The Dominican Republic’s ministry of tourism is pushing back after a slew of media coverage of US tourist deaths on the island. Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia held a press conference in New York City on Thursday. Along with hospitality executives, Garcia said that the media got the story wrong, harming his country’s tourism …
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I’m so convinced Chase Ultimate Rewards is a great deal that I have 4 credit cards just to take advantage
Chase Ultimate Rewards points are incredibly valuable because they can be transferred to airline and hotel travel partners at a 1:1 ratio. I think the program is so valuable that between my wife and I, we have four cards that earn Ultimate Rewards points, including the powerhouse Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Chase Sapphire Preferred …
What credit score do you need to qualify for popular rewards credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred?
If you’re looking to open a rewards credit card, you’ll want to have a general idea of the credit score you’ll need to be approved. Different cards have different credit score requirements, but all “requirements” are really just guidelines. The issuer will always make the final credit decision. One of the most popular cards, the …
Wealthy homeowners in Nantucket are building bars in their homes to get around the island’s 10 p.m. noise ordinance, and that’s not even the most extreme way the 1% are tailoring their homes to their tastes
There is no shortage of luxury real estate in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Now, homeowners are further customizing their homes for added enjoyment, going as far as building wet bars to enjoy after the 10 p.m. noise ordinance kicks in and the local bars close. In a recent Wall Street Journal story, several homeowners discussed their pricey …
Amex Platinum vs Amex Business Platinum: We compared the two premium credit cards, and the choice is obvious
The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a tremendous value despite its annual fee. With many overlapping perks but a few key differences, the Business Platinum® Card from American Express is a similarly valuable charge card. Read on to see which card is best for you. The Platinum Card from American Express has a high …
The hospitality industry has more than 1 million unfilled jobs across the US, and it’s taking a toll on some of the basic hotel amenities that guests expect
The New York Times recently reported that, while there are more travelers seeking hotel stays than ever, the hospitality industry as a whole is facing a major workforce shortage. The number of guest rooms rose to 5.3 million in 2018 — but with a 66.2% occupancy rate and the seasonally adjusted number of accommodation and …
You can use Amex points to book travel with 19 airline partners, from Delta to Etihad. Here are 5 of the best award flights you can book.
Amex Membership Rewards points are a great choice if you want lots of options for booking free travel. Amex has 22 transfer partners — 19 airline programs, and three hotel programs — that you can work with. You can earn Amex rewards points with cards like the Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® …
The 12 best luxury hotel brands in the world that every traveler should experience
LTI — Luxury Travel Intelligence — recently released its latest ranking of the world’s best luxury hotel brands. LTI’s extensive algorithm is based on 123 criteria. The company analyzed luxury hotel brands with 10 or more properties worldwide to find the 12 best. The top spots included well-known names like Belmond, Four Seasons, and Mandarin …
You can stay in any of these gorgeous hotels around the world for under $100 a night
Luxury hotels are beautiful, and often expensive. Upscale properties can typically cost several hundred dollars a night. If you prefer a high-end stay at a more accessible price point, there are many hotels that can fit your budget in unexpected places, like Europe, Asia, and the United States. We scoured Trip Advisor deals and reviews …
5 reasons why signing up for a rewards credit card ahead of the holidays can help you save money and travel better
Signing up for a new credit card probably isn’t on your holiday to-do list, but it should be. If you sign up for a credit card now, you can earn a sign-up bonus of points or miles in time for the holidays, and those rewards can help offset holiday travel expenses. Credit cards like the …
Southwest Airlines flyers can enjoy over a year’s worth of free companion plane tickets — here’s how to qualify for a pass
Fly free with a travel buddy for almost two years using the Southwest Companion Pass. You have to earn 110,000 qualifying points in one calendar year to be eligible. The best way to earn 110,000 qualifying points is by using sign-up bonuses from Southwest and Chase’s co-branded credit cards. There are three personal cards: a …
Putting a year of expenses on the right credit card can get you more than $900 toward travel, or even more than 50 free hotel nights
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American household spent $40,814 on non-housing costs from 2017 to 2018. By putting that spending on one rewards credit card, you can earn substantial cash back or travel points. For example, using the Chase Freedom Unlimited could get you as much as $918 toward travel (when …
The 5 new hotels around the world with the most incredible design, according to experts
Dezeen is an architecture and design website that is celebrating current design innovations around the world through its second annual Dezeen Awards. This year, 53 projects were announced to be on the Dezeen Awards interiors shortlist, which was culled from the original 259 projects included on the longlist. The winner will be announced in October. …
11 of the best credit card offers in September, from up to 60,000 Southwest points to the best rewards card for beginners
Signing up for a rewards credit card and earning its welcome bonus is one of the easiest ways to earn a ton of points, miles, or cash back. While some credit card bonuses stay largely the same, others increase from time to time. Pay extra attention to these limited-time offers. In September, you can score …
