News and notes from around the interweb:
- “I was married to someone who fell madly in love with his [American AAdvantage Executive Platinum] status and out of love with me and initiated a lengthy and very expensive divorce proceeding.” So she put the legal bills on an American AAdvantage credit card, and earned Executive Platinum status herself.
I use my Citi Aadvantage card to pay my legal bills…I learned of the Rocket Hotel program and racked up even more [loyalty points]. And! I recently scored an actual upgrade on a flight…
[E]very crappy situation has a silver lining…Partner lounge access at [London Heathrow] has been a beautiful thing.
- TSA’s new $45 fee for going through security checkpoints without a REAL ID (a tax on Americans who do not carry the proper papers) is expected to raise $3 billion a year.
- Pick option C. The answer is always C.
Be honest, frequent flyers:
You’re on a 14-hour flight and the crew starts the mandatory seated exercise routine on the screens.
Do you:
A) Participate like a disciplined citizen (Chinese option)
B) Sit there motionless and wait for landing applause later (European option) pic.twitter.com/ICYdF7voP5— Fahad Naim (@Fahadnaimb) December 5, 2025
- I wouldn’t say Chase lounge food is great, but you’re going to buy food in the terminal and you’re choosing McDonald’s… voluntarily?
Absolute legend bringing McDonald’s into the Chase Sapphire lounge at JFK
byu/Sliberty inChaseSapphire - Yay or nay?
- Southwest Airlines may no longer have free checked bags, their travel credits now expire, and they’re charging for seat assignments on flights starting late next month. But they’re still the most musical airline. These things ‘just happen’ on Southwest – they aren’t coordinated by the company in Dallas.
Walked on my @southwestair flight this evening and was greeted with live Christmas music performed by one of the ground crew members!
Houston Hobby Airport pic.twitter.com/lgFdp5H83l
— Gage Goulding – KPRC 2 (@GageGoulding) December 6, 2025
“Stirring It Up” on @SouthwestAir – Nothing like the spontaneity of music to take the edge off a flight ✈️ ❤️! Massive props to Flight Attendant Lesley who orchestrated this magic … Jonathan Spangler, Founder & @ciariceo #Fun #ElectricGuitar #AirplaneConcert #LiveMusic pic.twitter.com/gbaq6ik1Zn
— Ciari Guitars (@CiariGuitars) December 5, 2025
The @SouthwestAir flight crew payed the @BYUCougars fight song over the speakers as we landed in Dallas. #gocougs pic.twitter.com/8iuvKYUF2r
— Joshua J. Prince (@JoshuaJPrince) December 5, 2025
- IHG has reduced the number of points that Diamond members can transfer for free from 500,000 to 100,000 each year. And being a business member is no longer enough on its own to qualify for free transfers, you need a qualifying transaction first.
- American Airlines bag drop in Austin… people, this is when it’s worth paying $3.50 per bag curbside to Bags, Inc.
Oh, so, like most divorces and break-ups, airline status can also be extremely petty. Got it.
“Southwest Airlines may no longer have free checked bags, their travel credits now expire, and they’re charging for seat assignments on flights starting late next month…” Yeah, stop the music; there’s no more LUV anymore.
I would be inclined to bring paid for McDonalds (Or anything honestly) into a Centurion lounge vs their offerings but that’s just me.
@Kenneth — What’r you talking about? Most Amex and Chase lounges have decent food. I presume Cap1 does, too, but I’ve never had the chance to experience them. Someday, though…
Sorry EXP isn’t all that anymore. You will likely find yourself in the back half of time or hanging out at the gate hoping for a no show/misconnect. Now CK that’s something different. I’m hoping I keep it this April but I preparing myself to become another bottom dweller in Group 1.
@Kenneth — Yeah I’m with @1990. any lounges in particular? Just left after eating at the ATL Centurion lounge for the first time — not sure what all the online hate about the food is about, was decent. Wouldn’t crave it but for free I’ll take it any day of the week. Cinnamon butter on naan, wonderfully decadent!
@L737 — Nice! I haven’t routed through ATL in a while and have been meaning to try it. How was the wait/crowding?
I have been to the Centurion lounge at LGA many times, same with Denver and Las Vegas and think they’re great. My only complaint is that I can’t get a Bloody Mary until 8am.
Now that I have the CSR I’ll try their lounge next time out of LGA.
@1990 — No line today, plenty of space! They closed the main terrace for renovation though so couldn’t check it out. Big tree looking healthy
@L737 — Epic! That settles it. Time for a layover. Ideally, not during an impromptu ‘ice’ storm in Atlanta (that city breaks down whenever it happens.)
@WearyDog — For real. 6AM Bloody Marys just hit harder. It’s the umami of the Worcestershire that’ll get you ready for that early-morning slog to Omaha.