{"id":277525,"date":"2026-09-12T12:00:50","date_gmt":"2026-09-12T12:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=277525\/"},"modified":"2026-09-11T22:31:54","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T22:31:54","slug":"travel-news-roundup-go-to-gate-without-a-ticket-aviancas-new-business-class-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/travel-news-roundup-september-12-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Travel News Roundup: Go to Gate Without a Ticket, Avianca\u2019s New Business Class, and More"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Another week in the books. Over the past couple of days, we've shared a ton of breaking news: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/american-aadvantage\/american-airlines-hyatt-end-partnership\/\" rel=\"noopener\">American Airlines broke up with Hyatt<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/world-of-hyatt\/hyatt-delta-announce-partnership\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Hyatt joined forces with Delta<\/a>, and <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/air-canada-aeroplan\/chase-aeroplan-card-refresh\/\" rel=\"noopener\">the Chase Air Canada Aeroplan<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Credit Card got a complete overhaul<\/a>. We've also covered a variety of new <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/current-promotions-buy-points-miles\/\" rel=\"noopener\">buy points promotions<\/a>, previewed the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/club-iberia-plus\/iberia-emerald-lounge-sorolla\/\" rel=\"noopener\">new Iberia first class lounge<\/a>, and told you everything you need to know about <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/hotels\/expedia-one-key-deal\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Expedia's latest flash sale<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Among all the big points and miles news, there were some other developments this week that we didn't want you to miss. Here's everything you should know, from a brand-new business class seat to the ability to access airport gates without purchasing a ticket.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Delta_Updates_Earning_Structure_for_Aeromexico\">Delta Updates Earning Structure for Aeromexico<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Delta sneakily updated its <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.delta.com\/us\/en\/skymiles\/how-to-earn-miles\/airline-partners\" rel=\"noopener\">partner earning structure page<\/a>. Before you get too worried, the actual earning rates have stayed the same, but how you earn points on Aeromexico flights has changed.<\/p>\n<p>Before, an Aeromexico-marketed flight with a Delta ticket number (006) would earn as if it were Delta-marketed and operated. In other words, you'd earn <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/delta-skymiles\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Delta SkyMiles<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/delta-skymiles\/medallion-qualification-dollar\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Medallion Qualifying Dollars<\/a> based on the ticket price. Now, Aeromexico-marketed flights, regardless of ticket number, will earn based on the distance and fare class flown.<\/p>\n<p>Whether you consider this change good news or bad news is up to you. If you find a cheap long-haul Aeromexico flight, you'll earn more than you did before. But if you spend a lot of money on a shorter flight, moving to a distance-based earning structure on Delta-ticketed flights is disappointing.<\/p>\n<p>This change applies to all tickets issued on or after <strong>September 10, 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_145607\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"600\/480\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-145607 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Featured-Aeromexico-tail-fins-at-the-airport-jose-pablo-dominguez-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"Aeromexico tail fins at the airport\" width=\"600\" height=\"480\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Featured-Aeromexico-tail-fins-at-the-airport-jose-pablo-dominguez-unsplash.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Featured-Aeromexico-tail-fins-at-the-airport-jose-pablo-dominguez-unsplash-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Featured-Aeromexico-tail-fins-at-the-airport-jose-pablo-dominguez-unsplash-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Featured-Aeromexico-tail-fins-at-the-airport-jose-pablo-dominguez-unsplash-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Featured-Aeromexico-tail-fins-at-the-airport-jose-pablo-dominguez-unsplash-325x260.jpg 325w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><center><em>Credit: Jose Pablo Dominguez\/Unsplash<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<h2><span id=\"Gateside_by_TSA_PreCheck\">Gateside by TSA PreCheck<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The Transportation Security Administration is launching a new program in select airports nationwide. You'll now be able to access the airport terminal after security, even if you aren't flying, thanks to Gateside by TSA PreCheck. This program is exclusively available to <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/tsa-precheck\/\" rel=\"noopener\">TSA PreCheck members<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>You'll use your Known Traveler Number to apply for Gateside one to three days before your planned visit. Once approved, you'll use the standard TSA PreCheck lane to go through security. Then, you're free to move around the airport to drop off or pick up your loved one directly at their gate, or meet a friend for lunch during a layover. It's free to access, and children can join if entered on their parent's or guardian's reservation.<\/p>\n<p>Here's how to apply for <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tsa.gov\/precheck\/gateside-tsa-precheck\" rel=\"noopener\">Gateside by TSA PreCheck<\/a>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Create or log in to your login.gov account to continue to the application portal.