Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
vendredi 8 mars 2019
Calling All Adventurers! These Are the 5 Best Credit Cards For Travel Miles
Every traveler is different. Some like to indulge in great meals and save on hotels, while others would be willing to live on granola bars if it will get them a bed in a five-star hotel. Some would fly across the world in coach, while others would spend every penny they have to experience the Singapore Suites on Singapore Airlines. Credit cards have tons of travel benefits, and no matter your travel style, there's a card that can help you save on your next adventure. Here are this year's five best cards for those who love to travel.
1. Chase Sapphire Reserve
Don't be intimidated by the $450 annual fee on this one, because the Chase Sapphire Reserve practically pays for itself, as long as you take full advantage of its benefits. Besides the $300 annual travel credit (which can be applied towards almost any travel-related expense), you'll also earn three points per dollar on travel and dining. If you've always wanted to travel in style, this card gives you Priority Pass Select lounge access (which includes over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide), as well as a credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
Other benefits include no foreign transaction fees, trip cancellation coverage, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, primary car rental insurance, and the ability to redeem points directly through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal at a rate of 1.5 cents apiece. The best part: if you spend at least $4,000 within the first three months of signing up, you'll receive 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points.
2. American Express Gold
Though the American Express Gold is the best card for dining (as it earns four points per dollar at grocery stores and restaurants, as well as $10 in monthly credit when you use the Gold card at dining partners), it also has plenty of travel benefits to offer. As well as a $100 annual airline fee credit, you'll earn three points per dollar on flights booked directly with airline or Amex Travel. Though this one also has an expensive annual fee at $250, it's worth your investment if you spend $2,000 in the first three months, which earns you 35,000 Membership Rewards points.
3. The Platinum Card from American Express
Coming in third is The Platinum Card from American Express, which is the best card on the market for purchasing airfare. At $550, the annual fee is steep, but if you take advantage of everything the card has to offer, it's absolutely worth the price. With this card, you'll earn five points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or Amex Travel (as well as prepaid hotels purchased through Amex Travel), and you can transfer your Membership Rewards points earned with this card to Amex's 20 airline and hotel partners. Travel will also be made way easier (and much more luxurious) with its rebate for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, and in addition to Priority Pass Select lounge access, this card will get you Centurion Lounge access and Delta Sky Club access when you're flying Delta.
Other benefits include a $200 annual airline rebate for incidental fees, up to $200 in annual Uber credits, a newly added $100 credit at Saks Fifth Avenue, and complimentary Hilton Honors Gold and SPG Gold status. Spend $5,000 in the first three months and you'll also get 60,000 Membership Rewards points (and earn an extra 25,000 points after you spend an additional $10,000 in the first three months).
4. Citi Prestige
Even if you don't travel frequently, the Citi Prestige more than pays for itself in its first year, despite its $450 annual fee. With this card, you'll earn five points per dollar on all air travel and restaurant spending, and three points per dollar on hotel and cruise-line bookings. Citi will reimburse you $250 annually for travel-related purchases, and you'll also get Priority Pass Select lounge access and a credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. Citi understands that travel doesn't always go according to plan, so they give you up to $500 for expenses for flights delayed over six hours, as well as the same credit for baggage delayed over six hours.
The most valuable perk of the Citi Prestige, however, is the fourth-night-free benefit: Citi will pay for the fourth night of your stay at virtually any hotel when booking through ThankYou.com or the Citi Prestige Concierge. When you sign up and spend $4,000 in the first three months, you'll receive 50,000 ThankYou Rewards points, and those points can be transferred to 15 airline partners or redeemed for airfare and hotels through Citi's travel portal.
5. Chase Sapphire Preferred
If you're skeptical of an expensive annual fee, this card may be the one for you. At only $95 a year (which will be waived your first year!), the Chase Sapphire Preferred will get you two points per dollar on travel and dining, as well as the ability to transfer points to 13 different travel partners. You'll also receive primary auto rental insurance, trip cancellation coverage, and no foreign transaction fees, which will definitely come in handy during international travel. This card allows you to redeem points directly through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal at a rate of 1.25 cents apiece, and - best of all - if you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months, you'll get 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points, which is the same bonus as the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Calling All Adventurers! These Are the 5 Best Credit Cards For Travel Miles
Every traveler is different. Some like to indulge in great meals and save on hotels, while others would be willing to live on granola bars if it will get them a bed in a five-star hotel. Some would fly across the world in coach, while others would spend every penny they have to experience the Singapore Suites on Singapore Airlines. Credit cards have tons of travel benefits, and no matter your travel style, there's a card that can help you save on your next adventure. Here are this year's five best cards for those who love to travel.
1. Chase Sapphire Reserve
Don't be intimidated by the $450 annual fee on this one, because the Chase Sapphire Reserve practically pays for itself, as long as you take full advantage of its benefits. Besides the $300 annual travel credit (which can be applied towards almost any travel-related expense), you'll also earn three points per dollar on travel and dining. If you've always wanted to travel in style, this card gives you Priority Pass Select lounge access (which includes over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide), as well as a credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
Other benefits include no foreign transaction fees, trip cancellation coverage, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, primary car rental insurance, and the ability to redeem points directly through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal at a rate of 1.5 cents apiece. The best part: if you spend at least $4,000 within the first three months of signing up, you'll receive 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points.
2. American Express Gold
Though the American Express Gold is the best card for dining (as it earns four points per dollar at grocery stores and restaurants, as well as $10 in monthly credit when you use the Gold card at dining partners), it also has plenty of travel benefits to offer. As well as a $100 annual airline fee credit, you'll earn three points per dollar on flights booked directly with airline or Amex Travel. Though this one also has an expensive annual fee at $250, it's worth your investment if you spend $2,000 in the first three months, which earns you 35,000 Membership Rewards points.
3. The Platinum Card from American Express
Coming in third is The Platinum Card from American Express, which is the best card on the market for purchasing airfare. At $550, the annual fee is steep, but if you take advantage of everything the card has to offer, it's absolutely worth the price. With this card, you'll earn five points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or Amex Travel (as well as prepaid hotels purchased through Amex Travel), and you can transfer your Membership Rewards points earned with this card to Amex's 20 airline and hotel partners. Travel will also be made way easier (and much more luxurious) with its rebate for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, and in addition to Priority Pass Select lounge access, this card will get you Centurion Lounge access and Delta Sky Club access when you're flying Delta.
Other benefits include a $200 annual airline rebate for incidental fees, up to $200 in annual Uber credits, a newly added $100 credit at Saks Fifth Avenue, and complimentary Hilton Honors Gold and SPG Gold status. Spend $5,000 in the first three months and you'll also get 60,000 Membership Rewards points (and earn an extra 25,000 points after you spend an additional $10,000 in the first three months).
4. Citi Prestige
Even if you don't travel frequently, the Citi Prestige more than pays for itself in its first year, despite its $450 annual fee. With this card, you'll earn five points per dollar on all air travel and restaurant spending, and three points per dollar on hotel and cruise-line bookings. Citi will reimburse you $250 annually for travel-related purchases, and you'll also get Priority Pass Select lounge access and a credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. Citi understands that travel doesn't always go according to plan, so they give you up to $500 for expenses for flights delayed over six hours, as well as the same credit for baggage delayed over six hours.
