Most travelers don't like to pay resort fees on their stays. Luckily, some hotel loyalty programs, including World of Hyatt and Hilton Honors, waive resort fees on award stays. World of Hyatt also waives resort fees on paid stays for its top-tier Globalist members.But, even if you can't use hotel points or elite status to avoid resort fees, you can decide not to stay at properties that levy these … [Read more...]
Avelo grows Raleigh-Durham base with 3 new routes starting at $39
It seems that Avelo Airlines has struck gold with its newest base in the Raleigh-Durham metro area of North Carolina.The airline startup announced on Wednesday that it'll base a second Boeing 737 aircraft at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), which will allow Avelo to add three new routes.The three new routes will bring Avelo's total to 10 markets served by RDU — impressive growth for the … [Read more...]
The 8 best places to visit in March
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.As we approach the end of winter and welcome the arrival of spring, many of us are starting to think about our next travel destination. March offers the perfect opportunity to break out of the winter blues and explore new places. The mild and comfortable weather makes it ideal for outdoor activities and … [Read more...]
10 epic around-the-world cruises that will check off all your bucket list travel destinations
Imagine the joys of traveling seamlessly from one bucket list country to another without packing and unpacking, switching hotels, boarding countless flights or even doing laundry.Think it’s a fantasy? It’s actually a world cruise, the nirvana of many ocean-going devotees. As a bonus, most of these around-the-world voyages include enviable perks, like pre-cruise hotel stays, alcohol, shipboard … [Read more...]
30 Best Things to Do in Detroit Michigan
It might be known for cars and Motown more than as a popular travel destination, but there are a lot of things to do in Detroit, and for that reason alone it should be on your radar. Once you know about all the cool things to do in Detroit, the city is going to end up being on your best places to visit list for next summer guaranteed. The coolest things to do in Detroit Michigan Michigan sits in … [Read more...]
Southwest to make improvements to winter equipment, staffing following holiday meltdown
Southwest Airlines pledged Tuesday to improve its winter operations and modernize its technology following a massive holiday meltdown that spurred the cancellation of nearly 17,000 flights and stranded scores of flyers.In particular, the Dallas-based carrier plans to purchase more de-icing trucks, engine covers and heaters, as well as hire more winter staff.Additionally, Southwest said it would … [Read more...]
Boeing wins wide-body order for new Saudi Arabian airline, which appears set to battle Gulf neighbors
Boeing confirmed Tuesday that it had secured orders for up to 121 wide-body 787 Dreamliner jets from two Saudi Arabian airlines — a major boon for the U.S. plane-maker following a sluggish month of orders.New Saudi airline Riyadh Air, which Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced over the weekend, will receive 39 of the jets, with options to order 33 more. Boeing said that state-owned Saudia, … [Read more...]
Regent plans return to the US amid IHG’s global luxury hotel expansion
Pass the champagne and caviar: One of IHG’s most luxurious brands is finally getting back into the U.S. hotel business.Regent Hotels & Resorts plans to open Regent Santa Monica in California later this year. The hotel, formerly a 347-room Loews-affiliated hotel, will undergo a significant renovation that cuts the room count by at least half to bring the property up to Regent’s ultra-luxurious … [Read more...]
Frontier cuts 14 routes, pulls out of 1 city in latest network shake-up
It's not all growth for Frontier Airlines, as the carrier has just quietly filed plans to exit a number of markets.The Denver-based carrier will cut 14 routes from its network, and it'll also end service to Rochester, New York, on May 8, as first seen in Cirium schedules and Ailevon Pacific data, and later confirmed by a carrier spokesperson.You'll find the full list of route cuts at the bottom of … [Read more...]
How to maximize your rewards earning with the Ink Business Preferred
The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card offers the largest sign-up bonus of any credit card that earns Ultimate Rewards points, often by a large margin. That makes it one of the most enticing travel credit cards on the market. New cardholders can earn 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $15,000 on purchases within the first … Source: … [Read more...]
