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Kesari Tours

Kesari Tours earlier known as Kesari Travels was founded by Kesari Patil in 1984 [1] . Kesari Tours is an Indian online and offline Travel Company based in Mumbai, India that caters to wide range of family group tours, speciality tours, inbound holidays, free individual travel and corporate level. With 500 Office and 400 tours leaders, Kesari Tours Offers travels services including domestic and international holiday packages, hotel reservations, flight tickets, rail and bus tickets etc [2] .

The company has a record of serving for decades & successfully expanding its presence with more than 45 options for Europe, more than 50 options for South East Asia, 150 in India, and more than 70 in the rest of the world, 80 options for unique Speciality tours, thereby making Kesari Tours the largest private tour operator in India [3] .

• 2 Operations
• 3 Awards & Achievements
• 4 References
• 5 External links

History [ edit ]

Kesari Tours was established by Kesari Patil in 1984 at the age of 50. Prior starting up his own film, Kesari Patil was working in his brothers company named Raja Rani. With 21 years of experience as a tour expert, Kesari Patil laid the foundation of Kesari tours in a rented flat in Matunga with a typist and his wife conducting his first tour with a group of 13 people in Rajasthan. With expansion of the business in 1986, his daughter Veena Patil and his son Shailesh Patil joined as directors [4] .

On 29th Foundation Day of the company in 2013, Shailesh Patil became Managing Director of Kesari Tours [5] .

Operations [ edit ]

Kesari Tours has its corporate office in Mahim, Mumbai with other regional offices in Ahmedabad, Banglore, Borivali, Delhi, Girgaon, Hyderabad, Indore, Kolhapur, Kolkata, Nagpur, Pune, Nashik, Thane, Vasai and Vashi, along with preferred sales partners across Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Goa, Kerala, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh etc.

Recently the company has launched an app for android users where customers can directly plan and buy the required packages [6] .

Awards & Achievements [ edit ]

Kesari Tours has been recognized as India's Most Valuable Travel Destinations Company 2017 at India Leadership Conclave 2017.

References [ edit ]

• Despite late start Kesari Patil made his travel firm a big success . Economic Times . Retrieved December 26, 2011.
• Kesari Tours mulls Rs 100-crore IPO . Economic Times . Retrieved June 10, 2007.
• For founder chairman of Kesari Tours life is a never-ending adventure... . DNA India . Retrieved April 30, 2010.
• Kesari Tours mulls Rs 100 cr IPO . Business Standard . Retrieved February 5, 2013.
• Kesari: Doing it differently . Travel Biz Monitor . Retrieved January 6, 2009.
• Kesari Business Reflect values . Trav Talk India . Retrieved April 18, 2018.
• Tourism Malaysia Mumbai associated with Kesari Tours & Travel to conduct a four city Product Briefing Seminar. Travel Trade Journal . Retrieved March 15, 2019.
• Tourism Malaysia Mumbai and Kesari Tours to conduct a 4-city Product Briefing Seminar – Surat, Indore, Nashik, Pune. Udaipur Times . Retrieved March 06, 2019.
• Kesari Tours Undergoes Major Overhaul. Travel Trends Today . Retrieved July 08, 2013.
• Kesari Tours: Bringing the World of Congenial Travel. Travel Trends Today. Retrieved July 08, 2013.
• Renowned Travel Company & Nation’s Biggest Tour Operator Kesari voted as India’s Most Valuable Travel Destination Company 2017 at India Leadership Conclave 2017. Breakfastnews. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
• The rivals. Hindustantimes. Retrieved July 07, 2008.
• Kesari Tours undergoes management change; to launch travel & tourism academy, new products and services. Travelbizmonitor. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
• Kesari Tours – Android App on Playstore. Google Play Store.
• Buy A Journey called Life book. cart91
• Greatbhet with Kesari Patil. Maharashtra1 Tv, Youtube. Retrieved July 18, 2016.

External links [ edit ]

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Kesari Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Kesari Kerala Trip: A Memorable Journey Through God's Own Country

Kerala, a state in southern India, is known for its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and delicious cuisine. A trip to this state is a must-do for anyone who loves exploring new destinations. read more...

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Alleppey | Houseboat | Thekkady

5 days 4 nights.

Houseboat | Munnar

Houseboat | Munnar | Thekkady

Alleppey | munnar | thekkady, 6 days 5 nights.

Alleppey | Houseboat | Munnar | Thekkady | Cochin

Alleppey | Munnar | Thekkady | Cochin

Houseboat | athirapilly | munnar | thekkady | cochin, 7 days 6 nights, alleppey | houseboat | munnar | thekkady, houseboat | alleppey | kovalam | munnar | thekkady, 8 days 7 nights.

Houseboat | Alleppey | Munnar | Thekkady

Houseboat | alleppey | kovalam | munnar | vagamon.

