When to upgrade, Bag Fees go up, Karma catches up, Best Hotels in Bali

When Upgrading to Business doesn’t Make Sense

If you’ve ever wondered about the trade-offs between using points to upgrade 🦘to business class and booking a business class seat directly. Upgrading with points can be cheaper, but there's no guarantee you'll get the upgrade. Booking a business class seat confirms your spot. The points difference between upgrading and booking a seat can be minimal. Here’s a look from an Australian perspective. 🇦🇺

Baggage Fees Change (read, “go up”) in North America 

North American travelers planning trips this year face yet another cost increase, with American Airlines joining the trend of raising baggage fees. This news comes despite frequent flyers' preference for carry-on luggage. However, some consumer publications suggest this trend might not last. Regardless, airlines continue to rake in significant revenue from baggage fees, according to a report by IdeaWorksCompany (an airline revenue consultancy) and car rental firm CarTrawler. This number is poised to climb even higher with these recent fee increases. Here’s a summary.

Frequent Flyer provokes serious backlash after reporting flight attendant for alleged company policy violation.

We have a saying where I’m from, never mess with the person that fixes your car or serves your food. In this case - a frequent flyer snapped photos of flight attendants allegedly on personal phones while on duty. But when she publicly bragged about being rewarded 85,000 SkyMiles (or Skypesos as she called them) for reporting them on a Frequent Flyer Facebook group, she set herself up for more than she expected. It turns out that flight attendants stick up for each other worldwide, no matter who they work for. Many wrote 1-star reviews about her books, and Amazon had to close the ratings. Here are a few lessons to be learned: never underestimate a community's strength, and reaping the rewards by reporting people and then bragging about it is never in good form.

Best Hotels in Bali

Ok, we confess, we love Bali. (As you can probably tell from our Pacific.Tips shot.) Bali boasts a staggering 4,300 hotels, making choosing the perfect one a challenge. But fear not, even basic options here are stunning! Picture dreamy views and creative designs crafted from bamboo and volcanic rock. From hidden jungle gems near Ubud to cliffside villas in Uluwatu and beachside havens lining the Seminyak to Kuta coast, Bali offers something for everyone. But some hotels truly rise above the rest, boasting exceptional locations, impeccable service, or unique amenities. There are a ton of fantastic hotels there, and so many options. This article from Conde Nast is a fun read on a Friday as you dream about your holiday. (The article has affiliate links, but they don’t belong to us).