Wild About Travel
What the new US entry rules really mean.
This week, media and travellers are reacting to a new US proposal that would greatly expand the data the US collects from applicants under the ESTA Visa waiver program. In this post, I delve into what it means for those of us who use visa‑waiver travel to go to the...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Power banks banned from todaym 15 December. What you need to know
From today, Monday 15 December 2025, Qantas, Jetstar and QantasLink has banned the use of portable power banks on all flights. Qantas group airlines are joining a growing list of airlines responding to a sharp rise in lithium battery fires in cabins and lounges worldwide. You’ll still be allowed to...
2PAXfly
BORDERS: Visa Waiver Program to require social media, phone numbers and IP history from Australians
Australian travellers who want to head to New York at Christmas, or Coachella in spring, or to trek through the Grand Canyon may soon face a very different pre-departure checklist. It could soon include handing over five years of social media accounts, five years of phone numbers, and 10 years...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: A380 wing panel peels on first flight out of mothballs
Qantas’ big, shiny, triumphantly returned Airbus A380 has been unceremoniously benched in Los Angeles after part of its left wing peeled apart on its first commercial flight back in service. This happened after news releases only a few days ago with Qantas chest-beating about the superjumbo’s grand return after a...
Also on BoardingArea
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Man With Extensive Criminal History Completely Bypassed TSA At Philadelphia Airport By Using Illicit Employee Badge
A man who completely bypassed the TSA security checkpoint at Philadelphia International Airport by using an employee ID badge to swipe himself into a hidden corridor that took him ‘airside’ has been sentenced after reaching a plea deal with prosecutors. David Easley, 39, from Georgia, had faced the threat of...
One Mile at a Time
What Are The Benefits Of SkyTeam Elite Plus Status, And Is It Worth It?
There are three major global airline alliances  oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance and each offers some level of reciprocal elite recognition. In separate posts, I’ve written about oneworld Emerald status, oneworld Sapphire status, and Star Alliance Gold status.
PointsMath
HSBC India Accor Transfer Bonus Promotion
HSBC is back with another solid transfer promotion after ending the Marriott transfer promotion. This time with the all-time favourite “Accor”. The HSBC Accor transfer bonus promotion is available from 15th December to 21st December 2025. HSBC India to Accor Transfer Ratio Basics HSBC India & Accor have launched a...
View from the Wing
American Airlines Replaced Its Turkey Wrap With a Turkey-Brie Sandwich — And the Brie Is a Slab [Roundup]
American replaced the surprisingly good turkey wrap on JFK–Austin with a turkey, brie, and cranberry sandwich on brioche — and the brie is literally a thick chunk, not spread. It’s not terrible, but it’s a step back in execution (and still miles better than the sweaty $16 steak sandwich from...
TravelUpdate
Remember when Alaska Airlines gave gold ingots to frequent flyers?
Imagine a world where an airline actually gave you solid gold, just because you flew with them. It…
Frequent Miler
(Last Day) Southwest consumer cards: Increased 85K offers available
Update 12/15/25: These Southwest 85K welcome offers have been available for the past couple of months. The increased welcome offers via affiliate links are due to end on tomorrow at 7 am ET. We sometimes see increased welcome offers available via referral links extend beyond that, but no guarantee it’ll...
One Mile at a Time
Which Flights Feature Cathay Pacific’s Aria Suite? 11 Planes & 5(ish) Routes
In late 2024, we saw Cathay Pacific launch its new Aria Suite business class. I’ve had the chance to fly it, and it’s a phenomenal product. Cathay Pacific is a world class airline, and this really elevates the carrier’s business class to being among the best in the world.
Live and Let’s Fly
United 777-200 Fleet Faces An Uncertain Future After Dulles Engine Failure
A United Airlines 777-200 incident at Dulles and a quiet schedule shift raise a bigger question about a widebody that increasingly looks like it has no long-term home in United’s fleet. United’s Boeing 777-200 Is Quietly Being Phased Out, And Recent Events Show Why A United Airlines Boeing 777 departing...
