I’m thrilled that the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) has increased its welcome offer to 100,000 bonus points, earned after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. I applied for this card last year when the bonus was also 100,000 points and have been very happy with…

Some of the best welcome bonuses out there offer as many as 200,000 points, but ask for thousands or even tens of thousands in spending in just a few months to earn them. Whether you’re a student, young professional, retiree or someone else in a situation that calls for a fixed budget, these welcome offers…

Growing up, I always considered Universal’s theme parks in Orlando and Hollywood to be the “grown-up” parks you graduated to when you were ready for intense rides, faster coasters and bigger thrills. Now that I am a mom of three and a frequent theme park visitor, I know that Universal parks have fun for kids…

As someone who has spent the last decade chasing national parks, mountain towns and off-the-beaten-path destinations, I’ve learned that hotels aren’t always the best fit for the way I travel. As a result, I’ve booked more than 60 Airbnbs over the past 11 years. Typically, I’ve put all of my Airbnb spending on a catch-all…

Sometimes, a vacation rental is the best option. I’ve used Marriott Homes & Villas to earn Marriott Bonvoy points on several recent short-term apartment rentals, and there are also Hyatt Homes & Hideaways and the Apartment Collection by Hilton if you want to stick to the major hotel loyalty programs. But sometimes, an Airbnb or…

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) is packed with benefits in exchange for its modest $95 annual fee. One of the most valuable is its up to $100 annual hotel statement credit, available each account anniversary year for prepaid hotel stays booked through Chase Travel℠. On its own, this credit can more…

Many Florida beach destinations bustle with boardwalks, beach bars and high-rise resorts. But just off the coast of the Florida Gulf sits an island better suited for travelers seeking a slower, more laid-back escape. Maybe it’s the stretches of shell-covered beaches, the daily wildlife encounters or the island’s slow paced, nature-focused atmosphere, but Sanibel Island…

Boutique air carrier JSX is expanding its network of posh turboprop flights to California’s Bay Area. The air carrier will begin up to thrice daily flights from the Santa Monica Airport (SMO) on the west side of Los Angeles to Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK) on Sept. 14, JSX said Thursday. It will operate…

I opened my first credit card, the Petal 2 Visa Credit Card, shortly after graduating from college. At the time, I had no idea that one decision would eventually lead to me qualifying for some of my favorite travel rewards cards and taking trips I never thought I’d be able to afford. When I was…

Theme park vacations aren’t all fun and games. Between park tickets, hotel rooms, skip-the-line passes and souvenirs, the expenses add up quickly. In the search for savings, families can use points and miles to book trips to theme parks like Universal Orlando, Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Kids Resort, which just opened in Texas. You…