The most valuable perk of the Citi Prestige, however, is the fourth-night-free benefit: Citi will pay for the fourth night of your stay at virtually any hotel when booking through ThankYou.com or the Citi Prestige Concierge. When you sign up and spend $4,000 in the first three months, you'll receive 50,000 ThankYou Rewards points, and those points can be transferred to 15 airline partners or redeemed for airfare and hotels through Citi's travel portal.
5. Chase Sapphire Preferred
If you're skeptical of an expensive annual fee, this card may be the one for you. At only $95 a year (which will be waived your first year!), the Chase Sapphire Preferred will get you two points per dollar on travel and dining, as well as the ability to transfer points to 13 different travel partners. You'll also receive primary auto rental insurance, trip cancellation coverage, and no foreign transaction fees, which will definitely come in handy during international travel. This card allows you to redeem points directly through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal at a rate of 1.25 cents apiece, and - best of all - if you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months, you'll get 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points, which is the same bonus as the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
dimanche 24 mars 2019
Calling All Adventurers! These Are the 5 Best Credit Cards For Travel Miles
Every traveler is different. Some like to indulge in great meals and save on hotels, while others would be willing to live on granola bars if it will get them a bed in a five-star hotel. Some would fly across the world in coach, while others would spend every penny they have to experience the Singapore Suites on Singapore Airlines. Credit cards have tons of travel benefits, and no matter your travel style, there's a card that can help you save on your next adventure. Here are this year's five best cards for those who love to travel.
1. Chase Sapphire Reserve
Don't be intimidated by the $450 annual fee on this one, because the Chase Sapphire Reserve practically pays for itself, as long as you take full advantage of its benefits. Besides the $300 annual travel credit (which can be applied towards almost any travel-related expense), you'll also earn three points per dollar on travel and dining. If you've always wanted to travel in style, this card gives you Priority Pass Select lounge access (which includes over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide), as well as a credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
Other benefits include no foreign transaction fees, trip cancellation coverage, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, primary car rental insurance, and the ability to redeem points directly through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal at a rate of 1.5 cents apiece. The best part: if you spend at least $4,000 within the first three months of signing up, you'll receive 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points.
2. American Express Gold
Though the American Express Gold is the best card for dining (as it earns four points per dollar at grocery stores and restaurants, as well as $10 in monthly credit when you use the Gold card at dining partners), it also has plenty of travel benefits to offer. As well as a $100 annual airline fee credit, you'll earn three points per dollar on flights booked directly with airline or Amex Travel. Though this one also has an expensive annual fee at $250, it's worth your investment if you spend $2,000 in the first three months, which earns you 35,000 Membership Rewards points.
3. The Platinum Card from American Express
Coming in third is The Platinum Card from American Express, which is the best card on the market for purchasing airfare. At $550, the annual fee is steep, but if you take advantage of everything the card has to offer, it's absolutely worth the price. With this card, you'll earn five points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or Amex Travel (as well as prepaid hotels purchased through Amex Travel), and you can transfer your Membership Rewards points earned with this card to Amex's 20 airline and hotel partners. Travel will also be made way easier (and much more luxurious) with its rebate for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, and in addition to Priority Pass Select lounge access, this card will get you Centurion Lounge access and Delta Sky Club access when you're flying Delta.
Other benefits include a $200 annual airline rebate for incidental fees, up to $200 in annual Uber credits, a newly added $100 credit at Saks Fifth Avenue, and complimentary Hilton Honors Gold and SPG Gold status. Spend $5,000 in the first three months and you'll also get 60,000 Membership Rewards points (and earn an extra 25,000 points after you spend an additional $10,000 in the first three months).
4. Citi Prestige
Even if you don't travel frequently, the Citi Prestige more than pays for itself in its first year, despite its $450 annual fee. With this card, you'll earn five points per dollar on all air travel and restaurant spending, and three points per dollar on hotel and cruise-line bookings. Citi will reimburse you $250 annually for travel-related purchases, and you'll also get Priority Pass Select lounge access and a credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. Citi understands that travel doesn't always go according to plan, so they give you up to $500 for expenses for flights delayed over six hours, as well as the same credit for baggage delayed over six hours.
The most valuable perk of the Citi Prestige, however, is the fourth-night-free benefit: Citi will pay for the fourth night of your stay at virtually any hotel when booking through ThankYou.com or the Citi Prestige Concierge. When you sign up and spend $4,000 in the first three months, you'll receive 50,000 ThankYou Rewards points, and those points can be transferred to 15 airline partners or redeemed for airfare and hotels through Citi's travel portal.
5. Chase Sapphire Preferred
If you're skeptical of an expensive annual fee, this card may be the one for you. At only $95 a year (which will be waived your first year!), the Chase Sapphire Preferred will get you two points per dollar on travel and dining, as well as the ability to transfer points to 13 different travel partners. You'll also receive primary auto rental insurance, trip cancellation coverage, and no foreign transaction fees, which will definitely come in handy during international travel. This card allows you to redeem points directly through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal at a rate of 1.25 cents apiece, and - best of all - if you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months, you'll get 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points, which is the same bonus as the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Calling All Adventurers! These Are the 5 Best Credit Cards For Travel Miles
Every traveler is different. Some like to indulge in great meals and save on hotels, while others would be willing to live on granola bars if it will get them a bed in a five-star hotel. Some would fly across the world in coach, while others would spend every penny they have to experience the Singapore Suites on Singapore Airlines. Credit cards have tons of travel benefits, and no matter your travel style, there's a card that can help you save on your next adventure. Here are this year's five best cards for those who love to travel.
1. Chase Sapphire Reserve
Don't be intimidated by the $450 annual fee on this one, because the Chase Sapphire Reserve practically pays for itself, as long as you take full advantage of its benefits. Besides the $300 annual travel credit (which can be applied towards almost any travel-related expense), you'll also earn three points per dollar on travel and dining. If you've always wanted to travel in style, this card gives you Priority Pass Select lounge access (which includes over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide), as well as a credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
Other benefits include no foreign transaction fees, trip cancellation coverage, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, primary car rental insurance, and the ability to redeem points directly through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal at a rate of 1.5 cents apiece. The best part: if you spend at least $4,000 within the first three months of signing up, you'll receive 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points.
2. American Express Gold
Though the American Express Gold is the best card for dining (as it earns four points per dollar at grocery stores and restaurants, as well as $10 in monthly credit when you use the Gold card at dining partners), it also has plenty of travel benefits to offer. As well as a $100 annual airline fee credit, you'll earn three points per dollar on flights booked directly with airline or Amex Travel. Though this one also has an expensive annual fee at $250, it's worth your investment if you spend $2,000 in the first three months, which earns you 35,000 Membership Rewards points.
