• Joe Biden got his wish to hold the earliest major presidential debate ever.
• Even the president's allies admit the debate will unlikely dramatically alter the race.
• But Biden needs his debate against Trump to shake things up and quiet the remaining skeptics.

President Joe Biden needs his debate gamble to pay off.

Biden, who views his life as shaped by fate, decided to try to upend his reelection campaign by scheduling the earliest major presidential debate. He also got his requests to boot the audience, mute the mics, and strongarm Fox News out of potentially hosting the entire affair.

His campaign, according to The New York Times, recognizes that in the short term, the first faceoff with former President Donald Trump is unlikely to change the current dynamics of the race.

National polling shows the race in a virtual dead heat. There's been less polling of the battleground states, but on average, Trump holds a narrow lead in the states expected to determine the race. According to RealClearPolitics' averages, Michigan and Wisconsin are too close to call while Trump holds an extremely narrow lead in Pennsylvania.

Studies have shown that debates have only a modest effect on the outcome of presidential elections. Voters are often swayed more when they know less about a candidate. Americans don't need to get to know either man. In fact, it's expected that the decisive swath of voters could be people who loathe them both.

Biden continues to face questions about whether he will be replaced. (He won't.) The lingering doubts are largely due to factors like the president's abysmal approval ratings, which have never recovered from the post-Afghanistan withdrawal. At this point, Biden and his allies have also massively outspent Trump. Their attack ad advantage is set to dissipate in the face of Trump's gigantic fundraising haul after becoming the first former president to be convicted of a felony.

According to The Times, Biden's team hopes the debate will jolt Americans into paying more attention to the race. History shows that the traditional fall presidential debates are one of the few live, non-sporting events watched by tens of millions of Americans. Studies have also shown that debate watchers tend to be people who are already more politically engaged — not usually the group that decides elections.

No one knows what Trump is going to do.

Biden knows his best chance of benefiting from his gamble will be across the stage. His campaign even chose the podium position over the final speaking order, handing Trump the last word of the night.

Incumbent presidents typically struggle in their first debate (just ask Obama or, better yet, Trump), but Biden has spent days prepping at Camp David for his first exchange with Trump since 2020. Trump, never one to want to be seen as over-preparing, said on Tuesday evening his whole life was debate prep.

"I'm not sure you can lock yourself in a room for two weeks, or one week, or two days and really learn what you have to know," Trump told his former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski during an interview on NewsMax.

Americans aren't surrounded by the crush of Trump news like they once were. A breakout moment could easily remind voters why they soured on the former reality TV star in the first place.

Trump's over-the-top, constantly interrupting performance in the first 2020 debate was widely panned. Now, Biden has a record of his own. Republicans are nudging Trump to train his focus on lighting the president on immigration and the economy — issues where polls show he has a big advantage.

Staying on message has never been part of the Trump brand. In recent days, the former president has tried to pivot a little by playing the traditional expectations game before the debate begins. The former president has talked up his successor despite spending years portraying him as too feeble to do the job. Trump's allies are also working the referees, CNN moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, in an effort that would have made the late Bobby Knight blush.

But there's always a but. After all, we're talking about the man who talked about the size of his penis during a 2016 GOP primary debate.

Trump, his senior aides, and official GOP accounts are senior campaign aides, and official GOP accounts are pushing a right-wing conspiracy that Biden is going to juice before the debate like a 1990s-era MLB star. The former president has even demanded that Biden take a drug test.

If that becomes the night's story, Biden would be happier than getting a double scoop. And then, his bet could pay off.

• I tried every flavor of Culture Pop probiotic soda I could find and ranked them from worst to best.
• I found a lot of the flavors tasted like a halfway point between regular soda and flavored seltzer.
• Of all the flavors I tried, the watermelon-and-lime Culture Pop was my favorite.

Supermarket shelves across the United States are filling up with prebiotic and probiotic sodas that claim to be good for your gut.

Popular brands like Poppi and Olipop say their sodas contain prebiotics designed to help good bacteria grow. Culture Pop, on the other hand, is a probiotic drink that says it contains the live bacteria other brands help to cultivate.

