habits

Business class can mean champagne before takeoff, big seats, and stress-free boarding. But who can pay the price tag of three to five times what economy costs?! (Not me.)

But here’s the secret: savvy travelers rarely pay full price. Copy these habits and you could be flying business for far less.

1. Buy tickets with miles, not money

Most airlines give you two ways to book a ticket: pay cash or redeem miles. And while paying cash might work fine for economy, business class prices often offer discounts for redeeming miles.

For a long international route, it’s not uncommon to see fares north of $3,000 if you pay in dollars. But you might be able to book the same business class seat for around 70,000 miles (plus a small amount for taxes and fees). That’s an incredible deal.

So how do you rack up enough miles to pull that off? Well, it starts with joining an airline’s frequent flyer program. But if you want to speed things up, using credit cards will help.

2. Use travel credit cards for everyday spending

Travel credit cards are the secret weapon for earning enough miles to fly business class. There are two main types you can choose from:

• Cobranded airline cards that earn miles with a single airline.
• Flexible travel cards that earn points you can transfer to various airlines.

Personally, I prefer cards that give me transfer flexibility. For instance, I use travel cards from Chase and Capital One. Each one earns points I can send to a dozen or more airline partners, which gives me way more choices when I’m ready to book.

The best part is it doesn’t cost you anything. Since you earn points on everyday purchases like groceries, gas, and shopping, you can continue doing what you’re already doing, but quietly build up points/miles in the background.

Many travel cards also offer large welcome offers for new customers. So you could even snag a quick 50,000 points or more after you meet the spending requirement.

See our top-rated travel credit cards here and start stacking points toward your next business class upgrade.

3. Keep travel dates flexible

Award seat availability is limited, and airlines release business class deals sporadically. So being flexible — even by just a day or two — can save you thousands of dollars (or tens of thousands of miles).

Some tools, like Google Flights and airline award calendars, make it easy to spot the cheapest days to fly. Flexibility isn’t always convenient, but it’s often the difference between flying up front or in the back.

4. Shop for airfare way in advance

Landing a business class bargain often comes down to playing the numbers. If you’re booking last minute, you’re stuck with whatever high-priced seats are left. So you need to shop as early as possible.

So, when should you start your hunt? According to Going, a site that tracks flight deals, the sweet spot is about one to three months before takeoff for domestic trips, and anywhere from two to eight months out for international flights.

These windows are when airlines typically drop their best fares.

If you’re planning to fly during busy seasons — like summer holidays or spring break — you’ll want to extend that search window by a few extra months.

5. Join loyalty programs and try to score elite status

Most airline loyalty programs are tiered. The more you fly and spend, the higher you climb up the ranks. The top tiers often come with free upgrades to business class when seats are available.

Chasing elite status is only worth it if you travel a lot. But even if you’re not aiming for top-tier perks, signing up for loyalty programs never hurts anyway. It’s usually free.

And pairing a good travel rewards credit card with airline loyalty programs gives you more ways to earn points and snag better seats. From there, it’s just a matter of keeping an eye out for business class deals and working your way up to those elite perks.

Ready to earn your first business class ticket? Explore our favorite travel credit cards and start turning your everyday purchases into luxury travel rewards.

Reporting from Washington — For a president prone to distraction, Donald Trump was unusually disciplined — for a time.

In the hours following the shooting of a Republican congressman and three other people in a Virginia park, Trump behaved as most presidents do to reassure the nation in a moment of crisis: He called for unity in a scripted and sober television appearance from the White House, steered clear of attacking political opposition and put the focus on the pain of the victims and heroism of law enforcement.

Then, at the end of the day on Wednesday, as Trump sat down for dinner with his family to celebrate his 71st birthday, news broke that the special prosecutor looking into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election was taking steps toward investigating Trump for possible obstruction of justice.

For hours, Trump again showed restraint as he and First Lady Melania Trump delivered white flowers to the hospital for Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.), the congressional leader wounded in the gunfire.

“Just left hospital. Rep. Steve Scalise, one of the truly great people, is in very tough shape – but he is a real fighter. Pray for Steve!” Trump wrote on Twitter just before 10 p.m. EDT.

Trump’s restraint lasted another nine hours.

By early Thursday morning, Trump slipped back into his Twitter persona — the one that lashes out at enemies in all-capital letters and impugns the motives of investigators — returning to the muddy fracas that aides have been trying to get him to avoid. Trump refused to let his highly paid outside counsel do the talking for him.

“They made up a phony collusion with the Russians story, found zero proof, so now they go for obstruction of justice on the phony story. Nice,” Trump tweeted before 7 a.m., a time when he is usually watching television news in his upstairs White House residence and getting ready for the day.

“You are witnessing the single greatest WITCH HUNT in American political history – led by some very bad and conflicted people!” he added an hour later.

