Travel Hacks

Quick Summary What they are: Fuel surcharges (YQ/YR) are arbitrary “carrier-imposed fees” that are rarely tied to actual oil prices. The Solution: The key to avoiding them is changing the loyalty program …

Quick Summary of the Marriott Bonvoy Program Marriott Bonvoy is the world’s largest hotel loyalty program, but size equals complexity. Here is the high-level system overview for 2025: Valuation: Aim for 0.7¢ …

Quick Summary: Top 3 Airport System Failures to Avoid Navigating an airport is a process with predictable failure points. After traveling through hundreds of airports in 62 countries, I’ve seen them all. …

Quick Summary: Apple Digital ID You can now add your U.S. passport to your Apple Wallet (on iPhone or Apple Watch) and use it for identity verification at select U.S. airport checkpoints. …

Quick Summary: The best programs for business class to Asia are Flying Blue, Singapore KrisFlyer, ANA Mileage Club, Air Canada Aeroplan, Alaska Atmos Rewards (formerly Mileage Plan), American AAdvantage, and Cathay Pacific …

Quick Summary: Your Qantas Program Playbook This Guide to Qantas Frequent Flyer program will show you that it is often misunderstood by travelers outside of Australia but I see it as a …

Quick Summary: The New Rules for Using Avios British Airways has fundamentally changed the game for using Avios with dynamic pricing. The old, predictable system of “peak” and “off-peak” award charts for …

Quick Summary: Your Flying Blue Systems Guide Air France-KLM Flying Blue is a loyalty program that every serious award traveler must understand. I see Flying Blue not as a program, but as …

Quick Summary: Aeroplan’s Dynamic Pricing & Partner Awards Master Guide Air Canada’s Aeroplan is one of the most powerful and complex loyalty programs in the world. As an IT Manager who has …

Quick Summary: Your Qsuite Booking Playbook The single best way to book Qatar Airways Qsuite with points is by using Avios, the points currency of Qatar Airways, British Airways, and Iberia. Thanks …