Personal Finance Insider writes about stuff that can help you make smart decisions with your money. We receive a small commission for certain products or services, but our reporting and recommendations are independent and never influenced by our partners. There are currently great deals available from many US cities to Tehran, Iran. Flights start at …
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Global Entry is meant to expedite the customs process, but in my experience it made it longer and more stressful
Global Entry is a government program that allows pre-approved travelers to quickly go through customs when returning to the United States. I recently used my Global Entry status on a recent trip back to the US, but didn’t get the expedited experience it was cracked up to be. Because of computers that were out of …
An often-overlooked hotel credit card with a 120,000-point sign-up bonus can offer a ton of value, even for people who don’t travel a lot
Personal Finance Insider writes about products, strategies, and tips to help you make smart decisions with your money. We may receive a small commission from our partners, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective. IHG, the parent brand of hotel chains like Holiday Inn and InterContinental, has a rewards program that’s often …
Take a look inside the most expensive hotel room in the world, a 2-story sky villa designed by Damien Hirst that runs $100,000 per night
The newly unveiled Empathy Suite, designed by artist Damien Hirst, is the most expensive hotel room in the world at $100,000 per night with a minimum two-night stay. Located off the Las Vegas Strip in the Palms Casino Resort, the two-story sky villa features two luxury master bedrooms, a 13-seat bar, and six standalone Hirst …
Alaska Airlines’ credit card has quietly become one of the best travel cards — even for people who hardly ever fly with the airline
Personal Finance Insider writes about products, strategies, and tips to help you make smart decisions with your money. Business Insider may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network. There are plenty of good travel cards out there. However, few are attached to such a flexible and easy-to-navigate program like Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan. …
JetBlue is giving away free flights for a year. But you have to delete all of your photos on Instagram to win. (JBLU)
JetBlue is offering three lucky winners the chance to fly for free for an entire year as part of its All You Can Jet sweepstakes. To enter the sweepstakes, contestants must delete all of the photos from their Instagram accounts. Each grand prize is valued at $20,000. All entries must be completed before 9 a.m. …
American vs. Delta vs. United — we compared the 3 most popular airline credit cards and named a winner
Personal Finance Insider writes about products, strategies, and tips to help you make smart decisions with your money. Business Insider may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network. If you fly even just a couple times a year, it’s worth having an airline credit card. These cards come with perks and benefits that …
9 surprisingly affordable luxury vacations you can take this spring
Some of the most popular tourist destinations in the world are surprisingly affordable to visit this spring. We found deals on luxe hotels and scouted flight deals to find nine upscale getaways that won’t break the bank. The most affordable luxury destinations this spring include Paris, Amsterdam, and Shanghai. While it might seem like travel …
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Southwest Airlines is selling one-way tickets to Hawaii for a little as $49 (LUV)
Southwest Airlines will start flying to Hawaii on March 17. The airline is holding a two-day sale to commemorate the new flights with one-way tickets between the US mainland and Hawaii available for just $49. Tickets for flights within the Hawaiian Islands are on sale for just $29. All sales tickets must be purchased by …
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The CEO of Carnival reveals why he doesn’t care about competing with Royal Caribbean to build the world’s biggest cruise ship (CCL, RCL)
In 2018, Royal Caribbean Cruises debuted the world’s largest cruise ship, the 228,081-ton Symphony of the Seas. Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald told Business Insider that he does not care about competing with Royal Caribbean to build the world’s largest cruise ship. Instead, he is concerned with making sure each of Carnival‘s nine brands appeals …
American, United, JetBlue, and Southwest cancel hundreds of flights as a major snowstorm slams the Northeastern US (AAL, LUV, DAL, UAL, JBLU)
Winter Storm Scott has resulted in thousands of delayed or canceled flights in New York, Boston, and others on Monday. Airlines including American, JetBlue, Delta, United, and Southwest have waived rebooking fees at affected airports. Boston was forecast to receive up to 14 inches of snow, with public schools shuttered Monday. More than 700 flights …
My new must-have travel gadget saved me a ton on cell phone data on my last international trip
The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you’ll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase. One of the most frustrating things about traveling abroad is figuring out a cost-effective way to use your smartphone while avoiding roaming charges. While there are a few …
Dramatic video shows a British Airways Airbus jet trying to land as strong winds push it from side to side
Dramatic video captured a British Airways jet struggling to land in Gibraltar amid windy conditions on Monday. Amateur video shot from the ground and inside the Airbus A320, show the aircraft swaying from side-to-side. British Airways Flight 492 diverted to Malaga, Spain where it landed safely at 12:40 pm. The Gibraltar Port Authority issued an …
The CEO of Carnival reveals the cruise industry’s biggest challenge right now (CCL)
The biggest challenge the cruise industry faces is convincing more people to take cruises, Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald said in an interview with Business Insider. The total number of cabins on all of the world’s cruise ships amount to less than 2% of the world’s hotel rooms, Donald said. Carnival relies on a variety …
