Welcome to your first edition of the eTravelogs Weekly Insider! Each week, we uncover luxury travel secrets to elevate your travel experiences without breaking your budget.

1. Exclusive Flight Deals

We’ve found some incredible flight deals this week to help you reach popular destinations at unbeatable prices. Check out our handpicked selections below (Prices checked within the last 24 hours; prices and availability may change):

1. Los Angeles, CA – Fly for only $73 on Sunday, May 4, 2025
2. Las Vegas, NV – Fly for only $71 on Tuesday, April 29, 2025
3. Cancun – Fly for only $88 on Tuesday, April 29, 2025
4. Miami, FL – Fly for only $27 on Wednesday, April 30, 2025
5. Honolulu, HI – Fly for only $229 on Wednesday, April 30, 2025
6. Orlando, FL – Fly for only $33 on Wednesday, April 23, 2025
7. New York, NY – Fly for only $20 on Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Disclaimer: Prices and availability may change. Deals were verified within the past 24 hours.

2. Featured Hotel Deals (Over 68% off)

Exclusive Hotel Deals

Discover unbeatable member-exclusive discounts on top-rated hotels. Here are our top picks, sorted by highest percentage savings:

Please note: Prices and availability are subject to change. Deals were verified within the past 24 hours.

3. Flash Deal – Marriott Stays (Ends Soon!)

Stretch Your Marriott Stays with Chase or Cash

Looking for a luxury escape without the luxury price tag? This is your moment.

Chase 50% Bonus to Marriott Bonvoy
From now through March 31, 2025, transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards® points to Marriott Bonvoy® and get a 50% bonus — that means 1 Ultimate Rewards point = 1.5 Marriott Bonvoy points.

Don’t have a Chase card? No problem.

Buy Marriott Points with a 45% Bonus
Marriott is also offering up to 45% more points when you buy points with cash, but only until March 30, 2025.

4. Travel Hack

Example: St. Regis Bahia Beach, Puerto Rico

Hotel: St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico
Cash Rate: ~$1,000/night (about $5,000 for 5 nights)
Points Rate: As low as 376,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for 5 nights, thanks to Marriott’s 5th Night Free benefit.

Points Value in Action

• With Chase’s 50% transfer bonus, you’d only need about 250,000 Ultimate Rewards points — roughly a $2,500 value.
• If you buy points with the 45% bonus, you’d spend about $3,750 for those 376,000 points — and unlock a $5,000 stay.

Elite Tip: Marriott Platinum status or higher can get you upgrades, lounge access, and late checkout — for the same points.

5. Points & Mile Maximizer

Turn your points into amazing value!
Did you know savvy travelers often redeem flights for fewer miles by exploring multiple options? Each week, we do the legwork and find hidden deals so you can stretch your points and miles even further.

Check out these exceptional redemption opportunities we discovered this week:

• New York (JFK) → Cancun (CUN)
  • 12:40 PM – 3:40 PM
  • Economy: Just 12,000 miles + $48 taxes
  • Business Class: Only 25,000 miles + $48 taxes
  • Nonstop, comfortable flight on American Airlines.
• New York (JFK) → Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ)
  • 6:59 AM – 9:54 AM
  • Economy: Only 12,000 miles + $50 taxes
  • Business Class: 25,000 miles + $50 taxes
  • Convenient, nonstop early flight via American Airlines.
• New York (LGA) → Rome, Italy (FCO)
  • 6:00 AM – 9:10 AM (+1 day)
  • Economy: Just 27,000 miles + $6 taxes
  • Premium Economy: Available for 47,000 miles + $6 taxes
  • One-stop convenient connection, offering excellent value for your European adventure with American Airlines.

Insider Tip: Airline points pricing can vary significantly by dates and routes—always verify directly on the airline’s site to snag the best deals!

6. Destination Spotlight

Antelope Canyon’s Hidden Gem – Canyon X

As a Marriott Vacation Ownership member, one of my absolute favorite resorts is The Westin Kierland Villas in Scottsdale, Arizona. Over the years, I’ve visited this incredible locations like the Grand Canyons and Sedona nearly half a dozen times, yet I always missed out on seeing one of Arizona’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders: Antelope Canyon.

A couple of months ago, my family and I finally decided it was time to check this destination off our bucket list. We flew into Arizona, settled into our villas, and embarked on a scenic road trip north to Page, AZ, where we stayed overnight. Visiting Antelope Canyon requires a bit of planning, especially if you want to experience its breathtaking beauty in the perfect lighting.

