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How KAYAK Price Alerts get you the best travel deals

Do you suffer from FOMAD: Fear Of Missing A Deal? It can be hard to know when to pull the trigger on tickets. How can you be sure this will be the best price? What if it changes for the better or worse? Here’s a thought: what if there was a better way to track prices on flights and stays that doesn’t involve repeating the same search every day? What if, instead, you could get a notification as soon as the price for your trip drops?

How to get started

Stop the what-ifs and start your happy dance. With KAYAK Price Alerts, you can easily save on that dream vacation by tracking prices (and then treat yourself to a fancy meal with what’s leftover in your budget). When you create a Price Alert, we use our data to determine what will happen to prices in the next few days. Then, we’ll keep you up-to-date via email and/or push notifications, letting you know when’s the right time to book.

All so you can be confident you’re getting the best deal on the flight or stay you want.

To create a Price Alert for a search, follow these steps:

• Perform a flight or stays search
• Tap the bell icon on top (or toggle next to it on desktop)
•  We’ll notify you if there are any noteworthy price changes for any of the results in your search

To create a Price Alert for a specific result, follow these steps:

• Tap the heart icon
• We’ll let you know if there is a noteworthy price drop for this specific flight or stay

Ways to utilize Price Alerts before your next trip.

1. monitor airfare for an exact date range.

If you have both a location and specific travel dates in mind, start by selecting the departure and destination airports, then the dates you want to go. This will tell us to keep track of that route for those exact dates, letting you know when prices either rise, drop or stay the same. Plus, you can opt to receive mobile notifications, in addition to email updates.

2. Monitor airfare for a particular destination

Maybe you know exactly where you want to go (hello, Amsterdam!), but you’re not really concerned about the when, as long as you get a good deal. If a low price is more important to you than the departure date, you can set up a Flexible Flight Price Alert.

As you create a new Alert, select “Flexible Dates” in the top navigation and enter your departure and arrival airports. You can make your travel dates “Anytime,” “Upcoming Weekends” or select the month you’d like to travel. You’ll receive notifications for that route with whatever is the lowest price during the time period you selected (if it was “Anytime” travel is generally within the next 8 months). This is often a win for long-haul flights, which can sometimes have larger fluctuations in prices.

3. Monitor airfare to our most popular cities

What if you just need to just get away? If where and when don’t matter, set up a Top 25 Cities KAYAK Price Alert. Similar to a Flexible Price Alert, you’ll receive notifications with travel deals to cities like Reykjavik or Miami.

4. Monitor prices on your stay

Let’s not forget that even with the right flight you’ll need to figure out the perfect stay. Whether you want to splurge on a luxury resort or are just looking for the least expensive 3-star stay, a Hotel Price Alert is what you need. Like the flight alerts, it’ll let you know when rates in a specific city or for a specific stay drop.

You can also edit, pause and delete your alerts as you watch prices on your trip. Set up your KAYAK Price Alerts and be confident you’re getting the best price on your trip .

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Flight tickets: buy or wait ?

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Why AirHint?

Because we can help you to save money and find the best time to book flights! If you're using a low cost carrier for your flights, you should make sure you really buy a...low-cost flight ticket. AirHint tells you exactly when it's the best moment to buy your plane tickets.

When is the best time to book flights?

For each flight and airline price patterns are different. Generally the earlier you buy plane tickets, the higher probability there is to get the cheapest deal. However we found that is not always true, especially for low-cost airlines and also depends on when you fly. AirHint flight price predictor tracks and takes into account price fluctuations per airline, region and route to recommend you the best moment to book.

What is the best day to book flights?

• The best time to buy airline tickets
• The best day of week to buy Ryanair tickets
• When to buy cheap Southwest tickets
• When to buy cheap easyJet tickets

Flight price predictor

The airfare predictor also shows the price range and the confidence level regarding the best moment to buy your flight tickets. Moreover, we will tell you if it's best to wait or book your tickets now and if not what are the chances of price drop. AirHint tells you how to fly cheap and is all about great flight predictions and deals!

Why is our tool unique?

Because our airfare predictions were designed to check the price patterns of one airline at a time and this can only mean an increased accuracy prediction. While the other price comparison websites base their predictions on a general one-size-fits-all model, we customize our tool depending on the airline's flight price patterns. The number of flights may be a bit more limited, but this is a small price to pay for the high accuracy of predictions. We're all about cheap prices!

Learn more about our flight price tracker and predictor .

Why do airlines change prices so often?

This is a great question. Airlines change ticket prices frequently depending on several factors, such as the flight's popularity, the season, school holidays, special events and above all, the balance between supply and demand of seats. Budget airlines usually start with default higher price and adjust airfares depending on current demand. AirHint wants to be one step ahead of these changes! Our team is dedicated to find ticket price patterns and predict price changes for many airlines around the world.

Where can I see the cheapest deals for each route?

Our cheapest flight deals page is regularly updated with best deals for all the popular routes.

How can I book a flight?

We partner with flight booking affiliates (OTAs) to handle ticket bookings. For and other low-cost airlines, our partners enable booking the selected flight and also show various alternatives.

To trust or not to trust

We do our best to earn your trust and respect. We provide statistical recommendations and there is a margin of error. Airlines, especially budget ones change ticket prices often, and sometimes no one can predict the exact behavior. So it is not possible to guarantee 100% accuracy. However, objective and informed hints are definitely possible and this is exactly what we offer. AirHint is your best chance to track and find deals and get the best price for your flight.

Airlines supported

AirHint enables tracking and predictions for all major airlines. The accuracy depends on each airline and flight as we train the model specifically for each airline. For the following airlines, the dedicated predictors are available which enabled higher accuracy.

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For travel businesses we provide B2B airfare prediction solutions to integrate our recommendations into other travel and flight search websites.

We would love to hear from you and help with any questions about airfare patterns and booking the cheapest flight tickets.

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Flight Price Trackers: 6 Sites That Will Find the Cheapest Airfare for You

Megan Johnson

A nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, Ed Perkins focuses on how travelers can find the best deals and avoid scams.

He is the author of "Online Travel" (2000) and "Business Travel: When It's Your Money" (2004), the first step-by-step guide specifically written for small business and self-employed professional travelers. He was also the co-author of the annual "Best Travel Deals" series from Consumers Union.

Perkins' advice for business travelers is featured on MyBusinessTravel.com , a website devoted to helping small business and self-employed professional travelers find the best value for their travel dollars.

Perkins was founding editor of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, one of the country's most influential travel publications, from which he retired in 1998. He has also written for Business Traveller magazine (London).

Perkins' travel expertise has led to frequent television appearances, including ABC's "Good Morning America" and "This Week with David Brinkley," "The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather," CNN, and numerous local TV and radio stations.

Before editing Consumer Reports Travel Letter, Perkins spent 25 years in travel research and consulting with assignments ranging from national tourism development strategies to the design of computer-based tourism models.

Born in Evanston, Illinois, Perkins lives in Ashland, Oregon with his wife.

Megan is a Senior Editor, SEO for SmarterTravel Media.

Megan started with SmarterTravel Media’s Airfarewatchdog way back in 2008, moved over to FamilyVacationCritic, and finally SmarterTravel in 2021. Originally from Massachusetts, she has lived in Nova Scotia, London, and New York City. She has spent nearly every summer (or at least part of it) on Prince Edward Island. She lives in Connecticut with her husband, two young children, and their dog, Indiana Bones (Indy).

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According to Expedia Group, travelers spend an average of thirty-eight days researching a trip before they book it. Part of that research is likely researching airfare and waiting for a really good one. Your best bet is to subscribe to alerts from a flight price tracker that will tell you when a fare drops or an especially good deal appears. These airfare alerts differ from the many general “deal” bulletins you can receive. Instead, they’re keyed to specific travel dates, air routes, and sometimes even airlines—a kind of “set it and forget” for travelers who don’t want to go hunting for the cheapest airfare. We explored each 

The 6 Best Flight-Price Trackers

Several options generally rise to the top of most evaluations. Here are the top five, in no particular order, plus what makes each one stand out, followed up by some broader flight-tracking options:

Airfarewatchdog

Google flights.

KAYAK (part of the Booking.com empire) is a robust flight price tracker. You can tailor the tracking filters as tightly as you want: by destination, class of service, number of stops, and more. KAYAK can also track hotel prices. Both are possible by selecting the “Track Prices” switch on the left side of the results page once you’ve searched for your specific dates.

Pros of Kayak: It shows Southwest if it is an option for the route you are searching, but does not show you the price is, have to click through to the southwest website. 

Cons of Kayak: Does not offer a loyalty program, so if you book through them there is no incentive for points. 

Skyscanner , a London-based metasearch system, operates in much the same way as KAYAK. The “Get Price Alerts” button on the search results page enters your trip(s) into the system, and you can manage your account for details. 

As with KAYAK, this flight price tracker doesn’t include Southwest fares. And although it can search hotels, it does not offer a tracking function for them. Skyscanner’s “Get Price Alerts” option on the left side of the results page allows you to choose from email, Facebook, and Google to create an alerts account and start getting emails easily—all you have to do is enter an email address for them to be forwarded to.

Pros of Skyscanner: Real time fare comparison is like no other site, advanced search options. 

