Raphael Stevens

In this articleJACKWENCMGDPZSBUXMCDQSR-CAYUMAn employee carries an order for a customer at a Domino’s Pizza restaurant in Detroit.Sean Proctor | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesForget the battle for chicken sandwich supremacy. The loyalty program wars are coming.Restaurant digital orders surged 124% in the year ended in March, according to market researcher NPD Group. And the skyrocketing popularity of online ordering during the coronavirus pandemic is motivating big fast-food chains to use rewards programs to hold onto new mobile app customers. By now, most restaurant chains automatically sign customers up for loyalty programs once diners order via a mobile app.Starbucks, Panera Bread and Domino’s Pizza paved the way, while Chipotle Mexican Grill launched its own version in 2019. But the last year has brought even more players into the arena. Wendy’s, Yum Brands’ Taco Bell and Restaurant Brands International’s Burger King are among the new entrants, and McDonald’s and Jack in the Box are gearing up to launch loyalty programs later this year.”With Covid-19 and consumers’ shift in behavior, we’ve really seen a giant uptick in it, from the biggest brands that were kind of holding out, I’d say, are now launching programs to keep consumers returning and keep that loyalty,” said Elle Kross, director of client strategy for travel, hospitality and food services at digital marketing firm Movable Ink.Loyalty programs help fuel more frequent visits and higher average checks, according to Aaron Allen, founder of restaurant consulting firm Aaron Allen & Associates.For example, Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol told analysts in April that the company’s loyalty program has been driving additional transactions across its “light, medium and heavy consumer segments.” Before the pandemic, the chain’s program had 8.5 million members. Now, it has more than 21 million members.Digital orders made up the majority of the company’s quarterly sales for first time ever during the first three months of this year. Chipotle has kept pushing consumers toward its loyalty program by giving them early releases on new menu items and keeping some items, like the quesadilla, available only by digital order.However, those aren’t the only factors driving the loyalty program boom among restaurants. Companies are also eager to learn more about customers — collecting and analyzing data based on their ordering preferences and personal information. This consumer data can be used to target customers better, both with marketing offers and for future opportunities, like new menu items.”We’ve come a long way from the Subway punch card,” Allen said.Zoom In IconArrows pointing outwardsFor now, customers largely don’t mind giving away this data about themselves in exchange for the occasional free drink or discount. Goldman Sachs surveyed 2,000 consumers about their opinions on tech features within the restaurant industry. Loyalty programs are rising in importance to these consumers, the survey found.While restaurant loyalty programs differ in design and rewards, most programs don’t use separate tiers based on how many points members have racked up, unlike airline rewards programs. For example, Starbucks dropped its tiers in 2019 in a bid to get new members more engaged with its loyalty program.  In the three quarters following Starbucks making that change, it added 3.1 million loyalty members, up 15% from the same time in 2019. And throughout that period, it reported strong quarterly U.S. same-store sales growth, excluding when the pandemic began to take a toll on the business.During the crisis, the coffee giant made another major change to its loyalty program, expanding the number of payment options to include cash and PayPal. In Starbucks’ fiscal second quarter of this year, 52% of sales at U.S. company-owned cafes came from Starbucks Rewards members. Mobile orders accounted for 26% of U.S. company-owned transactions, up from 18% a year earlier.That’s the kind of digital growth and loyalty that McDonald’s is hoping to emulate with its upcoming rewards program. The chain’s U.S. president, Joe Erlinger, told analysts in April that the company saw digital sales of almost $1.5 billion during its first quarter, including orders on its digital kiosks, mobile app and delivery platforms. But that number could be even higher. As of February, it’s testing the program in 900 of its 14,000 U.S. locations, with restaurants in Arizona, Nevada and New England taking part.Restaurants are also leaning on loyalty programs to help lend a more personal touch to interactions with customers, even as they zoom in and out of the drive-thru lane. Panera Bread’s newest restaurant design will automatically recognize loyalty members, whether they go through the drive-thru or enter the location.”Once you are identified, the vision is that we interact and acknowledge and treat you as a person, with preferences,” Panera Chief Brand and Concept Officer Eduardo Luz said in a May interview. “It’s what you expect when you go to a neighborhood cafe.”Luz said the company is considering several options to make this a reality, including scanning a code or microfencing technology. The first location with the new restaurant design is slated to open in November in Ballwin, Missouri.One