Wild About Travel
Seventeen Mega Groups: How Airline Consolidation could rewire the World
In my last post, I showed how the airline industry has consolidated significantly, with most European and US airlines falling into just three mega-groups that control a significant share of the world’s seats. But the consolidation appears nowhere near over. The airline industry is genuinely hard to forecast. Hub airports,...
2PAXfly
AIRLINES: What is an interline agreement and why they matter
Most travellers would have no idea what an airline interline agreement is. But if you’ve ever checked a bag through to your final destination on two different airlines, been rebooked after a delay, or stitched together a multi-airline itinerary, you’ve probably almost certainly the beneficiary of one. Put simply, an...
2PAXfly
UNITED KINGDOM: New entry rules a costly trap for Australian dual citizens
Australians who also hold British citizenship are facing a rude shock with new UK border rules coming into force later this year. From February 25, 2026, anyone holding British or Irish citizenship will be required to enter the United Kingdom with a valid UK or Irish passport or a Certificate...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday, 25 January, 2026
Hello travellers, Greetings from a very warm Sydney. I’m enjoying Summer, and making plans to escape to Europe in our Autumn.  Most people in Australia have completed their Summer holidays and are back at work. This post-holiday period is a good time to monitor airfares for specials, and to plan...
Also on BoardingArea
Points With a Crew
Capital One Venture Rewards Card Review (Hot New Offer Worth ~$1,000)
Learn how signing up for the Capital One Venture Rewards credit card can supercharge your travel with 75,000 miles, $250 AND benefits that include ...
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Marriott Bonvoy Escapes – Save up to 20% at select Marriott Hotels Worldwide
This week’s Marriott Bonvoy Escapes are now available for booking for stays at select hotels Worldwide. With Marriott Bonvoy Escapes members can save up to 20% on last minute stays through to February 22 that are booked by this Sunday. If you are unfamiliar with Marriott Escapes, they are last...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
I Was Caught Up in the Middle of the Diamond Elite Status Debacle.
I was caught up in the middle of the Diamond elite status debacle with the sale of elite qualifying points in which the Diamond elite status for which I paid was suddenly revoked from me. Messages via e-mail were sent to me promoting the promise of earning Diamond elite status if...
Frequent Miler
(Update) New Bilt cards exclude tax payments, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and more
Update 1/28/26: There’s been a positive change regarding excluded transactions. A reader spotted that Bilt has now removed the exclusion for eBay and Facebook Marketplace payments. We’ve confirmed with Bilt that those transactions will indeed now earn points and be eligible to earn 4% Bilt Cash if that’s the earning...
Monkey Miles
New Marriott Credit Card Offers – 5 free night Boundless and 3 Night Biz offers are back!
We break down the latest credit offers for Marriott branded Chase and Amex credit cards The post New Marriott Credit Card Offers – 5 free night Boundless and 3 Night Biz offers are back! appeared first on Monkey Miles.
View from the Wing
Citi Strata Elite Earns American Airlines Miles Faster Than AAdvantage Cards — Has A 100,000 Point Bonus
The Citi Strata Elite got a major boost — a 100,000-point welcome offer after $6,000 spend in three months, plus earning rates up to 12X and the only transferable link to American AAdvantage. Add credits that can be double dipped in the first cardmember year, Admirals Club passes, and full...
Frequent Miler
Kroger: Earn 4x fuel points on 3rd party gift cards; fixed-value Visa & Mastercard gift cards
Kroger is again running a promotion that awards 4x fuel points on third-party gift cards, whether purchased online or in-store, as well as on fixed-value Visa and Mastercard gift cards. Both promotions are valid on gift cards purchased this weekend from Friday January 30 through Sunday February 1, 2026. Note...
Your Mileage May Vary
How Doughnuts Became Our Go-To Travel Tradition
When we travel, we don’t just look for landmarks or attractions. We look for doughnuts. Somewhere along the way, trying a local doughnut became a quiet tradition for us. Not…
View from the Wing
Southwest’s Earnings Just Dropped — Falling Profits Show The Turnaround Isn’t Working, Cheaper Jet Fuel Kept Them Profitable
Southwest’s full-year results are out, and the “turnaround” isn’t showing up where it should: revenue barely grew while net profit slipped versus 2024. The airline stayed in the black largely thanks to cheaper jet fuel (and cost cuts), not because bag fees and other changes delivered the revenue lift Wall...
Frequent Miler
Earn IHG Diamond status with only 8 nights (targeted status challenge)
At the end of 2025, IHG targeted some members of its loyalty program with an opportunity to buy enough elite qualifying points to get Diamond status for another year. For those who bought it at just the right time of the evening, they found their status was extended through the...
Travel Codex
Always Utilize A Virtuoso Travel Advisor for Cruises and Tours
Let’s address the obvious question upfront: Why use a travel advisor when you can book a cruise or tour online The short answer? Because booking direct rarely gives you the best experience or the best value. Can you do it, yes, but what when things go wrong? Don’t be a...
