2PAXfly
NEW ZEALAND: Top of the South Island, what we did and ate in Picton, Havelock and Blenheim
We had three nights/four days at the Picton Waterfront Apartments, and were mainly interested in rest and relaxation. We also did a little sightseeing, and winery wining and dining. This post is a short summary of some of those activities. Hope it gives you an idea of what you can...
Wild About Travel
Sendai: The City of Trees
A 90-minute hop from Tokyo on Japan’s fastest train, the Hayabusa Shinkansen, brings you to Sendai, the city of trees! My critique of many Japanese cities is that they have a lot of concrete and asphalt, and not much green space. In the 19th century, Sendai’s local ruler encouraged tree...
2PAXfly
EUROPE: New EES entry system for Australians
From April 10, a major overhaul of border control across much of Europe comes into full effect, replacing the familiar passport stamp with biometric data, digital records. I experienced this when entering the Czech Republic at Prague Airport in March, and it was surprisingly efficient. It’s called the Entry/Exit System...
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...
Also on BoardingArea
Hawaii Calling
Alaska and Hawaiian Join the Bag Fee Increases — What Travelers Need to Know
Airline fees have been creeping up across the industry, but recently things have started to accelerate—and not in a good way for travelers. Alaska Airlines has announced a checked baggage fee increase that now also applies to Hawaiian Airlines, following their purchase. This move brings both airlines more in line...
Frequent Miler
Free Checked Bags via Credit Card Complete Guide
Many airline credit cards offer free checked bags to cardholders. However, the details vary a lot by airline. Are international flights included? How about the bags of companions on the same reservation? Do you have to pay for the flight with the airline credit card? Find answers about free checked...
Frequent Miler
Bagpocolypse: American, Alaska, United, Delta, and Southwest all raise checked bag fees
Earlier this week, JetBlue announced it would raise the fees it charges for checked bags “due to the rising cost of fuel.” We anticipated that all major US carriers would eventually follow in short order, similar to what happened in 2020, the last time bag fees went up across the...
The Bulkhead Seat
I’m In: Delta Launches Limited-Time Award Sale to Malta for Summer Travel
Delta Air Lines is giving travelers a new reason to plan a Mediterranean getaway…
Points With a Crew
Get An Easy $50 From Rakuten (Deal Extended!)
If you don't have a Rakuten account, sign up and get an easy $50 by signing up and spending at least $50 (including on gift cards to many retailers!) in the first 90 days.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
This Country Still Requires Shoes to Be Removed at Airport Security Checkpoints
This country still requires shoes to be removed at security checkpoints at its airports — which caught me by surprise, as I was unaware that this was policy and procedure. The country is...
Your Mileage May Vary
A Seagull Stole Our Snack in Japan—Turns Out There’s a Weird Way to Stop That
A travel mishap, some unexpected science, and a trick that might actually keep birds away from your food. If you’ve ever eaten outdoors while traveling, you might already know where…
woman shares air bnb creepy encounter (l) Air bnb app (r)
BoardingArea
‘We Lasted 20 Minutes’: Woman Books Cheap Airbnb In St. Louis. Then She Finds A Room So ‘Creepy’ She Flees To A Hotel
"POV: You book the cheap Airbnb."
Frequent Miler
TopCashback: Earn $25 bonus when you join & earn $10
If you’ve never signed up for TopCashback (TCB), now is a great time to do it, as the shopping portal is offering an increased bonus for Frequent Miler readers: $25 in bonus cashback when you join and earn $10 cashback within the first 180 days. That’s not the highest signup...
Miles To Memories
Amex Resets Referrals & Card Limits, Delta Credits May Be Dead & An Easy $300?
Huge changes at Amex, the death of a credit, limits reset & a couple of easy money offers worth grabbing.