of the big questions for restaurants with existing loyalty programs is how to retain loyalty members even as competitors launch rival plans. Fast-food chains may have to ramp up the number or quality of rewards for members, betting that the boon of consumer data makes up for those losses.”The breaking point or tipping point is that we don’t want to download an app for every place that we visit,” Allen said. “So we think that’s another driver that’s dividing the haves and have nots.”Large restaurant chains like McDonald’s and Chipotle have the capital to invest in technology, like improving mobile apps and building frictionless rewards programs. But smaller chains and independent eateries won’t be able to keep up in the same way. Instead, third-party companies could build loyalty programs for smaller players, but the companies using these plans won’t receive the same customer data as a chain that built its own rewards program.Competition is likely even among the big chains. Allen predicts that the restaurant giants will become more savvy and aggressive, employing strategies similar to those in the hospitality industry. Hilton Honors, for example, matches the rewards status for customers of rival hoteliers.Kross pointed to Dunkin’s year-in-review emails for loyalty members, similar to those created by Peloton and Spotify, as one example of a fast-food chain that’s already getting creative. These kinds of summaries recap members’ year, giving data on how many free drinks they earned at Dunkin’ or the number of hours they worked out with Peloton.”I think that’s one that is really great because no two emails are going to be the same, because no two consumers are going to be the same,” she said. More

France’s forward Kylian Mbappe looks on during the friendly football match between France and Bulgaria at Stade De France in Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of Paris on June 8, 2021, ahead of the UEFA EURO 2020 European Championships.FRANCK FIFE | AFP | Getty ImagesEuro 2020 is finally here, but who will win the tournament? Sky Sports football writers give their verdicts…Ben Grounds: Format favours AzzurriThe path could become clear for England should they generate momentum heading into a semi-final at Wembley in front of their supporters, but a lot of work will be needed before then. The circumstances have to some degree conspired against Southgate, with a host of players facing a race against time to declare themselves fit. Another valiant quarter-final exit would represent par.The pressure is again on this golden generation of Belgium to deliver while Didier Deschamps has addressed the one slight weakness in his France squad by recalling Karim Benzema, who will provide an upgrade on Olivier Giroud as a focal point.But I’m tipping Italy as surprise winners. I watched Roberto Mancini’s side dismantle Czech Republic at the weekend, and the way in which they approached the warm-up game was in stark contrast to how England’s two friendlies in Middlesbrough played out.This is the best-looking Azzurri side in years, arriving off the back of a perfect qualification campaign, and the format favours them. They will win Group A having played all three games in Rome, and then face the third-placed team in Group C – the so-called weakest group involving the Netherlands, Ukraine, Austria and North Macedonia – for a place in the quarters.Gerard Brand: Portugal to repeat 2016 heroicsFrance are rightly favourites, but I fancy Portugal to continue their impressive record at European Championships, without the need to stink their way through the four weeks to quite the same degree as five years ago.At both ends, this side is far stronger than the 2016 winners, who won just one of their seven games in 90 minutes.Manchester City trio Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva have had fine seasons, as have Bruno Fernandes across Manchester, and Diogo Jota in fits and starts in his debut year with Liverpool.They have depth in midfield; Danilo Pereira and William Carvalho can offer protection at the base, and Wolves pair Ruben Neves (20 caps) and Joao Moutinho (130 caps) are pass-masters at opposite ends of their careers. That midfield is flanked by quality at full-back by Cancelo and Dortmund’s Raphael Guerreiro, who registered 11 assists in 25 Bundesliga starts last season.Cristiano Ronaldo, now 36, still netted 36 goals in 44 games for Juventus last season and suits tournament football, and beyond the household names, Portugal have promising youth in Pedro Goncalves, Joao Felix and Nuno Mendes.The last eight major tournament winners have possessed extraordinarily tight defences, on average conceding 3.5 goals and keeping clean sheets in around half of their games. The signs are positive for Fernando Santos’ side, who have conceded just 12 goals in their last 20 games, registering 11 clean sheets.Granted, Group F is daunting alongside Germany, France and Hungary, perhaps justifying Portugal’s rather long odds. But this side are set up to soak and pounce, and are more than happy to give up possession. In fact, in each of their last eight wins at tournament level – including the 2019 Nations League win – they’ve had less possession than the opposition.Oliver Yew: Italy’s resurgence can continueEuro 2020 promises to be an extremely competitive tournament, and