a man in a suit standing next to a machine
BoardingArea
Delta’s Faster Biometric Boarding: A Frequent Flyer Game-Changer
I've spent countless hours devouring every travel tip, blog, and anecdote I could find, and over time, I've become fascinated by how technology is reshaping the very essence of flight. One of the most exciting trends I've observed is the rise of biometric boarding, which promises to give us an...
a laptop and boarding pass on a table
BoardingArea
Skiplagging Crackdown: What Frequent Flyers Should Know
Skiplagging—also called hidden-city ticketing—has been drawing lots of attention as we move deeper into 2025. I've noticed a growing number of travelers discussing how they book multi-leg flights and exit mid-journey to save money. While the concept itself isn't new, I can easily see why it's stirring up fresh controversies...
a man in a suit walking with a suitcase
BoardingArea
Skip the Wait: Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival
I've spent countless hours poring over stories from frequent flyers who waited months for a coveted Global Entry interview slot. It's a universal frustration—preparing all the documents, paying the fee, then twiddling your thumbs until that elusive appointment becomes available. That's where Enrollment on Arrival comes to the rescue. As...
a train on the tracks
BoardingArea
NextGen Acela: A High-Speed Boost for Northeast Travelers
After studying countless reports on high-speed rail systems and reading every travel blog post I could find, I'm thrilled to see Amtrak's upcoming NextGen Acela finally preparing to debut in spring 2025. These 28 all-electric train sets are billed as replacements for models that have served for over two decades,...
Also on BoardingArea
Frequent Miler
UBS Visa Infinite cards: Increased annual fees, but boosted benefits to boot
The portfolio of credit cards offered by the Swiss investment bank UBS tends to fly under the radar. One reason for that is that UBS doesn’t tend to offer a welcome bonus on its cards and another is that you can’t apply for the cards online – you have to...
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
FrequentFlyerBonuses Special Offer! Save 20% on Plaza Premium lounge visits
We have another great new partnership for the readers of FFB! We have teamed up with Plaza Premium Lounges to offer our readers a 20% discount on Plaza Premium single entry lounge visits! 20% off Plaza Premium lounges around the world! Plaza Premium has  lounges in 30+ countries around the...
{Tech} for Travel
OpenRock S2 Earbuds Review: Built for Wild Adventures
OpenRock S2 Earbuds Review: Ready for your next hike, these open-ear buds deliver bold sound, secure comfort, and features that keep you connected without blocking out the world. The post OpenRock S2 Earbuds Review: Built for Wild Adventures appeared first on {Tech} for Travel.
One Mile at a Time
Trump Appointee Bryan Bedford Becomes New FAA Administrator
We now have a new head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which I’d consider to be good news, as there’s lots of work to be done.
Altitude Yes
Japanese Convenience Store Franchise to Offer Overnight Stays at Parking Lots for Travelers
Lawson will be the first convenience store franchise in Japan to offer this service to travelers. The post Japanese Convenience Store Franchise to Offer Overnight Stays at Parking Lots for Travelers first appeared on Altitude Yes.
Wingtips
Fast Track Arrivals at Heathrow: Who Actually Needs It?
Price: £25 off-peak, £35 peak Location: All Heathrow terminals Availability: Pre-book only, for arrivals between 06:00–21:00 Book it… The post Fast Track Arrivals at Heathrow: Who Actually Needs It? appeared first on Wingtips.
Monkey Miles
Rakuten – 10x on a ton of stores
Rakuten is running a flash sale The post Rakuten – 10x on a ton of stores appeared first on Monkey Miles.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Frequent Travel Programs Are Profitable Because Of This One Question.
Readers of The Gate With Brian Cohen and BoardingArea in general tend to know most of the ways to maximize miles and points — but when discussing miles and points with people who are not familiar with how they work, the possibility that frequent travel membership programs are profitable because...
