credit card rewards

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There are several businesses near me that either only take cash or highly encourage the use of cash via heavy discounts. One of them even takes pesos if that’s all you’ve got, but they prefer you don’t use credit cards. And it’s all about avoiding interchange fees.

That’s because every time you swipe, tap, or dip, the merchant has to pay for the privilege of accepting plastic payment methods. And that can add up fast for small businesses already operating on razor-thin margins. 

Even if businesses take debit and credit card payments, those interchange fees impact your shopping experience long before you check out in the form of higher prices. That’s why it’s important to understand interchange fees and how they impact the businesses you frequent.

What Are Interchange Fees?

Interchange fees are the fees card networks like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express charge for processing and settling payment transactions. These (usually) invisible costs help compensate the various parties involved in the payment card ecosystem. 

Card issuers like banks and credit unions collect these fees from the merchants who accept the card as a form of payment. They help facilitate the smooth transfer of funds between the merchant’s bank (the acquiring bank) and the bank that issued the payment card.

Interchange fees may seem like an additional burden, but they help keep the payment card system functioning smoothly. For example, the card networks and issuers use the revenue to cover the costs of maintaining the payment infrastructure, ensuring fraud-prevention measures, and providing customer support services.

How Interchange Fees Work

When it comes to interchange fees, there are a lot of moving parts and hands in the pot — which is only a mixed metaphor if you don’t consider how modern manufacturing works. Fortunately, they’re fairly straightforward to understand.

Structure & Calculation of Interchange Fees

Interchange fees aren’t arbitrary. Payment technology companies like Visa and Mastercard determine them through a structured process that takes various factors into account, such as: 

  • Transaction type. Online purchases, in-store payments, or international transactions may have varying fee structures. For example, you might pay a foreign transaction fee if you use your card overseas.
  • Card type.  Whether it’s a credit card, debit card, or rewards card can impact the interchange fee applied to a transaction. For instance, debit cards tend to have lower transaction fees than credit cards.
  • Merchant category. The industry or sector in which the business operates is also a consideration. For example, transactions made at a grocery store might have different interchange fees compared to those at a gas station or a restaurant.

Regardless of the factors involved, the calculation methods typically involve a percentage of the transaction amount, a flat fee, or a combination of both. 

The specific calculations depend on the card network and region. Card networks like Visa and Mastercard have intricate fee schedules that consider multiple factors to arrive at the appropriate interchange fee for each transaction. They update these schedules regularly.

Participants in the Interchange Fee Ecosystem

To understand interchange fees fully, you must take a closer look at the key stakeholders. These participants play crucial roles in determining and collecting interchange fees. 

  • Card issuers: Financial institutions like banks and credit unions issue payment cards, including credit, debit, or prepaid cards. They collect interchange fees from merchants on behalf of the payment networks they partner with.
  • Payment networks: Payment networks like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover act as intermediaries between merchants, card issuers, and acquiring banks (merchants’ banks). They facilitate transaction authorization, clearing, and settlement and establish fee rules and structures.
  • Merchants: Merchants are physical stores, online retailers, or service providers that accept payment cards. They have agreements with (acquiring) banks to process their card transactions and pay interchange fees to card issuers through those banks. 

How Interchange Fees Impact Consumers

Interchange fees are as important to consumers as they are invisible. That’s perhaps a bit strange in a country where retailers calculate tax at the register and have a line on the receipt for it (it’s included in the tag’s sale price in other countries). And it impacts everything from the cost of your rewards card to the cost of the products you buy.

Funds Secure & Ever-Larger Payment Card Systems 

Payment networks invest some interchange revenue in the technological infrastructure needed for seamless transactions, including secure processing, fraud-prevention, and data security. Those are vital to consumers’ trust in the network and the merchants who use them. 

The fees also provide crucial revenue that helps cover the costs associated with expanding, ensuring more options available to Americans nationwide (and potentially abroad).

Increases Prices

Interchange fees can impact the prices consumers pay, even if they don’t use payment cards for their transactions. 

To offset these fees, merchants factor them into their pricing strategies. That means that even if a consumer pays with cash or another non-card method, they still usually pay slightly higher prices for goods and services.

By incorporating interchange fees into their overall cost structure, merchants distribute the expenses across all customers, regardless of their payment method. That helps ensure the business can cover the fees without cutting into their desired profit margins. 

The extent of the price adjustment varies across businesses and industries. Small businesses with tighter profit margins may feel the impact of interchange fees more significantly and may adjust prices accordingly. Larger businesses with higher transaction volumes have more flexibility to absorb these fees without significant price adjustments.

Limit or Discourage Card Payments

A relatively small number of merchants and service providers have taken to charging the interchange fees directly to the customers who use plastic payment methods as a way to disincentivize them. For example, my local government services, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles, charge you for swiping.

Still others positively reward customers who pay in cash. I buy all my appliances from local secondhand appliance places, and they give you a discount that amounts to at least free delivery for paying in cash. And there used to be a pizza place near me that would even accept Mexican currency to avoid having a customer tap or dip. 

Some are even more forceful about it. The only plastic their employees will touch are bags — maybe utensils. A restaurant down the street, also a pizza place, only started taking credit or debit cards during the pandemic. And they’re not alone.

This type of avoidance keeps their prices in check, but it could also limit their foot traffic or growth to those willing to carry or go get cash. Government services can pull it off because they’ve cornered the market. Small-business owners are often compelled to comply or risk losing their livelihood.

Funding Rewards Programs

Controversially, interchange fees play a role in supporting cardholder benefits, such as rewards programs. Card issuers use them to fund incentives like cash-back rewards, travel miles, loyalty points, and exclusive discounts at partner merchants. 

To some, these benefits enhance the overall cardholder experience and incentivize card usage. They may have several cards in their wallets for various purposes, including cash-back credit cards, travel credit cards, and gas rewards cards.

To others, they’re at best an expensive nuisance. You spend your own time and money trying to earn rewards you already paid for via higher prices due to interchange fees that would be lower if there were no rewards cards.

Still others think they’re part of an overall trend of reallocating money from the have-nots to the haves. People with lower incomes often can’t afford rewards cards’ steep yearly fees if they even qualify in the first place. But nonetheless, they pay extra for products — even those they pay cash for — thanks to interchange fees. Yet they reap no rewards.

Interchange Fee Impacts on Small Business

Interchange fees can present significant challenges for merchants, especially small businesses, making it harder for them to compete effectively. These challenges ultimately become a problem for consumers too.

Creates a Financial Burden

Small businesses typically operate on thinner profit margins compared to larger enterprises. As such, interchange fees can significantly impact their bottom line, especially for businesses with high transaction volumes or lower average transaction values. 

They can make it more challenging for them to allocate resources to other essential areas of business growth.

Increases Pricing Pressure

To offset the interchange fees, small businesses must adjust their pricing strategies. That can result in slightly higher prices for their goods and services compared to cash-only businesses and larger competitors who can spread the costs over a higher volume of transactions — and may even pay lower fees because of that volume. 

Higher prices can potentially deter cost-conscious consumers and make it more challenging for small businesses to compete. This pricing pressure can affect customer acquisition and retention for small enterprises.

Limit Negotiating Power

Large merchants and national chains may have more leverage due to their higher transaction volumes, allowing them to negotiate more favorable terms.

In contrast, small businesses may face less favorable fee structures or have fewer options to negotiate better rates. That puts them at a disadvantage in terms of managing their interchange fee expenses.

Requires Technological Investment

Implementing payment card acceptance infrastructure and staying updated with evolving technologies can be costly for small businesses. They must invest in point-of-sale systems, security measures, and training to ensure smooth card transactions. 

Interchange fees further strain their financial resources, making it challenging for them to invest in the latest technology and stay competitive with larger, more financially equipped players in the market.

Causes Cash Preference

To avoid interchange fees altogether, some small businesses may prefer cash transactions or even incentivize cash payments. 

This preference for cash can limit their customer base and pose challenges in an increasingly cashless society. It can create inconveniences for consumers who prefer or rely on card payments, potentially leading them to choose competitors that offer more flexible payment options.

Those secondhand appliance places I told you about can get away with it because their closest national competitors are big-box retailers like Lowe’s and Best Buy. Those charge about three times as much for brand-new appliances, often only a year model or two newer (for better or worse) and with only a slightly better warranty. People are willing to run to an ATM for savings like that.

A mom-and-pop stationary or hardware store doesn’t have the same luxury. Only a select few people who want exactly what they have and nothing else are going to bother with that.

Interchange Fee Regulation & Evolution

Just as interchange fees haven’t always existed, they won’t always be the same as they are now. Regulations and new technologies are bound to change them somehow — if payment network and banking policies don’t get there first.

Regulatory Efforts & Policies

Payment networks have implemented voluntary initiatives aimed at increasing transparency and competition. For example, some networks have adopted standardized fee disclosure practices, enabling merchants to have better visibility. These initiatives also promote fair competition by ensuring that all participants in the payment card ecosystem have access to essential information regarding fee structures and terms.

