Travel can be transformative. Whether you dream of visiting Walt Disney World with your kids, scuba diving in Cozumel or watching a Broadway show in New York, the trip of a lifetime could be one plane ride away. Unfortunately, travel isn’t always as affordable, convenient or comfortable as it is alluring. That is, unless you […]
Airlines have revamped how travelers can earn frequent flyer status, going from a simple mileage-based system to a more complicated combination of miles traveled, segments flown and dollars spent on tickets. So what’s the landscape for elite airline requirements these days? Is it harder or easier than ever? Are miles worth more or less? In […]
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards® loyalty program points are among the easiest to earn and redeem when compared to other carriers. Points are earned based on the price of the ticket and those with elite status earn bonus points. Under the airline’s Transfarency program, travelers don’t have to worry about paying fees for up to two […]
You just found out your flight is delayed until tomorrow, and now you have to make hotel accommodations and food arrangements last minute. Or you have a medical emergency where you need to get medical help quickly. Before you cover those expenses out of pocket, take a look at your credit card terms. Select credit […]
New York is always a popular tourist destination, but hotel stays in the Big Apple don’t come cheap. If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy member, however, you can earn points that can help cover some of the cost of your NYC trip. There are 212 New York metro area hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio (although […]
Like similar programs from competing rewards credit cards, Citi ThankYou® Points can be very valuable. Our partner, Citi has multiple cards that let you earn points and the potential for monthly bonuses for banking relationships, this program also makes it easy to earn rewards. With more than a dozen travel partners and the higher-end cards […]
With myriad ways to redeem credit card points, sometimes you may find yourself coming up a little short of enough points for your booking. When that happens, know that there are hotel-branded credit cards that will let you pay with a mix of loyalty program points and cash. It’s a win-win because you can use […]
Savvy travelers know that expedited screening programs Global Entry and TSA Precheck help improve the passenger experience on the ground, thanks to separate security lines that require less scrutiny. If you have the right credit card in your wallet, those programs’ enrollment fees can be covered. Global Entry program members can skip long Customs and […]
The only thing better than a European getaway is one you don’t have to pay for using your hard-earned cash. If you can use your points to book your stay in Europe, you’ll have more money available to take in the sights. However, the points requirements for a free night can be very high in […]
Redeeming your hotel points for accommodations in Southeast Asia may not always be the best choice because the cash price to book rooms, at even luxury properties, can be quite affordable on their own. Even so, we managed to find some IHG® hotels in the region that are bargains when it comes to points redemptions. […]
No one is happy when their flight experiences a long delay or is even canceled. Each airline outlines on its website how it handles these events with its contract of carriage. Resolution depends on whether the delay or cancellation was in the airline’s control. But if you have a credit card that comes with trip […]
IHG Platinum Elite status is arguably the easiest mid-high tier hotel status to earn, but that doesn’t mean the benefits you receive will make you feel like a valued loyalty member. For the most part, you shouldn’t expect a whole lot for your “elite status” beyond bonus points on paid stays. While there are lower […]
