American Airlines is planning to test complimentary inflight Wi-Fi starting next week as pressure mounts on carriers to offer the service free of charge.

The tests will be available on three flights: Between hub Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina and Raleigh-Durham International Airport; Charlotte and Jacksonville International Airport in Florida; and between Miami International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

More and more carriers have either launched or are preparing to offer free inflight Wi-Fi, making it harder for competitors to charge for connectivity. American’s prices vary and are some of the U.S. industry’s highest, with flight passes often topping $20.

It was not immediately clear whether American will expand complimentary service to larger swaths of its network, and if so, when.

Delta Air Lines two years ago announced it would make Wi-Fi free for members of its SkyMiles loyalty program, following JetBlue Airways. United Airlines plans to offer complimentary Wi-Fi on board this year using Elon Musk‘s Starlink satellite Wi-Fi, a service Hawaiian Airlines, which was acquired by Alaska Airlines, also uses.

“Through this test, we’ll be assessing customer take rates for inflight Wi-Fi, evaluating our provider and aircraft capacity, and – perhaps most important – measuring the impact to customer satisfaction,” American’s chief customer officer, Heather Garboden, said in a staff memo Friday.

In addition to facing more competition for a complimentary service, Fort Worth, Texas-based American has been in the process of working to win back customers after a failed business travel sales strategy last year.

“While relatively small in scope, this is already a big stride in our organization’s very critical work to give our customers what we know they want,” Garboden said.

Elon Musk said Thursday that he’s sending his Starlink satellite internet terminals to the Federal Aviation Administration while saying, without providing evidence, that current technology poses a risk to air travel safety.

The billionaire and top advisor to President Donald Trump, who has been tasked with cutting costs throughout the federal government, posted the claims on his social media platform, X.

Executives at major airlines told CNBC on Thursday that they do not see risks to air travel safety because of the FAA’s technology.

The FAA, which regulates Musk’s company SpaceX, didn’t immediately comment but earlier this week said it has been testing Starlink technology in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and in Alaska. The White House referred a request for comment to the FAA.

The FAA “has been considering the use of Starlink since the prior administration to increase reliability at remote sites, including in Alaska,” the agency said Monday. “This week, the FAA is testing one terminal at its facility in Atlantic City and two terminals at non-safety critical sites in Alaska.”

The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that the FAA is close to canceling a contract with Verizon for new communication technology for air traffic control and giving it instead to Musk’s Starlink.

Musk said Thursday on X: a “Verizon communication system to air traffic control is breaking down very rapidly.” Verizon said in a statement that “the FAA systems currently in place are run by L3Harris and not Verizon.” He later corrected himself and said that L3Harris is responsible for the “rapidly declining” system.

L3Harris didn’t immediately return request for comment.

Verizon said it is working on replacing older air traffic control technology.

“Our Company is working on building the next generation system for the FAA which will support the Agency’s mission for safe and secure air travel,” Verizon said in its statement. “We are at the beginning of a multi-year contract to replace antiquated, legacy systems. Our teams have been working with the FAA’s technology teams and our solution stands ready to be deployed. We continue to partner with the FAA on achieving its modernization objectives.”

Musk didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Some Democrat lawmakers have raised concerns about Musk’s role in the Trump administration while also potentially working to provide technology to one of his regulators.

“While I support efforts to modernize our air traffic control system and improve aviation safety, this decision raises conflicts-of-interest concerns, given Elon Musk’s dual position as Chief Executive Officer of SpaceX and wide-ranging role in the Trump administration,” wrote Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., to Chris Rocheleau, acting head of the FAA, on Wednesday.

Others have raised alarms after the Trump administration laid off hundreds of FAA employees, though they do not include air traffic controllers.

“At a minimum, we need to know why this sudden reduction was necessary, what type of work these employees were doing, and what kind of analysis FAA conducted – if any – to ensure this would not adversely impact safety, increase flight delays or harm FAA operations,” Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., wrote to Rocheleau on Feb. 19.

The FAA has said it has retained staff “who perform safety critical functions. The FAA does not comment on ongoing certification work.”

Airlines for years have pushed for air traffic modernization. Carriers have long complained about how older systems have not kept up with the industry’s needs, leading to flight delays that cost both passengers and carriers. Air travel demand hit records after the pandemic.

