Booking Labor Day Flights? TSA Data on Best & Worst Days to Fly

Tempted to make it out to a Labor Day party at the last minute, but need to book a flight?

You’re probably running out of affordable options already. Worse, you might be hamstrung when it comes to selecting the best flying date.

Each year, data from the TSA and AAA helps many Americans avoid the biggest traffic jams, whether at the airport or on the road.

If you plan on making a last-minute flight purchase, use this year’s latest TSA data to make the perfect selection—one that’s less likely to get delayed and be overbooked.

These are the best and worst days to fly over the upcoming Labor Day holiday, according to TSA data from the last five years that’s been broken down and analyzed by the great minds at NerdWallet.

Best and worst days to fly over Labor Day, according to TSA Data

The best days to fly out for Labor Day weekend are Tuesday, August 26^th, or Saturday, August 30^th.

Statistically, the Tuesday before Labor Day has been the least busy day at major airports around the country. (Here’s your reminder that Tuesdays, in general, are often viewed as the slowest travel day in terms of air travel.) If you can’t make it on Tuesday, wait for Saturday—it’ll also be relatively slow compared to Thursday and Friday.

The best days to fly back from Labor Day weekend are Sunday, August 31st, or Tuesday, September 2nd.

Obviously, you need to make a sacrifice if you want to save on flights home and minimize the risk of delayed and/or overbooked flights. But if you don’t have any big plans for the actual day off, then leaving that Sunday can save you some hassle. If not, wait until Tuesday, September 2, or even Wednesday, September 3.

What about the worst days to fly over Labor Day weekend?

Avoid leaving for Labor Day on Friday, August 29^th. Airports have historically been the busiest on the Friday before the holiday, as millions of Americans wait until after work to fly out for the weekend. According to NerdWallet, it’s also the priciest day to fly.

Additionally, avoid flying on the actual holiday, September 1^st. TSA data from the last five years shows that this is the busiest day in terms of air travel for the whole weekend.

What Are RFID Wallets? Plus, the Best Travel Wallets in 2025

Travel wallets—just another travel product to have in your arsenal, right?

That might be the case with some travel wallets, which are simply designed for travel usage. Compared to a slimmer, more discreet wallet, these products let you neatly store your cards, passport, and even boarding passes.

But there’s a new sheriff in town: the RFID travel wallet. This unique variation comes with special technology that protects your credit cards while traveling abroad, preventing scammers from RFID skimming.

But that’s a techy concept that not many people are familiar with. So, what are FRID travel wallets? And where can you find the best travel wallets for your needs? Let’s dive in.

Wait, what are RFID wallets?

Almost all credit and debit cards have an RFID chip—and passports, too. RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. It’s what enables you to make a payment by tapping, and is also the same type of technology that’s behind new touchless passports.

It’s also the technology behind those famous Airtags, letting you track pets and children and luggage from your smartphone.

If you really want to dig into the tech behind RFID communication and its use cases, TechTarget has a comprehensive breakdown.

Just know this: When it comes to RFID travel wallets, the goal is to prevent criminals from scanning the cards and passport(s) in your wallet by using special materials. Usually, RFID wallets rely on materials like metallic foil, conductive fabrics, and even carbon fiber. These block radio waves from reaching your RFID-enabled belongings.

In other words, RFID travel wallets protect your financial and personal information while you travel. But know that this type of protection can be as simple as wrapping your wallet in aluminum foil—no need to spend hundreds on a great product. Now onto the best RFID travel wallets on the market.

Best travel wallets with RFID

Travel wallets that don’t come with RFID-blocking technology are purely designed for organizational ease. But if you’re going to opt for a travel wallet in 2025, you might as well go for those advanced RFID features.

Who knows what tourist scams will emerge in the coming decade? You might be ahead of the pack when it comes to security.

Best travel wallets in 2025:

Mexico City Tourism: A Pro Tour Guide Shares 7 Tips with Me

If you’ve been feeling a little conflicted about visiting Mexico City recently, you aren’t alone. Protests related to rising housing costs, unregulated tourist rentals, and issues like gentrification swept through the city, culminating in a major protest in early July.

But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit Mexico City as an American.

It just means you need to be mindful about how you visit, where you go, and what you do. The more time you spend at local sites and the more money you funnel directly into locals’ hands, the better. In some cases, being a good tourist is as simple as visiting the neighborhood bakery and café instead of going to Starbucks.

Of course, that’s a paltry explanation of the complexities driving anti-tourism sentiment in Mexico City—but I think the protests are touching on a global theme right now.