But industry efforts seem to have fallen short if Congressional action is anything to go by. 

For instance, the Durbin Amendment to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, named for Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), introduced regulations on debit card interchange fees for issuers with over $10 billion in assets, aiming to provide relief to merchants.

In 2022, Durbin was at it again, this time taking aim at credit cards. The Credit Card Competition Act, which he introduced with Republican co-sponsor from Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall, would set similar limitations on credit card interchange fees. The bill has yet to pass, but they plan to reintroduce it. 

This is the bill everyone says would kill your credit card rewards. And maybe they’re right, though there are other revenue streams that can fund those — streams that come from bills only credit card users pay rather than costs everyone bears whether they pay with plastic or not. 

And if you’d still rather not pay extra for goods and services just to get those rewards, you’d also be forgiven. 

These regulatory actions, along with other measures implemented globally, demonstrate the ongoing efforts to address interchange fee practices and ensure fair and equitable outcomes for all participants in the payment card ecosystem.

Technological Advances & Future Trends

Technological advancements have significantly transformed the payment landscape, paving the way for new possibilities and potential changes in interchange fee structures. 

  • Digital payments, including mobile wallets, contactless payments, and peer-to-peer payment platforms, have brought increased convenience. Interchange fee models have to adapt and may have to accept getting cut out altogether.
  • Alternative payment methods like cryptocurrency have taken a big hit lately. But they’re not down for the count. Blockchain is (probably) the future. These innovative payment methods operate outside traditional card networks and will almost certainly challenge the traditional interchange fee models, given that they already charge interchange-like fees to keep them operational.
  • Open banking initiatives enable the integration of various financial services and promote increased competition within the payment ecosystem. That could drive the exploration of alternative fee models tailored to specific transaction types, consumer segments, or payment scenarios.
  • Artificial intelligence offers new opportunities for personalized pricing and risk assessment. That could lead to the development of dynamic interchange fee structures that consider individual consumer behavior, transaction history, and risk factors, resulting in more tailored and optimized fee models.

As the payment landscape continues to evolve, interchange fees are likely to adapt to accommodate technological advancements and emerging trends. The future of interchange fees may involve greater flexibility, transparency, and customization, allowing for a more dynamic and efficient payment ecosystem.

Final Word

Whether you’re all for interchange fee limits or you want them to keep their filthy paws off your rewards program, one thing’s for certain: We could use more transparency around interchange fees in the United States. 

By learning more, consumers gain valuable insights, allowing them to take practical steps to navigate their financial choices more effectively. At the very least, you know you might be able to get a better deal from small businesses on higher-dollar goods and services by offering to pay in cash.

Heather Barnett has been an editor and writer for over 20 years, with over a decade committed to the financial services industry. She joined the Money Crashers team in 2020, covering banking and credit content for banking- and credit-weary readers. In her off time, she enjoys baking, binge-watching crime dramas, and doting on her beloved pets.

Source: moneycrashers.com

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American Express cards are the Mercedes of credit cards. They’re not cheap, nor are they easy to get – but boy are they nice…right?

Amex’s stand out as having some of the best perks and rewards in the industry, but they are offset by high annual fees, high credit requirements, and a slightly lower merchant acceptance rate.

That’s quite a list of drawbacks – especially the annual fee – but is it all worth it for the high rewards? Will the perks and points cover the cost of one of these cards, and then some? Or are you better off sticking with a Toyota than a Mercedes?

What’s Ahead:

What makes Amex cards stand out?

What makes Amex cards stand out?Generally speaking, Amex cards stand out from other credit cards in four ways. And like The Rock’s character in Fast Five, I like my dessert first – so let’s start with the good stuff.

Amex cards have industry-leading rewards

In a word, Amex rewards slap.

Not only will you earn crazy cash back with an Amex, but also some impressive sign-up bonuses, too.

Here are just a few examples:

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card

  • 20% back on Amazon.com purchases within the first six months of card ownership.
  • $200 cash back after spending $3,000 in purchases within six months.
  • 6% cash back at supermarkets and streaming services.
  • 3% cash back on transit purchases.

American Express® Gold Card

  • 75,000 Membership Rewards® Points for spending $4,000 within first six months of card ownership.
  • 4x points at restaurants worldwide and U.S.-based supermarkets.
  • $120 Uber Cash.

The Platinum Card®

  • 125,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 within first six months.
  • 10x points on purchases at “Shop Small” (i.e. small businesses on this map) and restaurants worldwide.
  • 5x points on flights.
  • 5x points on prepaid hotels.
  • $200 Hotel Credit.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit.
  • $200 Uber Cash.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit.
  • $100 Global Entry or $85 TSA PreCheck®.
  • And more.

Even The Platinum Card®‘s eye-watering $695 annual fee starts to make sense when you consider it comes with $1,400 in credits for Uber, Netflix, and more.

Now that we’ve eaten dessert, it’s time for the cabbage, so to speak. What’s the bad news?

They have higher credit requirements

I’ll just come out and say it – you’ll need a 700+ credit score to have a good shot at getting approved for an Amex. That’s because Amex wants to attract “Lannister types” – those who spend big but always pay their debts.

Most Amex cards charge an annual fee

Amex currently offers 17 rewards cards, and 11 of them have an annual fee attached.

For reference, the six “freebies” are:

  • The Blue Cash Everyday® Card.
  • The Cash Magnet® Card.
  • The Hilton Honors Card.
  • Blue from American Express®.
  • The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card.
  • The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card.

These cards are OK. They compete with other no-fee cards on rewards, but lose ground on perks, merchant acceptance, and required credit.

Amex’s no-fee cards, then, are like a salad in a steakhouse; they’re perfectly fine, but they’re not why we’re here.

Instead, we’re here for the prime chops. Amex’s paid cards are highly compelling, but they’re definitely not cheap, with annual fees ranging from $95 to $695.

Regardless of how tasty the steak is, the eye-popping bill is an undeniable drawback.

The acceptance rate is better, but still lacking

Nothing deflates an Amex holder’s day faster than the following phrase:

“Sorry – Visa and Mastercard only.”

Poof. All those potential reward points, gone.

Historically, merchants have refused Amex’s because of high merchant fees. In 2017, Visa and Mastercard charged an average of 2.12% compared to Amex’s 2.36%.

0.24% may not seem like much, but when you’re operating on razor-thin margins, it adds up. That’s why, until very recently, only 3.7 million out of 10.6 million U.S. merchants accepted Amex.

Since then the acceptance rate among U.S. merchants has gotten much better – from 35% to 99% in just a few years. However, Amex still struggles internationally. According to a 2020 Nilson report, while Visa and Mastercard are now accepted by over 70 million merchants globally, only 44.2 million of them accept Amex.

It’s ironic, then, that Amex cards offer the industry’s best travel rewards – but there’s a 37% chance you can’t use them when you land.

Are Amex rewards worth the annual fee?

It depends!

If there’s an Amex that clearly fits your existing spending habits and lifestyle, you’ll almost certainly end up using it enough to clear the annual fee and earn serious rewards.

Here’s a quick summary of who is (and isn’t) a fit for an Amex card:

Amex cards are a good fit for:

  • Big spenders.
  • Delta Frequent Fliers.
  • Hilton Honors or Marriott Rewards members.

Amex cards are not a good fit for:

  • Frugal spenders.
  • Credit-builders.
  • Balance transfers.

Which Amex is right for you?

As hinted above, the key to picking the right Amex, and rewards card in general, is to find the card that fits your existing lifestyle and spending habits. 

I emphasize existing because you don’t want to make the same mistake I did – I got a card in my early 20s that fit my aspirational lifestyle – not the one I was already leading. This led to me losing $75 on the card in Year One, and worse, overspending in Year Two to justify having it.

Don’t be like me!

Don’t get a rewards card that encourages unplanned or out-of-budget spending – instead, get a rewards card that gives you 3x, 6x, even 10x points back on stuff you’re already spending money on.

The rewards card should fit the lifestyle, not the other way around.

Examine your existing budget and spending habits

As you probably surmised from my mini-lecture above, the first step in determining if an Amex is right for you is to get a clearer picture of your existing spending habits.

If you use a budgeting tool, take a look at your spending summary for the past few months. If you prefer to budget more manually, pull up your current credit card statement as a substitute.

Now, what common credit card rewards categories are you spending the most in?

  • Flights?
  • Hotels?
  • Groceries?
  • Amazon purchases?

Making a list of your top three spending categories will help you choose the right Amex card in the next step.

Find the right Amex for you

Next, take a look at Amex’s current stable of rewards cards and spend a good 15 seconds studying each one’s sign-up bonus and rewards.

The travel rewards cards will be the easiest to filter out

Do you fly Delta once a month? The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card might be a fit. Do you fly Delta every week? You’ll almost certainly get value out of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card.

The same applies to the Hilton and Marriott cards. If you already frequent those hotel chains, the points and perks will justify the annual fee almost immediately.

