Flight Buzz
Turn Business Travel Into Free Flights With These 3 Cards

It’s always nice when your business gives something back — and what’s better than free travel?
A friend of mine owns a local restaurant and charges nearly all of his business purchases to the right credit card. Over time, he’s banked more than a million airline miles. And he uses them to fly him (and sometimes his close friends) to Hawaii a couple times a year.
If you want your business spending to earn travel rewards that actually feel rewarding, here are three standout credit cards worth checking out.
1. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for luxury travel
If you’re regularly flying for business and want VIP treatment, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is a powerhouse. I held the personal version of this Platinum card for a few years and loved all the perks.
You’ll earn 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com, and 1.5X points on purchases at US construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year (terms apply). This adds up fast if you’re spending on big business needs.
The real magic, though, is in how those Amex Membership Rewards points can be used. You can transfer them to 17 airline partners, which potentially gets higher redemption values (terms apply).
On top of that, it includes airline fee credits, lounge access, and hotel elite status (terms apply) — all perks that make business travel more comfortable. It’s not cheap, with a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees). But if you fly often, this business travel card earns its keep quickly.
2. The New United℠ Business Card: Best airline cobranded card
If you’re loyal to United (or even if you’re just looking for an easy way to earn airline miles on business spending) The New United℠ Business Card (see rates and fees) is a smart and affordable pick.
The welcome offer is a huge draw. You can earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months. That’s a huge head start toward free flights! And easily enough for a couple of domestic round trips, or a bigger redemption like snagging an international upgrade.
While you spend, you’ll also earn 2X miles on United® purchases, dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting, plus 1X on all other purchases. The earning categories fit perfectly with typical business expenses, making it easy to build up miles just by running your business as usual.
Even with a modest $150 annual fee, you’ll get travel perks that punch above their weight. You’ll receive a free first checked bag on United flights, priority boarding, and two United Club lounge passes every year. Those benefits alone can easily offset the card’s cost, especially if you fly United a few times a year.
3. Sapphire Reserve for Business℠: Best for large spending
This newly launched Chase card is designed for business owners who want high-end travel perks and powerful rewards.
The Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees) has more than $2,500 in annual value through travel credits, memberships, and other business benefits. Way more than enough to offset the $795 annual fee if you use the perks.
You’ll earn 8x points on Chase Travel℠ for airline tickets, hotels, including The Edit℠, car rentals, cruises, activities and tours, 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27, 4x points on flights & hotels booked direct, 3x points on social media & search engine advertising, and 1x on everything else.
Those points can go even further when you redeem through Chase’s new Points Boost offers, or transfer them to airline and hotel partners like United, Southwest, and Hyatt.
If your business already spends heavily on travel or advertising, this card can turn those expenses into serious travel rewards.
Which one suits your business?
The right card depends on how your business spends and how you like to travel.
- If you’re constantly flying and value lounge access, hotel upgrades, and transferable points, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express gets you a luxury experience with strong mileage potential.
- If you’re a regular United flyer that appreciates a modest annual fee, but several great travel perks, The New United℠ Business Card is a great fit. Take advantage of a free first checked bag on flights, priority boarding, and a huge welcome offer.
- For bigger spenders — especially on travel or ads — the Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ offers huge earning potential and over $2,500 in annual value. It’s ideal if you want high-end rewards and don’t mind a higher fee.
Whichever you choose, your everyday business expenses could be the key to your next free flight.
Flight Buzz
Flights Delayed at Mumbai Airport After Network Outage, Air India Issues Travel Advisory

Air India has warned of possible delays at Mumbai airport after a network outage disrupted check-in systems, while heavy rain delayed over 300 flights in Delhi. The airline also raised its pilot retirement age to 65 years.
Air India on Saturday warned passengers about possible delays at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport after a third-party data network outage disrupted check-in systems. The issue affected departures for several airlines, including Air India. The outage has now been resolved, but the airline said some flights may still be delayed as operations return to normal. Passengers have been advised to check flight statuses before travelling to the airport. The disruption came during the busy Raksha Bandhan weekend, when passenger traffic is higher than usual.
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Heavy rainfall delays flights at Delhi airport
Meanwhile, at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, more than 300 flights were delayed on Saturday because of heavy rain. According to officials, there were no diversions, but some cancellations occurred. Delhi airport handles about 1,300 flights a day, and Flightradar24 data showed average departure delays of 17 minutes.
Air India raises pilot retirement age
In another development, Air India has increased the retirement age for its pilots from 58 to 65 years and for non-flying staff from 58 to 60 years. The change was announced by CEO and MD Campbell Wilson during a town hall meeting. The decision brings Air India in line with retirement norms at the former Vistara airline, which merged with Air India in November 2024. Many pilots already had their service extended to 65 years, as allowed by India’s aviation regulator, DGCA.
Air India employs about 24,000 people, including 3,600 pilots and 9,500 cabin crew members. It is still unclear whether the retirement age for cabin crew will also change.
Flight Buzz
Mumbai Airport: Technical glitch disrupts check-in systems, several flights delayed

