| How to Transfer Travel Reward Points to Another Program Posted: 10 May 2017 05:00 PM PDT Many credit card companies and airline loyalty programs offer travelers the chance to earn reward points and transfer them into discounted airline tickets, rental cars, and hotel stays. Some programs will allow you to send your points to another travel program. If you are frequently on the go, participating in these programs may be a great way to save money. Before you redeem your travel points, review the details of your program contract. Each program has different terms and conditions for accruing, using, and transferring points. Understanding your redemption choices and knowing how to transfer your travel points can help you select the best option for you. EditTransferring Travel Reward or Loyalty Points - Phone your program's customer service department. Credit cards, airline credit cards, and loyalty programs will provide a customer service department phone number, which is typically listed on the back of the credit or membership card or on your monthly statement. A customer service representative can help transfer your reward points to another travel program that they are partnered with. They can also share your available point balance and help you initiate the transfer.[1]
- Be sure to have your account number available. You can typically find this on your membership card or on listed on your monthly statements.
- You must be the primary account holder or an authorized member that is linked to the account to transfer points to another program.[2]
- Transfer your rewards online. Most credit card companies and loyalty programs will provide you with access to your statements, transfer options, and redemption choices on an online portal or app. Once you have signed into your account, look for a section that references your credit card or membership points, such as "Redeem My Rewards," or "Use or Transfer My Points." Click through to this section to review begin your transfer.
- Travel programs that have partnered with your loyalty program can change without notification. Be sure to review what programs are currently available to you. The online portal will have the most up-to-date information regarding partnership programs.[3]
- Pay attention to transfer fees. A point transfer fee may be applied when you transfer your points to another program. These fees vary from program to program, and some do not charge a fee at all. For example, you can be charged up to $30 dollars to transfer points from an American Express card to their partnered airline.[4] Before the transaction is completed, you will have a chance to review and agree to a transfer fee.[5]
- Review your contract or talk to a representative online or over the phone to see if you will be required to pay a transfer fee.
EditConsidering Your Transfer Options - Send your credit card points to an airline program. Some credit card programs will allow you to transfer your earned, but not redeemed, credit card points to an airline loyalty program. For many credit cards, you can earn 1 mile for 1 credit card point. Some cards, like American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards, offer same-day or 24-hour transfers. Other programs may take up to a week.[6]
- To increase your chances of earning a free airline ticket, save your credit card points and send them to the airline program of your choice.
- Book tickets and accommodations with your travel points. Consider using your travel reward points to book future tickets and hotels. You can earn points and receive discounts if you use your points to pay for plane tickets, hotel bookings, a rental car, or travel excursions. In some cases, you and your spouse or domestic partner can combine your points if you both have the same credit card.[7] Review your contract or chat with a representative to see if this is an option for you.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred or Ink Plus cardholders can receive a discount up to 20% when they use points to book accommodations or airline tickets by using their accrued points.[8]
- Gift your travel miles to another person. Some airline loyalty programs allow you to transfer your accrued miles to another person, provided that that person holds a membership account with that airline. Delta, for instance, allows you to send your miles to a maximum of 4 individuals. If you would like to send your miles to someone else, you must provide that person's name and account number to complete the transaction.[9]
- You must have a certain number of miles before you can gift them to another loyalty program member. Most airlines require a minimum of 1,000 miles before a transfer can take place.
- Gifting your miles to another member typically cannot be canceled once the transaction is completed.[10]
EditCollecting Transferable Travel Loyalty Points - Join a frequent-flier program. Airline rewards programs can be beneficial to a frequent traveler. These programs ensure customer loyalty by providing incentives to individuals to fly exclusively with that airline or a group of airlines. When choosing a program, consider the airline's flight options, your particular travel needs, the program's benefits, and how easy it is to earn a free or discounted flight.[11]
- If you travel to a particular area for work or to visit family, find out if an airline's headquarters are located in a nearby airport. There will be more flight options in and out of an airline's home base. For example, British Airways is based in London, while Delta airlines is based out of Atlanta.
- There are currently three major airline loyalty programs to choose from, which include One World, Sky Team, and Star Alliance. American Airlines, for instance, is a member of One World, as are Qatar Airways, Etihad Airlines, and other United Arab Emirates airlines. If you travel to the Middle East frequently, it may be best to join this frequent-flier program.
