Written by Patricia Magaña @ SmarterTravel
Indianapolis Warnings and Dangers While it is a great American city, you should still be careful while visiting Indianapolis. Here are some tips on things to avoid while visiting Indy. Indiana is often referred to as the “Crossroads of America.” The city is a popular destination for sports fans, as it is the amateur sports […]
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Read MoreWritten by Tim Winship @ SmarterTravel
When Delta added Airbnb to its SkyMiles program as an earning partner in November of 2016, it was a clear sign that Airbnb had come of age. The home-sharing service was no longer a novelty; it had earned a durable place in the travel landscape, alongside the likes of Hilton and Marriott. This week, Delta […]
The post Limited Time: Triple Delta Miles for Airbnb Stays appeared first on SmarterTravel.
Read MoreWritten by Shannon McMahon @ SmarterTravel
It’s no secret that 2016 was a year of ups and downs—but one silver lining is the affordable travel possibilities it’s opened up for American travelers. Thanks to expanding air routes, a strong U.S. dollar, and tour companies catering to younger, more frugal tourists, the world is now more accessible than ever. Here are 10 dream trips […]
The post 10 Dream Trips You Can Actually Afford in 2017 appeared first on SmarterTravel.
Read MoreWritten by Shannon McMahon @ SmarterTravel
Airbnb is expanding beyond the rental-sphere. The ubiquitous home-sharing platform announced today that it will now connect travelers and locals for more than just a place to sleep. “Trips” is a new Airbnb feature that allows locals to list their own “Experiences” and “Places” for visitors to try out. They include classes, guided tours, and […]
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Read MoreWritten by Tim Winship @ SmarterTravel
Free Uber rides from the airport? Yes, if you use an American Express card to pay for them. Offer Details Through December 31, Uber customers can get two free rides from select airports, worth up to $65 apiece, when charging the rides to an American Express card. To receive the discount, Uber users must enter […]
The post Free Uber Rides from the Airport. Happy Holidays! appeared first on SmarterTravel.
Read MoreWritten by Tim Winship @ SmarterTravel
It’s been a bad week for Hertz. And it could be just the first of many bad weeks to come. After reporting a significant decline in revenue and the resale value of its cars, and projecting full-year earnings that were just a fifth of those previously forecast, Hertz’s stock dropped by as much as 52 […]
The post Will Uber Be the Death of Hertz? appeared first on SmarterTravel.
Read MoreWritten by Tim Winship @ SmarterTravel
In yet the latest sign of the mainstream travel industry’s embrace of the gig economy, JetBlue is now awarding TrueBlue points for Lyft rides. Offer Details Effective immediately, TrueBlue members who link their accounts with their Lyft accounts can earn 30 JetBlue points for every Lyft Classic, Plus, or Premier ride to or from the […]
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Read MoreWritten by Tim Winship @ SmarterTravel
Following is our regular summary of the latest travel news and best frequent traveler promotions reviewed during the past week. If it was a good deal—or a notably bad deal—from an airline, hotel, or car rental loyalty program, you can read all about it here, and plan your travel accordingly. Delta SkyMiles Members Can Now […]
The post Recap: The Week’s Biggest Stories and Best Deals appeared first on SmarterTravel.
Read MoreWritten by Tim Winship @ SmarterTravel
In yet another sign that the mainstream travel industry is slowly recognizing (if not wholeheartedly embracing) the sharing economy, Delta this week began awarding frequent-flyer miles for Airbnb stays. Effective immediately, Delta SkyMiles members can earn one mile per $1 spent on Airbnb stays booked through deltaairbnb.com. New Airbnb customers who book via the dedicated […]
The post Delta SkyMiles Members Can Now Earn Miles for Airbnb Stays appeared first on SmarterTravel.
Read MoreWritten by Shannon McMahon @ SmarterTravel
Once a mainstay for hippies and runaways, Portland is now synonymous with high-end eateries, esteemed breweries, and the hip locals that frequent them. But Portland has also famously maintained its cherished oddities and eco-friendly vibe. From retro neon signs and rickety bridges to green hiking trails, bike lanes, and Cascade-mountain views, Portland’s authenticity is central […]
The post 10 Best Things to Do in Portland, Oregon appeared first on SmarterTravel.