And that theme revolves around who benefits from tourism. Simply put, both locals and visitors should benefit from tourism in terms of profit and experience, but that’s not the case, partly thanks to the presence and dominance of large, established companies.

Want to take a peek behind the curtain?

Let’s get to know Mexico City tourism through the lens of one of its best tour guides, Enrique of ToursByLocals. He has the inside scoop on what being a tour guide in CDMX is like, along with a few tips that can help you visit Mexico City feeling empowered.

If you’ve been looking for a great local guide to help you plan your trip to Mexico City, consider this your sign to book a tour or even a multi-day trip with Enrique. (He has a perfect five-star rating based on almost 300 reviews… just saying.)

What you need to know about Mexico City tourism from Enrique

Scoop #1: It’s not just about knowing where to go in the city, but also outside it

Mexico City is famously one of the largest cities in the Americas, second only to Brazil’s São Paolo. I doubt I need to explain why having a qualified, passionate local guide on your side is so essential to planning a great trip.

But Enrique points out that working with a local like him isn’t just about knowing where to go inside the city—it’s also about knowing where to find the hidden gems and wonders beyond the metropolis. Enrique loves to take visitors to the hills surrounding the city for great views, along with a look at the lush forests and colorful outposts like Tepoztlán.

Scoop #2: The longer the tour, the deeper the connection

One of Enrique’s favorite experiences was the chance to take a family from New York to Mexico City, Puebla, and Oaxaca on an 11-day adventure. Because the tour was longer, Enrique had the chance to get to know the families while also showing them his favorite places. That’s a pretty peak travel experience, in my opinion, because it’s based on exchange and personal connections, instead of just ‘seeing the sights’.

The longer your trip, the more immersion you get to experience. Plus, the more chances you have to connect with locals—and especially a private tour guide.

Scoop #3: It’s all about hometown love

When I asked Enrique what makes him so passionate about introducing visitors to his world, he simply said that it’s the same feeling as showing a friend your hometown. In short, he loves the chance to put together a trip that his guests will talk about for months or years to come.

I think that’s an element of hometown pride that we’ve all felt when hosting visitors before—and it also showcases the human and cultural side of travel. Local guides aren’t just showing you major landmarks and tourist attractions; they’re taking you ‘into the fold’, so to speak.

Scoop #4: Self-guided tours and walks usually spell confusion

Want to know one thing Enrique really wishes tourists heading to Mexico City knew? He gets a little bummed seeing tourists using books and audio guides on their phones to figure out how to get around and what to do. Again, Mexico City is massive, and Enrique doesn’t like to see people lost and confused.

Don’t skimp out on actual tour guides to try to DIY your Mexico City adventure—it’s too big, too complex, and you’re going to miss out on a lot of the good stuff. Enrique wants visitors to be able to relax and get around with ease instead of getting turned around. Obviously, local guides are the way to go to avoid this type of experience.

Scoop #5: Tipping is welcome, but bargaining might not be

Remember that it’s normal to tip in Mexico—and, according to Enrique, is encouraged. Even leaving a little tip after a meal or tipping a driver can go a long way. However, one thing that Enrique advises travelers to reconsider is bargaining with vendors and artisans, especially over small amounts.

Technically, it’s okay to bargain with street vendors—but they aren’t fighting for a higher price to scam you. They just want to go home after a long day of work comfortably. And remember that in formal places you should not be bargaining at all, like a restaurant, for example.

Scoop #6: Enrique would love to visit Thailand

So far, Enrique has traveled around Canada, Central America, and Europe—but he’s dying to make it to Thailand next. It’s high on his bucket list.

12 Chicago High Rise Apartments on Airbnb That You Can Rent

In case you didn’t know, Chicago is home to the US’s most impressive architectural feats.

I say that knowing that New York City also has its own list of impressive skyscrapers, that cities like Savannah and New Orleans have impressive colonial structures, and that San Francisco has a balance of many distinct forms, from its Victorian homes to modern business hubs.

But Chicago stands alone when it comes to sheer spectacle, range of projects, and grandiosity.

Even more impressive, its list of innovative, sustainable skyscrapers keeps expanding thanks to new projects like The St. Regis and The Aqua Tower.

And if you’ve been paying attention to my hospitality advice, you know that I always try to book a stay at a hotel or rental that capitalizes on the destination’s overall atmosphere.

In the Windy City, if you want to take a bite out of its lovely architecture, there’s no better way to do so than at one of the many Chicago high-rise apartments spread across the city’s coolest residential skyscrapers.

