bonus

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Pride month is an annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community held in June that takes place in cities around the U.S. Similar festivities have extended around the world, but aren’t always celebrated in June (turns out this time of year is quite cold on large parts of the planet).

Whether you’re attending Pride at home or traveling somewhere new, there are a number of ways to ensure you save time and money — and hopefully won’t leave you or your wallet feeling spent at the end.

1. Plan your activities in advance

Check out your destination’s official Pride website to explore any scheduled or ticketed events. You may be able to jump on special deals, like discounted packages that cover multiple experiences.

“It’s essential to plan, so arrive early for popular events and consider purchasing tickets in advance to avoid disappointment,” Justin Davison, a Sydney, Australia, resident who has been to over 20 Pride events around the world, said in a text.

🤓Nerdy Tip

Reach out to area locals who may also know the scoop on “unofficial Pride events,” like the Juanita MOORE! Pride party in San Francisco, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024.

If you’re traveling to celebrate Pride with a group of friends, make sure everyone knows the plan by creating a shared itinerary. This can help you easily find your friends if you’re going to separate events.

2. Explore beyond Pride

While you might easily be able to fill up your schedule completely with Pride events, it’s still worth setting aside some time to explore the city outside of the Pride parade and celebrations.

And it doesn’t have to cost money either. For instance, if you’re traveling to San Francisco Pride, consider taking an afternoon to walk around the Haight-Ashbury district, venture to the Pacific coast or take a selfie on the Golden Gate Bridge. You could also picnic at Golden Gate Park — it’s free to visit, and has more than 1,000 acres to explore.

3. Book accommodations near the Pride festivities

Securing lodging near where you’ll be spending most of your time can save time and money on transportation to and from the main events.

As a bonus, having a hotel or vacation rental near Pride festivities is convenient. It’ll make it easier for you to go back to your room if you need to change your clothes, take a nap or decompress.

If you’re not sure where to stay, check the destination’s Pride website for recommendations. Some hotels may even offer discounts or special packages for Pride.

4. Stay safe

Some Pride events attract more than a million people. In 2023, about 2 million celebrated NYC Pride, according to NYC Pride’s co-chair Sue Doster.

As with any crowded gathering, you want to make sure that you take steps to ensure that you stay safe.

  • Share your location with your friends and let them know your intended whereabouts after the events.

  • Never leave your drink unattended and moderate your alcohol consumption.

  • Bring an anti-theft bag or wallet to help prevent being pickpocketed.

  • Stay aware of your surroundings.

  • Pack sunscreen, a hat, comfortable shoes, a water bottle and a portable phone charger.

Celebrate Pride

Seasoned Pride attendees know to book accommodations near the festivities and to snag tickets to certain events in advance. Budget for your lodging and activities — you can use points and miles or other hotel perks to save on stays. Visiting free attractions or parks in the area can stretch your travel budget further.

Stay safe amidst the crowds and take care of yourself. Taking steps to ensure your wellbeing can be the difference between having a great or a lousy Pride experience.

How to maximize your rewards

Source: nerdwallet.com

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Inside: Learn how to save 5000 in a year by following this step-by-step guide. You’ll be able to save money for your goals – retirement, vacation, or emergencies.

I started my $5,000 Savings Challenge on February 16th and haven’t missed a day since. I’ve already saved over $3,500 so far – can you beat that?

A savings challenge is just like any other contest or competition that is designed to get people motivated into saving more than what they normally would.

It works by setting short-term goals for yourself (such as opening one additional account per month), rewarding your progress with some kind of prize at the end (in this case, a $5,000 gift card), and tracking your progress with some kind of tool.

The average person spends $1,000 per year on fast food. If you can save that money by eating out less, you could put it towards your retirement fund or any other savings goal.

There is always a reason not to save money, but once you prove to yourself you can save money, that is a gamechanger.

In this post, find out how this $5000 saving challenge works as well as tips for setting goals that will work best for you.

Why Save $5000 in a Year

One of the most common questions I get is “How do you save so much money in a year?”. The number one reason people don’t save is that they think it’s impossible. The truth is, anything in life worth doing takes time and energy to achieve.

Typically when people think about saving money they think of it as a one-time event that would only save them $50-$100, which is not worth the time or effort.

But when you think about saving money as making a small change to your daily life that will lead to long-term savings, it’s a lot less intimidating.

This post may contain affiliate links, which helps us to continue providing relevant content and we receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full disclosure here.

Reasons to Save $5000 a Year:

I saved 5000 dollars in a year when I started to realize I was spending my money in ways that were frivolous and did not align with my long-term financial goals.

You can do the $5k saving challenge too!

You can fund any of the following by saving 5 grand a year:

You cannot afford to start saving now.

If you want to save more, then start looking at your saving percentage!

How to Save 5000 in a Year

This is how to save $5,000 in a year.

Saving $5,000 in a year is no small feat.

But if you’re feeling excited about what that could do for your future with just this one investment of time and money, you’re not alone.

No matter what your financial goals are, saving $5k in a year will help get you there faster and with less stress.

That’s why we are challenging you to the $5,000 savings challenge.

We want to help you save more and build your financial future.

1. Save a Flat Amount

Each month or week you will need to save the same amount.

This is the easiest way to save $5,000 in one year is by saving the same amount (e.g., $416.67) each month for 12 months.

If you are saving on a weekly basis, you will be saving $96.15 a week.

If you are saving on a bi-weekly basis, you will be saving $192.31 a week.

  • Monthly Amount Saved = $417
  • Semi-Monthly Amount Saved = $209
  • Weekly Amount Saved = $97
  • Bi-Weekly Amount Saved = $193

Knowing these amounts helps you to deduct these amounts straight from your paycheck into your saving account for the $5k savings challenge.

This is a great challenge for those who make 5000 a month.

2. Start Small and Save More

With this method, you will start saving a smaller amount of money and grow to save more each month.

By starting to save smaller amounts of money, you can find ways to become more frugal as you continue with the challenge. Also, this works well if you plan to make more money throughout the year.

You start by saving $120 and add an additional $50 to the previous month’s total.

  • Month 1 = $150
  • Month 2 = $200
  • Month 3 = $250
  • Month 4 = $300
  • Month 5 = $350
  • Month 6 = $400
  • Month 7 = $450
  • Month 8 = $500
  • Month 9 = $550
  • Month 10 = $600
  • Month 11 = $650
  • Month 12 = $700

At the end of one year, you will save $5,100!

The downfall to this challenge is things get more difficult. Thus, making you more likely to give up.

3. Start Big and Save Less

This will give you a buffer if something happens in your life.

You save more money upfront and then taper how much you save each month or week.

This method is preferable especially if you start with a no spend challenge.

You start by saving $600 and deduct $33 from the previous month’s total.

