You’re visiting another country and making a purchase with your credit card. Then, the credit card terminal asks if you’d like to pay in U.S. dollars or in the local currency. This might sound like a convenient way to avoid foreign transaction fees, but it’s not. Here’s why: The exchange rate offered here ranges from…

Amazon’s annual Big Spring Sale is almost upon us. Anyone can shop this sale, but you can save more if you use the right credit card or join Amazon Prime. If you want to score the best deals, here’s everything you need to know before the sale starts. When is Amazon’s Big Spring Sale? Amazon’s…

Death is a challenging topic to navigate. However, it’s important to know what to do with credit cards after a primary cardholder’s death. A spouse, authorized user or other family members may need answers to various questions: What happens to credit card debt or rewards after a primary cardholder dies? What initial steps should loved…

The historic shipping port city of Savannah, Georgia, set on the Savannah River separating South Carolina from Georgia, has a lively arts and culture scene, delicious cuisine and gorgeous parks and gardens. Settled in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe (who was also the urban planner behind Savannah’s famous squares), Savannah has thrived since its time…

I almost chickened out of trying Norwegian Aqua’s new Slidecoaster. I’m so glad I didn’t. Everyone on my five-night preview sailing of Norwegian Cruise Line’s ship has been eager to try this first-in-industry attraction. After all, the two giant multicolor tubes that encircle Norwegian Aqua’s top decks are the dominant feature of the ship. There’s…

You’ve no doubt seen the headlines: The Federal Reserve continues to raise concerns about the health of the economy, and we keep seeing steep declines on Wall Street. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines have all warned that revenue in the first few months of the year was weaker than expected. We’d also…

If you’re looking to enter the United Club, you might want to pay attention to this news. The Chicago-based airline announced major changes to United Club access policies on Monday. The updates include new membership options, guest policies and timing restrictions. The changes aren’t as sweeping as what Delta Air Line announced for its (often…

A select group of airline credit cards tout companion certificate benefits. Generally speaking, these perks allow you to bring a friend or family member along at a steep discount (or, in some cases, nearly free) when you book a qualifying ticket. They are often issued annually for renewing the applicable card. But are these perks…

When it comes to taking care of your credit card, the first things that come to mind are probably paying your bills on time, managing your budget and monitoring your credit score. What you might not think about is taking care of your cards’ physical condition. Should we wipe our cards with a microfiber towel?…

As the saying goes, “Everyone makes mistakes.” This applies to many aspects of life, including using your hotel points. Even the most seasoned award traveler can slip up, resulting in a less comfortable room, extra costs or even the inability to travel. Fortunately, the most common mistakes when booking hotel award stays are easy to…