Viking Cruises Announces 136-Day World Cruise To 56 ports, Starting At $50,000

While coroanvirus continues to spread around the globe and cruising remains at a standstill in many areas of the world including the United States, Viking Cruises is looking to the future. 

The cruise line, which provides river, ocean and expedition journeys, announced a 136-day cruise aboard the Viking Star to visit 27 different countries with stops at 56 ports on Wednesday.

“This has been an unusual year for all travelers, but we remain focused on the future and are pleased to offer our guests a new destination-focused World Cruise that allows for extensive exploration in 2021-2022,"  said Torstein Hagen, the cruise line's chairman, in a statement.

The journey is scheduled to begin from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Dec. 24, 2021, though passengers have the option to embark in Los Angeles on Jan. 10, 2022, for a 119-day journey to 22 countries and 49 ports.

The ship, which can carry 930 passengers, will head to Central America and transit the Panama Canal before traveling up North America's West Coast. It will then cross the Pacific Ocean and stop in Hawaii, New Zealand and Australia before sailing through Asia, the Middle East and the Mediterranean and ending in London, according to a release on the cruise line's website.

Some prospective passengers might experience a bit of sticker shock. The 136-day world cruise starts at $49,995 per person; those who opt to board in L.A. for the 119-day leg will see prices starting at $45,995. But both itineraries include business class international airfare to and from the ship, gratuities and service fees, visas, a beverage package and free luggage shipping. 

Those who book by Sept. 30 can get $2,000 toward shore excursions and $1,000 in onboard credit.

Source: www.ustoday.com 

Bali Island Begins To Reopen After 3-Month Virus Lock-Down

DENPASAR, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s resort island of Bali partially reopened after a three-month virus lock down Thursday, allowing local people and stranded foreign tourists to resume public activities before overseas arrivals resume in September.

Normally bustling beaches and streets on the idyllic Southeast Asian island emptied in early April except for special patrols to ensure health protocols were observed. Authorities restricted public activities, closed the airport and shuttered all shops, bars, sit-down restaurants, public swimming pools and many other places on the island that’s home to more than 4 million people.

The local government began lifting the limits Thursday, but tourists will face stringent rules in hotels, restaurants and on beaches, Bali Gov. I Wayan Koster said.

Koster told a news conference that the island will gradually reopen shuttered places to locals and stranded foreigners. Bali will open to Indonesians from other parts of the country on July 31 and new foreign arrivals on Sept. 11.

The government established guidelines for reopening tourist spots and may close certain areas again if infections spike, he said.

“The pandemic has hit tourism sector so badly while there is no certainty when it will end,” Koster said. “We have to revive economic activity to prevent Bali from new social problems due to increasing economic pressures.”

Tourism is the main source of income for the island that is mainly Hindu in the mostly Muslim archipelago nation.

The famed white-sand beaches and popular shopping areas on the “island of the gods” were deserted almost two decades ago when visitors were scared off by terrorism. The dark cloud of the suicide bombings that killed 202 mostly foreign tourists in 2002 lingered for years, but the island has worked to overcome that image.

More than 5 million foreigners arrived in Bali each year prior to the pandemic, which caused the numbers to dive.

Bali’s immigration office data showed the local government has granted automatic visa extensions to more than 7,000 stranded tourists in Bali. Nearly 16,000 others hold temporary residence permits and about 1,300 live as permanent residents.

The data show the occupancy rate at Bali’s starred hotels plunged to 2.07% in May from 62.5% in December.

Businessman Gede Wirata, who runs hotels, restaurants, clubs and a cruise ship with about 4,000 employees, said he managed to save his staff from layoffs despite having suffered a loss of 500 billion rupiah ($35 million) because of travel restrictions.

“This outbreak has hammered the local economy,” he said. “We have to move on but be safe by observing health protocols to protect Bali from the second wave of coronavirus spread.”

Bali has recorded more than 1,900 cases of COVID-19, including 25 deaths. Indonesia has confirmed more than 68,000 cases and 3,359 fatalities, the most in Southeast Asia.

