Wild About Travel
Crystal Balling
If that disruption lasts six months, it becomes a cash-flow problem, not just a flight problem. If there is a ceasefire next week, the first impact on travel will be operational, not emotional: flights should start normalising, but passenger behaviour will lag behind. The Gulf aviation system is enormous —...
2PAXfly
HONG KONG: Transit just got riskier for Australian travellers
If Hong Kong has been your go-to transit hub for Asia or Europe, You need to know about some recent changes. Hong Kong’s National Security Law, and how it’s enforced, are raising fresh concerns for travellers, including Australians, even if you’re only transiting through the airport. New powers on electronic...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 29 March, 2026
Greetings from Prague! Yes, I’m in Europe for a northern spring.  This is my first time in Prague, and I must say, despite the cold (I have just come from an Australian summer), I am loving it. I am being a total tourist too, so if posts are slow, its...
2PAXfly
NEW ROUTES 2026 #9: Finnair launches Melbourne to Helsinki via Bangkok
Savvy travellers have been picking up fares that are mainly flown on Finnair between Australia and Helsinki for some years. They have been marketed at competitive prices, especially in Business Class. This has been very attractive, if you don’t mind a stop in Asia, and possibly another in Helsinki, if...
Also on BoardingArea
Live from a Lounge
American Express launches new Centurion Lounge at Terminal 1, Delhi Airport
In January, American Express had to shut its Centurion Lounge at Delhi Airport’s Terminal 3 because GMR was reshaping the airport terminal to make space for international operations. Now, American Express has completed and launched the new lounge. American Express launches new Centurion Lounge American Express opened its new Centurion...
The Bulkhead Seat
Lufthansa Rolls Out New First Class Menus and Caviar Service
Lufthansa has officially launched its new Future Onboard Experience (known as FOX) to upgrade…
Frequent Miler
3x travel: Ink Preferred as an alternative to Sapphire Reserve
One of the things I hate most about the new couponified Chase Sapphire Reserve card is that it no longer offers 3X rewards for all travel. Combined with its best-in-class travel protections, the old Sapphire Reserve card was an easy and obvious choice when paying for any type of travel....
Your Mileage May Vary
JetBlue Just Raised Bag Fees—And Blames Rising Fuel Costs
It was only a matter of time: JetBlue has raised its checked bag fees. JetBlue has become the first U.S. airline to raise checked bag fees. They say it’s to…
Frequent Miler
Citi Strata Premier refresh rumors
Danny the Deal Guru reports on a rumored Citi Strata Premier refresh, based on survey questions that recently went out to existing cardholders. Keep in mind that surveys are not always reliable indicators of changes to come, but the changes being floated here would represent a significant downgrade in the...
Monkey Miles
17 Things you should immediately do with your American Express Platinum Card®
Got an American Express Platinum Card? Here are 14 things you should do immediately
Points With a Crew
Should you sign up for the Capital One Venture or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card? (Higher Offer Ending Soon)
Chase and Capital One both offer great mid-tier credit cards for travel points and miles. Which card is better?
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Significant Changes to United Airlines MileagePlus Program Effective As of April 2 2026
You may have already learned about the significant changes to the United Airlines MileagePlus membership program which will become effective as of Thursday, April 2, 2026 at midnight Central Daylight Time — so here is one last reminder of the details. First, tickets that are...
View from the Wing
Florida Just Renamed Palm Beach Airport For Trump — But It Won’t Actually Happen For Months
Florida just renamed Palm Beach airport for Trump. But the new name will not actually take effect for months. The law does not kick in until July 1, and there is still federal approval and a naming agreement to get through first.
Frequent Miler
Correction: Amex will remove Shop Saks benefit on July 1, 2026
Update: A representative from American Express has reached out with a correction. This benefit will continue to be available through June 30, 2026, for both new and existing cardholders. Starting on July 1, 2026, the Shop Saks benefit will be removed. Apparently, we can expect some new Platinum card-specific Amex...
Your Mileage May Vary
Is Hyatt Losing Touch With Its Most Loyal Guests?
Hyatt has always had a different kind of loyalty following. It’s smaller than Marriott or Hilton, the elite program has historically felt more meaningful, and many longtime guests stuck with…
View from the Wing
This Wasn’t TSA — It Was The Line To Get Into Delta’s LaGuardia Lounge [Roundup]
This wasn’t a TSA line — it was the crowd waiting to get into Delta’s lounge at LaGuardia. Also a fish on the DFW runway, the King of Thailand flying his own plane, and SiriusXM looking more obsolete by the day.
Frequent Miler
US Bank Altitude Reserve travel protections only cover transportation, not hotels
A reader in our Frequent Miler Insiders Facebook group points out a limitation I had long missed on the US Bank Altitude Reserve card: The card’s trip cancellation protection only applies to transportation booked through a common carrier. It does not offer any trip cancellation protection for accommodations (like hotel...
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Accor Hotels: Earn 3,000 bonus ALL Rewards points for stays in Europe & North Africa (Limited to 1,500 bookings)
ALL Accor Live Limitless members looking to book multiple night stays in Europe and North Africa in April should seriously consider booking right away with this offer! The 3,000 bonus points offer: Earn 3,000 bonus ALL Rewards points for stays of 2 or more nights at participating Accor Hotels in...