  • Month 1 = $600
  • Month 2 = $567
  • Month 3 = $534
  • Month 4 = $501
  • Month 5 = $468
  • Month 6 = $435
  • Month 7 = $402
  • Month 8 = $369
  • Month 9 = $336
  • Month 10 = $303
  • Month 11 = $270
  • Month 12 = $237

At the end of one year, you will save $5,022!

The upside to this challenge is you get the majority of saving completed in the first part of the year. Thus, you get a jump start on seeing progress and sticking to habits.

Savings Challenge Tracker

A savings challenge tracker is a tool that helps people with saving money.

It offers an interface to track various savings goals, such as retirement, education, and emergency funds.

These goals are set by the individual and can be changed at any time. The tool also offers a goal calculator, which allows users to predict how much they will need to save in order to meet a certain goal.

This is why you need a savings challenge tracker.

10 Simple Ways to Save $5,000

There are many ways to save $5,000 in a year. With the right strategies and preparation, it is possible to reach your goal even if you’re not financially well-off.

Here are tips and practical ways to cut expenses to help you save $5000 money.

1. Track your Spending

The first step to saving $5,000 is to track your spending.

When you do this, it will help you see where you could be wasting money and identify areas that need improvement.

Also, we highly recommend recording daily expenses so that there isn’t any confusion at the end of the month. Also, this helps identify areas where you are wasting money and adjust your spending accordingly.

2. Reduce your Cell Phone Bill

Switching to a discounted carrier can save hundreds of dollars. If you switch from one of the leading carriers to a discount carrier, you could potentially save $840 per year.

3. Save Money on Food

The most obvious way to save money is by using your credit or debit card to analyze your spending. Add up your food spending for the past three months.

If you are not careful, you could spend a lot of money on food without realizing it.

There are several ways to reduce the amount of food you spend including being more conscious of what you spend at restaurants.

To save money on food, I recommend shopping at discount grocery stores like Aldi or sales at your local stores. By shopping less often, you will not be tempted to spend more money.

Meal planning is another great way to save money by buying only what you need and planning your meals ahead of time so that you don’t overbuy.

4. Use Cash Back Apps

One of my favorite ways to save money is to take advantage of cash back apps.

There are many different websites and apps that allow you to earn cash back on purchases.

There are 3-personal favorites:

  • Rakuten
  • Ebates
  • Ibotta

5. Credit Card Rewards or Signup Bonuses

There are many ways to save a lot of money in a year. Credit card offers can earn you anywhere from $100 to $500 as a one-time bonus. and if you use them responsibly, this can add up over the year. This is also known as credit card hacking.

Cash Back rewards are a great way to save money. Credit card offers can range from 2% – 5% of cash back, but it will take some work on your end to make sure you categories match up to your highest spending areas.

6. Get Cheaper Insurance

If you have a lot of insurance, it’s possible that you could save money by moving to a different company or making some adjustments to your policies.

It’s easy to get quotes from multiple insurance companies.

There are lists of the best home insurers and best auto insurers when you’re ready to start your shopping.

7. Find Free or Cheap Things to Do

Fun things with friends and family are a great use of your time, but there are ways to cut back on entertainment expenses without sacrificing fun.

Things like going to the movies, sporting events, concerts, as well as trips to the bar or meals out with friends can really add up fast. So, here is a list of 101+ things to do with no money.

8. Set Limits on Fun Spending

Give yourself a hard limit on how much you can spend on entertainment

You must set limits on how much you spend each day, weekly, or monthly.

This may include how often you shop. Shopping is fun, but it’s also costly and time-consuming if you do it often.

9. Watch Out for Small Purchases

When each purchase feels so small, it’s hard to believe how quickly it all adds up.

those $10 or $20 purchases over the course of the year will add up quickly to the tune of $100-4000 a year!

Wait 24 hours to make sure you still want the item.

10. Find Side Hustles to Make Money

There are so many ways to make extra money that will speed up your savings.

Here are some ideas that will have you saving $5k in a year:

  • Flea Market Flipping: Buying and re-selling items for higher prices
  • Freelance Writer: There are many different types of services that can be offered as a freelancer.
  • Pet sitting and dog walking: Simple side hustle for extra cash
  • Freelancer: Graphic design, web design, web development, photography, and social media marketing specialists are always needed.
  • Drive for DoorDash: a flexible way to make money
  • Take online surveys
  • Learn to Invest in the Stock Market: This one should not scare you away. By investing, you are able to grow your money with passive income. This is a skill we all need.

Related Reading: 21+ Genius Ways on How to Make Money Fast

More Ways to Save Money:

  1. Dump your cell phone plan
  2. Cancel those gym memberships
  3. Stop subscribing to Netflix or Hulu
  4. Cut back on groceries by buying in bulk at Costco
  5. Shop on Amazon for clothing and other goods (just beware of daily deliveries)
  6. Stop paying for cable
  7. Rent instead of buying an expensive TV
  8. Get rid of your car
  9. Switch to a low-cost airline
  10. Stop buying expensive coffee

Once you’ve done all of these things, you will be impressed with how you save your money. You’ll have $5000 in just one year!

How to Save $5000 in a Year Chart:

The saving money chart shows the average amount of money that can be saved in a year by making small changes to your spending habits.

It is important to note that this figure is an average and not a goal.

It is important to set realistic financial goals and to track your progress in order to really achieve the savings you want.

Here are two how-to save $5000 in a year printable chart – one for monthly savings and another for weekly savings.

What can you do with $5,000 in Savings?

The $5,000 Savings Challenge can help you start saving more money than you thought was possible! You have to be ready to dedicate the resources and determination to make it happen.

Where are you at in your savings journey?

This $5000 saving challenge may or may not be right for you! And that is okay!

We have plenty of money saving challenges to help you succeed here on Money Bliss.

This challenge is for anyone who wants to save money and reach their savings goals.

It’s designed to help you start saving today with an easy plan.

Money Saving Challenge:

Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!

Did the post resonate with you?

More importantly, did I answer the questions you have about this topic? Let me know in the comments if I can help in some other way!

Your comments are not just welcomed; they’re an integral part of our community. Let’s continue the conversation and explore how these ideas align with your journey towards Money Bliss.

Source: moneybliss.org

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Maui is a popular Hawaiian vacation destination for a reason. The island boasts beautiful beaches, year-round warm weather, welcoming locals and a rich culture to learn about and experience during your trip. But it’s also a very expensive island to visit, with hotel rooms averaging more than $550 per night before taxes and fees in the first quarter of 2024, according to data from Hawaii Tourism Authority.

If you’re looking to book a Maui vacation without breaking your budget, below we dive into the best hotel on Maui to book with points, including the best hotels on Maui for families and for guests looking for a luxury stay.

