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The COVID-19 pandemic has put millions of travel plans on hold for many months. As a result, travel credit card issuers have had to adjust their products to make sure they still offer plenty of value to cardholders, even while the opportunities to earn or spend travel rewards are limited.
To make its co-branded travel credit cards valuable to customers even during the pandemic, American Express is launching new limited-time offers for eligible Delta SkyMiles, Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy cardmembers. With these offers, cardholders can earn up to $220 in statement credits for non-travel spending, including dining for customers with consumer credit cards and wireless telephone services for business credit cardholders.
âWe want to support how our customers are living their lives and running their businesses today, which is why we focused our statement credits on restaurants and wireless,â said Eva Reda, executive vice president and general manager of Global Consumer Lending & Cobrand at American Express. âWe are also giving our Delta Card Members more ways to build up their bank of miles and earn higher status now for when they feel they are ready to travel again.â
Earn up to $220 in statement credits for dining
If you had a consumer Delta SkyMiles, Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy credit card as of Jan. 1, 2021, you can enroll via Amex Offers to earn statement credits for dining out or take out. (Note, Amex Offers are targeted, so you might not see every promotion listed below.)
Here are the offers available to eligible Delta SkyMiles cardmembers:
Up to $110 in dining statement credits: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card members can receive $10 back per month (up to 11 times).
Up to $165 in dining statement credits: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express cardholders can receive $15 back per month (up to 11 times).
Up to $220 in dining statement credits: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card members can receive $20 back per month (up to 11 times).
Those with Hilton Honors American Express cards can also get up to $220 in statement credits:
Up to $55 in dining statement credits: Hilton Honors American Express Card members can receive $5 back per month (up to 11 times).
Up to $110 in dining statement credits: Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® cardholders can receive $10 back per month (up to 11 times).
Up to $220 in dining statement credits: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card members can receive $20 back per month (up to 11 times).
Eligible Marriott Bonvoy cardmembers can take advantage of the following Amex Offers:
Up to $110 in dining statement credits: Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card members can receive $10 back per month (up to 11 times).
Up to $220 in dining statement credits: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliantâ¢Â American Express cardholders can receive $20 back per month (up to 11 times).
Earn up to $220 in statement credits on wireless telephone services
If you carry an eligible co-branded business card from Amex, you can also enroll to earn up to $220 in statement credits through Dec. 31, 2021.
These offers are available for Delta SkyMiles cardholders:
Up to $110 in statement credits for U.S. wireless telephone services: Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card members can earn up to $10 back per month (up to 11 times).
Up to $165 in statement credits for U.S. wireless telephone services: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express cardholders can earn up to $15 back per month (up to 11 times).
Up to $220 in statement credits for U.S. wireless telephone services: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card members can earn up to $20 back per month (up to 11 times).
With the âScore More on Wirelessâ offer, Hilton Honors American Express Business cardholders can receive up to $110 in statement credits for U.S. wireless telephone services â up to $10 back per month (up to 11 times).
Marriott Bonvoy Business⢠American Express® Card members can earn up to $165 per month in statement credits for U.S. wireless telephone services â up to $15 back per month (up to 11 times).
More offers to earn extra points or miles
Besides earning statement credits, eligible cardholders now have more opportunities to get rewards on purchases. For example, Delta SkyMiles cardmembers can earn up to 3 additional miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases through Dec. 31, 2021 â thatâs up to 5 miles per dollar in total.
For more offers, check our guide to limited-time credit card offers and promotions during COVID or log in to your Amex account to see Amex Offers available to you.
Itâs in the stars. The home of the late astrologer and psychic Walter Mercado in San Juan, PR, is now on the market for $395,000. The legendary Spanish-language television personality, who died in 2019 at the age of 87, delivered his daily horoscopes with panache, often wearing a cape, and was known for wishing his huge audiences âMucho, mucho amor.â
Mercado broadcast to 120 million devoted viewers daily for decades, according to a 2019 museum exhibit that explores his influence. Although he last aired his show from Miami, he kept a home in Puerto Rico.
