With 2,000+ hand-picked hotels in top tier locations, you are almost certain to find an option that is just perfect for you. As someone who lives in San Diego and frequents Torrey Pines, it’s nice, but a far better option, for coastal scenery at least, is Point Lobos in Carmel (the golf ain’t too shabby either). I looked at this from a destination-first perspective, with an eye towards luxury. To devalue this program now is likely to render them irrevant as a “program” worth exploring going foward. Discover genuine guest reviews for Manava Suite Resort Tahiti along with the latest prices and availability – book now. Here are six ways that booking a +VIP Access hotel means more benefits. And Expedia makes it easy for you to turn all those road trip ideas into reality. Double points – Expedia+ points are worth twice as much when they’re used to book a +VIP Access hotel. And since Expedia+ points are worth twice as much when you book a +VIP Access hotel, well, you do the math! I’d love to hear your ideas on properties to look into in the Expedia VIP Access portfolio. How quaint. The Peninsula or LanghamLangham Chicago from $394 in AugustPeninsula New York from $676 in August. Citi Expedia VIP Access: Major Devaluation Coming If you’re a cardholder, check for an email from Expedia Rewards with the subject line “A change to your VIP Access … That means that the points you earn go twice as far, just because you chose to book a +VIP Access hotel. I booked a stay here with bank points before pivoting to Bangkok. Sedona is one of the most beautiful places in the country and I’d highly recommend visiting. Banyan Tree MayakobaPlaya del Carmen, MexicoExpedia LinkTrip AdvisorFrom $561/nt in August. Visitors to Expedia.com can identify a +VIP Access Hotel when booking on Expedia.com by looking for the +VIP Access logo alongside the hotel listing. Clearly, this motivates some research and provisional booking before value goes south. We found to be as charming, classy, and chic as we could have possibly hoped for. Let’s break it down! The list of Best VIP Hotels reflects consistent positive feedback from Expedia® Elite Plus members. These can be used for discounts on hotel rooms. Have you stayed at an Expedia +VIP Access hotel? The official desitnation of the Milenomics Podcast Network. Be your own elite and stay in this luxurious non-chain boutique hotel in Boston. Expedia Rewards points are worth 0.71 cents per point. These can be used for discounts on hotel rooms. So, right now you can get an extra 10% off, which is super appreciated. We were discussing in Episode 104 of the podcast how the Citi Expedia card is set to devalue its best redemption (booking their “VIP Access” hotels at 1.4 cents a piece of value) on January 31, 2021. Cordis HotelHong KongExpedia LinkTrip AdvisorFrom $168/nt in August. Click to get the details on their amazing rewards program and learn how to get, on average, $35 off, 10% off select popular hotels, VIP access, and more. I haven’t stayed here myself but I as a guy who’s lived in the Boston area for a couple decades I love the location, style and reputation of The Eliot. The gorgeous decor and amazing house made granola at breakfast is something I’ll never forget. The 'VIP Access' written above Loews Atlanta Hotel lets you know your points are worth double here! Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Punaauia. A detailed trip into the world of Points, Miles, and Travel. Tell us about it! All of our VIP+ Access hotel experiences have been exceptional. Searching in Bali, there were dozens of VIP Access marked and discounted properties, so while not every hotel may have the discount of up to 10%, plenty did. #1 not withstanding, August in HK was probably the hottest (in the miserable sense) day of my life. The Lodge wouldn’t be bad for $250, but for $400, I’d look elsewhere. Contact information: Expedia, Attn: EMC Team 1111 Expedia Group Way W., Seattle WA 98119.Expedia cannot receive replies to this email. Question. Your points go twice as far at a VIP Access hotel than at a non-VIP Access hotel. How to earn more Miles and how to use those miles more effectively. I think so. Bonus Points – When you book a +VIP Access hotel as an Expedia+ silver or gold member, you get an automatic 250 bonus Expedia+ points. 