Provident tips

Many affluent travelers seeking unique, intimate, local experiences while globetrotting will consult a specialist travel agent to arrange a custom itinerary off the beaten track. But sometimes, this can lead to travel agents promoting partners that provide hefty commissions rather than the most unique experience.

On Monday, lawmakers revealed a bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization deal that includes measures to address the nation’s shortage of air traffic controllers and the recent spate of runway near-misses. Lawmakers also agreed to prohibit airlines from charging extra for families to sit together, and they tripled the maximum fines imposable on airlines that violate consumer laws.

As a small-business owner and Capital One cardholder, I'm always looking for ways to maximize the rewards I earn while spending.

The great American road trip is going electric.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on Wednesday took one of its strongest stances to date to protect the traveling consumer. The agency issued new rules mandating that all airlines flying to, through, or from the United States provide travelers with immediate cash refunds in the event of a cancellation or significant delay.

Zulal Wellness Resort, the first wellbeing retreat of its kind in the Middle East, combines a newly enhanced wellness experience with an extraordinary location between desert and the sea.

What is a cash-back credit card, and how does this kind of card work?

The honk of the geese as they take off from the lake is comically loud, reeds quiver and the reflection of the clouds on the water is momentarily fractured. A butterfly flits by, landing on my boot. We’re on a guided walk at 42 Acres, a regenerative farm, nature reserve and retreat centre near Frome in Somerset – and the whole place feels vibrantly alive.

What’s the best way to experience Oregon’s gorgeous scenery? From the open road. 

Travel can be a hair-raising experience. Or a hair-flattening one.

Napa Valley is synonymous with luxury. Posh hotels, chef-driven restaurants and extravagant tasting fees cemented that reputation decades ago.

While Minneapolis draws visitors in droves thanks to its thriving drinking and dining scene, nature lovers and outdoor adventurers alike can find a truly spectacular array of attractions across Minnesota’s North Shore. Spanning just under 250 kilometers along Lake Superior, this scenic stretch of coastline is rife with cozy communities and spectacular natural preserves, with no shortage of top-tier restaurants and breweries to discover along the way. With summer on the horizon, there’s no better time than the present to plan a nature-filled foray into the picturesque reaches of northern Minnesota.

Airlines are going to be required to provide automatic refunds for delayed or canceled flights under new Department of Transportation regulations, announced on Wednesday.

A summer or fall getaway just got cheaper.  Frontier Airlines' “1 Million Seats" fare sale is underway with deals starting at $19. The promotion ends on Monday April 29 and offers deals to many popular destinations in Frontier’s network including Atlanta, Austin, New York, Orlando, and more.  While the fare sale may provide deep discounts, there are several restrictions on when passengers can actually use the tickets. The sale applies to flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from May 10 through June 30 and then again from August 15 through October 31. International destinations, Florida destinations, and Las Vegas have additional booking restrictions.

For many small-business owners, a business credit card is a smart and effective way to help manage your business-related expenses.

Set in the heart of South Africa's Western Cape, Stellenbosch is widely regarded as one of the top wine regions in the world. Famed for its full-bodied reds and crisp chenin blancs, the region is equally acclaimed for its jaw-dropping landscape of lush vineyards set against towering mountains. Equally rich in wine and natural beauty, Stellenbosch offers extraordinary experiences that cater to both the wine aficionado and the enthusiastic traveler alike. Here’s some of the best things to do on your visit to this remarkable region.

Capital A—the parent of budget carrier AirAsia that’s owned by tycoons Tony Fernandes and Kamarudin Meranun—is merging its various airline affiliates across Southeast Asia in a deal valued at 6.8 billion ringgit ($1.4 billion).

Toronto-based Hostaway, which sells property-management software, announced it will offer business loans to its customers. Hostaway didn’t share details about how the financial arrangement works but said that the industry standard is to take a commission of the loans. 

A new set of rules announced on Wednesday by the Department of Transportation are focused on righting some wrongs in the airline industry and providing extra consumer protection.

While iconic Caribbean dishes span from ackee and saltfish to coucou and flying fish to mofongo, each island across the region is united by one common spirit: rum, to be precise. Derived from fermented and distilled molasses, this alcoholic beverage has played a major role in Caribbean culture for centuries, with the world’s oldest surviving rum distillery deed dating back to 1703 and hailing from Barbados. In the modern era, the spirit also serves as a major draw for tourism, with the Caribbean’s most opulent hotels and resorts offering carefully-curated rum experiences for visitors to enjoy. As you plan your next booze-focused foray into the region, don’t miss out on these world-class hotels.

My most shameful moment as a traveler occurred in Thailand.