Smoke poured from an overhead bin after a lithium battery caught fire on board, sending passengers scrambling as flight attendants rushed in with extinguishers. The crew contained the blaze and the jet diverted safely after the dramatic in-cabin emergency.
American Express CEO Steve Squeri says Platinum card growth has surged to record levels, generating $10 billion a year in fees. He also hinted that Amex may soon introduce an even more exclusive ultra-premium card.
A United flight from Denver to Los Angeles diverted to Salt Lake City on Thursday. The airline reported that flight 1093 made the decision to address a crack in one layer of its windshield. But, based on a photo shared by aviation watchdog JonNYC, was the plane actually hit by space debris?
United Airlines is reviving debit card rewards as its next major move to expand MileagePlus profits. After years of focusing on credit cards with Chase, United appears ready to tap into everyday debit spending. It’s a return to an old idea—but one that could reshape loyalty economics.
A first class passenger has come forward describing how an American Airlines flight attendant barricaded herself in the galley, refused service, and called police on calm travelers — leaving officers baffled.
A Marriott guest prepaid $1,000 for a stay—only to arrive and find the hotel closed. Customer service admitted they don’t know where the money went or when it will be refunded. It’s a harsh reminder that “pay now” rates aren’t guaranteed when hotels go bankrupt.
Bilt has expanded its ecosystem beyond rent, letting members earn rewards when ordering everyday essentials through Gopuff. Whether it’s snacks, cleaning supplies, or a late-night beer run, every delivery now earns points on top of your regular credit-card rewards. It’s the newest way Bilt is turning everyday spending—and now home delivery—into a loyalty win.
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
JetBlue is revamping its Mosaic elite program for 2026 — adding new ways to earn status through your kids’ travel while trimming perks for lower tiers. Expect fewer free drinks and checked bags, even as top elites gain lounge access and extra upgrade certificates.
United Airlines’ CFO says AI is already replacing 8% of the airline’s management (non-union) staff — and warns more cuts are coming. From finance to scheduling and loyalty marketing, here’s who gets cut next as automation takes hold across the industry.
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 »