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Walter Mercado’s San Juan, Puerto Rico home (realtor.com)
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Stairs with decorative tile (realtor.com)
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Living room with artful chandeliers (realtor.com)
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Brightly colored walls (realtor.com)
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Bedroom (realtor.com)
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Patio (realtor.com)
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Pool and gazebo (realtor.com)
The property initially landed on the market in September 2020 for $495,000. But with no buyer forthcoming, the price was dropped to $430,000 in December, and subsequently to its current asking price.
We predict that a buyer will be quite pleased with the place.
The listing describes the property as âuniqueâ and located in an âexclusive areaâ of San Juan. It also offers a flexible floor plan, with two separate living accommodations on separate floors.
The first level, entered from a foyer, features three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a living room, dining room, and kitchen. The layout includes an office space with a small kitchen and half bathroom. The interiors are painted bright and cheery reds and yellows. The stairs are covered with decorative tiles. Other details of the 1970 abode include wrought-iron railings, arched doorways, and fanciful light fixtures.
Upstairs, the separate living space includes two large bedrooms, two bathrooms, a small kitchen, two terraces, a living room, dining room, family room, and balcony.
Outside, the grounds include a terrace, pool, gazebo, and patio. The covered carport has room for at least four cars. An electric gate secures the entrance to the property. Other amenities include an electric generator that powers the entire house, as well as security doors and windows.Â
Born Walter Mercado Salinas, the flamboyant entertainer grew up in Puerto Rico, and began delivering his predictions in elaborate costumes on a weekly show on Telemundo back in the 1970s.
Mercadoâs reach expanded in the 1990s, when his show moved to Univision, where he delivered his soulful brand of astrology until 2010. After that, he maintained a public presence through a website and other appearances. He also wrote a horoscope column in El Nuevo Herald, the Spanish-language sister of the Miami Herald.
He is the subject of a 2020 documentary, âMucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado,â available on Netflix.
Gretchen Garcia with Real Estate Opportunities holds the listing.
The post Puerto Rico Home of the Late Astrologer Walter Mercado Available for $395K appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
Reality TV star Ty Pennington, known for changing peopleâs lives with his energetic personality on the original version of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, is now looking to cash in on his own home makeover. Pennington has just listed his house — a beautiful and bright 1927 Craftsman in Venice, Calif. — for $2,795,000.
Pennington put his home design expertise to good use and carefully restored the property earlier this year with the help of his trusted interior designer, Patrick Delanty. Delanty, also known to be Halle Berry’s designer, has long been working alongside Ty Pennington, serving as his design director for Extreme Makeover and running his on-air design segments, most notably his presence on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Rachel Ray Show, NBCâs Nightline and Good Morning America.
Just like its reality TV star owner, the home is bright, cheerful and quirky, with colorful interiors exuding creativity and style. The property is listed by Patrice Meepos of Compass.
Ty Pennington’s house in Venice, CA. Image credit: Anthony Barcelo
Tucked away on a one-way street near the beach, Venice Boardwalk, canals and Abbot Kinney’s hot spots, the original 1927 dwelling has 3 beds, 3 baths, and a sizable living room with decorative fireplace, along with a sunken family room with large windows overlooking a newly landscaped, private back yard with koi pond.
Ty Pennington’s house in Venice, CA. Image credit: Anthony Barcelo Ty Pennington’s house in Venice, CA. Image credit: Anthony Barcelo Ty Pennington’s house in Venice, CA. Image credit: Anthony Barcelo Ty Pennington’s house in Venice, CA. Image credit: Anthony Barcelo Ty Pennington’s house in Venice, CA. Image credit: Anthony Barcelo
The ground level hosts the kitchen, laundry room, and bedroom with direct backyard access, as well as a full bath. On the upper level, there’s a master retreat and a second bedroom.
Ty Pennington added quite a few special touches to the 2,102-square-foot home, including bamboo flooring, baths adorned in vintage-inspired ceramic tile, a master bath sporting a standalone shower and an antique cast-iron freestanding tub, kitchen with concrete countertops and a wraparound, porcelain-tiled porch. There’s also a beautiful backyard that looks like a great place to entertain guests.
Ty Pennington’s house in Venice, CA. Image credit: Anthony Barcelo Ty Pennington’s house in Venice, CA. Image credit: Anthony Barcelo Ty Pennington’s house in Venice, CA. Image credit: Anthony Barcelo Ty Pennington’s house in Venice, CA. Image credit: Anthony Barcelo
While Ty Pennington did not return to host HGTV’s 2020 version of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (which is hosted by Modern Family‘s Jesse Tyler Ferguson), you can catch the two time Emmy award winner in his other home improvement series, Trading Spaces — which recently restarted airing after a 10-year hiatus.
