The FAA is ordering a 10% reduction in flights at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports as air traffic controllers continue to skip shifts during the government shutdown. Absences have hit up to 40% at some facilities, forcing nationwide flight reductions that could ripple across the entire system.
On my Austin–Chicago flight, I was thrilled to see a smoked salmon bagel platter on American’s breakfast menu — until it arrived. The bagel was cold, the onions and capers were missing, and instead of cream cheese, they’d served butter. “Bagel, butter, and lox” isn’t a combination I’ve ever encountered in half a century of travel. American seems determined to check the “meal served” box — even when it forgets the basics.
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.
Cathay Pacific is buying back the 9.57% stake in the Hong Kong-based carrier that’s owned by Qatar Airways for HK$6.97bn ($896 million, and about a 3.9% discount to the stock’s prior close).
When this woman uncovered her husband’s secret affair, she didn’t confront him immediately—she applied for and got a front desk job at his favorite hotel instead. The plan? Catch him red-handed, right at check-in.
Passengers on an American Airlines flight turned cruising altitude into a church service after one traveler pulled out a tambourine and started praising mid-air. The joyful worship session quickly filled the cabin — a reminder that sometimes, good news really does travel.
Bilt Card 2.0 is nearly here. The transition to Cardless brings three new versions — no-fee, $95, and $495 — all earning points on mortgage payments. Current members can choose their new card with no hard credit pull ahead of the February 7 rollout.
A Florida legislator has filed a bill to rename Palm Beach International Airport as Donald J. Trump International Airport. The proposal cites Trump’s “extraordinary leadership and hometown roots,” though the timing — amid a federal shutdown — has raised eyebrows.
Capital One has launched a new co-brand credit card with T-Mobile, offering 2% back on spending — but the real story may be what comes next. The partnership could signal that Capital One is preparing a broader push into travel cobrands to compete with Chase, Amex, and Citi.
A newlywed tech executive asked Twitter whether he should take a solo upgrade or sit with his wife in coach. Minutes later, he posted the answer — from Emirates first class.
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 »