Cons of Skyscanner: Displaying of ghost fares that are no longer valid. 

According to SaleCycle , the majority of travelers browse for flights on their phones but book them on their computers. Hopper may change that as a mobile app for iOS and Android phones, perfect for those glued to their phones. When the price of a fare drops, you will receive a notification directly on your phone, which you can click on to review the fare. There are no emails to check; just click on the alert. 

They have a great prediction model that tells you if the fare is high and when they think it will drop, so you know when to be on the lookout for those alerts and get ready to book. 

Pros of Hopper: Best tracking when using your phone to book airfare. 

Cons of Hopper: Filters are not as extensive as other sites. 

The 10 Best Hotel Booking Sites

Airfarewatchdog , SmarterTravel’s sister site, will send you an alert the instant a price goes down so you can snag it before it is gone. Choose from a specific route or all deals from a specific departure city. 

Adding cities and routes is straightforward and simple, even after you have signed up- you can easily update your alerts without having to dig around. You can choose how often you want to get alerts, either up to seven times a week, three times a week or once a week.

Pros of Airfarewatchdog: Their Do-Not-Send Airlines option. Hate Spirit? Have a disdain for American? You can easily add the airlines you don’t want alerts from under your account settings.

Cons of Airfarewatchdog: Some fares you get alerts for are hard to find on the site.

Lastly: Not a website so much as a broader platform built into the internet giant Google, Google Flights provides an outstanding range of choices for tracking flight prices. For any trip of interest, you can enter an origin/destination, travel dates, how many tickets you want, and class of service, plus screening for the number of stops and other variables to track as many individual flights as you want. notifies you if the fare goes below the value when you first entered the search. It covers most airlines except for Southwest, which does not provide its fares to any metasearch systems. It notifies you by email on as many specific searches as you set it to. Google Flights does not include hotels. As an added bonus, Google Flights will also tell you the cheapest time to fly to a given destination, or the cheapest place to fly in a given time period, if you’re unsure of where and when to travel.

Pros of Google Flights: You can choose if you want to get alerts for specific dates or just for the route you are searching for in general, no matter the date – you just want the best price. 

Cons of Google Flights: They don’t always display the lowest price available. 

Going , (previously Scott’s Cheap Flights) is a membership-based model. You can choose from three tiers: free, premium, and elite. The higher your status, the more deals you will be sent, and the more likely you will get the best deal for the routes/cities you choose. The paid memberships only make sense for people who travel a lot , otherwise, if you are just looking for a good deal, there is no need to pay for a membership. 

Going is by far the most aesthetically pleasing airfare site out of all the ones we have mentioned. Each deal is accompanied by a photo of the destination (or of an airplane) and has a generic price range listed, making fares seem cheaper than they might be but making the user feel like they are getting a deal. 

Pros of Going: Easy step-by-step alert sign-up. 

Cons of Going: They make it seem like you need a paid membership to continue, but you don’t. A Skip button is in the upper right-hand corner of all the sign-up pages as you set up your account. 

For premium fares (premium economy, business, and first-class), you can use any ITA Matrix-based site, which covers all fare classes. Those who want more detailed information on first—and business-class deals, however, can subscribe to several paid sources like First Class Flyer and Notiflyer , starting at $99 per year. Read more about where to find deals on premium airfare here.

Additional Tips for Finding Cheap Flights

• Be flexible with your travel dates and times. Weekdays and off-peak hours are generally cheaper than weekends and holidays.
• Consider flying into budget-friendly airports or nearby regional airports.
• Sign up for email newsletters from airlines you prefer to receive updates on promotions and sales.

Following these tips and leveraging flight price trackers can significantly increase your chances of scoring the best deals on your next airfare purchase.

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How to set price alerts to find the cheapest flights

Let algorithms do the heavy lifting and help you score deals on airfare.

Tracking airfare can turn a sane person into a conspiracy theorist . Are the airlines tracking my computer? Am I being punished for booking on a Wednesday instead of a Tuesday?

The truth is airfare prices are dynamic. Pricing algorithms are influenced by long list of factors — the time you’re flying, how many seats have been sold, the location demand, etc.

You could spend an endless amount of time stalking prices, hitting refresh to watch airfare ebb and flow until you get a deal. Or you can set up price alerts to do that for you.

Price alerts use algorithms to track specific flights, routes and dates based on your preferences, then notify you as the price changes. You can make the search very specific (a round-trip flight on Delta from Los Angeles to Miami) or broader if your plans are flexible (a one-way trip to Chicago from the D.C. area).

When Carrie Bradley, editor of the family travel blog Flying With A Baby , has enough lead time before a trip, she sets up price alerts and plays around with different search configurations. To come up with more options, she said she tinkers with the number of stops, fare class, and flying into and out of different cities (“ open jaw ” flights).

The result? Hopefully a cheaper ticket than she would find on her own. To start tracking, here are four of our favorite sites and apps.

Google Flights

Google Flights is an expert favorite. It’s well known and easy to use, and it helps travelers by filtering searches, booking flights, showing flight carbon emissions and, most importantly, tracking cheap flights.

Gunnar Olson, flight deal analyst and travel reporter at Thrifty Traveler , said that of all the airfare trackers, Google reigns supreme with its calendar search feature and ability to tell if you’re getting a good deal on a given fare. The only downside? It doesn’t catch all airlines, with major omissions including Southwest .

What does it mean for a hotel to be carbon neutral?

To start, head to Google Flights , then choose your route and additional details, such as the number of stops, your cabin class and how many tickets you need. Then turn on “track prices” to receive email updates when prices change for your dates. If your travel dates are flexible, you can choose “any dates” for more options.

“Google will also alert you if shifting your travel by one day can save you money, too,” Olson said. “Flexibility is key if you’re looking to save while traveling, and Google Flights automates that flexibility.”

Skyscanner is Bradley’s first stop for ticket shopping. To set up a price alert, search for your route and specific dates then click “Get Price Alerts,” which should appear next to the results. Once you enter your email address, you will get an email from Skyscanner to confirm your alert.

If you sign up for multiple alerts, Skyscanner will bundle them into one email so you’re not overwhelmed. For searches for flights taking off in less than 100 days, Skyscanner will send you a daily email. For departures taking off in more than 100 days, you will get an email once a week as prices tend to be more stable further out.

The mobile app Hopper can monitor airfare, as well as hotel and rental car prices, and tell users whether they should wait or buy based on its analysis of flight prices and historical data.

Once you have downloaded the app, search for your flight, then select “Watch This Trip” to get notified when prices change. If you think you see a good deal but aren’t totally sure you want to book yet, you can hold the fare with a temporary price freeze . Expect to pay a fee ranging from $5 to $40 based on how long you would like to hold the fare (you have up to a week).

Cooking at a vacation rental? 6 tips for success.

The online travel agency Kayak is a platform to search for flights, rental cars, hotels, train tickets, vacation packages and activities (such as bus tours and museum visits).

To create a Kayak Price Alert for a search, start by searching for the flight you need. Once your results appear, you will see the option to track prices along with Kayak’s advice on whether to buy now or hold off based on their projections. You can also set up a flexible alert by selecting “Flexible Dates” and choosing from options like “Anytime,” “Upcoming Weekends” or a particular month.

When your price tracker is set, you will get notified by email (or push notification if you have the Kayak app) when there are noteworthy price changes.

Honorable mentions

While less specific than price trackers, subscriptions to cheap flight alerts can help you find deals. You can sign up for newsletters from sites such as Scott’s Cheap Flights , Thrifty Traveler , Airfarespot and Airfarewatchdog to get deals based on your home airport or region. You may end up with a deal in your inbox that fits your travel needs.

More travel tips

Vacation planning: Start with a strategy to maximize days off by taking PTO around holidays. Experts recommend taking multiple short trips for peak happiness . Want to take an ambitious trip? Here are 12 destinations to try this year — without crowds.

Cheap flights: Follow our best advice for scoring low airfare , including setting flight price alerts and subscribing to deal newsletters. If you’re set on an expensive getaway, here’s a plan to save up without straining your credit limit.

Airport chaos: We’ve got advice for every scenario , from canceled flights to lost luggage . Stuck at the rental car counter? These tips can speed up the process. And following these 52 rules of flying should make the experience better for everyone.

Expert advice: Our By The Way Concierge solves readers’ dilemmas , including whether it’s okay to ditch a partner at security, or what happens if you get caught flying with weed . Submit your question here . Or you could look to the gurus: Lonely Planet and Rick Steves .

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Unlock member-only personalized insights based on your search criteria, viewable in the app.

How it works

All Expedia travelers can view flight price history and predictions of future prices as available. But when you sign into your account, you can opt in to receive flight price alerts when prices change. All it takes is a simple toggle to get started.

View price history and predictions on select flight routes.

To start receiving price alerts, turn on the toggle button next to “Watch prices.”

Receive notifications when prices change.

Scan the QR code and download our app

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Explore more with Price Tracking by Expedia

What is the best way to track flight prices? 

A great way to track flight pricing is to set the alert as soon as you know your dates. Then Expedia Price Tracking will notify you when price changes occur, so you don't have to start a new search every day to see if the prices have changed. Just turn on push notifications and wait for the right time to buy.

Can I receive flight price alerts for any route?

