Spirit Airlines is dead. As of early Saturday morning, May 2, 2026, the bright yellow planes are grounded — FOREVER. After 34 years, two bankruptcies, a botched merger, a failed government bailout, and a war-fueled jet fuel spike that broke the camel’s back, Spirit Airlines has officially shut down. And I have thoughts. Let me…
An investigative deep dive by Tony Baker | TouringTony.com | April 2026 Let me tell you something that is going to make you put down your coffee. In 2024, every major airline in the United States operated at a financial loss when you strip out loyalty program revenue. Every. Single. One. -2.5%Delta operating margin WITHOUT…
United Airlines gutted MileagePlus for non-cardholders in April 2026 — cutting miles 40% and killing Basic Economy earnings. Here’s what changed and what you should do about it.
With over 1,000 hotel nights across six continents, I do not hand out praise easily. The St. Regis Beijing earned every word of this review. One of my favorite hotel brands in the world is The St. Regis — and the Beijing property is, without question, one of the finest I have EVER stayed at….
A question I get asked ALL the time is, “Tony, where should I search for and book my next hotel?” My answer to this has always been multi-pronged — because where you search and where you book may be two very different places. Let me break this all down for you right here, right now!…
Let me tell you something. I’ve been flying for a long time. I’ve been Diamond Medallion on Delta. I’ve been top tier on American AND United. I’ve sat in Polaris. I’ve sat in Delta One. I’ve sat in Flagship Business. And I have NEVER — in all my years of flying — seen something as…
Well, well, well… If you haven’t heard the news today, let me fill you in. According to Bloomberg and Reuters, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has been pitching the idea of merging United Airlines with American Airlines to senior government officials — including reportedly floating the idea directly to President Trump during a White House…
Here We Go Again… The Airlines Are Raising Bag Fees — ALL of Them One of the biggest drivers of revenue for airlines nowadays is airline baggage fees, and lately it seems like they just can’t help themselves! I have to start by saying I used to be a Delta Diamond Medallion member for years,…
Boy of boy… How things have changed in the ” miles and Points ” world over the last few years! Not only have we been through the hideous Covid B.S., it seems like the entire travel industry has been turned on its head! I often say that everything in life is like a pendulum; it…
As you may have noticed, I have not written much lately! So much has been going on in my life, traveling was simply not an option. I hate when things make that so, but thats what its been lately. Well, let’s HOPE that has changed! I cashed in on the crazy housing market while it…
As I lay by the pool, at a hotel in Brazil, that I generally love, the word “consistency “ comes to mind! consistency noun “consistent behaviour or treatment.” In my humble opinion, for a hotel to be fabulous, and successful, one of the first things it must master is the art of consistency!…
Over the last few weeks I have been all over Mexico basically! I was in Aguascalientes, Puerto Vallarta, as well as Mexico City, MexicoI was in Aguascalientes, Puerto Vallarta, as well as Mexico City, Mexico. All 3 cities have been affected by Covid-19, but Puerto Vallarta , and Mexico City the most! After traveling the…