Hyatt’s best hotels in Maui

Hyatt has a relatively small footprint on Maui, with only four hotels on the island: the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, Hana-Maui Resort, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, and the Hyatt Vacation Club at Ka’anapali Beach. Still, these are great options to use Hyatt points.

Best overall Hyatt hotel on Maui: Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort

View from the balcony of an ocean view room at the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort. (Photo courtesy of Josh Garber)

On 15 acres of beachfront in Wailea, the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort is a beautifully designed luxury property.

The hotel features five pools (including an adult tranquility pool for guests 18 and older), a spa and four on-site restaurants. Be sure to check out the Feast at Mōkapu Lu’au, an oceanfront luau that takes place at the hotel on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday nights.

Rooms at the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort start at 35,000 Hyatt points per night.

Best Hyatt hotel for families: Hyatt Vacation Club at Ka’anapali Beach

For families visiting Maui and looking to use Hyatt points, the Hyatt Vacation Club at Ka’anapali Beach is your best bet. The Hyatt Vacation Club at Ka’anapali Beach has a number of family-friendly options, including a children’s area of the pool, a small in-hotel market where you can shop for snacks and sandwiches, and rooms with full kitchens.

Rooms at the Hyatt Vacation Club at Ka’anapali Beach start at 25,000 Hyatt points per night.

Cards for Hyatt points and perks

World of Hyatt Credit Card

on Chase’s website

World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

on Chase’s website

Annual fee

Welcome offer

Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.

60,000 Bonus Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

Earn rates

• 4 points per $1 at Hyatt hotels and resorts.

• 2 points per $1 on dining, airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, gym memberships, and local transit and commuting.

• 1 point per $1 on all other eligible purchases.

• 4 points per $1 at Hyatt hotels and resorts.

• 2 points per $1 in your top three spend categories each quarter through Dec. 31, 2024, then your top two categories each quarter.

• 2 points per $1 on fitness club and gym memberships.

• 1 point per $1 on all other eligible purchases.

Benefits

• Earn one free night on each cardmember anniversary to redeem at any Category 1-4 World of Hyatt property.

• Earn five elite night credits when you get the card, and two additional elite night credits for every $5,000 spent.

• Earn one free night on each cardmember anniversary to redeem at any Category 1-4 World of Hyatt property.

• Earn up to a $100 Hyatt statement credit on your cardmember anniversary.

• World of Hyatt Discoverist status.

• Earn a rebate of 10% of points (up to 200,000 points) redeemed after reaching $50,000 in annual spend.

• Earn five elite night credits for every $10,000 spent.

Learn more

Marriott’s best hotels in Maui

Marriott has the largest hotel footprint on Maui, with 10 hotels throughout the island. Given all the options, here’s which Marriott Maui property to stay at if you’re booking with points.

Best Marriott hotel in Maui: The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali

Ka’anapali Beach on Maui. (Photo courtesy of Josh Garber)

Located beachfront on Ka’anapali Beach on Maui, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali is a great hotel for couples, families and even solo travelers.

While you could easily spend your entire stay on the property (taking advantage of the pool, spa, restaurants and beach right in front of the hotel), the hotel is right next to Whalers Village, an outdoor shopping mall that includes local shops and restaurants, including Monkeypod, Hula Grill and Leilani’s on the Beach.

Rooms at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali start at 64,000 points per night.

Best Marriott hotel for a luxury experience: The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua

The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua is a 54-acre resort overlooking the Pacific Ocean with amenities that include two 18-hole championship golf courses, six distinctive restaurants and a spa with treatments inspired by ancient Hawaiian traditions.

Rooms at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua start at 84,000 points per night.

Best Marriott hotel for families: The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas North

For family trips on Marriott points, check out The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas North.

All rooms at this hotel feature either a full kitchen or kitchenette, which can come in handy if you have hungry kids who just need a quick snack (or if you’d like to save money from dining out). The hotel also offers one- and two-bedroom villas, which can be a great option for families that would like a bit more space and privacy.

The hotel has a separate children’s pool and a cultural center for families wanting to learn more about local traditions and history.

Rooms at The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas North start at 70,000 points per night.

Cards for Marriott points and perks

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card

on Chase’s website

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

on Chase’s website

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Annual fee

Welcome offer

Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after spending $1,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card.

Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card!

Earn 85,000 Bonus Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening.

Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

Earn rates

• 3 points per $1 at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.

• 2 points per $1 on other travel purchases (such as airfare, taxis and trains).

• 1 point per $1 on all other eligible purchases.

• 6 points per $1 at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.

• 3 points per $1 on up to $6,000 a year in combined purchases on grocery stores, gas stations and dining.

• 2 points per $1 on all other eligible purchases.

• 6 points per $1 at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.

• 4 points per $1 on up to $15,000 a year in combined purchases at grocery stores and on dining.

• 2 points per $1 on all other eligible purchases.

• 6 points per $1 at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.

• 3 points per $1 at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines.

• 2 points per $1 on all other eligible purchases.

Terms apply.

Benefits

• 15 Elite Night Credits annually, qualifying you for Silver Elite Status

• Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.

• 15 Elite Night Credits annually, qualifying you for Silver Elite status, plus path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.

• 1 Elite Night Credit toward Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.

• Free Night Award (valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $15,000 in a calendar year.

• Gold Elite status, plus 15 Elite Night credits each year toward Platinum Elite status.

• 1,000 points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott Bonvoy at participating properties. Terms apply.

• Free Night Award (valued up to 85,000 points) every year after your account renewal month.

• Platinum Elite Status and 25 Elite Night credits per year.

• Fee credit for either Global Entry or TSA Precheck.

• Priority Pass Select lounge membership (enrollment required).

• Up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide.

• Terms apply.

Learn more

Hilton’s best hotels in Maui

Similar to Hyatt, Hilton also has a small footprint on Maui with only four hotels (although Hilton is opening a fifth hotel in June 2025).

If you’re looking to book a Hilton hotel with points on Maui, the Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort has the honor of not only being the best overall hotel to book on Maui with points, but also being the best luxury hotel and family hotel.

Best overall Hilton points on Maui: Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort

Palm trees and green grass at the Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort. (Photo courtesy of Josh Garber)

The Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort is a massive property, sitting on 40 acres with 844 rooms (of which 57 are suites and 50 are villas) that range in size from 640 square feet to 1,300 square feet. The hotel is perhaps best known for its Wailea Canyon Activity Pool, which is actually a collection of nine pools spanning 25,700 square feet that are connected by waterslides and a lazy river.

The Wailea Canyon Activity Pool is enough to make the Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort the best resort for families (and arguably the best hotel for families on the entire island of Maui).

