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From the Cockpit5 min read

The Feature I Almost Didn't Build (And Why I'm Glad I Did)

I spent three weeks debating whether to build a delay predictor. Here's the fork in the road, the tradeoff I almost got wrong, and what the data showed.

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MileIntel
June 27, 2026
Recent
62 articles
aerial view of a city by the water01Guide

How to Transfer Chase Points to Hyatt (Without Losing 25% After October 1)

Chase Sapphire Preferred's Hyatt transfer drops from 1:1 to 4:3 on October 1, 2026. Transfer now or lose 25% of your points' value — permanently.

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MileIntel
6 minJun 25
assorted-color dice on green surface02Analysis

Transfer Bonuses Worth Your Points: The Real CPP Math in 2026

Not all transfer bonuses are worth chasing. A 55% bonus to Marriott destroys $965 in value on 100k points, while a 30% Chase-to-Virgin deal unlocks ANA business class for 41,000 points. The math is here.

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MileIntel
6 minJun 24
aerial photography of green mountain beside body of water under white sky03News

Southwest's Hawaii Push Looks Like Spirit 2014. Here's What Happened Then.

Southwest adds BUR-HNL (Aug 4) and LAS-ITO (Aug 6) with fares from $153. But 6-hour flights on a short-haul carrier have a complicated history — and Rapid Rewards members should run the numbers first.

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MileIntel
7 minJun 23
a large swimming pool surrounded by palm trees04Analysis

Chase Sapphire Preferred Is Quietly Nerfing Hyatt. Here's What It Costs You.

Chase Sapphire Preferred just changed its Hyatt transfer ratio from 1:1 to 4:3, a 25% cut. The new perks don't cover it. Here's what Hyatt loyalists need to know before October 1.

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MileIntel
8 minJun 22
airplane parked near passenger pathway05Deals

The AMC-GAP Gift Card Sweet Spot, Ranked by Real Travel Value

AMC-GAP, FLX-FLX, RTK-RTK aren't sale fares. We break down what they actually are, and which real travel rewards strategies beat them on cents-per-point.

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MileIntel
6 minJun 21
a seat on a plane with a tablet on it06News

First Class Suites Are Shrinking to 6 Seats. Here's What It Costs You.

Qantas, Singapore, Lufthansa, Cathay, and Qatar are all launching new First Class suites in 2026–2027. The cabins are getting smaller and the award prices are rising. Here is the full picture.

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MileIntel
10 minJun 20
Luxurious hotel lobby with modern decor and large windows07Analysis

9 Transfer Bonuses Ranked by Real Value Delivered in 2026

Nine active transfer bonuses, ranked by actual cents-per-point value delivered — not headline percentage. The 55% Chase-Marriott offer destroys 45% of your point value.

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MileIntel
6 minJun 19
Jetblue airplane ascending into a clear blue sky08Guide

5 Things Smart Travelers Get Wrong About JetBlue Mint

JetBlue Mint fares run $650–$1,600 one-way on JFK–LAX. Before you book with points or pay for the Studio upgrade, read what most reviews miss.

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MileIntel
9 minJun 18
a couple of chairs sitting in front of a window09Analysis

Air India's SFO Lounge Is Quietly Arriving. Your Points Strategy Should Change.

Air India opened its first Maharaja Lounge outside India at SFO on May 23, 2026. The ground product is impressive. The loyalty math, however, strongly favors booking through United MileagePlus or KrisFlyer instead.

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MileIntel
7 minJun 15
black flat screen monitor displaying flights10Deals

Circle Trip Booking Methods, Ranked by Actual Value

Circle trips start and end at the same airport with stops in between. The math on when they beat separate one-ways — and which loyalty programs make them cheaper — is right here.

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MileIntel
10 minJun 14
a view of the wing of an airplane in the sky11From the Cockpit

She Had 180,000 Aeroplan Points. Then June 1st Happened.

A real user story about the Aeroplan devaluation, what MileIntel caught, and what we're still not fast enough to prevent.

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MileIntel
5 minJun 13
man in gray t-shirt sitting on window during daytime12Guide

How to Use Transfer Bonuses (Without Chasing the Highest Percentage)

A 55% transfer bonus to Marriott destroys value. A 25% bonus to Flying Blue can book Europe in economy for 15,000 points. The numbers explain why.

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MileIntel
9 minJun 11
white and blue passenger plane in flight13Analysis

United-American Merger Talk: The Loyalty Program Math in 2026

United CEO Scott Kirby wants a merger with American Airlines. Before you celebrate, run the loyalty math: MileagePlus miles are worth 1.3¢ vs. AAdvantage's 1.55¢. The gap matters.

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MileIntel
11 minJun 10
a large passenger jet flying through a cloudy sky14News

Delta's LAX-HKG Route Looks Like Delta 2018. Here's What Happened Then.

Delta launched daily LAX-HKG flights on June 6, 2026, pricing Delta One awards at 85,000 SkyMiles. The route looks attractive — until you check Delta's Hong Kong track record.

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MileIntel
8 minJun 9
a large cloud is in the sky above the land15Guide

Is Aeroplan Still Worth It in 2026 After the June Devaluation?

Aeroplan's June 2026 devaluation raised partner business class to Asia by 17% and first class to Europe by 20%. But 5 sweet spots survived intact — and one actually got cheaper.

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MileIntel
6 minJun 7
Boats and colorful buildings surround the turquoise water.16News

BermudAir's 14 New Routes Look Like Skybus 2007. Here's What Happened Then.

BermudAir just announced 14 new winter routes on 4 aircraft with zero loyalty program — and a recent airport-fee lawsuit settled via payment plan. The math deserves scrutiny.

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MileIntel
10 minJun 6
a large jetliner sitting on top of an airport runway17Analysis

The 777X vs A380 Long-Haul Trade-Off, Ranked

The 777X promises a better long-haul experience than the A380. We tested that claim across five dimensions: route access, cabin comfort, economy seat width, award strategy, and timeline.

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MileIntel
9 minJun 5
a close up of the nose of an airplane18Guide

Air Canada 787-9 Business Class in 2026: The 4-Step Optimal Booking Path

Aeroplan's June 2026 devaluation pushed transatlantic partner awards to 75,000 points. Avianca LifeMiles books the same seat for 63,000. A complete, step-by-step comparison.

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MileIntel
6 minJun 4
yellow Volkswagen van on road19Deals

5 Car Rental & IHG Redemption Mistakes Most People Make This Summer

Airline miles for car rentals yield as little as 0.5 cpp. The Pay Yourself Back loophole and IHG's 4th Night Free flip that math entirely. Here's what to do instead.

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MileIntel
8 minJun 3

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