“Carriers have made remarkable changes and significant investments in technologies, operations, product and people,” Airlines for America, which represents major U.S. carriers, said Thursday. “The government needs to do the same in an organized and timely way.”

Musk’s comments on air safety failures, which didn’t include evidence, come after last month’s fatal collision between an American Airlines regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter, killing all 67 people on board the two aircraft. It ended an unprecedented period of air travel safety in the U.S., marking the first fatal passenger airline crash in the country since 2009 and the deadliest since 2001.

Last week, more than a dozen aviation industry groups and labor unions, urged lawmakers to approve “emergency funding” for air traffic control modernization and staffing.

Many people love to travel. But few like to pack.

But travelers are getting help from an unlikely source — hotels.

“Hotels [are] making it easier for guests to jump into their favorite activities without packing or planning in advance,” said Henley Vazquez, founder of the New York-based travel agency Fora.

Some hotels have been providing items to travelers “for ages,” she said, but now more are partnering with brands to provide items to travelers during their trips, she said.

“It’s been fun to see more brands jumping into the mix, working directly with hotels to provide guests with bespoke products and experiences to make their stay extra special,” she said.

Some travelers struggle to find time to exercise on holiday. But for others, there’s simply not enough space for sports attire.

Turks and Caicos’ Amanyara hotel provides tennis balls and racquets, similar to other hotels, but it also has tennis shoes for guests as well, said Vazquez.

She said hotels in rustic settings provide some of the best perks for guests.

“Brush Creek Ranch in Wyoming has a closet full of weather-proof outerwear for guests to don when they hit the resort’s private ski mountain,” she said.

The all-inclusive luxury resort provides pants, jackets, gloves, helmets, goggles, boots, skis and snowboards made by the French brand Rossignol, according to its website.

Vazquez said the Mayflower Inn & Spa in Connecticut has a partnership with Barbour, a company with designs that have graced generations of British monarchy.

A representative of the inn told CNBC Travel that guests have access to a “borrowing closet” stocked with Barbour boots and waterproof jackets that guests can wear for outdoor activities, such as horseback riding, hiking and cycling.

For guests who prefer to bring their own fitness attire, The Thompson Denver by Hyatt in Colorado has daily laundry service for gym clothes, says Vazquez.

“Now you only have to worry about packing one set,” she said.

Basic blow-dryers and toiletry kits have long been a staple in hotel rooms.

But some luxury hotels — such as London’s Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Lake Como’s famous Passalacqua — come with luxe amenities like Dyson Airwraps, which dry and curl hair.

Other hotels even have products beyond the bathroom.

Travelers staying at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando near Walt Disney World can buy clothes once they arrive through a shopping service available via the brand’s app. Guests of the hotel can initiate a “Style Chat” to discuss three looks: Poolside Chic, Park Hopper or Night Out. 

A stylist then curates and delivers items to the traveler’s hotel room for guests to browse and purchase, according to a press release published by the hotel. Guests who choose not to make any purchases must pay a $25 styling fee, it said.

For handbag aficionados, Four Seasons Hotel Houston allows guests to rent luxury handbags at no extra cost through a partnership with the rental service Vivrelle.

Guests can rent one bag — and trade it out as they wish — from the hotel’s handbag collection, a representative of the hotel told CNBC Travel. The rotating collection includes designer brands such as Prada and Gucci, he said.

Six Senses Vana in Dehradun, India provides a daily set of clothes, or “kurta” as its known in India, so guests don’t need to fret about packing, says Vazquez. The hotel encourages guests to wear these flowy sets everywhere, according to its website, from restaurants to outdoor yoga spots.

The hotel also provides slippers, Crocs and wool capes for guests to wear, according to its website.

Babies and toddlers may be small, but their gear — from high chairs to beginner potties — usually isn’t.

Hotels like the Fullerton Hotel Singapore have these items and more, from toddler step stools to bottle sterilizers and baby bathtubs, according to its website.

Kimpton Hotels, a brand from the British-based hospitality group IHG, provide “Family Fridges” that are cold enough to safely store breast milk. The brand also has items to help childproof its guest rooms, from outlet covers to toilet latches, according to IHG’s website.  

Shangri-La Singapore goes a step further. Guests who stay in themed suites and Family Deluxe rooms can access a pantry that is stocked with Stokke strollers, cots, baby bouncers, bathtubs and car seats. The pantry also has bottle sterilizers and warmers, a washing machine (and baby laundry detergent), and a microwave to warm baby food and formula.

