Happy Fall! 🍁 Today's the first day of fall in the Northern Hemisphere! I was today years old when I learned that "during the equinox, everyone from pole to pole gets to enjoy a 12/12 split of day and night." Can you believe it? Our house is now decorated for Halloween 🎃 and we're getting ready for some autumn 🍂 adventures like going to Underwood Family Farms.
✈️ For the third day in a row, it's looking like great day to fly as there are very few cancelations in the U.S. and there are no U.S. airports within the top 25 with the most cancelations.
🌸 Alaska and Hawaiian airlines merger finalized
There's a good amount of travel news this week so I created a Top 10 list towards the bottom of this email. At the top of the list is Alaska Airlines' announcement that their acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines is officially complete. Here's what travelers need to know.
️👮 Arizona woman sentenced to prison for assaulting TSA officer who confiscated her apple juice
One of the stories that didn't make the list but shows that we're finally starting to see some accountability is about an Arizona woman who assaulted a TSA officer at Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport. She grabbed the officer’s hair, forcing the officer’s head down against a baggage screening area table, and punched the officer in the head several times with a closed fist. Here's the rest of the story and how much prison time she was given.
🚢 Cruising the historic cities of the Baltic Sea with Ponant and Smithsonian Journeys
Here's a story from one of our contributors, Veronica Stoddart. This is Veronica's account of cruising the historic cities of the Baltic Sea highlights a unique journey aboard Ponant’s Le Dumont d’Urville, which was enriched by the presence of Lech Wałęsa, the former President of Poland and Solidarity founder. Here's the story
🌎 Travel Trivia Tuesday
This week's Travel Trivia Tuesday question was: What is the smallest state in the U.S. by land area? Scroll down to find the answer. |
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✈️ Today's Travel Outlook 
As of 11:20am PT, there have been only 56 canceled flights to, from or within the United States and 2,319 delayed. Here's a link to the up-to-date stats and a live look at the FAA's National Airspace System Status. Here's what to do during weather delays and flight cancelations.
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🧭 Travel Product of the Week
63% off Duracell 2032 Lithium Battery, 8-Count Pack
Here's a whopping deal you'll want to take advantage of. An 8-count of Duracell 2032 lithium batteries is on sale for 63% off. At the time of this newsletter distribution, the regular price of $23.59 has been discounted to $8.83. Check it out here.
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⚠️ Monday 
California hiker plunges from popular hiking trail in Maui
Last week, the Maui Fire Department reported that personnel were dispatched to help a hiker who had fallen approximately 10 feet onto the rocks below. Here's what happened and how you can stay safe hiking, no matter where you are in the world.
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💰 Tuesday 
Act fast: JetBlue offering 40 airfares under $40 and Air Canada discounting fares by 25%
Both JetBlue and Air Canada are offering travelers significant savings on airfares but you'll have to act fast if you want to take advantage of the deals. Here are all the details.
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🛂 Wednesday 
U.S. citizens can now renew passports online
Great news for Americans with an expired or soon-to-be expired passport. Last year, the U.S. State Department launched a pilot program to allow U.S. citizens to renew their passports online. It was a huge success and in June, they expanded it. Here's what you need to know.
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💸 Thursday 
What?! Travelers to Mexico get fined for bringing multiple electronic devices through customs
It is incumbent upon travelers to be aware of local customs rules before entering Mexico, especially with electronics. These regulations, outdated though they may seem, are in fact being enforced and can lead to unexpected fines. Here's what you need to know.
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🚢 Friday 
Influencers leave babies alone in cruise ship cabin and spark outrage after posting about it on social media
A young, Arizona-based couple lit up a social media firestorm after posting about leaving their two very young children alone in their cruise cabin. While it may seem like common sense that this isn't a good idea, it's obviously not to everyone. Here's the story and what parents of young children should do instead.
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🐀 Saturday 
The top 50 most rodent-infested cities in the United States
When I saw that Terminix had just released a study about the most rodent-infested cities in the U.S., I was curious to see if my hometown of L.A. was on the list and what other places that I travel to. Here are the most rodent-infested cities in the U.S.
