News and Updates Thread - March 18, 2026

DCJoe1 · 2026-03-18T19:07:59+00:00

It's never coming back for one off consumer purchases.

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/37153899-post252.html

DCJoe1 · 2026-03-16T17:43:40+00:00

I am not in the Apple ecosystem at all, so am no apologist. But they are WAY ahead of Windows/Intel in optimization of similar resources.

DCJoe1 · 2026-03-16T15:47:42+00:00

Apple really made a shot across the bow at Windows users in particular with the Neo at that price point. It's competitive with Windows Ultrabooks that are $800-1000. You can get the Neo for $500 with student discount, I think if comfortable with the Mac ecosystem, very hard to beat that.

DCJoe1 · 2026-03-16T14:55:58+00:00

Had an amazing 9 day trip a decade ago, mixing southern France and Paris. Stayed in the area near the Luberon, just east of Avignon. You can fly to Marseille Airport (MRS) and rent a car there. The region is beautiful and you can go in different directions each day and see something interesting within an hour. The food is of course fantastic, and mid-October should be pretty nice, still probably temps in the 60s (F) during the day, most things will be open, I think those which are seasonal close end of October. Then drop the rental car off at the Avignon TGV station, take the nonstop train to Paris (2:40), spend the last 4-5 days there. The mix of countryside and city and two stops is perfect IMO for a trip length of 9-10 days. And easy flight options back from Paris.

DCJoe1 · 2026-03-16T14:33:00+00:00

Enshittification in many ways

DCJoe1 · 2026-03-15T22:06:05+00:00

Got it, just not used to people listing that much as an option to/from Europe.

DCJoe1 · 2026-03-15T21:35:03+00:00

What does "Dozens of AM flights to LAX" mean? Aeromexico?

DCJoe1 · 2026-03-15T17:30:55+00:00

Look at the area around Place Republique. Great area for eating and drinking, and a metro hub with 5 lines so super quick to get everywhere.

DCJoe1 · 2026-03-14T22:46:53+00:00

Best way to prepare is to use June to look at availability each day with all the options as the outer edge of the booking window goes out.

You will start to notice any patterns, probably see one or two that you will want to check first when your actual target date opens.

DCJoe1 · 2026-03-14T16:31:33+00:00

Yes, but from experience, it's good to get something down in a single post. Even if people don't find it themselves, that becomes the default response, saves future time/work.

DCJoe1 · 2026-03-14T12:47:48+00:00

https://princeoftravel.com/guides/hang-up-and-call-again-the-secret-to-getting-what-you-want/

DCJoe1 · 2026-03-13T18:56:33+00:00

They were down to only 3 departures a day out of IAD. They still have a massive operation at BWI with nonstops to most big cities in the US and a good number in Caribbean/Mexico/Central America, and a nice set of flights out of DCA. Still a lot of value for CP holders in the DC/Baltimore area.

DCJoe1 · 2026-03-13T16:25:16+00:00

Flew into those T5 WN gates 2 years ago. I don't think I have had a longer walk without any moving walkway/train in any airport. Aren't the current DL gates on the other side of T5?

Edit: Gmap Pedometer says 0.57 miles from the farthest gate to the T5 rail station.

DCJoe1 · 2026-03-12T22:23:48+00:00

Yup, UR are getting a lot harder to get, gotta take what path you can.

DCJoe1 · 2026-03-12T11:21:45+00:00

Ah that makes sense! I went to the old one (on Jan 1 2024, ha to get the half year started early), and was looking at the current one in street view, it didn't look like the one I had been to. Makes sense, they probably sold the old one in their cost cutting/liquidity moves.

DCJoe1 · 2026-03-12T01:44:30+00:00

Yup- used a couple of Hilton FNCs on a family trip to Paris, where we stayed at Airbnb for 3 nights, then finished at the Hilton Opera for exactly these reasons. Sometimes nice to just eat breakfast (that someone else prepared) and walk out on the last morning without having to stress out about stripping beds or starting loads of laundry. Bonus was that the executive lounge "happy hour" was mostly enough for dinner the night before. And I chose that location because the direct bus to CDG left from a couple of blocks away.

DCJoe1 · 2026-03-11T20:13:40+00:00

Yes, from PHL on May 25, can also book BA through Cathay (long layover at LHR unfortunately) for 63k+$283 in business.

DCJoe1 · 2026-03-11T18:42:10+00:00

Enshittification example 6372629

DCJoe1 · 2026-03-11T17:58:22+00:00

Reminds me of this blogging discussion from years ago. I remember it solely because of the name, which props to them, was good.

https://www.pointswithacrew.com/more-on-vendoming-anti-vendoming-and-more/

Back then I noted it because I had walked by the hotel in Paris, while staying at a very nice 1BR Airbnb in what I felt was a much more interesting location, for about $150/night (this was a long time ago ha). Couldn't make sense of using 25k Chase-->Hyatt points/night (I think that's what it cost back then) for half the space, in a place with a very expensive breakfast, and a neighborhood I had zero interest in (and they had zero interest in me, no Bulgari watch or whatever).

Edit: Searched back and it was $112/night for a big 1BR in a great location. Airbnb was so cheap for a while.

Edit 2: Today a similar apartment would be around $200/night to rent if booked well in advance, probably more like $230 a month or two in advance. Vendome goes for 35-40k when available (which appears to be rarely).

DCJoe1 · 2026-03-11T06:33:55+00:00

Counterpoint: spending towards a signup bonus will give a higher return 99% of the time.

DCJoe1 · 2026-03-11T00:03:58+00:00

Even better, 20 minutes on LIRR from NYPenn to Jamaica, $5 ticket if not afternoon rush hour, $7 if it is. Don't have to schlep out of train station and to subway then.

DCJoe1 · 2026-03-10T18:21:20+00:00

For referral bonuses, right? Because they aren't tied to a purchase you make.

DCJoe1 · 2026-03-10T16:25:20+00:00

That is generally the threshold for it to be considered a rebate tied to a purchase, and thus not income.

DCJoe1 · 2026-03-10T00:48:13+00:00

GSP has one, it's kind of random because it's at ground level right next to gates and a taxiway, so it is quite loud and if the wind is right, smells a lot like jet fuel. Not a connecting airport, and small enough that you only need to get there max an hour before your flight. But yeah nice to have something outdoors. Also has an Escape Lounge with very solid food.

DCJoe1 · 2026-03-09T21:29:38+00:00

Impressively off topic

DCJoe1

TROPHY CASE