If the travel cards aren’t a fit, that leaves the more general rewards cards

Do you spend a lot on groceries and streaming services? The Blue Cash Preferred® Card might be a fit.

Do you take Ubers frequently and could you benefit from 0% APR for 12 months? Maybe the American Express® Gold Card may be your literal golden ticket.

…or you might prefer The Platinum Card®

Finally, you might be considering the “S-Class” of the Amex lineup – The Platinum Card®. Despite having the highest fee of any Amex card, The Platinum Card® may actually be the best value – if you’re already spending big money on flights, hotels, Uber, SiriusXM®, etc.

If you’re not sure if you’ll be able to justify this or any other Amex’s high annual fee, let’s move onto Step 3 and do some math.

Calculate what you’ll need to spend to cover the annual fee

Let’s say you’re considering the Blue Cash Preferred® Card, but you’re not sure if you’ll spend enough to justify the $95 annual fee.

Thanks to sign-up bonuses, you’ll have no trouble justifying your fee in Year One. It’s Year Two you have to think about.

So, to determine how much you’ll need to spend to cover the fee in Year Two, use this simple equation:

Annual fee / percentage cash back rewards

For example, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card has a $95 annual fee and 6% cash back on supermarkets and streaming – among others, but for simplicity’s sake, we’ll focus on the biggest rewards categories:

$95 / 0.06 = $1,650

You’ll have to spend $1,650 within the 6% cash back categories to cover your annual fee.

Mind you, this is just a break-even point – you’ll have to spend another $1,650, or $3,300 total, to catch up to what you would have earned with a no-fee, 3% cash back card. So if you spend less than $3,300 annually in these categories, a no-fee card is probably a safer bet.

Summary

Amex cards are the Mercedes of credit cards – expensive, but feature-rich. They’re not for everyone – many won’t use them enough to justify the high annual fees. But those whose lifestyle and spending habits already justify the addition of an Amex are in for a treat.

Read more:

Source: moneyunder30.com

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Note: We’re not encouraging people to go out and sign up for credit cards, especially if you have debt or plan to carry a balance on a card. (The interest you pay will wipe out any rewards benefits.) But if you can control your spending and pay your bill on time and in full every month, Holly’s money hack may work for you. Also keep in mind that your credit score takes a hit each time you open a card, and whatever balance you have on your credit card as of the statement closing date will be reported to the credit bureaus. If you pay the balance in full before the statement closing date, your balance will be reported as $0.

Almost two years ago, we began our journey out of debt. Like the average American family, we had car loans, student loans, and consumer debt. At one point, we were making minimum payments on several credit cards and a loan I took out to buy a Kirby vacuum. I’m serious.

However, getting pregnant with our second child made us realize that we needed to get our finances together quickly. Once we committed to new financial goals, we cut out nearly everything from our life that was “enjoyable.” We said goodbye to cable TV and dinners at restaurants. We quit shopping for fun and only went to the store to get groceries and absolute necessities. Our new budget was cut down to the bare bones…so much so that I hesitated to buy almost anything.

As the months flew by, we began making huge strides against the debt that we had burdened ourselves with. Once we became debt-free, we realized that we had become addicted to our new, frugal lifestyle. Having no consumer debt had freed up a lot of cash to save and invest, and we quickly got serious about building wealth. However, having a strict budget made it difficult to do anything spontaneous like see a movie or have a date night. I began to look for a way to supplement our income with some “fun money” without ruining our short- and long-term goals. It was around that time that I got my first credit card sign-up bonus offer in the mail.

Enter credit card rewards

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read a direct mailer from a major issuer promoting their new credit card. “Spend $500 in 3 months and earn a $100 statement credit.” Could it really be that easy? Why would they give away $100 in free money? As I read through the disclosures carefully, I determined that there was no “catch.” Truthfully, the issuer was offering a $100 bonus just to get new customers to try their card. As long as I paid off the card in full and accrued no interest, this $100 would truly be free money. Since our grocery spending approaches $500 on a normal month, I knew that we could reach the spending requirement easily and I decided to give it a try. Within the first month, we put our regularly planned spending on the card. The bonus points, equal to a $100 statement credit, were quickly credited to my account. I was hooked.

Soon after that, my husband applied for the same card and earned the $100 bonus just for doing our regular shopping. We then moved on to new cards in order to earn a new sign-up bonus. Another card from that issuer, which had better perks, required that we spend $3,000 in three months in order to earn a $400 statement credit. Since we had some upcoming expenses that could be put on credit, we each signed up. We put two family vacations and our regular monthly spending for groceries and gas on each card and easily earned $800 in statement credits. Since we were going to spend the money anyway, these bonuses were truly “free.” We used the $1,000 that we had earned up to this point on some fun activities with our children. I was also able to surprise my husband with last-minute tickets to see his favorite musical, “Les Miserables,” and a new grill for Father’s Day.

Is this wrong?

Obviously there are some people who would say that we are gaming the system. Their argument may be that the credit card bonuses are meant to secure long-term customers, not to provide some extra cash to take my family to Applebee’s. Some may feel that we are just using the banks for our own gain.

I don’t see it that way at all. Actually, to a certain extent, some of their strategies have worked. For instance, I plan on keeping the perkier card because it has no foreign transaction fees. I have also found that this particular card comes with great customer service. Calling the 1-800 number on the card quickly connects me with a real, live person at any hour of the day or night. I would have never tried the card if not for the sign-up bonus. So, in that respect, I feel that the issuer did earn a long-term customer.

I also definitely do not feel bad that I never pay interest. For every person like me who pays their balance in full every month, there are far too many people making the minimum payment. Additionally, banks earn money from retailers just because they choose to take credit cards as payment. Simply put, when I spend $100 at the grocery store, they have to pay the credit card company a certain percentage of my order.

Moving forward

In the past two months, we have moved our spending from those cards to another issuer’s premium card. Their new offer of “Spend $2,000 in 3 months and earn $250 in gift cards” was just too good to pass up…especially with Christmas just around the corner. Since we will put our gas, groceries, and our entire Christmas shopping budget on the card, we will easily reach the spending requirement and, thus, reap the rewards.

Chasing reward deals certainly isn’t for everyone. However, it has definitely made a difference in our bottom line. It has provided us with some extra money that doesn’t have to be accounted for. I can spend our rewards on gifts or something fun and not feel like I have sacrificed what is important to us. And now that we are completely out of consumer debt, I am actually finding that using credit cards helps us stay on budget. Both of the issuers have websites that make it quick and easy to track what I have spent and where.

Is this strategy right for you?

Before entertaining any credit card sign-up bonuses, I would ask myself a few questions. Are you in debt? If you are in credit card debt, then it is a bad idea to pursue credit card rewards. In fact, you might consider cutting up your cards or putting them somewhere not easily accessible. Work on getting out of debt and staying out of debt instead.

Do you have trouble tracking your spending? If so, then pursuing rewards offers may not be for you. While I tend to use one card at a time, some people try to juggle multiple offers at once and end up getting confused. If you are worried about losing track of your spending, then please skip using credit cards altogether.

Are you worried about your credit score? Remember that applying for new credit too frequently can reduce your score and make it harder for you to get the best rate for a loan. Please take into consideration how applying for credit will affect your credit score and do what is in your best interest.

Do you try to earn credit card rewards? If so, what is your favorite credit card rewards program?

Source: getrichslowly.org

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Memorial Day weekend has passed, and the summer travel season is here. The Transportation Security Administration screened nearly 10 million passengers over the four-day holiday weekend, including a post-pandemic daily record of more than 2.7 million travelers on Friday, May 26.

As millions of travelers take trips by plane, cruise ship or road this summer, we’ve gathered some essential travel tips on how best to book and enjoy your journeys.

Whether you’re an occasional road-tripper or a frequent globe-trotter, these TPG-backed top travel tips can help you avoid unnecessary headaches when you spend time away from home.

WESTEND61/GETTY IMAGES

How to find travel deals

Flexibility is key when it comes to finding cheap airfare any time of year.

Changing your arrival or departure date by a single day can save you hundreds of dollars on airfare. If you don’t mind altering your family’s plans slightly, consider booking travel directly on major holidays like the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas for cheaper prices and thinner airport crowds.

One of our favorite tools at TPG for finding deals is Google Flights. You can use the search field to find the cheapest (or best) flights. Google will also give you a historical view of how prices have ranged and will even send you email alerts if fares jump or drop on specific routes you’ve selected.

It also has some fun tools you can use to find a cheap destination. By clicking the “Explore” button on the sidebar and putting your departure airport, Google will give you a map or list view of the most wallet-friendly destinations.

Google Flights Explore page. GOOGLE.COM

However, Google isn’t the only place to find deals: TPG publishes regular deal alerts. You can sign up for Twitter alerts and subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest deals news.

Sign up for our daily newsletter

Don’t sleep on mileage awards, either. If you’ve been hoarding miles during the pandemic, it’s time to spend them. Cash prices are high, so it can be a good time to burn those miles.

