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INTRODUCING JOURNEY: A NEW KIND OF LOYALTY PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR THE MODERN TRAVELER

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Founded by Visionary Entrepreneur, John Sutton and Backed by Brian Kelly (Founder of The Points Guy), Journey is the First Rewards Program Tailored to Private Rental Homes and Boutique Hotels

NEW YORK, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Journey, a pioneering travel rewards platform, launches today to redefine travel loyalty. Journey allows travelers to earn points and perks across a curated network of unique, independently operated properties—from boutique hotels in major cities to private rental homes in remote locales—offering the flexibility and personalization guests crave.

Introducing Journey: A New Kind of Loyalty Program Designed for the Modern Traveler

“More than ever, loyalty is important to consumers,” said Brian Kelly, founder of The Points Guy, Senior Advisor and Investor at Journey. “Travelers want to earn and redeem points for life changing experiences. Whether that’s a safari or a private vacation rental, many of the best lodging options don’t exist within the current loyalty landscape. That’s where Journey comes in—a game changing platform that rewards travelers for staying at properties that they traditionally haven’t been able to earn points for. With Journey, travelers will no longer have to sacrifice loyalty when seeking bespoke and boutique travel experiences.”

Unlock More With Every Stay
Journey connects travelers to hidden gems—boutique hotels, luxury resorts, and private rental homes—that they may not have discovered otherwise. Travelers earn points on every eligible stay, building rewards redeemable for future getaways and perks. For guests, Journey showcases a world of accommodation options beyond the large hospitality groups, giving travelers access to unique, independently owned properties, all while earning valuable loyalty rewards.

“Travelers today face an overwhelming amount of choice,” said John Sutton, Founder and CEO of Journey. “Our curated collection of exceptional, independent stays showcases a handpicked selection of the best accommodations across the globe. By designing a platform from the ground up, we introduce travelers to inspiring, off-the-radar properties while rewarding them for supporting independent operators.”

Transforming Stays, One Reward at a Time
Journey is building an exclusive alliance of independently operated hotels and private rentals, representing a handpicked selection of top properties across the globe. Unlike many rewards programs designed to maximize profits for the loyalty scheme, Journey prioritizes operators and encourages guests to book directly for the best experience and value. Journey Rewards members (travelers) earn at least five points per dollar on eligible stays booked directly with the property versus at least one point per dollar when booking via online travel agencies. Journey also provides operators with next-generation AI marketing tools to personalize guest experiences, optimize off-seasons, attract repeat guests, and compete globally with big chains.

“Journey is about creating an ecosystem where independent operators can thrive without compromising their identity or profits,” Sutton continued. “For far too long, loyalty programs have made money for the loyalty program and not for the hotel or vacation rental. We don’t think it should be that way.”

A World-Class Team of Visionaries
Journey’s leadership team and investors bring together travel industry icons and entrepreneurial powerhouses, united by a passion for redefining loyalty:

John Sutton, Founder and CEO: John is a visionary entrepreneur who sold his digital marketing company in 2009 to join Red Ventures. He held various roles within the organization, including Chief Digital Officer for more than six years, until he left in 2021 to pursue his dream of playing professional beach volleyball. Today, as Journey’s CEO, he is responsible for setting and executing the strategic vision while hiring and overseeing the company’s roster of top industry talent.Brian Kelly, Senior Advisor and Investor: Brian founded The Points Guy in 2010 and built it into one of the top travel media empires in the world. His influential work has led him to be recognized on AdWeek’s Young Influentials list, labeled Forbes’ No. 1 travel influencer and included in Travel + Leisure’s Most Notable People in Travel and Out100’s lists. In 2017, The Points Guy was acquired by Red Ventures, where Brian first connected with John.James McBride, Alliance Ambassador & Senior Advisor: Recognized as “One to Watch” by Bloomberg Businessweek’s Bloomberg 50 and awarded Independent Hotelier of the World by Hotels magazine, James has led iconic properties from Ritz-Carlton to The Carlyle to Grosvenor House. At Journey, James draws on decades of leadership to support independent travel, helping operators thrive in a competitive marketplace while maintaining their unique identity.Eric Wu, Senior Advisor and Investor: Eric was the CEO and Co-Founder of Opendoor, the leading e-commerce platform for residential real estate. His experience building innovative, scalable businesses is a key asset to Journey’s future growth.Chris Burch, Senior Advisor and Investor: As the Co-Founder of Tory Burch and the Owner of Nihi Sumba Resorts, Chris brings a wealth of knowledge in luxury, travel and hospitality, providing valuable insight into crafting world-class guest experiences.

