No question is more divisive among flyers than whether or not to recline your seat on a plane. Either you feel like you should be able to recline fully and everyone else should follow suit to gain space (except the poor person in the last row), or you’re firmly of the opinion that airplane seats are small enough already and no one should recline and take away the limited space of the person behind them. 

Some flyers believe in a middle ground, feeling that reclining should be done only in certain situations—like on a long-haul flight when everyone is sleeping and not on a short flight immediately after takeoff. 

We want to settle this question once and for all by asking SmarterTravel readers:
Do you recline on a plane? 

Stay tuned for the answers, which we’ll share in an upcoming newsletter.

The post Should You Recline Your Seat on an Airplane? appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Making its debut in August 2023, this property isn’t just new to New York City–it’s Hilton’s very first Tempo hotel. The Tempo brand caters to wellness-focused travelers who want to maintain their daily routines while exploring new destinations. While the energetic buzz of Times Square pulses just outside, the hotel offers a peaceful sanctuary for guests seeking a calm retreat from the city’s endless excitement.

The Location

Standing in the heart of Times Square, you can’t miss TSX Broadway, a gleaming 46-story tower that’s a new addition to Manhattan’s skyline. The tower houses retail space, the historic Palace Theatre, and the Tempo Hotel, which occupies 36 floors.

The Tempo has its own entrance on the ground floor at the corner of 47th Street and 7th Avenue, but guests must take an elevator to the 11th floor to reach the lobby. 

This prime location puts guests within walking distance to many famous New York City landmarks, including Broadway Theatre, Rockefeller Center, and Radio City Music Hall. The hotel is within easy reach of a number of different transportation hubs, and both Grand Central Station and Penn Station are under a mile away. 

The Rooms

The Tempo’s guest rooms are remarkably spacious for a central Manhattan hotel, starting at a generous 235 square feet. Each room showcases the city through dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows, while natural light wood tones create a serene sanctuary from the urban energy below.

Rest comes easily on the exclusive Sealy Accelerate mattresses, specially designed for Tempo properties. The unexpectedly roomy bathrooms elevate the experience with full-sized Apotheke amenities and a clever touch—a Bluetooth-enabled mirror speaker perfect for livening up your morning routine. Practical amenities aren’t forgotten, with each room featuring a minifridge for drinks or dining leftovers.

For fitness enthusiasts, nine specially designed Wellness Rooms offer an innovative perk: an in-room Peloton bike positioned by the window, complete with access to the full workout library via flatscreen TV—no subscription needed. These wellness-focused havens also come equipped with yoga mats and resistance bands.

We stayed in one of the 31 coveted Ball Drop corner rooms, offering an unforgettable perspective on Times Square. From this privileged vantage point, you could spy on the famous New Year’s Eve ball and watch the constant theater of street performers and crowds below.

Dining

Need to grab a quick bite on the go? Tempo’s partnership with Bluestone Lane, the renowned Australian-inspired coffee roaster and cafe, is the perfect place to start your day. Their Grab & Go section offers a selection of healthy options, from seasonal salads and artisanal sandwiches to fresh fruit and an array of specialty espresso drinks, teas, and juices.

For a more leisurely dining experience, head to Highball, the hotel’s signature restaurant, which features shareable plates with nods to local dishes, like reimagined New York-style hot dogs and artisanal sliders.

Amenities

It’s no surprise that the star amenity at this wellness-focused hotel is the fitness center, which is open 24/7 for guests. This light-filled room has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, Peloton bikes, an array of cardio and strength equipment, and a filtered water station to refill your water bottle for the day.

Price and How to Book

Room rates start at around $215 per night and can be booked on Expedia.

Editor’s Note: The Hilton Tempo Times Square hosted the author of this story.

The post Tempo by Hilton Times Square Review: A Wellness Hotel in a Coveted Location appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Here are some important facts about the Trusted Traveler programs, from who you can bring with you through expedited screenings to who can cut you in the security line.

Additional reporting by Megan Johnson

You Can’t Bring Your Kids Through With You

Only travelers with Global Entry memberships can go through Global Entry lanes at customs—no exceptions. This means parents/guardians traveling with children cannot bring their kids through with them unless the children have their own Global Entry memberships. 