No matter how much you think you know about redeeming miles for flights, there are always new tips and tricks for turning those earnings into dream trips. Turn to TPG for guidance on sweet spots for redemptions. Sites like ExpertFlyer (part of Red Ventures, like TPG) supply additional redemption ideas or even business class upgrade inventory.

You may even want to consult a travel agent to get access to special deals that aren’t available anywhere else. Travel agents can sometimes get you extra perks at hotels or even cheaper business-class airfare to your dream destination.

Be your own best advocate

Since there are air traffic controller and pilot shortages, airports struggling with staffing in some areas and little room for error in the system these days, travelers have to be their own best advocates.

There are ways to get ahead of any possible travel nightmares.

First, be smart when booking. Try to find a nonstop flight rather than one with connections, even if it costs a little more. You’ll eliminate the risk of missing connections and lessen the chance of having your luggage go in a different direction than you during a transfer.

You could also take one of the first flights of the day, as those are least likely to face afternoon thunderstorms and most likely to depart on time. Read our article 5 reasons to book the first flight of the day for all the data.

Related: Your flight is canceled or delayed – here’s what you should do next

Download your airline’s mobile app to keep track of potential flight delays in real time. The airline app is a secret weapon in case things go wrong. Not only will you know when boarding starts, but you’ll also learn of any delays first. Some airlines allow you to even rebook yourself in the app.

If your flight is canceled, you’ll want to beat everyone else on your flight who is also looking to get rebooked.

We recommend heading for the customer service desk (or lounge desk if you have access). You could also get on the phone with the airline or contact them via social media if there’s a delay. Sometimes, an airline’s Twitter representative will help you faster than a phone or in-person agent can. You have to use every tool at your disposal when things go south.

Many airlines also now have live chat capabilities to help navigate delays and cancellations.

I always have an alternate plan (or two) in the back of my mind in case a flight gets canceled or delayed. I also look to see what other airlines are flying the route I’m booked in case something goes awry. This way, I’ll know what to ask for if I need to be rebooked.

Also, save all the receipts for the expenses you incur during delays or cancellations. You’ll want excellent documentation in the case of meltdowns like the one Southwest passengers experienced during the holidays.

If you’re stuck at an airport for an extended period, seek out your airport’s secret quiet spaces for a brief escape from the travel chaos.

Get Global Entry and/or TSA PreCheck

CAROLINE TANNER/THE POINTS GUY

One of our favorite ways to speed through the airport and avoid those summertime mega lines is via Trusted Traveler programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry.

Essentially, the government pre-screens you for security and thus you save a bit of time during your travels. You’ll need to apply ahead of time and pay a fee. The great news, however, is that many credit cards will give you a statement credit for these fees. TSA PreCheck is a $78 application fee for five years, and Global Entry is $100.

Related: 7 ways to get Global Entry, TSA PreCheck and/or Clear for free

TSA PreCheck allows you to speed through airport security without removing your shoes, laptops or liquids. With Global Entry, you can breeze through customs when you return from an international trip.

If you have the time, going for Global Entry rather than simply TSA PreCheck makes sense. Global Entry requires an interview with Customs and Border Patrol ahead of time, but once you’re approved, TSA PreCheck will be included.

Get Clear for the ultimate security trifecta

CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

The other security tool we recommend you have in your travel toolbelt is Clear.

Related: Why you should get TSA PreCheck and Clear

The expedited security program allows you to bypass long security lines by using a separate lane at many airports. You’ll approach a kiosk where your identity is confirmed via an iris scan or fingerprint. A Clear employee will then escort you to the front of the security screening line.

A Clear membership combined with TSA PreCheck will enable you to go to even shorter lines at some airports with designated Clear/PreCheck lines. Clear isn’t perfect at all airports where it’s so popular, and there are now long lines (cough, Atlanta). However, it will still generally lead to shorter lines overall.

Related: Guide to using the Amex Platinum Clear benefit

Make copies of your important documents

Make digital and hard copies of all your important travel-related documents. Start by photographing your driver’s license, your state ID and/or your passport.

You should have copies of your IDs in your phone’s library in case you get separated from the actual document. Sometimes, it also helps in a pinch if you are asked for ID and didn’t bring the hard copy. For example, I was recently asked for my ID to enter One Vanderbilt to have dinner at the new American Express Centurion Lounge in New York. The receptionist would have accepted a photograph of the ID if I didn’t have the physical document.

TPG also recommends having an actual photocopy in a separate place. Editor Kristy Tolley says she stores a hard copy in a separate place from where she keeps her passport in case she loses a bag. “I also leave a copy of it at home if I’m traveling alone,” she said.

Check expiration dates

RYAN PATTERSON/THE POINTS GUY

If you aren’t 100% certain of the expiration date of your passport and other travel documents, go check them now. Renewing passports takes time and some countries require six months of future passport validity to allow entry. Remember that child passports expire every five years, which can sneak up on you.

Related: How and when to renew your passport

Double-checking the expiration dates for your driver’s licenses and state IDs is also a good idea. Remember that TSA checks the expiration dates on your documents when they screen you for security. Don’t forget to check the expiration dates for your Trusted Traveler programs like Global Entry, Clear and TSA PreCheck, too. It can take a while to get a Global Entry interview appointment if you need one to renew.

Few things are worse than getting to the front of the security line and realizing the PreCheck mark is gone from your boarding pass.

Finally, check the entry requirements if you are traveling internationally. Some countries require visas that you must acquire before arrival.

Consider travel protection

When booking your travel, try to use a credit card that offers some built-in travel protection. Many credit cards, including TPG favorites like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or The Platinum Card® from American Express, offer this when you use those cards to purchase your airfare and similar.

Related: Best credit cards for trip delays and cancellations

If the coverage offered by your credit card isn’t enough, you might also want to purchase travel insurance. These policies can sometimes go beyond trip cancellations to cover things like medical evacuations. Warning: Read the fine print on any extra policies very carefully to ensure it covers the situations that matter the most to you.

Those who frequently travel abroad may want to consider purchasing an annual travel insurance policy instead of buying one on a trip-by-trip basis. Some TPG staffers purchase annual policies because of the cost savings for multiple trips. Some will find having an annual policy is easier than juggling separate policies or various credit card coverage terms and conditions.

Tips for your luggage

THOMAS BARWICK/GETTY IMAGES

TPG has a ton of tips when it comes to luggage.

First and foremost, try to be on “team carry-on” whenever possible. If you don’t check baggage, you are much less likely to become separated from it. Many of us at TPG refuse to check luggage except under extreme circumstances.

Of course, other folks with families or those embarking on long journeys may still want to check bags. If that’s the case for you, you can still do many things to lessen the chance you get separated from your stuff. For example, make sure your luggage is in good working order, your contact info is attached, the bag is within the weight limits, you get to the airport early (but not too early) to check it and confirm your luggage is tagged to the right destination or connection.

Related: 7 tips to keep the airline from losing your luggage

After last year’s baggage delays and luggage disasters, we strongly suggest you put Apple AirTags (or the Android equivalent) into your luggage so you can track your items if they go missing.

If you check a bag, keep extra medicine or medical supplies in your carry-on bag in case your luggage goes missing or gets delayed. “As a diabetic, I keep a tiny emergency kit in my backpack with enough supplies to keep me going in an emergency,” TPG writer Tanner Saunders said.

Former TPG credit card writer Ryan Smith also offered words of advice regarding luggage. “The last items you pack in your carry-on will be most accessible, so use this for your passport, ID, ticket, headphones or whatever else you need during the trip,” he said. By making sure those items you’ll use most are easiest to reach, you’ll save yourself the hassle of having to dig around (or partially unpack) your bag to grab what you need.

Finally, be sure and get compensated if your bags are late or lost. Many airlines will give you points or even cash for delayed bags, and the government has rules on compensation if your bags are lost.

Staying safe on your journeys

A tourist arrives at a hotel room. BOY ANUPONG/GETTY IMAGES

From potentially getting robbed while on the road to experiencing bad weather or natural disasters while traveling, there are many scenarios that could arise when you’re away from home.

To mitigate those risks, pay attention to U.S. Department of State warnings about a destination you plan to visit and check local sources for the latest news from that country or region for additional context. Although the State Department tends to err on the side of caution with its warnings, it’s still best to be aware of what you may face during your trip.

Also, know the local number in case of emergencies. In many places, including Mexico and much of Europe, if you dial 9-1-1 on your cellphone, you will be connected to emergency services just like in the U.S. However, you should know the local emergency numbers of whichever country you visit.

Let people at home know your itinerary and stay in touch with them throughout your trip. If something goes amiss, at least someone will know where you’re supposed to be or the last place you visited.

If you’re arriving at night, contact your hotel or home-share host to ask about the best way to get there at the time you’re arriving and the safest ways to travel at night in that area.

Also, be strategic about how you check into a hotel. Some solo travelers request two keycards to imply someone else is on the trip. Giving thought to the hotel room’s security swing bar can also make sense, with some taking steps like placing a hand towel over it to make it harder to dislodge from the outside.

