2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 18 January, 2026
Hello travellers, Greetings from a very wet Sydney. We’ve been hosting a number of overseas friends. But even more enjoyable is making some reciprocal plans to visit them later this year using our hard-earned Amex Rewards points.  My next trip is a month or so away. It will be to a much...
2PAXfly
SYDNEY AIRPORT: Air traffic control shortages bring chaos
Dozens of flights have been cancelled, and many more were delayed on Thursday, 15 January 2026, according to the AFR. A shortage of air traffic control staff has triggered the worst disruption at Australia’s busiest airport since the pandemic began. As always, when Sydney sneezes, the entire national air network...
2PAXfly
AIRLINES: passengers behaving badly; are ‘aisle lice’ a thing?
These ‘aisle lice’ are new to me, but I love the term. According to an article in The Guardian, the term refers to passengers behaving badly on an aircraft, specifically those passengers show leap up, grab their bags, and try and streak to the front of the aircraft to be...
2PAXfly
CONSUMER LAW: What to do when your flight is cancelled
Flight cancellations are a fact of life in peak travel periods, when airports and airlines are handling record numbers of passengers. When your travel plans suddenly unravel, whether it’s because of weather, airline issues or some other reason, you need to know what your rights are, what you can claim...
Also on BoardingArea
Frequent Miler
Best uses for Citi ThankYou Points (2026)
Citibank offers several cards that earn ThankYou Rewards points. By using the right combination of cards, you can earn 2 to 12 points per dollar on all spending. Once you’ve collected lots of points, though, you’re going to want to get great value from them. This post provides an overview...
Points With a Crew
Which Hilton credit card is the best?
There are 4 different Hilton credit cards - each with their own set of perks and benefits. Let's take a look at the pros and cons and decide which Hilton card is best
The Gate with Brian Cohen
ICE in Minneapolis: January 2026 Travel Alert
Ice in Minneapolis as a travel alert in January 2026 would not be considered unusual if referring to the weather; but ICE — which is the Immigration and Customs Enforcement division of the Department of Homeland Security of the United States — is to what this travel alert pertains. Reports from...
Frequent Miler
Capital One Travel Offer: 20x miles (up to 40K miles) for first hotel, vacation rental, or car booking (targeted)
Capital One Travel is out with a new targeted offer to earn 20x miles (up to 40,000 miles) on your first hotel, vacation rental, or car booking through Capital One Travel until April 15, 2026. I received this on one of my cards likely because I have never used Capital...
One Mile at a Time
Review: Goldener Hirsch Deer Valley, Auberge Collection (Highly Recommend!)
We recently wrapped up a trip to Deer Valley, Utah. We traveled with our older son, Miles, as it was his first time skiing, so we enrolled him in ski school.
Your Mileage May Vary
Hilton’s “NEW” Points Unlimited Promo for 2026 Is… Not New
Hilton Honors is back with its first promotion of 2026, and—credit where it’s due—they dusted off an older name instead of cycling through the same two titles they’ve been alternating…
Frequent Miler
[Update] E*Trade account now qualifies for American Express Platinum Card® Exclusively for Morgan Stanley
For years, the entry point for the American Express Platinum Card® Exclusively for Morgan Stanley was to open an Access Investing account. However, that option was eliminated a few years ago. But Doctor of Credit reports good news for those interested in this flavor of Platinum card: E*Trade customers now...
One Mile at a Time
Buy Up To American AAdvantage Elite Status For 2026: Offers Now Live
American Airlines’ AAdvantage program has just rolled out some status buy up offers, for those who are short of requalifying for status. As a reminder, with American AAdvantage’s Loyalty Points system, the carrier doesn’t use the calendar year for status qualification, but rather status is earned between the beginning of...
View from the Wing
American Airlines Is Selling Elite Status Again—Here’s What Upgrades and Perks Cost
American Airlines has brought back its annual offer to let flyers pay cash (or redeem miles) to keep—or even buy up to—elite status for another year. The prices can be steep, from a few hundred dollars for the lowest tier to $2,000+ at the top, and there are often cheaper...
Travel Points Playbook
Surprising Math on the New Bilt 2.0 Points Earning Options: Which is Most Rewarding?
The launch and then quick pivot of the Bilt 2.0 program certainly drew the attention of the miles… The post Surprising Math on the New Bilt 2.0 Points Earning Options: Which is Most Rewarding? appeared first on Travel Points Playbook.
Points With a Crew
Le Meridien Boston / Cambridge hotel review
I recently returned from a long weekend in the Boston / Cambridge area and had a chance to stay at the Le Meridien Boston / Cambridge. Here is my Le Meridien Boston / Cambridge hotel review, including info on wifi, food, rooms, amenities, cost and more
Your Mileage May Vary
The Unexpected Trend That Could Save Airlines Millions — While Travelers Pay More
Airlines are always laser-focused on two things: how to make more money, and how to save more money Ideally, at the same time, because capitalism never sleeps, and neither does…
Frequent Miler
Air France KLM credit card will convert to Visa Signature, adds 3x dining & improved elite earning
The Air France KLM credit card has long been a World Elite Mastercard. However, on March 20, 2026, the card will change to a Visa Signature Credit Card. That’s going to add some benefits to the card that might make it more intriguing for some. Air France KLM Visa Signature...
Miles To Memories
Sahara Behind the Scenes Property Tour – BIG RENOVATIONS & SURPRISES! Is It Enough?
MTM Vegas January 19, 2026 Consider joining our Vegas Patreon to get the weekly exclusive MtM Vegas after show! You can also listen to this episode as a podcast. Learn more here.  Today’s MtM Vegas Video On this episode of MTM Vegas we take you to one of the most...
