Category: Brandpoint

2023-11-21T08:01:00

(BPT) – Holidays bring loads of obstacles, from finding the right gift to cooking intricate meals and, perhaps most stressfully, holiday travel. Holiday travel is a necessary expense for over 130 million Americans, according to NerdWallet’s 2023 Holiday Travel Report.

If you fall into this group, we are here to help prepare with tips and tricks from none other than Daniel Ricciardo, a professional Formula One driver for Red Bull Racing who is accustomed to traveling all over the globe from race to race. He shared his favorite insights to help make sure your car is prepped and ready. “As an F1 driver, I have encountered every type of terrain and weather you can imagine and have shared the track and the road with some pretty wild drivers. Here are five things I always keep in mind and encourage others do as well to make their holiday travel as smooth and safe as possible.”

1. The first recommendation from Ricciardo is to skip out on taking your car and get a rental car for the trip. Rentals come with plenty of benefits. By using a rental, you’re not putting loads of miles on your car, and you are often driving in a new model that offers features your cars at home may not have, like a large on-screen GPS navigation, remote start or heated seats. You can also choose a vehicle that’s as big or small as you would like to help make travel comfier or more fuel efficient, depending on what you want to prioritize.
2. If you don’t plan on taking a rental car, Ricciardo recommends that you take yours in for a tuneup. While your car should always be getting regular tuneups, it is important to prioritize them before big trips. Make sure that the tires are checked, oil levels are ideal and that there is enough windshield wiper fluid to prepare you for any weather ahead. Something as small as a worn-out windshield wiper can become a big issue on a road trip, whether it is an hour-long drive across town or a cross-country road trip. If your car is properly prepared it will save you money, stress and energy.
3. Another great way to save money on the road is by fueling up at Exxon or Mobil stations across the country with your Exxon Mobil Rewards+ app. “Having just wrapped up the ultimate road trip, the Grand Tauro, filling up with the Exxon Mobil Rewards+ app was smooth and seamless,” Ricciardo explains. “The app also offers indoor payment, so I was able to go in and grab my favorite road trip snacks and get out quickly, all while earning points towards savings on fuel, snacks and more!” Plus, you can also take advantage of the Exxon Mobil Rewards+ app’s birthday reward by getting 100 points after you make a purchase in your birthday month using the app at your local Exxon or Mobil station. Just add your birthday in your profile to gain access. You can learn more about the Exxon Mobil Rewards+ app by visiting https://www.exxon.com/en/rewards-program.
4. Always be prepared. Make sure that you and your car are ready for any situation that might come your way. Ricciardo suggests packing an emergency kit in your trunk to keep you safe in those worst-case scenarios. The emergency kit should have water, blankets, snacks, a first aid kit, jumper cables and a flashlight. All these items can help you and your loved ones stay safe if something were to happen to your car during your journey.
5. Whether you’re driving around the block or across the country, drivers should always be paying attention to their surroundings — especially when difficult road conditions, like ice or snow, present themselves this holiday season. Make sure your driver stays alert and aware of other vehicles around them. Plus, if they start to feel tired or distracted, they should pull over to take a quick break or have another person in the car take over driving until they are mentally prepared to drive again.

If you follow these five tips while prepping and executing your holiday travel, you will set yourself up for a safe and relaxing holiday trip. That way, you can stress less about your travel plans and more about your gift giving skills.

2023-11-20T23:01:00

(BPT) – The holidays are around the corner, and economic pressures are reshaping consumer behavior when it comes to shopping, buying gifts, and celebrating the season. In fact, a new survey from PayPal revealed 1 in 5 respondents are feeling anxious about holiday shopping this year. To help combat this anxiety, nearly half (49%) of people are planning to seek out promotions and deals as they shop for gifts¹.

Savvy shoppers know that one of the best ways to stretch a gifting budget and cross everyone off your list is by maximizing the rewards and cashback you can receive from each purchase. In fact, one in four (26%) people surveyed said they plan to wait to buy a gift until they find the best sale or rewards and cashback offer. With holiday sales upon us, these tips will help you strategically earn and leverage rewards and cashback to become a smart holiday shopper.

