BoardingArea

BoardingArea is highly rated for delivering insightful tips, advice, and reviews about the topic of travel and travelers’ obsession with frequent flyer miles and points. This up-to-date information is tailored to all levels of travel expertise from a diverse collection of experienced contributors, including travel bloggers, industry insiders and avid adventurers. REQUIRED READING FOR FREQUENT FLYERS.
This is a black and white cartoon depicting a crowded airplane aisle with several passengers vying for an upgrade. One person says, "I've flown 500,000 miles this year!" Another responds, "Well, I'm a million miler!" A third person counters, "Oh yeah? Well I know Randy Petersen!" The caption reads, "The competition for upgrades intensifies!" The cartoon humorously illustrates the lengths people go to for airline upgrades.
BoardingArea
Frequent Flyer Funnies: The Art of the Upgrade
Welcome back to Frequent Flyer Funnies, your destination for laughs from the skies. This week, we're delving into the high-stakes world of airline upgrades, where mileage and connections collide in a comedic quest for a better seat. Buckle up as we explore the fascinating dynamics of upgrade competition! What the Comic...
A cartoon depicts a scene at an airport gate labeled "Gate 6A." A sign above reads "Travel Quiz." Several people are interacting with a machine that resembles a polygraph, operated by a person behind a counter. The machine is connected to a man with a Hawaiian shirt. Below, text humorously describes the machine's functions: A) Records your heartbeat while waiting for upgrade clearance. B) Records your voice volume when your program changes its rules again. C) Records your blood pressure when you're denied a free award seat. D) All of the above. A caption at the bottom reads: "The TSA and Secret Service use magnetometers, but have you ever seen a mileometer being used? Now you can say you have."
BoardingArea
Frequent Flyer Funnies: The Mileometer Mystery
Welcome back to another edition of #FrequentFlyerFunnies, where we uncover the humor in the highs and lows of air travel! This week, we’re exploring the whimsical world of imaginary gadgets with the “Mileometer”—a device that captures the emotional saga of every frequent traveler. Buckle up for some laughs! What the Comic...
A black and white cartoon depicts a person with glasses looking through a microscope at a document titled "Frequent Flyer Program Rules." The person is exclaiming "AH-HA!" in a speech bubble. Below the image, there is a caption that reads, "who ever thought it was a good idea to try and hide the fine print from frequent flyers?"
BoardingArea
Frequent Flyer Funnies: The Microscope Method for Fine Print
Welcome back to Frequent Flyer Funnies, your weekly dose of laughs from the skies! This time, we’re zooming in on something we all know too well—those sneaky frequent flyer program rules. You might want to grab your reading glasses… or better yet, a microscope! Let’s see what happens when our...
Points With a Crew
What Should You Tell The Hotel Front Desk If Your Stay Was Awful?
We've all been there - a subpar hotel stay and now you're checking out. What do you tell the front desk? Do you let them know why your stay was ...
Also on BoardingArea
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Tunisair Fidelys: Receive a 50% discount on award flight redemptions
Air Algerie is not the only North African airline offering discounted award flights as Tunisair is also has a systemwide discount! Unlike Air Algerie whose discount is for economy class only, it appears Tunisair’s offer is also for business class. This offer must be booked by November 30. The 50%...
2PAXfly
EMIRATES: new A350 ‘S Lounge’ Business Class. Yawn, no doors to be seen here!
Emirates has just unveiled its first Airbus A350-900 at a glitzy event in Dubai. This is the first time since 2008 that Emirates has introduced a new aircraft type. Up until now, its fleet has consisted of A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft. Notable figures such as Tim Clark, President of...
Frequent Miler
How to find and book Etihad First Class Apartments
Etihad First Apartments is the name for Etihad’s amazing first class suites on their Airbus A380 aircraft. Each suite is like a little room with a narrow hallway, a recliner chair, a bench that converts to a single bed, and a vanity station with a mirror and drawers. There is...