But people have questioned the sodas' advertised benefits. Poppi recently became the subject of a class-action lawsuit alleging that, contrary to its marketing, its drinks don't contain enough prebiotic fiber to affect gut health.

Even so, I like that these beverages are lower-sugar alternatives to classic soda drinks. Culture Pop, for example, has no added sugar or sugar alternatives. Its sweetness comes from fruit juice.

And, after trying different flavors of Poppi and Olipop prebiotic sodas, I was curious to see how Culture Pop stacked up against the competition in terms of taste.

To find out, I grabbed every flavor of Culture Pop probiotic soda I could find and ranked them from best to worst.

My wife and I both agreed that Culture Pop's lemon-lime flavor was our least favorite.

I found that every flavor of Culture Pop required at least a small adjustment of expectations.

I'm not accustomed to soda with relatively little sugar and no artificial sweetener, and a lot of the Culture Pop varieties tasted like a halfway point between traditional soda and flavored seltzer.

However, Culture Pop's lemon-lime flavor was so different from a Sprite or 7-Up that it was a little jarring. I found it to be very tart and didn't like the taste.

My wife agreed that this was the least appealing of the bunch.

The black-cherry flavor had a bit of an unpleasant aftertaste.

Culture Pop's black-cherry variety tasted distinctly like a cough drop to me — but one of the tasty, candy-like cough drops like a Luden's.

This may have been the most assertive of the Culture Pop flavors I tried, with an acidic, wine-like tang. But again, it's important to keep in mind that all the Culture Pop flavors I tried were fairly muted by soda standards.

The taste wasn't unpleasant at all, but there was a hint of an aftertaste that I didn't love.

One flavor stood out when I tried the wild-berries-and-lime soda.

All the Culture Pop flavors I tried listed white-grape juice as one of the primary ingredients, giving each soda a tangy acidity.

In this case, however, the lime flavor was a bit more prominent than the wild berries, which presented as a hint of blueberry aroma. Otherwise, I thought this soda was vaguely fruity.

The strawberry-and-rhubarb flavor surprised me.

The first Culture Pop flavor I tried was the strawberry-and-rhubarb variety. When I poured it into the glass, I was immediately surprised by the color. I expected the liquid to be electric pink, but the soda had more of a yellow-ish ginger-ale color.

I also expected to be overwhelmed by the sweetness of strawberries, but my first impression came from the unexpectedly vegetal taste of the rhubarb. The strawberry flavor was subtle but tasted like actual strawberries. This was definitely a flavor that grew on me as I drank it.

The ginger-lemon-and-turmeric flavor tasted like ginger beer.

Once I selected my top three Culture Pop flavors, it was tough to choose my favorite. However, the ginger-lemon-and-turmeric variety probably could have taken the top spot if I tasted it on a different day.

The ginger and lemon flavors were both distinct, but neither was overpowering — there was a slight, spicy bite from the ginger, then a bright tartness from the lemon.

It was harder to make out the turmeric flavor, but in general, the soda had the vibe of a pleasant herbal tea. I even thought it tasted slightly closer to the taste of ginger beer than most commercial ginger ales I've tried.

Culture Pop's orange-mango-and-lime flavor was my wife's favorite.

I was also surprised by the color of Culture Pop's orange-mango-and-lime soda. This one had a pleasant salmon color instead of the neon-orange hue I expect from many orange sodas.

This flavor seemed the closest to a seltzer of all the varieties I tried and even tasted less sweet than the rest despite an identical calorie count.

The orange flavor was quiet but obvious, but the mango and lime notes were harder to pick out. This flavor also includes a bit of chili powder, which added a touch of spice that I really enjoyed. This one was my wife's favorite.

The watermelon-and-lime flavor was my favorite.

When I opened the can of watermelon-lime Culture Pop, it had such a strong watermelon scent that I worried the taste would be overbearing.

However, the actual watermelon flavor was mild and nicely balanced by the tartness of the lime.

