Money Management

Airlines have different rules for bringing car seats aboard. Find out what the limits and requirements are for American Airlines, Delta, United, and more. [[{“value”:”

Flying with kids is really fun. Ha, just kidding! Not only do you need to worry about whether your toddler’s meltdown will lead to a plane diversion, but you also have to carry more stuff than the settlers brought on the Oregon trail.

The good news is, airlines generally give you a break and have special rules for car seats and strollers — so you don’t have to empty your bank account to bring them along (unlike with the rest of your carry-ons and luggage!).

There are limits and requirements to meet, though. Here are some of the rules for several major airline carriers.

1. Allegiant

If you’re traveling with kids on Allegiant, here are the rules for your stroller or car seat:

Each ticketed customer can check or gate check one car seat and one stroller.Allegiant does not specify a weight limit for strollers.Children under 2 who are not lap infants must be in a car seat approved by the FAA.

2. American Airlines

Here’s American’s rules for bringing strollers and car seats with you when you travel:

Every ticketed customer gets one free stroller and one free car seat you can check or gate check for free.If your stroller weighs more than 20 pounds, you can’t gate check it — it must be checked at the ticket counter. All smaller strollers can be gate checked before boarding.If you have both a stroller and car seat, you can only gate check one of the two.If your child under 2 has their own seat, they need a child restraint system that’s in compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, unless they can sit up independently and keep their seat belt buckled for takeoff and landing.

3. Delta

Here’s Delta’s policy for flying with baby gear:

There’s no fee for strollers or child restraint seats, including car seats or booster seats, and they don’t count towards your baggage allowance.Car seats, strollers, and booster seats can be gate checked or checked before going through security.If FAA car seats are brought as carry-ons, they must be tightly secured to the seat.Strollers must be fully collapsible.Children under 2 must have an FAA-approved car seat if they’re in their own seat. You can also place your child in an FAA-approved car seat brought on board as a carry-on if there is an open seat, even if you didn’t purchase a seat for your child.

4. Frontier

Frontier has similar policies to many other airline carriers. Here are the rules:

You can check a stroller free of charge, including gate checking or checking it before security.There is no charge for gate-checking or checking a car seat.If your child has their own seat, they may travel in an FAA-approved car seat or an approved harness or booster seat.

5. JetBlue

Here are JetBlue’s stroller and car seat rules:

Strollers and car seats can be checked at the airport or gate checked. They don’t count toward your carry on or checked bag allowances.You can have one stroller and one car seat per child.Children in their own seats don’t have to be in a car seat, as long as they can sit upright unassisted. They can be in an FAA-approved safety seat if you bought them a ticket.

6. Southwest

These are the rules if you’re flying Southwest:

You can check or gate check one stroller and car seat per child for free and it will not count toward your baggage allowance.Any type of stroller or car seat is allowed.Infants in their own seats must have a child restraint system. You can bring a car seat from home instead of using a child restraint system.

7. United

Finally, here is United’s policy for traveling with kids equipment:

Standard strollers, folding wagons, and car seats can be checked or gate checked for free.Collapsible strollers can be stored in-cabin.You can use an FAA approved car seat on board for children in their own seat.

Be prepared for flying with kids

Having this necessary information about how to successfully fly with your children’s strollers and car seats should make your trip easier.

You can also look into perks offered by some of the best travel credit cards that may make your trip more pleasant. Many cards offer features like free airline lounge access or the potential for seat upgrades, so you and your kids can fly in style. You may also be able to qualify for free checked bags or enjoy other benefits, depending which card you choose.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR until 2025

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Looking for a way to save money on car insurance costs? Some drivers can keep more money in the bank with a paid-in-full premium discount. Here’s how it works. [[{“value”:”

No one likes paying for car insurance, but it’s a necessary expense that you shouldn’t skip. Insurance premiums can vary greatly depending on where a driver lives, what kind of vehicle they have, their age, and their driving record.

But what if I told you there could be an easy way to get a discount the next time you renew your car insurance coverage? I’ll explain how I recently saved $90 on my car insurance premium with one simple payment strategy.