The most famous home in every US state, from LA’s Playboy Mansion to a ‘Beer Can House’ in Houston
There are famous homes all over America. Business Insider has rounded up a list of the most well-known properties in each state, from castles in the desert to the filming sites of iconic Hollywood hits. Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories. Famous homes are scattered all over America. Whether it’s an architectural masterpiece or …
Meet the Americans, Brits, and Europeans flocking to Italy’s rural ghost towns to buy abandoned, dilapidated homes for $1
Italy’s rural towns are in the midst of a revolution as they trial selling homes for as little as one euro ($1.12). The radical schemes are aimed at combating the effects of urbanization, which is leaving some of Italy’s most picturesque towns and villages deserted and derelict. Thanks to widespread media coverage, many of the …
3 Southwest credit cards are now offering up to 60,000 points, which can get you halfway to the coveted Companion Pass
Southwest has three co-branded personal credit cards: the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card ($69 annual fee), the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card ($99 annual fee), the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card ($149 annual fee). All three cards just launched elevated sign-up offers that can get you up to 60,000 points. You’ll earn …
I held off on opening the Business Platinum card until I discovered Amex Centurion Lounges. This benefit alone is worth the $595 annual fee for me
I had received offers for the Business Platinum® Card from American Express, but was never tempted to apply until I discovered the Amex Centurion Lounge at San Francisco Airport (SFO). Amex Centurion Lounges offer a comfortable place to relax before a flight, with complimentary gourmet food and drinks. Only holders of the Business Platinum Amex, …
4 credit cards that can get you the highest level of hotel elite status
Hotel elite status can get you perks like free breakfast, room upgrades, and bonus points on your stays. While you can earn hotel status by racking up elite-qualifying nights with a hotel chain, some credit cards offer automatic elite status to cardholders. The Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express is the only card to …
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Amex’s Business Platinum is one of the best cards for small business owners — the welcome bonus alone is worth up to $2,000 in free travel
There are a lot of business cards out there, but if you want a premium card with premium rewards and benefits, you can’t go wrong with the Business Platinum® Card from American Express. The card has been in my own wallet since December 2016, and I love the combination of benefits — from a large …
United is offering discounts on flights for 18-22-year-olds who book tickets through the airline’s app — here’s what you need to know (UAL)
United is offering 10% off flights for 18–22 year olds wo book their tickets using United’s mobile app. To get the discount, make sure you’re signed up for United’s MileagePlus frequent flyer program, enter your date of birth on your account info page, and purchase your ticket through the app by December 31. Read on …
Travelers flying through San Francisco are facing hundreds of delays and cancellations because of runway construction
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has closed one of its four runways for crucial repairs from September 7 to 26. Although airlines reduced their schedules to SFO for the period, the reduced runway capacity has led to major delays and cancellations since they began this past Saturday. Hundreds of travelers were stranded over the weekend, …
Inside the exclusive Montenegro resort influencers are loving this summer, complete with helicopter arrivals, a cliffside pool, and a $6,000 weekly price tag
Aman Sveti Stefan is a luxury resort and island in Eastern Europe’s Montenegro. It can cost up to $6,000 to stay there for a week during high season, and influencers have been snapping photos there all summer. Nestled between a forest and the sea, Aman Sveti Stefan blends history and paradise while maintaining privacy and …
My husband and I wore these silicone rings during our honeymoon — they looked great and stood up to 2 weeks of salty ocean water
My husband and I wore ROQ silicone rings during our honeymoon in the Maldives so we wouldn’t be too upset if we somehow lost our platinum wedding bands in the ocean. They handled two weeks’ of snorkeling, swimming, and sweaty beach runs really well, and still look brand new. ROQ has a wide selection of …
I opened my first rewards card while planning my wedding, and the points I earned got us 12 free hotel nights in Scotland for the honeymoon.
I was excited to plan a trip to Scotland for my honeymoon, but with significant wedding expenses, I wanted to avoid paying for the whole trip with cash. By signing up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and putting our wedding-related charges on the card, I was able to earn thousands of points. We used …
The average honeymoon costs nearly $5,000 — here’s how to pay for yours using credit card rewards and sign-up bonuses
The average honeymoon costs nearly $5,000. Couples can reduce (or even eliminate) honeymoon expenses by using rewards credit cards to pay for wedding expenses. Sign up for cards that offer at least double or triple the points, plus big sign-up bonuses. Top options include the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, and Capital One …
8 superyacht crew members share the most extreme requests they’ve had to deal with on the job
Superyacht crew members have to meet every expectation of superyacht owners and guests. Business Insider recently polled superyacht crew members to find out some of the most extreme requests they’ve received. From last-minute helicopter trips to flying in soda to a remote island, here’s what they had to say. Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more …