Wild About Travel
Cities I Love
A series for travellers, dreamers, and anyone who has ever fallen for a place. It’s a crazy time right now, isn’t it? In the midst of everything, I’ve been reminiscing about how lucky I’ve been to spend time in some of the most extraordinary cities on earth. Not just passing...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Digital upgrade — faster check-in, smarter app, and priority bag drops
Virgin has announced a major upgrade to its mobile app and domestic airport check-in experience. It promises a 50% redution in check-in times across 10 Australian domestic airports. The rollout starts this month, May 2026, and should rbe complete before the end of the year. What this actually means is...
2PAXfly
GOVERNMENT: Budget grounds taxpayer-funded Qantas Club memberships
The Australian Federal Government has cottoned on to the public service’s travel habit of taxpayer-funded airline lounge memberships. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher has banned Commonwealth agencies from charging taxpayers for Qantas Club, Virgin Australia lounge and similar airline memberships. The directive emerged from the 2026 budget papers. Lounge bill The...
2PAXfly
NEW ZEALAND: Flight from Blenheim to Wellington on Air New Zealand
Our return to Wellington was from Blenheim Airport (BHE). It’s a tiny airport adjacent to a New Zealand Air Force facility. No lounge, and not much of anything else except a big waiting room with two ‘gates’, one at either end. The Airport Facilities are minimal, no lounge, for example,...
Also on BoardingArea
Points Miles and Bling
Disney World Deals for Canadians: Huge Savings on Tickets and Hotels
Hey all! Thrilled to join as the newest writer. I cover loyalty for The Globe and Mail and talk credit…
View from the Wing
American Airlines Flight Attendant Objects To Her Union’s Left-Wing Politics — But Still Must Pay Dues
An American Airlines flight attendant is objecting to her union’s left-wing political messaging, including May Day posts aimed at Trump and Elon Musk. Unions are obviously - and necessarily - political. That makes it tough for airline workers who have to pay dues to platform ideas they oppose.
Economy Class & Beyond
United Airlines to launch a San Francisco-Sapporo Service
United Airlines is trying to be big in Japan as it announces a service uplift and a new service between San Francisco and Sapporo, as well as a daily Chicago-Tokyo-Narita flight. The airline will launch the first nonstop service from the continental U.S. to Sapporo, Japan, as well as a...
Frequent Miler
Hyatt Brand Explorer: Now with 38 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...
Monkey Miles
VIP Airport Service – cost breakdown, airlines, airports
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Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Passengers Who Were Injured When Delta Air Plane Hit Spirit Jet As it Was Boarding At Cleveland Sue After Suffering Slew of Injuries
A group of passengers, including two young children, who were left injured when the wing tip of a Delta Air Lines plane struck the wing of the Spirit Airlines aircraft that they were boarding, are now suing both carriers for negligence. The lawsuit was filed in a California district court...
One Mile at a Time
United & JetBlue Roll Out Reciprocal Elite Perks Live: How Generous Are They?
In May 2025, United and JetBlue announced plans to roll out a partnership, which is being marketed as Blue Sky. Its a quirky collaboration that seems odd on the surface.
Miles To Memories
Amex Perk Devaluation, United’s Massive Deal & Airfare Up A Staggering 21.6%
In our Around the Web series we take a look at interesting articles that cover miles, points, travel and personal finance.
Miles To Memories
Travel Hacker Takes Over Flying Blue, Excellent ALL Accor Promo & Bottomless Cheap Eats
In our Around the Web series we take a look at interesting articles that cover miles, points, travel and personal finance.
Traveling For Miles
JetBlue and United Airlines roll out reciprocal frequent flyer benefits
JetBlue and United Airlines have officially activated reciprocal frequent flyer benefits marking the next phase of their "Blue Sky" partnership. Starting this week elite members of JetBlue’s TrueBlue and United’s MileagePlus programs are eligible for a suite of priority services and cabin upgrades when traveling on either carrier's network.
Points Miles and Bling
United Expands Japan Service with New Sapporo Flights
United Airlines is continuing its rapid international expansion with two new Japan routes launching in late 2026, including a brand-new…
Live and Let’s Fly
Delta Air Lines Passed On Starlink For A Reason More Valuable Than Wi-Fi
Delta chose Amazon Leo over Starlink for its next-generation onboard Wi-Fi, and Elon Musk now claims the deal fell apart over something as mundane, and yet potentially very important, as the login portal. But there’s something more going on here than simply choosing the best internet provider. Did Delta Make...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Passenger Stopped Trying to Smuggle Rare Bears Through Dubai International Airport Ater Customs Officers Spot Skeleton On X-Ray Monitor
Customs officers at Dubai International Airport were in for a shock as they monitored the baggage X-ray monitors in the arrivals hall when they noticed two small skeletons, setting off an automated alert and flagging a suitcase for detailed inspection. Inside the bag were two small, rare bears that had...
You Are Travel
Ends Today: An Extra $50 Off Citi Travel Hotel Bookings: Stack on Top of $100 Citi Premier Credit (Targeted)
​tl;dr – If you’re planning to book a hotel stay through Citi Travel, you can save a few…
One Mile at a Time
Buy Air Canada Aeroplan Points With 90% Bonus (1.44 Cents Each): Worth It?
