Black Friday and Cyber Monday Travel Deals - Discounts at Priority Club, Marriott, Starwood, Airlines and More
We're foregoing the usual Destination of the Week – especially because this Black Friday, rather than braving the hordes overrunning retailers from coast to coast, it's better to be safe and sound at home clicking away to get great savings and mileage bonuses…all without having to sleep out on the sidewalk outside your favorite store overnight!
Instead, we're taking you on a tour of some of the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals out there to earn you the most points this holiday season. Only some have been announced so far, though, so keep checking back at The Points Guy or follow me on Twitter for updates and new information on holiday sales that can earn you multiple points per dollar at retailers, and major discounts on your favorite airline or hotel brand.
4x Priority Club Points for Shopping
Priority Club Rewards (the hotel loyalty program for the IHG family of brands including InterContinental, Holiday Inn and Express, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo and others) is launching the "Cyber Monday Sales and Up to 4x the Points" offer on Monday, November 26, 2012. Members can redeem and earn points via Priority Club Shopping at over 600 retailers on the site. In reality, you can actually earn many more points per dollar than that at retailers like 1-800-Flowers.com (12 points per dollar), David Yurman (10 points per dollar on jewelry), Murad skincare products (10 points) and Shoebuy.com and Shoes.com where you'll earn 10 points per dollar).
Cyber Monday means you'll also be getting deeper discounts than normal – I've seen up to 40% so far on certain items– as well as free shipping on many items, so you're not only earning more points, but you're also saving money as well.
The Holiday Inn Resort brand has also launched the "Winter Break, Free Night to Take" offer starting today, November 23, 2012, where U.S. residents who book a two-night consecutive stay at any Holiday Inn Resort location in the U.S., Caribbean or Mexico through Feb. 28, 2013 will receive a free night to use on a future stay. It's a stay-two-get-one-free promo. Plus, if guests choose to redeem for a trip to the Holiday Inn Waikiki Beachcomber Resort – one of the brand's most popular properties – they will receive an additional bonus free night. Just be sure to register for the offer before booking any stays, and check out the list of participating properties here.
Up to 25% Off at Starwood Hotels
I wrote about this promo on Monday, but Starwood is offering Cyber Monday savings of up to 25% (though I found discounts as much as 33% based on a quick search) at North America and Latin America properties for reservations made now through November 30, 2012, for stays between November 21, 2012 – March 31, 2013. Use the promo code CYBRLT when booking.
SPG has also told its members to check back on Cyber Monday, November 26, for access to special "WOW" packages at 35 hotels and resorts in dream destinations, and you can also find deals at individual properties like the Westin Playa Bonita in Panama, which is offering a buy-two-nights-get-two free special in December when you book with the promo code CYBERMON.
As a reminder, Starwood is also offering a 40% discount on every second night at participating properties in North and South America. Reservations have to be booked through Starwood and the discount varies by hotel and is based on the best available, non-restricted rate. This could be a good way to save some money as you squeeze in a few last stays towards 2013 elite credit. Use the promo code ZB4 when you book online.
Cathay Pacific Black Friday Sale
Cathay Pacific has announced it's first-ever Black Friday sale. The promo kicked off at midnight last night (November 23) and will last through Monday, November 27, 2012. Customers will save up to 15% on flights for Chinese New Year during the month of February. Thirty of the customers who book tickets online will be entered into a prize drawing to take place on December 12, 2012. A quick search of February ticket prices reveal economy fares as low as about $1,000 – so with this sale, that would be down to about $850. You can access the sale here. No camping out in line required. 30 lucky customers will also win a special, yet-to-be-announced prize.
Up to 2,000 American Miles
Now through December 17, 2012, for every $250 you spend at one of the online merchants on American Airlines' AAdvantage Eshopping, you'll earn an additional 500 Aadvantage miles up to a maximum of 2,000 AAdvantage miles. It's a nice way to earn yourself some extra bonus miles while getting presents for your loved ones.
15% off on Orbitz
When you book by November 26, 2012, for travel by January 5, 2013, Orbitz is offering a 15% instant discount off hotel stays when you use the promo code: HOLIDAY15. Save 15% on hotel stays. There is a limit one discount per hotel room and one promotion code per booking. The discount may not be used toward the booking of a vacation package and cannot be combined with other offers.