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The post Extreme Makeover’s Ty Pennington Lists Bright and Beautiful Venice Beach Home appeared first on Fancy Pants Homes.
A star-studded home in the heart of Hollywood Hills has hit the market for $30 million this week. Formerly owned by Prince, Elizabeth Taylor, Russ Weiner, and Carlos Booze, this home has a ton of character and charm.
The post Princeâs Former Los Angeles Mansion Lists for $30 Million appeared first on Homes.com.
While COVID-19 has affected all parts of daily life, the travel industry has certainly been put on hold as people have had to cancel plans and stay at home. Since most travelers plan many months in advance, this also leaves many holding tickets they can no longer use. Frequent flyers and hotel loyalty members are left wondering what recourse they have, if any, when it comes to their member status and points or miles.
We researched the major players in the hotel and airline industry to find out how these companies plan to accommodate their valued members â by extending points, status levels and more â in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus relief measures by loyalty or travel program
Hilton Honors
Marriott Bonvoy
IHG Rewards Club
World of Hyatt
Wyndham Rewards
Choice Privileges
United MileagePlus
Delta SkyMiles
American Airlines AAdvantage
JetBlue TrueBlue
Southwest Rapid Rewards
Virgin Atlantic
British Airways
CLEAR
TSA Precheck
Global Entry
Hilton Honors
In addition to donating up to one million rooms to medical professionals, Hilton has promised to compensate its Hilton Honors loyalty program members in a number of ways.
Lower status requirements
Hilton has cut status qualification requirements by half.
Elite status
Previous status requirements
New status requirements
Silver status
4 stays, 10 nights or 25,000 base points
2 stays, 5 nights or 12,500 base points
Gold status
20 stays, 40 nights or 75,000 base points
10 stays, 30 nights or 37,500 base points
Diamond status
30 stays, 60 nights or 120,000 base points
15 stays, 30 nights or 60,000 base points
Status extension
For any Silver, Gold or Diamond members that were due to downgrade in 2020 or 2021, statuses will be extended through March 31, 2022.
Cardholder benefits
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Weekend night rewards on eligible Hilton credit cards that were not expired by May 1, 2020, will now be valid through August 31, 2021, and certificates issued from May 1 through Dec. 31, 2020, are valid for 24 months from the date of issuance. All free weekend night certificates issued in 2021 can be used any night of the week and expiration is extended until Dec. 31, 2022.
Additionally, bonus points will continue to count as base points on eligible purchases through Dec. 31, 2021, and toward elite status tier qualification, including Lifetime Diamond Status.
Other rewards
All 2020 elite qualifying nights will be rolled over to the 2021 status year. This applies to all nights members have already completed or will complete this calendar year.
On top of that, Hilton has lowered the requirements to earn Milestone Bonuses for 2021. Previously, you could earn 10,000 bonus points every 10 nights after completing 40 nights in a calendar year. Starting in January, that requirement has been changed to 20 nights stayed to align with the new Gold qualification level. However, 60 nights will still earn you 30,000 points.
Diamond members will be able to gift Gold status for staying 30 nights in 2021 instead of 60 nights which was the previous requirement. The requirement to gift Diamond status is lowered to 60 nights instead of 100.
To ensure member safety, Hilton is providing flexible cancellations and full points refunds for all Hilton Honors experiences booked through May 31, 2021.
You can follow further updates for Hilton Honors members on the loyalty program website.
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott plans to compensate its Marriott Bonvoy members, although benefits may vary depending on membersâ location.
See related: Marriott data breach involves 5.2 million hotel guests
Status extension
Bonvoy members who earned elite status for 2020 can now enjoy their benefits through February 2022.
Points extension
Points set to expire by February 2021 will be paused, and no points will expire until after that time period.Â
Other rewards
Active free night awards (as part of Marriott credit cards or packages) set to expire beginning March 1, 2020, will be extended through Aug. 1, 2021. Additionally, more recent certificates set to expire before July 31, 2021, will be extended through that date as well. Suite night awards set to expire by Dec. 31, 2020, will be extended another year through Dec. 31, 2021.
