Under the current policy, travelers in the “Wanna Get Away” fare class must pay the fare difference if they opt to fly same-day standby.
Southwest Airlines will allow all passengers to fly same-day standby for free, bringing the carrier in line with other major airlines in the United States.
The new benefit, which the airline told explore journey it hoped to launch by the end of August, will allow travelers who purchase a “Wanna Get Away” ticket to fly same-day standby without a fee. Southwest will also introduce the ability to sign up for standby online or through the airline’s app.
“Last year, Southwest Airlines added ‘Wanna Get Away’ Plus and Transferable Flight Credit to our fare lineup as new benefits for Customers,” Southwest wrote in a statement shared with T+L. “Now, we’re introducing more fare enhancements as part of our ongoing commitment to provide Customers with more choices, more flexibility, and more value when they fly Southwest.”
Under the current policy, travelers in the “Wanna Get Away” fare class must pay the fare difference if they opt to fly same-day standby,
according to the airline. Southwest currently allows free access to same-day standby for Rapid Rewards tier members as well as passengers traveling on their “Business Select,” “Anytime,” or “Wanna Get Away Plus” fares.
For other changes, Southwest famously doesn’t charge change fees, instead only charging the difference in fares if someone changes their flight.
The decision to include free same-day standby for all customers comes years after several other major U.S. carriers did the same. In 2021, United started allowing all passengers to fly same-day standby for free on both domestic and international routes. Later that year, Delta followed. American Airlines also offers same-day standby at no cost.
In addition to making it easier to change flights, Southwest said it will offer free inflight Wi-Fi for customers who purchase a “Business Select” fare. These customers will be able to connect up to three devices per flight leg.
Flights must be booked by Aug. 12 for travel from Sept. 10 to Dec. 15.
It’s a milestone anniversary for a popular Caribbean island airline, and they are celebrating with deals for passengers.
Cayman Airways, the flagship airline carrier for the Cayman Islands, discounted several international flights to celebrate its 55 years in business.
Some of the top flight deals as part of the promotion include:
1.New York to Cayman from $283 Roundtrip 2.Tampa to Cayman from $268 Roundtrip 3.Miami to Cayman from $268 Roundtrip 4.Kingston to Cayman from $303 Roundtrip 5.Havana to Cayman from $249 Roundtrip 6.Panama to Cayman from $257 Roundtrip 7.Los Angeles to Cayman for $413 Roundtrip
The discounted fares can be viewed on the airlines website, and must be booked by Aug. 12, 2023, and are valid for travel between Sept. 10, 2023 and Dec. 15, 2023. There are dates where the promotion is not valid, such as around the Thanksgiving holiday. The promotion requires a minimum of a two night stay, and a 30 day maximum stay. The ticket purchases are non-refundable.
Cayman Airways was founded on Aug. 7, 1968, and the first international route was from Grand Cayman to Kingston, Jamaica. The airline currently operates a fleet of Boeing 737-8 aircraft for their international flights.
One of the more unique perks of flying Cayman Airways is that the airline provides free Seven Fathoms Rum Punch to all (legal aged) passengers on international flights. The airline also shares that business class passengers receive a full meal with a variety of enhanced beverages including champagne and cocktails.
The Cayman Islands Tourism Department describes the islands as the “most carefree corner of the Caribbean”. The department also shares the natural wildlife including turtles and the Cayman Brac Parrot are popular sights, among with scuba diving, hiking, and other
Discover the best hotels, restaurants, and things to do with this highly curated Washington, D.C. travel guide.
Washington, D.C. is so much more than the political epicenter of the U.S. The city offers legendary museums, one of the best hotels in the country in 2022 (as voted by T+L readers), and a calendar full of fun events for the entire family. History buffs will love stepping back in time at the National Mall, and anyone with a passion for reading will swoon at the book collection in the Library of Congress. Nature lovers should opt for a springtime visit, when the cherry blossoms bloom and events start to trickle outside, including the Blossom Kite Festival.
And let’s not forget that the country’s capital is also a college town, with universities like Georgetown, Howard, George Washington, and American all within city limits.
Whether you’re headed there to learn, play, or even just as a stopover before your next destination, you should explore everything the capital city has to offer. These are the best places to stay, eat, and shop in Washington, D.C.
Best Hotels
Riggs Washington, D.C.
Riggs Washington D.C. is the place to stay in the capital city, and it’s got the accolades to prove it. The property was named the best hotel in Washington, D.C. in 2022 by explore journey readers. Once a national bank headquarters, the hotel combines its past and present beautifully. You’ll find small bespoke touches that pay homage to its history, including in-room minibars designed like vintage safes.