Guests who don’t have access to the pantry can get some baby items upon request.

“For example, the bottle warmers, bath time toys and diapers can be arranged at no extra cost,” a representative of the Shangri-La told CNBC Travel.

The market for pet travel services — valued at $2 billion in 2023 — is expected to climb to $4.6 billion by 2032, according to the travel media company Skift, citing Polaris Market Research.

Kimpton Hotels provide pet beds, food and water bowls, plus litter trays, dog leashes and cat scratchboards, for no extra charge, according to its website.

Although it won’t lighten your luggage, Kimpton Hotel Palomar in Beverly Hills even welcomes pets to its nightly wine reception. 

Some ultra luxury hotels, like Capella Singapore, are getting in on the act. The hotel, which ranked No. 33 in The World’s 50 Best Hotels in 2024, also provides pet beds and bowls, an agent told CNBC travel.

JetBlue Airways is talking with “multiple airlines” about a potential new partnership after federal judges struck down two previous deals, the carrier’s president said Wednesday.

“If we find a deal that’s accretive, we’ll absolutely do it,” JetBlue’s president, Marty St. George, said at a Barclays industry conference.

A federal judge in 2023 ruled the New York airline’s partnership in the Northeast with American Airlines was anticompetitive, while a different judge last year blocked JetBlue’s plan to acquire budget carrier Spirit Airlines, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last year.

JetBlue representatives didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

JetBlue, which marked its 25th year of flying this month, has been searching for partnerships and deals to grow, contending it must do so to better compete with larger carriers like Delta, American and United.

St. George said a potential tie-up would benefit the company’s loyalty program, noting that customers say the frequent flyer points on JetBlue are not as strong as those of the big three U.S. carriers.

“Given that we really don’t have full global earn and burn, I think to be able to add that to our network would be very, very helpful,” he said.

The U.S. aviation industry on Wednesday urged Congress to approve “robust emergency funding” for air traffic control technology and staffing.

Three weeks after a deadly midair collision near Washington, D.C., marked the worst air disaster in the U.S. since 2001, groups representing industry heavyweights like Boeing, major U.S. airlines, private aviation and a host of labor unions wrote to lawmakers calling for urgent funding and improvements to U.S. airspace.

They also said the Federal Aviation Administration should be exempt from government shutdowns “to ensure a predictable funding stream to ensure continued safety and air traffic control personnel hiring and training.”

A 2019 government shutdown left federal workers without pay for several weeks, including air traffic controllers and airport screeners. That shutdown ended hours after staffing shortages snarled flights at several major U.S. airports.

Every year, millions of dollars in credit card rewards go unclaimed — money that could be covering travel, everyday expenses, or even cash back in your pocket. If you’re not redeeming those rewards, you’re leaving money on the table.

As someone who leverages credit card rewards, I was somewhat surprised by the recent Bankrate survey revealing that 25% of Americans didn’t redeem their rewards last year.

That represents big money. For example, in 2022, consumers using general-purpose credit cards from major issuers earned more than $40 billion in rewards, according to a 2024 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau report. “Issuers forfeit, expire, revoke, or otherwise take away hundreds of millions of dollars in earned rewards value each year,” the agency said.

With so much content from social media influencers to financial experts highlighting these benefits, the real issue isn’t just awareness; it’s execution. 

Knowing about the reward programs is one thing, but implementing is what actually matters.  Like any other aspect of financial planning, without a strategy, these perks may go unclaimed.

Here are some key points for consumers to know.

Many consumers sign up for credit cards without thoroughly reviewing the rewards structure and benefits. Financial institutions often bury perks in fine print, making them easy to overlook. Many people think of rewards as a “bonus” rather than a tangible financial asset that could offset expenses.

Beyond standard rewards, many credit cards often offer embedded perks such as travel insurance, purchase protection and exclusive event access. These benefits offer cardholders added security and savings beyond traditional points or cashback. 

Understanding which card offers which benefit can help maximize the value of your credit card and prevent you from leaving money on the table.

I want to share a personal experience to show how easily overlooked credit card perks can make a real difference.

Several years ago, my son received an iPad as a Hanukkah gift from his grandparents. A few days later, at his brother’s hockey game, he put it down for just a moment to celebrate a big win — and in an instant, it was gone. 

