The Archive

Every column

A frequent flyer advice column

  1. Wise Flyer · No. 33 ·

    Will new planes and fancy seats mean higher fares?

    With airlines retiring older widebody planes for newer, premium-heavy jets, and promising upgraded cabins, should we expect ticket prices to go up across the board?

  2. Wise Flyer · No. 32 ·

    What are the best credit card and platform bonuses right now?

    Given all the new credit card bonuses and reward platform changes, what are the best current opportunities to maximize points earning?

  3. Wise Flyer · No. 31 ·

    Will fleet retirements and maintenance issues mess with my travel?

    With airlines retiring planes like the Qantas A380 early and admitting to broken seats and duct tape repairs, how will these operational changes affect flight availability and my actual experience in the cabin?

  4. Wise Flyer · No. 30 ·

    Which credit card bonuses and transfer deals are best right now?

    With so many limited-time credit card sign-up bonuses and transfer promotions active right now, which ones offer the best value for earning award flights?

  5. Wise Flyer · No. 29 ·

    How do I choose between United, American, and Alaska for new 2027 transatlantic routes?

    With United, American, and Alaska all announcing new transatlantic routes for 2027, and many of them using the A321XLR, how should I decide which airline to fly? What does the A321XLR actually mean for…

  6. Wise Flyer · No. 28 ·

    What’s the deal with in-flight service and safety changes?

    With airlines adding new snacks and first-class seats, but also dealing with cabin fires and passenger rights issues, what should I watch out for when flying now?

  7. Wise Flyer · No. 27 ·

    Can I finally get into airline lounges with a business-class ticket?

    With all the recent changes to lounge access rules, what’s the current state of play for premium cabin travelers, and how can I make sure I get in?

  8. Wise Flyer · No. 26 ·

    Which new international routes offer the best award value?

    With airlines adding new international routes, which ones should I target for the best award seat availability or mileage value?

  9. Wise Flyer · No. 25 ·

    How do airline joint ventures affect my miles?

    With the Delta-Aeromexico joint venture back on and other partnerships shifting, how do these deals actually affect my ability to earn and redeem miles across partner airlines?

  10. Wise Flyer · No. 24 ·

    Which short-term travel deals actually deliver value?

    With so many limited-time offers popping up—gift card bonuses, credit card sign-up bonuses, subscription discounts, and points promotions—how do I figure out which ones are worth my time and money for my travel spending…