Travel + Leisure’s future includes a booking platform and subscription service
On Wednesday, Wyndham Destinations officially became Travel + Leisure Co., a membership and leisure travel company, after acquiring Travel + Leisure magazine last month.
Travel + Leisure Co. will maintain its portfolio of nearly 20 brands — including vacation ownership resorts under the Wyndham Destinations umbrella — and has appointed Noah Brodsky (whose resume includes such travel industry behemoths as Sheraton, Four Seasons and, most recently, Wyndham Hotels) to oversee its Travel + Leisure Group as president and chief brand officer.
If you already feel like you're in a travel-themed nesting doll, here's how it breaks down:
Travel + Leisure Co., formerly Wyndham Destinations, includes Wyndham Destinations and its 230 vacation club resorts around the world; the vacation exchange company RCI; and the new Travel + Leisure Group, among others.
The Travel + Leisure Group is a collection of branded products and services (such as a new booking platform and a forthcoming subscription travel club) "inspired by online and print travel content" from Travel + Leisure.
Travel + Leisure is a travel and lifestyle brand with a magazine, website, social media platforms and more — plus, full disclosure, my former employer.
Got it? Good.
New travel services
Travel + Leisure Group made its debut with announcements about two new branded products: The first iteration of a booking platform and an early look at a Travel + Leisure subscription travel club expected to launch this summer.
BookTandL.com
Today, the Travel + Leisure Group launched the first iteration of BookTandL.com, an online booking platform where travelers can research, plan and book trips.
Brodsky, who told TPG during a Zoom interview that he grew up reading Travel + Leisure magazine, said: "The first step" for the group is "connecting its really iconic magazine with a more direct way to book" the experiences you'd see in print and online.
At BookTandL.com, you can reserve a hotel, flight, rental car or activity (think: a Central Park bike rental; a Universal Orlando park pass), or you can peruse content pulled directly from the Travel + Leisure website.
It's powered by what Brodsky calls a "secret sauce" of proprietary technology from RCI's acquisition of Alliance Reservations Network (ARN) in 2019, direct and indirect supplier relationships and, of course, T+L content.
Subscription travel club
This summer, the Travel + Leisure Group will launch a subscription travel club for $10 a month, where travelers can get access to exclusive experiences or special perks and amenities. You can have the kind of dream trip you read about in an issue of Travel + Leisure, but with added benefits, Brodsky explained.
So, for example, subscribers might get VIP reservations at an editor-picked seaside restaurant from a feature about Greece. There might be a private tour, or a spa credit or welcome toast at a hotel plucked straight from the magazine's glossy pages. The subscription will also include discounted rates at BookTandL.com.
Brodsky says the forthcoming travel club will be both "exclusive" and "really accessible."
"We're certainly seeing a resurgence in travel subscriptions," he explained, saying travelers will get "a sense of belonging and a sense of access that can't be experienced in quite the same way without [the club]" whether they pay $10 or thousands — like you might for the all-you-book Inspirato Pass.
"Luxury," he added, "doesn't have to be about the price point."
Brodsky thinks younger travelers will see luxury as having a local, authentic experience. "That is one of the things T+L does so well in the stories they tell. [They] give you the sense that you're really there," he said, not talking or dreaming about a place but really experiencing it like a local. And that, he said, is something you can get at any price.
And for those of you who are wondering, Brodsky says allowing the writers and editors at Travel + Leisure to maintain editorial independence was one of "the most important parts of [the] deal."
"We have no say [in] what they write or what goes into the magazine," Brodsky said. Instead, the team will look to the content that's written for inspiration — much like the brand's readers do today.
The media company Meredith Corp. will continue to publish Travel + Leisure magazine under a 30-year licensing agreement.
Bottom line
Both BookTandL.com and the upcoming subscription club are arriving at a moment when Brodsky says "people want to be inspired by travel more than ever before."
"Travel is, by its very nature, a luxury. We are privileged that we all get to travel and go out and see other places in the world, and that we have the resources and ability [to do so]."
"I certainly think this lockdown has reminded us all not to take travel for granted, [and] as we come out of this it's going to be more important than ever to make every trip count."
Every trip, he said, should be a trip of a lifetime.
Feature photo by Melanie Lieberman / The Points Guy.
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| 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
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- 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.