The simplest game of would you rather...

This newsletter presents budget-friendly alternatives to some of summer's most sought-after destinations. Don’t miss our 'this or that' feature on travel choices below – but first, here are this week's highlights.

The Pre-check

The latest updates in travel stories and news from this week.

What does the EU recommend? The EU has decided to ease COVID-19 mandates by no longer recommending face masks for flights, while still urging travelers to be respectful and mindful of others.

What to say after a heartfelt conversation... Thank you for sharing – countries like Israel, New Zealand, and Laos have recently expressed that they’re ready to welcome travelers.

The transformation is impressive. Southwest Airlines announced plans to “modernize” their aircraft with upgrades – a move that could encourage more airlines to enhance travel incentives.

Share this with your dad. To avoid congestion, travelers are advised to arrive at the airport two hours in advance for domestic flights and three hours early for international journeys.

Chill for the summer. Based on recent data, airfare inflation for summer travel may be reaching its peak, potentially resulting in more affordable flights soon.

Travel Trends

This or That: Summer 2022 If your preferred destination clashes with your budget, we have suggestions that might satisfy both. Drawing from a recent article in The Washington Post, here are some affordable travel ideas for this summer:

Visit Belize

Explore Cabo

Discover Croatia

Visit Switzerland

Explore our Reclaim Travel Summer 2022 guide for additional summer getaway inspiration.

Insider Tips

Need to satisfy your wanderlust? Check out our Explore tool. Is the warm weather making you dream of exotic locales? If your schedule allows for flexibility this summer, make sure to use our Explore feature – Gizmodo highlights it as a top choice for finding budget-friendly options when your travel dates are adaptable.