JetBlue suffers major NYC disruption following weekend snow storm

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It was a snowy weekend for much of the Northeast, but once the blizzard ended, JetBlue‘s operation had a tough time digging out.

The New York-based carrier suffered a big disruption in its New York-JFK hub on Sunday as airlines worked to recover from the storm. As the afternoon progressed, the airline had a big backup of arriving flights that didn’t have available gates or traffic marshallers to escort the planes into their parking positions.

Checked bag delivery was delayed as well, with some flyers waiting over an hour for their bags. That’s in addition to the three (or more) hours that some planes waited for a gate.

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As the situation at JFK got worse, the airline started diverting some of its arrivals to the nearby Newark Airport (EWR) in New Jersey. Aviation observer Jason Rabinowitz noted on Twitter that some of these diversions were even happening after the planes were on the final approach for JFK.

JetBlue Flight 954 route (Screenshot courtesy of FlightRadar24)

“The company wants us to divert to Newark, so we are going to discontinue this approach,” the pilot of JetBlue Flight 954 said to a JFK air traffic controller on Sunday, after the plane was already cleared to land on Runway 31R.

The news wasn’t much better for departing passengers, who were left waiting for inbound planes and crews.

The Sunday disruptions followed a major snowstorm on Saturday, with over 12 inches of accumulation being reported at JFK.

The airline scrapped almost all of its New York and Boston flights on Saturday, and the irregular operations piled up on Sunday, too.

Line of passengers waiting to get rebooking help from JetBlue (Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)

JetBlue canceled and delayed the most flights of any U.S. airline on Sunday, FlightAware data shows. Nearly 30% of all JetBlue flights were canceled, and 46% of the airline’s schedule was delayed on Sunday. (Two of the airline’s primary hubs are in the Northeast, so it’s understandable that the storm had an outsized impact on JetBlue’s operation.)

But it wasn’t just JetBlue that suffered on Sunday — the other airlines operating out of JFK’s Terminal 5 were also impacted. Adam Macht, a passenger on TAP Air Portugal Flight 209 who runs a popular Instagram account @adamtheflyer, told TPG that his flight from Lisbon arrived early in JFK, but that it waited over an hour for a gate in Terminal 5.

For its part, JetBlue is characterizing the disruptions as the “normal” course of action following a large snowstorm.

After this weekend’s heavy snow and freezing temperatures in the northeast, we are focused on safely resuming our flight schedule. We have made good progress in ramping up operations in Boston, LaGuardia and Newark. At JFK, we started operations on Saturday as planned but faced a number of conditions that have slowed the operation down. We have combined some flights today to ease those constraints and are working to rebook customers. It normally takes a few days to fully recover when a storm of this size significantly impacts our two largest markets of New York and Boston, and our first priority continues to be restarting safely. We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience and we are working to get them on their way as quickly as possible.

Personally, I experienced some major JetBlue disruptions this weekend. I was returning on Sunday from South Florida, and after my original flight to LaGuardia (LGA) was canceled, I managed to get rebooked on a flight to JFK.

Waiting on the plane for over an hour for a gate (Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)

The plane was delayed by over four hours due to staffing-related issues, according to customer service representatives on the ground and data found on ExpertFlyer, an issue we’ve seen in recent months across the industry.

However, once we landed at JFK, we stopped short of JetBlue’s Terminal 5 hub, and the captain announced that we’d be waiting for a gate for a yet undetermined amount of time. I pulled up flight tracking app Flightradar24, only to see that seven other planes were also waiting for a gate.

We were ultimately assigned a gate over an hour after landing. As we pulled into Gate 16, we were greeted with more unfortunate news — the pilot announced that due to short staffing, there weren’t enough marshallers to guide our aircraft to its final parking position.

Waiting at the Terminal 5 baggage claim (Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)

The marshallers finally showed up after another 30 minutes, and the passengers onboard Flight 2592 erupted in loud clapping when the boarding door was finally opened.

Unfortunately, the celebrations were likely a bit premature for many passengers. As we exited the terminal, we found another long line of frustrated travelers who were waiting for over an hour for their checked bags.

The level of frustration was palpable in the baggage claim area. Some people were sitting on their carry-on bags, while others had pulled out their laptops and iPads to stream the latest show or catch the end of the NFL playoffs.

Sunset during landing at JFK (Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)

Thankfully, I wasn’t traveling with a checked bag, but for those who were, JetBlue’s Terminal 5 probably started feeling like their new home.

Featured photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy

By: Zach Griff
Title: JetBlue suffers major NYC disruption following weekend snow storm
Sourced From: thepointsguy.com/news/jetblue-new-york-jfk-disruption-snow-storm/
Published Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2022 18:00:17 +0000

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Norwegian Suspends 3 More Cruise Trips as Omicron Surges

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Norwegian Suspends 3 More Cruise Trips as Omicron Surges

Norwegian Cruise Line has put on hold operations of three more of its Florida-based vessels until the end of January.

The ships affected this time around are the Norwegian Dawn, the Norwegian Escape and the Norwegian Joy. For all three ships, the next departure date will be Jan. 29.

Norwegian has also further extended its operational pause to the Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Getaway until Jan. 28. These vessels also operate from Florida.

Only one week ago, the cruise company also had to cancel the sailing of eight of its ships until April. The number of halted ships so far represents 70% of the Norwegian fleet.

“Due to ongoing travel restrictions, we’ve had to modify a few sailings and unfortunately have had to cancel [some operations,]” reads a press release. 

All guests will receive a full refund as well as a future cruise credit worth 10% of the amount they paid. The credit is valid until May 31, 2023, and can be used on any sailing.

“The health and safety of our guests, crew and communities we visit is our number one priority,” the cruise posted on its website.

The cruise line has also had to shorten a 12-day round trip from Miami on its Norwegian Pearl ship, citing “COVID related circumstances.”

On the other hand, the company signed its first port agreement to resume operations in Hawaii, announced the Hawaii Department of Transportation Harbors Division on Jan. 4. 

Norwegian has not been the only Cruise line impacted by the tidal wave of coronavirus infections worldwide in the last couple of weeks.   

Last week, Royal Caribbean Cruises had to halt operations of its Spectrum of the Seas after nine passengers were identified as close contacts to a local Hong Kong COVID-19 case.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC has advised Americans to avoid cruise travel after launching investigations into onboard cases on more than 90 vessels.

The post Norwegian Suspends 3 More Cruise Trips as Omicron Surges appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

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By: Maria Valencia
Title: Norwegian Suspends 3 More Cruise Trips as Omicron Surges
Sourced From: www.travelinglifestyle.net/norwegian-suspends-3-more-cruise-trips-as-omicron-surges/
Published Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2022 20:07:53 +0000

World’s largest cruise ship, Wonder of the Seas, officially joins Royal Caribbean fleet

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Wonder of the Seas, a highly anticipated cruise ship that can carry close to 7,000 passengers plus 2,300 crew, has officially joined the Royal Caribbean fleet. It’s the fifth ship in the line’s Oasis Class, and it usurps sister ship, Symphony of the Seas, for the title of world’s largest ship. At 236,857 tons, the Wonder is nearly 4% bigger than the Symphony.

(Image courtesy of Royal Caribbean Press Center)

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s new cruise newsletter.

Royal Caribbean took delivery of the ship in Marseille, France, with dignitaries from the shipyard, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, in attendance for a traditional flag-changing ceremony.

Construction of the massive ship involved overcoming pandemic-related challenges.

“Taking delivery of Wonder of the Seas is the culmination of 30 months of ingenuity and partnership across more than 2,000 committed crew members and workers who are among the best at what they do,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. He called the new ship “the most innovative” in the fleet.

