I’d never been a heavy credit card user, and mainly used debit cards or cash on most of my everyday purchases. After I got my first airline credit card, the United Explorer Card from Chase, I can’t see the value in using my debit card, or even my cash-back cards, anymore. After opening my card, …
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Thanks to points from my Amex Gold card, I saved my parents $2,400 on booking a same-day flight
To make it back home for a last-minute appointment, my parents needed same-day flights from California to Colorado. Using American Express Membership Rewards from my American Express® Gold Card, I was able to book the trip for my parents for less than $50 out of pocket. Knowing how to transfer points to partners and book …
4 ways billionaires have changed private jet travel in the past decade
Flying billionaires are different than they were a decade ago, global private aviation company VistaJet recently told Business Insider. Their preferences have evolved with the rise in discreet wealth, and it’s influenced private jet travel. Billionaires no longer show off their wealth and they prioritize health. When it comes to business, they’re reviving face-to-face meetings …
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50 trips you need to take in Europe in your lifetime
Europe is home to historic sites and gorgeous natural wonders. The ultimate bucket list of travel destinations in Europe includes the canals in Amsterdam, scuba diving in Cyprus, and the Colosseum in Rome. Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories. Europe is home to historic cities, world-famous museums, and phenomenal restaurants. But there are also gorgeous …
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The Capital One Venture card has a $95 annual fee, but it’s not hard to break even thanks to 2x miles on every purchase
The Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card earns 2 miles per dollar on every purchase with no limits. There’s an annual fee of $95 that’s waived the first year, but your miles could be worth a lot more than if you use the card regularly and enjoy travel. If you spend $4,750 on the card …
I rode the women-only subway car in Dubai, and while it has some plus points it’s not something I’d want to see everywhere
Dubai’s metro has a whole carriage just for women and children, where men can be fined for entering. The rule did not seem to be strictly enforced, but the carriage full of women had a lot of advantages that I enjoyed. But it’s not a system that I’d necessarily want to be introduced elsewhere, and …
I never understood how air travel could feel luxurious, but my airline credit card fixes 3 of my biggest pain points about flying
Air travel can be a hassle, but having an airline credit card has helped me avoid the parts I don’t like, such as standing in security lines and lugging around a carry-on. My United Explorer Card covers the expense of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, and gives me free checked bags on United flights. Other …
10 airline credit cards that offer companion deals so you can bring along a friend for only taxes and fees
A handful of airline credit cards offer a benefit that goes beyond free checked bags and priority boarding: a companion ticket. Companion tickets are not simple buy-one-get-one-free deals; you still have to pax taxes and fees, and the terms vary depending on the card. One popular example is the companion fare on the Alaska Airlines …
The US government issued a travel advisory to Americans visiting South Africa, citing risks of ‘violent crime’
The US Department of State issued a travel advisory on South Africa on December 23. Violent crime — including sexual assault and armed robberies — is “common,” according to the department’s website. Demonstrations, protests, and strikes are occurring frequently, and have the potential to become violent. Certain areas of South Africa are experiencing extreme drought, …
The 10 best places to travel in Europe in 2020
Travel & Leisure released its list of the 50 Best Places to Travel in 2020. The list is compiled by Travel & Leisure editors as well as travel writers, advisors, and other experts. Destinations were chosen based on their prominence in the “global conversation” as well as “perennial favorites that are reinventing themselves in exciting …
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8 things I do with my credit cards now so I’m not sorry in January
I pay over $4,000 a year in annual fees for credit cards, so every year I audit my cards to make sure I’m getting the most value. I use an end-of-year checklist to make sure I’m not sorry I missed opportunities to get the most from my cards come January. To start, I make sure …
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Renting my place on Airbnb for 3 months pays my mortgage for the rest of the year, and 4 more reasons I love it
I’ve been renting my home on Airbnb for four years and, overall, I’ve had a great experience. The money is great — I’m able to pay my mortgage for the year by renting out my home for three months during the high season. Plus, guests are generally very courteous, Airbnb has a great internal messaging …
Outrageous photos show what flying on private jets is really like, from private bedrooms with plush bedding to exquisitely crafted meals served with Champagne
Private jets are the choice mode of travel for billionaires, CEOs, celebrities, and world leaders. Flying on a private jet is a very different world from flying commercial, Eric Roth, president of International Jet Interiors, told Business Insider. These aircraft cost millions to hundreds of millions of dollars and often come with luxurious leather seats, …
A Finnish family is offering a wellness experience called ‘Arctic cocooning’ where they tuck customers into hammocks in a remote pine forest in the winter. Here’s what it’s like.
