Often called the Queen of the Skies, the Boeing 747 took its first test flight in 1969. Over the years, the aircraft transformed air travel and ushered in the jet age. The original wide-body jet, the 747 could fly farther and faster than any commercial passenger aircraft. The most recent version, the 747-8, has a range of 9,300 miles and carries around 400 passengers in a typical three-class … [Read more...]
Rooms To Go credit card review: Interest-free financing and not much else
Rooms To Go Credit Card overviewThe Rooms To Go Credit Card offers appealing interest-free financing options for both new and existing cardholders, but with few other perks and no rewards, most customers will be better off with other options. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐*Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.As a general rule of thumb, … [Read more...]
The 13 best resorts in Texas for a Lone Star State getaway
As a native Texan, I can tell you firsthand that the old phrase "everything is bigger in Texas" is true. The skies are vast and blue, the mouthwatering barbecue is limitless and the best resorts in Texas span from the Gulf of Mexico, across the Hill Country and beyond.Whether you're a Texan like me looking for a great in-state vacation or you're from elsewhere heading down to experience Tex-Mex … [Read more...]
Is Japan Expensive To Visit? Money Saving Tips For Your Next Trip
Try to find out whether Japan is an expensive country to visit, and you’ll quickly find yourself in a rabbit hole without a definitive answer. There is a lot of conflicting information online about the travel costs in Japan; some swear it’s the priciest country they’ve been to, while others are raving about fantastic $5 meals. So, is Japan really as expensive as some people say? It’s both a … [Read more...]
Southwest cuts 4 cities from its route map, will shrink at Atlanta and Chicago O’Hare
Southwest Airlines is shrinking its route map.The carrier will ax four cites from its route map in August and will reduce its presence in two other major airports, the Dallas-based carrier announced Thursday in its quarterly earnings report.The airports that will lose Southwest service are:Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG's free biweekly Aviation newsletter.Bellingham International … [Read more...]
Just released: Get a limited-edition Delta card design made 33% from an iconic retired Boeing 747
Want a credit card that's made from a piece of storied aviation history?If so, you may want to strongly consider getting a Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card with the limited-edition Boeing 747 design made from two retired Delta Air Lines Boeing 747 aircraft.Delta and American Express have partnered to release a limited-edition … [Read more...]
The most common travel scams in Europe — and how to avoid them
With summer festivities, big-ticket events like the Olympics and Euro 2024, and the Taylor Swift frenzy set to sweep the continent, Europe is buzzing with travelers. Unfortunately, where there are tourists, there are also scammers waiting to exploit them.From the bustling streets of Paris to the scenic alleys of Istanbul, being informed can keep your travels joyous and scam-free. Here's a deeper … [Read more...]
Italy deal alert: Fly to Venice, Milan, and Naples for as low as $479 round-trip
We've spotlighted a few sales with great prices on flights to Rome, but this time, we've found a sweet deal for travel to other much-desired destinations in Italy. Airfare to Venice, Milan, Naples, Bari, Genoa, and Turin is now available at substantial discounts.You can depart from a number of East Coast cities, including Boston, Miami, New York City and Washington, D.C. There are even some sale … [Read more...]
Is Hilton within striking distance of dethroning Marriott as the world’s largest hotel company?
Marriott International, with more than 30 brands under its belt, is the undisputed leader in the world's hotel orbit.However, Hilton leaders Wednesday morning outlined a growth strategy signaling why their cross-town rival in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area shouldn't get too complacent in its lofty perch.The hotel giant behind brands like Waldorf Astoria, Conrad and Home2 Suites has an … [Read more...]
Act fast: Avianca mileage sale as low as 2,200 miles each way
Avianca Airlines just dropped a flash sale on awards tickets from select U.S. cities to Central and South American destinations. The Colombian carrier is offering awards tickets at up to a 30% discount to San Jose, Costa Rica; San Salvador, El Salvador; and Bogota, Colombia. With a couple of routes, you can book one-way fares for as few as 2,200 miles.You have to act fast to take advantage of this … [Read more...]