Not only does the pool feature a lazy river and waterslides connecting the nine pools mentioned earlier, but it also features a Tarzan pool with rope swing, six waterfalls, caves, a sand “baby” beach and a swim-up bar for parents who need some time away from the kids. If you or your kids are more adventurous, you can enjoy the Lava Tube Slide, a three-story waterslide with 360-degree turns where you can reach speeds as fast as 22 miles per hour.

The hotel also offers a Grand Passport for kids. During check-in, children are given a passport that maps and lists all educational and cultural activities on the island to keep them engaged during their stay.

After a day at the pool, be sure to make reservations for dinner at Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa, the hotel’s signature beachfront restaurant that specializes in seafood.

Rooms at the Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort start at 110,000 Hilton points per night.

While Hilton does have another luxury option on Maui, Ho’olei Villas at Grand Wailea, rooms at that hotel will set you back around 574,000 points per night. Given that you can stay at the Grand Wailea for 110,000 points per night, the Grand Wailea wins as the best Hilton points hotel on Maui for a luxury experience.

Cards for Hilton points and perks

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Annual fee

Welcome offer

Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 7/31/2024. Terms apply.

Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 6/5. Terms Apply.

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

Earn rates

• 12 points per $1 on eligible purchases with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.

• 6 points per $1 at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations.

• 4 points per $1 on U.S. online retail purchases.

• 3 points per $1 on all other eligible purchases.

Terms apply.

• 12 points per $1 on eligible purchases with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.

• 5 points per $1 on other purchases made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3 points per $1 thereafter.

Terms apply.

• 5 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 spent per year.

• 5 points per $1 on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

• 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases.

Terms apply.

• 5 points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels booked American Express Travel.

• 1.5 points per $1 in key business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2,000,000 in purchases per year).

• 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases.

Terms apply.

Benefits

• Hilton Honors™ Gold Status, which gives you an 80% points bonus, as well as complimentary breakfasts at select hotels and room upgrades at select properties where available.

• Path to Diamond status. Get an upgrade to Diamond if you spend $40,000 or more on the card in a calendar year.

• $200 annual statement credit for eligible Hilton purchases on your card (doled out in $50 statement credits per quarter).

• Potential free night. Earn a weekend night reward after you spend $15,000 on purchases on your card in a calendar year.

Terms apply.

• Hilton Honors™ Gold Status, which gives you an 80% points bonus, as well as complimentary breakfasts at select hotels and room upgrades at select properties where available.

• Path to Diamond status. Get an upgrade to Diamond if you spend $40,000 or more on the card in a calendar year.

• Potential free nights. Earn a free night reward after you spend $15,000 on purchases on your card in a calendar year and a second when you spend an additional $45,000 in the same calendar year ($60,000 total).

• Airport lounge access. Ten complimentary Priority Pass visits each year. Enrollment is required.

Terms apply.

• Access to more than 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, including AmEx’s own Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta).

• Credit for the application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.

• Hundreds of dollars a year in credits for travel, shopping and entertainment. These include up to $200 a year for incidental fees on an airline you choose, up to $240 for digital entertainment from select providers, and up to $200 a year for Uber. Enrollment required. See terms for details.

Terms apply.

• Get 35% of your Membership Rewards points back when you redeem points for an eligible first or business class flight on any airline, or a flight in any cabin of travel on an airline you choose (up to 500,000 points per year).

• Access to more than 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, including AmEx’s own Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta).

• Credit for the application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.

• Up to $1,000 a year in credits for various business expenses and travel. These include $400 a year for U.S. Dell purchases, $200 a year for incidental fees on an airline you choose, $120 for a U.S. wireless credit, and more. See terms for details.

Terms apply.

Learn more

Final thoughts on the best hotels on Maui to book with points

Hyatt, Marriott and Hilton all have great options for guests looking to stay at a hotel on Maui using points. Some of our favorite points properties on Maui include the Hyatt’s Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, Marriott’s The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali and Hilton’s Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort.

To view rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.
To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, see this page.
To view rates and fees of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, see this page.

How to maximize your rewards

Source: nerdwallet.com

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Many people experience regret when they receive gifts they don’t like.

It is important to avoid this by giving and receiving the right type of gift for someone. Some items that make for great gifts are subscriptions to magazines, concert or theater tickets, video games, movies, and books.

Other ideas include checking off bucket list adventures!

Experience gifts are the best gifts.

Many times after gifts are opened, you might be feeling a little disappointed in what you bought for others. You spent time and money, but now they are just left with a mountain of gifts that won’t be put to use. Don’t worry—we’ve got your back and plenty of ideas!

How can you avoid gift regret? Well, there are many different options to explore to find the perfect present.

In this post, we will cover unique experience gift ideas for her, families, kids, and everyone in between.

What are Experience Gift Ideas?

Experience gifts are a type of gift that gives the recipient an experience as opposed to tangible goods.

For example, you could buy someone tickets for their favorite band or sports team and they will get to go to an event and have a great time.

This type of gift will not expire, so if the person does not want it or use it right away they can still enjoy it later on!

Honestly, these are gift ideas that would love to do yourself!

Give the gift of experience by giving a membership to an activity, a day pass for activities like yoga or rock climbing. You can also give someone a voucher to take a class like cooking or painting.

There are so many options! We will go further in detail below.

Why Buying Experiences is Better than Physical Gifts?

If you still have gift cards on the table, it might be time to think about what your loved one really wants. “What is important for people are experiences that create memories,” says Harvard business professor Michael Norton.

A study by the Journal of Consumer Research found that for experiences, people felt more satisfied and happy with what they had received than material gifts like clothes or jewelry.

One way to make a gift even more special is to take the recipient with you when you go shopping.

Some people might feel bad when they get a gift they don’t like, but it is ok. For your next gift to someone you love, try getting them something different – like an experience gift!

Many people looking for a no gift Christmas look for experiences instead.

Ultimate List of Life Experience Gift Ideas

A lot of people experience gift regret when they receive a gift that is not their style or something that has no use. This can be frustrating because the person who gave you the present did their best to find what they thought you would enjoy.

That is why we have the best experience gift ideas all in one place!

There are many experience gift ideas on this list of the best experience gift ideas.

-A trip to your favorite theme park.

-An evening of bowling and dinner with friends.

-A night at a sleepover party for girls only.

– The list goes on and on with so many fabulous ideas!

Many of these on the list are outdoor experience gift ideas!

The best gift ideas are the ones that they will love and cherish for years. With these many great experience gift ideas, you will be sure to find the perfect gift for any occasion.

Who says a birthday is just another day? It’s a special time, and it deserves something extra-special as a present.

These types of gifts are perfect for the frugal green person who cares about saving money and being eco-friendly.

Experience Gifts for Everyone

If you are looking for a gift that will be remembered, look no further.

We have rounded up the best gifts to give someone who is hard to buy for or just wants something different than a gift card.

