Frequent Miler

Last month, we reported about booking Air France and KLM flights through Virgin Atlantic by using the airline’s chat feature. Within a couple of days, readers started reporting that they were being told that Virgin Atlantic had a known problem booking Air France and Virgin Atlantic flights and those bookings would be unavailable until July 9th. We received one reader success report around the 9th, but then more recently readers have been told that Air France and KLM bookings would be unavailable until “the start of August” — and Virgin Atlantic has added messaging to its website to reflect the same.

Virgin Flying Club can’t book awards on Air France or KLM; “Expected” to work again at “the start” of August 2024

Hilton has a weird hybrid approach to free night awards. Like IHG, they no longer publicly assign hotels to categories and can therefore dynamically price award nights. But, really, they don’t. They do dynamically (over) price premium rooms, but not standard rooms. Behind the scenes, they maintain a categorization and assign standard room award prices to each property (or to each category… or something). They seem to also maintain an internal peak/off-peak type of approach in that some properties have different standard award prices at different times of year. Due to category-ish award pricing, it’s possible to get outsized value from Hilton points when cash prices are high compared to their relatively fixed award costs. That’s the good news.

What are Hilton points worth?

New Boston, TX

I wrote this review using JetBlue’s free wifi while aboard an Airbus A321neo flying from London Gatwick to Boston. My wife and I bought economy tickets and used Move to Mint certificates to upgrade (we had these thanks to a very generous but short lived status match from Delta last year).

JetBlue Mint Airbus A321neo Review London to Boston

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The Shy Green

Salt Life Beer, a beloved brand synonymous with ocean enthusiasts and craft beer lovers, is facing turbulent times as it files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Known for its crisp and refreshing lager inspired by the sea, Salt Life Beer has become a staple for those who cherish the ocean's allure.

Another famous beer brand is going bankrupt and will file for Chapter 11

Chicago, IL

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Foodie in Chicago

Shortly before 3 AM, people in the Chicago area may have felt their houses shake as a 3.4-magnitude earthquake occurred about 60 miles west of the city. (CHICAGO) The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 3.4-magnitude earthquake around Somonauk, IL. Somonauk is in DeKalb and LaSalle Counties, 64 miles west of Chicago.

Did You Feel the Earthquake?

Lancaster County, PA

NewsByJoshua

Fans of Frisco's Chicken were left reeling as the beloved Peruvian-style eatery announced the closure of all its locations in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The chain, known for its delicious food and strong community values, posted a heartfelt note on its doors, informing customers of the devastating news.

Favorite Chicken Chain Suddenly Closes All Stores, Heartfelt Message Found on Doors

New York City, NY

Cheryl E Preston

Yesterday was the third time this year that an ad stating Chelsea Clinton lives in a beautiful Virginia home popped up on my laptop. My computer did not warn me this was a dangerous site, so this time, I clicked on the link.

Chelsea Clinton is rumored to be living in Virginia but probably still in NYC

Denver, CO

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David Heitz

A dangerous drug that is being mixed into fentanyl is causing those who inject it to develop a rash of sores that resembles a case of flesh-eating bacteria. People experiencing homelessness around Denver can sometimes be seen with these bloody, weeping wounds. I recently mentioned this phenomenon to a fentanyl user who told me about the xylazine connection.

Denver homeless people suffer sores as xylazine enters fentanyl supply

Indiana State

Franklin, IN

A wave of closures is hitting Pizza Hut, a pizza chain known for its iconic slanted-roof buildings, with 6,775 locations feeling the pinch in the tough restaurant industry landscape.

A well-known pizza chain with over 6K locations has begun closing some of its stores

Wyoming State

WyoFile

Caitlin Tan wanted to breed her childhood horse, JP, because she’s been “amazing” — the type of animal any equestrian would be lucky to have once in a lifetime. Having access to coveted bloodlines increased the allure. Via the Miller Ranch, she could pair her 18-year-old mare with a stud descendent of Playboy’s Buck Fever.

