Plane ‘n Simple

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.
a person holding a phone and charging a charger
Plane ‘n Simple
TSA Issues Urgent Cybersecurity Warning: Why You Should Never Use Airport USB Charging Ports
The Transportation Security Administration has issued a critical cybersecurity warning that every traveler needs to hear: those convenient USB charging ports scattered throughout airports could be stealing your personal data. In a recent Facebook post, the TSA cautioned travelers about a cybersecurity threat called “juice jacking,” where hackers install malware...
a black and white picture of a man
Point Me to the Plane
Historical Hotel and Great Location Makes This London Hyatt A Fun Choice!
London hotels come in all shapes and sizes. None are as original and quirky as this one though!
An unknown error occurred.
Point Me to the Plane
My Stay At This Iconic Hyatt Hotel Was Disappointing
Should a disappointing hotel room cloud a hotel stay? In this case not entirely. Yet enough that I rate this hotel much lower than expected.
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
Explore the hilarious world of airline upgrades and dive into the comedic chaos of mileage bragging and insider connections as travelers humorously vie for better seats. Discover the quirky dynamics of upgrade competition and share your own stories of success and amusing defeats. Join us for laughs and insights into...
Also on BoardingArea
Frequent Miler
Last Chance Deals: Multiple transfer bonuses, 120K Southwest offer, American Airlines status match & more
Welcome to our weekly list of what’s ending this week as well as a collection of some other deals that are due to end soon. We have another busy week for expiring deals as Friday is the last day of the month, so the bulk of those offers are set to...
Points With a Crew
The Easiest Way To Get Your Free $50 From Rakuten
If you're not sure how to take advantage of the easy $50 welcome bonus from Rakuten, here is in my opinion the best way to get some easy money. Simply ...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
What Is Wrong With This Photograph? Part 324
I was recently a passenger aboard an Airbus A320 airplane that was operated by Avianca for a nonstop domestic flight in Ecuador of almost 824 miles between Aeropuerto Ecológico Galápagos Seymour on the island of Baltra in the Galápagos Islands and Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito.. For this edition of...
The Bulkhead Seat
2025 Weekly Review: October 25th
Greetings from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). I’m heading home to Chicago to enjoy… The post 2025 Weekly Review: October 25th appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Live and Let’s Fly
Is One Day Enough In Dili, Timor-Leste?
Timor-Leste isn’t a destination that shows up on many flight schedules, but I have an upcoming opportunity to visit and am wondering if it is worth the time and money for only one day. Is One Day Enough In Dili, Timor-Leste? I’m looking at a possible routing that would put...
Frequent Miler
Delta says Marriott is hijacking its brand, Holiday Inn Express reinvents the alarm clock, and Hawaiian Airlines brings back Auckland service (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: Delta wants Marriott to stop hijacking its brand, Holiday Inn Express reinvented the alarm...
Economy Class & Beyond
Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond (25th October)
It’s the weekend before the clocks go back in the United Kingdom… and somehow, I’m back in the country too. Time for Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond.  It’s been a quiet week on the blog as I’m recovering from a long-haul trip. We’ll be heading to much more...
Your Mileage May Vary
Can You Really Refuse a TSA Pat-Down? Here’s What Happens If You Try
There aren’t a whole lot of people who like stopping at the TSA security checkpoint. At best the queue and TSA officers (TSAOs) are the ones between you and your…
View from the Wing
I Have Every Major Premium Credit Card. They Cost $2,680 A Year—And Still Earn Me Money.
Most people think paying thousands in annual fees is crazy. I show exactly how my $2,680 in premium cards more than pays for itself—year after year. Continue reading I Have Every Major Premium Credit Card. They Cost $2,680 A Year—And Still Earn Me Money....
The Bulkhead Seat
Icelandair’s First Flight to Miami Takes Off Today
As I wrote about back in January, Icelandair will begin flying nonstop between Keflavík… The post Icelandair’s First Flight to Miami Takes Off Today appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
One Mile at a Time
Weekly Review: October 25, 2025
I hope everyone is having a nice weekend so far! I’m excited, as Ford and I are off to Iceland for a quick trip, and then I’m going on a fun review trip from there, so there should be lots of travel content in the coming weeks (yay… finally!). As...
Your Mileage May Vary
Don’t Forget This Hidden AMEX Platinum Perk: Hilton Gold Status
If you have the American Express Platinum Card, you probably already know about some of its flashier perks: airport lounge access, up to $400 in annual statement credits through Resy,…
Frequent Miler
Capital One Shopping changing up cash back maximums (and offering great targeted offers)
Capital One Shopping has long had a cap of $250 in rewards on their targeted email offers (per purchase — in other words, if you click through two separate times and make separate purchases, it has been possible to earn more than $250 cumulatively). In my extensive experience, the cap...
