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If you're looking for a business credit card that's easy to use and doesn't require you to memorize bonus categories, the U.S. Bank Business Essentials™ Visa® Card is worth a look. The no-annual-fee card earns at least 2% cash back on purchases, making it a straightforward option for everyday business expenses.The card gets more interesting if you already bank with U.S. Bank, since … [Read more...]

Packing for an Alaska cruise does not have to be a stressful experience.Yes, you will be visiting some places where the weather might be chillier than back home, but you will not encounter truly Arctic conditions. Away from the viewing sites of magnificent glaciers and icefields that brought you to Alaska, you might even encounter weather suitable for shorts and T-shirts.That said, if you're used … [Read more...]

As October keeps trucking along and the leaves start to change, my mind starts to drift to one place: the beach. Look, I like fall and appreciate its amber-hued beauty, but as the days get shorter and the nights get colder, I imagine myself in the sun working on my tan (come on, my name is Tanner, after all).With that in mind, I was excited for two big stories that we published this week. First, … [Read more...]

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Legend Mastercard® (see rates and fees) is a valuable travel card that's a great fit for frequent American Airlines flyers.It carries a high $695 annual fee, but there are several easy ways to get excellent value from both the card and the AAdvantage program. And currently, the card is offering its highest-ever welcome bonus.Here are six reasons why the Citi … [Read more...]

Air Canada's Aeroplan loyalty program remains a favorite in the loyalty world. In addition to its distance-based award charts (Air Canada and select partner charts operate dynamically), it offers several customer-friendly features, such as a low-priced stopover perk and minimal fees on award tickets. This can be especially useful when booking Star Alliance partner award flights.Plus, Aeroplan … [Read more...]

As someone who flies American Airlines semi-frequently, the $99 ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year) Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) makes a lot of sense for my wallet.It has plenty to offer for American Airlines flyers, including day-of-flight perks and bonus miles on American Airlines and everyday expenses, but it may fall short for … [Read more...]

IHG One Rewards is the loyalty program for IHG Hotels & Resorts, which includes brands like Holiday Inn, Hotel Indigo, InterContinental, Kimpton and Crowne Plaza. It has become one of my go-to hotel loyalty programs; I spent 72 nights with it in 2025, and I've already logged 81 nights in 2026.The IHG Hotels & Resorts portfolio includes a mix of luxury and mainstream brands. I love the … [Read more...]

Planning a cruise to Alaska is a lot different from preparing to sail in the Caribbean or Europe. Alaska's calling card is not beaches or high culture but vast wilderness. The 49th state has half of the national park land in the U.S.Chances are you'll be exploring sometimes rugged places and want to spend time in the great outdoors, in addition to experiencing lively frontier towns with … [Read more...]

If you've been interested in rewards credit cards for any length of time, you may be familiar with the World Elite Mastercard and World Legend Mastercard designations, the latter of which launched just last year.They might just seem like fancy naming conventions at first glance, but in practice, there are important differences between the two. Understanding what each label offers will help you … [Read more...]

One of the ways the Atmos Rewards program stands apart from most other airline loyalty programs is that it lets its members choose how they earn redeemable points and status points. Here's what you should know when choosing how to earn with Atmos Rewards.Earning with Atmos RewardsThrough the end of 2026, Atmos Rewards members earn based on the distance they travel. But, starting on Jan. 1, 2027, … [Read more...]

If you've flown at all over the past few months, you're likely all too familiar with the script at this point.Flying in 2026 costs a lot more than it did just a year ago. Since the start of the war in Iran triggered a surge in global oil prices, airfares have risen by an average of 23%.Holiday travel certainly won't be spared.Domestic Thanksgiving flights are up about 31% from last year, according … [Read more...]

Alaska is one of the world's most popular cruise destinations, and it's certainly easy to see why. From its majestic glaciers — many of which are viewed best from the sea — to its historic frontier towns, national parks, wildlife and outdoor activities, there truly is something for every type of traveler.Maybe you just want to catch the highlights on a seven-day cruise through the Inside Passage — … [Read more...]

Solo travel has many perks. Even this writer — who loves traveling with friends and family — saw the appeal during my first European solo trip earlier this year.However, traveling alone can also feel daunting because you're responsible for everything, including your own safety.Not to worry; our globetrotting team at TPG has your back with road-tested tips to help you stay safe and make the most of … [Read more...]

When choosing a cobranded airline card, it's natural to focus on the airlines you fly most often. After all, benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding and a faster path to elite status are usually most valuable when you're loyal to that airline.But, I often encourage people to think beyond a card's airline or hotel partner when deciding whether it makes sense for them.Take the Citi® / … [Read more...]

Among the world's biggest cruise lines, Princess Cruises has one of the more modest loyalty programs.Unlike rivals Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess doesn't offer its loyalty club members a free cruise after reaching the top tier. There are no onboard credits for top-tier members like some lines offer (although a 2021 change did bring discounts for shore excursions and spa … [Read more...]

United did it first. Delta followed. And then came JetBlue.Suddenly, everywhere travelers look, new types of "basic" tickets are popping up. And we're not just talking about the cheapest, bare-bones fares in coach, which have been around for years.We're talking about the growing number of U.S. carriers that now offer "unbundled" tickets even for passengers sitting at the front of the plane.Booking … [Read more...]

Even with a season that only runs from April through October, Alaska draws roughly 40 big cruise ships and dozens of smaller cruise vessels each year, making it one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world after the Caribbean and Europe. The best Alaska cruises range from off-the-beaten-path voyages on vessels carrying fewer than 100 passengers to weeklong jaunts through the Inside … [Read more...]

If you've been banking with the same institution for years, you've probably stopped noticing all the ways they're quietly charging you. Monthly maintenance fees, out-of-network ATM charges and overdraft penalties that turn a $2 mistake into a $35 hit have become part of the cost of doing business with traditional banks, even though they shouldn't be.Chime offers a checking account with fee-free … [Read more...]

Air France is growing its U.S. map, including with a tribute to the late singer Dolly Parton.The SkyTeam Alliance carrier will land at San Diego International Airport (SAN) on May 3, 2027. It will come to Nashville International Airport (BNA) on May 14, Air France said Thursday. Flights from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to both SAN and BNA will operate thrice-weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays … [Read more...]

If you're planning to travel for spring break, Easter or summer vacation next year, now is a great time to start racking up points and miles for your trip.At TPG, we believe it's never too early to start earning. If you can earn travel rewards now, you'll be in a better position to start making your 2027 travel plans early, when you may have more hotel and airline award availability to choose … [Read more...]