3. The Platinum Card from American Express
Coming in third is The Platinum Card from American Express, which is the best card on the market for purchasing airfare. At $550, the annual fee is steep, but if you take advantage of everything the card has to offer, it's absolutely worth the price. With this card, you'll earn five points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or Amex Travel (as well as prepaid hotels purchased through Amex Travel), and you can transfer your Membership Rewards points earned with this card to Amex's 20 airline and hotel partners. Travel will also be made way easier (and much more luxurious) with its rebate for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, and in addition to Priority Pass Select lounge access, this card will get you Centurion Lounge access and Delta Sky Club access when you're flying Delta.
Other benefits include a $200 annual airline rebate for incidental fees, up to $200 in annual Uber credits, a newly added $100 credit at Saks Fifth Avenue, and complimentary Hilton Honors Gold and SPG Gold status. Spend $5,000 in the first three months and you'll also get 60,000 Membership Rewards points (and earn an extra 25,000 points after you spend an additional $10,000 in the first three months).
4. Citi Prestige
Even if you don't travel frequently, the Citi Prestige more than pays for itself in its first year, despite its $450 annual fee. With this card, you'll earn five points per dollar on all air travel and restaurant spending, and three points per dollar on hotel and cruise-line bookings. Citi will reimburse you $250 annually for travel-related purchases, and you'll also get Priority Pass Select lounge access and a credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. Citi understands that travel doesn't always go according to plan, so they give you up to $500 for expenses for flights delayed over six hours, as well as the same credit for baggage delayed over six hours.
The most valuable perk of the Citi Prestige, however, is the fourth-night-free benefit: Citi will pay for the fourth night of your stay at virtually any hotel when booking through ThankYou.com or the Citi Prestige Concierge. When you sign up and spend $4,000 in the first three months, you'll receive 50,000 ThankYou Rewards points, and those points can be transferred to 15 airline partners or redeemed for airfare and hotels through Citi's travel portal.
5. Chase Sapphire Preferred
If you're skeptical of an expensive annual fee, this card may be the one for you. At only $95 a year (which will be waived your first year!), the Chase Sapphire Preferred will get you two points per dollar on travel and dining, as well as the ability to transfer points to 13 different travel partners. You'll also receive primary auto rental insurance, trip cancellation coverage, and no foreign transaction fees, which will definitely come in handy during international travel. This card allows you to redeem points directly through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal at a rate of 1.25 cents apiece, and - best of all - if you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months, you'll get 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points, which is the same bonus as the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
mercredi 3 avril 2019
Calling All Adventurers! These Are the 5 Best Credit Cards For Travel Miles
Every traveler is different. Some like to indulge in great meals and save on hotels, while others would be willing to live on granola bars if it will get them a bed in a five-star hotel. Some would fly across the world in coach, while others would spend every penny they have to experience the Singapore Suites on Singapore Airlines. Credit cards have tons of travel benefits, and no matter your travel style, there's a card that can help you save on your next adventure. Here are this year's five best cards for those who love to travel.
1. Chase Sapphire Reserve
Don't be intimidated by the $450 annual fee on this one, because the Chase Sapphire Reserve practically pays for itself, as long as you take full advantage of its benefits. Besides the $300 annual travel credit (which can be applied towards almost any travel-related expense), you'll also earn three points per dollar on travel and dining. If you've always wanted to travel in style, this card gives you Priority Pass Select lounge access (which includes over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide), as well as a credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
Other benefits include no foreign transaction fees, trip cancellation coverage, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, primary car rental insurance, and the ability to redeem points directly through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal at a rate of 1.5 cents apiece. The best part: if you spend at least $4,000 within the first three months of signing up, you'll receive 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points.
2. American Express Gold
Though the American Express Gold is the best card for dining (as it earns four points per dollar at grocery stores and restaurants, as well as $10 in monthly credit when you use the Gold card at dining partners), it also has plenty of travel benefits to offer. As well as a $100 annual airline fee credit, you'll earn three points per dollar on flights booked directly with airline or Amex Travel. Though this one also has an expensive annual fee at $250, it's worth your investment if you spend $2,000 in the first three months, which earns you 35,000 Membership Rewards points.
3. The Platinum Card from American Express
Coming in third is The Platinum Card from American Express, which is the best card on the market for purchasing airfare. At $550, the annual fee is steep, but if you take advantage of everything the card has to offer, it's absolutely worth the price. With this card, you'll earn five points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or Amex Travel (as well as prepaid hotels purchased through Amex Travel), and you can transfer your Membership Rewards points earned with this card to Amex's 20 airline and hotel partners. Travel will also be made way easier (and much more luxurious) with its rebate for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, and in addition to Priority Pass Select lounge access, this card will get you Centurion Lounge access and Delta Sky Club access when you're flying Delta.
Other benefits include a $200 annual airline rebate for incidental fees, up to $200 in annual Uber credits, a newly added $100 credit at Saks Fifth Avenue, and complimentary Hilton Honors Gold and SPG Gold status. Spend $5,000 in the first three months and you'll also get 60,000 Membership Rewards points (and earn an extra 25,000 points after you spend an additional $10,000 in the first three months).
4. Citi Prestige
Even if you don't travel frequently, the Citi Prestige more than pays for itself in its first year, despite its $450 annual fee. With this card, you'll earn five points per dollar on all air travel and restaurant spending, and three points per dollar on hotel and cruise-line bookings. Citi will reimburse you $250 annually for travel-related purchases, and you'll also get Priority Pass Select lounge access and a credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. Citi understands that travel doesn't always go according to plan, so they give you up to $500 for expenses for flights delayed over six hours, as well as the same credit for baggage delayed over six hours.
The most valuable perk of the Citi Prestige, however, is the fourth-night-free benefit: Citi will pay for the fourth night of your stay at virtually any hotel when booking through ThankYou.com or the Citi Prestige Concierge. When you sign up and spend $4,000 in the first three months, you'll receive 50,000 ThankYou Rewards points, and those points can be transferred to 15 airline partners or redeemed for airfare and hotels through Citi's travel portal.
5. Chase Sapphire Preferred
If you're skeptical of an expensive annual fee, this card may be the one for you. At only $95 a year (which will be waived your first year!), the Chase Sapphire Preferred will get you two points per dollar on travel and dining, as well as the ability to transfer points to 13 different travel partners. You'll also receive primary auto rental insurance, trip cancellation coverage, and no foreign transaction fees, which will definitely come in handy during international travel. This card allows you to redeem points directly through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal at a rate of 1.25 cents apiece, and - best of all - if you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months, you'll get 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points, which is the same bonus as the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
vendredi 19 avril 2019
Calling All Adventurers! These Are the 5 Best Credit Cards For Travel Miles
Every traveler is different. Some like to indulge in great meals and save on hotels, while others would be willing to live on granola bars if it will get them a bed in a five-star hotel. Some would fly across the world in coach, while others would spend every penny they have to experience the Singapore Suites on Singapore Airlines. Credit cards have tons of travel benefits, and no matter your travel style, there's a card that can help you save on your next adventure. Here are this year's five best cards for those who love to travel.
