I’ve been lucky enough to experience all kinds of trips over the years, from a multigenerational holiday in Germany to an outdoorsy honeymoon in Madagascar. But until recently, I had never really taken a big solo trip. Sure, I’ve done my fair share of solo travel around the U.S. — but most of my trips…
Panera Bread has overhauled its MyPanera loyalty program, replacing its previous personalized rewards system with a more straightforward points program. As of Aug. 19, MyPanera members earn points on eligible purchases that they can redeem from a set rewards menu. Frequent customers can also unlock a new MyPanera+ status tier after spending $300 in a…
The both loved and hated jet-age mobile lounges at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) have a bit more life left in them yet. The vehicles that ferry travelers to and from several of IAD’s concourses and the international arrivals facility cannot be retired until the mid-2030s when several critical pieces of the airport’s $19.9 billion…
After more than a decade of nonstop travel, I recently hit a point in my life where, all of a sudden, I was spending more on baby supplies than on plane tickets. That’s not to say I’m not traveling, or not traveling with my daughter. I am! But that baby stuff isn’t cheap, and the…
Taco Bell Rewards is not your parents’ sort of loyalty program. It starts rewarding you almost immediately after you sign up and doesn’t make you wait forever to unlock a free taco or burrito. The program is fast, consistent and remarkably simple: Every standard reward costs the same 250 points. Then, Taco Bell layers on…
One of the more beloved redemptions among points and miles enthusiasts is the 60,000-mile business-class award from the U.S. to Europe that is sometimes available through Air France and KLM’s Flying Blue program. It’s considered a redemption sweet spot because it is a favorable number of miles, and it’s easy to transfer points from multiple…
Now more than ever, travelers are seeking out airport lounges as soon as they make it through the security checkpoint. Whether its finding a comfortable place to answer a few emails or eat lunch before a flight — or maybe starting a trip with a cocktail in an exclusive setting — lounges have increasingly become…
When Chase announced a refresh of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) earlier this year, it started plenty of chatter among points and miles enthusiasts. One change in particular became a hot topic for both current and future cardholders: The coveted World of Hyatt 1:1 transfer ratio now had an expiration date….
Last month, American Express added a new transfer partner: The Leading Hotels of the World’s Leaders Club loyalty program. You can now transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to your Leaders Club account at a 4:1 ratio. And while this may look like a less-than-rewarding option on paper, it actually may represent the single best…
Whether kids in your area have already returned to the classroom or are heading there imminently, back-to-school sales are in full swing. But here’s the thing about back-to-school sales: You don’t actually have to be a student to take advantage of them. This time of year can be a great opportunity to pick up those…