Emirates and Qatar are still flying some remarkably light loads as traffic to Dubai and Doha dries up during the regional conflict. In at least two reported cases, passengers found themselves with what travelers almost never get: an entire first or business class cabin effectively to themselves.
Bilt’s new $795 Palladium card is already delivering in ways that matter: the 50,000-point bonus posts fast, Gold status locks in through early 2028, and with the right stacking strategy the card can generate 4X on everyday spend — turning routine purchases into outsized transfer value with partners like Alaska, Hyatt, and Air France-KLM.
A short boarding video from an American Airlines flight captures two things at once: a flight attendant sees a phone aimed at a woman in front of the camera and quickly checks whether the pair are traveling together, defusing what looks like a potentially creepy situation. But the same clip also fuels the familiar complaint about American’s onboard culture — the front-galley posture and tone read as “couldn’t care less,” even while she’s trying to do something genuinely situationally aware.
United’s Polaris amenity kit is branded so heavily “Brooks Brothers” that you can miss the airline’s name entirely—and that’s not an accident. It’s because of the economics of these kits: in many partnerships the brand is subsidizing (or outright paying for) the pouch and products to get captive exposure to high-income travelers.
A viral video from New York LaGuardia shows a passenger being taken to the floor by Port Authority Police at the American Airlines check-in counter after what is being circulated online as an attack on another traveler. The clip does not show what started the confrontation, but it does show the worst possible place to cause a scene: an airport, where law enforcement is everywhere.
The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card now has its biggest-ever welcome bonus: 80,000 points after $10,000 in spending in the first three months, up from the previous 60,000-point offer. The bigger reason to care is that Hyatt makes this its fastest card for spending your way toward elite status.
Chase has a huge bonus on the IHG One Rewards Premier Card: 175,000 points after $5,000 in spend in three months. The $99 card is also a long-term keeper thanks to the annual free night (with top-off), 4th night free on award stays and Platinum status.
Southwest’s Companion Pass is still the best domestic perk: your companion flies for just taxes (from $5.60 each way), even on award tickets, as long as there’s an open seat. Last week my family used two passes on one trip. And right now you can get Companion Pass through Feb. 2027 via a credit card initial bonus.
A United Airlines passenger is suing after her 4-year-old daughter was burned by 200-degree tea during a flight from Newark to Tel Aviv. The bigger story is that even when a young child is seriously hurt onboard, airline liability on international flights is often capped.
A Marriott guest says they found crack pipes in a Dallas hotel room and received 10,000 points plus an apology from the property. Also X to launch a 6% interest account and 3% rebate debit card, American will serve Smash Kitchen condiments with its sliders, and one flight attendants tombstone joke is getting the reaction it deserves.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