1. Chase Sapphire Reserve
Don't be intimidated by the $450 annual fee on this one, because the Chase Sapphire Reserve practically pays for itself, as long as you take full advantage of its benefits. Besides the $300 annual travel credit (which can be applied towards almost any travel-related expense), you'll also earn three points per dollar on travel and dining. If you've always wanted to travel in style, this card gives you Priority Pass Select lounge access (which includes over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide), as well as a credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
Other benefits include no foreign transaction fees, trip cancellation coverage, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, primary car rental insurance, and the ability to redeem points directly through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal at a rate of 1.5 cents apiece. The best part: if you spend at least $4,000 within the first three months of signing up, you'll receive 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points.
2. American Express Gold
Though the American Express Gold is the best card for dining (as it earns four points per dollar at grocery stores and restaurants, as well as $10 in monthly credit when you use the Gold card at dining partners), it also has plenty of travel benefits to offer. As well as a $100 annual airline fee credit, you'll earn three points per dollar on flights booked directly with airline or Amex Travel. Though this one also has an expensive annual fee at $250, it's worth your investment if you spend $2,000 in the first three months, which earns you 35,000 Membership Rewards points.
3. The Platinum Card from American Express
Coming in third is The Platinum Card from American Express, which is the best card on the market for purchasing airfare. At $550, the annual fee is steep, but if you take advantage of everything the card has to offer, it's absolutely worth the price. With this card, you'll earn five points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or Amex Travel (as well as prepaid hotels purchased through Amex Travel), and you can transfer your Membership Rewards points earned with this card to Amex's 20 airline and hotel partners. Travel will also be made way easier (and much more luxurious) with its rebate for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, and in addition to Priority Pass Select lounge access, this card will get you Centurion Lounge access and Delta Sky Club access when you're flying Delta.
Other benefits include a $200 annual airline rebate for incidental fees, up to $200 in annual Uber credits, a newly added $100 credit at Saks Fifth Avenue, and complimentary Hilton Honors Gold and SPG Gold status. Spend $5,000 in the first three months and you'll also get 60,000 Membership Rewards points (and earn an extra 25,000 points after you spend an additional $10,000 in the first three months).
4. Citi Prestige
Even if you don't travel frequently, the Citi Prestige more than pays for itself in its first year, despite its $450 annual fee. With this card, you'll earn five points per dollar on all air travel and restaurant spending, and three points per dollar on hotel and cruise-line bookings. Citi will reimburse you $250 annually for travel-related purchases, and you'll also get Priority Pass Select lounge access and a credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. Citi understands that travel doesn't always go according to plan, so they give you up to $500 for expenses for flights delayed over six hours, as well as the same credit for baggage delayed over six hours.
The most valuable perk of the Citi Prestige, however, is the fourth-night-free benefit: Citi will pay for the fourth night of your stay at virtually any hotel when booking through ThankYou.com or the Citi Prestige Concierge. When you sign up and spend $4,000 in the first three months, you'll receive 50,000 ThankYou Rewards points, and those points can be transferred to 15 airline partners or redeemed for airfare and hotels through Citi's travel portal.
5. Chase Sapphire Preferred
If you're skeptical of an expensive annual fee, this card may be the one for you. At only $95 a year (which will be waived your first year!), the Chase Sapphire Preferred will get you two points per dollar on travel and dining, as well as the ability to transfer points to 13 different travel partners. You'll also receive primary auto rental insurance, trip cancellation coverage, and no foreign transaction fees, which will definitely come in handy during international travel. This card allows you to redeem points directly through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal at a rate of 1.25 cents apiece, and - best of all - if you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months, you'll get 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points, which is the same bonus as the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Calling All Adventurers! These Are the 5 Best Credit Cards For Travel Miles
Every traveler is different. Some like to indulge in great meals and save on hotels, while others would be willing to live on granola bars if it will get them a bed in a five-star hotel. Some would fly across the world in coach, while others would spend every penny they have to experience the Singapore Suites on Singapore Airlines. Credit cards have tons of travel benefits, and no matter your travel style, there's a card that can help you save on your next adventure. Here are this year's five best cards for those who love to travel.
1. Chase Sapphire Reserve
Don't be intimidated by the $450 annual fee on this one, because the Chase Sapphire Reserve practically pays for itself, as long as you take full advantage of its benefits. Besides the $300 annual travel credit (which can be applied towards almost any travel-related expense), you'll also earn three points per dollar on travel and dining. If you've always wanted to travel in style, this card gives you Priority Pass Select lounge access (which includes over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide), as well as a credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
Other benefits include no foreign transaction fees, trip cancellation coverage, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, primary car rental insurance, and the ability to redeem points directly through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal at a rate of 1.5 cents apiece. The best part: if you spend at least $4,000 within the first three months of signing up, you'll receive 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points.
2. American Express Gold
Though the American Express Gold is the best card for dining (as it earns four points per dollar at grocery stores and restaurants, as well as $10 in monthly credit when you use the Gold card at dining partners), it also has plenty of travel benefits to offer. As well as a $100 annual airline fee credit, you'll earn three points per dollar on flights booked directly with airline or Amex Travel. Though this one also has an expensive annual fee at $250, it's worth your investment if you spend $2,000 in the first three months, which earns you 35,000 Membership Rewards points.
3. The Platinum Card from American Express
Coming in third is The Platinum Card from American Express, which is the best card on the market for purchasing airfare. At $550, the annual fee is steep, but if you take advantage of everything the card has to offer, it's absolutely worth the price. With this card, you'll earn five points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or Amex Travel (as well as prepaid hotels purchased through Amex Travel), and you can transfer your Membership Rewards points earned with this card to Amex's 20 airline and hotel partners. Travel will also be made way easier (and much more luxurious) with its rebate for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, and in addition to Priority Pass Select lounge access, this card will get you Centurion Lounge access and Delta Sky Club access when you're flying Delta.
Other benefits include a $200 annual airline rebate for incidental fees, up to $200 in annual Uber credits, a newly added $100 credit at Saks Fifth Avenue, and complimentary Hilton Honors Gold and SPG Gold status. Spend $5,000 in the first three months and you'll also get 60,000 Membership Rewards points (and earn an extra 25,000 points after you spend an additional $10,000 in the first three months).
4. Citi Prestige
Even if you don't travel frequently, the Citi Prestige more than pays for itself in its first year, despite its $450 annual fee. With this card, you'll earn five points per dollar on all air travel and restaurant spending, and three points per dollar on hotel and cruise-line bookings. Citi will reimburse you $250 annually for travel-related purchases, and you'll also get Priority Pass Select lounge access and a credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. Citi understands that travel doesn't always go according to plan, so they give you up to $500 for expenses for flights delayed over six hours, as well as the same credit for baggage delayed over six hours.
The most valuable perk of the Citi Prestige, however, is the fourth-night-free benefit: Citi will pay for the fourth night of your stay at virtually any hotel when booking through ThankYou.com or the Citi Prestige Concierge. When you sign up and spend $4,000 in the first three months, you'll receive 50,000 ThankYou Rewards points, and those points can be transferred to 15 airline partners or redeemed for airfare and hotels through Citi's travel portal.
