American Airlines pilots have joined flight attendants in revealing they were forced to sleep in airports during last week’s meltdown, with their union blasting management as “completely unprepared,” despite clear warnings ahead of the storm.
Hyatt is advertising this card bonus as 5 free nights, but the spend required to earn it also triggers the card’s annual Category 1–4 night and generates enough points for another award night. Put it together and the “5-night” offer can realistically turn into 7 nights at Category 1–4 Hyatt hotels.
American Airlines is adding more first class seats to its cramped Airbus A319s—but there’s a catch. To squeeze in an extra row up front, the airline is tightening economy legroom and even installing flight attendant seats directly on lavatory doors, breaking a promise previously made by former CEO Doug Parker. A bit of good news, though – during this transition American will load extra first class meals on planes that have just 8 seats.
A Marriott guest was forced into an absurd debate with hotel staff, who resisted providing bottled water just to brush his teeth. Also in today’s roundup: Epstein-linked Hyatt documents surface, British Airways quietly ends its AARP discount, and why passengers clapping after landing annoys so many travelers.
A United Airlines first class passenger and his hearing impaired wife were threatened with removal from their flight after a conflict with an off duty crewmember. Video from the cabin shows the man in his seat, upset but controlled, explaining that the employee snapped at his wife because she “didn’t hear” and “wasn’t listening.”
A group of passengers conducted an in-cabin worship session on a British Airways flight from London to Jamaica. They were singing and chanting, and being lead in prayer from the aisle – for what was reportedly nearly 3 hours. One passenger on board says it began about an hour into the flight and ran for 150 minutes. The preacher was eventually told to sit when the seatbelt sign came on.
American Airlines Chief Operating Officer David Seymour insists the airline’s technology performed effectively during last week’s severe storm, despite canceling nearly 10,000 flights. Seymour also denied widespread reports—including from his own CEO—that flight attendants were forced to sleep in airports.
Southwest Airlines’ infamous 2022 holiday meltdown, costing nearly $1 billion, wasn’t an isolated disaster—it echoed their costly 2016 IT failure, which triggered $77 million in losses. Ten years later, they’re still fighting in court to recover insurance payments, showing that failing IT can cost airlines dearly for years after the immediate chaos ends.
Chase brought back a huge bonus on the IHG One Rewards Premier Card: 175,000 points after $5,000 in spend in three months. The $99 card is also a long-term keeper thanks to the annual free night (with top-off), 4th night free on award stays and Platinum status.
An American Airlines passenger discovered a snail in their business class meal on a recent flight from Liberia, Costa Rica, to Dallas. Snails found in produce can carry bacteria or even rare parasites.
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 »
