pricing Archives - Komando.com

A travel money mistake way too many people make

I’m going to Japan in March and have looked up flights on a few different sites. Roundtrip prices vary as much as $900 depending on where you look. Oof!

Here’s the twist

One place I checked was my credit card rewards site. I get points and perks, so total no-brainer, right? Not so fast. Do a little digging and you may find that it’s not the bigger, better deal.

Lots of credit card companies offer fancy booking tools as a perk to justify the hefty annual fee, but they’re not always as … perky as you’d think.

The long and short of it: Prices through your credit card company are often higher than booking directly. Airlines and hotels want to drive customers to book through them, so you’re way more likely to snag a deal through their sites.

Nope, it’s not ‘free’

You probably spent a ton of money to get those points in the first place. When you put it that way, it doesn’t seem so free. And if you don’t have enough points to cover the entire trip, you’ll still have to shell out some cash to settle the bill.

Pro tip: I often cash in credit card points for gift cards to places where I’m already shopping or want to buy someone a gift.

Pricing predicament

Your credit card company doesn’t set hotel room or plane ticket prices through their portals. Most don’t even manage the travel booking features at all.

Expedia is behind the American Express travel site.
The popular Hopper tool manages Capital One’s offering.

Keep in mind, too, that hotel and flight prices fluctuate, and websites don’t update their pricing at the same time. If you don’t check around, you could wind up paying the older, more expensive rate.

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Be careful before you hit “buy” on social media

I remember the first time I fired up TikTok to see what it was all about. In about 10 minutes, the darn app’s algorithms kicked into gear. On my feed, aside from people dancing all over the globe, were vids about vegetarian dishes, travel tips and golden retrievers. And you know what … it was pretty hard to put down, a total time suck. After three days, I removed it from my phone.

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Summer sandals for everyone

Comfortable, cooling and cool-ish footwear for kicking around the yard, beach and beyond.

Arizona dupes: If you like the look of Birkenstocks but not the price, these faux leather versions by Cushionaire are 40% off ($29.99) and come in lots of good colors. These are so in right now for men and women.
Slip in and slide: Swap out your regular Crocs for summer Crocs. These unisex slides are so comfy and up to 41% off ($20.64).
Walking on clouds: Pillow slippers look silly until you put them on, and then there’s nothing funny about them. Heaven. These unisex slides are 15% off ($20.38).
Fellas’ fancy flops: Add some khakis and a collared shirt to these faux leather flip-flops, and you’re dressed for dinner. Right now, snag a pair for 30% off ($13.99).
Ladies’ fancy flops: Cute Birkenstock-esque women’s thongs in faux leather with an adjustable buckle. Choose from five colors (love the light gray). They’re all 25% off ($22.49).
Hey there, dude: Andrew Babinski loves his HEYDUDE shoes. I’m not a fan, but I’ve heard from both men and women that these shoes are super comfy.

💡 Pro tip: Sometimes, Amazon’s pricing can vary by size — rude! If you find your size is more expensive, click through other available colors to find a lower price.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

America's drinking water is under attack

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Water systems in Kansas, Texas and Pennsylvania have already been hit by hackers in China, Russia and Iran. Plus, clothes that block 5G waves, AI coming to Alexa, and Walmart’s new digital pricing. We also chat with Joseph Cox about his book “Dark Wire,” which is about Anom, the FBI’s secret app used by criminals.

Wendy’s “dynamic pricing” PR nightmare solution is $1 burgers until April 10 as a make-good. Of course, you have to order on their app and add the coupon on their “offers” page to get the deal. 🙄

$300 more revenue

Per month, if you offer extras with your Airbnb. Owners are tacking on things like airport transfers and local tours to boost their Airbnb incomes with almost no overhead. Oh, and be smart with your pricing; folks expect to pay a little more during peak seasons.

Streaming prices are out of control - See what services are charging

We’ve come a long way from the days of visiting Blockbuster Video on a Friday night to find a few movies to pass the weekend. These days, you don’t have to get off the couch to rent the latest Hollywood smash hit.

