Now that the girls are both back in school and 2017 has arrived in full force, I’ve been doing a bunch of airline award and paid ticket searches this week. I mean, a bunch. In a perfect world, I’d like to get all of our 2017 airline tickets fully booked and squared away as soon as possible. Okay, maybe not all of them, but at least the ones for family trips that already have set dates and are 99% going to happen....
The cruise industry is about to get a lot more luxurious. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company shared in a press release today that it’s going to be launching its very own cruise line, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.The fleet will consist of three “lavish cruising yachts,” the first of which is expected to set sail toward the end of 2019. Each ship will measure in at 190 meters (about 623 feet) and will have the capacity to hold just 298 passengers....
For today’s Travel Tuesday Top 10 List series, we’ve rounded up a list of the top 10 budget hotel options to use your points in Hawaii.Though Hawaii is filled with gorgeous luxury resorts including the St. Regis Princeville on Kauai and the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua on Maui, Hawaii is such a dynamic, easy-to-navigate destination where you don’t have to stay at a 5-star property to take advantage of all the islands have to offer....
Update 12/28/2017: The Turkey-US visa spat has been resolved and now Americans are able to easily apply for Turkish e-visas once again.In early October, an arrest of a United States consulate employee by the Turkish government led to a sudden diplomatic breakdown between the two allies. First, the US suspended non-immigration visa services for Turkish citizens. Immediately afterwards, Turkey suspended all visa services for US citizens.In the month since the breakdown, there has been little official communication about a thawing of restrictions....
Much of the US east coast is being blanketed by a uniquely strong blizzard that’s cancelling thousands of flights, wreaking havoc on car travel and clearing out the skies of nearly all air traffic. Everyone keeps referring to this storm using the catchy “bomb cyclone” term. So, for those wondering, let’s explore exactly what a “bomb cyclone” is.“Bomb cyclone” is a meteorological term that’s the combination of two meteorological terms. So, let’s break it down:Cyclone: Simply speaking, a cyclone is just a big spinning storm with a low-pressure center....
During a recent trip to Guatemala for a PeaceJam conference, some members of the TPG team were able to check out the coolest dining and drinking spots in Guatemala City and Antigua. Here’s a look at some of our favorite spots.In Guatemala CityThe one must-see neighborhood in Guatemala City is Zona 4, known for its colorful street art and eclectic restaurant scene. The team was dying to check it out, so we visited the hip Tres Elefantes restaurant for dinner....
While we are still in the thick of baby-land where sleep is way too limited and I can’t be away from my wee one for more than a couple of hours due to being the main food source, we are now using our telescopes to see out the other end of the tunnel. Well, at least we think we know where the other end of the tunnel is, and we are planning accordingly until proven otherwise....
American Airlines took delivery on Thursday the first of the 100 ordered Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. This newest version of the 737 will offer faster ViaSat WiFi, slimline seats, no in-flight entertainment screens — and less seat pitch than any other AA jet.After backing off its original plan to install as little as 29 inches of pitch in some rows, the airline “decided to space all Main Cabin rows with at least 30 inches of pitch....
When the President arrives in Jerusalem on Monday, he will be housed in an armored presidential suite designed to fend off bombs, poison gas, bullets and even the collapse of the entire building.According to NBC News, the suite at the King David Hotel, which normally runs about $5,700 per night, is built to withstand multiple security threats, such as a gas attack or an assault by rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). Sheldon Ritz, operations manager for the King David, told NBC that “If the whole hotel blows up the suite will come down in one piece, so maybe a few broken bones, but they will be alive....
Avis just launched an interesting new offer: $9.99 base rate for a 12-hour, one-way rental between participating airports and city locations. What’s even better, the rate includes up to a full tank of gas, meaning you don’t have to find a station to fill up at before dropping the car off. You don’t even have to scrimp for an economy car as this $9.99 rate is for vehicles up to full-size....