By FIRDIA LISNAWATI

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Associated Press writer Niniek Karmini in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report.

Travel + Leisure Readers Give San Miguel De Allende A Reason To Celebrate

 

‘The Heart of Mexico’ on track for a July 15 reopening under strict local health guidelines

San Miguel de Allende, located in the state of Guanajuato, ranks in Travel + Leisure magazine’s 2020 World’s Best Awards as the second Best City in the World, this is the fourth year in a row that the city has placed in the list. The city also placed in the second spot in the Best City in Mexico for the fifth year as announced by the publication this morning. The annual awards honor the top travel destinations and companies around the globe, as rated by readers. In addition, three local accommodations properties find their place in the Top 5 City Hotels in Mexico — Hotel Amparo (1), Hotel Matilda (3),  Rosewood San Miguel de Allende (4)— were named top hotels in Mexico, with the latter also ranking in the top hotels worldwide list. Hotel Amparo also comes in at the second spot in the Top Hotels in the World list.

“Our annual inclusion in a list as respected as the Travel + Leisure World’s Best is of great importance to us in San Miguel de Allende,” said San Miguel de Allende Mayor Luis Alberto Villarreal Garcia. “It’s a recognition of great past experiences in our town, and we take our place on the world’s stage seriously.

“These past few months have tested our commitment to the health and safety of our residents and guests, and we are proud to have taken an exemplary leadership, not only in Mexico, but as an international destination,” he added. “Today, the results are there and, although we remain conscious in our reopening, we are confident in our work.”

“As we look forward to renewing San Miguel de Allende to the needs of today’s travelers, we are eager to show angles of the destination that some may not have experienced before,” said Laura Torres-Septien, President of the San Miguel de Allende Tourism Board. “People know us for our architecture and romantic escapes, but we have multiple outdoor activities, from hot-air balloon rides and open eatery food tours to visits to our wine country and thermal water parks”.

“One of my favorite things to do in SMA is dining al fresco in one of our many outdoor patios or rooftops — ideal for the new normal,” she added.

Guanajuato’s governor, Diego Sinhue Rodríguez Vallejo, affirmed that “for the state of Guanajuato it is exciting that San Miguel de Allende continues to be a benchmark as a worldwide tourist destination, where our cultural heritage, extraordinary gastronomy and hotels are managed in a sustainable manner. The quality of its tourist services and the warmth of its inhabitants stand out in the world. The efforts and commitment by all, make the work done through this noble economic activity the greatness of Mexico”.

Arguably Mexico’s most well-known colonial destination, San Miguel de Allende is a UNESCO World Heritage city and one of a select few cities worldwide to be so honored for multiple years running in the T+L World’s Best Awards. The city’s central location and rich history — as well as its culture, gastronomy, art and people — are a part of what contributes to its nickname as ‘The Heart of Mexico.’ San Miguel de Allende is home to more than 80 hotels, including 30 boutique properties, two hotels approved by the Virtuoso network of travel advisors and two Design Hotels properties. The city also boasts 70 restaurants, three golf courses and dozens of spas and art galleries. San Miguel de Allende is truly a cultural destination, with something to offer for everyone.

San Miguel de Allende has been closed to non-residents since March as the entire city went under quarantine. However, on June 27 Mayor Villarreal Garcia announced that hotels could start accepting bookings for July 15 arrivals.

San Miguel de Allende was endorsed with the World Travel & Tourism Council's (WTTC) "Safe Travels" seal of approval recognizing the implementation of global standardized health and hygiene protocols in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The international seal augments San Miguel de Allende’s own municipal “Health First” certification and reaffirms its place as a leading destination.

Premium Passports Lose Their Shine In A Post-Pandemic World

As parts of the globe cautiously begin to open up, the focus is on what travel freedom and global mobility will look like in a post–Covid-19 world. Last week the EU released a list of countries whose residents would be allowed entry into the bloc from 1 July based on coronavirus-related health and safety criteria. Included on the welcome list are countries such as Australia, Canada, Japan, and South Korea that traditionally score highly on the Henley Passport Index — the original ranking of all the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. However, in a move perceived as a stinging rebuke for its poor handling of the pandemic, the US was notably excluded from the list, as were Brazil and Russia.

