Written by Mark Spivak @ Frugal Travel Guy
The world of points and miles can be endlessly rewarding, with options such as free flights, upgrades to premium cabins, complimentary hotel rooms and discounts on gift cards and merchandise. It can also seem bewildering, if you’re a neophyte looking in from the outside. Here are some of the most important things to know when […]
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Is Premium Economy the New Business Class?
Written by Mark Spivak @ Frugal Travel Guy
Once upon a time, all airline seats were identical. Prior to the 1950s, carriers offered the same cabin experience to all passengers, but with a twist: if you wanted better treatment you took a non-stop flight and paid more, while connecting flights were cheaper. Pan Am introduced the first two-cabin aircraft in 1955, and First […]
Is Priority Pass Worth It?
Written by Mark Spivak @ Frugal Travel Guy
A visit to an airport lounge can be a magical interlude during a day of stressful traveling. Getting into the lounge, however, can be a complicated affair. For many travelers, Priority Pass has been the solution. Founded in 1992, the company is a collection of over 1,200 lounges in 600 airports in 148 countries. The […]
The Easiest Ways to Meet Credit Card Spending for Bonuses
Written by Mark Spivak @ Frugal Travel Guy
The easiest way to quickly accumulate a stash of points or miles is through a credit card signup bonus. Meeting the minimum spending, though, can sometimes seem daunting. In most cases you have three months to do it, and spending requirements tend to go up as cards become more upscale—$4,000 or $5,000 isn’t an unusual […]
How to Pick a Honeymoon Destination
Written by Adam Luehrs @ Frugal Travel Guy
Is going to a honeymoon destination on your mind? You may be thinking of enjoying a romantic getaway if you’ve just set a date for your wedding. After all, love birds do need to fly! That doesn’t erase the fact that the thought of planning a honeymoon can seem a little intimidating for some couples […]
Avianca LifeMiles: An Underrated Frequent Flyer Program
Written by Mark Spivak @ Frugal Travel Guy
In the world of points and miles, hobbyists gradually become aware of the possibilities for award travel. When you’re getting started accumulating miles, you tend to look for award flights on your designated airline only. At some point, you realize that your airline’s partners open up a new universe of destinations. Eventually, seasoned travelers understand […]
The Best Travel Cards for 2020
Written by Mark Spivak @ Frugal Travel Guy
As 2020 unfolds, this is the perfect time to take stock of travel goals and develop a strategy for the coming year. Your personal plan will depend on what’s important to you: is it airline miles, hotel points, ease and comfort while traveling, or the opportunity to indulge in special travel experiences? Depending on your […]
How You Can Avoid Getting Sick on a Plane
Written by Adam Luehrs @ Frugal Travel Guy
The inside of an airplane cabin can be a scary environment during flu season. You need to know that you’re not being paranoid if you’re afraid of becoming ill after taking a flight. Unfortunately, it can be very easy to spread sickness in such a small and enclosed environment. What are your chances of getting […]
The Best Credit Cards for Restaurants
Written by Mark Spivak @ Frugal Travel Guy
Until recently, there were limited options for earning credit card rewards while dining out. In the past few years, however, many premium rewards cards have made restaurant spending just as rewarding as travel—a recognition of the fact that the two categories frequently go together. In selecting a credit card that earns points for dining, remember […]
How to Plan for a Cruise Without Breaking the Bank
Written by Adam Luehrs @ Frugal Travel Guy
Is a cruise just what you need to get through the doldrums of winter? You may be too afraid to even dream about taking a cruise because you assume that cruising is synonymous with spending. The truth is that cruise fares can be high. Cruise operators know that people will pay premiums to sail to […]
Hyatt Moves to Peak/Off Peak Pricing for Redemptions
Written by Mark Spivak @ Frugal Travel Guy
Hyatt has long been known for offering the best value on point redemptions of any of the major hotel chains. Beginning in March, they are implementing peak and off-peak pricing for free night awards. While the changes aren’t drastic, all Hyatt loyalists need to be aware of them. The Hyatt award chart will still offer […]
A Nice Amex Offer From Lowes for a Quick and Easy $100
Written by Rick Ingersoll @ Frugal Travel Guy
It seems more and more like American Express is filling my wallet with credit cards these days. Not only the great rewards offered in the form of Membership Rewards but the Amex Offers on each of their cards more than offset the application fee in a year’s time. This One is from Lowes and both […]
How to Find Cheap Flights If You Live in a Smaller City
Written by Adam Luehrs @ Frugal Travel Guy
Does living in a smaller city mean you’re destined to pay more for flights? It can feel like you pay a built-in “travel tax” if you don’t live a hop, skip away from a major hub. After all, most of the flash sales and rock-bottom specials that airlines throw around only apply to tickets that originate […]
This Icelandic Budget Carrier Rebranded…Again
Written by Mark Spivak @ Frugal Travel Guy
In the early years of the Iceland tourist boom, air traffic was dominated by Icelandair, the national flag carrier. WOW Air was founded in 2011 as a low-cost carrier flying passengers to and from Europe, Asia and the United States. WOW experienced explosive growth, going from 400,000 passengers in 2013 to 1.6 million three years […]
Seven Tips to Remember When You’re Trying to Fly With Just One Bag
Written by Adam Luehrs @ Frugal Travel Guy
Are you a traveler who loves a challenge? Most travelers who don’t have cash to burn on luggage fees would love to find ways to pack as little as possible. After all, bag fees can quickly add up to total nearly as much as your actual ticket if you’re bringing along a few pieces of […]
The Cards That Earn AMEX Membership Rewards Points
Written by Mark Spivak @ Frugal Travel Guy
American Express Membership Rewards points are some of the most valuable currencies in the world of travel rewards. Depending on how you choose to redeem them, they can be worth as little as 0.6-0.7 cents per point to as much as two cents per point. They’re also among the most flexible since they transfer to […]
The Best Debit Card Rewards Programs
Written by Mark Spivak @ Frugal Travel Guy
The process of collecting points and miles can be intoxicating at times. We all know the adrenaline rush associated with snagging a large credit card signup bonus, redeeming miles for a free flight or exchanging hotel points for a vacation. It can be so intoxicating, in fact, that we sometimes ignore the cost of accumulating […]
5 Destinations Where Your Dollar Will Go Far
Written by Adam Luehrs @ Frugal Travel Guy
There’s nothing simple about world economies. However, the one simple rule that has been true for several decades is that American tourists benefit when the dollar is strong. American travelers can often make their money go three or four times as far when visiting popular destinations around the globe during strong-dollar seasons. Many people are […]
The Truth About Travel Insurance
Written by Mark Spivak @ Frugal Travel Guy
The biggest assumption about travel insurance is true: you don’t need it until you need it. Whether or not you’re a believer in Murphy’s Law, one glance at the current state of travel should be enough to convince you to look for insurance. Flight delays and cancellations are rampant these days (American is reportedly canceling an […]
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Sapphire Reserve
Written by Mark Spivak @ Frugal Travel Guy
When the Chase Sapphire Reserve was unveiled in 2016, it electrified the credit card universe. It was perceived as Chase’s answer to the American Express Platinum Card, and it became the card that everyone wanted in their wallet. It introduced a new generation to the concept of travel and dining rewards, and it also set […]