Four Friends, Five States, One RV. What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
But lately I've wondered if I've gone a bit soft. A few trips with friends who would sooner give up their gallbladders than their airline status has given me a taste for the finer things in life, like room service and heated pools. So when a different friend called me up and proposed a two-week tour of the South in a rented RV, it seemed an ideal way to see just how low-maintenance I really was.
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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Best credit cards for air miles
Credit cards aren't just about spending. They are also powerful tools that, when used wisely, can help you save money, manage debt and even earn rewards. Whether you're looking to cut down on interest payments, earn cashback on everyday purchases, rack up air miles for your next holiday, or avoid fees while traveling abroad, there's a credit card tailored to your needs. In this guide, we'll break down the best options on the market for balance transfers, purchases, cashback, air miles and travel spending. We'll show you how to use these cards to your advantage, ensuring you get the most value while avoiding common mistakes. Best credit cards for air miles If you travel frequently, a credit card for air miles can help reduce the cost of flights and even unlock perks like flight upgrades and hotel stays. By using these cards for everyday purchases, you can earn points that can be redeemed for flights with your favourite airline's loyalty programme. Read more: How to use your Avios points for more than flight tickets How it works: 1. Earn miles: Points are usually earned based on the amount you spend and the class of your ticket — premium tickets often earn more points. 2. Redeem points: You can use points to cover the cost of flights or upgrades, though taxes and fees may still apply. Kate Steere, a credit card expert at personal finance comparison site said: 'For big rewards, the British Airways (IAG.L) American Express (AXP) Premium Plus Card offers 30,000 Avios when you spend £6,000 in three months, while the Barclaycard Avios Plus Card gives 25,000 Avios for spending £3,000 in the same period. "Virgin Atlantic fans can earn 18,000 points with the Virgin Money Virgin Atlantic Reward Plus Credit Card by making their first purchase within 90 days. Just remember the cards with the biggest introductory reward offers are also the ones with the largest annual fees.' Best 0% purchase credit cards A 0% purchase card allows you to make new purchases without paying interest for a set number of months. This can save you thousands compared with using a standard credit card, assuming you pay off the balance during the interest-free period. Read more: How to build passive income These cards are perfect for planned, necessary purchases. Think of them as a tool for managing big buys such as a new TV or essential home improvements. Let's say you take out a 0% purchase card with a 10-month interest-free period and spend £2,000 on new appliances. If you repay £200 each month, you'll clear the debt before the interest kicks in. However, if you still have a balance after the 10-month period, you'll start accruing interest at the standard rate, which can be as high as 27% annually. Key points: 1. Make sure to pay at least the minimum each month to keep the 0% deal. 2. Borrow only what you can comfortably repay within the 0% period. Steere said: 'TSB currently has the longest 0% purchase deal on the market at 25 months, narrowly ahead of M&S (MKS.L) and Barclaycard at 0% for 24 months. 'If you're planning a large expenditure, the current range of 0% purchase cards gives you 2 years to pay off your balance. None of these cards come with annual fees, but all of them revert to very standard (read 'punishing') rates after the 0% periods end. If you haven't cleared your balance at that point, look at a balance transfer deal.' Best credit cards for holidays and travelling Planning a trip abroad? A specialist travel credit card can save you a bundle by offering near-perfect exchange rates without the usual foreign transaction fees. Most credit and debit cards charge around 3% on foreign transactions, meaning a £100 purchase abroad could cost you £103. On top of that, some cards add a flat fee for every overseas transaction. Specialist travel cards waive those fees, letting you spend abroad at the same rates your bank gets. Key points: 1. Avoid cash withdrawals, as they often come with fees and interest. 2. Use the card for spending abroad to enjoy near-perfect exchange rates. Steere said: 'If you're summer holiday is still coming up, there are great offers at the moment to help you avoid currency conversion fees overseas, and you can even earn cashback on your spending (at home or abroad). "NatWest offers 1% cashback on all eligible travel spending, while you can get 0.25% cashback with Barclaycard. Just be sure to pay your card off in full each month to avoid paying interest (which would soon outweigh any cashback).' Best 0% balance transfer credit cards If you're struggling to keep up with credit card payments, a balance transfer credit card can be a lifesaver. These cards allow you to transfer existing credit card debt onto a new card with a 0% interest rate for a set period, potentially saving you hundreds of pounds in interest. Read more: How to find the