Although not reflected in the latest ranking, which does not take temporary travel bans into account, it is eye-opening to consider what travel freedom currently looks like for the holders of once-prestigious passports. For instance, before Covid-19 the US passport usually ranked within the top 10 on the Henley Passport Index in 6^th or 7^th place, with its citizens able to access 185 destinations around the world without requiring a visa in advance. However, under the current EU ban, the picture looks starkly different. US nationals now have roughly the same level of travel freedom as citizens of Uruguay (included on the EU’s list of welcome countries), which ranks 28^th on the index, with a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of 153. In another striking inversion, the US’s dramatic decline in passport power means that Americans find themselves with a similar level of travel freedom usually available to citizens of Mexico (25^th on the index, with a score of 159), current travel bans notwithstanding, albeit temporarily.

This is one of many extraordinary shifts in passport power caused by the temporary pandemic-related bans. Brazilian passport holders, for example, find their passport strength greatly diminished. The country usually ranks highly on the index ¾ most recently placed 19^th, with a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of 170 ¾ but the loss of access to the EU means Brazilians currently have roughly the same extent of travel freedom as citizens of Paraguay (36^th on the index, with a score of 142).

Without taking the various travel bans and restrictions into account, Japan continues to hold the number one spot on the Henley Passport Index with a score of 191. Singapore remains in 2^nd place with a score of 190, while Germany and South Korea are in joint-3^rd place, each with a score of 189. Both Japan and South Korea have been included on the EU’s list of ‘safe’ countries, while Singapore has been excluded, which means Singaporean passport holders currently have far less travel freedom than their closest competitors on the index, which is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). 

Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of investment migration firm Henley & Partners and the inventor of the passport index concept, says the EU’s recent decision will have far reaching effects. “As we have already seen, the pandemic’s impact on travel freedom has been more drastic and long lasting than initially anticipated. This latest decision by the EU indicates that there is more upheaval to come. Look at the US passport, for example ¾ in 2014, it held the number one spot in the world on our index, but US nationals currently have far less travel freedom than most citizens of other wealthy, industrialized nations and even of some less developed nations, being effectively locked out of Europe. We see an emergence of a new global hierarchy in terms of mobility, with countries that have effectively managed the pandemic taking the lead, and countries that have handled it poorly falling behind.”

Immigration controls in US and UK tighten amid calls for co-operation

While the US looks set to be significantly affected by the EU’s latest decision, it has issued stringent immigration controls of its own over the past few months. Greg Lindsay, Director of Applied Research at NewCities, says that the Trump administration’s temporary suspension of all work visas will have far-reaching effects. “The executive order, signed on the 22 June, will bar as many as 525,000 foreign workers from entering the country for the rest of the year.” As Lindsay points out, this decision is only the latest salvo in White House aide Stephen Miller’s years-long campaign to curtail worker visas, arguing that they harm employment prospects for Americans.

In the UK, the pandemic’s effect on mobility has also been severe. Robert McNeil, Deputy Director of the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, says that the almost complete cessation of international arrivals into the country has generated serious challenges for industries that have become dependent on seasonal migrant workers from the EU. McNeil says that despite public attitudes around immigration softening, the Brexit process has not slowed down. “In May, the government pushed through the new Immigration Bill, paving the way for a new ‘points-based’ immigration system. The new restrictions would prevent many people from becoming key workers in the UK in future. Around half of the EU citizens currently in key worker positions in the UK would not meet the new salary and skills thresholds required to move to the country from 2021.”

Changing priorities in a transformed world

As premium passports lose their shine in a post-Covid world, experts suggest that the crisis is likely to make international mobility more restricted and unpredictable in the longer term. “Even as countries open their borders, it is expected that numerous governments will use epidemiological concerns as a justification for imposing new immigration restrictions and nationality-targeted travel bans that will mainly be aimed at citizens of developing countries,” says Prof. Dr. Yossi Harpaz, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Tel Aviv University. Noting the recent decision by the EU with respect to the US and other countries, Harpaz says, “The passports of both developing and developed nations stand to decrease in value, at least temporarily. In such uncertain times, global demand for dual citizenship and investor visas is expected to increase.”