For decades, Trump has made a habit of unapologetically hammering critics, a tactic that electrified supporters during his campaign.

The habit remains a tough one to kick. The lure of speaking to 32 million followers on Twitter and fighting back against allegations Trump sees as fundamentally unfair may be too much to resist, even as advisors and Republican strategists warn that his provocative comments may be perpetuating the cycle of leaks and accusations that launched the investigation in the first place.

“He’s described himself as a counterpuncher. That muscle memory, that he has that reflex to react when something like this comes up, obviously it’s very strong,” said Jim Merrill, a New Hampshire-based consultant for three Republican presidential campaigns.

Trump “interrupted the window where you saw a great deal of unity” in Washington, and hampered his own political interest, Merrill said.

“Its safe to say that oftentimes the president can be his own worst enemy,” he said. “Certainly, weighing in on the investigation so quickly after the shooting yesterday kind of undermines the message of unity.”

Even after 146 days in the White House, Trump continues to seesaw back and forth between brief moments when his administration seems in control of the agenda and longer periods when outbursts from the president create overwhelming distractions.

By the middle of the day Thursday, Trump had returned to a more measured tone. He praised the two Capitol Police special agents who ran toward the gunman in Wednesday’s shooting and returned fire, saving lives, and he described his visit to Scalise’s hospital room the night before, saying “he’s in some trouble” after a bullet tore through his hip.

After multiple surgeries on Wednesday, Scalise’s doctors said the congressman had suffered from internal bleeding and organ damage and was still in critical condition.

Lawmakers from both parties planned to honor Scalise by wearing purple-and-gold Louisiana State University hats during the annual congressional baseball game at Nationals Park on Thursday night.

“And Steve, in his own way, may have brought some unity to our long-divided country. We’ve had a very, very divided country for many years. And I have a feeling that Steve has made a great sacrifice, but there could be some unity being brought to our country. Let’s hope so,” Trump said.

“In these difficult hours, it’s more important than ever to help each other, care for each other and remind each other that we are all united by our love of our great and beautiful country,” Trump said.

The White House seemed to acknowledge the dual nature of Trump’s give-and-take, but, at least officially, insisted that the two were not at cross purposes.

Asked why Trump took to Twitter to call investigators “very bad and conflicted people,” White House deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the president was responding to allegations.

“I think there’s been quite a bit of attacking against the president. I think he was responding to those specific accusations. But I think, as a whole, our country certainly could bring the temperature down a little bit.”

“I think that was the goal that the president laid out yesterday, and hopefully we can all see moving forward,” Sanders said.

After Sanders spoke, Trump visited the Supreme Court to attend the investiture of Justice Neil Gorsuch, whose nomination many conservatives point to as the single most important accomplishment of Trump’s five months in office.

But here wasn’t much time to ponder Gorsuch. Before 4 pm, Trump had his mind on an old adversary from the presidential election. Trump tapped out a Tweet about Hillary Clinton, insisting she should have been investigated for mishandling her State Department emails.

Trump wrote: “Crooked H destroyed phones w/ hammer, ‘bleached’ emails, & had husband meet w/AG days before she was cleared- & they talk about obstruction?”

Twitter: @ByBrianBennett

[email protected]

ALSO

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Reaction to shooting at congressional baseball practice reveals a nation that doesn’t just disagree. It hates

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IF you’re wondering where your money’s going each month, it might not be big bills or bad luck to blame but small, repeated mistakes that add up fast.

From letting your savings sit in low-interest accounts, to underestimating the real cost of long mortgage terms, financial experts warn that common habits could be quietly emptying your bank accounts.

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We asked money experts and behavioural scientists to reveal the biggest habits that are holding people back.

1. Not knowing what’s coming in and going out

It’s hard to feel in control of your money when you don’t know where it’s actually going.

Many people assume they have a rough idea, but the reality is that forgotten subscriptions, auto-renewing services and small daily purchases quickly add up.

Without visibility, your budget can slowly unravel, and by the time you realise, you’ve slipped into the red.

Vix Leyton, consumer expert at Thinkmoney, says the fix starts with routine: “Take time to know what your outgoings are and what is coming in.

“Some apps, like Thinkmoney, offer a snapshot of what you’re spending, and can even ringfence bill money for you so you don’t accidentally end up facing penalties and late fees.”

Even a five-minute weekly check-in can help avoid nasty surprises and highlight where cutbacks are needed.

2. Living without a savings buffer

It’s hard to save money – but not having a buffer can leave you exposed to high credit when you need cash quickly.

Whether it’s a broken boiler, a car that won’t start or a sudden cut in hours at work, not having a cushion means falling back on credit cards or payday loans just to stay afloat.

The result is a constant feeling of stress, and a budget that can be thrown off by the smallest shock.

