According to a recent study, 52% of Americans let their credit card rewards expire. A few loyalty programs, such as Southwest Rapid rewards and United MileagePlus, have rewards that never expire, but for other programs you need some account activity every two to three years to keep your points and miles balances in tact. To …
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US universities are canceling study abroad programs in Italy and urging students to return to the US amid soaring coronavirus cases
Universities have begun taking the precautionary step of canceling their study abroad programs in Italy as the country grapples with the worst coronavirus outbreak outside Asia. Syracuse University, Fairfield University, and Elon University have indefinitely suspended their academic programs in Florence and are helping students return home. New York University has set a tentative start …
Photos show what it’s like to travel around the world by train, bus, boat, and plane in the age of coronavirus
The spread of the new coronavirus has affected travel throughout the world. The outbreak that originated in Wuhan, China, has killed 2,700 people and infected more than 81,000 according to recent totals. The virus can pass from person to person, and one of the most common ways is through public and semi-private transport. Visit Business …
If you’re going to splurge on one luxury hotel this year, consider 1 Hotel South Beach — with a private beach, 6 on-site restaurants, and 4 pools including a rooftop oasis, you’ll never want to leave
1 Hotel South Beach, the first US outpost of the high-end eco-luxury brand, is a gorgeous sanctuary for sophisticated travelers. With a private beach, 6 on-site restaurants, and 4 pools including a stunning rooftop oasis, it has all the trimmings of a giant resort, but without any of the hectic energy. I spent one night …
Review: The Delta SkyMiles Blue card earns bonus miles on your everyday spending, without an annual fee
Delta recently revamped its credit cards to offer new benefits like more bonus earning opportunities and expanded lounge access. The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is the only Delta card with no annual fee. Until April 1, new cardholders can earn 15,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first three months. The card earns …
Photos show what life is like inside San Fiorano, one of the Italian towns on lockdown because of the coronavirus
Italy has rapidly become Europe’s hotspot for the coronavirus. As of Wednesday, there were 322 confirmed cases, and 12 people had died from it. The government put 11 towns in northern Italy on lockdown to try and stop the coronavirus from spreading. San Fiorano is one of the those towns. One local teacher named Marzio …
Followers of the doomsday church cult that is linked to South Korea’s coronavirus outbreak were meeting in Wuhan until December
A Shincheonji churchgoer sparks a ‘super-spreader’ event Shincheonji, which has almost 250,000 followers, was established in 1984 by Lee Man Hee, who claims to be the second coming of Jesus Christ and can take 144,000 people with him to heaven on Judgment Day. A “super-spreader” event involving a 61-year-old woman at its Daegu branch, the …
Australia is changing its visa rules so backpackers can help rebuild the country in the aftermath of bushfire devastation
Australia is offering travelers ages 18 to 30 the chance to work in the country for a full year on a Working Holiday Maker visa to help with bushfire recovery efforts. On February 17, the government extended the length of the visa from six months to 12 months. Young travelers from 40 partner countries with …
Korean Air is letting people change their flights from the US to South Korea after a flight attendant tested positive for coronavirus — but there’s a catch
Korean Air will let certain passengers with tickets from the US to South Korea to change their flights, the airline said Wednesday morning local time. The airline is still not offering refunds to all customers, and the rebooked flight to South Korea must be on or before June 30. Korean Air announced on Tuesday that …
21 airlines have canceled flights outside of China amid fears the coronavirus outbreak is turning into a pandemic — here’s the full list
As the novel coronavirus COVID-19 spreads globally, airlines are canceling routes beyond Chinese territory both as a precaution and to stop the spread of the virus. Iran and South Korea are among the top countries where airlines are canceling service due to increased reports of the virus. The cancellations and reductions in service can be …
The Times Square Edition is a luxury oasis in the frenzy of Midtown Manhattan with modern design and a bold drinking and dining scene that first-time visitors will love — but rooms are tiny and expensive
The , a Marriott Bonvoy property, is an oasis of contemporary luxury in New York’s busiest neighborhood, with plenty of theatrical flair from famed hotelier Ian Schrager. The hotel has much more personality than many generic chain hotels in the area, with a dining and entertainment program that’s strong enough to entice even native New …
Delta’s credit cards are offering up to 100,000 miles for a limited time — here are the 5 best ways to use them to book flights
You can earn Delta SkyMiles by flying Delta, as well as by using the airline’s co-branded credit cards such as the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. Until April 1, Delta credit cards are offering elevated welcome bonuses — you can earn as many as 100,000 SkyMiles. …
Vanished without a trace: Inside the myths and mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle
The Bermuda Triangle, a stretch of the Atlantic Ocean running between Puerto Rico, Bermuda, and Miami has been credited with the deaths and disappearances of over 8,000 lives since the mid-19th century. Though the exact number is not known, at least 50 ships and 20 airplanes have disappeared in the Triangle — often without a …
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17 airlines offer a certain kind of layover that sometimes comes with lavish perks like a free hotel room or city tours — here’s how to master the stopover
Stopover programs allow for travelers to add on a destination either free of charge or at a discounted price. The programs are mainly offered by flag carriers for passengers transiting through their main hub. Europe and the Middle East see the greatest number of airlines offering the program, with some offering complimentary hotel stays. Visit …
The Confidante Miami Beach has many of the same amenities as the luxury hotels down the street in South Beach for far cheaper — here’s why I’d gladly return to the Hyatt property
The Confidante Miami Beach is a well-priced midcentury modern-inspired Art Deco hotel from World of Hyatt with all the amenities needed for a great beach vacation but in an approachable boutique setting. The whimsical and colorful property in Mid Beach, just a short walk from South Beach, includes two pools, a beachfront location, wellness facilities, …
The worst thing about airline tickets is officially coming to Amtrak
Amtrak’s cheapest two fare categories will see major new restrictions on March 1. Many tickets will now be completely nonrefundable if cancelled, with steep change fees. Previously, riders were only required to pay the difference in fare if changing trains. Business Insider first reported the changes in December, citing an internal document. Visit Business Insider’s …
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United’s flagship Polaris airport lounge in Newark is 27,000 square feet of complimentary restaurants, bars, private nap rooms, and showers — here’s what it’s like (UAL)
United Airlines’ Polaris Lounges are some of the most luxurious airport spaces you’ll find in the US, but they’re not available to everyone. Only passengers flying long-haul international business class on United, or international first or business with certain partner airlines, get to use the lounges. Right now, there are only five locations, with more …
I spent a 4-hour layover at the massive Qatar Airways Flagship business class lounge in Doha, which sprawls across 2.5 acres and has a reflection pool. Here’s what it’s like.