Additionally, Marriott will deposit Elite Night Credits into Bonvoy elite membersâ accounts in the amount of 50% of the nights required for the status they earned in 2019. This can make it easier for the members to reach the next tier.
Elite Night Credits deposit breakdown
Elite status
Annual tier requirements
Extra elite night credits
Ambassador Elite
100 Qualifying Nights and $20,000 stay spend
50 Elite Night Credits
Titanium Elite
75 Qualifying Nights
38 Elite Night Credits
Platinum Elite
50 Qualifying Nights
25 Elite Night Credits
Gold Elite
25 Qualifying Nights
13 Elite Night Credits
Silver Elite
10 Qualifying Nights
5 Elite Night Credits
Stay up to date on relief measures for Bonvoy members on the companyâs COVID-19 page.
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IHG Rewards Club
Due to travel constraints and shortened travel periods, IHG has lowered its requirements for elite status membership by 25% or more, as well as extended statuses and points for all members (since elite membersâ points never expire).Â
Lower status requirements
Status
Previous qualification requirements
New qualification requirements
Gold
10,000 qualifying points in a calendar year or
10 qualifying nights in a calendar year
7,000 qualifying points in a calendar year or
7 qualifying nights in a calendar year
Platinum
40,000 qualifying points in a calendar year or
40 qualifying nights in a calendar year
30,000 qualifying points in a calendar year or
30 qualifying nights in a calendar year
Spire
75,000 qualifying points in a calendar year or
75 qualifying nights in a calendar year
55,000 qualifying points in a calendar year or
55 qualifying nights in a calendar year
See related: The benefits of IHG Rewards Club elite status
Status extension
Program statuses will be extended through January 2022 for all members. Spire elite members will also retain their Choice benefit of 25,000 bonus points or gifting of Platinum Elite status to someone each year.
Award certificatesÂ
Anniversary night certificates (U.S. and U.K. only) set to expire before March 1, 2020, will be extended through the end of the year. All 2020 certificates will be redeemable for 18 months, instead of the usual 12. Some members have also reported that free night certificates expiring before Dec. 31, 2020, will be extended until August 2021.
Follow updates to IHG Rewards Club benefits on the programâs travel advisory page.
World of Hyatt
The World of Hyatt loyalty program will extend all statuses and rewards to compensate valued members.
Status extension
All active elite statuses, as of March 31, 2020, will be extended through Feb. 28, 2022.Â
Points extension
Forfeiting points due to inactivity will be suspended through June 30, 2021. No points will expire until that date.
Other rewards
Any earned rewards, such as free nights or upgrades, set to expire between March 1 and Dec. 31, 2020, will be extended through Dec. 31, 2021.
Check the updates to Hyatt relief measures on the programâs COVID-19 page.
online.
Keep an eye on Wyndhamâs COVID-19 statement page for updates.
Choice Privileges
It took Choice some time to follow suit and join other hotel chains in extending elite statuses and offering other promotions amid the outbreak. On May 21, 2020, the company announced a series of offers to expand the benefits of its Choice Privileges loyalty program.
“Even during this crisis, our members found a number of ways to engage with us and make a difference,” said Jamie Russo, vice president, loyalty programs and customer engagement, Choice Hotels. “Some of them are essential and frontline workers who chose to stay in our small-business hotels, and others showed their generosity by donating their Choice Privileges points to aid recovery efforts. Our latest loyalty program changes tell our members that we appreciate their continued support and our hotels are here to welcome them whenever they feel safe traveling again.”
Status extension
All membersâ current elite statuses will be extended through Dec. 31, 2021.
Lower status requirements
Choice is also easing requirements to qualify for elite status in 2021.
Elite status
Previous status requirements
2021 status requirements
Gold status
10 nights
7 nights
Platinum status
20 nights
15 nights
Diamond status
40 nights
25 nights
Additionally, Choice is giving current elite members a limited-time upgrade to the next tier. Gold members will be upgraded to Platinum status and Platinum members will be upgraded to Diamond. Additionally, members who stayed at least five nights by Dec. 31, 2020, will be able to keep their upgraded tier through 2021.
