Fine print, audited

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Basic economy got worse in 2026, and the changes were announced quietly
terms-departures

Basic economy got worse in 2026, and the changes were announced quietly

Three major rule changes landed between December and May, all of them subtractions. What basic economy costs you now, airline by airline, and the two situations where it's still the right buy.

Aug 24, 2026 · 4 min read
Your "free" travel insurance depends on which card you tapped
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Your "free" travel insurance depends on which card you tapped

Premium cards really do include trip cancellation coverage. The catch isn't the coverage, it's that paying with the wrong card, or splitting the bill across two cards, can void it entirely.

Aug 10, 2026 · 4 min read
The resort fee didn't die. It moved upstream.
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The resort fee didn't die. It moved upstream.

A federal rule now forces hotels to show the fee in the advertised price. It caps nothing, bans nothing, and changes exactly one thing: where the number hides. Here's how to read the new label.

Aug 03, 2026 · 3 min read
Your airline owes you cash, not a voucher. It's been the law since 2024.
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Your airline owes you cash, not a voucher. It's been the law since 2024.

Cancelled flight? A federal rule says the refund is automatic, in cash, within seven business days — and the voucher they offer first is the opt-out. Here's how not to opt out by accident.

Jul 27, 2026 · 3 min read
"Cancel For Any Reason" insurance: four words, three conditions, and a 25% haircut
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"Cancel For Any Reason" insurance: four words, three conditions, and a 25% haircut

The best-named product in travel insurance lets you cancel for any reason, as long as it's not too late, you insured everything, you bought it fast enough, and you're fine getting most of your money back.

Jul 19, 2026 · 3 min read