This was immediately the most refreshing tasting of the seven flavors I tried. It was light and crisp, and though I couldn't quite distinguish the rosemary that's listed in the ingredients, there was something pleasantly herbaceous about the soda that added a nice nuance.

• I was a Starbucks barista for a year, and I saw plenty of customers waste their money.
• You can usually get a better value on iced drinks by asking for light ice.
• Grande and venti lattes have the same amount of espresso, but the latter costs more. 

I worked as a Starbucks barista for nearly a year, and I became extremely familiar with just how expensive the popular coffee chain is. 

As a stingy spender, I made several mental notes on ways customers would unnecessarily waste their money during my shifts.

Here's what I wish people would stop paying extra for — plus ways to save a little cash.

I wouldn't pay a premium for cold drinks filled halfway with ice

The easiest way to avoid spending an arm and a leg on half a cup of ice with a hint of the beverage is just to specify that you'd like light ice. 

Trust me, baristas are aware that the oversize scoop of ice in a drink can be frustrating. But many are happy to replace the extra ice with liquid if you ask for it. Light ice is even an option on the app. 

It might be unnecessary to pay for a shot of vanilla syrup to sweeten a soy latte or cappuccino

Starbucks charges customers for a pump of syrup added to an otherwise plain latte, cappuccino, or cup of coffee. But people might not know that the soy milk the chain uses is vanilla-flavored.

The flavoring is more subtle than an actual pump of syrup, but if I already plan on ordering a sweetened coffee with milk alternative (which, unfortunately, also costs a bit more), I usually get soy and save on the extra fee. Otherwise, I'd end up paying one fee for unsweetened oat milk/almond milk and another for vanilla syrup. 

Unfortunately, for lovers of caramel, hazelnut, and peppermint syrups, you're stuck with the extra charge for the sweetener. 

If you're a regular customer, you may not need to pay out of pocket for Starbucks merchandise

I refuse to pay out of pocket for special Starbucks tumblers, mugs, or coffee beans. If I find irresistible merchandise, I'll take advantage of the Starbucks rewards program.

If stopping by for a drink or food item is already part of your daily routine, then you'll easily rack up star rewards in the app that you can redeem for complimentary items. If you have 400 points, you can select any merchandise worth up to $20.

You'll have to pay the difference if it's more than $20, but many of the basic items are within the price point. 

It's not usually worth ordering Americanos — they're literally just espresso and water

A grande Americano will cost you around $4, which is rather pricey for three shots of espresso with water. 

Instead, make your own. Ask for a doppio or triple shot of espresso (whatever you prefer) in a grande cup, and then ask for added water. You can essentially get an Americano for almost a dollar less. 

If you're looking for a caffeine fix, stop wasting your money on hot venti lattes

If you order a hot venti latte or cappuccino, you're still only getting two shots of espresso, which is the same amount you get in a grande. 

In a way, buying a venti latte means you're paying half a dollar more for a more diluted caffeine-to-coffee ratio.

If you prefer iced lattes, a grande comes with two shots and a venti comes with three shots, so that's a different story. 

Don't miss out on the 'bring your own cup' discount

Although many Starbucks stopped serving customers their orders in reusable cups during the coronavirus pandemic as a health and safety precaution, several locations have restarted the program. 

This prevents additional plastic use and saves you $0.10. Rewards members also earn 25 bonus stars when they use their own mug, which can then be used to pay for a milk alternative, syrup pump, or additional espresso shot.

Stop paying for bottled water

I've always been baffled by people who insist on buying bottled water from Starbucks. I can understand if you absolutely need something unopened, but other than that, there's no reason to pay full price for the one thing the chain offers for free. 

Don't be afraid to order any size cup of water. Baristas will even add ice if you ask for it.

This story was originally published in June 2023 and most recently updated on June 26, 2024. 

• Jamaal Bowman just became the first Squad member to lose reelection.
• Progressives saw the primary as a battle against AIPAC, the deep-pocketed pro-Israel group.
• It was — but Bowman was also a weak incumbent who was uniquely vulnerable.