United MileagePlus
United has said it would compensate their MileagePlus members by extending all annual memberships, subscriptions and checked bag benefits for six months. United also plans to make status membership requirements easier and will release information later in 2020.
Status extension
All MileagePlus Premier members will get to retain their 2020 status through Jan. 31, 2022.
Lower status requirements
MileagePlus Premier membership now has easier requirements, reduced 50% for each status level.
2021 status
Premier qualifying flights
and PQP
⦠or PQP
Silver
6
2,000
2,500
Gold
12
4,000
5,000
Platinum
18
6,000
7,500
1K
26
9,000
12,000
Other rewards
All valid travel certificates issued on or after April 1, 2020, will be extended to be valid for two years for booking, as well as up to an additional 11 months to travel. All redeposit fees for flights booked through May 31, 2020, will be waived, as well as all fees for members who cancel within at least 30 days of departure.
Follow more updates to United MileagePlus on the programâs travel notice page.
Delta SkyMiles
Delta has stepped up to say they will compensate their Medallion members by extending their Member status.
Status extension
2020 Medallion Member status will be extended through Jan. 31, 2022, and this change should be reflected on the memberâs SkyMiles account by Feb. 1, 2021. Additionally, all 2020 Medallion Qualification Miles will roll over into 2021.
Follow updates to the Delta SkyMiles program on the coronavirus travel update page.
American Airlines AAdvantage
As AAdvantage members experience reduced travel opportunities due to the coronavirus, American Airlines is offering elite status extension, lowering elite status requirements and allowing eligible cardholders to earn miles toward Million Miler status with credit card spend.
Status extension
Members whose elite status expires on Jan. 31, 2021, will automatically get an extension until Jan. 31, 2022.
Lower status requirements
Members will be able to qualify for a higher elite status in 2021 with lower requirements, including Elite Qualifying Dollar (EQD), Elite Qualifying Mile (EQM) and Elite Qualifying Segment (EQS).
Gold oneworld Ruby
Platinum oneworld Sapphire
Platinum Pro oneworld Sapphire
Executive Platinum oneworld Emerald
$2,000 EQDs and 20,000 EQMs or
$2,000 EQDs and 20 EQSs
$4,500 EQDs and 40,000 EQMs or
$4,500 EQDs and 45 EQSs
$7,000 EQDs and 60,000 EQMs or
$7,000 EQDs and 70 EQSs
$12,000 EQDs and 80,000 EQMs or
$12,000 EQDs and 95 EQSs
Cardholder benefits
The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® cardholders who hold a companion certificate expiring Dec. 31, 2020, will receive a six-month extension as well, bringing the expiration date to June 30, 2021.
Learn more about AAdvantage program updates on aa.com.
JetBlue TrueBlue
JetBlue took a bit longer to join other airlines in taking measures to support loyal customers. On May 14, 2020, JetBlue announced it’s extending Mosaic elite statuses, as well as making it easier to earn one.
Status extension
All currently valid Mosaic elite statuses will be extended through Dec. 31, 2021.
Lower status requirements
JetBlue is reducing the qualifying thresholds for Mosaic status by 50% for 2021. To earn the status this year, you’ll need to earn 7,500 qualifying TrueBlue base points or 6,000 qualifying TrueBlue base points and 15 flight segments.
Alternatively, you can get the elite status by spending $50,000 in annual net purchases on the JetBlue Plus card â this spending requirement hasn’t changed for 2020.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic has also made it easier for customers to earn and maintain elite status amid the pandemic.
Status extension
In March 2020, Virgin Atlantic extended status for Gold and Silver members, allowing them an additional six months to meet the requirements.
On Aug. 20, 2020, the airline added another six months to the extension, making it one year in total.
Other rewards
Starting Sept. 1, 2020, the Flying Club program members will be able to earn tier points on award flights, meaning they’ll be able to earn elite-qualifying points on flights where they used Flying Club miles to redeem for travel.
On top of that, Virgin Atlantic makes it easier for members to earn and redeem Companion Vouchers, Upgrade Vouchers and Clubhouse Vouchers.
Members can now use Companion Vouchers with any ticket in any booking class, regardless of status. Gold and Silver members can book their companion into any cabin for zero miles, and Red members can book their companion into Economy and Premium for zero miles or upper class at a 50% discount.
