Follow DDG on Facebook, Twitter and also subscribe to get all deals via one daily email.

News Roundup

This is a roundup of news that I have come across during the day. Here you can read about the reopening of Disney’s Aulani Resort, opening an installment loan to increase your credit score, Delta has agreed not to devalue SkyMiles program, man jailed in Thailand for a negative review, and Marriott could lose 122 hotels.

Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaiʻi Begins Phased Reopening on Nov. 1

The popular, and arguably most magical, resort had been closed since March due to the spread of COVID-19. Since March, trans-Pacific travelers to Hawaiʻi have been subjected to a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival in Hawaiʻi. But that’s changing on Oct. 15, when the state will launch a pre-arrival testing program. Aulani is planning its first phase of reopening two weeks after the launch of this program. As it has done with its other destinations, Disney will follow strict guidelines from state and local authorities, as well as the guidance of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. Travel Association and its own team of health and safety experts.

My 12 Month Experiment to Open an Installment Loan to Increase my Credit Score

This is an experiment abount increasing your credit score by opening an installment loan called a Credit Builder Account with Self (Self was previously named Self Lender). This is not a good idea for everyone, so make sure you understand the process and the cost of these loans. Also make sure that it makes sense for you.

Delta Agreed Not To Devalue SkyMiles As Part Of Mortgaging The Program

Delta and SMIP are also prohibited from substantially reducing the SkyMiles program business or modifying the terms of the SkyMiles program in a manner that would reasonably be expected to materially impair repayment of the SkyMiles Financing obligations (described as a “Payment Material Adverse Effect” in the Indenture and the New Credit Facility), and Delta and its subsidiaries are prohibited from changing the policies and procedures of the SkyMiles program in a manner that would reasonably be expected to have a Payment Material Adverse Effect or operating a competing loyalty program.

Man Jailed In Thailand For Negative Hotel Review

The man was arrested at the school he worked at for posting a one star review on Google Maps about a resort he visited in Koh Chang. He was escorted 250km away to face a complaint made against him by the resort owner. Since it was a Friday, he ended up spending a couple of nights in jail before he was able to post a 100,000 THB (~3,200 USD) bail; if he didn’t have that money, he would have to wait in jail for a long time.

Marriott in Danger of Losing 122 Hotels to Much Smaller Brand

A Boston real estate trust that severed ties with IHG on a 103-hotel deal last month appears poised to do the same with Marriott on an even larger portfolio — and a smaller hotel company stands to benefit once again. Service Properties Trust, or SVC, sent Marriott a payment shortfall notice this week on 122 hotels across 31 states. Marriott has 10 days to cover the $11 million shortfall or SVC will terminate the agreement and transfer the hotels — largely a mix of select-service and extended stay brands like Courtyard and Residence Inn — to affiliation with Sonesta International Hotels Corp., the memo states.

Bank Bonuses Expiring at the End of the Month (September, 2020)

Some of the offers listed here will surely get renewed again, but some others might be gone for a while. You can look at the expiration date at the bottom of each article, to get an idea how frequently we see each bonus. Check out the list and see if there’s any bonuses that you might have missed.

Credit Cards with Welcome Offers of 100,000 Points or More

It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the rewards issued for the card you apply. This list includes offers of 100,000 or more points, but the amount of points you get can easily be worth anywhere between $400 and $1,500. Hilton points for example are worth barely 0.4¢ each while Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed for 1.5¢ or you can do even better when you transfer points to travel partners.