The Gate with Brian Cohen
Visiting New York Will Get Even More Expensive: Toll and Fare Increases Approved
Visiting New York will get even more expensive, as the proposed tolls and fares for mass transportation were approved on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 by the members of the board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York; and therefore will increase sometime in January of 2026. Visiting New York Will...
Frequent Miler
Under points & under budget (Stephen’s 100K Vacay journal)
My 100K Vacay has come to an end and even I’m impressed by the numbers I put up (or, more like, didn’t put up!) What is the 100K Vacay challenge? Nick, Stephen, and Tim each picked a different transferable points currency they think can compete with Greg’s 100K Chase Ultimate Rewards points,...
Travel With Grant
No Upcoming Hilton Stay? Turn Your Credit Into a $50 Snack Shopping Spree
Good afternoon everyone, I hope your week is going well.  Last week, I received a reminder email from Hilton about the Q4 $50 Hilton credit on my American Express Hilton Honors Surpass Credit Card.  I also receive another Q4 $50 Hilton credit from my American Express Business Platinum Card.  In the past, it...
Your Mileage May Vary
Brightline Launches Its Own Loyalty Program — “Brightline Rewards”
Brightline’s been zipping riders between Orlando and South Florida for a while now, but one thing it never had? A loyalty program. That just changed — say hello to Brightline Rewards. If you’ve taken Brightline between Orlando and South Florida (like my wife Sharon’s been doing while racking up airports for...
One Mile at a Time
My Citi AAdvantage Business Card Application Approval Experience
Link: Learn more about the Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® The Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® (review) is American’s only co-branded business credit card that’s currently open to new applicants. There’s lots of merit to picking up this card, including an improved welcome offer. I’ve previously picked up...
Economondo
Flying an Old King Air on a Scheduled Commercial Flight: Stockholm to Sveg with Jonair
Background First taking to the skies in 1963, the Beechcraft King Air has enjoyed enormous levels of success, demonstrated by the fact that the type continues to roll off the production line almost sixty years later! Designed to be a luxurious corporate turboprop transport aircraft capable of transporting the rich and...
View from the Wing
A Hotel Owner Entered A Woman’s Room At 3 A.M. — The Brand Is Still Taking Him Back
The White Peak Hotel in Frisco, Colorado used to be a Holiday Inn. It appears it may have been deflagged half a dozen years ago, or transitioned to a Choice property and became unbranded. Now it appears to be returning to IHG. To get it up to snuff there’s some work...
Frequent Miler
Shipping back to Boston & a final cost tally (Nick’s 100K Vacay journal)
I am publishing this post from 36,000 feet to share a full tally of the final costs from my 100K Vacay. Read on for that last update and join us tonight for a live podcast recording recapping 100K Vacay and hearing the judges declare a winner! What is the 100K Vacay...
Points With a Crew
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days Ending Soon – Grab These Deals Before It’s Over
Amazon Prime Day happens once per year in July and offers some of the biggest deals out there across a wide variety of different types of products. Perhaps to fill the gap between Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday, Amazon has announced Amazon Prime Big Deal Days, which take place...
Your Mileage May Vary
Some of The Most Awesome Airport Pickup Signs Ever
Sometimes I’ll Google something just for fun. My name (to see what mischief I’ve been up to now). A TV show I watched when I was a little kid, or someone in it, as a “whatever happened to?” sort of quest. And not too long ago, just for the heck...
Monkey Miles
Capital One Venture Rewards Referral Offer ( $300 travel credit + 75k – leave links )
The public offer on the Capital One Venture Rewards is a 75k Miles after $4k spend in 3 months. However, there is a targeted referral offer of $300 Travel Credit + 75k Miles after $4k spend in 3 months. This doesn’t seem to work for everyone, but feel free to...
Travel Points Playbook
Stretching Your Legs (and Your Budget): Extra Legroom Seat Cost Showdown
I was fortunate enough to snag extra legroom seats on both of my flights last week; exit row on a legacy 737-700 which had not been modified and an aisle seat in the second row of a -800 series plane that had been modified. The flights were both long...
Live from a Lounge
Riyadh Air launches Sfeer, it’s Loyalty Programme
Riyadh Air has been preparing for its launch for a long time, and we are finally on track. The airline announced today the imminent launch of flights to London Heathrow and Dubai. It will be more like a soft launch, but they will be off the ground at least. But...
One Mile at a Time
Aman At Sea: 47-Suite Amangati “Superyacht” Sets Sail Spring 2027
It’s interesting to see the increasing trend of luxury hotel groups launching cruise lines, or perhaps more accurately, licensing out their names to partner on new cruising concepts. For example, a few years back we saw the launch of Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, and in 2026, we’re supposed to see the...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
As Low as $96 One Way to Hawaii
You can book fares for as low as $96 one way Hawaii to and from the continental United States for travel with Hawaiian Airlines on various dates between October of 2025 and November of 2025, depending on the specific flight route… As Low as $96 One Way to Hawaii …but you must...
ATX Jetsetter
Kyoto is Drastically Increasing Hotel Taxes to Curb Overtourism
In an effort to curb overtourism, Kyoto, Japan is instituting a massive increase in hotel taxes. While the tax will be calculated based on the room rate, it also applies to bookings using points. Based on some estimates, this could represent a 10x increase in occupancy taxes, giving...
