As the home of five US national parks, more than 40 state parks, and 15 world-class ski resorts, Utah is an oasis for outdoor enthusiasts.
18.12.2024 - 18:13 / lonelyplanet.com
Dec 18, 2024 • 8 min read
First-time visitors to Alaska’s biggest city are often surprised to see a large metropolis suddenly popping into view through the airplane window. From humble beginnings as a work camp constructed in 1915 for crews building the Alaska Railroad, Anchorage has grown into “Alaska’s largest village” – known for its diverse population and being a vital hub for commerce, transportation and governance.
Indeed, most travelers to The Great Land begin and end their journey in Anchorage, making this a natural place to become acquainted with Alaska's unique tapestry of customs, perspectives, natural wonders and ways to pass the time.
Anchorage’s downtown was built as a neat grid of streets, providing easy access to quality dining and shopping and a unique trail system skirting Cook Inlet to the west. From world-class museums to a towering mountain range edging into the city limits, Anchorage is the perfect location to capture a snapshot of life in the far north.
Come in summer when the Midnight Sun is set on high beam, and there'll be plenty of time for 49th state fun. Here's how to enjoy 24 hours in Anchorage.
Most travelers reach Anchorage by plane; Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, located six miles south of downtown, is served by flights from cities across the US and a few international destinations.
Anchorage city buses run every 30 minutes from the airport to downtown (route 40) and to the Dimond Center area south of the center (route 65); services operate from around 6am to 11pm. Most hotels offer shuttles that regularly run to and from the airport. Alternatively, visit the kiosks near the baggage reclaim area to summon a ride.
Taxis wait outside and across the street from the baggage claim area; meet rideshare drivers at the upper level of the airport. Shuttle Services of Alaska offers door-to-door transfers from the airport to various locations around Anchorage, including downtown hotels.
Anchorage airport offers luggage storage through Huntleigh USA on the lower level near the baggage claim area 4, but you must present a boarding pass to use the facility. If you’re spending the night in Anchorage and leaving after check-out time the following day, ask your hotel if they allow baggage storage (there may be a small fee).
Anchorage has only one form of public transit. The People Mover bus system operates 14 routes covering the city and outlying areas, with day passes available for $5 or single rides for $2.
Rideshares are another popular way to get around, and taking an Uber or Lyft can be a real help when navigating this sprawling municipality. Schedule rides ahead of time whenever possible, especially for evening trips downtown, to ensure a driver is available when
As the home of five US national parks, more than 40 state parks, and 15 world-class ski resorts, Utah is an oasis for outdoor enthusiasts.
Like most travelers, I’m determined to maximize my vacation days in 2025. The key to making the most of your paid time off—whether you’re hoping to plan lengthy bucket-list trips or are looking to ramp up your weekend getaways—is being strategic about which days you request vacation. It’s a common hack: To smartly link your PTO with holidays and office closures, which allows for more overall time out of office. Effectively, you get more vacation from the same number of vacation days.
"Which credit card should I get next?" It's easily one of the most common questions we at TPG get from readers, friends and family members. It's also one of the most common questions we ask ourselves. Most of us are constantly chasing our next sign-up bonus and trying to optimize the travel perks we hold in our wallets with our changing spending habits and travel needs each year.
It isn't often that opportunities to earn a large number of points in one transaction arise. That's why I was ecstatic when I looked at Rakuten's Cash Back Unwrap calendar for 2024 and saw it aligned with a TV purchase I had planned. On Nov. 20, 2024, Rakuten offered a bonus of 20% cash back (or 20 American Express Membership Rewards points per dollar spent) on LG purchases.
Mexico is a really popular spot for tourists.
An unwanted gift card could be your ticket to travel. With Americans spending over $29 billion annually on gift cards, according to the National Retail Federation, the piece of plastic has become a go-to gift for last minute shoppers. However, a gift card can often sit unused and be subject to hidden fees, or for a retailer that isn’t a shopper’s first choice. United Airlines offers a helpful program that will convert unwanted gift cards into points with their frequent flyer program, MileagePlus.
British Airways is overhauling its loyalty program this year, switching to a revenue-based system and moving away from allowing travelers to earn points based on the route and fare class.
When 25-year-old Josh Nichols had a short work trip to Hamburg, Germany, he and a coworker decided to add a couple extra days to stop by Belgium and France, two places he'd never been.
Dec 21, 2024 • 7 min read
American Airlines AAdvantage is my primary airline loyalty program, and it has been since I first qualified for AAdvantage Executive Platinum status in 2016. I'm getting close to snagging Million Miler status with AAdvantage and believe there's lots of value in the AAdvantage program and American miles.
In March 2023, Tim Wong and Andrew Q. Tran took an impactful trip to Asia: The Bay Area-based couple, who began dating in 2020 after meeting through Andrew’s sister, attended a friend’s destination wedding on Balesin Island in the Philippines and went on to visit South Korea and Japan. Tim proposed to Andrew in Osaka, and then Andrew proposed back, at their next stop in Nara. The pair had dinner with their newlywed pals once they’d all returned to the US, and it didn’t take long for Tim and Andrew to become convinced they needed to have a destination wedding, too.
JetBlue Airways is redrawing its route network — and there is some good news for Europe-bound flyers.