that’s an extremely exciting prospect for all football fans!It will be hard for many to look past France. “They are not the favourites, they are the super favourite,” said former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and it’s difficult to argue when you look at the squad the 2018 World Cup winners possess.England also have plenty of attacking potency and have their admirers, while Belgium and Portugal also have superb squads and you can just never write off Germany. However, I like the chances of Italy, who have recovered in fine style from failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.Under the guidance of Roberto Mancini, Italy enjoyed a 100 per cent record of 10 wins from 10 qualifying group matches for Euro 2020, scoring 37 goals and conceding just four. They are also unbeaten in their last 27 matches.Read more stories from Sky SportsEuro 2020 fixtures & schedule for 2021 tournamentMan Utd and Dortmund £11m apart in Sancho valuationEngland XI vs Croatia: Writers’ verdictsThey have an extremely strong squad which boasts an excellent blend of youth and experience, something which is crucial when it comes to major tournaments. Defensively solid, as with most Italian sides, they will also want to dictate the pace of their games and with the Marco Verratti, Jorginho and Nicolo Barella in the middle of the park, they will certainly be a tough nut to crack.The Euros will certainly be the acid test of Italy’s resurgence and, but with three games at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome in Group A and what looks like a decent route to the quarter-finals, they look to have a decent chance of lifting the trophy at Wembley on July 11.Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal in action during the international friendly football match between Portugal and Israel, at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, on June 9, 2021, ahead of the UEFA EURO 2020 European Championship.NurPhoto | NurPhoto | Getty ImagesNick Wright: France to power homeI struggle to see past France. They’ve been handed a tough draw, of course, pitting them against Germany, Portugal and Hungary in Group F, but everything else is in their favour.It is only three years since Didier Deschamps steered them to World Cup glory, and while the outcome was ultimately disappointing at the Euros two years before that, it should not be forgotten that they reached the final then too.That tournament pedigree is invaluable and what’s most worrying for their rivals is that this squad, while replete with World Cup winners such as N’Golo Kante, Raphael Varane and Paul Pogba, actually looks even stronger than the one that triumphed in Russia.That’s largely thanks to the return of Karim Benzema, back in the frame after a five-year hiatus to provide a world-class focal point up front, but he is not the only exciting inclusion.Kingsley Coman is back and so is Adrien Rabiot, while Wissam Ben Yedder and Marcus Thuram add yet more quality to a frightening attack that already includes Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele. The squad depth is such that even their second-choice XI would have a chance of going all the way.Concerns that Benzema’s return could upset the balance in the camp have been overplayed, in my opinion, and even if the Real Madrid man doesn’t hit the ground running on his return, Olivier Giroud is still more than capable of delivering in big games. They are the side to be feared and I can’t see anyone stopping them.Richard Morgan: Football’s finally coming homeHistory shows how home advantage can propel teams deep into their own tournaments and playing in front of even a reduced number of their supporters should provide England with the catalyst to finally end their 55-year wait for a major international trophy this summer.True, Gareth Southgate’s team will still have to navigate at least one knockout game outside the capital should they progress as Group D winners, but either way, no one will fancy facing England at fortress Wembley.This is an England side with all the ingredients to go one better than the semi-final appearance in their last tournament at Russia 2018 and who would bet against them once in the final, at the home of football, whoever they were facing?Do not forget the core of the squad who surprised many by nearly making the World Cup final three years ago are still around, only more experienced, while Southgate can also now call upon a crop of Europe’s most exciting and talented young forwards to complement them.And should the England manager get key players like Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson fit for the knockout phase, then expect the Three Lions to go from strength to strength as the tournament progresses.But if football really is coming home this summer, then prepare for some penalty shoot-out drama along the way folks…!Peter Smith: All the pieces in place for Italy to bounce back with a bangFrance are rightly favourites with their quality-packed squad looking to back up their World Cup win, while Belgium will be a real threat with Romelu Lukaku up front, and we should never write of Germany, with Joachim Low restoring experienced stars to his squad as they look to put their Russia 2018 debacle behind them.But Italy, who failed to qualify for that tournament, are revived