2PAXfly
LOYALTY: Airline programs now worth billions. Qantas in top 10
If you’ve ever wondered why airlines seem more interested in selling points than seats, a new global report puts some serious numbers behind that suspicion. According to the latest On Point Loyalty Top 100 report, airline loyalty programs have evolved into multi-billion-dollar businesses, and for Australian travellers, that shift is...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Launch of new reward seats search tool
Earning points is easy. Finding a decent reward seat, especially in business class, is where things usually fall apart. Virgin Australia is promising to fix that, with a new calendar-based Reward Seat search tool rolling out across its website and app. The airline is calling a ‘step change’ in how...
2PAXfly
AIR NEW ZEALAND: Cuts 1,100 flights, affecting 44,000 passengers due to Middle East conflict
If your upcoming trip involves Air New Zealand, it’s worth double-checking your booking. The Kiwi carrier is cancelling around 1,100 flights through to early May, impacting roughly 44,000 passengers, as surging fuel prices ripple through the aviation industry. Most travellers are expected to be rebooked onto the same-day flights, as...
2PAXfly
TRIP REPORT: First impressions of Turkish Airlines Sydney to London
I have just flown Turkish Airlines for the first time, as has my husband, but on different flights. My trip was Sydney–Kuala Lumpur–Istanbul–London. His was Bangkok–Istanbul–Prague, and return. Before I do a considered full report on the flights and the trip, I thought it was worth posting about my first...
Also on BoardingArea
Points With a Crew
Should you sign up for the Capital One Venture or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card? (Higher Offer Ending Soon)
Chase and Capital One both offer great mid-tier credit cards for travel points and miles. Which card is better?
The Gate with Brian Cohen
In Which Direction Does Water Drain at the Equator?
One of the people who asked me about whether or not I was north or south of the Equator in Kenya also asked me about in which direction does water drain at the Equator. People generally believe that water drains counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere in accordance with the Coriolis...
Frequent Miler
UBS credit cards finally have welcome bonuses (but only through 6/30/26)
UBS credit cards are quirky little things. Historically they haven’t had welcome offers, you need to be a High Net Worth individual to get approved for them, and you can’t apply for them online—you have to call UBS. While the latter two quirks haven’t changed, the first one has: there...
You Are Travel
Hilton Forges Exclusive Agreement with YOTEL
​tl;dr – Hilton makes a move in the ‘smart-convenience’ sub-segment of ‘lifestyle’ travel. ​Hilton recently announced an exclusive…
Frequent Miler
Current Amex Offers
This post is designed to show current Amex Offers. If you have any Amex cards, even authorized user cards, then you’re eligible to sign up for offers when you log into your Amex account. If you’re planning to shop or book travel, check this page to see if an Amex...
Your Mileage May Vary
Why Flying Through Europe Feels So Confusing (It’s Not Just You)
If you’re used to flying within the U.S., the rules are pretty straightforward:Domestic flight? No passport.International flight? Passport. Then you fly through Europe… and suddenly none of that logic seems…
You Are Travel
St. Regis Kapalua Bay to Debut in 2027, But Resort Bookable Through Marriott Now
​tl;dr – This is a conversion of an existing property. Marriott recently reached an agreement to bring The…
Frequent Miler
Viator/TripAdvisor Experiences Chase Offer: Get 8% back on up to $125 spend
There’s a new card-linked spending offer for Viator available on targeted cards. It’s a Chase Offer giving 8% back on up to $125 spend and it’s also valid for TripAdvisor Experiences bookings. The Deal Get 8% back as a statement credit for Viator and TripAdvisor Experiences bookings with a targeted...
Hawaii Calling
The Perfect Oahu 7 Day Budget Itinerary (2026)
I’ve put together this Oahu 7 day budget itinerary based on my own trips around the island, focusing on the best free and low-cost things to do without missing what makes Oahu special. If you’re trying to experience beaches, hikes, local food, and iconic spots like Pearl Harbor without overspending,...
Miles To Memories
Vegas May Have Lost Its Train, Plus Bruno Mars Gets a Parade & Goodbye To The Middle Class!
MTM Vegas April 8, 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 Brightline West suddenly looks a lot shakier, Rio’s latest shakeup raises fresh questions, and...
View from the Wing
Passenger Boarded A Flight Only To Learn Their Seat 27E Didn’t Exist
A passenger boarded a flight with a boarding pass for seat 27E, only to discover that there was no 27E on the aircraft at all. The most likely explanation is a last-minute aircraft swap that changed the seat map without giving the traveler a new boarding pass.
Frequent Miler
(Update: Extended) CardPointers: Automatically enroll offers to all of your cards
CardPointers is an app/website/browser extension that helps you track all your credit cards, their various benefits, etc. Its most popular feature is the ability to auto-enroll card-linked spending offers like Amex Offers, Citi Offers, etc. Rather than having to go through and manually click to enroll in each offer, CardPointers...
You Are Travel
Emirate and Marriott Partner to Open Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge
tl;dr – The first-ever Ritz-Carlton Lodge is set to debut in 2026. A few months ago, Emirates and…
Live and Let’s Fly
Delta Air Lines Beats Q1 Earnings, Plans To “Meaningfully” Cut Growth As Fuel Costs Surge
Delta Air Lines has reported its 2026 first quarter earnings, offering an early look at how U.S. airlines are navigating rising costs, geopolitical uncertainty, and still-strong travel demand. As expected, it was a strong quarter for Delta, but the future is anything but certain. Delta Air Lines Reports Strong 2026...