1. Pile on the rewards

If you’re shopping, you should be earning rewards — plain and simple! If you’ve already been racking up rewards points during the year, the holiday season is a great time to use them. But if you don’t already use a rewards program, it’s not too late to start collecting and redeeming points for exclusive discounts and cash back offers.

You can earn PayPal Rewards by shopping cash back offers from thousands of stores in the PayPal app, or while you shop using the PayPal Honey shopping extension. Better yet, you can stack your rewards. Points earned in the PayPal app are in addition to the rewards earned with your preferred rewards-based credit or debit card when checking out with PayPal². If you use the PayPal Cashback Mastercard^®3, you’ll earn 3% cash back in addition to rewards earned in the PayPal app when you use the card to check out, and 2% on all other purchases — with no cash back limits, no categories and no annual fee⁴. A smart shopping move, indeed.

2. Don’t leave cash back on the table

While you’re on the hunt for the perfect gifts and deals, leaving cash back opportunities unclaimed is like walking away from free money. The beauty of cash back is that it provides you with real, tangible savings and better equips you to tick off names from your gift list without emptying your wallet. PayPal offers a one-stop shop for cash back convenience and makes it easy to maximize your cash back potential, making the most of your holiday budget.

You can shop exclusive cash back offers from your favorite stores in the PayPal app, on everything from beauty, to fashion, or the toys that are topping every kid’s wish list. Simply save the offers you’re interested in and they’ll be automatically applied when you check out with PayPal online. Even better, you can also stack credit card rewards on top of existing deals you find in the PayPal app. For example, if you shop with the PayPal Cashback Mastercard^®, you’ll earn 3% cashback when checking out with PayPal in addition to what you gain from offers while shopping in the PayPal app.

Earning cashback is a great way to shop smarter and make the holiday season truly memorable.

3. Automate your deal searching

Don’t let the busyness of the season prevent you from scoring some of the best offers on your holiday shopping. Consumers often spend hours searching for discounts, when they could be out enjoying the holiday season. Consider adding the PayPal Honey shopping extension to your holiday shopping routine, which will automatically search for coupons and cashback deals to apply at checkout⁵.

Whether you’re looking for the latest tech gift for a gadget-obsessed teenager, new fashion for your best friend or booking a trip home for the holidays, the PayPal Honey shopping extension can save you time – and money – by searching millions of promo codes at thousands of sites in seconds and discovering cash back deals to take your holiday budget further.

4. Be sales savvy and price watch

Being a smart shopper isn’t just about finding the right gifts — it’s also about finding the right time to shop at the best price. Shopping around can help you score the best deals on gifts for the holidays, but with so much on your plate this season, it can be hard to find the time. Price trackers like the PayPal Honey Droplist feature can help.

PayPal Honey Droplist will monitor the price of an item you’re interested in and automatically notify you if the price drops — so you can hit buy at the right moment and snag the best discount. Plus, when you shop using PayPal Honey, you earn PayPal Rewards which can be converted to cash back.

In the past 12 months, PayPal has put more than $200 million back in customer pockets with cash back and offers⁶. Are you one of the savvy shoppers that took advantage of cash back and deals this year? If not, it’s never too late. Using these tips, you should be able to shop smarter, not harder, this year — so you can stretch your holiday budget and enjoy all the fun and festivities the season has to offer.

1. PayPal Consumer Survey October 2023 (1,000 respondents).
2. Subject to card issuer’s terms and conditions.
3. Applications are subject to credit approval. The PayPal Cashback Mastercard is issued by Synchrony Bank pursuant to a license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Purchases are subject to credit approval, and the PayPal Cashback Mastercard must be used for payment. See Rewards Program Terms for details and restrictions.
4. See Terms and Rates for New Accounts.
5. Eligible items only. Redeem points for cash and other rewards. Requires account with PayPal in good standing. Terms and exclusions apply.
6. Internal PayPal Data October 2023.

2023-11-20T15:59:00

(BPT) – The most wonderful time of the year is right around the corner! As we enter the holiday season, many people are prepping their Christmas plans and travel arrangements.

While it’s fun to go see family and friends, there are already plenty of costs that add up during this time of the year. The best gift of all is paying less for your travel. And thanks to credit card rewards, this is a possibility.