<\/li>\n<li>Enter your personal information in the application portal.<\/li>\n<li>Submit your request and return to your dashboard to view your approval status.<\/li>\n<li>If approved, bring an acceptable form of ID and head to the TSA PreCheck lanes at the airport. If you have children on your reservation, be prepared to log in to your dashboard and show the TSA Officer your approval status.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Gateside by TSA PreCheck is rolling out in the following airports:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) in Arizona<\/li>\n<li>John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) in Ohio<\/li>\n<li>Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in Texas<\/li>\n<li>Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) in Michigan<\/li>\n<li>Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) in Kansas<\/li>\n<li>Indianapolis International Airport (IND) in Indiana<\/li>\n<li>Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Nevada<\/li>\n<li>Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in California<\/li>\n<li>Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) in Arkansas<\/li>\n<li>Will Rogers International Airport (OKC) in Oklahoma<\/li>\n<li>Eppley Airfield (OMA) in Nebraska<\/li>\n<li>San Diego International Airport (SAN) in California<\/li>\n<li>Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) in Utah<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Availability can be limited during peak travel times.<\/p>\n<p>This is a fantastic new program, but there's one thing to keep in mind \u2014 you likely won't be able to access an <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/features\/awardwallet-lounge-tool\/\" rel=\"noopener\">airport lounge<\/a>. Virtually all lounges require a boarding pass to enter, so if you want to hang out with a loved one before or immediately after their flight, you'll need to do so at a restaurant or at the gate.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_277537\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"750\/342\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-277537 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Screenshot-2026-09-11-at-16.19.19.png\" alt=\"Gateside by TSA PreCheck promo banner\" width=\"750\" height=\"342\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Screenshot-2026-09-11-at-16.19.19.png 1206w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Screenshot-2026-09-11-at-16.19.19-750x342.png 750w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Screenshot-2026-09-11-at-16.19.19-900x410.png 900w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Screenshot-2026-09-11-at-16.19.19-768x350.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><center><em>Screenshot of TSA<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<h2><span id=\"Avianca_Unveils_New_Business_Class\">Avianca Unveils New Business Class<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Avianca <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.avianca.com\/en\/about-us\/corporate-news\/2026\/avianca-unveils-the-evolution-of-its-premium-offering\" rel=\"noopener\">announced a brand-new business class<\/a> on flights to\/from Europe and on the route between Bogota and New York. The first aircraft equipped with the new Insignia by Avianca cabin are slated to enter service in January and February 2027 and will feature the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Suites with sliding doors<\/li>\n<li>Fully flat seats with 180-degree recline<\/li>\n<li>New pajamas designed by Maaji<\/li>\n<li>Meridian noise-canceling headphones<\/li>\n<li>A Mola Sasa amenity kit featuring products from Loto del Sur on all routes and Castello Monte Vibiano on routes departing from Europe<\/li>\n<li>Signature cuisine by \u00c1lvaro Clavijo and Rafael Buitrago served on newly redesigned tableware. There will also be Home Burgers options on flights from Bogota and Medellin to Europe.<\/li>\n<li>INSIGNIA by Avianca check-in in Bogot\u00e1 and access to VIP lounges.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>I haven't flown Insignia by Avianca, but I was impressed with Avianca's Business Class Americas product that extended to all of Avianca's routes late last year. This new business class product should be a very comfortable way to get between South America and Europe.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_277575\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"750\/500\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-277575 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AVIANCA_INSIGNIA-626-D-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Avianca's new Insignia business class\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AVIANCA_INSIGNIA-626-D-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AVIANCA_INSIGNIA-626-D-750x500.jpg 750w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AVIANCA_INSIGNIA-626-D-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AVIANCA_INSIGNIA-626-D-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AVIANCA_INSIGNIA-626-D-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AVIANCA_INSIGNIA-626-D-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><center><em>Credit: Avianca<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<h2><span id=\"Frontier_Expands_to_South_America\">Frontier Expands to South America<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Frontier is officially heading to South America. The <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/news.flyfrontier.com\/frontier-announces-major-international-expansion-with-first-ever-service-to-colombia\/\" rel=\"noopener\">low-cost carrier announced new routes<\/a> to the following Colombian cities from Orlando (MCO):<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Daily service to Medellin (MDE) with an introductory fare of $169<\/li>\n<li>Daily service to Bogota (BOG) with an introductory fare of $99<\/li>\n<li>Once-a-week service to Cartagena (CTG) with an introductory fare of $129<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These new routes will launch in December. To take advantage of the introductory fare, you can book by September 16 for travel from January 14 to April 5, 2027. Blackout dates from March 23 to March 30 apply.