Greetings!
Spring is a fabulous time to visit Europe. April and May are very popular as the weather is warm and not too hot and the hoards of tourists have not arrived yet. Marriott has added some hotel options in Europe which will make it easier to use those Rewards points you have been earning. Flights are just opening up now for Spring 2012 and award seats can be found using points/miles. If you are thinking of taking a "virtually-free" trip using your rewards points for airlines and hotel stays, this is the time to start planning. This year, we have arranged trips for over 80 clients to Europe saving them money by utilizing their points/miles. |
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Marriott Announces New Hotels
in Europe
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Italy is one of my favorite countries in the world. I love the people, the food, the wine and the old world charm of the cities and small towns. Hotels can be quite expensive in Italy and there have been few options to use Marriott Rewards points other than in Rome, Naples and Milan. Finally, we are seeing some additional hotels available to reward members in this wonderful country.
Renaissance Hotels announced a new resort, the historic Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa in Barga, Italy. Opening in the summer of 2012, following a total renovation, this hotel is located 25 minutes from Lucca in the northern region of Tuscany, approximately 100 km NW of Florence.
Marriott has also announced a partnership with AC Hotels. This will add 80 hotels in Italy, Spain and Portugal that can be booked using Marriott Rewards points beginning in late 2011. Unfortunately, these contemporary, 4 star hotels appear to be outside of the cities' main tourist areas and focused on the business traveler.
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Provence River Cruise
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 Is it time to visit Paris again? Or taste the wines of Southern France? Join us on an AMA Waterways River Cruise May 17-24, 2012. Use your Marriott Rewards points to fly to Europe in Business Class comfort and stay at your choice of several luxurious Marriott hotels in Paris. Enjoy a 7-day leisurely cruise through France's legendary wine growing regions, taste wines at local vintners and stroll through medieval villages. Post-cruise, experience the French Riviera and stay at one of 3 Marriott hotels in the region or continue the tour with AMA Waterways to Barcelona.
I am hosting a group of Marriott owners and their friends on what promises to be a trip of a lifetime. We have just a few cabins remaining in our allotment, so contact us if you have interest in joining us. |
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Start spending your miles and
AMEX points
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You all know it is difficult to use frequent flyer miles. Well, I predict it is going to get even harder for some airlines. United and Con tinental continue to move forward on their merger. If it turns out anything like it did when Delta and Northwest merged, award seats will become more difficult to obtain especially at lower mileage levels. As the airlines reduce flights, the number of available seats reduce in proportion. To compound the problem, American Express points can no longer be transferred to Continental as of Sept, 2011, which cuts out a large Star Alliance partner. I book the majority of my clients on Star Alliance flights, which include United, Continental, US Airways and Lufthansa, just to name a few. If you have been thinking about taking an overseas trip in the near future, I would make 2012 the year to do it. |
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I hope you found this newsletter valuable. If you would like us to create your dream trip to Europe or anywhere else in the world, maximizing your available credit card points, hotel points or frequent flyer miles, please contact us to set up a consultation appointment. Pam Keystone  The Art of Vacationing Office: (480) 629-5559 Cell: (480) 363-2875 Fax: (602) 467-3181 Pam@TheArtofVacationing.com www.TheArtofVacationing.com "Ownership Simplified"
The Art of Vacationing is not affiliated with or endorsed by Marriott Vacation ClubŪ.
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| The Art of Vacationing is on facebook. I will be posting useful tips, ideas, need-to- know news and updates of my travels to this page on a regular basis.
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By June 30th
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Still thinking about enrolling in Marriott's Destinations Club program? If so, then do it by June 30th. The price is still $595 for 1 week of ownership and $695 for 2 or more weeks. You will also be provided with 800 Bonus Club points to use in the next 12 months.
After June 30th, we do not know what the pricing will be and if you will still be offered the 800 bonus points.
If you need help deciding if you should enroll, contact us for a consultation (free for our Platinum Members).
If you are enrolled in the Club points program then you must bank any unused 2011 Club points into 2012 by June 30th. Once you bank your points into 2012, you can not use these points in 2011.
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| If you find these newsletters valuable, then think of all the other Marriott owners you know who would also benefit from reading them. Please forward this to your friends and family that own with Marriott so they too can MAXIMIZE THEIR OWNERSHIP.
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