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Here’s how you can make your flying experience easier this summer

Here’s how you can make your flying experience easier this summer

Select’s editorial team works independently to review financial products and write articles we think our readers will find useful. We earn a commission from affiliate partners on many offers, but not all offers on Select are from affiliate partners.There are few industries like travel that have roared back with as much consumer demand after the pandemic-related lockdowns.Airlines predicted it would take years for consumers to fly again at pre-pandemic levels. But as vaccination efforts persisted and restrictions were lifted, Americans began to travel again. However, the airline industry has not been able to keep up with the public’s appetite for flying, resulting in major flight delays and cancellations throughout the U.S..So before you head to the airport for your next flight, keep in mind the following tips to give yourself the best chance of smooth travel.Subscribe to the Select Newsletter!Our best selections in your inbox. Shopping recommendations that help upgrade your life, delivered weekly. Sign-up here.Airports and airlines are equally strugglingThe travel experience right now, as cleverly put by The Atlantic, is suffering from ‘nothing works syndrome.’ And much of this has to do with one core issue: a lack of staffing. But with one large issue comes several smaller problems like weather, air traffic control issues and a reduced amount of available aircraft, all which contribute to an overall system meltdown.Here’s an idea of what travel demand and delays look like right now:On June 26, TSA reported it counted nearly 2.5 million people through its checkpoints. It was the highest number since Feb. 11, 2020 — which was right before Covid-19 shut down the world.Between 2013-2019, the total number of flight cancellations never exceeded 70,000 in an entire year. There have already been over 76,000 so far in 2022, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, and we’re not even halfway through the year.Unfortunately, if you need to fly, there isn’t much you can do to avoid the larger issues. But there are several things you can do to make your experience an easier one.How to keep your travels smooth amid staffing shortages1. Avoid layovers when booking, and book directIf you can avoid layovers, it may benefit you for a simple reason: the fewer flights you take, the chance for issues to arise becomes smaller.Additionally, it may be tempting to book your next flight with a third-party travel service (i.e. Expedia or Priceline) to save a few dollars as airfare prices have skyrocketed. However, if you run into delays or cancellations, the airline may not be able to assist you directly if you booked through a third-party — you’ll first have to deal with the travel booking service’s customer service line to remedy your issues.2. Show up early, and avoid checking your bagIt’s the most cliché suggestion out there, but arriving early can help you avoid the panic of missing your flight and disrupting your travels. Long lines to check a bag or to get through security could cause you to accidentally miss your flight. And as airlines are packing their planes, missing your flight could leave you with few options to rebook as seat inventory remains low.Also, you may consider packing a bit less and bringing your bag onboard with you. One of the areas airlines are struggling to hire and keep staffed is bag handlers. So not only is your bag at risk of being lost or damaged, but it could also be a while until you receive your bag at your final destination. And if you’re strapped for time, the time it takes to check your luggage could lead you to miss your flight.And Sandra McLemore, president of Travel Marketing & Media, strongly recommends using online check-in. “Just one minute after check-in closes, your seat will go to someone on a waitlist. And you won’t get a credit, let alone a refund,” she tells Select.3. Enroll in an expedited security programExpedited security perks have arguably never been more valuable. Programs like TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and CLEAR can save flyers a significant amount of time. And the best part is that many travel credit cards offer perks to cover the application costs.I currently have Global Entry (which includes membership to TSA PreCheck), and paid with my IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card, which gives me a $100 statement credit to cover the Global Entry or TSA precheck application cost. Over the last five years I’ve flown close to 100 flights, and expeditated security has saved me anywhere from a few minutes to sometimes over an hour each trip. And since Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck, I get expedited security clearance anywhere in the U.S. and can clear customs quickly when returning to the U.S. after a trip abroad.There are several cards that include credits for expedited security programs, including the Bank of America® Premium Rewards credit card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. But if you’re not interested in a rewards card, you can simply pay online to enroll in one of the programs.Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

  • RewardsEarn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
  • Welcome bonusReceive 50,000 bonus points — a $500 value — after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
  • Annual fee
  • Intro APR
  • Regular APR15.99% to 22.99% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
  • Balance transfer feeEither $10 or 3% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Credit needed

Information about the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.Chase Sapphire Reserve®

  • RewardsEarn 5X total points on air travel and 10X total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3X points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases plus, 10X points on Lyft rides through March 2025
  • Welcome bonusEarn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
  • Annual fee
  • Intro APR
  • Regular APR17.74% to 24.74% variable
  • Balance transfer fee
  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Credit needed

