I booked what I thought would be a simple one-night stay near Miami airport—then the front desk handed me keys to the Presidential Suite. Here’s how that happened, why this property has become my go-to for airport overnights (especially with kids), and what made this upgrade worth writing about.
Bilt just announced it will cap interest on new purchases at 10% for the first year on its new credit cards—a savvy teaser rate that also echoes a much bigger political idea. It’s a tactic banks can afford in a narrow, time-limited way, but a nationwide 10% cap would shrink credit, jack up fees, and gut rewards.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is really aggressive right now with an elevated offer to earn 200,000 points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the card within the first 3 months. They’ve refreshed the product and they’re definitely creating buzz with it. This is an $895 annual fee card (see rates and fees). I thought I’d gotten a great offer for the card when it was 150,000 about 20 months ago. I’m a bit jealous of the bigger offers available now. Here’s what the card delivers. Lounge Access American Express touts to over 1,550 lounges. The truth is most of those are via the Priority Pass Select membership you can enroll for. And most premium cards come with one of those – it’s not a differentiator. What’s unique about this card…
Bilt has revealed three new credit cards replacing its Wells Fargo product, adding unlimited points on rent and mortgages and 4% back in Bilt Cash on all cards. They look genuinely strong—but the details (pricing tiers, credits, and how the new “free” rent/mortgage math works) take a minute to unpack.
Video of Eric Adams on an American Airlines flight is circulating after he’s seen cursing out another passenger and declaring, “I’m not mayor anymore.” Plus: Delta’s 787-10 order, Hilton boycott whiplash, a meh Hilton promo, and a woman accused of ordering a Lyft and stealing the car.
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport is steps from the terminal, where virtually every guest is flying in or out — yet the hotel says bar soap isn’t “sustainable,” even on request. In the same email, it offers to deliver printed newspapers, and its own photo gallery still shows bar soap in the bathroom.
American and Southwest made inflight Wi-Fi free—then Intellectual Ventures sued, claiming the airlines owe royalties on the technology behind onboard internet. A judge has now ordered American to produce technical records and source code as the case accelerates.
United is storing Pratt-powered Boeing 777s because engines and parts are scarce. More incidents could cause certification issues, with significant affects on United’s ability to fly long haul.
I got my card when the offer was just 80,000 points and I was super happy with that. I only wish I’d waited until right now to apply, because the limited time launch offer for the card has actually been improved upon.
A Southwest passenger is confronted by crew and airport staff after a shouting match in the cabin. Video shows the tense removal—and apparently throwing food as the situation boils over in front of other travelers.
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 »