He was heartbroken, and my in-laws were frustrated, assuming it was gone for good. I encouraged them to check the benefits offered by the credit card they used to buy it.

After a call to the financial institution, they discovered the credit card they purchased the item with had purchase protection, which can reimburse you for recently purchased items that are stolen or damaged.

Thanks to that, the cost of the iPad would be reimbursed to them after they submitted some paperwork. Within weeks, they got their money back, allowing them to replace the item. It was a great reminder that so many people are unaware of various perks.

Knowing what your credit card offers can turn an unexpected loss into a valuable lesson and soften the financial impact.

• Credit card perks aren’t just about points and cashback — they offer hidden protections that can save consumers thousands.

• Ignorance is costly. If you’re not using your perks, you’re effectively giving money back to the financial institution; especially if you have a credit with a yearly fee. 

• If a newly purchased item is lost or stolen or if an expensive item breaks after the warranty expires don’t assume you are out the money. If you paid with a credit card, reach out to your financial institution to check for possible coverage via embedded purchase protection and extended warranties.

• If you run into an issue on vacation — such as a delayed flight, lost luggage, or canceled reservation — and you booked the trip on a credit card, call the issuer. You may be able to get reimbursement from embedded travel insurance that will cover your losses or unexpected expenses. 

• If you’re concerned about accumulating a balance you can’t pay in full at the end of the month, consider making weekly payments or paying off large purchases immediately. This approach allows you to leverage the benefits, protections and rewards of a credit card while maintaining the discipline many find in using a debit card.

— By Lawrence D. Sprung, a certified financial planner and founder/wealth advisor at Mitlin Financial Inc.

President Donald Trump expressed frustration in recent days about the long wait for a pair of Boeing 747s that will serve as the new Air Force One planes.

The jets are years behind schedule. Trump negotiated the $4 billion contract for the aircraft during his first term, and it isn’t clear whether they’ll be ready during his current one. Cost overruns have totaled more than $2 billion to date.

Trump advisor Elon Musk is working with Boeing in hopes of delivering the aircraft faster, the manufacturer’s chief executive, Kelly Ortberg, reiterated on Thursday.

“The president’s clearly not happy with the delivery timing. I think he’s made that well known,” Ortberg said at a Barclays industrials conference. “Elon Musk is actually helping us a lot in working through the requirements … to help us get the things that are non-value-added constraints out of the way so that we can move faster and get the president those airplanes delivered.”

Ortberg called Musk, CEO of SpaceX, which competes with Boeing’s defense and space unit, a “brilliant guy” who can “pretty quickly ascertain the difference between technical requirement and things that we can move out of the way.”

Aboard one of the current presidential 747s, Trump told reporters on Wednesday that he is considering alternatives.

“We may buy a plane or get a plane, or something,” he said, according to Reuters. Trump toured a 747 that was parked at Florida’s Palm Beach International Airport over the weekend, the outlet reported.

The White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Frustration is nothing new for Boeing’s airline customers who faced long delays for aircraft just as the post-pandemic travel boom was taking hold. A near-catastrophic door-plug blow out in January 2024 further slowed Boeing deliveries and prompted a leadership change.

Now some customers are growing more upbeat. Executives told CNBC that it appears the manufacturer has turned a corner under Ortberg, who took the helm in August.

“Boeing is doing a pretty miraculous job of turning around and becoming more reliable as a supplier,” United Airlines CFO Mike Leskinen said Wednesday at the same Barclays conference. “Our confidence that our MAX aircraft are going to be delivered on schedule has never been greater at my tenure at United Airlines.”

Bob Jordan, CEO of all-Boeing 737 carrier Southwest Airlines, said on a Jan. 30 earnings call: “While they still have much work to do, they appear to be on a good path, and we are feeling more optimistic.”

Speaking at the Barclays conference on Thursday, Boeing’s Ortberg said he doesn’t see any supply chain problems that would prevent the manufacturer from ramping up production of its cash-cow 737 Max planes, its bestseller, to 38 per month in the coming months.

United Airlines says travel demand has been resilient lately — except from the U.S. government.

Government travel “has fallen off here post-inauguration,” United’s Chief Financial Officer Mike Leskinen said at a Barclays industry conference on Wednesday, referring to the start of President Donald Trump‘s term last month.