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💬 TRAVEL QUOTE OF THE DAY “Don't listen to what they say. Go see." ~ Chinese Proverb |
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📺 Travel Videos of the Week 
World renowned cellist treats Southwest passengers to free 36,000-foot concert
You’ve really got to love Southwest Airlines for allowing their flight attendants to be funny, loving and sometimes even risqué when it comes to their PA announcements, their treatment to passengers … and even allowing a passenger to perform a concert at cruising altitude. You don't want to miss the video of this cool experience.
Not again: Air Canada airplane nose smashed by reckless driver
A video clip shows a catering truck smashing the nose of an Air Canada widebody jet, just as the plane was boarding passengers. Watch the video here.
Mouse jumps out of airplane passenger’s meal tray and scurries away, causing aircraft to be diverted
Unfortunately, there's no video of the actual mouse who stars in today's story but it's such a crazy story, I had to share it. And I'm curious: What would you do if this happened to you? Check out the story here.
Angry JetBlue passenger destroys check-in counter and kiosks at JFK in outrageous outburst
The JetBlue check-in counter at JFK was ransacked by a violent passenger demanding to be placed on the next JetBlue flight to Haiti. Watch the video here.
'This is how horror movies start': Video of New York City subway shows why you should never lean against a train door
This scary video of a New York City subway door opening while the train is moving is a sobering reminder why you should never lean against a train door. Watch the video here.
Professional skimboarder attempts to cross a Netherlands canal but does he make it?
Skimboarder Adrien Raza’s bio reads: “A four time European champion skimboarder. Based in the Netherlands and traveling the world to create unique content.” This is exactly what it looks like from his social media feeds. Adrien travels the world and posts videos of himself attempting to skim any body of water that’s feasible. Watch the video here. |
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🌎 Top 10 Travel Stories of the Week 1 Alaska and Hawaiian airlines merger finalized
2 JetBlue to build airport lounges in New York, Boston
3 FAA investigating after Delta passengers report bleeding ears and noses
4 The U.K. will require electronic travel authorization starting Jan. 8.
5 Charlotte Airport opens 10 new gates
6 Boeing to temporarily furlough tens of thousands of employees
7 Delta extends Tel Aviv flight suspension to year-end
8 San Francisco wants Oakland to stop using new airport name
9 Pregnant mom, husband drown on Hawaii vacation, leaving behind their 18-month-old son
10 Passengers stranded on board Swiss river cruise ship in Vienna due to Danube floods
Read it all here as well as the 84 other top travel news stories from this past week! |
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🧵 TRAVEL THREAD OF THE DAY @rickcomeandsee: My number 1 travel rule: never eat at a restaurant you can eat at back home |
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✅ Currency Exchange 🇪🇺 €1 Euro = $1.11 USD
🇬🇧 £1 GBP = $1.33 USD
🇨🇦 $1 CAD = $0.73 USD
🇦🇺 $1 AUD = $0.68 USD
🇲🇽 $1 MXN = $.051 USD
✅ Calendar Countdown 🎃 39 days until Halloween
🦃 67 days until Thanksgiving
🎅 94 days until Christmas
🎊 100 days until New Year's Eve
❤️ 145 days until Valentine's Day |
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💳 Our favorite credit card rewards to earn in 2024
💳 5 reasons why the Bilt Card is worth it
The Bilt World Elite Mastercard continues to be the best way to pay rent with a card as you can earn 1 point per dollar in rent payments without fees. However, if you have a high monthly payment, you can reach the previous $50,000 annual earning cap before year-end. Thankfully, the annual Bilt points cap is being lifted so you can earn more points on rent. Here are 5 of the best reasons the Bilt Card is worth it.
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✅ Travel Trivia Answer 
Travel Trivia Tuesday Question: What is the smallest state in the U.S. by land area?
Answer: According to my high school geography teacher and Wikipedia, Rhode Island is the smallest state, at 1,545 square miles (4,001 kilometers).
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