Airline Meltdowns? | 10 Things You Don't Need to Pack

On Friday, I wrote a post asking: Is JetBlue Playing an April Fools’ Joke or is This a Glitch? Regardless, An Important Lesson Involving Delayed Flights. I followed up with a post yesterday when I saw multiple U.S. airlines had tons of delays and cancelations and for different reasons. Here's that story: What is Up With the U.S. Airlines Right Now? Are They Having a Mini-Meltdown? I'm writing another story about today's cancelations so follow me on Twitter or Facebook to stay up-to-date.

If you've searched for airfares lately, then you don't need me to tell you that fares have skyrocketed. Travel site Hopper says the average round-trip ticket is up 40% from last year and I think it's even higher in some markets. I just booked our tickets for Christmas and paid only 6,500 miles to fly from Los Angeles to Toronto. To return, there were initially similar deals but I snoozed and you know what that means. Since they're long gone, I'm getting creative by paying cash. Here are 10 ways to find cheap flights this summer.

If you read Wednesday's newsletter and were trying to figure out where the heck my LAX/Delta story was, you're not alone. I forgot to put it in. Doh! Here's the sneak peek at Delta Air Lines’ new $1.9 billion LAX terminal.

Here's another head-scratcher: Get this ... There’s a new airline that’s strictly for influencers. Really?!

In addition to everything above, there's lots of travel news and plenty of tips from this past week so scroll down for this week's Sunday Round-Up!

Travel Product of the Week

Revlon Hair Dryer Brush
We've shared this product a few times before but I'm sharing it again for a few reasons. First, it's a reader favorite. PLUS: It's 42% off today so if you've been on the fence about it, today's deal might be just what you were waiting for. It's also mentioned in our travel tip about 10 things NOT to pack because if you're looking to streamline your packing, this all-in-one hair tool means you can leave your bulky hairbrush, hair dryer and flat iron at home and just bring this. Lastly, it makes a great Mother's Day gift if you want to get a jump start. My wife absolutely loves hers. Read her review here.

Travel Tips/Stories from This Week

Travel Quote of the Day
“A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.” ~ Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882)

Travel Tweet of the Day
@MimiMM_: Wooooo. Lots of airline complaints on my timeline tonight. Passengers AND crew members. Passengers inconvenienced by last minute cancellations…and crew members in EXTENDED duty periods, sleeping on airport floors with no immediate hotel rooms.

12 Things to Know in Travel Today
— Fort Lauderdale police arrest Black hotel clerk who called for help
— Southwest apologizes for delays, cancellations, blames technology issues
— Getaway Britons facing Dover delays as ferry services disrupted
— Cracked cockpit windshield forces Delta flight to make unscheduled landing
— Alaska Airlines cancels 9% of its flights over staffing woes
— Man pilots planes for 2 years after lying to airlines about experience
— The Points Guy files motion to dismiss in American Airlines suit
— Tips from my recent Disneyland visit
— Man in Germany gets 90 COVID-19 shots to sell forged passes
— Sonoma: Stay two nights this spring - Get a third night free
— Yesterday's TSA checkpoint numbers

Miles & Points
-Summer will be here before you know it, and there's a new offer to help get an edge on earning miles. New United Club℠ Infinite Card cardholders earn 120,000 bonus miles (after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months). We think this is one of the best United credit cards. It comes with United Club membership, free first and second checked bags, Premier Access services (preferential treatment at airports), and IHG Platinum Elite status. Hurry, though—this United Club Infinite signup bonus is only available for a limited time.
-Good news if you have this co-brand airline credit card; new benefits are coming, and their bank partnership is extending through 2030.
-Capital One Entertainment Launches With Exclusive Event
-The Best Premium Credit Cards in 2022
-Best Credit Cards for Dining, Restaurants, Takeout, & More 2022

Travel Contests
-Win a free vacation at a luxury resort (March 31)
-Win a $5,000 credit toward a cruise or a resort getaway (April 17)
-"Share Your Story" Writing Contest for Outdoor Adventurists (April 30)
-Win a seven-night Caribbean cruise for two (Nov 14)
See all contests here

P.S. As always, thank you for subscribing to my newsletter! I hope you like it and you share with your friends, family and colleagues so they can subscribe to either my bi-weekly newsletter or Daily Travel Tip.

The Sunday Round-Up | April 3, 2022