Some final tips

Use maps and other tools to help you plan your trip. JACOBS STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY/GETTY IMAGES
  • For cruisers, TPG principal cruise writer Gene Sloan suggests arriving in port at least a day in advance (if not several days ahead of time). This will eliminate the risk of missing your ship’s departure time and help you get acclimated to the local time zone.
  • When taking road trips to out-of-the-way destinations, go old school and bring paper maps with you or download offline maps from Google. Using a paper map or an offline version means you always have a way to navigate around your chosen destination, even if you lose cellular service.
  • One other note, you should reserve airport parking ahead of time during peak travel times. Some airport parking areas fill up fast around holidays, so reserving your spot ahead of time will save you from wasting time looking for a space when you need to catch a flight. You can also sometimes save by booking online in advance, too.

Bottom line

Whether you’re fresh to the world of traveling or a seasoned expert, you can always learn new tips to maximize your time away from home. The more research and preparation you do before your trip, the better your experience will be — especially if things go wrong, as they sometimes do.

Some of our favorite tools are deal alerts, Google Flights, sign-up bonuses and credit card rewards. Learn those tools and use them for better travel every time.

Remember that these days when things go wrong, you have to be your own best advocate. For more travel tips and tricks, read the stories below.

Related reading:

Additional reporting by Bill Fink.

Source: thepointsguy.com

Apache is functioning normally

This is the second post from Hilary Stockton, who is the founder of TravelSort, which helps savvy travelers earn millions of miles without flying, redeem them for first-class flights, and stay in luxury hotels at wholesale prices. Follow her on Twitter @TravelSort.

I often get asked about the impact on one’s credit score of churning or signing up for multiple rewards credit cards, especially by those new to earning a million or more frequent flyer miles and points via credit cards. It’s definitely important to protect your credit score, and no one should sign up for a slew of new credit cards without taking the time to understand how your credit score works and whether you should be applying for new credit cards at all.

1. Only sign up for new credit cards if:

  • You don’t have any credit card or other high-interest debt
  • You always pay your credit card bill off in full every statement
  • You have a steady income
  • You don’t plan to apply for a mortgage, refinancing, student loan or other major loan within the next year or so
  • You aren’t tempted to spend more by having more credit cards

If you do have any credit card or other high-interest debt, paying that off is far more important than earning miles, points, or any other kind of credit card reward. You also shouldn’t apply for a number of new credit cards if you plan to get a mortgage, refinancing or other major loan in the next year or so, because you want to ensure you’re offered the best possible interest rate.

2. Have a FICO credit score range 720 or above

FICO scores from the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and Transunion) range from 300 to 850. You’ll need a credit score of at least 710 to apply for rewards credit cards, and preferably 720 or higher.

3. Get a free copy of your credit report

You’re entitled to a free copy of your credit report every year, which you should check to ensure there are no inaccuracies. If there are, you should dispute them, since they’re likely negatively impacting your score and your ability to not only be approved for the best travel rewards credit cards but also being able to secure the best possible interest rate for loans.

4. Know the difference between FAKO and FICO

Unfortunately, there are a lot of places offering to sell you your credit score that are completely worthless, because the score they’re providing isn’t the one that’s actually being used when determining whether to approve you for a new credit card or loan. These fake credit scores have been nicknamed “FAKO.” Even the credit bureaus themselves sell FAKO, so as not to have to pay to FICO to provide your actual FICO score. See more about this at Credit Score: FICO or FAKO?

5. Understand the factors influencing your credit score

Your FICO credit score is determined by these factors:

  • 35 percent is payment history: If you always pay on time, don’t carry any credit card balances and have no delinquent accounts, bankruptcies or similar against you, you’re fine. But make sure you continue to monitor your credit report to guard against inaccuracies.
  • 30 percent is credit utilization: This factor looks at the percentage of your credit line that you’re using. So, for example, if you have a $10,000 credit line on a card, you don’t want to maxing it out every month; in fact, you should ideally only be using a small percentage (under 10 percent) of your credit line. If you have a major purchase, pay it off immediately rather than waiting until the payment due date.
  • 15 percent is length of credit history: Just as the description implies, this factor measures your average age of accounts.
  • 10 percent is types of credit used: This factor looks at the various types of credit you use, such as home mortgage payments, car payments and credit card payments. It also helps explain why, frustratingly, some folks who rent yet own their own car and have never missed a credit card payment can have a lower credit score than a much more indebted homeowner with a leased car who is nevertheless making payments in full and on time.
  • 10 percent is new credit: This factor accounts for the hard pulls or inquiries that result from applying for new credit, such as a mortgage, car loan, student loan, and new credit cards. Each new hard pull does knock a few points off your score, although in most cases your score recovers within 90 days to six months.

6. Keep utilization low on personal credit cards

Due to how important credit utilization is in calculating your credit score, I always recommend you keep your credit utilization as low as possible on your personal cards:

  • Pay off major purchases right after they’re incurred, even before your statement close.
  • If you incur business expenses, ensure they go on a business credit card or charge card. Business credit card utilization is NOT reported to the credit bureaus.

7. Apply for new credit cards on the same day, as close in time as possible

The reason most serious credit card churners apply for multiple credit cards simultaneously, or as close in time as possible on the same day, is two-fold:

  • By not applying for any credit cards for a few months you can avoid being rejected for “too many recent credit inquiries.”
  • If you’re applying for two or three personal cards from the same bank, your hard pulls may be merged into one, reducing the impact on your credit score.

8. Don’t close your oldest credit cards

As mentioned above, credit history accounts for about 10 percent of your FICO score calculation. That’s why you want to always keep at least one or two credit cards that you never close. Make sure they’re no annual fee cards, and preferably a no annual fee card that still earns rewards.

9. Avoid closing a credit card without first transferring the credit line to another open card

Be careful when closing credit cards that you don’t lose the credit line. Opening new credit cards can actually help your credit score over the long term if it increases your total amount of credit relative to your utilization. So, when you do decide to close a credit card, ask the representative to transfer the credit line to one of your other credit cards from the same bank.

10. Stop applying for new credit cards about one year before applying for a mortgage or major loan

As I mentioned in the first tip, it’s key to not let lucrative credit card rewards blind you to the importance of securing the lowest possible interest rate for a mortgage or other major loan. Stop applying for new credit cards about one year before you apply for a major loan, continue to always pay your balance off in full every statement, and aim to keep your credit utilization at 10 percent or lower for all your personal credit cards.

Source: getrichslowly.org

Apache is functioning normally

Known as the Home of the Blues, Memphis is a music lover’s paradise, but there are plenty of other reasons to visit this incredible city. You’ll be able to explore its deep history, both in terms of music and the heart of the Civil Rights Movement of the mid-20th century. Plus, there are museums, parks, and more waiting.

Here, you’ll learn more about the best things to do in Memphis, Tennessee, as well as discover ideal times of year to visit. In addition, you’ll get a good idea of the average trip costs so you can budget accordingly.

Best Times to Go to Memphis

Memphis is at its most comfortable during the spring and fall months, typically from late April through the beginning of June and again from late August to the middle of October. For instance, in April, you’ll find temperatures in the 70s during the day, and in October, you’ll experience similarly warm temperatures.

For music lovers, also consider visiting for the annual Beale Street Music Festival, which takes place each May. Some of music’s biggest names perform at this three-day event. 2022’s headliners included Megan Thee Stallion and Van Morrisson, so you know there’s something for everyone.

Recommended: Where to Find Book Now, Pay Later Travel

Bad Times to Go to Memphis

Summer and winter will be less crowded in Memphis, but the weather is less than ideal for many. Summer travel in Memphis can be hot and humid. The average high temperature in July is in the 80s to low 90s Fahrenheit, making that one of the worst times to visit Memphis. Late fall and early winter tend to be cloudy in Memphis, but there’s not a high chance of snow. Rainfall tends to peak in early December and mid-April.

Average Cost of a Memphis Vacation

Before you start making a list of the top things to do in Memphis, get an idea of how much a trip there will cost you once you arrive. According to Budget Your Trip, an individual spends an average of $34 on dining every day. Local transportation is actually more expensive at $47 per day, so you might want to look into renting a car to get around.

Hotels, however, can be reasonably priced at around $134 per night in Memphis, and perhaps even less if you try some hacks to save money on hotels.

Here’s how the costs break down if you plan to spend a week in the city; there will be some incidentals as well:

•   One Person Total: $1,172

•   Two Person Total: $2,343

One note: You may want to also budget for travel insurance in case the unexpected were to happen, or look into what kind of credit card travel insurance your issuer provides.

Recommended: Credit Card Miles vs. Cash Back

10 Fun Must-Dos in Memphis

As you plan a trip to this Tennessee city, you’ll likely want to map out an itinerary, even if just loosely, to make sure you hit the highlights. Here, culled from top online reviews and seasoned travelers, is advice on the 10 best things to do in Memphis.