and have real momentum under Roberto Mancini.The former Man City boss has fostered both team spirit and belief among the Azzurri fans, with Italy unbeaten in 27 games going into the Euros, having won their last eight on the spin.A highly-rated keeper, experienced centre-backs, skilful midfielders and, in Lorenzo Insigne and Ciro Immobile, goal-rich attackers: Italy have all the ingredients and a favourable draw.Charlotte Marsh: France’s depth simply incredibleFrance will be made to work at Euro 2020, drawn against Germany, Portugal and Hungary in the ‘Group of Death’. But their mind-boggling depth makes them not just Group F favourites, but my pick for the tournament.Their 26-man squad is packed full of serial winners at club and country level. N’Golo Kante, Olivier Giroud and Kurt Zouma come into the tournament as freshly-crowned Champions League victors, four of the squad won another Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich while Thomas Lemar helped Atletico Madrid to the La Liga title.This is before we even touch on players from Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris-Saint Germain, who all struggled in a truncated season. Kylian Mbappe remains one of Europe’s best young players, but all eyes will be on the returning Karim Benzema.His form for Real Madrid this season made him impossible to ignore, having not featured for France in over five years. He was La Liga’s joint-second top scorer, scoring 23 goals in 34 goals, and registered nine assists – level with Golden Boot winner Lionel Messi.But the fact of the matter is, whichever 11 players Didier Deschamps starts in France’s opening group game against Germany on June 15, there will be a further 15 players on the bench who will also be a force to be reckoned with.After disappointment in the final on home soil at Euro 2016, France will be looking to go one better this time around – beating Group F rivals and reigning champions Portugal along the way – and I wouldn’t bet against them.Harry KaneDavid Ramos – FIFA/FIFA via Getty ImagesRon Walker: France to earn 2016 revengeI’ve taken the fool-proof route of ranking the outcome of each group – including best third-placed teams – in a tournament predictor to work out their respective routes to the final.While there’s good news for Group D’s second-placed side England, who play Poland in the last-16, France then stand in their way – and unfortunately, they sweep past the Three Lions on their way to adding the European Championship trophy to their World Cup from 2018, completing the double just as they did at Euro 2000 after France ’98.Looking at the teams on paper, Les Bleus have got to be in there. They know how to win tournaments. Fourteen of the 23 who went to Russia are here, and one of those who wasn’t, Karim Benzema, returns to the fold on the back of a 30-goal season for Real Madrid.France’s strength in depth is intimidating in itself and many of their squad players would walk into other countries’ first XIs.Even in a group containing Portugal and Germany, who have both tasted international success in the past decade, France should triumph and with one of Belgium or Italy probably their only real tough test en route to the final if they do, the only thing stopping them lifting the trophy is themselves. More

Bryson DeChambeau of the United States waves on the 13th green during the second round of the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island Resort’s Ocean Course on May 21, 2021 in Kiawah Island, South Carolina.Sam Greenwood | Getty ImagesRory McIlroy remains the projected money king of golf, and Bryson DeChambeau is on the rise, according to a new study on future earnings for PGA Tour players under the age of 50.Top New York-based financial advisory firm Duff and Phelps estimates McIlroy, 32, will make $401 million in his career by the time he reaches age 50. McIlroy leads a talented list of golfers on the 2021 Future Career Value (FCV) list. Duff and Phelps estimate the top 10 golfers, including DeChambeau, will make a combined $2.15 billion by the time the players are 50 years old. That’s up from $1.89 billion from the list’s inaugural year during the pandemic.In an interview with CNBC on Thursday, Mark Mondello, the firm’s valuation services managing director, said players’ performance on the golf course and estimated endorsement values are critical metrics to determining the list.”It’s future-looking,” Mondello said. “It’s based on a detailed statistical analysis and mathematical modeling to get to these results,” which also factored in popularity around the player’s brand away from the course.Duff and Phelps estimate McIlroy has roughly $300 million in sponsorships revenue locked in, including deals with Nike, Electronic Arts, and sports equipment company TaylorMade.  