Join the Journey
Journey is currently accepting applications from hospitality operators who wish to become Alliance members. Visit JoinJourney.com/Alliance to learn more. For travelers who are interested in joining Journey Rewards, please visit JoinJourney.com/Waitlist. Travelers will be able to earn and redeem Journey rewards points starting Spring 2025. For more information, visit JoinJourney.com or follow along on social @JourneyRewards.

ABOUT JOURNEY
Journey is a revolutionary loyalty program designed for the modern traveler, connecting guests with unique, independently operated properties. As the first rewards program tailored specifically to private rentals and boutique hotels, Journey enhances both guest experience and operator success by boosting direct bookings and guest personalization through AI enabled tools. For more information, visit JoinJourney.com or join the conversation @JourneyRewards on Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

MEDIA CONTACT:
press@joinjourney.com

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SOURCE Journey

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As 2025 IRS Mileage Rate Hits 70 Cents, Expert Warns: Ditch Risky Apps for Secure Paper Tracking

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Gig economy expert Ed Ryder warns against the risks of mileage tracking apps, and advocates using paper-based tracking methods instead. He introduces The Big Mileage Form, a secure alternative developed over two years to meet the specific needs of food delivery gig workers. Ryder highlights recent tech failures, like the July 2024 global IT outage, to underscore the vulnerabilities of digital solutions. The press release also mentions Ryder’s significant mileage deduction using his form and directs readers to GigCoach.net for additional resources, including a consumer tutorial to drive better food delivery outcomes and a gig coach training program.

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — As the IRS announces a standard mileage rate of 70 cents per mile for 2025, gig economy expert Ed Ryder, who has completed over 10,000 deliveries with his own car using major food delivery platforms, urges fellow gig workers to reconsider their mileage tracking methods. While acknowledging the convenience of digital solutions, Ryder advocates for a return to secure, paper-based tracking to protect valuable mileage deductions.

With the mileage rate at 70 cents, accurate tracking is crucial for gig workers and small business owners. Mileage apps seem convenient, but they risk data loss from outages, glitches, and cyber attacks. Many overlook these significant dangers.

“With the mileage rate increasing to 70 cents, accurate tracking is more crucial than ever for gig workers and small business owners,” says Ryder, creator of The Big Mileage Form. “While mileage tracking apps seem convenient, they come with significant risks that many overlook. Network outages, app glitches, and cyber attacks can jeopardize months of data.”

Ryder points to the July 2024 global IT outage as a prime example of technology’s vulnerabilities. “A faulty software update caused mass airline disruptions and impacted other industries, catching major corporations off guard. This incident highlights that even in our digital age, software isn’t infallible. For me, I simply won’t trust mileage tracking apps with my most important tax deduction.”

To address these concerns, Ryder developed a comprehensive, paper-based solution. “I spent two years perfecting The Big Mileage Form, tailoring it to the specific needs of food delivery gig workers,” he explains. “At 11×17 inches, it provides ample space for detailed record-keeping and, crucially, it’s immune to software glitches, data breaches, and ransomware attacks.”

Ryder’s meticulous paper-based record-keeping resulted in a mileage deduction exceeding $19,000 on his 2023 federal taxes. “All my business-related miles are thoroughly documented on paper. I’m fully prepared to defend this deduction in case of an audit. This level of confidence is what I aim to provide other gig workers.”

“In today’s digital age, sometimes the most secure solution is the simplest one,” Ryder concludes. “My form not only ensures data security but also prepares users for potential IRS audits. It’s time to reconsider the old-fashioned, but reliable pen-and-paper method.”

For those interested in learning more about effective mileage tracking and other aspects of gig work, Ryder offers valuable resources on GigCoach.net. These include a tutorial for consumers titled ‘Fair Deal Delivery,’ which provides insights on how to improve food delivery outcomes. Additionally, experienced food delivery couriers can explore Ryder’s gig coach training program. Visit GigCoach.net to access these resources and learn more about The Big Mileage Form.

Media Contact

Ed Ryder, Match Experiment LLC, 1 484-493-8740, hello@ideamaned.com, gigcoach.net

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SOURCE Gig economy expert Ed Ryder

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DATA BREACH ALERT: Edelson Lechtzin LLP Is Investigating Claims On Behalf Of Ascension Health Customers Whose Data May Have Been Compromised

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NEWTOWN, Pa., Dec. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The law firm of Edelson Lechtzin LLP is investigating claims regarding data privacy violations by Ascension Health (“Ascension”). Ascension learned of suspicious activity on or about May 8, 2024. To join this case, go HERE.

About Ascension Health

Ascension is a prominent non-profit health system in the nation and operates under Catholic principles.

What happened?

On or about May 8, 2024, Ascension detected unauthorized activity in its computer systems. Ascension initiated an investigation, which included retaining consulting cybersecurity experts and notifying the FBI. The investigation determined that between May 7 and 8, 2024, a cybercriminal accessed files containing personal information about Ascension’s patients and employees. This information included names, medical records, payment details, insurance information, government identification numbers, and other personal data such as dates of birth and addresses. Approximately 6 million individuals have been affected by this data breach.