During my research, I discovered there are actually three distinct canyons: Upper Antelope Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon, and Canyon X. While Upper and Lower are undeniably popular, we opted for Canyon X—and I’m so glad we did! Canyon X is a true hidden gem; it’s significantly less crowded, giving visitors more flexibility to choose a tour time with optimal lighting conditions.

We booked tickets for the morning, a time when the sunlight beautifully highlights the stunning textures and vibrant colors of the sandstone walls. The peaceful atmosphere of Canyon X allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the breathtaking beauty of this natural wonder.

If you’re planning a trip to Antelope Canyon, I highly recommend exploring Canyon X. It’s quieter, equally mesmerizing, and offers a more intimate experience that truly captures the spirit of this extraordinary place.

Recommended Tours:

• Antelope Canyon X Guided Tour
• Antelope Canyon X Hiking Tour with Photo Tour Option

7. Travel Gear Spotlight

Tested Around the World, Trusted Everywhere

If there’s one bag that’s earned its stripes (and then some), it’s the Peak Design Everyday Sling 6L. I’ve had mine for over two years, and it’s followed me across the globe — from the cobblestone streets of Florence to the sun-soaked shores of the Bahamas, and even into the slot canyons of Arizona.

It’s been to Paris, the French Riviera, Brussels, Rome, Cinque Terre, London, Antelope Canyons, Montreal, and Los Cabos… and after all that? It still looks brand new. Zero fray. Maximum function.

This sleek 6L sling is my go-to for both city walks and rugged hikes. It fits just enough gear to keep me ready for anything, without ever feeling bulky.

Inside the Sling — My Everyday Travel Kit:

• GoPro Hero 12 Black – captures crystal-clear travel moments, even underwater
• 2x GoPro Enduro Batteries – a must-have for all-day shooting
• Sony Alpha 7C – my mirrorless workhorse for stunning photography
• Peak Design Capture Clip V3 Solo – I use two of these: one on my backpack and one on the Sling, so I can quickly clip/unclip either camera on the go

No More Blisters — Finally, Shoes That Work

If you’ve ever walked 10,000 to 20,000 steps a day while exploring Europe — and paid for it with sore feet or blisters — I’ve been there. I have wide feet and tried everything… until I found the On Men’s Cloudrunner Sneakers.

After a week averaging 20K steps per day in the French Riviera, I came back with zero blisters. Zero foot fatigue. These are the only shoes I now trust for serious city travel. And from all the On Cloud designs I’ve tested, only the Cloudrunner style gets my full recommendation.

My wife swears by them too — she has the On Women’s Cloudrunner Sneakers, and we’ve each bought three pairs. When something works, we double down.

There’s now also a Men’s Cloudrunner Version 2 available on Amazon — and it’s on our radar for the next upgrade.

8. Booking Tools

Use Points Path Chrome Extension for Award Travel

Screen shot above shows that if you had 32,000 and $200, you may want to use the points instead of paying cash for the trip to Paris from NYC.

If you collect airline miles, the Points Path Chrome Extension is a game-changer.

• It automatically checks award availability across multiple airline loyalty programs, helping you redeem points for the best value.
• Instead of manually searching each airline’s website, you can see all available award flights directly in Google Flights.
• This is especially useful for travelers using points from credit card transfers, like Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, or Capital One Venture miles.

9. Success Story

“I took a FREE last-minute trip from Boston to NYC by using pooled points with my family members for 7,400 points and $5.60 for taxes and fees, instead of paying out of pocket $120.  I was able to do it by installing Points Path in Chrome browser which suggested that I use points instead of cash.” – Kylie

Insider Tip: Airlines like JetBlue, United, Asiana, British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, and Frontier Airlines allow family members to pool points and miles. Combine your points to unlock amazing travel opportunities at lower costs!

10. Upcoming Developments – Exclusive Members-Only Portal:

Exciting news! We’re currently building our exclusive members-only portal, designed to elevate your travel experience even further. Soon you’ll gain private access to:

• Members-Only Deals & Flash Sales:
  Exclusive, early access to amazing travel deals not found anywhere else.
• Premium Travel Hacks & Guides:
  Advanced strategies and step-by-step instructions to unlock luxurious travel at unbeatable prices.
• Archived Newsletter Content:
  Easy access to previous issues packed with travel tips, tools, and deals.

Stay tuned—your exclusive insider travel portal is coming soon

Quick Quiz: “What Type of Traveler Are You?”

Take our fun 30-second quiz and discover your travel style!

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