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 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...
a man walking with a suitcase
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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...
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a passport and a suitcase in front of an airplane
BoardingArea
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...
View from the Wing
Bilt Rewards Hits $10.75 Billion Valuation, Leaving Wells Fargo For 3 New Cardless Cards Coming In February
Bilt Rewards confirmed their new valuation of over $10 billion - specifically $10.75 billion - based on a $250 million fundraising round meant to fuel expansion beyond apartment rent and into homeownership. And they also shared big news: that they will be leaving Wells Fargo for Cardless. Continue reading Bilt Rewards...
One Mile at a Time
Wow: Bilt Launching Three Cardless Credit Cards, Ditching Wells Fargo
In late 2024, Bilt hinted at plans to make changes to its credit card portfolio, with the intent of moving to a tiered card structure. While details have been limited, a major announcement has just been made. Still, there are more questions than answers.
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Flight Attendants Aren’t Happy The Feds Didn’t Consult Them Over End Of ‘Shoes Off’ Policy At TSA Checkpoints
Flight attendants have expressed frustration that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not first consult them over its recent and unexpected decision to end the ‘shoes off’ policy at TSA security checkpoints at airports across the United States. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem officially announced the new policy on July...
Your Mileage May Vary
Internet Rumor of the Week: Ritz-Carlton Card Fee Hike Edition
Let’s start with the good news: The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card’s annual fee isn’t increasing. That’s according to Upgraded Points and Miles to Memories, who received confirmation directly from Chase. So…
Miles To Memories
Earn 2 Free Nights and 25K Points with World of Hyatt Credit Card
The World of Hyatt Credit Card has launched a limited time offer for new cardmembers, which is available now through August 28, 2025. The post Earn 2 Free Nights and 25K Points with World of Hyatt Credit Card appeared first on Miles to Memories.
View from the Wing
9 Big Insights From Delta Air Lines Earnings Call: Upgrades Are Officially Back, Business Class Will Lose Perks, Lounge Crowding Ends Next Year
Delta’s latest earnings discussion revealed a major shift in attitude and planning around bringing back upgrades, slashing premium cabin perks that come from buying business class, and promising to eliminate Sky Club overcrowding within the next 18-24 months. There was a lot more packed into this earnigns call than...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Memphis International Airport to Change Its Name
The board of commissioners of the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority passed a resolution on Thursday, June 26, 2025 approving for Memphis International Airport to change its name. The new name for the airport will be... The post Memphis International Airport to Change Its Name appeared first on The Gate.
Wingtips
British Airways Launches New Winter Routes to Madrid, Rabat and Graz
New route who dis? British Airways is expanding its short-haul game this winter with three brand new routes… The post British Airways Launches New Winter Routes to Madrid, Rabat and Graz appeared first on Wingtips.
One Mile at a Time
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigators Fail At Communication, Focus On Yoga
As we approach the 30-day anniversary of the horrific and mysterious crash of Air India flight AI171, I think it’s worth reflecting on what a poor job India’s regulators have done in communicating with the public.
Miles To Memories
Bilt Card 2.0 Coming in 2026 in Partnership with Cardless
In an email sent out to members today, Bilt has revealed major changes that are coming next year.  The post Bilt Card 2.0 Coming in 2026 in Partnership with Cardless appeared first on Miles to Memories.
Frequent Miler
Is Chase about to Bonvoy the Ritz-Carlton card? (Update: Guess not)
Update: A couple of days after the reddit thread below became widely reported, Chase emailed several blogs, telling us that there are no upcoming annual fee changes planned for the Ritz-Carlton Visa. This is really bizarre, given that we saw quite literally dozens of data points where both reps and supervisors...
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
July 10 Bonus Offer Highlight: Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles – 50% bonus status miles when earning with select partners
Today's bonus offer highlight is from Turkish Airlines who are offering 50% bonus status miles when earning miles with select non-airline partners. Check out all of the new bonuses added today: The post July 10 Bonus Offer Highlight: Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles – 50% bonus status miles when earning with select partners...
