Welcome to The Morning Shave. We read a ton of travel articles each day for our research to share the best travel tips, tricks, and news with you. Here are the articles for Thursday, January 26, 2023, that we think you should read.
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A Third of Americans Plans to Cut Back on Travel Spending This Year: New Skift Research U.S. Travel Tracker.
I’m seeing conflicting reports about consumer travel trends. Marriott’s CEO said hotel prices and demand will be high this summer. Yet, this report indicates that many Americans are starting to cut back on travel spending. Stimmy checks are gone, and some workers are concerned about layoffs and job security. With that in mind, it makes sense to reduce discretionary spending. However, I think people still want to travel, so there will be higher demand for staycations, road trips, and reward travel to keep out-of-pocket expenses low. What do you think?
U.S. Embassy Issues Security Alert for Mexico After Cancun Taxi Protests.
Anna and I were in Cancun at the Hyatt Zilara all-inclusive in December, and we didn’t encounter any problems. We used prepaid shuttle services between the airport and our hotel, and we hailed a cab to grab lunch one day. I can understand the frustration of the taxi drivers, but getting violent and blocking roads isn’t a good strategy. Be careful if you’re flying into Cancun right now.
How to use travel rewards to save money on a Universal Studios Orlando Vacation.
Planning a family vacation to a theme park can put a serious dent in your finances. There aren’t too many ways to reduce the cost of your theme park tickets. However, you can save thousands on flights and hotels by using miles and points. I helped my friend Travis save over $1,500 on a Disney Orlando trip a few years back. Before booking your next trip, check out some of Kevin’s tips for Universal Studios Orlando.
Why 2023 Will Be the Year of the Airport Lounge.
Visiting airport lounges is one of my favorite parts of flying. You get a private area with comfortable seating and complimentary drinks, food, and WiFi. Some lounges even offer showers, massages, manicures, and other premium benefits. While I don’t have airline elite status that includes free entrance, I do have numerous credit cards that provide airport lounge benefits. The downside is that some lounges are crowded or have wait times because so many of us have access through our credit cards.
French bee: Premium Economy Class Review: Is it worth it?
If you’re not going to book your flight using airline miles, searching for a low-cost airline makes financial sense. Although many U.S. travelers have never heard of this airline, it offers cheap flights between the East Coast and Europe. Whenever I’m flying east, I like to book more comfortable seats to avoid jetlag when I arrive. This is especially true when flying across the Atlantic. Its Premium Economy seats aren’t lie-flat, but you do get more recline than a standard Economy ticket.
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I think 2023 will be the year of the lounge in a whole different context. With many airlines like Delta banning people from using the lounge or restricting access, you also have credit cards like Amex Platinum restricting access either to members or eliminating free guests. And banks like Capital One even eliminating Priority Pass benefits that they had promised. . It might be the year that broke the airport lounge system.
I hear you, Dan. I’m really bummed about the Amex Platinum rules that go into effect on Feb 1. I travel with my kids frequently, and being unable to access the lounge unless I spend $75k per year on the card or pay $30 each ($50 for adults) is ridiculous. It is strange that Capital One axed those benefits so quickly after introducing them. Those changes show how unprepared they were when launching their cards. With long lines, crowded seating, and changing benefits, many people would argue that airport lounges are already broken. But, I try to stay optimistic and applaud the opening of new lounges and rehabbing old/tired lounges. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!