The Gate

I flew as a passenger for 13 hours in seat 53E aboard an Airbus A350-900 airplane operated by Delta Air Lines on a Basic Economy fare, which is a middle seat. Considering that the cost to fly round trip between Las Vegas to Taipei with a stop in Seattle was the redemption of only 37,400 SkyMiles per person, I simply could not pass up this bargain... ...and as I... The post I Flew 13 Hours In Middle Seat 53E: Basic Economy Fare With Delta Air Lines Airbus A350-900 appeared first on The Gate.

Set on the idyllic southwestern part of Easter Island adjacent to the cerulean waters of the Pacific Ocean lies Rano Kau, which generally means “a large or wide volcano with an abundance of water” and is a natural phenomenon in and of itself — and although the sensation of vastness and tranquility will be interrupted only by the wind; the distant sound of the waves; and the occasional squawking of seabirds, concerns of an explosive eruption of hot molten lava is... The post Visiting The Largest

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery — especially when that imitation is of a successful entity — such as with Like Apple in Hue in Vietnam. What had me laughing when... The post Like Apple in Hue in Vietnam. Sunday Morning Photograph. appeared first on The Gate.

I was driving down a street one day recently when I arrived at an intersection — and I was not sure of what to do next. For this edition of this popular game, can you guess what... The post What Is Wrong With This Photograph? Part 347 appeared first on The Gate.

My first stay at a Mr & Mrs Smith hotel property occurred while I was at Viroth’s Villa in Siem Reap in Cambodia. The acquisition of the carefully curated and growing collection of greater than 1,500 boutique and luxury properties was officially announced by Hyatt Hotels Corporation on Friday, April 28, 2023 — which means that as a member of the World of Hyatt membership program, I can earn points for staying there. At its official Internet web site is the following paragraph... The post Viroth’

The drive between Queenstown and Milford Sound can consume almost four hours to drive fewer than 300 kilometers. Going to Milford Sound for the day from Queenstown is not impossible to do; but it can be quite a long day. Te Anau in New Zealand is a quaint town which is a popular place to stop for the night along the way. Te Anau is a town which is located on... The post Te Anau in New Zealand appeared first on The Gate.

One potentially fatal flaw is possible with the recent substantial changes to the United Airlines MileagePlus membership program which became effective as of yesterday, Thursday, April 3, 2026. That fatal flaw is... The post One Fatal Flaw With the New United Airlines MileagePlus Program appeared first on The Gate.

One senator of the United States outright demands that the removal of shoes at security checkpoints of airports throughout the United States return immediately, as a “new security vulnerability” has been created. The senator is... The post Senator Demands Return of Removal of Shoes at Airport Security Checkpoints appeared first on The Gate.

Sometimes you need an infusion of miles or points to your membership account for whatever reason — perhaps to have enough to redeem for a limited time award as one example — and the best time to purchase or gift miles or points is when they are on sale, as with this miles and points on sale for Friday, April 3, 2026. A sale may be a discount on the price required to purchase miles or points — or perhaps the frequent travel loyalty program from whom you are buying the miles or points will match y

On the ceiling in the passenger cabin aboard an airplane above a row seats in front of mine during a recent flight were two ports that were marked “Medical communications - crew use only”, which I personally had never seen before. The ports that are marked “Medical communications - crew use only” are... The post What Is “Medical communications – crew use only”? appeared first on The Gate.

You can earn 10,000 Radisson Rewards points for every stay with participating hotel properties of Spotlight Hotels — which is a curated selection of some of the most popular destinations of Radisson Hotels — through Monday, May 18, 2026... ...but you must... The post Earn 10,000 Radisson Rewards Points Per Stay With Spotlight Hotels appeared first on The Gate.

You can save 15% on award stays at new hotel properties with IHG One Rewards when you stay at your choice of 38 participating new or recently renovated hotel and resort properties of many of the brands of InterContinental Hotels Group worldwide through Wednesday, September 30, 2026... ...but you must... The post Save 15% On Award Stays at New Hotel Properties With IHG One Rewards appeared first on The Gate.

Passover began at sundown tonight, Wednesday, April 1, 2026 all around the world and lasts for eight days — except in Israel, where the holiday lasts for seven days. The holiday — which is also known in Hebrew as Pesach — is celebrated and observed by Jewish people worldwide on the date of the exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, which occurs on the fifteenth day of the Hebrew month of Nisan. Generally, no bread — or anything that contains grain that has fermented, which is known as c

Significant changes to the Air India Maharaja Club membership program are effective immediately as officially announced earlier today, Wednesday, April 1, 2026 — and these changes promise to deliver substantially greater value, flexibility, and recognition to members. The enhancements are shaped by insights gathered from greater than a year of active listening of feedback from members.... The post Significant Changes to Air India Maharaja Club Effective Immediately appeared first on The Gate.

You can earn 25,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points per stay with a minimum of four consecutive nights at participating Marriott International, Incorporated properties in Hawaii or Florida through Saturday, October 31, 2026 with Vacations by Marriott in addition to the points per dollar you would normally earn... ...but you must... The post Earn 25,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points Per Stay With Vacations by Marriott in Hawaii or Florida appeared first on The Gate.

I am likely heading back to Las Vegas in a few weeks; and during my research for the trip, I stumbled upon an all-inclusive experience that is now offered in Las Vegas by MGM Resorts International effective as of Monday, April 6, 2026. The All-Inclusive Experience includes... The post All-Inclusive Experience Now Offered in Las Vegas by MGM Resorts International. appeared first on The Gate.

You can save up to 35% on room rates at participating hotel and resort properties in India and Nepal with Radisson Rewards between Friday, May 1, 2026 and Tuesday, June 30, 2026, with rates as low as $37.89 per night... ...but you must... The post Save Up to 35% In India and Nepal With Radisson Rewards — Plus… appeared first on The Gate.

You may have already learned about the significant changes to the United Airlines MileagePlus membership program which will become effective as of Thursday, April 2, 2026 at midnight Central Daylight Time — so here is one last reminder of the details. First, tickets that are... The post Significant Changes to United Airlines MileagePlus Program Effective As of April 2 2026 appeared first on The Gate.

Marriott Bonvoy has officially collaborated in partnership with Uber since Spring of 2021, which allows Marriott Bonvoy members to earn points toward free nights at a minimum of 34 hotel brands in greater than 10,000 destinations worldwide when requesting select Uber rides and ordering food and groceries from eligible merchants on Uber Eats — and you can now earn 1,500 bonus points when you link your Marriott Bonvoy and Uber membership accounts... ...but you must... The post Earn 1,500 Bonus Poi

You can earn 3,000 bonus IHG One Rewards points when you join as a new member of the IHG One Rewards membership program by tomorrow, Tuesday, March 31, 2026 and complete your first stay within 21 days at any of greater than 6,000 participating hotel and resort properties worldwide... ...but you must... The post Earn 3,000 Bonus IHG One Rewards Points as a New Member appeared first on The Gate.