Points Game: Tortoise Strategy Triumphs [Weekly Top Posts]

by BoardingArea | May 15, 2024 | 0 Comments

1. Error in FAA Reauthorization Bill Could Let Airlines Put Travel Agents Out of Business

The FAA Reauthorization bill requires travel agents to provide refunds where they are the vendor of record charging the customer – even when they’ve paid the airline and the airline hasn’t given the money back to them (if they ever get the money back).

a man sitting at a desk using a computer

2. Let’s Go Again – My Favorite Credit Card Anniversary Bonuses

A simple perk to receive while doing nothing, credit card anniversary bonuses can bring value. These are the ones I enjoy most.

3. Bubbling Bliss: A Review of World Of Coca Cola in Atlanta, GA Plus 5 Tips

When I was a kid, I remember being so excited to visit the World of Coca-Cola Museum. So, when I had the opportunity to go to Atlanta in October 2023, I knew I had to make a stop there.

4. Delta Adds Premium Heavy CRJ-550 to Fleet

SkyWest will begin operating CRJ-550s on behalf of Delta Connection as the airline adds much needed 50 seat regional capacity.

5. Citi Strata Premier Card Now Live

Just this week, Citi introduced the Citi Strata Premier Card, a revamped version of the Citi Premier card featuring some fresh benefits.

6. Delta SkyMiles Awarding MQDs for Hotels & Rental Cars

For a limited time, Delta SkyMiles is counting hotels and rental cars toward elite status. Here’s how this interesting promotion works.

7. American and Alaska Flight Attendants Live in Poverty and Experience Homelessness

It’s no secret that flights are still jam packed and that airlines have been largely profitable. But not every airline is sharing the wealth like Delta did with the $1.4 billion in bonuses it paid in February. New hires at American Airlines are being issued “poverty verification letters” so that they may apply for government benefits and 9% of Alaska Airlines flight attendants have experienced homelessness in the past year. This is so unacceptable.

8. My Credit Card Cancellation Spree

I decided to embark on a credit card cancellation spree – a bit disillusioned by all the annual fee increases and lack of tangible benefits.

9. Flight Attendants Charged in $8 Million Drug Money Scheme

Four flight attendants have been charged with their involvement in an $8 million drug money smuggling scheme to the Dominican Republic.

10. I’d Rather Be the Tortoise than the Hare: Slow and Steady Wins the Points Game

Discover the benefits of taking a slow and steady approach to collecting points and miles. Learn how to build your stash over time and travel like a pro.

11. Delta Air Lines Corporate Calls Me Within Hours After Complaint and Provides a 30,000 SkyMiles Gift

In a remarkable display of customer service, Delta Corporate swiftly responded to a complaint, contacting the customer within hours and generously offering a 30,000 SkyMiles gift as a gesture of goodwill. This proactive approach underscores Delta’s commitment to addressing customer concerns promptly and satisfactorily.

12. Stolen Valor? United Passenger Reported for Faking Military Service to Get Free Snack

During a United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Newark, a passenger observed a woman in coach allegedly exploiting purportedly false military credentials to receive complimentary food.

a man in uniform looking at a woman in an airplane

Weekly Top Posts

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BoardingArea

BoardingArea is highly rated for delivering insightful tips, advice, and reviews about the topic of travel and travelers’ obsession with frequent flyer miles and points. This up-to-date information is tailored to all levels of travel expertise from a diverse collection of experienced contributors, including travel bloggers, industry insiders and avid adventurers. REQUIRED READING FOR FREQUENT FLYERS.

One Mile at a Time

European Union Updating Flight Delay Compensation Rules… For The Better!

The European Union has the most consumer friendly policies in the world when it comes to what passengers are entitled to in the event that their flight is significantly delayed or canceled. This policy is known as EC261 (often referred to as EU261), and it entitles consumers to compensation in...

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

United Frequent Flyers Took Part in a Drama Fueled Marathon Flying to Every Hub in the Airline’s Network in a Single Day

A group of United Airlines frequent flyers took part in a drama-fuelled marathon in which they flew to every one of the carrier’s hub airports in a single day – known by United’s most ardent fans as the ‘United 7 Hub Run.’ Whether it be that they needed to quickly...

