The Archive

Every column

A frequent flyer advice column

  1. Wise Flyer · No. 45 ·

    Can I Visit the Airport Airside Without a Ticket Now?

    With TSA's new Gateside program and potential water bottle perks for PreCheck, what can I actually do airside without a ticket, and how do I get access?

  2. Wise Flyer · No. 44 ·

    Which New Routes Should I Book Right Now?

    With all these new route announcements—Emirates to Berlin, EgyptAir to Sydney, Qatar Airways expanding everywhere, Frontier to Colombia—which ones are actually worth my time and money?

  3. Wise Flyer · No. 43 ·

    Which hotel fall promo gives me the most bang?

    With Marriott and Hyatt both running fall promotions right now, which one offers the best value for my upcoming stays and how do I make sure I actually earn the bonus?

  4. Wise Flyer · No. 42 ·

    Which credit card welcome offer is best right now?

    With so many refreshed credit card bonuses and higher welcome offers hitting the market, which current credit card welcome offer gives me the best value for my spending habits?

  5. Wise Flyer · No. 41 ·

    What Should I Do About the Hyatt-AA Breakup and New Delta Deal?

    With Hyatt ending its American Airlines partnership and announcing a new one with Delta, how should I adjust my loyalty strategy? Should I shift my hotel and airline focus, or wait for details?

  6. Wise Flyer · No. 40 ·

    How Should I Reroute Around All These Route Changes?

    With airlines adding and cutting routes all the time, how do I adjust my travel plans without getting stuck or overpaying?

  7. Wise Flyer · No. 39 ·

    Can Airlines Really Skip My Hotel If My Plane Breaks?

    With the new DOT rule reclassifying unscheduled maintenance as outside an airline's control, can airlines really stop paying for hotels and meals when my flight is delayed or canceled because of a mechanical issue?

  8. Wise Flyer · No. 38 ·

    How do I stack hotel bonuses for elite credits this fall?

    With all these hotel promotions running this fall, how can I maximize my stays to earn elite credits and bonus points?

  9. Wise Flyer · No. 37 ·

    Which transfer bonus gives the best value right now?

    With so many transfer bonuses and miles sales running right now—Rove's 40% bonus to Copa, Capital One's 30% bonus to JAL, Virgin Atlantic's 70% bonus on bought miles, and Turkish Airlines offering status miles—which…

  10. Wise Flyer · No. 36 ·

    Which New Lounges and Cabins Are Actually Worth My Time?

    With all these new lounges and premium cabin upgrades being announced, how do I decide which ones are worth prioritizing for my upcoming trips?