Forget the architectural tours—as soon as you wake up and roll over, you’ll be treated to an unforgettable bird’s eye view of the city’s top buildings.

Best Chicago high rise apartments on Airbnb that are available for bookings

12 coolest Chicago high rise apartments on Airbnb

Highrise Hideout

Both chic and cozy, this high-rise lets you take a more homey look at life above the 30^th floor. In addition to a gorgeous two-bedroom apartment with floor-to-ceiling windows, you also get perks like a community pool and a swanky fitness center.

Sonder Onterie

As a Sonder product, this is a hotel rental rather than a traditional Airbnb rental. However, if you’re on the hunt for a high-rise Airbnb that absolutely oozes style, the trade-off is worth it. Not only are you in one of the flashiest buildings on the Magnificent Mile, but you also get those hotel-style perks like 24/7 support and housekeeping services.

Kasa Studio

I’ve got three Kasa rentals listed, which offer a (slightly) more affordable way to stay inside a Chicago high-rise. As with Sonder, you get a few hotel-style amenities thanks to the professional management, including a virtual front desk and a choice between different layouts. Plus, the building’s amenities, including a fitness center, pool, and other communal spaces. If you don’t like the studio, check out their larger studio or their one-bedroom below.

Kasa Large Studio. If the original studio is too small, consider renting the larger unit. Just know that this is a two-person stay, despite its slightly larger size.
Kasa 1 Bedroom. This one-bedroom unit lets you sleep three, by contrast. The couch is a pull-out where you can sleep a third.

The Millenium Manor

Located smack in the heart of the Loop, this is one of the coolest Chicago high rise apartments on Airbnb at the moment. That’s thanks to the building’s superior offerings. There’s a pool and a fitness center… but there’s also a small, grassy garden, another deck for lounging, a game room, and even a movie theatre. And you can enjoy it all while surrounded by Chicago’s most impressive skyscrapers.

Downtown #4

This two-bedroom rental is full of character—you’ll notice that it’s more colorful and spirited than its counterparts. If you’re looking for that type of local flair, then book your stay at Downtown #4. Uniquely, this building is also rented by a local college and is used as a campus. But don’t worry—the young students are housed on a separate floor.

High-end 1BR

Want to rent a Chicago high rise that delivers on dramatic, modern views? This one-bedroom apartment is easily one of the swankiest on the list. As an added bonus, it comes with a small balcony, letting you really soak up Chicago’s elevated atmosphere. Even inside, the floor-to-ceiling windows make a strong impact.

Luxury Downtown Chicago

Simple, very chic, and with two bedrooms, this luxury downtown unit is slightly more accessible for anyone traveling in a group. The apartment has plenty of space, along with a massive shared roof where you can hang out. Though there’s no pool, there is a large fitness center.

River North

This two-bedroom stay comes with free parking, letting you drive in without worrying about exorbitant garage fees. It also sleeps six, in case you want to save a bit on nightly rates using the pull-out couch. Plus, you also get a shared rooftop with barbecue grills, along with a separate private balcony in-unit.

River North Private Deck. The same rental management company runs another two-bedroom unit in the same building. This one includes a larger private balcony.

Top-Tier Stay

If you’re on the hunt for lake views versus city views, then this rental unit is unbeatable. Located on the 49^th floor, you’ve got a bird’s-eye view of the city—and beyond. Its floor-to-ceiling windows showcase Lake Michigan, while the building itself (The Summit) is one of the more modern apartments on this list.

The World Tour of Oopsies: Chapter 12—The Horse

[The World Tour of Oopsies is an ongoing series of travel stories about my first decade of travel. During these adventures and misadventures, I had to unlearn many things I thought I knew about life. Welcome to my miseducation.]

Catch up on the World Tour of Oopsies:

Part I / The worst hostel in the world

Last week, I covered one of my favorite adventures from Costa Rica’s Pacific coast at Envision Festival (see: Ch. 11). But Costa Rica is a narrow country with plenty of coastline, and I preferred the more tropical Caribbean coast.

Enter Puerto Viejo, one of the most accessible towns in the province of Limon. It’s a perfect, lazy beach hub for backpackers—and my friends and I loved to visit thanks to those backpacker-friendly prices.

There was one particularly cheap hostel. A place with a few pavilion-style buildings abutting the gorgeous beach, with a basic lounging area and shared kitchen. And, most importantly, a pavilion with hammocks lining the room, each with a corresponding locker.

For just $7, you could rent a hammock and a locker.

The catch? You had to deal with the hostel’s owner, a noisy American, and his staff, who liked to tote around ice luges that they’d use to dispense free shots to women staying overnight.

