Point Me to the Plane

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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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.
BoardingArea
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...
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 Comic...
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Frequent Miler
Chase Bonvoy Boundless: Five Marriott 50K free night certificates offer still available via referral
Update 7/18/25: The public links for this offer are all dead, but it’s still available via referral links (which is what we have on our Best Offers page). Those will almost certainly die soon, so act fast if you missed out. Note that you can refer from another Chase card...
The Bulkhead Seat
Completed for 2026: I Requalified for United Premier 1K® Status Today
I have held Premier 1K® or Global Services status every year since United Airlines… The post Completed for 2026: I Requalified for United Premier 1K® Status Today appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
View from the Wing
LaGuardia’s Chase Sapphire Lounge Is Spectacular—Except For The Rock Hard Salmon Bun And Bland Burger
Order up a cocktail, sit at the bar, in a quiet spot, or by the fireplace. Head to the gameroom with friends. Book a facial using a QR code that's ubiquitous throughout the lounge. And see whether you agree with the majority opinion that the food is...
Frequent Miler
Delta Amex Offer: Spend $500 & Get $100 Back (up to 2 times)
There is a new Delta Amex Offer out that provides some decent savings. The version that I have gives you a $100 statement credit after $500+ in spend (in one or more purchases), AND you can do it twice for a total of $200 in possible credits. There are usually...
Your Mileage May Vary
The Smallest Airport in the United States
A couple of months ago, I wrote about my experience at what was the smallest airport I had ever seen. Upon reading that, one of our readers took the opportunity…
Points With a Crew
Should you buy Wyndham points with a 60% bonus?
Wyndham Rewards currently has a 35% bonus on buying points. Buying Wyndham points can be a great way to book an amazing Vacasa vacation rental at a steep discount. Find out how ...
Miles To Memories
Hyatt Finally Has an Award Calendar That Shows Availability
World of Hyatt has finally made it easier for members to find award availability for their favorite hotels. The post Hyatt Finally Has an Award Calendar That Shows Availability appeared first on Miles to Memories.
Miles For Family
PSA: Transferring Flexible Points Doesn’t Extend Validity of Miles Earned from Bank of America Credit Card
This is an issue  I’ve faced today, so I wanted to write a post in case you are dealing with a similar situation. A few years ago, my husband applied for Bank of America Air France/KLM credit card. It was done mainly for the signup bonus, and I had no...
Live from a Lounge
Etihad upgrades a couple to The Residence to celebrate 20 million passengers flown in 2025
Etihad made the day of a couple who arrived at the airport thinking they would be slumming it in Economy, only to be upgraded to the Etihad Residence. Now that is making someone's day! The post Etihad upgrades a couple to The Residence to celebrate 20 million passengers flown in 2025...
Miles To Memories
Alaska Airlines’ Partnership with Lyft Gets More Rewarding
Alaska Airlines' partnership with Lyft, which launched in 2022, is getting more rewarding. As of July 17, you can now earn more miles for your Lyft rides. The post Alaska Airlines’ Partnership with Lyft Gets More Rewarding appeared first on Miles to Memories.
One Mile at a Time
Will United Overtake Delta? CEO Scott Kirby Gives Strategic Answer
As anyone who follows the US airline industry knows, Delta is the most profitable US carrier, United is the second most profitable US carrier, and everyone else is quite a ways behind.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Wildfires Out of Control in Canada Summer 2025: Travel Alert
Grand Canyon National Park in the United States is not the only place that is currently affected by wildfires that are out of control, as parts of Canada are also being scorched in the summer of 2025. The following travel alert was issued by the United States Embassy and Consulates in...
Altitude Yes
Japan Airlines Receives 10th A350-1000, Paris Route to Be Served Daily by the Aircraft
Following this delivery, the Tokyo to Paris route will exclusively be operated by the A350-1000 beginning on August 27. The post Japan Airlines Receives 10th A350-1000, Paris Route to Be Served Daily by the Aircraft first appeared on Altitude Yes.
The Bulkhead Seat
Will United Airlines Introduce “Basic Business Class” Fares With Stripped-Down Benefits?
