Traveling For Miles
Quick tip: Don’t convert Amex points to Avios right now
If you're in need of Avios (British Airways, Iberia, or Aer Lingus) and are thinking of converting some Amex Membership Rewards points to satisfy that need, it may pay to hold off right now if your circumstances allow.
Economy Class & Beyond
Last Week at Econony Class and Beyond (25th July)
It’s that time of the week again – we’ve hit the end of the week and almost the end of July. But it’s time to look back at a week at Economy Class and Beyond. Even after in passing, Ozzy Ozborne can’t be held down. Celebrating the first Ozzy Day,...
Economondo
Qatar Airways’ Worst Product? Dubai to Doha on an Old A330
Read my review of a Qatar Airways Airbus A330-200 on a short flight from Dubai to Doha
Traveling For Miles
The wreckage of a hugely significant Pan Am flight has been found
The wreckage of a Pan Am Douglas DC-4 that went down off Puerto Rico in 1952 has been found on the floor of the Atlantic, 74 years later. On the face of things, this may not sound like a big deal and the Clipper Endeavor is not a name most people...
Also on BoardingArea
One Mile at a Time
My Honest Four Seasons Yacht Cruise Experience: Amazing Ship & Crew, But Not Frictionless
Hello from Dubrovnik, as I just completed a cruise with Four Seasons Yachts, which is Four Seasons’ new cruising venture. I’ve been fascinated by the recent trend of luxury hotel groups launching cruise brands, and it’s wild to see how quickly this industry is evolving.
View from the Wing
Booked A Non-Refundable Hotel By Mistake? Here Are The Moves That Get Your Money Back
Non-refundable hotel bookings are not always impossible to fix, especially when there is an obvious mistake caught right away. But when a reservation runs through a third-party portal, the hotel, booking engine, and portal all have to communicate — and even when the refund happens, the traveler may never be...
Eye of the Flyer
A Surprise Birth Before a Royal Caribbean Cruise, Carnival’s Fork-and-Feet Incident, a 100K Points Offer Ending Soon, Hotel Cards Expiring July 29, and a Rocket Launcher Hoax at LaGuardia — Weekly Recap
I have traveled to many parts of the world and seen people behaving in some truly questionable ways. But this week Chris published a post about a Carnival cruise passenger that made me almost throw up. I’ll let you read it for yourself — but I will say this: should...
View from the Wing
American Airlines 787 Diverts To Dublin After Most Cabin Crew Fall Ill — Passengers May Be Owed $200,000
American Airlines flight AA719 diverted to Dublin after about six of nine flight attendants became dizzy and ill, leaving as few as three unaffected.
Traveling For Miles
Quick tip: Don’t convert Amex points to Avios right now
If you're in need of Avios (British Airways, Iberia, or Aer Lingus) and are thinking of converting some Amex Membership Rewards points to satisfy that need, it may pay to hold off right now if your circumstances allow.
Live and Let’s Fly
Even Your Transferable Points Buy Less Now
Chase trimmed Hyatt, Citi cut two hotel partners, and Amex slashed Flying Blue abroad. The points sold as inflation proof are being devalued.
Live from a Lounge
More positive news for HDFC Bank BizPower Customers: 22 Transfer Partners added
HDFC Bank is out and about pumping up HDFC Bank BizPower to be one of their best business credit cards. Here are the new details.
One Mile at a Time
Lufthansa Allegris Business Class Seat Fees Explained: A Complicated System
Lufthansa is in the process of rolling out its much anticipated new Allegris business class cabins, and so far, they’re installed on select Airbus A350-900s and Boeing 787-9s, consistently available on some long haul routes.
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
American Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner Makes Emergency Landing After Six Flight Attendants Suddenly Fall Ill
An American Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with as many as 284 passengers on board made an emergency landing in Dublin, Ireland, on Saturday afternoon after six of the eight flight attendants on the service from Rome to Philadelphia reportedly felt ill as the plane started its transatlantic service. American Airlines...
Frequent Miler
Last Chance Deals: 4 transfer bonuses, increased Hilton card offers, many Amex Offers, & more
Welcome to our weekly list of what’s ending this week as well as a collection of some other deals that are due to end soon. Friday is the last day of the month, so there are lots of deals ending this week. That includes transfer bonuses to Virgin Atlantic, Frontier, IHG,...
Points With a Crew
I may have found the worst Priority Pass lounge in the United States
A lounge with literally NO food options at all? I think that makes it the worst Priority Pass lounge in the United States, and maybe even the world...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
What Is Wrong With This Photograph? Part 363
Smyrna Inn in Georgia is currently an independent form of lodging that used to be part of the Knights Inn brand, which was once part of Wyndham Hotels before it was sold to Red Lion Hotels Corporation for approximately $27 million, which then became a part of Sonesta International Hotels Corporation on...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 26 July, 2026
Hello travellers, Greetings from Sydney! I’ve had a very comforting week at home. The first few instalments of the Oh Canada! Trip reports have started dropping, including my experience checking in at the Qantas First Counter in Sydney and my flight on a Dreamliner to Vancouver. What happened last week? Qantas has...