This simple step will save me $90

My car insurance company is Progressive. When it’s time to renew my policy, I’m given two payment options. One option is to pay for my coverage every month, which breaks the total premium cost into smaller payments.

The other option is to pay my entire six-month premium in full. In exchange for paying for my coverage up front, my car insurance company offers me a big discount. For my most recent renewal, the savings worked out to be about 15% off my six-month policy price — or nearly $90 in savings. That’s money I can put to good use in other ways, like topping up my emergency fund.

For some, paying for an entire six months or year of car insurance coverage may feel daunting — and even impossible. With how costly insurance premiums can be, I can understand that feeling. But I have a strategy to help you better prepare so you can afford to pay your entire bill at your next policy renewal.

This will make paying your entire premium more affordable

Do you want to get a discount on your premium by paying your bill in full but are worried about the cost? I’ll explain how I make paying my six-month premium less financially overwhelming.

Throughout the year, I have money automatically transferred from my checking account to my high-yield savings account for various less-frequent expenses, like my six-month car insurance premiums, yearly AAA membership dues, and yearly contact lens order.

Setting a smaller amount of money aside every two weeks feels manageable and ensures I have enough money in the bank when it comes time to pay these expenses. The money I need to cover my next six-month car insurance premium is already in my savings account.

For drivers who want to qualify for a pay-in-full premium discount, this savings technique can help. It’s free to set up automatic transfers through your bank. No longer having to manually move money from your checking account to your savings account will save you time. Plus, you can slowly save up for more costly expenses like insurance premiums.

Look for ways to reduce your insurance costs

Life is expensive, and the prices of everyday goods and services continue to rise. For drivers feeling the strain of expensive insurance premiums, a paid-in-full discount is one easy way to save money.

Other ways include bundling insurance coverage (for example, purchasing your home and car insurance through the same company) or taking a driver safety course to improve your skills. Check for discounts like this to avoid overpaying for coverage.

It’s also worthwhile to shop around and compare rates between car insurance companies. You may be able to get a better rate by switching insurers. Ready to get some quotes? Review our list of the best cheap car insurance companies.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR until 2025

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Natasha Gabrielle has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Progressive. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Humans spend approximately one-third of their lives in bed, and the right mattress matters. Here’s how buying that mattress at Costco can benefit you. [[{“value”:”

According to the National Library of Medicine, we spend one-third of our lives either sleeping or attempting to get to sleep. That means if you live to the age of 90, you will have spent an estimated 30 years in bed. All that to say, what you sleep on matters. If you’ve ever attempted to get some rest on an uncomfortable mattress, you know just how important it is to find the right mattress for you. Here are four good reasons to consider making your next mattress purchase through Costco.

1. Wide selection

Costco offers a wide selection of mattresses, and the retailer’s website breaks down your options better than the average mattress store. On a single page, you can pick the size, firmness, and mattress composition you’re looking for. Do you want a gel mattress, or would you prefer an innerspring, memory foam, or a hybrid? Within seconds, you can narrow the selection down to fit your precise criteria.

Once you’re on a page that displays your options, the Costco site also provides you with real customer reviews so you can learn what others think of their mattress purchases. Did they love it at first, only to be disappointed later, or was it more comfortable than they ever imagined? If you want honest feedback, ask someone else who has spent their hard-earned money on a product.

2. Competitive prices

Costco is also clear and straightforward about pricing. It’s easy to do an internet search for the same mattress model to determine how much it’s being sold for through other retailers. Chances are, you’ll find Costco’s price quite competitive. For example, we found a queen size Beautyrest 14.5″ Silver Hybrid DualCool Plush mattress at Costco for $650. The same mattress is sold at Mattress Firm® for $820. A Sealy Posturepedic Plus 14″ innerspring mattress is $630 at Costco, but selling for $1,140 through Wayfair.

It helps that Costco doesn’t have the same overhead as some of its competitors. There are no small brick-and-mortar mattress stores to pay for or mattress salespeople to compensate.

If you faithfully follow your household budget, you’ll appreciate knowing that you snagged a great deal on a purchase as important as a mattress.

3. Convenient delivery options

If you find the mattress you want in-store and can get it home, you’re welcome to do so. However, if you’d prefer Costco to deliver the mattress for free, that’s also an option. In several states, Costco will even collect your old mattress and recycle it for a small fee.

