United Airlines top-tier 1K status is being offered online for just $330, a tiny fraction of what frequent flyers normally spend to earn it. It may look like an easy shortcut to upgrades, priority treatment, and fee waivers, but buying status this way risks far more than wasted money if the airline decides the offer was unauthorized.
Business class doors have quickly become the next must-have feature after flat beds and direct aisle access, but that does not mean they always make the seat better. On some aircraft, especially narrowbodies, the space used for doors may be better spent on a longer bed, a wider aisle, or a roomier overall seat—raising the question of whether doors deliver real privacy or just the appearance of it.
News and notes from around the interweb: D.C. Circuit upholds TSA No Fly List the fundamental right to travel does not mean the travel to fly on an airplane. That’s such a strange argument, because forbidding the use of a plane fundamentally burdens the right to travel to the point it is almost meaningful for many journeys. They also ruled that DHS’s redress process is sufficient due process (even though there’s no opportunity to confront the evidence against you!). Is it weird that I did not know that “gloving” was a thing? Everyone on Frontier Airlines 3803 from Fort Myers to Denver found out, on or about March 22, 2026. I hope you enjoy the show We’re about to start service View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gloving With Doldo (@doldo_gloving) The…
Delta is defending a display at JFK created for Arab American Heritage Month after critics said it depicted Palestine in a way that erased Israel from the map. The airline says the display was put together by employees in an employee-only break room.
Spirit Airlines could stop flying as soon as this week and begin selling off assets, according to a new report, a scenario that would turn a fragile bankruptcy into a full shutdown. Even if creditors are still talking, the mere prospect of liquidation makes the airline harder to save by scaring off new bookings, which are the one thing a struggling carrier cannot afford to lose.
JetBlue founder David Neeleman says the airline could be pushed into bankruptcy this year if fuel prices stay elevated, and he does not think any major U.S. carrier wants to take on its debt.
Avis stock has quadrupled in just a month, not because the car rental business suddenly got better, but because the stock itself became dangerously scarce. Two large holders now effectively control more than 100% of the company through stock and swaps, leaving short sellers trapped in a market where the few shares left to buy back can be priced almost however the dominant owners want.
United Airlines has sharply narrowed who can use its Polaris lounges, cutting out most Star Alliance business class passengers while keeping access for its own premium customers and a small group of joint venture partners. The move makes sense if United is trying to control crowding ahead of more premium seats and new premium transcon access—but it’s a blow to Star Alliance business class customers.
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey has added Wyndham as a 1:2 transfer partner,. For travelers looking for a better answer after Chase cut bonus rewards on Airbnb and cruises, this turns an already solid $95 card into a more useful option for getting outsized value from everyday travel spending.
Citi launched a new premium credit card into an already crowded market — and it’s getting a lot of attention. Between a 75,000-point bonus, transferable points including American Airlines, and credits that can be used twice in the first year, the value can easily exceed the card’s annual fee.
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 »