Points With a Crew
Should you buy Choice points with a 35% bonus?
Choice is out with a promotion to buy points with a big bonus. Buying points can be a great way to boost your balance, but only if it makes sense...
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
WestJet Rewards: Elite members can get 50% bonus tier qualifying spend on WestJet flights (April 8 Bonus Offer Highlight)
Today's bonus offer highlight is one of several offered from WestJet's BIG Rewards Event and this one is 50% bonus tier qualifying spend on WestJet flights for their elite members. Check out all of the new bonuses added today:
Your Mileage May Vary
Why Pilots Sometimes Clean Plane Windows With Soda
When we wash our windows at home, we usually have a cleaner of choice. It might be a commercial product like Windex, or a homemade concoction that includes white vinegar…
Frequent Miler
Discover: Get a $20 bonus after spending $100 on mobile wallets (targeted)
Discover is sending another targeted offer to some cardholders: a $20 cashback bonus when spending $100+ in-store or online with mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay. The Deal There is a new targeted offer for a $20 cashback bonus when spending $100+ in-store or online with...
You Are Travel
Southwest Launches New Wine Country Service and Follows Alaska’s ‘Wine Flies Free’ with ‘Sip and Ship’
​tl;dr – Peanuts anyone? ​Southwest Airlines, the carrier that used to show all the LUV but now doesn’t…
Miles To Memories
100K Points Offer for the Amex Gold Card with No Lifetime Language [Targeted]
American Express is targeting some customers with a great welcome bonus for the Amex Gold Card. If eligible, you can earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Earn Up to Triple IHG Rewards One Points Per Stay
You can earn up to triple IHG One Rewards points per stay at participating hotel properties worldwide through Friday, May 22, 2026… …but you must...
The Bulkhead Seat
Air Canada and United Expand Partnership With Reciprocal Free Wi-Fi for Members
Air Canada and United Airlines are deepening their transborder partnership by introducing reciprocal complimentary…
Frequent Miler
Buy IHG Points for as low as 0.56 cents each
IHG has returned with another sale, offering an 80% bonus when buying points. That means you can buy IHG Rewards points for as low as 0.56 cents per point (cpp). This is a limited-time sale that ends April 30. Unlike many IHG sales labeled as mystery bonuses, this latest version...
Economy Class & Beyond
SNAPSHOT: American Airlines 87 London Heathrow to Chicago (MAIN CABIN EXTRA)
It feels like I haven’t done one of these for some time, but it’s time for the first in a series of Snapshots from my most recent trip. So, lets kick off with passenger experiance impresessions aboard American Airlines 87 between London Heathrow and Chicago O’Hare in Main Cabin Extra. I’m...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Joint flights with Qatar Airways to Doha shelved
If you’ve booked a Virgin Australia flight to Doha, there’s some bad news. Flights operated by Qatar Airways on behalf of Virgin Australia have now been cancelled until at least mid-June, as the ongoing Middle East conflict continues to disrupt travel through the region. And for travellers, this isn’t just...
Wild About Travel
rewute and redrfat Discovering the World’s Highest and Lowest Airports
Reflecting on my travels last year, I realised I flew through quite high and low-altitude airports. I have long realised that altitude affects the travel experience, airport operations, and the differing challenges for pilots. This got me thinking: of the 289 airports I’ve visited in my life, how many would...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 5 April, 2026
Greetings from London! I’ve moved on from Prague, which was very cold but fantastic. I hadn’t realised how much early 20th-century architecture there was in the city centre. There is even a Cubist architecture walk!  Once I got over the cold, I really enjoyed myself. The rugging up and de-rugging...
Wild About Travel
drfat Explore Taipei, Asia’s best city with me
Every time I come back to a favourite city, I wonder if my experience on tis occasion  will be as enjoybale as it was on the previous visits. Yaipei did nit diusappoin. – it never disappomts, In fact, I would go to say it is the best city in Asia....
2PAXfly
WESTERN SYDNEY AIRPORT: Air New Zealand to land first
Western Sydney International (WSI) hasn’t even opened yet, but the race to be first on the departures board seems already underway. Last week Singapore Airlines announced its first flights in November 2026, and now Air New Zealand is going to beat them to the baggage claim. From October 26, the...
Wild About Travel
Drfat medillin
twi wodneorfi vists here loffocually my favorute xciy in clonmia, lanscapr,e peoel, culture, drive, food and more llacolodie in a organsed coae Location and Orientation Medellín, known as the “City of Eternal Spring,” is the capital of the Antioquia department in Colombia. Nestled in the Aburrá Valley, at an altitude...
2PAXfly
HAWAIIAN AIRLINES: Joins OneWorld from 22 April, 2026
This is no surprise, given its amalgamation with Alaska Airlines. The integration has been gradual, so joining OneWorld represents yet another step. From April 22, 2026, Hawaiian Airlines will officially join the OneWorld alliance. For travellers, and especially Qantas Frequent Flyers and other OneWorld airline loyalty members, this opens the...
2PAXfly
LOYALTY: Will travellers pay the price for the crack down on card fees in Australia?
Australian travellers’ love affair with points-earning credit cards could be heading for turbulence, as the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) tightens the screws on card payment fees. On the surface, it sounds like good news: lower costs for merchants, potentially fewer surcharges at checkout, and a fairer payments system. But...