“Our teams have worked under difficult conditions but in a very united way to finally make major changes that enhanced the ship performance,” said Laurent Castaing, general manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique. “Wonder is really an outstanding new ship.”

Related: The best destinations you can visit on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Wonder of the Seas will officially debut in Fort Lauderdale on March 4, and conduct a series of seven-night Caribbean cruises before relocating to the Mediterranean in May. In Europe, the ship will sail from Barcelona and Rome. The Wonder returns to Florida in November for cruises from Port Canaveral.

Like Royal Caribbean’s other four Oasis-class ships, Wonder of the Seas is a floating city with “neighborhoods” – such as a boardwalk area with a carousel and high-diving show and the Central Park area with 20,000 real plants. The new ship adds an eighth neighborhood reserved for big-spending suite guests.

(Image courtesy of Royal Caribbean Press Center)

Wonder of the Seas was originally supposed to debut in Asia and sail from Shanghai. With cruise travel in China shut down due to COVID-19, Royal Caribbean changed plans and announced the switch to the Caribbean and Mediterranean earlier this year.

Related: Royal Caribbean just announced the most epic around-the-world cruise ever

(Image courtesy of Royal Caribbean Press Center)

Featured image by Sigrun Sauerzapfe (SIGGI)/Royal Caribbean Press Center

By: Fran Golden
Title: World’s largest cruise ship, Wonder of the Seas, officially joins Royal Caribbean fleet
Sourced From: thepointsguy.com/news/wonder-of-the-seas-royal-caribbean-fleet/
Published Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2022 19:00:57 +0000

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3 Mexican Hotspots Start Requiring Vaccine Or Test For Restaurants, Bars, and Clubs

TODAY'S ADVENTURE

3 Mexican Hotspots Start Requiring Vaccine Or Test For Restaurants, Bars, and Clubs

Travelers to Jalisco, home to famous Puerto Vallarta, will be required proof of vaccination and testing to enter multiple tourist venues, announced  Jalisco Governor earlier this week. Other Mexican cities followed suit.

Starting Jan. 14, customers will need to provide proof of a negative PCR test or a vaccine certificate to enter pubs, clubs, casinos, concerts, and other facilities like convention centers and stadiums.

Those over 18 must now present proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. Negative PCR tests will be only valid for 48 hours.

According to Forbes Mexico, Tlaxcala, which is located east of Mexico City, will also require proof of vaccination to enter businesses such as hotels, shopping centers, cafeterias, supermarkets, and taquerias.

Likewise, the State of Baja California has urged establishments such as bars and restaurants to require guests 18 and older to produce proof of vaccination or a PCR test performed within five days of entering.

It’s worth noting that, unlike in other cities, vaccination and testing to enter public indoor spaces in Baja California is a suggestion rather than a requirement.

These restrictions are being imposed as a result of an increase in COVID-19 cases in Mexico, including in Jalisco, after the Christmas travel season.

The country is reporting more than 26,400 new cases each day, and only 58.4 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated, according to Reuters

Data gathered by The Washington Post show that daily cases in the country have increased by some 174 percent week over week.

More restrictions. Starting Jan. 22, 2022, the U.S. will require essential foreign travelers crossing U.S. land borders or ferry terminals to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

American citizens and rightful US residents are still allowed to enter the country regardless of their immunization status, but they must undergo further testing.

The post 3 Mexican Hotspots Start Requiring Vaccine Or Test For Restaurants, Bars, and Clubs appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

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By: Maria Valencia
Title: 3 Mexican Hotspots Start Requiring Vaccine Or Test For Restaurants, Bars, and Clubs
Sourced From: www.travelinglifestyle.net/3-mexican-hotspots-start-requiring-vaccine-or-tests-for-restaurants-bars-and-clubs/
Published Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2022 17:52:08 +0000

Norway joins the list of countries no longer requiring travelers to quarantine

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The Norwegian government has dropped its quarantine requirement as of Jan. 26 following a recommendation from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

Prior to ending the quarantine mandate, people visiting Norway from an area that had high COVID-19 infection rates had to quarantine for 10 days if they did not have a valid COVID-19 certificate or had not recovered from the virus. They were only able to end quarantine early if they had a negative COVID-19 test at least three days after arrival.

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(Photo by Johner Images/Getty Images)

Currently, visitors who have a COVID-19 vaccination certificate must register online before entering the country and take a COVID test on arrival. Travelers who don’t have a certificate must also take a COVID-19 test before departing for Norway. All travelers without a verifiable digital certificate of vaccination linked to the EU’s platform (the CDC card is not valid in this case) are required to pretest.

Current COVID-19 situation

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health noted that only 7% of travelers to the country did not have a COVID-19 certificate, and they only represented 4% of the coronavirus cases, so the quarantine rule had little impact on the country’s COVID-19 situation or its hospital capacity.

Related: Norway’s best experiences for the trip of a lifetime

“I agree with the Norwegian Institute of Public Health that in light of the low proportion of confirmed cases of COVID-19 among arriving travelers without a COVID-19 certificate, compared with the current status of the pandemic in Norway, the time has come to change the travel quarantine requirement,” said Minister of Health and Care Services Ingvild Kjerkol. “Removing travel quarantine will help society reopen more quickly, as it will simplify entry into Norway.”

“An important reason why I think that we should now remove the requirement of travel quarantine is the need to look at transmission quarantine and travel quarantine as a whole,” she added.

More information on current requirements can be found at the website for the Norwegian U.S. Embassy.

COVID-19 Requirements

All visitors over 16 must register no more than 72 hours before entering Norway.  After completing the registration, travelers will receive a receipt which must be shown to the police at the border. Visitors that are not vaccinated also need to present a COVID-19 test before arriving. If visitors develop symptoms while in the country, they must get tested and go into isolation if the result comes back positive.

The Norwegian government plans to assess entry restrictions, including testing requirements at the border, and present its findings in early February. Quarantine may be introduced again if the infection situation changes or if a new virus variant requires stricter measures.

Related: Common mistakes people make when visiting Norway

More information is available from the Norwegian government.

The U.S. State Department’s advisory for Norway is Level 4: Do Not Travel and the CDC’s advisory for the country is Level 4: Very High Level of COVID-19.

Featured image of The Northern Lights over the harbor of Bergen City, Norway by RelaxFoto.de/Getty Image.

By: Rosemarie Clancy
Title: Norway joins the list of countries no longer requiring travelers to quarantine
Sourced From: thepointsguy.com/news/norway-reopening/
Published Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2022 20:00:39 +0000

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&Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge (Namibia) | PHENOMENAL luxury hotel (full tour)

HOSTED BY: https://1airtravel.com

TODAY'S VIDEO

Join me on a full tour in 4K of &Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, one of Africa's most exclusive hotels. Located deep in the Namib, the world’s oldest desert, the ultra-luxe property features 11 beautifully appointed stone-and-glass pool suites, all enjoying magnificent views of the majestic landscape.

The video also includes an excursion with &Beyond to the Namibia's iconic red sand dunes at Sossusvlei and Deadvlei.
0:00 Introduction
3:20 Arrival
5:17 Main pavilion
13:25 Gym & Spa
17:20 Suite
26:17 Breakfast
27:19 San rock art site
28:29 Lunch
30:01 Petrified dune
33:22 Dinner
35:08 Sossusvlei
41:25 Deadvlei

Subscribe to my YouTube channel if you like my videos (900,000+ followers so far). Each Saturday, I upload a new video about my travels around the world.

Top 5 Reasons Ireland Should be on Your Bucket List

TODAY'S ADVENTURE

Top 5 Reasons Ireland Should be on Your Bucket List>

Ireland is a bucket list-worthy destination for people of all ages from all over the world. If you’re thinking about booking that once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Emerald Isle, here are five reasons Ireland should be on your bucket list.