Track flight pricing and receive push notifications on your phone for any roundtrip or one-way flight. Expedia's price alerts are delivered when we have sufficient flight route data matched with traveler search criteria.

How accurate are Expedia's price predictions?

Our flight price predictor conducts a complex analysis of millions of flights and traveler searches before providing insights analysis, but no prediction tool is 100% accurate, especially for the rapidly changing global flight market. Ticket prices may fluctuate minute-to-minute and no fare is guaranteed until ticketing is complete.

How often will I receive price alerts for my tracked flight?

We will notify you when there are relevant price changes. Haven't received an alert for one of your price tracking flights in a while? Either the price has remained the same, or the changes were not significant enough to trigger a notification.

Why did Expedia show me prices that were different than what I paid?

Prices shown in the graph are based on the exact criteria of the search. They do not reflect add-on products like checked bags or paid seats. To track prices for flights that include these products, start your search over and apply filters to find the right flight with these extras. Then you can track the flight prices that fit your new criteria.

Why does Expedia show me predictions for basic economy fares when I want a higher fare class?

Expedia currently sorts flights automatically by lowest price, and those prices are usually for basic economy fares, but you can also use Expedia Price Tracking for different fare classes, such as premium economy or business class. Simply filter for your preferred class and create a flight price alert for your new search.

How do I delete flight price alerts?

To delete a price alert, return to the flight search results screen in your app. Tap the price alert push notification, the price card on the app home screen, or run the same search and turn the alert off. You can always start the flight price tracker again by starting a new search and setting a new alert.

*About Price Tracking 

Price history 

Past prices shown were the lowest priced flight per day based on searches by travelers and Expedia.com for your specific search criteria and filters on Expedia.com. Prices are per person and include taxes and fees.  

  Price predictions 

Predicted prices shown are what we expect will be the lowest priced flight per day until takeoff for your specific search criteria and filters on Expedia.com based on analysis of the price history. Our algorithm takes into account factors such as booking window, day of week of departure, number of airlines flying that route, and whether it is a domestic or international route. Price predictions are not a guarantee. The average price is the average value of the past, current, and predicted prices shown on the graph. Prices are per person and include taxes and fees. Price predictions are available on select routes.  

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Capital One Main Navigation

Learn about capital one travel benefits, take advantage of capital one travel features that help you travel more flexibly and save money., how price prediction works.

Capital One Travel partners with Hopper to provide a powerful tool that makes price predictions based on past data and current trends. When you search for a flight on Capital One Travel , you’ll see a recommendation to either book now or wait for a better price. The price prediction tool recommends the best time to book, which can help you save an average of 15% on your flight.*

To see a more detailed breakdown of the price prediction when looking at a flight on Capital One Travel, select the info icon by the recommendation. The price prediction tool will provide an analysis on how the prices will fluctuate before departure and recommend the best time to buy to save you money.

Capital One Travel then uses that data to power flight recommendations and price watch alerts.

How to set up price watch alerts

If you're not ready to book yet, you can set a price alert for the destination and dates you’re interested in flying. Capital One Travel will monitor prices 24/7 and let you know when it’s time to book. Keep in mind, with so many factors impacting prices, no prediction tool can be 100% accurate.

Here’s how to set up a price watch alert:

1. Sign in to Capital One Travel and search for your flight.

2. on the flight results page, scroll down to the price watch section and select watch trip., 3. choose your preferences, enter your email and select watch this trip..

After setting up your alerts, you can view and manage them anytime by following these steps: 

1. Sign in to Capital One Travel and select the menu button in the top right-hand corner.

2. select my trips., 3. click on the drop down menu and select watched trips., 4. view all of your watched trips and their corresponding price predictions. you can update your email for alerts or choose to stop watching a route..

Check out the price prediction terms and conditions to learn more.

How price drop protection works

If you’re looking at flights and the price prediction tool recommends that you book now, you’ll get free price drop protection. That means Capital One Travel keeps monitoring the price for 10 days after you book the flight. If the price drops during that monitoring period, Capital One Travel will issue you the difference in price, up to $50, in the form of a travel credit. For example, if the price drops by $75, you’ll get $50 in  travel credit , and if the price drops by $35, you’ll get $35 in travel credit.

View the price drop protection terms and conditions to learn more.

How price match guarantee works

If you find a better price for the same flight, hotel or rental car on another site within 24 hours of booking with Capital One Travel, you can get a travel credit for the difference.  

Simply call Capital One Travel at 844-422-6922 to submit a price match claim with the customer support team. If the agent can verify the lower price while on the phone with you, you’ll get a travel credit for the price difference.

If the Capital One Travel support team can’t verify the lower price during the call, they’ll review your claim and get back to you. 

Here are some quick tips for price matching:

The itinerary has to be an exact match to the booking you made on Capital One Travel. 

You have to submit your claim within 24 hours of making your original reservation.

The price of the new itinerary must be available to the general public at the time of review without coupons, promotions or member discounts. 

The price has to be in U.S. dollars, including all taxes and fees.  

You can view the price match guarantee terms and conditions to learn more.

Need more help? Check out all Capital One Travel help topics or give us a call at 844-422-6922. 

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What is Capital One price drop protection?

How do you claim a capital one price drop protection refund, limitations of capital one price drop protection, which cards are eligible for capital one travel price drop protection, how i've (already) saved via capital one travel price drop, if you like the sound of automatic flight refunds.

Capital One has made a big push into the travel scene recently. It introduced the impressive new Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card , vastly improved its airline and hotel transfer partners and introduced a new Capital One Travel portal . And although it seems like every bank has a travel portal these days, this one offers features not found elsewhere.

Some of these unique features include price watch and prediction tools, an airfare price freeze feature and the ability to cancel a flight for any reason for a refund of 70-90% of the ticket price. This article will focus on one of the portal’s biggest benefits: price drop protection.

Here's what you need to know about using Capital One Travel price drop protection to save money on flights.

Capital One price drop protection is a free service that refunds you the price difference if the cost of a flight drops after you book it through Capital One Travel. The protection is automatically applied when Capital One's price prediction tool recommends that you buy a given flight because its price is likely to increase.

To get this free price protection, just look for the phrase "you should book now" at the top of your Capital One Travel search results. If you follow this advice and book your flight through the portal, you'll automatically receive price drop protection — subject to limitations covered below.

Besides being free, the best part of Capital One price drop protection is how easy it is to get automatic refunds when the price of your flight drops. Once the protection is applied to eligible bookings, Capital One automatically tracks prices on the flight you booked. Then, if it finds a cheaper price, you’ll receive a refund without needing to prompt the system.

There is no way to manually request a refund if you find a lower price elsewhere. However, you can use the Capital One Travel Price Match Guarantee to submit a claim if you find the same flight, hotel or rental car available at a lower price through another booking platform within 24 hours of booking through Capital One's portal.

After 24 hours, you don't have any incentive to manually check for lower prices. If you don't get a refund, you can feel confident that you got a good price on your flight.

» Learn more: How the Capital One Miles program works

Capital One price drop protection is great for automatically monitoring and refunding the price of a flight; however, there are limitations to this service.

Specificity. Capital One will monitor the price of the particular itinerary you booked only — which it specifies is the same flight, fare class and seat type. Unfortunately, this means that you won't get a refund if the price drops on another similar flight or on another airline.

Time limits. Capital One will monitor for price drops for a set amount of time only. Again, this isn't a limitation that's stated in the terms and conditions, so it may vary. However, in each of five recent eligible Capital One Travel bookings and searches, Capital One offered complimentary price drop protection for 10 days.

Refund allowance caps. Capital One limits how much you can get back through price drop protection. This isn't a limit that's stated in the terms and conditions and may be based on the particular flight results. However, it appears that the price drop protection cap is generally $50 per passenger.

For example, when searching for a flight from Atlanta to New York City in a few weeks, Capital One Travel recommended that I book now and offered free price drop protection of up to $50.

When it was first introduced, Capital One limited access to its travel portal to cardholders of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card . However, in May 2022, access was expanded to all Capital One rewards cards.

That means holders of the following cards now have access to Capital One Travel:

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card .

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card .

Capital One Spark Cash for Business .

Capital One Spark Miles for Business .

» Learn more: Who benefits the most from the Capital One Venture Card?

I recently got a chance to see how price drop protection works in practice. In April and May 2022, my wife and I visited India. As local airline websites wouldn't accept our international credit cards, we needed to book through a travel portal — giving us a perfect reason to try booking through Capital One Travel.

In total, we booked three intra-India flights through Capital One Travel. In each case, it was recommended that we book the flight, meaning we received complimentary price drop protection on all three flights. And booking through the portal paid off. The price ended up dropping on two of the three flights, netting us refunds of $25.81 and $12.92.

While a refund of $38.73 may not sound like a lot, these flights didn't cost very much. Plus, this is $38.73 more than we would have gotten if we had booked through another travel portal or website.

After this positive experience, I'm certainly more likely to book flights through Capital One Travel — even after I've used the $300 annual travel credit on my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card .

» Learn more: The best Capital One transfer partners — and ones to avoid

Capital One Travel is making a compelling case for being the go-to place for booking flights. In addition to price watch and price freeze tools, the portal’s price prediction feature helps you figure out when it's the best time to book a flight. If you follow the recommendation to book your flight when prices are low, you may be able to get automatic refunds through Capital One price drop protection.

