Southwest Airlines eyes first airport lounge in Honolulu

For months, Southwest Airlines has been teasing the possibility of true premium seats, long-haul routes and airport lounges. Now, it appears at least one of those things may be coming true. According to Hawaii state records, the airline this month gained approval (PDF link) to lease space to build a lounge at Honolulu’s Daniel K….

Capital One tightens Venture family card terms for bonuses

It has become more challenging to earn welcome bonuses on multiple popular Capital One cards, as Capital One has implemented a 48-month restriction across its Venture family of cards. This includes the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card ($0 annual fee), the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card ($95 annual fee) and the Capital One…

Vacasa is ending its partnership with Wyndham Rewards

In 2021, Wyndham Rewards and Vacasa started a partnership that allowed members to redeem Wyndham points for Vacasa home rentals. This was one of the most valuable ways to redeem Wyndham points for several years. However, this redemption option became less valuable in March 2024 — and now, following its recent acquisition by Casago, Vacasa…

Shutdown, storms strain airports: TPG’s tips for flying right now

It’s been nearly a month since the federal government entered a partial shutdown, forcing critical air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration officers to work without pay. And while flight delays didn’t reach the point of mass chaos in October, a combination of bad weather and mounting frustration among unpaid workers could lead to major…

The 10 best Alaska cruises for every type of traveler in 2025 and 2026

Even with a season that only runs from April through October, Alaska draws roughly 40 big cruise ships and dozens of smaller cruise vessels each year, making it one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world after the Caribbean and Europe. The best Alaska cruises range from off-the-beaten-path voyages on vessels carrying fewer…

Europe’s new entry/exit system nearly made me miss my flight

I’ve been closely following the rollout of the European Union’s new entry/exit system, as I have five Schengen area entries or exits coming between its launch on Oct. 12 and the end of 2025. I’d seen several articles noting three-hour immigration lines on arrival to some European airports since the Oct. 12 launch, but generally…

American to launch new Scotland route with ‘game-changing’ new plane

American Airlines has only had its hands on its first “game-changing” Airbus A321XLR plane for a little more than a week. Already, though, the carrier is making plans to send the aircraft across the Atlantic. American on Thursday announced Edinburgh will be the first overseas destination for its brand-new, long-range, single-aisle jet. It’ll open up…

I tried Southwest’s new extra-legroom seats: Here’s what to expect

When Southwest Airlines pivots to assigned seating Jan. 27, 2026, it won’t just mark the end of its 50-year-old open-seating policy. It’ll also usher in the official launch of its extra-legroom seats — the more spacious rows that Southwest is marketing as its new, more premium product. Going forward, these seats will be available to…