Travel Experience Archives - AwardWallet Blog

American Airlines Is Adding Starlink Wi-Fi to 500+ Planes — Here’s the Rollout Timeline

Travelers tired of unreliable in-flight Wi-Fi will finally see a major upgrade coming to the skies. American Airlines announced on May 26, 2026 plans to install Starlink Wi-Fi across more than 500 narrowbody aircraft beginning in early 2027, signaling one of the airline industry’s largest investments yet in next-generation connectivity.

Olivia Fey

I Live Out of Airbnbs — Here’s What I Do When a Stay Goes Bad

May 23, 2026 4

I spend 11 months in Airbnb properties every year. Over the years, I've learned a thing or two about analyzing apartments before booking them to avoid issues during the stay. However, issues still pop up from time to time. Here's what to do if an Airbnb stay goes sideways.

Harrison Pierce

Reviewed by Allie Johnson

Mastercard Opens New Airport Dining Lounges With Free À La Carte Meals

May 19, 2026 0

Mastercard opened up two lounges with complimentary a la carte dining experiences. Travelers with World Legend Mastercards like the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card and Bilt Palladium Card can access these lounges for free. Here's what to know about this new lounge experience.

Cameron Laufer

How CLEAR+ Works — and How To Get It for Free With the Right Credit Card or Elite Status

May 15, 2026 79

Navigating airports can be challenging, with many obstacles before boarding. CLEAR+ offers a service to help travelers move quickly through security. Here’s an overview to help you decide if CLEAR+ is worth signing up for.

Scott Sikes & Senitra Horbrook

Reviewed by Tyler Glatt

Got a Visa Card? Get a Free Unlimited eSIM for Mexico, Canada, France, UK, and More

May 14, 2026 0

Every eligible Visa cardholder is now entitled to one free complimentary GigSky unlimited eSIM when traveling to a participating Visa destination. Here's how to determine your eligibility and unlock your eSIM.

Olivia Fey

Reviewed by Tyler Glatt

T-Mobile Gets Into eSIM Game With Unlimited Talk, Text, Data From $25

May 13, 2026 0

Ahead of the World Cup, T-Mobile is getting into the eSIM game. On May 18, T-Mobile will begin offering a Prepaid U.S. Pass eSIM designed for international tourists. The eSIM will be affordable and easy to install, making it perfect for your trip to North America this summer. Here's everything to know.

Harrison Pierce

How Faye Travel Insurance Paid Off During a Health Scare on a Family Vacation

May 13, 2026 0

I've never been a strong proponent of travel insurance, but ahead of a recent trip to the Winter Olympics, I had a gut feeling that we needed some sort of coverage. We signed up for Faye Travel Insurance, and unfortunately, the gut feeling was correct. Here's my experience using Faye, and why you might want to consider signing up before your next trip.

Harrison Pierce

Flight Delayed, Canceled, or Overbooked? Here’s When Airlines Owe You Compensation

May 11, 2026 57

Flight delays and cancellations can be expensive and stressful. Fortunately, there are some protections in place to make sure you don’t get stuck with the bill when irregular operations force you to change your plans. If you know your rights, you can avoid worrying about covering extra costs out of pocket and make sure you extract the full compensation to which you’re entitled.

Andrew George Bradshaw & Ryan Flanigan

Reviewed by Toni Southam

How to Use Carnival Fun Match to Score a (Nearly) Free Cruise

May 10, 2026 7

Carnival Fun Match allows you to use your existing loyalty to hotels and casinos on the land for nearly-free cruises on the sea. The idea is that luring you with offers could replicate the same loyalty you have to other brands, but now to a cruise company. Here's how I used status matching for a big discount on a cruise.

Brie Bash

Reviewed by Allie Johnson

JetBlue Will Launch a 'Mini Mint' Domestic First Class This Year. Here’s What We Know So Far

May 6, 2026 1

JetBlue is set to unveil its "Mini Mint" domestic first class product in 2026. Here's all the latest updates on the rollout from JetBlue's recent earnings call.

