View from the Wing

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 building with a door and a glass entrance
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...
a living room with couches and a coffee table
One Mile at a Time
What’s The Best Hotel Loyalty Program For Suite Upgrades?
In the past, Ive written a post comparing the major hotel loyalty programs, sharing what I view as the pros and cons of each. There are various factors to consider, ranging from a hotel groups global footprint, to elite recognition, to the points earning structure.
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...
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
United MileagePlus Complete Guide (2026)
The United MileagePlus program has changed significantly in the last year, including doing away with the valuable excursionist perk and drastically altering how holding a United credit card affects how miles are earned and burned. One strength of United miles is the simplicity of redeeming miles for partner flights. United does not pass...
Points With a Crew
This Is Definitively The Best State To Live In (Part 2)
Last time, we got into a bit of an argument over this, so now let's look at the data - what REALLY is the best state to live in?
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Vegas Loop to Take Over Monorail?
Multiple media outlets are reporting that the Vegas Loop will take over the aging Las Vegas Monorail system and convert its length of 3.9 miles to a roadway above ground for its electric Tesla vehicles. The price for tickets to travel between the seven existing stations within the Las Vegas Monorail...
One Mile at a Time
Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) Will Be Renamed After Donald Trump
Several weeks ago, I wrote about how Florida lawmakers passed legislation to name an airport after President Trump. Theres now an update, as were learning details about the trademark deal that will allow this, and which parties have the potential to profit.
Frequent Miler
Can I save points on a Hyatt award with a date change trick? | Question of the Week Ep2 | 5-4-26
Can I save points on a Hyatt award with a date change trick? Frequent Miler reader Matt wrote: I recently succeeded in changing a Hyatt award stay to avoid cancelling and forfeiting the Hyatt points. I’m wondering if that could be a strategy to leap past the upcoming changes to the...
View from the Wing
New Trump Palm Beach Airport Renaming Deal — He’ll Control The Merch And Messaging
Palm Beach County and the Trump Organization have reached an agreement on the use of Donald Trump’s name to rename Palm Beach International airport for the President. They will vote on it on Tuesday.
Your Mileage May Vary
The App I’d Never Heard Of Beat Uber in Europe
Lyft didn’t work when we landed in Europe—but not for the reason I expected. Instead of showing available rides, the app told me to download something else entirely. After a…
Frequent Miler
JetBlue adds partnership with China Airlines (earn and redeem points)
Late last week, JetBlue True Blue added a new foreign airline partner: China Airlines. Not only can you earn TrueBlue points while flying on China Airlines but you can also redeem your TrueBlue points on the JetBlue website or in the JetBlue app for China Airlines flights. For the time...
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Earn 20,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points on private home rentals
Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy has come out with a second big bonus points offer!  Currently you can get in on ththe 40,000 bonus Bonvoy points offer if you spend $2,000 or more on a home rental and it appears that amount has hindered the number of bookings as...
Miles To Memories
Abandoned Vegas Project Resurrected, Hard Rock Tops Off & The Spirit Airlines Vacuum!
Hard Rock tops off, a strange abandoned project is resurrected, A's ballpark update and Spirit leaves a big vacuum in Vegas travel.
View from the Wing
Creepiest Passenger Ever? Man Accused Of Groping Sleeping Woman In First Class — Then Came The Note
A 48-year-old passenger is accused of groping a sleeping woman on a Miami-bound flight from Zurich — and then, after crew separated him from her, allegedly trying to pass her a note saying she looked beautiful while sleeping. The first class detail makes the case even stranger, because SWISS’s long-haul...
One Mile at a Time
Now Live: Air France-KLM Flying Blue Improves Mileage Expiration Policy
Several weeks ago, the Air France-KLM Flying Blue program announced plans to improve its mileage expiration policy, in a way that most members will certainly appreciate. This change is now live, so members should see their accounts properly updated to reflect this.
Points With a Crew
Delta Airlines Boeing 767-300ER Premium Select Class Review HND-HNL
I recently flew premium economy on the Delta Airlines Boeing 767-300ER HND-HNL from Tokyo to Honolulu. This Delta Airlines Premium Select review will talk about seats, food, amenities and ...
Your Mileage May Vary
What No One Tells You About Visiting Germany (Until You’re There)
A two-week trip to Germany revealed plenty of surprises—some practical, some cultural, and a few guidebooks never seem to mention. My husband and I just got home from a two-week…
Economy Class & Beyond
TRIP REPORT: Into the USA and The Crowne Plaza O’Hare – Still for the Friends
Into the USA, A Scammer Taxi Driver and The Crowne Plaza O’Hare TRIP REPORT: Still for the Friends Nothing says welcome to Chicago more than going through the immigration hoops, as well as the seemingly mandatory scamming by Chicago Taxi Drivers. Oh, let’s look at the Crowne Plaza O’Hare too.  ...
woman shares flight experience (l) flight attendant helping passenger (r)
BoardingArea
Woman Boards Flight After Nose Job And Realizes She Forgot Something Major. Then A Flight Attendant Steps In
"Changes in cabin pressure can lead to increased swelling."
Frequent Miler
10% Transfer bonus from Amex to JetBlue (it’s a bad deal)
American Express Membership Rewards is offering a limited-time 10% transfer bonus when you transfer points to JetBlue TrueBlue. That doesn’t even bring the transfer ratio to 1:1, making this a really poor deal as compared to the ordinary transfer ratio from some other transferable point programs. Given the fact that...
One Mile at a Time
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts: The Best Of Marriott, Or A Brand Bonvoyed?
In recent times, Ive been writing a series about some of the worlds popular luxury hotel groups, both big and small.
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
NTSB Investigators to Interview Pilots of United Airlines Boeing 767 That Struck a Delivery Truck While Landing at Newark
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have arrived at Newark International Airport, where they will begin their probe into serious occurrence involving a United Airlines Boeing 767, which clipped a delivery truck and a light pole as it came into land on Sunday afternoon. Even before NTSB investigators...
Miles To Memories
JetBlue Courts Spirit Loyalists with New Status Match and Expanded FLL Service
JetBlue has announced an expanded schedule at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and a new loyalty status match for eligible Spirit Airlines Free Spirit Silver and Gold members.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Earn Up to 1,200 Bonus Atmos Points by Shopping: Member Appreciation Bonus
Effective through Monday, May 11, 2026 at 11:59:59 in the evening Eastern Daylight Time, you can earn up to 1,200 bonus Alaska Airlines Atmos points by shopping — in addition to the standard Atmos points earned — during the Member Appreciation Bonus at the Atmos Shopping portal by spending the...
Frequent Miler
$100 inKind gift card for $64.99 at Costco.com
Costco is once again offering a $100 inKind gift card for a discount, though this time around the price has dropped to $64.99. This could be a good deal if you have upcoming plans to dine at an inKind restaurant. You can also get 20% back on all food and beverage,...
View from the Wing
American Airlines Passenger Talked Into His Phone For An Entire Flight — But It Wasn’t A Phone Call
Everyone says phone calls on planes would be unbearable. But passengers already talk to each other out loud, sometimes for entire flights, and one American Airlines passenger managed to dictate voice memos from New York to Miami. Either way the issue is volume and courtesy, not what technology is...
One Mile at a Time
Massive Amex Business Platinum Card As High As 300K Points Welcome Offer
Link: Learn more about The Business Platinum Card from American Express
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.