4. Use lounges rather than regular airport food optionsAnother area that has dramatically suffered is airport dining. Whether it’s a lack of staffing, supply chain issues or outrageous pricing, airport dining has become more difficult since the onset of the pandemic.For example, when I flew through the Detroit airport a few months ago, the Starbucks franchise was completely closed as they didn’t have workers. And when I flew through San Diego, its Starbucks location was charging an extra 2% fee for “employee retention.” For the restaurants that may be available, you could find yourself waiting some time to be served.To save both money and time, you may consider visiting an airport lounge. They typically have free food and drinks available, and you can receive access simply by having one of many different travel credit cards.For example, I’m an authorized user on the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, which gives me access to Priority Pass lounges around the world. The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express also provide widespread airport lounge access, including Priority Pass membership and access to Delta SkyClubs and Amex Centurion lounges. Terms apply.However, keep in mind that lounges have become busier as a plethora of credit cards have started to award lounge access.The Platinum Card® from American ExpressOn the American Express secure site

  • RewardsEarn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, 1X points on all other eligible purchases
  • Welcome bonusEarn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 within 6 months of card membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
  • Annual fee
  • Intro APR
  • Regular APR
  • Balance transfer fee
  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Credit Needed

5. Be prepared for the worst-case scenarioYou can take as many precautions as you’d like, but sometimes the cards won’t fall in your favor.But when things go awry, the first thing to do is not panic. It’s happening to many other travelers, and there are solutions available. But to protect yourself against this, you may consider doing the following:

  • Give yourself extra time. For example, you may consider flying to your destination earlier than you need so if there’s a delay, you have some wiggle room.
  • Begin looking for alternative solutions immediately. As soon as you hear of a delay or potential cancellation, it’s wise to find solutions like a hotel room or even another flight. Because it will be you and everyone else on your flight trying to find solutions all at once as well.
  • Book travel with a credit card that has travel insurance. If you experience a delay or even a cancellation, some of the costs, unfortunately, will fall on you as the traveler. That can include things like food or a hotel (depending on the airline and circumstances of the delay and/or cancellation). However, credit card travel insurance will help cover the costs you may incur during a delay or cancellation — just make sure you pay for your travel with your travel credit card so the insurance goes into effect. When my flight was canceled last Christmas in San Diego, the coverage from my Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card kicked in and covered the incidental costs.

Bottom lineTraveling is supposed to be a fun and enjoyable experience, but for the foreseeable future, it’s more likely going to be a headache to get from ‘A to B’. So if you’re traveling anytime in the near future, implementing these tips and tricks can ease the pains of post-pandemic travel.Catch up on Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.For rates and fees of the Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.Information about the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party. .

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Rising gas prices? Here’s what you can do to save money

Rising gas prices? Here’s what you can do to save money

Select’s editorial team works independently to review financial products and write articles we think our readers will find useful. We earn a commission from affiliate partners on many offers, but not all offers on Select are from affiliate partners.In the past few weeks, Americans have experienced higher prices when filling up their tank at the gas station. While gas prices reached a record-high of $4.33 per gallon a few weeks ago, the national average price still remains elevated at $4.24 per gallon, according to AAA. In states like California, the average price of a gallon of gas is even higher, at nearly $6. So why are gas prices skyrocketing? There are two important factors causing the spike in gas prices: The war in Ukraine and the decline in oil production during the pandemic.Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in February, the Biden administration imposed sanctions on Russian oil in March, shutting down imports of oil, natural gas and coal from the country. Even though Russian oil only represents a small portion of the U.S.’s gas imports, the conflict in Ukraine and the U.S’s decision to ban Russian oil led to a spike in gas prices in the global market. The U.S. imports around 8% of its oil from Russia, according to analysis conducted by NBC News.Furthermore, during the pandemic, oil suppliers decreased production to meet reduced demand for gas. However, as lockdowns eased and people started traveling more, demand for gasoline surged, and oil companies couldn’t keep up with increased demand which drove global gas prices up.Though gas prices peaked on March 11, consumers may still be feeling the impact of gas prices on their wallet. Below, Select looks at few ways that consumers can save money on gas.Subscribe to the Select Newsletter!Our best selections in your inbox. Shopping recommendations that help upgrade your life, delivered weekly. Sign-up here.How to save money on gasUse a gas rewards credit cardYou might consider using a credit card to finance your gas expenses at the pump. Cards that offer big rewards on gas typically allow you to earn up to 5x points or 5% cash back on gas purchases. Select ranked the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card as the best gas reward credit card. The PenFed Platinum Rewards card offers 5X points on gas purchases at the pump and electrical vehicle charging stations and has no annual fee. In order to be a cardholder, you must be a member of the PenFed Credit Union which requires a $5 initial deposit. PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card

