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The Tampa Bay area and other parts of Florida's Gulf Coast are preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Milton. Travelers planning to visit the region in the near future are advised to stay informed about weather conditions and any potential changes to their reservations, as this storm is predicted to be one of the most powerful to hit Florida in a century.
As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida as a Category 4 storm, preparations are underway across the state. Central Florida residents are stocking up on essentials, while visitors at Disney World face decisions about their travel plans.
Ongoing hotel strikes have extended to two Hilton-affiliated properties in Boston, with approximately 600 workers now on strike at the Hilton Boston Park Plaza and the Hilton Boston Logan Airport. These strikes are part of a larger movement affecting hotel operations nationwide.
Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days are set to begin on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 12:01 a.m. PDT and will run for 48 hours until midnight on Oct. 9. The event offers discounts on selected items exclusively for Amazon Prime members.
Rakuten is offering increased cash-back rates for online shoppers during October Prime Day. Shoppers can earn up to 15% cash back at various retailers through the Savvy Shopper Rewards event. This promotion is likely aimed at frequent Rakuten users, who are encouraged to log into their accounts to verify eligibility. New users can receive a $30 bonus after spending $30 on a qualifying purchase within the first 90 days.
Oman Air is set to finalize its membership in the Oneworld airline alliance by the second quarter of next year, according to CEO Con Korfiatis. This marks a delay in the Muscat-based carrier's plan, initially announced in 2022, to join the alliance this year. The delay was confirmed at the Routes World conference in Bahrain on October 7.
The American Express Centurion Lounge network is set to undergo changes as the company has decided to close all spas across its lounge network. This decision was confirmed by a company spokesperson to The Points Guy. The spas, which were operated in partnership with Exhale, were available at three locations: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Miami International Airport (MIA), and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Hurricane Milton is advancing toward Florida, moving from the Gulf of Mexico in a west-to-east direction. The storm, currently classified as a Category 5 hurricane, is expected to pass directly over the Tampa Bay area early Wednesday morning.
Aer Lingus has announced the introduction of a new route connecting Dublin Airport (DUB) to Nashville International Airport (BNA). This service is set to commence on April 12, 2025, offering four weekly flights in each direction.
Choice Privileges members have experienced a fluctuation in the points required to book stays at Preferred Hotels & Resorts. This partnership enables travelers to use Choice points for 314 properties worldwide. In May 2024, award rates ranged from 25,000 to 55,000 points per night. However, by June, some properties saw an increase to 87,000 points per night, and in September, certain locations demanded as much as 118,000 points.
Southwest Airlines is preparing to implement significant changes that will be noticed by passengers well before the airline transitions to assigned seating. The Dallas-based carrier announced a comprehensive overhaul, including plans to move away from its long-standing open seating policy. This transition will introduce assigned and extra-legroom seats, with sales expected to begin in late 2025 for flights in early 2026.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has emphasized the importance of safeguarding civil aviation during conflicts. The statement underscores that flights must remain secure and critical infrastructure should not be targeted amidst hostilities.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has introduced a new offer, providing cardholders with 60,000 bonus points and a $300 travel credit. This offer is available for those who spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening an account. The value of this offer is estimated at $1,530.
The holiday season is traditionally a time for gathering with family and friends, but it also marks one of the busiest travel periods. In 2023, the Transportation Security Administration screened a record-setting 2.9 million passengers on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The summer of 2024 surpassed this figure twice, indicating an even busier holiday season ahead.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is gearing up for its joint World Financial Symposium (WFS) and World Passenger Symposium (WPS), set to take place in Bangkok. The event aims to address key industry topics, including airline retailing, finance, facilitation, accessibility, and passenger experience.
Chase has expanded its lounge offerings for Sapphire Reserve cardholders, now including access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges worldwide. This development adds nearly two dozen lounges to the card's existing network, which already includes Priority Pass Select membership and Chase Sapphire lounges.
With the holiday season approaching, now is an ideal time to book flights to avoid premium prices. According to a Google Flights forecast, Thanksgiving flights should be booked by early October, and Christmas and New Year's flights by late October. However, timing is just one of several factors that can impact travel costs and experiences.
In October, recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Condor Airlines is making a visible statement by launching its Airbus A320 with registration D-AICS as a FlyPink plane. The aircraft will feature pink stripes to support the global aviation initiative FlyPink, which aims to raise awareness for breast cancer prevention and solidarity with those affected.
At the beginning of the year, there was concern over the expiration date for Hertz benefits associated with Capital One’s suite of Venture cards. The Venture X card offers Hertz Presidents Club status, while the Venture card provides Five Star status.
United Airlines has introduced a creative solution to enhance the business class experience, utilizing a makeshift 'ice bucket' to keep champagne chilled during flights. This innovation was highlighted by a passenger, Suzanne Brooks, who shared her positive experience on social media.