Princess Cruises Adds New “Medallion” Level to Captain’s Circle Loyalty Program

Princess Cruises has expanded its Captain’s Circle loyalty program with the addition of a new membership category – the Medallion level. The new tier, for passengers sailing on a fourth or fifth cruise, or between 31 and 50 cruise days, fits between the program’s current Gold and Platinum levels. The new level goes into effect with voyages beginning on or after today.

Medallion level members will now enjoy extra benefits in addition to Gold level perks, including a complimentary upgrade to the Platinum Princess Vacation Protection and a discount on the price of a souvenir Reflections DVD. Medallion cruise cards and pins will feature a deep burgundy color.

“This new Captain’s Circle level offers passengers who’ve discovered cruising with Princess a way to move up the program’s tiers at a faster rate.” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “We know Gold members are often anxious to reach the next tier, so this new level will add some benefits before they become Platinum members.”

Medallion level benefits include:

Complimentary upgrade to Platinum Princess Vacation Protection – When passengers purchase the standard Princess Vacation Protection, they will receive a complimentary upgrade to Platinum protection. Available for US and Canadian passengers, this added coverage includes double benefits for Accidents & Sickness Medical Expense and Baggage/Personal Effects coverage. In addition, the special cancellation feature increases to a 100 percent credit.

A 10% discount off the purchase of the Reflections Cruise DVD – On each cruise, onboard videographers capture live memories from the sailing, including ports of call, shore excursions, ship events, and behind-the-scenes information about the ship. Medallion members and higher can now take advantage of this new benefit to purchase the cruise souvenir at a 10 percent discount. (where available, cannot be combined with any other promotion, excluding world cruise).

Access to preferred shoreside Captain’s Circle help desk phone line – Medallion members can now enjoy an exclusive shoreside phone number for contact to the Circle Desk. Calls will be routed quickly through to the membership desk to assist with cruise history, membership status, benefits delivery or any other Captain’s Circle-related questions.

Medallion Pin – Members will receive a new two-toned burgundy and gold pin.

All Gold level benefits – Members continue to get benefits such as special cruise pricing, members-only events on board, The Princess Captain’s Circle Quarterly magazine, access to an onboard Captain’s Circle host, and other special features for members.

The Princess Captain’s Circle program offers special onboard recognition to passengers based on their number of completed cruises or days sailed – whichever is most beneficial to the passenger. Members enjoy various ongoing rewards, plus special benefits based on their level. In addition to the new Medallion level, the program includes Gold (after one Princess cruise), Platinum (after five cruises or 50 cruise days) and Elite (after 15 cruises or 150 cruise days) levels.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.

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Wyndham Rewards Loyalty Program Makes Summer Four Times More Rewarding

Summer is four times sweeter thanks to the Wyndham Rewards® hotel loyalty program which is offering travelers a chance to earn four times the rewards points when they book two or more stays online at participating Wyndham Hotel Group properties.

Vacationers and day-trippers alike will be able to redeem those extra points for free hotel nights, dining and shopping gift cards, brand name merchandise from trusted retailers, or tickets to popular shows, concerts or sporting events.

Now through September 13, 2012, Wyndham Rewards members in the U.S., Canada and Mexico can register for the promotion online at www.WyndhamRewards.com/sweet. They must then book their stays at www.WyndhamRewards.com, www.WyndhamHotelGroup.com or at any of Wyndham Hotel Group’s 14 brand sites including Wyndham® Hotels and Resorts, Ramada®, and Super 8®, to name a few. Members can book up to five stays during the promotional period and will receive bonus points starting with the second qualifying stay.

Members who choose to earn airline miles can also enjoy earning four times the rewards with any of Wyndham Rewards’ nearly 20 airline partners worldwide.

“Travelers are looking for great deals to stretch their summer vacation dollars, so we wanted to sweeten their travel experience when they booked and stayed with us,” said Robin Korman, senior vice president of Loyalty Marketing and Strategic Partnerships. “It’s not often that you see an offer this exciting that gives customers a chance to quadruple their points after only two stays and has so many options to redeem for things they really want.”

Wyndham Rewards membership is required. Enrollment is free at http://www.WyndhamRewards.com.

 About Wyndham Rewards

Wyndham Rewards, the guest loyalty program of Wyndham Hotel Group, is the world’s largest lodging loyalty program as measured by number of participating hotels and offers more than 7 million active members the chance to earn and redeem points for stays at almost 7,000 hotels in 50 countries worldwide.

In addition to free stays, members may redeem their points for hundreds of reward options, including airline travel, resort vacations, event tickets, gift certificates for leading retailers and restaurants and more. Free stays start as low as 6,000 points, while other reward options start as low as 2,200 points. Members may also choose to earn airline or rail miles with more than 20 leading carriers. For more information, visit http://www.wyndhamrewards.com. Travelodge hotels in Canada do not participate in Wyndham Rewards.