  • Rewards5X points on gas purchases at the pump and electrical vehicle charging stations, 3X points on supermarket purchases, 1X point on all other purchases
  • Welcome bonus15,000 points when you spend $1,500 in the first 3 months from account opening
  • Annual fee
  • Promo APR0% promotional balance transfer rate for 12 months on transfers made from now until March 31, 2022.*
  • Regular APR13.49% to 17.99% variable on purchases; 17.99% non-variable on balance transfers
  • Balance transfer fee
  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Credit needed

*After the promotional balance transfer period, the APR for the unpaid balance and any new balance transfers will be 17.99%. A 3% balance transfer fee applies to each transfer. This transaction is subject to credit approval. If you take advantage of this balance transfer, you will immediately be charged interest on all purchases made with your credit card unless you pay the entire account balance, including balance transfers, in full each month by the payment due date.The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is another good choice for people who anticipate spending a lot on their gas purchases. Cardholders don’t have to worry about manually activating spending categories. Instead, Citi will automatically determine your highest spending category (including gas) for the billing cycle and apply 5% cash back on up to $500 worth of purchases in that category. If you’re a big spender on gas, you could earn up to $25 back per billing cycle.Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

  • Rewards5% cash back on purchases in top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent (then 1%); unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • Welcome bonusEarn $200 cash back after spending $750 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. The bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
  • Annual fee
  • Intro APR0% APR on balance transfers and purchases for first 15 months
  • Regular APR
  • Balance transfer fee5% of each balance transfer ($5 minimum)
  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Credit needed

If you’re looking for a card that doesn’t require credit union membership, you could opt for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express which offers 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and a $300 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases within the first 6 months. The Blue Cash Preferred has a slightly lower rewards rate than the PenFed Platinum but consumers will get high rewards rates on other categories: 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%) and 3% cash back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more. The Blue Cash Preferred has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95. (See rates and fees)Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American ExpressOn the American Express secure site

  • Rewards6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, 3% cash back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
  • Welcome bonusEarn a $300 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
  • Annual fee$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95
  • Intro APR0% for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening; N/A for balance transfers
  • Regular APR
  • Balance transfer fee
  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Credit needed

The PNC Cash Rewards® Visa® is a good option for cardholders looking for a card without an annual fee. The PNC Cash Rewards card offers 4% cash back at gas stations, 3% cash back on dining, and 2% cash back at grocery stores, for the first $8,000 in combined purchases in these categories per year.PNC Cash Rewards® Visa®Information about the PNC Cash Rewards® Visa® has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.

  • Rewards4% cash back at gas stations, 3% cash back on dining, and 2% cash back at grocery stores, for the first $8,000 in combined purchases in these categories annually, 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • Welcome bonus$100 bonus after you make $1,000 or more in purchases during the first 3 billing cycles following account opening
  • Annual fee
  • Intro APR0% for the first 12 billing cycles on balance transfers
  • Regular APR14.49% to 24.49% variable
  • Balance transfer fee3%, $5 minimum, within the first 90 days from account opening, then 4%, $5 minimum
  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Credit needed

Use an app to find the cheapest gas and discountsApps like Gas Buddy and AAA (both are available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store) can help you hunt down the cheapest gas prices near you. With Gas Buddy, the app uses your location and shows you the price of a gallon of gas at stations in your vicinity. However, you shouldn’t bother traveling too far for cheaper gas as the cost of driving there could erase any of the money you would be saving.Gas buddy also offers the Pay with GasBuddy Card, a rewards card that offers cardholders up to $0.25 off per gallon. Pay with GasBuddy is not a credit card, does not require a credit check and is free to join.Get Upside has an app that will help you find the cheapest gas stations in addition to offering extra discounts on gas. Get Upside is a rebate app, so users fill up their gas tank, paying with their credit or debit card, and then upload the receipt to the app in order to earn cash-back.Join a gas loyalty programIf you find yourself visiting a specific gas station chain frequently, you might want to join a gas loyalty program to earn rewards on your regular fill-ups. Companies like BP, Shell and ExxonMobil all offer their own rewards programs.BPme by BP is free to join and users get $0.05 off of every gallon of gas they purchase from a BP gas station within the first month of membership. Afterwards if users spend a minimum of $100 a month at BP they’ll continue to receive $0.05 off per gallon. Users can then redeem their points for things like gift cards, bottles of wine or theme park attractions.ExxonMobil Rewards+ is also free to join. Users receive $0.03 back for every gallon of gas they purchase at ExxonMobil gas stations and are then able to redeem their points for future gas purchases at ExxonMobil gas stations.Don’t use premium gasIf you’ve been opting for premium gasoline over regular gas even though your car doesn’t technically need it, you may be needlessly spending extra money. Premium gas has a higher octane level than regular gas.Your car’s manual should specify whether your car requires premium gas or whether it’s optional. If you’re using lower octane gas on a car that requires premium gas, the car’s engine may function more poorly than if you had used higher octane gas. However, if your car doesn’t require premium gas, you likely won’t get any added benefits.”The noticeable difference [between premium and regular gas] is the price. If regular gas is recommended for your vehicle, that’s all you need. Opting for premium [gas] when your car doesn’t require it will only cost you money and doesn’t improve fuel economy,” says Andrew Gross, Public Relations Manager at AAA.Don’t drive too fast or be an aggressive driverWhen you’re driving on the highway you might consider slowing down, as driving above 50 mph may reduce fuel efficiency. According to a 2013 U.S. government study, you can assume that for every 5 mph you drive above 50 mph, you’re paying an extra $0.30 per gallon of gas than you would if you were driving at 50 mph. Of course while driving at slower speeds can save you money, it may increase the length of your trip so consider how much longer you’ll spend driving if you’re cruising at 50 mph versus the speed limit on the highway. Additionally, speeding up quickly and braking suddenly can reduce fuel efficiency. Using cruise control can help improve fuel efficiency.”The harder your engine works, the more gas it’s going to take. Rapid acceleration and high-speed driving make your engine work harder, and therefore, it sucks up more gasoline,” says Jack Gillis, executive director of the Consumer Federation of America.Bottom lineWhile it’s unclear how long high gas prices will stick around but getting a gas rewards credit card, enrolling in a gas loyalty program, hunting down cheap gas and making tweaks to how you drive could all help you save dollars when filling up your tank.Catch up on Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card, click here.Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party. .

