A Marriott Bonvoy Platinum elite member sparked viral backlash after publicly demanding a guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout at the Westin Puerto Vallarta, despite violent cartel retaliation outside the resort causing widespread flight cancellations and roadblocks. The internet quickly mocked the entitled complaint amid the dangerous situation.
Suspending Global Entry during the government shutdown has created chaos at U.S. airports, resulting in massive lines, compromised security screening, and growing economic damage—including a worsened trade deficit due to reduced international travel. Instead of saving resources, the policy decision by DHS is increasing staff demands, weakening border security, and harming the administration’s own economic goals.
A Delta Boeing 737 carrying 179 passengers suffered an engine failure seconds after taking off from Savannah, causing sparks, loud booms, and igniting a grass fire near the runway. Despite powerful winds fanning the flames, the crew safely returned the aircraft to the airport about 27 minutes later, and no injuries were reported.
Mexican cartel retaliation has disrupted flights and triggered airport panic in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, and Manzanillo following the killing of CJNG drug boss Nemesio ‘El Mencho’ Oseguera by government forces. Airlines have canceled flights amid violence, narco blockades, and widespread chaos impacting travelers across western Mexico.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem ordered TSA PreCheck suspended due to the government shutdown—but the White House swiftly reversed her decision within hours. Noem’s announcement clashed with White House strategy, and would’ve increased airport staffing needs rather than reducing them. Unfortunately, her suspension of Global Entry – which makes arguably even less sense – remains in force.
I love my Bilt Palladium Card—it’s currently my favorite card for everyday spending, points-earning, and perks—but the authorized user experience drives my wife (and me) crazy. It comes with an unnecessary annual fee, tedious activation requirements, inconvenient charge authorization texts, and earns fewer points than the primary card, leaving me frustrated and hoping for improvements.
United Airlines is flooding Chicago O’Hare with up to 750 flights per day this summer—its biggest schedule ever—but leaked internal slides reveal revenue per seat mile there is already falling 2.7 times faster than elsewhere. The airline appears willing to depress short-term profits, betting that American Airlines can’t afford to match this costly fare war.
A Spirit Airlines passenger carried a rotisserie chicken through TSA security in a clear pet backpack, claiming it was his “emotional support animal”—then proceeded to enjoy it onboard, leaving passengers amused, staff stunned, and TSA officially unfazed.
Washington National Airport’s control tower just replaced paper flight strips with electronic ones—finally abandoning an FAA practice that lasted 43 years. Also in this roundup: Selena Gomez’s unexpected love for DFW Terminal E, Southwest pilots getting teased for their taxi speeds, American Airlines quietly raising checked-bag fees, and a TikToker dropping her phone into an airport toilet mid-dance.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem suspended TSA PreCheck and Global Entry during the ongoing government shutdown, claiming it conserves staff—but TSA’s own documented findings clearly show the opposite. Eliminating expedited security means longer lines, increased staffing demands, and ultimately less-secure airports.
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 »
