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.
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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...
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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!
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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.
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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...
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View from the Wing
Blocked From Prayer? Pastor Says He Was Shut Out of DFW Chapel Due To Muslim Service—Signs Outside Say “All Are Welcome”
Baptist Pastor has gone viral for reporting that he was denied access to the Dallas – Fort Worth airport chapel during a recent layover at the airport, while a Muslim prayer service was underway. Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX) issued a press release and is demanding answers from the airport. ...
Your Mileage May Vary
Atmos Rewards Is Here: What Alaska & Hawaiian Flyers Must Check Now
For a while now, Alaska and Hawaiian have technically been one company, but their loyalty programs continued to run separately. Members could move points back and forth between Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles, but it always felt like a temporary arrangement. Now the wait is over: HawaiianMiles has been folded into...
The Bulkhead Seat
Spirit Airlines Moves to Slash Fleet by More Than 50% and Lose 114 Planes
Spirit Airlines is taking drastic steps to restructure its business as it works through its second Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in less than a year. The Florida-based low-cost carrier has asked a bankruptcy court for permission to reject leases on 87 planes including 19 Airbus A320ceo, 65 Airbus A320neo, and...
Frequent Miler
Capital One Venture Rewards referral offer: 75k miles & $300 credit (targeted)
Capital One is again offering an increased welcome offer for a $300 Capital One Travel credit on top of 75,000 miles for some new Venture Rewards applicants…if they apply via a referral and are targeted. These days, many Capital One referral offers take you to Capital One’s pre-approval tool. Once you...
View from the Wing
American Airlines Dumped Barclays For Citi—And The Onboard Credit Card Deals Just Got Better (But The Annoying Announcements Stay)
American Airlines will go from 2 different banks issuing their credit cards in the U.S. to just one in 2026. The new deal goes exclusive with Citibank. Barclays is no longer accepting new applications for its AAdvantage cards. Those were the ones that flight attendants made announcements...
The Alviator
British Airways’ New 787 Premium Economy: Looks Awesome!
(Thanks to my friend Danny Lee for pointing this out) British Airways seems to be quietly introducing a new premium economy seat onboard its 787s. While the airline already has a couple of different premium economy seats onboard their 777s/787s and A350s, the airline has seemed to have gone for yet...
Frequent Miler
Chase “Pay Yourself Back” Complete Guide (updated categories)
Chase has been steadily hacking away at the value of its Pay Yourself Back (PYB) Program, whittling down both categories and redemption rates on Ultimate Reward(UR)-earning cards. At the same time, it has added PYB options for Southwest, Aeroplan, and United cards, although the value for redeeming Southwest points is...
Altitude Yes
Caption by Hyatt Kabutocho Tokyo Opens Next Week: All About its Location, Rooms, & Rates
Another Hyatt property in Tokyo will go live next week: Caption by Hyatt Kabutocho Tokyo. This hotel is taking reservations starting from Tuesday, Oct. 7, and it will mark the first Caption by Hyatt property in Tokyo. Once the Park Hyatt reopens in December, visitors will have eight Hyatt hotels to...
Points With a Crew
Escape Lounge PDX Lounge Review – Portland Airport Priority Pass
The Escape Lounge PDX is a Priority Pass lounge, so if you have a Priority Pass membership (likely from a credit card), you’ll have complimentary access to Escape Lounge PDX . If you don’t have Priority Pass, you can buy a day pass to the Escape Lounge PDX for as...
Your Mileage May Vary
There’s a Gov’t Shutdown & I’ve Got 7 Flights Next Week. Here’s My Plan – What Do You Think?
If you pay attention to the news, you’re well aware that we’re in the midst of a government shutdown. This causes all sorts of strife for millions of people, be it due to lack of services, lack of work, lack of being paid to work, you name it. In the world...
Frequent Miler
Earn 80K miles on the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card with no annual fee the first year
Citi and American Airlines have a boosted welcome offer on the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard. This is a terrific, in-flight offer that gives you 80,000 bonus miles after spending only $1,000 in the first three months. That matches the highest welcome bonus we’ve seen on this card...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
The Netherlands Isn’t Short Of Water But This Dutch Airline Wants Passengers To Drink Desalinated Seawater
For a country that experiences 217 days of rain per year, accumulating between 30 and 35 inches of rainfall annually, the Netherlands is most definitely not short of water. But the Dutch flag carrier, KLM, is keen to get passengers to drink desalinated seawater, and it’s all in the...
