View from the Wing
Hyatt Revamping Award Charts—With 78 Price Levels, Free Nights At Top Hotels Get Up To 67% More Expensive
The World of Hyatt program will expand its award charts from three to five price levels per category, creating 78 possible redemption prices across their standard and all-inclusive charts. The most expensive points redemptions can cost up to 67% more points than before. While the lowest tier prices actually...
Frequent Miler
How I wasted time with an unhelpful Alaska agent – and what I’d do differently next time
These days, customer service is often underwhelming (and that’s true nearly across the board). One thing I generally appreciate is that many travel loyalty programs have invested in chat support, whether via their own app/website, text message, or WhatsApp. Generally speaking, I highly prefer customer service via one of these...
One Mile at a Time
Delta Launching Los Angeles To Manila Flights In 2027, As Part Of New Asia Push
Historically, Delta Air Lines has shied away from ultra long haul flights, with a limited number of exceptions. However, that’s slowly starting to change. Delta recently launched flights to Hong Kong (HKG), and Riyadh (RUH) flights are expected soon as well.
One Mile at a Time
Huh: ICE Agents Handcuff Man At Las Vegas Airport, Then Run Off Mid-Arrest
A man was thrown to the ground and handcuffed by a pair of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at Las Vegas Airport (LAS), only for them to run off mid-arrest, as the guy had a handcuff locked on one of his wrists.
No Work All Travel
Saudia is Starting Flights to Tokyo
For SkyTeam frequent fliers, there’s some good news out of the Middle East. Later this year, Saudia is starting flights to Tokyo. Adding itself to the list of fellow gulf carriers Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways that fly to the Japanese capital, Saudia Arabia’s national airline will commence nonstop flights...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Mid-Air Collision Between Two Packed Jetliners Over Atlantic Narrowly Avoided After ‘Last Line of Defense’ Issues Emergency Alert
A mid-air collision between two packed commercial airliners high above the Atlantic Ocean was narrowly avoided after an emergency system often described by aviation experts as “the last line of defense” issued an alert to the pilots of both aircraft to take evasive action. The shocking incident occurred on July...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Disguised ICE Agents Detain and Handcuff Passenger at Las Vegas Airport, Then Flee When They Realise They’re Being Filmed
Two ICE agents who were disguised as regular airline passengers, one even sporting a fake moustache, attempted to detain a 57-year-old Vietnamese man at Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) and failed, leaving their target bewildered when they suddenly scurried off. The cause for their sudden change of heart?...
Points With a Crew
Save Up to 50% on Amazon with Amex Rewards Dollars (Targeted)
We’ve written about this deal before but it appears to be back! It appears to be targeted but if so, it seems widely targeted. Save 30% on Amazon, up to $30 in savings (offers vary), when you you purchase eligible products and use at least 1 cent in Amex Reward...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Permanent Daylight Saving Time One Step Closer to Becoming Reality in the United States
Permanent Daylight Saving Time is one step closer to becoming reality, as the majority of members of the House of Representatives of the United States voted in favor of H.R.139, which is also known as the Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. The vote was not...
Frequent Miler
Delta Sale: As low as 25k SkyMiles round-trip to Australia, 34K to New Zealand, or 42K to Asia
Thrifty Traveler Premium has discovered that Delta is running another unadvertised flash sale to Australia and New Zealand. Poking around a bit, I found discounted fares to Hong Kong and Taipei as well. Fares seem to be cheapest and most available from the West Coast, but there are options available...
Frequent Miler
$900 bonus with a new Chase checking and savings account
Chase’s excellent bonus for opening a new checking and savings account has been extended. Until 10/14/26, you can earn $900 when you open a new Chase Total Checking Account and a new Chase Savings account. To get the bonus, you have to set up direct deposit to your checking account,...
Frequent Miler
Capital One Spark Cash welcome offer: $1,000 cash back + $250 travel credit
Capital One has sweetened the welcome offer for the Spark Cash Business card. The new version is good for $1,000 cash back after spending $10,000 within the first 3 months and also throws in a credit good for $250 off a booking through the Capital One Business Travel portal. In...
View from the Wing
ICE Agents Run Off Mid-Arrest At Las Vegas Airport—Leaving One Handcuff Dangling From An Elderly Traveler’s Wrist
Plainclothes ICE agents forced an elderly Asian traveler to the floor at Harry Reid International Airport, then walked away when passengers confronted and filmed them. Airport police found no outstanding warrants and removed the single handcuff left dangling from his wrist before he boarded his flight.
One Mile at a Time
Lufthansa’s New Business Class Food Is So Fancy That Bathrooms Have To Be Locked
While not particularly significant, and while there’s nothing wrong with this, here’s something I find interesting. Lufthansa recently improved its business class catering, and as a result, the airline is now blocking a business class lavatory during the meal service on some planes.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Australia. New Zealand. 25,500 SkyMiles. Round Trip. Act Fast.
Australia. New Zealand. 25,500 SkyMiles. Round trip. Act fast, as the deal was still available moments before publishing this article.
Australia. New Zealand. 25,500 SkyMiles. Round Trip. Act Fast.
The redemption is 25,500 SkyMiles round trip to either Australia or New Zealand from many airports in the United States if you...
View from the Wing
Chase Raises World Of Hyatt Business Card Bonus Offer To 70,000 Points
Chase has increased the World of Hyatt Business Card’s offer to 70,000 bonus points after $7,000 in spending within three months. Beyond the bonus, the card earns five elite nights for every $10,000 spent and offers up to $100 in annual Hyatt credits.
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...
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...
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...
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...
