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...
Also on BoardingArea
Your Mileage May Vary
That Abandoned Former Hyatt by Disney Finally Has a Future
If you’ve driven to Walt Disney World more than a handful of times, you’ve probably seen it — even if you never knew what it was. Right there at the…
Frequent Miler
Hilton releases list of Premium Clubs open to Diamond Reserve members
At the end of 2025, Hilton Honors announced the creation of a new top-tier elite status: Diamond Reserve. One of the exclusive benefits of this spendy status was complimentary entry into what Hilton described as “Premium Clubs.” Premium Clubs are supposed to be elevated lounge experiences with additional food and...
The Bulkhead Seat
Marriott Breaks Ground on the Ritz-Carlton Indianapolis
Marriott started on the first Ritz-Carlton hotel in Indianapolis. It will be a key… The post Marriott Breaks Ground on the Ritz-Carlton Indianapolis appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Frequent Miler
Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business 200K welcome offer (ending soon)
We’ve been informed that the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business® card’s inaugural 200K welcome offer will be ending soon. While the introductory offer is undoubtedly massive, you’ll want to pay close attention to the details to decide whether it makes sense for you. Read More: The new Chase Sapphire Reserve...
From The Tray Table
Bilt responds to Card 2.0 backlash after leaks — here’s what’s coming
Bilt is gearing up to launch three new credit cards on Wednesday. And even before any potential bad… The post Bilt responds to Card 2.0 backlash after leaks — here’s what’s coming appeared first on From the Tray Table.
Points With a Crew
Kickstarter: Roll Top Backpack Go and Go Max (Back By Saturday)
The Roll Top backpack comes in 2 different sizes (Go for 20L and the Go Max at 27L). It's on Kickstarter, but only for a few more...
One Mile at a Time
Marriott Bonvoy Now Awards Half Elite Nights: Good Change To A Bad Policy
With Marriott Bonvoy, you can earn elite status based on how many elite qualifying nights you rack up in a year. Going back many years, you’d earn one elite night per night stayed at all brands, though over time, we’ve seen earnings rates change.
Your Mileage May Vary
2 Large California Airports Will Be Hot Messes For a While
The advent of flight has been, obviously, one of the most important, if not THE most important addition in the history of travel. Sure, there are more cars than planes…
You Are Travel
Ritz-Carlton Coming to Indy – Construction Begins on the 176-Room Stadium Connected Property
​tl;dr – Another big-name brand for the Indianapolis luxury hotel scene. ​Developers recently broke ground on a new… The post Ritz-Carlton Coming to Indy – Construction Begins on the 176-Room Stadium Connected Property appeared first on You Are Travel.
Frequent Miler
New United Mileage Plus Status Match Challenge (includes Premier 1K)
United Airlines is offering a status match opportunity for 2026, allowing you to temporarily match your elite status from another airline to United. Then, after meeting a set of reduced requirements within a 120-day period, you can extend your United status through the remainder of the program year. This year,...
View from the Wing
United Airlines Puts the Union Contract Tradeoff in Writing for Flight Attendants — Ground Pay Tied to “Algorithm Scheduling” and Reserve Pay Cuts
United Airlines’ latest update to flight attendants makes the trade explicit: the union’s new pay proposal is “too expensive,” and anything better than the rejected deal will require offsets. United hints it can move on ground-time pay and shorter reserve windows—but only if flight attendants accept “algorithm scheduling” and reserve...
One Mile at a Time
Massive Capital One Venture X Business Up To 400K Bonus Miles Welcome Offer
Link: Learn more about the Capital One Venture X Business
ATX Jetsetter
Booked: A 72 Hour Dash Across Europe
For my first major trip report of 2026, I'll be spending 72 hours criss-crossing Europe in February. The post Booked: A 72 Hour Dash Across Europe appeared first on ATX Jetsetter.
One Mile at a Time
Buy Avianca Lifemiles With 160% Bonus: Worth It For 1.27 Cents Each?
Buying miles & points strategically can represent a great value, especially for first and business class travel.The avianca lifemiles program has just launched its newest promotion on purchased miles (the program has offers more often than not), and it has the potential to be a good deal.
One Mile at a Time
Wyndham Rewards Status Match Challenge: Potentially Lucrative
In this post I’d like to take a look at the Wyndham Rewards status match challenge promotion for 2026, as this is the ideal time to apply, so you can potentially get status for roughly two years.
Live and Let’s Fly
American Airlines Brings Texas BBQ To First Class With Pecan Lodge Partnership
American Airlines is bringing a taste of Texas to the skies with a new partnership that lets passengers enjoy barbecue from one of Dallas’ most famous smokehouses on select flights…as a BBQ-loving omnivore, I’m a lot more impressed than One Mile At A Time! American Airlines Partners With Pecan Lodge...