3. At that point, in addition to all of the benefits of blue and silver status, members get 30% more points for making reservations and, when available, room upgrades at VIP-access hotels. Those are great hotels but take this opportunity to visit a non-points hotel like the Peninsula or Langham. Welcome to {{domainText}} Continue to the U.S. site at {{usSiteDomain}} close ... Members can access discounts and special features. Look, travel is expensive. The combination of ideal location and charming curb appeal drew us in. More benefits is one of the best benefits of the Expedia+ program. If you’re an Expedia Rewards member, there are loads more reasons to book an Expedia VIP Access hotel: Double Expedia Rewards points for members when you book VIP access hotels. I’d probably favor the Rosewood Mayakoba (not a VIP Access hotel) based on past positive experiences at Rosewood hotels (more on that below) but the Banyan Tree gets good marks. If you can’t find a VIP Access hotel you still have $504 worth of value at any hotel bookable through Expedia. If you’re an Expedia Rewards member, there are loads more reasons to book an Expedia VIP Access hotel: Double Expedia Rewards points for members when you book VIP access hotels. About Talking Stick Resort Talking Stick Resort (TSR) is a AAA Four Diamond Rated Resort and a central landmark within the emerging Talking Stick Cultural and Entertainment Destination (TSCED). 3. All with no blackout dates. Expedia has launched a new VIP program for their frequent customers that is strangely like… their old VIP program. One of the web's biggest travel sites relaunched its loyalty program Wednesday, with a list of nearly 1,500 "VIP Access"hotels where travelers with Expedia … But…. The +VIP Access program recognizes the premium hotels in Expedia.com’s portfolio that have the best customer satisfaction scores among Expedia+ rewards members. Around Thanksgiving 2019, the welcome bonus on this card jumped up to 70,000 points. Viewfinder Tip: Expedia+ Members get exclusive prices and special deals on +VIP Access hotels. You can find cheap deals on hotels in Chicago or bundle your hotels with car rentals to save even more. I was chatting with a friend this week who relayed a term I hadn’t heard before: Revenge Travel, If the pandemic has been the limiting reagent in travel plans, people are prioritizing doing what they really want to do rather than just what’s on sale or “free” (not really free) with points. That’s an idea we’ve been endorsing here on Milenomics since forever. To find the hotels that stood out amongst them all, Expedia created the Best of VIP Access Awards. Also, you’ll often be able to choose from big name brands that you are familiar with or, like we did in Paris with Hôtel Fabric, opt for a charming boutique hotel. Have you stayed at an Expedia +VIP Access hotel? As an Expedia+ member you’ll receive the Expedia Hotel Price Guarantee that ensures extended price match up until midnight before check-in, access to member exclusive offers, and (through December 31, 2014) double value on +VIP Access hotel coupons. Room Upgrades – +VIP Access hotels offer Expedia+ gold members priority when room upgrades are available. Because we opted for the Hôtel Fabric, a +VIP Access hotel, our points were worth twice as much, which translated into about $200 worth of savings. The Expedia Rewards Voyager Card offers 25,000 Expedia bonus points after $2,000 in purchases within 3 months of opening your account, which is redeemable for $350 in coupons at +VIP Access hotels, but there is a $95 annual fee. Take a second to support Milenomics on Patreon! You are receiving this transactional email based on a recent booking or account-related update on Expedia.com. In short, these are the hotels about which our most loyal customers rave. I’m not much of an “inn” kind of guy but we drove up to Bar Harbor without a hotel reservation and after driving around town a bit it became clear that this was the place to stay. Affordable and it’s a VIP hotel. This is one of my favorite hotels…that I’ve never stayed at. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. Bonus Points – When you book a +VIP Access hotel as an Expedia+ silver or gold member, you get an automatic 250 bonus Expedia+ points. That is not a problem with +VIP Access. Plus 250 extra bonus points! In our case, the points we were planning to use to book our hotel in Paris amounted to about $100 in savings. Expedia’s 2021 Feng Shui Travel Guide: 12 Chinese Zodiac Predictions, This is the travel trend of 2021, according to Expedia users, Travel Podcast S2 Ep #12: Bucket List – Travel You Define, Travel That Defines You, Black History Month 2021: Virtual Events, Activities, and Resources to Help You Celebrate, The world’s 10 best countries for chocolate lovers, Travel Smart Checklist: How to plan a trip in 2021. Based on our research, all the room options at Hôtel Fabric were great, so we would have been perfectly fine getting the entry level room we paid for. If you met the card’s $2,000 minimum spend requirement (and rightfully stopped spending on the card) you have $1,008 towards VIP Access hotels booked by 1/31/2021. Isn’t that