Plus, Capital One rewards cardholders earn bonus miles or cash back for booking through Capital One Travel. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card holders get 10x miles on hotels and rental cars and 5x miles on flights booked through the portal. Meanwhile, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and other rewards cardholders get 5x miles or 5% cash back on rental cars and hotel bookings.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

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2024 Travel Costs Seem Pricey, Yet Match Inflation [Data Trends]

Brett Holzhauer

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Domestic Flight Prices Hit Cruising Altitude, International Prices Are Spiking

Checking in and largely staying put, saving on travel costs, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Summer is around the corner, and Americans are itching for their next getaway. But travel prices seem to be through the roof, so what’s the best way to secure yourself a deal?

If you have a colossal amount of rewards in the coffers for your next adventure, I tip my hat. But the average spender, or someone who regularly earns and burns their rewards (like myself), may not have a rewards balance to cover the majority of a trip’s costs. What’s the best way to book a trip without breaking the bank?

Many consumers pay for travel the old-fashioned way, with hard-earned cash. However, travel cash doesn’t go as far as it once did . Inflation remains stubborn at 3.2% year-over-year, according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ¹ This is a much-improved number from the surging inflation we saw in 2021 and 2022. Unfortunately, inflation is cumulative. Since 2020, prices of total consumer goods are up a whopping 20%. ²

But here’s the kicker when it comes to travel costs: federal data suggests that travel costs haven’t gone up when accounting for inflation. Such seems shocking because if you’ve traveled at all in the last few years, you’ve certainly felt the sting of travel expenses. In fact, a recent Gogo Charters study suggests a family of 4 could expect to pay nearly $8,000 for a 1-week trip . ³

Let’s explore the current economic data on booking travel and how can you fight back against the sticker shock.

Travel Prices Are Normalizing, According to BLS Data

I’ve covered travel, personal finance, and economics for several years, so I make it a regular habit to glance at the latest Consumer Price Index data from the BLS. This data measures the average change over time in prices paid for goods and services.

While analyzing the most recent data, I discovered that the costs of travel are roughly flat when adjusted for inflation. It’s shocking, even for myself, as seeing recent flight costs has made me reconsider some trips.

But the numbers don’t lie. Here’s what the data is currently showing.

If you’re looking at domestic flights, you’ve likely groaned at how expensive tickets are and found yourself reminiscing on the “good ol days” of cheaper flights. But here’s the irony: prices aren’t actually higher than in years past. In fact, federal data says we’re at the same CPI level that we were pre-COVID-19 and down nearly 15% since the peak in June 2022. Airfare prices at that time were red-hot, outpacing inflation. ⁴

Here’s the good news. We’re only one-quarter of the way through the year, but coming into 2024, several consulting firms predicted this year will bring price stabilization for airline fares. Part of this backpedal to lower ticket costs is a return of supply. Airline seat miles , the measurement of how many miles are available for consumers to purchase, have returned to pre-pandemic levels.

If you’re flying within the U.S., don’t feel too bad about buying a ticket. The data suggests you may not be paying a terrible price after all. However, those with international wanderlust might feel more of a sting.

Unlike their domestic counterparts, international flight prices have risen 10% year-over-year, according to Kayak . There are several causes for this. First, longer flights obviously demand more fuel, and jet fuel costs remain elevated.

Second, there are more people flying internationally than ever before. The 2023 fiscal year saw a record-breaking 21.5 million Americans apply for a passport , and half are planning on traveling outside the U.S. this year, according to a Nationwide survey . With this excess demand, you can expect prices to be exceptionally high for your international summer adventure. 

When it comes to accommodations, you may feel that price sting, thinking prices look higher than years prior. 

However, federal data shows only a slight uptick in accommodation pricing since 2019 (about 2.8% when adjusted for inflation). 

In 2019, the average daily rate (ADR) for a hotel room night was $131, according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association . In 2023, this jumped to $155, an 18% increase — roughly matching the rate of cumulative inflation since. While prices are only slightly higher today, there may be signs of ADR dropping further, with an estimated 672,000 hotel rooms under construction. As occupancy rates are beginning to stagnate at hotels, this could lead to a scenario of falling prices.

Additionally, hotels are facing pressures from alternative lodging platforms such as Airbnb. Prices for Airbnb stays have been sliding downward , along with growing numbers of first-time users, according to the company’s most recent earnings call . With Airbnb actively adding more properties to its platform, there may be a future of either stagnating or even slightly lower prices for you to rest your head at night.

I’m a firm believer in living your life to the fullest, and if a vacation is something that’s important to you this year, you should book it, even if prices feel higher. But how do you do it in a way that fights back against inflationary costs for your flights and hotels?

First, use points and miles to your advantage . While the amount of rewards needed to book a flight or hotel has also gone up in tandem, saving money should be the priority. Additionally, if you can, be flexible with your bookings to search for the best deals . Maybe instead of a hotel, search for a comparable Airbnb. And if you want to avoid spending at restaurants, book an Airbnb with a kitchen.

This article isn’t meant to gaslight readers into thinking that travel-related expenditures are subjectively affordable. You shouldn’t feel some sort of relief at the sight of larger numbers by justifying that it’s the fault of inflation. Still, travel is worth it.

The only thing we can’t get back in life is time, and that time should be spent (pun intended) creating memories with those who you care most about. So book the trip, and maybe just close your eyes while you hit submit.

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About Brett Holzhauer

Brett is a personal finance and travel junkie. Based out of Fort Lauderdale, he’s had over 100 credit cards and earned millions of credit card rewards. He learned the tricks of the trade from his mom, and has taken many steps forward. He wasn’t exposed to much travel as a kid, but now has a goal of reaching 100 countries in his life. In 2019, he sold all of his possessions to become a digital nomad, and he says it was one of the best decisions he ever made. He plans to do it again at some point in his life.

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Americans are spending more on travel and live entertainment. But their personal saving rate has taken a dip.

• Americans are spending more on experiences, which they were largely deprived of during the pandemic.
• Consumer spending on foreign trips and live entertainment rose by nearly 30% in 2023, WaPo reported.
• Meanwhile, the personal saving rate in the US has declined, falling to 3.6% in February.

During the earliest stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans reminisced about the things that used to bring them joy. They never stopped thinking about that last big trip with their families or that last in-person concert they enjoyed with friends.

Four years later, American consumers have mostly moved on from the pandemic and are spending more on experiences than ever before.

Prioritizing experiences, however, has led to a major shift in their financial lives: The personal saving rate in the US has declined considerably.

The Washington Post recently reported on how consumers in the US have embraced a sort of YOLO — or "you only live once" — mindset. In 2023, consumer spending on foreign trips and live entertainment rose by nearly 30 percent, according to the newspaper.

Spending levels have so far continued to rise in 2024, too. In February, personal consumption expenditures increased by $145.5 billion compared to January, with $111.8 billion spent on services, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

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At the same time, perhaps predictably, the US personal saving rate has declined , according to the bureau.

In February, the personal saving rate was 3.6 percent, a drop from 4.1 percent the month before. (The rate sat at 4 percent last November and 3.9 percent in December.)

Once consumers were able to spend freely on their wish list trips and attend concerts and festivals without onerous health restrictions, they started booking flights and hotel rooms and purchasing tickets to see the artists that they love.

So instead of continuing to put away money for the future, which is what many people tried to do in recent years, many consumers now want to make up for the time they lost during the pandemic.

"When you live through a crisis, it gets ingrained in your brain," University of California at Berkeley behavioral finance professor Ulrike Malmendier told The Washington Post. "The official economic reports might say everything is coming back to normal, but we are different people than we were before the pandemic."

Malmendier told the Post that after the Great Recession, many Americans overhauled their financial habits; many consumers started to save more of their money.

But the angst of Americans during the pandemic unleashed a different sort of sentiment, Malmendier said.

"The adverse effects of Covid weren't necessarily financial; people got jobs quickly and the government stepped in with support," he told the newspaper. "Instead, it's about all of the things we were starved for: human interaction, socializing, travel. People are spending money on the things they missed most."

Watch: Marriott International's Tina Edmundson tells Insider that the travel mindset has changed since the pandemic

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Solar eclipse 2024: Your guide to watching the total solar eclipse in Erie

If you want to see the solar eclipse on April 8 in its totality, you won’t have to travel far.

>> Solar Eclipse 2024

Two hours north of Pittsburgh, Erie is the only major city in Pennsylvania in the eclipse’s path of totality, VisitErie said. The next total solar eclipse won’t happen again in the contiguous United States until 2044, and the next time Erie will be in the path of totality will be 2144.

Here’s everything you need to know if you’re planning on traveling north to not see the sun:

Times of totality

NASA said the path of totality is narrow , but it actually spans several miles through several counties in Pennsylvania.

The top of the path covers a small portion of Ontario, Canada and almost the entirety of Lake Erie, with the center point being in the middle of the water. From Erie, it stretches around 58 miles south into Mercer County.

“I understand Pittsburgh is going to be 97% totality, which is great, but 100% is mind blowing,” Christine Temple from VisitErie told Channel 11. “This is our time to shine, we want to put our best foot forward, and to show people that come up, look at all there is to see and do.”