ATX Jetsetter
Weekly Recap: October 25, 2025
Catch up on the latest aviation and travel related news for the week ending October 25, 2025 in the ATX Jetsetter weekly recap. The post Weekly Recap: October 25, 2025 appeared first on ATX Jetsetter.
Points With a Crew
You Should Stand Up As Soon As The Plane Lands (Like I do)
What? You just sit in your seat when the plane gets to the gate? Have I got a story for you...
Miles To Memories
Breaking News – Sometimes, Calling In for Amex Help Works Out Better
Online chats routinely work out fine, but a recent experience reminded me how calling Amex customer service can work out better. The post Breaking News – Sometimes, Calling In for Amex Help Works Out Better appeared first on Miles to Memories.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Central 593 in Guayaquil in Ecuador. Restaurant Review.
After having just flown in from the United States, we were in the mood for some good local food that was within walking distance of the hotel property into which we had just checked in — and Central 593 in Guayaquil in Ecuador seemed to be what we wanted in...
View from the Wing
After 20 Years And $40 Billion, Air Traffic Control Modernized Nothing—FAA Is Doing It Again
A new government watchdog report out of the Trump administration lays out why air traffic control modernization has failed, but casts down on their own ability to fix it simply through force of spending an additional $30 billion. Continue reading After 20 Years And $40 Billion, Air Traffic Control Modernized Nothing—FAA...
Your Mileage May Vary
That Time When The Carol Burnett Show Predicted the Future of Air Travel
I am a HUGE Carol Burnett fan (if you have no idea of who she is, you’re dead to me ;-)) and am old enough that I was “allowed to…
Live and Let’s Fly
Delta Passenger Served Poisonous Weed In First Class Salad, Flight Attendant Seized “Evidence”
A Delta Air Lines passenger traveling from Chicago (ORD) to Seattle (SEA) says he was poisoned by a toxic plant, black nightshade, found in his first class salad, which made him violently ill. To make matters worse, the flight attendant grabbed hte “evidence” and refused to hand it over. Delta...
{Tech} for Travel
Delta App 7.5 Enhances Travel Experience Ahead of Holiday Season
Delta App 7.5 update enhances its mobile app with improved trip management, travel insights, and faster in-app support ahead of the holiday season. The post Delta App 7.5 Enhances Travel Experience Ahead of Holiday Season appeared first on {Tech} for Travel.
Frequent Miler
How To Book Preferred Hotels with Points (Video)
“Preferred Hotels” is a collection of boutique-style hotels that can be a little more unique than your standard points-bookable hotel. And luckily, some of them can be booked with points! Some can be booked with Preferred Hotels’ own points (I Prefer points), and some can be booked with Choice points,...
One Mile at a Time
I Ordered American Airlines’ Sliders & Fries, Because Peer Pressure Is Real
I couldn’t help myself. After all that I’ve heard about American Airlines’ all-American sliders and fries,” I finally ordered them. Were they what I was expecting? Well, sort of…
Points With a Crew
Elderly woman tried to wish a plane good luck by tossing coins into the engine – Guess What Happened Next?
An elderly woman tried to "wish good luck" on her plane before taking it. Unfortunately, she decided to do that by tossing coins into the engine. You'll never believe what ...
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...
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
Discover the hilarious frustrations of frequent flyer programs in this week's Frequent Flyer Funnies! Our comic hero dives deep into the microscopic fine print to uncover hidden rules and elusive details. Laugh along as we poke fun at the absurdity of needing a microscope navigate airline loyalty terms. Share your...
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 ...
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
Join us for a laugh in this week's #FrequentFlyerFunnies as we explore a hilarious marketing mishap involving Kellogg's and mischievous elves!
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
Laugh along with this week's #FrequentFlyerFunnies as we explore the hilarious irony/paradox of frequent flyer benefits during tough times.
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
Enjoy the hilarious irony of off-peak travel in this week's #FrequentFlyerFunnies with a family’s frigid beach vacation!
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
This week's #FrequentFlyerFunnies humorously explores the contrast between airline promises and frequent flyer reality. Join us for a laugh with the bi-focal loyalty vision test!
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?
Explore the irony of frequent flying with this week's #FrequentFlyerFunnies! Join the laughter and dialogue on travel rewards' paradoxes.