Southwest’s three consumer credit cards are currently offering their highest-ever welcome bonus of up to 75,000 Rapid Rewards points: 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 in the first three months, and another 35,000 points after you spend $5,000 in the first six months. This sign-up bonus is available on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit …
Tag Archives: tourism news
Chase offers 2 ways to redeem points for travel — one option gets you the best deals on first-class flights
Chase Ultimate Rewards points — the currency you earn with cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card — give you lots of options for booking award travel. You can use your points to book hotels, flights, car rentals, and more through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal. Your other option is to transfer Chase points …
9 iconic airlines that were once household names but travelers will never see again
While only a handful of airlines operate in the US today, the skies used to feature a lot of diversity. Airlines such as Pan American, Trans World Airlines, and Eastern Air Lines once roamed but each fell prey to changing times. Airline deregulation, rising fuel prices, and rising oil prices all contributed to the consolidation …
A Chinese car company said it will make a virus-proof car, and people are comparing it to Tesla’s ‘biological warfare’ mode
Chinese car maker Geely has pledged to try build a car that can help protect its inhabitants from viruses. The Geely Group announced on Tuesday that it will spend $53 million to develop cars that purify the air and filter out viruses, just as China is battling a deadly coronavirus. The announcement prompted comparisons with …
What to know when traveling by plane as the coronavirus spreads and fears mount
Fears of novel coronavirus are raising questions about the safety of air travel in the face of an epidemic. Air travel is one of the largest transporters of disease traditionally and is responsible for the appearance of the virus in the US and other countries. Flight-tracking software allows flyers to see if the aircraft operating …
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An Instagrammer tried to make a viral video by joking he might have coronavirus on a plane. Instead he forced an emergency landing and got arrested.
A YouTuber forced a plane to turn around and fly back to the airport after he joked that he could have the deadly coronavirus. James Potok said he stood up on the WestJet plane and announced that he had been to “the capital of the coronavirus” and “I’m not feeling too well.” The plane turned …
Hotel EMC2 in Chicago, a Marriott Bonvoy property, is one of the city’s most affordable, design-forward hotels where room requests are delivered by robots
in Chicago subtly pays homage to Albert Einstein with a refreshingly different design approach that intersects art and science. The overall experience is unlike any other I’ve experienced with modern decor, dramatic artwork, and on-call service from room service robots, Leo and Cleo, who deliver requests such as extra towels. With such a unique, one-of-a-kind …
Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel & Casino is one of the cheapest offerings on the Strip with prices regularly under $50 — but a recent renovation means there’s no sacrifice on comfort or style
is one of the oldest hotels on the Las Vegas Strip, but it doesn’t feel that way thanks to a full recent renovation of tower guestrooms. It’s also one of the most affordable, with prices as low as $31 for a midweek stay in low season, or more typically $100 to $150 on a weekend. …
I got a drink at one of NYC’s most iconic cocktail bars, which serves a $190 signature cocktail and claims to have invented the Bloody Mary — but its elegant ambience wasn’t quite worth the pricey drinks
The St. Regis New York, New York City’s top-rated hotel, is home to an iconic cocktail bar: the King Cole Bar. It claims to have invented the Bloody Mary in 1934. Over the years, the bar has attracted businesspeople and celebrities including Marilyn Monroe, John Lennon, Salvador Dali, and Joe DiMaggio. It was also featured …
This tiny pop-up camper sets up in 30 seconds, can sleep up to 4, and is completely customizable — here’s a look inside
Dutch startup Easy Caravanning‘s new customizable TakeOff pop-up camper can sleep up to four people and sets up in less than one minute. Weighing less than 1,650 lbs, it requires no special trailer driver’s license or additional rearview mirrors to drive. The 8×10 camper can be towed by compact and electric vehicles, transforms from a …
The official who led the global fight against SARS called China’s quarantine of 50 million people an unprecedented ‘grand experiment’ that could turn harmful
China’s decision to quarantine some 50 million people to stop the spread of a deadly coronavirus is an unprecedented “grand experiment” that could become potentially harmful, said the official who led the global fight against SARS in 2003. China has imposed the largest quarantine in human history by cutting off links to multiple cities, leaving …
The best and worst US airlines to fly for in-flight entertainment ranked, according to the experts
In-flight entertainment is a growing trend among US airlines, with most carriers offering some sort of means of accessing movies, television shows, music, or in-flight WiFi. CableTV.com analysts ranked the top ten airlines in the US based on the entertainment options they offer including seatback screens, streaming content, and in-flight WiFi. Ultra-low-cost airlines ranked among …
4 ways rewards credit cards from Amex, Hilton, and Chase helped me save money on my bucket-list trip to Antarctica
Antarctic cruises can easily go for close to $10,000 or more, so using credit card rewards is a great way to cut down on extra expenses. My sisters and I used points from the Chase Sapphire Reserve to book two separate round-trip itineraries as part of our journey down, saving more than $2,000 per person …
Japan quarantined a cruise ship with 3,700 people onboard after one passenger contracted the Wuhan coronavirus. Here’s what it’s like onboard.