Thomas Mathar, behavioural researcher and host of The Money:Mindshift Podcast, says a little slack goes a long way.

He said: “Even a modest buffer, like one month’s rent, can give you the breathing space to make better decisions and avoid high-cost debt.

“It’s not just about the numbers, it’s about having mental and financial slack when life throws you a curveball.”

3. Letting debt pile up month after month

More and more people have credit card debt, which means it can be easy to think it’s business as usual, especially when the minimum payments are low.

But ultimately, you’re paying interest to the bank instead of putting that money toward your own goals. Over time, that can add up to hundreds or even thousands of pounds in lost savings.

“Too many people accept credit card debt as a normal state of affairs. It’s not,” says Mathar.

“Paying down high-interest debt quickly is one of the most powerful things you can do for your long-term well being. It’s buying yourself back freedom, and peace of mind.”

If you’re juggling multiple debts, focus on the most expensive ones first and look into 0% balance transfer options if your credit score allows.

4. Having psychological armour to support you

In the age of side hustles and flashy online success stories, it’s tempting to ditch steady work for riskier pursuits.

But without a reliable income it’s hard to build long-term security.

Inconsistent earnings often mean falling behind on bills, using credit to bridge the gap, and struggling to plan ahead.

Mathar warns that it’s important to have some sort of regular income, even if you’re pursuing other hustles on the side.

He says: “A steady income isn’t just about covering bills, it’s psychological armour.

“When you’re living month-to-month or under-earning compared to your potential, the stress compounds.

“You don’t need to chase big money, but you do need income that’s ‘good enough’ to support a resilient, happy life.”

5. Leaving savings in a dead-end account

You might feel good about putting money aside, but if it’s sitting in an easy-access account earning barely any interest, your savings are losing value in real terms.

With inflation still high, the cost of leaving cash in low-yield accounts is higher than many realise.

Adam French, head of news at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, says this mistake is all too common.

Adam said: “The likes of HSBC, Lloyds Bank, Santander, NatWest and Barclays all have easy access accounts paying around 1.1 to 1.2 per cent interest, far below the typical returns savers could expect, which is currently 3.51 per cent.”

The top performing options can pay even more, and shopping around and switching accounts only takes a few minutes online.

6. Not making the most of your ISA allowance

More savers than ever are being hit with tax bills they could have avoided.

Frozen tax thresholds mean that even modest savers can end up over the personal savings allowance, paying tax on any interest they earn.

That means, if you’re not using your ISA allowance, you’re potentially giving money away for free.

French explains: “Saving and investing are some of the best ways to build wealth over time.

“But it’s important that savers are aware of their tax liability on any profits they make – which can add up over the course of a few years.

Plenty of savers can avoid this tax bill by making use their yearly ISA allowances.

You can save or invest up to £20,000 a year tax-free, and every pound sheltered from tax is a pound that keeps working for you.

7. Only saving for retirement, and nothing else

Putting money into a pension is smart, but it shouldn’t be your only savings plan.

Many people now take career breaks, retrain, care for relatives or start businesses, and those transitions need funding too.

Mathar says ignoring this reality can leave people exposed.

“We don’t live three-stage lives anymore – education, work, retirement… A ‘transition fund’ – even just a few months’ salary – makes those big life pivots possible without financial panic.”

8. Being too harsh on yourself when things go wrong

Money mistakes happen. But too often, people fall into a cycle of guilt and avoidance, especially if they’re already struggling.

That mindset can stop you from facing your finances or reaching out for help, which only makes things worse in the long run.

Mathar believes the solution starts with self-empathy. “Here’s the truth: we’re all a bit messed up when it comes to money.

Our brains are wired for short-term wins, not long-term planning.

The goal isn’t to be perfect with money; it’s to build enough slack, mental and financial, so that one mistake or setback doesn’t knock you flat.”

9. Not overpaying your mortgage when you could

With mortgage rates still high and household budgets under pressure, many borrowers are choosing longer terms to keep monthly payments manageable.

But unless you’re also making overpayments, that strategy can come at a serious long-term cost.

French says small changes now can lead to huge savings later: “Overpaying by £200 per month on that same £250,000 40-year mortgage could shave almost 13 years off the mortgage term, saving them around £123,000 in interest payments.

“This is all without being tied to having to consistently make higher payments every single month – boosting the flexibility of their budget and their financial resilience.”

Most lenders allow up to 10 per cent overpayment each year.

Even £50 a month can help you become mortgage-free sooner and pay far less in interest overall.

Travel experts have warned that doing these seemingly innocent things could expose people to unnecessary risks

Travel experts have warned Brits doing three common habits during the bank holiday could leave them exposed to criminals. In the modern digital era, it’s become almost instinctive to post holiday pictures on Instagram or Facebook.