Upgrade Vouchers can also be used with any ticket in any booking class, excluding Economy Light, for a one-cabin upgrade on a return flight.
Clubhouse Vouchers can be used for one entry to any clubhouse when booked on a Virgin flight or with Air France, Delta or KLM when flying internationally. Gold members will continue to receive two vouchers.
Southwest Rapid Rewards
On April 16, Southwest announced a status extension for A-List and A-List Preferred members and companion passes. The company is also giving a points “boost” to all Rapid Rewards members.
“As we continue to navigate our way through this unprecedented time and deal with extraordinary challenges, we are committed to keeping you informed and updated on the steps we are taking to manage through the COVID-19 pandemic,” Southwest said in a message to Rapid Rewards members.
Status extension
Companion Pass Members who received an extension of their earned Companion Pass benefits through June 30, 2021, will have their benefits extended for another six months. Members will be able to keep their status through Dec. 31, 2021.
Other rewards
Southwest is giving all Rapid Rewards members with an account opened by Dec. 31, 2020, a âboostâ of 25,000 Companion Pass qualifying points and 25 flight credits toward Companion Pass status, as well as 15,000 tier qualifying points and 10 qualifying flight credits toward A-List and A-List Preferred.
Southwest cardholders can also spend their way all the way to A-List status, with no cap on tier qualifying points (TQPs) earned through card spend. Previously, cardholders could only earn up to 15,000 TQPs per year via card spend.
Additionally, travel funds created or expiring between March 1, 2020, and Sep. 7, 2020, will now expire on Sep. 7, 2022. Alternatively, Rapid Rewards members can convert those funds into Rapid Rewards points. According to Southwest, the conversion ratio is âthe same rate you would be able to purchase a ticket with points today.â
British Airways
On June 11, British Airways finally joined other airlines in extending the elite status for its members. Additionally, the carrier is reducing the number of tier points needed to reach a higher membership tier.
Status extension
British Airways is extending tier status by 12 months for members who have a tier point collection end date of July 2020, through to June 2021.
Lower status requirements
The carrier has also reduced the number of points needed to retain and upgrade a membership status by 25%.
Here are the new tier qualification thresholds:
Bronze: 225 Tier Points or 18 eligible flights
Silver: 450 Tier Points or 37 eligible flights
Gold: 1125 Tier Points
Cardholder benefits
Members who have earned heir Gold Upgrade Vouchers, Companion Vouchers and Travel Together Tickets with a British Airways credit card will get a 6-month expiration extension to any current vouchers.
CLEAR
CLEAR is a program that makes it quicker for travelers to get through airport security lanes by using biometrics for ID verification. Since many people are currently avoiding traveling due to the coronavirus outbreak, a CLEAR membership might not be useful at the moment.
Originally, CLEAR offered customers to pause their membership for three months. Now CLEAR is allowing members to request a three-month extension to their membership, which can be done by contacting the company directly. With customer service channels such as phone lines overloaded by requests, the fastest way to do so is via CLEARâs online chat. However, some users have reported experiencing difficulties finding the chat box on the website. Alternatively, you can reach CLEAR by text, email or phone.
TSA Precheck
TSA Precheck is a five-year membership that provides expedited security checks at select domestic airports in the U.S. At this time, TSA is planning to keep enrollment centers open while working to determine if any temporary closures are required. Some centers have been closed or changed hours.
If youâre planning to visit an enrollment center, itâs recommended that you schedule an appointment â as walk-ins may be deferred.
Visit TSAâs enrollment questions page for more information.
Global Entry
Global Entry, a program run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection that allows travelers to get expedited clearance through automatic kiosks when arriving in the U.S, has reopened its enrollment centers on Sept. 8, 2020. After a six-month hiatus, the program will finally allow conditionally approved Global Entry applicants to complete in-person interviews at most Trusted Traveler Programs enrollment centers in the U.S. The interviews must be scheduled in advance online, and their availability will vary by location.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak has also affected processing times for Global Entry renewals, CPB has increased the renewal grace period to 18 months. This means that if you apply for your Global Entry renewal before its expiration date, you’ll be able to use Global Entry for another 18 months.
