Amex cardmembers: Spend $50, get $5 back at small businesses this week

One important aspect of maximizing the credit cards you carry is taking full advantage of the travel credits and other statement credits they may offer. It's not uncommon to think "I'll use that credit later," thus delaying the use of your credits.

Travelers looking for a 2024 calendar may have a paw-fect solution.  The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) recently published a 2024 calendar where each month features a different member of the TSA Explosives Detection Canine group from across the United States. The calendar is free, and available for download at tsa.gov.  The calendar kicks off with Gini-Gina for January, a Belgian Malinois dog from New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA).

Cobranded American Airlines credit cards let you earn American miles and Loyalty Points when you make purchases with your card. But on Wednesday, Dec. 6, I got an email from the American Airlines AAdvantage program titled "Reaching AAdvantage® status with your credit card." The highlight of the email is displayed under the "What has changed?" heading:

If you have the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you may be able to earn an extra free night certificate.

Thinking of booking a Royal Caribbean cruise this month? You might want to do it with an American Express card.

Each December, visitors from around the world descend upon South Florida for the annual Miami Art Week. Over the past few years, the region has also had an influx of new residents. An array of restaurants, boutiques and other businesses have opened alongside the community’s longtime favorites, with both the new and the old appealing as much to out-of-towners as they do to Miamians.

Here are six compelling reasons why you should make it your next holiday destination.

In our opinion, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is well worth its $150 annual fee (see rates and fees) if you're a Hilton loyalist, as it offers valuable earnings rates and automatic Hilton Gold elite status.

From festivals of light to giant Christmas trees, there are plenty of ways for small towns all over the US to celebrate the holidays.

The year was 2005 and Antonio Catalán created the first AC Hotel in his home region of Navarra, Spain. His goal was to create something simple and modern that offered the essence of Spanish hospitality without the frills that guests didn’t always demand. This meant no bell staff, no minibars and fewer ensuite frills. The affordable price point made it a success, and it grew to dozens of hotels across Spain and Italy before catching the eye of Marriott.

There’s no bad time to visit the Big Apple — but when winter takes hold, the city has an extra sheen of glitter. Department stores are brightened with kaleidoscopic light shows; a large ice rink springs up in Central Park; and the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree sits pretty in the plaza. If you’re lucky, the streets might even be blanketed in white, catapulting visitors into a scene of a festive Hollywood film. 

Here we go again...the best of the art world (not to mention the fashion world, culinary world, luxury brands, celebrities, and partygoers) descend on Miami for Miami Art Week, which includes a week long schedule of incredible art exhibits, parties, and events that are sprinkled around the Magic City. A lot has happened here since last year’s Art Week. Miami has welcomed more new high-profile residents to its shores - including Jeff Bezos, Shakira, and Lionel Messi. The level of cuisine has grown exponentially, as Miami now has 11 Michelin-rated restaurants with more on the way. As a native Miamian, I am blown away by the level of culture and sophistication Miami has achieved. Miami’s economy is still booming, with people flocking to the city both to live and to visit - and the attraction of Miami will be on full display during Art Week.