That’s about as nice and vague as I can be about the hostel, considering it’s still up and running today.

(If you want to stay at a hostel in Puerto Viejo, stick with one of the top five choices.)

Part II / The horse & the bunker

Like you might be able to tell, the hostel is owned by an eccentric. And the hostel, when I visited, had two notable structures.

The first was a small stable where the owner kept a mare and her young colt. The second was a large bunker-style ship that was beached on the shore, which looked formidable and plain, sort of like a military vessel.

On our second night at the hostel, the hostel owner and his friends invited my friends onto the ship to hang out. (Fun fact: I was visiting with five friends, and three of us were named Taylor.)

We hung out for a while until the sun set, then decided to join the guys on the ship. Again, the ship was beached in the sand, making it seem like a slightly more reasonable suggestion to hang out.

(Later, we would find out that the hostel owner had purchased the bunker-style ship in case of the apocalypse. Sort of like a modest Noah’s Ark, I guess.)

On the way there, we passed the stable with the mare and her baby colt. The hostel owner pointed to the colt and said, “Don’t pet him, he’s an $%#hole.”

At which point my ears perked up. You’d think I would be more cautious of wandering into a grown man’s bunker-ship at night (and especially after my experience in Panama; see Ch. 9), but I was zeroed in on that baby horse instead.

The horse didn’t look like a jerk. It was adorable and awkward, with its long legs. At this point in my life, I was also a little bit like the colt; lawless, awkward, and full of energy.

I hung back a few minutes with two of my friends—I think one of them had forgotten something, so we waited for her before heading into the bunker-ship.

Of course, I wandered over to the stable and petted the mare. Much to my chagrin, I’m now forced to admit that I talked a little trash to the colt. Nothing degrading, just a little sass, like something I’d say to a cousin.

But I clearly upset the soon-to-be-stallion because it rocked its head out and bit me.

I won’t tell you where it bit me—just know that the horse had its revenge, and it was very well-played.

Fortunately, it wasn’t the first time I’d been bitten by a creature at night in a foreign country (see: Ch. 1), and the colt wasn’t venomous. Still, I was mortified enough to whip my head towards my friends and shout, “Don’t tell anyone!”

Part III / How am I still alive?

Looking back, it’s hard not to be thankful the colt bit me; it got my adrenaline pumping enough for me to realize that walking into that bunker-ship was not a good idea.

I mean, I did walk into the bunker-ship, desperate to get away from the mare and her spawn, but I was insistent that we leave soon.

That night, I lay on my hammock, embarrassed that I’d been bitten by a horse and deeply preoccupied by whether or not an apocalypse would come and, if it did, whether I’d need to follow a man like this hostel owner into a bunker.

Now, looking back, I think the bites (scorpion and equine) were wake-up calls. I’ll get into that more later on. (Fear not, this isn’t the last time I’ll be bitten during my world tour.)

TL; DR my world tour of travel stories: Some travelers get bitten more than others.

June Tourist Numbers in Vegas Are Down 11.3%—But Is Las Vegas Dead?

Throughout the summer, reports have swirled that Las Vegas is ‘dead’. The Strip is described as empty, along with casinos, sportsbooks, and entertainment venues. Visitors have also slashed spending, according to reports.

Some believe the setback is due to a range of factors, from rising prices in Vegas to the California wildfires, and could be temporary. Other outlets paint a slightly less optimistic picture based on the expertise of long-time Vegas staff.

Regardless of the reasons why, the data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is clear: the number of visitors is smaller than it was last year, and these visitors are spending less than their 2024 predecessors.

What’s behind the Las Vegas tourism slump?

According to the LVCVA, one reason that tourism numbers are down in the city is due to anxiety around the economy, which means consumers are spending less.

That’s an obvious note here: Vegas is designed for no-holds-barred vacations where just about any delight is allowed… at a premium price, of course.

In short, that type of indulgent vacation is the first to get axed by Americans who are worried about their savings account.

On top of decreased spending from domestic visitors, Las Vegas is also facing a downturn in Canadian tourists and other international visitors. As per Emily Stewart’s reporting for Business Insider, fewer tourists are coming from Asia, and even California, where some are still recovering financially from this year’s devastating wildfires.

Additionally, LVCVA also noted Las Vegas’s increasingly exorbitant prices. Like I’ve mentioned multiple times when covering Vegas, the city has pivoted away from being an after-dark mecca for naughty activities and toward a more welcoming and general entertainment hub.

It’s lost its specific Sin City appeal while also boosting prices, which hasn’t gone over well with tourists.