However, children 12 and under can use TSA PreCheck lanes with an adult with a PreCheck membership. Children aged 13-17 traveling on the same reservation with an enrolled adult can only use the TSA PreCheck lane if they have the TSA PreCheck indicator on their boarding pass.

Global Entry is Free for Children Under 18

Luckily, even though your kids can’t go through Global Entry lines with you, Global Entry is free for children 18 and under as long as their parent or guardian is applying for it or already have it. All applicants must hold a valid US passport and apply separately.

Interviews Upon Arrival are Available

If you can’t find a convenient Global Entry interview appointment, save yourself a trip out to the airport by doing Enrollment on Arrival during your next international trip. 

This program allows Global Entry applicants who are conditionally approved to complete their interviews upon arrival into the United States—no appointment necessary. Simply follow the airport signage to Global Entry after you land. Just remember to bring the required documents that you’ll need for your application (proof of residency and a valid passport.)

Global Entry Only Costs $42 More Than TSA PreCheck

If you’re going to leave the country at all in the next five years, it’s an easy decision to choose a Global Entry membership over TSA PreCheck. 

Global Entry costs $120 for five years, and TSA PreCheck costs $78 for the same time period. A Global Entry membership automatically includes a TSA PreCheck membership, plus offers expedited customs screenings when reentering the United States.

Both programs have a similar application process, and each requires an in-person interview that includes fingerprinting.

The extra $42 for Global Entry is worth it to skip the long customs line after a long international flight!

Military Members Get PreCheck for Free

Active military members can participate in TSA PreCheck for free—no application or enrollment required.

To get the benefits of TSA PreCheck, simply enter your Department of Defense ID number as your Known Traveler Number when buying an airplane ticket, and you should automatically get the TSA PreCheck symbol on your boarding pass.

Unfortunately, military members don’t get Global Entry for free. 

Global Entry Applications Take a Long Time

Want to get a Global Entry membership before your next international trip? Better plan ahead, as according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Global Entry applications are currently taking between 4-6 months to be processed. 

Additionally, appointments for application interviews are often booked up two or more months out at major airports. 

You Don’t Even Need to Show Your Passport With Global Entry

Entering the United States with Global Entry has gotten even faster lately. When the program first launched, flyers had to use a machine to scan their passports and fingerprints in order to be processed. Now, most airports feature kiosks with facial recognition technology, so all you have to do is snap a photo of your face and you’re done. 

You Might Still Get Cut in Line

One of the best parts of having a TSA PreCheck membership is getting to feel smug when you cut all of the regular flyers in line for security. Unfortunately, you might still get cut in line yourself, as CLEAR members get top priority in line.

A CLEAR membership only allows you to skip the security line—if you’re tempted to sign up, just know that you’ll also need to pay for a TSA PreCheck membership if you want screening perks like going through the metal detector instead of the body scanner.

Watch out for Scam Websites

When you’re ready to apply for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, you might just Google the name of the program and sign up through the first link you see.

There are a number of sponsored links that show up first in Google search results for both programs that are not the official application sites.

Only apply for Global Entry through the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection website and TSA PreCheck through the TSA’s website. Remember to look for a URL ending in .gov to make sure you are on a real government website, and not a spoof site pretending to be official. 

The post 9 Surprising Things You Didn’t Know About TSA PreCheck & Global Entry appeared first on SmarterTravel.

After all that, you then have to wait for the State Department to receive your application (which can take up to two weeks depending on where you mail your package from) before the estimated 8-11 week wait time to process and approve your new passport begins.

Fortunately, the US government has embraced technology and as of this week will allow travelers to renew their passports online. A spokesperson for the State Department told SmarterTravel, “Our new online system will save Americans money, time, and effort, making it much more convenient to renew their passports.”

Who Can Renew a Passport Online?

You can renew your passport online if you meet the following conditions:

• Renewing a passport that was valid for 10 years
• Age 25 or older
• Most recent passport was issued over 9 years ago but less than 15 years ago
• People who live in the United States

Who Can’t Renew Their Passport Online?