This may seem like it’s too good of a present, but if you know the person well, it’s a gift that will not go to waste.

  • Weekend Getaway: If you are looking to gift someone with a gift that is guaranteed to not go unused, give them an unforgettable experience. Find the perfect hotel today.
  • Language Courses: Learning a new language is always a great idea! This is something that can be done in your own time and space. Start your journey to bi-lingual.
  • Bowling: Has it been a while since you went bowling? Time to lace up those bowling shoes for a night out at the lanes. Can you roll a strike?
  • Dinner Out (or Dinner In): Everyone loves a break from cooking. Find the local trendy restaurant or pick of their favorites. Either or, it is the company that makes the difference!
  • Night Out with Friends: This is always a great gift idea! There are so many different things you can do for a night out.
  • Monthly Subscriptions: Monthly subscriptions are a fun gift that can either be an ongoing thing like Netflix or HBO, or something for the month that includes their hobbies.
  • Fitness Classes: At home or on the go! There are plenty of options for a healthier lifestyle. You can find new, exciting fitness workouts anywhere!
  • Groupon Deal of the Day: Let the popular app find all of the ideas that are hot in their area. Plus save a buck or two for the saver in you! Find Groupon Deals.
  • White Water Rafting Expedition:  If you are looking for an adventure, white water rafting is the perfect gift. With the best company and scenery, it will be a day that they’ll never forget!
  • Ziplining Tour:  SOme of my best memories are from a ziplining tour. Make sure to zipline in a breath-taking place to soak in the scenery around you. For a bigger adrenaline rush, zipline through a cliff.
  • Hotel Gift Card: Don’t have the perfect gift idea? Give them a night out on you! Buy them a hotel gift card to spend when they are ready.
  • Book Club: Books make great gifts because there’s never anything like it in someone else’s collection, and you can find one that’s appropriate for their reading level. Double bonus: when you meet for drinks to re-hash the books.
  • Baked Goods: Give a friend or family member something to bake, like cookies or bread. It’ll make them feel happy and proud of themselves, and you’ll get to enjoy the results. Even better… pass along the recipe and ingredients for them to recreate themselves.
  • Gift Cards: For the person who has everything, give them an experience they can buy with their gift card. Give someone $30 to spend at a local art store and they’ll be grateful for the experience.
  • Cash: Cash is king. Let the people who love buy their own presents. This is especially a great gift for a frugal person.
  • A Donation: Don’t want to spend any money? Consider donating in someone’s name; they’ll appreciate it more than anything else.

It’s the time of year to celebrate with family, friends, and loved ones.

Hopefully one of these life experience gift ideas is appealing to yoU!

Experience Gift Ideas for Kids

Kids and families will appreciate a wide array of gifts!

It is hard to shop for gifts for kids who have everything, so hopefully, this list gave you some ideas.

This gift list includes out-of-the-box ideas to help minimize the clutter most families deal with as well as much-loved gifts.

  • Art Class: Art supplies and a session with an instructor, designed to create your own masterpieces. Plus the best part is you do not have to clean up the mess!
  • Archery: This sport is always on the list of “coolest things to do.” Learn archery, improve your technique and have a chance to participate in competitions.
  • Sports Lessons: Get some new skills and have a ton of fun while improving their athletic ability.
  • Backpacks & Sports Bags: Kids need to keep their stuff organized! This could be a camelpak for their next hike or just a travel bag for their next trip. Find ideas!
  • Subscription Boxes:  Looking for something to come in the mail? Get a monthly box of goodies that you will be excited to open. Find the perfect subscription box.
  • Music Lessons: Become the next pop star with lessons in piano, guitar, or violin.
  • Tool Kit: This includes everything you need to fix things around your house and will teach skills that last a lifetime. This is great for the teenager or young adult.
  • Sleepover Party – Time for giggles and fun! Find sleepover party supplies here!
  • Art Supplies: Every craft station needs to be refilled for hours more of fun!
  • Ice Cream: You scream, we scream, we all scream for ice cream! Always a sweet treat and there are so many places that make your experience a delicious time!

Any of these kids experience gift ideas are winners for them! Check out this post for the best kids gifts under $10. Made by kids for kids.

Experience Gift Ideas for Family

A family’s experience with a gift is more important than the amount of money spent on it. If you’re looking for some new ideas, try any of these ideas.

Plus you buy one gift for the whole family!

Try any of these experience gift ideas for families!

  • Family Dinner Night Out: For many families, it is too costly to take the whole family out to dinner. Find a restaurant that is known for creating an experience the family will never forget.
  • Family Game Night: Stock the game closet! These are great gifts when the kids grow up because their interest changes and ability level improves. Drop ship a gift basket for family game night.
  • Family Green Space Improvement Projects: Such as a backyard garden or a small vegetable plot or even flower pots. Provide the seed money and let the family flourish together.
  • Paintball Package: For those who love to participate in outdoor activities, a paintball package is a lot of fun and a big adrenaline rush. 
  • Helicopter Tour: This is a great gift for kids who love to learn about the world! This is an experience they will never forget.
  • Trip to Local Theme Park:  What better way to have fun than to visit your favorite theme park with friends or family?
  • Family Movie Night: Purchase a gift subscription to the popular streaming services. Disney+ is perfect for kids. Put together a snack bucket with popcorn and everyone’s favorite beverages. 
  • Sporting Event: Buy a t-shirt or jersey of their favorite team and surprise the little sports fan with an evening at the live game!
  • Camping Trip: Glamping is allowed, too! It is about disconnecting from the devices and having in-person interactions. Plus the wild will always surprise you!
  • Age Specific Weekend Getaway: When your child (or grandchild) is a certain age, take them on a trip. During this one-on-one time, you can have plenty of experiences and memories to share. Popular ages to do this would be nine years old, twelve years old, and fifteen years old.

Experience Gift Ideas for Couples

This section provides ideas for gifts that are best suited for couples.