Rep. Jamaal Bowman was roundly defeated in the Democratic primary for New York's 16th congressional district on Tuesday, making him the first member of the progressive "Squad" to lose reelection.

His moderate opponent, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, will almost certainly be elected to Congress this fall after defeating the congressman by over 16 points.

In the closing days of the race, progressive trained their ire on the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a group whose super PAC spent millions to sway the race toward Latimer.

"We should be outraged when a super PAC of dark money can spend $20 million to brainwash people into believing something that isn't true," Bowman said at his election night party on Tuesday.

But while AIPAC did play a big role in this race — as it has in several high-profile Democratic primaries in recent years — it would be a mistake to simply blame the pro-Israel group for Bowman's loss.

The congressman was uniquely vulnerable to a primary challenge, and the group is continuing to lose influence within the Democratic Party.

AIPAC can make a big difference — but it can't straight-up buy elections

Ahead of the 2022 election, AIPAC — a lobbying group that advocates for essentially unconditional support for Israel — established a super PAC called "United Democracy Project" to increase their direct influence on elections.

As progressives like to point out, much of the super PAC's funding has come from Republican billionaires, and it has primarily poured money into Democratic primaries to block the ascent of progressives.

Bowman emerged as one of AIPAC's top targets this year as a result of calling for a ceasefire in the days after the Hamas attack on October 7 and describing Israel's actions in Gaza as a "genocide."

AIPAC spent over $17 million on Bowman's primary. It's the most they've ever spent on one race, and it's the most that a single group has spent on a congressional race this cycle. That avalanche of money made this House primary the most expensive in American history.

On the ground, AIPAC's offensive translated into TV ads attacking Bowman and praising Latimer, as well as a deluge of mailers at residents' doors. Those ads mostly focused on Bowman's vote against the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021, rather than his criticism of Israel.

Having the backing of AIPAC — or any super PAC, for that matter — can give a huge leg-up to candidates, especially in open primaries.

Last month, AIPAC played a major role in Oregon's 3rd congressional district, where Maxine Dexter defeated Susheela Jayapal in the Democratic primary with the help of $2.3 million in AIPAC spending, apparently routed through 314 Action Fund and a PAC called "Voters for a Responsive Government."

Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn may have been headed to Congress if AIPAC hadn't spent $4.2 million to boost state Sen. Sarah Elfreth, who raised just $1.4 million on her own before defeating Dunn in the Democratic primary in May. And that's not even considering the successes that the group had in Democratic primaries in 2022.

But sometimes AIPAC flops, too: the group spent $4.6 million to defeat state Sen. Dave Min in a California House primary in March after the he expressed fairly moderate criticisms of Israel. He ended up winning by over 6 points.

More broadly, there's a reason why just a few Squad members ended up being vulnerable to a primary challenge this year, despite widespread progressive fears in late 2023: It would be way too difficult to actually take them all out, especially given how the politics around Israel have shifted among Democrats over the course of recent months.

For example, AIPAC reportedly tried to recruit a primary challenger to Rep. Summer Lee in Pennsylvania, only for the effort to apparently fizzle. Lee easily won her primary in April after the group declined to spend any money on the race.

Bowman was a weak incumbent, had significant personal scandals, and said incendiary things about October 7

In 2022, Bowman faced two challengers, each of whom raised a fairly paltry sum. AIPAC did not spend any money against him.

He got just 54% of the vote, losing big in the more upscale portions of Westchester County.

It's impossible to really say what effect Bowman's infamous September fire alarm incident had on his race, but there's little doubt it was a high-salience event.

He was censured by the House over it, including by 3 of his Democratic colleagues. The most charitable explanation, the one that Bowman has put forward, is that he was genuinely confused when he did it, which doesn't paint a flattering picture of the congressman's temperament.

The more sinister view — the one that George Latimer certainly capitalized on — is that as a former middle school principal, Bowman knew exactly what he was doing, and he was seeking to disrupt a vote on a government funding bill.

The congressman's characterization of reports of rape on October 7 as "propaganda" was probably the single worst thing he said (he has since apologized).