5. Chase Sapphire Preferred
If you're skeptical of an expensive annual fee, this card may be the one for you. At only $95 a year (which will be waived your first year!), the Chase Sapphire Preferred will get you two points per dollar on travel and dining, as well as the ability to transfer points to 13 different travel partners. You'll also receive primary auto rental insurance, trip cancellation coverage, and no foreign transaction fees, which will definitely come in handy during international travel. This card allows you to redeem points directly through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal at a rate of 1.25 cents apiece, and - best of all - if you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months, you'll get 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points, which is the same bonus as the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
mercredi 3 avril 2019
Calling All Adventurers! These Are the 5 Best Credit Cards For Travel Miles
Every traveler is different. Some like to indulge in great meals and save on hotels, while others would be willing to live on granola bars if it will get them a bed in a five-star hotel. Some would fly across the world in coach, while others would spend every penny they have to experience the Singapore Suites on Singapore Airlines. Credit cards have tons of travel benefits, and no matter your travel style, there's a card that can help you save on your next adventure. Here are this year's five best cards for those who love to travel.
1. Chase Sapphire Reserve
Don't be intimidated by the $450 annual fee on this one, because the Chase Sapphire Reserve practically pays for itself, as long as you take full advantage of its benefits. Besides the $300 annual travel credit (which can be applied towards almost any travel-related expense), you'll also earn three points per dollar on travel and dining. If you've always wanted to travel in style, this card gives you Priority Pass Select lounge access (which includes over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide), as well as a credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
Other benefits include no foreign transaction fees, trip cancellation coverage, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, primary car rental insurance, and the ability to redeem points directly through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal at a rate of 1.5 cents apiece. The best part: if you spend at least $4,000 within the first three months of signing up, you'll receive 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points.
2. American Express Gold
Though the American Express Gold is the best card for dining (as it earns four points per dollar at grocery stores and restaurants, as well as $10 in monthly credit when you use the Gold card at dining partners), it also has plenty of travel benefits to offer. As well as a $100 annual airline fee credit, you'll earn three points per dollar on flights booked directly with airline or Amex Travel. Though this one also has an expensive annual fee at $250, it's worth your investment if you spend $2,000 in the first three months, which earns you 35,000 Membership Rewards points.
3. The Platinum Card from American Express
Coming in third is The Platinum Card from American Express, which is the best card on the market for purchasing airfare. At $550, the annual fee is steep, but if you take advantage of everything the card has to offer, it's absolutely worth the price. With this card, you'll earn five points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or Amex Travel (as well as prepaid hotels purchased through Amex Travel), and you can transfer your Membership Rewards points earned with this card to Amex's 20 airline and hotel partners. Travel will also be made way easier (and much more luxurious) with its rebate for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, and in addition to Priority Pass Select lounge access, this card will get you Centurion Lounge access and Delta Sky Club access when you're flying Delta.
Other benefits include a $200 annual airline rebate for incidental fees, up to $200 in annual Uber credits, a newly added $100 credit at Saks Fifth Avenue, and complimentary Hilton Honors Gold and SPG Gold status. Spend $5,000 in the first three months and you'll also get 60,000 Membership Rewards points (and earn an extra 25,000 points after you spend an additional $10,000 in the first three months).
4. Citi Prestige
Even if you don't travel frequently, the Citi Prestige more than pays for itself in its first year, despite its $450 annual fee. With this card, you'll earn five points per dollar on all air travel and restaurant spending, and three points per dollar on hotel and cruise-line bookings. Citi will reimburse you $250 annually for travel-related purchases, and you'll also get Priority Pass Select lounge access and a credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. Citi understands that travel doesn't always go according to plan, so they give you up to $500 for expenses for flights delayed over six hours, as well as the same credit for baggage delayed over six hours.
The most valuable perk of the Citi Prestige, however, is the fourth-night-free benefit: Citi will pay for the fourth night of your stay at virtually any hotel when booking through ThankYou.com or the Citi Prestige Concierge. When you sign up and spend $4,000 in the first three months, you'll receive 50,000 ThankYou Rewards points, and those points can be transferred to 15 airline partners or redeemed for airfare and hotels through Citi's travel portal.
5. Chase Sapphire Preferred
If you're skeptical of an expensive annual fee, this card may be the one for you. At only $95 a year (which will be waived your first year!), the Chase Sapphire Preferred will get you two points per dollar on travel and dining, as well as the ability to transfer points to 13 different travel partners. You'll also receive primary auto rental insurance, trip cancellation coverage, and no foreign transaction fees, which will definitely come in handy during international travel. This card allows you to redeem points directly through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal at a rate of 1.25 cents apiece, and - best of all - if you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months, you'll get 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points, which is the same bonus as the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
mercredi 23 août 2017
Cheap Flight Day Is Almost Here - Here's What You Need to Know About It
Wouldn't it be amazing if there was one magical day where flights were inexplicably cheaper than usual? Well, that day pretty much exists, and it's not all that inexplicable why. Cheap Flight Day is said to be Aug. 23 of this year, and there are some reports that certain airlines will drop their prices up to 10-20 percent.
While there are certainly skeptics out there about whether this sweet spot for buying plane tickets is too good to be true, and while there may not be a true science to it, it's definitely a fact that late August/early September is the end of Summer travel. This could play a huge role in the cost of flights, meaning you may be able to snag significantly lower fares around this time. Though the dates may range, it'd be wise to check out prices for future travel in the near future - particularly between Aug. 21-23.
We spoke with travel expert Sanjay Hathiramani, global SVP of supplier relations for online travel agency CheapOair, about Cheap Flight Day, and he gave us the details on when the best time is to purchase flights if you want to save major money.
Why will airfares drop starting at the end of August?
"As Summer quickly comes to a close, so does the busiest time of the year for travel," Hathiramani said. "Kids are back to school, the weather starts to cool down, and people are gearing up for the holidays. As the demand for airfare decreases, so do the fares." This means if you're already planning holiday travel, it may be a good time to jump on travel deals!
What does this date means for travelers as we head into this off-peak, shoulder season of travel?
The Aug. 23 date basically just marks the end of peak travel season. "These fares are going to drop, and remain low well into the Fall season," Hathiramani said. "They'll stay low until the holiday season, when the demand will increase. Now is the time for travelers to search and find bargain deals for Thanksgiving and December holidays."
What are the best days of that week to book your cheap airfare?
Not only did Hathiramani have tips for cheap travel, but he also offered insight into what days are best for buying the cheapest plane tickets you can. "Traditionally Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the peak booking days," he said. "However, as airlines introduce short-term specials, Friday through Sunday would be a good time to look for bargain airfares."
On average, how much will airfare be dropping?
A lot! Average prices for popular travel destinations are expected to decrease around 30 percent for international travel and about 14 percent for domestic travel. "This is especially an ideal time for purchasing long haul and international flights, as those will yield more bargains over shorter, domestic flights," Hathiramani said.
How long will these low prices remain available to consumers?
If you're planning international travel, fares will remain low through the Fall season and into early December. The fares will then increase due to the holiday travel period. Domestic fares are expected to remain low through a week or less prior to Thanksgiving.
How can travelers find the lowest fares when searching?
