Like Willy said..."On the road again..." with our inaugural post

Welcome to the inaugural blog posting of The Midwest Wanderer!  I hope you can learn a little something from the lessons I've learned from the proverbial dusty trail.  This blog will be all encompassing on travel, tips, gadgets, hotels, restaurants, construction updates, and everything else that makes travel enjoyable (i.e. horrible).

Daily Topic:  Hotel Reward Programs

If you are going to stay in a hotel for five days or more in the upcoming year, SIGN UP FOR A REWARD PROGRAM!  You're a fool to not take advantage of some of these programs.  Most of the major chains have one, it's free and easy, and they heavily cater to the repeat offenders...I mean guests.  I happen to be a member of 4 or 5 of these programs (not every cow town I travel to has the same hotel brand), but certainly have a couple favorites.  Chains like Holiday Inn, Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Wyndham, and Choice Hotels all have programs that reward frequent visitors with points that can add up to some serious tangible change!!!

You may think that you don't travel enough to make something like this worth while.  I'm hear to tell you that modest travel (5-10 nights per year) can add up to free hotel rooms or at least some swag and a suite.  Typically these sites (see below) allow for easy sign-up online and don't require credit card information (although I recommend including this information if you want to climb to the upper echelons of Road Warrior-dom).  Most of these sites now have mobile versions for ease of use while on the move.  This feature alone is a driving force for some of my hotel choices.

All of the hotel reward programs offer a tiered membership arrangement.  The more nights you stay, the greater of perks.  These perks range from point-multipliers to free rooms and/or airfare.  Most of the major programs offer you the choice of earning points towards airline miles or hotel perks.  The biggest bang for your point is certainly hotel perks!!!  To be honest, I use one program to boost my Delta Skymiles (another blog another time), while I seriously bank points in another to cover lodging and ensure maximum upgrades.  Check out these links for some of the program language and contractual details:
                     www.priorityclub.com for Holiday Inn, Candlewood Suites, and Crowne Plaza
                     www.marriott.com for Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites, Fairfield Inn, Courtyard
                     www.hiltonhhonors.com for Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn
                     www.choicehotels.com for Sleep, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Econolodge, Comfort Inn

This list is not all inclusive by any means!  But this will give you a sampling of what is out there.

Let's get down to brass tacks....WHY DO THIS AGAIN?!?  Not everyone travels as much as I do (about 120 days a year), and some travel a lot more.  But in one year, I can earn the equivelant of 3-5 extended vacations all while getting upgraded suites, free food and drinks, concierge services, and guaranteed room availabilty.

Next Week: Latest gadgets to make that road trip more productive, more enjoyable, or just plain mo' betta!