- Sign up for a hotel-loyalty program. If you travel frequently, consider signing up for a hotel-loyalty program.[12] These programs allow you to accrue points for staying at particular hotels within their network. You can transfer your collected program points to a variety of other programs, including airline programs or car rental agencies.
- Priority Club Rewards, an international hotel loyalty program, allow you to exchange your points for airline miles with most major American airlines at the rate of 4 points for 1 mile. Starwood Preferred Guest allows you to exchange 1 point for 1 mile for most airlines.[13]
- RewardsPlus is a partnership between Marriott hotels and United Airlines. This program allows you to collect points when you stay at a Marriott hotel or fly with United, and it allows you to easily transfer and redeem your loyalty points for travel or accommodations. Occasionally, this program offers bonus points when you convert points between programs.[14]
- Enroll in a rider-rewards program. Rider programs offer perks and discounts to reward frequent travelers and to draw in new customers.[15] If you frequently take a train or a bus line, check to see if that company or organization has a loyalty program.
- The Amtrak Guest Rewards program allows you to transfer your points collected by using Amtrak train services. You can transfer these points to rewards programs with their hotel partners, Hilton, La Quinta, and Wyndham, or exchange them for United Airlines miles.[16]
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| How to Verify the Science You Read Posted: 10 May 2017 09:00 AM PDT Verifying the science you read can be tricky. After reading a scientific publication, check the underlying assumptions and look for internal consistencies. Look up references and studies the publication was based on. Talk to a scientist in a relevant field for more verification and clarification. Save yourself a lot of time and energy by choosing only high-quality sources published by peer-reviewed journals, governments, and trustworthy nonprofits. EditChecking the Sources - Take note of verifiable facts as you read. Whether the science you read is an article, book, or web page, read the text in its entirety. As you read, pay attention to details. Write down or make a mental note of things that are confusing or unclear. Use a highlighter or pen to underline, circle, or highlight facts that can be verified.[1]
- Verifiable facts are those which are based in objective reality rather than on opinion, conjecture, or unfounded belief.
- Consult referenced data. All verifiable science relies on the work of other scientists to establish its credibility and inspire further studies. One way to verify the science you read is to follow up on the information provided in the study's footnotes. Check referenced sources to ensure that their conclusions and statistics match those presented in the science literature you're attempting to verify.[2]
- If you're reading science in a popular publication, sources will be cited in the text rather than in footnotes or endnotes.
- Non-specialized sources should describe specific studies but might not refer to published peer-reviewed article by name. They might also refer to certain scientists or authors, or to the titles of scientific journals where relevant publications appeared. Use this information to track down more information whenever possible.
- Talk to a scientist. If you're confused about the science you read, contact a relevant scientist to help you verify it. For instance, if you wish to verify an astronomical report you read, you could contact an astronomer. If you wish to verify a physics issue, contact a physics professor.[3]
- When you've discovered someone to help you verify the science you read, contact them and pose your question. Always be polite and professional when communicating with professional scientists.
- Preferably, you will contact more than one expert in the field of the science you read. This will give you a range of opinions regarding whether the science you read is accurate.
EditTaking a Second, Careful Look - Look at declarative statements. If you read science that has lots of declarative statements (for instance, "It is large") and is low on quantifiable (numbers-based) data, steer clear. Verifiable science will utilize specific numbers, measurements, and sizes when reporting results.[4]
- Check the terms used. Look out for vague or imprecise language. Likewise, avoid science that uses common scientific terms in a novel way. Verifiable science will use terms that other scientists in the field would readily understand.[5]
- For instance, if the science you read says, "The heart-consciousness will heal you when you are ready," you can safely discount it, since there is no "heart-consciousness" known to heal the human body.
- Beware of facts that are stated absolutely. Many scientific questions are settled and have been for many years. For instance, the science you read might contain clear and categorical explanations regarding why the stars shine or why trees grow. However, some scientific questions are still open to exploration, and the answers are less clear. If the science you read contains facts stated absolutely with little or no corroborating research behind them, you should consider that a red flag.[6]
- For instance, the scientific understanding of why we dream remains imperfect. So if the science you read states, "This is why we dream," instead of a more cautious statement like, "This may be why we dream" or "This could be why we dream," be wary.