U.S. golfer Justin Thomas, the 2021 PGA Players Championship winner, is second on the list with an estimated $299 million in career earnings. And DeChambeau, perhaps the most intriguing player on the list, due to his increasing popularity, moved five spots up to third, with a projection of $225 million career earnings.Bryson building his brandMondello, who leads Duff and Phelps’ global sports and entertainment division, said the company employs many golf fans. They used their valuation resources to create the rankings, which could help companies identify future golfers to sponsor. Mondello added the firm used “basic time value of money and risk adjustment factors” to project the earnings of 60 male golfers under age 50.”We settled on a 10% rate, but there are many factors you have to think about because of the risks of someone being able to achieve these projected earnings over time,” Mondello said. “That’s what we do to valuing any business or assets – we project future cash flows and then discount them back to their present value.”Xander Schauffele and Dustin Johnson are the other two golfers projected to finish above $200 million. They’re ranked fourth and fifth on the 2021 list. Collin Morikawa ($197 million), Jon Rahm ($169 million), Viktor Hovland ($163 million) round out the six through eight spots.Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the 14th tee during the continuation of the first round of The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 04, 2021 in Dublin, Ohio.Andy Lyons | Getty ImagesDeChambeau, though, is currently one of the most talked-about players on the PGA Tour. DeChambeau, 27, is 6-foot-1, 235 pounds, according to his PGA Tour profile, resembling a pro football player or wrestling figure more than a golfer.DeChambeau has a unique endorsement with a top sports betting company DraftKings. And his exposure will only grow when he joins Turner Sports’ upcoming The Match golf event featuring National Football League star quarterbacks Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and PGA Tour icon Phil Mickelson.DeChambeau turned pro in 2016 and has eight career PGA Tour victories, including the U.S. Open last September. He’s made $24 million in his career and will attempt a U.S. Open repeat this month at Torrey Pines in San Diego, California. Through 49 events played in 2021, DeChambeau is currently ranked fifth in the world, according to the Official World Golf Ranking.And DeChambeau is also engaged in a golfer’s feud with fellow PGA Tour player Brooks Koepka, who ranked 10th on the list at $144 million. The tension appeared to intensify at last month’s PGA Championship during a media interview.DeChambeau downplayed any issues with Koepka, though, but said it’s “good for the game.” Still, the feud helps DeChambeau with another metric – PGA Tour’s newly installed Player Impact Program. It’s an incentive plan that divides $40 million among high-profile golfers whose popularity helps grow the PGA Tour’s brand and drive viewership to events.”He’s got a tremendous future,” said Mondello said of DeChambeau.Tiger Woods plays his shot from the second tee during the final round of the PNC Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Orlando on December 20, 2020 in Orlando, Florida.Mike Ehrmann | Getty ImagesWhat about Tiger Woods?Again, the list only considers golfers under age 50, so Mickelson isn’t counted. The study starts by acknowledging Mickelson, who in May won the 2021 PGA Championship, becoming the oldest player to win a major PGA Tour major.Asked if Mickelson was younger – like 49 – what his rank might be, Mondello projected he’d be among the top, adding, “he’s (Mickelson) still a relevant golfer on the course, and he’s just huge in endorsements.”The other relevant golfer – Tiger Woods – ranked ninth on this year’s FCV rankings. Woods, 45, is projected to earn $150 million over the next five years until he joins Mickelson and is no longer included. Until then, Mondello said Woods’ revenue from endorsements should help sustain his ranking.Woods is currently rehabbing from a severe car accident in February but returned to the video game sponsorship space. He agreed to a licensing deal with Take-Two Interactive to use his name, image and likeness and be featured on the company’s new golf game, PGA Tour 2K. It’s the first time Woods will appear on a video game since 2013.”He generates so much value,” Mondello said of Woods. “Even though in our study he’s only going to be picking that ($150 million) up over the next five years, he’s still in our top 10.”Read Duff and Phelps’s full golf report here. More

Rare instances of heart inflammation in young people after receiving their second Covid vaccine dose require further inquiry, Dr. Scott Gottlieb told CNBC on Friday.However, the former Food and Drug Administration commissioner said the cases have mostly been mild and should not dissuade people from signing up for the two-shot regimens from Pfizer and Moderna.”At this point, the risk/benefit still favors vaccination certainly in this age group,” Gottlieb, a Pfizer board member, said in an interview on “Squawk Box.” “That’s what CDC and FDA have also affirmed.”A day earlier, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated it has seen a higher-than-projected number of cases of heart inflammation in 16-to-24-year-olds following their second Covid shot—  275 recorded occurrences compared with expectations of 10 to 102.In people age 30 and below, there’s been 475 total reports of myocarditis or pericarditis, which according to the CDC involves inflammation of the heart muscle or the lining around it. Men make up the vast majority of reported instances of post-vaccine myocarditis or pericarditis.Of the 270 people who developed the conditions and have been discharged from the hospital, 81% have fully recovered, according to CDC data. The