Monkey Miles
Ending Soon! Monster 200k bonus for Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠
Offers ends 9AM EST on 1/22/2026 The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ is the flagship business card within the Chase portfolio and it has an annual fee to match, $795.  It’s chock full of credits and benefits, that if used to their potential, easily offset the annual fee. If not…well,...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
526 Alaska Airlines Employees Are Competing For Seats On Carrier’s First-Ever Europe Flight
In less than 100 days, Alaska Airlines will launch its first-ever widebody long-haul flights to Europe, and, as you might expect, there is quite a bit of excitement amongst frequent flyers and the airline’s employees ahead of the inaugural flight. Getting on this special first flight from Seattle to Rome,...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Earn 2,000 Hilton Honors Points Per Stay
With the Points Unlimited Promotion, you can earn 2,000 Hilton Honors points per stay for all stays at participating hotel and resort properties of 26 brands worldwide between Thursday, January 15, 2026 through Thursday, April 30, 2026... ...but you must... The post Earn 2,000 Hilton Honors Points Per Stay appeared first on...
Frequent Miler
How to pay taxes via credit card, 2026 edition
You might not like paying taxes, but when you pay taxes via credit card it can be quite rewarding. The key is to earn credit card rewards that more than offset tax payment fees. For example, if you’ve signed up recently for a card that requires large spend to earn...
Live and Let’s Fly
Will United Airlines Establish A Hub In Nuuk, Greenland?
With Trump circling Greenland like Hitler circled Poland, I imagine a world in which United Airlines establishes a hub from Nuuk. United Airlines has announced that it will establish a hub from Nuuk, Greenland, as it looks to gear up operations to key destinations in the Russian Empire after the...
View from the Wing
Singapore Airlines New First Class—It Should Debut From Los Angeles [Roundup]
News and notes from around the interweb: Will Singapore Airlines new first class debut on New York or Los Angeles? L.A. is more likely with the latest schedule change. One of the most exciting aspects of Singapore Airlines’ new cabin product launches this year is a long-overdue brand new First...
Pointalize
How to Get a Credit Card Retention Offer
Don't cancel your credit card until you read this. Our guide reveals how to negotiate retention offers of 20,000+ points or $200+ credits.
Your Mileage May Vary
American Express Gold Card Review: Great for Groceries & Dining (If You Use the Credits)
American Express offers several charge cards, each with unique benefits. The Green Card is an excellent entry-level travel card, and the Platinum Card is a luxury lifestyle card with a…
One Mile at a Time
Atmos Rewards Status Points With Credit Card Spending: Worth It?
Atmos Rewards is the loyalty program of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, and there are lots of things that make the scheme unique and compelling. Among other things, it’s possible to earn elite status with credit card spending, in a pretty lucrative way. In this post, I’d like to go...
View from the Wing
Surely Citi Didn’t Mean To Be This Generous With Strata Elite’s 100,000 Points And Double Dip Credits
Citi’s new premium Strata Elite card delivers far more first-year value than its $595 fee suggests — credits stack twice, bonuses are huge, and the math almost feels like a mistake.
2PAXfly
SYDNEY AIRPORT: Air Traffic Control stinks! Sewage smell overwhelms control tower
Air traffic controllers at Sydney Airport were forced to work through overpowering sewage odours during the peak 2024–25 holiday travel period. Some staff were reportedly dry heaving at their desks while managing aircraft movements according to a story in the Sydney Morning Herald. Incident logs from Airservices Australia show the...
2PAXfly
HOTEL REVIEW: Bring boltcutters? Picton Waterfront Apartments, New Zealand
Our New Zealand holiday continued once we arrived in Picton and alighted from the Interisland ferry, picked up our hire car and made our way to the Waterfront Apartments, ready for our four-night stay, with a view straight down Picton harbour. Car Hire Just a note, that another visitor, who...
Wild About Travel
Johannesburg: First encounter with the City of Gold
Firstly, three fascinating facts about Johannesburg for your next Trivia Pursuit Competition: I flew to Johannesburg expecting not to like it, but there is something about its youthfulness, energy, hustling, humour and beauty that got to me. I rate all the cities I have visited or lived in, and Johannesburg...
2PAXfly
TURKISH AIRLINES: To reverse decision on Premium Economy?
Turkish Airlines could be seriously exploring the return of premium economy to its aircraft cabins. That would fit with the carrier plans to operate some of the longest flights in its history, including nonstop services between Istanbul and Sydney. That’s a development worth the attention of Australian travellers. Premium Economy...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: New Year, means time to plan for the next Qantas Double Status Credits & Points promotion
Each year since at least 2018, Qantas has offered a Double Status and Points promotion in February or March. Sure, it has offered similar promotions on other dates, but February/March are the most consistent and reliable. To that end, with the second week of the new year coming to a...
2PAXfly
CATHAY PACIFIC: Anniversary marks 2026 as 80 years in the air
Cathay Pacific has launched its 80th-anniversary celebrations for 2026, marking eight decades since the airline’s founding in 1946. The anniversary program is being rolled out under the theme ’80 Years Together’. The biggest indicator is an aircraft painted in retro livery. The birthday celebrations were formally launched at a Hong...
2PAXfly
STARLUX: Takes delivery of first A350-1000
Starlux Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-1000, becoming the first Taiwanese airline to operate Airbus’ largest long-range twin-engine aircraft, a fleet milestone that has implications for Australian travellers flying long haul via Asia. The aircraft, registered B-58551, was handed over at Airbus’ Toulouse headquarters before operating a...
2PAXfly
2026: What’s new in the sky for Australian travellers
There are some interesting changes in aviation for 2026. It’s mainly about longer flights, that get you there moe quickly. It’s also about flying quieter and more comfortably for those uninterrupted very long hours. Most of these innovations have already been announced, but I thought at the beginning of 2026,...