Delta Air Lines has been pretty vocal about it offering differentiated premium cabin offerings… The post Will United Airlines Introduce “Basic Business Class” Fares With Stripped-Down Benefits? appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Live and Let’s Fly
My Delicious Salad + Sandwich On JetBlue
I appreciate airlines that offer thoughtful buy-on-board meals for economy class passengers and thoroughly enjoyed both a sandwich and salad on a transcontinental JetBlue flight from the carrier’s EatUp Café menu. Salad + Sandwich From JetBlue EatUp Café We landed from Paris and had a few hours at New York...
View from the Wing
United CEO’s Bold Prediction: Struggling Rivals Will Cut Flights—And You’ll Pay Higher Fares
We've aleady seen airlines pull back flying for the fall, in anticipation of lower demand. That's focused largely on early morning, late night and redeye trips and off-peak days. Continue reading United CEO’s Bold Prediction: Struggling Rivals Will Cut Flights—And You’ll Pay Higher Fares...
Traveling For Miles
Delta Air Lines will launch a Los Angeles to Hong Kong route in 2026
It has been seven long years since Delta has offered flights to Hong Kong (the Seattle Hong-Kong route ended in October 2018), but now it looks like the airline is ready to give Hong Kong another go as it says that it will serve the special administrative region of China...
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BoardingArea
Review: VIP One Lounge at New York JFK Airport (JFK), Terminal 1
maybe the oddest lounge I have ever visited.. A rather small pre-security lounge at JFK’s terminal one has made to order food, a welcoming reception team, an expedited security lane of its own, and is surprisingly quiet - but the lack of available outlets and no in-lounge bathrooms detract from the...
Your Mileage May Vary
How To Book a Day Use Hotel Room (And Which Chains Let You Do It Online)
When you think about booking a hotel room, you probably imagine checking in late afternoon and staying overnight. But that’s not always the type of stay travelers need. Sometimes you…
Miles To Memories
Citi Strata Elite Rumored to Launch This Weekend with 100K Bonus
Citi said that it will launch the new Strata Elite card in Q3, and it could go live as soon as this weekend based on recent rumors. The post Citi Strata Elite Rumored to Launch This Weekend with 100K Bonus appeared first on Miles to Memories.
Frequent Miler
Hyatt Brand Explorer: Now with 35 brands, earn up to 7 free nights
Hyatt’s Category 1-4 free night certificates can be earned in several ways, most commonly as an anniversary perk of the Chase World of Hyatt Card, as a 30-night Milestone perk or by spending $15,000/year on the Chase card. One of the easiest, and perhaps least-noticed, ways to earn Cat 1-4...
Live from a Lounge
Emirates launches new First Class Checkin at Dubai Terminal 3
Emirates has launched a new First Class check-in area at Dubai airport, which is opulent and only for a select audience. Here is why this is an interesting choice. The post Emirates launches new First Class Checkin at Dubai Terminal 3 appeared first on Live From A Lounge.
Wingtips
Heathrow T3 Now Has Three Lounges From No1 Because One Just Isn’t Enough
Turns out three really is the magic number, at least if you’re No1 Lounges and Heathrow Terminal 3… The post Heathrow T3 Now Has Three Lounges From No1 Because One Just Isn’t Enough appeared first on Wingtips.
One Mile at a Time
United Airlines Hints At “Basic” Polaris Business Class Fares
I don’t think this will surprise anyone, but United Airlines executives have essentially confirmed plans to introduce a ”basic” Polaris business class experience…
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
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.
BoardingArea
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!"
BoardingArea
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.
BoardingArea
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.'
BoardingArea
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.
BoardingArea
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...
a turtle on a paper money
BoardingArea
Points Game: Tortoise Strategy Triumphs [Weekly Top Posts]
1. Error in FAA Reauthorization Bill Could Let Airlines Put Travel Agents Out of Business The FAA Reauthorization bill requires travel agents to provide refunds where they are the vendor of record charging the customer - even when they’ve paid the airline and the airline hasn’t given the money back...