1. Pay Homage to the King

We would be remiss to start off a list of best things to do in Memphis without mentioning Graceland, the home of iconic singer Elvis Presley. Open for tours on a daily basis, your ticket gives you access to 120 acres. Explore Elvis’s mansion (including the Jungle Room), his most iconic outfits, and the exterior grounds.

There are also on-site museums dedicated to the King of Rock ‘n Roll’s career and cars. If you really want to make the most out of your time at Graceland, you can also stay at a hotel on the grounds. If staying in the city, consider a rental car or shuttle for the 20-minute drive. Ticket prices range from $28 to $215 for the Ultimate VIP Tour. (If you’re buying the top of the line tickets, you may want to swipe with plastic when paying to earn credit card rewards.) graceland.com/

2. Visit the National Civil Rights Museum

Memphis is also known for another King — civil rights legend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated at the city’s Lorraine Motel in 1968. Now the location has been transformed into the National Civil Rights Museum with interactive exhibits, films, and oral histories cataloging centuries of the quest for freedom and equality in America.

Exhibit material starts with the struggle against slavery in the early 1600s and moves forward through today’s continuing Civil Rights Movement. Walk through a recreation of the Montgomery Bus Boycotts of the 1950s, the Memphis Sanitation Strikes, and more. The museum is closed on Tuesdays so plan your visit in advance. civilrightsmuseum.org/

3. Stroll Down Beale Street

This nearly two-mile stretch of road in downtown Memphis is a celebration of all things music. Considered the official Home of the Blues, you’ll find clubs and restaurants to satisfy any music lover’s thirst for live entertainment.

There’s always something going on at Beale Street. Just show up to explore on your own, or download the official app to create a plan. Note that a security checkpoint goes up on Friday and Saturday nights. Those under 21 must be accompanied by an adult after 9 p.m., and the street is strictly 21+ after 11 p.m. In other words, weekend nights on Beale Street are on the list for fun things to do in Memphis for adults but not kids. bealestreet.com/

4. March with the Peabody Ducks

One of the best things to do in Memphis with kids is to head to the downtown Peabody Hotel for the daily Duck March. Occurring at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day, this decades-long tradition involves five North American mallards who live at the hotel. Each group of ducks lives at the hotel for three months before returning to farm life outside the city.

They’re brought down from their Royal Duck Palace on the rooftop to swim in the lobby fountain. Participants must be at least five years old, and the hotel recommends arriving 30 minutes early to get a seat. Seeing the Peabody Ducks is definitely an affordable family travel option. peabodymemphis.com/peabody-ducks

5. Tour the Belz Museum

What started out as a private art collection has turned into five permanent exhibits displaying Asian and Judaic art, as well as the Holocaust Memorial Gallery. The Belz Museum also brings in special exhibits twice a year.

One of the most comprehensive collections at the museum is the Chinese art exhibit, which is known as the largest such collection in the southeast United States. You’ll see many pieces from the Qing dynasty, which lasted from the mid-1600s through the early 1900s. The Belz Museum is closed Monday and Tuesday.

6. Take in Some Thrilling Basketball

Love basketball? Check out an NBA game at FedExForum, which is home to the Memphis Grizzlies (nba.com/grizzlies/tickets). The season runs from October to April. The stadium also hosts University of Memphis men’s basketball, which is a NCAA Division I. You can also check out the Division I women’s team on campus at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse.

7. Marvel at the Mighty Lights

Put this on your list of free things to do in Memphis: the nightly Mighty Lights on the downtown waterfront. Every evening, the city’s two iconic bridges (the Hernando de Soto and Harahan) are lit up in a huge display of LED lights. You’ll see the show at the hourly and 30-minute marks starting at sundown, followed by a grand final at 10:30 p.m.

Scout out a spot to watch along the Mississippi riverfront parks, or scope out an aerial view in the city. The Fourth Bluff and Mud Island are both good options to check out. mightylights.com/

8. Snap Selfies at Mud Island River Park

Tap into your inner river rat at Mud Island River Park. It takes just a few minutes to walk to it from downtown Memphis, and you’ll enjoy lounging on this Mississippi River island. It’s also a perfect spot for some social media selfies thanks to the huge Memphis sign, which spans 50 feet.

This 52-acre park also features a scale model of the Mississippi River to give you a sense of the true breadth of the world’s third largest river basin. Traveling with pets? Mud Island is also a great location for a long walk with your dog. memphisparks.com/park/mud-island-park/

9. Drop into the Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Not only is Memphis home to the blues and rock ‘n roll, it has also played a pivotal role in America’s soul music scene. The Stax Museum is the original home of the legendary Stax recording studio, which was the recording label of iconic artists like Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Shirley Brown, and many others.

Explore the rich history of the studio through exhibits and artifacts. You’ll even get the chance to see Isaac Hayes’ custom Cadillac Eldorado, decked out in 24-karat gold trim with a mini-fridge and television on the inside. The Stax Museum is closed on Mondays; tickets are $13 for adults and $10 for kids 9-12; children 8 and under are free. staxmuseum.com/

10. Wander Through Meeman-Shelby Forest

Needa dose of nature? Memphis has that, too! Head 20 minutes outside of downtown Memphis for the enchanting Meeman-Shelby Forest. You can explore 13,000 acres of wilderness that is home to a diverse range of ecosystems. Discover sandy beaches and swamplands (home to the Bald Cypress tree).

There are plenty of recreational activities to enjoy, including trails, a nature center, and a disc golf course. tnstateparks.com/parks/meeman-shelby

The Takeaway

From a huge music scene to pivotal moments in history, from parks to nightly light shows, Memphis has attractions worth exploring for all ages. It doesn’t matter if you have a few days or a full week — it’s easy to fill your schedule with tons of fun things to do in Memphis on any budget.

FAQ

Is Beale Street worth a visit?

Beale Street is considered a must-visit if you’re visiting Memphis, whether it’s your first time or you’ve vacationed there before. Home of blues music, you’ll get a truly unique flavor of entertainment any time of day or night.

What is the best month to visit Memphis?

If you have a completely open calendar and are ready to head to Memphis at the perfect time of year, consider going either in mid-spring or mid-fall. You’ll miss the heat of summer and clouds of winter, so you can explore the top things to do in Memphis, Tennessee, in the best possible weather.

What is Memphis most popular for?

Memphis is best known for its music scene, both historically and today. It’s considered the home of the blues as well as the hometown of rock ‘n roll (Elvis Presley’s Graceland is there), so you’re sure to find something to enjoy.

Photo credit: iStock/benedek
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Source: sofi.com

Apache is functioning normally

Las Vegas is known for many things, typically its world-famous casinos and that legendary nightlife. There’s a reason they say, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”

For some people, those features of Las Vegas are exactly what they want. But not everyone loves to play the slot machines, try their luck at roulette, or sip those fancy cocktails. The good news is you don’t have to: There are countless things to do in Las Vegas, and only a small fraction involve drinking and gambling.

Here, learn about the best things to do when visiting Las Vegas because this Nevada town has a lot going on!

Best Times to Go to Las Vegas

The best times to visit Las Vegas can depend on your personal preferences. What do you want to do while you are there? Here are some things to keep in mind:

•   Weather: Las Vegas can be very hot if you opt for summer travel. Temperatures can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit during that time. So, if you prefer not to be covered in sweat, the best time to visit in terms of weather is usually in the fall (September to November) or spring (March to May), when temperatures are milder. However, if you are planning a visit that involves nothing but casino time, seeing shows, and hitting the pool, you can travel pretty much whenever.

•   Events: Las Vegas hosts many events and festivals throughout the year, including the Electric Daisy Carnival music festival in May, the World Series of Poker in the summer, and the National Finals Rodeo in December. If there is a particular event you want to attend, that could influence when you decide to go.

•   Crowds: Las Vegas is a popular destination all year, but certain times of year tend to be busier than others. The winter holidays and New Year’s Eve are typically the busiest times, while weekdays in the summer can be quieter.

Generally, the best time to visit Las Vegas depends on what you want to do and see. If you want to avoid crowds and extreme heat, consider visiting in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall. If you want to attend a specific event, plan your trip around that. Also, consider travel insurance to give yourself peace of mind in case you hit any obstacles before or during your trip.

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Bad Times to Go to Las Vegas

Again, the bad times to visit Las Vegas are subjective and depend on your preferences. For most people, though, here are times of the year that might be less enjoyable:

•   Summer: As mentioned, temperatures can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. That could make it an uncomfortable time to visit for many.

•   Major holidays: Las Vegas is a popular destination on many major holidays, including New Year’s Eve, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day. During these times, hotels and attractions can be crowded, and prices might be higher than usual.

•   Convention weekends: Las Vegas is a popular destination for business conferences and conventions, and hotel rates can be higher during these times. You might also find that the city is more crowded than usual.