Discover the best hotels, restaurants, and things to do with this highly curated Washington, D.C. travel guide.
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
Washington, D.C. is so much more than the political epicenter of the U.S. The city offers legendary museums, one of the best hotels in the country in 2022 (as voted by T+L readers), and a calendar full of fun events for the entire family. History buffs will love stepping back in time at the National Mall, and anyone with a passion for reading will swoon at the book collection in the Library of Congress. Nature lovers should opt for a springtime visit, when the cherry blossoms bloom and events start to trickle outside, including the Blossom Kite Festival.https://cbb8e7264d2b47e6790c0ea19a5fc237.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.htmlAnd let’s not forget that the country’s capital is also a college town, with universities like Georgetown, Howard, George Washington, and American all within city limits.
Whether you’re headed there to learn, play, or even just as a stopover before your next destination, you should explore everything the capital city has to offer. These are the best places to stay, eat, and shop in Washington, D.C.
Best Hotels
Riggs Washington, D.C.
Riggs Washington D.C. is the place to stay in the capital city, and it’s got the accolades to prove it. The property was named the best hotel in Washington, D.C. in 2022 by T+L readers. Once a national bank headquarters, the hotel combines its past and present beautifully. You’ll find small bespoke touches that pay homage to its history, including in-room minibars designed like vintage safes.
The Jefferson
COURTESY OF THE JEFFERSON
The Jefferson, also voted one of the city’s best hotels in 2022 by explore journey readers, is an independently owned boutique that features “99 guest rooms inspired by our third president’s travels in Paris and home in Charlottesville, Virginia,” T+L contributor Rebecca Ascher-Walsh previously reported. The hotel is currently offering a “Summer of Discovery” package, where guests can receive a daily itinerary curated by the hotel’s in-house historian, a $50 daily dining credit, and late checkout.
Rosewood Washington, D.C.
Rosewood Washington, D.C. is a chic retreat in Georgetown set along the C&O Canal and is a favorite among explore journey readers. The property features 55 rooms, 12 suites, and six town houses designed for long-term guests. Enjoy a meal on-site at Cut, a Wolfgang Puck steakhouse. The restaurant is open seven days a week and hosts brunch on the weekend. Reservations are recommended.
The Hay-Adams
This historic hotel, also loved by explore journey readers, overlooks Lafayette Square and has great views of the White House and the Washington Monument. The Hay-Adams was named after its original residents — John Hay and Henry Adams. Scott Bay, a explore journey contributor, reported that “the details seen throughout the Italian Renaissance-style mansion and its 145 rooms evoke a sense of timelessness that keeps visitors coming back year after year.”
Pendry Washington, D.C. The Wharf
The Pendry is one of D.C.’s newest properties and was named one of the best new hotels in 2023 by explore journey editors. The 131-room hotel features high-end amenities, including “a panoramic pool terrace with cabanas, sun loungers, and a swimming pool; spa facilities; and a rooftop restaurant,”explore journey Memor contributor Dobrina Zhekova previously reported. Most rooms in the hotel feature floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase stunning views of the Potomac River and monuments like the Jefferson Memorial.
Discover the best restaurants, hotels, and things to do with this highly curated guide to the Holy City.
Charleston, South Carolina, has been named readers’ favorite U.S. city in our “World’s Best Awards” survey year after year for several convincing reasons. While the Southern port city is known for centuries-old cobblestones and horse-drawn carriages, its dynamism and forward momentum are apparent across all facets of the city — from its top-tier culinary feats to its ever-evolving roster of shops, museums, and must-see attractions.
Alongside abiding favorites and famous views — shopping on King Street, wandering down Rainbow Row, snagging a table at Fig or The Ordinary, venturing out to one of the nearby beaches — the city continuously boasts a variety of exciting openings and relative newcomers that quickly ingrain themselves in Charleston culture. Stop by Babas on Cannon for European-inspired dishes, an espresso, and maybe an aperitif or two. Classic southern Italian meets Lowcountry at Sorelle, an all-day restaurant, bar, and market spanning two stories of 88 Broad Street. Food tends to be a popular topic of conversation in Charleston
as the F&B scene is paramount for most visitors, but there’s plenty to do in between meals. When you’ve reached the point where you can’t fathom eating another bite, venture to neighboring Mount Pleasant, where you’ll find a curation of local art at Charleston Artist Collective and a stellar sunset overlooking Charleston Harbor from Pitt Street Bridge.