Sign up for our daily newsletterEmail addressSign upI would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. The Points Guy will not share or sell your email. See privacy policy.Boeing is reporting that the company delivered a record number of aircraft in 2017, leading stock prices to jump after the company’s announcement, with shares at $320.26 as of Wednesday’s close (Boeing’s overall share price doubled in 2017)....
Carnival Cruise Line’s new ship, Carnival Horizon, hit a New York City dock on Tuesday night as it was ending an eight-night trip at sea.The 1,055-foot-long ship crashed into Manhattan’s Pier 90 when attempting to dock at the city’s Pier 88 harbor. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.New York’s Department of Buildings was called to the scene to inspect the stability of the port. Reports say that the Carnival Horizon “damaged two metal support beams and a small section of the parking level above,” buildings rep Andrew Rudansky told the New York Post....
Sign up for our daily newsletterEmail addressSign upI would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. The Points Guy will not share or sell your email. See privacy policy.While Delta SkyMiles are not the most valuable of points, they aren’t so bad either (see how I used 120,000 for business class tickets to Paris/Seychelles). SunTrust, the bank that issues Delta debit cards,is offering 15,000 SkyMiles for opening a Delta debit card, which costs $55 and can be applied to their free checking accounts....
It’s no question that being a parent is an incredibly joyful and rewarding experience, even with all the challenges that come from raising two spirited toddlers. My days are filled with all types of craziness as my only form of exercise has become chasing these balls of endless energy around all day (okay, I’m lying, I do try to squeeze in some “me time” and take a barre class when I can)....
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here – British Airways Visa Signature CardThree quick updates:1) Hyatt points go on sale tomorrow during Daily Getaways at around a penny a piece. These will be very difficult to get, so you’ll want to get in on the pre-sale at noon and the general sale at 1pm. You should like Hyatt on Facebook to get the pre-sale code and information (while you’re at it “like” TPG as well!...
On my whirlwind trip to Mumbai, India, this week, I not only got to meet Ke$ha and Sharon Stone, but also had the pleasure of staying at the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower.The fabulous Taj Mahal Palace and Towers in Mumbai, India.As many of you know if you follow me on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook, I headed to the city that was formerly known as Bombay for the amfAR Gala on November 17, where Ke$ha and Sharon (we’re on first name terms now!...
This is an installment in my March 2012 Asia Trip Series which includes: A Birthday Present To Myself: Business Class on the World’s Longest Flight for $2.50, Help Me Plan My Asia Trip Starting With Singapore, Flight Review: Singapore Airlines All Business Class Flight From Newark To Singapore, Hotel Review: Intercontinental Singapore, Video Trip Report: Singapore, Hotel Review: Le Meridien Bangkok Avantec Suite, Video Trip Report: Bangkok, Hotel Review: Le Meridien Angkor, Video Trip Report: Siem Reap, Hotel Review: Intercontinental Phnom Penh, Video Trip Report: Phnom Penh and the Khmer Rouge Killing Fields, Hotel Review: W Hong Kong....
Sign up for our daily newsletterEmail addressSign upI would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. The Points Guy will not share or sell your email. See privacy policy.In a post-BumpGate world, it’s increasingly interesting to see how airlines — and passengers — handle overselling situations. Last month, we wrote about how Delta handled an oversold flight wonderfully by bumping the compensation for volunteers up to $1,100 within a few minutes....
Click here to donate to our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico who desperately need our help.Six days after destructive Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, most of the island’s 3.4 million residents, who are US citizens, remain without power, and with no hope of getting electricity back anytime soon. The catastrophic damage caused by Maria has left the island in a state of devastation that’s been called “apocalyptic” by both residents and government officials....
Nearly 400 people in Palu, a coastal Indonesian city, died yesterday due to a brutal tsunami following a 7.5 earthquake. It has been projected that hundreds are injured. Dozens are still missing, and death tolls still may rise. Mutiara Sis Al Jufri Airport (PLW) in Palu is closed, and communication is sparse due to the 10-foot waves that flooded the city.The earthquake struck at 6:02pm local time, and led to a tsunami warning that was lifted either before or during the tsunami itself....