  • Cooking Class: Couples who enjoy cooking together will enjoy a cooking class. Even if they need to learn to cook, this will be an extremely useful gift!
  • Online Course: Pick a topic; any topic! There are thousands of online classes to explore together to learn a new skill, find a new hobby, or enhance your skills. This is a course I did with my husband.
  • Adventure Ticket: Think like a tourist! This gift idea can be local to your area. What is the one thing this couple hasn’t experienced in their area?
  • Hot Air Ballooning: Don’t worry if you are afraid of heights, being in a hot air balloon is like floating across the water. It is a romantic and unforgettable experience to share.
  • Rent a Boat: Yeah, a boat. If you have the time and money to rent a boat for what will be an extended period of time, this is going to make one heck of a memorable gift.
  • Tickets to a Comedy Show: Laughing is the best medicine, and what better way to get a laugh than at a comedy show.
  • Adventure Ticket: Think like a kid- get them a ticket to go do something adventurous.
  • Couples Therapy: You could be treading a very fine line here. However, learning how to be a better spouse is always a great idea. Just make sure you have solid referrals.
  • Date Night: Who doesn’t enjoy a date night? Cover the cost of a babysitter and give them money for the restaurant.
  • A Day at the Movies and Lunch: Sounds picture-perfect, right?
  • Encourage their Passion: If you know what the couple’s passions are, give them money to go and pursue it. For example, if they’re musicians or artists then buy a guitar for them or a sketchbook.
  • Golf Lessons: These are an experienced-based gift that will allow them to enjoy a hobby together.
  • Music Lessons: Music is a universal love and they can learn how to play the guitar, harmonica or drums. Time spent together is harmony.
  • Plan for the future: Get them a certificate to receive daycare in case they need it at some point in their lives. Or get them a gift card from Costco to help with all the baby items they will need.

Experience Gift Ideas for Her:

Some experience-based gifts you can give a woman on her birthday or Christmas. Ladies love to be pampered (hint, hint)!

  • Spa Treatments: These include manicures, pedicures, and facials. They are a relatively inexpensive gift that she is sure to love!
  • Massages: A massage will make her feel like a new woman and she will love the way it feels.
  • A Day at the Spa: This is the most luxurious of them all. Instead of just one or two spa treatments. Add in foot soaks and of course, the more intense ones like a mud treatment or body wrap can really clean you up. The lady of your life gets pampered for a half-day or full day.
  • Time for Herself: Quiet zen time away from the needs in her life. This could be an hour of quiet or a full day.
  • Luxury Hotel Stay: Sometimes, you need a luxurious night of sleep without children waking you up.
  • Tickets to an Event: This could be for the theater, concert, or art grand opening. If you know your lady well, you will know what her passion is and can find the perfect ticket to match.
  • Night Out on the Town: This date includes dinner and a show.
  • Surprise Dinner from Her Favorite Restaurant: Sometimes, it is the little things in life that make the best gifts.
  • Yoga or Pilates Classes:  Some people find that these classes relieve their stress. Plus improve your flexibility at the same time.

These are some of my favorite gift ideas.

Experience Gift Ideas for Him:

I think most guys prefer experiences over being lavished with gifts.

Also, let’s be honest… Men are 95% more likely to go out and buy exactly what they need and not wait for a holiday to come around.

Give him an experience day and he will be talking about it for years to come.

These are gift ideas for men who have everything!

  • Skydiving:  Can you imagine? The adrenaline rush of jumping out of a plane and free-falling at 120 miles per hour. It’s an experience that he won’t soon forget.
  • Rock Climbing:  He’ll get to experience the adrenaline rush of climbing up a cliff, navigating over obstacles, and getting to the top.
  • Horseback Riding: It’s not just for girls! Horseback riding is a great outdoor activity that he can do with his friends.
  • Throwing 1st Pitch at Baseball Game: It doesn’t matter their age. This is a dream for all ages!! The trickier part is how to make this experience gift idea happen.
  • Snowboarding:  He’ll get to experience the adrenaline rush of snowboarding and enjoy learning a new skill set. Just hope he make it down the mountain in one piece.
  • A Day at the Spa: A man may not think this is a gift, but if he needs to be reminded of how good it feels to take care of himself then I say go for it.
  • Renting a Sports Car: This is a rite of passage for every man to drive a sports car.
  • Day at the Race Track: Specifically to be able to drive the cars; not just watch the professionals drive. Many of the race tracks offer amateurs a chance to feel the exhilaration of 100 mph.
  • Charter Fishing Trip:  The best way to spend a weekend. Ask any guy and the story will be bigger than the fish they caught!

More than anything that is considered living on the edge is the perfect experience for him!

Best Experiences Gift Guide

This guide will help you come up with gift ideas for loved ones.

It won’t help with cleaning baseboards, but it will help you find gift ideas that they will appreciate. It is always good to say I appreciate you!

When it comes to buying a gift for someone who is a bit harder to buy for, consider giving them an experience that they would not otherwise be able to do.

Art & Entertainment-themed:

If you are looking for an experience gift, look no further than the arts.

  • Tickets to a Play: If you are looking to give a gift that will last for an extended period of time, consider gifting someone with the experience of attending one event at their favorite venue.
  • Tickets to a Concert: These will not go to waste and can be used anytime within their validity period. Time to jam away to the tunes.
  • Museum Membership: Consider gifting someone with a membership to an art gallery or museum. Also, many museums have reciprocal benefits and can be used in other cities when traveling.

Food & Drink Themed:

A great gift idea for any occasion is to give food or drinks. Whether it’s a holiday, birthday, anniversary, or just because you want to show someone how much they mean to you, food themed gifts are a great way to show you care.

  • Cooking Classes: This is a great idea for the foodie or non-foodie! Everything tastes better and is more fun when you do not have to clean up afterward.
  • Wine Tour: This gift is perfect for the wine enthusiast. Wine tasting, learning about viticulture, and enjoying tastings of different wines are all part of this gift.
  • Brewery/distillery tours:  For the craft beer or liquor enthusiast, this is a great gift. Learn how different beers and liquors are made while enjoying tastings of them.
  • Culinary school: This is for the foodie and non-foodie alike. Whether you love to cook or never touch the stove, culinary school is a great gift for anyone who wants to learn more about their craft.

Things to Do Themed:

Experiences are perfect for friends and family. They make the recipient feel like they got to do something fun or interesting (even if it’s just sitting in a room with snacks).

It’s also a great way to make someone feel like they’re worth more than the value of whatever you spent on them.

Time to get moving with these things to do gift idea list!

  • Zoo Membership: A membership to your local zoo is a great way to enjoy (and learn about) the animals that live in our world.
  • Movie Tickets: Movie tickets are always a good idea, and it’s a great way to enjoy something together.
  • Pool Membership: Pool memberships are a great way to enjoy the summer. It’s also good for people who don’t like hot weather since they can cool off in the water.
  • Waterpark Passes: Water parks are a great way to have fun in the sun.
  • Membership at a Museum: Memberships to museums are an opportunity for people who love art, history, or science.
  • National Park Pass: Passes to national parks are a great way to enjoy nature.
  • Botanical Gardens: Botanical gardens are a great way to enjoy the beauty of nature indoors and outdoors.
  • Professional Photography Shoot: Professional photography shoots are a great way to have professional pictures. Get dressed up and smile!
  • Art Class: Art classes are a fun way to learn about art and express your creativity. Even better, when you do them as a group!

Related Posts:

Learn Something New Themed:

If you are looking for a gift idea that will not go to waste, consider learning something new.

There is an abundance of courses and workshops available in all sorts of subjects!