View from the Wing
Turkish Airlines Suddenly Ousts Its Chairman And CEO — Succession Looks Politically Orchestrated
Turkish Airlines has abruptly replaced both its chairman and CEO despite strong financial results and no public scandal, framing the exits as retirements while offering little real explanation. The succession appears to have been arranged at a high political level, but the choice of an insider commercial CEO and finance-focused...
2PAXfly
NEW ZEALAND: Top of the South Island, what we did and ate in Picton, Havelock and Blenheim
We had three nights/four days at the Picton Waterfront Apartments, and were mainly interested in rest and relaxation. We also did a little sightseeing, and winery wining and dining. This post is a short summary of some of those activities. Hope it gives you an idea of what you can...
Frequent Miler
Flying Blue status match for US residents
Air France / KLM Flying Blue is out with a status match opportunity for US residents. While we’ve seen Flying Blue offer a status match for customers in other countries, One Mile at a Time reports that this is now available again for residents of the US and Canada. Unfortunately,...
Hawaii Calling
Luxury Oahu 7 Day Itinerary (2026)
I’ve lived on Oahu most of my life, and if you’re looking to experience the island at a higher level, this is exactly how I would plan a luxury 7-day trip. Oahu can be as laid-back or as indulgent as you want it to be, but when you combine five-star...
Points With a Crew
Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach Hotel Review (connecting rooms)
I recently returned from a trip to Honolulu - here is my Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach hotel review, including info on wifi, food, rooms, amenities, cost and more
Your Mileage May Vary
The Truth About AMEX’s “Cancel For Any Reason” Flight Coverage
American Express has a way to cancel a flight for any reason and still get some of your money back—but it’s more like “Cancel For Any Reason (lite)” than full-blown…
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
GHA DISCOVERY: 2x D$ eligible stays at all hotels across Europe and North America (April 9 Bonus Offer Highlight)
Today’s bonus offer highlight is an excellent offer from GHA DISCOVERY that offers 2x D$ on stays at all their hotels in North America and Europe. Check out all of the new bonuses added today: The Bonus Offer Highlight: GHA DISCOVERY Earn 2x D$ on eligible stays at all GHA...
Miles To Memories
Is Chase Pay Yourself Back Now More Important Than Ever?
I kick around the question, is Chase pay yourself back worth it? And why it may be worth it more now than ever. Let me know your thoughts.
woman shares cruise experience (l) royal caribbean cruise (r)
BoardingArea
Woman Takes Royal Caribbean Cruise. On The Second Day, She’s The Victim Of A Crime: ‘I Would Lose My Mind’
"I have a story for you."
Frequent Miler
(Ends Monday) Venture Rewards 75K welcome offer now also includes $250 Capital One Travel credit
Update 4/9/26: This increased welcome offer for the Venture Rewards card will end next Monday, on April 13, 2026. This is currently the best offer available for any Capital One personal card and ranks #4 overall on our Best Offers page for consumer card first-year value. If you’re interested in...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Exclusive: Interactive List of Hilton Resort Credit Eligible Properties
Whenever I look at the official list of resort properties which are eligible to be booked with the resort credit of $200.00 for people who have the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire card, what bothers me is no locations are included in the list — so I created an exclusive...
Frequent Miler
Get up to 10% back at Kroger brands with new Chase Offer
One of my favorite Chase Offers is back, offering either 5% or 10% back at Kroger’s various brands. My Chase cards have the 10% version of the offer, while my wife’s have 5%. In both cases, the cashback is limited to $90 in spend, but we each have it on...
The Bulkhead Seat
Natasha Lyonne Removed From Delta Flight After Failing to Follow Crew Instructions
An incident aboard a Delta Air Lines flight departing Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)…
One Mile at a Time
American Airlines Venezuela Flights Resume, After Seven-Year Hiatus
Several weeks ago, American Airlines vaguely announced plans to resume flights to Venezuela, though stopped short of providing details about which route would be introduced, and when. There’s now an update, as the airline has just formally announced when it plans to launch flights, though there’s still a lot of...
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...
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...