You will not be eligible to renew your passport online if:

• You’re changing your name, gender, date of birth, or place of birth
• You’re traveling internationally in less than 8 weeks from the date of the application
• You do not have your old passport in your possession (because it was lost or stolen)
• You’re under 25 years old
• Your passport was issued more than 15 years ago
• Your are renewing a passport that was only valid for 5 years (passports issued to minors under 16 years old)

How Much Will Online Passport Renewal Cost?

Online passport renewals will cost the same as standard passport renewals. However, unlike with mailed applications, you can pay any fees with a credit card (and get those credit card miles for travel). You’ll also save money on postage (which can be significant if you want tracking to ensure your package arrived safely).

Where Can I Get Digital Copies of My Passport Photo?

To renew online, applicants must upload their passport photo as a digital file. Photos must be unedited. Scanned photos and selfies will not be accepted. Your digital photo must be:

• Taken within the last six months
• At least 600 x 600 pixels
• In JPEG format
• In color
• No smaller than 54 kilobytes and no larger than 10 megabytes
• High-resolution (see further rules and suggestions regarding image compression on the State Department website) 

Many stores offer passport photo services, but not all will provide a digital copy of the images. CVS will send a digital copy of your passport photo to your email for $3.99 on top of the typical $16.99 passport photo service charge while Walgreens includes a free digital copy in its $16.99 price.

While many people prefer the guarantee that their store-bought photo will meet all government requirements, budget-conscious travelers can also opt to take their own passport photo at home. Check out our how-to guide for the most up-to-date sizing and requirements.

How Do I Submit an Online Passport Application?

Travelers can apply to renew their passport through their MyTravelGov account. To create an account, simply sign up with your personal email, create a password, and choose from the required two-factor authentication options. From there, click on “Renew Your Passport” and complete the application within thirty days of beginning.

Applicants do not need to mail in their old passport but be warned—old passports will be immediately deactivated upon submission. Furthermore, other than skipping the time applications would have spent in the mail before reaching the Processing Center, processing times for online renewal are the same as mail-in applications. Online submission takes the hassle out of applying for a renewal but don’t count on it to shorten your wait time.  

Frequently Asked Questions About Passport Renewal

When should I renew my passport?

Many countries require passports to be valid for at least six months after a traveler’s date of departure from the destination and some also require at least one blank page on the passport for the entry stamp. Even if your passport will be valid for the duration of your trip, it may need to be renewed to meet these requirements. Check the State Department website for information on your destination.

Can I renew my passport card online?

Yes, you can renew a passport book, card, or both online. However, applicants can only renew documents they already have in their possession—they cannot apply for a new document. For example, travelers who only have a passport card but would like to apply for a passport book cannot do so online.

Does my old passport need to be expired to renew my passport?

You can renew your passport before your old passport expires, however your old passport will be immediately deactivated upon submission of the application.

Do I need to renew my passport if I move?

You do not need to renew or update your passport with a change of address if you move.

How long is my passport valid for?

Passports issued to minors under 16 years of age are only valid for 5 years, while passports issued to those over 16 years of age are valid for 10 years. 

Do I need a passport if I have a REAL ID?

Travelers must have a passport to travel internationally. You cannot travel internationally with just the REAL ID. To learn more about the REAL ID and what it can and cannot do, check out our article Everything Travelers Need to Know About the REAL ID Act.

The post Your Questions About Online Passport Renewal, Answered appeared first on SmarterTravel.

These five items are perfectly legal to bring onboard a plane, but they can look suspicious on a scanner, triggering a bag search.

Food

Cheese, sausage, rice, bread, peanut butter—these tasty foods can look similar to explosives on a scanner and cause your bag to be searched. If you’re bringing food that’s dense or paste-like, be sure to send it through the X-ray machine separately to make it easier to screen. 

And remember, anything that is close to a liquid (like peanut butter) can only be packed in a carry-on in quantities of 3.4 ounces or less. 

Powders

Packing large amounts of protein powder, souvenir spices, or baby powder? According to the TSA, “Powder-like substances greater than 12 oz. / 350 mL must be placed in a separate bin for X-ray screening. They may require additional screening and containers may need to be opened.”

The TSA also encourages travelers to pack powders in quantities of more than 12 oz. in checked bags. 