Mark Jackson

Reviewed by Tyler Glatt

Alaska Airlines' First-Ever Europe Flight Takes Off — Here's What It Was Like in Economy

May 4, 2026 1

On Tuesday evening, Alaska Airlines flight #180 lifted off from Seattle to cheers of applause from the passengers. This flight would be one of hundreds of Alaska flights to depart Seattle that day. But this departure marked the launch of a new era for the Seattle-based airline: Alaska Airlines' first-ever flight to Europe. Here's what it was like onboard this historic flight.

JT Genter

TSA PreCheck Is Offering a $20 Enrollment Discount This May — Here's How to Get It

April 29, 2026 0

It seems like if you’re young, the perks keep adding up. Not only do your knees not creak, but during May you can also score a $20 discount on your TSA PreCheck application — if you do it right. Here’s how.

Ben Nickel-D'Andrea

Reviewed by Tyler Glatt

Turkish Airlines Wi-Fi: Which Planes Have Wi-Fi and What It Costs to Get Connected

April 29, 2026 0

As the world goes more digital, getting free Wi-Fi with airlines is a huge benefit. And while Turkish Airlines does offer Wi-Fi, it's not free for everyone. Here are the fleet types that offer internet connectivity, what it costs to get connected, and some insight into Turkish Airlines' future plans for onboard Wi-Fi.

Skye Class

Reviewed by Allie Johnson

Why WHOOP Is a Perfect Companion for Health-Conscious Travelers — and How to Try It for Less

April 27, 2026 0

WHOOP is a performance-focused wearable that monitors everything from sleep to recovery, and for a limited time, Chase Sapphire cardholders can receive a year or more of membership along with the device at no additional cost.

Ben Nickel-D'Andrea

Reviewed by Tyler Glatt

How Amex Cardholders Can Access Lufthansa Lounges — While This Benefit Still Lasts

April 26, 2026 14

American Express will end its Lufthansa lounge access partnership on October 1, 2026. Until then, Platinum- and Centurion-branded cardmembers can still access select Lufthansa lounges when flying with Lufthansa Group airlines.

Sam Helmy

Reviewed by Toni Southam

AwardWallet at Sea: 7 Things We Loved About Sailing With Virgin Voyages Aboard Brilliant Lady

April 24, 2026 2

In March 2026, three members of the AwardWallet team had the opportunity to sail on the Virgin Voyages Red Hot Sailing Club voyage out of Miami aboard its newest ship, Brilliant Lady. The experience was, fittingly, brilliant. To give you a sense of why, here are several things we loved about the experience.

Ben Nickel-D'Andrea, Jon Nickel-D'Andrea & Tyler Glatt

Fly All Summer for $199: What to Know About Frontier’s Just-Launched Seasonal GoWild! Pass

May 4, 2026 3

The Frontier Airlines GoWild! Pass can be very valuable, but it's not for every traveler. For travelers who don't need checked bags, seats, or other perks — and can be flexible enough to take a trip on a moment's notice — this pass might be for you. Here's what to know.

Tyler Glatt

Reviewed by JT Genter

SkyTeam Unveils Flagship Lounge at Frankfurt Airport’s New Terminal 3 — Here’s Your First Look Inside

April 22, 2026 2

Big things are happening at Germany’s Frankfurt Airport on April 23, 2026. For starters, the airport will open its long-awaited, state-of-the-art Terminal 3. It’s also the day the SkyTeam alliance opens the doors to its first branded, flagship lounge in Europe. Here’s your first look inside, along with the particulars on who can access it and what to expect during a visit.

Tyler Glatt

My Flight Was Canceled — Here’s How I Turned It Into €1,200

April 19, 2026 0

I was grounded overnight in Finland after a satellite malfunction canceled my Finnair flight, but EU261 turned the disruption into compensation. By filing the claim correctly, my wife and I each received €600, and the experience showed how a little preparation can soften even a major travel setback.

