Like to peer out of the airport window and admire the different plane livery on display? Well, keep your eyes peeled for Emirates‘ new look.The airline, a flag carrier for the United Arab Emirates, has just revealed a refreshed livery upgrade. It includes a range of tweaks to a design last updated almost a quarter century ago.The new design includes a 3D effect added to the UAE flag on the … [Read more...]
One of the world’s best-known luxury cruise brands to shrink in size with ship sale
Another major cruise line is downsizing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.Luxury line Seabourn on Thursday announced it had sold one of its six vessels — the 458-passenger Seabourn Odyssey — to a Japanese company that offers cruises aimed at the Japanese market.The buyer of the ship, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., will charter the vessel back to Seabourn for the next 17 months. This way, Seabourn … [Read more...]
American Express grace period: ‘Please pay by’ date isn’t your payment due date
While banks and credit card issuers haven’t always been the most consumer-friendly, things have generally improved for cardholders since the financial crisis of 2008. (An exception to that is recent events with some small- and mid-sized banks.)Legislation, especially the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (CARD Act), lay out strict guidelines on how card issuers … [Read more...]
Your complete guide to Marriott published guarantees and compensation
Let's face it — hotels don't always honor their published benefits. And if you have a long-anticipated hotel stay, it's no fun when things don't go right.Marriott is one of the only hotel companies to publish guarantees and fixed compensation amounts on its website. You may be entitled to compensation if something goes wrong and your hotel can't honor your reservation or guaranteed benefits.Here's … [Read more...]
The best hotels in New Orleans, from the French Quarter to the Garden District
Affectionately called the Big Easy, the city of New Orleans pulses with energy at every turn. From the French Quarter to the Garden District to the Tremé, New Orleans’ neighborhoods have their unique personalities. Each offers so many sights and activities it's impossible to fit them all into a travel guide.Then there’s the food. New Orleans’ culinary scene is full of delicious food showcasing a … [Read more...]
The best time to apply for these 10 popular travel credit cards — based on offer history
Nothing is more disappointing than applying for a card, only to learn that you could have held out a bit longer to get a better welcome offer — especially since many banks won’t match you to that better bonus after you’ve already applied.It happens to the best of us. Of course, we all want to ensure we’re finding the best offers and the name of this game is timing. While it’s impossible to predict … [Read more...]
Fumble! I accidentally booked an NFL cruise — for a team I don’t even like
"Tampa!" screamed a disembodied voice at the PortMiami cruise terminal. "Bay!" replied a chorus of others from all corners of the check-in area. As I looked around and noticed a sea of red and black, I started to feel like something was very, very wrong.I was about to board Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Summit for what I thought would be a standard short voyage to Key West, Florida, and Nassau, … [Read more...]
How to get airline elite status
For air travelers, airline status makes trips more comfortable, rewarding and enjoyable.In the last decade, airlines have redesigned their elite status programs to favor high spenders over frequent travelers. Previously, airline elite status was largely earned on the distance you flew and the number of flights you took, but now, airline status could be within reach, whether you’re a high spender … [Read more...]
The 23 best Hyatt hotels in the world
There’s a Hyatt brand and a Hyatt hotel for every budget, from labels like the casual new Caption all the way up to tony Park Hyatt. You might even be surprised to discover some smaller boutique hotels are also connected to the World of Hyatt loyalty network.You can find great points deals in the U.S. within Hyatt’s Category 1 tier of hotels. However, you might need to plan ahead to rack up enough … [Read more...]
The Essential Guide to the North Coast 500 Scotland
The North Coast 500 has been billed as Scotland’s answer to America’s Route 66 but this Scottish road trip is unlike anything you’ll see in the USA. The North Coast 500 takes you through the Scottish highlands seeing legendary castles, extraordinary coastal scenery, and famous whisky distilleries lining the winding single-track lanes, the NC500 is the ultimate road trip for … [Read more...]
Is Accor’s new travel subscription program worth it?
The viability of the travel subscription model took a step forward this week when Paris-based Accor — the largest European hotelier and the owner of brands like Sofitel and Fairmont — rolled out a global plan aimed at travelers who seek out budget hotels, as well as those who flock to upscale properties.Usually, travel loyalty programs require members to stay nights, fly miles and spend money in … [Read more...]
The best hotels in Miami, from luxury beach stays to points properties
If you’re new to Miami, your choice of where to stay can be overwhelming. From South Beach to downtown to Aventura or near Miami International Airport (MIA), there are hundreds of excellent hotels in the city and on the beach.In this Miami guide to hotels, we discuss the best of the best — most of which are beachside. There are also a JW Marriott with a solid water park for the kids and a trendy … [Read more...]
Bali wants to ban tourists from riding motorbikes
Planning to visit Bali? You may need to squash visions of tooling around town on a motor scooter.The Indonesian province wants to ban tourists from renting motorcycles, saying it has had enough of foreign travelers “roaming around with motorbikes, without wearing T-shirts and clothes, with no helmets, violating [traffic rules].”Tourists would only be allowed to rent cars from a travel agency or … [Read more...]
Save up to $30 on your cellphone bill with this Amex Offer
March 15, 2023•2 min readSave up to $30 on your cellphone bill with this Amex OfferThis post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.Sign up for our daily newsletterEditor’s note: This is a … [Read more...]
Southwest sale: Get 20% off award flights when you book by March 16 and fly by May 24
With its two free checked bags and unassigned seats, Southwest Airlines' "transfarency" model appeals to many travelers.And for a few days, Southwest is offering 20% off some award redemptions using promo code "SAVE20NOW."Inside a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY20% off select award flightsHere's the overview of what you should know about the 20% discount on Southwest … [Read more...]
Book a cruise and get up to 60,000 bonus United miles with this limited-time offer
United fans, take note: You can get some serious bonus miles in the coming weeks by booking a cruise.Starting Wednesday, United Cruises offers customers with MileagePlus credit cards up to 10 United MileagePlus miles for every dollar spent on a cruise. That's up from the normal offer of up to 7 miles for every dollar spent.United Cruises also has raised the maximum number of miles that a customer … [Read more...]
Post-hurricane recovery: Fort Myers beaches open for spring break visitors
"Herculean would be an understatement."This is how Tamara Pigott, executive director of the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau, described the recovery efforts in the Fort Myers, Florida, area after Hurricane Ian devastated the region in September 2022.Hurricane Ian made landfall in the U.S. on an island off the coast of Fort Myers on Sept. 28, 2022. The Category 4 hurricane hit the Gulf … [Read more...]
How to complete a Chase business credit card application
Chase issues many of the best travel credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve. But Chase also has one of the more restrictive application rules for its cards — the dreaded 5/24 rule.Here’s how it works: If you’ve opened five or more credit cards from any bank in the past 24 months, you won’t be eligible for a Chase credit card. That’s harsh, but there are … [Read more...]
5 ways to book Hyatt award stays without enough points in your account
Although there are plenty of World of Hyatt enthusiasts at TPG, the megachain recently announced that it will increase the number of points you'll need to stay at some 214 properties.We've compiled a list of 15 of our favorite properties that are affected by the new award categories, but as these changes go into effect March 28, there's still time to book an award stay at the existing rates — even … [Read more...]
4 reasons why the Amex Gold is the 1 card we can’t live without
At TPG, most of us have a wallet filled with credit cards. Some go all out (paging editorial director Scott Mayerowitz with his 19 and counting credit cards), while some keep a smaller stockpile (insert a gif of me waving my six cards). But we all undoubtedly have a favorite card.Brian Kelly has talked about his love of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, but many credit card pros have a … [Read more...]