Find a new hobby or hone your skills.

  • Crafting Classes: Have you been to your local craft store? There are hundreds of types of crafts to choose from. Some ideas include: knitting, sewing, painting, beadwork, jewelry making, woodworking, etc. Find crafting ideas here.
  • Language Classes: It is best to learn a new language through immersion. But, the recipient may be hesitant and want to know a few words in the new language before setting out on that experience. Start your journey to bi-lingual.
  • Subscription Boxes: THere are hundreds of subscription box ideas. Just pick one to match their personality. Plus a new box comes on a recurring basis.
  • Tennis Lessons: This gift idea was well received in our house. We bought new tennis rackets and a backpack along with a package of lessons. Plus it is a lifelong skill to be able to play.
  • Photography Workshops: Happy; excited; nervous! Time to learn photography from a new lens. You will proud of your new skills.
  • Instrument Lessons: Time to get in tune with your inner self. Every had a dream to play a musical instrument? I have; it is the drums. What would your gift recipient want?
  • Horseback Riding: Buckle up and get ready to ride. This could be a one-time adventure or a package for riding lessons.
  • Dance Lessons: You will not regret it. Well, you might later. This is a must for any engaged couple. That couple’s dance is waiting for your dance skills!

Equipment Needed for Passions:

Regardless of your hobby or passion, it comes with some type of cost. It is difficult if you do not have the equipment needed to enjoy time doing something you enjoy.

This is one of the greatest gifts you can give!

The equipment will fund the experiences that this person craves to have. Or replace worn out items.

More than likely, you won’t know what exactly to get. So, ask for a wish list or their favorite place to buy equipment. Cash or gift cards are extremely beneficial.

  • Camping Gear: Once you own the equipment, this is a cheap activity to participate in. However, there are upfront costs of collecting all of the gear. 
  • Sewing Machine:  If you know someone who sews or is interested in sewing, this gift will go a long way. Sewing machines range from $200-500 and it’s usually worth the purchase if they enjoy sewing. My mother-in-law purchased mine! 
  • Climbing Gear:  If they are an avid climber, this is a great gift. Like camping gear, it has upfront costs of investing in the equipment to get started.
  • Photography Equipment:  Photography equipment is expensive upfront, but it can be used for years to come.  This is a great idea for someone who enjoys taking pictures.
  • Telescope:  Telescopes are expensive, but it’s a lifetime investment. This is perfect for a starry-eye person who enjoys looking at the stars.
  • Fly Fishing Equipment: Fly fishing equipment is expensive but lasts a long time. This can be used by an avid fly fisher for years to come.
  • Road Cycling or Mountain Biking:  Road cycling or Mountain biking equipment is expensive but lasts a lifetime. This can be used by avid cyclists for years to come.
  • Sports Gear: This could be for golf, tennis, soccer, or any sport! What is the equipment needed, so they can enjoy time playing.
  • Scuba / Snorkeling Gear:  Scuba or snorkeling gear is expensive, but it’s worth the investment. This could be used by an avid scuba diver for years to come.

It can be hard to find a good gift for someone that has everything. When you find yourself in this position, there are many things to think about when purchasing a present. One thing you’ll want to do is consider the hobbies of the person you are buying for.

At Home or Virtual Experience Gift Ideas:

A virtual experience can be an eye-opening experience. It is like you are there, but not really there. Instead of going to a museum or getting info about whales from a book; you can get the same information from a virtual experience.

  • Online Cooking Classes: Cooking is a great way to get out of the kitchen. You can learn techniques or just try new recipes. Find classes today.
  • Online Wine Tasting: Yes, all of the wine is delivered to your door. Lead by a wine sommelier on the varieties and what to expect during each skip.
  • Workout Experiences:  Start your fitness journey in the comfort of your own home. There are many options available for workouts that can be done from just about anywhere with the equipment you already have at home!
  • Airbnb Online Experiences: If you miss traveling, then you are able to travel to some of your favorite locations. While it may not be the same, you can start planning your trip for another time!
  • Online Classes: This is an idea for anyone who has a passion they want to explore. There are thousands of courses on almost any topic you can think of. With this, there is no need to go to school to find your passion, you can do it right from home.
  • Board Games: Brush off the games or pick out a new board game. No one will get tired of playing their favorite.
  • Themed Experiences:  If you are looking for a unique experience for someone, then think about planning it around their favorite thing.

How do I Give an Experience as a Gift?

Gifting an experience is a great way to give someone an unforgettable gift. 

With experiences, you can choose the location, the type of experience, and what your budget can afford. 

You can also choose whether you want the experience to be for someone specific or publicly available. The fun part is you can get creative on how to wrap it like money gift ideas!

How to Wrap up the Experience as a Gift:

  • Buy something that represents part of the gift.
  • Create a gift certificate.
  • Handwrite a lovely letter explaining the gift experience.
  • Wrap up a huge box with a tiny note.

There are plenty of ways to wrap up a gift experience. Just follow your personality to choose the best way to gift wrap it!

Which Experience Gift Ideas Will You Use?

Many people who are not satisfied with their gifts during the holidays end up feeling regretful. This holiday season, there are plenty of options to choose from that will be used for years to come

The idea of giving someone a gift can be overwhelming. 

We are bombarded with deals and deals, but in the end, it is just another thing that will eventually clutter up our homes.

There is a better way.

Gifts that encourage experiences over material things do not go to waste and can create memories for a lifetime. They also require less thought, which these days are a good thing.

You can find plenty of life gift experiences for:

  • Father’s Day
  • Mother’s Day
  • Mother-Daughter
  • Grandparents
  • Parents
  • Girlfriend / Boyfriend
  • Wedding
  • Husband / Wife
  • Birthday
  • Graduation
  • Christmas

It’s time to think outside the box and give someone an experience they won’t soon forget!

If I do buy something, I focus on purchasing consumable gifts that will be used up.

Seriously, think about what do I want for Christmas or any other occasion…

Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!

Did the post resonate with you?

More importantly, did I answer the questions you have about this topic? Let me know in the comments if I can help in some other way!

Your comments are not just welcomed; they’re an integral part of our community. Let’s continue the conversation and explore how these ideas align with your journey towards Money Bliss.

Source: moneybliss.org

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In 2007, IHG decided to give the Holiday Inn brand a makeover, elevating its standards to a level that the customer of today wants. It is spending more than $1 billion to invest in the product, which includes overhauling every single Holiday Inn around the world — a process that is still ongoing.

The result aims to make the Holiday Inn brand appeal to a new generation of travelers, with special attention given to creating a more uniform experience across both new and existing properties.

The Holiday Inn dates back to 1952 and started as a pioneer in hotel services, offering new conveniences like free parking, free stays for children, swimming pools, and extra amenities like cribs and telephones. Today, these are all expected perks, so how can the new Holiday Inn stand out from the pack?

