An influencer recently went shirtless in Emirates business class, sparking debate about what’s acceptable behavior onboard premium flights. While some have dismissed this as harmless, the issue goes beyond etiquette—it’s a genuine hygiene concern, raising questions about whether passengers should be putting bare skin directly on seats others will soon use.
Hyatt’s latest “Bonus Journeys 26” promotion is live, offering 3,000 bonus points every three nights stayed through April 15, plus an extra 1,000 points at Hyatt Place and Hyatt Select properties. With up to 28,000 total bonus points available, it’s worth registering—even if you aren’t planning Hyatt stays yet. Just be aware: stays of one or two nights won’t earn anything, so plan accordingly.
Waymo can finally take riders to SFO, but airport rules still force drop-offs at the rental car center while Uber and Lyft can go straight to the terminal. Also in this roundup: Charlotte’s lounge pipeline is finally real, United and American keep battling in Chicago, a former Chicago migrant shelter becomes an IHG Ruby hotel, plus new transfer bonuses for February.
Citi’s new Strata Elite card doesn’t just come with a 100,000 point bonus – its Splurge, Blacklane, and $300 hotel credits are timed to the calendar year, so you can use them twice in your first cardmember year. Here’s exactly how to stack those perks, plus Priority Pass and Admirals Club passes, to squeeze the maximum value out of year one.
United Airlines continues its quiet, unpublished policy of granting elite-status extensions upon request—despite initially trying to sell members expensive status buy-ups. If you just lost your MileagePlus elite status on February 1, contacting United and politely requesting an extension (especially if you had unusual circumstances in 2025) remains surprisingly effective, as the airline recognizes keeping loyal customers is far cheaper than acquiring new ones.
Southwest Airlines just brought back one of its best-known promotions: register and book just one roundtrip (or two one-way flights) by Thursday, February 5, and you’ll earn a two-month Companion Pass valid August 10–October 7, 2026. Whether paying cash or using points, this Companion Pass lets you bring along a friend or family member for free, making late summer and early fall travel significantly cheaper.
A Florida man was arrested at a Disney-area vacation rental resort after deputies say witnesses captured video of him partially clothed engaging in “inappropriate conduct” with a vacuum cleaner. The complaint trail started with reports of a nude man in a hallway, escalated into indecent exposure calls the next day, and ended with an arrest a week later after investigators gathered statements and footage.
HotelSlash is rolling out a clever twist on refundable prepaid rates: you lock in the lower “prepaid” price with just a $25 deposit, and they front the rest. You aren’t charged the remaining balance until a few days before the cancellation deadline (with notice), which makes prepaid deals far less painful for cash flow and far less risky if you end up canceling.
The United Business Card’s best offer is back: 100,000 bonus miles plus 2,000 PQP after $5,000 in purchases in the first three months. With a $150 annual fee but a $125 United travel credit, two United Club passes, and additional PQP earning on spend,. The headline bonus and the ongoing perks both pencil out.
Delta hosted a fundraiser for Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s son-in-law as he runs for Congress—a move with painfully obvious “regulator optics.” Also: Visa’s swipe-fee messaging, a jaw-dropping St. Barts approach video, Southwest’s new boarding turning passengers into baggage handlers and more.
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 »