12 travel essentials to reduce stress before, during, and after trips
The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you’ll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase. Below, you’ll find 12 products and services — all relatively affordable — that can make a big difference in eliminating common travel stressors, from planning the trip itself …
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Take a look inside the best hotel in Europe, a boutique hotel in the heart of Paris with personal butlers, a hidden smoking room, and views of the Eiffel Tower
U.S. News & World Report recently published their annual lists of top hotels around the world. La Réserve Paris was ranked as the No. 1 hotel in Europe, followed by Hotel Sanders in Copenhagen and Hotel Eden in Rome. The 40-room hotel opened in 2015, but has already received accolades due to its luxury suites, …
The CEO of the world’s largest cruise company reveals the advice he would give to his 25-year-old self (CCL)
Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald told Business Insider he made listening to his employees and customers a priority at the beginning of his tenure. If he could give his 25-year-old self advice, it would be to listen. “I would just tell my 25-year-old self to do, hopefully, what I try to do a lot of …
Cruise line workers reveal the grueling schedules they must keep while on the job
Cruise ship employees work demanding schedules. Rather than working traditional five-day weeks, cruise ship employees instead often work for seven days per week for the duration of their contracts, which can run from around two to 11 months. The hours can also be intense, ranging from around eight to nearly 20 hours per day. But …
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People are finding hidden cameras on some American Airlines and Singapore Airlines planes. Here’s what that’s about
In-flight entertainment or IFE systems are a ubiquitous part of air travel these days. Recently, passengers spotted cameras built into the IFE systems on American Airlines and Singapore Airlines flights. According to both airlines, the cameras are disabled and will not be activated. Airlines purchase their IFE systems from third-party manufacturers and the cameras were …
Virgin Voyages CEO explains what makes Richard Branson’s new adults-only cruise line stand out from the crowd
Virgin Voyages officially opened for business last week. Sir Richard Branson proudly announced that Virgin Group’s adults-only cruise line will set sail in April 2020. Tom McAlpin is the cruise line’s president and CEO. According to McAlpin Virgin Voyages will stand out for its unique take on luxury, gratuity free policy as well as its …
I used my stockpile of credit card points to fly across the world in business class for under $100 — here’s how I did it
Personal Finance Insider writes about products, strategies, and tips to help you make smart decisions with your money. Business Insider may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network. Keeping a balance of miles and points gives you flexibility when you want to book a major trip. Being open with dates and flight times …
I got more than $2,000 worth of value from the American Express Platinum credit card in my first year — despite its $550 annual fee
The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you’ll like. Business Insider may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network. The Platinum Card® from American Express comes with a much higher annual fee ($550) than most credit or charge cards, which can scare off some people. However, the card comes with enough …
I visited the tallest and longest glass bridge in the world — which spans China’s ‘Grand Canyon’ — and it was a colossal waste of time
The Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge in China is the longest and highest glass bridge in the world. It gained widespread popularity after opening in 2016 and has been featured in numerous viral videos showing tourists having thrilling and terrifying experiences looking through the glass floor. While the scenery was beautiful, the site was overrun …
Richard Branson reveals what it was like to ride out one of history’s most destructive hurricanes in his wine cellar
Hurricane Irma, which struck the Caribbean and the Southeastern US in September 2017, was one of the largest and most powerful storms in history. Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson rode out the storm at his compound on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands. Branson described the experience as “14 hours of a screaming …
How you can use the Google Translate app to translate languages offline
Use the Google Translate app to translate languages offline with a few simple steps. Download available languages onto the Google Translate app when you have an internet connection and translate words and phrases later without cell service or WiFi. The Google Translate app makes it easier to get by in a country where you don’t …
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I pay $1,000 in annual fees for the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Amex Platinum — and as far as I’m concerned, the math checks out
The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you’ll like. Business Insider may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network. The Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Platinum Card® from American Express are two of the most popular and rewarding premium credit cards. Although they both have high annual fees, they each come …
Australia is letting people use emojis as an official part of their car license plates
Drivers in Australia can now incorporate an emoji icon as part of their vehicle’s license plates. A choice of five emojis can be added to plates registered in the state of Queensland from March 1, 2019. People can only choose the emojis “laughing out loud,” “winking face,” “cool sunglasses,” “heart eyes,” and “smiley face.” The …