Spring break travel warnings for Mexico: What you need to know
The state of Texas has issued an unusual travel warning for Mexico, saying it's too dangerous to visit for spring break this year. It comes just days after the U.S. Department of State reiterated its calls for caution on travel to Mexico.The Texas Department of Public Safety urges residents to avoid the country because of drug cartel violence and other crime."Based on the volatile nature of cartel … [Read more...]
How to leverage airline and alliance hubs to book better award tickets
Airlines worldwide rely on the hub-and-spoke system to efficiently move thousands of passengers across the globe.What is a hub-and-spoke system? In short, hubs allow airlines and their alliance partners to fly into larger airports where passengers can be transferred to a smaller aircraft to reach their final destination. This is why you might fly through Frankfurt Airport (FRA) on your way to … [Read more...]
Fast, free Wi-Fi coming to Delta’s international jets with latest upgrade
Staying connected to speedy internet while globetrotting will soon be a reality on Delta.The Atlanta-based carrier announced on Tuesday that it's officially teaming up with Viasat, one of the leading providers of satellite connectivity, to outfit the airline's entire wide-body fleet with the provider's latest connectivity solutions.As part of the expanded tie-up, Delta will add Viasat antennas to … [Read more...]
A complete list of transfer bonuses over the past decade — which issuer is the most generous?
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.Part of what makes transferable points programs like American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards so great is the ability to convert points into miles with dozens of airline partners. What makes them even more attractive is that some issuers offer occasional transfer bonuses for doing so.However, in … [Read more...]
Holiday Inn owner tries to go upscale with more high-end brands
Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express continue to be the 800-pound gorilla in terms of brand recognition at IHG Hotels & Resorts.But don’t discount the company’s other brands. They illustrate where IHG sees growth and offer new ways for travelers to experience the company and its loyalty program.IHG’s budget-friendly Voco brand of boutique-style hotels just hit an important milestone by signing … [Read more...]
Keep calm and carry on: The best carry-on luggage for every kind of trip
From frequent travelers to fashionistas, there is no "one size fits all" when it comes to carry-on luggage.If you fly so often that you are on a first-name basis with your local airport's Transportation Security Administration agents, you need a carry-on suitcase that is durable enough to stand up to repeated use.If your carry-on bag should be as stylish as you are, you'll want an eye-catching … [Read more...]
The best hotels in London
With tens of thousands of rooms spread across London’s hotels, travelers have no shortage of choices when it comes to booking a place to stay in the city.Even once you stay at all the best hotels in London, more will join the ranks every year.There are iconic London hotels in some of the poshest neighborhoods that have legacy and reputation on their side, and affordable hotels that prioritize … [Read more...]
Alaska Airlines devalues Japan Airlines awards without notice, increasing award rates by up to 100%
Alaska Airlines isn't showing any TLC to its Mileage Plan members.After publishing different award rates for each of its partners in December and spiking award rates and taxes on some partner flights in January, the airline is back at devaluations.Now, Mileage Plan has increased Japan Airlines award rates by up to 100%, as View From the Wing first reported.As with each of these changes, Alaska … [Read more...]
Does it make sense to hold an Amex Platinum and Amex Gold card?
I know what you're thinking: There's no way to justify holding two cards that earn the same type of points and paying almost $1,000in annual fees to keep them both. (The Platinum Card® from American Express: see rates and fees) (American Express® Gold Card: see rates and fees)For me (and many others), it's entirely worthwhile.It's true that the price tags on The Platinum Card® from American … [Read more...]
Short on time? You can do this Galapagos cruise in just 1 week
Are you frustrated because you think your dream Galapagos cruise requires more vacation time than you can spare?Don't get your blue-footed boobies in a twist. A short, relatively affordable Galapagos cruise is not a fantasy.I recently returned from a Galapagos sailing that can be done, including travel time, in just a week. Although I spent only four days on the ship, I saw a wide range of animals … [Read more...]