Quick points: How to access Capital One Lounges without a physical credit card

In many respects, 2023 was a record-setting year at airports. The Transportation Security Administration saw its busiest summer ever. All-time, single-day passenger traffic records fell on two occasions. Airlines fielded historic demand for overseas travel, prompting carriers to shift their schedules to meet an enduring craving for travel.

Airlines often add special flights for major events, like the Super Bowl or the Consumer Electronics Show.

A special segment of adventurous travelers will purposely book itineraries with long connections in layover cities just to leave the airport and explore for a few hours or days between flights.

Imagine my horror when I woke up early one Tuesday morning to find several emails from American Airlines AAdvantage and Rocket Rental Car Awards confirming my successful redemption of hundreds of thousands of AAdvantage miles for several car rentals set to begin later that day.

In March, United Airlines announced that United MileagePlus members could begin pooling their hard-earned miles with friends and family to reach their travel goals sooner. This is an ideal situation for those with kids — there is no age limit on who can earn MileagePlus miles — and those who are short on miles for an award flight and want to cut the cost of their trip.

Delta Air Lines is now sending out trip credits to some cardholders as part of a promotion to keep some of its top credit card customers.

The trade group representing the U.S. airline industry is asking the federal government to pause the expansion of passenger flights to China due to the “existing harmful anti-competitive policies of the Chinese government.”

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A handful of new lounges opened by credit card issuers, including Capital One and American Express, have recently landed in airports across the United States, promising posh spots of refuge for select travelers awaiting their flights. At La Guardia Airport, caviar service will be available for pre-order. At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, travelers can get complimentary massages, and at Denver International Airport, there are nap pods. In addition to amenities, the new lounges provide an ambience reminiscent of a luxury hotel lobby, both in interior design and scale, and fit several hundred people at a time.

British Airways is offering a generous limited-time status match offer for U.S.-based members of its loyalty program, British Airways Executive Club.

United Airlines has postponed a pair of inaugural flights, citing delays by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) following a series of recent safety incidents.

A common adage among frequent flyers and points and miles fans is “earn ’em and burn ’em.” This philosophy centers around the fact that these currencies rarely appreciate in value the way traditional investments might. Instead, they almost always diminish in value as airline loyalty programs raise the price of awards over time—so you might as well spend them right off the bat.