"Once these fares drop, act as soon as you can," Hathiramani said. "The best advice for finding the best fares is booking as soon as you can in advance of your trip. Being flexible with your travel dates also helps in the end as well. For example, if you are able to fly out on a Thursday, rather than the more popular day, Friday. And, if you can go home on a Monday, rather than a Sunday. Utilizing search sites like CheapOair and others also helps a lot, because this allows you to compare prices across the board and find the best fare and fit for your travel needs. Signing up for newsletter alerts and searching on meta search sites helps too."
mardi 20 février 2018
Forget Grad School - Millennials Are Making Travel the "New Master's Degree"
If it seems like your Instagram feed is saturated with other people's vacation photos, you're not alone. Many of us are green with envy at every cocktail raised against a white-sanded backdrop and equally guilty of posting "candid" shots of ourselves admiring landmarks. With geo-tagged photos becoming the new postcard, our wanderlust is only fueled with every scroll. Not so surprisingly, Booking.com's global research highlights found that one in three 18- to 34-year-olds admit that "they travel more and try more first-time travel experiences so they can post new pictures on their social media."
Despite this disappointing statistic, consider that only half of all millennial travel is purely for leisure. A 2016 study found that about 50 percent of millennial travelers are globe-hopping after high school and college for other reasons: to pursue higher education, volunteer, and study language. While international travel certainly isn't accessible to all, many millennials make financial and personal sacrifices as a tradeoff for new experiences. Gone are the days when the postuniversity track was either heading straight into the workforce or continuing your education at grad school. Now, a number of millennials - who we're dubbing the "travel generation" - have found a way to build travel into their career paths.
Meet Kristina Choi, 27, and Desiree Anderson, 24: two millennials who've fully taken advantage of travel opportunities and benefited from their experiences in more ways than one.
Furthering Education on Another ContinentChoi, who's now a management consultant, killed two birds with one stone by earning her master's degree abroad. Though she didn't travel straight out of college, she did study abroad in Bristol, England, for a semester during her junior year in 2012. After graduating with an English degree and working in public relations for about three years, Choi decided to quit her job to go to grad school - overseas.
Though she applied to a few MBA programs in the US, Choi said, "My priority was to attend a school in London for three main reasons: master's programs are cheaper in the UK than in the US, they are shorter (mine was 12 months), and I would have the chance to live abroad again. I loved my experience of studying abroad during college and knew that I would gain so much more than a degree by moving abroad."
In September 2016, she relocated to London to study at University College London (UCL) for its Master of Science (MSc) in Management program and completed her degree in a year before moving back to the States - all of which she documented on her YouTube channel. Within that time, Choi was able to visit 10 countries outside of England: France, Germany, Slovenia, Croatia, Portugal, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, and Scotland.
"All of the cool kids on Instagram today have shifted from posting pictures of their new handbag to posting pictures of their awesome ziplining experience."Expedia's recent multigenerational travel study discovered an overall shift to prioritizing experiences over material possessions, which could align with the surge in millennial travelers. In that same study, the travel company learned that 65 percent of millennials are currently saving for travel and nearly half would sell their belongings to fund a trip.
"If you remember Sex and the City, which was very Gen X, you'll remember it was pretty focused on 'stuff' - your new pair of shoes, your fancy new dress," Sarah Gavin, vice president of Expedia Inc. global communications, told POPSUGAR via email. "Flash forward and all of the cool kids on Instagram today have shifted from posting pictures of their new handbag to posting pictures of their awesome ziplining experience."
Fortunately, Choi didn't have to give up her possessions. Instead, she calculated exactly how much to save from each paycheck to cover the costs of grad school, visa fees, living expenses, etc. prior to moving. "I was fortunate enough to live with my parents [back home in Los Angeles after college] and saved even more money that way," she said. "I ended up saving enough money to pay for my tuition and dorm, as well as most of my other living expenses before going abroad." Getting a part-time job in London for about six months also provided extra income and travel money.
When I asked Choi over email what traveling had offered that an immediate career path couldn't, she explained that returning to school and living in London provided a stronger global perspective and network, which helped her jump into her next job.
"While I was taking a break from work, I still used so many skills important in the workforce while I lived and traveled abroad," she said. "Traveling requires good time management, budgeting, and especially the ability to deal with different types of people - all while seeing and experiencing beautiful places in the world."
In addition to making friends and memories in the most picturesque places, Choi was also able to challenge her independence, overcome communication barriers, appreciate various cultures and backgrounds, and learn to better deal with unexpected changes.
"Every person has a story, and I think my unconventional path towards my current career helps me stand out and adds to my story," Choi said. "Yes, I probably could have become a consultant much more quickly if I had majored in business as an undergrad and pursued that career immediately, but the experiences I've had up to this point make my work that much more valuable."
"Every person has a story, and I think my unconventional path towards my current career helps me stand out and adds to my story."
Bucket List Over Law SchoolAnderson, who has spent two years working as a legal assistant at an intellectual property law firm, has similarly reaped the benefits of her worldly adventures. After graduating from UC Berkeley in May 2015, Anderson watched many of her peers take off on their international gap year. But paying off students loans and being freshly out of school limited her to local experiences instead.
Rather than traverse the globe, Anderson decided to travel around the US while applying to jobs at law firms. "Traveling that extensively just wasn't in the cards for me, which is why I place an importance on smaller local trips that will still give me that revitalized feeling," she said via email.
Working part-time jobs throughout college, never dipping into her savings (unless for emergencies), and being smart about expenses allowed Anderson to be self-sufficient postgraduation. She also hunted for cheap flights using tools like Skyscanner, Hopper, and other airline apps.
In those five months before landing her current position, she embarked on a multiday backpacking trip through the Narrows in Utah, earned her open-water and advanced scuba certification, and more.
Anderson's original plan was to gain a year of work experience at her firm while studying for the LSAT. Although she didn't intend to stay at the firm for as long as she has, after taking the LSAT, she came to the conclusion that law school would always be there. With the travel bug still kicking since her senior year at the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG), Anderson decided to put her higher education on hold and, instead, use her extra income to cross destinations off her bucket list.
"What I don't want to miss out on is my youth - the blessing of being young, able-bodied, and not having any true restrictions or responsibilities," she told POPSUGAR.
Anderson has since visited 12 countries (with her upcoming Thailand trip to be number 13), including 20 states and counting.
The largest student and youth travel company, STA Travel, has also noticed a trend in "more experiential, authentic adventures" among the more than two million travelers it assists each year, most of whom are between 18 and 35.
"It makes sense, as student and youth travelers nowadays are more likely to invest in experiences than things, and so the travel industry has responded," Tiffany Harrison, senior marketing manager at STA Travel, told POPSUGAR over email. "Many post-grads nowadays are already considering traveling before jumpstarting their careers."
Even with a 9-to-5 job and 10 paid vacation days a year, Anderson still makes it a priority to travel - even if that means taking a red-eye on a Friday and flying back Sunday evening. On top of taking advantage of paid holidays, she makes the most of her weekends checking off new cities within the States.
Though Anderson's job allows her to support herself, the real reason she's able to travel so often is all thanks to her cutting out expenses wherever possible. She cooks meals at home, drinks her office's free coffee, and spends her hard-earned money on round-trip tickets in lieu of trendy accessories and beauty services.
