One of my favorite tips for travelers (no matter how much they travel) is to sign up for every brand loyalty program they can. Airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, the local hot dog stand … whatever. They’re almost always free and offer free perks for doing nothing more than buying the stuff they already buy anyway.
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Problem is: sometimes being a rewards club traveler ruins your expectations for other travel experiences. Getting the VIP treatment for doing essentially nothing is pretty awesome. This has been especially true since joining National’s Emerald Club which offers a ton of perks, especially when you reach Executive and Executive Elite status. Among them: getting a free upgrade and picking any car you want from their Emerald Aisle.
Tuk-tuk Photo © Kenneth More (Flickr)
Unfortunately, even though I typically travel on a shoestring budget, I’ve started expecting these free upgrades, no matter where or how I travel. Like at …
Hotels
Abandoned Hotel Photo © Jonathan Haeber (Flickr)
Flights
Executive Jet Photo © Pixabay
Trains
Luxury Train Photo © Simon Pielow / Packed Train Photo © Diego Torres Silvestre
And Even Beaches …
Dirty Beach Photo © Pixabay
I’ve taken to shouting, “DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?” and “DON’T YOU KNOW I’M EMERALD CLUB?!” at total strangers. To no avail …
Are you a member of National’s Emerald Club? What other brand loyalty programs have you joined and how have they disillusioned your own travel experiences?