Discussing the impact of the pandemic on global migration trends, Charles Phillips, researcher and consultant for Oxford Business Group, suggests that environmental health concerns could become a priority for those seeking alternative residence or citizenship. “We can expect places that are governed well and better equipped to deal with pandemics to become destinations people will seek to move to. Just as travel choices will likely be more strongly influenced by health considerations, we may see those acquiring alternative residence or citizenship placing a greater emphasis on a country’s health policies when deciding where to reside.”

Dr. Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, says the growing demand for additional residence and citizenship options comes as no surprise. “We have seen extraordinary upheaval over the past few months, with many certainties falling away. For investors and their families, having a second citizenship or an alternative residence is an even more precious asset than ever before, as concerns over access to first-rate healthcare, global mobility, and quality of life take on a new urgency. In turn, investment migration programs provide invaluable economic security to the countries that offer them. As we enter the worst recession since the Great Depression, a small country like Montenegro, for instance, is better equipped to weather the storm. The recently launched Montenegro Citizenship-by-Investment Program provides permanent access and the right to stay in this beautiful and safe European country. It also provides the country with an immediate liquidity injection of much needed debt-free foreign capital that can be used to buffer the impact of the pandemic and create significant societal value.”

The Franklin Institute In Philadelphia Reopens July 8th.

OPENING WEDNESDAY, JULY 8 Welcome back!

Open for Fun. Open for Science. Open for You! We can’t wait to welcome you back to The Franklin Institute! Our world has changed, but our mission and purpose have not. Doors will open again on Wednesday, July 8, unveiling a modified museum experience designed to celebrate science in a safe and welcoming environment. Advance tickets are required for ALL guests, including members, with no online fees. Read more about the important changes below to help plan your visit. BUY TICKETS NOW New Safety Guidelines. Same Science Fun! Our new temporary hours are Wednesday through Sunday, from 10:00 am–6:00 pm. We are closed Mondays and Tuesdays for deep cleaning and sanitizing. Face coverings and no-touch temperature checks are required for everyone ages 3 and up. Anyone registering a temperature of 100.4 or higher upon entry will not be admitted. Advance tickets are required for ALL guests, including Members, with no online fees. We are opening with reduced capacity and hourly timed tickets for both General Admission and Special Exhibition entry to allow for proper social distancing. We have implemented enhanced daily protocols on top of our standard cleanliness procedures that involve adding additional hand sanitization stations in public areas, the placement of antimicrobial films and protective coating on high-touch surfaces where possible, and the removal of unnecessary touchpoints for ease of visitor flow. LEARN MORE TICKETS NOW ON SALE  NEW Special Exhibit! Opens Wednesday, July 8! A famously-fun exhibit that puts you up close and personal with incredibly lifelike, finely detailed wax figures of every American president, as well as significant historical figures like Ben Franklin, Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X. Pose with all 56 wax figures set in iconic settings that bring photos vividly to life, and learn how science and technology have shaped and been shaped by American culture and the leaders throughout our country’s history. No online ticket fees! Reserve your preferred time slot today! BUY TICKETS

The Franklin Institute 222 N 20th St Philadelphia, PA, 19103, US 215.448.1200

In the spirit of inquiry and discovery embodied by Benjamin Franklin, the mission of The Franklin Institute is to inspire a passion for learning about science and technology.

City Of San Miguel De Allende, State Of Guanajuato Obtain Coveted WTTC ‘Safe Travels’ Stamp

‘Heart of Mexico’ reaffirms commitment to remaining a healthy, sanitized destination amid new normal

SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, Mexico — San Miguel de Allende, a city known as the “Heart of Mexico” and located in the State of Guanajuato, was endorsed with the World Travel & Tourism Council's (WTTC) "Safe Travels" stamp of approval recognizing the implementation of global standardized health and hygiene protocols in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The State of Guanajuato, as a whole, was given the stamp as announced yesterday by the organization’s CEO, Gloria Guevara, in a Tweet yesterday.

