Wild About Travel
Marvellous 12 days in Japan
It is a bit of a grim world right now, so I thought I would share a positive, beautiful, and delicious 1000-mile journey through one of my favourite countries in Sakura (Cherry blossom). Despite it being insanely busy, I enjoyed the landscapes, food, museums, shopping, temples, parks, and, of course,...
One Mile at a Time
Luxury Hotel Spas & Happy Ending Massages: Common? Problematic?
A longtime OMAAT reader who asked to remain anonymous shared an interesting story with me. I have my own thoughts on this, and I’d be curious to hear how others feel…
Miles To Memories
Why I Will No Longer Be Using Apple Pay While Traveling
I share why I Won't Use Apple Pay any more when traveling. That is especially true when traveling abroad. Am I just being paranoid? Maybe
Your Mileage May Vary
Why Flying Through Europe Feels So Confusing (It’s Not Just You)
If you’re used to flying within the U.S., the rules are pretty straightforward:Domestic flight? No passport.International flight? Passport. Then you fly through Europe… and suddenly none of that logic seems…
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Airports Say Full Introduction Of New European Biometric Entry Rules Went As Badly As They Feared On Friday
Friday marked the first day of the full rollout of Europe’s much-delayed biometric ‘Entry/Exit System’ (EES) system at airports across the bloc, and a major trade organization representing airports throughout Europe said it went as badly as it had feared. Passengers are facing wait times of up to three hours...
Your Mileage May Vary
Passenger Refused to Switch Seats—So This Mom Got Her Revenge
The problems involved with families not sitting together have been going on for as long as airlines have required people to pay to choose their seats. Either people don’t realize…
The Gate with Brian Cohen
One of the More Bizarre Hotel Rooms In Which I Have Ever Stayed: Tru by Hilton Hanoi Station. Hotel Review.
One of the more bizarre hotel rooms in which I have ever stayed was at the Tru by Hilton Hanoi Station hotel property, which is unlike its counterparts in the United States in many ways. The overall theme of this hotel property is...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
United Airlines Terminated 76-Year-Old Technician After He Took Bottle of Water to Drink While Suffering Heart Palpitations
United Airlines has been accused of sacking a long-serving 76-year-old aircraft technician after he took a bottle of water from an airplane because he was suffering heart palpitations and lightheadedness to the point at which he thought he was about to pass out unless he took a sip of water....
Your Mileage May Vary
Inaugural Cruise Breaks Down—With 200+ Travel Agents Onboard
A lot of people know not to make a reservation at a hotel when it’s brand new. There are just too many things that can go wrong. Construction might not…
Your Mileage May Vary
Malicious Compliance: When a Boss’s “Lowest Fare” Rule Backfired Spectacularly
When a higher-up demands the “lowest possible fare, lowest possible rate” as a cost-cutting measure, it’s supposed to apply to everyone—including the person who made the rule. A Reddit user…
One Mile at a Time
American Makes Basic Economy Much Worse, Especially For AAdvantage Elites
In the past couple of weeks, we’ve seen most US airlines hike checked bag fees, in an effort to increase revenue during a very challenging time (due to high oil prices). American has just matched those checked bag fee increases, but is taking it to the next level, and is...
View from the Wing
American Airlines Passengers Brawled On Final Approach To Miami — “She Had Her Elbow In Me The Whole Entire Time”
An American Airlines flight to Miami turned chaotic just before landing when a fight over armrest space escalated into a shouting match and physical confrontation while crew begged everyone to sit down.
Miles To Memories
I Swear I’m Done with Delta Amex Cards
We've held many Delta Amex cards over the years, but I'm on my last one ever. Our decision was a remarkably easy one.
Your Mileage May Vary
7 Signs You’ve Walked Into a Tourist Trap Restaurant
From massive menus to over-eager hosts, here’s how to spot a tourist trap before it ruins your meal. No matter where you travel, you’ve got to eat. And in tourist-heavy…
View from the Wing
Airport Lounge Guest Ordered Six Burgers And Filled Duffel Bags With Food — This Is Why Nice Things Don’t Last
Lounges got better, access expanded, and banks taught travelers to treat “free” as something to maximize at all costs — so now people wait in long lines to enter crowded rooms, hoard food, and turn what was supposed to feel premium into something closer to wartime siege.
Frequent Miler
90K Bilt points through welcome bonuses
Until recently, there weren’t many opportunities to earn many Bilt points through welcome bonuses. People previously earned Bilt points primarily through credit card spend, rewards for paying rent, and shopping or dining with Bilt’s partners. Two big developments have changed all that. First, with the rollout of Bilt 2.0, Bilt...
View from the Wing
American Airlines Let A Passenger Board, Then Said They Weren’t Checked In — And Kicked Them Off The Plane For A Standby
An American Airlines passenger scanned their boarding pass, answered the exit-row questions, took their seat, and thought they were on their way home to Austin. Then, after the whole plane had boarded, the airline gave that seat to a standby traveler, told the original passenger they were somehow “not checked...
View from the Wing
United’s Cheapest Business Fares Even Worse Than First Reported — No Flight Credit, And For Many Travelers No Miles
United’s cheapest business class fares are turning out to be more punitive than first advertised: beyond losing Polaris lounge access, seat selection, and no changes, many travelers will also earn no redeemable miles and get no flight credit toward status.
Live and Let’s Fly
Traveling In SAS Business Class With My Family On The A350, The Full Review
I’ve had consistently good experiences with SAS longhaul business class over the years and this flight was no exception…not just because of the comfortable seat and excellent food, but because of the timing. Flying to Europe on Christmas Eve is not how I’d normally choose to spend the holiday, but...
View from the Wing
United CEO Scott Kirby Pitched Buying American Airlines — The Man It Fired Wants The Ultimate Revenge Deal
Scott Kirby has reportedly pitched regulators on the idea of buying American Airlines, turning one of the strangest what-ifs in the industry into something at least serious enough to discuss in Washington. What makes the idea impossible to ignore is the backstory: Kirby was fired as American’s president, and a...
View from the Wing
United 777 Makes A Jaw-Dropping Low Approach Over A Newark Highway
A dashcam video is making a United Airlines arrival into Newark look almost unreal, with a Boeing 777 dropping low over a highway on short final to Runway 29. It is an eye-popping approach that resembles Sint Maarten to people seeing it for the first time, but the landing appears...
The Bulkhead Seat
Europe’s New Entry/Exit System Goes Fully Live This Week
Europe’s long-awaited Entry/Exit System is now fully operational and with it a shift in…
Your Mileage May Vary
Would You Fly 8 Hours On A Narrowbody? Alaska Thinks You Might
Airlines are stretching narrowbody flights longer than ever. At what point does it become too much? For years, U.S. travelers have gotten used to flying long distances on narrowbody planes.…
Your Mileage May Vary
This Might Be the Strangest Way To Use Aeroplan Points—But It Could Be A Good Value
I’ve seen points used for flights, hotels, upgrades, and even concert tickets, but this one caught me off guard. You can use Air Canada Aeroplan points for a Disney experience.…
TravelUpdate
American Express Platinum Card Changes 2026: Update List + Key Dates
American Express has announced a total of 5 changes on the American Express Platinum Card in 2026, here's what we know so far...