Monkey Miles
5 night offer ending! New Marriott Credit Card Offers
We break down the latest credit offers for Marriott branded Chase and Amex credit cards The post 5 night offer ending! New Marriott Credit Card Offers appeared first on Monkey Miles.
View from the Wing
‘You’re The Real Karen!’: JetBlue Passenger Loses It After Flyers Reject Her ‘I’m a Lawyer’ Demand To Deplane First
A passenger on a JetBlue flight demanded to be allowed to cut in front of other passengers getting off, identifying herself as a lawyer. Was she going to get a judge to order everyone to wait for her? Continue reading ‘You’re The Real Karen!’: JetBlue Passenger Loses It After Flyers...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Delta Air Lines Bans Flight Attendants From Wearing AI-Powered Smart Glasses
Remember 2017, when the world went crazy for augmented reality wearables meant to transform the way we work? The airline industry briefly explored the tech for flight attendants, but, and I’m sure many people are thankful for this, grand plans to roll out smart glasses were quickly dropped. It turned...
Your Mileage May Vary
Discover’s New 5% Categories Are Here — And One Is Shockingly Useful
Discover has activated its 5% Cashback Bonus categories for Q3 2025, and while Gas Stations and Public Transit are familiar returning options, the third category—Utilities—is a rare and valuable inclusion…
Miles To Memories
TSA Ends Shoe Removal Policy at All U.S. Airports
Travelers at U.S. airports will no longer have to remove their shoes as part of airport security screenings conducted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The post TSA Ends Shoe Removal Policy at All U.S. Airports appeared first on Miles to Memories.
Live from a Lounge
US Visa Fees to go up for non-immigration visas including B-1/B-2
The United States will implement new fees for visa issuance and usage in the coming months. Here are the details of their plans. The post US Visa Fees to go up for non-immigration visas including B-1/B-2 appeared first on Live From A Lounge.
Frequent Miler
Earn 80K miles on the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card with no annual fee the first year
Citi and American Airlines boosted the welcome offer on the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard yesterday to 80,000 bonus miles when spending $3,500 in the first four months. I believe that’s the highest ever welcome bonus on this card and it also comes with a waived annual fee...
Live and Let’s Fly
Official: TSA Ends Shoe Removal Requirement At Airport Checkpoints
UPDATE: This policy is now official, with a statement from TSA explaining why it has lifted the shoe removal requirement: “The new policy will increase hospitality for travelers and streamline the TSA security checkpoint process, leading to lower wait times.” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem added: “Ending the ‘Shoes-Off’ policy...
One Mile at a Time
The (Honest) State Of Travel & Points Blogging
I’ve been blogging full time for over 17 years. A lot has changed in the travel & points blogging landscape in that time, between the increasing popularity of the points hobby, the way that media consumption has changed, and more. I thought this would be an interesting time to reflect...
The Bulkhead Seat
Entitled “Lawyer” Causes Scene on JetBlue Flight by Cutting the Line to Deplane
A JetBlue passenger caused a ruckus on a recent flight after she pushed forward… The post Entitled “Lawyer” Causes Scene on JetBlue Flight by Cutting the Line to Deplane appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Miles To Memories
Want to Skip CLEAR Lines? You Can Pay $99 More
CLEAR Plus is a service that now costs $209 and get you past long lines at airports. And now they are offering to get past CLEAR lines if you pay at least an extra $99. The post Want to Skip CLEAR Lines? You Can Pay $99 More appeared first on Miles...
Points With a Crew
Should you buy IHG points with a 100% bonus? (Flash Sale Ends Friday)
Buying points can be a great way to boost your balance, but only if makes sense financially! Does the new IHG promotion fit that criteria?
The Travel Sisters
Best Amazon Prime Day Travel & Luggage Deals – Day 2
Looking for travel deals for Day 2 of Amazon Prime Day? We have put together our list of our favorite travel products which are currently on sale. The post Best Amazon Prime Day Travel & Luggage Deals – Day 2 appeared first on The Travel Sisters.