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, Volaris will <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rdu.com\/volaris-to-fly-nonstop-guadalajara-mexico\/\" rel=\"noopener\">launch a route<\/a> in October from Raleigh (RDU) to Guadalajara (GDL). As a lifelong North Carolinian, I'm always happy to have new ways to reach Mexico without a layover.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_268367\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"600\/480\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-268367 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Frontier-Airlines-Featured-Brandon-Karaca-Unsplash.png\" alt=\"Frontier Airlines A320 landing at ORD.\" width=\"600\" height=\"480\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Frontier-Airlines-Featured-Brandon-Karaca-Unsplash.png 1000w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Frontier-Airlines-Featured-Brandon-Karaca-Unsplash-750x600.png 750w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Frontier-Airlines-Featured-Brandon-Karaca-Unsplash-900x720.png 900w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Frontier-Airlines-Featured-Brandon-Karaca-Unsplash-768x614.png 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Frontier-Airlines-Featured-Brandon-Karaca-Unsplash-325x260.png 325w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><center><em>Credit: Brandon Karaca \/ Unsplash<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<h2><span id=\"Bottom_Line\">Bottom Line<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>This has been an exciting week of travel news. We've gotten used to reporting on loyalty program devaluations, sweet spots disappearing with no notice, or travel becoming more complicated. It's always a nice surprise when we get to report that an exciting new business class is on the way, you have more options to travel around the world, and you can hang out with your loved ones at the airport even if you don't have a ticket.<\/p>\n<p>Don't forget to read the travel news roundups from the past few weeks for any other news you might've missed:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Week of September 5:<\/strong> <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/travel-news-roundup-september-5-2026\/\" rel=\"noopener\">New Emirates Premium Economy, United's Upgraded App, Aeroplan Sweepstakes, and More<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Week of August 29:<\/strong> <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/travel-news-roundup-august-29-2026\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Targeted Status Match, New Lounge and Routes, 1 Million Point Sweepstakes, and More<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Week of August 22:<\/strong> <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/travel-news-roundup-august-22-2026\/\" rel=\"noopener\">New European Business Class, Instant Elite Status Opportunity, and More<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Week of August 17:<\/strong> <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/travel-news-roundup-august-17-2026\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Fake Wi-Fi Leads to Loyalty Account Lockdowns, New Entrant to Airline Lounges, and More<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"ftoc\"><div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"toc_light_blue no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Page Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#Delta_Updates_Earning_Structure_for_Aeromexico\">Delta Updates Earning Structure for Aeromexico<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Gateside_by_TSA_PreCheck\">Gateside by TSA PreCheck<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Avianca_Unveils_New_Business_Class\">Avianca Unveils New Business Class<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Frontier_Expands_to_South_America\">Frontier Expands to South America<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Bottom_Line\">Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Over the past couple of days, we&#8217;ve shared a ton of breaking news. In the middle of all the excitement, you might&#8217;ve missed some other announcements from the week. Here&#8217;s everything you should know, from a brand-new business class seat to the ability to access airport gates without purchasing a ticket.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":105,"featured_media":198050,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":null,"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"default","_twitter_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type":"default","_pinterest_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_instagram_share_type":"default","_medium_share_type":"default","_threads_share_type":"default","_google_business_share_type":"default","_selected_social_profile":[],"_wpsp_enable_custom_social_template":false,"_wpsp_social_scheduling":{"enabled":false,"datetime":null,"platforms":[],"status":"template_only","dateOption":"today","timeOption":"now","customDays":"","customHours":"","customDate":"","customTime":"","schedulingType":"absolute"},"_wpsp_active_default_template":true},"categories":[12069],"tags":[12775,12677,12726,12628],"coauthors":[36518],"class_list":["post-277525","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-avianca-lifemiles","tag-delta-airlines","tag-frontier-miles","tag-travel-experience"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/277525","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/105"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=277525"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/277525\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":277640,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/277525\/revisions\/277640"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/198050"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=277525"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=277525"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=277525"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=277525"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}