Countertour: We love to travel.

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.  Chase kicked off the new year with a bang. For the first quarter, Chase Freedom (no longer available to new applicants) and Chase Freedom Flex℠ cardholders can celebrate with the return of bonus category favorites grocery stores and gym memberships as well as…

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.  While Chase offers a robust portfolio of consumer credit cards, the issuer also has a suite of business cards tailored to different companies and expenses. Known as the Ink Business family, these credit cards earn either cash-back rewards or Ultimate Rewards points. Depending…

Despite Marriott’s switch to dynamic pricing for calculating the cost of point redemptions at its properties last year, there are still numerous options that provide an excellent value for using points over cash for your trips. One of my favorite hidden sweet spots in Marriott’s portfolio of 31 brands is redeeming my points for stays…

It’s literary lore now, but poet and wit Dorothy Parker supposedly said that Los Angeles was “72 suburbs in search of a city.” It was typically crass of Parker, who called the city her home off and on for more than 30 years, but she was onto something. Los Angeles sometimes feels more like a…

I have a confession to make: Before this month, I hadn’t opened a new credit card in, well, a while. But now that I’m able to start opening new lines of credit once again, the American Express® Gold Card is at the top of my list. And it has been for a while. That’s because…

Maybe you owe someone a favor. Or, maybe you’re just that nice. Whatever the reason, you’re buying a plane ticket for someone else (hopefully with a rewarding credit card). Can you earn the miles on that flight? It’s your money, after all. Here’s a look at which points and miles you can earn as the…

Is Wonder of the Seas the ultimate cruise ship for family vacationers? As a mother of two, I am well aware that my friends with kids seek out Royal Caribbean’s enormous, attraction-laden Oasis-class cruise ships when they want to take their kids on a cruise. But I’d never sailed on one of these world’s largest…

Thoughts of St. Lucia naturally evoke visions of the striking Piton Mountains, lush, tropical landscapes and luxurious hotels. The eastern Caribbean island has something for everyone — discerning newlyweds looking for all-inclusive honeymoon resorts to group travelers looking for the best family beach vacations and well-heeled jetsetters looking for the convenience of luxury all-inclusives. There’s…

There are plenty of travel rewards cards vying for your attention, but one of my favorite cards is the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card. The IHG Rewards Premier card offers a compelling sign-up bonus to attract new cardholders. The card is also a good option to keep long-term due to its many perks that can…

It may not be the flashiest brand out there, but if you haven’t looked at Wyndham lately, you may be missing out. The company, which includes a mix of brands heavy in the budget and mid-range segments like La Quinta and Ramada, has expanded its luxury footprint lately. Newer brands like the luxury-focused Registry Collection…