How can I protect my personal data?

If you receive a data breach notification, you must guard against possible misuse of your personal information, including identity theft and fraud, by regularly reviewing your account statements and monitoring your credit reports for suspicious or unauthorized activity. Additionally, you should consider legal options for mitigating such risks.

Edelson Lechtzin LLP is investigating a class action lawsuit to seek legal remedies for customers whose sensitive personal and patient data may have been compromised by the Ascension data breach.

For more information, please contact:

Marc H. Edelson, Esq.
EDELSON LECHTZIN LLP
411 S. State Street, Suite N-300
Newtown, PA 18940
Phone: 844-696-7492
Email: medelson@edelson-law.com
Web:  www.edelson-law.com 

About Edelson Lechtzin LLP
Edelson Lechtzin LLP is a national class action law firm with offices in Pennsylvania and California. In addition to cases involving data breaches, our lawyers focus on class and collective litigation in cases alleging securities and investment fraud, violations of the federal antitrust laws, employee benefit plans under ERISA, wage theft and unpaid overtime, consumer fraud, and catastrophic injuries.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions. No class has been certified in this case, so counsel does not represent you unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing now. Your ability to share in any potential future recovery does not depend on serving as lead plaintiff.

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SOURCE Edelson Lechtzin LLP

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Earth’s pulse monitored: a review highlights remote sensing time series progress

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As urbanization accelerates and environmental dynamics shift, the need for accurate and timely terrestrial monitoring has never been more urgent. A review has introduced a novel approach to remote sensing time series analysis, integrating multi-source data to enable near real-time monitoring. This innovative methodology promises to transform environmental conservation and urban planning by providing unprecedented insights into terrestrial changes and offering a more precise understanding of environmental dynamics.

GUANGZHOU, China, Dec. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — An international team of researchers from South China Normal University, the University of Connecticut, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences has made a significant breakthrough in remote sensing. Their review, published (DOI: 10.34133/remotesensing.0285) in the Journal of Remote Sensing on December 11, 2024, addresses key challenges in remote sensing, such as incomplete data and noise interference. The team’s new time series analysis technique leverages advanced data reconstruction and fusion methods, significantly enhancing the precision and efficiency of remote sensing for monitoring environmental changes.

The research team has developed an advanced time series analysis technique that combines deep learning algorithms with traditional remote sensing methods to integrate data from various remote sensing sources. This innovative approach allows for the extraction of subtle patterns from large, complex datasets, which is crucial for monitoring critical environmental parameters such as land use and vegetation health. Unlike conventional techniques that struggle with incomplete or noisy data, this new methodology offers enhanced accuracy and more reliable insights into terrestrial dynamics, paving the way for more effective environmental monitoring.

Central to the study’s success is the integration of Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks and Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) to address the challenges posed by missing or noisy data. The LSTM networks capture temporal trends over time, while the GANs generate synthetic data that mimics real-world observations to fill gaps and correct for atmospheric distortions. This dual approach has resulted in a cleaner, more accurate time series dataset, which was validated against independent ground truth measurements. The researchers demonstrated significant improvements in key vegetation indices, such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), setting a new benchmark in the field of remote sensing.

Experts in the field have lauded the study’s potential to revolutionize remote sensing applications. They see the method as a transformative tool for enhancing high-resolution monitoring and extending its coverage, particularly in agricultural surveillance, urban planning, and environmental management. “This method represents a crucial advancement in our ability to monitor environmental changes,” says Professor Fu. “As it evolves, it could play a key role in addressing climate change and other global challenges.”

The methodology’s future applications are vast, especially in global environmental monitoring and supporting sustainable development goals. By integrating multi-temporal data from Landsat and Sentinel-2 satellites, the team has created a framework for accurate and continuous terrestrial analysis. As computational power advances and algorithms improve, this technology is expected to become a vital tool for natural resource management, disaster response, and climate change mitigation. In the years to come, it could provide critical data to help policymakers address pressing environmental issues on a global scale.

References

DOI

10.34133/remotesensing.0285

Oiginal Source URL

https://doi.org/10.34133/remotesensing.0285

Funding information

This work was supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (grant numbers 42425001 and 42071399).

About Journal of Remote Sensing

The Journal of Remote Sensing, an online-only Open Access journal published in association with AIR-CAS, promotes the theory, science, and technology of remote sensing, as well as interdisciplinary research within earth and information science.

Media Contact

George Hua, Chuanlink Innovations, 1 8656606278, TranSpread1@gmail.com, http://chuanlink-innovations.com/

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SOURCE Journal of Remote Sensing

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