Tom Bennett
Tom Bennett is a travel planning writer and former travel agent who has booked everything from weekend road trips to round-the-world itineraries. He lives in San Diego and writes practical travel guides that focus on what you actually need to know, not what looks good on Instagram.
Publishing in Travel Planning
How We Create Our Content
Every article published by Tom Bennett follows a structured editorial process designed to deliver accurate, practical answers. Topics are identified through search trend analysis, reader questions, and gaps in existing online coverage.
Each article is cross-referenced against authoritative sources including government agencies, academic institutions, and established industry publications. External citations are included throughout the article so readers can verify claims independently.
Articles are edited and fact-checked by the MeridianFacts editorial team for accuracy, clarity, and completeness before publication. Pieces are periodically updated to reflect new information, corrected data, or evolving best practices.
Can I Deduct Medical Travel Expenses?
Quick Fact: As of 2026, U.S. taxpayers can deduct unreimbursed medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of their adjusted gross income (AGI), including mileage for travel to medical facilities. The standard m...
Can I Donate Blood If I Traveled To Nepal?
Quick Fact: As of 2026, travelers to WHO-designated malaria-risk countries like Nepal must typically wait 3 months before donating blood in the United States, due to malaria transmission risks. Wha...
Can I Buy Southwest Points With Travel Funds?
Can I buy Southwest points with travel funds? Yes, you can convert Southwest travel funds into Rapid Rewards points at a rate of 1 point per 1.28 cents. As of 2026, this conversion gives you another w...
Can I Buy Point With My Travel Funds From Southwest?
As of 2026: Southwest Airlines no longer lets you swap travel funds for Rapid Rewards points. Travel funds just expire unless you turn them into LUV vouchers first. Quick Fact: Southwest travel fund...
Can I Donate Blood If I Traveled To Colombia?
Quick Fact: As of 2026, travelers to Colombia face no U.S. blood donation deferral based on destination alone. You still have to meet general eligibility rules, though—like your overall health and re...
Can I Donate Southwest Travel Funds?
Quick Fact: As of 2026, Southwest Airlines lets you use travel funds for future flights, donate points to charity, or convert them to Rapid Rewards points—but only the original ticketed passenger can...
Can I Carry Both Travel Card And Cash While Traveling?
Yes, you can carry both a travel card and cash while traveling. It's actually a smart strategy for most trips. As of 2026, travelers can carry any amount of cash domestically, but amounts of $10,000...
Can I Change Pin On Post Office Travel Money Card?
Yes, you can change the PIN on your Post Office Travel Money Card. How do I change the PIN on my Post Office Travel Money Card? You’ll need to head to a Post Office branch with the card and a valid I...
Can Employee Traveling For Work Write Off Meals In 2018?
Quick Fact Starting in 2026, employees on work trips can generally deduct 50% of meal costs—but only if the meal is ordinary, necessary, and directly tied to business. Company events that feed at lea...
Can Employer Deduct Wages For Travel Expenses?
Quick Fact: Come 2026, the IRS will let employees deduct unreimbursed work-related travel expenses—but only if they itemize and jump through the usual hoops. For 2025 tax filings, the standard mileag...