How to Get More Out of Your Travel Budget

(Feature Impact) Every great vacation starts long before you pack a suitcase – from choosing where to go to mapping out the perfect itinerary.

A recent survey conducted online by Talker Research on behalf of World of Hyatt found 70% of U.S. respondents ages 18-65 feel pressure to make every vacation feel “worth the money.” For many, travel rewards have become part of making that happen with 74% saying using travel rewards makes travel spending feel more worthwhile. That sentiment is even stronger among younger travelers, including 84% of Gen Z and 77% of Millennials.

It’s no surprise travelers are putting more thought into the planning process. Nearly 4 in 10 respondents said they spend three or more hours researching and choosing a destination, showing that getting the most out of a travel budget has become just as important as choosing the destination itself.

Make Everyday Spending More Rewarding

One of the easiest ways to stretch your travel budget is choosing a credit card that rewards the purchases you’re already making. More than half of travelers (53%) who travel at least once a year and use credit cards said they’d travel more often if accommodations were partially covered by rewards or points, while 36% said they’d take trips they otherwise wouldn’t.

With the World of Hyatt Credit Card from Chase, cardmembers earn two Bonus Points per $1 spent on dining, local transit and airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, plus one Bonus Point per $1 on all other purchases. When it’s time to travel, cardmembers earn up to 9X total points on qualifying purchases at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts (four Bonus Points per $1 spent with the card and up to five Base Points per eligible $1 spent as a World of Hyatt member). By turning everyday spending into travel rewards, the credit card can help bring those getaways within reach.

For those looking to earn toward future vacations faster, now through Aug. 20, 2026, new World of Hyatt Credit Card cardmembers can earn up to 75,000 Bonus Points – enough to redeem for up to five free nights at Category 1-5 Hyatt hotels or resorts when redemption levels are at or below 15,000 points per night.

• 45,000 Bonus Points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
• Up to 30,000 Bonus Points by earning two Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first six months on purchases that normally earn one Bonus Point (up to $15,000)

Free hotel nights also top many travelers’ wish lists with nearly half of survey respondents (45%) saying they’re the most valuable travel reward. To help make stays more attainable, the credit card also includes an annual Category 1-4 Free Night Award after each cardmember anniversary with the opportunity to earn a second after spending $15,000 in a calendar year. Complimentary Discoverist status adds even more value with perks like room upgrades and 2 p.m. late checkout (as available), helping make every stay even more enjoyable.

Find Your Next Escape

Put your rewards to work at unforgettable destinations, such as:

• Get away this fall

Experience fall at Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina, where scenic waterfront trails, championship golf and seasonal outdoor adventures offer a relaxing change of pace.

• Celebrate the season in the city

Plan a festive Chicago getaway at Chicago Athletic Association with easy access to Millennium Park’s ice-skating rink, the Christkindlmarket, holiday lights and the city’s vibrant dining scene.

• Spend the new year at the beach

Escape to Wild Dunes Resort, where oceanfront accommodations, sandy beaches, championship golf and resort amenities create the perfect coastal Carolina getaway.

Start Planning Your Next Adventure

Whether you’re planning a bucket-list vacation or a weekend escape, thoughtful planning and making everyday spending work harder can help unlock your next getaway.

Learn more about maximizing your travel rewards at chase.com/gethyattcard.

Content courtesy of Chase and World of Hyatt.
Credit Cards are issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 U.S. adults aged 18 – 65 who travel at least once per year and use credit cards. The survey was commissioned by Hyatt and administered online by Talker Research between June 29-July 6, 2026.+

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SOURCE:

World of Hyatt

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Get Your Kids Ready to Go Back-to-School with Affordable Health Coverage

(Feature Impact) Once school starts, life moves fast. There is homework, practices, permission slips, and early mornings. Before the calendar fills up, take a moment to make sure your child has health coverage for the year ahead.

Free or low-cost health coverage is available through the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or Medicaid in your state for eligible individuals. With health coverage, your kids and teens can get the care they need to stay healthy and do well in school.

Think your family might not qualify? You might be surprised. Many families may qualify for coverage without realizing it! Eligibility varies by state and is based on family income and household size. In most states, children up to age 19 from a family of four earning up to $80,000 per year may be eligible. In some states, eligible children can still qualify if family income is even higher.

Getting your child covered helps you get them the health care they may need. When a child is sick, the right medicines help them get back to school. If a child has a tough time focusing, there are supports to help. If your child does not see as well as other children, these programs cover glasses. Healthy kids are confident kids, who are ready to participate in every opportunity inside and outside the classroom!