Cords

Disorganized travelers, be careful when you pack your chargers—big clusters of tangled electronic cords can look suspicious during screening. Try to neatly pack your charges and cords separate from one another—you’ll pass through security faster and also be less annoyed trying to detangle everything at your destination. 

Books and Magazines

Concealing a weapon or illegal item inside a hollowed out book is a common trope in movies—but it’s actually based in fact, as X-rays have trouble seeing through thick books or glossy magazines.

According to the TSA, “Books often require additional screening. The TSA officer may ask you to remove them from your carrying case to conduct a physical inspection.” Save time by sending your reading material through the scanner separately, or at least packing them on the top of your bag for easy access. 

Large Quantities of Gels or Liquids

There’s no limit on the amount of gels and liquids you can pack in a checked bag (except for highly flammable hard alcohol), but bringing large quantities of things like toothpaste, sunscreen, or lotions could get your checked bag opened and searched. 

That’s because pastes and liquids, especially in excessive amounts, can look suspiciously close to explosive materials on X-rays. 

The post 5 Surprising Items That Could Get Your Luggage Searched by the TSA appeared first on SmarterTravel.

These small changes to your driving habits, combined with free reward programs, can add up to big savings on gas.

Plan Ahead

Getting lost, backtracking when making multiple stops, and not planning your refueling spot ahead of time—these are all small mistakes that can add up to a big gas bill. Nicole Petersen, a spokesperson for GasBuddy, advises, “Long or unfamiliar trips are the most common time that people waste money on gas, stopping at stations simply for convenience. Things like waiting until the next city over or crossing state lines can save you a lot of money at the pump.”

At home, Ellen Edmonds, Public Relations Manager for the American Automobile Association (AAA) recommends combining errands and getting everything done in one spot or shopping plaza if possible, in order to save on mileage.  

Even if you think you know the way around, mapping out our trip ahead of time (especially if you’re making multiple stops) can help you maximize your fuel economy. 

Increase Your Fuel Efficiency

Going faster might save you time on the road, but it will cost you at the pump. “Fuel economy peaks at around 50 mph on most cars, then drops off as speeds increase, says Edmonds. 

Simply slowing down your highway speeds by 5 to 10 mph can help to increase your vehicle’s fuel economy by as much as 14 percent, according to AAA.  

Pay extra attention to your driving behavior as well. Petersen recommends avoiding “aggressive driving habits like speeding, hard braking and fast acceleration, as they waste gas and can decrease efficiency by up to 40 percent.”

Avoid Idling

At a standstill in traffic? Turn off your engine if it’s safe to do so (and if you’ll be stopped for longer than a minute.) “A car engine consumes one quarter to one-half gallon of fuel per hour when idling, but a warm engine only takes around 10 seconds worth of fuel to restart,” says Edmonds.

Skip Stops and Slowdowns

Some stops are unavoidable, but try to skip any unnecessary stops or slowdowns on the highway. According to AAA, this means:

• Using “fast pass” or “express toll lanes
• Avoiding rush hour when possible
• Monitoring traffic on your route ahead of time and during the trip, and rerouting to a more efficient way as needed

Pass on Premium Gas

Check what type of gas is recommended for our vehicle. If your car only requires regular fuel, splurging for premium will not improve fuel economy and will be a waste of money, warns AAA.

Shop Around for Gas

Plan ahead with your gas stops so you’re not forced to buy extra expensive fuel at the nearest gas station because you’re running on empty. Petersen says GasBuddy typically sees “14-30 cent ranges in gas prices even in small areas.”

There are a few ways you can find out gas prices without driving past stations and checking the signs.

• Search “gas stations” on Google Maps, which displays prices for some stations 
• Use the AAA Mobile App, which shows fuel stops nearby along with gas prices
• Download the GasBuddy app, which displays gas prices on a map

Take Advantage of Loyalty Programs & Gas Cards

Now might be the time to take advantage of those loyalty programs you’ve been avoiding the signs for every time you fill up. These are free programs that give members rewards and discounts on fuel. Some examples include:

• Fuel Rewards, an easy-to-use discount card valid at Shell stations
• GasBuddy, a payment card that can save up to 25 cents per gallon at a number of different gas stations
• BPme Rewards, which gives app users up to 5 cents off every gallon at BP stations
• Exxon Mobile Rewards, simply sign up and then use the app, credit card or just your phone number at the pump to save 3 cents per gallon

Rent a Hybrid Car 

Next time you book a rental car for your travels, choose a hybrid car. These vehicles are usually smaller and cheaper to rent. They also require significantly less gasoline than a regular vehicle, which can result in huge savings on a road trip.