9 Days 8 Nights

Houseboat | Kovalam | Munnar | Thekkady

Houseboat | kanyakumari | kovalam | munnar | thekkady.

Houseboat | Athirapilly | Kovalam | Munnar | Thekkady

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One of the best ways to experience Kerala is through the Kesari Kerala trip. Kesari Tours, a leading travel company in India, offers this package, which takes you on a journey through some of the most scenic places in the state. The Kesari Kerala trip includes visits to several popular tourist destinations, including Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey, and Kochi. Munnar is a charming hill station known for its tea plantations, scenic landscapes, and cool climate. Thekkady is a wildlife sanctuary where you can see a wide range of animals, including elephants, tigers, and bison. Alleppey is famous for its serene backwaters, and a houseboat ride through these backwaters is an experience that you will cherish for a long time. Kochi, on the other hand, is a vibrant city that has a rich history and culture.

The Kesari Kerala trip is designed to provide a comprehensive and authentic experience of the state. In addition to the popular tourist destinations, the package also includes visits to local markets and workshops where you can learn about traditional crafts like coir making and weaving. You will also get to taste the delicious Kerala cuisine, which is a unique blend of flavors and spices.

The Kesari Kerala trip is a well-organized package that takes care of all your travel needs. The package includes accommodation in comfortable hotels and resorts, transportation in air- conditioned vehicles, and the services of a guide who will provide insights into the history, culture, and geography of the state, and he or she will ensure that you get the most out of your trip.

One of the best things about the Kesari Kerala trip is that it is suitable for all types of travelers. Whether you are traveling alone, with family, or in a group, this package is perfect for you. The itinerary is flexible, and you can choose to spend as much time as you want at each destination.

Kesari Tours has a reputation for providing high-quality travel experiences, and the Kesari Kerala trip is no exception. The company has a team of experienced professionals who will ensure that every aspect of your tour is taken care of, from the itinerary to the accommodation and transportation.

In conclusion, the Kesari Kerala trip is an excellent way to experience the beauty and culture of Kerala. It takes you on a journey through some of the most scenic places in the state and provides an authentic experience of the local culture and traditions. Book your Kesari Kerala trip today and get ready for a memorable journey through God's Own Country.

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Frequently asked questions, after we reach kerala, what is the next proceeding.

Once you land in Kerala, you are our guest. We make arrangements for your pick-up. If you have selected rooms for freshening up, you will also get a complimentary breakfast. Then in our office, you will be given a brief idea about the itinerary. You can then proceed with your trip with a fresh mind.

How safe is a houseboat and will it be in good condition?

Houseboat is an authentic product of Kerala. The basic houseboat starts with Deluxe, Luxury and Premium. Deluxe houseboats will have very basic amenities. For a better experience, you can ask the executive to give you a premium or luxury houseboat especially during the summer season.

Do you provide pick up services from the airport /bus stand / station?

Yes, our packages include pick up services from the airport/railway station or bus stop.

What is the best time to visit Kerala ?

Kerala is considered an all-time destination with June to August being monsoon season and post monsoon is equally good.

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We are visiting Kashmir trip through Kesari Tours , KD170324 package during 17 to 23 March 24, in... read more

Never ever think of taking any tours from kesari tours i was refered by a friend was inquiring... read more

Great Experience

Wonderful tour to Dubai with Kesari. Food, stay , site seeing, tour guide everything was too good. Earlier had travelled with other tour and in comparisons we genuinely found Kesari better.Hope they maintain their standard..

Here I want to reiterate that Kesari Tours Accountant at Mumbai took my case of refunding my Schengen Visa amount paid in cash over & above the package cost (as it was included), very casually & had to call their local representative Nanditha at Bangalore only to be told it will be done in 10 working days, owing to Dasara & Deepavali holidays but actually it took more than 44 days before it was actually credited to my account (Sep 21 to Nov 04), causing severe trauma which had to be forcibly swallowed for no fault of mine. This attitude has to change to gain customer's confidence as I had to use tour leader's help (who was responding to my call which was not seen from their local representative) too to have it resolved.

Total SCAM!!!!!!!!!!!! We paid the money for the tour to Chicago, USA. And GLOBAL PANDEMIC - Covid 19 Happened. No problem, We understood. But Kesari Tours Pvt Lmt took all our money for the tour now they are neither rescheduling it nor refunding the amount which was $1290/person. They are saying they use the money for the reservations such as Air Reservations, Hotel services, other Bookings, Reservations for Attractions at Tourist Points, and Meals. Whichever flights and Hotels were closed due to the pandemic they have provided the credit for the tour or refunded the money so, we think it's a FRAUD and SCAM. WE NEVER RECEIVED THE CONFIRMATION REGARDING THE TOUR DATE OR BOOKING OR ACCOMMODATION.