remaining 19% either still have symptoms or their status is not known. Fifteen people are still hospitalized, the CDC said.Symptoms, which include chest pain and shortness of breath, typically develop when a few days of receiving the vaccine, according to the CDC.Gottlieb said many questions remain about the connection between the heart inflammation and the Covid vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna.”I think at this point you need to assume there’s a causal relationship between the vaccine and these observations until you can prove otherwise,” said Gottlieb, who led the FDA from 2017 to 2019 in the Trump administration.Gottlieb said what’s not known yet is whether there’s something specific about the vaccines that are causing heart inflammation. “We know the vaccine induces inflammatory response. That’s why you get a fever. That’s why you get injection-site pain because your immune system is stimulated.””Is this a more generalized inflammatory response from the vaccine that’s localizing in the heart in some patients?” Gottlieb asked. “Or is this something that’s more direct, where the vaccine itself is triggering some kind of very targeted immune reaction and it’s manifesting in this way? We don’t have the answers to these questions.”It’s possible additional cases haven’t been recorded, Gottlieb said, but “we are probably capturing most of the severe cases.” He added, “When you look at the number of people who are having severe cases of pericarditis, it’s very small numbers right now.”Roughly 141.5 million people in the U.S. have been fully vaccinated against Covid, according to CDC data. The vaccines have been critical in driving down the number of coronavirus cases in the U.S. to their lowest levels since early in the pandemic. More

Erik Isakson | Tetra images | Getty ImagesAmericans want their summer vacations.After a year of restricted movement during the pandemic, 80% in a recent survey by tourism market research firm Destination Analysts said they are ready to travel.However, with that demand comes higher prices. Airline tickets are up 7% for the month and 24% from the year prior, according to the consumer price index for May, the Labor Department reported Thursday.Car and truck rental rates jumped 12.1% in May, rising 110% from a year ago, and gas is up 56.2% over the past year.More from Invest in You:Almost half of Americans will take on debt to treat themselves post-pandemicHow to resist the urge to splurge in a post-pandemic spending spreeHow to avoid overspending in this hot housing marketYet there still are ways to spend smartly.”Whether it is international or domestic, it is best to plan out every stage of your trip in advance to make sure there are not any hidden sticker shocks,” said Jordan Staab, president of SmarterTravel Media.Here’s how you can save money when planning your next vacation.1. Road trip itThe best way to save money is to drive your own car to your destination, Staab said.To find the cheapest fuel prices during your road trip, he suggests downloading the GasBuddy app.2. Don’t wait until the last minuteStaab anticipates the cost of flying will continue to rise until the Fourth of July, so if you want to book a summer trip, get on it right away, he advised.If you have more flexibility and are comfortable waiting, there’s a chance prices could start going down after Independence Day.But if you book the flight too close to the actual trip date, you could wind up paying more. The best time to buy your airline tickets is in what Scott Keyes, founder of travel deal websites and newsletter Scott’s Cheap Flights, calls the “Goldilocks window” — not too early and not too late.For domestic trips, the cheap flights are most likely to pop up one to three months in advance of your travel date. If you are traveling internationally, they are mostly likely to occur two to eight months in advance, he said. You can monitor fares by setting up price alerts.3. Be flexibleTypically people choose a destination, when the trip will occur and then look up airfares.Instead, flip that on its head, Keyes said. Look up cheap flights out of your home airport and choose the destination that most interests you. Then, see what dates work with your schedule.”By setting price as the top priority rather than the last priority, that’s how you get cheap flights,” Keyes said.The Great Arch in Zion National Park, Utah.DANIEL SLIM | AFP | Getty ImagesYou may also find cheaper airfare at another nearby airport. It may mean a farther drive, but it doesn’t necessarily result in a longer travel time. For instance, that longer drive may result in a flight that doesn’t have as many stops along the way.If you are traveling to a far-flung destination, you can also find less expensive airfares to a major city and then take a local budget airline, ferry or train to your final destination.4. Remember the daysIt’s no longer true that there is a best day of the week to book a flight, since new prices are constantly coming online, Keyes said.However, there tend to be cheaper days to actually fly: Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.5. Think outside the boxBeaches and national parks are extremely popular in the summer. In fact, if you want to visit a national park, Staab advises making a reservation first. In many parks, reservations are mandatory.To