The Bulkhead Seat
2026 Weekly Review: July 25th
Greetings from Chicago! I spent some time in Boston this week and am back…
Frequent Miler
How to pack for travel in “modest” cultures (A Carrie commentary)
There are many parts of the world where dressing “modestly” feels most comfortable (for me anyway) for both trying to be respectful of cultural norms but also for just existing more comfortably without attracting excess attention. Especially in places where foreigners are still quite a spectacle, I do what I...
Your Mileage May Vary
Ever Notice How Many U.S. Hotels Are Owned By Indian-Americans? Here’s Why.
If you’ve traveled around the United States for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed something. A surprising number of hotels and motels—especially smaller properties and roadside inns—are owned by…
View from the Wing
Amex Told Investors Platinum Is Its Fastest-Growing U.S. Card — But Benefit Costs Ballooned 50%
American Express told investors that Platinum is now its fastest-growing U.S. consumer card, helping drive spending growth even as the annual fee rises to $895. But the earnings call also showed how expensive that success has become, with cardmember services costs surging 50% as Amex pours money into credits, lounges,...
One Mile at a Time
Weekly Review: July 25, 2026
I hope everyone is having a nice weekend so far! We’ve just wrapping up a cruise on Four Seasons Yachts, which has been quite the experience, so I’ll have some initial impressions on that shortly. After that, I continue my journey to Saudi Arabia, flying Saudia and Riyadh Air, which...
Points With a Crew
Don’t you DARE try to check in at 6 pm
Oh yeah? You're going to try to check in at 6pm? Not on MY watch mister!
Your Mileage May Vary
This Is (One Of) Our Most Favorite Thing(s) In New Orleans
There are plenty of places in New Orleans where you can hear live music. Preservation Hall is different. Sitting inside that small room, only a few feet from the musicians,…
Economy Class & Beyond
Last Week at Econony Class and Beyond (25th July)
It’s that time of the week again – we’ve hit the end of the week and almost the end of July. But it’s time to look back at a week at Economy Class and Beyond. Even after in passing, Ozzy Ozborne can’t be held down. Celebrating the first Ozzy Day,...
Miles To Memories
Look Beyond Loyalty Programs – Those Other Ways I Save While Traveling
Using loyalty program points is the primary method many use to save while traveling, but so many other options exist.
View from the Wing
American Airlines Finally Lets Customers Choose Refunds During Cancellation, But Still Nudges Them Toward Credits
American Airlines now lets customers choose a cash refund during the cancellation flow for refundable tickets, instead of canceling first and requesting money back separately. But the airline still pitches instant travel credits, which can expire, as the faster option.
The Bulkhead Seat
Airplane Seat-Swapping Etiquette: Why Cursing Someone Out Is the Fastest Way to Lose
One Mile at a Time shared tips on airplane seat-swapping etiquette this morning and…
Traveling For Miles
Citi ThankYou Rewards: Transfer partners & transfer times [2026 Edition]
Citi ThankYou points are one of the four big transferable currencies in the miles & points world and can be earned by using select Citi credit cards (e.g. the Citi Strata Premier® Card), and these points can be transferred across to a variety of other travel loyalty programs.
Economy Class & Beyond
Digging a little deeper in to UK Airport Drop off fees… what about the free options?
There’s been a story floating around the wires this week, with the RAC publishing a story on the cost of dropping off someone at a UK airport (and the prices going up). With nearly all charging for the privilege, there’s a little more to the story.  Let’s investigate. It costs...
Traveling For Miles
Can you earn hotel points & elite credits on multiple rooms?
The question of elite credits normally gets raised as the end of the year approaches and travelers realise that they're still short of the few nights to re-qualify for whatever hotel status they hold. This year I've been asked the question a little earlier but I thought I'd address it...
Traveling For Miles
Deal: Get $100 on $1,000 of Air Canada spending [Targeted]
Chase is currently targeting select card holders for a saving on a future Air Canada booking and the good news is that the booking window is, by Chase's standards, relatively generous (you don't have to book by tomorrow!).
Traveling For Miles
Iberia is running a strange US and Mexico Economy Class sale
Iberia is currently running a sale on flights to the United States and Mexico but this is one of the stranger sales that I've seen an airline release - the prices aren't particularly impressive and the travel dates are just weird.
Economy Class & Beyond
Aerolíneas Argentinas signs leases for 14 new aircraft
We’re onto one of the last deals announced at Farnborough 2026, with Aerolíneas Argentinas signing lease agreements for 14 New Aircraft. The company signed agreements with lessors at the Farnborough International Airshow and is moving forward with a plan to renew 25% of its total fleet and 60% of its...
Traveling For Miles
How to access Amex Centurion Lounges (and where the lounges are)
The first American Express Centurion Lounge was opened in Las Vegas in 2013 and since then, Amex has rolled out its lounge concept to multiple locations around the US as well as to select international locations. In this article we take a look at who can access these Centurion Lounges, what...
Traveling For Miles
Reminder: Earn 20,000 bonus Amex points on Air France/KLM bookings [Targeted]
This is a reminder (because, for some reason, it just reappeared on my Platinum card) that Amex is running a good offer for spending with two SkyTeam airlines - Air France and KLM - which allows targeted cardholders to earn an impressive 20,000 bonus Amex points when they spend just...