- Look for internal inconsistencies. If the science you read has charts and statistics that do not jive with the conclusions drawn by the author, you can discount the publication as flawed. Likewise, if the science you read has two conclusions which are at odds, or two data points that contradict each other, the science should be considered untrustworthy.[7]
EditConfirming the Information Elsewhere - Choose trusted publications. High-quality science might come from trusted governments, universities, individuals, peer-reviewed journals, and some nonprofit organizations. When checking a book or article for quality, it should be written by someone with significant experience in their scientific field. If you're reading a scientific article or textbook, the scientist who authored it should have a PhD and long experience at a university or research institution.[8]
- Lay publications will, of course, likely be written by someone without a PhD. The author might even be a student. If the lay publication is trusted, you may consider it a reliable source.
- Choosing high-quality sources means someone has already verified the science for you before you read it.
- Only use sources which are free of apparent bias. Poor quality sources are those which have a vested interest in the scientific results or data they are verifying or refuting. For instance, if you read science produced by a fossil fuel company regarding the polluting impact of their products, the company is producing scientific research which could directly impact its fortunes. In such a situation, you should be skeptical of the data.[9]
- Good sources will provide a high degree of transparency, and include disclaimers regarding funding sources. They will also name all participants in the scientific research.
- Compare the science you read to other publications on the subject. One way to verify the science you read is to check it against other sources on the topic. After reading a scientific article or publication, look the topic up in an encyclopedia or another trusted text. This way, you will learn what the consensus view on the subject is.[10]
- Comparing the science you read against many other publications will help you determine whether the science you read is consistent with mainstream scientific thought.
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| How to Take a Vision Test Online Posted: 10 May 2017 01:00 AM PDT Taking an online vision test is an excellent way to get a general idea of your vision. Online tests can assess for both close up and distance vision as well as screen for colour blindness, astigmatism, and light sensitivity. In order to take an online vision test you will need to find an online test, set up your computer so that you are seated an appropriate distance from the screen, and carefully follow all of the instructions provided. Online vision tests should not replace regular visits to your optometrist or ophthalmologist. EditSetting Up to Take an Online Vision Test - Search for an online vision test. In order to find a vision test online, you will need to complete a Google search. Search for "online vision test" and look through the results. The majority of vision tests available online are provided by companies that sell contact lenses and eye glass frames.
- In some cases you will be asked to create an account or provide your email address prior to taking an online vision test.
- Choose a test. There are a variety of different vision tests available online. For example, you can test your colour vision, visual acuity, light sensitivity, near vision, as well as test for astigmatism. If you are having trouble reading or seeing images on the television, you should test your visual acuity, light sensitivity and near vision. If you are concerned that you may have some form of colourblindness, you should test your colour vision. Determine which test makes sense for your particular situation.[1]
- Ensure you are the proper distance from the screen. Once you have decided on a test you will need to read and follow all of the setup instructions provided. For example, the test will likely ask you to sit anywhere from 40 centimeters (16 inches) to one meter (three feet) from the computer screen.
- Situate your computer on your desk and then move your chair so that you are the appropriate distance from the screen.
- You can measure the distance using measuring tape or a ruler.
- Use a wireless mouse. You will also be required to click on certain images while taking the test, so it is probably best to use a wireless mouse. You can purchase a wireless mouse at any computer supply store and they cost anywhere from $40 to $500.[2]
EditCompleting an Online Vision Test - Follow the instructions. It is important that you carefully follow all of the instructions provided in order to receive accurate results. For example, during the test you will likely be asked to cover one of your eyes with your hand and then answer a variety of questions. You will then be asked to cover your other eye and answer another set of questions. This is done in order to test the vision in each of your eyes.[3]
- You may be asked to leave your glasses on if you already wear glasses to help with your vision.
- Test your visual acuity. When taking a visual acuity test, an "E" will appear on your screen and you will be asked to select the arrow that the open side of the "E" is facing. The "E" will rotate and change sizes as you complete the test.[4]
- Depending on the website you are using you may be asked to cover one eye and take the test and then repeat the questions with your other eye covered.
- Take a contrast vision test. An online vision test that looks at your ability to see contrast can also help determine if you need corrective lenses. To complete this test, a "C" will appear on your screen and you will be asked to select the arrow that the open side of the "C" is facing. As you complete the test the "C" will rotate and the darkness of the letter will change.[5]
- For example, in some instances the letter will be very dark and easy to read and at other points it will be so light that it will become difficult to see against the white background.