Vacation costs can pile up with airfare, hotels, car rentals, and more, but you can alleviate some of these costs with your credit card rewards. These programs allow you to make the most out of your travels. Rather than worrying about the price tag, you can focus on spending time with your loved ones during the holidays.

There are so many types of credit cards out there, so it’s important to look at the variety of rewards that different cards offer before you decide on which one to get. For instance, several credit cards offer signup bonuses, different earning rates, and redemption options by simply choosing the card. Signing up for a rewards credit card is an investment in yourself. Once you’ve signed up for the card, you can start utilizing all the great benefits!

Many different credit cards cater toward travel expenses and offer a long list of deals that you wouldn’t have access to otherwise. Not only can you use rewards points toward your flight, but there are also other travel perks with credit card rewards that you may not have even known about, such as airport lounge access, travel insurance, or baggage protection, to name a few.

Additionally, there is usually a list of hotels, car rentals, restaurants, and more that partner with these different rewards programs to give you access to low-rate stays and premium options for less. Depending on what you value as a traveler, there is a reward card to meet every consumer’s needs. If you haven’t already, take advantage of your credit card benefits, maximize the value of your travel rewards, and start packing for your holiday vacation!

Currently, proposed legislation could reduce credit card rewards programs, meaning consumers will no longer have access to travel benefits. Many people rely on these benefits and it’s important for these programs to continue so consumers and businesses can benefit for many holidays to come.

2023-11-20T15:37:00

(BPT) – In our rapidly changing world, digital transactions are increasingly preferred, with more consumers opting for electronic payments, including contactless methods. Credit cards, a standard part of daily life, offer benefits to consumers while supporting small businesses. They serve as vital tools for managing costly expenses over time, addressing unforeseen financial needs, and establishing a positive credit history that can aid in securing loans for your first home or vehicle.

Here are a few key reasons credit cards are valuable for consumers and small businesses alike:

Credit Card Perks For Consumers:

1. Customers Value Rewards: Credit cards offer different rewards programs, such as cash back, points, or miles. Many people rely on those travel rewards and cash back to plan more affordable vacations and unique experiences they otherwise might not be able to afford if they have to pay full price.
2. Fraud Protection: Credit cards provide an additional level of protection against fraud that other payment options simply can’t offer, making them the preferred payment method for 79% of Americans for security reasons, according to a PYMNTS study. Purchases with a credit card are routed through secure payment networks with fraud prevention measures lined up to help eliminate data security risks. This makes credit cards not only the more convenient form of payment, but the safer option too.
3. Customer Convenience: CNBC reported that the travel industry took a hit after the COVID-19 pandemic. So much so that many tourism and transportation rental companies have significantly reduced their fleet to avoid bankruptcy, creating limited stock for customers in need of rentals. Credit cards provide the convenience of pre-booking services like rental cars or hotel rooms, making them particularly advantageous for coordinating travel plans, with many hotels and tourism companies offering discounts and additional perks for credit card payments.
4. Building A Secure Future: Credit cards allow consumers to build a solid credit foundation that will support the need to take out loans on the big purchases down the road, like buying a house or car.

Benefits for Small Businesses:

1. Customer Convenience: People are more likely to have their credit card handy than to have exact cash for a purchase. Businesses that allow credit card transactions give customers the flexibility and freedom to pay their way, both in-store and online.
2. Business Credit Cards Build Your Brand: A designated credit card for consumers can be a strategic tool for small businesses to attract and retain customers, foster loyalty, and provide insights into customer behavior. They can also drive customers to make larger purchases and increase overall sales.
3. Enhanced Financial Control: Allowing credit card transactions may simplify expense tracking and financial management, helping small businesses maintain better control over their finances. Credit card payments can also improve a company’s cash flow by ensuring timely and secure transactions, reducing the risks associated with delayed or failed payments.

A proposed credit card routing bill, if enacted, could adversely affect small businesses and consumers, by potentially cutting rewards programs and reducing data security. It’s important to maintain the numerous advantages that credit cards provide to individuals. Credit cards are versatile tools that offer enhanced security and rewards for consumers while providing numerous benefits for small businesses, including customer convenience, brand enhancement, and improved financial control.