The international stamp augments San Miguel de Allende’s own municipal “Health First” certification. The city launched “Health First,” which is granted after local health and safety officials evaluate each location and certify compliance with sanitary protocols for reopening, on May 25. Restaurants, hotels, golf courses, activity centers and cultural spaces, among others, must apply for the certificate online at www.sanmigueldeallende.gob.mx. In addition to the onsite inspection, businesses must complete paperwork providing detailed information on sanitation practices and undergo staff training sessions. Certification is "free but mandatory," according to San Miguel de Allende Mayor Luis Alberto Villarreal García.  

“San Miguel de Allende’s infrastructure has been working proactively to ensure the wellness of our residents and future visitors and making many sacrifices to contain this pandemic and working with health officials to ensure that all international requirements are met,” said Mayor Villarreal García. “Obtaining the WTTC’s ‘Safe Travels’ stamp endorses this work and reaffirms that San Miguel de Allende is properly ready in terms of sanitation.”

San Miguel de Allende entered its Phase 0 of its Covid-19 Reactivation plan — activation of the local economy for the residents — starting June 1. During the initial phase of the plan, the city saw most of the business infrastructure that affects residents reopen, including restaurants, markets, public transportation, offices and more. At this point, hotels, bars, cantinas, clubs, public or hotel pools will not yet reopen. All residents are asked to wear masks, practice social distancing and apply extensive hygiene practices. Businesses will be required to implement international-grade sanitation protocols, including shoe-cleaning, a decrease in interior foot traffic, set-up of dispensers of antibacterial sanitizer containing 70% alcohol, provision of face masks for people without them and hourly disinfecting of public spaces.  At no point can any groups gather inside or outside public spaces.

Access to San Miguel de Allende has been closed since March to non-residents, with city police monitoring all entry points (Querétaro, Celaya-Comonfort, Guanajuato, Dolores Hidalgo and Dr. Mora). Those permitted to enter must not show symptoms of Covid-19 and must be essential to the needs of the recovery phase the city is currently in.

Mayor Villarreal García announced that hotels may start accepting bookings for July 15 arrivals as of this week, in the hope that the city may start reopening in the upcoming month.
“We take our place in the world seriously, as you do when you are with us,” said Mayor Luis Alberto Villarreal García. “With these efforts we confirm San Miguel de Allende as a leading destination.

Wyndham Rewards Eases Member Level Requirements, Offers 2,000 Bonus Points With Every Qualified Stay

Wyndham Rewards®, the world's most generous rewards program, today announced it is relaxing requirements for earning  (status) in 2020, reducing the number of nights members need to stay by 40 percent.

Member Levels

The relaxed requirements build on earlier efforts by Wyndham to help its members amid COVID-19, such as extending the expiration of any previously earned Member Levels through the end of 2021 and pausing points expiration through September 30, 2020. They also complement Wyndham's recently unveiled summer promotion, which offers members 2,000 Wyndham Rewards bonus points with every qualified stay, up to a maximum of 10,000 points over five stays.

"Throughout the pandemic, we've put our members first, providing flexibility while protecting their points and their benefits," said Eliot Hamlisch, executive vice president, Loyalty and Revenue Optimization, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. "Now with travel picking up, and hotels adopting our new Count On Us health and safety protocols, we're taking the additional step of easing requirements for our Member Levels. It's one more way we're letting members know, when they're ready to travel, Wyndham is ready to welcome them."

Reach New Levels with Fewer StaysWyndham Rewards' Member Levels are already among the most attainable in the industry and now, attaining new levels is even easier in 2020. Members will unlock Gold when they stay three qualifying nights, Platinum when they stay nine qualifying nights and Diamond when they stay 24 qualifying nights. Only stays in 2020 will count towards the new requirements, including those from earlier this year, which will be retroactively applied. Member Level benefits vary by level and range from perks like late check-out, preferred rooms and points accelerators to suite upgrades, welcome amenities and more.  