Why Health Coverage Belongs on Your Kids’ Back-to-School List

Having health coverage can help families, like yours, to send your kids and teens off to school ready to learn. Depending on the program and a child’s individual needs, Medicaid and CHIP can provide eligible kids up to age 18 (Medicaid) or 19 (CHIP) with a range of services to support their health all year long, such as:

• Annual checkups and school physicals to prepare children to learn, play, and participate.
• Preventive care to identify health needs early and keep children healthy throughout the year.
• Dental care to help prevent tooth aches, cavities, and missed school days.
• Vision and hearing services to support learning and classroom participation.
• Mental health care to support emotional well-being and school success.
• Prescription medications and treatment to help manage symptoms and stay on track.
• Specialized services for children with disabilities to support growth and learning.

How to Apply

You can apply for Medicaid and CHIP in many ways:

• By phone
• By mail
• In-person through your state’s Medicaid or CHIP office
• Or find your state’s information online at InsureKidsNow.gov/coverage.

Act now to get your child covered before they need health care. Enrollment for these programs is open year-round, meaning families do not have to wait for a specific time of year to get covered.

Once enrolled, coverage must be renewed every twelve months, so it is important to keep your address, email, and phone number up to date with your state Medicaid or CHIP office to avoid missing important renewal information. Visit InsureKidsNow.gov or call 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-543-7669) for more information.

Information provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. This communication was printed, published, or produced and disseminated at U.S. taxpayer expense.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

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Why You Keep Applying—But Never Hear Back

If you’ve ever spent hours tailoring your résumé for a position only to hear nothing in return, you may have encountered what’s known as a ghost job.

A ghost job is a job posting that appears active but isn’t currently being filled. While not every old or inactive listing is intentionally misleading, many remain online long after hiring has paused—or even after the position has already been filled.

The result is growing frustration among job seekers and increasing questions about the accuracy of employment data.

What Exactly Is a Ghost Job?

A ghost job is an advertised position where an employer has little or no immediate intention of hiring someone.

This doesn’t necessarily mean the company is acting maliciously. There are several reasons these listings exist.

Companies may:

• Build a database of future candidates
• Test salary expectations and available talent
• Comply with internal hiring policies
• Maintain the appearance of growth
• Delay removing listings after a hiring freeze or filled position

For applicants, however, the experience is often the same: applications disappear into a black hole.

Why Companies Post Ghost Jobs

Some employers say maintaining job listings helps them prepare for future growth.

Others keep positions open because budgets haven’t been finalized or executive approval hasn’t been granted.

Recruiters may also continue collecting résumés so they’re ready when a position eventually opens.

While these reasons may make business sense, they can create unrealistic expectations for applicants actively searching for work.

The Impact on Job Seekers

Ghost jobs can have real consequences.

Many applicants spend dozens of hours:

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• Researching companies
• Customizing résumés
• Writing cover letters
• Completing assessments
• Participating in interviews that never lead anywhere

The emotional toll can be significant.

Repeated silence often leaves qualified workers questioning their experience or abilities when the issue may simply be that the position was never actively available.

How Ghost Jobs Affect the Economy

The effects extend beyond individual applicants.

Employment Data Can Be Misleading

Job openings are often viewed as a sign of economic strength.

If a significant share of posted openings aren’t being actively filled, the labor market may appear stronger than it actually is.

That can influence:

• Business confidence
• Consumer confidence
• Economic forecasts
• Public policy discussions

Productivity Suffers

Job seekers spend valuable time applying for positions that may never result in interviews.

Recruiters also spend time managing applications for jobs that aren’t immediately available.

Those inefficiencies create costs for both workers and employers.

Hiring Becomes Less Efficient

When applicants lose trust in job boards, they’re less likely to apply broadly.

Companies with legitimate openings may receive fewer qualified applicants because candidates become skeptical of online listings.

Are Ghost Jobs Illegal?

Generally, no.

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In most cases, employers are legally allowed to advertise positions even if they’re not hiring immediately.

However, critics argue that intentionally leaving inactive jobs online without updating their status reduces transparency and wastes applicants’ time.

Some employment experts have called for greater accountability and clearer labeling of inactive or future hiring opportunities.

How to Spot a Ghost Job

While there’s no foolproof method, these warning signs may indicate a listing isn’t actively being filled:

• The same position has been reposted for months.
• The posting never disappears.
• Employees report hiring freezes.
• The company rarely responds to applicants.
• The job description is vague or unusually generic.

Tips for Job Seekers

Instead of applying blindly:

• Focus on recently posted openings.
• Connect with recruiters or current employees.
• Research whether the company is actually expanding.
• Use networking alongside online applications.
• Follow up professionally when possible.

Quality applications often produce better results than sending hundreds of résumés.

Looking Ahead

Artificial intelligence has made it easier than ever for applicants to submit hundreds of applications—and for employers to post and manage thousands of job listings.

As hiring becomes increasingly automated, transparency may become one of the most valuable qualities in the recruiting process.

For both employers and job seekers, trust remains the foundation of a healthy labor market.

Related Links

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS)
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
• Indeed Career Guide
• LinkedIn Talent Blog
• CareerBuilder Advice & Resources
• Monster Career Advice

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