How boutique hotels and bagel-making classes can help you earn rewards with Booking.com
Social media icon Brooklyn Peltz Beckham, a photographer and chef who also happens to be the son of a Spice Girl and one of the world's most famous soccer players (you know, Victoria and David Beckham), wants you to take a trip to New York City.
"I think New York's one of the most gorgeous places," Beckham, who once called NYC home, told TPG, adding that he's also a big fan of the city's most famous foods. "I'm a big pizza lover. I'm a big bagel lover."
On a recent trip to NYC, Beckham teamed up with Booking.com to record a tongue-in-cheek commercial about the company's loyalty program, Genius. In the commercial, the star pokes fun at himself and his various "professional" careers, starting the video by hyping himself up — "You're a great chef. A great photographer." — before being asked, "So, you're a professional traveler now?"
"I'm quite a genius," he says in the commercial before comically delving into the benefits of booking a trip through Booking.com and the perks that come with the Genius program and its three loyalty levels.
"Once you've completed the required number of bookings and unlocked a new level, it's basically yours to keep for life," Beckham explained to TPG. "I'm obviously Level 3 Genius. So, you know, I got a free breakfast, I got a free room upgrade and 20% off The Dominick Hotel [in New York City.]"
Like most loyalty programs, Genius is a free program with multiple tiers, called levels, that members work their way up through to unlock rewards and perks. You can earn Level 1 perks, like a 10% discount on select stays and rental cars, simply by signing up. After completing five bookings within two years, you'll earn free breakfast and room upgrades on select stays, plus bigger discounts. After completing 15 bookings, Level 3 members earn 10% to 20% discounts at participating hotels, priority support, free breakfast and room upgrades on select stays and 10% discounts on select car rentals.
Related: Getting started with points, miles and credit cards to travel
"While many loyalty programs can be confusing and limiting, simplicity is key to Booking.com’s Genius loyalty program," Ben Harrell, managing director, U.S., at Booking.com, told TPG. "Genius members don’t have to track and redeem points with unclear value or worry about being downgraded each year. And unlike many other loyalty programs, where status has to be maintained annually, members of the Genius program enjoy lifetime access to exclusive travel rewards across the world."
And while TPG recommends booking a hotel stay directly through a brand's loyalty program (i.e., booking a Marriott property through Marriott Bonvoy), there are certainly times when programs like Genius make sense, such as booking boutique hotels without loyalty programs at a discount, like Beckham did at The Dominick Hotel in New York.
You might also be surprised to learn that you can book activities, tours and experiences through Booking.com — and those activity bookings count toward progress in the Genius program.
"There [are] so many attractions," Beckham said about Booking.com, including an activity he participated in: learning the art of bagel-making. "The whole process was amazing," Beckham said of learning how to make bagels from scratch from folks who have been doing it in New York for generations. "Just the way that they do it and how perfect and precise they make these bagels is absolutely amazing to see."
People are turning to loyalty programs to save
According to a recent Booking.com survey, 70% of American travelers now pay more attention to travel discounts offered through loyalty programs to save as much money as possible. A different survey commissioned by Booking.com showed that 54% of Americans plan to participate in a travel reward or loyalty program in 2024.
With that in mind, people should remember that different loyalty programs fit different needs; for some travelers, having instant savings is the key, while others might want a loyalty program that comes with rewards for booking more than just flights or hotels.
"One common misconception is that if you book through an OTA (online travel agency), you won’t receive perks," Harrell said. "The Genius program offers great perks like free breakfast, free room upgrades, plus discounts on places to stay and rental cars."
Just so you know, booking through an OTA like Booking.com often means you won't receive credit with a loyalty program affiliated with that particular hotel, like an elite night credit in Hilton Honors or World of Hyatt points. You also will likely not receive elite benefits from other rewards programs if you have them.
But for people who don't necessarily stay at enough hotels each year to work their way up the loyalty ladder with one specific program, the occasional reward through a program like Genius can be a great benefit. Personally, I just used Booking.com and my Genius account to book a boutique hotel stay in Tokyo at a cheaper rate than booking directly.
So whether you're a "professional traveler" like Beckham heading to NYC and want to learn how to make bagels, or someone who travels occasionally and is looking for ways to save, enrolling in Genius is a great idea. And, best of all, once you move up a tier, it's yours for life.
And if you do happen to make it to New York City, Beckham wants you to remember that while Manhattan's great, his favorite place in the city is the borough he shares a name with: Brooklyn.
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. (Partner offer)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. (Partner offer)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.