MSC Cruises’ MSC Voyagers Club loyalty program: Everything you need to know

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…

American trials enforced boarding zones in interesting new test

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…

Comparing the Marriott Bonvoy Bold and Hilton Honors Amex

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…

Hotel labor strikes with no end in sight ramp up in major US cities

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…

Travel insurance comparison: Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. American Express Platinum

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…

Quick Points: How to use married airline segments to find more award availability

If you’re struggling to find award availability for your next flight redemption, here’s a trick to solve this issue. An increasing number of airlines are using the “married airline logic” concept when releasing and pricing award seats. Like cash fares, airlines believe passengers will pay a premium for nonstop flights compared to indirect flights. Therefore,…

Alaska Airlines loyalty chief talks joint frequent flyer program with Hawaiian Airlines

This week, Alaska Airlines announced sweeping changes to its Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program. The overhaul will make it easier for customers to earn elite status and loyalty perks in 2025. Plus, the carrier revealed that customers should soon be able to book international itineraries aboard multiple Alaska partners through its website. Yet executives make…

Celebrity cruise drink packages: Cost, inclusions and what to know before you buy

Celebrity Cruises drink packages give you the freedom to enjoy both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages during your cruise without worrying about the tab. Adding a beverage package to your cruise moves your vacation one step closer to an all-inclusive experience that stops the day-to-day nickel and diming for every soda, bottle of water and glass…