That, combined with his embrace of the Boycott, Divest, and Sanction movement and some of his incendiary rhetoric on the Jewish state, alienated many of Bowman's Jewish constituents, who appear to have turned out in record numbers.

Not to mention the revelation that Bowman once embraced 9/11 conspiracy theories, created the impression that the congressman held radical, fringe views outside the mainstream of American politics.

Months before AIPAC began dropping millions of dollars on the race, polling already showed Bowman struggling against Latimer.

Despite his own flaws, Latimer was a well-positioned challenger

In the closing weeks of the campaign, Latimer consistently made statements that — at best — were racially insensitive.

He told the congressman during a virtual debate that his "constituency is Dearborn, Michigan," even though Bowman had received less than $2,000 in itemized contributions from the majority-Arab city. He later said that he wasn't referring to the "Islamic presence" in the city, but the fact that Bowman has a joint fundraising committee with Rep. Rashida Tlaib, whose Detroit-area district includes Dearborn. Yet all of the money that's flowed through that committee has come from New York donors.

He also accused Bowman of trying to "play the ethnic game" by highlighting those kinds of statements. And Jacobin reported that he has slow-walked desegregation efforts in Westchester County.

Despite all of that, Latimer was well-positioned to take Bowman on. He's well-known in the county, has strong relationships in parts of the district where Bowman has consistently underperformed, and is by all accounts a skilled retail politician.

Looking at each candidate's fundraising is also an instructive indicator of local support.

As of June 5, 61% of Latimer's itemized contributions came from New York, and over a third came from within the district. By contrast, only about 30% of Bowman's itemized contributions came from in state, and less than 10% came from the district.

There's a glimmer of hope here for progressives

Bowman's defeat is indeed a victory for AIPAC. And they may get another one later this summer, when Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri — who faces a Department of Justice probe over potential misuse of campaign funds — faces an AIPAC-backed opponent in her Missouri primary in August.

Progressives fear, and pro-Israel forces may hope, that Bowman's loss will send a broader message that lawmakers will be punished for being outspoken in their criticism of Israel.

But look closely, and you can see that while AIPAC notched a win here, there are plenty of signs that its rigid pro-Israel stance is losing sway within the Democratic Party.

This year, Democrats on Capitol Hill held up standalone aid to Israel for six months in defiance of AIPAC's lobbying.

Mainstream members of the party have grown far more comfortable levying criticism against Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank, defying a chilling effect that AIPAC has long helped enforce.

Lawmakers openly discussed the prospect of conditioning military aid to Israel, a position that was once viewed as fringe.

In the end, 37 House Democrats and three Senate Democrats voted against sending military aid to Israel.

AIPAC will be able to defeat two of them this year, at most.

• This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter.
• You can sign up for Business Insider's daily newsletter here.

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Another reminder: Our sale on a Business Insider subscription ends Thursday. More details here.

In today's big story, we're looking at how the next job you apply for might be fake.

What's on deck:

• Markets: Charles Schwab said stocks are giving an incoming bear market.
• Tech: This is what top VCs are excited about — and sick of — when investing in AI.
• Business: A former SAP account manager is breaking her NDA to speak out about a workplace sexual assault.

But first, send me your résumé.

If this was forwarded to you, sign up here.

The big story

Now (not really) hiring

Corporate America has gotten so bad that companies are posting jobs they don't intend to fill.

A recent survey of hiring managers by Resume Builder found three in 10 companies have active fake job listings, writes Business Insider's Tim Paradis. And there is zero shame in their game, as nearly 70% of hiring managers said fake job posts were "morally acceptable."

In fact, some companies justify the move as a way to help their employees. Posting jobs can give workers the impression the company is growing and signal to burnt-out employees that help is on the way.

Except, you know, it's not.

It's another knock for people navigating an incredibly frustrating labor market. While employment is still relatively low, sitting at only 4%, the job market is also pretty stagnant.

High-paying white-collar roles aren't readily available, and people aren't quitting as much as they once were. (Goodbye, Great Resignation; hello, Big Stay.)