2023-11-20T14:41:00

(BPT) – ‘Tis the season to shop wisely, and your credit card can be a powerful tool in navigating the holiday spending landscape. Beyond being a convenient and safe payment method, credit cards offer many benefits for consumers to leverage during their holiday shopping. Whether you earn travel miles or cash-back rewards through your credit card, the holidays are a great time to maximize your credit spending while also ensuring financial responsibility. Take a look at the three best ways below to utilize your credit card during the festive shopping season.

1. Maximizing Credit Card Rewards

We’re sure you’ve heard of a multitude of options available in terms of rewards when applying for a credit card. Choosing a credit card that offers generous rewards for purchases allows you to gain points and miles, which can then be redeemed for discounts or freebies. These credit cards present a valuable opportunity to offset holiday expenses, effectively turning your spending into savings!

By strategically choosing when and where to use your card, you can maximize these rewards, ensuring you get the most value for every dollar spent. It’s a smart and savvy way to make your holiday shopping not only enjoyable but financially rewarding.

If you’re planning to travel during the holidays, using a credit card that offers great miles is also extremely beneficial. Nowadays, many airlines and payment networks collaborate on co-branded credit cards that offer great perks. You can beat the holiday rush by having access to security lines and airport lounges.

2. Utilizing Cash-back to Your Advantage

Cash-back programs offered by credit cards allow shoppers to earn a percentage of their spending back in the form of real money or statement credits. Many co-branded credit cards today offer great cash back which can be a helpful tool to offset expensive costs. It’s also helpful to save the accumulated cash back over time, allowing it to grow and serve as a financial cushion or contribute toward larger financial goals. Choosing the right cash-back rewards program can help you save money and ensure your credit score stays high. Whether purchasing gifts, decorations, or holiday feasts, the cash back earned serves as a valuable bonus.

3. Building Your Credit

Building your credit by using a credit card during holiday shopping can be advantageous for consumers in several ways, such as improving your credit score, establishing a good credit history, and enhancing security measures.

Responsible credit card usage during the holiday season contributes positively to your credit history, demonstrating to creditors that you can manage credit responsibly. Timely payments on your credit card can boost your credit score over time, opening doors to better loan terms, lower interest rates, and increased financial flexibility in the future.

Credit cards often come with robust fraud protection measures. Using your credit card for holiday shopping can enhance security, and if unauthorized transactions occur, you are typically not held responsible for fraudulent charges.

Overall, the holidays are a great time to prioritize using your credit cards to ensure a financially rewarding and responsible experience. By maximizing your rewards and cash-back opportunities you can make larger purchases for your friends and family, while also building an effective credit history.

2023-11-21T07:05:01

(BPT) – Coffee lovers can experience the pleasures of barista-crafted coffee at home as new technologies in coffee machines cater to increasingly sophisticated tastes. The Swiss brand JURA leads the way to pure coffee enjoyment with innovative models that brew at high pressure from freshly ground beans.

More choices and customization options. JURA sets a new standard with the GIGA 10, which offers 35 hot and cold brew specialties that can be customized in multiple ways. It features two whole bean containers and two ceramic disc grinders designed for maximum grinding quality. The interactive touch-operated panel, which comes in a wide panorama format, is easy to navigate. With a simple tap and slide, the user can customize a beverage for the percent of beans ground from each bean container, volume, intensity, ratio of coffee to milk, and more. The GIGA 10 can also deliver hot water at different temperatures for different types of tea or Americano.

Cold brew on demand. The JURA Z10 prepares the full spectrum of hot drinks at the touch of a button — plus, it offers a whole new dimension in coffee enjoyment with cold brew specialties. Using JURA’s exclusive Cold Extraction Process, it pulses cold water through freshly ground coffee under high pressure, for a new taste experience that is refreshing and energizing, with a wonderfully balanced aroma. The Z10 also stands out for its Product Recognizing Grinder (P.R.G.) that recognizes the chosen specialty and then adjusts the fineness of the grind accordingly, instantly and precisely — for any coffee specialty, hot or cold brew.

