Shelling out hundreds of dollars in annual fees for premium credit cards is not for everyone, especially when you’re new to the points and miles world. Fortunately, there are plenty of travel credit cards that will set you back less than $100 a year and still earn you lucrative rewards to help you book that epic trip of your dreams.Related: The best starter travel credit cardsAmong the top cards … [Read more...]
Inside Condor’s new premium economy, coach cabins with one-way fares to Europe starting at just $169
Editors' note: Condor provided TPG with a free one-way business-class ticket for the inaugural Airbus A330neo flight. All opinions expressed here are of the author alone and were not subject to review by Condor.The airline that wears the colorful stripes is busy reinventing itself in a very exciting way.German leisure carrier Condor, perhaps best known for its new iconic livery, recently embarked … [Read more...]
Boutique on a reasonable budget: A review of the Voco Melbourne Central
IHG's classy Voco brand of hotels launched in 2018 and now numbers over 40 hotels, with locations from Singapore to New York City, and 30-plus to come.The Voco Melbourne Central is one of the brand's four properties in Australia (joining the Gold Coast, Hunter Valley and Brisbane) and is a great choice for IHG loyalists and those with a penchant for luxury travel.Recently, while visiting family in … [Read more...]
Sun, spa and sisterhood: Why a cruise makes the perfect bachelorette party
My hometown of Nashville is known for being the bachelorette party capital of the world as much as it is for being home to country music, so encountering groups of screaming girls in matching outfits walking around downtown is something I've grown used to. When I found myself maid of honor in my best friend's wedding and needed to plan a party, I braced myself to don a glittery cowboy hat and sing … [Read more...]
Hawaii advances new $50 visitor ‘green’ fee
A new $50 visitor fee for many tourists in Hawaii looks increasingly likely.The proposal is moving quickly through Hawaii's legislature. If the proposed legislation is passed through the Hawaii Statehouse, it would require a yearly license for any visitors who want to use any of the state-owned parks, beaches, forests or hiking trails.The fee assessed to visitors in order to use some of the … [Read more...]
Inside Amex’s gorgeous new Centurion Lounge in Seattle — a massive upgrade!
"Will the third time be the charm?" That's the question on the mind of many savvy travelers who frequently pass through Seattle.That's because American Express on Wednesday will open the doors to a brand-new Centurion Lounge at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). The grand debut marks the culmination of a years-long project that should alleviate some of the serious overcrowding that … [Read more...]
Here’s how many Marriott hotels actually have resort fees
President Joe Biden’s State of the Union speech earlier this month brought the travel industry into political crosshairs. The president called out surprise resort fees as a practice that could get banned under his proposed Junk Fee Prevention Act.However, Marriott customers shouldn’t get too excited by the possibility of resort fees — or any other version of the practice, like “city fees” or … [Read more...]
Blockbuster: Air India’s twin deals with Boeing, Airbus mark largest aircraft order ever
Air India has become synonymous with a number of aviation industry themes during the past few decades.Unfortunately for the airline, those have mostly been for things like uneven service, huge financial losses and a mediocre product.Now, however, the flag carrier of India can claim a new superlative: the largest aircraft order ever made.Air India jolted the aviation industry Tuesday with massive … [Read more...]
Book now: $287 one-way to Tokyo on American Airlines
There are some fantastic deals to Japan on American Airlines this fall. Since Zipair started offering one-way flights for less than $400, some full-service carriers have responded with competitive prices.American Airlines has recently dropped the price of its nonstop flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND). You're entitled to a free checked bag even at … [Read more...]
Taiwan’s Starlux Airlines will start flying to the US in April
Feb. 14, 2023•2 min readTaiwan's Starlux Airlines will start flying to the US in AprilThis 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.A new airline plans to make its debut in North America … [Read more...]
Breeze Airways adds 1 new city in broader 22-route expansion
Breeze Airways announced Portland, Maine, is its newest destination Tuesday. The city is part of a broader 22-route expansion.Breeze’s Portland service will begin May 17, when it launches the first of four routes there. By June 2, Breeze will be flying nonstop from Portland to Charleston, South Carolina; Norfolk, Virginia; Pittsburgh; and Tampa.Breeze is the startup budget carrier launched in May … [Read more...]
Want daily housekeeping at Marriott? Pay more
The dust has settled on the daily housekeeping debate at Marriott International.If you’d like that dust removed daily, you better plan on staying at the company’s nicest brands, like St. Regis and Ritz-Carlton.Temporarily suspending daily housekeeping at many hotels was arguably the most notable customer service change during the early months of the pandemic. While room rates and demand levels … [Read more...]
6 apps and websites that make award redemptions easier
We get it — learning how to master this points and miles game is no easy feat. We have a guide to getting started with points and miles, but what happens once you are ready to cash those points in for a trip?Some experts have been doing this for years and could probably teach a college-level course on maximizing points and miles to travel more for less. That means more vacations, more comfortable … [Read more...]
The best credit cards with airline fee credits
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.Call it a la carte pricing or just nickel-and-diming. By any name, air travelers get pummeled by an array of fees for all sorts of services.Many of the best airline credit cards have perks that mirror basic elite status benefits — such as free checked bags — that can help you avoid some of these fees. Other travel … [Read more...]
Book round-trip flights to Tahiti starting at $642
If you're still scrambling for a spring break trip in the sun and sand, book these round-trip flights to Tahiti for as low as $642.You can fly to Tahiti from Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle for cheap from February to March. Since flights to Tahiti can otherwise be expensive, this is a perfect trip to plan with family or friends.These prices are only expected to last a couple of … [Read more...]
How to use the Southwest Companion Pass
One of the best deals in the travel world is the Southwest Companion Pass.It lets you take along a companion for free (plus applicable taxes and fees) on an unlimited number of Southwest flights for the lifetime of the pass. For Southwest frequent flyers, this can easily be worth thousands of dollars a year in value.But how do you unlock this valuable golden ticket of sorts? You’ll need to earn … [Read more...]
How to redeem cash-back rewards from your credit card
Credit card rewards are only valuable when you redeem them. But cash-back rewards can be extremely valuable, as they effectively put cash right back in your pocket.Not all rewards cards provide cash-back rewards, though. And, even among those that do offer a cash-back reward option, cash back may not be the most lucrative use of your rewards. Luckily, if you have a self-proclaimed cash-back … [Read more...]
New York on the cheap: Strategies I used on a $252 2-night trip
I pass through New York City relatively frequently, since it’s one of American Airlines’ hubs and home to TPG’s main office. But it can be expensive to visit. Over the years, my husband and I have used various techniques to decrease costs when visiting expensive destinations like New York City. So, booking flights for two … Source: … [Read more...]
Onboard Condor’s inaugural Airbus A330neo to NYC — in a swanky new business-class product
Editors' note: Condor provided TPG with a free one-way business-class ticket for the inaugural Airbus A330neo flight. All opinions expressed here are of the author alone and were not subject to review by Condor.You may have never heard of Condor Airlines, but after seeing the carrier’s brand-new business-class cabin and attractive fares, you might want to give the carrier a deeper look.Condor is a … [Read more...]
Who should get the Citi Rewards+ Card?
Citi is a TPG advertising partner.Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.The Citi Rewards+® Card — and its student version, the Citi Rewards+℠ Student Card — launched in 2019 with two powerful benefits: rounding up the points you earn and giving 10% of your points back. Interestingly, these powerful features don't get much attention, despite this … [Read more...]