2PAXfly
UNITED KINGDOM: Registration for Electronic Travel Authorisation for Australians opens today
If you are an Australian planning a trip to the UK starting in January 2025, you can now apply for the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This digital visa-waiver program facilitates tourism and business travel, similar to the USA’s ESTA and upcoming equivalents in Europe, Thailand, and Japan. Who...
Points With a Crew
Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card – 3 Reasons It’s One Of The Best!
The Chase Ink Business Preferred is an incredible card with a sign up bonus easily worth over $1,000. And now it is even easier to get, because Chase has ...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Electronic Travel Authorisation Required to Visit the United Kingdom
An electronic travel authorisation will be required to visit the United Kingdom effective as of Wednesday, January 8, 2025 if you are a nationality of 48 specific countries and associated territories — and the cost to obtain one per person will be £10.00 or almost $12.70 in United States dollars. Nationalities...
The Bulkhead Seat
Marriott and Sotheby’s Continue Partnership With More Ultra-Luxurious Travel Auctions
Sotheby’s is the premiere auction house for art, jewelry, wine, watches, and other luxury… The post Marriott and Sotheby’s Continue Partnership With More Ultra-Luxurious Travel Auctions appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Your Mileage May Vary
The One Thing You Need to Succeed with Points and Miles
Earning points and miles seems easy, right? A few hacks, a few swipes, and you’re rolling in rewards. But here’s the harsh truth: without common sense, your “easy wins” could…
Frequent Miler
Turo Amex Offer: Spend $150 & Get $30 Back (Rental Car Alternative)
If you’ve continued to be shocked by the price of rental cars for upcoming trips, there’s a Turo Amex Offer which could save you money on their alternative rental service. There is also a Chase Offer out with the same discount. The Deal Spend $150 in one or more transactions...
View from the Wing
Stowaway Caught Mid-Flight On Packed Delta Paris Flight—‘With No Seat, She Spent Hours Moving Between Lavatories’
She managed to get through security without a boarding pass (so TSA botched things first) and then boarded the aircraft without showing credentials to do so either. The flight was completely sold out, so no seats were available to her, but she reportedly hid in a lavatory for takeoff...
ATX Jetsetter
Review: Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-800 First Class (SAN-AUS)
A good crew and solid food make up for the shortcomings in the hard product when flying Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-800 First Class. The post Review: Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-800 First Class (SAN-AUS) appeared first on ATX Jetsetter.
Eye of the Flyer
Score an Extra $40 (or 4,000 Rewards Points) for Holiday Shopping!
You’re in luck if you plan to shop during the next few weeks and want to quickly earn back a few bucks on your purchases. Shopping rewards platform Rakuten is offering new members $40 bonus cash back (or 4,000 bonus American Express® Membership Rewards® points, if you choose). All you have...
{Tech} for Travel
Nominees for the Apple App Store Awards 2024 Announced
The 2024 Apple App Store Awards highlight 45 apps and games across 12 categories. Explore this year’s most innovative and engaging digital experiences. The post Nominees for the Apple App Store Awards 2024 Announced appeared first on {Tech} for Travel.
Deals We Like
Earn cash back while shopping online this Black Friday, plus a $40 bonus at Rakuten
Black Friday is just a few days away, which means everyone is looking to snag a good deal. But, before you go ahead and make your purchase, there are extra ways to stack your savings on single purchase you make. This is why your first stop — before you go...
Live and Let’s Fly
Uh-Oh: Confusion And Delay At Transit Counter In Tunis Airport…
I’m live-blogging my SAS EuroBonus SkyTeam Milion Mile challenge this week. Click here for background and route information. After arriving in Tunis from Paris, we proceeded to the airport transit counter to check in for our Saudia flights to Kuala Lumpur via Jeddah. But we were met with confusion and...
Your Mileage May Vary
Why Airlines Seats Must Be Upright During Takeoff & Landing
You’ve boarded your plane and gotten yourself settled. Your carry-on bag is in the overhead. Your handbag is under the seat in front of you. You’ve sanitized EVERYTHING. You’re ready…
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.
