Updates tips

Southwest Airlines just made a favorable change to its unique, decades-long Companion Pass program, which allows for buy-one, get-one flights for a designated travel partner.

These days, you can pay for almost anything with a credit card. However, some merchants will charge an extra fee for that privilege, which is perfectly legal in most areas. That surcharge might be charged by your wedding venue, your landlord, the local corner market or even your utility company.

Spirit Airlines is making more big changes to its network.

Hours after making landfall as a powerful and devastating Category 4 storm in Florida, Hurricane Helene continued to batter the south and disrupt travel across the country.

Southwest Airlines is extending its flight schedule into early next summer and introducing new destinations from its Nashville hub. The airline, which usually releases its schedule eight months in advance, has just released its booking calendar through June 4, 2025, announced Wednesday. With the schedule update, the carrier has announced several key updates across its network. For starters, the carrier will expand significantly out of Nashville International Airport (BNA), which has been one of Southwest's fastest-growing hubs and newest crew bases.  Starting April 8, 2025, the carrier will begin daily service from Nashville to Albuquerque, Jackson, and Tulsa; as well as up to 6x weekly flights to Providence and up to 5x weekly flights to Albany. In addition, the airline will offer “intra-Tennessee service for the first time” with its brand-new, once-daily service from Nashville to Memphis.  “The new flights will boost Southwest’s scheduled presence in Nashville to an all-time high of 174 Sunday departures in April and May 2025,” the airline wrote in a statement. The new route announcement comes as the airline is undergoing notable changes, as Southwest will introduce its first-ever overnight flights to its network next February. With today’s announcement, the airline shared a few more routes that will see redeye service — flights from Honolulu to Las Vegas and Phoenix, Kona to Las Vegas, and Maui to Las Vegas and Phoenix will be offered as red-eyes starting April 8, 2025.

Luxury travelers heading to the Bay Area can expect a major glow-up at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay debuting this month.

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Just as September or «National Passport Month is underway, the U.S. State Department has released additional dates for its ongoing passport fairs, making applying for a first time passport even easier.  The agency published an updated schedule for September and October, which will take place in many states including California, Georgia, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. For example, the Seattle Passport Agency will be open on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 9am-2pm, where the office is regularly closed on weekends. Applicants should be advised that appointments are required, and can be booked on the office’s website.  Other events include the Boston Passport Agency on Sept. 26, Atlanta Passport Agency on September 28, the University of Texas at Dallas on September 28, the Broward County Clerk in Ft. Lauderdale, FL on Oct. 12, and more. 

We just returned from what will likely be the final flight with my infant son sitting on my lap.

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United Airlines recently announced it will be discontinuing its in-flight paper magazine, Hemispheres. The travel magazine offered travel inspiration and updates on United’s routes, as well as flight and airport terminal information. In recognition of the magazine’s final issue, United is giving MileagePlus members the opportunity to receive the final issue.  “We’re offering select MileagePlus members the exclusive chance to get their own free copy of the final print issue of Hemispheres magazine while supplies last,” United shares on the website.  In order to request one of the limited-quantity issues, travelers must log-in on the promotional site with their United MileagePlus credentials. After selecting «RSVP Now,» members will be entered into the queue to receive a copy of the magazine, and notified if they are selected to receive it.  September’s issue, the current issue in United’s seatback pockets, is the final print issue of Hemispheres. Frequent flyers have been snapping photos holding the magazine to commemorate the history and significance of the magazine. Others on social media described inflight magazines as “warm nostalgia from my childhood.”

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The State Department has released new dates for its nationwide Special Passport Acceptance Fairs, continuing to help first-time international travelers score a passport. The new schedule has passport events in Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, and West Virginia throughout the rest of this month, September, and October. For example, travelers in Atlanta, Georgia can get assistance at the Atlanta Passport Agency on Saturday Aug. 24, from 8 a.m. through 11 a.m., and appointments are required. Travelers from Cincinnati, Ohio can visit the Downtown Main Library on Monday, Aug. 26 from 12 p.m. through 7 p.m. for assistance, and appointments are also required.  Additional events are taking place at local government offices in Bridgewater, New Jersey; Burleson, Texas; Clarksburg, West Virginia; and Minneapolis, Minnesota, among others. A full listing of events is located on the State Department’s website.

Whether it's time to look for a new credit card or your current card has been compromised online, you're going to need to dispose of your credit card at some point.

American Airlines passengers will be pleased to learn that they can now earn AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points on paid upgrades.

It’s been an active start to the Atlantic hurricane season, and that doesn’t appear to be letting up anytime soon.

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

One of the biggest Royal Caribbean ships at sea is about to get a major glow-up.

CrowdStrike has responded assertively to Delta Air Lines after the carrier’s CEO, Ed Bastian, accused the cybersecurity firm of being responsible for a service disruption that allegedly cost Delta $500 million.