In early 2026, Bilt rolled out massive changes. This includes a new portfolio of three credit cards — the no annual fee Bilt Blue Card (learn more), $95 annual fee Bilt Obsidian Card (learn more), and $495 Bilt Palladium Card (learn more) — plus a new system for paying rent and mortgages (read my Bilt credit card review & comparison) ( Rates & Fees ).
One Mile at a Time•Ben Schlappig21 AugIn early 2026, Bilt rolled out massive changes. This includes a new portfolio of three credit cards — the no annual fee Bilt Blue Card (learn more), $95 annual fee Bilt Obsidian Card (learn more), and $495 Bilt Palladium Card (learn more) — plus a new system for paying rent and mortgages (read my Bilt credit card review & comparison) ( Rates & Fees ).
One Mile at a Time•Ben Schlappig21 Aug
This is the start of our new Community Stories series, where readers can submit their own stories, and they'll appear in the Reader-Stories section of the site. Learn more about community stories and our new features .
One Mile at a Time•studentFlyer21 Aug
Bilt and Blacklane have just formally launched a partnership. With this, we’re seeing the Blacklane booking platform integrated into the Bilt app. On top of that, you can now redeem Bilt Cash, and earn Bilt bonus points, for Blacklane rides.
One Mile at a Time•Ben Schlappig21 Aug
Small business credit cards are incredibly competitive nowadays, and there are amazing cards for every kind of consumer. The Chase Ink Business card portfolio is known for being excellent, though one card in the collection is talked about less than the others.
One Mile at a Time•Ben Schlappig21 Aug
Here’s a topic that I think makes for a fun, updated discussion — what are your favorite places that you’ve traveled to? It’s a question that I’m often asked, but struggle to answer. That’s not because I never leave the airport (contrary to what some people may believe), but rather because I have a hard time picking some destinations over others. Let me explain.
One Mile at a Time•Ben Schlappig21 Aug
Airlines have carry-on allowances, and often they can be ridiculously low. While researching something related to Air Cte dIvoire (as one does), I stumbled upon what I’m convinced is the world’s most generous carry-on allowance… by a long shot! I feel like I almost have to fly this airline just to drag 80 pounds worth of stuff onto the plane.
One Mile at a Time•Ben Schlappig21 Aug
I spend more nights in airport hotels than I’d care to admit. Over the years, I’ve developed some strong preferences, and I tend to have pretty polarizing takes on them. I love some airport hotels so much that I’d almost want to vacation at them (purely for aviation geek reasons), while there are plenty I just wouldn’t return to.
One Mile at a Time•Ben Schlappig21 AugI spend more nights in airport hotels than I’d care to admit. Over the years, I’ve developed some strong preferences, and I tend to have pretty polarizing takes on them. I love some airport hotels so much that I’d almost want to vacation at them (purely for aviation geek reasons), while there are plenty I just wouldn’t return to.
One Mile at a Time•Ben Schlappig21 Aug
The Amex Offers programfrequently has promotions for hotel stays, which can save you money or earn you bonus points for stays youd make anyway. Amex has just rolled out its latest targeted hotel offer, which can add value on an upcoming stay with luxury hotel group Peninsula. This is a repeat of an offer we saw during the same period last year.
One Mile at a Time•Ben Schlappig21 Aug
Looking for an InKind referral code? New InKind users can get $25 off their first dining experience of $50 or more when they sign up through a referral link. Through August 31, 2026, there’s also a limited time referral promotion, where the person making the referral can earn $50 off a future dining experience, rather than the standard $25.
One Mile at a Time•Ben Schlappig20 Aug
Every so often I see a frequent flyer express frustration online about not receiving a free upgrade to an empty premium seat. Some airlines have published complimentary upgrade programs, but I’m referring to situations where an upgrade isn’t a perk of elite status.
One Mile at a Time•Ben Schlappig20 Aug
Best Western has just brought back a great promotion for buying gift cards, which could be worth it for anyone who stays at Best Western properties with any frequency, as flagged by Frequent Miler.
One Mile at a Time•Ben Schlappig20 Aug
In late 2024, we saw Qatar Airways equip its first aircraft with Starlink connectivity. At the time, this made the oneworld carrier one of the first in the world to introduce this.
One Mile at a Time•Ben Schlappig20 Aug
JetBlue TrueBlue has rolled out its newest promotion on purchased points, as the program has gotten much more aggressive with these sales in recent times. With this, members can purchase points with up to a 120% bonus, which is an opportunity to acquire points for as little as 1.47 cents each.
One Mile at a Time•Ben Schlappig20 Aug
Through September 30, 2026, if you join Rakuten through a qualifying referral link and spend $50 within the first 90 days, you’ll receive a $50 bonus. The person referring you can also receive $50. This is a best-ever offer for my favorite online shopping portal, given that you can earn Amex Membership Rewards points or Bilt Rewards points with it at a favorable rate.
One Mile at a Time•Ben Schlappig20 Aug
During my Four Seasons Yacht via Turkmenistan and Saudi Arabia adventure, I had a very long layover at Delhi Airport (DEL), prior to my Air India 777 first class flight. This allowed me to check out several lounges, including the new Air India Maharaja Lounge, which opened in early 2026.
One Mile at a Time•Ben Schlappig20 Aug
During my Four Seasons Yacht via Turkmenistan and Saudi Arabia adventure, I had a very long layover at Delhi Airport (DEL), prior to my Air India 777 first class flight. This allowed me to check out several lounges, including the new Air India Maharaja Lounge, which opened in early 2026.
One Mile at a Time•Ben Schlappig20 Aug
Alaska Airlines has just unveiled plans to launch two new routes to Europe in the summer of 2027, as the airline will fly to both Athens, Greece, and Paris, France. This builds on the carrier’s recent expansion, as it tries to turn its main hub airport into a global gateway.
One Mile at a Time•Ben Schlappig20 Aug
Some passengers on an ultra long haul United Airlines flight from South Africa to the United States got a little more communication from the pilots than they were expecting, as one pilot reportedly transmitted over the PA what ”f**king morons” the flight attendants are. Thanks to PYOK for flagging this.
One Mile at a Time•Ben Schlappig20 Aug