Earn 2,000 Bonus Points with Every StayThrough July 27, 2020, Wyndham Rewards members can earn 2,000 bonus points on every qualified stay, up to a total of 10,000 points over five stays, when they register ahead of completion of their first stay at www.wyndhamrewards.com/bonus. Bonus points are in addition to any points normally earned with no minimum night requirements. Stays must be booked directly with Wyndham Rewards, which includes booking via the Wyndham Rewards website, mobile app, member services or onsite at any participating hotel, among other options. Stays must be completed by July 28, 2020.

Count On Us^sm to Put Safety FirstWyndham and its hotels, the overwhelming majority of which are open and welcoming travelers, are committed to the health and safety of guests and team members. Last month, the Company launched its Count on Us initiative, a new multi-faceted effort designed to further elevate health and safety protocols at all its hotels in the wake of COVID-19. Grounded in guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the initiative requires hotels in the U.S. to use hospital-grade, EPA-approved disinfectants in all public spaces and guestrooms. Guests can also expect the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by hotel staff, updated operational protocols to allow for easier social distancing and readily available, alcohol-based hand sanitizer in lobbies and guestrooms. Learn more at www.wyndhamhotels.com/count-on-us.

For more information on the above promotional offers, including full terms and conditions, visit www.wyndhamrewards.com.

About Wyndham RewardsNamed the number one hotel rewards program by readers of USA TODAY, Wyndham Rewards® is the world's most generous rewards program with more than 30,000 hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals worldwide. Designed for the everyday traveler, members earn a guaranteed 1,000 points with every qualified stay and may redeem points for a wide-range of rewards, including free nights at any of approximately 9,300 hotels or tens of thousands of vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally through affiliation with Wyndham Destinations (NYSE: WYND) and others. Wyndham Rewards has 83 million enrolled members around the globe. Join for free today at www.wyndhamrewards.com. You've earned this.®

About Wyndham Hotels & ResortsWyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world's largest hotel franchising company by the number of properties, with 9,300 hotels across approximately 90 countries on six continents. Through its network of over 828,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel Inn & Suites®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, The Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services. The Company's award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers 83 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.

Preferred Hotels Loyalty Program Debuts E-Gift Cards, New Offers, And New Hotel Experiences

Preferred Hotels & Resorts Boosts I Prefer Hotel Rewards for the Return of Travel

Brand loyalty program debuts e-gift cards, new flexible member rate, Elite Platinum Offer, and a selection of new independent hotel experiences

Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand, is celebrating the highly anticipated return of travel by making a series of valuable updates to its I Prefer Hotel Rewards loyalty program. From a new Flexible Member Rate and an Elite Platinum Offer to the brand’s first-ever I Prefer E-Gift Cards and more than 25 new participating hotels worldwide, these program enhancements demonstrate Preferred’s unwavering commitment to offer best-in-class independent hotel experiences to its loyal and discerning I Prefer members as they ask, ‘Where Next?” following an extended period at home.

“Listening to and engaging with our loyal I Prefer members throughout this pandemic has been a top priority, and through these candid dialogues, we have learned that they want greater flexibility and more diverse offers as travel restrictions are lifted,” said Jeri Salazar, Vice President of Loyalty for Preferred Hotels & Resorts. “We are confident that the decisions we’ve made to enhance the program will provide travelers with a less restrictive, more valuable way to book authentic, one-of-a-kind independent hotel experiences whenever they decide to travel next.”

Flexible Member Rate

Recognizing the importance of member-only value and flexibility, Preferred Hotels & Resorts is doubling down through a new Flexible Member Rate that offers access to savings of 10 percent or higher on top of the best available rate when they book stays at more than 300 participating hotels. The new flexible rate is also fully cancellable up through day of arrival, providing travelers with the peace of mind needed if travel plans get disrupted. Bookings must contain a valid I Prefer member number and be made through PreferredHotels.com, IPrefer.com, the I Prefer app, the GDS, participating hotels’ websites, or the Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Global Reservations team. The new rate is available now for travel through December 31, 2020.

