Delta Seatback Screen Shows The Route Map — But The Bulkhead Played The R-Rated Director Cut [Roundup]

by Gary Leff on December 26, 2025

Dec 26 2025

Delta seatback screens were showing the route map—while the bulkhead screen up front had an R-rated director cut instead.

Also in today’s roundup: Labubu pop-ups take over Denver airport, a China mall uses toilet doors that turn transparent if someone smokes, a Lyft business profile can earn higher Alaska/United/Hilton rewards, a new SFO program lets neurodiverse travelers practice the boarding and inflight experience, and it is the final week for that Rakuten referral offer.

Overhead Bin Theft Reports Hit Etihad Flights To Hong Kong—Police Keep Meeting The Plane On Arrival

by Gary Leff on December 26, 2025

Dec 26 2025

Etihad’s Abu Dhabi–Hong Kong flight is showing up again and again in theft reports—passengers say valuables vanished from bags in the overhead bin while the cabin slept, and police have repeatedly been waiting at the gate on arrival.

Guests Not Welcome? New Orleans Marriott Posts “Benches Are For Employees Only” — Clumsy Fix For A Loitering Problem

by Gary Leff on December 25, 2025

Dec 25 2025

A New Orleans Marriott put up a sign that reads “Benches Are For Employees Only,” and guests are reading it as a pretty blunt message. The real story is a clumsy attempt at loitering control that manages to insult guests while failing to solve the underlying problem.

Airlines Killed Complimentary Elite Upgrades—They Should Offer Discounted First Class Seats Instead

by Gary Leff on December 25, 2025

Dec 25 2025

Complimentary elite upgrades have largely disappeared, with airlines like Delta and American selling premium seats cheaply rather than rewarding loyalty. Instead of pretending upgrades still exist, airlines should replace them outright with meaningful first-class discounts—benefiting frequent flyers and airline bottom lines alike.

The Front Desk Said ‘We’ll Text You When The Room’s Ready’—And Other Luxury Hotel Lies That Steal Your Time

by Gary Leff on December 25, 2025

hotel bed

Dec 25 2025

“We’ll text you when your room’s ready”—but luxury hotels rarely follow through. These common “luxury lies” don’t just frustrate, they steal your time. From fake upgrades to eco-friendly cost cuts, here’s how high-end hotels consistently fail at delivering genuine hospitality.

The Only Jet Lag Advice That’s Ever Worked: Set Your Watch To Local Time. Stay Up Until Bedtime.

by Gary Leff on December 25, 2025

Dec 25 2025

You don’t need to suffer jet lag when you travel. There’s a really simple formula to solve it. To begin, there are two basic things you need to do.

“I’m A Diamond Member!” Guest Argues At 4 AM Over Noise Complaint — Front Desk: “So Is The Neighbor.”

by Gary Leff on December 25, 2025

Dec 25 2025

A hotel guest went viral after exploding at the front desk when asked to lower his TV volume at 4 a.m., insisting that his Diamond status exempted him from hotel quiet rules. Plus, watch the classic “Diamond Member Check-In” parody and more.

Redeye? 6 AM Departure? Alaska Wants A New Boss For Inflight Credit Card Pitches [Roundup]

by Gary Leff on December 25, 2025

Dec 25 2025

Alaska wants a new boss for inflight credit card pitches—someone to “empower” flight attendants, drive participation, and report results up the chain, guided (naturally) by “core values and leadership principles.”

Also in today’s roundup: United’s map of the most-booked international destination from each state, the latest doubts about pre-scheduled Uber airport rides, Pakistan International Airlines privatization terms, a limited-time Alaska–Lyft linkage credit, and another bed bugs on a plane account.

American Airlines Pilot Posted His Pay: $35,000 Every Two Weeks—Here’s How The Math Works [Roundup]

by Gary Leff on December 24, 2025

Dec 24 2025

An American Airlines pilot posted a pay breakdown showing how $35,000 every two weeks can happen once hourly rates and stacked incentives are added up. Also in today’s roundup: a fatal “cocaine” buy on the Wynn casino floor that police say was fentanyl, a cockroach dropping onto food in an American Airlines lounge in Philadelphia, a Singapore Airlines business-class theft tied to a crime syndicate, and Austin airport’s unusually frequent elevator rescues.

Donald Trump Jr. Gets An SUV Escort Across Phoenix Airport Tarmac—To Board A Southwest Flight

by Gary Leff on December 24, 2025

Dec 24 2025

A passenger on a Southwest flight out of Phoenix filmed Donald Trump Jr. and a woman in a bright red pantsuit arriving in a black SUV, walking the ramp with what appears to be a Secret Service detail, and taking stairs under the jet bridge to board. Trump family members flying commercial isn’t unusual—but the funniest part is that after all that VIP choreography, he still picked Southwest.

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 »