
38:09 Why tacos in Mexico City are so good
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re Zoetry, wife & I stayed at the one in Cabo last month for 5 nights & I was kind of expecting a mini-Miraval experience, basically like what Shawn said (side note: I like Miraval & while I can only go by your writing and podcast persona Mark, as a fellow beer-drinking I-don’t-know-what-downward-dog-pose-is-dad I think you’d get a kick out of it too. I’ts a great experience. I’ve been 3 times in 2 years & hope to go again this fall). Zoetry food was ok, I didn’t really see any evidence of organic, inspired cuisine like their website talks about. I saw a few people doing activities randomly but they weren’t well advertised and didn’t do any while there. It was a quiet resort with basically no kids & you were left as alone as you liked for the duration. Different Zoetry’s may have different feels so YMMV. While I appreciated the relative calm I thought it was over priced at 25k/night. Had a good time, wouldn’t go back.
Thanks for sharing. From what I have gathered Zoetry seems like a much more laid back / chill all inclusive experience which I know some are looking for and others want a bit more excitement etc.
Responding to the AC question at the beginning of the podcast-
I only have DPs of two AC hotels-the one in Worcester, MA is my go to when taking/dropping off/visiting my daughter. The rooms are clean, streamlined and happily not carpeted. The platinum/titanium credit can be used for breakfast or their grab and go market. The breakfast is fine-nothing exciting and is partially covered by the credit. The hotel is located near the convention center and there is a Dunkin’ down the street as well as coffee shops and other local restaurants close by. There is actually a laundry area for longer term stays (I’m not sure if it’s coin or credit card operated) and the gym is compact but solid.
The other is the AC in Huntsville, AL and is my second favorite there (The Jefferson, a Curio Collection is #1). Good breakfast and many items are covered by the $10 credit or again, can be applied to the grab and go. It, too is in a great location near the Von Braun Center (convention/auditorium) and a quick walk to downtown shopping and restaurants. The gym gets hot in the afternoons but has a good array of cardio and weights and a pulley weight machine.
With at least 15 stays between these two hotels, I’ve had only good to outstanding service and wouldn’t hesitate trying the brand in another city.
Thanks for sharing. Figured it was just a one off / management issue. Or maybe still working out the kinks.