Stephen's Latest Posts

Perhaps the best-kept secret of the luxury hotel world is Marriott Bonvoy’s The Luxury Collection, which often represents an incredible use of Marriott Bonvoy points. One of Marriott Bonvoy’s luxury brands, this brand’s history traces back all the way to…

Hyatt is one of the world’s most recognizable hotel companies. Headquartered in Chicago, this behemoth hospitality company has grown tremendously in the past few years, thanks to some incredible acquisitions and key business moves. Today, its World of Hyatt program…

Marriott STARS and Marriott Luminous are the 2 benefits programs available to travel advisors and agencies and offer special perks to those who book through them. Similar to Hyatt Privé, Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Hilton Impresario, and Virtuoso, Marriott STARS…

For busy travelers, airport lounge access can make the difference between a relaxing journey and a stressful ordeal. Luckily, Aspire Lounge offers a respectable space for travelers and guests to relax and unwind. Aspire Lounges enable you to avoid crowded…

TD Bank is an American national bank that also happens to be a subsidiary of a Canadian institution called Toronto-Dominion Bank. This full-service institution offers various personal, business, commercial, and wealth management products, but it’s probably most well-known for its…

City National Bank (CNB) is a full-service bank headquartered in sunny Los Angeles. It’s one of the largest banks in the U.S., but it’s also actually a subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada (based in Toronto)! It has a reputation…

Hilton’s hotel loyalty program is called Hilton Honors. With a rich history dating back to 1987 and a gigantic portfolio of brands and hotels, chances are you’ll eventually encounter Hilton in your travel planning, even if you don’t currently seek…

USAA is most famous for offering military members and their family members state-of-the-art financial products and services. Oddly enough, however, USAA actually stands for United Services Automobile Association, which is somewhat of a misnomer (you might think this was some…

Mexico is world-famous for being a colorful country with various landscapes, an incredible culture, delicious food, and impeccable beverages! Whether you’re into beachside party culture, underwater adventures, natural exploration, or historical museums, Mexico has what you’ll like. As one of…

If you’re running a veterinary practice, clinic, or hospital, the last thing you probably want to do is get bogged down in managing your expenses. At the same time, you want to do everything you can to maximize the value…

Some hotels are lifestyle-focused, and others might brand themselves as amenities-focused, but not Le Méridien! Le Méridien is a design-forward international hotel brand fixated on creating a glamorous travel experience. And while it isn’t usually talked about in the world…

EDITION Hotels is one of the most eye-catching lifestyle hotel brands in the world. Masterminded by Ian Schrager, a world-renowned hotelier whose groundbreaking design concepts have been credited for literally creating the concept of a “boutique hotel,” these properties are…

Truist Financial is a massive financial services company spanning 16 states (including Washington, D.C.) with more than 2,000 branches dotted around the U.S. The company is the result of a 2019 merger between SunTrust Bank and BB&T. In this guide,…

Westin is an internationally-known hotel brand. Its origins can be traced all the way back to 1930 in Seattle when Severt W. Thurston and Frank Dupar decided to join forces with Peter and Adolph Schmidt to establish Western Hotels. The…

Some of the biggest benefits of being an independent contractor include being your own boss, setting your own schedule, building a business from the ground up, and even a higher earning potential in some cases. Another benefit: the ability to…

Finding cheap flights is the ultimate goal of travel. One of the most prohibitive reasons against traveling is finances. For the newbie, travel is expensive. The average domestic plane ticket is around $328, while an international plane ticket can be…

When you’re traveling, airport lounges are a welcome benefit over the alternative — waiting at the gate of a crowded terminal. One of the ways to access some of the best airport lounges in the world is by flying first…

As one of the most eye-catching hotel brands in the world, W Hotels redefines lifestyle luxury in almost every sense. Catering towards the young professional more than the traveling family, W Hotels showcases gaudy décor, true luxury accommodations, and most…

JW Marriott is one of the most tasteful sets of hotels in the world. With a diversified list of properties, it has never been easier to enjoy top-notch luxury with the level of consistency that JW Marriott promises. This brand…

Adding someone you know as an authorized user can be one of the best things that can happen to them financially. Between the ability to pass on positive credit history, massively boost credit scores, accumulate points for someone else’s spending,…

In the U.S., there are thousands of department stores. Even though that number is decreasing every year with the advent of e-commerce, department stores are one of the main ways consumers can physically walk into a store to try on…