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Get $50 Gift Card with ‘Two Stays Pays’ Promotion from Choice Hotels International

Get a $50 gift card with the new Two Stays Pays promotion from Choice Hotels International. During this summer travel promotion, there’s no limit to the number of $50 gift cards you can earn. Here’s how this offer works.

Through August 15, 2012, travelers who stay two separate times at a Choice brand hotel can earn enough Choice Privileges rewards points to redeem for a $50 gift card. Put your $50 towards gas, shopping, dining out and more, and have extra funds to spend on the rest of your vacation. To be eligible for this promotion, you must be a member of the Choice Privileges rewards program. Plus, you must register at ChoiceHotels.com and make your reservation through this same website or by calling 800.4CHOICE.

The Two Stays Pays promotion goes far and wide. It’s open to U.S. and Canadian residents traveling throughout North America, Europe, Mexico, Central America, Australasia and the Caribbean. And it’s good at all 10 value-focused Choice Hotels brands – Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn – as well as at Ascend Collection member hotels.

Most Choice brand hotels add to the savings with free Wi-Fi, free breakfast and free parking. Additionally, you have the assurance of the Choice Hotels Best Internet Rate Guarantee so you know you’re getting the lowest rate for your hotel anywhere online — or get a free night on Choice.

For more information or to register for the Two Stays Pays promotion, visit ChoiceHotels.com.

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Cranwell Resort in Berkshires Partners with Stash Hotel Rewards

Cranwell Resort's historic Wyndhurst mansion, in the Berkshires (© 2011 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com).

Cranwell Resort, Spa and Golf Club announced its partnership with Stash Hotel Rewards®, an innovative hotel rewards program that enables travelers to quickly earn free nights at distinctive, independent hotels without blackouts or inflexible category restrictions. Guests of Cranwell Resort can now earn points toward free nights each time they stay at any of the more than 110 distinctive hotels in over 80 cities that participate in Stash.

Located in the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts known for its abundant cultural venues including the famed Boston Symphony’s Tanglewood Music Center and the Norman Rockwell Museum, Cranwell stands apart with it graceful, historic Gilded Age Mansion and 380 acres of surrounding panoramic views.   Visitors will now be able to experience this unique setting while earning reward points for stays at Cranwell and other one-of-a-kind, independent hotels through the U.S.

“Stash Rewards is perfect for frequent travelers who are seeking a variety of unique guest experiences at hotels and resorts like Cranwell,” said Norma Probst, Director of Marketing for Cranwell.  “Not only will our current guests who return to Cranwell year after year be rewarded for their loyalty, but Cranwell is now in a position to attract new travelers also seeking value through a rewards program.”

Guests can easily sign up for a free account at the Stash website.  Points can be earned immediately and never expire. Redemption is simple and free from rigid reward categories, and black-out dates don’t exist. Additionally, Stash partner hotels provide members with exclusive travel deals.

About Cranwell Resort, Spa & Golf Club

Cranwell is located just two and one-half hours from New York City and Boston in the historic New England village of  Lenox, Massachusetts.   This award winning resort features 96 distinctive guest rooms and suites, an 18-hole Championship golf course set on 380 hilltop acres, and is home to one of the largest resort Spas in the Northeast.  With three restaurants and spacious banquet rooms, Cranwell also hosts numerous year-round conferences, weddings and social events.   The resort is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ brand and is also a long time member of Historic Hotels of America, which preserves the authenticity of over 200 of America’s most prominent historic hotels and inns.  The resort is listed in Zagat’s “Top U.S. Hotels, Resorts & Spas” and some of their many recognitions include SpaFinder Readers’ Choice Award for one of “Best Spa Resorts for Golf” and the Wine Spectator Magazine Award for Excellence.

About Stash Hotel Rewards
Stash Hotel Rewards frees travelers from the uninspired offerings of existing hotel reward programs by making it as easy to earn free nights at an amazing hotel as it is a so-so one. Members earn 5 points per dollar spent on their hotel room, resulting in a free night in a little as 5 typical stays. And Stash points can be redeemed without blackout dates, point expirations or annoying category restrictions found in many chain programs.  The distinctive hotels that offer Stash include some of the best spas in Napa, world-class resorts in Florida, and boutique gems in New York, Seattle and Los Angeles. Many Stash partner hotels appear on the “Best Hotels” lists of the leading travel publications and the hotels receive some of the highest recommend ratings on top travel sites.  Travelers can easily sign up for a free account at the Stash website www.stashrewards.com.

Read BERKSHIRE’S CULTURE & CRANWELL RESORT’S LUXURY ARE UNBEATABLE COMBO