While times of totality are different depending on where you are, the City of Erie said the moon is expected to start blocking the sun at 2:02 p.m. The sky will return to normal by around 4:30 p.m.

VisitErie has compiled a list of what times local communities will be blacked out:

• Downtown Erie
• Totality begins: 3:16:23 p.m.
• Totality ends: 3:20:05 p.m.
• Totality duration: 3 minutes, 41 seconds
• Totality begins: 3:16:47 p.m.
• Totality ends: 3:20:27 p.m.
• Totality duration: 3 minutes, 40 seconds
• Totality begins: 3:15:58 p.m.
• Totality ends: 3:19:40 p.m.
• Totality duration: 3 minutes, 42 seconds
• Totality begins: 3:16:36 p.m.
• Totality ends: 3:19:56 p.m.
• Totality duration: 3 minutes, 19 seconds
• Totality begins: 3:16:22 p.m.
• Totality ends: 3:19:41 p.m.
• Totality begins: 3:17:18 p.m.
• Totality ends: 3:20:08 p.m.
• Totality duration: 2 minutes, 50 seconds

When the sun is blocked, the temperature will drop about 10 degrees, VisitErie said. The sun will be toward the west, not Presque Isle Bay in downtown Erie.

Heavy traffic expected

The City of Erie is preparing for heavy traffic for the eclipse, especially in downtown and on state routes and interstates.

More than 200,000 people are expected to travel to Erie County to watch the dramatic solar event. That’s over twice the city’s population of around 94,000.

Traffic will be so intense that the city is advising residents to make sure they have adequate groceries or prescriptions so they don’t have to fight traffic to get to the store. Several businesses and schools are also closing for the day.

“We know that gridlock and traffic jams will be a major concern, so please, be prepared and plan ahead. Other cities that have been in a total solar eclipse have said it took 12 hours for their highways and interstates to clear from major traffic after the eclipse. We are encouraging visitors to arrive early and, most importantly, stay in Erie later, rather than hit the road immediately after the eclipse,” the city said.

Presque Isle State Park is also expected to be packed, with the 13 beaches being the closest you can get to the center of the path of totality. However, going to the beach to watch the eclipse will require patience.

“Presque Isle, we know is going to get a lot of visitors regardless, but there is only one road in and one road out”, says Temple. “So if you’re dead set on going to Presque Isle, make plans that you’re going to be sitting quite a while in traffic.”

The city said PennDOT will be putting up message boards on highways that lead to Erie before and during the eclipse. They will include safety messages such as ‘remember to use your headlights during the Eclipse’ and ‘do not stop on shoulders or in the middle of the road to watch the Eclipse’.

Lower State Street north of the Bayfront Parkway downtown will be closed to traffic. This will allow visitors to walk down to the waterfront and watch the eclipse. Sheraton Bayfront Hotel and Hampton Inn Bayfront guests driving vehicles to their accommodations will be directed to their respective destinations by Erie police officers.

To ensure emergency vehicles have safe routes, the following no parking areas will be posted:

• West 2nd Street from State Street to Cascade Street will be posted ‘no parking’ along the north side of the road. This corresponds with the normal no parking Mondays.
• Route 20 (East and West 26th Street) will be posted ‘no parking’ either side of the street from Elm Street to Elmwood. This will provide space for drivers to pull over upon the approach of any emergency vehicles.
• Lincoln Ave from the Bayfront Parkway north to 8th Street will be posted ‘no parking’.
• Greengarden Boulevard from West 12th Street to West 8th Street will be posted ‘no parking’.

For those who prefer public transportation, the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority will be running all bus routes as normal on April 8 but will adjust if necessary due to traffic congestion.

EMTA will be offering a complimentary shuttle that will service the Intermodal Transportation Center at 208 E, Bayfront Parkway, travel across East Front Street, turning south on State Street, travel along east Perry Square, service the bus shelters at 7th & French and 10th & Holland and back to the Intermodal Center. The shuttle will begin at 9 a.m. April 8 and continue until traffic clears.

Community events

Erie and its surrounding areas are filled with festivities celebrating the total eclipse, with the heart of downtown Erie having the most and being closest to the center of the path of totality besides the beaches. Here’s a list of events happening in the area, from closest to furthest from the city.

Downtown/City of Erie

Bicentennial Tower at Dobbins Landing

• 1 State Street
• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Tickets available for purchase at www.DobbinsLandingErie.com
• Eclipse viewing glasses included
• Limited edition eclipse souvenirs for sale

Perry Square

• 550 State Street
• 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Children’s Educational Fair for the Total Solar Eclipse
• Folks from NASA will be in Erie to teach us all about how the sun and moon cause a solar eclipse
• The Children’s Museum will have STEAM activities and the Erie County Library Bookmobile will be there with tons of science books.
• Gannon and Penn State Behrend will be in East Perry Square with a large screen for children to look through in order to see the moon pass over the sun.
• Organizers are encouraging attendees to walk, bike, take a shuttle, or carpool to the event to avoid traffic congestion expected during Eclipse Day.
• Additional parking Downtown on April 8 will be available at Erie Insurance surface parking lots.

Oliver’s Beer Garden Solar Sips Eclipse Party

• Hampton Inn & Suites-Hampton Erie Bayfront, 130 E Front Street.
• $20 entry fee
• All day live DJ
• Bayfront Mini Golf
• Limited food menu from Oliver’s Food Truck

Art of the Solar Eclipse at GGG

• Glass Growers Gallery at 10 E 5th Street
• Friday, April 5: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday, April 6: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. ; Sunday, April 7: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. (Total Eclipse Eve Party 5 - 8 p.m.); Monday, April 8: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Eclipse Eve Party Info: https://www.facebook.com/share/n2pXmBPcHXcsoV27/?mibextid=9l3rBW
• A collection of works by regional artists in the Northwestern Pennsylvania Artists Association (NPAA) titled “Light Obscured”.
• Special Eclipse $5 GGG bucks upon entry (to use toward a purchase of $35 or more), artisanal eclipse cookie with purchase (while supplies last), and many celestial flourishes throughout the store
• Complimentary solar eclipse glasses available (while supplies last, accepting donations toward NPAA’s scholarship fund)

Flagship City Food Hall ECLIPSE at the Food Hall

• 22 N Park Row
• Ippa Pizza will be transformed into a total eclipse party zone
• Special food and drinks at participating kitchens
• Eclipse viewing and glasses will be available at Perry Square.

Erie SeaWolves Eclipse Block Party

• Eclipse ‘Block’ Party at UPMC Park (831 French Street)
• 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Free community event
• Musical performance by TV personality, country music artist Katie Linendoll at 1 p.m.
• Youth activities, inflatable games, autograph sessions with SeaWolves players and coaches, photo opportunities with the 2023 Eastern League Championship trophy and mascot C. Wolf, chances to win SeaWolves prizes including tickets to Opening Night and the opportunity to watch the eclipse from the Bud Light Party Deck and seating areas inside UPMC Park
• Eclipse glasses will be available for the first 1,000 attendees.

Eclipse Watch Party - Erie Land Lighthouse

• 2 Lighthouse Street, Erie, PA 16507
• 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Event will only allow access to registered individuals and will be closed when at 100 people capacity.
• Tower climbs will be limited to a raffle at random.
• Extremely limited parking on site
• Attendees encouraged to walk, Uber or Lyft or use EMTA public transit

Park Side of the Moon at Frontier Park

• 1501 W 6th St, Erie, PA 16505
• 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Free, public event on the Bayfront/8th Street side of the park
• Limited metered parking is available on 8th Street. Street parking is available on the surrounding side streets and neighborhood north of the park.
• Eclipse safety, learning and art activities for all ages offered by LEAF staff, Erie Art Museum and more
• Free LEAF eclipse glasses for first 1000 guests
• Beer available for purchase from Erie Ale Works
• Cocktails available for purchase from Altered State Distillery
• Coffee and tea available from LZ’s Barista Express
• Food available for purchase by Que Abides, Atacolypse Food Truck and Donatos Pizza
• Music by Phunkademic and Friends
• Poetry reading by Chuck Joy, Thasia Lunger and Abdullah Washington

Drinking in the Eclipse with Paul Joseph by Lavery Brewing

• 128 W 12th St, Unit 101, Erie, PA, 16501
• 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Live music from Paul Joseph of Wine & Spirit

Black Hole Sun: Eclipse Parking Lot Party

• 416 W 12th Street, Erie, PA, 16501
• Event by Erie Ale Works and Taqueria Montes & More LLC
• Beers, cocktails and mocktails
• Taqueria Montes Mexican-style food truck
• Limited amounts of goody bags available

Eclipse Within Our Gates at Mercyhurst University

• 501 E 38th St, Erie, PA 16546
• 1 p.m. at Mercyhurst University Athletic Fields
• Designated by NASA as a “Sunspot Viewing Site”
• Weekend of events starting on Friday, April 5
• Lectures, activities and a special viewing event at Saxon Stadium with music

Zooclipse: Solar Safari at the Erie Zoo

• 423 W 38th St, Erie, PA, 16508
• Family friendly event with different activities, entertainment and some keeper talks about the relationship between animals and the moon
• This event is included with the price of admission or free with an Erie Zoo membership
• The event will go on rain or shine!

