Amex second quarter earnings call, a trip to Montenegro, another weird fee for Marriott stays, best hotels with breathtaking views in NYC, cell phone insurance expands in NY.
This is a roundup of news and other interesting pieces that I’ve come across over the last few days.
As you might expect, some of the most popular articles from last week were all about the Amex Platinum Card and the much talked about changes. I have an article listing all the possible welcome bonuses for the Amex Platinum Card, with bonuses as high as 150K Membership Rewards points, or 15X earning at Shop Small merchants and restaurants.
15 crystal-clear lakes across America, Amex having the best app, new book with tales from the ultimate airline Mileage Maniac, Croatian town sells homes for 16 cents, Southwest cancels and delays flights, and Rome’s Colosseum opens underground yo public for first time.
There are several credit cards that offer monthly credits that expire if you don’t use them. Then there are Amex Offers, spending bonuses, bank bonuses and other offers and promotion that might expire every month.
Read about how this hobby can ruin travel for kids, Uber & Lyft offer free rides for vaccinations, LAX unveils expansion, some Capital One cards are losing key benefits, old MileagePlus Card to convert to United Gateway Card.
Banks are spending more on marketing as credit car debt keeps falling, Simple bank shutdown goes awry leaving customers without account access, strong rebound in leisure and business travel, renovated Bacchanal Buffet to reopen, and Rental Cars and Uber during these bizarre times.
Biggest crypto exchange stopping withdrawals, quitting Amazon Prime, Priority Pass adds Be Relax spas in Detroit and San Diego, Credit Karma reinvents cash-back rewards with instant payback, IHG drops underperforming Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza hotels
Travel ban for India, lie flat options for travel to Hawaii, United Airlines changes boarding procedure, Safeway account ban, and Resorts World Las Vegas partners with Gemini.
Rumored Southwest Airlines Hawaii expansion, Hilton adds 150,000 point Standard Award nights, no more Blackhawk cards at Albertsons stores, Dogecoin co-creator cashed out in 2015 to buy a use Honda Civic, and Marriott eyes Rewards, All-Inclusives in cautious travel rebound.
IRS could soon know a lot more about your bank accounts, Hawaii may ban tourists from best beaches on weekends, Southwest returns to Costa Rica, new Disney Cruise Line ship, and issues with sharing Brex referrals.
Norwegian Cruise Line shifting focus to Caribbean and Europe, SoFi CEO dives deeper into Crypto, SkyScanner report for 2021 travel trends, New York City will reopen 100% on July 1, and maximizing Amex welcome offers at new Vegas hotels.
AA now charges for large carry-ons, Maldives offering holidaymakers vaccines on arrival, Singapore Airlines adding new award category, CDC unveils new mask guidance, 8 new Hard Rock Hotels in Brazil, and free burritos from Chipotle.
Hilton’s Homewood Suites refresh, millions of people skipping second doses of Covid vaccine, Rental car prices are so high in Hawaii, CBP officers find $4M in meth in pickles shipment, Manchester United Credit Card from fintech startup Cardless, and Brex raises $425M at a $7.4B valuation.
Top 5 destination from someone who has visited over140 countries, Roosevelt Island in NYC gets first hotel, Abandoned $1.6 billion Missouri resort community goes viral, World’s first ship tunnel, and Apple knew it was selling defective MacBook displays.
Iceland opening borders, woman charged $5,700 for cup of coffee, Cash App vulnerable to hackers, Expedia points can no longer be used for flights, and Italy unveils ‘covid-free’ trains.
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas banning outside food and drinks, Cardlytics to acquire Dosh, Wisconsin beer company giving away ‘ice shanty’ and year of free beer, Disneyland opening up in California, and two more Caribbean islands considered “very high risk” for travel.
Saks changes, Chime Credit Builder Card, new Apple Card feature, Kauai to rejoin Hawaii Safe Travels program, Italy has new way to combat overtourism, and Dallas Mavericks will accept Dogecoin for tickets and merchandise.