As you can see, the worst times to visit Las Vegas also depend on your personal inclinations. If you want to avoid crowds and high prices, it’s best to avoid major holidays and conventions. If you can’t handle the heat, staying away during the summer is best.

Average Cost of a Las Vegas Vacation

The cost of a Las Vegas vacation can vary widely depending on factors such as the time of year, duration of your visit, accommodations, dining and entertainment options, and your budget for spending. It might help if you already have a travel fund, but it depends on how much you will spend. Here is a general breakdown of common expenses for a one-person and couple’s vacation:

One-Person Vacation:

•   Accommodations: A mid-range hotel room can cost around $100-$200 per night; luxury hotels in Vegas will of course typically be more, but you may be able to use hacks that will lower that cost and help you save money on hotels.

•   Flights: Round-trip flights generally cost around $200-$500, depending on the departure city and time of year.

•   Transportation: Taxis, Ubers, and public transportation can add up to around $50-$100 or more. Of course, they might cost you more money depending on how often you use them.

•   Food and drink: Meals can cost around $20-$50 per day, depending on where and what you eat, plus drinks and snacks can add another $20-$50 per day.

•   Entertainment: Shows, attractions, and activities can range from free to several hundred dollars per person. Tickets to those high-profile residencies can get quite pricey.

Total: A one-person vacation to Las Vegas can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000 or more, depending on the above factors. Also consider things like traveling with pets, which will increase your costs as hotels typically add a charge and you might have additional transportation costs getting to pet-friendly parks.

Couple’s Vacation:

•   Hotels: A mid-range hotel room can cost around $100-$200 per night or more for a luxury hotel.

•   Flights: Round-trip flights can cost around $400-$1,000, depending on the departure city and time of year. However, you can save money or get extra perks with an airline credit card or cash back rewards credit card.

•   Transportation: Taxis, Ubers, and public transportation can add up to around $100-$200. Again, it depends in part on how much you use them.

•   Food and drink: Meals can cost around $40-$100 per day for two people, depending on where and what you eat. Drinks and snacks might add another $40-$100 per day.

•   Entertainment: Shows, attractions, and activities can range from free to several hundred dollars per person.

Total: A couple’s vacation to Las Vegas might cost anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 or more, depending on the above factors. Naturally, how much you can afford will have an effect on your budget.

10 Fun Must-Dos in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is one of the best places in the country for all kinds of entertainment. Whether young or old, you are never more than a few steps away from something interesting. This list of the best things to do in Vegas is culled from top-rated attractions on popular review sites, as well as insider intel from savvy travelers.

The good thing about taking a trip to Las Vegas is that the Strip is generally the focal point. So, if you stay near the Strip, you are sure to find many attractions that are accessible. Just be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes, as traversing the Strip takes more steps than you might realize.

1. Visit the Las Vegas Strip

As the main attraction in Vegas, the Strip has numerous shops, restaurants, and shows. Of course, you can visit the casinos if you prefer, but even the Strip has plenty to do that doesn’t involve gambling. Admire the Bellagio’s fountains and the artwork inside the casino, or visit the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas. Visit the city’s museums, or enjoy some performances by the city’s various street performers. The Strip offers endless entertainment for all kinds of people. visitlasvegas.com/las-vegas-strip/

2. See a Live Show

Seeing a live show is one of the best things to do in Las Vegas. The city is home to many spectacular shows, including Cirque du Soleil, Blue Man Group, and magic shows. All the best shows are usually on the Strip, so catching a show is convenient, too.

3. Explore Fremont Street

This is the old downtown area of Las Vegas, with vintage casinos, bars, and the famous light show on the overhead canopy. While the Strip is generally the main attraction in Last Vegas these days, many people insist Fremont Street is the “real” Vegas experience. Today, Fremont Street is home to unbeatable experiences like the Viva Vision Light Show, an indoor zip line, and the vintage Golden Nugget casino. vegasexperience.com/

4. Ride the High Roller

Even if you aren’t a high roller in the casinos, you can feel like one in the High Roller observation wheel. This 550-foot-tall Ferris wheel is the world’s tallest observation wheel, offering a stunning view of the Las Vegas skyline. Because the High Roller is so tall, the seats are completely enclosed in glass to keep passengers safe. The High Roller is located in the heart of the Strip, on the property of the LINQ Hotel and Casino. Daytime tickets for a 30-minute ride are typically $8.50 for youth; $23.50 for adults; nighttime is $17.50 for youth, $34.75 for adults. caesars.com/linq/things-to-do/attractions/high-roller

5. Visit the Hoover Dam

Las Vegas has endless things to do, but sometimes, you just need an escape. Located just outside Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam is a marvel of engineering and a great place for a day trip. You can reach the Hoover Dam in about one hour by car from the Strip, so getting there isn’t too time-consuming. It was built between 1931 and 1936 during the Great Depression. It serves several purposes, including controlling flooding of the Colorado River, irrigating over 1,500,000 acres of land, and providing water to 16,000,000 people. Tickets are $10 for a self-guided tour; $30 for a guided tour. usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/service/

6. Go Shopping

If you’re a shopping fiend, few places are better than Las Vegas. The city is home to many high-end shopping destinations, including the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace and the Fashion Show Mall. There are also indie shops, other malls on the Strip, and outlets. That includes Las Vegas North Premium Outlets, where you’ll find deals on designer brands like Versace, Paige, and Michael Kors. This could also be a great opportunity to earn credit card rewards.

7. Visit the Neon Museum

Be sure to check out The Neon Museum Las Vegas to see a visual representation of Vegas’s history. This outdoor museum is located just north of the Strip and showcases vintage neon signs from Las Vegas’s past. The museum provides guided tours of signs from Vegas, some of which are from famous landmarks from the 1930s to today. General admission is $10 for children, $20 for adults, and tours are available. neonmuseum.org/

8. Play Miniature Golf

Adults and children of all ages can enjoy some amazing mini-golf courses in Las Vegas. The city has several miniature golf courses, including the Twilight Zone by Monster Mini Golf and KISS World featuring KISS Mini Golf. Both courses feature mesmerizing glow-in-the-dark mini-golf. Las Vegas is undoubtedly one of the coolest places to play mini-golf, so be sure to check these out.

9. Go on a Helicopter Tour

Experience the stunning views of Las Vegas and its surrounding areas from above with a thrilling helicopter tour. Several helicopter tour options are available in Las Vegas, ranging from short sightseeing flights to longer tours that take you to nearby attractions like the Grand Canyon or Hoover Dam. Some helicopter tours are as brief as 10 minutes, while some can last several hours. Keep in mind that helicopter tours in Las Vegas can be expensive, ranging from around $100 to several hundred dollars per person. The cost depends on the length of the tour and the attractions included. Book now, pay later travel can help, though these services can have caveats, including incurring high-interest debt.

10. Visit the SkyPod

Visiting the Skypod at the Strat Hotel and Casino is a must-do activity when you’re in Las Vegas. This iconic tower offers stunning views of Las Vegas and an array of thrilling rides, including the SkyJump and Insanity. You can also see the surrounding mountains and desert from the observation deck. The tower stands 1,149 feet tall, making it the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States. There are several dining options, including the award-winning Top of the World restaurant, which is located on the 106th floor of the tower and offers 360-degree views of the city while you dine. thestrat.com/attractions

Getting Around Town

Las Vegas doesn’t have a wide array of public transit options, but it does have the Las Vegas Monorail that runs along the strip. Unfortunately, the Monorail isn’t exactly cheap, but a 7-day pass might save a bit if you use it multiple times daily. There is also the Las Vegas Loop to transport you between convention halls. Tickets are a reasonable $4.50 per day. Renting a car is always an option as well.

Dining Details

Las Vegas is a great food city. The hotels are packed with amazing options from household-name chefs. You can also stray from the Strip and find local favorites offering affordable tacos, BBQ, and more. Research your favorite kinds of foods, and then let your tastebuds guide you.

The Takeaway

Las Vegas is known for its casinos, but there is much more to Vegas than just gambling. With world-class live performances, incredible dining, fantastic museums, and mesmerizing mini-golf, there is something for everyone in Las Vegas.

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FAQ

How do I get the most out of my Vegas vacation?

You can do many things to get the most out of your Vegas vacation. For example, you can stay on the Strip or at least nearby so you are centrally located and can easily move between destinations. You should also wear comfortable shoes and enjoy free things to do in Las Vegas, like the fountain shows at the Bellagio.

What is Las Vegas best for?

There are many things Las Vegas is great for, including the Strip, Fremont Street, live performances, and museums. Obviously, there are great shows, gambling, and all kinds of delicious dining options, too.

How much money should you take to Vegas?

How much money you should take to Vegas depends in large part on what you plan to do. An individual on a tight budget might be able to skate by on as little as $500 for a week-long stay. But a couple planning a luxury vacation might need as much as $4,000 or perhaps more.

Photo credit: iStock/f11photo

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Apache is functioning normally

Nestled within a chain of islands bordering both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, Puerto Rico is a popular vacation spot. Plus, U.S. citizens don’t even need a passport when visiting although it can feel as if you’ve been transported to the ultimate far-flung tropical beach vacation.