Even if you find a legitimate job posting, it doesn't get much easier.

With the power firmly back in employers' hands, the hiring process has become a marathon, writes BI's Alexandra Bacon. Multiple interview rounds, personality tests, and on-site assessment days drawn out across several months have become the norm.

And even then, you might still get ghosted!

It's an issue that's particularly relevant for entry-level roles, which are also under threat of being automated away by AI.

Maybe that's why so many young people are feeling depressed and disconnected from their peers. Beaten down by the process, some are opting to wait things out. Last year, roughly 20% of people aged 15 to 24 were NEETs, not in education, employment, or training.

Some might argue companies taking their time to hire is a good thing in the long run. Better to make sure they get the right candidate than rush to fill positions that don't ultimately work out, which could lead to layoffs. Workers were also spoiled with the 2021 job market, where candidates named their prices.

Workers can claim back some power even in the current environment. Thanks to some states' pay transparency laws, job postings (even if they aren't real) give current employees an idea of how their salary compares to what their company is advertising for other roles.

And a fake job posting might be a blessing in disguise. After all, do you really want to work for a company willing to do that in the first place?

3 things in markets

1. Citi Wealth's tech is a dumpster fire. The bank's tech isn't exactly highly regarded — leading to an accidental $900 million transfer in 2020 — but it's a real problem for Citi's struggling wealth business. An audit estimates it'll cost at least $500 million to overhaul Citi Wealth's patchwork technology.
2. It's showtime for Nvidia investors. The AI darling's annual shareholder meeting is today. It comes after a tumultuous few days in the market that saw it shed more than $400 billion in market cap. For some it was a hiccup, but others worry it could signal a bubble preparing to pop. Nvidia's dominance could also be tested by a competitor's approaching IPO.
3. Bad news bears. Stocks are looking "eerily similar" to the last bear-market crash in 2021, Charles Schwab said this week. Although the market is flourishing at the index level, individual stocks aren't doing so hot. That means a bear market could be on the horizon.

3 things in tech

1. Apple's beef with Meta isn't going anywhere. One day after the Wall Street Journal reported that Apple was in talks with Meta for an AI deal, Apple corrected, telling Bloomberg it wasn't going to partner with Mark Zuckerberg's company any time soon.
2. These are the types of AI startups investors want to fund next. BI asked nine VCs what they're most excited about in AI and what they're tired of. The most desirable startups are building AI's infrastructure, working with unstructured data, and revolutionizing software development. Investors said they're ready to move on from large-language models since big players dominate the space.
3. Microsoft's AI CEO works closely with these execs. An internal Microsoft tool that tracks employee interactions has revealed which executives work with new AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman the most. It also shows 12 execs who report directly to Suleyman, including Inflection AI cofounder Karén Simonyan.

3 things in business

1. The real problem with work isn't pay or perks, but lack of purpose. Americans increasingly feel their jobs are meaningless, and their dissatisfaction makes them more likely to quit. The feeling is especially prevalent among Gen Z and millennials.
2. A former SAP employee breaks her NDA. After Ashley Kostial reported being raped by a colleague during a work trip, she felt pressured to sign two nondisclosure agreements — one with SAP and its subsidiary, Ariba, and one with her insurance provider, Aetna. She's decided to risk coming forward now because she views the NDAs she signed as unjust — and wants to see the use of NDAs ended for other victims of sexual assault.
3. Wind power stays winning. A millennial who switched from working on oil rigs to wind turbines says he's been promoted faster in renewable energy thanks to the sector's rapid expansion. Employment in wind is expected to triple by 2030 in the UK, where he lives, and it's the fastest-growing career in the US.

In other news

• David Einhorn is suing the former employee who claimed to be his head of macro. Here are the most eye-catching parts of Greenlight's lawsuit.
• Tal Alexander announces he will step away from his brokerage firm amid rape allegation.
• CNN stands to make millions from the Trump-Biden debate, but its rivals could make even more.