Although the affected systems have now been restored, Air India reported that some of its services continued to face delays as operations gradually returned to normal.
Also read | Delhi rains: Airlines issue travel advisory at Delhi Airport amid flight delays, cancellations
The airline said, “A third-party data network outage had impacted check-in systems at Mumbai airport, thereby delaying flight departures of airlines, including Air India. The systems have since been restored, however, some of our flights may continue to be affected for some time as the situation normalises progressively.”
#TravelAdvisory
A third-party data network outage had impacted check-in systems at Mumbai airport, thereby delaying flight departures of airlines, including Air India. The systems have since been restored, however, some of our flights may continue to be affected for some time as…
— Air India (@airindia) August 9, 2025
In response to a passenger’s concern, Mumbai airport authorities confirmed the issue and stated that emergency protocols were immediately put into effect to manage the disruption. The airport posted a message on X saying, “We would like to inform you that we’re currently facing a network failure across the airport. We’ve activated contingencies and are working on resolving the issue with our core team. We’re operating in manual mode to minimize disruptions. We appreciate your patience in this regard. Team CSMIA.”
The incident led to a temporary switch to manual check-in procedures as teams worked to resolve the network failure. While normal operations have resumed, passengers were advised to stay updated with their respective airlines for real-time information regarding their flights.
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
Flight Buzz
Japan’s Summer Holiday Travel Rush: Now Bullet Trains and Flights to Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Okinawa Fully Booked

Published on
August 9, 2025 |
Japan’s summer travel surge is here, and it’s feeling hot literally and figuratively. Trains and planes to Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka are sold out. Families are reuniting, tourists are sightseeing, and everybody is moving, moving, moving. Long check-in lines, crammed concourses, and sold-out flights tell you this season is all systems go.
Last Saturday, JR Tokyo Station buzzed loud. Every Nozomi shinkansen seat zooming to Nagoya, Osaka, and Fukuoka disappeared. Travelers formed long queues for unreserved seats on other lines, turning platforms into crowded waiting zones. Doesn’t stop there: expressway bumper-to-bumper jams sent drivers cursing. Many ducked into waiting rooms and concourses, seeking A/C relief from the summer furnace.
Full Train Services to Major Destinations
Travelers really flooded the shinkansen lines this week, racing to grab seats for the busiest trains. At JR Tokyo Station, we watched the platforms fill up with people carrying luggage, all bound for the Kansai area—Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, and so on—as well as for Kyushu, where Fukuoka is the main stop.
Traveling for Festivals and Family Trips
Summer holidays in Japan are marked by various cultural events and festivals. In Kochi Prefecture, western Japan, the Yosakoi dance festival attracts many travelers each year. Despite the forecast predicting rain, participants remain hopeful for an enjoyable and memorable experience. The Yosakoi dance festival is just one of many cultural events that draw visitors from across Japan during the summer months, showcasing traditional performances and local festivities.
Challenges with Train and Flight Bookings
Demand for shinkansen rides keeps soaring, but bumps in service have happened. A glitch in the E8-series shinkansen trains last June cut back the direct runs between Tokyo and Yamagata Prefecture. Regular trips finally got back on track at the start of this month. Train companies have asked travelers to pick different dates to ease the crowd since seats are still flying off the shelves. On Saturday morning, the Tokaido Shinkansen showed nearly every seat was sold out, leaving walk-up passengers in the lurch.
Full Flights to Okinawa and Other Domestic Destinations
In addition to the high demand for trains, flights from Tokyo’s Haneda and Narita airports were also fully booked, particularly on routes to Okinawa Prefecture in southern Japan. The opening of the new theme park, Junglia Okinawa, has added to the growing popularity of this southern island destination. Both All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL) reported fully booked flights to Okinawa, with travelers eager to experience the theme park and the island’s beautiful beaches and cultural offerings.
Flights departing from Narita Airport also saw strong demand, as travelers sought to escape to destinations around the country and overseas. These increased bookings are indicative of the continued rebound in domestic and international travel, as many people are eager to make the most of the summer holidays after years of pandemic-related travel restrictions.
The Economic Impact of the Summer Travel Rush
Summer travel season is huge for Japan’s transport system. We depend on both home and overseas visitors. Packed train stations and airports tell you how much this period matters for the economy. Families, tourists, and business folks are all on the move. But the crowds put pressure on trains and planes, making delays more likely. It shows we must keep managing the country’s rail and air networks as efficiently as ever.
For travel agents and airlines, full platforms and long lines mean we must push for early bookings and smart plans. That way, clients get the seats and times they want. These busy weeks test us, but they also create new chances for the tourism business in Japan.
Looking Ahead to the Rest of the Summer Travel Season
With summer holiday travel ramping up, Japan’s trains and flights are set to get even busier, particularly as we near the peak travel days. Interest in almost every major domestic spot Okinawa, Fukuoka, and Hokkaido, for instance stays strong, so travelers are encouraged to secure their tickets as soon as they can to sidestep the sellouts. Rail and airport companies are keeping a close eye on passenger numbers, rolling out extra services when they can, and making sure the famously reliable transport system runs without a hitch.
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