Bill tips

Maybe you've seen the Protect Our Points campaign funded by the airline and credit card industries. It's an effort to block passage of the bipartisan Durbin-Marshall Credit Card Competition Act, a bill that promises to lower costs for consumers by bringing competition to credit card processing fees.

The rapid increase in the use of weight loss drugs is expected to have a huge impact on many sectors, not least the airline industry—where lighter passengers might allow planes to take off with less fuel.

To be a merchant in the Middle Ages, one needed to know how to write and count. Mastery of foreign languages was beneficial. But perhaps most important was an aptitude for theology. Although trade increased exponentially between the twelfth and sixteenth centuries, the Catholic Church remained ambivalent about mercantile principles such as profit, not to mention the temptations of luxury. To be successful, a merchant had to apply metaphysical hairsplitting to the practical affairs of business.

A growing number of wedding guests are bringing a new kind of plus-one to the festivities: their remote jobs.

This series of articles about credit cards, points and miles, and budgeting for travel is brought to you in partnership with The Points Guy.

More than 55 million Americans are expected to travel over the Thanksgiving holiday this month, AAA projected Monday, with this year’s holiday weekend expected to be the busiest for air travel in nearly two decades as travel continues to rebound after the pandemic.

Editor's Note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Once again, the U.S. is at risk of shutting down unless Congress funds the government ahead of next week's looming deadline of Nov. 17.

As revivals of quintessential Old West towns go, that of Deadwoood, South Dakota has been as robust as they get, with the Black Hills star buzzing with activity today. Some of what attracts 2.5 million visitors a year surely comes through the recent popularity of a period TV series, but the important key is that city leaders several decades ago decided to rescue a rich architectural heritage from decline.

Holders of The Platinum Card® from American Express and American Express® Gold Card already enjoy up to $200 and $120, respectively, in annual Uber credits. Enrollment is required.

Flying with food allergies can be a harrowing experience. In addition to the planning and preparation before your flight, you may also encounter rude or dismissive behavior from fellow passengers and airline staff. This exact situation happened to Lianne Mandelbaum with her own child, prompting her to take up the mantle of education and advocacy for food-allergic flyers through her nonprofit, The No Nut Traveler.

It is not an easy time to be a small business dealing with a combination of high interest rates and inflation, however, many are rising to the challenge and facing these issues head on.

GOLF Magazine is the leading industry publication as the ultimate destination for everything golf. Each year, the publication reveals its Top 100 Golf Courses in the World, and this year, the Top 20 in America are what I am focusing on. According to GOLF, “Historically, an average of 54 U.S. courses make the list. This year, that number dips to 49. Still, the best of American golf remains difficult to beat, holding down 10 of the list’s top 15 spots and 29 of the top 50.”

Are you booked on a Royal Caribbean cruise this fall? Brace yourself for higher daily fees.

Colorado’s legislative committee on finance and oversight is holding a public hearing on Tuesday to discuss a proposed bill that will impact short-term rentals in the state. 

In the latest congressional push dubbed consumer advocacy in the travel rewards credit card space, two U.S. senators are looking into "unfair and deceptive practices in airlines' frequent flyer and loyalty programs," per a joint press release.

This series of articles about credit cards, points and miles, and budgeting for travel is brought to you in partnership with The Points Guy.

Bank of America offers a large portfolio of cards. Some carry Bank of America branding in their names, such as the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card. Others, such as the Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card and the Free Spirit® Travel More World Elite Mastercard®, are cobranded cards offered by Bank of America.

Adding a loved one, such as a partner, child, family member or friend, as an authorized user on a credit card, has multiple advantages.

Tipping on cruise ships has changed over the years. Cash used to be king, dispensed at a passenger’s whim. But nowadays, many large lines are both cash-free and have automated tipping as part of the daily dues, meaning passengers no longer need to carry around a wad of bills. But, there are caveats. For example, not all crew is included in the general tip—some are actually forbidden from accepting gratuities—and sometimes, currency matters. Below, what you need to know about tipping on a cruise, and how to make sure no onboard tip gets lost in the shuffle.

The Khaite designer Catherine Holstein was newly pregnant in the fall of 2022 when the French children’s wear brand Bonpoint reached out to her about collaborating on a capsule collection. Now, the 11 new designs, intended to fit babies and children up to 10 years old and made with materials that are gentle against sensitive skin, are launching on Oct. 25 with a campaign featuring Holstein’s now-seven-month-old son, Calder. Standout pieces include a billowy white cotton top with a ruffled collar, a whimsical red-and-white botanical print skirt and miniature versions of two Khaite mainstays: a double-breasted Tanner blazer and a wool version of the brand’s flare-sleeved Scarlet cardigan. “I’m just amazed at the conversations you can have with kids after the age of three, and what their perspective is,” says Holstein. “I wanted the collection to give them the option to really home in on their individuality.” The pieces most dear to the designer are those inspired by her 1980s childhood. “I had black corduroy overalls that I would wear with suspenders with cars on them and a Fair Isle cardigan. … I really wanted to capture that nostalgia.”