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,...
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....
Also on BoardingArea
passengers in flight (l) Southwest airlines (r)
BoardingArea
‘Their policy explicitly states…’: Family Pays Premium For Southwest Airlines Choice Fare. Then Their Seats Were Reassigned Without Notice
“We didn't find out until we tried to board..."
Frequent Miler
MastercardGiftCard, VanillaGift, & AmexGiftCard are all waiving purchase fees with promo codes
No sooner have the waived purchase fee promotions for Mother’s Day ended than they return for graduation-themed promotions on MastercardGiftCard.com, VanillaGift.com, and AmexGiftCard.com. The Deal Get waived purchase fees when buying gift cards from the following sites: MastercardGiftCard.com: 100% off purchase fees when buying $50+ Mastercard gift cards & using...
hotel front desk (l) Embassy Suites entrance (r)
BoardingArea
Family Spends $400 For One Night At Embassy Suites In Puerto Rico. Then The Front Desk Worker Crashes Out After They Ask For A Blanket: ‘I’m Not A Wizard’
“This is not Hilton standard."
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Should Rules of Photography Aboard Airplanes Become Stricter?
The rules pertaining to photography aboard airplanes became stricter with this airline, as a growing number of influencers and other people who are significantly involved with social media have been increasingly prevalent in recording their experiences aboard airplanes in recent years — especially when a fight or other unwanted activity...
Frequent Miler
SAS award sale: Save 25% on all award flights (48K business class between US & Europe for adults, 24K for kids)
A few times each year, SAS seems to offer a discount when booking award flights using EuroBonus miles. They’ve returned with another award sale, this time even better than normal as it’s a 25% discount rather than the usual 20%. The Deal Save 25% when booking award flights with SAS...
View from the Wing
Man Killed By Frontier Jet On Denver Runway Had 20 Prior Arrests, Including Attempted Murder
The man killed when a Frontier Airlines jet hit him on a Denver runway had 20 prior arrests, including attempted murder, and had been arrested again just one month before scaling an airport fence and walking into the path of the aircraft. Authorities have ruled the death a suicide,
Frequent Miler
Is the Bilt Palladium card worth its $495 annual fee? | Coffee Break Ep105 | 5-12-26
With most ultra-premium cards it’s possible to simply add up how much you value each perk and see if it meets or exceeds the annual fee, but this card is mostly valuable for its high earning rate from spend… It’s definitely worth $495 in the first year due to the...
Your Mileage May Vary
Why Some Countries Drive On The “Wrong” Side Of The Road
Any time we even THINK about renting a car in another country, I ask my husband the same question: “Wait…do they drive on the same side of the road as…
Frequent Miler
Choice Hotels summer promo: Get 8K points every 2 stays (Can redeem for $50 gas gift card)
Choice has opened registration for its summer promotion and it’s (seemingly mostly) the same promotion it’s run for many summers in a row. You’ll earn 8,000 bonus points for every two stays, with the ability to redeem 8,000 points for a $50 gift card for select brands. You can earn...
View from the Wing
Early SpaceX Investor Reveals Why Delta’s Starlink Deal Fell Apart — Now United Will Have Better Wifi For Years
Delta had a chance to move to Starlink, the inflight wifi system United is racing to install across its fleet. But an early SpaceX investor says the deal fell apart because Delta wanted Starlink behind its own branded portal — and now United may have the better passenger experience for...
One Mile at a Time
$300 Chase Sapphire Reserve Dining Credit: How To Use & Eligible Restaurants
The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card (review) is one of the most popular premium rewards cards. While the card has a steep $795 annual fee, it also offers a variety of benefits that can help offset that, ranging from lounge access to credits.
Miles To Memories
Battling For Hyatt Compensation, Delta’s Weird First Class Plane & Free Beer for Life
Delta's insane new first class count, the correct level of compensation & a crazy travel promo made for points enthusiasts.
View from the Wing
The Amex And Chase Points Playbook Is Changing — Some Programs Are Rising, Others Are Getting Riskier
Transferable points used to be the easy hedge against airline and hotel devaluations: keep flexible currency, transfer only when award space appears. But the currencies themselves are now moving in different directions, with some programs adding value while others lose edge or introduce new risk.