Elite Platinum Offer

In addition to everyday Elite member benefits – which include complimentary room category upgrades, early check-in and late check-out, VIP welcome amenities, free internet, and 50 percent bonus points earning per eligible stay – the newly launched Elite Platinum Offer features daily breakfast for two and a resort credit of US$100 per stay that can be used toward on-property expenditures. Available for travel now through December 31, 2020, this unique benefit is valid exclusively to I Prefer Elite members for stays at more than 170 participating properties worldwide such as JA Manafaru (Maldives); The Upper House (Hong Kong); Grand Hotel Tremezzo (Lake Como, Italy); Finca Cortesin (Casares, Spain); Shutters on the Beach (Santa Monica, California); and Grand Velas Riviera Maya (Mexico). Members can access this benefit by visiting  www.PreferredHotels.com/eliteplatinum or contacting I Prefer member services at +1 636 736 4397.

I Prefer E-Gift Cards with 20% Bonus Value 

For the first time ever, Preferred Hotels & Resorts is offering I Prefer E-Gift Cards, which are available for a limited period now through June 27 as part of the company’s International Pineapple Week celebrations. The I Prefer E-Gift cards may be purchased exclusively online now in denominations of US$100 and US$250 with no expiration date, which can be used towards future stays at participating hotels and resorts in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. As an additional gesture of hospitality, every purchase comes with 20 percent more value in the form of a US$20 or US$50 bonus card, respectively. To purchase I Prefer E-Gift Cards, see participating hotels, and read terms and conditions, visit shop.preferredhotels.com/giftcards through June 27, 2020.

Newest Hotel Options for I Prefer Travels   

With a portfolio of more than 700 distinctive hotels and resorts worldwide, I Prefer offers the benefits of a robust points-based loyalty program with access to authentic hotel experiences to suit every travel need. More than 25 new properties have recently joined Preferred’s prestigious loyalty program, including Biltmore Hotel (Coral Gables, Florida); Montage Healdsburg (Sonoma County, California); The Social House (Nairobi, Kenya); Banyan Tree Tamouda Bay (Fnideq, Morocco); La Villa Haussmann (Paris, France); Brenton Hotel (Newport, Rhode Island); Palmaia, The House of AiA (Riviera Maya, Mexico); Bluedoors York Luxury Suites (Medellin, Colombia); Rancho Santana (Rancho Santana, Nicaragua); Middle Eight (London, United Kingdom); Hayfield Manor (Cork, Ireland); Deltapark Vitalresort (Gwatt, Switzerland); JA Oasis Beach Tower (Dubai, United Arab Emirates), and Noku Maldives (Noonu Atoll, Maldives).

Protecting I Prefer Members’ Hard-Earned Loyalty Status and Points 

Today, Preferred Hotels & Resorts made the official announcement that it was extending the points expiration date for all I Prefer members globally through December 31, 2020. In March 2020, Preferred was among the first travel companies globally to announce its plan to protect the hard-earned benefits of its loyalty members by announcing that all I Prefer Elite members globally will maintain their status through June 30, 2021, regardless of their travel activity this year.

With more than 3.5 million travelers currently enrolled in membership, I Prefer is complimentary to join. Travelers who would like to take advantage of these exclusive promotions are invited to enroll in the program via www.IPrefer.com/enroll.

About Preferred Hotels & Resorts     

Preferred Hotels & Resorts is the world’s largest independent hotel brand, representing more than 750 distinctive hotels, resorts, residences, and unique hotel groups across 85 countries. Through its five global collections, Preferred Hotels & Resorts connects discerning travelers to the singular luxury hospitality experience that meets their life and style preferences for each occasion. Every property within the portfolio maintains the high-quality standards and unparalleled service levels required by the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Integrated Quality Assurance Program. The I Prefer™ hotel rewards program, Preferred Residences℠, Preferred Pride℠, and Preferred Golf™ offer valuable benefits for travelers seeking a unique experience. For more information, visit PreferredHotels.com.