In Finnish Lapland, a family offers a wellness experience called “Arctic Cocooning” where they tuck guests into hammocks and leave them in a remote pine forest for 20 to 45 minutes. Finnish Lapland is Finland‘s northernmost region, home to more reindeer than people and some of the world’s cleanest air. Founder Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink told Business …
Incredible photo shows an astronaut celebrating Hanukkah from space
NASA astronaut Jessica Meir posted an incredible Hanukkah greeting from the 250 miles above Earth to social media on Sunday. Her Instagram and Twitter posts featured Meir wearing festive socks inside the International Space Station overlooking the planet. “Happy Hanukkah to all those who celebrate it on Earth!” she wrote in a caption alongside the …
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Conrad New York Midtown recently opened after a full renovation — here’s which suite I think poses the best value after touring most rooms
Conrad New York Midtown is a new offering from Hilton’s boutique luxury line. It recently reopened after a full renovation and rebrand of the property formerly known as The London. Rooms at the all-suite hotel start at 500 square feet with separate living and sleeping areas, and high-end design, art, and amenities. It’s a similar …
I spent 3 nights in a hidden resort in Mexico that’s beloved by wealthy bohemians and has an invite-only festival comparable to Burning Man. It was almost too wild to believe.
Careyes is a private beach resort that sits on the Pacific coast of Mexico. The community of artists and high-end hippies was founded in 1968 and has since become an enclave for well-off bohemians. It’s marked by playful, colorful architecture, and is even home to a Burning Man-like arts festival. In April, I spent three …
12 useful items to keep in your car this winter
It’s always a good idea to be prepared for accidents or mishaps while on the road, but it’s especially important during the winter. Every car should come with a jack and a tire iron, but those basic essentials aren’t enough to fully prepare you for winter driving. We rounded up 12 useful items, including everything …
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Chase cash-back card face-off: Is the Freedom or the Freedom Unlimited a better pick?
The Chase Freedom and Chase Freedom Unlimited are both cash-back rewards cards with no annual fee. Chase Freedom offers a bonus in categories that rotate every calendar quarter, while Freedom Unlimited gives you a flat rate of cash back on all purchases. When paired with a Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve, you …
Ex-Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line workers reveal their 11 best hacks for living on a cruise ship
Eight former cruise-ship employees told Business Insider what advice you need to know if you’re going to spend months working on a ship. Their former employers include cruise lines owned by Carnival Corp, Royal Caribbean Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. Their advice included packing light, savoring your free time, and bringing your own bed …
The 20 best restaurants in the world right now, according to millionaire private jet owners
Elite Traveler, a lifestyle publication for private jet owners, surveyed its readers — who are, yes, all private jet owners — about their favorite restaurants worldwide. Owning a private jet comes with a serious price tag, meaning the following list of top restaurants is curated by the wealthiest among us. Nearly all the establishments in …
The 20 best hotels in New York City
There are hundreds of hotels in New York City ranging from sparse, budget-friendly accommodations to ultra-indulgent suites. To help narrow the field and highlight the best, the Insider Picks travel team hit the New York streets to stay at, tour, and research the city’s top-rated hotels to determine which are worth your hard-earned money and …
8 secrets about credit cards from people who use points and miles to travel the world
There are so many choices when it comes to travel credit cards that it can be hard to know where to start. And even when you’ve settled on a card, you may not be sure whether you’re maximizing its benefits and rewards. If you’re looking for some guidance, you’ve come to the right place. Keep …
The rudest cities in America, ranked according to a new Insider survey
The rudest city in America is New York City, according to a new Insider survey of 2,092 US adults. Just over a third of respondents said NYC was the rudest, followed by Los Angeles at 19.7%. The rankings are based on two online polls conducted in October and November 2019 — American adults were asked …
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A YouTube video shows 2 Carnival cruise ships crashing into each other (CCL)
Videos posted on Twitter and YouTube show two Carnival Cruise Line ships colliding in Cozumel, Mexico. A video published on YouTube on Friday shows the back end of the Carnival Glory approaching the front end of the Carnival Legend, which cuts through the Glory’s rear windows. A Carnival representative said neither ship suffered damage that …
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12 stunning train rides every traveler should take in their lifetime
Tagskryt, or “train-bragging” in Swedish, has become a 2019 buzzword. Inspired by climate activist Greta Thunberg, more people are opting to travel by train to reduce their carbon footprint. The most stunning train rides around the world include a journey through the brilliant red landscapes of the Australian Outback on the Ghan and a trip …
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I dreaded trying to transfer Chase points between cards until I tried it, and I still can’t believe how easy it was
I used to redeem the points I earned on my Chase Freedom card for cash back at a value of 1 cent per point, not realizing that the Freedom card actually earns Ultimate Rewards points, not cash. To get more value per point, I can transfer my points to my Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. Frankly, …