Whether you’re planning your first trip to Charleston or you, understandably, keep coming back to the Holy City, this T+L Charleston travel guide will help you get the most out of your visit — whenever you choose to go.
Best Time To Visit
Charleston attracts international and domestic tourists all year round, but you’ll find different weather, events, and downtown decor depending on the month you choose to visit.
Rain is relatively common in spring, but it’s arguably one of the best times of the year in Charleston, with temperatures varying from 60 to 80 degrees and Southern blooms like wisteria, jasmine, and azaleas coming out in full force. The peak of wisteria season (“wisteria hysteria”) falls in mid-March, right after the Charleston Food + Wine Festival, where the Lowcountry shows off its diverse, world-renowned food culture on a larger stage.
culture on a larger stage. Charleston Jazz Festival happens in April, a month that also marks the opening of Charleston Farmers Market’s regular season in Marion Square. The beloved Festival of Houses and Gardens concludes mid-month, followed by Spoleto, a 17-day performing arts festival that takes over the city from late May to early June. If you’re headed to Charleston in the spring, just be prepared for crowds, traffic, lines, and hard-to-find parking.
Fall is also a popular time to visit Charleston, as the weather is defined by moderate days and crisp evenings. Oyster season begins in early October; and historic house tours return after a long, hot summer. Social media listings are your best tool for finding local oyster roasts, but you’ll need to purchase tickets in advance for the Preservation Society of Charleston’s Fall Tours. Choose from guided tours through private homes, self-homes, self-guided strolls through Charleston’s most beautiful gardens, or walking tours down the historic streets.
Winters in the Southeast are typically mild and occasionally rainy; temperatures rarely drop low enough for snow flurries. That said, December is a magical time in Charleston. Historic homes lining lower King, Meeting, Legare, Church, Broad, and South Battery Streets are dressed to the nines in breathtaking magnolia garland, cheerful wreaths, and flickering candles in the windows. The annual Holiday Festival of Lights, a three-mile driving tour through James Island County Park, is a favorite family-friendly activity in the evenings. February is the unofficial start of festival season, as Charleston sets up for the Southeastern Wildlife Exhibition (SEWE), a weekend celebration of all things outdoors—including art, sporting exhibitions, and the can’t-miss dock dog competition.
Although coastal breezes provide some relief, summer’s heat — think high 80s and low 90s — thunderstorms, and humidity make it less than ideal for tourism, but there are still a few reasons to visit Charleston in June, July, and August. Namely, the city’s access to sand and salt water. Just a 15 to 30-minute drive from downtown, Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, and Folly Beach bring their own unique appeal to beach-goers. Add Kiawah Island to your summer beach bucket list if you’re prepared to drive a little further.
Everything you need to know about Accor Live Limitless, the hotel loyalty program that connects 45 of your favorite hotel brands, including Raffles, Sofitel, and The Hoxton.
Whether you stay at a hotel for two nights or 200 nights per year, it can be worthwhile to sign up for a hospitality brand’s loyalty program. Create the account now, accumulate points over time, and rake in the benefits later.
Take Accor, for instance. As one of the largest hospitality companies in the world, Accor has a footprint of about 5,100 properties across 45 distinct brands in more than 100 countries. From high-end Fairmont Hotels & Resorts to budget-oriented Ibis Hotels, the French company is sure to have a hotel for nearly every lifestyle and budget. Here’s a closer look at Accor’s loyalty program, Accor Live Limitless — and why it may make sense to become a member.
What is Accor Live Limitless?
First conceived as a hotel company in the 1960s, Accor calls the current iteration of its loyalty program “Accor Live Limitless” (or ALL, for short). Some iconic Accor properties where you can earn and redeem points include the Fairmont Château Lake Louise, Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opéra, and Raffles Dubai, among many, many others.
As with most hotel programs, the more a traveler engages with ALL, the more benefits you’ll receive. “ALL is a simple, flexible, and transparent way for our members to earn and burn points,” says Mehdi Hemici, chief loyalty and ecommerce officer of Accor, in an interview.
There are plenty of ways to earn, either through hotel stays and other travel and non-travel activity based on brand partnerships. And benefits include hotel perks like suite upgrades and dining vouchers.
How to Earn Accor Points
Accor Live Limitless members can earn points for each stay at a participating property. However, the program works a bit differently than the major U.S. based hotel loyalty schemes. For starters, you earn points on how much you spend in euros, not dollars. In addition, ALL points are earned based on each chunk of €10 spent.
With a wide range of properties, ALL points are earned based on the specific brand along with your elite status level. If that sounds confusing, not to worry. Accor has a handy tool to calculate the points that you’ll earn on a stay, according to elite status tier, hotel brand, and room cost.