How to know if a Holiday Inn is renovated to new standards

If you’re staying in a renovated hotel with the new Holiday Inn experience, you can expect more open spaces, new open restaurant and bar concepts, adaptable meeting space and more modern accommodations.

The new open lobby combines the restaurant, bar and hotel concierge with more coworking space to create a lounge environment where people can gather outside of their room.

These updates are in line with what other hotels in the midscale/mid-tier, full-service category are doing.

Features in the new-concept guest rooms include:

  • A welcome nook with space for keys, a hook for coats and a charging port. The brand describes this as what many people may have in their own home’s entryway.

  • Moveable desks and the ability to work with a laptop or other device in many areas of the room rather than just at a single desk.

  • Upgraded bedding.

  • Blackout shades.

  • Upgraded shower facilities.

True to its origins, kids 11 and under still eat free in Holiday Inn restaurants, assuming an accompanying adult pays for a meal.

According to IHG, 50% of its hotels in the U.S. will be renovated by 2025 — with its first new-build prototype opening early next year as well.

In Europe, the majority of Holiday Inn hotels have completed the new open-lobby renovations. Another new amenity for European Holiday Inn hotels is a to-go coffee station, featuring Starbucks.

Push aside any previous thoughts you had about the brand. IHG’s efforts are meant to upgrade the brand to be full-service offerings that cater to a variety of travelers, not just families, roadside overnights or business travelers. While Holiday Inns may not be the most expensive in each destination, they are not meant to be a budget offering.

5 redesigned Holiday Inns worth a visit

1. Holiday Inn Resort Aruba-Beach Resort & Casino

(Photo courtesy of IHG)

The Holiday Inn Resort Aruba-Beach Resort & Casino now offers guests three pools, whirlpools, a spa, five restaurants and bars (including one on the beach), and a casino.

With nearly 600 rooms directly on Palm Beach, this property has been welcoming guests. It is one of 45 open Holiday Inn Resorts and nearly three dozen Holiday Inn Vacation Club properties around the world.

2. Holiday Inn Singapore Little India

(Photo courtesy of IHG)

In one of the city’s heritage districts, this 20-story hotel benefits from recent renovations and showcases the new open-plan lobby lounge design.

Business travelers appreciate its convenience to the Central Business District while leisure travelers will enjoy the pool and easy walking distance to dining and shops, many with Indian heritage.

3. Holiday Inn Paris – Gare de Lyon Bastille

(Photo courtesy of IHG)

This Holiday Inn could not be more Parisian with its belle époque facade (“beautiful age”), fitting right into the neighborhood.

It showcases the latest brand design with renovated guest rooms and an open-plan lobby. Want to get around the city by metro?

As its name suggests, the Gare de Lyon train station, a major hub for metro and express trains (RER), is just a short walk from the front door.

4. Holiday Inn Belfast City Centre

(Photo courtesy of IHG)

The Holiday Inn Belfast City Centre is well-positioned for touristic pursuits around Northern Ireland’s capital city. The property is close to public transportation options as well as the city’s entertainment and shopping districts.

Fans of “Game of Thrones” and Titanic history can earn IHG One Rewards points while visiting top attractions.

5. Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Lake Buena Vista

(Photo courtesy of IHG)

Just one mile from Walt Disney World Resort, this renovated resort has pools, whirlpools, an arcade, a splash pad and poolside activities like dive-in movies and ping pong.

Like other Holiday Inns around the world, kids eat free when their parents order a meal, which can be a budget-friendly move when paying for expensive theme park tickets.

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Includes automatic Silver Elite status.

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Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Learn more

With elite status, you can earn bonus points during your stay (the number increases as your status moves up the chain) as well as other perks like room upgrades and late checkout.

Holiday Inn is not the same brand you may remember

With a $1 billion brand refresh that is making its way to Holiday Inns around the world, guests will find new lobby and guest room concepts, plus more food and beverage options than before.

As IHG repositions the brand to focus on full-service at a mid-tier price point, guests stand to benefit from the changes.

How to maximize your rewards

Source: nerdwallet.com

Apache is functioning normally

As you plan those summer barbecues, pool days or dinners, Discover’s bonus categories for the third quarter of 2024 can be a big help.

From July 1 through Sept. 30, 2024, holders of eligible cards like the Discover it® Cash Back and Discover it® Student Cash Back can earn 5% back at grocery stores and Walmart on up to $1,500 in combined spending for the quarter. (Activation is required; other purchases will earn 1% back.)

Here’s what you need to know to make the most of these spending categories.

Discover bonus rewards categories for 2024

Q1 (Jan. 1–March 31)

  • Restaurants.

  • Drugstores.

Q2 (April 1–June 30)

  • Gas stations/EV charging stations.

  • Home improvement stores.

  • Public transit.

Q3 (July 1–Sept. 30)

  • Grocery stores.

Q4 (Oct. 1–Dec. 31)

  • TBD (In 2023: Amazon, Target).

A closer look at Discover’s Q3 bonus categories

For the third quarter of 2024, here’s what will qualify:

Grocery stores

Eligible grocery store purchases that earn the bonus rate include those made at supermarkets, meat lockers, bakeries, small grocery stores and grocery delivery services. Purchases that won’t qualify for this rate include those made at Target, convenience stores, wholesale clubs and discount stores.

Walmart

During this quarter, you can also earn the bonus rate on purchases made at Walmart, whether in store or online, at Walmart discount stores, Walmart Supercenter stores, Walmart Neighborhood Market stores, curbside pickup, Walmart+ and Walmart gas stations. Purchases using Walmart Pay with your eligible Discover card will also qualify for the bonus rewards.

Purchases made through an individual merchant or a standalone store within physical Walmart locations might not be eligible, however. Other purchases that won’t qualify include Sam’s Club purchases, purchases made through affiliates of Walmart.com, and purchases made outside the U.S. Terms apply.

Maximizing Discover’s Q3 bonus categories for 2024

You can make the most of the bonus categories above by checking off the items on this list:

  • Activate the bonus categories by logging into your Discover account. 

  • Use your Discover card whenever you shop at the grocery store or at Walmart in-store or online. 

  • Keep track of the amount spent to know whether you’ve reached the $1,500 spending limit. An automated tracker available when you log into your Discover account can help.

Considering the Discover it® Cash Back?

The Discover it® Cash Back card is ideal if you can keep track of the quarterly changing bonus categories, remember to activate them and pay off your credit card bill in full every month. Otherwise, the card’s interest rate will outweigh the value of its rewards.

The card’s features include:

  • Annual fee: $0.

  • APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 18.24%-28.24% Variable APR.

  • Sign-up bonus: INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.

Source: nerdwallet.com