Miles To Memories

(4 New) Every Available Transfer Bonus & A History Of Transfer Bonuses

We share all of the current transfer bonuses available right now, but we also share a history of every major transfer bonus over time.

The Bulkhead Seat

United CEO Slams Rolls-Royce as Engine Crisis Grounds Hundreds of Jets

United Airlines Chief Executive Officer Scott Kirby delivered a scathing public criticism of Rolls-Royce…

Live and Let’s Fly

Your Cancelled Flight May Not Count As Cancelled

DOT paused refund enforcement for renumbered flights while it rewrites what counts as a cancellation. The pause ends June 30. The definition fight matters.

TravelUpdate

Review: American Express Stockholm Restaurant Lounge

Location and Access Before my flight from Stockholm to Copenhagen on SAS, I was able to access the…

One Mile at a Time

Pathetic: British Airways Suspends Starlink Wi-Fi Rollout After Five Planes

In November 2025, International Airlines Group (IAG) announced plans to introduce free Starlink Wi-Fi across the brand’s airlines, including British Airways. At the time, British Airways proudly boasted how it would be the first airline in the UK to introduce Starlink, even though Virgin Atlantic had announced similar plans several...

View from the Wing

Man Steals Wallet From Disabled Passenger At TSA Checkpoint — Officer Puts Him In His Place

Bodycam footage was just released from Fort Lauderdale airport where a passenger's wallet was tolen at TSA. The man had placed his bag, phone, and black Gucci wallet in a binto be screened. By the time he got through, the wallet was gone.

The Gate with Brian Cohen

Blue Beams of Light in Buenos Aires. Sunday Morning Photograph.

The sign warned of a traffic closure due to event — I assume diversion means detour — but I never did find out why blue beams of light pierced the sultry warm December evening in the Puerto Madero barrio of Buenos Aires in Argentina. The view is at...

Monkey Miles

American Express Delta credit cards add in new credits, 2nd domestic checked bag, and all time high offers

American Express has new, limited time offers on their Delta cobranded credit cards. Some are the highest welcome offers we've ever seen!

Frequent Miler

Capital One Shopping/Offers: Earn up to 40% or 35X miles at Klook

Capital One Shopping and Capital One Offers are once again offering boosted rewards when booking activities, hotels, and/or rental cars with Klook. I’m seeing rates of up to 40% cashback or up to 35X transferable miles, but you might be targeted for a higher or lower rate. The Deal Earn...

View from the Wing

New AI Delay Alerts Expose How Airlines Use Weather Claims To Deny Stranded Passengers Hotels And Meals

United and American are getting better at telling passengers the real reasons their flights are delayed. That transparency is useful, but it also exposes a long-running airline habit: blaming weather or air traffic control when it's actually something within their control - like mechanical issues or available crew - that...

2PAXfly

ONEWORLD: Philippine Airlines is joining, and that’s good news for Australian travellers

Philippine Airlines (PAL) is preparing to join the oneworld alliance, bringing a Southeast Asian carrier into the same airline family as Qantas. The Philippine flag carrier has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to become oneworld’s 16th member, following an invitation from the alliance’s governing board. The announcement was made at...

Frequent Miler

Staples.com is selling $200 digital Visa gift cards with no purchase fee

Staples is once again waiving purchase fees for digital Visa gift cards sold online. This type of deal is always popular, so you’ll want to buy ASAP if you’re interested. The Deal Buy $200 virtual Visa gift cards with no purchase fee at Staples.com. Direct link to offer. Key Terms...

One Mile at a Time

Will American Airlines Start Flying To Manila, Philippines? I’m Not Convinced…

In light of recent developments, I’ve seen many people theorize that American Airlines may launch flights to Manila, Philippines (MNL). Let’s talk about the reason the rumor exists, and analyze it a bit.