Almost all major rental car companies offer hybrid vehicles, however, most companies specify that the vehicle type “isn’t guaranteed” and you might wind up with a non-hybrid when you arrive.

If you want to guarantee a hybrid rental, try Turo, a car sharing site where you can pick the specific vehicle you want to rent.

The post How to Save Money on Gas: 8 Easy Tricks appeared first on SmarterTravel.

The experts at Google Flights examined historical data for holiday flights over the last four years to determine the optimal time to buy tickets. 

When Should You Buy Flights for Thanksgiving?

According to Google Flights, you should buy Thanksgiving flights in early October. For domestic trips around Thanksgiving, prices have historically been the lowest 45 days before departure, with the cheapest deals around 26-59 days before the holiday. 

When Should You Buy Flights for Christmas?

You’ll want to buy your Christmas flights a bit earlier, as Google Flights found that domestic flights around the holiday have been the cheapest 58 days before departure. The low price range for Christmas travel is 36-72 days out, so you’ll want to lock in your flights before the end of October. 

What is the Best Day of the Week to Book Flights?

If you see a good flight deal, grab it—don’t wait until Tuesday to book it because you’ve heard that’s the best day of the week to purchase flights. Whether you’re buying tickets for the holidays or just for vacation, there’s “not much benefit to buying your tickets on a certain day of the week,” say Google Flights experts. 

Although Tuesday has historically been the cheapest day to book flights, it’s only 1.3 percent cheaper on average than Sunday, the most expensive day to buy travel.

However, the day of the week that you travel on does impact the price of your ticket—during non-holiday periods, you’ll save money by flying on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, which have been 13 percent cheaper than flying on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. With Thanksgiving always on a Thursday and Christmas falling on a Wednesday this year, this trend doesn’t apply to holiday travel.

The Best and Worst Days of the Week to Fly During the Holidays 

If you can be flexible with your holiday travel, try to avoid flying over these dates when travel booking site Hopper predicts that flights will be more expensive and airports are at their most crowded. 

“Departing the week before Thanksgiving or on the Monday ahead of the holiday will save travelers the most,” says Hayley Berg, lead economist at Hopper. “Savvy travelers will save 23 percent or about $60 per ticket by departing on the Thursday before Thanksgiving (11/21) or the Monday of Thanksgiving week (11/25) instead of taking a weekend flight.”

The Best Days to Fly for Thanksgiving

1. Thursday, November 21
2. Monday, November 25
3. Thursday, November 28

The Worst Days to Fly for Thanksgiving

1. Sunday, December 1
2. Saturday, November 30
3. Monday, December 2
4. Wednesday, November 27
5. Saturday, November 23

Berg advises holding off until October to book Christmas flights. According to Hopper, ticket prices for domestic trips are currently averaging $406 per ticket, up four percent from this time last year. However, fares are expected to fall by about $80 until they reach their lowest point in October.

“Departing the week before Christmas or on Christmas Eve or Day will save travelers the most,” says Berg. “Savvy travelers will save 26% or about $100 per ticket by departing on Christmas Eve instead of taking a flight the weekend before the holiday.”

The Best Days to Fly for Christmas

1. Tuesday, December 31
2. Tuesday, December 17
3. Tuesday, December 24

The Worst Days to Fly for Christmas

1. Saturday, December 21
2. Friday, December 20
3. Sunday, December 22
4. Saturday, December 28
5. Friday, December 27
6. Sunday, December 29

The post When Should You Book Your Holiday Flights for 2024? appeared first on SmarterTravel.

If your flight is delayed due to weather at your departure or arrival airport, trying to get on a new flight likely won’t work, especially if a ground stop has been issued (meaning no flights are allowed to take off or land at an airport.) However, if the bad weather is at your connecting airport, you may be able to swap to a flight routing through a different location with better weather.  