I went on a group tour with Kesari travels to Lahaul Spiti Valley in June and am impressed with the way things were systematically organized and executed. Hotels were good, food was delicious and the vehicles were well maintained with responsible drivers in the most treacherous roads, infact in some places had to find ways over brooks and rubbles. It was the most adventurous trip ever enjoyed by all. The icing on the cake was the tour leaders Tabrez and Pravin who were extremely caring and round the clock on their toes attending to every ones needs. The review would be incomplete if I didn’t mention the most important inclusion of a huge oxygen cylinder which was administered by Tabrez himself to few especially at night during the stay in tent in the valley at Chandratal. Someone who went during the same time with another travels had difficulty as they had carried a small one litre can due to which members having oxygen issues had to be taken to hospital. Thank you Kesari and the tour leaders for the meticulous planning and foresight. Undoubtedly I will certainly recommend kesari travels to everyone.

The quality of hotels, food, as well as the tour managers should improve. There was the worst tour manager I had ever travelled with.

We found them to be very inefficient and very unresponsive. We had gone to them for a customised tour in Kashmir for 4 people.

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Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.

Moscow Metro Tour

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Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

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Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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Frugal Traveler

Credit Card Swipe Fees Are Going Down. Are Points Going With Them?

A new agreement by Visa and Mastercard to reduce fees charged to merchants may drain the lucrative rewards that grant free travel to many credit card users.

By Elaine Glusac

Elaine Glusac is the Frugal Traveler columnist, focusing on budget-friendly tips and journeys.

On Tuesday, the largest credit card companies in the United States reached an agreement with merchants to reduce the so-called swipe fees retailers pay for accepting credit card payments, potentially saving the retailers $30 billion.

These fees also help fund the credit card rewards programs that many travelers redeem for things like free flights and hotel stays, leading points hawks to wonder: Are loyalty programs at risk?

Here’s what we know so far about the changes.

What are the terms of the deal?

Last year, credit card payments generated an estimated $72 billion in fees paid by merchants, which are generally passed along to customers in the form of higher prices. For nearly 20 years, merchants have been seeking reductions in the fees they pay Visa and Mastercard for handling transactions where the cards are used.

The proposed settlement , awaiting approval in a federal court, reduces and caps those fees for five years. It would also allow merchants to potentially charge consumers more based on the card they pay with. For example, a person paying with a premium card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which costs $550 a year, could be charged more than someone paying with the more basic Chase Sapphire Preferred card, with an annual fee of $95.

Why does it matter?

The majority of the fees collected go back to the banks that issue the credit cards. Those banks have used the funds to push premium credit cards that offer loyalty points, which can be redeemed for free travel and other perks. The cards with the biggest benefits tend to be those that charge higher swipe fees.

While the reduction in the fees collected sounds small — averaging at least .07 percent — they represent an estimated $30 billion over the five-year term of the deal, which banks could try to make up by reducing points perks.

“It’s reasonable to think that,” said Brian Kelly, the founder of the Points Guy , a news site devoted to maximizing credit card points.

While he speculated that banks will be able to “find other ways to make up the difference,” he acknowledged that a points squeeze could emerge.

“Opportunities to earn probably aren’t going to flourish,” he said.

The idea that merchants could charge more to the holders of premium, perks-rich cards, which are expensive, might also deter consumers from using them. Some experts question the viability of the practice given the potential for consumer backlash.

Is the new agreement related to the Credit Card Competition Act?

The legal actions that led to the new credit card agreement date back to 2005. But the newer Credit Card Competition Act , proposed in 2023, aims to introduce more competition in the credit card payment system. By creating a cheaper alternative pipeline for processing payments, the proposed legislation is seen as a greater threat to rewards programs.

Responding to the just-announced agreement between the credit card companies and retailers, Senator Dick Durbin, Democrat of Illinois, and the lead sponsor of the Credit Card Competition Act, released a statement urging the act’s passage.

“I fear that this deal only provides temporary concessions negotiated by a few lawyers behind closed doors,” he said in the statement.

Other experts said the agreement may ease the pressure on Congress to pass the act.

“I think it’s a way for Visa and Mastercard to show that they are making a good-faith effort to help out merchants by lowering the fees they’ve been complaining about for 20 years, and hopefully enough to let senators know they’re doing their part,” said Chris Hassan, the social media and brand manager for Upgraded Points , a website that tracks credit card benefits.

Separately, the proposed merger between Capital One and Discover, which is pending federal approval, could introduce more competition among credit cards and potentially improve rewards for holders of those cards.

What should I do now?

The points and payments systems won’t change until the agreement is approved, which is expected in late 2024 or early 2025, according to a news release from Mastercard.

But the topic should remind travelers of the reality of playing with points: The rules always change. Values tend to fall as redemption levels rise, which companies issuing these currencies are free to adjust at will.

If you have points, spend them, say experts like Sara Rathner, a travel and credit card specialist at the financial website NerdWallet . “They’re not a trophy to dust and admire.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

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Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

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52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .