WORLD ART BAZAAR OFFERS GLOBAL GOODIES FOR EVERY BUDGET

The Honolulu Academy of Arts 28th World Art Bazaar opens Saturday, offering gifts from more than 35 faraway places. With so many countries represented, there are items for every budget.

"We serve as a bridge between artists from all over the world and our Island community," said Kathee Hoover, manager of the academy's gift shop.

"Part of the academy's mission is education, and so we want to share the knowledge of these rich traditions and craft techniques from around the world. Without a market for the products, then there is no incentive for artists and craftsmen to perpetuate their skills and they may then be lost," Hoover said.

Drop by and you'll find handpainted enamel earrings from Rajasthan, beautiful obi (sashes), Japanese stencils from the 1930s, antique African beads, vintage Chinese containers and many more items, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 13 at the Academy Art Center at Linekona, www.honoluluacademy.org.

IDOX TRAVELER

HANDY DEVICE ACTS AS PROP, PROTECTOR FOR IPOD

Here's a simple, handy gadget from idox that keeps your iPod Nano, iPod Touch or iPhone stationary and upright to enjoy videos, Web content, photos and podcasts while you travel. The idox Traveler Series keeps hands free while your device sits at a comfortable viewing angle.

Buttons and ports remain accessible, so you can still charge, pause, turn off and control the volume. When not in use, the Traveler can be snapped shut to protect your device; toss in your bag and go.

The idox Traveler is compatible with the 4G iPod Nano, the 2G iPod Touch and the iPhone 3G and 3GS. From $24.99, www.idox360.com.

— Chris Oliver

NEW AMERICAN EXPRESS POLICY

PAY YOUR BILL LATE AND YOU'LL SAY BYE-BYE TO YOUR MILES

Another fee is coming in 2010 for airline and hotel customers. Pay your credit card bill on time or forfeit the miles or points you earned for card purchases during that month.

American Express Co. is sending notices to customers who hold its co-branded cards with Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Hilton Hotels and Starwood Hotels, that beginning in January, rewards won't be transferred to those partners if you are late paying your bill.

You'll be hit with a $29 reinstatement fee if you want the rewards back. That fee is on top of the late-payment fee — $19 or $38 depending on your balance. A penalty interest rate, currently 27 percent, would be assessed on future balances.

To avoid the headache: Always know when your bill is due and pay on time. Set up e-mail billing alerts for your card.

Manage your account online (many banks allow free online bill pay, and with major credit card companies, the payments often post the same day the payment is scheduled).

Read the fine print. Terms and conditions change.

— Associated Press