However, while sharing updates may seem innocuous, divulging too much online while you’re away can leave you vulnerable to unnecessary risks. From burglaries at home to identity theft, certain types of posts can make you an easy prey for criminals.

Travel experts at Ski Vertigo reveals the top three things you should never disclose online during your trip – and why holding off until you’re safely back home could be a wiser decision.

1. Your precise location in real time

Disclosing your location, whether through tagged posts, check-ins, or live updates, is one of the easiest blunders you can make while travelling. Criminals often scour social media for hints and a public post showing you are hundreds of miles away could signal to burglars that your house is vacant.

But the perils don’t end there. Revealing your location while abroad could put you in danger if opportunistic thieves nearby see where you are. For example, tagging a restaurant, pub or even your hotel might make it easier for strangers to trace your movements.

“Even if you believe only friends can see your updates, remember that posts can easily be reshared, or your account might not be as private as you think,” explains a spokesperson from Ski Vertigo. “By broadcasting your location in real time, you are essentially telling the world your home is unattended – and also where to find you.”

Instead, the experts suggested posting snaps after your return or delaying uploads. This way, you can still relish sharing your adventure without endangering your property or personal safety.

2. Photos of travel documents and tickets

It might be alluring to share a swift snapshot of your boarding pass or passport as a means of displaying enthusiasm, but this can be a big security blunder. Travel documents contain sensitive personal information that can be exploited by identity thieves or fraudsters.

Even seemingly trivial details – such as a booking reference number or barcode – can be used by criminals to access your travel itinerary, cancel flights, or even alter your seat. Once your details fall into the wrong hands, the consequences can swiftly cause chaos for your trip.

Ski Vertigo’s experts said: “We have seen cases where travellers accidentally gave away enough information in a single photo for someone to interfere with their trip. A boarding pass should never be treated like a souvenir. Keep it secure and private.”

A safer option is to photograph luggage, airport architecture or even your in-flight meal if you still wish to capture the thrill of departure without endangering yourself.

3. Expensive purchases or valuables

Another frequent habit is flaunting luxury items during your travels. Sharing photos of costly jewellery, designer shopping bags, or premium gadgets makes you stand out as a potential target for theft.

Criminals in tourist hotspots frequently exploit social media to monitor visitors who flaunt expensive items online. Even if you exercise caution in person, digital oversharing could undermine your attempts to remain secure, reports Galway Beo.

Thieves may not only set their sights on you while abroad, but also make mental notes of your possessions back home. Ski Vertigo warned: “Displaying expensive items online is like walking around with a sign saying, ‘I am carrying something valuable’. It can attract unwanted attention both abroad and back home.”

If you wish to share photographs, concentrate on scenery, cultural encounters, or cuisine – moments that highlight your travels without broadcasting affluence.

Real-life consequences

The perils of oversharing while travelling extend beyond mere theory. Countless instances exist of burglars breaking into properties after spotting social media updates confirming the occupants were overseas.

Some travellers have experienced flight disruptions after criminals gained access to booking information through posted boarding passes.

Others have been pursued in real time, with crooks pinpointing their precise whereabouts through geotagged uploads.

In one documented incident, holidaymakers were stalked back to their accommodation after sharing a photograph from a neighbouring establishment – a sobering illustration of how rapidly online details can manifest into real problems. Scammers often exploit overshared details to their benefit.

A simple photograph of a passport or ticket can provide fraudsters with enough information to initiate phishing attacks, impersonate travellers, or deceive family members into sending money through counterfeit “emergency” messages.

One of the most prevalent strategies is dispatching urgent alerts that seem to originate from airlines, hotels or banks. These messages allege there’s a problem with your booking or payment, pressuring you to “confirm” details or re-enter credit card numbers.

Once scammers are aware you’re overseas, these fake alerts become significantly more persuasive – and considerably more risky.

Tips to avoid oversharing blunders

The silver lining is that ensuring safety doesn’t mean you have to cease sharing entirely. Ski Vertigo suggests the following precautions:

• Post later, not live – Share your updates after you’ve returned home, or at least postpone uploads until you’ve left a location
• Check your privacy settings – Make sure your accounts are set to private and restrict your audience to trusted friends
• Avoid geotags and check-ins – Deactivate automatic location services in apps to prevent revealing your whereabouts
• Think before you post – Consider if a stranger could use this photo or detail against you
• Reserve document photos for private use only – If you need copies of travel documents, store them securely on your phone or in cloud storage, never on a public platform

By steering clear of these three frequent blunders, holidaymakers can still relish capturing their getaway memories while keeping themselves out of danger’s path. Bear in mind – the fewer personal details you broadcast in real time, the more secure your journey will be.

“Travelling should be about relaxation, discovery, and enjoyment,” Ski Vertigo said. “A few simple precautions online can make the difference between a holiday you remember for the right reasons, and one that is overshadowed by problems you could have avoided.”