Hyatt is demanding $20 for a single coffee pod, while MGM wants a staggering $180 for two basic cocktails in Vegas. Washington Post wants to privatize TSA. And is the first year value of Bilt Palladium orders of magnitude higher than any other card?
A Frontier Airlines passenger’s explosive onboard meltdown—complete with screaming, swearing, and dramatic confrontations—has gone viral, spotlighting once again the chaotic passenger culture the airline has become infamous for.
The World of Hyatt program will expand its award charts from three to five price levels per category, creating 78 possible redemption prices across their standard and all-inclusive charts. The most expensive points redemptions can cost up to 67% more points than before. While the lowest tier prices actually fall on some properties, the new structure lets Hyatt charge far more at peak demand, potentially changing how members will value and redeem their points in significant ways.
Bilt’s March Rent Day promotion includes an unprecedented 125% points transfer bonus to Japan Airlines Mileage Bank, exclusive culinary experiences and giveaways with legendary Michelin-starred chef Thomas Keller, and double points earnings.
The Trump administration is considering an unprecedented plan to force banks to verify and collect proof of citizenship from every single customer—even those who’ve had accounts for years. If enacted, this proposal would create a logistical nightmare, potentially freezing millions of bank accounts for Americans unable to promptly produce passports or other citizenship documents.
Chase has added Wyndham Rewards as a transfer partner for its Ultimate Rewards program. Here’s how to think about this option for your points.
Spirit Airlines says it will emerge from bankruptcy by summer—again. The low-cost carrier’s new strategy means fewer flights and higher-priced premium seats, but given Spirit’s notoriously uncomfortable cabins and poor customer reputation, is anyone really eager to pay more?
An American Airlines Boeing 737 was discovered with apparent bullet damage after an overnight stop in Medellín, Colombia—triggering serious security concerns and urgent investigations into potential risks to critical aircraft systems.
Southwest Airlines moved from flexible open seating to strict assigned seats overnight—now passengers report being forced to remain squeezed next to travelers spilling into their space, even when entire rows remain empty.
Amex Centurion lounges offer exclusive seating areas for Black Card holders—complete with reserved seats and better champagne—but a growing number of Platinum members have realized these premium sections are rarely monitored.
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 »
