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
View from the Wing
Air Canada Reveals Stunning New Cabins — What Its COO Told Me About The Design Choices And Fleet Plans
Air Canada has finally pulled back the curtain on brand new cabins for its Boeing 787-10 and Airbus A321XLR, and business class seats and new cabins are only part of the story. The airline’s COO filled in what the launch materials do not: why Air Canada obsessed over design details,...
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Wyndham Rewards: Earn 4x points for stays in China, Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan
Earn 4x Wyndham Rewards points for stays of 2 or more nights at participating hotels in China (including Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan).
The Bulkhead Seat
Wild: United CEO Floats Bold Idea of Acquiring American Airlines
A new Bloomberg report suggests a potential seismic shift in the US airline industry…
Frequent Miler
Best ways to get to Africa using points and miles (2026)
From the markets of Marrakesh to the quintessential South African safari, the African continent has many wonders to behold. Whether you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of penguins in Cape Town or the Great Migration across the Serengeti, here are a number of good options for booking award travel to...
View from the Wing
United CEO Scott Kirby Pitched Buying American Airlines — The Man It Fired Wants The Ultimate Revenge Deal
Scott Kirby has reportedly pitched regulators on the idea of buying American Airlines, turning one of the strangest what-ifs in the industry into something at least serious enough to discuss in Washington. What makes the idea impossible to ignore is the backstory: Kirby was fired as American’s president, and a...
Points With a Crew
Which Hilton credit card is the best? (Last Chance For Higher Offers)
There are 4 different Hilton credit cards - each with their own set of perks and benefits. Let's take a look at the pros and cons and decide which Hilton card is best
Altitude Yes
United CEO Interested in Merger With American, Bloomberg Reports
Kirby reportedly has pitched the idea to senior government officials. The post United CEO Interested in Merger With American, Bloomberg Reports first appeared on Altitude Yes.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Entry/Exit System in Europe Finally Operating — But Not Smoothly: Travel Alert
If you plan on visiting Europe, note that the Entry/Exit System — which is informally known as the EES — in Europe is finally operating effective as of Friday, April 10, 2026 after years of delays; but passengers have reportedly been experiencing mass confusion and widespread disruptions shortly after its...
One Mile at a Time
Report: United CEO Scott Kirby Proposes Merger With American To Trump Officials
Guys, either Scott Kirby is losing his mind, or the Trump administration likes ”big deals” even more than we already knew.
Frequent Miler
Earn up to a $815 bonus with a new SoFi checking/savings account
SoFi has again increased its stackable offer, which can give you up to $815 back when you open a new checking/savings account. The shopping portal Swagbucks is offering a 41,500-point (~$415) bonus for opening a new SoFi Checking/Savings account by clicking through the portal link and making a $400 direct...
Your Mileage May Vary
This Might Be the Strangest Way To Use Aeroplan Points—But It Could Be A Good Value
I’ve seen points used for flights, hotels, upgrades, and even concert tickets, but this one caught me off guard. You can use Air Canada Aeroplan points for a Disney experience.…
One Mile at a Time
Blurry iPhone Text Picture Problem: Is There An Easy Solution I’m Missing?
Collectively I’d like to think that OMAAT readers know just about everything, so I’m wondering if anyone might be able to help with a solution to my problem…
Frequent Miler
Virgin Atlantic has hiked award surcharges again
Over the last several years, Virgin Atlantic has demonstrated a pattern of devaluing awards without notice or notification. The latest such devaluation was noticed by Thrifty Traveler over the weekend, with fees increased on Virgin Atlantic awards across the board for the second time in less than a year, with...
Miles To Memories
Bruno Mars Took Over Vegas, Tiny Homes with INSANE Rents Coming & Aria’s Coming Upgrade?
Bruno Mars takes over Vegas, Frozen 4 arrives, painting rocks, tiny homes with INSANE rents and is Aria finally getting its renovation?
Travel Codex
Europe’s Biometric Border Checks Are Here: Long Lines and Fees
If you’re headed to Europe in the near future, your arrival and departure experience is about to change  and not in the “priority passport lane magically appears” sort of way. As of April 10, 2026, the European Union’s long-delayed Entry/Exit System (EES)or European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) has now been...
View from the Wing
Airport Lounge Guest Ordered Six Burgers And Filled Duffel Bags With Food — This Is Why Nice Things Don’t Last
Lounges got better, access expanded, and banks taught travelers to treat “free” as something to maximize at all costs — so now people wait in long lines to enter crowded rooms, hoard food, and turn what was supposed to feel premium into something closer to wartime siege.
Your Mileage May Vary
Inaugural Cruise Breaks Down—With 200+ Travel Agents Onboard
A lot of people know not to make a reservation at a hotel when it’s brand new. There are just too many things that can go wrong. Construction might not…
The Bulkhead Seat
Detroit Launches In-Airport Autonomous Wheelchairs to Enhance Accessibility
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is working toward improving accessibility with the introduction…
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Lufthansa Facing Major Crisis As Back to Back Pilot and Flight Attendant Strikes Ground Flights Until Friday
The German flag carrier Lufthansa is now facing a major crisis after flight attendants announced yet another strike… The walkout is slated to start just as a seperate walkout by pilots finishes, bringing four days of flight chaos to the airline. The latest strike was announced with little more than...
Frequent Miler
American Express Platinum Card® to cut Lufthansa lounge access in October 2026
Amex Platinum cards currently offer access to some Lufthansa lounges for cardholders flying Lufthansa out of Frankfurt and Munich. Unfortunately, that benefit will end on October 1, 2026. As of the time of writing, Amex Platinum cardholders enjoy limited access to Lufthansa lounges: Free access to Lufthansa Business Lounges (with...
Live and Let’s Fly
United Now Selling $6,000+ Business Class Tickets That Earn Zero Miles
United Airlines recently announced the introduction of “basic” business class fares, which are now for sale on a handful of routes. Unfortunately, the tickets are even more restricted than we originally were led to believe when it comes to mileage earning in a way that seems to defy logic. United...
Miles To Memories
American Airlines Loyalists Don’t Get Elite Benefits in Basic Economy
American Airlines really does not want you to purchase Basic Economy tickets.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Earn a Mystery Bonus of Atmos Points by Shopping in April
Effective through Friday, April 17, 2026 at 11:59:59 in the evening Eastern Daylight Time, you can earn bonus Alaska Airlines Atmos points — in addition to the standard Atmos points earned — during the Mystery Bonus campaign at the Atmos Shopping portal by spending a minimum of...
View from the Wing
Uber Is Testing A Better Way To Rent Cars — Skip The Counter, Skip The Shuttle, Get Delivery
Uber has stumbled onto a much better rental car idea by letting customers skip the counter and shuttle bus and have a car delivered to them instead. The problem is that the service (1) short-changes drivers, so they become unreliable and (2) still rides on Avis - as a result...
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.