The Bulkhead Seat
Access to Capital One Lounges Becomes More Restrictive on February 1st
Capital One operates some of my favorite lounges in the United States. Its Capital One… The post Access to Capital One Lounges Becomes More Restrictive on February 1st appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
The Bulkhead Seat
Aer Lingus to End All Transatlantic Flights From Manchester
Aer Lingus is pulling the plug on its long-haul operations from Manchester Airport (MAN).… The post Aer Lingus to End All Transatlantic Flights From Manchester appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Altitude Yes
Ways to Use Your Hyatt Category 1-4 Free Night Award
It's more about when to use your free night instead of where you book. The post Ways to Use Your Hyatt Category 1-4 Free Night Award first appeared on Altitude Yes.
Frequent Miler
London Hilton on Park Lane in a Deluxe Park Lane Suite: Bottom Line Review
My wife’s parents came to the UK to spend Christmas and New Year with us. A few weeks before they arrived we decided to look into spending New Year’s Eve in London, but as you might expect many of the hotels bookable with points either had no availability or were...
Points With a Crew
PHX Admirals Club A19 Lounge Review – Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Lounge
If you're at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport, you'll want to read my American Airlines Admirals Club PHX A19 review, for information on wifi, food, amenities and ...
Live and Let’s Fly
I Survived The American Airlines Meltdown…But My Flight Didn’t Arrive Until 2:33 AM
I flew in the midst of the storm yesterday–the operational storm that American Airlines has been battling for several days–and actually made it home…but it was very, very late. Flying American Airlines In The Middle Of Its Operational Chaos American Airlines has had a horrible week in terms of delays...
One Mile at a Time
Visa Adds Trump Accounts Cash Back Credit Card Rewards Feature
President Trump has announced that Visa cash back credit card rewards can soon be deposited into Trump Accounts, thanks to a new platform. Say what now?!
Your Mileage May Vary
Norwegian Just Did Something Every Cruise Line Should Copy
Remember when we were on the brink of taking over Venezuela a few weeks back, and much of the Caribbean airspace was closed? Sure, rich people got stuck on islands…
Miles To Memories
Earn $500 Bonus With New Chase Business Complete Checking Account
Chase has launched a new promotion, offering a $500 bonus for the Chase Business Complete Checking account. The offer is publicly available and you can claim a unique code now. The post Earn $500 Bonus With New Chase Business Complete Checking Account appeared first on Miles to Memories.
Frequent Miler
Buy Wyndham Rewards points for as low as 0.72 cents per point
Wyndham Rewards is once again running a sale on their points, this time offering an up to 80% bonus which drops the price as low as 0.72 cents per point. The Deal Get a bonus of up to 80% when buying 3,000+ Wyndham Rewards points. Direct link to offer Key...
One Mile at a Time
Aer Lingus Officially Cancels Manchester Transatlantic Flights, Blames Employees
A few weeks ago, I covered how Aer Lingus announced that it might end transatlantic flying out of the United Kingdom, which was an unusual announcement (airlines usually announce what they’re going to do, not what they might do). Well, there’s now an update, and the decision has been finalized,...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Is American Airlines Preparing to Oust CEO Robert Isom Once The DCA Crash Anniversary Has Passed?
There are mounting calls for Robert Isom, the beleaguered chief executive of American Airlines, to be shown the door as the Fort Worth-based carrier continues to fall further behind Delta and United. Yesterday, American Airlines announced that its profits for 2025 had plummeted 87% on the year before, and the...
Miles To Memories
Lawsuit Filed Over Missing Rewards for Capital One Offers
Capital One is facing a new lawsuit which accuses the company of withholding promised cashback rewards.  The post Lawsuit Filed Over Missing Rewards for Capital One Offers appeared first on Miles to Memories.
Wild About Travel
Are You Really Choosing Your Airline? Three Groups Control Our World.
The post Are You Really Choosing Your Airline? Three Groups Control Our World. appeared first on Wild About Travel.
2PAXfly
GULFSTREAM 800: New Murdoch aircraft the first of its type to land in Sydney
Joe Aston’s (authority on Alan Joyce’s leadership at Qantas) website and newsletter Rampart is reporting that Lauchlan’s new toy plane, a Gulfstream 800, has recently arrived in Sydney. It’s the first of this new version of the businessman’s plaything to land in Sydney. The aircraft departed Gulfstream’s Savannah base on...
2PAXfly
ON-TIME PERFORMANCE: Qantas more punctual, but cancels more flights than Virgin Australia
The latest government data released by BITRE (Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics) has delivered a familiar but still uncomfortable truth for Australia’s airlines. Qantas is cancelling twice as many domestic flights as its main rival, Virgin Australia. It achieves that while outperforming other airlines on punctuality once the...
2PAXfly
QANTAS/EMIRATES: Tougher to get first class awards. More points and more strings attached
If you’ve been quietly eyeing off an Emirates First Class splurge using Qantas Frequent Flyer points, you may be too late. Or, at least it will cost you more and come with more conditions you need to fulfil. Emirates has been tightening the rules around its Emirates Skywards scheme. Transfer...
2PAXfly
ETIHAD: A380 comeback gathers momentum as next superjumbo flies from storage
Etihad Airways has just brought another A380 out of long-term storage, making its superjumbo revival firmly part of the airline’s long-term strategy. Another giant wakes up Etihad’s Airbus A380 A6-APC departed Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport in southwestern France on January 14, flying back to Abu Dhabi after years in storage. According to...
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...