The business class lounge at Doha International Airport in Doha, Qatar, sprawls across a whopping two-and-a-half acres. The space is replete with plenty of seating, showers, two restaurants, and a reflection pool. I recently spent a four-hour layover there — here’s what it was like. Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories. Qatar Airways sets …
Korean Air is not offering refunds on flights to South Korea as customers desperately try to cancel trips because of coronavirus
Korean Air is not offering refunds on flights on flights to South Korea, even as the country struggles with the most severe outbreak of coronavirus outside China. The airline is making exceptions for flights to China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, or for passengers who would be affected by disease-related travel bans. On Tuesday, Korean Air …
A Korean Air flight attendant tested positive for coronavirus, as people are desperately trying to cancel flights on the airline
A Korean Air flight attendant tested positive for the coronavirus, the South Korean airline announced on Tuesday. Korean Air is disinfecting aircraft and asking flight attendants with symptoms to self-quarantine, a representative told Business Insider. Korean Air’s social media platforms have been flooded with complaints from customers who are trying to cancel their flights to …
The US is telling Americans with pre-existing conditions to avoid trips to Italy
The US State Department and Center for Disease Control have issued travel warnings for Italy amid the spread of COVID-19. The European country currently has the highest number of novel coronavirus cases outside of Asia, with more than 200 infected, and six deaths. The State Department issued a level two warning for Italy back in …
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The CDC is warning travelers about visiting 5 countries because of coronavirus. Here’s the US government’s guidance for Americans.
The US State Department and CDC have both issued travel notices for countries affected by the Wuhan coronavirus. As of Monday, the coronavirus has killed at least 2,600 people and infected more than 80,000 people in 35 countries worldwide. The US State Department has issued the most severe threat-level warning for China, and strongly recommends …
The W Miami in Brickell is a top choice for Marriott Bonvoy loyalists with well-sized rooms, a football field-sized pool deck, and great restaurant
in downtown Brickell blends traditional luxury with modern amenities, including a massive 15th-floor pool deck, access to an extensive spa and fitness facility, and a great on-site restaurant that warrants a visit on its own. I spent a night at this Marriott Bonvoy hotel in a room, which is a mid-tier offering above a standard …
An official leading South Korea’s battle against COVID-19 says he’s a member of a doomsday cult where a virus ‘super-spreader’ event occurred
For its part, the Temple issued a statement asking critics to stop hurling “hatred and groundless accusations at them,” since its members, like others who have been sickened, were “victims of the disease which originated in China and was transmitted to this country.” But people say that the information provided by Shincheonji doesn’t include its …
How the ‘failed’ quarantine of the Diamond Princess cruise ship started with 10 coronavirus cases and ended with more than 630
The Diamond Princess cruise ship went from 10 cases of the new coronavirus to more than 630 over the course of its two-week quarantine. Experts and officials have criticized the decision to keep people on the ship and many poor hygiene practices onboard. Here’s how the cruise ship ended up with more than half of …
I stayed at SLS Brickell in Miami, a slick hotel drawing visitors downtown and away from the beach — I loved the pool deck and cool design, but some rooms need work
SLS Brickell is a luxury hotel in downtown Miami, within the revived area of Brickell, now bustling with designer shopping, gourmet dining, and world-class art. I spent the night in a Premier King room, which starts at $231 per night. It’s a mid-tier offering with a balcony. Standard rooms start at $201 without a terrace. …
Photos show what Italy is like under lockdown as the country became Europe’s epicenter of the coronavirus with more than 200 cases reported in 3 days
Italy is now the focal point for the Wuhan coronavirus outside of Asia. Over three days, there was a rapid spike in confirmed cases in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto — increasing from three confirmed cases on Friday to 215 people by Monday. Authorities have closed down 12 towns as they try to …