Americans no longer need a visa to visit China for up to 10 days

If you have China on your travel Bingo card for 2025, I have good news for you. Effective immediately, Americans will be able to visit the country for up to 10 days without a visa. This is a significant positive development for everything from last-minute trips to long-planned vacations, eliminating the paperwork, cost and stress…

My Southwest Rapid Rewards account was hacked: How I got my points back

Well, it finally happened — I fell victim to one of my loyalty program accounts being hacked, specifically my Southwest Rapid Rewards account. On Dec. 3, I received an email from Southwest at 9:30 p.m. EST confirming my hotel reservation at Hampton Inn & Suites Kalamazoo-Oshtemo for a check-in date of Dec. 4 and a…

New FTC rule requires hotels to disclose all fees upfront

On Tuesday, the Federal Trade Commission finalized a broad rule requiring various industries, including hotels, to disclose all fees in advertised prices upfront. The final rule will prohibit hotels from excluding resort fees, also known as “junk fees,” in advertised rates for short-term lodging. In addition to hotels, the rule will also apply to vacation…

Targeted offer to buy IHG status via elite qualifying points

Typically, offers to buy elite status aren’t compelling. For example, American Airlines AAdvantage’s offers to buy elite status are usually laughably bad. However, IHG One Rewards is giving select members an offer — first reported by LoyaltyLobby — that is compelling. If IHG targeted you for this offer to buy status, you likely received an…