Thursday Giveaway: $1,000 in Orbucks + Free Flights and the Winners of 18,000 Avios
Last week Orbitz announced the launch of its new loyalty program, Orbitz Rewards creating a welcome addition to the travel-booking sphere that should help consumers earn even more value back on their travel spending.
Members of Orbitz Rewards will earn "Orbucks" based on the kind of travel they purchase. Flight bookings earn 1% of the cost and hotel bookings will earn up to 5% of the amount paid. The program also includes a Refer-A-Friend feature that gives members who refer friends and family as well as the person they refer $25 credit.
On the heels of the program announcement I wanted to incorporate Orbitz into this week's giveaway and award two winners with $1,000 in Orbucks and a round trip coach class flight voucher to Mexico/Caribbean ($700 in value) each. Since Orbucks can only be redeemed for eligible hotel bookings, the $700 flight voucher will allow the winners to book an entire vacation.
In order to qualify for this contest you must sign up to be an Orbitz Rewards member. You can enter in one of two ways. One winner will be chosen through each entry method:
1) Comment on this post and tell us how you would maximize this prize, telling us the price of the vacation you would take, where you would go and why.
2) Post a photo on Instagram and follow @thepointsguy of the destination where you would go using this prize with a caption telling us why you want to go there and with whom. Use the hashtag #TPGOrbucks in your post.
You can submit one entry via each method and you can only win one of the prize packages. If you enter the contest on Instagram make sure to use the #TPGOrbucks and also follow @thepointsguy, or else your submission will not be valid. You must enter by 5PM Eastern Time on Monday, November 4, and we'll announce the winners (who will be chosen at random) next week. Good luck!
The Winners of Last Week's 18,000 Avios Giveaway Are...
Last week I decided to award two lucky winners with 9,000 British Airways Avios because that's the number you'd need for a short-haul roundtrip economy award thanks to BA's distance-based awards formula. To enter you had to either leave a comment on the post with a great British Airways redemption for 9,000 Avios or leave a comment on my Facebook wall with the same information.
The following winner was chosen at random from over 300 comments that were left on the giveaway post:
JMS
"We are heading to London on Avios for Thanksgiving to visit family (I waited as long as I could for an Amex transfer bonus, but unfortunately booked before the 20% bonus offer began). Thanks to your advice, we're flying on Aer Lingus and airberlin to avoid the huge BA and AA airport taxes into London. Now I need to get from Dublin to London (4,500 Avios) and London to Dusseldorf (4,500 Avios). Would love to have 9,000 Avios :-)"
I'm sorry you weren't able to take advantage of a transfer bonus, but I'm glad these Avios will help you get around Europe!
Our random Facebook winner snuck in her comment on Monday afternoon just under the deadline:
Elyse Kelly
"I'd use the 9k Avios for a roundtrip flight from MIA-PLS (Turks and Caicos!!) for a little getaway over the long weekend for Valentine's/President's Day Weekend. The cheapest flight right now from Fri-Mon is $556 so I think it's a GREAT deal! Just look at that view…"
I'd have to agree with you Elyse, that view is very enticing and I wouldn't mind being on one of those lounge chair right now.
Congratulations to the two of you, I hope you can put these Avios to use very soon and we will be in touch shortly to get everything squared away. Thanks to all who participated and be sure to enter this week's comments for another chance to win!
[card card-name='Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card' card-id='22125056' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.