View from the Wing

Teacher’s One-Night Budget Hotel Stay Triggers A $1,002,852.82 Debit Card Hold

This middle school teachers' account showed a negative balance of more than $1 million when a $1,002,852.82 charge was placed on their debit card at an Americas Best Value Inn in Blytheville, Arkansas. The hotel says their credit card terminal was hacked.

Eye of the Flyer

Delta Voluntary Bump Scores a 98-Inch TV, SkyMiles Co-Branded Card Refresh, American Suspends LAX Routes, a Rat on a Jet Flap, and More – Weekly Recap

A good week around here: René turned a voluntary bump at Houston’s IAH into a 98-inch big screen TV, the SkyMiles co-branded card lineup got a meaningful refresh worth knowing about, American quietly suspended six routes while calling it something else entirely, I recorded a national commercial from a Delta...

man shares cruise experience (l) Royal caribbean cruise (r)

BoardingArea

Man Gets On Royal Caribbean Cruise That’s Headed For Alaska. The Pool Is A Dead Giveaway: ‘That’s How Rough It Is’

"We're heading to Alaska, and look at the pool."

One Mile at a Time

American Airlines “Permanently” Cancels Doha Flights, After Four Years

While this service has been suspended for several months due to the Iran conflict, it now looks like this is no longer a suspension, but a cancellation.

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

First Class Delta Air Passenger Wakes Up to Discover Seatmate Has Vomited in Her Purse… Flight Attendant Shrugs

A passenger on a recent Delta Air Lines flight between Minneapolis-St Paul and Boise was in a stomach-churning shock after she woke up from a nap during the two-and-a-half-hour Red Eye flight to discover that her purse had been turned into a makeshift sick bag. The woman had been seemingly...

Live and Let’s Fly

Allegiant Bought An Airline To Sell A Credit Card

Allegiant says the credit card is the real prize in its Sun Country deal. With United, Breeze, and American trimming service, the bet could hit turbulence.

One Mile at a Time

Starlux Airlines Wants To Join Oneworld Alliance, But Is Being Blocked

Taiwan’s Starlux Airlines is a fast growing airline that was founded just before the pandemic. The airline now has a fleet of A321neos, A330-900neos, and A350-900s, and is quickly expanding. In terms of service to the United States, the airline flies to Los Angeles (LAX), Phoenix (PHX), San Francisco (SFO),...

2PAXfly

QANTAS: Looking at Superjumbo A380 replacement

Qantas is reportedly considering an order for about 20 additional widebody aircraft, potentially setting up another contest between Airbus and Boeing for a large slice of the airline’s international fleet. According to Reuters aviation correspondent Tim Hepher, Qantas is discussing either additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners or the Airbus A350-900 with...

Frequent Miler

Last Chance Deals: Preferred Hotels & Wyndham transfer bonuses, discounted Hotels.com gift cards, & more

Welcome to our weekly list of what’s ending this week as well as a collection of some other deals that are due to end soon. Two of Citi’s current transfer bonuses to Preferred Hotels and Wyndham Rewards end next Saturday. Also ending this week is the opportunity to buy Hotels.com gift...

Points Game: Tortoise Strategy Triumphs [Weekly Top Posts]

1. Error in FAA Reauthorization Bill Could Let Airlines Put Travel Agents Out of Business

2. Let’s Go Again – My Favorite Credit Card Anniversary Bonuses

3. Bubbling Bliss: A Review of World Of Coca Cola in Atlanta, GA Plus 5 Tips

4. Delta Adds Premium Heavy CRJ-550 to Fleet

5. Citi Strata Premier Card Now Live

6. Delta SkyMiles Awarding MQDs for Hotels & Rental Cars

7. American and Alaska Flight Attendants Live in Poverty and Experience Homelessness

8. My Credit Card Cancellation Spree

9. Flight Attendants Charged in $8 Million Drug Money Scheme

10. I’d Rather Be the Tortoise than the Hare: Slow and Steady Wins the Points Game

11. Delta Air Lines Corporate Calls Me Within Hours After Complaint and Provides a 30,000 SkyMiles Gift

12. Stolen Valor? United Passenger Reported for Faking Military Service to Get Free Snack

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