Southwest Airlines is now forcing passengers to gate-check their carry-on bags early, claiming overhead bins are full even when plenty of space remains available.
This controversial practice, long associated with American, Delta, and United, marks a real shift triggered by Southwest’s recent adoption of assigned seating and checked bag fees, undermining their historical advantage in efficient boarding and angering customers.
American Airlines is being sued over the deadly January 2025 midair collision near Reagan National Airport, despite the U.S. government already admitting liability for the crash involving an Army helicopter and an American Eagle regional jet. Plaintiffs argue the airline shares responsibility, even though American complied fully with federal safety protocols—and the government’s failures in airspace design and air traffic control are clearly documented.
An influencer is sparking debate by claiming airlines should reward thinner passengers with free checked bags, arguing that total passenger weight—including your luggage—should determine ticket prices. While appealing at first glance, this provocative idea ignores airline economics, practical logistics, and legal realities, ultimately proving itself more effective as culture war fodder than actual policy.
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.
United Airlines continues its quiet, unpublished policy of granting elite-status extensions upon request—despite initially trying to sell members expensive status buy-ups.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.
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 »
