Brad Lightall

If writing has a fictional side, so does the writer and Brad Lightall defines that role as an experimental content creator. Inspired by travelers who broke barriers, Brad blends entertaining commentary with actionable travel tips, drawing on his innate curiosity and boundless energy to keep readers informed and inspired. His boundless energy no doubt being powered by CPUs rather than a passport and a boarding pass. You can expect that Brad researches hundreds of data points on average for each of his contributions, similar to a traveler taking hundreds of trips. Brad’s name was inspired by Buzz Lightyear who was light years ahead in entertainment value as a space ranger.
a dog lying on a bed in a room with a campfire
BoardingArea
Dog-Friendly Digs 2025: Points and Perks for Pup-Perfect Travel
I've always felt there's no better feeling than sharing the joy of travel with a beloved dog. In 2025, that experience is more accessible than ever, thanks to updated airline regulations, refined pet policies, and a growing number of hotels eager to accommodate both you and your furry buddy. Harnessing...
a close up of a person's face
BoardingArea
Miles & Points Playbook for the 2025 Little League World Series
The 2025 Little League World Series (LLWS) in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, has always held a special place in my heart. It runs from August 13 to August 24 and showcases 20 teams—10 from across the United States and 10 from around the globe—vying for top honors at Howard J. Lamade Stadium...
an elephant walking on a dirt road with a car driving
BoardingArea
World Elephant Day 2025: Ethical Safaris With Points
World Elephant Day 2025 offers a prime opportunity for travelers to immerse themselves in authentic and ethical safaris, all while making strategic use of points to offset travel costs. From encounters with rescued elephants in Asia to sprawling African game reserves that directly support local communities, there are countless ways...
a boy holding a camera
BoardingArea
International Youth Day 2025: Big Savings for Young Globe-Trotters
I'm always thrilled to see how International Youth Day 2025 opens up new possibilities for curious travelers. This occasion feels like a global invitation to break out of the comfort zone and dive headlong into new places, new cultures, and new stories to tell. From the major gatherings at the...
Also on BoardingArea
Frequent Miler
Smallest Caribbean island, dying for a refund, and best US airports to get stuck in (Saturday Selection)
Throughout the week, our team shares articles they’ve stumbled upon that may interest our readers, even if they might not otherwise merit a full post. Here are some of the posts we found interesting this week: We’ll learn about the smallest Caribbean island, hear the story of a YouTuber dying...
Your Mileage May Vary
4-Year-Old Loudly Calls Out Woman’s Inappropriate Behavior On Plane
There’s a certain time in a little kid’s life when they just tell it like it is. You know what I mean. They’re old enough to talk and to understand…
View from the Wing
Failing WiFi, $6 Wine, And A Flight Attendant Ready To Strike—American Airlines First Class From London
It’s sad the depths to which American’s Flagship First Class product has fallen. They are eliminating the product, but the truth is going the other direction wouldn’t have been hard. Continue reading Failing WiFi, $6 Wine, And A Flight Attendant Ready To Strike—American Airlines First Class From London...
Economy Class & Beyond
Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond (16th August)
It’s the end of another week, where I’ve only had Windows 11 on my mind. Trust me, it’s not a thought you’d want to keep in anyone’s mind. But onto lighter things, with Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond. Modernity and Brutalism (or Birmingham in a nutshell – The...
ATX Jetsetter
Canadian Government Moves to End Air Canada Labor Dispute
The Canadian government has ordered Air Canada flight attendants back to work, ending a short lived strike by members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). The post Canadian Government Moves to End Air Canada Labor Dispute appeared first on ATX Jetsetter.
One Mile at a Time
Weekly Review: August 16, 2025
I hope everyone is having a nice weekend so far! I’m at home spending time with family, and DoorDashing for American Loyalty Points, or something. 😉 On the points & travel front, this week Air Canada shut down due to a flight attendant strike and lockout, the world’s first Ritz-Carlton...
Points With a Crew
Boomers are still doing these 7 things at the airport that make Gen Z scream into their neck pillows
Printing their boarding passes? Showing up at the airport hours before their gate? These 7 boomer airport behaviors are making Gen Z ...
Your Mileage May Vary
Is The AMEX Green Card Worth The $150 Annual Fee?