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Russia Canceled Nearly 500 Flights And Delayed Thousands More Last Weekend… Ukranians Claim Their Drones Are Wreaking Havoc
Russia’s official TASS news agency has confirmed that 485 flights across the country were canceled last weekend, and thousands more were delayed, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded in overcrowded airports that struggled to cope with the disruption. With the summer holidays underway, Russians are keen to escape their...
Live and Let’s Fly
JetBlue Deplaning Turns Ugly As Lawyer Skips Line And Sparks Showdown
A woman claiming to be a lawyer sparked a chaotic shouting match onboard a JetBlue flight after skipping the line to deplane, leading to a viral confrontation filled with insults, profanity, and arguments over IQ level. Lawyer Skips Deplaning Line, Sparks Ugly Mid-Cabin Brawl The incident, captured on video and...
Your Mileage May Vary
Update: The Bonuses Airport Staff Are Now Paid to Catch Passengers With Oversized Bags
About 2 years ago, the travel story that was all over the news was how certain airlines were paying gate agents a commission to “catch” passengers who were “trying to…
a train in a station
BoardingArea
NextGen Acela: A Speedy Alternative for Northeast Flyers
I've been keeping a close watch on the Northeast Corridor for a while, and it's about to get a major travel upgrade. In a $2.45 billion partnership with Alstom, Amtrak is rolling out NextGen Acela trains in spring 2025, promising faster links between Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston. These...
a box and a bag next to a tablet and cell phone
BoardingArea
10 Prime Day Gadgets Frequent Flyers Shouldn’t Miss
This year's Prime Day begins today, July 8th, and is expected to go through July 11th. This year marks a change from the usual two-day event, extending the sale to a full four days, This extended opportunity offers a fresh wave of deals for road warriors and those who, like...
a credit card and a watch on a wallet
BoardingArea
5 Essential Trip Delay Hacks With Chase Sapphire Reserve
Flight delays can quickly turn a much-anticipated trip into a logistical nightmare. Luckily, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers substantial trip delay coverage—helping travelers recoup unexpected costs when disruptions hit hard. In the year 2025, industry data suggests flight delays continue to affect nearly one in three travelers, making reliable coverage...
a card and a glass of water
BoardingArea
Maximize Your Amex Travel Credits Before They Expire
I've spent countless hours reading about airline loyalty programs and the financial nuances of premium travel cards. Over time, I've seen far too many cardholders overlook statement credits that could have significantly offset their annual fees—often because they simply forgot to use them before the deadline. American Express is one...
a road going through a valley
BoardingArea
Summer Road Trips: Maximizing Choice & Wyndham Points
The Rise of the Summer Road Trip I've always been fascinated by the way summer road trips capture our imagination. Getting behind the wheel and charting our own course offers that sense of freedom so many of us crave. According to a 2025 forecast by AAA, nearly 82% of U.S. travelers...
a bicycle and a plant in a pot
BoardingArea
Can ChatGPT Plan Your Summer Getaway?
In 2025, I've found that trip planning can sometimes feel like trying to solve a ten-part puzzle. One moment, you're excited about finalizing that dream resort, and the next, you realize you've overlooked flight times or a hidden layover. Before you know it, the process becomes a juggling act of...
a coffee cup and passport on a table with a plane in the background
BoardingArea
United’s Big Summer Leap: Greenland & Mongolia Take Center Stage
I've been following airline trends for quite some time, and United's decision to expand its global reach like never before has me buzzing with excitement. Despite potential challenges like Boeing delivery delays and evolving airport infrastructure, it's clear that the carrier is forging ahead to connect more corners of the...
a car at a gas station
BoardingArea
Chase Freedom’s Q3 2025: Fuel Up & Have Fun with 5% Cash Back
In my ongoing exploration of the best travel rewards out there, I recently dove into Chase's Q3 2025 bonus categories for Freedom and Freedom Flex cardmembers. This summer, the big draw is an enticing 5% cash back (or 5X Ultimate Rewards points) on up to $1,500 in combined purchases involving...