The Shutterwhale
Lounge Review: Emirates Lounge – Auckland Airport (AKL)
A look inside the Emirates Lounge at Auckland Airport, which is currently
serving Qantas Business Class passengers during the Qantas lounge
renovation. While pleasant and functional, the experience was ultimately
unremarkable, leaving me eager to see the all-new Qantas International
Lounge when it debuts in 2026.
The Shutterwhale
American Express Cards Now Accepted on Singapore Public Transport – Get S$3 Back on Every S$6 Transit Spend!
American Express is now accepted for public transport fares on Singapore’s
MRT and buses. From 3-31 July 2025, eligible cardholders can register for
an Amex Offer to receive S$3 back on every S$6 spent on transit fares, up
to five times per registered card.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Quit That Loyalty Program Mindset Once and For All.
The term loyalty program was a misnomer in the year 2015, for all intents and purposes; and is even more of a misnomer in 2025. The time is long overdue to quit that loyalty program mindset once and for all.
Even exactly ten years after this article was first published, articles...
Frequent Miler
Citi Strata Elite to launch in-branch Sunday with tiered 100K bonus (more juicy details)
After being deluged with Chase Sapphire Reserve and Reserve for Business speculation over the last few weeks, there’s a new topic catching steam in the blogosphere: the prospective launch of the long-awaited Citi Strata Elite card. A source from Citi shared some details with us earlier this week, which Greg...
Frequent Miler
Our next all travel card | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep315 | 7-18-25
In this podcast episode, we’ll talk about how Bilt is going cardless (but with more cards). We’ll see how Etihad is making unfavorable decisions, vying for our Bonvoyed of the year “award”, and we’ll talk about which credit card is the best for all kinds of travel expenses (since the...
Travel With Grant
5 Credit Cards, $1,000 in Annual Fees: Which Retention Offers Did I Receive?
In the first week of July, I faced over $1,000 in credit card annual fees and called each company to inquire about retention offers. Discover the outcomes of my calls and which cards I decided to keep or close.
The post 5 Credit Cards, $1,000 in Annual Fees: Which Retention Offers...
One Mile at a Time
My Awful 74-Minute Call With Hyatt’s New Outsourced Call Center
Several weeks ago, I covered how Hyatt laid off most of its US-based customer service agents, instead choosing to outsource these jobs. Well, I just had my first experience with what I have to assume is one of these new phone support agents. After 74 minutes on the phone, I...
Frequent Miler
Chase Bonvoy Boundless: Five Marriott 50K free night certificates offer still available via referral
Update 7/18/25: The public links for this offer are all dead, but it’s still available via referral links (which is what we have on our Best Offers page). Those will almost certainly die soon, so act fast if you missed out. Note that you can refer from another Chase card...
View from the Wing
LaGuardia’s Chase Sapphire Lounge Is Spectacular—Except For The Rock Hard Salmon Bun And Bland Burger
Order up a cocktail, sit at the bar, in a quiet spot, or by the fireplace. Head to the gameroom with friends. Book a facial using a QR code that's ubiquitous throughout the lounge. And see whether you agree with the majority opinion that the food is...
Frequent Miler
Delta Amex Offer: Spend $500 & Get $100 Back (up to 2 times)
There is a new Delta Amex Offer out that provides some decent savings. The version that I have gives you a $100 statement credit after $500+ in spend (in one or more purchases), AND you can do it twice for a total of $200 in possible credits. There are usually...
Miles For Family
PSA: Transferring Flexible Points Doesn’t Extend Validity of Miles Earned from Bank of America Credit Card
This is an issue I’ve faced today, so I wanted to write a post in case you are dealing with a similar situation. A few years ago, my husband applied for Bank of America Air France/KLM credit card. It was done mainly for the signup bonus, and I had no...
Live from a Lounge
Etihad upgrades a couple to The Residence to celebrate 20 million passengers flown in 2025
Etihad made the day of a couple who arrived at the airport thinking they would be slumming it in Economy, only to be upgraded to the Etihad Residence. Now that is making someone's day!
The post Etihad upgrades a couple to The Residence to celebrate 20 million passengers flown in 2025...
Miles To Memories
Alaska Airlines’ Partnership with Lyft Gets More Rewarding
Alaska Airlines' partnership with Lyft, which launched in 2022, is getting more rewarding. As of July 17, you can now earn more miles for your Lyft rides.
