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.

a close up of a credit card

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.

a sign on a wall

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.

a plane on the runway

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.

a red brick wall with white letters

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.

a seat with a bag and a seat belt

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.

a woman holding a black purse

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.

an axe stuck in a tree stump

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.

a group of airplanes at an airport

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.

a turtle on a paper money

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.

a screen on the back of a seat

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
Also on BoardingArea
Miles To Memories
(Now Live) Target Circle Deal Days: $100 Circle Card Bonus and More
Apply for a Target Circle Card between June 14-26 and, if approved, receive $100 in Target Circle Rewards. You also get 15% off your first purchase as a new Target Circle member.
Traveling For Miles
We still don’t know when key Atmos Rewards changes will go live
Alaska Airlines rebranded its Mileage Plan program as Atmos Rewards back in August 2025, unifying it with Hawaiian Airlines' HawaiianMiles into a single program. Some of the changes that came with that rebrand are already live while others are still waiting to be rolled out and as we approach the middle...
One Mile at a Time
Our Wild Austrian Flight To Skiathos: A Fall, Two Go Arounds, And A Diversion
In a previous installment, I wrote about our really bad luck flying from Miami (MIA) to Skiathos (JSI). The previous installment was about our first flight, which was delayed, then canceled, and then had a baggage situation. Oh well.
Frequent Miler
Capital One Shopping/Offers: Earn 6%/9X on Apple purchases (albeit with many exclusions)
Apple is the boosted retailer today on the Capital One Shopping and Capital One Offers shopping portals. I’m seeing rates of 6% and 9X respectively, but there might be even better targeted offers out there. The Deal Earn 6% cashback through Capital One Shopping or 9X miles through Capital One...
Economy Class & Beyond
KLM introduces its first Airbus A350 – Enter “The Night Watch”
KLM is on target to receive its first Airbus A350-900, with the paintwork laid on it. The aircraft has been named The Night Watch, after the renowned painting by Rembrandt. However, there’s a tinsy little problem. For the Airbus A350 fleet, KLM has chosen to name its aircraft after iconic...
Live and Let’s Fly
Air Canada Opens New Café Lounge At Québec City Airport With Barista Coffee, Local Specialties
Air Canada has opened a new Air Canada Café at Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport, expanding a lounge concept that love this concept: good coffee and local specialities in a quiet environment ideally situated for smaller airports like YQB. Air Canada Opens New Café Lounge At Québec City Airport...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
The Real Reason Why Flight Attendants Will Switch On the Seatbelt Signs When There’s No Turbulence… No, it’s Not Because They’re Lazy
If you’ve ever been on a plane and the seatbelt sign has been switched on despite the fact that the aircraft is flying as smoothly as a hot knife through butter, then there’s probably one of two reasons that you’re being confined to your seat for seemingly no reason: Yes,...
Miles To Memories
False Alarm! 5x Earning On Office Stores Is Marked Safe From Devaluation
I have great news to share with you, there are no changes to the Ink Plus 5x earning categories, and 5x office stores is not going anywhere.
View from the Wing
Guests Charged $16 For In-Room Coffee At W Las Vegas As Visitors Pull Back From Nickel-And-Dime Fees
W Las Vegas charges guests $16 for in-room coffee even as the hotel adds a resort fee, turning a basic amenity into another minibar-style charge. The fee captures the broader Las Vegas nickel-and-diming problem as visitors pull back from higher costs and fewer included perks.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
$50 New Member Referral Bonus With Rakuten
This is your chance to cash in on a $50 new member referral bonus when you sign up as a new member of Rakuten; and you will receive a bonus of $50.00 via referral when you spend a minimum of $50.00 within the first 90 days of your new membership, which is...
Live and Let’s Fly
Porter Airlines Launches 12 Routes From New Montréal Metropolitan Airport