One of the finest vacation destinations in the U.S. can be found in the southernmost reaches of Mississippi.
While the northern edge of Mississippi is home to historic cities like Oxford and Tupelo, one of the finest vacation destinations in the U.S. South can be found in the southernmost reaches of the state. Known as the “Secret Coast,” this three-county expanse has 62 miles of shoreline, with vast swathes of undeveloped sandy beach — and that’s far from the only amenity in store for visitors.
Destinations like Biloxi and Gulfport imbue the region with a dose of big-city charm paired with world-class attractions. Meanwhile, nearby cities like Bay St. Louis and Pascagoula offer a glimpse into the more idyllic side of the Magnolia State.
No matter where you choose to explore, spectacular seafood restaurants, prestigious museums, and gorgeous natural sites are all waiting to be discovered across the sprawling shoreline of Mississippi’s Secret Coast. It’s arguably the most underrated seaside getaway in the South.
Best Hotels and Resorts
Beau Rivage Resort & Casino
The Mississippi coast is renowned for its world-class casinos, yet few institutions can compare to the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino. This venue is home to 85,000 square feet of gaming space, 1,740 guest rooms, and more than 10 on-site eateries.
Hotel Whiskey Pass Christian
For those seeking a quiet getaway on the shores of Harrison County, Hotel Whiskey Pass Christian offers accommodations near the Pass Christian Harbor. As the name implies, this cozy venue is perfect for spirits aficionados, with the on-property restaurant Whiskey Prime offering a wealth of high-end spirits alongside hearty American fare.
Pearl Hotel
Lavish suites, outdoor fire pits, and top-notch dining are all awaiting guests at the Pearl Hotel, one of the most marvelous venues to grace downtown Bay St. Louis. During evening hours, the cocktail bar Hinge is a top destination for sampling craft drinks and local beer, while the outdoor pool is perfect for cooling off after a day spent under the sun.
The Almanett Hotel & Bistro
The Almanett Hotel & Bistro serves as the perfect base for exploring the city of Gulfport, located just a few steps away from the aquarium. In addition to plush suites, the property also offers ample opportunity to explore classic Mississippi cuisine, with fried catfish, jumbo shrimp, and jambalaya all gracing the hotel restaurant menu.
A new job opportunity is seeking cocktail and mocktail lovers to review bars in their area around the globe — and get paid for doing it in free drinks.
The job is for The Pinnacle Guide, a new company that will use a 1-, 2- and 3-Pin rating system to rank bars across the world, the company shared with Travel + Leisure. The guide will award its first “Pin” at the end of 2023.
“The goal of The Pinnacle Guide is to create a transparent system that recognizes excellence in cocktail bars of all sizes and styles from around the world,” Hannah Sharman-Cox, one of the company’s founders, told T+L. “What better way to assess greatness in these institutions than opening up the opportunity to be a reviewer to anyone who feels they could add insight to the question ‘How does this bar make me feel?'”
To help get the concept off the ground, The Pinnacle Guide is seeking reviewers to anonymously visit bars in their region. “Reviewers from a variety of backgrounds can apply,” said Sharman-Cox. “Whether you’re a cocktail enthusiast or industry professional, anonymous reviewers can share their passion and respect for this industry to be part of a new distinction for celebrating hospitality.”
Each reviewer will order two drinks at each venue — paid for by The Pinnacle Guide — and submit feedback based on their experience. They will also be given a briefing sheet for each bar to help them prepare.
To become a reviewer, applicants must fill out an online form, which will be available later this summer. Those that make it to the second round will be interviewed by the founders and go through virtual training. (Each reviewer must reapply and undergo additional training after two years.)
Beyond having passion and good observational skills, candidates must also be familiar with top-tier bars and have “little or no notoriety within the drinks industry” to maintain the anonymous nature of the reviews.
If you’re someone who spends your days scanning flights, loves hotel rewards points, and in general, is a fervent traveler, you’ve probably wondered how to become a travel agent.
And, while it’s true that living in the age of Expedia means travel agents are not as vital as they once were, people use them a lot more than you might think. Just because travelers aren’t calling up an agent every time they need to book a quick flight doesn’t mean they don’t want to consult an expert for a big trip. This holds especially true when it comes to honeymoons or experiential trips that have a lot of moving parts — coordinating tour companies, translators, or multiple resort stays, for example.
It’s often easier to leave the logistics to someone else: travel agents.
