• 💳 Credit Card News: Bank of America leaks Flying Blue card changes—elite status earning just got significantly faster

• 🚨 Hot Opportunity: Citi Strata Elite approvals rolling out fast with 100,000 points and $2,500+ first-year value

• ✈️ Airline Safety: United cockpit voice recorder reveals union coaching pilot not to speak after Houston runway incident

• 🛫 Route News: JSX eyes turboprop expansion to Silicon Valley and Southern California markets

Estimated read time: 5 minutes and 30 seconds

Sometimes the best news comes from mistakes.

Bank of America apparently couldn't wait to share some exciting changes to its Air France-KLM Flying Blue credit card—accidentally revealing them before the official announcement. The leak shows meaningful improvements that make elite status far more accessible through credit card spend.

Meanwhile, readers continue getting approved for the Citi Strata Elite card at an impressive rate, locking in 100,000 points plus a stack of credits that make the first year exceptionally valuable.

Which SkyTeam airline credit card just accidentally leaked major elite status earning improvements?

🇺🇸 Delta SkyMiles

🇫🇷 Air France-KLM Flying Blue

🇰🇷 Korean Air

🇨🇳 China Eastern

The answer is waiting for you near the bottom... keep scrolling.👇

Bank of America tipped its hand early on a revamped Air France-KLM Flying Blue credit card, and the changes are genuinely impressive for anyone eyeing elite status with the Franco-Dutch carrier.

The $89 annual fee stays put, but the elite experience point (XP) earning structure just got turbocharged. Under the new structure, cardholders earn bonus XPs at a significantly faster rate, making Silver, Gold, and even Platinum status far more reachable through everyday spending.

Existing cardholders will automatically get the enhanced earning structure in March 2026—no action required. The updated XP bonuses meaningfully accelerate the path to elite status, particularly for cardholders who put significant spend on the card throughout the year.

This is especially valuable given Flying Blue's extensive SkyTeam network. Elite status benefits extend across Delta, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic, and other partners—making this a potentially strategic card for anyone who frequently flies SkyTeam carriers.

For all our Flying Blue coverage, including award sweet spots and redemption strategies, check out our dedicated tag page.

Readers continue reporting instant approvals for the Citi Strata Elite card, and it's not hard to see why this one's generating buzz. The math on first-year value is genuinely compelling.

The 100,000-point welcome bonus is just the beginning. Stack in travel credits, retail perks, and relatively easy eligibility rules, and you're looking at over $2,500 in first-year value—rare territory for premium cards.

Unlike some premium cards that require pristine credit histories or specific income thresholds, Citi appears to be casting a wider net with the Strata Elite. Readers with good—not perfect—credit scores are reporting approvals, sometimes instantly.

The credits are what seal the deal: you're getting multiple statement credits across travel, dining, and retail categories that actually make sense to use. No jumping through hoops to extract value—just straightforward benefits that offset the annual fee and then some.

For more on the Citi Strata Elite and how it compares to other premium cards, we've got comprehensive coverage on our tag page.

A United Airlines 737 MAX ran off the runway after landing in Houston, and the newly released incident report includes cockpit voice recorder audio that raises uncomfortable questions about priorities in the immediate aftermath.

In the recording, the captain calls the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) while passengers are still evacuating and is told not to "say another word," then coached on what to do next.

The 737 MAX departed the paved surface after landing at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport. While no serious injuries were reported, the incident triggered a standard investigation that included pulling the cockpit voice recorder.

What investigators found on that recording is generating discussion in aviation circles: the captain's first call wasn't to coordinate passenger safety or airline operations—it was to the union for legal guidance. The ALPA representative immediately instructed the pilot not to speak further and provided specific next steps for self-protection.

This isn't technically improper—pilots have the right to legal representation. But the optics of calling a lawyer before ensuring all passengers are safely off the aircraft raises questions about how quickly self-preservation can take priority in critical moments.

The investigation continues, and United has not publicly commented on the cockpit voice recorder contents.

Semiprivate charter carrier JSX has a new fleet of turboprop planes and a clear vision for where to deploy them: Silicon Valley to Southern California.

The carrier's top executive specifically mentioned potential flights between San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) and Santa Monica Airport (SMO)—a route that would bypass LAX entirely and save Northern California tech workers significant time.

JSX's model targets business travelers willing to pay a premium for convenience: smaller airports, minimal security lines, and direct routes that major carriers won't touch. The turboprops open up airports that can't handle larger jets, creating unique route possibilities.

The San Jose-Santa Monica route makes perfect sense for their target demographic. Tech executives and venture capitalists constantly shuttle between the Bay Area and LA, and Santa Monica Airport puts them significantly closer to West LA and Malibu than LAX ever could.

No timeline has been announced for the new routes, but JSX's leadership made it clear: they know exactly where they want to fly these planes.

The answer: 🇫🇷 Air France-KLM Flying Blue

Bank of America accidentally leaked major updates to the Flying Blue credit card, revealing significantly enhanced elite experience point earning that makes status much easier to achieve through card spend. The $89 annual fee stays the same while the path to Silver, Gold, and Platinum status gets meaningfully faster.

Do you currently hold any airline co-branded credit cards for status benefits, or do you prefer transferable points programs? I'm curious about your strategy—hit reply and let me know! I read every response and genuinely love hearing how you all approach this.

That's all for today, my friends. See you tomorrow with more miles, points, and travel news!

Before we wrap up, I wanted to share some timely opportunities I've been tracking (courtesy of our friends at AwardTravelFinder). These deals won't last long, so let's dive in.

Airline programs:

Hotel programs: