Travel isn't cheap and we are not rich.

One big way we have learned to save money is through the loyalty programs that all airlines and hotels offer. In this series of posts, I'll go over the different loyalty programs that we use, why and how we've benefited from them.

Instead of jumping around and trying to use every program out there, we have focused on one budget option and one “business’ option. By focusing this way we can leverage our loyalty and find the best deals.

We are able to use one loyalty account for all travel and I tend to book travel for us so to pool the points into one account. Using the points like this is the preferred way for family trips but if someone needs to use points for a personal trip we don’t have to fight over them.

We use 4 loyalty programs, 2 airlines programs and 2 hotel from major hotel chains.

While are in no way experts on these programs but this is what we have learned from utilizing them over the years and hopefully what we do know will be helpful for those of you out there who are learning just like we did.

Sonesta is the 7th largest hotel company in the world and not many people know about them.

Sonesta has been around for several years but really beefed up their portfolio during the pandemic. Several old IHG/HILTON/MARRIOTT properties were transferred over when contracts for corporate managed hotels were terminated. These properties offer the same great amenities as before but the name on the building has changed.

Currently Sonesta boasts seven different brands that are broken into 3 distinct categories:

We tend to utilize Sonesta when we cannot find a Marriott within budget or the area, we need to be in, and tend to gravitate towards Sonesta Select and Sonesta ES Suites when we travel.

The loyalty program Travel Pass has just gone through a major revamp. Now boasting 4 brands the benefits of the program start at enrollment. This is one of the only loyalty programs that will do this.

As you move up in status your perks are increased and include complimentary breakfast, late check out, early check in, and free parking. For now points can only be used to redeem for a free night but the starting amount can be as low 10,000 points.

These are just our favorites and are our opinions only. No matter which loyalty program you choose our recommendation is to join one that fits you! You want to be able to earn points and use that to help you travel.