From stunning scenery to history and heritage, friendly locals to fantastic food and drinks, Ireland really does have it all. A world of its own, the island of Ireland is located off the coast of Europe and boasts its own sense of culture that you simply won’t find anywhere else in the world.

So, whether you’re trying to decide where to book your next holiday or are considering finally ticking Ireland off your travel bucket list, we’re here to convince you. Here are the top five reasons Ireland should be on your bucket list.

5. It’s budget and time-constraint friendly – perfect for road trippers and backpackers

Thanks to Ireland’s small size, it is easy to see a lot of the country without spending a lot of time or money. Whether you’re backpacking Ireland or want to hit the road, the Emerald Isle the perfect place to do so. 

From the capital city of Dublin, it won’t take more than five hours to travel to anywhere else in the country by car. So, in just a couple of days, you can explore the city centre, the seaside, the mountains, and the countryside. 

Despite its small size, Ireland truly does pack a punch and offers something spectacular for every kind of traveller. This is undoubtedly one of the top reasons Ireland should be on your bucket list.

While the central cities tend to be more expensive, travelling to towns and villages in rural Ireland proves very affordable. Thus, Ireland is a must for your bucket list no matter what budget you’re working with.

4. The scenery – from mountains to seasides and everything in between

Known colloquially as the ‘Emerald Isle’, Ireland is renowned for its vast green landscapes, rolling countrysides, and beautiful green mountains. However, it would be wrong to assume that this is all that Ireland has to offer when it comes to breathtaking natural scenery. 

The Irish coastline is one of the most breathtaking natural sights you are likely to ever experience. Maybe you’ll choose to traverse the famous Wild Atlantic Way and take in the famous sights, such as the Cliffs of Moher, the Slieve League Cliffs, or the Dingle Peninsula. 

Alternatively, you may decide to take a trip along the Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland, the location where much of the filming for HBO’s hit show Game of Thrones took place, to discover the breathtaking Giant’s Causeway or the unforgettable Fair Head. 

Not forgetting the Ancient East and the Copper Coast, where you can enjoy some of the best weather you can get in Ireland, alongside some ancient sites, beautiful beaches, and stunning Irish scenery.

3. The history – one of the top reasons Ireland should be on your bucket list

Irish history spans thousands of years, from ancient prehistoric monuments to the tumultuous history of the country’s 20th century. If you’re interested in learning about the past, then Ireland should certainly be on your bucket list.

Ireland has prehistoric sites, such as Newgrange and various Dolmens, Medieval castles that played an important role in shaping the world as it is today, and world-class museums that teach you all you need to know about Ireland of the past.

So, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to things to discover. Thus, if you’re curious to learn more about the past, then Ireland needs to be on your bucket list.

2. The food and drink – hearty, warm, filling, and full of love

Make sure you come to Ireland with a big appetite because we can assure you, you’ll want to try all the delicious delights on offer when you land on Irish shores. 

From the humble Irish stew to the world-renowned pint of Guinness, which, we can assure you, doesn’t taste as good anywhere else in the world, Irish food and drinks are sure to amaze. 

Local cafes and restaurants often specialise in meals made using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, whether it be seafood, meat, or vegetables. So, you’re sure to enjoy a hearty feed while in Ireland.

Aside from Guinness, the Emerald Isle is home to plenty of great breweries and distilleries, where you can get a taste for specialities like Irish whiskey and learn all about the process of making your favourite drinks.

1. The people and the culture – the main reason to visit Ireland

Topping our list of reasons Ireland should be on your bucket list is, of course, the people and the culture. We Irish are not only world-renowned for our attentive hospitality, but we are also known for our fun, friendly nature, and love of the ‘craic’. 

Irish people are always happy to welcome you with open arms and offer a helping hand when you need it. A laid back bunch, we aren’t easily offended, so you don’t often have to worry about saying the wrong thing.

While in Ireland, make sure to pop into an Irish pub, take part in a local trad session, and enjoy a great night with the locals. We promise it’ll be a night you’ll never forget. 

The post Top 5 Reasons Ireland Should be on Your Bucket List appeared first on Travel Experta - Travel, Lifestyle, Freedom.

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By: Marina Villatoro
Title: Top 5 Reasons Ireland Should be on Your Bucket List
Sourced From: travelexperta.com/top-5-reasons-ireland-should-be-on-your-bucket-list/
Published Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2022 22:15:32 +0000

Wasps on a plane! How insect infestations caused an unusual amount of Heathrow flight disruptions last year

HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL

While Britain is abuzz with plans to finally go on vacation this year, it has emerged some planes are literally buzzing… with insect infestations.

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An investigation by the government’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch revealed that eight planes stationed at London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) were forced out of action last summer after armies of wasps and bees set up camp in their equipment.

In the two worst cases, takeoffs had to be aborted as the jets sped down the runway when vital speed measuring equipment malfunctioned.

According to the report, which focused only on a two-week period between June and July last year, six British Airways planes and a Virgin Atlantic jet were grounded after it was discovered their “pitot probes” were blocked by gooey nests and larvae.

A wasp was also spotted inside the probe of another British Airways plane.

In one of the most dramatic incidents — on June 9 — the flight crew reported a “brief smell of burning hair” wafting from the Airbus 320’s air conditioning ducts as they prepared for takeoff.

But it wasn’t until the jet began to pick up speed along the runway that the pilot noticed the aircraft’s speedometer was reading just 40 knots (46 mph) when it should have read 70 knots (80 mph).

Then, just as the copilot called “100 knots” (115 mph), the pilot realized something was awry and called “stop,” aborting takeoff moments before the passenger plane left the ground.

In a statement, British Airways said: “Safety is our highest priority and in each case, the flights returned safely to stand. Our highly skilled pilots are trained to safely perform this type of standard procedure and practice them regularly.”

Insects nesting in the crannies of planes is not new, the report said. But it is “unusual for such a spate of events to occur in such a short timeframe,” it added.

While not common, it’s not entirely out of the ordinary for insects to nest on board. (Photo by RichLegg/Getty Images)

As with so many things last year, COVID-19 was to blame as passenger planes sat unflown in airports for longer periods than usual.

Heathrow, therefore, was quieter and less polluted than normal, providing wasps and bees with “an attractive opportunity.” And the pitot tubes, which measure a plane’s speed, were an “ideal construction site for nests,” it said.

One of the species found in an Airbus 330 was the hairy-toothed small leafcutter bee, which “occurs widely in Europe, North Africa and into Central Asia but is not generally found in Britain or Ireland.”

Curiously, DNA analysis of its nest found remnants of a tree native to northeast China and sometimes called the “Tree of Heaven,” the report added, suggesting the insect may have journeyed a long way to get to Britain.

It was not clear, however, whether they flew themselves or took a plane.

The incidents, the AAIB said, are a stern reminder ​​that “the environmental response to changes in human behavior can be unpredictable and have unforeseen consequences.”

“The drive to greener aviation and urban environments will result in quieter, cleaner aircraft and less polluting airports, providing the kind of environments that prove attractive to insects such as bees and wasps,” it added.

And more insects mean more birds, which themselves pose a significant risk to takeoffs and landings.

“The high level of insect activity in 2021 could lead to a larger number of insects emerging in the spring of 2022,” the AAIB warned. “Therefore, even though traffic levels and aircraft utilization are expected to increase in 2022, the seasonal risk of insects blocking pitot probes could be significant.”

Featured photo by Cherdchai Chaivimol/EyeEm/Getty Images.