Oftenbuying points strategically can be a good value, especially for first and business class travel. Air Canada Aeroplan has just launched its latest promotion on purchased points, and it has the potential to be quite an attractive offer.
No Work All Travel
New Vietnam Entry Requirement
Although the policy has been in place for around one month, tourists headed to Ho Chi Minh City (airport code: SGN) should be aware of this new Vietnam entry requirement. As of 15 April, Vietnam has mandated the use of an electronic arrivals form for many visitors. Those not needing...
Miles To Memories
Save 50% on Amazon with Amex Rewards Dollars [YMMV]
If you have an American Express credit card that earns cash back, then you can save 50% on your next Amazon purchase.
View from the Wing
Spirit Airlines Told Workers To Ignore Shutdown Rumors — Now They’re Suing For 60 Days Pay
Spirit Airlines workers say the company told them to ignore shutdown rumors right up until the end — then terminated nearly everyone without 60 days’ notice. Now they’re suing for WARN Act pay, while Spirit argues its collapse was unforeseeable because last-minute financing and a possible taxpayer bailout fell apart.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Save Up to 30% With Etihad Airways — Purchase Today Only
You can save up to 30% with Etihad Airways on both one-way flights and round trip flights to destinations worldwide through October of 2026 onwards while seated as a passenger in the economy class cabin... ...but you must...
Traveling For Miles
United Airlines expands its services to Japan
United Airlines has announced that it plans to continue its expansion across the Pacific later this year when it adds two new services to Japan. One service will boost the airline's presence in Tokyo while the other will add a new dot on the United Airlines route map.
The Points of Life
Update: IHG Stay Cert Must Be Used Before Expiration Date
Last year, my IHG certificate was set to expire. I called IHG, who told me that I could redeem it in the future beyond the expiration date (see Motivational Or Irritating? Expiring Stay Certificates). Fast forward to 2026 and I found out that I was given incorrect information. The website...
The Bulkhead Seat
United Airlines Adds New San Francisco to Sapporo and Chicago to Tokyo Narita Routes
United Airlines is stepping up its Japan offerings for the winter 2026-2027 season with…
Dots, Lines, & Destinations
DLD 586: No Pentium Jokes Allowed
Big news out of Canada, wine country, and routes changing to backfill the Spirit collapse, among other things.
Frequent Miler
IHG Amex Offer: Spend $250+, get $50 back
There’s an IHG Amex Offer out that gives you $50 back when you spend at least $250 at select IHG properties in the US, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, UK, Japan & Germany. The spend requirement is additive, so it can be on more than one transaction, and the total spend must...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 10 May, 2026
Greetings from Sydney. As you will find out below, I have been battling an awful case of jet lag. It has filled me with brain fog, sleep deprivation, irritability, and a general lack of thought capability. I’ve written a post about what I should have done to combat it. What...
2PAXfly
JET LAG: I have been suffering the worst jet-lag of my life. Here is what I should have done
About a week ago, I returned from London to Sydney via Istanbul and Singapore. My flights were mostly with Turkish Airlines, with the last leg on a wet-leased Finnair A330 on a Qantas ticket. It’s been a week, and I am still desperately sleep deprived, irritable, brain fogged, and useless....
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Double Status Credits in ‘Pick your bonus’ promo. A longer runway than Qantas
Virgin Australia has responded to Qantas’ latest double rewards offer with its own ‘Pick Your Bonus‘ 2026 promotion, giving Velocity Frequent Flyer members the choice of double Status Credits or double Velocity Points on eligible flights. Qantas’ current offer is limited to flights between 12 May and 31 August 2026....
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Double Status Credits surprise, but only for Australia and New Zealand
Qantas has launched a short, sharp ‘double rewards’ offer for Frequent Flyer members. You can choose between double Status Credits or double Qantas Points on eligible flights within Australia and across the Tasman. The booking window is tight. You need to register and book between 12.01 am AEST on 5...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 3 May, 2026
Greetings from Sydney. My month-long stay in the UK has come to an end, and I’m back home to enjoy the dwindling warmth of Autumn. It was a great time catching up with friends, seeing way too much theatre, and adding to my long list of galleries, museums, and artworks...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: More cuts to domestic flights but flights to Paris and Rome extended
Qantas has confirmed it will extend its 5% reduction in domestic capacity through to September, stretching what was initially a short-term cut from May–June into a full winter slowdown. Its low-cost sibling Jetstar is following suit, with both airlines also trimming flights across the Tasman and within New Zealand. For...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Restarting Doha flights with Qatar Airways from June
Although Qatar Airways has resumed some of its Australian network flights as of 1 May, Virgin Australia’s wet-leased flights using Qatar Airways aircraft are not returning until June The return to the wet lease agreement is cautious because of the Middle East conflict. Virgin Australia has confirmed its Doha flights...
2PAXfly
QATAR AIRWAYS: Network begins to rebound restoring Australian flights
Qatar Airways is ramping up flights to Australia, restoring capacity after months of disruption caused by Middle East airspace closures. From May, the Doha-based carrier is progressively returning to a full schedule across Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, with daily flights reinstated after a period of reduced services. Australian routes return...