Points With a Crew
SNL Nails It With A Sketch On Thanksgiving Travel
Featuring arguing couples, overly permissive parents, people with unneeded service animals, TSA agents and more, this sketch truly captures the essence of holiday travel...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Stowaway Managed to Sneak Onboard Transatlantic Delta Air Flight at New York JFK And Wasn’t Noticed Until The Plane Was Almost in Paris
A stowaway managed to sneak onboard a Delta Air Lines plane at New York JFK bound for Paris, France, and wasn’t spotted by flight attendants until the airplane was nearly at the end of its seven-hour transatlantic flight. First reported by aviation insider Jon NYC on X and Blue Sky,...
Frequent Miler
Google Pixel Watch 2 at Amazon for $145. Use pay-with-points to pay from $105.
As I peruse Black Friday deals, I just stumbled on a decent one and figured I’d share one I snagged: Amazon has a Pixel Watch 2 on sale for $145.00 in select colors. That’s $34 cheaper than the Google Store directly — and better yet, you can earn 10% back...
Miles To Memories
How to Find This Better Offer for Amex Delta Gold Card: 50,000 Miles + $500 Credit
You can currently get a much better bonus than what is publicly available for The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card. The post How to Find This Better Offer for Amex Delta Gold Card: 50,000 Miles + $500 Credit appeared first on Miles to Memories.
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Marriott Bonvoy: Earn 25,000 bonus points on Vacations by Marriott packages
Next up in our Black Friday Cyber Week coverage is the latest bonus points offer from Vacations by Marriott. They are offering 25,000 bonus points on packages booked to ANY Marriott International hotel worldwide. This is possibly the most wide ranging bonus we have seen from Vacations by Marriott The...
Economy Class & Beyond
Lufthansa Group to roll out “Green Fares” across its networks
Lufthansa Group have announced that they are going to roll out its “Green Fares” product across the entire network (including its subsidiary airlines). From December 4, the Green Fares will be bookable in all travel classes for more than 850,000 flights per year. The Green Fares are available for flights...
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
ITA Airways Volare: Earn 2,000 bonus points for referring new members
ITA Airways has brought back their member get a member promotion for the next month. Right now Volare members can invite friends and family to join the program and the referrer will receive 2,000 points for each referee who completes a ITA Airways flight. The 2,000 bonus points offer: Earn...
A colorful cartoon image shows a large computer screen with the text "YOU'VE WON 25,000 MILES!" and "LOVE, KELLOGG'S." Below the text is a button labeled "SEND" with an arrow pointing up. An animated character wearing a hat labeled "CRACKLE" is reaching towards the screen, while another character wearing a hat labeled "SNAP" is standing nearby. The background includes various office supplies and equipment.
BoardingArea
Frequent Flyer Funnies: When Elves Go Bad
Welcome back to our sky-high series, #FrequentFlyerFunnies, where we find the humor in the hustle of racking up those miles. This week, we're navigating a hilarious marketing mishap involving Kellogg's. Fasten your seatbelts for a laugh! What the Comic Shows: The comic features a humorous take on a real incident from April...
A black and white cartoon depicts a news reporter standing in front of an airport runway with airplanes in the background. The reporter is holding a microphone and a piece of paper, speaking into the camera. A speech bubble next to the reporter reads, "Times are really tough for the airlines; that's why they have to cut frequent flyer benefits." The title at the top of the cartoon says, "Those Frequent Flyer Miles... The Way It Is!"
BoardingArea
Frequent Flyer Funnies: The Way It Is vs. The Way It Ought to Be
Welcome back to another edition of #FrequentFlyerFunnies! Today, we're taking a humorous look at the contrast between the reality of frequent flyer benefits and the ideal world we all wish existed. Get ready for a laugh as we explore the airline industry's creative take on "tough times."   What the Comic Shows: In...
The image is a cartoon illustration depicting four people in a snowy, icy environment. Three of them are sitting on the ground, bundled up in winter clothing. One person is pouring a drink from a thermos, another is holding a cup, and the third is sitting with their hands in their lap. The fourth person is lying on the ground, appearing to have slipped or fallen. In the background, there are two penguins standing on the ice.