save money, consider a place that is not your normal destination, like the mountains instead of the beach.”If it is something everyone wants to do, it is going to be expensive,” Staab said.6. Don’t forget about Covid testingAn airport hostess waits to assist passengers going through a rapid Covid-19 testing area at Malpensa Airport in Milan, Italy, on April 2, 2021.PIERO CRUCIATTI | AFP | Getty ImagesYou may need a coronavirus test before traveling, so research your destination to make sure you know what is required.Some drugstore chains offer PCR testing at no additional cost if you use insurance, or if you fall under a federal program. You can also get rapid and PCR tests at some airports for a fee.While you often have to pay for the test ahead of travel, many hotels and destinations are offering free testing, Staab noted. Some destinations will even pay you for a negative Covid test. For instance, Portugal’s Azores Islands offer a 35 euro voucher to offset the cost of the mandatory Covid test, he pointed out.7. Hold off until fallIf you don’t have school-aged children, or don’t mind them missing a few days of class, then consider waiting to travel until the summer is over.”If you travel during off-peak times, then you can find some great deals,” said Staab, who noted one of his favorite time to travel is in September.SIGN UP: Money 101 is an 8-week learning course to financial freedom, delivered weekly to your inbox.CHECK OUT: 4 content-creating side hustles that can produce passive income, with tips from the pros via Grow with Acorns+CNBCDisclosure: NBCUniversal and Comcast Ventures are investors in Acorns. More

In this articleELYNKEADS-DEWith a record number of new golfers teeing off in 2020, Callaway, the maker of golf balls, clubs, bags and apparel, has been thriving.Callaway announced in May first-quarter net revenue of $652 million, a 47% increase from a year earlier.”Callaway pre-Covid was already the number one brand in sticks, I call it, which is putters, drivers and irons,” said Jefferies analyst Randy Konik. “They were outpacing industry growth and they were also number two in balls behind Titleist.”Callaway has made moves off the fairway as well. In March, the company completed its merger with golf entertainment business Topgolf, which combines virtual driving ranges with food and cocktails.”This is a transformative merger. It creates an entity that doesn’t really replicate anything that currently exists, with the leader in golf equipment merging with the leader in golf entertainment,” said Callaway CEO Chip Brewer.Last year, almost 37 million players teed off at a golf course or participated in an off-course activity like a driving range. Nearly a third of the U.S. population watched, read about or played golf in 2020.But with movie theaters, travel and concerts expected to rebound, will golf club-makers like Callaway and its rival Acushnet be able to maintain their momentum?Watch more:Why houses are so expensive in the U.S.Here’s how Emirates can bounce back from Covid-19 More

In this articleVWS-DKORSTED-DKGEDaniel Acker | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesGeneral Electric’s renewables unit and LafargeHolcim, the world’s biggest cement manufacturer, have struck a deal to explore the recycling of wind turbine blades.A memorandum of understanding will see the companies focus on exploring “circular economy solutions.” Business practices connected to the notion of a circular economy have gained traction in recent years, with many companies around the world looking to operate in a way which minimizes waste. In a statement Thursday, the firms added they were looking into “new ways of recycling wind blades, including as a construction material to build new wind farms.”The plans announced this week build on an already existing relationship between the two companies. Last June, GE Renewable Energy said it was going to partner with LafargeHolcim and another firm, COBOD International, to develop wind turbines that use 3D-printed concrete bases. The issue of what to do with wind turbine blades when they’re no longer needed is a headache for the industry. This is because the composite materials used in their production can be difficult to recycle, with many blades ending up as landfill when their service life ends.As governments around the world attempt to ramp up their renewable energy capacity, the number of wind turbines on the planet only looks set to grow. This will in turn increase pressure on the sector to find sustainable solutions to the disposal of blades. Over the last few years, major players in wind energy have announced plans to try to tackle the problem. Just last week Denmark’s Orsted said it would “reuse, recycle, or recover” all turbine blades in its worldwide portfolio of wind farms once they’re decommissioned. In April, it was announced that a collaboration between academia and industry would focus on the recycling of glass fiber products, a move that could eventually help to reduce the waste produced by wind turbine blades.Last December, GE Renewable Energy and Veolia North America signed a “multi-year agreement” to recycle blades removed from onshore wind turbines in the United States. And in January 2020, wind energy giant Vestas said it was aiming to produce “zero-waste” turbines by the year 2040. More