Sweet foam. The new JURA J8 offers the ultimate in indulgence with its exclusive Sweet Foam function that flavors milk foam with a hint of syrup, with your choice of flavor, sweetness and intensity. Brew a Sweet Latte at the touch of a button, using any syrup you desire — amaretto, hazelnut, butterscotch, vanilla, gingerbread, tangerine, lavender, cherry — the possibilities are endless. Offering 31 specialties, the J8 features JURA’s Coffee Eye, a smart cup sensor that detects the positioning of the cup and automatically adapts the selection of specialties on the display to show the available options. JURA’s P.A.G.2+ grinder with aroma control actively monitors the grind consistency. This cutting-edge technology combines with the eighth-generation brewing unit with 3D brewing process to achieve optimum results and maximum flavor every time.

For more information, visit jura.com.

2023-11-20T14:01:00

(BPT) – It’s that time of year again, where people rush out of their homes to find gifts for family and friends. Those gifts are important, but your choice of where you buy those gifts holds power — power to grow your local community. You can make a huge difference with your dollars, supporting those who support your community or your values with each purchase. You can protect where your food comes from by filling your fridge wisely, or you can make a local business owner’s day by walking through the door of their shop on what has become commonly referred to as “Small Business Saturday.” And finding those opportunities can be easy when you look in the right places.

The holiday season is about more than just shopping for the best possible deal, it’s a way to celebrate and support the heart of our local economies. Let’s make this holiday season a win-win for you and your community with a few simple strategies:

Tip 1: Fill Your Fridge Wisely

We all need to eat, and every trip to the grocery store offers a new way to support small businesses. Did you know that many foods are distributed by groups of farmers that band together to create more equitable businesses and that those businesses are called cooperatives? That’s a simple explanation, but cooperatives are often an overlooked and convenient way to support small businesses in the grocery aisle. Instead of your dollars heading to one corporation or conglomerate this holiday season, consider spending your milk (or eggnog) money on food from the small businesses that own cooperatives.

For example, Organic Valley is a cooperative owned by small organic family farms. In fact, Organic Valley just welcomed over 70 more small family farms, all small businesses, into their cooperative this year. If you are selective in the grocery store this season, you can support those small organic family farms by choosing Organic Valley products. Other brands in the grocery store from different farmer-owned cooperatives include Florida’s Natural^®, Ocean Spray^®, Blue Diamond^®, and many more.

Tip 2: Make Your Way to Mainstreet

Your own hometown is likely a treasure trove of local businesses, each offering warm welcomes and unique finds. These small businesses are the backbone of your community, providing a personal touch that’s often missing in big-box stores. Many communities have a chamber of commerce that provides information about the businesses in your local community waiting for you to walk through the door. In fact, a quick Google search of “Chamber of Commerce Near Me” should do the trick.

One of the easiest ways to find a place to shop for Small Business Saturday is to get to the Mainstreet of your community and find businesses with Small Business Saturday marked on their door! This website is the hub of businesses participating in the official Small Business Saturday program taking place this Saturday, November 25.

Tip 3: Ask A Simple Question Online

You might be surprised at who owns or helps with small businesses in your area — it might just be your family and friends. Consider posting to your favorite social media platform an open question like, “What small business do you recommend I support this holiday season?” and watch the floodgates open. So many people have friends and family that have started interesting businesses, and you might be surprised at what you find.

Another online option is to ask that same question in a group dedicated to an interest you have. For instance, if you love to bake, ask a baking group on Facebook or Reddit that same question and find a whole new set of answers.

Tip 4: Attend Local Markets and Pop-Up Shops

The holiday season is the perfect time to check out local markets and pop-up shops in your area. These events are often organized to showcase local businesses and artisans. They provide a great opportunity to discover new products, meet the creators, and learn more about the stories behind their businesses. Attending these events not only supports the small businesses directly but also contributes to the local economy and community spirit.

By making your way to local brick-and-mortar businesses in your own community, choosing products from cooperatives, asking for recommendations online, and attending local markets, you’re not just buying a product — you’re investing in someone’s dream and your community’s future. Every purchase, no matter how small, can make a real difference.