By: Matt Blake
Title: Wasps on a plane! How insect infestations caused an unusual amount of Heathrow flight disruptions last year
Sourced From: thepointsguy.com/news/wasps-on-a-plane-how-insect-infestations-caused-an-unusual-amount-of-heathrow-flight-disruptions-last-year/
Published Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2022 19:00:33 +0000

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Cayman Islands Is Open for Tourism But Considers Tightening Entry Restrictions

TODAY'S ADVENTURE

Cayman Islands Is Open for Tourism But Considers Tightening Entry Restrictions

The Cayman Islands has tightened entry restrictions for international arrivals.

Southern African countries where the new Omicron variant has been detected must observe quarantine.

Allowed visitors are required to present proof of a negative COVID-19 test, proof of vaccination and undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine.

The Cayman Islands Reopening Tourism – Latest updates

January 17 – Cayman Islands tightened entry restrictions, under review

On November 27, the Cayman Islands reintroduced some entry restrictions regarding testing and banned a series of countries from entering the territory.

The Cabinet is now reviewing the Control and Management of Covid-19 Regulations, 2022, and the Control of Covid-19 (Travel) Regulations, 2022, as it considers moving on with Phase 5 of the border reopening.

Officials announced on Monday that the government has extended the current COVID-19 restrictions but only for another week.

Special groups of people who are allowed entry to the Cayman Islands

People in one following categories can enjoy the beautiful Cayman Islands. 

Nationals and permanent residentsAllowed workers and their families.People who own properties in the Cayman Islands.Students.Spouses, fiancés, parents, grandparents, children and siblings of permanent residents.Travelers approved on the Global Citizen Concierge Program. re the Cayman Islands open to American tourists?

Starting October 2020, the Cayman Islands’ government has allowed some American tourists to visit the island country.

Aside from permanent residents and work permit holders also visitors with close family ties to residents or work permit holders such as spouses, fiancés, parents, grandparents, children, and siblings are being allowed to visit.

For further information click here.  

Is health insurance a must?

Yes. It is, at least for now. Visitors will need to submit proof of health insurance that covers COVID-19-related costs. They could also show proof of wealth enough to cover any medical treatment while on the islands.

re Airports open in the Cayman Islands?

Owen Roberts International Airport, located in Grand Cayman, is open and serving inter-island travel to allowed visitors. 

COVID-19 situation in the Cayman Islands

Source

The Cayman Islands is one of the safest places on earth regarding COVID-19 infections. As of today, the country has reported 11,666 cases and only 15 deaths.

Who is allowed entry and quarantine requirements

Those who own a business or property in the Cayman Islands or are a spouse, civil partner, sibling, parent, step-parent, grandparent, grandchild or child who is Caymanian or a resident are the only unvaccinated people permitted entry.

These travelers must complete a 14-day mandatory quarantine upon arrival.

Traveler Form

You need to apply for Approval to Travel. Complete the form and submit the necessary documents.

Can people quarantine at their chosen hotel/rental property?

Probably not. The available options for accommodation during your quarantine are:

Government quarantine facilityPrivate quarantine facilityPersonal residence. You will need to wear a geofencing device.

Choose one of these when you complete your travel application. Before traveling you will be notified if your chosen accommodation for quarantine was approved.

What general safety measures are enforced in the Cayman Islands?

The government relies on sensible policies and personal responsibility to maintain a COVID-19 safe zone within the islands. These are some of the tools they use to do protect locals and visitors

PCR testingGeofencing technologyRandom checksPenalties 

To stay updated visit their Cayman Islands Travel website. 

Cayman Islands reopening border: Update Archives

December 7 – Cayman Islands reintroduces travel restrictions for African and an EU countries

The Cayman Islands Government has reimposed entry restrictions from people traveling from 9 Southern African countries amid concerns related to the new Omicron strain. 

The countries affected were Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe and Belgium.

Starting last week, those who have been or passed through any of the above-mentioned countries within the 21 days prior to travel to the British territory must undergo a 14-day quarantine and get tested for COVID-19 upon arrival.

November 4 – Cayman Islands will only accept digital vaccine certificates when it opens on Nov. 20

While most countries accept the printed CDC vaccination card, Cayman Islands will require digital certificates when the country reopens on Nov. 20.

Travelers who fail to comply with this requirement will be put in quarantine. The islands have also tightened their domestic COVID-19 restrictions until at least Nov. 22. 

Under the new regulations, gyms, fitness centers, and public areas must limit their capacity to a maximum of 50 percent.

They must also ensure all clients are either fully vaccinated or have proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken in the last 48 hours. 

October 30 – Cayman Islands will lift quarantine restrictions for fully vaccinated travelers on Nov. 20

The Caribbean British overseas territory is set to ease its COVID-19 travel restrictions on Nov 20, allowing visitors to avoid quarantine if they present proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test.

“With a high percentage of the population now vaccinated, we are keen to relax the current restrictions and move to Phase 4 of our reopening program on 20 November,” said Kenneth Bryan, Minister for Tourism and Transport.

“This will bring an important return to normality for travel and tourism on the islands in time for the holidays,” he added

In order to be admitted, visitors must declare travel and vaccination status via Travel Cayman 

September 25 – The Cayman Islands to Indefinitely Pause Reopening Plan, says government

The Cayman Islands’ government has decided to put on hold its reopening plan due to a rise in Covid-19 cases, said Premier Wayne Panton at a press briefing Tuesday.

“We are pausing… our reopening plan for the rest of this year. We don’t want to rush anything.”

“We want to consider the various steps we need to put in place to address community spread and ensure we can feel safe and children are protected,” he said when talking about some community transmitted cases recently detected.

The Tourism Association released a statement Wednesday expressing deep discontent with the “indefinite pause” on the borders reopening.

Source: Cayman Compass

September 11 – Cayman Islands still on for reopening on Oct. 14

The Cayman Island government had established an 80% vaccination threshold rate in order to reopen for tourism on October 14. Well, that won’t happen.

Yet, Prime Minister Wayne Panton has said that if the government considers it can still be done in a safe way, they will do it regardless of the vaccination rate. 

Yesterday, the leader of the People’s Progressive Movement, a political party in the Cayman Islands, requested the government to “give careful thought to whether it would not be prudent to hold back on reopening.”

According to the leader, the epidemiology situation has worsened in the last few weeks and it’s not time for a reopening. 

Source: Cayman LoopNews

July 14 – Cayman Islands’ Five-phase plan to reopen for international tourism will permit fully vaccinated travelers to comeback from October 14

The Cayman Island Department of Tourism launched a five-phase plan to reopen for tourism by January 2022.

“My colleagues and I in government have worked tirelessly to develop this phased approach in preparation for the opening of our borders to international travelers – and we are pleased to announce the wait for paradise is almost over! Our guests will appreciate the impactful developments and enhancements we’ve made to the destination – surely proving that Cayman is worth the wait,” said Minister for Tourism and Transport, Hon. Kenneth Bryan on Monday. 

Here is what the plan looks like:

Phase 1: Reduced Quarantine Period – July 2021: Fully vaccinated travelers will only need to quarantine for 5 days.

Phase 2: Reduced Repatriation Restrictions – August 9, 2021: Travelers will not be GPS monitored anymore. Phase 3: Limited Introduction of Tourism, September 9, 2021: A limited number of vaccinated travelers will be allowed entry.

Phase 4: Reduced Quarantine Restrictions, October 14, 2021: Fully vaccinated travelers will no longer need to quarantine.

Phase 5: Travel for Unvaccinated Children, November 18, 2021: unvaccinated children (under age 12) will be allowed entry.