Montréal has opened a new secondary airport called Montréal Metropolitan Airport, and Porter Airlines is betting big that travelers will embrace convenience over Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. Porter Airlines Bets Big On New Montréal Airport With 12 Routes Porter Airlines has launched service from the new Montréal Metropolitan Airport...
Frequent Miler
Southwest shopping portal promo: Earn 2K bonus points when spending $200 (ends 6/29/26)
The Southwest shopping portal launched a new promotion yesterday and it’s far more generous than normal. If you spend a cumulative $200 in one or more transactions through the portal, you’ll earn 2,000 bonus Rapid Rewards points. The Deal Earn 2,000 bonus Rapid Rewards points when spending $200+ through the...
One Mile at a Time
Profitable Aer Lingus May Be Forced To Shrink Because It’s Not Greedy Enough
International Airlines Group (IAG) is reportedly on the verge of forcing subsidiary Aer Lingus to shrink due to lack of profitability… even though the airline recently reported its second-best financial results in history, and the margins are among the best in the industry. Is this just a logical way to...
Traveling For Miles
Will Amex’s purchase of TheFork boost a Platinum Card benefit?
American Express has announced a proposed $700 million acquisition of TheFork, a restaurant reservation platform operating across 11 European countries. On its own, that's probably not that interesting to most people, but for holders of the Platinum Card® from American Express, there's an angle worth considering. Could this acquisition lead to...
{Tech} for Travel
Berlin welcomes GITEX Europe as airport and border tech evolves
GITEX Europe lands in Berlin on 30 June–1 July 2026. A trade-only look at the AI, cloud and cyber decisions shaping how travel works behind the scenes. The post Berlin welcomes GITEX Europe as airport and border tech evolves appeared first on {Tech} for Travel.
Frequent Miler
(Update) Chase Ink Plus not going to lose 5x Office Supply on October 1, 2026
Update: Gary Leff at View from the Wing reports that Chase has confirmed that this email sent to cardholders contained inaccurate information, that the office supply bonus category is not being eliminated. Apparently, cardholders can expect a correction email as soon as possible. The original post follows. On the heels...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Delta’s Regional Flight Attendants Say They Aren’t Following Turbulence Safety Procedures Because They Fear It Will Affect Their Customer Satisfaction Scores
Regional flight attendants at Delta Air Lines who are employed through the Atlanta-based carrier’s wholly owned subsidiary, Endeavor Air, say they are scared of following turbulence procedures that are meant to keep them safe because doing so could have an impact on their customer satisfaction scores. The warning came in...
TravelUpdate
Earn 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points & $125: Marriott Bonvoy Business Card Review
With this limited time offer on the Marriott Bonvoy Business Card, you can earn a bonus of 150,000 points and a statement credit of $125.
TravelUpdate
Is Amex About To Enhance This Amex Platinum Card Benefit?
The Amex Platinum Card has seen multiple shakeups over the last few years. With this move, is Amex looking to make changes once again?
One Mile at a Time
Uh Oh: Marriott Hotel Owners Demand More Money For Bonvoy Award Stays
I have to say, I completely understand where the hotel owners are coming from, and it’s almost certainly terrible news for members of Marriott Bonvoy’s loyalty program.
TravelUpdate
Up To 200,000 Points Up For Grabs With These New Offers!
Chase is back with new offers and you can earn up to 200,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points from just one welcome bonus offer.
View from the Wing
Avis Renter Charged Thousands After Previous Customer Stole Toll Transponder [Roundup]
An Avis renter was charged thousands of dollars in tolls after a previous customer stole the car’s transponder and kept using it. Also: no U.S. routes in Singapore’s latest award sale, tiny Marriott-Starbucks bonuses, Air Canada’s new Québec City café lounge, a Bahamas jet ski warning, and 50% off JSX...
TravelUpdate
Marriott Just Opened its 10,000th Hotel, Here Are The Details…
Marriott just opened its 10,000th hotel property and it's a hotel that I'm looking forward to staying at in the coming years.
Eye of the Flyer
Chase Freedom Flex® Q3 2025 Bonus Categories — Gas, Transit, Live Entertainment, and More
The Chase Freedom Flex® Q3 bonus categories are live: 5X on gas stations, EV charging, public transit, select live entertainment, and United Way donations July through September. Enrollment required — here's what's in and what's out.

Categories

Our Bloggers