The post Alaska Airlines’ Partnership with Lyft Gets More Rewarding appeared first on Miles to Memories.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Wildfires Out of Control in Canada Summer 2025: Travel Alert
Grand Canyon National Park in the United States is not the only place that is currently affected by wildfires that are out of control, as parts of Canada are also being scorched in the summer of 2025.
The following travel alert was issued by the United States Embassy and Consulates in...
Altitude Yes
Japan Airlines Receives 10th A350-1000, Paris Route to Be Served Daily by the Aircraft
Following this delivery, the Tokyo to Paris route will exclusively be operated by the A350-1000 beginning on August 27.
The post Japan Airlines Receives 10th A350-1000, Paris Route to Be Served Daily by the Aircraft first appeared on Altitude Yes.
The Bulkhead Seat
Will United Airlines Introduce “Basic Business Class” Fares With Stripped-Down Benefits?
Delta Air Lines has been pretty vocal about it offering differentiated premium cabin offerings…
The post Will United Airlines Introduce “Basic Business Class” Fares With Stripped-Down Benefits? appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Live and Let’s Fly
My Delicious Salad + Sandwich On JetBlue
I appreciate airlines that offer thoughtful buy-on-board meals for economy class passengers and thoroughly enjoyed both a sandwich and salad on a transcontinental JetBlue flight from the carrier’s EatUp Café menu. Salad + Sandwich From JetBlue EatUp Café We landed from Paris and had a few hours at New York...
View from the Wing
United CEO’s Bold Prediction: Struggling Rivals Will Cut Flights—And You’ll Pay Higher Fares
We've aleady seen airlines pull back flying for the fall, in anticipation of lower demand. That's focused largely on early morning, late night and redeye trips and off-peak days.
Continue reading United CEO’s Bold Prediction: Struggling Rivals Will Cut Flights—And You’ll Pay Higher Fares...
Traveling For Miles
Delta Air Lines will launch a Los Angeles to Hong Kong route in 2026
It has been seven long years since Delta has offered flights to Hong Kong (the Seattle Hong-Kong route ended in October 2018), but now it looks like the airline is ready to give Hong Kong another go as it says that it will serve the special administrative region of China...
The Shutterwhale
Oman Air Officially Joins oneworld: New Opportunities for Premium Travellers
Oman Air officially joins oneworld as its 15th member from 1 July 2025,
extending the alliance’s reach across the Gulf and South Asia. Premium
travellers will enjoy seamless access to Oman Air’s award-winning product
and an expanded network of destinations, including a new Muscat–Amsterdam
route.
The Shutterwhale
Get S$450 Cash Reward, Dyson Airstrait, or Ergotune Joobie with Citi Credit Card – New Customers Only (Apply by 30 June 2025)
Get rewarded with up to S$450 cash reward, a Dyson Airstrait, or Ergotune
Joobie when you apply for a Citi Credit Card via SingSaver by 30 June 2025
and spend S$500 within 30 days of card approval. Offer is only valid for
new-to-bank applicants.
The Shutterwhale
Double ALL Reward Points at SLS, SO/ & Mondrian Hotels – Book by 15 July, Stay by 23 September 2025
Unlock more value on your next stay with the Accor Live Limitless Double
Reward Points promotion at select SLS, SO/ and Mondrian hotels worldwide.
Book by 15 July 2025 and stay by 23 September 2025 to earn 2x Reward points
- get up to 15% cashback for Diamond members.
The Shutterwhale
Lounge Review: Qantas International First Lounge (Terminal 1) – Sydney Airport (SYD)
Discover the Qantas International First Lounge at Sydney Airport (SYD) with
this in-depth review. From Neil Perry’s à la carte dining to panoramic
runway views and oneworld Emerald access, here’s everything you need to
know before your flight.
The Shutterwhale
Now Accepting Reservations: Sheraton Johor Bahru to Welcome Guests from 1 October 2025
Sheraton Johor Bahru is now accepting reservations from 1 October 2025.
Featuring 345 rooms, diverse dining, event spaces for up to 600 guests, and
direct access to a boutique mall, the new hotel is set to elevate the
hospitality scene in southern Malaysia.