Welcome Back “phase”, January 27, 2022: Cayman Islands will be welcoming travelers without travel restrictions.

Source: Cision Newswire

ugust 27 – Cayman Islands will reopen on Sept. 9 but will keep quarantine on arrival until October 14. 

The Cayman Islands government acknowledges it will be unable to vaccinate 80% of its population by September 9 when the third phase of reopening should start.

The islands will still reopen on that date. But visitors will need to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.

Cayman Islands plans to reach 80% vaccination rate by October 14, and only then lift the quarantine requirement. 

“We are not afraid of making a decision. What we are afraid of is people getting very sick from COVID,” Premier Wayne Panton said at a conference Wednesday.

Source: Cayman News

ugust 12 – Cayman Islands to receive travelers without GPS monitoring from August 9

Effective August 9, Cayman Islands started to allow (a limited number of ) international arrivals to spend their 5-day mandatory quarantine without GPS monitoring.

Also, the requirement to take a weekly PCR COVID-19 for unvaccinated frontline workers was lifted. 

The government looks “to assess local impacts and build capacity to manage the increase in traveler volume anticipated with the opening of the borders in Phase 3.”

This pilot test will be in place until September 9 when the islands are scheduled to reopen. 

Source: Cayman Compass

July 26 – Cayman Islands’ borders to remain close for international tourism until at least September 9, said Minister

Effective July 19, tourists willing to visit the Cayman Islands will need to justify the motives they have to travel to the territory, said Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan at the Finance Committee.

Inbound and outbound flights continue to be permitted for essential travel only and it is not possible to travel for leisure at the moment. 

Returning nationals, students, and people traveling for medical treatments are among the people who could be allowed entry. 

These visitors will need to submit their “reasons to travel” to Cayman Airways for evaluation and approval.

Source: Cayman News Service

July 1 – the Cayman Islands reintroduces a 10-day quarantine for fully vaccinated visitors from June 25

Two days after reducing mandatory quarantine to 5 days for fully vaccinated travelers, Cayman Island authorities decided to give that benefit only to people who have been vaccinated in the Islands or in the U.K. 

This new policy will continue until certificates from other countries can be securely verified by authorities in Cayman, said the outgoing interim director of Travel Cayman, Matthew Hylton.

Due to these and other restrictions the tourism industry is struggling to survive. Cayman Islands Tourism Association president Marc Langevin has stated the territory has only seen 5,000 visitors since the pandemic began.

Source: CaymanCompass

June 19 – Cayman Island will reduce quarantine to 5 days for fully vaccinated travelers from June 23 

It has been more than 300 days since the Cayman Islands recorded their last case of community transmission of COVID-19. With only 2 deaths so far, the government continues to be especially cautious about keeping the virus out of their borders. 

Effective June 23, vaccinated visitors will see their mandatory quarantine reduced to only 5 days.

What remains unknown is the date this British overseas territory will fully reopen for tourism.

“Our plan is based on a number of people vaccinated so that the vulnerable in our community, who can’t get vaccinated, are protected. Once we do reopen our border, and we will, in our plan we will slowly reintroduce tourism without having thousands of people at the airport,” said Premier Wayne Panton on Wednesday.

(Source: Cayman Compass)

June 5 – Cayman Islands to reduce quarantine from 10 to 5 days after summer.

The Cayman Island is considering reducing the quarantine requirement from 10 to 5 days – probably – after summer. 

But not everything is good news. The government also plans to introduce a compulsory vaccine requirement for future overseas work permit holders and for those workers who want to have their permit renewed.

Premier Wayne Panton still considers this whole process a risk for the nation. “This process obviously involves an increase in risk for us, … our success depends on a number of factors, not just our own internal preparations but what is happening in the… gateway countries,” he said.

What is clear is that borders are unlikely to reopen in summer. This is because according to the Panton, nothing was ready for the new governor to start working on a full reopening plan.

(Source: Cayman Compass)

The post Cayman Islands Is Open for Tourism But Considers Tightening Entry Restrictions appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

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By: Viktor Vincej
Title: Cayman Islands Is Open for Tourism But Considers Tightening Entry Restrictions
Sourced From: www.travelinglifestyle.net/cayman-islands-started-opening-borders-for-selected-visitors/
Published Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2022 21:25:54 +0000

Details: IHG Rewards Credit Card Changes Coming March 2022

HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL

We know that changes as coming to the IHG Rewards program as of March 2022. To coincide with that, there are also changes coming to IHG Rewards’ co-branded credit cards, and I’d say the news is overwhelmingly positive.

IHG credit card changes as of March 2022

Changes are coming to the portfolio of Chase & IHG Rewards credit cards as of March 24, 2022. Often when there are changes to credit cards it’s not good news, though in this case it seems to be almost entirely good news.

Not only are we seeing changes to the two existing personal credit cards, but we’ll also see the introduction of a new business credit card. Let’s go over the details.

IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card changes

The IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card (review) will be rebranded as the IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card. The bad news is that the annual fee will be increasing by $10, from $89 to $99, as of 2023 for existing cardmembers. Everything else is positive.

For one, we’ll see the rewards structure on the card improve considerably. The IHG Premier Card will earn:

5x points on travel (vs. 1x points previously)5x points on purchases at gas stations and dining (vs. 2x points previously)3x points on all other purchases (vs. 1x points previously)

On top of that, the card will be getting several additional new perks, including:

Anniversary free night certificates will have more flexibility; while they’re capped at 40,000 points per night, you’ll be able to redeem them at more expensive hotels by paying the difference in points (in other words, you could book a 50,000 point hotel for a free night certificate plus 10,000 points)You’ll receive $50 in United TravelBank Cash each calendar year, after registering your IHG Rewards Premier Card with your United MileagePlus accountYou’ll earn 10,000 bonus points and a $100 statement credit after spending $20,000 on the card in a calendar yearYou’ll continue to receive complimentary IHG Rewards Platinum status, and will be able to earn IHG Rewards Diamond status after spending $40,000 on the card in a calendar year

Except the $10 annual fee increase, these changes are fantastic across the board. You’ll get a $50 United Airlines credit annually, and free night certificates will be much more valuable. We’ll have to wait to learn the benefits of IHG Rewards Diamond status, but some might consider it worth spending to earn that, especially with the improved points earning structure and threshold bonus on the card.

The other existing benefits not mentioned will continue to exist, including a fourth night free on award redemptions, a Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check credit, etc.

Free night awards are getting a lot more flexibility

IHG Rewards Traveler Credit Card changes

The IHG® Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card (review) will be rebranded as the IHG Rewards Traveler Credit Card. The card will continue to have no annual fee, and there are a few positive changes.

The rewards structure on the IHG Traveler Card will improve considerably, as you’ll be able to earn:

3x points on utilities, internet, cable, phone, and select streaming services purchases (vs. 1x points previously)3x points on purchases at gas stations and dining (vs. 2x points previously)2x points on all other purchases (vs. 1x points previously)

On top of that, the card will be getting all kinds of additional new perks:

Automatic IHG Rewards Silver status (no status was offered without spending previously)You’ll be able to earn IHG Rewards Gold status after spending $20,000 on the card in a calendar yearYou’ll earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $10,000 on the card in a calendar year

The changes here are awesome, as the no annual fee card will finally offer some elite status without spending, and the points earning structure will also improve considerably.

Get $50 in United TravelBank Cash with the card

New IHG Premier Business Card

While details are limited as of now, as of March 24, 2022, a new IHG Premier Business Card will be introduced. The card will have an annual fee of just $99, so let’s hope it has lots of great perks. It’s always exciting to see more new cards on the market.