Millcreek Township

Presque Isle State Park

• Closest spot to center of path of totality
• 13 beaches viewing Lake Erie
• Gate closes at sunset

Eclipse Pajama Jammy Party at Ugly Tuna Tavern

• 1010 Peninsula Dr, Erie, PA 16505
• 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Food and drink
• Weather permitting

Zem Zem Eclipse Watch Party

• 2525 W 38th St, Erie, PA 16506
• $20 per car
• No RVs, campers or buses

Black Monk Brewery

• 3721 West 12th St, Erie, PA, United States, Pennsylvania 16505
• 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Watch the eclipse from the beer garden
• Free eclipse glasses and a moon pie while supplies last

TGI Fridays Eclipse Watch Party

• 6755 Peach Street, Erie PA, 16509
• Solar shades provided while supplies last

Lawrence Park

Eclipse Experience Party at Nostrovia Brewing Co.

• 4415 East Lake Road, Erie, PA
• Free solar eclipse glasses available

Wesleyville

Wesleyville American Legion Post 571

• 1917 Eastern Ave Erie, PA, 16510
• Solar glasses available for members and guests
• Drink specials
• Live music in front bar at 4 p.m.

Summit Township

Splashclipse Party at Splash Lagoon

• 8091 Peach St, Erie, PA 16509
• Eclipse-themed events, entertainment and special drinks in outside viewing area
• All activities are included with water park admission
• Purchase tickets here

Solar Eclipse Watch Party at Erie Sports Center

• 8161 Oliver Road, Erie, PA, 16509
• Viewing glasses will be handed out while supplies last from NBC affiliate Erie News Now.
• DJ playing music
• Food and drink available for purchase

Solar Eclipse Party in the Parking Lot at Presque Isle Downs & Casino

• 8199 Perry Highway, Erie, PA 16509
• Lower Parking Lot
• Food Trucks
• A Waffle Miracle
• Brady’s Chuckwagon
• Smiley’s Ice Cream Truck
• Free solar eclipse glasses while supplies last
• Free play giveaways
• Free concert from rock/country artist Chris Higbee at 1 p.m.

Holiday Inn Eclipse Watch Party

• 2260 Downs Drive, Erie, PA 16509
• Event capacity: 300
• Guests staying at the hotel will receive eclipse themed snacks and goodie bags

Elektra Kings Eclipse Apocalypse at Twisted Elk Brewery

• 10139 W Lake Road, Lake City, PA
• 12:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Waterford/Mill Village

Eclipse on the Farm at Port Farms

• 1925 Stone Quarry Rd, Waterford, PA 16441
• 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Poverty Knob Farmhouse Ales open until 8 p.m.)
• Kickoff To The Eclipse Weekend full of events
• The first 1,000 guests will receive complimentary ISO-certified eclipse glasses
• Overnight spots available
• Goats, ropes course, jumping pillows, slides, ball zones, game garden, barnyard fort and tire fort
• Live music all day
• Tickets are required and can be purchased here

Sparrow Eclipse 2024 at Sparrow Pond Family Campground

• 11103 Peach Street, Waterford, PA
• Normally not open this time of year due to weather
• Reservation Dates: Friday 4/5/24, must check out 4/9/24.Two Night Minimum and payment due in full at time of reservation
• Reservations are not available online
• To reserve a site you will need to email: [email protected] with the following info:
• Name, phone number, type of site you are looking for, size of RV, number of adults, number of children and if any pets.

Eclipse Farmers Market

• 1357 Lane Road, Waterford, PA 16441
• April 6 at 11 a.m. to April 8 at 6 p.m.
• Free farmers market
• Free eclipse glasses to attendees while supplies last
• Food, music, crafters and more

Eclipse with Us at Mound Grove Golf Course

• 10760 Donation Rd, Waterford, PA 16441
• April 7 at 3 p.m. to April 8 at 4:30 p.m.
• Chris Higbee performs April 7 from 6 - 9 p.m.
• $10 per person or $20 for the show and a BBQ dinner
• Day of Viewing package includes breakfast, games and downtime, buffet lunch, and a beautiful location to view the eclipse! $50 per person
• $20 a carload for parking for just the view of the eclipse and $15 dollars per person for the buffet lunch

Lake Erie Wine Country Lights Out!

• A weekend long celebration with 21 different events at several different locations

Total Eclipse Festival at Lake Erie Speedway

• 10700 Delmas Dr, North East, PA 16428
• Gates open at 10 a.m.
• Event will have a parking fee (pre sale $10, day of event $20)
• Crazy Monkey, Inc. rides and inflatables, food, live music (Dan Baney & Stone Quarry Road 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and The Breeze Band 2 - 4 p.m. with a break for the Eclipse), driftin, and monster truck rides
• Rain, cloudy or shine

BEAN Totality Tour Solar Eclipse Party at The Bean

• 12 S Lake St, North East, PA 16428
• 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Burch Farms Solar Eclipse Party

• 9210 Sidehill Road, North East, PA 16429
• $10 per person (4 and under free)
• Ticket includes solar eclipse glasses and wine sampling (over 21)
• Park at the bottom of the hillside and walk up our hill and find your perfect spot in the 3 Acre field to watch the darkness come down over the lake and wait for the sunshine to travel back down the lake.
• Picnic Lunches will be available for purchase and includes pulled pork sandwich or hot dogs, macaroni salad, chips, pop or juice box.
• Bakery Items will also be for sale. Cookies, fruit stix, brownies, fruit breads, pies, pepperoni and cheese balls and pepperoni and cheese bread.

2024 Total Solar Eclipse in Edinboro

• 124 Meadville Street, Edinboro, PA
• 12 p.m. t o 4 p.m.
• Event by PennWest Edinboro and Borough of Edinboro

Sunview Miniature Golf Course

• 12270 Edinboro Rd, Edinboro, PA 16412
• 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Mini golf, driving range and go-karts open for fun, weather permitting
• Call or email to order special solar eclipse shirts

Cambridge Springs

Eclipse Party at Riverside Brewing Company

• 1 Fountain St, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403
• 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Viewing glasses for the eclipse will be provided
• Post eclipse buffet by Chef Ryan and special beer can release- Celestial Energy
• Celestial Energy T-Shirts will be available
• Tickets available on Eventbrite

Solar Eclipse Party at The Frog Pond at Canadohta Lake

• 35755 Circuit Dr, Union City, PA 16438
• 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Food, music and souvenirs
• Meet and greet with new owners after a long winter

American Legion Solar Eclipse Party at American Legion LeBaron Post 237

• 9225 US-6, Union City, PA 16438
• 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Special glasses available
• Hot dogs, hamburgers and cake provided
• Please bring a dish to share
• Outdoor area open
• Raffles, door prizes, special gifts, 50/50

Dancing in the Streets Eclipse Party in Downtown Corry

• Painted Finch Gallery at 32 N. Center Street, Corry, PA 16407
• 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• DJs and dance instructors
• Many Corry establishments will be open for business
• Corry Corner Bar and Grillz will be serving food outdoors (weather permitting)
• Event capacity: 600

eCLIPse CLOP at Miracle Mountain Ranch

• 101 Rodeo Drive, Spring Creek, PA
• 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Variety of activities centered around the natural wonder of the eclipse
• Tickets available for purchase here

Alien Landing Party ! Solar Eclipse at The White Butterfly

• 26 N Center St, Corry, PA 16407
• The White Butterfly is inviting people to dress up as an alien and enjoy the eclipse

Solar Eclipse Party at Dovetail at Lindsey Hollow

• 21450 Lindsey Hollow Rd, Corry, PA 16407
• 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Entertainment, food truck and fun

Hotels around 10x normal price

Last month, Channel 11 told you about hotel prices on the rise in Erie for the day of the eclipse. At the time, hotels were already at 85% occupancy, with prices sometimes being 10 times more than the normal price the week before.

As of just under two weeks before the solar event, hotel prices have jumped.

>> Pittsburghers will get partial view of upcoming eclipse; for a better view, plan a trip to Erie

The Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel right on Presque Isle Bay downtown will run you over $1,000 on April 8. Closer to the beaches, the Cobblestone Hotel & Suites runs at around $600 for the day. In the opposite direction in North East, lodging can be up to nearly $800.

If you’re looking to get away from downtown Erie, La Quinta Inn & Suites right off of I-90 in Summit Township is also around $600. Nearby Baymont by Wyndham, which is directly across the street from Presque Isle Downs & Casino, is listed at around the same price.

Peach Street, which spans Summit and Millcreek townships, is a go-to for food and hotels. Prices for lodging range on the busy roadway from around $450 to nearly $1,000 on the day of the eclipse.

Further away from the center of the path of totality are cheaper options. Comfort Suites in Edinboro is listed at under $300 for the day.

If you’re looking for a sweeter deal, local motels may be the way to go, if they still have availability. Riviera Motel Erie is listed at under $100 for the day, and it’s not located far from Presque Isle State Park.

How to safely watch the eclipse

While some watch parties in Erie are giving away eyewear to watch the eclipse (and at least one gas station chain is giving away a free pair with any purchase), you may have to find a way to safely watch the solar event yourself.

