United is breathing new life into one of its oldest fleet types with the rollout of some major cabin upgrades.The carrier’s 16 Boeing 767-400s, which are between 21 and 23 years old, are finally undergoing a nose-to-tail cabin reconfiguration, which includes the installation of Polaris lie-flat business-class pods, Premium Plus recliners and refreshed economy seats.The fate of these planes was up … [Read more...]
Circumnavigating Iceland with Iceland ProCruises
Iceland ProCruises offers an expedition cruise that circumnavigates Iceland. Here are the things you can experience if you book an expedition cruise around Iceland. When I hear about an expedition cruise, my ears perk up. Iceland ProCruises offers a cruise that circumnavigates Iceland. Having only been to Reykjavik and Seydisfiordur in the past, I felt compelled to discover other destinations only … [Read more...]
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business card review: A worthy business card contender
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card OverviewThe Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card is a worthy card contender for frequent flyers of Delta. While its bonus categories of three miles per dollar are valid only for hotels and Delta purchases, this card offers a suite of perks that … [Read more...]
Paying Michelin Guide to Help Promote Your Tourism Can Be a Messy Business
Israel’s Tel Aviv could be the next stop for a Michelin Guide, following a series of inaugural editions released around different corners of the world last year. After years of planning, the Israeli Tourism Minister Haim Katz announced February 1 that the ministry would be moving forward with bringing the guide to the country for the first time. The hoopla didn’t come without its … [Read more...]
Cruise bookings are soaring — and that means higher prices are on the way
Remember those $26-a-day cruise deals we saw a few months ago? They might not be coming back anytime soon.Cruise line executives say bookings have been soaring since the start of "wave season" — the period beginning in January when large numbers of cruisers book trips for the year — and that means cruise brands will likely be able to raise prices in the coming months.In fact, pricing for cruises … [Read more...]
Biden targets ‘junk fees’ tacked on to hotel stays, airfare and credit cards
President Joe Biden continued his push targeting fees on travel and credit cards Tuesday night in his State of the Union address, delving into legislation to ban so-called junk fees tacked on to hotel stays, airfare and credit cards after the fact.Between resort fees, destination fees and amenity fees, these extra fees hotels typically refrain from disclosing until checkout seem to have gotten a … [Read more...]
10 destinations where you can learn about Black history in America
Editor’s note: This post has been updated.What began as Negro History Week in the month of February — established by historian Carter G. Woodson in 1926 — evolved into Black History Month decades later, in 1976.The annual observance commemorates the triumphs and hardships of Black people in the U.S. It is reserved as a time to honor, celebrate and preserve the memory of the people who selflessly … [Read more...]
Trivago Focusing on Booking Tool to Fight Online Travel Agencies
Skift Take In its effort to gain a stronger hold on the hotel market, Trivago is implementing a tool that could change how it makes money and reduce the role of online travel agencies in bookings. Justin Dawes In an effort to combat the hold that online travel agencies have on the hotel market, Trivago is focusing on building a capability for direct access between … [Read more...]
Southwest Priority credit card review: Valuable perks plus a Companion Pass
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card overviewThe Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is the most rewarding of Southwest Airlines' personal credit cards, offering a $75 annual Southwest credit and 7,500 anniversary bonus points. With a healthy sign-up bonus and the most benefits of any of the airline's offerings, this is the card to get if you're a Southwest loyalist. Card Rating*: … [Read more...]
15 Beautiful Places to Visit in the Cotswolds, England
The Cotswolds is an area in the southwest of the UK encompassing five counties; Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, and Worcestershire. There are many wonderful places to visit in the Cotswolds and the area is famed for its picture-postcard towns and villages.I’ve spent a lot of time exploring this gorgeous part of England and love the area for its undulating countryside, great … [Read more...]
The ultimate guide to getting Delta Sky Club access
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.The chaos of a typical airport terminal never ceases, and there’s tremendous value in finding a pocket of serenity.Airport lounges let you breathe a little easier, enjoy complimentary food and drink, get some work done on Wi-Fi that’s often superior to what you’ll find in the general terminal and access … [Read more...]
Dear credit card issuers: Lighten up on the airline fee credit restrictions
There are many perks that help cover annual fees on popular credit cards (some of which are now close to $700). From bonus points to travel protections to automatic elite status, many travelers can easily justify carrying at least one premium card in their wallet.But there's one type of perk that's always created some headaches for cardholders — and given recent travel trends, it's past time for … [Read more...]
Which Credit Cards Have Concierge Services?
Many credit cards come with extra perks and benefits far beyond just earning points. While some of these benefits are widely known and often used, others don’t get quite as much attention. In this article, we’re going to explore a credit card benefit that is rarely discussed and infrequently utilized: concierge services. While not every credit card comes with concierge services, a surprising … [Read more...]
Avoid these 10 mistakes when booking cruise shore excursions
Cruise lines offer shore excursions for your convenience. Instead of spending hours reading up on a port, crafting the perfect eight-hour activity schedule or researching local tour guides, you can simply choose from a list of curated tour options. Easy peasy … except you can still screw it up.If you want the perfect day in port, and not a mediocre or disappointing one, you need to be savvy about … [Read more...]
What is a BIN attack on a credit card? Understanding this type of credit card fraud
Editor’s note: TPG founder Brian Kelly is a Bilt adviser and investor.Seeing unauthorized charges on your credit card can be a headache. Having these charges removed from your account and getting a replacement card isn't fun, either.The root cause of why you have unauthorized charges on your credit card can vary, as there are multiple types of credit card fraud.Over the past several weeks, we've … [Read more...]
College sports fans: You can redeem Choice points for exclusive events and experiences
You'll usually get the most value from hotel points when you redeem for hotel stays. However, Choice Privileges launched a new non-stay way to redeem Choice points in late 2022 that could provide significant value: college sports experiences.That's right: You can redeem Choice Privileges points for "one-of-a-kind opportunities and exclusive events" with select college teams.The currently available … [Read more...]
Pressure mounts on Biden to drop vaccination requirement for incoming travelers
As the United States remains the lone country requiring incoming foreign travelers to present proof of vaccination against COVID-19 to enter the country, pressure continues to mount to drop this requirement.Recent calls from both the U.S. Travel Association and the U.S. House of Representatives may influence the Biden administration's decision to uphold current regulations through spring.Since … [Read more...]
Hotel resort fees are out of control and need to end now
I’ve had it with bogus resort fees.And destination fees. And amenity fees. And whatever other made-up term a hotel chooses to squeeze a few extra bucks from me.It’s just too much — especially at hotels that have nothing resort-like to offer. And I’m sorry, but a few weights and treadmills don’t count as resort amenities.Legitimate resort fees — if there is such a thing — started at big hotels with … [Read more...]
The Black Sea Coast Is The New Mediterranean – Here’s Why It’s So Popular
Last Updated 8 mins agoAfter years of being disregarded as a ‘Plan B’ summer destination, the Black Sea region is set for a historical growth in the post-pandemic scene, with some going as far as calling it the ‘new Mediterranean’ — but what makes it so popular right now? The Budget Alternative To The Med The Black Sea is a cross-border marginal sea whose misleading name often scares … [Read more...]
Top 6 Cultural Hotspots To Visit This Year According To Expedia
Cultural hotspots have become more and more relevant in recent times. Since the pandemic, the idea of going on vacation has changed, and more people are looking for destinations with authentic cultures. Theme parks are known as the best places to go with your family, but people understand that some of them are a bubble. Some travelers like those bubbles because they are safe and predictable. But … [Read more...]