This week on Landings and Layovers, we cover everything from government-mandated flight chaos to one of the boldest hotel promotions ever attempted.

Marty breaks down the recent air traffic control disruptions, what travelers are actually entitled to when flights get canceled, and how airline agreements affect your rerouting options.

Then we're joined by Sten Christiansen, an attorney by day, elite-status traveler by night, who spent roughly $35,000 flying around the world to stay at 40 different hotel brands in one summer… and won a $200,000 prize in the process.

From ordering 25 cheeseburgers to hit minimum spend requirements to flying nine hours for a single hotel night, this is a masterclass in loyalty strategy, risk tolerance, and pure travel insanity.

We also wrap with this week's Fare of the Week (DFW & major US cities to Riyadh under $900 roundtrip) and our Acronym of the Week: ATCSCC.

In this reflective year-end wrap-up, Marty and Matthew talk through everything 2025 threw at travelers—from new airline plays and loyalty shakeups to surprise wins, frustrating fare rules, and the gear that saved our sanity. It's equal parts therapy session and future-facing strategy sesh. We don't just look back—we take notes so you don't have to.

📌 In This Episode:

• The single most chaotic moment in travel this year

• What airlines did right (and what they absolutely didn't)

• Our top gear and apps of the year

• What loyalty programs got worse (and which ones still deliver)

• Why we think 2026 will be the "Year of the Savvy Traveler"

• Listener wins, fails, and shout-outs

📣 Bonus Tip:
Want our end-of-year roundup cheat sheet? Check the blog post that goes with this episode:

Let's Keep the Conversation Going:
Drop your 2025 travel win (or horror story) in the comments. We might feature it in a future episode.
Tag us @LandingsAndLayovers or use #SmartTravelStartsHere.

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From free suite upgrades to turning daily spending into first-class flights, this episode is a crash course in making luxury travel accessible — even on a budget.

This week's Fare of the Week (powered by Notiflyr.com):
Roundtrip flights from major U.S. cities (Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, LA, Miami, NYC, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington D.C.) to European hubs like Amsterdam, Athens, Paris, Prague, and Zurich for $430–$500 on SAS Airlines.

• Travel window: September 2025 – May 2026

• Includes food and drink, but basic economy rules apply (limited baggage)

• Elite SkyTeam members (Delta, Air France, KLM) get added perks like free bags

💡 Pro tip: Book early — these fares will not last.

We unpack Etihad's latest promotion:

• 5 million miles for the first person to visit all 15 new destinations

• Milestone prizes: 25K miles (5 destinations) or 100K miles (10 destinations)

• Messy rules, unclear leaderboard, and potential passport headaches (hello, Russia)

Is it worth chasing? Marty and Matt debate the value — and whether it beats Turkish Airlines' or JetBlue's recent promos.

Guest: Ben Komenkul — founder of Hotel Secrets Masterclass and Airline Points Academy. He's traveled the world mastering points and loyalty programs, helping thousands turn modest budgets into unforgettable experiences.

• How Ben went from La Quinta loyalty to Hyatt globalist (and why you shouldn't chase every status tier at once)

• When earning points beats redeeming them

• The secret to scoring upgrades without breaking the bank

• Why bringing your own pillow might be the best travel hack you've never tried

• How to use hotel-branded credit cards and loyalty tiers strategically (plus why Hyatt and Marriott aren't equal)

• Focus on one program — lifetime status beats juggling low-tier loyalty

• Check the fine print — not all vouchers work the same (or transfer to others)

• Free agent? Sign up for the program anyway — those points add up

• Book first, confirm later — great deals vanish fast; you can always cancel within 24 hours

• AwardWallet – Track points and expiration dates across programs

• FlightAware – Real-time flight tracking (know delays before the airline does)

• CardPointers – Optimize credit card perks and benefits automatically

• TripIt – Organize itineraries in one app

We're kicking off a new segment breaking down aviation acronyms. This week: ACARS — Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System. Think of it as an old-school text messaging system for pilots and ground crews… still used today.

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#HotelLoyalty #TravelHacks #MileagePromotions #LuxuryOnPoints #LandingsAndLayovers #AwardTravel #SASAirlinesDeals #EtihadChallenge #BenKomenkul