Travel Rewards

 SHORT TRIP TO SEATLE We had a 2 week trip planned for last September to North and South Carolina.  We had used out American miles for the outbound flight and Alaska miles for the return flight.  We cancelled the trip because of some medical concerns.  American Airlines fully refunded our miles. Alaska on the other hand only have us back half the miles and they had to be used within 6 months. So we used them for a three day getaway to Seattle, Washington. Took a flight out of Eugene, Oregon.  It was a short flight, not even long enough to have a cocktail.  We took an Uber from SEA airport to Crown Plaza which is located in  downtown Seattle.  Trip cost about $85 when you factor in a tip for the driver. We are Platinum Elite with IHG which owns the Crown Plaza and were given a corner room on the 31st floor.   The views are fantastic. We can even see the space needle.  

 CHANGEDS TO CRUISE LINE LOYALTY PROGRAMS - CONTINUED Virgin Voyages 2026 loyalty program changes For 2026, Virgin Voyages hasn't changed its core loyalty program structure, but has launched a very attractive  limited-time "Enhanced Status Match" program . This allows you to convert elite status from over 35 other travel loyalty programs into instant "Blue Extras" perks on an upcoming cruise, without having to sail with them first  . Here are the key details of this 2026 offer: 🗓️  Critical Deadlines : This is a limited-time offer with two key dates. You must  apply for the status match by February 28, 2026 . Once approved, you'll need to  book your voyage by March 31, 2026  to lock in your perks  . ✨  The "Blue Extras" Perks : Once matched, you'll receive a package of perks known as "Blue Extras" on your next sailing. These include one complimentary bag of laundry, one specialty coffee per day, an invitation to an exclusive onboard ...

 CHANGES TO CRUISE LINE LOYALTY PROGRAMS - CONTINUED In 2026, MSC Cruises is making two significant updates to its loyalty offerings. The primary change is a major overhaul of its own  MSC Voyagers Club  program, introducing a new top-tier status and extending membership validity. Additionally, the cruise line has formed a strategic partnership with  Wynn Las Vegas , allowing Wynn Rewards members to access exclusive MSC cruise benefits. Here is a summary of the key changes to the MSC Voyagers Club loyalty program: Benefit Category Key Changes for 2026 New Tier Introduction of a new  "Blue Diamond"  status, which sits above the existing Diamond level as the highest tier in the program  . Membership Validity The validity of all MSC Voyagers Club memberships has been extended  from three to five years   . Earning Status The new Blue Diamond level can  only be achieved by sailing  with MSC Cruises and is not available through status-mat...

 CHANGES TO CRUISE LINE LOYALTY PROGRAMS - CONTINUED In 2024, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) implemented several significant changes to its offerings. It's important to note that these were not all part of a single loyalty program overhaul. Instead, they involved two key areas: the  Casinos at Sea® (CAS) program  for players in early 2024 and the line-wide  "Free at Sea" to "More at Sea"  transition for all guests in late 2024. Here is a breakdown of the key changes made in 2024: 🎰 Casinos at Sea® (CAS) Program Changes (April 2024) In April 2024, NCL updated its Casinos at Sea® program, which primarily affected how players earn benefits based on their tier status  . Tier Threshold Adjusted : The points required to reach the entry-level  Pearl  status were lowered from 5,000 to 4,000 tier points, making it slightly easier to achieve  . Perks Removed for Lower Tiers : For Pearl-level members, two key perks were eliminated  : Onboard Credit (...

CHANGES TO CRUISE SHIP LOYALTY PROGRAMS - CONTINUED   Cruise Line Program Name(s) Key Changes for 2026 Effective Date Carnival Cruise Line VIFP Club (transitioning to Carnival Rewards) Proactive Enhancements: Grandfathering current Diamond/Platinum members with extended or lifetime status in the new Carnival Rewards program. Operational Adjustments: Temporary removal of select Platinum perks (like priority embarkation) on a few specific, high-density sailings due to high demand.  June 1, 2026 (new program launch)  MSC Cruises MSC Voyagers Club Cross-Industry Partnership: Named the exclusive cruise partner for the Wynn Rewards program, offering Wynn members cruise benefits like preferred fares and access to the MSC Yacht Club.  February 2026 

  Changes to the cruise ship loyalty programs in 2026 Over the next several days we will explore the changes the various cruise lines are making to their loyalty programs in 2026. For 2026, the major cruise lines are taking distinctly different approaches to their loyalty programs. Royal Caribbean Group is introducing groundbreaking flexibility across its three brands, while Carnival is making both proactive enhancements and operational adjustments to manage its growing elite member base. Lets Start with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Program Name(s) Key Changes for 2026 Effective Date Royal Caribbean Group (Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Silversea) Crown & Anchor Society, Captain's Club, Venetian Society Points Choice allows members to earn points on any of the three brands and allocate them to the program of their choice. This is in addition to the existing Status Match program.  January 30, 2026