Miles To Memories
Flamingo’s Sexy NEW Carpet, DEATH of Mid-Tier Hospitality & Venetian Hotel Review – Best In VEGAS?
Is Venetian the best, Flamingo's new carpet, great gambler advice, huge sports bet gone wrong & Clydesdales in casino? The post Flamingo’s Sexy NEW Carpet, DEATH of Mid-Tier Hospitality & Venetian Hotel Review – Best In VEGAS? appeared first on Miles to Memories.
Travel Codex
Oceania Bans Children. Now an Adult Only Cruise Line
Oceania Cruises is going adults only and becomes one of just a small club of cruise lines which only allow guests 18 and over aboard. In a decision that came without notice, Oceania will no longer accept children on any new reservations. The cruise line’s typical customer is 55 or...
You Are Travel
American Airlines Has the Dirtiest Water of All Major US Airlines – Here’s How the Other Rank
​tl;dr – You weren’t drinking it anyway, right? Right? ​I came across this graphic on LinkedIn depicting the… The post American Airlines Has the Dirtiest Water of All Major US Airlines – Here’s How the Other Rank appeared first on You Are Travel.
Frequent Miler
Chase “Pay Yourself Back” Complete Guide (updated categories)
Chase has been steadily hacking away at the value of its Pay Yourself Back (PYB) Program, whittling down both categories and redemption rates on Ultimate Reward(UR)-earning cards. At the same time, it has added PYB options for Southwest, Aeroplan, and United cards, although the value for redeeming Southwest points is...
Frequent Miler
Chase “Pay Yourself Back” Complete Guide (updated categories)
Chase has been steadily hacking away at the value of its Pay Yourself Back (PYB) Program, whittling down both categories and redemption rates on Ultimate Reward(UR)-earning cards. At the same time, it has added PYB options for Southwest, Aeroplan, and United cards, although the value for redeeming Southwest points is...
Miles To Memories
United Airlines Mile Play Promotion: Earn Bonus Miles for Flights Through March 9
United Airlines has launched its latest Mile Play promotion. This is a targeted offer for MileagePlus members and it can earn you extra miles for United flights. The post United Airlines Mile Play Promotion: Earn Bonus Miles for Flights Through March 9 appeared first on Miles to Memories.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Do You Know These Regional Slang Words From Around the United States?
That jawn was on his way to the pre-funk with the Trixie and the Chad; but he was so thirsty that he stopped at the bubbler on the devil strip near the street that is cattywampus. He will most likely have a whoopensocker at the pre-funk and eventually be involved...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Do You Know These Regional Slang Words From Around the United States?
That jawn was on his way to the pre-funk with the Trixie and the Chad; but he was so thirsty that he stopped at the bubbler on the devil strip near the street that is cattywampus. He will most likely have a whoopensocker at the pre-funk and eventually be involved...
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,...
2PAXfly
VENEZUELA: The effect of the USA military action on aviation for Australians
The U.S. military operation in Venezuela in early January 2026 has had a direct impact on aviation in the Americas, with flow-on effects for Australian travellers transiting through the United States, the Caribbean and parts of Latin America. While Venezuela itself is not a common destination for Australians, changes to...
Wild About Travel
Grounded for Good: The Airlines That Didn’t Survive 2025
For over a decade, I’ve been keeping note of which airlines go out of business each year. Do you recognise any of these? Air BelgiumBelgium. Founded: 2016. Commenced: 2018. Passenger operations ceased: 2024 (bankruptcy). Passenger flying had already stopped following the 2024 insolvency. After that, it was limited to wet‑lease...
Wild About Travel
Very Frequent Flying: My best and worst of 2025
One hundred and one flights in 2025, bringing me to 1782 lifetime flights. Flew to or from twenty-seven countries. Five continents. From the midnight sun grazing Helsinki’s summer sky to the crisp air of Hobart’s harbour, 2025 took me 213,054 kilometres (132,386 miles) around our planet. Roughly five times over....
Wild About Travel
Rating a city: From First Crush to Favourites
How do you rate a city? A good memory? The food? Its beauty? The first time I landed in Paris, I fell hard. I loved the art, the tree‑lined streets, the river, the metro, the food and markets, and even the people (yes, I mean Parisians). Twenty‑three visits later, I...
2PAXfly
NEW YEAR’S EVE: Flights that go back to the future
If you celebrate New Year’s Eve at the departure airport, board a long flight, and then land on a day that still reads December 31 local time, you’ve just experienced one of commercial aviation’s quirkiest phenomena. Thanks to time zones and the International Date Line, a handful of long-haul flights...
2PAXfly
EVACUATION: Why people still grab cabin bags and don’t ‘leave everything’
If I had a dollar for every person who does not obey the instruction to ‘leave your bags’ during an emergency evacuation of an aircraft, I’d be a rich man. This isn’t just annoying behaviour. It is dangerous because it slows evacuations. The aviation industry is now treating this as...