Read MoreWritten by Tim Winship @ SmarterTravel
If New York has its way, the popular accommodations-sharing company Airbnb will be toast. Last week, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a law that would outlaw the bulk of Airbnb bookings, levying fines between $1,000 and $7,500 on anyone who advertised for rent most apartments for fewer than 30 days. New York is Airbnb’s […]
The post New York Wants to Kill Airbnb. And It Might appeared first on SmarterTravel.
Read MoreWritten by Melissa McGibbon @ SmarterTravel
As a college student in 2002, I was lucky to be part of a small group of Americans who gained legal passage to Cuba through a little-known educational byway. I couldn’t have timed my visit better, because shortly thereafter the U.S. government implemented a policy change that eliminated the travel exemption for Cuba. Back then, […]
The post Cuba, Then and Now: Have U.S. Travelers Already Changed Cuba? appeared first on SmarterTravel.
Read MoreWritten by Tim Winship @ SmarterTravel
For Airbnb customers with an appetite for frequent-flyer points, it’s been more famine than feast. Notwithstanding the obvious linkage between on-the-road accommodations and other travel services, Airbnb, which boasts 2.5 million residential properties in 191 countries, is a partner in just three airline programs. The first of those tie-ups was with Virgin America, put in […]
The post 4 Ways to Earn Loyalty Points for Airbnb Stays appeared first on SmarterTravel.
Read MoreWritten by Tim Winship @ SmarterTravel
Beginning earlier this month, some Uber customers in Pittsburgh have been treated to a preview of what many expect to be the future of ridesharing. Fourteen self-driving Ford Fusions began ferrying riders within a 12-square-mile section of the city’s downtown. During what is being characterized as an indefinite test period, the cars aren’t truly driverless. […]
The post What It’s Like to Ride in Uber’s Driverless Cars appeared first on SmarterTravel.
Read MoreWritten by Ashley Rossi @ SmarterTravel
One of my least favorite things about Airbnb is not being able to “Instant Book.” When a listing’s dates are available for booking and I “Request to Book”, I don’t understand why my card is charged and there’s still a chance I might be denied a stay there. If I am denied, I then have […]
The post Instant Booking on Airbnb to Become Widespread by January 2017 appeared first on SmarterTravel.
Read MoreWritten by Tim Winship @ SmarterTravel
Following is our regular summary of the latest travel news and best frequent traveler promotions reviewed during the past week. If it was a good deal—or a notably bad deal—from an airline, hotel, or car rental loyalty program, you can read all about it here, and plan your travel accordingly. New Southwest Perk for Elites: […]
The post Recap: The Week’s Biggest Stories and Best Deals appeared first on SmarterTravel.
Read MoreWritten by Tim Winship @ SmarterTravel
Computing the Social Value of Uber. (It’s High.) That’s the headline of a recent Bloomberg article that attempts to put Uber, both the company and the ride-share business model generally, into the perspective of overall economic gains or losses for society. Does Uber, in other words, have a positive or negative value to society? Based […]
The post Is Uber a Force for Good, or for Evil? appeared first on SmarterTravel.
Read MoreWritten by Shannon McMahon @ SmarterTravel
One year ago, Harvard Business School researchers released findings about the home-share rental platform Airbnb—and they weren’t good. The university created Airbnb user profiles under names that are common among African-Americans, and found they were 16 percent less likely to be accepted for a booking. Real Airbnb users of color said they weren’t surprised. Black […]
The post Airbnb Launches ‘Open Doors’ Policy to Combat Discrimination appeared first on SmarterTravel.
Read MoreWritten by Shannon McMahon @ SmarterTravel
Millennials are changing the travel industry. The frugal and tech-savvy generation that so many people bemoan has prompted big hotel companies to launch affordable, hostel-like lodgings and install voice-activated assistance in rooms. It’s backed a booming peer-to-peer industry. It’s demanded that low-cost accommodations and budget airlines no longer be a seedy alternative. And now, one […]
The post You Can Now Pay for Plane Tickets After You Fly appeared first on SmarterTravel.
Read MoreWritten by Shannon McMahon @ SmarterTravel
Every summer, Americans selectively schedule their vacation time, typically taking a week or two to get out and enjoy the sun or a dreamy, far-off destination. But as the midyear heat wanes and the holiday season approaches, more of us should assess the vacation days we’re not using—all 658 million of them. That’s how many […]
The post The Single Biggest Travel Mistake Americans Make Every Year appeared first on SmarterTravel.
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