Erie is in the path of totality with this eclipse, meaning that those watching can view the event without protective eyewear during the totality part - when the moon fully covers the sun, and the surrounding area goes dark. However, this window of opportunity only lasts a few minutes before the sun peaks back through and viewers need protection.

According to the American Astronomical Society (AAS), there is only one safe way to directly look at the sun during a solar eclipse while it’s not totally covered by the moon: through solar eclipse glasses or handheld viewers.

NASA says the filters on the solar eclipse glasses are thousands of times darker and are supposed to comply with an international safety standard. If you don’t wear them, you’re risking serious damage to your eyes.

Solar viewers are a hot commodity both online and in retail stores across the U.S. — but that doesn’t mean they’re actually safe to use. These special glasses should comply with ISO 12312-2, an international safety standard for filters that allow for the direct viewing of the sun.

AAS encourages people to avoid searching for eclipse glasses on online retailers like Amazon and Temu.

If you’re unable to get safety glasses, you can make a pinhole projector to see it indirectly. Click here to watch a video on how to make one.

For more information on the eclipse, including how to get ISO-certified eclipse glasses to safely watch the eclipse, click here.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter . | Watch WPXI NOW

SOLAR ECLIPSE 2024 CONTENT:

• Solar Eclipse 2024
• Solar eclipse will be visible in Pittsburgh region next month
• Solar eclipse 2024: How to watch safely, where to get solar viewers
• Solar Eclipse 2024: Here’s where you can see the total solar eclipse in western Pa.
• Pittsburgh-area schools adjusting schedules for upcoming solar eclipse
• Pittsburghers will get partial view of upcoming eclipse; for a better view, plan a trip to Erie
• Solar eclipse 2024: Watch parties around western Pennsylvania
• Solar eclipse 2024: What time does it start; will I be able to see it; glasses; how to view it?
• DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts

Weekend Money: Benefits and pensions going up - here's how much and exactly when

Pensions and benefits are going up between Saturday and Monday. Read this and more in Weekend Money, and we'll be back with live Money updates on Monday. Leave a comment on anything we've covered below.

Sunday 7 April 2024 10:45, UK

Weekend Money

• The price of getting divorced
• Benefits and pensions rise in coming days
• Calculate how much your take-home pay rises from today as NI cut
• Your comments: Angry pensioners, angry drinkers and angry mail recipients
• News round-up
• What makes up the cost of a £6 pint - and how much is profit?
• All the places kids can eat cheap or free this Easter break

Ask a question or make a comment

Here's a round up of the changes...

• Child benefit

The amount people can earn before child benefit is reduced or taken away is increasing.

At the moment, people lose 1% of the benefit for every £100 they earn over £50,000. At £60,000, the benefit is cut completely.

From this month, the benefit won't be reduced until one parent earns more than £60,000. And it will only go completely at £80,000.

Benefits and tax credits that are linked to inflation will rise by 6.7% this month.

That was the level CPI in September.

These benefits have to go up 6.7% by law:

• Personal independence payment (PIP)
• Disability living allowance
• Attendance allowance
• Incapacity benefit
• Severe disablement allowance
• Industrial injuries benefit
• Carer's allowance
• Additional State Pension
• Guardian's allowance

The government also pledged the same raise for benefits including:

• Universal Credit
• Contributory employment and support allowance
• Contributory jobseeker's allowance
• Statutory maternity/paternity pay and maternity allowance
• Income-based jobseeker's allowance (JSA)
• Income-related employment and support allowance (ESA)
• Income support
• Working tax credit
• Child tax credit

From April universal credit rates are:

• Single and under 25 - £311.68
• Single and 25 or over - £393.45
• Live with partner, both under 25 - £489.23 (for you both)
• Live with partner, either of you are 25 or over £617.60 (for you both)

The state pension will rise by 8.5% this month.

The "new" state pension, for those reaching state pension age on or after 6 April 2016, will rise to £221.20 a week - up from £203.85.

The "basic" state pension, for those who took it out prior to April 2016, is rising to £169.50 a week.

Both groups may get more or less depending on individual circumstances. 

When do the changes tax effect?

Housing benefit and council tax reduction rates changed at the start of this month.

Tax credits changes typically apply at the start of the new tax year - so Saturday (6 April).

Means-tested benefits like universal credit, income support or pension credit are changed from Monday (8 April).

Pensions also rise from Monday.

By Bhvishya Patel, Money team

We're all familiar with the stats - nearly half (42%) of all marriages in the UK end in divorce.

But unless you've been through it, you'll probably be surprised at how much getting divorced costs. 

It varies depending on where you live and how you do it, but according to MoneyHelper a couple could be looking at between £1,300 and £2,600 for an uncontested divorce and between £10,000 and £30,000 if it is a contested case - for example, you've failed to reach an agreement and the case is taken to court.

The cost can climb even higher if the case drags on.

Family court backlogs mean a quick resolution is almost unheard of - with Ministry of Justice figures showing the average divorce takes more than a year to complete.

So what do you need to know?

This table shows some of the main costs to consider when getting a divorce.

Can you do it for less?

Although the process had become a lot more straightforward with the introduction of no-fault divorces, some solicitors still take advantage, says Desmond O'Donnell, a partner in the family team at the legal firm Thomson Snell & Passmore. 

"I say to my clients, you are more than capable of applying for a divorce without a solicitor - the court fee is £593. You get other solicitors who say 'let me do it for you' because they can charge the client for that and then costs go up to £600-800." Desmond O'Donnell

He says it is better to settle a separation outside court because taking a case to court "racks up costs".

"You get some solicitor firms who see it as a business rather than what is best for their client," he says. 

"If you settle a case quickly you don't make money, so they almost encourage their client to go to court."

He recommends looking at other avenues such as mediation, collaborative law, arbitration and the process of "one couple, one lawyer" to avoid being "at the mercy of the court".

Less lawyer routes

With mediation, through which a couple resolves issues with a mediator, "emails are not flying back and forth" between solicitors and matters can be resolved "within hours", Mr O'Donnell says.

Another way of handling a separation is arbitration - a private system in which spouses choose an arbitrator to hear their case in their chambers.

"It's having a judge who has the time to give your case the attention it needs and because it is much quicker, there is less correspondence so it is going to be cheaper," Mr O'Donnell says.

'Collaborative' lawyers

He also draws attention to collaborative law, which involves specially trained solicitors meeting for roundtable meetings for the benefit of the family.

"As there is more realism brought into it and we're not trying to bluff each other, very often we agree on things outside the traditional court system more quickly and cheaply than the traditional system," he says.

Sharing a solicitor?

Opting for "one couple, one lawyer", with the solicitor acting for both spouses, can cost £3,000 to £4,000 plus VAT - so "much cheaper", Mr O'Donnell says.

But this only works if the couple are on amicable terms.

Finances are not sorted with divorce

A common misconception is that divorce and finances are dealt with in the same processes - they are not, says Zoe Rose, senior associate at Hedges Law.

"I often say to clients you probably won't need a lawyer to help you with the divorce application because if you can do online shopping you can do the relevant online application with the court directly." Zoe Rose

But, she says, with discussions about finances and children people "should be spending some money getting some decent legal advice".

"You do the simple paperwork and come to me for the strategic stuff about what happens with assets and what happens with your children and what that looks like," she says.

How you communicate with your lawyer is key

How people communicate with lawyers is important in keeping costs down, according to Ms Rose.

"If you send your solicitor two emails and then automatically ring them, your solicitor won't have had time to look at your email and won't give you the nuanced advice you want," she says.

"Whereas if you send them a couple of emails and then book a slot later, what you will get back out will be much better."

Here are Ms Rose's other tips to keep fees down:  

• Only speak to your lawyer about legal advice as you are charged for the time you spend with them;
• Avoid asking the same questions more than once;
• Keep ongoing correspondence to a minimum and if you want to ask if an email has been received, your solicitor's assistant is the best person to answer this.

'Train wreck break-up prompted me to set up amicable divorce service'

In the course of writing this article, we came across Kate Daly, a relationship counsellor and the co-founder of Amicable. 

The company first offers a 15-minute free advice consultation and then follows this up by helping couples decide how to divide their money and property, or with arrangements for their children.

Once they have a financial agreement, this is drafted into a consent order and sent to court for a judge to review. 

It means no lawyers are needed and, the theory goes, results in an amicable divorce.

"I came up with the idea for this business off the back of my own awful train wreck divorce - it was really terrible," she says.

"It cost huge amounts of money and it created untold emotional damage, even now it still plays out in my family. A horrible divorce is like the gift that keeps on giving - it just stalks you through all life events.

"When I went through mine, I thought 'what have I done wrong to create this awful situation where we are both spending so much money and ended up in such a bad place?'"

Most couples could do a simple divorce - that is, one with no finances to sort out - themselves, she says, but it is "trickier" to do a consent order and "definitely worth getting legal advice at that point".

"We're on a mission to change the way society thinks about relationships ending and to get to a point where we can say love can end and that doesn't have to be a fight, and it doesn't have to be a failure," she says.

Four topics elicited the most consternation in our mailbox this week: pensioners being drawn into tax, the price of pints, banned adverts and Royal Mail cutbacks. 

