I attended the College Board Dream Deferred & HBCU Conferences in Los Angeles with two coworkers. Because I wanted to stop by the lounge, I invited them to meet at The Club MDW for breakfast. They usually sit at the gate. I can access the lounge via Priority Pass Select.
March Madness in Chicago is exciting, with events and activities that make the city come alive. While March Madness might bring basketball to mind, it is also a playful nod to the city’s unique traditions, like dyeing the Chicago River and hosting sporting events like the Men’s Big Ten Tournament.
In 2024, I leveraged my HGV Max timeshare portfolio to secure stays at eight HGV/HVC properties, including Hilton Head, Las Vegas, and Los Cabos. Using Club Points and taking advantage of promotional offers (saving 50-75% on points), my timeshare points remained minimal. I enjoyed the comforts of home while traveling.
I spent two nights at the Hilton Vacation Club Varsity Club South Bend, a cozy property steeped in Notre Dame spirit and conveniently located near shopping, dining, and the University of Notre Dame. Upgrading to HGV Max opened opportunities to explore new drive-to properties, including those in Indiana and Wisconsin.
Where to stay in Chicago for the weekend in November? We spent Saturday night at Pendry Chicago for the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival. As an American Express Platinum cardholder, I utilized the following benefits: a $200 hotel credit, a $100 credit toward qualifying activities, and a $60 daily breakfast credit.
I accepted a timeshare offer. Because I purchased Hilton Grand Vacations in 2014, I know the value of consistency and premium experiences. Below, I explore the pros and cons of ownership. As an HGV owner who has also taken advantage of Marriott Bonvoy offers, I’ll share insights into both programs.
Recently, I attended Fall Weekend at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, to support Angela. She earned the prestigious POSSE Scholarship. Although I received the dates for the event in August, details about transportation, parking, and accommodations were not sent until October. I used my travel rewards to make the trip.
October is the best time to visit Chicago. Why? Open House Chicago is a FREE, 2-day event that allows visitors to go behind the scenes of architecturally, historically, and culturally significant sites in neighborhoods across the city. This year, OHC will take place on October 18-19, 2025. Join the festivities.
Anytime I mention I am going to Nebraska, people always ask what is in Omaha. On my third trip to Omaha, I attended Afrofest over Labor Day weekend in 2024. Even though I usually book at Omaha Hilton, I redeemed World of Hyatt Points for two nights at Hyatt Place.
Do you want to visit the Bay Area? LSKTravelz flew to Oakland for a fun-filled weekend of dance and fellowship. The Bay Area encompasses cities and metropolitan areas of San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland. We arrived in Oakland Thursday to meet up with friends from Atlanta and North Carolina.