As the coronavirus situation is unprecedented and changing rapidly every day, hotels and airlines continue to make updates to their travel policies, including their loyalty programs. Travelers should continue to check airline and hotel websites as the situation evolves. If they cannot find the information they need online, they should contact their hotel, airline or travel agencyâs customer service number.
The host of the âDaily Show,â Trevor Noah, has picked up another purchase in Bel-Air, the L.A. Times reported.Â
The comedian has shown that he has seriously expensive taste in real estate, splashing out a whopping $27.5 million on a luxury mansion in the swanky Los Angeles neighborhood. The deal closed at the end of the year, realtor.com® records show.
The contemporary mansion had been on the market for as much as $36 million in 2018, but the price was reduced over the years. It was first cut to $32.5 million and landed at $29.5 million in 2020, before Noah scooped it up for an even lower amount.
If the transaction seems familiar, it’s because it isn’t his first foray into the Bel-Air market. In 2019, the stand-up star purchased a posh pad in the same area for $20.5 million. He then flipped that mansion for $21.7 million in August. He has now jumped back into the real estate game with an even pricier property.Â
Designed by the architect Mark Rios and built in 2014, the home spans 11,000 square feet and offers indoor-outdoor living, with city and ocean views.Â
The roomy floor plan includes six bedrooms, eight full bathrooms, and three powder rooms, in a residence surrounded by gardens and pathways. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors in the living area lead out to a pool. The main level layout also features a chefâs kitchen, formal dining room, and den.
Upstairs, the master suite features dual bathrooms and walk-in wardrobes. Another four en suite bedrooms, office, or staff quarters complete the second floor.
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Watch: Jeff Foxworthy Lists His Dream Home in Georgia
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Other luxe amenities include a gym, spa, office, lounge, third-floor screening room with rooftop terrace, and a separate guest suite with a game room.
The property is also equipped with an elevator and Crestron automation, as well as a security office and motor court.
Noah, 36, has hosted the âDaily Showâ since 2015. He has been delivering a stripped-down show from his Manhattan condo since the coronavirus pandemic.
The show, now dubbed âThe Daily Social Distancing Show with Trevor Noah,â features him wearing a seemingly limitless wardrobe of hoodies in varying shades. He picked up the Hell’s Kitchen penthouse for $10 million in 2017.
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The South African has been sharing his good fortune, and has reportedly been paying the salaries of 25 of his crew himself, since they were put on furlough when the in-studio production was halted.
It seems he can afford it. Forbes ranked the Emmy-award winning entertainer as the fourth highest-paid comedian in 2019, with a reported income of $28 million, mainly for his stand-up shows. His memoir, âBorn a Crime,â was a critically heralded New York Times bestseller.
Linda May with Hilton & Hyland represented the seller. Jonah Wilson with Hilton & Hyland represented the buyer.
The post ‘Daily Show’ Host Trevor Noah Reportedly Buys Bel-Air Mansion for $27.5M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
If you’re a die-hard Supernatural fan like us, you’re probably still reeling from the show’s finale and coping with the fact that there won’t be any new Winchester adventures for us to follow. But weâre not here to talk about that, but rather snoop into the private life of one of the series’ leading men. More specifically, Jensen Acklesâ house — which we actually think Dean Winchester would approve of.
The actor starring in CWâs longest running show and his wife Danneel opened up their 7,500-square-foot home in Austin, Texas to Architectural Digest, giving us a rare glimpse into the heartthrob’s home and personal life.
As the story goes, the couple was relocating from Los Angeles and initially considered buying a house down the road when they noticed this property (that wasnât even for sale). But since they fell in love with it, the couple went ahead and asked the previous owners if they’d be willing to sell. And since it’s not easy resisting Jensen Ackles’ charms, they managed to convince the owners so the Acklesâ moved on to the next step â- redecorating the house.
To help out, they hired architect Paul Lamb and interior designer Fern Santini and together they came up with some brilliant ideas on how to best revamp their already-stunning new house.
âIt was imperative that the house express the Ackleses — young, bold, and irreverent,â Lamb told AD.
Jensen Acklesâ house, which boasts five bedrooms, revolves around Danneelâs decorating outlook of âmore is more is more!â There is a lot of color, texture, a lot of wood work going on to make it look like a lake house and endless decorations with some of the coolest background stories.
