Weekly Wanderlust: A Curated Collection of Must-Read Posts – April 25th

by BoardingArea | April 25, 2024 | 0 Comments

1. Six-Hour Immigration Lines at Miami International Airport Highlight the Need for Change

I’ve said it before and I’ll continue to say it, Global Entry is amazing. Sure, the fee recently increased by $20 (the first time in 15 years), but saving hours of time is more than worth it. Yesterday, passengers arriving on international flights at Miami International Airport (MIA) were faced with lines that took around six hours to clear in the immigration hall. This is not an isolated incident and something needs to be done soon.

a row of blue and grey machines

2. Emirates Flight Attendant Braves Dubai Floods in Style

Amidst the recent flooding in Dubai, a heartwarming tale of heroism has emerged from an unexpected source: an Emirates flight attendant. As torrential rains inundated parts of the city, turning streets into rivers and causing chaos for residents, one Emirates crew member stepped up to the challenge in a remarkable display.

a person in a suit standing in water

3. Emirates Flight Attendant Braves Dubai Floods in Style

United Airlines pilots reportedly let an unauthorized passenger into the flight deck while a 757 was flying, leading to an investigation.

a plane parked at an airport

4. American Airlines Bumps Passenger Off Flight, Agent Says They “Do Not Care About DOT Rules”

Michael Trager, who runs frequent traveler and casino loyalty site TravelZork, had one of the most interesting “bump” stories I’ve heard in a long time. He was involuntarily denied boarding on an American Airlines flight last week, and airport staff refused to provide him any compensation saying that they “do not care about DOT Rules.”

a close up of a ticket

5. Dubai Airport Goes into Meltdown as Emirates Tells Passengers They Can’t Leave After Historic Floods

In a dramatic turn of events, Dubai Airport plunged into chaos as historic floods inundated the airfield, leaving passengers stranded and flights grounded. Emirates, the flagship carrier, delivered shocking news to bewildered travelers, informing them they were unable to depart amidst the turmoil causing a meltdown at one of the world’s busiest airports.

a group of people sitting in chairs

6. Ex-Cathay Pacific A330 Destroyed by Fire in Long-Term Storage

An ex-Cathay Pacific A330 has been completely destroyed by fire in Spain. The A330 caught fire while it was parked in long-term storage.

a plane that has been crashed

7. Aria Vegas: Sweet Life, If You Can Experience It

Why does The Points of Life always receive suite upgrades when he’s unable to make the most use out of them?

a group of cars parked in front of a large building

8. A First Class Experience on Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner | Leihōkū Suites

This flight to San Francisco was not just a journey; it was a glimpse into the future of long-haul flights with Hawaiian Airlines. The service was exceptional, the food delightful, and the overall experience a testament to Hawaiian Airlines’ commitment to comfort and quality.

a man sitting in a chair

9. Review: Fairmont Maldives Overwater Villa

Embark on a journey to luxury and serenity in the Maldives with a captivating review of the Fairmont Maldives Overwater Villa. Immerse yourself in a world of unparalleled beauty and indulgence as you discover the exquisite amenities and breathtaking views that await at this idyllic island retreat.

a deck with chairs and a pool overlooking the ocean

10. Why Airlines Prohibit Name Changes on Tickets & What You Can Do Instead

Discover why airlines prohibit name changes on tickets and what your options are. Learn about airlines that allow name changes and how to transfer flight credit.

a yellow and white boarding pass

11. The Time New York: A Hidden Hyatt Hotel

Unveil the secrets of a hidden gem in the heart of New York City with a captivating exploration of The Time, a discreetly luxurious Hyatt hotel.

a black telephone on a gold surface

12. Several Stowaways Removed From Delta Air Lines Flight in Los Angeles

A Delta Air Lines flight between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) ended up with a few extra passengers on Friday. Two stowaways were found before the plane left the gate, but three others weren’t removed until after the aircraft reached its final destination.

