Flight delayed or canceled in 2026: how to claim a refund (EU261 and US DOT)
In May 2026, EU261 still pays €250 to €600 per passenger for flights delayed 3h+ or canceled with less than 14 days' notice (departing from the EU or arriving in the EU on a European carrier). The US DOT only mandated automatic cash refunds in October 2024. AirHelp and ClaimCompass charge 25-50% of the recovered amount — worth it or not depends.
Curadoria Voyspark · May 20
International eSIMs 2026: Airalo, Holafly or Saily? An Honest Test
By May 2026 five international eSIMs dominate the market: Airalo (USD 4-5/GB), Holafly (USD 6.90/day unlimited), Saily (USD 2.69-3.99/GB), Ubigi (USD 7/GB) and Truphone/1Global (USD 9/GB). There are three honest choices for a US traveler. Airalo wins on coverage (200+ countries) and on short trips with light data. Holafly wins when you use Maps + Stories + meetings. Saily wins on raw price for backpackers. Everything else is marketing noise.
Curadoria Voyspark · May 20
Is the JR Pass still worth it in 2026? New prices and honest alternatives
The Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) costs ¥50,000 (7-day adult, ordinary) in 2026 after the 70% hike of October 2023, when it jumped from ¥29,650 to ¥50,000. It only makes sense for itineraries with 3+ long Shinkansen legs, like Tokyo-Kyoto-Hiroshima-Tokyo. For short trips (Tokyo-Kyoto return), individual tickets cost ¥28,340 and come out cheaper. Alternatives: IC card (Suica/Pasmo), Kansai Thru Pass, and regional passes.
Curadoria Voyspark · May 20
3 articles · #hacks