• ✈️ Airline Alert: SAS pilots attempt takeoff from Brussels taxiway, reach 120+ mph before aborting

• 🏨 Hotel Win: World of Hyatt card bonus advertised as 5 nights actually delivers 7 with smart strategy

• ✈️ American News: A319 retrofit adds first class seats but flight attendants now sit on lavatory doors

• 💳 Card Alert: Amex Platinum bonus unchanged but spending requirement jumps 50% to $12,000

I woke up to some wild news in my inbox this morning.

A Scandinavian Airlines crew in Brussels came terrifyingly close to disaster yesterday. But before we get to that near-catastrophe, there's actually some surprisingly good news in the hotel world that's worth your immediate attention.

Which airline just announced a new transatlantic route to Porto, Portugal, launching in mid-2027?

A) 🇺🇸 United Airlines

B) 🇺🇸 Delta Air Lines

C) 🇺🇸 American Airlines

D) 🇬🇧 British Airways

The answer is chillin' near the bottom of today's newsletter... keep scrolling. 👇

Here's something that caught my eye: World of Hyatt is advertising their current card bonus as 5 free nights. But when you actually do the math on what you're earning, you wind up with 7 nights at Category 1-4 properties.

This is one of those situations where the marketing undersells what you're actually getting. Let me break down why this works out better than advertised.

The current offer gives you bonus points after hitting spending thresholds. But here's what they're not shouting about: completing that spend automatically triggers the card's annual free night certificate (good at Category 1-4 properties). That's night number 6.

Plus, the points you earn from meeting the spending requirement? There are enough points there for one more award night at a Category 1-4 property. That brings you to 7 total nights.

For anyone looking to maximize hotel points, this is legitimately one of the best Hyatt card bonuses we've seen in years. Category 1-4 properties include solid options in major cities and vacation destinations - not just budget properties in secondary markets.

Now for the story that made me do a double-take this morning: Two Scandinavian Airlines pilots accelerated to 107 knots (about 123 mph) on a taxiway at Brussels Airport yesterday.

Let me be clear: they were supposed to be on a runway. Instead, they lined up on a taxiway and began their takeoff roll.

The incident happened yesterday, February 5th, on SAS flight SK2590 from Brussels to Copenhagen. The crew somehow confused the taxiway with the runway and started accelerating. By the time they aborted, they'd reached 107 knots - well past the point where most takeoff decisions are made.

This is terrifying for multiple reasons. Taxiways aren't built to the same specifications as runways. They're narrower, they might have obstacles nearby, and other aircraft could be crossing. If you've ever wondered why pilots do such thorough runway checks before takeoff, this is exactly why.

The good news: everyone is safe. The crew aborted the takeoff, and the flight eventually operated (presumably after some intense conversations with both the pilots and Brussels air traffic control).

Speaking of things that make you pause, American Airlines is rolling out a retrofit on their Airbus A319 fleet that's... well, it's something.

The airline is adding more first class seats, which sounds great. But to make room, they're shrinking economy legroom and installing flight attendant jump seats directly on lavatory doors.

American announced this retrofit plan back in March 2024. The first retrofitted aircraft is expected to enter service soon, and it's going to add an extra row of first class seats to the A319s.

Here's the trade-off: economy passengers lose legroom (exact measurements haven't been released yet), and flight attendants get jump seats mounted on bathroom doors. Yes, you read that correctly - crew members will sit on lavatory door panels during takeoff and landing.

There is one silver lining during the transition: American will load extra first class award inventory on these planes while they're being retrofitted. If you've been hunting for first class award space on American's narrow-body fleet, now might be your window.

For more on American's fleet updates, we've got ongoing coverage as these changes roll out.

While we're talking about American Airlines, they made an unusual announcement yesterday: a new route to Porto, Portugal... launching in mid-2027.

The timing here is odd. Airlines don't usually announce routes more than a year out unless there's a specific reason - and in this case, that reason is likely the new Airbus A321XLR aircraft that will operate the route.

American will fly daily seasonal service between Philadelphia and Porto starting in summer 2027. The exact dates haven't been announced yet, but this will be American's first-ever service to the coastal Portuguese city.

Porto is known for port wine, stunning architecture along the Douro River, and being significantly less touristy than Lisbon. It's a solid addition to American's European network, especially for AAdvantage members looking for new redemption options.

The A321XLR (extra long range) is a game-changer for routes like this - it lets airlines operate thinner transatlantic routes that wouldn't make sense with larger aircraft. Expect to see more secondary European cities added as these planes enter service.

Here's an update that's going to frustrate some people: American Express just changed the welcome offer on the consumer Platinum card. The bonus itself is unchanged, but the minimum spend requirement jumped 50% from $8,000 to $12,000.

Same points. More spending. That's a pretty significant change, especially for folks who were planning to hit that bonus with everyday spend rather than manufactured spending techniques.

The $12,000 requirement puts the Amex Platinum more in line with some premium business cards, which makes sense given the card's $695 annual fee and extensive benefits. But it's definitely a higher bar for new applicants to clear.

If you've been on the fence about applying for the Platinum card, this change means you'll need a solid spending plan before pulling the trigger. The good news? The card's benefits - lounge access, hotel status, statement credits - can easily justify the annual fee if you use them strategically.

A few other stories that crossed my desk today:

Tampa Airport announced that its new Airside D terminal will open in 2029, with Delta as the primary tenant. The new concourse will include two lounges and expand the airport's capacity significantly. If you're a Tampa-based Delta flyer, this should dramatically improve your airport experience.

United Airlines removed a passenger after he confronted an off-duty employee who was allegedly rude to his hearing-impaired wife. Video from the incident shows the situation escalating quickly, with the man eventually being asked to leave the aircraft. It's a messy situation with no clear winner, but it's another reminder that conflicts with crew members - even off-duty ones - rarely end well for passengers.

The answer is C) American Airlines. They announced yesterday that they'll launch service from Philadelphia to Porto, Portugal in summer 2027, operated by their new Airbus A321XLR aircraft.

Have you ever stayed at a Hyatt property using points? I'm curious which Category 1-4 hotels you think offer the best value. Hit reply and let me know - I read every response and love getting recommendations from readers!

That's all for today - see you tomorrow with more!

Looking to redeem your points? Here's what's available right now:

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