What's happening today

• Julian Assange attends his sentencing hearing after agreeing to plead guilty to espionage charges.
• Russian judicial proceedings against detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich begin in secret.
• Paris Hilton, who spent nearly two years in residential treatment facilities as a teenager, testifies in Congress on child welfare.
• "The Bear" season 3 drops on Hulu.

The Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Jordan Parker Erb, editor, in New York. Hallam Bullock, senior editor, in London. Annie Smith, associate producer, in London. Amanda Yen, fellow, in New York.

• Luxury air travel is on the rise, including the use of private jets and premium tickets.
• The pandemic's 'revenge travel' trend has people spending more on luxury air experiences.
• Semi-private jets and premium-class options offer accessible luxury for budget-conscious travelers.

It's official: 2024 is the year of luxury air travel.

Travel experts told Business Insider they had noticed an uptick in clients opting for luxury air travel experiences, from private jets to first-class and premium-class plane tickets.

Oliver Bell, cofounder of luxury travel company Oliver's Travels, said this trend could be partly attributed to "revenge travel," where people are "willing to spend more for incredible experiences" in the aftermath of the pandemic.

According to a Forbes Advisor survey of 1,000 Americans in January of this year, 39% of people say their travel budget in 2024 will be higher than the previous year. (That's down from 45% of people surveyed in 2023.)

But you don't have to be flushed with cash to experience luxury air travel. You just have to do your research.

Semi-private jets are often overlooked

Private jets are one of the most obvious ways to travel in luxury, but according to Bell, they are often overlooked because people assume they are too expensive.

"A lot of people assume that flying private is only for the rich and famous, the Elon Musk's of the world," Bell said.

"Of course, it's by no means a 'cheap' way to fly as it still will typically be more expensive than flying commercial, but it is much more accessible than people think, which could be why we're seeing an increase now that people are becoming more aware," he added.

As BI's Alesandra Dubin previously reported, June 2022 had the most private flights in the US since October 2007.

Dubin recommended booking a publicly available seat on a "hop on" semi-private jet flight to save money. Numerous private regional airlines, such as JSX, offer this option.

JSX offers various routes from private terminals across the West Coast and Texas. Passengers don't have to worry about crowds or security lines, and with a maximum of 30 passengers on each flight, you can get the feeling of flying private without actually hiring your own jet.

In June 2021, Dubin wrote about her experience traveling from LA to Vegas on a JSX flight for $99. Her ticket included a free checked bag, snacks, and drinks, including alcohol.

Alternatively, some private jet companies offer subscription services where you get full access for a set fee every month. For example, Surf Air is an LA-based private jet company that offers unlimited private flying memberships for $295 per month or $3,540 annually.

"Instead of having to wait in long queues with limits on baggage or extra payments required, you can arrive as little as 15 minutes before your flight, board directly, and enjoy complete comfort and privacy," Bell said.

Affordable or 'middle-of-the-road' luxury

Some passengers can travel in first or business class for less using credit cards or airline reward points.

But for less frequent flyers or those who don't have the points, there are alternative options.

David Guthrie, founder of safari company Tent with a View, said he has noticed an increase in clients opting for "middle-of-the-road luxury" options, such as premium-class plane tickets.

He said it's become common for airlines to offer a "more elevated experience compared to standard economy," but these options are "not nearly as plush or pricey as first-class or private charters."

Airlines, including KLM, Delta, and United, offer premium or comfort-class tickets.

Each airline offers different perks. With United Airlines' Premium Plus package, passengers will get bigger seats, more legroom, and an amenity kit with skincare products from TheraFace, including eye serum, facial spray, hand cream, and lip balm.

It also includes free alcohol, upgraded meal cutlery, and noise-canceling headphones on board, as well as larger TV screens, priority check-in and boarding, exclusive security lanes, and priority bag handling.

According to Martina Coogan, head of United Airline's corporate sales in the UK and Ireland, fares start at around $1,077.

Coogan told BI that Premium Plus is "gaining in popularity with both leisure and corporate travelers, and we expect this trend to continue."

He said it's an especially popular option for passengers traveling on long-haul flights from the US to the UK.