weak link in your finances However, there are some crucial rules to follow to make the most of these deals: Always pay the minimum monthly repayment. Missing a payment could result in losing your 0% interest deal, incurring fines, and damaging your credit score. Clear the debt within the interest-free period. To avoid paying interest after the promotional period ends, make sure you can pay off the entire balance within the 0% timeframe. Don't use the card for new purchases. The 0% deal usually applies only to transferred balances, and using the card for new spending could result in hefty interest charges. Check your credit score. The best deals are often reserved for those with a strong credit rating, so it's worth checking your score before applying. Steere said: 'There's healthy competition in the balance transfer market at the moment, with 4 big names offering almost 3 years at 0%. MBNA leads the pack with 0% for 34 months and a balance transfer fee of 2.99%. "If you're in the market for a balance transfer and don't think you'll need such a long period to clear your card debt, then first consider the longest no-fee deals on the market (Barclaycard currently offers 14 months with no transfer fee). But if you do know you'll need longer to clear your debt, then it's worth taking a slightly shorter 0% term to get a lower balance transfer fee.' Best cashback credit cards A cashback credit card rewards you with a percentage of your spending, effectively giving you back some of what you spend. For example, if your card offers 1% cashback and you spend £100 on groceries, you'll earn £1 back. This cashback is typically credited to your account or added to your statement. Read more: Analysts' top emerging market fund and trust picks Things to watch out for: 1. Limits: Some cards cap the total cashback you can earn. 2. Introductory offers: Cashback rates might only apply for the first few months. 3. Restrictions: Some cashback offers are limited to specific purchases or retailers. 4. Minimum spend: Some cards require you to spend a certain amount to qualify for cashback. Steere said: "Amex (AXP) currently offers the highest introductory cashback rate: 5% (up to £125) plus an extra £10 bonus cashback for the first 5 months. After the 5 months, with the Everyday Amex you can earn 0.5% ongoing cashback (1% on annual spend over £10,000) or you can upgrade to the Amex Cashback Credit Card (£25/year) for a slightly higher ongoing earn-rate. Afterwards, you can earn 0.75% ongoing cashback - the extra cashback covering the card fee once it kicks back in, provided you spend £10,000 on the card annually. "However, if you want an instant welcome bonus, then you can get a £20 Amazon (AMZN) welcome gift card with the Amazon Barclaycard.' Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are the author's alone (unless stated otherwise) and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the providers listed. Yahoo does not earn any commissions from the lenders, or any other third party from the content in this series.
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Record rains bring Mumbai to a standstill, in photos
MUMBAI, India (AP) — The monsoon season has brought parts of Mumbai, India's financial and entertainment capital, to a halt. The disruption has hit local trains, a lifeline of the city's transport system. Many areas are inundated with knee-deep water, forcing people to wade through the floods. ___ This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
A New Era of Loyalty Begins: Marriott Bonvoy and Flipkart launch a strategic partnership, opening a world of unrivalled value and experiences for Indian consumers
India's first travel-retail loyalty integration brings together the one of the country's largest e-commerce platform and global hospitality leader Members can now earn and redeem rewards seamlessly across Flipkart's shopping ecosystem and Marriott Bonvoy's global travel program NEW DELHI, India, Aug. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International's award-winning travel platform, and Flipkart SuperCoins, the country's most rewarding and inclusive loyalty program, have announced India's industry-first dual loyalty integration. This alliance brings together Marriott Bonvoy's global rewards ecosystem and Flipkart's SuperCoins, a multi-brand rewards program that forms the core of the Flipkart Plus loyalty scheme, giving members a frictionless way to earn more, redeem smarter, and unlock rewards faster. Premised on "Your Cart Takes You Places," this first of its kind collaboration in India lets millions of members seamlessly earn and swap Flipkart SuperCoins and Marriott Bonvoy points — unlocking rewards that stretch from everyday shopping carts to free stays, suite upgrades, and unforgettable getaways across the globe. The strategic partnership between Marriott Bonvoy and Flipkart brings the best of both worlds to consumers in India, making it easier than ever to shop, earn, and travel, turning everyday transactions into unforgettable experiences. By linking both accounts, members enjoy exclusive Marriott Bonvoy member benefits, earn Marriott Bonvoy points when they shop on Flipkart and unlock great deals on Cleartrip and Flipkart Travel. "This strategic collaboration is an exciting step forward in how we bring more value to our Marriott Bonvoy members in India. By teaming up with one of the local leaders like Flipkart, we're