How To Get Rewarded For Every Mode of Transportation You Use

Travel rewards from the metro

Whether we’re on a long-term trip overseas, enduring a busy work week or embarking on a weekend adventure, a lot of time is spent traveling between the places we visit. Although the actual ‘travel’ part of traveling can be a positive experience at times, it can also be extremely exhausting. But, what if you could get rewarded for your travels, no matter what mode of transportation you use? Sure, it sounds like a bit of gimmick, however, it’s actually quite real.

There is indeed a way to earn travel rewards for sitting in traffic, taking the subway, biking or even skiing.

The Transportation Industry and Travel Rewards

Every year people across the globe travel 25 trillion miles via some form of ground transportation. In fact, economists put $18 trillion as the cost people pay for moving from A to B through ground transport. Yet, the universal behavior of mobility goes largely unrewarded. So the question is – why are the only travel rewards programs focused solely around flying? This is where the Miles App swoops in to save the day.

How Does The Miles App Work?

Simply put, Miles is an app that delivers value for every mile traveled, across every mode of transportation – with greener forms of travel rewarded even further. The app is designed to work seamlessly in the background, logging each trip from start to end along with the mode of transportation used. For example, users who carpool or take a rideshare service earn 2x miles, those who use public transit receive 3x the miles, those who bike earn 5X, and those who walk or run earn 10x the miles. You’re even rewarded 3X the miles for skiing!

The Best Part – Getting Rewarded

You might be wondering what exactly you can do with these “miles” that you earn and accumulate throughout all your travels. They’re essentially points you can use to redeem rewards with leading brands and retailers across various categories. Rewards cost as little as 100 miles and are redeemable either online or at a nearby store. Rewards include free products and services, credits, and discounts with brands such as Target, Ray-Ban, Home Chef, Garmin, TOMS, Silvercar, YourMechanic, Chewy.com, Thrive Market, and many more. With over 200 brand partners offering exclusive specials on the Miles platform, there’s typically a reward for everyone.

But The Value Doesn’t Stop There (more travel rewards)

Miles doesn’t only work with brands to provide rewards. They also partner with cities and public transit authorities to encourage users to choose more sustainable modes of transportation. The way they do this is through what’s called a “challenge”. For example, Caltrain, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, put out a challenge to residents to take three train trips. Once completed, the user was rewarded with a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card. With challenges like this which encourage users to partake in greener forms of transportation, the Miles app incentivizes a more eco-friendly and healthy lifestyle, while providing users with rewards they love. They’re on a mission to deliver as much value for every mile traveled, all while promoting green travel. What’s there not to really like about this program?

To build up your miles quickly, there are a few things you can do. Here are some top suggestions:

Refer a friend! Every time you refer Miles to a friend, they’ll receive 1,500 miles upon sign up and you’ll receive a bonus 1,000 miles when they complete their first trip.

Use eco-friendly forms of transportation whenever possible. The bus and train give you 3X the miles, biking 5X, and when walking & running you earn 10X the miles.

Take a road trip with friends! Carpooling gives you 2X the miles, and your friend gets to earn along with you.

Get 250 bonus miles when you use this exclusive code given to me by the Miles team – “earl2019”. It needs to be used soon though as it’s only valid through 12/31/2019 and only for the first 500 users!

So, if you have a chance, I highly recommend downloading the Miles app. There’s no other app out there that offers rewards for all forms of ground travel like Miles does. They’re also constantly adding new reward options and challenges which are not only exciting and fun, but well worth the bonuses you receive!


The post How To Get Rewarded For Every Mode of Transportation You Use appeared first on Wandering Earl.

U.S. Election Year Aside, Travel Advisor Execs Optimistic About 2020

Joe Crimmings  / Flickr

Sen. Elizabeth Warren on stage Saturday, Jan. 5, during her first trip to Des Moines, Iowa, after launching an exploratory committee for 2020. Travel advisor executives are cautiously optimistic that 2020 will not mirror any downturns seen in prior election years. Joe Crimmings / Flickr

Skift Take: The adage that U.S. presidential election years are bad for business may or may not hold true for 2020. Savvy travel advisors, however, may want to put extra effort into keeping clients confident and enthusiastic about upcoming travel plans.

— Maria Lenhart

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Travel Advisor Execs Bullish on 2020 Sales Outlook Despite Politics

Patrick Semansky  / Associated Press

Donald Trump speaks during a tax bill passage event in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 20, 2017. The 2020 U.S. presidential election could affect travel advisor sales, yet agency executives are still confident that the year ahead will closely mirror 2019’s unprecedented growth. Patrick Semansky / Associated Press

Skift Take: There may be turmoil on Capitol Hill and a contentious presidential election up ahead, but travel advisor leaders don’t expect it to put a damper on 2020 sales. They are, however, keeping an eye on the economy and said travel advisors should be extra proactive in keeping clients enthused and confident about travel.

— Maria Lenhart

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Unpacking TUI’s New Hotel Strategy

TUI Group

A TUI Blue property. TUI Group intends to open up its new online ecosystem to independent hotels. TUI Group

Skift Take: Not only is TUI making a big bet on its own branded hotels, it wants to try and get independent hotels onto its new digital platform. How many are really going to want to get involved, and might it be better to try to fix its underperforming tour operator division?

— Patrick Whyte

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The Most Important Story in Hotels in 2019

Marriott International

Shown here is Villa Pura, a seaside property in Costa Brava, Spain, offered by Homes & Villas by Marriott International. Marriott International

Skift Take: The tug-of-war between hotels and short-term rentals intensified in 2019, with both sides making strategic moves to display their strength. There were wins and losses for everyone, and the result so far has been a deeper blurring of the lines between the two sectors.

— Nancy Trejos

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Music Tourism and Millennials Can Be the Right Mix for Travel Advisors

Zack Smith  / New Orleans and Co.

New Orleans street musicians delight visitors. Travelers are increasingly tying their travel plans to their musical inclinations. Zack Smith / New Orleans and Co.

Skift Take: Music travel is gaining popularity as tourists look for new experiences. There are plenty of opportunities for travel advisors, even though some of the big festivals are trying to keep all the business to themselves.

— Allan Leibowitz

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Music Tourism Is a Mixed Score for Travel Advisors

Chris Pizzello  / Associated Press

This April 13, 2012 photo shows festivalgoers running toward the main stage to catch the beginning of Kendrick Lamar’s set during the first weekend of the 2012 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California. Music is playing an increasing role in travel plans. Chris Pizzello / Associated Press

Skift Take: Music tourism, much like adventure or wellness travel, is a fast-growing niche worthy of travel advisors’ attention. Not only does it appeal to all age groups, but clients will appreciate help in obtaining tickets and making travel arrangements built around events.

— Maria Lenhart

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New Report: Leveraging Hotel Loyalty to Design Successful Business Travel Programs

Skift Take: Out-of-policy booking is a significant challenge in the business travel sector. Managers want employees to use approved tools and partners. But their business travelers frequently ignore those demands, choosing to purchase whatever is most convenient, cheap, or easy to use. Could hotel loyalty programs offer a solution to the impasse?

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