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How to maximize the Capital One Venture X 100,000-mile welcome bonus

How to maximize the Capital One Venture X 100,000-mile welcome bonus

Select’s editorial team works independently to review financial products and write articles we think our readers will find useful. We earn a commission from affiliate partners on many offers, but not all offers on Select are from affiliate partners.If you’re in the market for a new premium travel rewards credit card that really packs a punch, look no further than the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, which is currently offering an impressive 100,000-Mile welcome bonus. That’s enough to cover $1,000 worth of travel when booking flights and hotels through one of its 17 transfer partners or through Capital One Travel. Earning Capital One Miles is easier than ever with the Capital One Venture X card. Not only can you pick up 100,000 Capital One Miles after spending $10,000 within the first six months of opening your account, you’ll earn 2X Miles on all purchases, plus 5X Miles on flight and 10X Miles on hotels and cars booked through Capital One Travel. Cardholders also receive an annual up to $300 travel credit, 10,000 bonus Miles on each account anniversary, a $100 statement credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years and the chance to visit more than 1,300 Priority Pass and Capital One Lounges worldwide.While the $395 annual fee may seem intimidating, remember that you’ll get $300 back in travel credits when booking through Capital One Travel and for a limited time, an extra $200 back via statement credits when booking vacation rentals through Airbnb, VRBO, Vacasa, or TurnKey. The annual fee really does pay for itself if you use all your perks properly, making the Capital One Venture X a top-tier premium travel rewards credit card.Below, Select breaks down the best ways to maximize 100,000 Capital One Miles.Subscribe to the Select Newsletter!Our best selections in your inbox. Shopping recommendations that help upgrade your life, delivered weekly. Sign-up here.Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

  • Rewards10X miles on hotels and rental cars, 5X miles on flights when booked via Capital One Travel; unlimited 2X miles on all other eligible purchases
  • Welcome bonus100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases within the first six months of account opening
  • Annual fee
  • Intro APR
  • Regular APR16.99-23.99% variable APR
  • Balance transfer feeEither $10 or 4% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
  • Foreign transaction fees
  • Credit needed

Transfer Capital One Miles to airline partnersCapital One Rewards is connected to 14 airline partner rewards programs, which extends your redemption options across all three airline alliances: Star Alliance, Oneworld, and SkyTeam. Nearly all of them transfer at a 1:1 ratio — EVA Air converts at a 2:1.5 ratio — so you’ll be getting the best value by booking flights through the following carriers and their alliance partners:

  • Aeromexico (Club Premier)
  • Air Canada (Aeroplan)
  • Air France KLM (Flying Blue)
  • Avianca (LifeMiles)
  • British Airways (Avios)
  • Cathay Pacific (Asia Miles)
  • Emirates (Emirates Skywards)
  • Etihad (Etihad Guest)
  • EVA Air (Infinity MileageLands) — transfer ratio is 2:1.5, not 1:1
  • Finnair (Finnair Plus)
  • Qantas (Qantas Frequent Flyer)
  • Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer)
  • TAP Air Portugal (TAP Miles & Go)
  • Turkish Airlines (Miles & Smiles)