If your flight is delayed due to a mechanical issue with an aircraft, crew shortage, or delay of incoming aircraft, you may want to try to swap to a different flight if you can. 

The compensation rules around delayed flights hinge on the reason for the delay. If a flight is delayed or canceled due to a “controllable issue,” an airline is generally required to compensate passengers by providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, or even refunds. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), “A controllable flight cancellation or delay is essentially a delay or cancellation caused by the airline. Examples include maintenance or crew problems; cabin cleaning; baggage loading; and fueling.”

Delays due to bad weather or unexpected mechanical issues are generally considered to be out of an airline’s control and, therefore, do not require reimbursement. 

To see what your airline is required to provide in the event of a controllable cancellation or delay, visit the DOT’s Airline Cancellation and Delays Dashboard.

How to Find Out the Reason for a Flight Delay

If you’re already at the airport when the delay is announced, a gate agent will usually be able to tell you why your flight is running late. Here are some other good ways to find out the reason for a flight delay.

Check Airport Alerts

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has a webpage that shows “active airport events” like ground delays, ground stops, and delays in real-time.

This site will also show how long delays are likely to last along with other helpful information, including:

• The timeframe a ground stop/delay is issued for
• The probability a ground stop/delay would be extended
• What departure airports the ground stop/delay is relevant for
• The average length of delay

Track the Inbound Flight

If your flight is scheduled to take off at 3 pm and the aircraft is still on the ground in another city at 2:30 pm, it’s unlikely your flight will depart on time. Find out where your plane is by checking your flight on FlightAware. This site has an option for “track inbound plane” that will show you where your aircraft is coming from and the status of that flight. 

Check With the Airline

Although most airlines won’t show an explanation for a delayed flight on their website, some will offer the reason for the delay in their app. Calling the airline’s customer service number can also help you find out why your flight is delayed.

The post Why Is My Flight Delayed? How to Find Out the Reason for Your Delayed Flight appeared first on SmarterTravel.

How to Track Your Luggage

Luisa Favaretto, founder and editor of the travel and research site Strategistico, headed to Tuscany to serve as the maid of honor at her best friend’s wedding. Favaretto flew from New York to Italy with a connecting flight in Amsterdam, where she had to collect her checked bag (containing her bridesmaid’s dress and shoes) and then recheck it through to her final destination.

“After waiting for about an hour, my bag never came through the carousel while everyone around me had received theirs,” said Favaretto. Fortunately, she had placed an Apple AirTag in her suitcase before her trip. Worried that her bag wouldn’t make it, Favaretto checked the Apple app and saw her bag was in Amsterdam, but was stuck near her gate and not at baggage claim. 

“It turns out that my luggage fell off the transporter and was just sitting somewhere on the tarmac,” said Favaretto. She showed the location of her bag to an agent, who was able to call and have the suitcase delivered in time to recheck it for her connecting flight. “If it wasn’t for the AirTag, their staff would not have been able to locate my bag quick enough for my next flight,” Favaretto explained. 

Natasha Nelson, Owner of Golden Arrow PR, says AirTags have helped her the last two times she’s traveled. The first time she used it, Nelson checked three bags. “I could see on my phone app that one bag was in a different area on the tarmac than the other two that that were on the plane loading,” she said. “I alerted the airline and they got my bag and I could see it go on the plane. The AirTag trick came in handy again on another trip when Nelson’s bag was left behind at baggage claim. She was able to show an agent the location on the app and quickly get her suitcase back. 

The Best Luggage Trackers

Trackers are cheap, portable, and easy to use. 

Knog Scout Travel Smart Luggage Tag

Knog’s Scout Smart Luggage Tag is a luggage tag with a built-in tracker and alarm, so you can keep track of your bag anywhere you go. The innovative bag tag has a QR code that can be scanned to contact you and reunite you with your bag, making it easy to keep your information up-to-date in case you move or change phone numbers.

Scout’s tracker utilizes Apple’s Find My network so you can locate your luggage no matter where it winds up. It also has a motion-sensitive alarm you can turn on to make sure your bag doesn’t get stolen while you’re at a busy restaurant or bar (and don’t worry, the alarm can be turned off for travel.) An anti-tamper bolt and braided stainless steel cable keep the tag securely attached to your suitcase.

