Alex's Latest Posts
What Are Remote Workers Doing on the Clock? [2023 Survey]
Mid-day showers, afternoon power naps, and answering emails from the comfort of your go-to coffee joint are all perks remote workers enjoy. Some even skip working from home entirely in exchange for working poolside in luxurious, far-off destinations — mai…
The Dirtiest U.S. Vacation Spots, According to Tripadvisor Reviews
By its very nature, traveling can be a dirty business –– think littered beaches, stinky amusement parks, or hotel rooms with bugs. We’ve compiled a list of some of the dirtiest vacation spots in the U.S. and a list of…
The Best Airlines To Buy a Last-minute Ticket From [2023 Data Study]
Whether it’s for an unexpected business trip, a family emergency, or a sudden desire to go on a last-second getaway, there may come a time when you need to purchase a ticket at a moment’s notice. Finding a reasonably priced…
States Where Inflation Is Driving Increased Reliance on Credit Cards
Recent data suggests that efforts to tame inflation are starting to have an effect. After nearly a year of steady interest rate increases by the Federal Reserve, year-over-year growth in the Consumer Price Index slowed to 6.0% in February 2023….
Cities With the Highest Rates of Credit Card Fraud [2023 Data Study]
Americans have increasingly turned to credit cards to meet their household financial needs — but doing so has dramatically raised risks of credit card fraud in recent years. The early months of the COVID-19 pandemic saw many households reduce their…
An Analysis of the Best Airport Lounges in the U.S. [2023 Study]
Let’s face it — most people don’t enjoy traveling through the airport. Between crowded terminals, expensive shops, and limited seating, a private jet looks much more desirable. Thankfully, airport lounges provide a bit of respite in the midst of chaos. These…
Here’s How Residents in Each U.S. State Order at the Bar [2023 Survey]
Now more than ever, Americans are looking for something to take the edge off, and bars across the nation are answering the call. Whether your choice is a simple gin and tonic or you prefer the hoppy buzz from an…
Here’s How Early You Need To Arrive To Catch Your Flight at 50 U.S. Airports
The sinking feeling of dread you get when you hear the final boarding call before you reach your gate is nothing short of awful. Whether you consistently run late or have never missed a flight in your life, you may…
The Best Airports in the U.S. for Remote Workers [2022 Data Study]
Remote work life has completely transformed the travel game. No longer are workers chained to their desks and forced to clock in on location — instead, virtual employees have the luxury of working anywhere, including the airport lounge before they…
People’s Biggest Pet Peeves 30,000 Feet in the Air [2022 Air Travel Study]
What are people’s biggest pet peeves when flying? Recycled air? Crying babies? Oh, or the jerk in front of you who reclined their seat all the way back, slamming your table tray forward? There’s nothing quite like being crammed into…
25 Hotel, Airline & Travel Statistics To Know Before Your Next Vacation [2022]
Both the hospitality and airline industries took a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, but have you ever wondered just how much revenue and jobs were lost? Is the travel and vacation industry changed forever or has 2022 been a comeback…
Average Airport Immigration & Customs Wait Times Across the U.S. [2022 Data Study]
Many passengers are familiar with the instant dread that fills their souls upon seeing a massive Immigration and Customs line at the airport. It’s a common occurrence that is usually paired with tired legs after a 10-hour flight. The airport…
States With the Highest (And Lowest) Credit Card Delinquency Rates
Access to credit is an important resource for managing personal finances, whether to pay for major purchases, serve as a bridge to cover regular expenses, or smooth out spending when something unexpected happens. But reliance on debt like credit cards…
Personal Finance & Credit Card Statistics for 2022: A Look Inside the Piggy Bank
Americans’ can have a strained relationship with their personal finances. Individuals have different philosophies on how — and where — their money is allocated. Perhaps you’re a saver and not a spender, or maybe you fall victim to those 2…
Average American Debt: Where Debt Is Concentrated & How It Has Changed Over Time
It’s no secret that Americans are in debt. Whether you stumble into credit card debt due to out-of-control spending habits or you suffered an unexpected injury and racked up thousands in medical debt at no fault of your own, Americans…
The Cost of a Cannabis Vacation Around the U.S. in 2022
The tourism landscape is swiftly changing as more and more states legalize the recreational use of marijuana. Legal pot sales are expected to hit $33 billion in 2022. Cannabis vacations, coined “canna-cations,” are on the rise, and this brand of…
States Whose Residents Have the Most Cash To Spend (Or Save)
The economy has been a roller coaster for consumers over the last 2.5 years, and the ride isn’t slowing down yet. As COVID-19 and its ripple effects have continued to shape the economy, U.S. households have navigated both prosperity and…
7 Best Ways To Use 80,000 Points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the most popular credit cards on the market and has been for several years. This card earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points that can be transferred to both airline and hotel partners for award…
Credit Card Fraud and ID Theft – Facts & Statistics [2022 Data Study]
If you have shifted to be more of an online shopper and banker like many Americans did during the COVID-19 pandemic, you might have thought about how safe your information is on the websites you enter it onto. Credit card…
Expert Credit Card Reviews [Travel, Business, Airline, Hotel, Cash-Back and No Annual Fee]
Here at Upgraded Points, our experts do a thorough analysis of all of the most popular credit cards on the market. We take care of the hours of reading, researching, and writing, so you can focus on what’s most important…