Points With a Crew
Visiting One Of The Worst Priority Pass Lounges (Mmmm Pretzels For Dinner)
I could not find information on whether you can buy a day pass to this lounge, but even if it's an option, do NOT, I repeat DO NOT pay money to enter this lounge.
Your Mileage May Vary
We Booked A Mozart Concert In Vienna. Then Eurovision Happened
Needless to say, Mozart sounds a little different when techno beats are shaking your seat. That’s how we ended up spending one of our nights in Vienna. What we thought…
The Bulkhead Seat
Man Who Died After Being Struck by Frontier Airlines Jet in Denver Ruled a Suicide
As I wrote about this past weekend, a Frontier Airlines flight was forced to…
The Bulkhead Seat
United Flight Attendants Approve New Contract With Major Pay Raises
As I wrote about back in March, United flight attendants were set to vote…
Frequent Miler
Save up to 30% on Accor stays in the Americas; also reduces award costs
Accor is running a new sale that’s giving a discount of up to 30% on stays at its properties in the Americas. Even better, it stacks with the standard 10% discount for being a member, plus due to the nature of Accor’s loyalty program, it reduces award pricing too. The...
One Mile at a Time
United Flight Attendants Ratify New Contract With Huge Raises, Retro Pay
Several weeks ago, we learned how United flight attendants had a new tentative contract, after a very drawn out negotiation process. There’s now a major update, as we’ve just learned that this contract has been ratified, which is huge news.
View from the Wing
Man Who Walked In Front Of Frontier Jet In Denver Identified — Death Ruled Suicide
The man struck by a Frontier Airlines jet during takeoff in Denver has now been identified, and authorities say his death was suicide. He had climbed an 8-foot perimeter fence, crossed into a remote airfield area, and reached the active runway within about two minutes — a rare but not...
Miles To Memories
American Airlines Offering 25,000 Bonus Miles for Flights to Australia or New Zealand
American Airlines has rolled out a new promotion for AAdvantage members, offering up to 25,000 bonus miles for flights to Australia and New Zealand.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Helsinki Has One of the Ugliest Sculptures I Have Ever Seen.
While I was walking on Tyynenmerenkatu in Helsinki on my way to the terminal where the vessel which operates as the ferry to Estonia was scheduled to depart, I spotted an unusual sculpture out of the corner of my eye which is located across the street just north of the...
Economy Class & Beyond
TRIP REPORT: The Gundam Base, Chicago – Still for the Friends
The Gundam Base, Chicago TRIP REPORT: Still for the Friends Time to look at a lot of plastic and one of the bigger Japanese franchises, mixed with politics, high stakes, personal dramas and of course, giant human-piloted mechas. Welcome to the many timelines of Mobile Suit Gundam at The Gundam...
Frequent Miler
(Confirmed) FedEx being removed from Flexible Business Credit on American Express® Business Gold Card from 10/1/26
Update 5/12/26: Last month, we received word that American Express® Business Gold cardholders would lose FedEx as a redemption option for the card’s Flexible Business Credit after October 1, 2026. We were then advised that that information had been shared in error. At the time it wasn’t clear if that news...
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...
2PAXfly
INTERNATIONAL FLYING: Middle East conflict and fuel crisis cuts one in four flights
Almost a quarter of international flights from Australia were cancelled in April. That’s according to the AFR, as airlines scrambled to deal with soaring fuel prices and widespread airspace disruptions. The trigger is the escalating conflict involving Iran, which has effectively shut down large parts of Gulf airspace since late...
2PAXfly
EMIRATES: Talk of First Class private suites with en suite bathrooms
Rumours are mounting that Emirates could be working on a new First Class concept featuring private suites with their own en-suite bathrooms. It sounds ambitious, but this is the airline that already put showers on board the Airbus A380 and introduced fully enclosed suites on the Boeing 777. If any...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: New open skies deal between Australia and Canada opens more flights and destinations
A new open skies agreement between Australia and Canada has removed limits on flights between the two countries, giving Qantas the green light to expand its services. The updated air services arrangement allows unlimited passenger capacity for Australian carriers, replacing the previous cap that effectively limited Qantas to a daily...