Live from a Lounge
Holidays Offer: Get an Axis Bank Credit Card Lifetime Free (and an additional INR 500 Amazon Voucher)
Axis Bank is currently offering a host of their credit card products lifetime free, through December 31, 2025. Here is how to get your hands on one. The post Holidays Offer: Get an Axis Bank Credit Card Lifetime Free (and an additional INR 500 Amazon Voucher) appeared first on Live...
The Bulkhead Seat
Oakland Airport Sees the Largest Drop in Passengers of Any Major US Airport
Oakland International Airport (OAK) has not been having a good time recently. Last year,… The post Oakland Airport Sees the Largest Drop in Passengers of Any Major US Airport appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
TravelUpdate
Chase Sapphire Reserve Retention offer, points transfer ratio devalues, ditching loyalty programs & more…
A huge Chase Sapphire Reserve retention offer, as a points transfer ratio is about to devalue, that & more as we recap stories from the week.
View from the Wing
He Posted His First Class Boarding Pass To Brag About Trump — So Someone Canceled His Booking
A man bragged online that he was flying first class “because of Trump” and posted a photo of his boarding pass—complete with the details anyone needs to pull up a trip in many airline “Manage My Booking” tools. By the time he reached the airport, someone had already canceled his...
TravelUpdate
Why now is a great time to get the Amex Platinum Card
Now is a great time to get the Amex Platinum Card. Why? Here's how the numbers work out and why getting the card now would be a smart choice.
Miles For Family
Use It Or Lose It: Pay Attention to Calendar Year Credit Card Benefits About to Expire
The trend with miles and points credit cards over the past few years has been the introduction of high annual fee cards with lots of “perks” to offset those high fees. I’m not a fan. I’d rather just have no or low fees an skip most of those “perks”. But,...
Eye of the Flyer
Lessons Learned: Mistakes Cost My Wife Over a Half-Year of Delta Medallion® Status
I know this is a super busy time of year. But if you’re short of Delta Air Lines SkyMiles Medallion® Qualification Dollars (MQD) and want to use the MQD HeadStart feature that’s part several co-branded credit cards, pay attention. Upgrading My Wife’s Card Late last year, my wife and I...
View from the Wing
52 Flights, 52 Final Goodbyes: You Can Turn United Miles Into a Last Visit So No One Dies Alone
For some families, the holidays aren’t about reunion—they’re about racing the clock. Give A Mile uses donated United miles to fly people to a loved one’s bedside in end‑of‑life situations. One balance can become one last hug. Continue reading 52 Flights, 52 Final Goodbyes: You Can Turn United Miles Into a...
Live and Let’s Fly
CBP Detained U.S. Citizen For Hours At Houston Airport, Claimed Fourth Amendment Does Not Apply
A U.S. citizen was detained for hours at Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport, told by Customs and Border Protection officers that he had no Fourth Amendment rights at the border, and pressured to unlock his phone for inspection. He refused. Now he is suing. And he should. CBP Says Americans Have...
You Are Travel
COMING SOON: YATFEST from You Are Travel – Reviews You’ll Love
​tl;dr – I’m finally cleaning out the backlog. If you’re a fan of travel reviews, then you’ll want… The post COMING SOON: YATFEST from You Are Travel – Reviews You’ll Love appeared first on You Are Travel.
You Are Travel
Review: The Ritz-Carlton Nikko: The Best Ritz-Carlton in the World
​tl;dr – The Ritz-Carlton Nikko is the best Ritz-Carlton property I’ve stayed at. I’m not sure what Marriott’s… The post Review: The Ritz-Carlton Nikko: The Best Ritz-Carlton in the World appeared first on You Are Travel.
One Mile at a Time
JetBlue A320 & “Invisible” US Air Force Jet Have “Outrageous” Close Call
A JetBlue pilot reported a near mid-air collision after departing the Caribbean… and it was with a US Air Force jet!
