Author
Lisa Chen
Senior Travel Writer · Former airline ticketing agent
Lisa Chen
Senior Travel Writer · Former airline ticketing agent
I spent 10+ years inside the airline business — first on a revenue-management desk at a major US carrier, then on a consolidator ticketing desk where I wrote premium-cabin contracts no one outside the industry ever sees. Now I write about how US travelers can actually get what they're paying for: which business-class products are worth the money, which fare classes to avoid, when consolidator pricing beats the airline's published website, and which airline-loyalty moves are still worth your time. I'll tell you when a deal isn't really a deal. No affiliate filler, no "the 7 things you need to know" listicles. Just plain English from someone who's ticketed more PNRs than she can count.
Schedule Change Refunds: When Airlines Owe You a Free Rebook (and When They Don't)
Since October 2024, the DOT's automatic-refund rule sets a hard floor on schedule-change refunds: 3 hours domestic, 6 hours international, no questions asked. Here's what changed and what each US carrier still does differently.
Read article →Istanbul for US Travelers: When to Go, Where to Stay, and What It Costs
Turkish Airlines flies nonstop from nine US airports, fares dip to the low $600s in shoulder months, and Istanbul rewards a full week far more than the typical stopover treatment.
Read article →New York to Cape Town: Cheapest Months, Best Airlines, and the Joburg Trap
United's nonstop EWR-CPT is roughly 15 hours southbound and the only year-round direct from the New York area. Here's how to price it, when to book, and when a Joburg connection is actually faster than it looks.
Read article →Positioning Flights: How Starting Your Trip in Another City Can Save Hundreds
A separate cheap ticket to a hub plus a separate international fare from that hub often beats the through-fare from your home airport by $300 to $2,000. Here's when the positioning math works and when it doesn't.
Read article →ANA's 'The Room' Business Class on the 777-300ER: An Honest Review
ANA's flagship business class suite is roughly 38 inches wide with a sliding door, putting it closer to first class than most rivals' business product. Here's what's actually worth the fuss and what isn't.
Read article →Award Ticket Fuel Surcharges: Which Airlines Charge Them and Which Don't
A 'free' business class award can come with $1,200 in fuel surcharges, or $43, depending on which loyalty program you book through. Here's the breakdown.
Read article →Bangkok for US Travelers: When to Fly, Where to Land, What It Costs
Bangkok has two airports, no nonstop from the US, and a price curve that swings 3x across the year. Here's the framework for booking the trip without overpaying.
Read article →Miami to Madrid: Cheapest Months and Best Airlines in 2026
MIA to MAD is one of the few transatlantic routes still served daily by three different carriers. Here's when to fly, who to book, and where the real fare floor sits.
Read article →Overbooked and Bumped: What Denied Boarding Compensation Is Actually Worth
Airlines still overbook, and they still bump passengers. Here's what a bump is worth in 2026, how to negotiate it, and what the DOT actually requires your airline to pay.
Read article →Multi-City Tickets vs Round-Trip: When Splitting Your Itinerary Saves Hundreds
Round-trip is the default for a reason, but it isn't always cheaper. Here's when a multi-city or split-ticket booking actually wins, with the math and the traps.
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