While there aren’t any domestic carriers listed as airline partners, that doesn’t mean it’s not impossible to fly them for free. Thanks to airline alliances, you can convert Capital One Miles to British Airways Avios, then use those to book domestic U.S. flights on American Airlines, its Oneworld alliance partner. You could also transfer Capital One Miles to Turkish Airlines or Avianca, then use those to book flights on Star Alliance partner United Airlines.Redeem Capital One Miles for free nights at hotelsCapital One Rewards has three hotel transfer partners — Choice Privileges, Wyndham Rewards, and Accor Live Limitless (AccorHotels) — letting cardholders cash in Capital One Miles for free nights at hotels worldwide.Capital One Miles can be transferred to Choice Privileges points at a 1:1 ratio, allowing you to book free nights at more than 7,000 properties in over 40 countries at brands including Quality, Comfort, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, MainStay Suites, Clarion, Clarion Pointe, and Surburban Extended Stay Hotel, Cambria Hotels and The Ascend Hotel Collection. Thanks to connections with Penn National Gaming, Inc., Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Nordic Choice Hotels, and AMResorts (all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and the Caribbean by brands like Dreams and Secrets) you can also redeem for stays at casino hotels and independent boutiques.Here’s an idea of what you can redeem through Choice Privileges for 100,000 Capital One Miles:

  • Four nights at the Comfort Inn Manhattan – Midtown West in New York City (25,000 points a night)
  • Five nights at Avenue Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection, in Los Angeles (20,000 points a night)
  • Eight nights at Comfort Hotel Nation Pere Lachaise Paris 11 in France (12,000 points a night)

Wyndham Rewards also lets you transfer Capital One Miles at a 1:1 ratio, giving you access to free nights at over 9,000 hotels in more than 80 countries at brands including Wyndham, Wyndham Grand, Wyndham Garden, Registry Collection Hotels, AmericInn, Tryp, Dazzler, Esplendor, Wingate, Trademark Collection, Dolce Hotels and Resorts, La Quinta Inn & Suites, Ramada, Baymont, Microtel, Days Inn, Super 8, Howard Johnson, Travelodge and Hawthorn Suites.With redemptions from 7,500, 15,000 or 30,000 Wyndham Rewards points per night, here’s what transferring 100,000 Capital One Miles could yield:

  • Three nights at Wyndham Grand Athens in Greece (30,000 points a night)
  • Six night at Ramada by Wyndham Queenstown Central in New Zealand (15,000 points a night)
  • 13 nights at Ramada by Wyndham Princess Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic (7,500 points a night)

Thanks to a nifty partnership with Vacasa, you can also redeem Capital One Miles for free nights at more than 15,000 hotels, vacation clubs and home rentals, while a separate connection allows for redemptions at Caesars Rewards casino hotels around the U.S. Wyndham Rewards is also linked with Margarita Vacation Club, Club Wyndham, Cottages.com, Shell Vacations Club, Worldmark and Landal Greenparks so you can opt to redeem for vacation rental brands around the world.Another hotel transfer partner of Capital One is ALL Accor Live Limitless, which offers hotel redemption options at a ratio of 2:1 and works a little differently from the last two programs. For starters, you’ll need to have at least 2,000 ALL Rewards in your account, which means you’d need to transfer over 4,000 Capital One Miles, and redeem them in increments of 2,000 ALL Rewards points — 2,000 points gets you 40 euros (about $45) off your stay, while 4,000 translates to 80 euros (about $90) and so forth. While you likely won’t get the best value for your points this way, the ALL Accor Live Limitless program can still be beneficial depending on your travel plans and style, as award options through it include more than 5,100 hotels in over 100 countries at brands like Fairmont, Raffles, Faena, Delano, Sofitel, SLS, Museum Hotel, Mondrian, Pullman, Swissôtel, Mövenpick, Mantra, Novotel and Ibis, among others. While there are just 100 hotels in North America, Accor brands are seemingly omnipresent throughout Europe, Asia and Oceania, so this is still a valuable points-transfer option.Book flights, hotels and car rentals through Capital One TravelIf you enjoy having the flexibility to book flights, hotels, and rental cars without having to worry about award availability or blackout dates, consider making your reservations through Capital One Travel, a new travel portal that offers added benefits like cancel-for-any-reason travel insurance (for a small fee), a freeze-your-price feature that helps you lock in lower rates, price drop protection (if you find a lower price, Capital One will refund you the difference), and a nifty price match guarantee (if you happen to find a better price within 24 hours of booking, you could get a refund). While this also allows you to book travel at a fixed redemption rate of 1 cent per mile, it’s always worth comparing redemption rates — in other words, seeing how many points and miles are needed for an award redemption directly through the carrier or hotel versus booking through the Capital One travel portal.Depending on your points and miles status goals, you may also want to consider booking travel directly to maintain elite status or double-dipping by reserving tickets or rooms through another third-party website, then simply “erasing” the travel purchase (more on that below).Use Capital One Miles to “erase” recent travel purchasesOne of the most valuable perks of the Capital One Venture X card is the ability to “erase” or redeem Capital One Miles to cover travel purchases made within the last 90 days. Simply use the card to book fights, hotels, car rentals or make other travel-related expenses (like Uber rides or Airbnb stays) then click on “Redeem Travel Purchases” to select which ones you’d like to cover or put your Capital One Miles toward — partial credit is fine, too, as long as you redeem more than 2,500 Miles.Capital One Miles are worth 1 cent per mile when choosing this redemption option, meaning 100,000 miles could erase $1,000 in travel purchases.Redeem miles for gift cards and online shoppingIf you know you won’t be traveling for a while, there’s always retail therapy. With the Capital One Venture X card, you’ll be able to redeem Capital One Miles at a rate of 1 cent per point for gift cards to all your favorite restaurants and retail shops like Apple, Bath & Body Works and Starbucks.Note that if you’re redeeming Capital One Miles for Amazon gift cards — or using Capital One Miles to shop online via Amazon or PayPal — the redemption rate drops to 0.8 cents per point (you’d get $0.80 cents in value per 100 Miles) so it won’t be the best value among all your other options.Cash back is a low-value redemptionWhile this is the least valuable redemption option for your newly earned Capital One Miles, you can still opt to exchange them at a rate of 0.5 cents per mile for cash in the form of an account credit or a check.Other cards with large welcome bonusesIf you’re interested in other cards with large welcome bonuses, consider the following. The value and utility of the rewards from each card varies, but you’ll still be able to get plenty of “free” travel with their hefty welcome bonuses.The Platinum Card® from American ExpressOn the American Express secure site

