Many years ago, there was really only one major rewards card that cost more than around $100 per year — and that was the ubiquitous Platinum Card® from American Express. If you wanted to get into a Centurion Lounge — which at the time was in a league of its own — you didn’t leave…

Florida might soon have a rival when it comes to cruise getaways. Although the Sunshine State is home to the largest cruise market in the world, Royal Caribbean claims the Texas market has the potential to be even bigger — a concept that has prompted the line to invest heavily in the Gulf Coast region….

New rules from the U.S. Department of Transportation just went into effect that will help passengers deal with delays and cancellations. While the rules don’t go as far as some consumer advocates would hope, they are small victories. As of Oct. 28, the latest rules are in place that will provide automatic refunds for passengers…

Everyone has their own (sometimes strong) opinion on the appropriate time to celebrate the holiday season. Some people put their tree up as soon as the last trick-or-treater has gone home on Halloween night, while others staunchly oppose even listening to a Christmas song until after Thanksgiving. If you are planning a fall or winter…

The Virgin Atlantic Flying Club program reinvention is now live. The biggest change in the program’s history is a new concept of dynamically priced redemptions for Virgin Atlantic-operated flights. Every seat on every Virgin Atlantic flight is now bookable with Virgin points, a significant departure from the previous model of strictly limited and capacity-controlled award…

With just two months left in 2024, time is running out to qualify (or requalify) for Delta elite status. If you haven’t done so already, check your elite qualification metrics, tally up your travel for the rest of the year and see where that puts you in terms of elite status for next year. If…

Just when it seems like the major hotel conglomerates are gobbling up every cooler small brand they can find, independent-minded travelers can take solace: Cape Cod-based Salt Hotels is expanding on its own terms. The hotel collective, based in Provincetown, Massachusetts, has a North American presence with properties in Miami (Hotel Greystone), Cape Cod (the…

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are the currency of most Chase-branded credit cards. You can earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points for everyday spending and then redeem them for a wide range of rewards. Despite increasing competition from American Express Membership Rewards points, Citi ThankYou Rewards points and Capital One miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards points have maintained…

As of Oct. 28, U.S. travelers are officially entitled to compensation from airlines for canceled or significantly delayed flights, per three new rules from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The new rules were developed under the Biden administration and announced in April but are now fully in effect. Specifically, the final rules require airlines to…

One hallmark of experienced award travelers is their willingness to use frequent flyer programs run by foreign airlines. Even if most of your travel is within the United States, there’s plenty of incentive to look for cheap award rates on domestic flights by booking with programs like Avianca LifeMiles and British Airways Executive Club. Many…