Miles To Memories
Caesars Breakup Rumors, Resorts World Kills Cashless + Justin Timberlake Residency Rumors?!
Caesars breakup rumors, more new tacos, debating NBA team names & the Vegas numbers aren't bad this month!
View from the Wing
Air Canada CEO Is Out For Recording Crash Video In English — It Makes Canada Look Ridiculous, But The Logic Is Real
Air Canada’s CEO is stepping down after recording an English-only video statement about a fatal crash, which makes Canada look more ridiculous than serious. But there is an internal logic to it. Once you put the airline’s special language obligations, Quebec politics, and the government’s leverage over Air Canada in...
Frequent Miler
Transfer bonus from Choice Privileges to Air France / KLM Flying Blue
Choice Privileges is currently offering a transfer bonus when you transfer Choice Privileges rewards points to Air France KLM Flying Blue. It’s normally a bad deal to transfer hotel points to an airline program, but if you have points stranded at Choice, or you’re just flush with Choice points, you...
One Mile at a Time
Complaining About Screaming Kids On Flights: When Is It Appropriate?
Hello, live from a mostly excellent (as usual) transatlantic Air France business class flight… and I have a question!
Points With a Crew
Kickstarter: ISOLA26 Waterproof Adventure Jacket
The ISOLA26 waterproof adventure jacket features 58 pockets, a Smart GPS system, and the SecureVault pocket system. It's on Kickstarter, but only for a few more ...
Your Mileage May Vary
Those Strange “Eyebrow Windows” On Older Boeing Planes—Here’s Why They Existed
If you’ve ever looked closely at older Boeing planes, you may have noticed something unusual above the cockpit. As is the case with nearly any vehicle, over the course of…
The Bulkhead Seat
SAS Celebrates 80 Years Since Its First Transatlantic Flight with Special Anniversary Livery
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is celebrating 80 years since its first transatlantic flight connected Stockholm…
One Mile at a Time
Interesting (To Me): American Admirals Clubs Are Getting Citi Branding
If you frequently visit American Airlines’ Admirals Club lounges, you’ll notice a subtle change to the branding…
Travel Codex
Why I love National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions is for those with the desire to explore the world on small ships in small groups and go beyond the typical cruise ports and destinations. With a dedicated fleet of expedition vessels, Lindblad goes both where the large ships do, but mostly far beyond. With National Geographic’s...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Earn 1,500 Bonus Points: Link Your Marriott Bonvoy and Uber Accounts — Plus…
Marriott Bonvoy has officially collaborated in partnership with Uber since Spring of 2021, which allows Marriott Bonvoy members to earn points toward free nights at a minimum of 34 hotel brands in greater than 10,000 destinations worldwide when requesting select Uber rides and ordering food and groceries from eligible merchants...
2PAXfly
AIRLINES: How to travel with GLP-1 medications
Travelling with GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro is very manageable on long-haul trips, but it does pay to understand how they handle temperature and how best to carry them onboard aircraft. Let’s start by saying DON’T ASK THE CREW TO STORE YOUR MEDICATION IN A REFRIGERATOR ON...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Boosts Europe flights as fares surge
If you’re trying to get to Europe right now, then Qantas is stepping up its international game. It’s ramping up flights to Europe as travellers scramble to avoid disrupted routes through the Middle East. But expect significantly higher prices. But while more seats are coming, it’s not quite the relief...
2PAXfly
WESTERN SYDNEY AIRPORT: Singapore Airlines flights now bookable as airports first major international carrier
Singapore Airlines will begin daily flights on an Airbus A350-900 from Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) from 23 November 2026, marking the airport’s first long-haul international service. Tickets for this service are available to book from this afternoon, Wednesday, 25 March 2026. Western Sydney International (WSI) is courting a number...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: new Classic Reward tool makes search easier. Doesn’t solve premium seat availability
Finding a Classic Reward seat redemption has always been a bit of a nightmare. It’s why third parties have been able to earn money doing it for you. This new tool from Qantas does make the task easier and more efficient, but it doesn’t resolve the root issue, which is...
Wild About Travel
The Gulf in Crisis: What Every Traveller Needs to Know Now
On 1 March, I shared a post called “Flying via the Middle East right now.” At that time, we were dealing with sudden airspace closures, missile threats, flight suspensions, and travelers stuck in airport terminals. Since then, things have only become more complicated and difficult as the conflict has worsened....
2PAXfly
NEW ROUTES 2026 #8: Fiji Airways adds Gold Coast flights
You will soon be able to fly direct from the Gold Coast to Fiji. That’s one holiday destination to another. But, the upside is that it may offer an interesting route to the US. From 11 June 2026, Gold Coast travellers can fly direct to Nadi three times weekly, connecting...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 22 March, 2026
I’ve been enjoying my week back in Sydney. I’ll soon be winging my way to Europe for a few weeks.  I’m set to experience some new destinations and a new airline. I hope to have some interesting blog posts for you along the way. What happened last week? Two more...
2PAXfly
EMIRATES ETIHAD QATAR: Extend status for loyal members
The big three Gulf carriers, that’s Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad Airways, have begun rolling out status protection measures for their loyalty members. They are aknowledging current reality that disrupted travel means fewer flights, and fewer flights mean it’s harder to retain status. Background The disruption caused by the war...