making it easier for millions of consumers to enjoy the benefits of travel and everyday rewards. With 159 hotels across 40 plus cities in India, we're thrilled to bring our global travel program closer to Flipkart's users, offering them unrivalled access to our tiered benefits and exclusive Marriott Bonvoy Moment experiences. In the coming months, we look forward to expanding this partnership to include international destinations and our extensive portfolio of hotels worldwide, further enriching the travel experiences of our members," said John Toomey, Chief Commercial Officer, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International. "This collaboration not only enhances value for our existing members but also positions both brands to strongly to capitalize on India's phenomenal travel growth. From holiday getaways to everyday purchases, members can now unlock cross-platform rewards that fit effortlessly into their lifestyle. It's a customer-first approach that's not just about earning points - it's about making every moment, purchase, and experience count," reveals Ranju Alex, Regional Vice President, South Asia, Marriott International. Commenting on the strategic partnership, Manjari Singhal, Head - Flipkart Travel, said, "Over the years, we've focused on building experiences that add real value to our customers' lives, and we're proud to have shaped SuperCoins into one of India's most rewarding and inclusive loyalty programs. In the context of this partnership, bringing Flipkart SuperCoins and Marriott Bonvoy points together means we're not just rewarding transactions; we're enriching lifestyles through shopping, travel, and stays. This collaboration strengthens our vision of creating a truly integrated, cross-category rewards ecosystem. Whether it's shopping on Flipkart, booking a Marriott stay, or planning a trip on Flipkart Travel or Cleartrip, customers can now earn and redeem rewards in more meaningful ways." Key benefits of this partnership: Marriott Bonvoy members can earn Marriott Bonvoy points across Flipkart's extensive marketplace. Customers must be registered members of both platforms and link their accounts to unlock benefits Joint customers who have linked their accounts can transfer Flipkart SuperCoins to Marriott Bonvoy points and redeem the same for booking hotels on Members can exchange Marriott Bonvoy points to Flipkart SuperCoins and redeem the same for shopping on Flipkart at the exchange rate of 2 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 SuperCoin, and 2 SuperCoins to 1 Marriott Bonvoy point. Marriott Bonvoy member benefits are easily accessible to Flipkart members directly through the platform (FK Travel), the categories page, SuperCoin Zone and the account section. The partnership extends Marriott Bonvoy's value beyond hotel stays, integrating it more seamlessly into daily life See details of the partnership here. To view benefits, including terms and conditions, visit: About Marriott Bonvoy® Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International's award-winning travel platform, connects travelers to the people, places, and passions they love through an extraordinary collection of hotels and experiences worldwide. The platform features over 30 hotel brands and 10,000 destinations, including the largest collection of luxury offerings, distinctive boutique properties, premium home rentals, and more, providing renowned hospitality across the globe. With unrivaled access to the best in entertainment, culinary, sports, outdoor adventure, arts, culture, and more, Marriott Bonvoy offers transformative travel experiences that leave a lasting impression. Marriott Bonvoy membership is free and unlocks unique benefits including the ability to earn points through travel and everyday activities, like purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for free stays, experiences and more. Visit for more information and download the Marriott Bonvoy app here. Travelers can connect with Marriott Bonvoy on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Marriott Bonvoy Insiders. About Flipkart The Flipkart Group is one of India's leading digital commerce entities and includes group companies Flipkart, Myntra, Flipkart Wholesale, Cleartrip and Established in 2007, Flipkart has enabled millions of sellers, merchants, and small businesses to participate in India's digital commerce revolution. With a registered user base of more than 500 million, Flipkart's marketplace offers over 150 million products across 80+ categories. Today, there are over 1.4 million sellers on the platform, including Shopsy sellers. With a focus on empowering and delighting every Indian by delivering value through technology and innovation, Flipkart has created thousands of jobs in the ecosystem while empowering generations of entrepreneurs and MSMEs. Flipkart has pioneered services such as Cash on Delivery, No Cost EMI, Easy Returns, and UPI. These customer-centric innovations focus on enhancing digital payment offerings for all customers while making online shopping more accessible and affordable for millions of Indians. For further detail contact: Jimit Suresh ShahDirector – PR, Brand & Internal Communications, FlipkartEmail: Noelle Rocque DanielPR Director - South Asia, Marriott InternationalEmail: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Marriott International Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
