The Accounting Game Behind Southwest Airlines Fourth Quarter “Growth” — And Why Bag And Seat Fees Drove A Points Devaluation

by Gary Leff

Jan 29 2026

Southwest’s recent Rapid Rewards devaluation wasn’t just a random squeeze—it appears tied directly to the airline’s new bag and seat fees and a renegotiated Chase co-brand deal. By allocating more of Chase’s partnership payments to “benefits” like checked bags and seat assignments (instead of future travel liability for points), Southwest can recognize more revenue immediately—and the points become worth less because less of that money is being “spent” on things other than flights.

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United Wants $12,670 To “Upgrade” You To 1K Status — And Calls It A Discount [Roundup]

by Gary Leff

Jan 29 2026

United is offering a paid “upgrade” to 1K status for $12,670—and marketing it as a discount. Also: an airport self-checkout tip screen that defaults to 18% while adding a card surcharge, American’s corporate-travel claims vs the revenue reality, why American still needs widebodies, disgusting cabin trash behavior, and a Delta One etiquette thread that’s hard to unsee.

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Is Robert Isom Finally On The Chopping Block At American Airlines? Why He May Keep His Job

by Gary Leff

Jan 29 2026

American’s CEO Robert Isom looks more vulnerable than ever: the airline is barely profitable, its strategy has lagged rivals for years, and a winter-storm meltdown exposed deep operational fragility—enough that flight attendants are openly calling for his ouster. But American’s board has a long history of sticking with leadership through failure, which may be the strongest reason he survives even if the case for change is obvious.

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Self-Upgraders Got Caught In Turkish Business Class — Flight Attendants Let Them Stay, But Refused To Feed Them

by Gary Leff

Jan 29 2026

A couple apparently booked in economy sat themselves in Turkish Airlines business class, got caught during boarding, refused to move, and—shockingly—ended up being allowed to stay put rather than further delaying the flight. The catch came after takeoff: flight attendants served everyone else in business class while pointedly refusing to give the self-upgraders food and drinks, turning their “win” into a very public lesson in how far you can push it.

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United Trolls American In Chicago With “AAdvantage, United” Ads — But It’s A Little Too On The Nose

by Gary Leff

Jan 29 2026

United is escalating its Chicago fight with American on every front—capacity, Wall Street messaging, and now a fresh set of ads that openly taunt AAdvantage. The new “AAdvantage, United” line is the kind of not-even-trying-to-be-subtle jab that only makes the rivalry louder as ORD turns into a full-blown marketing and schedule war.

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“Oh Sh*t, Cancel Takeoff Clearance”: Southwest 737 Aborts As Private Plane Turns Onto Runway

by Gary Leff

Jan 29 2026

A Southwest 737 in San Antonio began its takeoff roll after being cleared for departure when a private Pilatus PC-12 inadvertently turned onto the same runway. Tower audio captures the controller urgently canceling the takeoff clearance—“Oh sh*t”—and the Southwest crew rejecting the takeoff at speed, avoiding a runway collision as another aircraft was sent around.

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Citi Strata Elite Earns American Airlines Miles Faster Than AAdvantage Cards — Has A 100,000 Point Bonus

by Gary Leff

Jan 28 2026

The Citi Strata Elite got a major boost — a 100,000-point welcome offer after $6,000 spend in three months, plus earning rates up to 12X and the only transferable link to American AAdvantage. Add credits that can be double dipped in the first cardmember year, Admirals Club passes, and full travel protections, and Citi’s new flagship card is suddenly a must-watch player in the premium rewards space.

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Southwest’s Earnings Just Dropped — Falling Profits Show The Turnaround Isn’t Working, Cheaper Jet Fuel Kept Them Profitable

by Gary Leff

Jan 28 2026

Southwest’s full-year results are out, and the “turnaround” isn’t showing up where it should: revenue barely grew while net profit slipped versus 2024. The airline stayed in the black largely thanks to cheaper jet fuel (and cost cuts), not because bag fees and other changes delivered the revenue lift Wall Street was promised.

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Sleeping On Planes: Marco Rubio Hides Under A Blanket On Air Force One So Trump Won’t Think He’s “Weak” [Roundup]

by Gary Leff

Jan 28 2026

Marco Rubio reportedly covers his head with a blanket on Air Force One so Trump won’t think his secretary of state is “weak” for sleeping on long trips. Also: Hyatt adds 22 Bahia Principe all-inclusives to World of Hyatt, Bilt begins fixing new-card denials and low credit lines, airline power outlets still fail travelers, and more.

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