  • Rewards5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (starting January 1, 2021, this applies on up to $500,000 per calendar year), 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, 1X points on all other purchases
  • Welcome bonus100,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 within 6 months of account opening. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
  • Annual fee
  • Intro APR
  • Regular APR
  • Balance transfer fee
  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Credit Needed

British Airways Visa Signature® Card

  • Rewards5 Avios for every $1 spent on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia and LEVEL within your first 18 months from account opening, thereafter 3 Avios; 3 Avios for every $1 spent on hotel accommodations when booked directly with the hotel within your first 18 months, thereafter 2 Avios; 1 Avios for every $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Welcome bonusEarn 100,000 bonus Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, earn a Travel Together Ticket after you spend $30,000 on purchases every calendar year, and 10% off British Airways flights starting in the U.S. when you book through the website provided in your welcome materials.
  • Annual fee
  • Intro APR
  • Regular APR15.99% to 22.99% variable
  • Balance transfer fee
  • Foreign transaction fees
  • Credit needed

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® CardInformation about the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.

  • Rewards12X points per dollar for eligible purchases on your card made directly with a participating hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio; 6X points for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations; 3X points for other eligible purchases
  • Welcome bonusEarn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first 3 months of card membership.
  • Annual fee
  • Intro APR
  • Regular APR15.74% to 24.74% variable
  • Balance transfer fee
  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Credit needed

For rates and fees of the Platinum Card from American Express, click here.For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Surpass card, click here.Information about the Capital One Venture X card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party. .

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در اینجا میانگین چک تامین اجتماعی در سال 2022 چقدر است

