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 baseball glove and a luggage
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Miles and the 2025 MLB All-Star Game: A Winning Combo
The 2025 MLB All-Star Game will take place at Truist Park in Atlanta on July 15th, marking the third time the city has hosted this iconic event. I've always found Atlanta's energy remarkable when a major sporting event arrives, and this All-Star Week running from July 11–15 is already generating...
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Is United’s 100% Miles Bonus Worth It?
From my perspective, it's always exciting to see an airline roll out a promotional offer that feels like a potentially game-changing way to save on future travel. When I first heard about United's up to 100% bonus on purchased MileagePlus miles, my mind drifted to all those long-haul flights and...
a passport and a suitcase in front of an airplane
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American Airlines Resumes Summer Flights to Copenhagen and Naples
What's New This Summer I've noticed how travelers crave more choices when booking transatlantic flights, and American Airlines really stepped up in 2024 by restarting seasonal routes to both Copenhagen (CPH) and Naples (NAP). According to recent data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, these types of expansions support an overall...
a bull running on a street
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Chase the Bulls: Booking Pamplona’s Running of the Bulls With Miles
Few events capture raw excitement quite like Pamplona's Running of the Bulls. Each July 6–14, I find myself drawn to this high-octane spectacle, shoulder to shoulder with a crowd of travelers eager to witness the fiery tradition of six bulls thundering through Pamplona's streets. It's a moment when the city...
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Live and Let’s Fly
Air India 787 Crash Update: Preliminary Report Shows Fuel Switches Flipped Seconds After Takeoff
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its preliminary report on the June 12, 2025 crash of Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8. The jet crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and 19 on the ground. Preliminary Air India 787...
You Are Travel
Yikes: Turkish Partially Reneges on Its Challenge
Tl;dr – A reminder to choose the programs you chase carefully.  In a measure of irony, I’m writing…
One Mile at a Time
Whoa: Delta Planning Los Angeles To Hong Kong Flights!
Here’s something I didn’t necessarily see happening imminently, especially given the particular route…
You Are Travel
Wow: Here’s Where the Next Ritz-Carlton Reserve Will Be and It Sounds Like Wildlife Is Involved
Tl;dr – Marriott inked a seven-property deal with Ventive Hospitality, which will include a new Ritz-Carlton Reserve in…
One Mile at a Time
Fifth Freedom Flights: What Are They, And Why Do They Exist?
I often write about fifth freedom flights, though don’t typically go into much detail on why they exist, what their significance is, etc. While avgeeks and longtime readers will probably know what these are, I figured it would be useful to have a consolidated post about these very cool types...
View from the Wing
Video: Fired Hotel Worker Goes Berserk, Destroys Breakfast Buffet At Marriott In Denver [Roundup]
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips. Continue reading Video: Fired Hotel Worker Goes Berserk, Destroys Breakfast Buffet At Marriott In Denver [Roundup]...
Eye of the Flyer
Names for New Delta Card, Clear Concierge Service, Mega 100k Card Offers, Revenue Based Royal Caribbean, Dangers of Cruising and More!
Well this has been an interesting first half of the year so far including weather nightmares that seem to be disrupting everyone’s travels. Now that we are in Q3 my travels are picking up and I am looking forward to many reviews. But for now the week that was: While...
Frequent Miler
The best lounge card you didn’t know about, Turkish surprises but doesn’t delight, and more [Week in Review]
My wife and I spent all day yesterday planning our full route for JetBlue’s 25 for 25 promotion. I literally sat in a chair next to her in the nail salon yesterday as we talked over airports and flights (I can only imagine how ridiculous we must have sounded to...
Travel Points Playbook
Best Rate Guarantee Trick: Price Match Hyatt All-Inclusives to “Themselves”?
We are big fans of the Hyatt all-inclusive portfolio having visited 5 different Ziva or Zilara properties over…
Live and Let’s Fly
Great Coffee In Paris
Paris is known for many things, but coffee is not one of them. Nevertheless, I’ve found two wonderful coffee shops (chains as it turns out) that I look forward to returning to. Best Coffee In Paris First up, a little coffee shop in the Vendôme neighborhood called Café Nuances. Café...
Live from a Lounge
Bad Fuel, Bird Strikes are some of the theories now ruled out for Air India 171 Fatal Incident
In the wake of the AI 171 incident, a lot of theories came about. Some of those have been put to rest. Here is what we know so far. The post Bad Fuel, Bird Strikes are some of the theories now ruled out for Air India 171 Fatal Incident appeared...
Monkey Miles
Amex Offers: Spend $250 at IHG get $50 back
Amex Offers: Spend $250 at IHG get $50 back ( Holiday Inn®, EVEN®, etc ) The post Amex Offers: Spend $250 at IHG get $50 back appeared first on Monkey Miles.
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Aerobridge crashes into A380 causing 21 hour delay to Johannesburg flight
At Sydney Airport, an aerobridge has rammed the engine cowel of a Qantas A380, delays hundreds of passengers for 21 hours on a 14 hour flight to Johannesburg. Images of the accident, some shot from inside the aircraft show the bottom portion of an airobridge hitting the coweling of one...
Sam Chui
Preliminary Report on Air India Crash Points to Fuel Switch Error
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its preliminary report on the Air India flight AI171 crash, pointing to a cockpit fuel switch error and raising questions about pilot actions. The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner experienced a fatal loss of thrust just seconds into flight, with investigators now focusing...