- Try a colour vision test. A colour vision test will check to see if you can distinguish different colour contrasts, most notably red, green, and blue. These tests vary slightly, but in most cases a circle will appear that is filled with different coloured circles. You will then be asked to read the number that is hidden inside the circle. If you are not colour blind you should be able to see the numbers easily based on the contrasting colours.[6]
- Take a test that measures astigmatism. An online astigmatism test will ask you to cover one eye and look at a series of lines. You will be asked if some of the lines appear darker than others. Then you will then be asked to cover your other eye and determine if some of the lines are darker than others.[7]
- You should only see darker colours with one of your eyes, not both. If this happens you may have astigmatism and should talk with your eye doctor.
- Read your results. At the end of each test you will be given your results. You may receive excellent results for each test. This indicates that your vision is good and you likely do not need glasses. For some tests, you may receive a poor result. When this happens the site will recommend that you see an eye care professional in order to receive a full eye exam.[8]
- Some sites will only provide you with results after you have provided your email address and name.
EditVisiting an Eyecare Professional - Find an optometrist or opthamologist. Search online for an optometrist or opthamologist in your area. An optometrist is trained to detect a number of eye diseases and can help prescribe corrective lenses. An ophthalmologist can perform eye surgery as well as detect eye diseases, prescribe medication, and prescribe corrective lenses.[9]
- Visit your eye doctor regularly. Do not replace regular visits to the optometrist with online vision tests. These tests should only be used to give you a general understanding of your quality of vision. A trained optometrist can give you a prescription for corrective lenses and can diagnose eye diseases such as glaucoma and cataracts.[10]
- School aged children should have their eyes tested every one to two years.
- Adults between the ages of 20 and 40 should have their eyes tested once every five to ten years.
- Adults between the ages of 40 and 55 should have their eyes tested every two to four years.
- Adults between the ages of 55 and 65 should have their eyes tested every one to three years.
- Adults over the age of 65 should have their eyes tested every 1-2 years.
- Complete a full eye exam. An eye examination, unlike an online vision tests, looks at more than just your vision. For instance an eye exam also evaluates your ocular motility, visual fields, eye structure, and screens for eye diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration.[11]
- Even though an online vision test can give you a general understanding of your quality of vision, you should still see an actual eye doctor on a regular basis.
- Vision tests can not screen for degenerative eye conditions or diseases.
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| How to Cope With Your Partner's Tattoo You Dislike Posted: 04 May 2017 01:00 AM PDT Maybe you are shocked and appalled because your partner just came home with a surprise tattoo. Or maybe you told your partner in advance that you don't like tattoos but they got one anyway. Regardless of the exact circumstances, you hate tattoos and your partner now has one. The best way to cope with your partner's tattoo is to communicate your feelings to your partner, discover why your partner got a tattoo, and come to terms with the tattoo. Also, remember that you are with your partner because of the emotional connection you have with them, and not because of what they look like. Changing their appearance slightly with a tattoo should not change your emotional connection with your significant other. EditDiscovering Why Your Partner Got a Tattoo - Ask your partner the significance of the tattoo. Many people get tattoos that have some form of significance or symbolic meaning. Ask your partner what their tattoo represents. This may help you understand the tattoo better and come to terms with it.[1]
- For example, a tattoo of a name, initials, or a date may symbolize the death of a family member or close friend.
- Alternatively, the tattoo could symbolize a hobby or passion. For example, of a tree may symbolize a passion for the outdoors.
- Some tattoos are also meant as a form of motivation. For instance, they provide something to look at on a bad day to give inspiration.
- Find out what motivated them to get a tattoo. Certain events, such as a major birthday, a new job, the completion of a degree, or the birth of a child, could motivate an individual to get a tattoo. In these cases the tattoo is meant to commemorate or celebrate a certain occasion. You may be more inclined to accept the tattoo despite the fact that you don't like it, if you realize that a major event motivated your partner to get the tattoo.
- Listen to your partner. When your partner is explaining the origins of their tattoo, it is important that you actively listen to them. This will demonstrate that you care about what they are saying and are interested in learning about their tattoo. This will also help you and your partner have a constructive conversation about the tattoo, rather than just getting into an argument.[2]
- Lean in to the conversation, make eye contact, and nod occasionally to demonstrate that you are listening.