refreshing? Through 1/31/2021 points are with 1.4 cents a piece towards VIP Access hotels. Kent and Caanan are self-described fulfillment fanatics who rejiggered life so that every day could be a dream day. The usual suspects in Sedona are the Hyatt Residence Club, Enchantment Resort, El Portal and Amara. One of the best benefits of being an Expedia+ member is the ability to amplify your benefits by booking a +VIP Access hotel. This value is doubled when you book a VIP Access Hotel. I thought it would be a huge pain in the neck to cancel given the 3rd party involvement but the Cordis was terrific in letting me out of a non-refundable booking. However, because we are Expedia+ gold and Hôtel Fabric is a +VIP Access hotel, we were treated to a nice room upgrade—a really lovely king room overlooking the charming streets of Paris’s Oberkampf neighborhood. Connect with me on Twitter @RobertDwyer, I stayed at the Icona Resort in Wildwood, NJ (VIP hotel) using my Expedia points. When you enroll in the free program, you’ll automatically be entered into the +blue level. If you want to maximize your chances of not needing to change the reservation after 1/31 (which would likely nullify the double points value), I’d avoid Asia. Are there any hotels worth considering in the VIP Access portfolio over exactly where you’d normally want to stay? See: Banyan Tree Mayakoba: Where Every Guest Gets a Pool Villa, LaPlaya Beach & Golf ResortNaples, FloridaExpedia LinkTrip AdvisorFrom $311/nt Thanksgiving Weekend. That’s where we stayed and it was mostly good. Looking for a curated itinerary for your next Vegas Adventure? L’Auberge Del Mar Named Among Best Expedia VIP Access Hotels. Some of the goodies we’ve received (since we are Expedia+ Gold) are free parking, spa credits, complimentary food and drink, priority check-in, and special toiletries. I’d be intersted in checking out more of their properties and several are VIP Access hotels. L’Auberge de SedonaSedona, ArizonaExpedia LinkTrip AdvisorFrom $368/nt in August. Ivy Manor InnBar Harbor, MaineExpedia LinkTrip AdvisorFrom $269/nt in August. We did our research when deciding where to stay in Paris, (it’s our job, after all), but we didn’t really need to. It totally exceeded my expectations. So, in addition to all the other perks and goodies, including the money you saved by simply choosing a +VIP Access hotel, you might get bumped up to a better room. Free yourself of the shackles of loyalty chain hotels like the Ritz-Carlton and Hyatt Coconut Point with a stay at LaPlaya. Maykoba has been on my mind since we wrote this post on honeymoon-worthy spots in the Caribbean. The Lodge at Torrey PinesLa Jolla, CaliforniaExpedia LinkTripAdvisorFrom $419/nt in August. There’s a Park Hyatt in Kyoto now so the pull is strong there. If you wish to redeem double points for a memorable VIP Access experience, you must book by 01/31/2021, when this change will take effect. When we arrived early at the Hôtel Fabric, we were able to check in right away. Vetted Hotels – For a hotel to even be considered for a spot in the list of +VIP Access hotels, it must consistently receive outstanding guest reviews, earn top ratings in the region, and deliver on Expedia’s stringent standard of service. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and 2 restaurants. Plus 250 extra bonus points! Tell us about it! You know the drill… You have points you can use as long as you want to stay at the hotel brand’s small list of fourth tier locations. Dear Expedia Rewards member,We wanted to let you know about an upcoming change to the way you enjoy our vast collection of over 8,000 VIP Access properties, each offering an exceptional, one-of-a-kind stay. If you’re a cardholder, check for an email from Expedia Rewards with the subject line “A change to your VIP Access benefits” on December 1st. Definitely not a luxury hotel but probably considered luxurious when compared with to other Jersey shore hotels. Del Mar CA— L’Auberge Del Mar, A Destination Hotel announced it has been named among the best of Expedia’s VIP Access® Hotels. I’ve never stayed at L’Auberge but its reputation is strong and the location is outstanding. Liked it? The points and miles crowd flocks to the St. Regis, Ritz-Carlton and Park Hyatt. I’m sure this list just scratches the surface. The program is called ElitePlus and offers fee waivers on changes and cancellations made through Expedia as well as a special phone number for assistance.. I’m glad to see another Sedona fan. Visitors to Expedia.com can identify a VIP Access Hotel when booking on Expedia.com by looking for the VIP Access logo alongside the hotel listing. East / Southeast Asia is going to be a gamble in 2021. Did you catch that? Hôtel Fabric was no