You don’t need a specific employment background to become a travel agent, so if you’re looking for a fresh career start, that’s totally OK. You have to start somewhere on your path to becoming a travel agent, and the sooner you jump in, the sooner you’ll build your client base. On the other hand, if you’re hoping to parlay your experience in a semi-related industry, be it marketing or hospitality, that can help because you’ll have even more context for your new gig. Either way, this can be a rewarding career path (with some fun perks), so here’s what you need to know to become a travel agent.
Formal Training Needed to Become a Travel Agent
While some four-year colleges, community colleges, and trade schools offer tourism certifications, it is not a requirement for those trying to become travel agents. Certificates of tourism can be very helpful, but so can previous training in marketing, hospitality, or even event planning. Ultimately, your knowledge of destinations, sales, itinerary planning, and booking software will be crucial for your career as a travel agent.
In terms of the training time you need to put in before becoming a fully-fledged travel agent, it depends. You could start your career right after high school, or you could put in one to four years to earn a certificate, associate’s, or you could put in one to four years to earn a certificate, associate’s, or bachelor’s degree in tourism. Of course, you could also change course from a related job, and morph your experience as, say, a destination wedding planner into a career as a travel agent.
Training Programs Available
You could take classes with a company like The Travel Institute to earn your certification. Not only will they teach you the basics of planning itineraries, but they’ll also make sure you’re learning about new cultures, world geography, and experiences you can have all over the world. They’ll also help you decide what business route you want to take.
How to Become a Travel Agent: The Logistics
Becoming a travel agent will likely mean starting your own business. On the plus side, it requires relatively little overhead. If you’re becoming a small business owner by opening a yoga studio, for example, you will need to rent a space, deal with permits, buy supplies, build a website, and pay yoga teachers and someone to work the front desk. However, if you’re starting a travel agent business, you can operate from your living room and there aren’t nearly as many upfront costs.
You will have to think about what type of business you want to become. Do you want to become. Do you want to incorporate or become an LLC? Would you rather be a sole proprietor? Incorporating takes the most effort, and is often the most expensive. Becoming an LLC is a good happy medium because it can help protect you as a business entity without having as many associated costs. Small business owners typically become an LLC to protect their personal assets. If you get sued as an LLC, someone can come after your business holdings, but can’t come after your house, car, or personal savings.
While you may have been told to lay off the candy as a child, this company actually is looking to pay someone to do just that — seriously.
Candy Funhouse, an online Canadian candy warehouse, is hiring a Chief Candy Officer, with pay up to $78,341.66 ($100,000 CAD) annually. The company has the job posted both on its site and on LinkedIn (with currently over 200 applicants, according to the platform).
Duties will include tasting over 3,500 candies a month, choosing which new candies the company will cover, leading company strategy, running candy board meetings, and “all things fun,” reads the listing on LinkedIn.
Candy Funhouse is the self-proclaimed “biggest online candy store in the world.” The warehouse sells everything from retro candies like Razzles and Wax Bottles to sweets from Japan, South Africa, Canada, Australia, and more. The company also offers pre-made boxes that are easy to ship as well as candy for specific diets like Halal, Kosher, and even non-sweet treats like bagged pickles and flower arrangements.
While the company states applicants do not need any previous experience, Candy Funhouse is looking for an enthusiastic candidate and natural born leader with an excellent set of communication skills, fluency in English, and no food allergies.
Looking to apply? Job opportunities are in tech, business, and more.
Calling all job hunters: the city of Wellington, New Zealand, is welcoming Americans to move and work in the county’s capital — touting its great work/life balance. This New Zealand City Is Hiring Americans — and There Are 3,000 Jobs to Choose From Looking to apply? Job opportunities are in tech, business, and more.
By Alison Fox Updated on August 7, 2023
Calling all job hunters: the city of Wellington, New Zealand, is welcoming Americans to move and work in the county’s capital — touting its great work/life balance.
The Kiwi city, which sits on the southern tip of the country’s North Island, is holding a recruitment campaign dubbed “ESC to Wellington,” the tourism board shared The city even set up a giant “esc” computer key in New York City to drive the point home.
“With opportunities to work in tech, business, and more, this compact and connected capital city is a place of, and for, change — a region of diverse communities, landscapes, and day-to-day experiences offering a real work-life balance. Or, as we like to call it, life-work balance,” John Allen, the WellingtonNZ CEO, said in a statement
Allen added the city wants “people in New York, across the U.S., and [the] world, to reflect on where they want to be and to consider Wellington a place to fulfill their career and lifestyle ambitions in equal measure.”
Currently, there are more than 3,000 job openings up for grabs in Wellington, which wannabe-expats can search online. These are in popular fields like film, tech, health, education, and more.
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