During the shutdown, President Trump vowed to dock the pay of air traffic controllers who miss work and to award $10,000 bonuses to those who don’t. Neither move is legal — and his claims ignore basic FAA labor rules, federal law, and long-standing staffing realities.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve has evolved far beyond its 2016 launch. With a massive 125,000-point bonus, doubled travel credits, richer lounge access, and smart partnerships from Apple to Hyatt, it’s once again a top-tier rewards card. Here are 18 reasons it’s better than most people realize.
American Airlines now sells first class upgrades for as little as $40 — but if you cancel your trip, that money’s gone. The airline even tried to fix the problem, then botched the rollout and rolled it back, leaving travelers stuck paying for upgrades they never took.
A woman checking into a $15 hotel room in Sanya, China demanded a refund after midnight — and when told it was too late, she turned on the taps, flooded the room, and even called the police herself. The result: $4,200 in damages and the most expensive “refund” imaginable.
Marriott has finally confirmed its long-unwritten rule: members who fall short of requalifying for elite status won’t lose it all. Instead, they’ll be dropped just one level — formalizing a “soft landing” policy the chain has quietly practiced for decades.
The FAA just banned private flights at 12 major airports, but it’s a move that came too late — and focused on the wrong places. Most general aviation traffic never touches these hubs, meaning the new restrictions will do little to ease controller shortages or flight delays.
Since the 1930s, nearly every airplane has boarded passengers from the left side. The reason traces back to a small procedural habit that aviation inherited — and never escaped.
A longtime United Airlines flight attendant was rushed to the hospital after landing in London following a transatlantic flight from San Francisco, where she had reportedly consumed multiple bottles of vodka inflight. Authorities found her ten times over the legal alcohol limit for aviation personnel.
Marriott abruptly ended its 20-year Sonder partnership, pulling properties from Bonvoy overnight. Guests who booked through Marriott are learning the points and benefits they were promised no longer apply.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly texted Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to make the offer, but even if the FAA wants the help, it may not be able to use it. Military controllers aren’t certified in civilian airspace, use different systems, and can’t simply plug into the FAA’s network without retraining or emergency waivers.
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 »
