Sunday, February 9

If you're traveling to, from or through the Northeast today, there are plenty of canceled flights thanks to last night's big storm. So far, BOS, JFK, LGA, EWR, YYZ and PHL are leading the way in that particular misery. Hartford, Connecticut is close behind and I hear from my siblings that my hometown of South Norwalk received over four inches. It looks like the Mid-Atlantic is going to get a similar storm on Tuesday and Wednesday so take advantage of the travel waivers. See below.
❄️ East Coast Winter Weather
Travel dates: February 9, 2025
This travel waiver allows for voluntary changes for travel to, from or through the airports listed.

😬 Fear of flying
Ever since the DC plane crash and now Bering Air, I'm hearing a lot of people expressing worry about getting on a plane. One traveler recorded an American Airlines pilot assuring passengers that he has "no higher calling than carefully and professionally transporting you today.” Another passenger shared on social that an "American Airlines pilot came out of the cockpit before takeoff to make his announcements acknowledging that people might be scared after the horrible accident in DC. He lost two friends on the crew and wanted to assure us that we are flying in the safest time in aviation history. Such a gift for the nervous folks on this flight! ✈️"
I can relate since I not only used to be afraid to fly but to leave the house. I wrote an article last week with advice for coping with a fear of flying after D.C. plane crash and in that story, I linked to a very personal story I wrote a while ago about how I overcame my own fear of flying. I hope my story helps you or your loved ones to cope with this terrifying fear.

🏈 Super Bowl LIX
On a lighter note, the Super Bowl is today in New Orleans. I've been fortunate to go to two big games including the best one of all in time (IMHO). I was also in New Orleans for another Super Bowl's pre-festivities but I didn't attend the game since using miles wasn't an available option the following days, and I didn't have a lot of money to spend 20+ years ago. Instead, I took off just as the game was starting and ended up sitting next to a rocker from a major band who had played at a pre-game party. He was awesome and we talked most of the flight until he passed out from drinking seven (7!) vodka tonics.
Regarding today's game: I'm a NY Giants fan so it's hard to root for the Eagles but I do love Saquon Barkley (a former Giant) and I'm sick of the KC Chiefs always winning. So ... Fly Eagles, fly.
☕ Free Starbucks tomorrow
Good news for Starbucks Rewards members in the U.S. as they can stop in a store for a free tall (12 fl. oz.) hot or iced brewed coffee any time on Starbucks Monday. Just apply the Starbucks Monday coupon in the Starbucks app prior to placing your order when using the order ahead feature in the app, or let your barista know you’re redeeming your Starbucks Monday coupon when ordering in the store or in the drive-thru. Not a member? Join Starbucks Rewards by signing up by 11:59 p.m. PT today to get your Starbucks Monday coupon in the app.
📰 Travel news, tips and videos
There's a lot of travel news, tips and video again this week so be sure to scroll down to see it all, including the story about protecting your phone from snatchers.

In this issue:

✈️ Today's Travel Outlook

As of 8:55am PT, there have been 385 canceled flights to, from or within the United States and 1,866 delayed. Here's a link to the up-to-date stats and a live look at the FAA's National Airspace System Status. Here's what to do during weather delays and flight cancellations.

🧭 Travel Products of the Week

💺 Monday

8 hacks for getting the best coach seat on a plane
If you have econophobia like me, then you definitely dread getting stuck in a middle seat or in the back of the plane. I don't know many people, except for my late father (he loved to talk to strangers), who like getting stuck between two strangers. Here’s how to get the best coach seat possible.

✈️ Tuesday

Did you know? The hidden trick to lifting an aisle seat armrest on an airplane
My family and I recently flew from Fiji to Australia and when I needed to use the lavatory, I simply flipped up my aisle seat armrest and was able to slide out without having to find a place for my food or fold up my tray table. My wife Natalie, sitting across the aisle from me, asked how I had managed to do it because she said her armrest wouldn’t budge. Little did she know that it actually does.

🏨Wednesday

Airbnb host sends falsely accused guest $625 bill: Here’s how to avoid getting scammed
Last night, I came across a very interesting post on social media. The caption on the post read: “We were scammed by Airbnb hosts in Paris." Here's the whole story and how to prevent this from happening to you.

🚗 Thursday

A former car rental executive shares her best tips
Yesterday’s travel tip was about making a recording of your Airbnb when you arrive and check out. That reminded me of one of the many tips a former car rental executive shared with me when I interviewed her for my podcast. Here's the story with her top car rental tips.

😮 Friday

This airline charges $68 to print a boarding pass at the airport: Why checking the fine print is crucial for travelers
Like many Americans, I’m researching a summer trip to Europe and I’m following my own advice to not only price out all different modes of transportation, but to look up baggage and other fees that may be charged. In my travel guide, 17 ways to find the cheapest flights, I advised: “Stay away from low-cost carriers … When you do a flight search, don’t just grab the cheapest fare you see, especially from a low-cost carrier (LCC) because it could end up costing you much more than you think.” This couldn’t be more true for European budget carriers. Here's what you need to know.

🛫 Saturday

Great two-for-one deal across the pond in lie-flat seats
If you’re looking to pull off an unforgettable gift or life experience for yourself or someone special this Valentine’s Day, then you need to check out this amazing offer. Plus, you don’t have to fly in the next couple of weeks. It’s valid for most of 2025. Here's the deal.
FYI: The photo above was taken by Flytographer. Here's why a Flytographer photo shoot makes the perfect souvenir when you travel (and Valentine's Day gift!). Use promo code JOHNNYJET50 for a $50 discount until March 1st, 2025 for first-time customers. Book your shoot or buy a gift card here.

📺 Travel Videos of the Week

🌎 Top 12 Travel Stories of the Week

1 Wreckage of missing commuter Alaska plane found with no survivors, Coast Guard says
2 FAA to slow arrivals at Reagan National Airport to reduce risks after crash
3 Trump blames 'obsolete' U.S. air traffic control system for the plane-chopper collision near D.C.
4 Black Hawk helicopter in D.C. plane crash had a safety system off, senator says
5 Greece declares state of emergency on Santorini following quakes
6 Heavy weekend snow and ice will hit swath of Midwest and Northeast
7 Man accused of inappropriately touching teen on Boston flight, prosecutors say she took photos
8 Super Bowl ticket prices take sudden dip 48 hours before Chiefs-Eagles showdown in New Orleans
9 Flu levels now highest since 2009 pandemic, CDC reports
10 These airlines are using Apple AirTags to help reunite passengers with lost luggage
11 Japan Airlines Boeing 787 that struck the tail of parked Delta jet at SEA airport.
12 37 live beetles concealed as Japanese snacks seized at LAX
Read it all here as well as the 84 other top travel news stories from this past week!

✅ Currency Exchange

✅ Calendar Countdown

✈️ Miles and Points

💳 What points transfer to American Airlines miles?
American Airlines is one of the world’s largest airlines that serves just about every destination across the world. As it’s easy to redeem travel miles for award flights, you may try to transfer points to American Airlines to put them to good use and to stop your travel miles from expiring. But what points transfer to American Airlines? Here's what you need to know.
💳 5 reasons why the Bilt Card is worth it
The Bilt World Elite Mastercard continues to be the best way to pay rent with a card as you can earn 1 point per dollar in rent payments without fees. However, if you have a high monthly payment, you can reach the previous $50,000 annual earning cap before year-end. Thankfully, the annual Bilt points cap is being lifted so you can earn more points on rent. Here are 5 of the best reasons the Bilt Card is worth it.