On Tuesday we revealed that 650,000 extra pensioners will have to pay income tax for the first time following an inflation-linked 8.5% rise in the state pension which will take many with additional income over the (currently frozen) tax threshold of £12,570.

I have a service pension which I've been living off for 10 years and this month qualify for my state pension. Couldn't believe it when my service pension was nearly £200 less due to tax!! They give with one and take with another!! Brilliant!! I guess I should have expected it!! Ian, Fareham

Thanks to the tax bracket not being raised in line with inflation, I am now paying tax on my pension... Pointless the Tories keeping on about triple lock as I get an increase in one hand then take it out with the other. Mr c k

Others asked if the move meant pensioners were being effectively "taxed twice"...

Why should pensioners have to pay tax on personal/private pensions when they have already paid tax on it during their working lives. Surely the government is getting double payment of taxes? Sarah

This isn't quite right - as pension income is only taxed when it's withdrawn, ie when you retire. 

Making pension contributions during your working life is tax free within certain limits . 

Away from pensions, on Wednesday we reported that a Nationwide advert starring Dominic West would be banned following 282 complaints. 

The watchdog found it was misleading consumers into thinking the building society – unlike its rivals – would not be closing its branches.

Some of our readers have seen first-hand closures, in contrast to the advert's message...

Our Nationwide branch closed after they stated it would remain open for at least two years. Goldie30

Good! I am glad that the Nationwide adverts have been banned as they did, indeed, close last year the Blaby, Leicestershire branch of their bank. So the adverts always left a very bitter taste in the mouth. Well done ASA for calling Nationwide out on this. Alan Henry

Looking at the breakdown of the cost of a pint we posted on Thursday...

...we had an interesting question from Pete on non-alcoholic drinks...

Why do alcohol-free drinks cost so much in pubs and restaurants? Prices are often the same and yet tax is lower. Petethepilot

Although the same duty doesn't apply on alcohol-free drinks, they can be more expensive to manufacture.

Many breweries make their standard beer then "remove" the alcohol after - adding an extra step to an already expensive process, using the same ingredients and methods etc. 

Historically, it's also been brewed in much smaller quantities (naturally driving price up), although as its popularity continues to rise we may see that change. There's also development and marketing costs.

Another reader, John, said... 

Having just returned from a holiday in mainland Spain - I find myself asking why the cost of a large draft local beer (pint) - even in many restaurants - is only about €3. Which is the equivalent of about £2.56. Yet another example of rip-off Britain!!! JohnMette

On Wednesday, Royal Mail revealed it may slash  1,000 jobs as part of cutbacks including reducing second-class deliveries to three days a week, prompting comments like this...

So now we all pay for 1st class post and get 2nd class service.  Liyzlg

National insurance has been cut, for the second time this year, from 10% to 8% on employee earnings between £12,570 and £50,270 from today.

The change, announced by the chancellor in his March budget, impacts around 27 million payroll employees across the UK.

The cut is worth almost £250 to someone earning £25,000 a year and almost £750 for those earning £50,000

Use our tool below for a rough guide to what tax changes can be expected for most people, as there are other variables not included which might affect how much tax you pay including being in receipt of the blind person's allowance or the marriage allowance. It also assumes you are not self-employed and are under pension age...

There are also national insurance cuts for the self-employed. This includes the scrapping of Class 2 contributions, as well as a reduction of the rate of Class 4 contributions from 9% to 6% for the £12,570 to £50,270 earnings bracket.

These will impact nearly two million self-employed people, according to the Treasury.

While many campaigners welcomed the national insurance announcement last month, they pointed out that the tax burden remains at record high levels for Britons - thanks in part to the threshold at which people start paying income tax being frozen, rather than rising with inflation.

Big Issue founder Lord Bird says the government has "lost the plot" over proposed legislation which critics say criminalises homelessness .

He called the Criminal Justice Bill a "waste of time" that fails to stop people living and dying on the streets of the UK.

The bill contains provisions to allow police to forcibly move on "nuisance" rough sleepers, with criteria including creating "excessive smell" or "looking like they are intending to sleep on the streets".

"How the hell are you going to enforce this?" Lord Bird said on Sky News.

"You're going to get the old bill [police] or the local security going out their sniffing people? This is just a waste of time."

Lord Bird said it was "human rights abuse to let people live and die on our streets".

"When it's moved onto criminal justice issues, then you've lost the plot."

British Savings Bonds , which were announced in the budget, have gone on sale .

The bonds, issued by the Treasury-backed NS&I, offer a fixed rate for three years - and the rate has been revealed at 4.15%.

This has left experts feeling a little underwhelmed.

Savings Champion  founder Anna Bowes gave us her view: "In essence, this is simply a re-issuance of the NS&I three-year Guaranteed Income and Guaranteed Growth bonds, rather than anything new or British.

"As was reported just after the budget and as is often the case with NS&I products, while the interest rate is not rock bottom it’s mid-table, so is likely to still be utilised, especially for those rolling over old bonds, and those with more than the FSCS limit of £85,000, because of course all cash held with NS&I is guaranteed by HM Treasury.

"NS&I is a trusted institution so will always be popular, but savers can earn quite a lot more if they shop a

Trade groups have warned of higher food prices and empty supermarket shelves because of new post-Brexit border fees being introduced this month.

A maximum charge of £145 will apply on imports of plant and animal products, such as cheese and fish, entering the UK through the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel from 30 April.

The fees are intended to cover the cost of operating new border control posts required after Brexit, and will not apply to goods brought into the UK for personal use, the government said.

But importers warned the new charges could lead to higher prices for consumers.

Read more here ...

The Money blog is your place for consumer news, economic analysis and everything you need to know about the cost of living - bookmark news.sky.com/money.

It runs with live updates every weekday - while on Saturdays we scale back and offer you a selection of weekend reads.

Check them out this morning and we'll be back on Monday with rolling news and features.

The Money team is Emily Mee, Bhvishya Patel, Jess Sharp, Katie Williams, Brad Young and Ollie Cooper, with sub-editing by Isobel Souster. The blog is edited by Jimmy Rice.

Senior doctors in England have voted to accept an improved government pay deal, bringing to an end the year-long dispute which had led to strike action.

The British Medical Association (BMA), a trade union which has been representing the consultants, put the offer on pay and conditions to its members, with 83% voting in favour.

The pay deal includes changes to the review body on doctors' and dentists' remuneration (DDRB) and a 2.85% (£3,000) uplift for those who have been senior doctors for four to seven years, said the BMA.

The offer is in addition to the 6% awarded during the DDRB process last summer.

You can read more here ...

Administrators to The Body Shop are drawing up plans to salvage a future for one of Britain’s best-known high street brands.

Insolvency practitioners at FRP Advisory have outlined proposals to launch a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) that would see The Body Shop entering talks with landlords about rent cuts, as well as other creditors, Sky News has learnt.

According to proposals sent to The Body Shop's creditors on Friday morning, which lay bare the depths of the financial problems inherited by the investor which bought the company less than four months ago, a CVA would "allow the company to be rescued and exit from administration".

This would see it continuing to trade under the ownership of Aurelius, the investment firm which took control of it at the start of the year.

Read more in our City editor Mark Kleinman's  full story .

The crisis enveloping Thames Water has deepened after its holding company announced it had been unable to meet a debt repayment.

Kemble Water said it missed an interest payment that was due on Tuesday.

The firm said it had asked its lenders to take no immediate action so as to "provide a stable platform while all options are explored".

The announcement paves the way for a potential restructuring of Thames Water, which serves nearly a quarter of Britain's population.

You can read more about that here .

The UK's largest specialist wine retailer, Majestic, has completed a rescue deal to buy Vagabond from administration.

On Friday, Majestic confirmed it had completed the acquisition of the wine bar chain, which will secure the future of nine Vagabond venues and 171 workers.

The bar firm's "underperforming" site in Canary Wharf has not been bought and will be closed.

Vagabond's two sites at Gatwick Airport are also not included in the deal.

The average UK house price fell by approximately £2,900 month on month in March, according to Halifax.

The typical property value fell by 1%, having risen 0.3% in February.

Average property prices landed at £288,430, said Kim Kinnaird, director of Halifax Mortgages.

"That a monthly fall should occur following five consecutive months of growth is not entirely unexpected, particularly in view of the reset the market has been going through since interest rates began to rise sharply in 2022.

"Despite this, house prices have shown surprising resilience in the face of significantly higher borrowing costs."

Prices remain almost £50,000 above pre-pandemic levels, she added.

Nicky Stevenson, managing director at estate agent group Fine & Country, said: "An increasingly busy property market helped to prop up prices on an annual basis at the beginning of spring, but the monthly fall shows there is still some turbulence."

Once an interest rate cut appears on the horizon, demand should "push UK prices 3% higher this year", said Tom Bill, head of UK residential research at estate agent Knight Frank.

British billionaire Joe Lewis has avoided a jail sentence after admitting he orchestrated an insider trading scheme that helped those around him make millions.

The former Tottenham Hotspur owner, who lives in the Bahamas, tipped off his girlfriend, friends, and two of his private pilots with inside information on four publicly-traded companies, which they used to get rich, prosecutors in New York said.

In January, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and two counts of securities fraud, admitting in court he had known he was breaking the law.

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