Let’s hope IHG’s new business card has great perks

Bottom line

Changes are coming to IHG credit cards as of March 2022, and they’re overwhelmingly good news:

The IHG Premier Card‘s annual fee will increase by $10, but the card will get a significantly improved points earning structure, plus will get new perks that include a $50 annual United credit, more flexible anniversary free night awards, and more.The IHG Traveler Card will get IHG Rewards Silver status without a spending requirementThe new IHG Premier Business Card will be introduced, though we’ll have to stay tuned for the details of that

What do you make of these IHG Rewards credit card changes?

By: Ben Schlappig
Title: Details: IHG Rewards Credit Card Changes Coming March 2022
Sourced From: onemileatatime.com/news/ihg-rewards-credit-card-changes/
Published Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2022 14:00:11 +0000

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Great Ways To Entertain Yourself During Long Waits In The Airport

TODAY'S ADVENTURE

Great Ways To Entertain Yourself During Long Waits In The Airport>

Airports are busy places that are always full of life and the bustle of people getting late for their flights. Although a short layover is a fun experience where you can walk around and explore the airport for a few minutes before a flight, long layovers can get particularly tiresome.

If you’re unsure how to spend your long airport layover, our guide can help you make the most of your time. 

Online Casinos

One of the best ways to kill time at an airport is by logging on to an online casino and winning some cash. Online casinos have recently seen a boom because of the great experience users have without being present in a physical casino. You can place live bets, play poker or explore daily wagering options all in one convenient place.

However, it is important to use trusted websites whenever you log into online casinos and play with real money. It is also challenging to find a good online casino or sportsbook that has a user-friendly layout, live streaming and brilliant promotions all in one. When betting on sports, you should use BetMGM betting odds, to get the fairest pricing for a thrilling experience in online gambling.

Shop

You can find some of the best deals in airport stores. Although many people will argue that shopping from airport stores is more costly than regular ones, it is undoubtedly a more fulfilling experience. There is always something to buy at airport stores, and you can also find some great deals at duty-free shops.

Whether you’re buying souvenirs, clothes, beauty items, or chocolates, you can find them all at stores in the airport. Besides, if you’re going to meet loved ones or travelling back home, airport stores are a great place to pick up some excellent gifts. 

Prepare For The Adventures That Await You On Your Trip

Even if you’re not too fantastic at planning, chances are you have already made some semblance of an itinerary for your trip. If you haven’t as yet, then your free time at the airport is an excellent opportunity to correctly map out how you would like your trip to go.

Read up on all the activities available in the area you’re going to so you can incorporate as many of them in your trip as possible. If there are any festivals occurring where you’re headed, you should definitely add those to your list of activities. This will help you make the trip much more fulfilling and fun.

A pro tip here would be to do a little bit of prep before attending any activity or festival so you can make the most of it, especially if it is your first time attending such festivals. If for, example, you’re going to a music festival for the first time, you should read up a little bit on the dos and don’ts of attending one.  

Explore Airport Cuisine

Depending on the place you’re visiting, you can either have numerous eateries to choose from or next to none. However, it would be best if you did a little bit of research on whether any good restaurants are available at your airport before embarking on your journey so that you have a fun airport experience planned.

Having a great culinary experience at an airport may not always be feasible, especially if you’re on a budget. However, airports usually have some great, pocket-friendly cafes as well where you can sit back and enjoy a good cup of coffee while people-watching. 

Movie Time

If you’re tired and just want to lounge in one spot, one way to kill time is by watching a good movie. However, since the airport WiFi may be spotty, it is a good idea to download a movie on your laptop beforehand so you can watch it without any interruptions at the airport. All you will need are a few snacks and a comfy chair to unwind and enjoy your movie. 

Get A Massage

Numerous airports have massage areas and massage chairs in place for weary travellers. You can get a deep tissue massage for a small price that will help alleviate all those stress-knots from the uncomfortable aeroplane seat.

This way, you will be fresh and rejuvenated before you embark on your next plane ride and have more luck with catching up on some sleep on the plane as well. 

Travellers usually dread long layovers at the airport. However, they need not be so dreary if you pre-plan a few fun activities to kill time. Use a few ideas from our list to ensure you have a good time at the airport no matter how long the layover is!

The post Great Ways To Entertain Yourself During Long Waits In The Airport appeared first on Travel Experta - Travel, Lifestyle, Freedom.

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By: Marina Villatoro
Title: Great Ways To Entertain Yourself During Long Waits In The Airport
Sourced From: travelexperta.com/great-ways-to-entertain-yourself-during-long-waits-in-the-airport/
Published Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2022 20:18:49 +0000

IHG Premier Card Benefits: How They Work

HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL

Chase and IHG have a co-brand card portfolio — there’s the IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card (review), which is the premium co-brand card, and then there’s the more basic card, which is the IHG® Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card (review). These are great products, and they’re about to get even more rewarding as of March 2022, when we see some positive changes to the cards.

The IHG Premier Card offers some fantastic perks that should more than justify the annual fee for frequent travelers, even if you’re not an IHG loyalist. However, there are some conditions associated with these perks, so in this post I wanted to dig a bit deeper into how they work.

IHG Premier Card perks & benefits

The IHG Premier Card offers some unique benefits, including:

A huge welcome bonus of 125,000 IHG Rewards points plus a free night certificate after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three monthsA free night certificate on your account anniversary every year, valid at any property that retails for up to 40,000 IHG Rewards points per night; as of March 2022, you’ll even be able to top off your certificate with points to book a more expensive propertyA fourth night free on award bookings; when you redeem points for a consecutive four night stay, you only have to redeem points for the cost of the first three nights20% off when you purchase IHG Rewards pointsIHG Rewards Platinum status for as long as you have the cardA TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry fee credit every four years

Those are some awesome perks, and I’ve received a lot of questions about how certain benefits on the IHG Premier Card work. In this post, I wanted to take a closer look at some of the details of these benefits.

How does the fourth night free benefit work?

One of the best perks of the IHG Premier Card is that it offers a fourth night free on award redemptions. There has been some confusion regarding how this benefit works, and specifically at what point the cost of the fourth night is reimbursed.

With this benefit, the cost of the fourth night is deducted at the time you make your award booking. Once you have the card and go to IHG’s website to make an award booking for four nights, you should automatically see the price adjusted. When you first see the award cost you’ll see a price with a line through it, which is the original price, and then underneath that is the discounted price factoring in the fourth night free.

To give an example, the InterContinental London Park Lane may cost an average of around 75,250 points per night (IHG has dynamic award pricing, so the rate can vary each night). Yet with a fourth night free the price is lowered to 56,000 points, with the total cost being 224,000 points.

This is great, since it means you only need enough points for the cost of three nights to make the booking. If this isn’t displaying correctly for you, it’s probably because you haven’t had the card for long enough. It can take a few days for this benefit to kick in.

You can use this benefit an unlimited number of times, and can even use it for back-to-back stays (in other words, you can book eight consecutive nights at one hotel and get two nights free), or for multiple rooms at a hotel over the same nights. It’s also valid at Six Senses properties, which are slowly being integrated into the IHG Rewards program.

You do need to stay four consecutive nights at one hotel while redeeming points to use this, meaning you can’t stay two nights at one hotel and two nights at another hotel, and then get one of those nights free.

Furthermore, all four nights need to be booked as a single points reservation. This means you couldn’t book one night with a free night certificate and then three nights with points, and get that third night of the points reservation free.

Get a fourth night free at the InterContinental Los Angeles

Can you stack the fourth night free benefit with the 10% rebate?

The IHG Premier Card offers a fourth night free on awards, while the old IHG Select Card offers a 10% rebate when you redeem points (that benefit is capped at a total refund of 100,000 points per year). One common question has been whether these two benefits can be combined, assuming you have both cards. The answer is yes.