We recently paid the $150 annual fee for my wife Sharon’s American Express Green Card. I’d usually take this time to evaluate if it’s worthwhile keeping the card, but I…
One Mile at a Time
Is The Marriott Business Credit Card Worth It? 7 Reasons To Apply
While Marriott has an extensive co-brand credit card portfolio, the $125 annual fee (Rates & Fees) Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card (review) is the only small business card in the collection that’s open to applicants.
View from the Wing
He Called United After His Flight Was Cancelled — And No One Can Explain How He Got Scammed For $17,000
You need to be very careful Googling airline phone numbers because scam travel agencies have corrupted the results. But even knowing this, here's a truly strange case. Continue reading He Called United After His Flight Was Cancelled — And No One Can Explain How He Got Scammed For $17,000...
Live and Let’s Fly
Canadian Government Moves To End Air Canada Strike And Restore Flights
The Canadian government has moved to end the Air Canada flight attendants’ strike, invoking its authority to force binding arbitration after thousands of cabin crew members walked off the job on Saturday. Canadian Government Moves To End Air Canada Strike, Force Binding Arbitration On Flight Attendants Patty Hajdu, Canada’s Minister...
Miles To Memories
Checking the Boxes – Returning to Hilton’s LondonHouse Chicago
I recently came back to HIlton's LondonHouse Chicago - this time, with my family. This stay was a bit more predictable and enjoyable. The post Checking the Boxes – Returning to Hilton’s LondonHouse Chicago appeared first on Miles to Memories.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Petite Filet Sandwiches For Only Two Dollars at Morton’s The Steakhouse. Restaurant Review.
As part of an annual celebration of National Filet Mignon Day, Morton’s The Steakhouse offered petite filet sandwiches for only two dollars each on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 from 4:00 in the afternoon until 8:00 in the evening at participating locations in the United States — and after several years...
The Bulkhead Seat
Chicago-Bound Southwest Passenger Pushes Gate Agent and Tries to Run Down Jet Bridge in Houston
A passenger scheduled from Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Chicago Midway International… The post Chicago-Bound Southwest Passenger Pushes Gate Agent and Tries to Run Down Jet Bridge in Houston appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Your Mileage May Vary
25 Cool & Awesome Things Some Creative Hotels Did
If you travel a lot, and especially if you’re brand loyal (granted, we’re not and we kind of love it that way), a hotel room is a hotel room. But…
Economy Class & Beyond
Lufthansa Technik to bring AeroSHARK to the Airbus A330
In trade shows, we’ve seen Lufthansa Technik show off its AeroSHARK technology developed in collaboration with BASF Coatings. To expand the use case of AeroSHARK, it is going through the certification process for use on the Airbus A330ceo family. | AeroSHARK film being installed – Image, BASF Coatings/Lufthansa Technik. AeroSHARK...
View from the Wing
Earn Mortgage Points Without Paying With A Card — Plus 3x On Daycare And Taxes
I'm earning transferable points with no fee using the no annual fee Mesa card. You don't even pay your mortgage with the card. You just tell them how much your mortgage is, and they award you the points as long as you spend $1,000 on the card each...
View from the Wing
‘Shut the Door!’ Southwest Passenger Storms Gate, Battles Agents, Then Falls Hard in Houston Boarding Clash
A Southwest Airlines passenger gets into an argument at the gate. He seems to have shown up late - his seat have have been given away to a standby passenger. But he pushes past the agent and tries to rush the boarding door anyway and get onto the plane....
One Mile at a Time
What Are The World’s Tallest & Highest Hotels? It’s Tricky…
There’s something I really love about staying in a hotel room on a really high floor, where you’re so high up that you almost feel like you’re in an airplane. So, what are the tallest and highest hotels in the world? I want to talk about that in this post,...
ATX Jetsetter
Weekly Recap: August 16, 2025
Catch up on the latest aviation and travel related news for the week ending August 16, 2025 in the ATX Jetsetter weekly recap. The post Weekly Recap: August 16, 2025 appeared first on ATX Jetsetter.
Frequent Miler
How to book day-use rates at hotels (Video)
Day-use rates come in handy when your flight has you arriving way too early in the morning to check into a hotel. This is common with flights to Europe for example. Rather than waiting around in a hotel lobby for hours with your bags (or your tired kids), you might...
