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How to score luxury travel for less

October 30, 2018 By Liz Weston

Let’s shatter one myth right now: Airline passengers typically can’t talk their way into upgrades from the cheapest coach seats to first class just by dressing up and asking politely.

Travel providers usually save their best experiences — comfortable seats, spacious hotel suites, quick check-in lines — for those willing to pay more. When upgrades are handed out for free, the goodies typically go to frequent travelers who spend a lot with those providers.

There are ways, however, of getting a much better travel experience without paying top dollar.

In my latest for the Associated Press, a few approaches to consider if you want to make your next trip a little more luxurious.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: luxury travel, rewards, Savings, tips

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

August 29, 2018 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Being a loyal customer can score you free food. Also in the news: The average retirement savings by age, what to buy (and skip in September, and where your $100 goes furthest in the United States.

When Being a Loyal Customer = Free Food
Perks are plentiful.

The Average Retirement Savings by Age and Why You Need More
Do you have enough?

What to Buy (and Skip) in September
Finding fall bargains.

Want the most for your $100? Avoid San Jose
Consider West Virginia.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: customer loyalty, restaurants, retirement savings, retirement savings by age, rewards, September purchases, value of $100 in United States

Friday’s need-to-know money news

August 3, 2018 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: The average retirement savings by age and why you need more. Also in the news: What hotel credit card upgrades mean for your bottom line, why banks are still playing with financial fire, and the pros and cons of prenups.

The Average Retirement Savings by Age and Why You Need More
How close are you?

What Hotel Credit Card Upgrades Mean for Your Bottom Line
Hotel credit cards are getting a makeover.

After ’08 Meltdown, Banks Still Play With Financial Fire
Lessons unlearned.

The Pros and Cons of Prenups
One touchy subject.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: 2008, banking crisis, hotel credit cards, perks, prenups, retirement savings, retirement savings by age, rewards

Monday’s need-to-know money news

June 4, 2018 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Your store credit card wants to be your everyday card. Also in the news: Weathering life’s storms with an affordable disaster kit, how to wring the most business value from a personal loan, and which industries could feel the bite of a trade war.

Your Store Credit Card Wants to Be Your Everyday Card
Making the rewards more enticing.

Weather Life’s Storms With an Affordable Disaster Kit
Don’t be caught unprepared.

How to Wring the Most Business Value From a Personal Loan
Making a personal loan pay off.

These U.S. industries could feel the bite of a trade war
Is yours one of them?

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: business loans, Credit Cards, disaster kit, Personal Loans, rewards, store credit cards, trade war

Monday’s need-to-know money news

February 5, 2018 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: More credit cards pile on rewards for mobile wallet spending. Also in the news: Dog-friendly designs attract home buyers and remodelers, new rules to help protect old Americans from financial fraud, and the reckless financial habit that will ruin your chances of ever finding love.

More Credit Cards Pile on Rewards for Mobile Wallet Spending
Perks for paying with your phone.

Dog-Friendly Designs Attract Home Buyers and Remodelers
Not your typical dog house.

These new rules will help protect older Americans from financial fraud
New protections put in place.

This reckless financial habit will ruin your chances of ever finding love
Show some restraint.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: bad financial habits, Credit Cards, dog-friendly designs, dogs, financial fraud, mobile wallet, older Americans, perks, rewards, valentine's day

Should we pay people to save?

January 24, 2018 By Liz Weston

Long ago, people were rewarded for saving. Banks contributed something known as “interest” to the amounts deposited in savings accounts.

OK, technically they still do, but you’d be forgiven for not noticing the tiny amounts added in a low-rate environment. The current average interest rate on savings accounts is 0.06 percent.

Anemic rates may not be a major reason why Americans don’t save enough, but there’s some evidence that better rewards could induce more people to save. Two approaches that seem to work: matching funds and prize-linked accounts.

In my latest for the Associated Press, could rewarding people for saving get them to save more?

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: banking, incentives, rewards, Savings

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