View from the Wing
Woman Steps Out Of Plane Lavatory In A Skincare Mask—Passengers Thought The Grim Reaper Was Coming For Them
A passenger went to the lavatory on a long haul flight for their skincare regimen. She came out wearing a full face collagen sheet mask. She wanted to be discrete, so she wore a pointed black hoodie pulled over her head. But that just made her look...
The Bulkhead Seat
STARLUX Airlines Expands US Reach With Alaska Airlines Codeshare Expansion
Taiwan-based STARLUX Airlines has announced a major expansion of its codeshare partnership with Alaska Airlines. This significantly increases connectivity across the United States. With the addition of 12 new US cities, STARLUX now offers seamless links from Taipei to 20 destinations across North America (accessible through its international gateways in...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Earn 25,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points Per Stay at All-Inclusive Resort Properties
You can earn 25,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points per stay at participating all-inclusive resort properties with a minimum of four consecutive nights through Vacations by Marriott Bonvoy now through Tuesday, March 31, 2026 in addition to the typical ten points per dollar you would normally earn… Earn 25,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy...
ATX Jetsetter
American Express Unveils Platinum Card Changes
Earlier this month, American Express unveiled changes to its wildly popular Platinum Card. While changes have been expected for some time, we now know exactly what customers can expect from the card. American Express Platinum Card Annual Fee Increases to $895 American Express has announced that it is upping the annual fee...
Frequent Miler
Current point transfer bonuses for October 2025
The best points rewards programs, in our opinion, are those that allow points to be transferred to many different airline and hotel loyalty programs. In this way, it’s often possible to get outsized value from your points. For example, suppose you want to fly lie-flat business class to Europe. Prices...
Your Mileage May Vary
Why I Canceled My Barclays Aviator AA Card — And Should You Do the Same?
As part of my 2025 resolution to cancel 25% of my credit cards, I am trimming down my annual fee cards that no longer make sense. The Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red was one of them. I originally picked up the card last year for the sign-up bonus and benefits when flying American...
Miles To Memories
New Spending Offer for Marriott Cardholders, Earn Up to 6,000 Extra Points
Spending Offer for Marriott Cardholders If you have a Marriott credit card, check for targeted offers that can earn you extra points for spending through the end of November. Let’s see the details. The Offer Select your exclusive offer by October 14 and then use your Marriott credit card on eligible purchases from...
View from the Wing
Chase Sapphire Reserve’s Refresh Is So Good For Me I’m Kicking Myself For Not Paying The Higher Fee Early
Changes to the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card (See rates and fees) are actually great for me. I know they’re controversial to some of you. And in some ways I wasn’t sure at first how to balance the changes between new benefits and what’s lost. However, as the past four...
Frequent Miler
Spirit promo: Earn up to 7,500 points per round-trip
Spirit Airlines has launched a promotion in which you can earn up to 7,500 points per round-trip flight. Since the advertising suggests that 7,500 points can get you up to 3 free flights, I suppose that award flights start at only 2,500 points (which shows how little I know about...
Your Mileage May Vary
Friday Funnies: Travel Edition – Things I Saw That Made Me Smile or LOL (10/3/25)
Travel-related things I’ve seen this week that made me smile, chortle, or even laugh out loud. Storms in the Atlantic have caused some cruise ships to be rerouted. Here’s the welcome some cruisers got when they were scheduled to go to Bermuda and wound up in…Portland. This…THIS is my husband. 100%. Minus...
Miles To Memories
Targeted Amex Business Platinum Upgrade Offers – 120K Membership Rewards
New Amex Business Platinum Upgrade Offer Targeted upgrade offers are going out once again for the Amex Business Platinum Card. Those eligible can earn 120,000 points after spending $10,000 within 3 months. Let’s see the details. Business Platinum Upgrade Offer Details The offer is as follows: Upgrade to the Business Platinum card and earn...
Points With a Crew
Kickstarter: GrilTi Titanium Grill
I often see interesting travel related products that I think you guys might be interested in.  We’ve talked recently we talked about Gravel Toiletry Bags and blankets, the Evolutionary travel backpack, the RetraStrap luggage strap and the Uphold travel cutlery set, among others. Travel related Kickstarters: WK1 Magnetic Dual-Beam Flashlight ($24,128 funded;...
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."
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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?"
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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 ...
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.
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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!"
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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.
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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.'
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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.
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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...