Japan quarantined a cruise ship and is screening all 3,711 people onboard after a passenger was tested positive for the deadly Wuhan coronavirus. An 80-year-old man who had been on The Diamond Princess’ first leg tested positive in Hong Kong on January 31, and is deemed to have the virus. He had disembarked from the …
1 Hotel Central Park is an eco-friendly hotel inspired by its namesake — after spending the night, I’m confident their mission is more than just an interior design aesthetic
Located one block from its namesake green space, 1 Hotel Central Park prioritizes natural elements and eco-driven sustainability in a distinctly luxury package. Though a bit more compact than its Brooklyn Bridge location, all the details are just as intentional and well-executed, from the reclaimed wood furniture in the lobby to the lush plant life …
The 7 best affordable places to retire abroad
US News & World Report recently determined the top affordable places to retire overseas in 2020. Included on the list were cities such as Bled, Slovenia. Rent in Slovenia is 57.27% lower than in the US, according to the database Numbeo. Also on the list was Popoli, Italy, a small mountainside town that can trace …
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Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line are banning people who have been to China recently from sailing on their ships to protect passengers from the coronavirus (CCL, RCL, NCLH)
Over 17,000 people have contracted the coronavirus, and more than 360 people have died from it. Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, and Norwegian Cruise Line are banning people who have been to China in the weeks before a cruise from sailing on their ships. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian have also outlined additional health screenings …
The Hollywood Roosevelt has an old-school Tinseltown vibe that makes you feel like a movie star — here’s what it’s like to stay at the hotel Marilyn Monroe once called home
The Hollywood Roosevelt is a historic icon in the heart of Hollywood. Stars like Marilyn Monroe and Brad Pitt have stayed at the hotel, and in fact, Marilyn Monroe used to live there. Now it’s a draw for travelers looking to feel that same sense of Hollywood glam, with prime access to the hotel’s legendary …
We visited the most popular Costco in South Korea, and saw how the company has won over shoppers with free samples, fresh octopus, and bulgogi bakes
Costco’s business in South Korea is booming, where the warehouse giant has 16 locations. Business Insider recently visited the most popular Costco store in South Korea. We discovered that the core of Costco remains the same, but the retailer has won over local shoppers with options you can’t find in the US — like fresh …
Montana’s most expensive home is a $25 million mountain house that’s a 20-minute drive from a private club where Bill Gates and Justin Timberlake go to ski. Take a look inside.
The most expensive home for sale in Montana is a 16,000-square-foot timber and stone home that’s asking $25 million. It’s perched on a ridge overlooking 160 acres of mountains, meadows, trout ponds, and timbered ridges. The 16,000-square-foot home includes a custom bar and gaming area, an outdoor hot tub, a wine cellar, a pizza room, …
An 18th century Scottish castle with ties to a beheaded queen is on the market for $10 million — here’s a look inside
Seton Castle in East Lothian, Scotland, is on the market for £8 million (over $10 million). It was built in 1798 by famous Scottish architect Robert Adam using the stone from a palace that would host Mary, Queen of Scots, according to the listing website Savills. It was sold and renovated in the early 2000s …
A $400 million luxury hotel on top of a secret tunnel to iconic London department store Harrods was just approved — here’s what we know
A $400 million hotel has been approved for development within walking distance of iconic London department store Harrods. The hotel is so close to Harrods that it is connected by an underground tunnel. The eight-story hotel will have 120 rooms, 23,000 square feet of spa and retail space, and a bar on the top floor. …
The world’s largest aircraft Airlander 10 just got bigger — check out the ‘The Flying Bum’
The Airlander 10 — a hybrid aircraft vehicle with multiple uses — was first announced as the world’s longest aircraft, and its recent update on January 23 has made it even longer. The full-length interior will be 320 feet long, making it about 5% longer than its previous 302-foot design, BBC reported. The aircraft has …
How 215,000 meals are made for Super Bowl LIV
It takes a culinary staff of 3,000 people to feed some 215,000 fans, players, NFL executives, and performers flocking to Miami for Super Bowl LIV. All the cooking happens from kitchens deep inside Hard Rock Stadium and Miami Beach Convention Center. Here, chefs are hustling to make everything from porchetta and paella for suites to …
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A former schoolhouse, rectory, church, and convent, Hotel Peter & Paul in New Orleans is loaded with whimsical character like a guest room hidden within a stage — here’s what it’s like to stay in this historic charmer
There’s so much more to New Orleans than just Bourbon Street, especially when it comes to lodging. My favorite place to stay to experience a more authentic view of the city is Hotel Peter & Paul, located in the charming neighborhood of Marigny. The hotel is located in a historic former church, schoolhouse, rectory, and …
The British Colonial Hilton in the Bahamas offers strong value for its walkable location, well-appointed rooms, and the only private beach in downtown Nassau
The British Colonial Hilton Nassau is a four-star hotel located in the historic Old Fort of Nassau, steps from restaurants, shops, and other main Nassau attractions. The hotel prides itself as being the only beachfront hotel in downtown Nassau with a private powder sand beach, outdoor lounge area, and complimentary snorkel and SUP equipment. Though, …
I spent a weekend at the new Guild Hotel in downtown San Diego, part of the Marriott Bonvoy collection — here’s why I plan to go back
Downtown San Diego is chockablock with hotels — and tourists — but is a new Marriott Bonvoy property that offers a respite from the crowds with a peaceful courtyard and charming, historic details. Formerly a 1920s-era Army-Navy YMCA, the building was thoughtfully reimagined as a tribute to San Diego, while delivering on the style and …