One Mile at a Time
Singapore KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes Sale: 30% Off Award Tickets
Singapore Airlines offers its monthly KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes promo, whereby you can receive a 30% discount on award tickets in select markets. This is a fantastic opportunity to save on award flights on one of the world’s best airlines.
One Mile at a Time
United Flight Attendant Charged With Battery Over Airport Shoulder Touch
A United Airlines flight attendant has been charged with battery after getting into a dispute with a Cayman Airways customer service agent over a loud phone call, as flagged by PYOK. This is an interesting story, because the flight attendant admits to battery, but the question is whether Florida’s laws...
Wild About Travel
What the new US entry rules really mean.
This week, media and travellers are reacting to a new US proposal that would greatly expand the data the US collects from applicants under the ESTA Visa waiver program. In this post, I delve into what it means for those of us who use visa‑waiver travel to go to the...
One Mile at a Time
Chase Freedom Flex 5x Points Categories Q1 2026: Register Now
The Chase Freedom FlexSM Credit Card (review) is an incredible no annual fee card belonging to Chase’s Freedom portfolio, which can help you maximize your points, thanks to its quarterly bonus categories. With a new quarter (and year!) being around the corner, Chase has just opened registration for its Q1 2026...
2PAXfly
QATAR AIRWAYS: Surprise CEO dumping without explanation. Why?
In a surprise move a few days ago, Qatar Airways has replaced its chief executive with immediate effect. This is the second leadership change in just a couple of years after Akbar Al Baker relinquished his 27-year reign. The Gulf carrier appointed Hamad Ali Al-Khater as its new Group CEO...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: International flights return to the Gold Coast (OOL). Fly direct to New Zealand 3 times a week
In a win for Gold Coast travellers, Qantas is bringing back overseas flights from the Gold Coast (formerly Coolangatta) Airport for the first time in almost five years. Qantas will launch Gold Coast to Auckland services from 16 June 2026. This will reconnect Queensland’s beach capital with New Zealand three...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: New Auckland International Lounge opens in New Zealand
Qantas is scheduled to open its new Auckland International Lounge on 17 December 2025, just in time for the Christmas rush. Unlike the old space (which was in desperate need of attention), the new lounge features a 60% larger footprint and can accommodate more than 370 passengers. Qantas has combined...
2PAXfly
HEATHROW: A car park robbery turns into a full-blown airport emergency
If you’ve ever felt that Heathrow’s Terminal 3 car park was a little too chaotic on a normal day, Sunday morning took things to an entirely new level. A woman was robbed of her suitcase inside a lift at Heathrow’s Terminal 3 car park. The attackers deployed what police believe...
2PAXfly
DELTA AIRLINES: Starts Melbourne to LAX flights from today
Starting today, Saturday 6 December 2025, Melbourne’s long-haul travellers have a new way to cross the Pacific. Delta Air Lines has officially launched flights between Melbourne and Los Angeles. That makes the route a three-horse race alongside Qantas and United Airlines. It’s the first time an Airbus A350 has flown...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Melbourne to Honolulu flights stop from 31 January 2026
Well, that didn’t last long. Qantas’ much-touted return to the Melbourne–Honolulu route is ending after just nine months, with the final flight set for January 31, 2026. The official explanation? “Soft demand” both ways across the Pacific, according to ET. This comes after the airline quietly slipped the route into...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Final A380 returns, back in the air 1 January 2026
Just in time for the Christmas travel crush, Qantas has wheeled its tenth and final Airbus A380 out of long-term storage and back onto the Sydney tarmac, nearly 2,000 days since it last touched Australian soil. Yes, the superjumbo Paul McGinness (named for one of the airline’s founders) is back,...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: ‘Champagne for Lulu.’ You can now get Bollinger in First Class
Qantas is rolling out a fresh wave of upgrades to its A380, and currently only First Class cabins. From December, First passengers will have a new dining program, brand-new Aesop amenity kits, redesigned pyjamas, upgraded Champagne with Bollinger, and dine-on-demand, dressed up as ‘wellness. The retrofit is part of Qantas’...