Skift Take Marriott's hotel growth in India shows it is thinking strategically about India's growth, offering options for different budgets. The hotel chain is making sure it covers all the bases and includes everyone as it expands. Peden Doma Bhutia Marriott International expects to open 14 hotels in South Asia this year, 12 of which will be in India, adding … [Read more...]
Guide To The Best Things To Do In Transylvania, Romania In 3 Days
Written by our local expert Local Expert Written by a local specialist we know and trust to bring you the most up-to-date travel information. .author-info { padding-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 15px; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 15px -2px rgba(0, 0, 0, .1); background-color: white; margin-bottom: 28px; … [Read more...]
Is Southwest EarlyBird Check-In worth it?
Southwest Airlines doesn't have fancy onboard offerings. However, it does have a unique boarding process where you get assigned a specific boarding number that determines when you can board the plane. The order you get on the plane is important since Southwest uses first-come, first-served seating. The earlier you board, the better seat options you'll have. All of its planes offer a 3-3 seating … [Read more...]
World of Hyatt Announces 2024 Category Changes
World of Hyatt has announced upcoming category changes, which are set to kick in on March 26, 2024. This time, 183 hotels and resorts will change categories, with 137 moving up and 46 moving down. With just under a month until the category changes take effect, make sure to consult the upcoming changes, and then lock in some bookings with points or Free Night Awards before any higher prices take … [Read more...]
Choice elite status: What it is and how to earn it
In mid-2023, Radisson Rewards Americas became fully integrated into Choice Privileges. This integration brought new, improved benefits to Choice Privileges status, including complimentary breakfast at select Radisson brands for top-tier elite members.Even so, Choice elite status doesn't offer as many perks as some of the best hotel elite status tiers. But some travelers still find value in earning … [Read more...]
Breeze expands New England footprint with 3 routes from New Hampshire
Breeze Airways is adding a new city — and state — to its growing route map. The Salt Lake City-based low-cost carrier unveiled plans Tuesday to launch service from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) in New Hampshire, and with a handful of new routes.Over the course of 2024, Breeze plans to begin service from Manchester to three nonstop leisure destinations in the Southeast. It will also … [Read more...]
How to Layer International Jewelry for an Eclectic Look
Turn your personal style into a global fashion statement. Read on for creative inspiration to customize your look using international jewelry. Let’s kick things off with a globe-trotter’s twist on style. Have you ever caught yourself drooling over Insta posts of wanderlusters decked out in an eclectic mix of shiny trinkets from far-off lands? Yep, we’ve all been there. Now, it’s about … [Read more...]
Buy Avianca LifeMiles with a 165% Bonus
Avianca puts on frequent promotions for buying LifeMiles directly from the loyalty program. In some cases, buying points during sales can represent a great deal, although it’s important to have an immediate plan for how to use them. This time, Avianca is selling LifeMiles with up to a 165% bonus, which can be an excellent way to score premium cabin flights with Star Alliance airlines at a … [Read more...]
Deal alert: Fall fares to London from Chicago, Philadelphia from $362
You may think it's too soon to start planning your fall travel, but we say it's never too early to save money on airfare. A new deal offers some solid prices to one of our favorite cities: London.Aer Lingus has a number of flights marked down in this sale. Ireland's flagship carrier is offering steeply discounted round-trip tickets to London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) from Chicago and Philadelphia … [Read more...]
Amtrak debuts new seating layout on Northeast trains, including rear-facing seats
Rear-facing seats are debuting on Amtrak's key Northeast trains.The company announced Tuesday that beginning March 2, all trains in the Northeast Corridor will be transitioning to what it calls a "fixed seating" layout.What this means is that half of the seats in each train car will be arranged in a forward-facing layout, and the other half will be in a rear-facing layout.At the outset, this new … [Read more...]
Why Airlines Are Charging More to Check a Bag
Skift Take Airlines are raising baggage fees to offset rising costs and cooling airfare inflation. But these price hikes may also be part of a strategy to incentivize more passengers to sign up for their frequent flyer programs and co-branded credit cards. Meghna Maharishi Checking in a bag is becoming an increasingly expensive endeavor. At American and … [Read more...]
Is Delta about to eliminate the 20-minute bag guarantee?
The rumor mill is swirling with speculation about the end of one of Delta Air Lines’ checked bag policies. For years, the Atlanta-based carrier has offered what it calls a “Bags on Time” guarantee. This policy awards 2,500 bonus SkyMiles — worth $30 according to TPG’s latest valuations — for any checked bag that doesn’t … [Read more...]
How to maximize the new statement credits on the Delta Amex cards
In early February, American Express introduced new statement credits to six of Delta Air Lines' seven cobranded cards:These new perks with Delta Stays, on ride-hailing services and at restaurants are designed to offset increased annual fees (see rates and fees for the Gold, Gold Business, Platinum, Platinum Business, Reserve and Reserve Business).Receiving statement credits can be tricky; however, … [Read more...]
Do I Need an International Driving License for Australia
International mobility is an essential part of many travelers’ adventures, especially in a country like Australia with its vast landscapes and diverse cities that invite exploration. The international driver’s license plays a key role in this, allowing visitors to freely and legally participate in road traffic. Many countries require travelers to have an international driver’s license. We can … [Read more...]
WestJet Increases Checked Baggage Fees
For the second time in less than four months, WestJet has made changes to the fees it charges for checked baggage. This time, WestJet has increased the cost of checked bags to destinations throughout its network. The latest round of fee changes went into effect for flights booked on or after February 15, 2024, and they affect the cost of checking first and second bags on WestJet flights. WestJet … [Read more...]
Southwest sale: Up to 30% off spring travel
If you are looking to book last-minute travel this spring, Southwest Airlines is offering up to 30% off flights across its network for travel through most of May.Simply search your desired routes and enter the promo code "SPLASH" to view sale fares.Deal basicsGIORDANO CIPRIANI/GETTY IMAGESAirline: SouthwestRoutes: Valid for travel across the Southwest network, excluding travel within … [Read more...]
5 travel discounts that can save you money
As travel continues to get more expensive, our core goal at TPG remains the same: to introduce our readers to all the ways they can save money while traveling.Our bread and butter is leading you to the right credit cards to maximize points and miles savings. However, we also love providing you with travel discounts — including some you may not have even realized you were eligible for.AAA and AARP … [Read more...]
Win tickets to see Taylor Swift (Marriott’s version): Here’s how to enter
Hey! I don't know about you but ... I'm obsessed with Taylor Swift. I'm also obsessed with Marriott Bonvoy, which helped me use points to snag a great hotel in Atlanta when I visited to see "The Eras Tour." (I realized it was cheaper to go to Atlanta using points and miles than to buy resale tickets for my local show in New York City.)Thankfully, Marriott also happens to be one of Taylor's touring … [Read more...]
What’s Next For Tourism in Saudi Arabia
Skift Take In the final Skift Travel Spotlight dispatch from World Travel Market in London, Skift speaks with Niall Gibbons, NEOM's Head of Tourism, about what’s on the horizon for travel and tourism in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Tourism Authority This sponsored content was created in collaboration with a Skift partner. As Saudi Arabia positions itself as a prominent player … [Read more...]
TSA PreCheck travelers will no longer have to show ID or boarding pass at certain airports
As the Transportation Security Administration continues to implement its facial recognition technology at airports nationwide, United Airlines joins Delta Air Lines in offering TSA PreCheck customers a touchless ID experience during bag drop and security checkpoints. United is launching the service at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD).TSA PreCheck's Touchless Identity Solution allows … [Read more...]