The Shutterwhale
Earn 777 Bonus Points Per Night at Casino Hotels with World of Hyatt – Stay by 30 September 2025
Register now to earn 777 Bonus Points per night on eligible Hyatt stays at casino hotels between 14 July and 30 September 2025.
The Bulkhead Seat
Delta Launches First-Ever Nonstop Service Between Salt Lake City and South America
Delta Air Lines is launching its first-ever nonstop service from Salt Lake City International… The post Delta Launches First-Ever Nonstop Service Between Salt Lake City and South America appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Points With a Crew
Amazon Prime Day 2025 Ends Tonight – Still Tons of Deals on Tech, Travel and More
Only a few hours left for Amazon Prime Day 2025, but there are still great Prime Day Deals on travel accessories, technology and other interesting deals. These go fast, so make sure and ...
The Bulkhead Seat
United Now Lets Passengers See Their Upgrade Chances 30 Days Before a Flight
I’ve long lauded United Airlines for its excellent app and website functionality. I find… The post United Now Lets Passengers See Their Upgrade Chances 30 Days Before a Flight appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
How Should You Dress As a Passenger Aboard an Airplane?
Once upon a time, flying as a passenger in an airplane was an upscale experience. If you were to believe some of the advertisements from the 1960s and prior decades, you experienced impeccable service and opulence — even when seated in the economy class cabin. Fast forward to today, where the...
You Are Travel
Hilton Just Opened a Flagship Hotel in This Underrated Italian City
Tl;dr – The Hilton Turin enters as one of just a handful of point hotels in the Northwestern…
One Mile at a Time
Air India Boeing 787 Crashed Because Fuel Control Switches Were Shut Off
On June 12, 2025, we saw anAir India Boeing 787 crash after takeofffrom Ahmedabad, killing 260 people. This is the most fatal aviation accident globally in roughly a decade, the most fatal aviation accident in India in over three decades, and its also probably the most mysterious since MH370.What would...
Frequent Miler
United Cards: Get 15,000 miles for adding an authorized user (targeted)
Earlier today, Stephen got an email from Chase offering him 15,000 bonus United miles for adding an authorized user to his United Gateway card by September 30th. The title of the email was, “Stephen, earn 15,000 bonus miles when you add an authorized user.” It sounds like this offer is...
The Bulkhead Seat
Passenger Who Punched Gate Agent at Washington Dulles Faces 10 Years in Prison
Back in March, I wrote about Christopher Stuart Crittenden, 54, of Frederick, MD. He… The post Passenger Who Punched Gate Agent at Washington Dulles Faces 10 Years in Prison appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Frequent Miler
No longer traveling? How to cash out your transferable points | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep314 | 7-11-25
On this podcast episode, we find out that Turkish has killed their million mile promo, we talk about Ritz card rumors, and we shed some light on how Greg’s uncle can redeem his transferable points for cash. No longer traveling? How to cash out your transferable points Watch the full...
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Frequent Flyer’s Guide to the Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede, often referred to as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth," has captured my imagination from the moment I first read about its storied history. Launched as an agricultural fair in 1886 and later revived by Guy Weadick in 1912, it has become a 10-day, annual celebration that...
an airplane flying in the sky
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Flying to Lille for the 2025 Tour de France Kickoff
I've always been drawn to the way the Tour de France blends intense athleticism with a celebration of local culture, turning each Grand Départ into a can't-miss event. Now that it's 2025, Lille is the place to be on July 5 for cycling's biggest kickoff. From its historical streets to...
a family sitting on a bench in an airport
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A Frequent Flyer’s Guide to Family Seating in Basic Economy
Basic Economy fares might look like a dream deal at first glance, but I've found through my own experiences that family seating can quickly become a juggling act if you're not prepared. I've studied countless fares and seating charts over the years, and it's clear that families need a plan...
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Maximizing Points for a Busy July 4th Getaway
In 2025, I've been watching the summer travel season reach unprecedented heights, with AAA estimating around 72.2 million Americans on the move for Independence Day. TSA projections also hint at record-breaking airport screenings as more people leverage remote work and turn short getaways into extended escapes. All this means higher...
people walking in front of a window with a flag and airplanes
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Sky-High July 4 Travel at LAX, O’Hare & More
The Fourth of July holiday in 2025 is shaping up to be one of the busiest travel periods in recent memory. AAA has forecasted that between 70 and 72.2 million Americans will either drive or fly during this holiday window, which surpasses even pre-pandemic levels. I've noticed in my own...
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Travel Insurance Essentials for Frequent Flyers
Frequent flyers know that every trip can come with unexpected twists—from last-minute cancellations to sudden medical emergencies. I've learned that having travel insurance can be a real lifeline, helping you recover costs and keep your peace of mind no matter how often you're in the air. A recent industry survey...
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12 Essential Travel Apps for Smooth Summer Trips
I've always believed that a well-planned summer trip can feel like a smooth breeze rather than a whirlwind. Yet, from booking flights to finding last-minute accommodations, those unexpected snags often pop up along the way. Good thing digital tools have come a long way—these days, there's an app for practically...
a collage of buildings and a tower
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Portugal & Japan: Summer 2025’s Top Picks for Frequent Flyers
Frequent flyers ready to take off in the summer of 2025 will find that Portugal and Japan still sit comfortably at the top of my must-visit list. I've encountered countless stories from fellow travelers who speak of Portugal's hidden gems and Japan's seamless blend of tradition and futurism. It's clear...