As another travel season approaches, many consumers are planning how much they’ll need to spend on such items as flights and accommodations, with the caveat that these costs are higher than they’ve been in previous years. While inflation has slowed, its effects persist. According to Bankrate’s holiday travel survey, 77 percent of holiday travelers are...
Tag: Personal Finance
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Value-Added Tax (VAT): What it is and how to get it refunded if you shop while traveling
The idea of a value-added tax (VAT) is a foreign concept to most Americans. That puts us in the minority, though: VAT, a multi-layered tax applied at each stage of the manufacturing and marketing process, is used in more than 170 countries —including Canada, Mexico and just about all of Europe. VAT is applied to...
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The ‘dupe’ trend hit travel in 2023. It’s a good way to save on your next trip, experts say
Klaus Vedfelt | Digitalvision | Getty Images Flight searches for travel ‘dupes’ increased in 2023 Dupe is, of course, a new term that puts a spin on the old concept of bargain hunting. Data shows that travelers leveraged the strategy more in 2023. For example, flight searches more than doubled for several “dupe” destinations internationally,...
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Have Chase points and want to fly to Europe? Now’s the time to book thanks to Flying Blue’s stacked deals
The monthly Flying Blue Promo Rewards offers some of the best award flight prices to Europe and beyond. This month, the deals are extra special because you can combine the exceptionally low prices with a limited-time 25% Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer bonus to Flying Blue. Through the end of November, you can book round-trip...
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New Europe travel requirement delayed again, to 2025
Thirty European nations have delayed implementing the ETIAS travel authorization scheme for U.S. and other foreign visitors until 2025. Pictured, Krakow, Poland. Martin-dm | E+ | Getty Images A new requirement for American travelers bound for Europe slated to take effect next year was delayed — again — to 2025. The requirement — an online...
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A $7.40 fee could ruin your next trip to Europe. Miss it and ‘you won’t board the plane,’ expert says
Vernazza, a village in Cinque Terre, Italy. Mstudioimages | E+ | Getty Images Americans will soon have to apply for a travel authorization to visit Europe — and failing to get one may ruin your next trip. The requirement, slated to start in 2024, currently applies to 30 European nations, including popular destinations like France,...
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3 ways to cut costs on a trip to Europe
This article is reprinted by permission from NerdWallet. European travel is — by some metrics — bigger this year than it was pre-pandemic. In the first six months of 2023, 43% more Americans flew to Europe compared with the same period in 2022 and 4% more than the same period in 2019. Those figures come...
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Column: 3 Ways to Stretch Your Dollar on a European Vacation in 2023
By Sally French NerdWallet European travel is — by some metrics — bigger this year than it was pre-pandemic. In the first six months of 2023, 43% more Americans flew to Europe compared to the same period in 2022 and 4% more than the same period in 2019. Those figures come from the U.S. Department...
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Europe’s banks are bracing for a wave of defaults | CNN Business
London CNN — Some of Europe’s biggest banks are setting aside more cash to absorb potential losses on loans, as rising interest rates increase pressure on borrowers. UK-based Barclays reserved £896 million ($1.2 billion) in the first half of this year to cover possible defaults by borrowers, more than double the amount in the same...
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How you can save $500 or more on a flight to Europe this year
Jose A. Bernat Bacete | Moment | Getty Images Airfare to Europe hit an all-time high this summer. But those dissuaded by the sticker shock can still travel overseas in coming months and cut costs by perhaps hundreds of dollars a ticket. Flying to Europe from the U.S. during the fall “shoulder season” — in...
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From the U.S. to the Caribbean, Europe and beyond: Here are the top all-inclusive resorts you can book with points
You’ve finally managed to pull yourself away from work to spend a few days on a beach somewhere, eating, drinking, relaxing and living your best life. But then the bill comes and suddenly, you’re poring over the various expenses that have added up in addition to your room rate. When you’re on vacation, the last...
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Are you in Bavaria or Washington? Four travel destinations that will make you feel like you’re in Europe, without leaving North America.
Skip the jet lag and overnight flights: there are places right here in North America whose architecture and ambience will transport you to Europe in the twinkling of an eye. Here are four places to explore. Leavenworth, Wash. Like a small town in Bavaria, half-timbered buildings, carved wooden balconies, murals painted on building facades (a...
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