در اینجا میانگین چک تامین اجتماعی در سال 2022 چقدر است

تیم تحریریه Select به طور مستقل برای بررسی محصولات مالی و نوشتن مقالاتی که فکر می‌کنیم خوانندگان ما مفید خواهند بود، کار می‌کنند. هنگامی که روی پیوندهای محصولات شرکای وابسته ما کلیک می کنید، ممکن است کمیسیون دریافت کنیم. با تورم به بالاترین میزان از سال 1982، اداره تامین اجتماعی 5.9% تعدیل هزینه زندگی (COLA) را برای مزایایی که در سال 2022 ارائه شد انجام داد. در اواخر سال 2021، اداره تامین اجتماعی اعلام کرد که میانگین مزایا برای یک کارگر بازنشسته از ژانویه 2022 به میزان 93 دلار از 1565 دلار به 1658 دلار افزایش خواهد یافت. یا افزایش 47 دلاری. اداره تامین اجتماعی تعدیل هزینه های زندگی را به نرخ تورم سالانه مرتبط می کند. با تغییر هر سال COLA برای منعکس کردن تغییرات قیمت، اداره تامین اجتماعی کمک می کند تا اطمینان حاصل شود که تورم مزایای بازنشستگی افراد را نمی خورد. اگر هنوز بازنشسته نشده اید، می توانید تخمین بزنید که مزایای تامین اجتماعی شما با تامین اجتماعی چقدر خواهد بود. ماشین حساب اداره توجه به این نکته مهم است که در حالی که می توانید از سن 62 سالگی شروع به جمع آوری مزایا کنید، اگر صبر کنید تا سن کامل بازنشستگی خود (یا بیشتر) کامل شود، چک ماهیانه شما بزرگتر خواهد بود. در حالی که تعدیل هزینه زندگی امسال به بازنشستگان کمک می کند که با قیمت های بالاتر روبرو شوند. همه چیز، از خواربار فروشی گرفته تا قبوض گاز، افزایش هزینه مدیکر همچنان می تواند مزایای ماهانه مردم را کاهش دهد. در سال 2022، حق بیمه بخش B مدیکر، که از مزایای تامین اجتماعی بازنشستگان کسر می شود، بیش از 20 دلار از 148.50 دلار به 170.10 دلار افزایش یافت. طبق گزارش AARP، این افزایش قیمت 21.60 دلاری، بزرگترین افزایش حق بیمه پایه قسمت B در تاریخ این برنامه بود، اگرچه حق بیمه بالاتر Medicare Part B ممکن است معکوس شود، بازنشستگان همچنان احتمالاً با وجود COLA، تأثیر تورم را احساس خواهند کرد. در دسامبر 2021، نرخ تورم سال به سال 7 درصد بود که برخی از بزرگترین افزایش قیمت ها در خودروهای دست دوم و بنزین مشاهده شد. بنابراین، بازنشستگان آینده در مورد تورم که ارزش مزایای تامین اجتماعی آنها را کاهش می دهد، چه کاری می توانند انجام دهند؟ در خبرنامه انتخاب مشترک شوید! بهترین انتخاب های ما در صندوق ورودی شما. توصیه‌های خریدی که به ارتقای زندگی شما کمک می‌کنند، هر هفته ارائه می‌شوند. در اینجا ثبت نام کنید. چرا باید مزایای تامین اجتماعی خود را تکمیل کنید اولاً، سوشال سکیوریتی قرار بود مکملی برای پس انداز بازنشستگی افراد باشد. مؤسسه ملی امنیت بازنشستگی (NIRS) درآمد بازنشستگی را به عنوان یک "چارپایه سه پا" توصیف می کند که شامل تامین اجتماعی، طرح بازنشستگی و پس انداز بازنشستگی فردی از طریق حساب هایی مانند 401(k) یا حساب بازنشستگی فردی است. با این حال، از دهه 1980، شرکت های کمتر و کمتری برنامه های بازنشستگی را به کارکنان خود ارائه می دهند. بار پس انداز برای بازنشستگی بر دوش کارمند افتاده است. و اکثر مردم در مورد پس انداز برای آینده عملکرد خوبی ندارند: یک مطالعه NIRS در سال 2020 نشان داد که 40٪ از آمریکایی ها به تامین اجتماعی به عنوان تنها منبع درآمد بازنشستگی خود متکی هستند. . متوسط ​​مزایای سالانه تامین اجتماعی برای یک کارگر کمتر از 20000 دلار است که برای اکثر بازنشستگان به سختی می توان از آن استفاده کرد. وقتی صحبت از پس انداز برای بازنشستگی به میان می آید، مهم است که هرچه زودتر شروع کنید، خواه از طریق 401 با حمایت کارفرما باشد. (ک) یا سنتی یا Roth IRA. با پس انداز برای بازنشستگی در اوایل زندگی، از مزایای بهره مرکب بهره مند خواهید شد که سود حاصل از بهره است. برای مثال، اگر پس‌انداز برای بازنشستگی را از ۲۵ سالگی شروع کرده‌اید و سرمایه‌گذاری‌هایی داشتید که بازدهی محافظه‌کارانه‌تر ۶ درصدی داشت، باید ۵۳۰ دلار در ماه برای ۴۰ سال سرمایه‌گذاری کنید تا به ۱ میلیون دلار برسید. اگر تا 40 سالگی صبر کردید و سرمایه‌گذاری‌هایی داشتید که بازدهی 6 درصدی داشت، باید 1500 دلار