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Sep 04, 2026
Good morning, and happy Labor Day weekend!
If you’re hitting the road this weekend, a little timing can go a long way. Before you head out, here are the hours you’ll want to avoid if you’d rather spend less time sitting in traffic. Keep reading.
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Travel Smarter
The Flight Looks Great. The Airport Might Not.
When you’re comparing flights, it’s easy to focus on the fare, departure time and airline. But the airport can have just as much impact on your travel day.
A recent look at one-star reviews across 13 U.S. and European airports found that travelers repeatedly complained about the same problems:
Confusing layouts and poor signage that make getting to your gate harder than it should be.
Long security and passport lines that can turn a connection into a race.
Difficult terminal transfers, especially when airports require long walks, buses or trains.
Limited food and seating, particularly during late-night or early-morning flights.
Gate changes and unreliable infrastructure, adding even more uncertainty to already stressful travel days.
Airports including LAX, JFK, DFW, O’Hare, Charlotte, Newark, Heathrow and Charles de Gaulle all appeared in the collection of frustrated reviews.
But the bigger lesson isn't which airport has the angriest passengers. It’s that the airport is part of the itinerary—and travelers often treat it like an afterthought.
Before choosing between two similar flights, spend a minute looking beyond the airfare. Check:
How large the airport is
Whether you need to change terminals
How much time you'll have between flights
Transportation to and from the airport
Recent traveler complaints about the specific terminal
The smarter take: A flight that saves you $40 isn’t necessarily a better deal if the airport adds an hour of stress to your trip.
The Worst Times to Drive This Labor Day Weekend
If you’re driving this Labor Day weekend, when you leave could matter almost as much as where you’re going.
AAA and INRIX say holiday traffic will be especially concentrated because so many travelers are hitting the road within a short window.
If you can, avoid these periods:
Thursday, Sept. 3: 2–7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 4: 12–8 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 5: 1–5 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 7: 2–5 p.m.
The biggest problem is the overlap between holiday travelers and regular commuters, creating some of the weekend’s heaviest congestion.
And there’s another reason to plan ahead: travel is more expensive this year. AAA says average domestic round-trip airfare is up 2% to about $750, while travelers headed to the most popular domestic destinations are paying about $790 on average.
The smarter take: If your schedule is flexible, move your departure outside the peak windows—even a few hours can make the drive easier.
Points + Miles
Alaska Just Made Award Flights With Babies Much Cheaper
Flying internationally with a baby can make an award ticket surprisingly expensive. Alaska Airlines’ Atmos Rewards just changed that.
For long-haul international award tickets issued on Alaska or Hawaiian ticket stock, lap infants under 2 can now travel for just the government-required international taxes—instead of paying a percentage of the adult cash fare.
That can make a major difference on premium-cabin redemptions.
For example, if you use points for a business-class seat that would normally sell for $3,000 one-way, some airline programs could charge about $300 for a lap infant. Under Atmos Rewards’ new policy, that percentage-based charge is eliminated.
The policy also applies when your award flight is operated by eligible Atmos Rewards partners, including:
British Airways
Japan Airlines
American Airlines
Icelandair
Starlux
There is one important detail: the lap infant must be added by calling Atmos Rewards.
Lap infants also continue to fly free on Alaska-operated domestic award flights, including Hawaiian Airlines flights, when accompanied by an adult.
The smarter take: If you’re traveling internationally with a child under 2, check Atmos Rewards before paying cash for the infant fare. The savings can be substantial, especially on long-haul business-class awards.
Stop Layering Serums. Start Drinking Your Skincare.
As the weather cools, skin often gets drier, duller, and tighter — no matter how many serums you layer on. That's because real hydration starts from within.
Pique's Radiant Skin Duo pairs two formulas that work from the inside out. B·T Fountain is a beauty electrolyte with clinically studied ceramides and ultra-low molecular weight hyaluronic acid. Sun Goddess Matcha brings EGCG antioxidants that protect collagen and calm the stress that shows up as dullness and puffiness.
Skip the five-step routine: plumper, more even-toned skin in weeks is what keeps customers coming back every fall. This bundle sells out fast — once it's gone, it's gone until next year.
Lock in 20% off for life now, backed by Pique's 90-day guarantee. Shop the Radiant Skin Duo before it's gone.
Today’s Deal
San Francisco to Honolulu for $291 Round Trip
Hawaii for $291? That’s a fare worth checking.
United is offering nonstop round-trip flights from San Francisco to Honolulu for $291, with the example shown for Nov. 1–10.
The flight is about 5 hours 45 minutes each way, making this a particularly attractive deal for a Hawaii getaway without a connection.
There’s also an award option showing 44,200 United miles + $11 round trip, although the cash fare is the better value at this price.
The smarter take: A nonstop round trip to Honolulu for under $300 is a strong Hawaii fare—especially from the Bay Area.
Deal: SFO → HNL
Airline: United
Dates: Nov. 1–10
Fare: $291 round trip
Flight: Nonstop
Explore
Portugal Is Better When Summer Is Over
Portugal doesn’t need summer to be worth visiting. In fact, fall may be the sweet spot.
The weather cools into the 60s and 70s, the summer crowds fade, and prices for flights, hotels and car rentals can ease. You can still spend time on the beaches, explore Lisbon and Porto, or head into the countryside without battling peak-season crowds.
Then there’s the Douro Valley during harvest season—when the vineyards turn gold and red and Portugal’s wine country is at its most atmospheric.
You also don’t need to rent a car. Trains, buses and rideshares make getting around surprisingly easy, including between major cities.
And for a country known for food, wine, beaches and beautiful towns, that combination of better weather, fewer people and potentially better value is hard to ignore.
The smarter take: Portugal in the fall feels less like peak-season tourism—and more like having the country to yourself.
One Pergola, Endless Ways to Fit Your Space
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Beyond Travel
The One Core Exercise Physical Therapists Want You to Do More Often
You don’t need a gym, equipment or a complicated routine to build a stronger core. Physical therapists consistently point to one simple move: the plank.
Unlike exercises focused mainly on your abs, planks train the core as a system—including the muscles that help stabilize your spine, hips and pelvis. That matters because your core’s main job isn’t creating six-pack abs; it’s keeping your body stable while you move.
The best part is how easy it is to fit into your day. A basic forearm plank can be done almost anywhere, and you can modify it by dropping your knees if a full plank is too difficult.
And don’t chase a longer hold just for bragging rights. A shorter plank with good form is more useful than a long one with poor alignment.
Once you’re comfortable, exercises like dead bugs, bird dogs and glute bridges can add variety and train your core in different ways.
The smarter take: You don’t need a complicated ab workout. A well-executed plank is a simple place to start.
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Written by the ONE 55 Editorial Team
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Some links in this newsletter may be affiliate links, which means TheOne55 may earn a commission if you apply for or purchase a product through those links—at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products, services, and travel tools we believe provide value to our readers.
Our content is researched using a combination of official sources, reputable publications, and AI-assisted tools to help gather and summarize information. While we strive for accuracy, details such as prices, promotions, benefits, and policies can change without notice. Always verify important information directly with the official airline, hotel, credit card issuer, government agency, or other relevant provider before making travel or financial decisions.