30% off Kimpton Weekend Stays
On Cyber Monday only, you can book weekend stays at Kimpton properties for 30% off with the chain's InTouch promo. The offer is valid for Thursday-Sunday stays from November 26-December 30, 2012 at participating properties in North America, and the offer must be booked by midnight on November 26, 2012, with the rate code CYBER – though just check the availability calendars at participating properties, which are linked to through the promo landing page and pick the days that work for you. Rates are prepaid and non-refundable, so be sure your plans are set before booking, and unfortunately, the New York City properties aren't part of the deal, so check their individual websites for any possible promotions.
Hilton Discounts
Hilton is a bit of a mishmash, with individual properties and markets offering their own discounts. While more should come online in the next few days, right now, two of the most interesting are Hilton Cyber Monday at New York City properties where you can save up to $170 per night at the chain's top-tier New York hotels including the Waldorf Astoria. The special Cyber Monday rates are available all week long from November 26 -30, 2012, at the Hilton New York, Waldorf Towers, and Waldorf Astoria New York.
You can also find deals at individual properties like 30% off the British Colonial Hilton Nassau in the Bahamas for stays booked November 23-26, 2012, and completed December 16, 2012, through November 1, 2013. Full non-refundable prepayment required at time of booking.
2,000 Bonus Amtrak Points With Samsonite Purchases
In the market for some new luggage? From now through November 30, 2012, you can earn 2,000 Amtrak Guest Rewards points on all Samsonite purchases over $100 through the Amtrak Guest Rewards shopping portal. Just use the promo code AMTRAK20 when checking out.
Win a $2,500Four Seasons Gift Card
Visit this page between 7:00 am and 11:50 pm EST on Friday, November 23, 2012, and you can enter to win a $2,500 Four Seasons gift card. Though the entry page is meant to get you to buy Four Seasons gift cards and then enter to win, no purchase is actually necessary. The drawing is open to residents of the 50 United States and Canada (excluding Quebec). The winner will be announced on Cyber Monday, so be sure to check your email!
Double and Triple Virgin Atlantic Miles
Now through December 16, 2012, you can earn double miles shopping through Virgin Atlantic's ShopsAway portal, but on Black Friday (November 23) and Cyber Monday (November 26), you can earn triple points on purchases. Plus, if you have the Virgin Atlantic Amex from Bank of America, you can earn an additional 1.5 miles per dollar spent.
Marriott seems to be a grab bag of properties offering individual sales such as the Aruba Marriott's discount on travel next spring through fall. The deal is valid for travel from April 22, 2013 – November 21, 2013. Rates start at $379 per night. To book, visit them online and enter promotional code D52. Or the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott, Florida where you can get up to 50% off using the promo code W39 for room reservations November 26, 2012-January 6, 2013, and August 1-September 1, 2013.
Stay Tuned
While many of the deals so far tend to be through the airlines' and hotels' online shopping portals, I'm going to keep an eye out over the weekend and on Monday because if last year was any indication, airlines and hotels plan to launch a whole series of new special offers on Cyber Monday. Last year's Cyber Monday offers included discounts on winter flights from American, Southwest, Alaska, US Airways and Virgin America, among others. If you've bought tickets on airlines like Southwest that don't charge a cancellation or change fee (or even some legacy carriers and the amount of the change fee), it's worth checking prices since some will let you cancel and rebook a ticket at no cost while on others that charge a change fee, the difference between the cost of your old ticket and a new one at the lower price will be substantial enough to warrant a cancellation and rebooking.
Travelocity offered savings of up to 50% during two one-day sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday that included deals like third-night-free, room discounts and airfare. Those were available at Travelocity.com/blackfriday and Travelocity.com/cybermonday.
Jetsetter offered deals and hourly giveaways at discounts of up to 50% last Cyber Monday with flash sales taking place on the hour throughout the day. The deals ranged from tropical getaways to Vegas weekends to suite upgrades at city hotels, so you just have to take what you find, but this is a good way to get even better rates on already discounted stays at the high-end hotels this site features. Nothing is live yet at the moment, but last year, the deals were available at http://www.jetsetter.com/cybermonday.
[card card-name='Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card' card-id='22125056' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.