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Jan 23, 2025 | 
thriftytraveler.com | Kyle Potter |Allie Johnson
For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to fly Virgin Atlantic Upper Class. The bold, British airline has set itself apart from the rest of the airline industry by doing things … well, differently. How many other carriers will actually encourage you to steal the salt shakers on board or give you a free haircut at their signature business class lounge? Well, they used to, anyway.
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Jan 22, 2025 | 
thriftytraveler.com | Kyle Potter |Allie Johnson
If you're heading out of town and don't want to deal with your home mailbox stuffed full, there's a solution: USPS will hold your mail while you're gone for free!The United States Postal Service will hold all your mail for up to 30 days. USPS hold mail is a critical part of my checklist before international – or even domestic – travel. But after introducing some new identity verification procedures a few years back, things have changed with the mail holding service.
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Jan 21, 2025 | 
thriftytraveler.com | Gunnar Olson |Allie Johnson
It may be Dry January for some travelers, but an unprecedented flurry of mistake fares and business class deals already in 2025 makes me think the airlines might be drunk.
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Jan 21, 2025 | 
thriftytraveler.com | Gunnar Olson |Allie Johnson
I've never felt fancier in an airport than I did hanging out in Cathay Pacific's “The Pier” First Class Lounge when I flew through Hong Kong (HKG) on a recent trip to Southeast Asia. The first class experience in Hong Kong was like nothing I'd every experienced in an airport. From the second I walked up to the lounge, I was greeted by a friendly staff-member who offered me butler-like service during my four-hour stay in the club.
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Jan 20, 2025 | 
thriftytraveler.com | Long Tran |Allie Johnson
I don't know about you, but I sure didn't grow up staying at five-star resorts on family vacations. But hotel points, free night certificates and travel credits have made it possible for me – and my Thrifty Traveler colleagues – to stay at top-tier luxury hotels we wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford. And we help others do the same. In 2024, we officially launched Hotel Alerts – a brand-new add-on to our Thrifty Traveler Premium flight deal alert service.
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Jan 17, 2025 | 
thriftytraveler.com | Kyle Potter |Allie Johnson
We've been saying it for years, and we're hardly alone here: Hyatt is the best hotel rewards program, bar none. It's practically gospel in the wide world of all things travel, points, and miles: Hyatt, Hyatt, Hyatt. With nightly rates as low as 3,500 points and $4,000-plus resorts bookable for 45,000 points or less, how could you top that? Over the last year, Hilton has entered the chat.
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Jan 16, 2025 | 
thriftytraveler.com | Gunnar Olson |Allie Johnson
Every year, Thrifty Traveler picks a city and meets up for our annual team retreat. This year's destination: the vibrant, coastal city of Charleston, South Carolina. The lovely southern city hosted our group fir three short, packed days under the South Carolina sun. Organized by the Thrifty Traveler co-founders, we all look forward to our annual team retreat that brings together a team that lives across five U.S. states on both coasts and in the Upper Midwest.
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Jan 16, 2025 | 
thriftytraveler.com | Kyle Potter |Allie Johnson
It's the question that pains every traveler when booking flights: “Sure, I could book at this price now … but what if fares drop afterward?” Google Flights might have the solution: Cutting you a refund if prices drop after you book!The web giant calls it Google Flights Price Guarantee.
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Jan 15, 2025 | 
thriftytraveler.com | Kyle Potter |Allie Johnson
Delta finally got into the exclusive business class lounge game in 2024, already with three locations and counting. But the Delta One Lounge at its New York City (JFK) hub is the crown jewel of them all. And the airline has undeniably upped the ante. For starters, it's not just massive (like 40,000 square feet massive) but beautiful too, with high-end decor that makes even the spiffiest new Sky Clubs look drab in comparison.
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Jan 14, 2025 | 
thriftytraveler.com | Gunnar Olson |Allie Johnson
You get what you pay for at the Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour: A lot. Perched in one of the most scenic and intimate coves in the Caribbean, this lush and secluded Park Hyatt has everything you could want or need without feeling big or busy. After three nights, I never wanted to leave the Park Hyatt St. Kitts – but I couldn't afford to stay another day.