- Ask follow up questions to show that you are engaged in the conversation.
- Accept that they may not have a "good" reason. Your partner may not have a "good" reason (in your opinion) for getting a tattoo, but they may feel as though their reason for getting the tattoo was a good one. Even after they have explained the tattoo, you may continue to disagree with the decision. Try and accept the fact that maybe your partner just wanted a tattoo and likes the concept of body art. It is important to respect your partner's decisions about how they want their body to look.
- Remember that a tattoo may change your partner's appearance slightly, but it will not change the bond that you share with your partner.
EditCommunicating Your Feelings - Explain your apprehension before they get a tattoo. If your partner has been thinking about getting a tattoo for a while, you should explain why you don't like tattoos before they actually get one. For instance, maybe tattoos are a trigger for you and bring back unpleasant memories and experiences. Or maybe you find tattoos unprofessional and unattractive. Once you explain why you don't like tattoos, your partner may decide not to get one.[3]
- Remember that your partner has the right to control the appearance of their own body. Avoid using your apprehension about tattoos as a way to manipulate your partner into not getting a tattoo. You can share your apprehension, but try to be respectful of your partner's wishes.
- Share your feelings after the fact. If your partner comes home with a surprise tattoo without any warning, you should still vocalize your feelings. However, be sure to be respectful and keep in mind that your partner has the right to do what they want to do with their body. For example, you could say "I wish you would have told me you wanted to get a tattoo; that way we could have talked about it in advance and come to a compromise." This will allow you to get your feelings off your chest and you and your partner can come to an understanding.[4]
- If your partner got a surprise tattoo of your name or image, it was likely intended as a nice gesture. You should not be overly critical because they are trying to demonstrate their commitment and feelings towards your relationship.
- Use a calm and gentle tone. When you are talking with your partner about their new tattoo, do not shout or use an aggressive tone. Instead, you should approach the conversation in a calm and gentle manner. This way you are not attacking your partner, but instead trying to come to an understanding. Take a deep breath before speaking.[5]
- You could also try taking some time to cool down before approaching your partner about their new tattoo.
- Ask your partner to include you next time. Perhaps you are upset because your partner did not tell you about the tattoo in advance. As a result, you feel as though your partner does not value your opinion. Explain to your partner that you feel overlooked and disrespected. If your partner understands that your negative response is coming from a place of hurt, they may be able to understand your position better and will include you the next time they decide to make a major change to their appearance.[6]
EditComing to Terms With Your Partner's Tattoo - Realize this is not your decision. Once you and your partner have talked openly and honestly about the tattoo, you need to respect that this is not your body and therefore not your decision. You may not like the tattoo, but if you want to remain in a relationship with your partner, then it is a good idea to accept the fact that you have no control over what your partner puts on their body.[7]
- You can always offer your opinion, but the ultimate decision is up to your partner about whether or not to get a tattoo.
- Determine if the tattoo is a deal breaker for you. You may decide that you dislike tattoos so much that you can no longer be in a relationship with your partner. In some instances, the best way for you to cope is to leave the relationship. For example, if your partner got a tattoo that you found offensive, you may decide that you cannot be in a relationship with that person anymore. Try asking yourself some questions to determine your feelings for this person:
- "What was it that initially attracted me to my partner? Is that attraction still there, or has it changed now because of the tattoo? Why?"
- "What is the true root cause of my concerns with the tattoo?"
- "What emotions am I feeling that are associated with the tattoo? Why am I feeling these emotions? Are the emotions actually attached to the tattoo, or the fact that my partner made the decision without talking to me?"
- "Is the root cause of my emotions/concerns something that I can control or manage through healthy coping skills? Is it something that may need to be address with a counseling professional? Or is this something I am able to resolve on my own?"
- Look for something positive about the tattoo. You may be able to cope best with the tattoo if you are able to find something you like about it. For instance, maybe it is small and not that noticeable so you can learn to live with it. Or maybe the tattoo is in a non-visible location and is predominantly hidden by clothes. Try and find something positive about the tattoo to help you cope.
- As time goes on you will likely get used to the tattoo.
- Always talk with your partner before they get a tattoo. This way you can have an open and honest conversation prior to the tattoo.
- If you really don't like the tattoo, you could ask your partner to get it removed.
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