Orbitz is refunding taxes and fees on all hotels and travel packages booked on Tax Day — here’s how to get the deal

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, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective. Orbitz is refunding all taxes and fees when you book a hotel or travel package …

I’ve taken more than 30 flights over the past year as I’ve traveled the world for work, and there’s one airline I would never fly again — and it comes down to the fees

Over the last year, I have traveled the world for Business Insider, visiting more than 20 countries by way of more than 30 flights. In that time, I’ve flown economy with dozens of different airlines, including major US airlines like United, flag carriers like Egypt Air and Air Astana, and budget airlines like Vueling, RyanAir, …

35 countries where the US State Department is warning Americans they could get kidnapped

The State Department this week announced a new risk indicator for its public travel advisories. The new indicator, signaling a risk of kidnapping, has been added to the notices for 35 countries. Mexico, Haiti, and the Philippines are on the list. The US State Department announced this week it was adding a “K” indicator to …

A Chicago hotel has an ‘urban glamping’ package that puts guests up in a tent on their penthouse terrace — and they’re charging $5,500 a night for it

The Gwen Hotel in Chicago is once again offering an “urban glamping” experience to its high-spending guests. Hosted on the terrace of the hotel’s top-floor Gwen Lux Suite, guests can stay in a luxury tent during the summer months. Rates for the package begin at $5,500 per night, and bookings are available from June through …

Southwest is grounding its Boeing 737 Max jets until August (LUV, BA)

Southwest Airlines announced on Thursday that all flights using the Boeing 737 Max have been canceled until August 5. Southwest’s fleet of 34 737 Max airliners has been grounded since March 13. American Airlines announced last week its 737 Max flights have been canceled until June. Visit BusinessInsider.com for more stories. Southwest Airlines announced on …

I stayed in the brand-new Waldorf Astoria in Bangkok, and thought it was the perfect respite in a city known for chaos

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. The Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, which opened in late 2018, is a thoughtful, tranquil, luxurious hotel in Thailand’s capital. …

The best combination locks you can buy

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective. When you’re away from home and need to secure your gear, combination locks are convenient. Available …

Carnival ships may get temporarily banned from docking in the US after the company allegedly violated the terms of a $40 million settlement, according to a report (CCL)

A federal judge said on Wednesday that she may temporarily ban Carnival Corporation from docking its ships at US ports, the Miami Herald reports. Prosecutors reportedly allege that the company has violated the terms of a settlement from 2017 that came after the Carnival subsidiary Princess Cruises plead guilty to illegally releasing oil into the …

There’s a $1,000 price difference for a room in the ‘world’s most luxurious hotel’ and its 5-star sister hotel next door. I stayed in both to see how they compare — and the winner was clear

One of the most decorated luxury hotels in the world, the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, was recently named the “best hotel in the world” by the Ultratravel Awards. The Burj has been called “the world’s first seven-star hotel” and “the most luxurious hotel in the world” by travel writers and critics. I recently spent …

JetBlue is going to London in 2021 (JBLU)

JetBlue will commence flights to London in 2021. The airline is expected to launch service to London from its bases in Boston and New York. It has not yet selected which of London’s airports it will serve. JetBlue will use the Airbus A321LR for its transatlantic flights. Visit BusinessInsider.com for more stories. JetBlue Airways will …

Sexual assault is the most common crime reported on cruise ships

Sexual assault is the most common crime reported on cruise ships, according to data from the Department of Transportation (DOT). In 2018, cruise lines reported 120 alleged crimes to the DOT, including 82 alleged sexual assaults. Sexual assault has been reported by cruise lines to the DOT more than any other crime since at least …

Incredible photos give a totally unexpected perspective into how the 1% lives

Today, the rich are really rich: in fact, the top 1% of the world’s population holds 50% of the global wealth. At the same time, the bottom 50% holds a mere 1% of the wealth. “1% Privilege in a Time of Global Inequality,” a book curated by photo editor Myles Little, explores this inequality with …

A government proposal for a 10-mile wall around Burning Man could kill the festival in the middle of the desert favored by Silicon Valley elite

Burning Man, the annual arts and culture festival in the Nevada desert, is known to attract many Silicon Valley elite among its 80,000 attendees. The federal agency that administers the Black Rock Desert has proposed building a 10-mile concrete wall around the festival and making Burning Man pay for it. In response, Burning Man organizers …

21 things flight attendants wish passengers would stop doing

Flight attendants have one of the most stressful jobs in air travel. Whether it’s keeping your shoes on or simply listening when they speak to you, there are some actions you should follow if you want to make a flight attendant’s job easier. Visit BusinessInsider.com for more stories. We all have annoying habits, and travel …