View from the Wing
‘Your Fare Doesn’t Count’: Spirit Airlines Demanded $306 Or She Couldn’t Check In
A woman who says she bought a ticket on the Spirit Airlines website showed up at the airport to be told at check‑in that she didn’t have “the correct fare” and that she had to pay an additional $306 to fly. Post‑purchase price increases are generally illegal. 14 C.F.R. §399.88:...
Frequent Miler
Buy Hilton Points For 0.5 Cents Each
Hilton has returned with a new sale offering members a 100% bonus when purchasing Hilton Honors points. That means you can buy Hilton Honors points for 0.5cpp with this sale. Note that the 100% bonus is sometimes targeted, so it’s possible that you’ll see a slightly different offer (let us know...
Your Mileage May Vary
Virgin Voyages Brings Back Discounted Sailings You Can Book With Virgin Points
Before Virgin Voyages let members book any cruise using Virgin Points, they tested the waters with limited-time offers on select sailings. Those early promotions offered unusually high value for Virgin Red or Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members — sometimes north of a penny per point. Today, you can use Virgin Points...
Miles To Memories
100K Online Bonus for Citi Strata Elite Card
100K Online Bonus for Citi Strata Elite Card If you’re looking to apply for the Citi Strata Elite credit card, then there’s a new public link which will get you a bonus of 100,000 points. While applying online makes it much more convenient, the online offer has a higher spending requirement...
View from the Wing
Citi Just Raised The Stakes: New Strata Elite 100K Offer, Thousands In 1st Year Value
Citi Strata EliteSM Card (See rates and fees.) A couple of months ago Citi has introduced its competitor to Sapphire Reserve, Venture X and Amex Platinum in the premium card space, the Citi Strata EliteSM Card. At the time they launched it with a limited-time offer. And it...
Live and Let’s Fly
United Airlines Teases “New Routes Across The Globe” In Morse Code (My Predictions)
United Airlines will reveal new longhaul routes tomorrow morning and as in years past, has offered a teaser video with clues. This year, the clues are in Morse code. United Airlines Offers New Route Clues Via Morse Code A pair of videos offers clues (or maybe red herrings) about tomorrow’s new route...
Live from a Lounge
Riyadh Air announces launch of flights to London Heathrow (with a twist)
Riyadh Air has been preparing for its launch with an ambitious timeline; however, it has been unable to go live, primarily due to the delay of its aircraft. Their first order was for 787-9 aircraft, and the airline. The airline has also announced its own custom interiors, but that only...
One Mile at a Time
United Airlines Teases New Global Routes: Can You Crack The Code?
If you ask me, or anyone who is even borderline objective, United Airlines has by far the most interesting route network of any US carrier (United flies to the most destinations and most countries of any US carrier), and the airline keeps expanding. In recent years, United has made a...
TravelUpdate
Air Transat Plans Ottawa to London Flights
Air Transat plans Ottawa to London flights to start next year. Air Transat today unveiled new additions to its Summer 2026 international network, including three new routes and the conversion of several seasonal services to year-round operations. The move reflects their growth push into Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean....
Economy Class & Beyond
AGEAN Airlines adds further ATR aircraft for its Olympic Air subisdary
AEGEAN Airlines, through its subsidiary Olympic Air, has welcomed a brand-new ATR 72-600 to its fleet, marking a significant step in its regional fleet renewal strategy.  But there’s more. AEGEAN has also placed a direct order for two additional ATR 72-600s, scheduled for delivery in December 2026.   Operating turboprop services across domestic routes...
Live and Let’s Fly
Review: SAS A330 Business Class (Copenhagen – San Francisco)
My 11-hour journey from Copenhagen to San Francisco on SAS was overall quite pleasant onboard the A330 in business class, but the lack of attention to detail in one key area was disappointing. SAS A330 Business Class Review (CPH-SFO) I booked my ticket from Zurich – Copenhagen – San Francisco in business...
Frequent Miler
Current point transfer bonuses for October 2025
The best points rewards programs, in our opinion, are those that allow points to be transferred to many different airline and hotel loyalty programs. In this way, it’s often possible to get outsized value from your points. For example, suppose you want to fly lie-flat business class to Europe. Prices...
Miles To Memories
Rakuten Big Stack Event, Get Up to 15X at Popular Merchants
Rakuten Big Stack Event Rakuten is running “The Big Stack Event” which means increased earning rates for shopping at many popular merchants. The promotion runs through the end of day on October 8, 2025. One of the deals that might interest out readers is 15X for Lululemon purchases. This is a good...
The Bulkhead Seat
Spirit Passenger Curses at Others and Refuses to Let Anyone Pass During Deplaning
A Spirit Airlines flight in Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) hit a snag when a female passenger refused to let any of the other passengers behind her deplane unless they let her daughter (who was seated in the back of the plane) pass them to get off first. Other...
Points With a Crew
Kickstarter: Oassay Water Purifier and Filter (Back By Thursday)
10/8 – Reposting as the last day to back this project is Thursday, October 9th I often see interesting travel related products that I think you guys might be interested in.  We’ve talked recently we talked about Gravel Toiletry Bags and blankets, the Evolutionary travel backpack, the RetraStrap luggage strap and...
Miles To Memories
Save 30% on Amazon with Amex Rewards Dollars [YMMV]
Save 30% on Amazon with Amex Rewards Dollars If you have an American Express credit card that earns cash back, then you can save 30% on your next Amazon purchase. This is different from the usual offer that we see for Membership Rewards earning credit cards. See the details below. The Offer Save...