Here’s the thing about being a grown-up: whenever you screw up, you take responsibility. That’s what a good person does. That’s what a good company does — it’s what anyone in a civilized, modern society is supposed to do. Now, to be fair, not every cancelled flight is the airline’s fault — weather happens, air…
Starwood is back — and if you were an SPG loyalist like me, that name just made your heart skip. Let me just start out by saying that when I heard the news I was actually excited, because SPG, Starwood Preferred Guest, was the NUMBER ONE loyalty program when I first started traveling seriously. It…
Alaska Airlines just eliminated Saver fare point earning and raised partner award booking fees 60% in the same announcement. You have until June 11 to act on one and July 1 on the other — here’s exactly what to do.
Hilton quietly jacked up award rates at mid-tier hotels overnight — no notice, no published award chart, no way to even prove it happened. Here’s what changed and how to use your points before they’re worth even less.
Hyatt expanded its award chart to 78 price levels in May 2026, pushing top hotels to 75,000 points per night — up from 45,000. Then their CEO said members’ focus on points is “objectifying” the brand. Meanwhile, Hyatt is projecting to double loyalty program profits.
American Airlines quietly updated their refund policy so that if they downgrade you from first class to coach, you get back just 40% of your ticket price. On a $10,644 business class ticket, that means you effectively pay $6,386 for a seat that sells for $949. A DOT complaint has been filed arguing this is illegal — and here’s exactly what you can do about it.
A Delta frequent flyer recently went public with a story that stopped me cold. She had accumulated 2 MILLION SkyMiles over 25 years of loyalty — two million — and this summer, she cannot get to France. Not without paying through the nose in cash, which is supposed to be exactly what all those miles…
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.
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…
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…