Even if you travel on many different airlines, it makes sense to focus on just one loyalty program in each of the Big Three airline alliances: OneWorld, Star Alliance and SkyTeam. By focusing on one program per alliance, you can earn rewards faster by funneling everything into one program, as your points and miles won’t be…

As a loyal Clear user for the past three years, I will continue paying for it for as long as it exists. It saves me time and stress when passing through Transportation Security Administration security. Though I’ve never doubted the expedited security program’s worth, the implementation of random ID checks undoubtedly questions its core tenet….

You might think that with all the cruise ships out there with the potential to hold thousands of passengers, you have all the time in the world to book a cruise. However, some sailings can sell out a year or more before the ship even leaves the pier. That’s especially true of unique itineraries or…

Depending on how many credit cards you have, the list of benefits you should be using this month might feel overwhelming. Can you remember all of these perks without help? Maybe not. Rather than trying to keep track of all of them on your own, we’ve compiled a monthly checklist of credit card perks and…

Going online to book an airline ticket or hotel stay is a familiar and fairly easy transaction. When you book a cruise, however — particularly your first cruise — you might want to reconsider the impulse to handle the transaction yourself through a cruise line website or an online advertiser with cheap prices. This DIY…

The U.S. is currently in the throes of what may be the busiest Labor Day travel period on record. Between Aug. 29 and Sept. 4, the Transportation Security Administration expects to screen more than 17 million passengers. With so many moving parts and such high footfall — as much as we hate to tempt fate…

Travelers to several major U.S. cities, including Honolulu, Boston and San Francisco, should be prepared for possible disruptions to hotel stays as thousands of hotel workers go on strike. Around the country, unions representing hotel workers have been negotiating for higher wages, better working conditions and more employee protections. With many hotel labor contracts set…

Nestled in an upscale neighborhood of Spain’s vibrant capital, the InterContinental Madrid is a beacon of luxury and hospitality in the city’s booming high-end hotel scene. Built in 1953 on the foundations of a 19th-century palace and designed by architect Luis Feduchi, the hotel attempts to blend classic elegance and modern sophistication. But does it…

Whether due to someone removing their shoes right after boarding or eating a stinky sandwich during mealtime, we’ve all occasionally wished we had the power to choose our seatmate when we fly. One airline finally gives some customers that option, though for a different reason than the olfactory examples listed above. IndiGo, a low-cost airline…

I’ve always used points and miles as a tool to enjoy travel experiences that I could typically never otherwise afford to purchase. Over time, this has often meant maximizing my rewards to book first-class flights and fancy hotel rooms. But aside from staying in Waldorf Astoria hotels and booking first-class flights on Japan Airlines’ newest…