On August 5th, Alaska Airlines did something huge. They announced a massive leap from being a beloved West Coast airline to a true global player. This isn’t just adding a few new flights, it’s a complete change in their business plan and model. It’s all built around three exciting things (at least for us): a new fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners, a new “Aurora” livery, and a bunch of new long-haul international routes.

In a move that’s sure to excite frequent flyers, Kenya Airways has launched a new, widely accessible status match campaign. This offer provides a fast track to elite status in their Asante Rewards program and, by extension, the valuable perks of SkyTeam. Unlike many restrictive matches, this one is quite broad, welcoming elite members from other airlines, major hotel loyalty programs, and even select travel rewards credit card holders. The campaign is managed in partnership with Loyalty Status Co, the company who owns and operates StatusMatch.com.

The biggest challenge in award travel isn’t earning points, it’s finding the flights to spend them on. The frustration of the endless cycle is clear: search, check, and re-check for that Business or First Class seat, only to come up empty.

When I was younger, airline loyalty programs were more fun. There were all sorts of secret rules and loopholes one could exploit to earn a ton of miles, qualify for elite status, and enjoy exclusive attention at the airport and in the air. Sure, every major program has changed drastically compared to 20 years ago, and they still do every year. However, most of those changes for some reason feel a bit boring. But then, in late 2024, an airline named SAS did something that shook things up. They launched their “Who Wants to be a EuroBonus Millionaire?” challenge, and it was a huge deal that kicked off what you might call a ‘gold rush’ for airline miles.

If you’re into points and miles, you can feel it: the ground is moving. The rules we learned, the strategies we had, and the value we came to expect are all being rewritten in real-time. For frequent flyers, 2025 isn’t just another year of travel, it’s a pivotal moment that will redefine what “loyalty” means for the next decade.

Flying a wide-body jet on a short regional route is always a treat, but what happens when that jet is a nearly 20-year-old Airbus A330-300? As Taiwan’s largest carrier, China Airlines is known for its stellar service, but a bit under the radar. After a great long-haul flight on their modern A350, this flight was the final leg of my journey from Amsterdam, booked as part of my EuroBonus Millionaire challenge. The big question was: could China Airlines’ famous hospitality overcome a dated cabin and aging in-flight entertainment? Let’s dive in and see if this short-haul Business Class experience is worth it.

The acquisition is complete: Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are officially joining forces. This monumental deal creates a stronger #5 carrier in the U.S. and promises to reshape travel between the mainland and the Pacific. But for millions of frequent flyers, it raises one crucial question: what happens to my miles and status?

If you’re chasing elite status in the SkyTeam alliance but don’t qualify for a direct status match, Vietnam Airlines has just launched a new option: the Lotusmiles Status Booster. This new program isn’t an instant match. Instead, it’s a paid accelerator that allows you to earn double or triple qualifying miles on Vietnam Airlines flights for a 90-day period. It’s designed for travelers who are close to a tier or have a few big trips planned and want to fast-track their way to the perks of Lotusmiles and SkyTeam elite status. The Booster is offered in partnership with StatusMatch.com

On one of my recent trips, I had the chance to plan a quick stopover in Amsterdam, a city I love. I was looking for a hotel near Schiphol Airport, as my flights were both landing late at night and departing very early in the morning. That’s something I’ve done many times, and there are plenty of options to choose from, even inside the airport terminal. However, this time one caught my attention: Corendon Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, a Tribute Portfolio hotel that was recently opened, and has a large 747-400 sitting in its yard. Without overthinking, I booked it right away and got excited about testing this out. Here’s my experience, let’s dive in!