Last week, Hyatt quietly closed on its $2.6bn acquisition of the remaining stake in Playa Hotels & Resorts, a move that’s flown somewhat under the radar but has outsized implications for the luxury all-inclusive space. If you blinked, you...
My Body And Health Keeps Changing My Travel Plans
For the second time in two weeks, my body has told me I need some time away, and it’s twice affected my travel plans. Hospitalized, Stuck A couple of weeks ago I was in Florida and found a familiar...
The JetBlue Mosaic Challenge And Why I Can’t Pass It Up
JetBlue is offering American Airlines Executive Platinum, Concierge Key and Delta Platinum, 360 members a status challenge I can’t say no to. Status Match, Challenge JetBlue has rolled out a status match for competing carriers to its markets. Significant...
Southwest’s (Possible) European Expansion Another Misstep
Southwest Airlines has been rumored to have Iceland in its sites for European expansion of its network. Yet another misstep by its wayward management team. Southwest Airlines Rumored To Add Iceland To Its Map I’m not breaking any news...
Tragic: Shocking Footage Of A Fatal Hot Air Balloon Accident
Footage flooded social media of a tragic hot air balloon accident in southern Brazil. Shocking Footage Tragic and shocking footage from southern Brazil flooded X and various social media platforms of a hot air balloon accident. WARNING: Some of...
American Airlines Makes Good On Loyalty Points Data Snafu
At the close of the earning year for 2024 American Airlines loyalty points and Aadvantage elite status, there was a snafu – but American has made up for it and then some. What Happened I outlined a few weeks...
Starwood Hotels Is Back, And It May Be Better Than Ever
As of March 5, 2025, SH Hotels & Resorts has officially rebranded as Starwood Hotels, marking a significant return of the iconic brand under its original founder, Barry Sternlicht . The Return of a Hospitality Icon Barry Sternlicht, the...
The Worst Hotel Design Feature Is Everywhere
Modern hotel design, especially in refurbished business hotels, have a common problem – a sliding barn door in the worst possible place. Obvious Design Flaw Most hotel design features are intentional, use space and resources efficiently and make the...
United-JetBlue Tie Up Leaves American Airlines Bloodied
In a move that has sent ripples through the aviation industry, United Airlines and JetBlue have announced a strategic partnership dubbed “Blue Sky.” This collaboration aims to enhance customer experience by integrating loyalty programs and expanding route networks, all...
Flight Attendant Faces 25 Years, Allegedly Smuggled “Human Bone” Drug
A former flight attendant was caught allegedly smuggling a significant quantity of a new drug made of human bone and now faces up to 25 years behind bars in Thailand. In a case that has captured international attention, 21-year-old...
Delta’s Play In Orlando—New Focus City Strategy Emerging?
Delta Air Lines just did something that, on the surface, looks small: seven new Saturday-only flights from Orlando. But the implications run much deeper. Come December 20, Delta will begin service from Orlando (MCO) to Birmingham (BHM), Cincinnati (CVG),...
Private Clubs Are The Latest Trend In Luxury Hotels
After meeting with more than 60 hoteliers over a three-day period at an invite-only event, the next big trend for luxury hotels doesn’t involve guests at all. Private members’ clubs have long been the domain of the elite, offering...
ANA Passenger Tried To “Murder All Onboard”, Diverts To Seattle
On May 24, 2025, All Nippon Airways Flight NH114, en route from Tokyo Haneda to Houston, experienced a midair emergency when a passenger attempted to open an emergency exit door. Approximately nine hours into the flight, the individual, reportedly...
Sneak Peek At The Thompson Miami Beach (Opens Fall 2025)
I was invited to a behind the scenes sneak peek at the glorious new Thompson Miami Beach, and it looks amazing – even under construction. Address: 1685 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 Google Maps Link Under Construction In...
Spirit, Southwest, JetBlue: Time to Rethink Perceptions
In just the last nine months, three carriers with distinct identities, Spirit, Southwest, and JetBlue have significantly shifted but public perceptions might be harder to change. We cling to airline stereotypes like old luggage—worn out, busted at the zippers,...
What Hawaiian Airlines AMEX Exit Means For Alaska MileagePlan
As Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian merge their loyalty programs, a final date has been provided for American Express Membership Rewards to Hawaiian Airlines (and thus, Alaska Airlines.) The writing has been on the hangar wall for a while now:...
Global Airlines Defies Some Critics, Justifies Others
Most critics thought Global Airlines would never get off the ground, but this week it proved most of the critics wrong – but not all. In August 2023, I wrote about Global Airlines’ ambitious plan to break into the...
Crazy Chase Sapphire Reserve Changes Floated
Some radical changes were floated online for the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card. They are drastic and flatly: crazy. Higher Fee, More Coupons In a report from Doctor of Credit, Chase is following the lead of American Express and...
A Deeper Dive Into Duffy’s Air Traffic Control Overhaul Plan
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced an ambitious plan to modernize the United States’ air traffic control (ATC) system, let’s take a closer look. Duffy aiming to address decades of underinvestment and technological stagnation. The initiative, prompted by recent...
Appreciation Of A Traveling Mother: My Wife
Throughout the year, the evidence of my wife’s dedication to our children is evident, especially when we travel. Always Sharing Her Seat When it comes to traveling as a family, especially with infants, it’s my wife that shares her...