Trump and his advisor, billionaire Elon Musk, have vowed to cut costs in the government, and thousands of government workers have either been laid off or offered buyouts. Jobless claims have surged in Washington, D.C.

The government travel segment is about 2% of United’s revenue, a United spokeswoman said. The airline brought in nearly $52 billion in passenger revenue last year. Leskinen said other demand is helping to make up for the shortfall.

Strong international leisure travel demand continues to outshine domestic demand, Leskinen added.

Southwest Airlines said Monday that it is cutting about 15% of corporate jobs, or about 1,750 people, a move its CEO called “unprecedented” as the company scrambles to cut costs.

The company said it expects savings from the cuts of $210 million this year and about $300 million in 2026. The layoffs will be mostly done by the end of the second quarter and include some senior leadership roles, CEO Bob Jordan said in a staff note, which was seen by CNBC.

“This decision is unprecedented in our 53-year history, and change requires that we make difficult decisions,” Jordan said in a news release. “We are at a pivotal moment as we transform Southwest Airlines into a leaner, faster, and more agile organization.”

Southwest’s decision to slash jobs comes several months after a settlement with activist investor Elliott Investment Management, which won five Southwest board seats, short of control. The firm had also pushed for Jordan to be replaced as CEO, though it was not successful.

Other recent cost-cutting measures at Southwest included a hiring freeze, a pause to the internship program and an end to team-building “rallies,” a company tradition that dated back to 1985, CNBC previously reported. It has also aggressively cut unprofitable routes.

Last year, Southwest outlined a plan to increase profits that included ditching its more than 50-year-old open seating model in favor of assigned seats and creating a section with extra legroom. It also recently launched overnight flights for the first time.

“We must ensure we fund the right work, reduce duplicative efforts, and have a lean organizational structure that drives clarity, pace, and urgency,” Jordan said in his memo on Monday.

The layoffs take effect in late April, Jordan said, adding that most affected employees will not work but will still receive salary, benefits and bonus until then.

Moving to a major city often comes with big benefits and opportunities, but it’s important to figure out if it makes sense financially before taking the leap.

It may come as no surprise that New York City and San Francisco top the global list for having the highest cost of living when rent is included. That’s according to the 2025 Cost of Living Index (including rent) by online database Numbeo.

In New York City, the estimated monthly expenses for one person, including the price of rent in a one-bedroom located in the city center, can cost a total of $5,639, according to Numbeo’s findings, which involve a combination of user-generated data and manually gathered information from reputable sources.

In Asia, Singapore tops the list as the the city with the highest cost of living, where a single person can expect to pay about $4,000 a month for living expenses and rent, according to Numbeo, which is comparable to the price it can cost someone to live in London for a month.

Globally, following closely after New York City and San Francisco are two cities in Switzerland — Zurich and Geneva — which rank third and fourth for cost of living, including rent.

Below is a list of how much it can cost one person to live in 12 major cities around the world in 2025, according to Numbeo. All figures are in U.S. dollars after being converted from the local currency.

When reading the numbers, it may be useful to consider the 50-30-20 budgeting rule, which financial experts define as follows for every paycheck: 20% for saving and investment, 50% for essentials and 30% for things you want.

Population: 8.1 million

Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $1,687.10

Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $3,926.65

Total cost of living: $5,613.75

Population: 788,000

Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $1,556.60

Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $3,222.58 

Total cost of living: $4,779.18

Population: 9.7 million

Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $1,311

Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $2,772.91 

Total cost of living: $4,083.91

Population: 6.1 million

Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $1,131.30

Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $2,921.58

Total cost of living: $4,052.88

Population: 2.6 million

Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $1,287.30

Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $2,325.34 

Total cost of living: $3,612.64

Population: 5.2 million

Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $1,116.70

Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $2,159.11 

Total cost of living: $3,275.81

Population: 3 million

Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $781.70

Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $1,481.93 

Total cost of living: $2,263.63

Population: 37.1 million

Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $961.80

Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $1,113.08 

Total cost of living: $2,074.88

Population: 10 million

Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $1,073.2

Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $822.97

Total cost of living: $1,896.17

Population: 29.9 million

Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $616.80

Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $924.45

Total cost of living: $1,541.25

Population: 21.7 million

Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $406.70

Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $650.20 

Total cost of living: $1,056.90

Population: 11.4 million

Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $515.30

Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $394.60 

Total cost of living: $909.90

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