Meanwhile, with KLM's premium comfort package, passengers are seated in a "quiet cabin" with up to 28 seats with 17cm more legroom and 7.5cm more recline than an economy seat. Guthrie said this package is popular among his clients, who appear to spend double the amount on premium comfort tickets compared to economy.

Similarly, Delta's Comfort Plus package offers more legroom (though it's not clear by how much), early boarding, dedicated overhead bin space, and complimentary snacks on flights over 900 miles and drinks on flights over 251 miles.

• WalletHub released a report ranking the best US states for summer road trips.
• States were ranked across 32 metrics including gas prices, safety, and number of attractions.
• Texas was ranked the best state for summer road trips, followed by Minnesota and New York.

If you're determined to take a road trip this summer but aren't sure where to go, consider one of these 10 states ranked by WalletHub as the best summer road-trip destinations.

To determine the best states for summer road trips, WalletHub, a personal-finance website, measured 32 metrics in each state across three overall categories: costs, safety, and activities.

Each state's road trip potential was determined by examining factors such as gas prices, safety, and the number of attractions including amusement parks, historical sites, and national parks.

These 10 states earned the highest scores in WalletHub's ranking.

10. Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania ranked 32nd in costs and 14th in both safety and activities, according to WalletHub.

Popular road-trip destinations include views of Amish country along Route 30 and historic sites such as Gettysburg and the Liberty Bell.

9. Maine

In addition to numerous scenic byways, Maine is also home to Acadia National Park, one of the most-visited national parks in the US.

WalletHub found that Maine had the lowest average cost of car repairs out of any state. Maine was also the safest state, taking the top spot in WalletHub's safety ranking. It scored 29th in costs and 30th in activities.

8. Wyoming

Camping prices in Wyoming are the second-lowest in the country — perfect for visiting hot spots like Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Wyoming was also the fifth-safest state in WalletHub's ranking and placed 22nd in activities.

7. North Carolina

North Carolina's Blue Ridge Parkway helped the state rank fourth for the most scenic byways and seventh in WalletHub's overall activities ranking. It was also 17th in costs and 34th in safety.

6. Ohio

Ohio features a mix of natural wonders like Cuyahoga Valley National Park, touristy spots like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, and quirky roadside attractions like the world's largest basket.

It's the second-cheapest state for car repairs behind Maine, contributing to its ranking of 21st in costs. WalletHub also ranked Ohio 24th in safety and 13th in activities.

5. Florida

Florida is tied with Alaska, Hawaii, California, and Washington for the state with the highest percentage of total area designated as national parkland. It also has attractions like Disney World, placing it second in WalletHub's activities ranking (California, the home of Disneyland, snagged the top activities spot).

Florida ranked 23rd in costs, but last in safety.

4. Louisiana

Louisiana has the third-lowest average gas prices, contributing to its first-place pick in WalletHub's costs ranking. It ranked ninth in activities and 46th in safety.

New Orleans offers a plethora of live music, Cajun restaurants, and lively festivals, but there's also plenty of wildlife to see in Louisiana's famous wetlands.

3. New York

New York is full of fascinating tourist sites with the second-most National Historic Landmarks per capita, placing it third in WalletHub's activities ranking. It ranked 40th in costs and 12th in safety.

In addition to the densely packed streets of New York City, upstate New York offers hiking trails, historic mansions, and views of Niagara Falls.

2. Minnesota

Minnesota ranked 12th in costs and 20th in activities. WalletHub found that the state has the third-fewest vehicle fatalities per million miles, contributing to its ranking of seventh in safety overall.

Minnesota also has the fourth-most fairs and festivals per capita in the summertime — the Minnesota State Fair in particular is legendary for its over-the-top culinary offerings.

1. Texas

With over 9,500 miles of scenic byways, numerous famous attractions including The Alamo and the Space Center Houston, and affordable accommodations, WalletHub ranked Texas the No. 1 state for summer road trips in 2024. It topped WalletHub's list with rankings of 11th in costs, 39th in safety, and fifth in activities.