This is a pretty awesome opportunity to stack benefits. Let’s assume you’re staying at a hotel that costs 50,000 points per night for four nights.

A four night stay would cost you 150,000 points (with the fourth night free), and then you’d be reimbursed another 15,000 points, meaning you’re paying just 135,000 points for those four nights. That’s an average of 33,750 points per night, or a discount of 32.5%.

The terms state that the 10% rebate will post within eight weeks of a stay, though in my experience it usually posts within a few weeks.

Save 32.5% on an award stay at the InterContinental Phu Quoc

Can you earn two anniversary free night certificates?

The way I see it, the single biggest perk of the IHG Premier Card is that it offers a free night certificate on the account anniversary every year. The IHG Select Card (no longer open to new applicants) also offers the same benefit.

Can you actually get two anniversary free night certificates every year? The answer is yes, assuming you have both cards. That’s a pretty cool perk, since it makes this useful not just for one night stays, but also for longer stays. If you and your spouse or friend each have both cards, that’s potentially four free night certificates per year.

Use your anniversary free night certificate at the Crowne Plaza Changi

Can the IHG 20% points discount be stacked with a sale?

The IHG Premier Card offers a 20% discount when you purchase points. Unfortunately, this isn’t valid when IHG is offering a discount on purchased points, which is when I would generally consider buying points.

There’s no reason to buy IHG points for 20% off when IHG otherwise sometimes offers 75-100% bonuses on purchased points. When the discount is available, you’ll see that it’s automatically applied at the time you purchase points. This is a benefit that’s almost never worth it, in my opinion.

It’s not worth buying IHG points for 20% off

How does the TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry credit work?

The IHG Premier Card offers a TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry fee credit once every four years. You can choose either one (in general Global Entry is a better option, since it automatically comes with TSA Pre-Check), and then the statement credit will automatically post within 24 hours of the eligible purchase appearing on your account.

Note that all that matters is that the fee is charged to your card, so if you already have a Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check membership, you can use this for a friend or family member.

Global Entry & TSA Pre-Check are great perks

When does IHG Platinum status post to your account?

Just for having the IHG Premier Card, you get IHG Rewards Platinum status. This will post to your account automatically, and that’s determined based on having the correct IHG Rewards number linked to your account.

While the terms state that the status will post within six to eight weeks, in practice, it usually posts much faster than that.

Score a room upgrade with IHG Platinum status

Bottom line

The IHG Premier Card is an all-around worthwhile card. Between the Platinum status, fourth night free on awards, and an annual free night, I’d say this card is well worth getting if you’re eligible, even if you’re not otherwise an IHG loyalist. That’s especially true with the current bonus, which is excellent.

If you don’t yet have this card, I’d highly recommend applying.

By: Ben Schlappig
Title: IHG Premier Card Benefits: How They Work
Sourced From: onemileatatime.com/guides/ihg-premier-card-benefits/
Published Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2022 16:16:44 +0000

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How much does an ESTA cost for travel to the USA and what questions do they ask?

TODAY'S ADVENTURE

How much does an ESTA cost for travel to the USA and what questions do they ask?

It has been quite some time since I have had to apply for an ESTA for travel to the United States. That’s the Electronic System for Travel Authorization that people from Visa waiver countries need to complete to visit the USA.

What you do is complete all your details on the ESTA website, and you should receive a travel authorisation back quite quickly. Without permission you will not be allowed to enter the country.

ESTA Costs and Questions

The price is rather small, at just US$14. You’ll pay more for any pre-departure tests you might need at the moment, what with the pandemic and all. Where you are declined permission, the fee is refunded, which is nice.

Questions comprise of the usual things, such as your Passport details, home address, work address and so on. You will also need to provide your emergency contact, and the contact of someone in the states. All of it is fairly straightforward stuff.

It also verifies your e-mail address during the process, which works flawlessly. Once complete – and it’s pretty foolproof – you get to what I call “the fun questions”.

For example, they ask if you have any physical or mental disorders. Have you been arrested or convicted of a crime? Violated any drug laws? Conducted any terrorist activities, espionage, sabotage or genocide?

Ever fraudulently obtained a US Visa? Are you looking for work in the USA or have previously worked there without permission? Been denied or overstayed your Visa?

Finally, have you ever travelled to or been present in Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011? I am guessing, but I believe if you answer yes to any of the above, you won’t get your ESTA and will need to present yourself at a US Embassy to apply for a visa in person.

Overall Thoughts

The ESTA process is quite similar to what other countries ask. Electronic visas save processing time at the airport for everyone involved, so it makes sense that people have to complete this. In the past, portions of these questions were on paper forms given to you on the plane, so it’s nice to keep away from that.

For me, my approval arrived within the hour, though it can be much faster. Mine usually takes a little longer as I have dual citizenship, but it’s no big deal.

Have you applied for an ESTA before? Do you find the process to be straightforward or a bit annoying? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.

Like planes? See my “Does anyone remember” series. Flight reviews your thing? Mine are all indexed here. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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By: The Flight Detective
Title: How much does an ESTA cost for travel to the USA and what questions do they ask?
Sourced From: travelupdate.com/esta-cost-and-questions-for-usa/
Published Date: Sat, 01 Jan 2022 13:04:34 +0000

10 credit cards that can replace your Amex Platinum

HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL

The Platinum Card® from American Express increased its annual fee from $550 to $695 (see rates and fees) last year, adding several benefits and confirming plans to alter others.

As an Amex Platinum cardholder, you’ll continue to earn 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year) and 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and flights booked through American Express Travel, in addition to getting an up to $200 annual airline fee statement credit and automatic Gold elite status with Marriott and Hilton. Enrollment required for select benefits.

(Photo by Isabelle Raphael for The Points Guy)

However, cardholders now also receive some additional benefits, including:

A prepaid hotel booking credit worth up to $200 (to use with American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts, The Hotel Collection or American Express Travel).A Clear membership statement credit of up to $179.A digital entertainment statement credit worth up to $20 per month.An Equinox statement credit of up to $300 annually on eligible Equinox memberships when you pay with your cardA Walmart+ membership statement credit worth up to $155 when you pay with your card.A SoulCycle bike credit valued at up to $300 (must have a 12-month Equinox+ membership to purchase an at-home SoulCycle bike)>Enrollment required for select benefits.

While some of these changes help justify the annual fee increase, others — including the removal of free guest access to Centurion Lounges (unless you make at least $75,000 in purchases each year) starting Feb. 1, 2023 — are causing mixed reactions, with some cardholders feeling like the card acts more like a coupon book than a premium travel card.

If you find yourself questioning whether or not you should keep your Amex Platinum, consider switching to one of these 10 rewards credit cards.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for TPG daily newsletter.

In This Post

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

(Photo by John Gribben for The Points Guy)

The newest card on this list, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has quickly become a worthy competitor in the luxury rewards card space since it was introduced by Capital One in November 2021. The card includes an annual $300 travel credit, a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus, a Priority Pass membership, access to Capital One Lounges and a credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

It earns 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars and 5 miles per dollar spent on flights when booking through Capital One Travel, as well as 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases. Plus, as a new cardmember, you can earn a welcome bonus of 100,000 miles after spending $10,000 on purchases within the first six months of owning the card. All miles can be used to book travel and erase eligible travel purchases, or you can transfer them to more than 15 airline and hotel partners. The card does have an annual fee of $395, but all authorized users (who are free to add) can enjoy many of the card’s benefits.