The Bulkhead Seat
American Airlines Expands Winter Schedule with New Sun Destinations and Increased Flights
American Airlines announced today that it’s adding several new routes to Mexico and the… The post American Airlines Expands Winter Schedule with New Sun Destinations and Increased Flights appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
The Alviator
Moxy Hotels: This One Might Be For Me!
A couple of weeks ago, I stayed at a Moxy hotel for the first time. This is why I found it a surprisingly good fit for my typical travel lifestyle. The post Moxy Hotels: This One Might Be For Me! appeared first on The Alviator.
Live from a Lounge
Virgin Atlantic to upgrade Boeing 787 aircraft, get Starlink on board, and more…
Virgin Atlantic will undergo a significant passenger Experience Upgrade, affecting everything from the lounges to the interior of the Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Here are the details of what is next at Virgin Atlantic. The post Virgin Atlantic to upgrade Boeing 787 aircraft, get Starlink on board, and more… appeared first...
One Mile at a Time
Which Qatar Airways Planes Have Qsuites? Here’s A Rundown…
Qatar Airways is well known for being a world-class airline, regardless of which cabin you’re traveling in. Qatar Airways is probably most famous for its Qsuites business class. In this post, I want to look at how you can figure out whether your plane is scheduled to feature Qsuites or...
Points With a Crew
Should you buy Hilton points with (up to) a 100% bonus?
Buying points can be a great way to boost your balance, but only if makes sense financially! Does the new Hilton promotion fit that criteria?
Live and Let’s Fly
Bryan Bedford Confirmed As FAA Administrator, Praised By United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby
Bryan Bedford has been confirmed as the new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) administrator, prompting a statement of praise from United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby. United Airlines CEO Applauds New FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford has served as CEO of Republic Airways Holdings since 1999 and was recently tapped by the Trump...
Your Mileage May Vary
TSA Officer Warns Against Putting Specific Item in Bin at Checkpoint
There was a time, before TSA began using CAT scanners at their security checkpoint, that you would put all your belongings onto the belt so it could be scanned. They…
Miles To Memories
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card 5 Free Nights Welcome Bonus Ending Soon
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card has a new welcome bonus that is worth up to 250,000 points. The post Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card 5 Free Nights Welcome Bonus Ending Soon appeared first on Miles to Memories.
One Mile at a Time
Park Hyatt Los Cabos Delays Opening, Disappoints Guests
The highly anticipated new Park Hyatt Los Cabos has just delayed its opening, which is unfortunately all too common in the hotel industry. However, the way the hotel is handling the delay sure leaves a lot to be desired.
PointsMath
Buy Wyndham Reward Points with Flat 50% Bonus [0.87¢ or ₹0.74/Point]
Wyndham is one of the largest hotel chains in the world, with several hotels worldwide. It is also a transfer partner of  Axis Bank, HDFC, HSBC TravelOne Card & SBI Miles. If you’re short on Wyndham Reward points, check out this offer. If you buy Wyndham Points until 6th August 2025, you will receive...
Economy Class & Beyond
Eurostar to boost London to Amsterdam route to five times a day
As teased during Eurostar’s recent expansion plans, the European train operator is to expand its London St Pancras to Amsterdam Centraal service to five times a day. The new timetable will go into effect on the 15th December 2025.  Eurostar will operate five direct trains per day in each direction,...
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...
a luggage on the floor
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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...
a chair and a table in a room with windows
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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...
a table with a phone and earphones on it
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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...
a group of people walking on a dock
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7 Crucial Tips for Frequent Flyers on Their First Cruise
Arrive Early for Smooth Sailing I've learned that punctuality is more than a virtue—it's a lifesaver when transitioning from frequent flights to cruising. Arriving at the port at least a day in advance helps dodge last-minute flight delays and baggage glitches that could leave you waving goodbye to your ship from...
a large room with a view of the city from the window
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Unlock Hilton Rewards: Business Travel Made Luxurious
I've always been fascinated by travel credit cards, especially those tailored toward small businesses looking to maximize their spending. The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card holds a unique spot for anyone who, like me, wants to turn everyday expenses into valuable hotel stays. Over the years, I've observed that...