BoardingArea
Frequent Flyer Funnies: The Chilly Reality of Off-Peak Award Travel
Ever found yourself questioning the true value of those off-peak award travel deals? This week's #FrequentFlyerFunnies takes a frosty look at the lengths some travelers go to in order to maximize their miles. Bundle up, grab a hot cocoa, and get ready for a laugh! What the Comic Shows: In this comic,...
A comic depicting a frequent flyer undergoing a vision test with two charts. The first chart, read by an optimistic airline customer, shows 'MORE UPGRADES, BETTER AWARD AVAILABILITY, FEWER FEES.' The second chart, read by a skeptical frequent flyer, shows 'EVERYTHING IS FINE, ALL IS WELL.' The caption at the bottom humorously redefines the term 'BI-FOCAL.'
BoardingArea
Frequent Flyer Funnies: The Bi-Focal Loyalty Vision Test
Ever felt like your airline loyalty program was testing your vision, or perhaps your sanity? Welcome to this week’s edition of #FrequentFlyerFunnies, where we poke fun at the often convoluted world of airline rewards and upgrades. Grab your reading glasses and join us for a laugh! Take a look at the...
A cartoon illustration depicts a busy airport scene. Several people are shown walking hurriedly, carrying briefcases and wearing business attire. One man in the center is holding a ticket or document in his hand. In the background, there is a sign that reads "AIRLINES," and the area is crowded with other travelers. The overall atmosphere is bustling and chaotic.
BoardingArea
Frequent Flyer Funnies: The Ultimate Reward – Home Sweet Home?
Ever wondered if the chase for travel rewards is worth the trek? This week's #FrequentFlyerFunnies might just be the ticket to that answer—featuring the ironic twist of travel rewards! What the Comic Shows: The scene unfolds in a bustling airport, packed with travelers and buzzing with the commotion typical of such a...
BoardingArea
Points Game: Tortoise Strategy Triumphs [Weekly Top Posts]
1. Error in FAA Reauthorization Bill Could Let Airlines Put Travel Agents Out of Business The FAA Reauthorization bill requires travel agents to provide refunds where they are the vendor of record charging the customer - even when they’ve paid the airline and the airline hasn’t given the money back...
A comic strip depicting the various emotional stages experienced by frequent flyers when dealing with changes in airline policies. The comic is divided into six panels each representing different stages: Denial, Anger, Negotiation, Depression, Acceptance, and Change. Each panel humorously illustrates typical reactions such as a traveler in denial saying, "Nooo! They can't be changing the rules!", and one in anger shaking a fist at an airline counter. The Negotiation panel shows a traveler pleading, "But I'm one of your best customers: can't I get an exception?" In Depression, a person is slumped over a bar. Acceptance shows a resigned traveler at the elite check-in, while Change shows someone happily switching to a different airline offering a status match. The caption humorously comments, "They say that acceptance is the hardest stage of frequent flyer grief—thank goodness for status matches!"
BoardingArea
Frequent Flyer Funnies: The Turbulence of Loyalty
Welcome back to our sky-high series, #FrequentFlyerFunnies, where we find the humor in the hustle of racking up those miles. This week, we're navigating the turbulent emotions that come with changes to our beloved loyalty programs. Fasten your seatbelts and stow your tray tables—this is going to be a relatable...
A comic depicting a couple in a hotel room with the man excitedly telling the woman, 'If we stay another 274 nights, we’ll earn a free airline ticket!' He is sitting at a desk with a sign that says 'Frequent Stay Program', smiling and looking at his computer. The woman, unpacking a suitcase, does not look amused as the man adds, '...Course, we’ll have to check out and back in each day!' Caption below: 'Why is it that one person is smiling and the other is not? “It’s not the destination (free airline ticket), it’s the journey (274 hotel nights)
BoardingArea
Frequent Flyer Funnies: The Long, Hilarious Road to a “Free” Airline Ticket
Ever looked at your hotel loyalty points and felt like you were on a marathon with no finish line? Well, you’re in good company. Our inaugural #FrequentFlyerFunnies takes 'loyalty' to new heights... or should we say lengths? Take a peek at the comic below where our intrepid travelers calculate just how many...