rows of seats in an airplane
Weekly Top Posts
Also on BoardingArea
ATX Jetsetter
Delta Cuts Flights Between New York and Geneva
Delta Air Lines is cutting its route between New York and Geneva, Switzerland. The Atlanta based carrier currently operates Summer seasonal service between the two cities but the route is not returning for 2026. Delta Cuts Service Between New York and Geneva Delta Air Lines currently operates a daily, Summer seasonal,...
The Bulkhead Seat
Lounge Review: Admirals Club® (LAX – Terminal 4, Near Gate 41)
On a recent business trip to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), I had a layover at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the opportunity to check out one of the three Admirals Clubs® found in the airport. I’ve been flying American more lately and have limited experience with these lounges,...
Frequent Miler
Which Premium Cards are Keepers? [Updated w/ Strata Elite, Atmos Summit, and refreshed Platinum]
Ultra-premium credit cards often have great perks like lounge access, elite status accelerators, free nights, companion tickets, etc. The problem is that the annual fees, which can be as high as $895, can be overwhelming. All of these pricey cards are worth getting for their initial welcome bonuses, but they...
PointsMath
Air India Transfer Bonus Promotion: Up to 50% Bonus Points
Air India is offering up to 50% Bonus Air India points on transferring Air India SBI Credit Card Reward Points to Maharaja Points. We occasionally see this promotion from Air India for their SBI Co-Branded Credit Cards. Eligible Partners The two Co-Branded cards eligible for this promotion are: Air India SBI Platinum Card Air...
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
JAL Mileage Bank: Earn up to 10,000 Mileage Bank Miles on upgrade awards to or from Chicago
Earn up to 10,000 bonus Mileage Bank Miles when you use upgrade awards to Business or First Class on Japan Airlines flights between Chicago and Tokyo. The bonus is available for first class in both directions while upgrades to business class are available on JL009 from Chicago. Offer valid to Oct...
The Bulkhead Seat
Ryanair Confirms November 12th End for Paper Boarding Passes
Ryanair announced today that it will transition to 100% digital boarding passes starting Wednesday, November 12th. The decision moves the launch date back by nine days (from its original November 3rd target) to ensure a seamless transition for travelers. After November 12th, Ryanair passengers will no longer be able to...
Points With a Crew
Capital One Venture Rewards Card Review (75,000 mile welcome offer)
KEY LINK – Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card – Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. $95 annual fee. The Capital One Venture Rewards card is Capital One’s flagship credit card and one of several that earns Capital One’s proprietary...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
And As the Full Moon Rises Over Medina of Fes in Morocco…
Note: This article pertaining to And As the Full Moon Rises Over Medina of Fes in Morocco… was originally published on Monday, September 24, 2018 at 10:02 in the evening and has been updated. …the sun sets to usher in the cooler night air; but the noises in this ancient part...
Altitude Yes
Hong Kong Airport Begins Gradual Resumption of Flights Following Typhoon
As Typhoon Ragasa moves away from the Hong Kong area, airlines are beginning to start a gradual resumption of flights in and out of Hong Kong International Airport. According to Cathay Pacific, the airline will “implement a staggered and gradual resumption of flights throughout Thursday into Friday.” Air traffic control restrictions...
Your Mileage May Vary
5 Things You Don’t Know About Paying for the London Underground (Until You Do)
If you’ve traveled a lot, there are certain things you don’t even think about anymore. One of those is how to pay for rides on London’s Underground, Elizabeth Line, and buses. Both my wife, Sharon, and I have a card that earns at least 3x points set up in Apple...
Frequent Miler
More generous Capital One Shopping offers: $50 on $50 Lululemon, 20% IHG, 30% Hilton, 18% Choice & more
Although the Capital One Shopping portal is far less appealing nowadays due to a dearth of gift card redemption options, it does continue to offer some fantastic earning rates across a broad range of retailers and services. If you’re booking a paid hotel stay any time soon, you might be able...
View from the Wing
‘Enjoy Your Pretzels, Peasants’: Cat Escapes Coach On Delta Redeye, But Flight Attendants Kick It Out Of First Class
On a Sunday night Delta Air Lines redeye from Las Vegas to Atlanta, a passenger filmed a cat that made its way up to first class. On the September 21 flight, a cat got loose in the forward cabin after running away from its owner. A flight attendant picked it...
