Got concert tickets? Your personal info might be on the market. Plus, why Gen Z is ditching driving, the latest malicious apps on Google Play, and how an international burglary ring is using Wi-Fi jammers.
Early flights, cheap seats, less trauma
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Thinking about a summer getaway? Whether you’re dreaming of golden beaches or a family battle royale at Disney, it’s officially “stop refreshing and actually book your flight” season.
Let’s break it down.
🗺️ For international trips
If you’ve got your sights set on Europe, Asia or anywhere outside the U.S., the sweet spot is two to six months in advance, depending on the destination. Not seven anymore.
Airline prices fluctuate faster than ever, and waiting too long means you’ll likely be hit with high demand and fewer seats. Then again, you might be able to score a last-minute deal if you don’t mind the last seat near the toilet.
Use tools like Google Flights, Hopper or Skyscanner to set fare alerts. Just plug in your destination and dates, and you’ll get notified when prices drop below a threshold you set. It’s like having a personal flight hacker in your pocket.
🇺🇸 For U.S. travel
The best time to book a domestic flight is 28 to 35 days before takeoff. Yep, just about a month ahead. Booking too early, say 90+ days out, can actually cost you more. I know, it sounds backward, but data backs it up.
- Book on a Sunday: You can save around 15% compared to buying midweek.
- Fly on a Wednesday: It’s consistently the cheapest day to travel, especially for round trips.
- Skip Fridays and Sundays unless you love crowds and overpriced tickets.
- Shop one-way tickets: For example, Phoenix to New York City round trip was $523. But booking a one-way ticket from Phoenix to NYC and then booking a separate ticket from NYC to Phoenix was $413.
🛫 Insider secrets
Always book the earliest flight your cranky self can tolerate. Flights after 3 p.m.? Up to 50% more prone to cancellations. Delays pile up throughout the day, and those afternoon and evening flights get hit the hardest.
📍 TL;DR
Sky-high car insurance rates? Blame it on all the tech in our cars
© Supitnan Pimpisarn | Dreamstime.com
My car insurance just went up 32%. Did I have an accident or get a few tickets? Nope. Across the U.S., the average full-coverage car insurance bill went up 25% last year. In some states, it was closer to 40%. Geez.
The main reason? Today’s high-tech vehicles cost way more to repair. You don’t need to own a high-tech car to feel the pinch, though; it’s hitting everyone.
NYC’s newest side hustle: Gotta give it up to ingenuity! A woman’s making cash “car-sitting” so folks don’t get street-cleaning tickets. In New York, if you don’t move your car, you get fined. Her gig? You stay at work while she chills in your ride until the sweeper passes. Beats paying the $65 ticket.
$293 million
That’s the global box office haul for Apple’s biggest movie ever … so far.F1: The Movie beat out Napoleon to take the top spot in Apple’s box office history. About 1 in 5 tickets sold were in IMAX alone, making it the coziest way to feel like you’re inside an F1 car. Popcorn included.
💺 This idea is taking off: Forget flying on Wednesdays to save money on airfare. Delta’s letting AI set airfare based on what you personally might pay, i.e., how likely you are to cough up more money based on past purchases. About 3% of tickets use AI already. By year-end? 20%.
After 60 years
Legendary rock band The Who are calling it quits. Their farewell tour, The Song Is Over, will hit 16 shows across North America as a final thank-you to fans. Presales start May 13, with general tickets up for grabs May 16. We won’t get fooled again.
🚨 Now, here’s a deal alert: Amazon is selling 1,000 $25 plane tickets every day next week. Prime for Young Adults members (ages 18 to 24) can snag tickets valid between Dec. 9 and Jan. 14. Pass this link to the college-aged guys and gals in your life!
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