Breeze adds 5 routes to summer schedule, with a big focus on Myrtle Beach
Breeze Airways is bolstering its summer schedule. The Provo, Utah-based ultra-low-cost carrier on Tuesday announced five new routes launching this summer — each of which will touch a warm-weather, leisure destination on the East Coast.Breeze is adding three new routes to Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) in South Carolina, a popular summer beach destination.Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. … [Read more...]
Now open: Six Senses Kyoto brings IHG’s wellness-focused brand to Japan
Another property from TPG's list of the most exciting hotels opening in 2024 is welcoming guests — and this time, it's great news for fans of Japan, wellness experiences and IHG One Rewards.Introducing the Six Senses Kyoto in Japan.IHGMade up of just 81 rooms and suites, Six Senses Kyoto is the first Six Senses property in Japan and part of the wellness-focused brand's push to enter into more … [Read more...]
How to book Starlux Airlines flights using points and miles
Based in Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), Starlux Airlines is a new premium airline already flying to 27 destinations across Asia and the United States.Starlux flies from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Taipei, with service from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) commencing Aug. 16. TPG's Clint Henderson was recently … [Read more...]
Biden administration unveils stricter rules for airline refunds, upfront pricing
Airlines will soon face far stricter rules for issuing refunds, the Biden administration said Wednesday.Among the changes, the White House defined what kinds of long delays or cancellations entitle passengers to refunds.Eligible travelers must receive refunds automatically to their original form of payment within seven to 20 days, depending on how they paid, the U.S. Department of Transportation … [Read more...]
Hyatt’s Mr & Mrs Smith partnership goes live with more than 700 boutique and luxury hotels
Just when folks may have been wondering if Hyatt and its popular World of Hyatt loyalty program were losing some luster, the hotel giant's Mr & Mrs Smith acquisition rollout shows this is no hotel loyalty underdog.Hyatt bought Mr & Mrs Smith last year, but the luxury and boutique hotel booking platform's hotels weren't fully integrated into the World of Hyatt loyalty network. That changed … [Read more...]
JetBlue debuts updated inflight TV software with cool new features
JetBlue was the first major U.S. airline to offer free live TV on every flight, and now the New York-based carrier is raising the bar once again for the inflight viewing experience.On Wednesday, the airline unveiled what it's calling Blueprint by JetBlue, a new software system powering the inflight TVs onboard many of its jets.The software includes a handful of nifty new features, some which the … [Read more...]
This cruise line will match your hotel and airline loyalty status – for 3 days only
Are you a sucker for a status match? If free coffee, a cocktail reception and free laundry service sound like perks you'd enjoy on your next vacation, listen up. For three days only, Virgin Voyages will extend its existing status match offer to include airline and hotel loyalty status matches.Members of Virgin Voyages' Sailing Club loyalty program have been able to match with other cruise lines' … [Read more...]
America’s smallest airports are hurting, even as more people than ever are flying
In many respects, 2023 was a record-setting year at airports. The Transportation Security Administration saw its busiest summer ever. All-time, single-day passenger traffic records fell on two occasions. Airlines fielded historic demand for overseas travel, prompting carriers to shift their schedules to meet an enduring craving for travel.By all accounts, 2024 will be more of the same.But it … [Read more...]
United MileagePlus seemingly devalues first-class partner redemptions
Sorry, United Airlines MileagePlus members — the airline is apparently rolling out another major mileage devaluation. As first reported on FlyerTalk, United is raising redemption prices on first-class travel with partners such as All Nippon Airways and Lufthansa.The news of another United devaluation comes less than a year after United increased award prices to Europe by 33% without notice. Just a … [Read more...]
Minute Suites: Complete guide to the airport lounge
Have you ever been so tired while traversing the airport that you would pay thousands of dollars just for somewhere to lie down and close your eyes for an hour or two?A Minute Suites airport lounge is what you're looking for. Luckily, they don't charge five figures for a cat nap — but they're not cheap, either. Fortunately, you can hack your way in for free with one simple trick.Here's what you … [Read more...]