Official application link: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Chase Sapphire Reserve

(Photo by Wyatt Smith/The Points Guy)

Travelers love the Chase Sapphire Reserve because it offers a variety of benefits to cardholders, plus high points bonuses on purchases made through its affiliated portals. With this card, you’ll receive an annual $300 travel credit, up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, a Priority Pass membership, access to Chase’s Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, primary rental car coverage and travel and shopping purchase protections.

Additionally, you’ll earn 3 points per dollar spent on travel and dining, 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 10 points per dollar spent on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards and 10 points per dollar spent on Chase Dining purchases. All other purchases earn 1 point per dollar. You can transfer points to 13 airline and hotel partners or use them to book travel and cover purchases through statement credits. There is a $550 annual fee and a $75 charge for adding an authorized user, but as a new cardholder, you can earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Official application link: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

(Photo by The Points Guy)

For people who want to earn Ultimate Rewards points without the pricey annual fee of the Chase Sapphire Reserve, there’s the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. While this card doesn’t include lounge access and other premium benefits, it does come with primary rental car insurance, a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards hotel statement credit and travel and shopping purchase protections. Additionally, you’ll receive a 10% points bonus on all purchases at the end of every year and have access to the Pay Yourself Back feature.

Travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards earns 5 points per dollar. You’ll also earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining, grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart) and select streaming services in addition to 2 points per dollar spent on travel and 1 point per dollar spent on everything else. The card’s annual fee is $95, and new applicants can receive 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of owning the card.

Official application link: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card  

Citi Premier® Card

(Photo by John Gribben for The Points Guy)

The Citi Premier Card earns flexible ThankYou points that can be used to book travel, get statement credits, buy gift cards and make purchases with partners once they’re transferred. Every calendar year, you’ll receive a $100 credit toward a single hotel stay of $500 or more that’s booked through ThankYou.com (excluding taxes and fees). This benefit alone covers the $95 annual fee.

You’ll earn 3 points per dollar spent at restaurants, gas stations and supermarkets, as well as 3 points per dollar spent on air travel, hotel reservations and travel agencies. All other purchases earn 1 point per dollar. As a new cardholder, you can earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Official application link: Citi Premier Card

merican Express® Gold Card

(Photo by Wyatt Smith/The Points Guy)

If you want to keep earning Membership Rewards points, the American Express Gold Card may be the right card for you. With the Amex Gold, you’ll earn 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases at U.S. supermarkets per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar) and 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly or with Amex Travel.  Other purchases earn 1 point per dollar.

Amex Gold cardholders also receive up to $120 in Uber Cash and up to $120 in dining statement credits, which mostly cover its $250 annual fee (see rates and fees). Plus, cardholders have access to the same Hotel Collection benefits and Amex Offers as those with The Platinum Card® from American Express. When you apply for the Amex Gold, you can earn 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first six months of having the card. Enrollment required for select benefits.

Official application link: American Express Gold Card

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

(Photo by The Points Guy)

The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card is a great option for travelers who are loyal to Bank of America. It earns 2 points per dollar spent on travel and dining, plus 1.5 points per dollar spent on everything else. Cardholders with a banking or investment relationship with the bank can earn up to a 75% bonus on all of the rewards they earn, depending on the size of their account balances. That translates to 3.5 points per dollar spent on travel and 2.625 points per dollar spent on everything else.

While Bank of America doesn’t have any transfer partners, you can redeem your points for cash back, gift cards and travel without blackout dates. You’ll also receive up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees every four years and up to $100 in airline incidental fee statement credits each year, the latter of which offsets the card’s $95 annual fee. Apply for this card and you can earn a welcome bonus of 50,000 points when you spend $3,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.

Official application link: Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card

U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card

(Photo by John Gribben for The Points Guy)

Travelers seeking another luxury travel card may prefer the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card, as it offers a variety of premium card benefits. Cardholders receive a Priority Pass membership, access to the Visa Luxury Hotel Collection, up to $100 to apply toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees and an annual statement credit of $325, which can be used for travel or dining purchases. The annual statement credit adds significant value to the card, helping offset its $400 annual fee.

With the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card, you’ll earn 5 points per dollar spent on hotels and car rentals booked through the Altitude Rewards Center, as well as 3 points per dollar spent on travel and mobile wallet purchases and 1 point per dollar spent on everything else. As a new cardholder, you can earn 50,000 points after spending $4,500 in the first three months of having the card.

The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

(Photo by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy)

Hilton loyalists love the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card because it automatically grants Hilton Diamond elite status, plus an array of other benefits. Cardholders receive an annual up to $250 Hilton resort statement credit, an up to $250 airline fee statement credit and up to $100 in credit per reservation when booking a two-night stay at Waldorf Astoria or Conrad hotels. The card also includes a Priority Pass membership and an annual free weekend night reward. A second free weekend night reward can be earned when you spend $60,000 in a calendar year. These benefits easily outweigh the $450 annual fee (see rates and fees). Enrollment required for select benefits.

You’ll earn 14 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio, as well as 7 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or American Express Travel and car rentals booked with select car rental companies, 7 points per dollar spent on dining at U.S. restaurants and 3 points per dollar spent on other eligible purchases. New cardholders can earn 150,000 Hilton Honors points after they spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.

The information for the Hilton Aspire Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire credit card review

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card

(Photo by The Points Guy)

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card is the premier card for Marriott Bonvoy members. It includes an up to $300 annual statement credit on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, plus automatic Gold Elite status and a free night certificate every year that’s worth up to 50,000 points. You’ll also receive an up to $100 property credit when you book at least two nights at a Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis. What’s more, cardholders get a Priority Pass membership and up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

With this card, you’ll earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, 3 points per dollar spent on dining at U.S. restaurants and flights booked directly with the airline, and 2 points per dollar spent on other eligible purchases. An annual fee of $450 (see rates and fees) applies, but the yearly statement credits and free night certificate are worth at least that much. Currently, you can receive 75,000 points when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of having this card. You’ll also receive up to $200 back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at U.S. restaurants in the first six months of card membership.

Official application link: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

(Photo by Wyatt Smith/The Points Guy)

If Delta is your favorite transfer partner of the Amex Platinum, then the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card should be one of your frontrunners. As a cardholder, you’ll earn 3 miles per dollar spent on eligible Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar spent on other eligible purchases. Plus, you can earn 50,000 miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles when you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first three months of card membership. The card also includes up to $100 in statement credits for eligible purchases made at U.S. restaurants during those same three months.

Although there’s a steep $550 annual fee (see rates and fees), cardholders receive all kinds of benefits, including complimentary access to the Centurion Lounge or the Delta Sky Club (plus two one-time guest passes for the latter) when flying with Delta and an annual companion certificate that they can use on a round-trip domestic flight in first class, Delta Comfort+ or the main cabin. Plus, those without elite status will be added to the upgrade list after Medallion members when flying with Delta, while those with status will receive priority upgrades over other Medallion members. It’s also possible to accelerate earning elite status with this card, as it awards 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles every time a cardholder spends $30,000 in a calendar year (up to four times).

Official application link: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

Bottom line

While the Amex Platinum still holds value for many cardholders, others may feel inclined to get rid of the card in favor of another on the market. Fortunately, there are several great alternatives to consider.

Each card comes with its own pluses and minuses, though in many cases, each offers similar (if not better) benefits as the Amex Platinum for a lower annual cost. Regardless of where your loyalties lie, there’s a card that will suit your spending habits and travel goals.

Featured photo by The Points Guy. 

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Hilton Aspire Card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex, click here.

By: Lee Huffman
Title: 10 credit cards that can replace your Amex Platinum
Sourced From: thepointsguy.com/guide/cards-replace-amex-platinum/
Published Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2022 20:00:49 +0000

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