Scout is the only luggage tracker on this list that can be recharged, which is a key feature. The tag will notify you when the battery is low, and it can be recharged using a USB-C cable.

Apple AirTag

Apple’s AirTags are the most popular trackers for travelers. The AirTags integrate with Apple’s Find My app. If your bag is nearby, you can play a sound on the tracker’s built-in speaker to quickly locate it. If it’s further away, Apple’s Find My network will use the Bluetooth of any Apple devices nearby to help locate your tracker, so you can instantly locate it on a map in the Find My app. 

Chipolo ONE Spot

The Chipolo ONE Spot works in a similar way to the AirTag, and also uses Apple’s Find My app and network to help you find your bag. The Chipolo ONE Spot can also give you a notification when you accidentally leave an item behind (perfect for something you might forget in a hotel room.)

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+

Not an Apple Fan? The Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 uses the same strategy to find your stuff as the AirTag, except it uses the Galaxy Find Network instead of Apple’s Find My network.

Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them.

The post Never Lose Your Luggage Again With This Easy Hack appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Fortunately, if you know where to look, there are actually plenty of vacation packages under $500 available that include food, drinks, hotel, and even flights. Follow these tips to find an ultra-cheap vacation deal. 

Book Early (Or Last-Minute)

When it comes to booking an all-inclusive vacation package, you’ll find the best deals if you either book early or at the last-minute. Many resorts will offer early booking bonuses to entice vacationers into locking in plans. Flights will also be cheaper the earlier in advance you book.

At the other end of the spectrum, all-inclusive resorts will generally slash rates in an effort to fill unsold rooms the closer it gets to an arrival date. If you can be flexible, you can find some amazing last-minute deals a week or two before departure. 

The Best Sites for Finding All-Inclusive Vacation Packages With Airfare Under $500

There are a number of all-inclusive vacation websites that have sections showcasing deals under $500, making them a great place to start your search. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Expedia Vacations Under $500
• Cheap Caribbean Vacation Deals Under $599 (You can set your price range on this page to be under $500, and the site frequently offers promo codes for up to $199 off.)
• Orbitz Vacation Packages Under $499

Don’t forget to check out our round-up of the best all-inclusive vacation packages with airfare under $500 here as well. 

Check Discount Travel Sites

Sign up for emails from Groupon and Travelzoo (or just check their websites weekly), as both discount sites frequently feature all-inclusive vacation packages with airfare for under $500.

Groupon has an air-inclusive trips section on its site that, at the time of writing, promoted “a mystery vacation” to Europe, the Caribbean, Hawaii, or other destinations for $199.

Likewise, Travelzoo’s Top 20 weekly deals recently featured a $499 Punta Cana vacation deal that included meals, drinks, and flights.

Search in Popular All-Inclusive Destinations

Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America are usually the cheapest destinations for all-inclusive packages and a good starting point for your search.

These destinations usually have inexpensive airfare from the United States (especially if you live in the South) and reasonably priced all-inclusive resorts.

Sign Up for Emails From All-Inclusive Resorts

Most all-inclusive resort chains frequently run sales throughout the year. You’ll often see discounted vacation packages for under $500, or even deals which throw in the airfare for free. 

The best way to stay on top of these discounts is to sign up for emails—or follow the brands on social media—from the resort chains. 

Some of the best all-inclusive resort brands to start with are:

• Club Med
• Sandals
• Beaches
• Sunscape
• Zoetry
• Couples Resorts

Google Explore

Sometimes, putting together an all-inclusive vacation on your own can be cheaper than buying a package deal. Use Google Explore to find inexpensive flights from your home airport to anywhere in the world. You can filter by interests such as “beaches” or “museums” along with price, flight time, and number of stops.

Travel in the Off-Season

You’ll have the best luck finding all-inclusive vacation packages with airfare for under $500 if you can travel off-peak. This means avoiding the spring break period at all costs and traveling in May through November if you’re headed to popular destinations in Central America.

The post How to Find All-Inclusive Vacation Packages With Airfare for Under $500 appeared first on SmarterTravel.