exception. The place looks gorgeous, rates are very reasonable, and I look forward to visting some day. This situation presents a unique quandry. Starting 02/01/2021, when you book a VIP Access property, you’ll earn triple points, providing you the chance to build up points more quickly for future stays, car rentals and activities.Please note, with this update, your points will continue to be worth double at VIP Access properties only for a limited time. You will also get a 0.7 cents per point value when purchasing a coupon to use toward an Expedia vacation package (Bundle and Save deals). Free Wi-Fi, spa credits & more at VIP Access hotels; Expedia Reviews. On the side, they share their adventures by writing about LGBT getaways, nature-centric journeys, the tech side of travel, globetrotting with purpose, and luxury escapes that aren't fussy. But it depends on location and your priorities. A luxurious family-friendly option. In the spirit of spurring exploration, I did some poking around at past and [hopefully] future travel and assembled a list of VIP Access hotels worth looking into booking. ©2021 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. Learn, Use, Repeat. Frequent travelers are seeing the benefits of being a loyal customer disappear as travel brands strip away—or just make unachievable—the perks that used to be hallmarks of loyalty programs. We discussed this short-lived offer in Episode 56 of the podcast. To its credit, the Expedia price is around 10% cheaper than the hotel’s own website — so its promise to me, in this case, is legitimate. And since Expedia+ points are worth twice as much when you book a +VIP Access hotel, well, you do the math! Rewards programs just aren’t what they used to be. Got this email today: We wanted to let you know about an upcoming change to the way you enjoy our vast collection of over 8,000 VIP Access properties, each offering an exceptional, one-of-a-kind stay. I was super-impressed with the Rosewood London. Smaller independent properties can offer a more memorable experience, especially considering you don’t waste what should be your vacation pondering whether you received the benefits you’re entitled to as an elite. With our Chicago packages , you’ll find hitting the highway for that road trip adventure is more affordable than ever. It’s the highest Expedia status and it looks very promising, on paper at least. This means that you can do less research and trust that the +VIP Access hotel is among the best of the best in the area. Hotel VillagioNapa Valley, CaliforniaExpedia LinkTrip AdvisorFrom $629/nt in August. 1. A $25 coupon costs 3,500 Expedia Rewards points. Expedia, Inc. is not responsible for content on external Web sites. The +VIP Access logo gives me equally vague information: Clicking on the "more details" link takes me to a generic benefits page. They are among the strictest in border closures / quarantine requirements. Realistic access to perks. The official desitnation of the Milenomics Podcast Network, this post on honeymoon-worthy spots in the Caribbean, Banyan Tree Mayakoba: Where Every Guest Gets a Pool Villa, Booking Hotel Timeshares with Bank Points, Review: SPG Platinum Treatment at the St Regis Washington DC, Episode 50: Luxury Family Travel, Points & Miles, and Disney w/Robin from Luxe Recess, Things to Keep in Mind About Airline Travel Bank Credits, Episode 49: Grand Reserve World Mastercard, Episode 47: Amex Enhances, Virgin Atlantic Devalues, and New Year Opportunities, Southwest Companion Pass, Bank Bonuses, TikTok Financial Advice, Biden Era Begins - TravelBloggerBuzz. Donate Your Points When you apply your Expedia Points towards VIP Access Hotel redemptions, 70 points will equal US$1 which is the best value of 1.42 cents each. We are part of the Expedia VIP+ program which is Expedia's point based system that allows Expedia guests the opportunity to accumulate points towards different offerings. There are only 3 Expedia VIP Access hotels in St. Maarten Expedia Rewards Gold status The Expedia Rewards Voyager card comes with the Gold status right out of the box. We get that. I’ve had lunch here and thought, “Man, this would be a cool place to stay.” Especially if you’re a golfer but even if you’re not it’s just a tremendous location. Huge Portfolio – All the perks in the world would mean nothing if the list of +VIP Hotels was anemic and homogenous—a problem we’ve noticed with several hotel rewards programs of late. That is why the Expedia+ program is so refreshing; it’s not one of those super-exclusive, “who travels enough to actually earn that level?” programs. Rosewood HotelsLondon from $460 in AugustBangkok from $365 in AugustBermuda from $940 in August. in Business, Tourism January 28, 2015.