I spent a morning in the richest town on the East Coast, a picturesque village 35 minutes north of NYC where the average household income is almost $420,000. Here’s what it looks like

Scarsdale, New York is the richest town on the East Coast and the second-richest in the US, according to Bloomberg. The average household income is $417,335. I spent a recent morning in Scarsdale, which is only about 35 minutes by train from New York City and is full of charming boutiques and multimillion-dollar estate-like homes. …

This is the trick airlines use to make more flights appear on time

Flights around the world are taking longer. According to a study from the Singapore Management University, the average time of flights has increased by as much as 9.8 minutes between 1986 and 2016. This is caused by airlines padding their flight schedules with extra time so few flights arrive late. It’s a practice called schedule …

I spent a year traveling the world and reporting on the road for work — here are the gadgets I couldn’t have done it without

Over the last year, I have traveled the world for Business Insider, visiting nearly 20 countries and climates. Since I brought only a carry-on suitcase and a backpack, I had to pack it strategically with only the most essential items. I brought a ton of gear to help me report and take photos along the …

Lufthansa CEO reveals the biggest change in the airline industry caused by the Boeing 737 Max scandal

Germany’s Lufthansa Group was the first customer to place an order with Boeing following the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET302. Lufthansa doesn’t have any Boeing 737 Max aircraft in its fleet but will consider buying the jet in an upcoming round of orders next year, CEO Carsten Spohr said. Spohr isn’t concerned about Boeing’s …

A revolutionary air-breathing rocket engine capable of hitting more than 2,500 miles per hour just passed a major milestone

Reactor Engines, a British aerospace company, says it’s successfully tested a rocket engine that could eventually allow for supersonic flight to space. The company’s engine can cool air from 420 degrees Celsius to room temperature in less than a second, the company said. Traditionally, rockets have had to carry massive tanks of fuel to burn, …

Here’s the pitch deck corporate travel service Lola.com used to raise $37 million in new funds

Lola.com offers a corporate travel service for medium-sized companies that’s designed to be easy to use. The company also has a partnership with corporate travel giant American Express Global Business Travel. Lola just raised $37 million in Series C funds that it plans to use to bulk up its sales and engineering teams. The pitch …

Turkey’s national carrier moved all its flights from Istanbul’s old airport to its shiny replacement in a single, stressful, 41-hour ‘big bang’ (TRATHYAO91)

Istanbul, Turkey, unveiled a new airport over the weekend. Turkey’s national carrier moved 44 tons of equipment from its old hub at Atatürk Airport to the new airport in an intense, 41-hour operation on Friday and Saturday. Atatürk Airport is now closed to all commercial flights, and international carriers are finalizing their move to the …

I’ve taken more than 30 flights over the past year as I’ve traveled the world, and one airline has the best entertainment system, the friendliest staff, and the best service

Over the last year, I have traveled the world for Business Insider, visiting more than 20 countries by way of more than 30 flights. In that time, I’ve flown economy with dozens of different airlines, including major US airlines like United, flag carriers like Egypt Air and Air Astana, and budget airlines like Vueling, RyanAir, …

United has followed in Delta’s footsteps with a big change to its frequent flyer program, and passengers are furious

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, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective. United Airlines is making major changes to its MileagePlus frequent flyer program. The airline will …

What it’s like living as a millionaire in Montenegro, a tiny country called ‘the next French Riviera,’ where wealthy foreign buyers snap up luxury real estate and dock their yachts in glitzy marinas

Montenegro, a tiny country in southeastern Europe, is an emerging luxury destination. Approximately 64 millionaires live in the tiny country, which is about the same size as Connecticut. It recently launched a program allowing wealthy foreigners to obtain a Montenegro passport if they invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in the country. It’s also one …

The best air mattresses you can buy

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective. It can be very handy to have an inflatable air mattress for a camping trip or …

The most expensive house in Napa Valley is a $22.5 million luxury farmhouse surrounded by vineyards. Take a look inside the modern California estate.

The most expensive home in Napa Valley is a $22.5 million modern luxury farmhouse. Set on about three acres in California’s prime wine country, the estate includes a main residence, a guest house, and a three-car garage. Outside is an expansive lawn, a grill and al fresco dining area, a pool, and ancient oak and …

3 products I rely on to help me pack and stay organized while I travel

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective. Traveling is awesome. Packing, on the other hand, is not so fun. I’m not a neat …