در ماه به مدت 25 سال سرمایه‌گذاری کنید تا در نهایت به 1 میلیون دلار برسید. چگونه برای بازنشستگی پس‌انداز کنید، در حالی که شروع پس‌انداز صدها دلار ممکن است دلهره‌آور به نظر برسد. هر ماه، می توانید از مقدار کم شروع کنید و نرخ پس انداز خود را در طول زمان افزایش دهید. کارشناسان به طور کلی توصیه می کنند بین 10 تا 20 درصد از درآمد سالانه خود را پس انداز کنید، اما اگر بدهی کارت اعتباری یا سایر بدهی های با بهره بالا دارید، باید قبل از شروع سرمایه گذاری، پرداخت آن را در اولویت قرار دهید. اگر کارفرمای شما با 401(k) مشارکت شما مطابقت داشته باشد، باید روی به حداکثر رساندن تطابق تمرکز کنید. با انجام این کار، شما اساساً درآمد رایگان کسب می کنید. یک 401 (k) یک حساب بازنشستگی قبل از مالیات در نظر گرفته می شود. با 401(k)، پول به طور خودکار از چک حقوق شما کسر می شود، و تا زمانی که آن را در دوران بازنشستگی برداشت نکنید، مالیات بر آن درآمد پرداخت نمی کنید. حساب بازنشستگی (IRA). IRA سنتی و Roth IRA دو نوع رایج IRA هستند. برای IRA ها، محدودیت مشارکت 6000 دلار است، اما افراد بالای 50 سال می توانند با حداکثر سقف 7000 دلار مشارکت داشته باشند. مانند 401(k)، IRA سنتی یک حساب بازنشستگی قبل از مالیات است که در آن افراد انجام نمی دهند. تا زمانی که آنها را در دوران بازنشستگی پس نگیرند، بر روی سرمایه گذاری های خود مالیات بپردازند. یک IRA سنتی محدودیت درآمدی ندارد، بنابراین صرف نظر از میزان درآمد شما در دسترس همه است. یک IRA سنتی یک مزیت مالیاتی نیز ارائه می دهد: بسته به درآمد شما و اگر برنامه بازنشستگی از طریق کار دارید، کمک های IRA سنتی ممکن است کسر مالیات باشد. این به این معنی است که مشارکت‌های سنتی IRA شما می‌تواند درآمد مشمول مالیات شما را کاهش دهد، که می‌تواند میزان مالیات بر درآمدی را که هر سال مشارکت می‌کنید کاهش دهد. Roth IRA نوع متفاوتی از مزیت مالیاتی را ارائه می دهد. افراد از درآمد پس از کسر مالیات برای مشارکت استفاده می کنند و سپس سرمایه گذاری آنها رشد می کند و می تواند بدون مالیات برداشت شود. با این حال، Roth IRA به دلیل محدودیت درآمد برای همه در دسترس نیست. برای سال 2022، حد درآمد برای افراد مجرد 144000 دلار و برای زوج های متاهل که به طور مشترک تشکیل پرونده می دهند 214000 دلار است. وقتی Select بیش از 20 IRA سنتی و 20 IRA راث را تجزیه و تحلیل کرد، چارلز شواب را به عنوان دارای بهترین IRA سنتی و Roth IRA بر اساس اینکه آیا حداقل سپرده مورد نیاز بود، هزینه ها و انواع گزینه های سرمایه گذاری ارائه شده است. اگر در دنیای سرمایه‌گذاری مبتدی هستید، ممکن است تصمیم بگیرید که یک مشاور رباتیک را انتخاب کنید که بر اساس اهداف مالی، افق بازنشستگی و تحمل ریسک شما، پورتفولیویی ایجاد می‌کند. مشاوران روبو معمولاً در صندوق های سرمایه گذاری متقابل و با کارمزد پایین سرمایه گذاری می کنند. سپس از الگوریتمی برای متعادل کردن سبد سهام شما با خرید و فروش دوره ای وجوه و اوراق بهادار استفاده می کند تا به شما در رسیدن به اهداف مالی خود کمک کند. Wealthfront و Betterment رتبه بندی شده را بر اساس عواملی مانند انواع کارمزدها، وجود حداقل حساب و انواع سرمایه گذاری های ارائه شده به عنوان برخی از بهترین مشاوران روبو انتخاب کنید. برای بازنشستگی هرچه زودتر، حتی اگر فقط چند دلار در ماه باشد. در حالی که مزایای تامین اجتماعی بر اساس تورم هر سال تعدیل می شود، افزایش هزینه های مراقبت های بهداشتی و این واقعیت که تامین اجتماعی فقط برای تکمیل پس اندازهای بازنشستگی افراد در نظر گرفته شده است، به این معنی است که شما می‌خواهم یک تخم‌مرغ لانه بزرگ برای سال‌های طلایی‌تان بسازم. با پوشش عمیق Select در مورد امور مالی شخصی، فناوری و ابزار، سلامتی و موارد دیگر آشنا شوید و برای به‌روز ماندن ما را در Facebook، Instagram و توییتر دنبال کنید. سرمقاله توجه: نظرات، تحلیل‌ها، بررسی‌ها یا توصیه‌های بیان شده در این مقاله به تنهایی متعلق به هیئت تحریریه منتخب است و توسط هیچ یک از افراد مورد بررسی، تایید یا تایید نشده است. د حزب. .