4. Generous return policy

One of the first rules of personal finance is to avoid wasting money. At this point, Costco has become famous for its generous return policy. If you’re not 100% satisfied with the mattress delivered to your home, it can be returned to the store for a full refund. There’s zero risk in investing in a better night’s sleep — if it doesn’t work out, you can get your credit card refunded.

Think about the last time you had a great night’s sleep. If you can’t remember when that was, it could be because you’re in need of a new mattress. If you remember when it was and how great you felt the next day, it’s something you’ll want to duplicate. The right mattress may not fix every problem in your life, but it’s an easy remedy for tossing and turning at night.

Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!)

If you’re shopping with a debit card, you could be missing out on hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year. These versatile credit cards offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco, and are rated the best cards of 2024 by our experts because they offer hefty sign-up bonuses and outstanding cash rewards. Plus, you’ll save on credit card interest because all of these recommendations include a competitive 0% interest period.

Click here to read our expert recommendations for free!

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Dana George has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Sam’s Club and Costco are warehouse clubs known for their low prices. But the retailers differ. Find out which membership perks are unique to Sam’s Club. [[{“value”:”

Many shoppers rave about the deals they score at warehouse clubs. Investing in a Sam’s Club or Costco membership could help you keep your spending in check while you stock up on groceries and everyday household goods.

But if you’re not yet a member of either club, you may be trying to decide which retailer is the better fit for you. Beyond considering which company has clubs near your home, consider the membership perks offered. I’ll explain three membership perks that are unique to Sam’s Club.

1. Curbside pickup

Life gets busy, so there isn’t always time to shop. Curbside pickup is one standout membership feature that Sam’s Club offers. Members can shop online using the Sam’s Club website or mobile app and later pick up their order at their local club — all without leaving their vehicle.

This service is free for Plus members ($110 per year to join). However, Club members ($50 per year to join) can pay a $4 fee to use this service. Luckily, an affordable fee like this won’t significantly impact your next credit card statement.

Here’s how to use Curbside Pickup:

Add curbside pickup-eligible items to your order.Prepay for your order when checking out online. When your order is ready, park in a Curbside Pickup spot and check in using the app.A staff member will load your order into your car.

2. Scan & Go

Sam’s Club offers its Scan & Go service to all shoppers, regardless of their membership type. This service allows you to scan products as you shop using the Sam’s Club mobile app.

The app keeps a running tally of the items you’ve scanned and your cart total — which can help you avoid overspending. Once you finish shopping, you can pay electronically and skip the regular checkout line.

Here’s how to use Scan & Go:

Scan each item’s barcode using the Scan & Go feature in the Sam’s Club app.Complete the checkout and payment process when you’re done shopping.Show your digital recipe to a team member on your way out the door.

3. Early shopping hours

If you’ve ever been to a warehouse club, you know how busy it can get. Navigating the club when it’s packed with other shoppers can be more difficult. One feature that Sam’s Club offers is early shopping hours. However, this benefit is exclusive to Sam’s Club Plus members.

During specific early shopping hours, Plus members can shop before Club members are allowed to enter the store. Shopping during these earlier hours can help you reduce the time spent shopping and waiting in line. Exact hours vary by club, so it’s best to check your local club’s hours of operation so you know what to expect.

Get the most out of your warehouse club membership perks

Paying a yearly fee for a warehouse club membership may benefit your finances. You can score great discounts that help you keep more money in your checking account. But make sure you’re using the membership perks provided to maximize the value you receive.

If you’re considering joining a warehouse club, review the benefits first. It’s also best to compare the membership options to choose a suitable membership that fits your needs. Investing in a premium-level membership may be worthwhile if you value premium benefits. For additional financial tips, check out our personal finance resources.

Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!)

If you’re shopping with a debit card, you could be missing out on hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year. These versatile credit cards offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco, and are rated the best cards of 2024 by our experts because they offer hefty sign-up bonuses and outstanding cash rewards. Plus, you’ll save on credit card interest because all of these recommendations include a competitive 0% interest period.

Click here to read our expert recommendations for free!

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Natasha Gabrielle has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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