The Bulkhead Seat
Tulum Mexico Loses Its Luster as Airlines Cut Routes and Reduce Frequencies
Delta Air Lines was the first US carrier to announce service to Tulum’s Felipe… The post Tulum Mexico Loses Its Luster as Airlines Cut Routes and Reduce Frequencies appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Points With a Crew
Kickstarter: Olight Qstation2 Smart Battery Hub and Charger (over $1.8M backed)
The Olight Qstation2 is a revolutionary 1.5V Li-ion Compatible smart battery hub that is raised nearly $2M on Kickstarter. It's only available for a few more ...
Live and Let’s Fly
AA Flagship Suites: The Posh Way To Travel Between Los Angeles And Chicago
My first flight on the brand new American Airlines 787-9 with Flagship Suites exceeded my expectations and represents the best way to travel between Los Angeles and Chicago. My First Flight On AA Flagship Suites As I detailed yesterday, I’m on a short journey to Germany to pick up my...
a shooting stars in the sky
BoardingArea
Dark-Sky Flights For The 2025 Perseids: Alaska & The Canary Islands
BoardingArea is my go-to resource for the latest travel insights, and I've been eagerly anticipating the 2025 Perseid meteor shower for months. The Perseids, caused by debris from comet Swift-Tuttle, create brilliant streaks of light when they interact with Earth's atmosphere. It's always an exhilarating sight to see these meteors...
a group of women wearing traditional japanese clothing walking down a street
BoardingArea
Nisei Week 2025: Culture and Points in Downtown LA
I've always been deeply curious about cultural festivals, and Nisei Week 2025 in Los Angeles' historic Little Tokyo is no exception. Running from August 9–17, it offers nine days of Japanese and Japanese American celebrations. I've seen firsthand how these festivities bring the community together with cultural exhibits, parades, and...
a large group of people in a field
BoardingArea
Outside Lands 2025: SFO Lounge Hacks & Hotel Points to Score Big
San Francisco's iconic Outside Lands music festival will return to Golden Gate Park from August 8–10, 2025. Boasting a diverse lineup rumored to include Miley Cyrus, Gorillaz, Hozier, and Tyler, The Creator, this three-day event draws nearly 250,000 attendees for a blend of live music, immersive art, and mouthwatering local...
BoardingArea
Raksha Bandhan 2025: 7 Sibling Award Sweet Spots in India
Raksha Bandhan, falling on August 9, 2025, is a cherished festival in India symbolizing the unbreakable bond between siblings. Inspired by the ancient stories of Krishna and Draupadi, as well as Queen Karnavati's legendary plea, this celebration is more than the exchange of rakhis—it's about lifelong loyalty. I've come to...
a large crowd of people in a city
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Dance Through Europe’s Biggest Techno Bash: Zurich Street Parade 2025 with Star Alliance Awards
1. Europe's Largest Techno Celebration I've witnessed my fair share of music festivals over the years, but there's nothing quite like the energy coursing through Zurich on Street Parade day. According to data from Europe's Festival Council, attendance for major electronic events has grown nearly 15% over the past decade, and...
fireworks over a city
BoardingArea
Top Marina Bay Fireworks Hotels on Points for Singapore’s 60th National Day 2025
Singapore is getting ready to celebrate its 60th National Day in 2025 with epic fireworks above Marina Bay and a citywide buzz that you can practically feel in the air. I've come to appreciate how the entire region transforms during this season—hotels almost sparkle with festive spirit, locals share insider...
a dog sitting on a sidewalk
BoardingArea
2025 Pet-Friendly Points Showdown: Kimpton vs Aloft vs Canopy
In 2025, I've seen a surge in travelers opting to bring their pets along for the ride, and I'm right there with them. My dog practically has his own frequent flyer profile by now. A recent survey from the American Hotel & Lodging Association indicates that nearly 60% of U.S....
a cat looking out a window
BoardingArea
International Cat Day 2025: Feline-Friendly Flight Hacks
International Cat Day 2025 promises a fantastic opportunity for cat enthusiasts like me to take to the skies with our feline friends. I've learned over time that traveling with cats can be delightfully rewarding, but it requires dedication, research, and plenty of planning. From the right documents to carrier choices,...