Now, you just fire up the smart TV and connect to your favorite streaming service to have fantastic content at your fingertips. Giants like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Max, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+ and Paramount+ have emerged as dominant players, offering a vast array of movies, TV shows and original content.

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Money-saving secret your cable and internet provider doesn't want you to know

When you’re driving, spotty cell coverage is a drag. Music, GPS, and calls just won’t go through. Here’s a quick guide to boosting your service no matter where the road takes you.

What about a travel pro tip if you prefer to fly to your destination? You can see which flights include the most legroom with the right tools. I tell all my tall friends about this trick. Tap or click here for the secret — it’s No. 5 on the list.

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Not just a rumor anymore: Apple is officially cooking up a foldable MacBook for 2027. This analyst says it’ll have a 20.3-inch screen and could change how we use laptops forever. As for pricing, well, it’s Apple, so start saving now.

Why, Wendy’s, why? Just when you thought burger prices were sacred, Wendy’s says, “Hold my Frosty.” CEO Kirk Tanner says they’re spending $20 million on digital menus for “dynamic pricing.” You know it as surge pricing — like Uber, but for your burgers and fries. I’m surprised because Wendy’s doesn’t cut corners.

Coursera vs. Udemy: Which platform offers the best online learning experience?

Learning through online courses has grown in popularity over the years. It’s never been easier to customize your education and focus on skills you care about. In this multi-billion dollar business, websites rope in course creators to build a system of user-generated educational resources. But which one is best?

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Streaming services from most to least expensive

Wouldn’t it be great if all your favorite shows and movies were on the same platform? Sadly, all the good stuff is scattered across different apps, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and HBO Max. If you’re juggling multiple subscriptions, these streaming services can burn a massive hole in your wallet.

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If you pay for Netflix, check your account now

Streaming services aren’t cheap, so wouldn’t you want to know if someone is mooching off your account? It’s easier to find and cut them off, thanks to some new Netflix settings. Tap or click here to log out anybody using your profile with one click.

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Check your streaming bills NOW or else

Streaming services constantly compete for new users, content deals and additional income. But they also fight to keep their current subscribers, who can cancel at the click of a button.

Netflix is an unfortunate example, as it lost almost a million subscribers between April and July this year. It’s the second quarter in a row where it lost subscribers, which could be attributed to its price hike in March.

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Sharing your Netflix account? You may have to pay up soon

Many people take to social media to complain about how a company has treated them. This can be cathartic for you but probably doesn’t do much harm to the business. But chip into their revenue, and the corporate cogs spring into motion.

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The 3G shutdown impacts more than just your phone - These devices may stop working

While you don’t always need the latest and greatest tech gadgets, there are times when the need to upgrade is essential. This is the case for many people, with cellular networks phasing out the 3G standard. Older smartphones will lose most of their essential functions, including the ability to make and receive calls and texts.

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TVs this year are more expensive than ever

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Black Friday is now less than three weeks away. Traditionally we get special pricing and dramatic discounts on big-screen TVs. Listen now to find out why this year might be different.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Say goodbye to AT&T TV - Here's what's replacing it

Between the internet, cable, network television, satellite and streaming services, there is no shortage of ways to watch movies, television shows, special events and live content. Additionally, the pandemic has resulted in more at-home content than ever before.

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So long, Google Play Music - Your guide to YouTube Music

If you were a Google Play Music subscriber, it’s time to say your goodbyes. The company announced Google Play Music is ending and will be transitioned over to YouTube Music. If you’re confused about how this change will work and exactly how YouTube Music works, we’ve got answers!

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9 streaming service pro tips to save money

The whole streaming scene is confusing. DirecTV Now changed its name to AT&T TV Now and can’t seem to settle on plans and pricing. Tap or click here to parse the options. Disney+, Apple TV and HBO Max joined the party — and each one wants your money.

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