"No one is going to care what your $40-gel manicure looks like when you post a photo of you standing in front of the Eiffel tower," Anderson said. "If you do spend your money on these things, just understand that you're putting off your travels in exchange."
The one exception, however, are accommodations that are culturally unique to that country she's traveling in. In Japan, for example, Anderson allowed herself to splurge a little on her stays at multiple capsule hotels and a traditional ryokan. Otherwise, she prefers hostels all the way.
Anderson's passport has become just as important as her résumé. In addition to feeling personally enriched, her global experiences have translated to the workplace, as well.
"In college, if I could get through a semester without the professor knowing my name and sitting in the back of the classroom, I counted that as a success," Anderson said. "Even though formal education has given me the knowledge and opportunities to attain better careers, no company would hire me if I had the same attitude and behavior in an interview that I had in the classroom. Traveling, and more specifically traveling alone, has allowed me to interact with people of different ages, languages, and nationalities, and find common ground."
Despite graduating from UC Berkeley (as did Choi), the world's No. 1 public university, Anderson argues that the real-world education she received during her travels has been far more valuable.
"Traveling before settling down into a serious career has given me the ability to learn about myself as well as the world around me," she said. "Traveling has allowed me to learn about worlds different than my own, whether I'm underwater diving the Silfra Fissure in Iceland, trekking through mountain ranges of Alaska and warding off grizzly bears, or shopping in the souks of Morocco. Through my travels I've learned about different cultures, animals, ecosystems, traditions, etc., which are all things no classroom or desk job could teach you. Traveling has given me the opportunity to learn about the deepest parts of my personality when faced with new challenges and taught me that I am a lot more capable than I believed I could be. I can honestly say that traveling has shaped who I am entirely."
"Traveling has given me the opportunity to learn about the deepest parts of my personality when faced with new challenges and taught me that I am a lot more capable than I believed I could be."However, it's also important to note that there are best practices when using your personal travels to your professional advantage. Lauren McGoodwin, founder and CEO of female-powered career site Career Contessa and a former university recruiter at Hulu, says it all depends on how you market your experiences.
"If while traveling, they had remarkable volunteer opportunities or were able to hone a skill that's relevant to the job, that would be really great - but they would have to market it to the interviewer," McGoodwin said via email. "For example, if you were applying to an event planning job, or had to explain how you are detail-oriented, you could utilize your vacation-planning expertise to explain how you fit those qualifications."
Rather than listing "travel" on your résumé, McGoodwin recommends tying your travel experiences into your cover letter to make specific connections to the role or company you're applying for. Your story may also be a way to connect with your interviewer or to explain a gap between jobs. But on a personal level, McGoodwin believes that travel can be incredibly valuable.
"Taking trips also allows you the opportunity to reach out to people in your network that you wouldn't normally have the chance to meet up with for an informational interview," she said. "So adding travel to your mental resume - I'm a total advocate of."
The benefits of traveling, especially for millennials, are unparalleled. Global travel company Contiki released a recent study, The Power of Travel, which was advised by leading psychologist Adam Galinsky, PhD, Columbia Business School. It found travel to have an overwhelmingly positive impact on 3,000 18- to 35-year-old travelers and nontravelers around the world, from their careers to their self-confidence.
And it makes sense. When you travel, you're quite literally out of your comfort zone when navigating a foreign place, which forces you to gain a sense of awareness, think outside the box, solve problems, face challenges, and learn to be open-minded. Sure, a diploma can absolutely be critical to achieving professional success. But pushing both your personal and geographical boundaries for new experiences? Now that's the secret to schoolin' life, as Beyoncé would say.
"Academic experience is certainly valuable, but travel adds a whole other element," said Gavin from Expedia. "It has the power to break down barriers, expose different cultures and change the way we see the world, which ultimately enhances your educational experience!"
samedi 26 mai 2018
Forget Grad School - Millennials Are Making Travel the "New Master's Degree"
If it seems like your Instagram feed is saturated with other people's vacation photos, you're not alone. Many of us are green with envy at every cocktail raised against a white-sanded backdrop and equally guilty of posting "candid" shots of ourselves admiring landmarks. With geo-tagged photos becoming the new postcard, our wanderlust is only fueled with every scroll. Not so surprisingly, Booking.com's global research highlights found that one in three 18- to 34-year-olds admit that "they travel more and try more first-time travel experiences so they can post new pictures on their social media."
Despite this disappointing statistic, consider that only half of all millennial travel is purely for leisure. A 2016 study found that about 50 percent of millennial travelers are globe-hopping after high school and college for other reasons: to pursue higher education, volunteer, and study language. While international travel certainly isn't accessible to all, many millennials make financial and personal sacrifices as a tradeoff for new experiences. Gone are the days when the postuniversity track was either heading straight into the workforce or continuing your education at grad school. Now, a number of millennials - who we're dubbing the "travel generation" - have found a way to build travel into their career paths.
Meet Kristina Choi, 27, and Desiree Anderson, 24: two millennials who've fully taken advantage of travel opportunities and benefited from their experiences in more ways than one.
Furthering Education on Another ContinentChoi, who's now a management consultant, killed two birds with one stone by earning her master's degree abroad. Though she didn't travel straight out of college, she did study abroad in Bristol, England, for a semester during her junior year in 2012. After graduating with an English degree and working in public relations for about three years, Choi decided to quit her job to go to grad school - overseas.
Though she applied to a few MBA programs in the US, Choi said, "My priority was to attend a school in London for three main reasons: master's programs are cheaper in the UK than in the US, they are shorter (mine was 12 months), and I would have the chance to live abroad again. I loved my experience of studying abroad during college and knew that I would gain so much more than a degree by moving abroad."
In September 2016, she relocated to London to study at University College London (UCL) for its Master of Science (MSc) in Management program and completed her degree in a year before moving back to the States - all of which she documented on her YouTube channel. Within that time, Choi was able to visit 10 countries outside of England: France, Germany, Slovenia, Croatia, Portugal, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, and Scotland.
"All of the cool kids on Instagram today have shifted from posting pictures of their new handbag to posting pictures of their awesome ziplining experience."Expedia's recent multigenerational travel study discovered an overall shift to prioritizing experiences over material possessions, which could align with the surge in millennial travelers. In that same study, the travel company learned that 65 percent of millennials are currently saving for travel and nearly half would sell their belongings to fund a trip.
"If you remember Sex and the City, which was very Gen X, you'll remember it was pretty focused on 'stuff' - your new pair of shoes, your fancy new dress," Sarah Gavin, vice president of Expedia Inc. global communications, told POPSUGAR via email. "Flash forward and all of the cool kids on Instagram today have shifted from posting pictures of their new handbag to posting pictures of their awesome ziplining experience."
Fortunately, Choi didn't have to give up her possessions. Instead, she calculated exactly how much to save from each paycheck to cover the costs of grad school, visa fees, living expenses, etc. prior to moving. "I was fortunate enough to live with my parents [back home in Los Angeles after college] and saved even more money that way," she said. "I ended up saving enough money to pay for my tuition and dorm, as well as most of my other living expenses before going abroad." Getting a part-time job in London for about six months also provided extra income and travel money.