Ryan Flanigan

Flying Star Alliance Business or First Class? You May No Longer Get United Polaris Lounge Access

April 15, 2026 2

United Airlines giveth and United Airlines taketh away. Lately, though, it’s been doing more of the latter. The latest example are new restrictions on Polaris Lounge access (which are more premium than United Clubs), by removing entry for travelers flying business or first class on certain Star Alliance partners. Here’s what to know.

Tyler Glatt

American Express Global Lounge Collection: Lounges You Can Access and Cards That Get You In

April 14, 2026 0

You might be familiar with American Express Centurion Lounges, but you might not realize that Amex offers access to an even broader network of lounges worldwide through its Global Lounge Collection. Here’s everything you need to know about accessing this network.

Jenna Hansen

Reviewed by Tyler Glatt

TSA PreCheck Touchless ID: How It Works — and Where You Can Use It

April 10, 2026 0

TSA PreCheck Touchless ID is the newest method to wizz through security, baggage drop, and boarding at many airports. This spring, the program plans to expand to 65 airports across the U.S. Here's how to use TSA PreCheck Touchless ID and where you can expect to find it.

Skye Class

Reviewed by Toni Southam

Auf Wiedersehen: American Express to End Lufthansa Lounge Access Later This Year

April 10, 2026 0

One of the biggest selling points of American Express’ premium cards is the lounge access they offer. But if you have one of these cards, you’ll need to start the clock. Later this year, Amex will remove Card Member access to Lufthansa lounges. Here's what to know.

Tyler Glatt

Amex to Expand and Renovate the Centurion Lounge at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

April 1, 2026 0

Everything's bigger in Texas — including The Centurion® Lounge. Well, at least it will be. On April 1, 2026, American Express announced plans to expand and renovate its outpost at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Here’s what you can expect from the newly renovated Centurion Lounge at DFW once it opens.

Tyler Glatt

Amex Confirms a Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge Is Coming to Charlotte — Here’s What We Know So Far

April 1, 2026 2

It wasn't long after American Express opened the doors to its first Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge that we got a hint about where the second location might land. And that new location at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) will open soon. Here's what to know.

Tyler Glatt

An American Express Centurion Lounge Is Landing in Boston’s Logan Airport in 2029

April 1, 2026 0

American Express has just announced plans to cut the ribbon on a brand-new Centurion Lounge at Boston Logan International Airport sometime in 2029. Here's what we know about the Boston Centurion Lounge and what you might be able to expect when you walk through the doors.

Tyler Glatt & Harrison Pierce

Reviewed by JT Genter

Amex Opens Brand-New Centurion Lounge at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport

March 31, 2026 0

American Express just revamped its lounge presence at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and opened an all-new outpost in Terminal 3. Here’s a peek inside the new Centurion Lounge at IGIA, along with details on its hours and access policies.

Tyler Glatt

United Elevated 2026: AwardWallet’s On-the-Ground Recap of the Airline’s Biggest New Announcements

March 25, 2026 0

At one of its hangars at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), United Airlines revealed a slate of announcements as part of its annual “United Elevated” event. If you’re a United flyer, there’s plenty to get excited about. Here’s our on-the-ground recap of five new and exciting things that will roll out or expand over the next couple of years.

Tyler Glatt

9 of My Favorite Travel Products On Sale Now for Amazon Big Spring Sale

March 25, 2026 7

Amazon just launched its Big Spring Sale. That makes now a great time to pick up some travel supplies, whether you're planning on traveling this summer or gearing up for a trip next year. Here are 9 of our favorite travel items that are on sale now.

JT Genter

Virgin Voyages Announces Four-Ship Meetup at Sea — Here’s When This Nautical Event Is Happening

March 20, 2026 1

In early 2027, all four Virgin Voyages Lady ships will meet at sea for the first time. The ships will converge in the Caribbean nearly six years to the day after the brand’s first ship was delivered. Here’s when this unique event is happening and how you can be among the 15,000 sailors lucky enough to experience it.

Tyler Glatt

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