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Marriott Bonvoy Escapes – Save up to 20% at select Marriott Hotels Worldwide
This week’s Marriott Bonvoy Escapes are now available for booking for stays at select hotels Worldwide. With Marriott Bonvoy Escapes members can save up to 20% on last minute stays between September 29 and October 19 that are booked by this Sunday. If you are unfamiliar with Marriott Escapes, they are...
Points With a Crew
Should you buy Hilton points with (up to) a 100% bonus? (Offer Ends Thursday)
9/24 – Reposting as the last day to buy Hilton points with the current offer is Thursday, September 25th As I continue to enjoy racking up Hilton Honors Points through my portfolio of cards, this is another great way to boost your points bank! Hilton is doing an up to 100%...
Your Mileage May Vary
Careful: Your Hotel Room’s “Private Bathroom” Is Not Always As Private As You’d Think
When you’re booking a hotel room, most people have certain things in mind. After determining what brand and price works best, most people pay the most attention to the actual bedroom. What kind of bed(s) is/are in the room, perhaps the square footage, etc. The bathroom tends to be secondary,...
Live and Let’s Fly
Paid For Extra Legroom, Ended Up Babysitting Strangers’ Kids At The Exit Row
We often talk about families demanding seat swaps or premium rows without paying for them. But this case was different: a traveler paid extra for an exit row seat, only to spend four hours with children hovering in his space, blocking the window and leaning over him as if the...
Frequent Miler
Barclays adds Simple Earn merchant offers for cardholders
Barclays announced recently that it would be expanding its Simple Earn card-linked offer program. This is a feature that works in a somewhat similar way to Amex Offers, Chase Offers, Citi Offers, etc. This is now available on at least some cards, although finding your offers could be made much easier...
One Mile at a Time
Ryanair Scrapping Paper Boarding Passes: No Smartphone, No Flight
In the coming weeks, Ryanair will be completely eliminating paper boarding passes and airport check-in. Is this a radical change, or is Ryanair just ahead of its time? Ryanair boarding passes are going 100% digital In October 2024, Ryanair Group CEO Michael O’Leary revealed that the airline would be significantly changing its...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Vegas Vignettes
Note: This article pertaining to Vegas Vignettes was originally published on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at 12:34 in the morning and has been updated. Sometimes I just observe what goes on around me — no matter how minor or insignificant it might be — which causes my mind to wander. Here...
One Mile at a Time
Is Air Côte d’Ivoire First Class Really A Thing, Or Nah?
It’s a fascinating time for Air Côte d’Ivoire, the national airline of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. The airline recently took delivery of its first wide body aircraft, an Airbus A330-900neo, and will soon launch flights between Abidjan (ABJ) and Paris (CDG). I realize I’m probably more intrigued by this new...
Miles To Memories
New Benefit: Get Two Free Checked Bags with Spirit Airlines Card
Two Free Checked Bags with Spirit Airlines Card Spirit Airlines has announced a new benefits for those who have or plan to apply for the Free Spirit Travel More Mastercard, which is issued by Bank of America. Primary cardholders can now take advantage of up to two free checked bags on every...
View from the Wing
American Airlines Jet Approaches Phoenix Without Landing Gear Down—Pilot Explains What Happened
Video from a Phoenix airport livestream shows an American Airlines A319 registration selecting its gear late on short final – the video poster asserts the pilot simply forgot to do it – and having to execute a missed approach. The tower cancels a simultaneous departure and the crew climbs out....
Your Mileage May Vary
My Current Take on Flying United Airlines
It’s funny how your feelings about an airline can shift over time. After several years of not flying United, I’ve recently had enough trips with them to form some fresh opinions. We tend to choose United when it makes the most sense in terms of price, schedule, or location—especially to hubs...
Monkey Miles
Capital One adds 3 new transfer partners ( JAL, iPrefer, and Qatar )
Capital One has added 3 new transfer partners to the program: Japan Airlines, I Prefer, and Qatar Avios. The most appealing to me is Japan Airlines, which I’ll elaborate on a bit more, but it’s a 1000 to 750 transfer. We have a limited time transfer bonus to JAL which...

Categories

Our Bloggers