Cream of the crop: a cremello foal is born in Wyoming

Savannah, GA

Daily Coffee Press

Newly returned indictments in the Southern District of Georgia include felony charges for illegal firearms possession and drug distribution, while additional defendants have been sentenced to federal prison or await further proceedings after pleading guilty to federal gun charges.

Federal Charges in Southern GA: Indictments and Sentences for Firearms and Drug Offenses

Hesperia, CA

Victorville, CA

The HD Post

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY – A new study by Apartment List, published June 20, found that Hesperia, Apple Valley and Victorville ranked in the top 10 nationally for super commuters.

High Desert cities rank in the top 10 nationally for super commuters

Virginia State

In Virginia, Drinking in public or offering another person alcohol in a public space is prohibited. This is a class 4 Misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $250.00. Under a new law that goes into effect on July 1, this will change to a degree.WDBJ7 reports that the prohibition on drinking or offering an alcoholic beverage to someone else in public will no longer apply under the following conditions.

Drinking in public will no longer be prohibited on private Campgrounds in Virginia beginning July 1

Missouri State

Fulton, MO

CJ Coombs

Updated on July 17, 2024, concerning two of the missing children listed below. Bringing them home: for 40 years, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has been helping to locate missing children.

Seven teenagers have been missing in Missouri since June 2024

The scenes between General Hospital cast members Eden McCoy (Joss Jacks) and Evan Hofer ( Dex Heller) are filled with so much chemistry that some fans believed the couple was dating offscreen.

General Hospital's Eden McCoy is dating actor Jonathan Heit and not her onscreen love Evan Hofer

Kentucky State

Northern Kentucky Tribune

Kentucky’s Community Actions Partnerships have announced the starts date for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Summer Subsidy, aimed at helping Kentucky households offset summer cooling costs.

LIHEAP Summer Subsidy program to help with summer cooling costs to begin enrollment July 16

Total Apex Sports & Entertainment

I don’t know about you but summer is definitely my favorite season and I am definitely a sun worshipper. Living in the Pacific Northwest, we do not see enough of it so when it is here, that is where you will find me. Everything I do I do outside when the sun is out and the weather is warm. I wonder who else feels this way. I wonder what Zodiac Signs love the Sunshine. Want to find out? Let’s do a little research.

3 Zodiac Signs Who Love Sunshine

Do you believe in genuine friendship? Finding a loyal and reliable friend is tricky nowadays. Many people are two-faced and like using their loved ones’ weaknesses to attack them.

5 Zodiac Signs That Make The Best Friends

Massachusetts State

Camilo Díaz

(MA) Meet Winks, an adorable and incredibly strong puppy with a heartbreaking origin. Winks was found unmoving on the side of a road with severe injuries. He had several very infected wounds and was barely holding on when his rescuers rushed him to the vet. Once there, x-rays revealed the horrifying truth that Winks had been shot numerous times around his face and neck. These injuries resulted in him having his eye removed. Despite that, Winks has made a miraculous and full recovery. He certainly does not let his handicap slow him down at his new foster home. Winks was truly given a second chance at life, and now all he needs is a family to call his own.

10-Month-Old Dog Who Was Hit In Face Several Times Now Searching For Family

Hertz has repeatedly earned itself negative publicity over the past couple of years. Unfortunately, they are at it again. After previously reducing the expiration timeline for points from needing activity once every 18 months to once every 12 months, Miles Talk reports on a new restriction that came from Hertz via email today: now points expire 5 years after they are earned, regardless of activity. That’s a huge bummer that is no doubt tough to track and designed to create even more breakage in a system that’s already of marginal value at best.

Hertz expiration policy now hurts even more

NewsBreak

Earn 1,000 Hilton Honors points when flying Delta premium cabins

Earn 1,000 Hilton Honors bonus points per one-way premium cabin flight on Delta (up to a maximum of 6,000 Hilton Honors points) Applies to Comfort+, Premium...

Earn 1,000 Hilton Honors points when flying Delta premium cabins

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