Let there be music
In Supernatural, Jensen loves music. Remember his spontaneous Eye of a Tiger outtake? Still fun to watch! Thereâs definitely more of where that came from in real life, since Jensen did his best to create an amazing acoustic sound in his house.
The living room is scattered with guitars and all across the shag rug lie comfy and colored floor pillows. All this because the couple loves having friends over, sitting on the floor, singing and playing the guitar.
Jensen was excited to talk about one of his favorite features of the house: âThe hand-scraped wood floors undulate quite heavily, and weâve got these giant beams and wood all around that feel like youâre in the hull of a giant ship.â âWhat that does is it creates an amazing acoustic sound,â he continues. âWeâve always had music in our lives, and we wanted to pass on that tradition.â
Jensen Ackles home in Austin, Texas. Image credit: Jeff Wilson for AD
Jensen’s kick-ass bar
Theyâve taken care of the music, and to complete the ambiance they got rid of the formal dining room (that nobody used anyway) and replaced it with a kick-ass bar.
Placed on one end of the large living room, the bar is made out of black walnut with black and white veined marble. The cabinets were specially made to light the expensive bourbons it holds inside.
Jensen Ackles home in Austin, Texas. Image credit: Jeff Wilson for AD
The master suite
Thereâs a master bedroom swaddled in Trove wallpaper bearing vintage photography of 1920s opera boxes. The wallpaper is covered in sections by Japanese-inspired barn door panels âbecause sometimes you need an audience and sometimes you donâtâ.
Jensen Ackles home in Austin, Texas. Image credit: Douglas Friedman for AD
The master bathroom has a beautiful
bathtub sitting in front of a large window that provides a stunning view to the
lake.
The Mr. and Mrs. own two separate counters, because, you know, it just makes things easier in the mornings; and the inspiration for their master bathroom shower came from an Architectural Digest story featuring a steel and glass shower in the home of Neil Patrick Harris.
Jensen Ackles home in Austin, Texas. Image credit: Douglas Friedman for AD
Jensen Ackles’ bright, wood-framed home
Thanks to exposed beams, larger expanses of windows, and rich wooden ceilings, the architect managed to simplify and open the spaces. They simply tore down walls to let more natural light into the home.
Jensenâs favorite space is the breezy two-story screened porch that transformed the entire profile of the house; and his favorite piece â a custom long table made using a 2,000-year-old cypress log.
Parents of three
Jensen and Danneel have three beautiful children, so they had to choose the decor and furniture according to their needs as well. It appears that the coupleâs eldest daughter would make a great interior designer once she grows up. The six-year-old girl, JJ, helped pick out all her own bedroom decor.
Jensen Ackles home in Austin, Texas. Image credit: Douglas Friedman for AD
Unsurprisingly, the kidsâ favorite toy is a rolling acrylic table from the â50s, placed in the kitchen. Everybody loves a happy kitchen!
Jensen Ackles home in Austin, Texas. Image credit: Douglas Friedman for AD
Jensen Ackles’ home is full of hidden gems
The actorâs house is a personalized, eccentric, yet highly livable place. It was designed to resemble the Laurel Canyon bungalow the couple had once lived in and itâs a testament to the old school, Austin-style lake house.
The space is filled with all kinds of eccentric and eclectic objectsâsome useful, some decorative, some both. The decorations could be found in abundance in Austin during its bohemian period (the Acklesâ are active supporters of local art), as well as in late-60s California.
More beautiful celebrity homes
Rob Loweâs Gorgeous House in Montecito is Back on the Market for $42.5 Million Luxurious Malibu Estate Previously Owned by Kelsey Grammer On the Market for $20M âHunger Gamesâ Actor Josh Hutcherson is Selling His Celebrity-Magnet âTree Houseâ in Hollywood Hills Jessica Albaâs Los Angeles House is a Pinterest-Perfect Dream Home
The post Inside Supernatural Star Jensen Ackles’ ‘Very Hip’ Lake House in Austin appeared first on Fancy Pants Homes.
What better month to have the famous filming location of Buffalo Bill’s home in “Silence of the Lambs” go up for sale than October? Spooky season is here.
The post Silence of the Lambs, Anyone? Buffalo Billâs Home Hits the Market for $300K appeared first on Homes.com.
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