Sponsored by
Good morning. Friday is the new Tuesday for booking flights, Emirates is rolling out a first-of-its-kind travel protection perk, and dressing well may still help score an upgrade.
FEATURED BOARDING
There's a New Cheapest Day to Book Flights
There's a new cheapest day to book flights — and it's not Tuesday. Expedia's 2026 Air Hacks Report found Friday now beats midweek for the best international fares, since business travelers head home early in the week and leave more deals for leisure flyers. Tuesday remains the cheapest (and least crowded) day to actually fly domestically, while Sunday is the priciest day to do either. Timing by month matters too: August is now the cheapest month for international travel, with fares running roughly 29% lower than December, while January brings the best deals on domestic flights as post-holiday demand cools off.
Why it matters: Decades of "book on Tuesday" advice just got flipped. Shifting your booking habits to Fridays, your flights to Tuesdays, and your big international trip to August could mean real savings without changing where you actually want to go.
TRAVEL SMARTER
Want a Free Upgrade? It Starts Before You Board
Want a free upgrade? Flight attendants say it starts before you board. Skip the sweatpants — go "smart but understated": tailored trousers, a blazer or wrap dress, polished sneakers or leather shoes. Crew describe it as looking "like you travel often," since gate agents and crew often have a say in who gets bumped up when a seat opens. Stretchy, wrinkle-resistant fabrics like ponte knit or tech chino let you stay comfortable without looking like you rolled out of bed.
Why it matters: Upgrades aren't only about miles or status — appearance still factors into the decision, and a few wardrobe swaps cost nothing but can quietly boost your odds of a better seat.
TOUR DE HEADLINES
Emirates launches first-of-its-kind Dubai travel insurance. The airline now offers the world's first comprehensive policy covering conflict-related disruptions for passengers flying to or through Dubai — including free rebooking on other airlines and a 30-day trip extension. Etihad is following with free health insurance for international arrivals in Abu Dhabi, available July through December.
JetBlue pulls back in Newark and LaGuardia. The airline is closing its flight attendant and tech bases at both airports this fall, shifting focus to its profitable Fort Lauderdale hub. No layoffs expected — staff can transfer. South Florida expansion stays a priority as JetBlue works through rising fuel costs.
Riyadh Air cleared for US flights. Saudi Arabia's newest airline won approval to fly to and from the US, with Delta-partnered nonstop service from Atlanta starting in October. The carrier aims for 100+ international destinations by 2030; current routes include Cairo, Dubai, Jeddah, Madrid, and Manchester.
POINTS & MILES
This $95 Travel Card Just Became Harder to Ignore
Chase has refreshed its popular Sapphire Preferred Card, adding several new perks without increasing its $95 annual fee.
What's new:
$100 annual hotel credit on eligible Chase bookings (up from $50)
3x points on gas and EV charging purchases
3x points on Airbnb and Vrbo stays
Up to $120 toward Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS every four years
Enhanced emergency evacuation and transportation coverage
One complimentary year of Apple TV+ (activation required)
There are some trade-offs—Hyatt transfer rates are being reduced and the 10% anniversary bonus is going away—but most casual travelers are unlikely to notice.
Why it matters: The new hotel credit alone can offset the card's annual fee, making the Sapphire Preferred an even stronger option for travelers who take one or two trips a year.
You can apply here.
Bad news is good business. We never bought in.
Every morning, financial news follows the same script. Headlines panic, coverage catastrophises, and somewhere inside the noise is the story that actually matters — the one that tells you where the opportunity sits, not just where the fear is pointing.
Most sources have stopped looking. The alarm is easier to sell.
The Daily Upside was created by Wall Street insiders for readers who crave real insight over recycled anxiety. Five minutes of global business and finance, before the noise sets the agenda — just the facts, context, and analysis your decisions need.
Join 1M readers — including managing directors and principals at some of Wall Street’s largest institutions — who trust The Daily Upside to filter through the chaos.
The upsides are always there. We’ll find them before breakfast.
WINDOW SEAT
"The best trips don't just change your location —they change your perspective."
Thanks for reading Boarding Soon. If this helped you, forward it to one friend who needs a trip this summer. ✈️
🤝HELPFUL TRAVEL TOOLS
📱 Need mobile data abroad? Get an Airalo eSIM
🏨 Looking for hotel deals? Find deals on Trip.com
💳 Earn travel rewards on everyday spending. Apply for a travel card
📬 Enjoying Boarding Soon? Subscribe here.
Disclosure: Some links may be affiliating links, meaning The Blink Travel may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Content is for informational purposes only.
1