For many cruisers, the adorable menagerie of towel animals that appear in your cabin each night is a highlight. That is certainly true for me. I’ve been an avid towel animal fan for as long as I can remember — from family sailings when our daughters were little, squealing with delight at each new character,…

Among the best-known cruise brands, Disney Cruise Line has one of the most modest loyalty programs — even after an upgrade that brought an all-new tier. Unlike the programs of such cruise operators as Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, the Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club, as it’s called, doesn’t offer members over-the-top perks such…

If you’re dissatisfied with the interest rate on your credit card — also known as the annual percentage rate or APR — you might be able to secure a lower rate, believe it or not, by simply asking your issuer. While it’s possible your request may be declined, it doesn’t hurt to ask. If you’ve…

Despite being smaller than the Big Three legacy carriers, Alaska Airlines has gained popularity among American travelers thanks to its loyalty program, Mileage Plan. As a member of Oneworld, the program offers numerous high-value partnerships with airlines like American Airlines, British Airways and Cathay Pacific. Additionally, it has nonalliance partnerships with airlines such as Icelandair,…

Prime Visa card overview Amazon’s Prime Visa is a solid earner, featuring a 5% return on Amazon.com, Whole Foods Market and Chase Travel℠ purchases, 2% on restaurant, gas station and commuting purchases and 1% back on everything else, making it a strong contender for those who spend big with Amazon and its brands. Another perk?…

Compared to some of its closest rivals, MSC Cruises has a relatively modest loyalty program. Unlike the frequent cruiser programs at Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, the MSC Voyagers Club loyalty program doesn’t offer its members a free cruise after reaching the top tier. It does not offer a massive discount on the single…

Trying to cut to the front of the boarding line may not work for much longer with American Airlines. That’s because the Fort Worth-based carrier is testing new technology that will help gate agents enforce the boarding order. The new software alerts the gate agent when a passenger is trying to board before their group…

Many top rewards credit cards include annual fees. In exchange for this up-front cost, you can unlock higher earning rates, additional travel perks and annual rewards. That said, many issuers (and their cobranded loyalty program partners) offer no-annual-fee products that can still be decent options for more casual travelers. If you’re looking for a hotel…

It’s been more than a month of labor strikes at hotels in some of the top destinations in the U.S., and a resolution doesn’t appear to be in sight. More than 5,000 combined workers are on strike at hotels affiliated with Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton and Omni in Boston, Honolulu, San Francisco and Seattle. While earlier…

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express are two of the most popular travel rewards cards. After all, both cards offer valuable transferable rewards, lounge access and the ability to receive elite-like perks when booking hotels through Amex’s Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program and The Edit by Chase Travel℠. Like…