Tips & News tips

The American government recommends that tourists “reconsider travel” to Jamaica and “exercise increased caution” when traveling to The Bahamas, recently raising the official travel advisory for both destinations.

When traveling between two destinations, flying isn’t always the fastest option. Train stations are often located in city centers, making them easier and quicker to get to/from than an airport. You also don’t have to factor in time spent going through security like you do at an airport.

Need an escape from your everyday life? We’ve partnered with the Florida Keys & Key West to give away the ultimate Florida Keys vacation. The lucky sweepstakes winner and a guest will be whisked away to an island paradise, with luxury hotel stays, airfare, and activities included.

The U.S. Department of State has just raised its travel advisory for Germany to Level 2: Exercise Increase Caution due to the risk of terrorism. “Terrorist groups keep planning attacks in Germany,” says the State Department’s advisory. “Terrorists may attack with little or no warning. They target tourist locations and transportation hubs.”

Self-checkout has become a staple at the grocery store, and now the same concept is about to come to airport security. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) plans to launch a trial of an automated self-service security program called Screening at Speed.

Amazon Prime has partnered with StudentUniverse to offer students $25 flights this holiday season. New and current Prime Student members who sign up for a StudentUniverse account can search for flights at 12AM PST on December 7 to book at this unbelievable price for the holiday season. The catch? If you aren’t one of the lucky ones who snagged one on December 5th and 6th, there are only 1,000 available to book on December 7. Students must be at their computers, ready to book when the flights become available at midnight EST.

From expensive flights to figuring out how to transport gifts, the stress of holiday travel is unmatched. After a week of crashing on a relative’s couch for the family get-together, the last thing anyone wants is for their flight home to be delayed—or, worse, canceled—due to winter weather.

Hearing the announcement that the cabin doors have closed and realizing there’s still an empty seat next to you feels like hitting the jackpot, especially on a long-haul flight. If you don’t want to rely on luck, Qantas is now giving passengers on some flights the option to buy the empty seat next to them for a small fee.

If you fly often enough, you have at least one airport on your list of places to avoid at all costs. A good airport can make your trip a breeze by making it easy to get to your connection, offering tasty restaurant options, and giving you a clean and comfortable place to rest before your flight. A bad airport can stress you out with crowds, dirty facilities, and poor dining options.

Global Entry is currently the fastest way to return to the United States after a trip abroad. This program, available through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency, prescreens travelers and allows them to skip the often lengthy customs lines at airports and other border crossings. The reentry process has gotten even faster for Global Entry members, thanks to the launch of a new mobile app.

If you’ve ever been crammed into an uncomfortable coach seat, been charged extra for a bag, or had a flight delayed for no good reason, you know how much the airline you fly can impact your trip.