Author: Sophia Rodriguez
On Tuesday, the nation's largest credit card company reached an agreement with merchants to cut so-called swipe fees that retailers pay to accept credit card payments, potentially saving retailers $30 billion.These fees also fund credit card rewards programs that many travelers redeem for things like free flights and hotel stays, leading hawks to ask, “Are loyalty programs in jeopardy? ” I have doubts.Here's what we know so far about the changes:What are the trading terms?Last year, credit card payments cost merchants an estimated $72 million in fees, which are typically passed on to customers in the form of higher prices.…
Colorful photography inventor Samuel Melo Medeiros and camera and optics veteran Yashica have joined forces to create the Micro Mirrorless Yashica – I'm Back, billed as the world's smallest mirrorless camera. did.The tiny replacement for bulky DSLRs, regular mirrorless cameras, and perhaps the ubiquitous smartphone is currently in the prototype stage and measures just 77 x 50 mm (3 x 1.97 inches) without the lens.Inside its small body, a development partnership has integrated Sony's 12 megapixel 1/2.33-inch type IMX117 CMOS sensor. This means the camera can manage about 1 second of 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160) video recording at 24…
AAA reports gas prices in Delaware have fallen by 3 cents over the past week, even as the Easter travel period approaches. The price Thursday was $3.27, 3 cents lower than a week ago and unchanged from the same period last year. Price leaders Royal Farms and Wawa lowered prices by a few cents a gallon in some areas this week. Average gas prices in Delaware remained about a quarter lower than national pump prices. Sussex County, which has seen an influx of Wawa Farms and Royal Farms stores with gas pumps, has the lowest prices, AAA reports. But this…
CASCADES TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) – Thursday will be one of the busiest spring break days at Gerald R. Ford International Airport as people depart for spring break this weekend. The airport's Heidi Gruenboom said this year's travel season is 16% higher than last year. About 16,000 passengers are expected on Thursday, with about 200,000 expected to arrive over the next 10 days. He said the airport is fully staffed and ready to handle the increased traffic. “We always recommend arriving two hours before your scheduled departure time to find parking, drop off your bags, go through security, find your gate,…
Travel in 2024 is already surging. As the warmer months begin, people's pent-up desire to explore and vacation explodes, and travel demand shows no signs of slowing down. According to his March 2024 survey results from the U.S. Travel Association, air passenger numbers will increase by 6%, foreign visitor numbers will increase by 24%, and 93% of travelers will return within the next six months. I'm planning a trip.The growing desire to get outside and escape is good news for the travel and tourism industry. But as both brands and agencies continue to consider how best to reach travelers in…
I admit it. I'll help you get out of the way so you can board the plane 30 seconds early and get some space in the overhead bin. I'm not bragging, but I'll probably never see them again, and I really hate checking baggage on most flights.I am part of the problem, but I am not alone. The battle for bags continues to heat up. “We travel several times a year, about four times a year, and we find that there is no space to put bags over your head. When people get on a plane, they go to the…
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Many people in West Michigan are halfway through or soon to be on spring break. Maybe he has already taken a week off and is planning a trip during the warmer months.No matter how you plan, it's important to be aware of your expenses both before and during your trip. More than 1 in 10 Americans are planning a spring break trip, according to a survey conducted by financial firm IPX 1031. Exchange rates, hidden fees, and being prepared for peak travel periods are all things to keep in mind when heading to your holiday destination.…
At a time when commercial air travel has been plagued by negative headlines, including safety and mechanical issues, a new generation of companies is racing to enhance public air travel. Multiple efforts are underway to restart supersonic commercial air travel for the first time since the Concorde was grounded more than 20 years ago amid noise and safety concerns. These new efforts are much more advanced and aim to reduce noise, improve safety, and make supersonic travel affordable to the general public. Among the newest entrants to the supersonic market is NASA, which is working with Lockheed Martin to develop…
Can artificial intelligence safely create a travel itinerary for Yellowstone National Park?/Robert PahreYour Artificial Travel Agent For A Yellowstone VacationBy Robert PahreAs a professor, I am on one of the many frontlines in the world of artificial intelligence (AI). Students in my classes have submitted AI-written essays that invent facts about some of your favorite national parks. Those “hallucinations” help me identify cheaters.Those essays got me thinking, however. Would AI serve as a good travel agent for readers of the National Parks Traveler? Because Yellowstone is the world’s most-famous national park, and the park I happen to know best, I…
Pay smartly with your e-wallet at home in Japan (Photo: Business Wire)Transactions using Alipay+ in Japan increased by more than 200% in the first three weeks of March compared to the same period last year.Spending through e-wallets and banking apps from the 16 Alipay+ partners is estimated to account for 10% of total spending by users in Japan.Alipay, AlipayHK, Kakao Pay, Touch 'n Go eWallet, GCash, and TrueMoney are among the most popular e-wallets used by travelers to Japan, while MPay, Naver Pay, and Toss are rapidly increasing in transaction value. Increased has.Alipay+ has worked with more than 40 local…