Alberto Riva

New York

Editor at Upgraded Points

Editor and Journalist at Freelance

Journalist, New Yorker, Milanese. Ex Vice News, CNN, Bloomberg. Into mountains & airplanes.

Articles

The Airline News You May Have Missed — 1st Week of May 2025

1 week ago | upgradedpoints.com | Alberto Riva

In this week’s roundup of airline-related stories from the past 7 days that didn’t get their own article, we look at more quarterly results from airlines, plus changes from United, Lufthansa, and Virgin. Let’s jump in. United Airlines is betting that more passengers want daytime flights from the U.S. East Coast to London than the usual overnight, eastbound crossings of the Atlantic.
American Airlines' New Flagship Suites Will Debut on June 5

1 week ago | upgradedpoints.com | Alberto Riva

We finally have a date for the debut of American Airlines’ Flagship Suites, the carrier’s new long-haul business class. After a 3-year wait since the product was announced, American has announced that the first flight will go on sale next week and take off next month. Here’s everything we know about the much-anticipated debut of the new top offering by American Airlines. The new American Airlines business class, Flagship Suites, is finally here.
How To Earn and Use Delta Global Upgrade Certificates

1 week ago | upgradedpoints.com | Alberto Riva

One of the best benefits of Delta SkyMiles Diamond Medallion status is the ability to choose Global Upgrade Certificates. These certificates are a handy way to get a near-guaranteed upgrade to the class above the one you purchased anywhere Delta flies. However, using them isn’t always intuitive. To make Global Upgrade Certificates work successfully, it pays to know what they are, what they get you, and when they should be deployed for maximum effect.
Cardless Removes Rule Limiting Customers to Just 1 Credit Card

1 week ago | upgradedpoints.com | Alberto Riva

U.S. fintech company Cardless, which only began issuing credit cards a few years ago, has changed a rule that annoyed many applicants and points and miles collectors. Cardless has finally decided to scrap the prohibition on having more than 1 card per lifetime. There are still some rules to follow when applying for a card issued by Cardless, though. Let’s take a look at what’s changed.
Chase and Instacart Add Benefits to More Credit Cards

1 week ago | upgradedpoints.com | Alberto Riva

Beginning May 1, 2025, eligible Chase cardholders will receive bonus Instacart benefits through December 31, 2027. For people who prefer grocery delivery, the new benefits can help offset the annual fees on eligible cards. Let’s look at what the new Chase and Instacart benefits are, and whether they make sense for you.
Southwest Is Testing Free Inflight Wi-Fi

1 week ago | upgradedpoints.com | Alberto Riva

Southwest Airlines is trying out free Wi-Fi on some flights during the first week of May. Let’s see what this major, and welcome, development entails. Southwest passengers know that Wi-Fi costs $8 per flight. But now, there’s a development that may change that. As reported by ATX Jetsetter, Southwest has emailed passengers scheduled to take some selected flights to let them know that they will have free Wi-Fi from May 1 until May 5.
Gulf Air Is Ready to Launch Flights From Bahrain to JFK

2 weeks ago | upgradedpoints.com | Alberto Riva

Gulf Air, the flag carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, is about to launch nonstop flights from the Bahraini capital, Manama (BAH), to New York-JFK. The new service will be the first direct flight from Bahrain to the U.S. in almost 30 years. It also signals Gulf Air’s ambition to recoup at least some of the clout it had when it was the dominant airline in the Gulf region, before the rise of Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways.
The Airline News You May Have Missed — 4th Week of April 2025

2 weeks ago | upgradedpoints.com | Alberto Riva

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Lifemiles Award Rates to Europe Are Back to Lower Levels

2 weeks ago | upgradedpoints.com | Alberto Riva

LifeMiles, the loyalty program of Colombia-based Avianca, recently made award travel on partner airlines more expensive to some destinations, after devaluing its miles in 2024. But now, in an unexpected development, some of those award prices are back down to levels seen before the latest hike this year. This is good news for travelers between the U.S. and Europe, which is where we’re seeing those lower award rates. Elsewhere, the number of LifeMiles required hasn’t changed.
Bilt Expands Into Student Housing, Introduces Paying Student Loans With Points

3 weeks ago | flipboard.com | Alberto Riva

3 hours agoAfter nearly a decade of unprecedented taxpayer spending on homelessness with little to show in improvement on the streets, the giant nonprofits behind the measures that secured that funding asked voters to double down. To assuage concerns that past funds may have been dispensed rashly, leading to …