Dr. Samuels explained that introductory rewards bonuses are largely driven by competition among credit card companies, making them difficult to predict. As providers continue to compete for new customers, limited-time offers can become especially attractive. He advised consumers to pay close attention when they come across a particularly strong bonus opportunity and to carefully review all card benefits before committing, noting that valuable perks often extend beyond the initial points incentive.

He also emphasized that the value of a travel rewards card with an annual fee depends heavily on a person’s travel habits. According to Dr. Samuels, individuals who consistently spend significant amounts on flights or hotel stays each year are more likely to benefit from rewards structures and loyalty-related advantages. For those who frequently use the same airline or hotel brand, he suggested investigating affiliated credit card options to determine whether the long-term rewards justify the annual cost.

When discussing how to maximize value from rewards programs, Dr. Samuels encouraged consumers to compare prices carefully when booking travel through a credit card’s rewards portal. He noted that airfare and hotel rates listed on portal platforms can sometimes be higher than booking directly through an airline or hotel website. He also highlighted the flexibility of non-branded travel rewards cards, explaining that they often allow users to redeem points across multiple providers while still earning loyalty rewards from the supplier, helping travelers get the most out of each purchase.

The partnership between the Feliciano School of Business and the Hyatt Regency Morristown provides Feliciano School of Business students a unique opportunity to get deep industry insights from front-line executives. “You can’t learn this dynamic business from a textbook,” says Lin. “Students see how situations unfold and the importance of knowing how to react and solve problems creatively.”

Lin’s students split their time between classroom lectures, executive presentations and time spent shadowing hotel management. Unlike a more traditional internship at a hotel, where a student may work in a single department under the supervision of a manager, Lin’s course enables students to explore all aspects of hotel operations and have an open dialogue with executives as they ask questions and exchange ideas. 

“Our students have the luxury of working with the executives and directors, who act as mentors and have just-in-time information as it is emerging in the industry,” Lin says. Each semester, students work in teams or individually to present a potential investment or strategy for the property, identifying costs, designing building plans and calculating return on investment. 

The partnership has also helped open doors for students, several of whom started their careers at the hotel and moved up the career ladder within the company. Hyatt has also benefited with many students coming to work at the hotel or other Hyatt hotels before, during and after they take the class.

Under the guidance of Professor Josh Lupinek from the Department of Hospitality, Sports, Events, and Tourism, Feliciano students played a central role in ensuring smooth operations for thousands of guests. Their responsibilities included greeting attendees, managing ticketing and check-in, and collaborating with clients and corporate event planners to deliver world-class hospitality experiences.

“This event was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before,” said MBA student Carly Coleman. “By working at the event, I gained valuable connections and knowledge that I can use in my career.” The Ryder Cup not only offered them a front-row seat to one of sports’ most iconic competitions—it also provided invaluable, career-building skills in customer service, event execution, and teamwork. Through opportunities like this, Feliciano Schbool of Business continues to empower students with real-world experiences that prepare them to lead in their careers.

The event was led by Dr. Josh Lupinek, Associate Professor in the Hospitality Sports, Events, and Tourism department, this powerful hands-on learning experience helps students build critical skills in customer service, event logistics, teamwork, and career exploration, equipping them to thrive in the dynamic world of hospitality and sport management. 

The course connects sport events with broader tourism and hospitality management principles. The immersive five-day, 60-hour experience is complemented by online pre- and post-event sessions and includes industry training, peer reflection journals, and student presentations.

Thanks to LIV Golf’s generous sponsorship, all travel expenses—airfare, lodging, meals, and ground transportation—were fully covered. Since launching in 2019 with the PGA TOUR, and expanding in 2023 to include LIV Golf, this experiential program has taken place in cities across the country, including Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Maui, and now Miami.

At the undergraduate level, Wang uses a project-based learning approach during a collaboration with the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello in Venezuela. Teaming up with Venezuelan students, her students explore sustainable development goals (SDGs) in global tourism. Called the Collaborative Online International Learning Project, students study the United Nations’ 17 sustainability goals for development. “We spend a lot of time talking about how SDG goals play a role,” says Wang. “My interest in sustainability helps out a lot in a project like this. It’s a good experience for my students in the classroom.”

Her interest in technology and tourism has resulted in a collaboration with a fellow Feliciano professor who teaches gaming. The two are seeking funding to obtain a self-driving system for the campus. “This will be really good for tourism planning,” Wang says. “For example, where to set up the stop signs. The vehicle will also be good for my interest in the older population group who have started to lose their mobility. How can this enhance their involvement in virtual tourism?”

Her position at Feliciano allows Wang to forge strong research connections with professors in other disciplines, which enables them to bring a certain energy into the classroom. “I can actually talk about the technology and the information systems so passionately in my class. A lot of topics we can actually get in touch with the tourism subject and get into discussions because there are advantages but also a lot of challenges. Those give us a lot of good points for discussion in the classroom,” she says.

The decade-old partnership between Montclair State and the Hyatt Regency Morristown provides Feliciano School of Business students a unique opportunity to get deep industry insights from front-line executives. “You can’t learn this dynamic business from a textbook,” says Lin. “Students see how situations unfold and the importance of knowing how to react and solve problems creatively.”

Lin’s students split their time between classroom lectures, executive presentations and time spent shadowing hotel management. Unlike a more traditional internship at a hotel, where a student may work in a single department under the supervision of a manager, Lin’s course enables students to explore all aspects of hotel operations and have an open dialogue with executives as they ask questions and exchange ideas.

“Our students have the luxury of working with the executives and directors, who act as mentors and have just-in-time information as it is emerging in the industry,” Lin says. Each semester, students work in teams or individually to present a potential investment or strategy for the property, identifying costs, designing building plans and calculating return on investment.

The partnership has also helped open doors for students, several of whom started their careers at the hotel and moved up the career ladder within the company. “Hyatt Regency Morristown has been fortunate to partner with the Feliciano School of Business and Dr. Lin,” says Sheila Geary, Hyatt’s director of human resources. “We have also benefited with many students coming to work at the hotel or other Hyatt hotels before, during and after they take the class which is a wonderful benefit of this partnership.”

Under the guidance of Associate Professor Josh Lupinek (Department of Hospitality and Tourism), students will curate an enticing menu featuring a rotation of local businesses. The inaugural weekend showcased Montclair Brewery and Señor Tacos of Bridgewater, offering students hands-on experiences in community engagement, operations, and promoting partnerships through stadium concessions. This endeavor not only provides valuable practical experience but also strengthens our ties with the local community. We’re excited to see our students thrive in this collaborative and innovative project.

With the Devils advancing to the Stanley Cup playoffs, area businesses are ready to welcome the influx of fans to the city. The Devil’s team officials have worked to prioritize partnerships with both the local communities and the state over the years. Dr. Lupinek believes the playoffs do have the potential “to translate into economic activity for the surrounding area and, especially, Newark. The economic activity, in the short term, really comes from increased spending at local hotels, restaurants and bars,” Lupinek said. He credits the team’s ownership for being ready to take advantage of opportunities that come along with a well-performing team heading into the playoffs.

To read the full article, please click