Yes, sand and sea are a big part of the allure. But if you’re wondering what are some cool things to do in Puerto Rico, you’ll likely be happy to know that parks, museums, shopping, and historical sites are all waiting.

Read on to learn about top spots and attractions across the island, plus the best times of the year to go and other important details. With this advice, you’ll be ready to have an amazing getaway when visiting Puerto Rico.

Best Times to Go to Puerto Rico

If you’re looking for warm weather without the threat of hurricanes, plan your Puerto Rico trip for the winter or spring months. Temperatures average in the 80s all year long, but you’re more likely to avoid crowded beaches and other tourist spots if you focus on these milder months during the school year.

In fact, ending your holiday season with a trip to Puerto Rico lets you take advantage of festivals held throughout the island marking the epiphany in early January. Larger street parades are held in San Juan, but you can also find charming events in smaller towns as well.

Bad Times to Go to Puerto Rico

There are a couple of times of year that are less than ideal for a Puerto Rican vacation. Because a large portion of the local population is Catholic, crowds tend to swell around Easter. That could mean more lines and higher prices.

Another relatively bad time to visit: Hurricane season, which technically lasts from June through November. The most severe weather activity occurs between the middle of August through the middle of October. If you do travel to Puerto Rico during these months, consider purchasing travel insurance through an insurance provider or accessing credit card travel insurance.

Recommended: What Is an Airline Credit Card?

Average Cost of a Puerto Rico Vacation

Before you figure out where to keep your travel fund, calculate how much it will likely cost you. Flight costs vary depending on where you live and what time of year you plan to go.

Once you’re on the island, here are some estimated costs: Food costs can total $39 a day, and local transportation to be about $18. The average nightly hotel cost is $277 for a couple and $139 per person, though there are certainly ways to save money on hotels.

You’ll likely have other incidental costs as well, but here’s how much a week-long Puerto Rico vacation could cost once you’re there.

•   One Person Total: $1,524

•   Couple Total: $3,048

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10 Fun Must-Dos in Puerto Rico

No matter where you plan to stay, there are fun things to do in Puerto Rico across the entire island. The list you find here gathered intel from top-rated attractions on online review sites. In addition, travelers who have explored the island shared their knowledge. As a result, you’ll find a diverse range of activities for people of all ages and all types of groups, whether you’re going on a friends trip, a romantic getaway, or a family adventure.

1. Explore Old San Juan

When visiting Puerto Rico, a must-see is Old San Juan, the historic district of Puerto Rico’s capital city. The streets are lined with colorful buildings featuring Spanish colonial facades. You can take a guided walking tour if you’d love to know all the best historical facts and stories, or you can stroll on your own at no cost.

Be sure to include Fortaleza Street on your itinerary of things to see in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It has beautiful buildings as well as frequent modern art installations. There are plenty of shops and restaurants to try out in the neighborhood, as well as attractions like La Casa Blanca — the former home of Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon. nps.gov/nr/travel/american_latino_heritage/old_san_juan.html

2. Trek Through El Yunque National Forest

The only tropical national forest in the U.S., El Yunque is packed with natural excursions just outside of San Juan. It’s considered one of the top things to do in Puerto Rico. There are plenty of hiking trails, ponds, and a lagoon (complete with a rope swing so you can tap into your inner child).

There are more than 28,000 acres in El Yunque, and trails span 25 miles. You can create a plan for any level of exertion. If you’re staying in the San Juan area, definitely put this on your list of unique things to do in Puerto Rico. Admission is only $2, but make sure you have an advance reservation before you go. Bonus: If you are traveling with a pet, the trails are dog-friendly, though only service animals are allowed inside buildings. recreation.gov/ticket/facility/300017

3. Immerse Yourself in Art

Back in the city, get a dose of world-class art at the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico. Open Thursdays through Sundays, this museum features permanent collections displaying the work of Puerto Rican artists dating from the 17th century to today.

Explore over 1,000 pieces that include paintings, prints, sculptures, photographs, and more. The museum, which is typically closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, is located in the Santurce neighborhood, which is about a 10-minute drive from Old San Juan. Tickets are $6 (not including taxes) per exhibition for adults; $3 for children. mapr.org/en

4. Get Glowing

One of the best things to do in Puerto Rico is to explore one of three bioluminescent bays, which have an otherworldly glow, thanks to microscopic organisms that light up. Seeing these bodies of water can be an amazing and memorable experience.

Mosquito Bay in Vieques is considered the world’s brightest bioluminescent bay. However, you’ll need to take a short flight or boat ride from San Juan to get there.

Alternatively, you can explore Laguna Grande in Fajardo (which is the closest option to San Juan) or La Parguera in Lajas, which is closer to Rincón. La Perguera is also the only place where you can swim rather than take a boat tour or kayak. The best time to go for any bioluminescent bay tour is December through April when there isn’t a lot of rainfall to cloud the water.

Tours can range from about $50 to $75 per person. This can be a good time to swipe with plastic when paying to earn credit card rewards.

5. Tour a Grand Historical Home

Museo Castilla Serrallés is a great thing to do in Puerto Rico if you love history and architecture. It’s the former home of the Serrallés family (of DonQ Rum), who built the extravagant tile-roofed Spanish Revival castle in the 1930s. It takes just under an hour and a half to drive from San Juan to Ponce where the property is, so you may want to think about getting a rental car.

Today, you can explore the home’s interior, as well as beautiful gardens outside. Learn about the history of rum through immersive exhibits, then stroll through the butterfly garden and Japanese gardens. The property is typically open from Wednesday through Sunday, and tickets cost $15 for adults. museocastilloserralles.com/

6. Get Wet

Located on the northwest corner of Puerto Rico, Aguadilla is about a two-hour drive from San Juan. It’s home to the pristine Crash Boat Beach, which is a great place to indulge in almost any kind of water activity you like, including swimming, snorkeling, and surfing (which is ideal during the summer travel season).

Crash Boat Beach is public, so add it to your list of free things to do in Puerto Rico. It definitely has a lively atmosphere, full of music and food to enjoy when you’re not in the water.

7. Stroll Through El Parterre Park

When you need a break from the beach, check out El Parterre in downtown Aguadilla. This beautifully landscaped park offers the perfect spot to casually stroll under mature trees, and there are plenty of benches for resting, reading, or picnicking, just like a local would. It’s also a good sunset watching spot.

El Parterre contains a natural water spring that has quite a bit of historical significance throughout the centuries. It was used as a water source by explorer Sir Francis Drake in the late 16th century and also by Spanish soldiers in later years.

8. Wander Into River Caves

Just an hour west of San Juan, Arecibo is a coastal location with diverse natural wonders to explore. One of the best things to do in Puerto Rico’s Arecibo area is to visit the Camuy River Cave Park. It’s one of the largest cave networks in the entire world.

Recently reopened in early 2023, you’ll walk through immense caverns that are estimated to be over 45 million years old. One of the most breathtaking spots is a sinkhole that shines in sunlight from hundreds of feet above. Tickets are $18 for adults, $13 for kids ages 4 to 12, with younger children admitted for free (which can help families afford to travel).

9. Surf at Domes Beach

Is surfing on your list of fun things to do in Puerto Rico? If so, check out Domes Beach in Rincón, located on the West Coast of the island (a little south from Aguadillo). Even if you don’t surf, you might enjoy catching a professional surfing competition throughout the year.

Domes Beach is also a great place to enjoy a sunset over the water. If you need a break from the waves, check out the Punta Higuero Lighthouse, a historic landmark originally built in 1892.

10. Venture to Vieques Beaches

A smaller island just to the east of the main Puerto Rican island, Vieques can only be reached by a short flight or ferry ride. Because of this, however, the beaches in Vieques are extremely tranquil and secluded. If you want a beach experience without large crowds or noise, this is an incredible option.

Plus, you can take one of the world’s best bioluminescent bay tours while you’re there.

The Takeaway

It’s easy to find dozens of things to do in Puerto Rico, whether San Juan or elsewhere. The hardest part is simply narrowing down your list of options to fit your time there. Whether you want a relaxed beach or an outdoor adventure, a historical home or a top-notch museum, you’ll find it all in Puerto Rico.

FAQ

Is Puerto Rico cheap for tourists?

It depends on your point of comparison. You’ll probably find it cheaper than large coastal cities on the U.S. mainland, but it also tends to be more expensive than other Caribbean island destinations.

What food is Puerto Rico known for?

Exploring traditional Puerto Rican cuisine is one of the best parts of visiting. Definitely check out mofongo, a mashed fried plantain side dish, as well as pasteles — similar to tamales but made with green banana masa and many options for fillings.

What can’t you bring back from Puerto Rico?

You can’t bring back fresh fruits or vegetables from Puerto Rico to the U.S. mainland. Cactus and citrus plants are also prohibited.

Photo credit: iStock/benedek
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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
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