Three hundred planes. That's how many Southwest jets are getting Starlink WiFi by the end of this year.

After years of unreliable connectivity that made Southwest nearly unflyable for anyone trying to work in the air, the airline is finally catching up to the competition. But that's just the beginning of today's stories.

United is quietly giving away elite status with credit cards, Amex just killed a popular Delta card workaround, and we've got fleet news that'll reshape long-haul travel in 2030. Let's dive in.

Which airline just announced plans to add Starlink WiFi to over 300 aircraft by the end of 2026?

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

Southwest Airlines dominates airports across the country, but for years, one problem has kept productivity-minded travelers away: abysmal WiFi. That's about to change dramatically.

The airline announced this week it's rapidly rolling out Starlink satellite internet across more than 300 aircraft by the end of 2026. This isn't a minor upgrade - it's the same technology that's making waves across the industry, promising internet speeds in the air that rival your home network.

Southwest's current WiFi system has been notoriously unreliable. Dropped connections, slow speeds, and frequent outages made it nearly impossible to get any real work done during flights. Even after the airline made WiFi free for all passengers three months ago, the value proposition remained weak.

Starlink changes everything. Early reports from other airlines using the technology show consistent speeds capable of handling video calls, large file uploads, and streaming - all the things that were previously pipe dreams at 35,000 feet.

For frequent flyers who've been avoiding Southwest specifically because of connectivity issues, this is the news that could bring them back. And since Southwest already offers free WiFi (unlike competitors who charge $8-$10 per flight), the value proposition becomes even stronger once Starlink is installed.

Want to check WiFi availability before you book? Use SeatWifi to see which planes have the new technology installed as the rollout progresses.

Here's something I never thought I'd write: United Airlines is giving away elite status. Not as a status challenge. Not through a match. Just... giving it away.

United is quietly pairing Silver elite status directly with targeted credit card offers - a dramatic departure from how airlines have traditionally approached frequent flyer perks. This breaks decades of industry precedent.

United Silver isn't the airline's top tier, but it's far from worthless. You get:

Free checked bags, priority boarding, complimentary Economy Plus seating, and the ability to earn Premier Qualifying Points faster toward higher status tiers. For anyone who flies United even occasionally, these perks add up quickly.

The bigger story here isn't just about Silver status. It's about what this signals for the future of airline loyalty programs. If bundling elite status with credit cards becomes the norm, we could see a fundamental shift in how perks are distributed across the industry.

These are targeted offers, so they won't appear for everyone. But if you've been considering a United credit card and receive an offer that includes status, it's worth serious consideration.

American Express just slammed the door on a popular workaround that let Delta credit cardholders turn hotel booking credits into cash. And they're not just preventing it going forward - they're actively clawing back statement credits from cardmembers who used it.

Many Delta Amex cards include annual hotel credits - statement credits that post when you book hotels through specific channels. The workaround was simple: book a refundable hotel, receive the statement credit, then cancel the reservation and pocket the refund.

It was technically against the terms (these credits are meant to incentivize actual hotel stays), but enforcement was lax. Until now.

Amex is now reversing statement credits for cardmembers who cancel hotel bookings after receiving the credit. If you've used this strategy recently, check your statements - you may see charges appearing to reverse those credits.

The lesson? Credit card benefits exist within specific terms and conditions. When companies decide to enforce them more strictly, there's little recourse. Use benefits as intended, and you'll avoid unpleasant surprises.

Looking ahead to 2030, Air Canada just announced an order for up to 16 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft - eight firm orders plus eight options, with deliveries starting in the second half of 2030.

The A350-1000 is the stretched version of Airbus's ultra-long-range widebody, and it's becoming the aircraft of choice for premium international routes. With better fuel efficiency and passenger comfort than older widebodies, these planes will likely feature Air Canada's best business and premium economy products.

For points and miles enthusiasts, this matters. New aircraft orders often signal route expansion - Air Canada is clearly planning to grow its long-haul network significantly by the end of the decade. That means more award availability and potentially new destinations that weren't previously served.

Air Canada's Aeroplan program remains one of the most valuable Star Alliance loyalty programs, especially for booking premium cabin travel. If you've been accumulating points, these new planes could open up exciting redemption opportunities in four years.

EVA Air is adding a new North American destination: Washington Dulles. Starting June 26, 2026, the Taiwanese carrier will operate flights between Taipei and IAD using Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

This will be EVA Air's longest flight to date, and it fills an important gap. Washington D.C. is a major Star Alliance hub (thanks to United's significant presence), and adding another Star Alliance carrier creates more award availability and routing options.

For anyone booking award travel to Asia, EVA Air is known for excellent service and competitive award pricing through Star Alliance partners. The new Dulles route opens up one-stop connections to dozens of U.S. cities through United's domestic network.

If you're searching for award availability to Taiwan, Award Travel Finder tracks EVA Air availability across all Star Alliance programs, making it easy to find the best redemption rates.

Which airline just announced plans to add Starlink WiFi to over 300 aircraft by the end of 2026?

🟧 Southwest Airlines is the answer! The airline is rapidly deploying Starlink's satellite internet technology across its fleet, promising speeds that rival home internet connections. It's a massive upgrade from their notoriously unreliable current WiFi system.

Hit reply and let me know - I read every response and love hearing which factors matter most when you're choosing which airline to fly!

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

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