2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Extends COVID credits usage, but redemption date stays 30 June 2026
Virgin Australia has made a late concession on its COVID-era travel credits, extending the travel period for eligible credits issued between 21 April 2020 and 31 July 2022. Passengers still need to book by 30 June 2026, but they can now travel up to 27 May 2027. That is a...
2PAXfly
MIDDLE EAST: Australia eases travel warnings for key Gulf transit hubs
Australian travellers heading to Europe, the UK or Africa via the Middle East have been handed some qualified good news. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Smartraveller advice website have lowered advice for Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates from Level 4, “Do...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Project Sunrise announces first route, Sydney to London non-stop. Surprise, surprise!
CEO Vanessa Hudson just travelled to Airbus’ Toulouse headquarters to announce that London, from Sydney, would be the first Project Sunrise route, followed by New York. Is that really news? We knew it had to be an east coast departure, so that’s Sydney or Melbourne (Brisbane doesn’t have a First...
2PAXfly
TURKISH AIRLINES: Non-stop Australia flights delayed until 2027
Turkish Airlines’ promised non-stop flights between Istanbul and Australia have slipped again, with Sydney now expected by the end of 2027 and Melbourne pushed into 2028. That is the bad news. Turkish Airlines plans to fly a specially configured Airbus A350-1000, heavy on premium seats, fitted with the airline’s new...
Also on BoardingArea
One Mile at a Time
Qantas Backtracks On London Heathrow First Lounge: It Was All Fake Hype
In early 2023, Qantas announced plans to expand its network of first class lounges, by opening a new location in London. Qantas’ first class lounges are exceptional, so this is something that many of us were very excited about. There’s now an update, as this lounge is no longer in...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Extends COVID credits usage, but redemption date stays 30 June 2026
Virgin Australia has made a late concession on its COVID-era travel credits, extending the travel period for eligible credits issued between 21 April 2020 and 31 July 2022. Passengers still need to book by 30 June 2026, but they can now travel up to 27 May 2027. That is a...
The Bulkhead Seat
Marriott’s Design Hotels Adds 16 Palisociety Properties
Marriott’s Design Hotels has announced its largest portfolio expansion to date, signing agreements to…
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Iberia Club Award Flight Sale: Receive a 40% discount to or from New York, Boston or Washington
Iberia Club’s next award flight sale is here and members can save up to 40% in Avios when redeeming for award flights on select routes to and from the U.S. (See the list below). Award flights on these routes start from 11,700 Avios. To take advantage of this offer you...
Points With a Crew
Save Up to 50% on Amazon with Amex Rewards Dollars (Targeted)
We’ve written about this deal before but it appears to be back! It appears to be targeted but if so, it seems widely targeted. Save 30% on Amazon, up to $30 in savings (offers vary), when you you purchase eligible products and use at least 1 cent in Amex Reward...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
14 Tips to Fight Jet Lag
Upon arriving at your destination from a long international trip by airplane, you feel tired and are ready to go to bed for the night — but the time is only 1:00 in the afternoon. Why might this happen — and how do you combat the potentially significant discomfort to...
Frequent Miler
Chase Business Checking: $500 bonus after $2,000 deposit
Chase has extended a limited-time offer for new Business Checking enrollments: Get a $500 bonus with a $2K+ deposit. The money only needs to remain in the account for ~30-35 days, yielding a terrific return. This is the best deposit-to-earning ratio we’ve seen for a new Chase business checking account....
The Bulkhead Seat
Hilton Opens Reservations for Waldorf Astoria London at Historic Admiralty Arch
Hilton has officially opened reservations for the long-awaited Waldorf Astoria London – Admiralty Arch,…
Frequent Miler
Book a stay on Richard Branson’s private island for 750,000 Virgin points
One of the highlights of Greg the Frequent Miler’s worldwide travels was when he earned 1.2 million Virgin points in order to book a week on Richard Branson’s private island, Necker Island, during which he got to hang out with Sir Virgin himself. Since Greg’s trip, Necker Island redemptions went away, came...
Your Mileage May Vary
Disney Is Cracking Down On A Popular Free Parking Workaround
When you visit most large theme parks, you typically have to pay for parking. Most of us probably don’t think it’s fair that on top of paying $100+ to play…
The Bulkhead Seat
Air Serbia Launches New “ELEVATE” Loyalty Program, Ends Partnership With Etihad Guest
Air Serbia has officially launched ELEVATE, its new standalone loyalty program. This marks the…
Frequent Miler
Southwest Shopping Portal: Earn 2,000 bonus Rapid Rewards points after only $200 spend
The Southwest shopping portal is running an excellent new promotion, offering the opportunity to earn 2,000 bonus Rapid Rewards points after only $200 in online purchases through June 29th. The Deal The Southwest shopping portal is running the following promotion: Spend $200 & earn 2,000 bonus Rapid Rewards points Direct...
View from the Wing
Downgraded Air Canada Passenger Asked A Stranger About Elite Status. He Was The COO And Gave Her His Business Class Seat
A downgraded Air Canada passenger struck up a gate conversation with a stranger about her new elite status, only to learn later he was the airline’s COO. He gave her his business class seat, offering a small but powerful reminder that airline leaders learn the business best when they stay...
One Mile at a Time
Chase Ink Business Unlimited Review: 100K Bonus, 1.5x Points, & No Annual Fee
There are lots of great business credit cards, and many businesses leave a lot of rewards on the table by not using the right credit card. In this post, I’d like to take an in-depth look at the Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card, which is potentially the most compelling Chase...
Points With a Crew
Kickstarter: SpinTi Rotating Tritium Keychain
The SpinTi Rotating Tritium Keychain promises a 25-year glow, allowing you to get a glow that never fades. It's on Kickstarter, but only for a few more ...
Your Mileage May Vary
When Booking A Hotel Through A Portal Actually Made More Sense Than Booking Direct
Booking directly with a hotel is usually the cleanest option. You earn hotel points, elite credit, credit card rewards and whatever benefits come with your status. But every once in…
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles: Earn 2,000 bonus miles on one Hilton stay worldwide
Turkis Airlines and Hilton are back with their bonus Miles&Smiles promo for one Hilton stay! For 2026 we see the bonus boosted to 2,000 miles from the 1,000 but also have the loss of the 50% bonus status miles seen in 2025.. This bonus can be earned in addition to...
Frequent Miler
Wyndham Earner Premier Card under-the-radar perk: Points don’t expire
Wyndham has uncharacteristically occupied a larger chunk of the points and miles world’s attention this week with the addition of a new premium credit card, along with a “refresh” of its existing cards. You can read Stephen’s thoughts on the new Wyndham Premier credit card here. Whether or not it’s...
Miles To Memories
New Chase Sapphire Lounge Coming to Miami Airport
It looks like Chase is preparing to add another Sapphire Lounge location, this time at Miami International Airport (MIA).
Frequent Miler
Capital One Offers: Get $10 / 1,000 miles on $20 with eBay, Best Buy, Lowe’s, Home Depot & more
Capital One is out with a whole slew of new, very tempting merchant deals that are effectively giving 50%+ back on modest purchase amounts when you click through the offer on your credit card profile. The deals I am seeing on my account are primarily 1,000 miles back on $20+...
View from the Wing
Air Force One 747 Makes Its Last Presidential Flight As $400 Million Qatari ‘Flying Palace’ Replaces It
Air Force One 29000 has made its final presidential flight after 35 years of service, including carrying President George W. Bush on 9/11. A former Qatari 747-8 is being rushed into service as a $400 million bridge aircraft, but it lacks the matched backup, working layout, and full no-fail configuration...
Points Miles and Bling
5 Reasons Why Mexico Should Be Your Next Vacation
Many people I know have been to Mexico exactly once. A week at an all-inclusive, drinks unlimited, brain fully offline.…
Live and Let’s Fly
Royal Jordanian Pilot Calls Jerusalem “Eternal Capital Of Palestine” While Flying Over Israel
A Royal Jordanian pilot reportedly used the PA system while flying over Israel to announce that passengers were flying over “Palestinian lands” and that Jerusalem is the “eternal capital of Palestine.” Whatever your politics, this is not what passengers need from the cockpit, even on an Arab carrier. Royal Jordanian...
One Mile at a Time
PS MIA: Miami Airport’s New $1,295+ Per Visit Private Terminal Opens
PS (which was initially founded in 2017 as The Private Suite) is a company that operates exclusive airport facilities, intended to allow people to bypass the typical airport experience, when flying commercially. The company’s latest outpost has just opened at Miami International Airport (MIA), so if you have $1,295 to...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: biggest Boeing 737 is coming — eventually
Virgin Australia has put a date, of sorts, on the next stage of its fleet renewal. It expects to receive its first Boeing 737-10 in late 2027. That’s like more than 12 months away. The PR department must have been light on for stories to report for this to be...
2PAXfly
BOEING: Bird strikes, smoke and the cabin air problem that won’t go away
There are bird strikes. There are fume events. And then there are bird strikes that lead to smoke or oil mist entering the cockpit and/or cabin. That is the issue now ruffling feathers around Boeing’s 737 MAX, its LEAP-1B engines, and the regulators charged with deciding whether this is a...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 14 June, 2026
Greetings from Canada (I’m still here)! I’ve actually spanned the continent and just spent some delightful days enduring the cold of Newfoundland. I’ve also seen puffins at Gull Island and whales out of Bay Bulls Harbour. Both of which were wonderful experiences. Arrival at Montreal, not so much, but they...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: introduces confirmed upgrades with cash
Qantas has added a new way to upgrade your seat that takes the element of chance out. Confirmed Upgrades is a fixed-price cash upgrade offer for selected passengers on selected Qantas flights, with confirmation (or not) within half a day. This becomes the third form of upgrade you can use...
2PAXfly
WESTERN SYDNEY AIRPORT: Finally an opening date, and Jetstar gets first dibs
Western Sydney International Airport will welcome its first paying passengers on Sunday, 25 October 2026, with Jetstar being the first commercial passenger carrier off the tarmac. The inaugural flight from Western Sydney International, officially the Nancy-Bird Walton Airport and known by the code WSI, will be a Jetstar flight, JQ362,...
Wild About Travel
draft Kalogorlei ourback tnwn
I almost came to Kalgoorlie decades ago but never made it. I have travelled across Western Australia’s 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi), from Esperance in the south to Wyndham in the north, and through many towns, beaches, deserts, and mountain ranges in between. I love the state. Kalgoorlie remained...
2PAXfly
RIYADH AIR: New aviation deal with Saudi Arabia puts passennger flight on Australia’s horizon
Saudi Arabia has signed a new aviation agreement with Australia, opening the way for direct flights into Avalon in Victoria and Toowoomba Wellcamp in Queensland. The first flights are likely to be freight, chilled meat, seafood and dairy and not business class suites. But this raises the possiblity that Riyadh...
2PAXfly
RIYADH AIR: Initial destinations and flight schedule
We finally have the launch schedules and first five destinations for the long-awaited launch of Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air. Launch pricing is intriguing rather than sensational, but at least any travellers on these flights will get the full Riyadh experience in Riyadh Air’s fully kitted-out cabins. But don’t expect an...