When I asked Choi over email what traveling had offered that an immediate career path couldn't, she explained that returning to school and living in London provided a stronger global perspective and network, which helped her jump into her next job.
"While I was taking a break from work, I still used so many skills important in the workforce while I lived and traveled abroad," she said. "Traveling requires good time management, budgeting, and especially the ability to deal with different types of people - all while seeing and experiencing beautiful places in the world."
In addition to making friends and memories in the most picturesque places, Choi was also able to challenge her independence, overcome communication barriers, appreciate various cultures and backgrounds, and learn to better deal with unexpected changes.
"Every person has a story, and I think my unconventional path towards my current career helps me stand out and adds to my story," Choi said. "Yes, I probably could have become a consultant much more quickly if I had majored in business as an undergrad and pursued that career immediately, but the experiences I've had up to this point make my work that much more valuable."
"Every person has a story, and I think my unconventional path towards my current career helps me stand out and adds to my story."
Bucket List Over Law SchoolAnderson, who has spent two years working as a legal assistant at an intellectual property law firm, has similarly reaped the benefits of her worldly adventures. After graduating from UC Berkeley in May 2015, Anderson watched many of her peers take off on their international gap year. But paying off students loans and being freshly out of school limited her to local experiences instead.
Rather than traverse the globe, Anderson decided to travel around the US while applying to jobs at law firms. "Traveling that extensively just wasn't in the cards for me, which is why I place an importance on smaller local trips that will still give me that revitalized feeling," she said via email.
Working part-time jobs throughout college, never dipping into her savings (unless for emergencies), and being smart about expenses allowed Anderson to be self-sufficient postgraduation. She also hunted for cheap flights using tools like Skyscanner, Hopper, and other airline apps.
In those five months before landing her current position, she embarked on a multiday backpacking trip through the Narrows in Utah, earned her open-water and advanced scuba certification, and more.
Anderson's original plan was to gain a year of work experience at her firm while studying for the LSAT. Although she didn't intend to stay at the firm for as long as she has, after taking the LSAT, she came to the conclusion that law school would always be there. With the travel bug still kicking since her senior year at the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG), Anderson decided to put her higher education on hold and, instead, use her extra income to cross destinations off her bucket list.
"What I don't want to miss out on is my youth - the blessing of being young, able-bodied, and not having any true restrictions or responsibilities," she told POPSUGAR.
Anderson has since visited 12 countries (with her upcoming Thailand trip to be number 13), including 20 states and counting.
The largest student and youth travel company, STA Travel, has also noticed a trend in "more experiential, authentic adventures" among the more than two million travelers it assists each year, most of whom are between 18 and 35.
"It makes sense, as student and youth travelers nowadays are more likely to invest in experiences than things, and so the travel industry has responded," Tiffany Harrison, senior marketing manager at STA Travel, told POPSUGAR over email. "Many post-grads nowadays are already considering traveling before jumpstarting their careers."
Even with a 9-to-5 job and 10 paid vacation days a year, Anderson still makes it a priority to travel - even if that means taking a red-eye on a Friday and flying back Sunday evening. On top of taking advantage of paid holidays, she makes the most of her weekends checking off new cities within the States.
Though Anderson's job allows her to support herself, the real reason she's able to travel so often is all thanks to her cutting out expenses wherever possible. She cooks meals at home, drinks her office's free coffee, and spends her hard-earned money on round-trip tickets in lieu of trendy accessories and beauty services.
"No one is going to care what your $40-gel manicure looks like when you post a photo of you standing in front of the Eiffel tower," Anderson said. "If you do spend your money on these things, just understand that you're putting off your travels in exchange."
The one exception, however, are accommodations that are culturally unique to that country she's traveling in. In Japan, for example, Anderson allowed herself to splurge a little on her stays at multiple capsule hotels and a traditional ryokan. Otherwise, she prefers hostels all the way.
Anderson's passport has become just as important as her résumé. In addition to feeling personally enriched, her global experiences have translated to the workplace, as well.
"In college, if I could get through a semester without the professor knowing my name and sitting in the back of the classroom, I counted that as a success," Anderson said. "Even though formal education has given me the knowledge and opportunities to attain better careers, no company would hire me if I had the same attitude and behavior in an interview that I had in the classroom. Traveling, and more specifically traveling alone, has allowed me to interact with people of different ages, languages, and nationalities, and find common ground."
Despite graduating from UC Berkeley (as did Choi), the world's No. 1 public university, Anderson argues that the real-world education she received during her travels has been far more valuable.
"Traveling before settling down into a serious career has given me the ability to learn about myself as well as the world around me," she said. "Traveling has allowed me to learn about worlds different than my own, whether I'm underwater diving the Silfra Fissure in Iceland, trekking through mountain ranges of Alaska and warding off grizzly bears, or shopping in the souks of Morocco. Through my travels I've learned about different cultures, animals, ecosystems, traditions, etc., which are all things no classroom or desk job could teach you. Traveling has given me the opportunity to learn about the deepest parts of my personality when faced with new challenges and taught me that I am a lot more capable than I believed I could be. I can honestly say that traveling has shaped who I am entirely."
"Traveling has given me the opportunity to learn about the deepest parts of my personality when faced with new challenges and taught me that I am a lot more capable than I believed I could be."However, it's also important to note that there are best practices when using your personal travels to your professional advantage. Lauren McGoodwin, founder and CEO of female-powered career site Career Contessa and a former university recruiter at Hulu, says it all depends on how you market your experiences.
"If while traveling, they had remarkable volunteer opportunities or were able to hone a skill that's relevant to the job, that would be really great - but they would have to market it to the interviewer," McGoodwin said via email. "For example, if you were applying to an event planning job, or had to explain how you are detail-oriented, you could utilize your vacation-planning expertise to explain how you fit those qualifications."
Rather than listing "travel" on your résumé, McGoodwin recommends tying your travel experiences into your cover letter to make specific connections to the role or company you're applying for. Your story may also be a way to connect with your interviewer or to explain a gap between jobs. But on a personal level, McGoodwin believes that travel can be incredibly valuable.
"Taking trips also allows you the opportunity to reach out to people in your network that you wouldn't normally have the chance to meet up with for an informational interview," she said. "So adding travel to your mental resume - I'm a total advocate of."
The benefits of traveling, especially for millennials, are unparalleled. Global travel company Contiki released a recent study, The Power of Travel, which was advised by leading psychologist Adam Galinsky, PhD, Columbia Business School. It found travel to have an overwhelmingly positive impact on 3,000 18- to 35-year-old travelers and nontravelers around the world, from their careers to their self-confidence.
And it makes sense. When you travel, you're quite literally out of your comfort zone when navigating a foreign place, which forces you to gain a sense of awareness, think outside the box, solve problems, face challenges, and learn to be open-minded. Sure, a diploma can absolutely be critical to achieving professional success. But pushing both your personal and geographical boundaries for new experiences? Now that's the secret to schoolin' life, as Beyoncé would say.
"Academic experience is certainly valuable, but travel adds a whole other element," said Gavin from Expedia. "It has the power to break down barriers, expose different cultures and change the way we see the world, which ultimately enhances your educational experience!"
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