Category: Travel

Paris skyline
Travel Tuesday: My Favorite Things About Paris
Welp. With the coronavirus pandemic outlook in America not looking much better, it looks as though we'll be canceling our trip to Paris for the second time (we were booked for March and pushed it to September when things seemed like they'd be better). Le sigh. While I don't mean to complain about my lack...
holding a US passport
Travel Tuesday: Will Other Countries Welcome Americans Back?
A few weeks ago, I pondered when we might be able to travel again. While that post explored some of the latest news on that front including continued travel restrictions, one thing I didn't quite consider is that being allowed in a country and being welcome in a country are two different things. So, with...
view of hotel
Travel Tuesday: When Will We Travel Again?
They say that, if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. That's proving especially true in 2020 as a global pandemic has all but shut down economies around the globe. Needless to say, it's also hit the travel industry especially hard. But are we getting closer to exploring the world outside of...
travel illustration
Travel Tuesday: AmEx Adds Practical Perks to Appease Travel Cardholders
Just a few months ago, I decided to apply for the American Express Platinum Card after determining that its travel benefits were worth the hefty $550 annual fee. That opinion was further justified as I got to sample a number of perks on a few trips late last year and early this year. Well, the...
airport lounge
Travel Tuesday: Silly But Genius Travel Gift Ideas from Airportag
A few weeks ago, I wrote a post about some intriguing travel products I've found thanks to ads on Instagram. Well, after I published that, I realized I had left out a few other items that have caught my eye as well. As it turns out, many of these actually came from the same site:...
view of clouds from a plane
Travel Tuesday: Is Your Airline or Hotel Status Being Extended?
I'm going to take a shot in the dark and guess that, if you're reading this post around the time it was initially published, you haven't been traveling much lately. For frequent travelers, not only is this a change of pace that may make cabin fever even more impactful but may also lead some to...
collage of travel products found on Instragram
Travel Tuesday: 5 Interesting Travel Products I've Seen Advertised on Instagram
Well, there's no getting around it: now is not a great time for travel. I suppose that means I choose the wrong time to start a bi-weekly travel series... but I'm committed to keeping up that schedule. So, instead of focusing on travel itself this week, I thought it'd be fun to take a look...
AMEX Hotel Collection booking screenshot
Travel Tuesday: Booking My Chicago Stay Through Amex's Hotel Collection
At a time when most Americans and those in several other parts of the world are avoiding group gatherings at all costs, a couple of weeks ago my wife and I headed to Chicago for a comic book convention. This was our first time attending C2E2 — short for Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo —...
sitting in Delta SkyClub
Aspirational Travel: My (Short) Time Beyond the "Velvet Rope"
These days, it seems that people are traveling more than ever. However, the experiences they have while making their way to their destination can vary greatly. For those in the "main cabin" (aka "coach") part of the plane, seats seem to be shrinking while nickel-and-diming fees grow. Meanwhile, those upfront are seeing more lavish perks...
Hong Kong flag
Travel Tuesday: Pray for Hong Kong — My Favorite Things About the City
Quick note: in case you missed the previous entry, Travel Tuesday is a new feature here on Money@30 where I'll be sharing travel-focused posts every other week — so stay tuned for more tips and tales from my various travel adventures! The past few months have not been easy for Hong Kong. Not long after my...
NFC and Mobile Phone
Travel Tuesday: Why Mobile Wallets are a Must for World Travelers
Before we jump into the topic at hand, I first want to welcome you to a new feature here on Money@30: Travel Tuesday. Every other week, I'll be sharing tips and tales from my various travel adventures. While some of these will have a personal finance tie-in, others may just focus on the destination being...
Get Away in 2020: Planning and Budgeting for Your Next Trip
But don’t let that get you down! You can still make 2020 the year you embark on your dream vacation. It all starts with some planning, some budgeting, and some smart savings. The key to saving on your travels is to plan ahead. This not only includes researching hotels, flights, and activities but also means...
Featured Articles
How Utilization Impacts Your Credit Scores: My Real-Life Example
You may already know that Credit Utilization is the second-largest factor FICO considers when determining your credit score. Specifically, it makes up 30% of your score, topped only by Payment History at 35%. But what does that look like in practice? Well, I recently got the "opportunity" to see firsthand. In April, I elected to...
Travel Tuesday: Allbirds Weatherproof Hightops - How They Compare to Mizzles
As I've mentioned more than a few times before, after purchasing a pair of water-resistant Allbirds Runner-Up Mizzles a few years back, they quickly became my go-to travel shoe. That's because they're not only comfortable but also help protect my feet from wet weather while on the road (there are few things I hate more...
This New Hardshell Carry-On Luggage Option Has My Attention
Welcome back to another Quick Tip — and the latest edition of our occasional, unofficial series Things Kyle Wants to Buy. When I returned from my most recent trip, for some reason, I had hardshell luggage on my mind. That's strange because my current soft-sided luggage has served me well and, moreover, I've traditionally not...
Would it Be Wrong to Try This Potential Free Checked Bag Trick?
I don't remember the last time I paid for a checked bag on a plane. Granted. I've paid for carry-ons while flying Allegiant — but, in the cases where I have elected to check a bag in recent years, it's been a free gate check since I occasionally volunteer to part with my bag early...