Greetings from Tokyo! Mrs. ATX and I are at the beginning of what I’m sure will be an amazing trip across Japan with some of our Denver based travel plans. We’ve only spent one full day in the city but, aside from the jetlag waking me up at 3:00a, we’re having an amazing time.
Things may be a bit slower on the blog over the next week while we travel but I’ll be working to finalize the reviews from my last trip report and will be sure to get our Japan trip posted soon. For now, check out the Weekly Recap for July 5, 2025 below!
In This Post:
- Southwest is Considering Changes to its Popular Companion Pass Perk
- Marriott and United Are Offering Elites Dual Points Earnings this Summer
- American Airlines Reinstates Airport Standby for All Passengers
- Flight Review: FlyDubai Boeing 737-800 Business Class (IST-DXB)
- Lounge Review: IGA Lounge Istanbul (IST)
- Hotel Review: Hilton Mall of Istanbul
- Exploring Istanbul
- Summary
Southwest is Considering Changes to its Popular Companion Pass Perk
Southwest Airlines appears to be considering changes to its popular Companion Pass perk in the latest shakeup for the Dallas based carrier. While nothing has been finalized the airline has been asking for customer feedback on a new rewards program with more tiers which could negatively impact the Companion Pass perk.
Marriott and United Are Offering Elites Dual Points Earnings this Summer
United Airlines and Marriott International have partnered to offer elite members of its MileagePlus and Bonvoy elite tiers an opportunity to double dip on rewards. While I wouldn’t go out of my way for these, it’s a great way to earn some extra points for Bonvoy and MileagePlus members.
American Airlines Reinstates Airport Standby for All Passengers
American Airlines has reversed a policy that blocked certain passengers from same day standby at the airport. As of July 1, 2025, passengers can once again join the standby queue at the gate until 45 minutes prior to departure. While this is a minor change, it will have a big impact on non AAdvantage members when traveling.
Flight Review: FlyDubai Boeing 737-800 Business Class (IST-DXB)
While our trip with FlyDubai was unexpected, we had a great time on the airline. For a narrowbody, the seats are very comfortable but, on routes like Istanbul-Dubai that are served by both Emirates and FlyDubai, you’re better off with the former.
What ultimately made this flight so wonderful was the crew and how they interacted with our 10 month old. They went above and beyond to make his trip as enjoyable as possible and I would happily fly with FlyDubai and this crew again.
Lounge Review: IGA Lounge Istanbul (IST)
While this isn’t a top tier lounge all things considered, as far as contract lounges go, things don’t get much better than the IGA Lounge in Istanbul. The space has plenty of seating and space to spread out, allowing passengers the opportunity to rest and recharge before their flight.
On my next trip through Istanbul I’m hoping to visit the Turkish Airlines lounge but, I would happily visit this lounge again in the future.
Hotel Review: Hilton Mall of Istanbul
This was an interesting hotel stay. This property appears to be frequented by travelers heading to or from the new Istanbul Airport as well as locals going on shopping trips to the attached Mall of Istanbul. This isn’t a place than many tourists visiting the city will choose to stay given its location on the outskirts of town.
I appreciated our upgrade to a suite, though the layout was somewhat quirky, and the staff was friendly and attentive in our limited interactions. I wouldn’t stay at this property again, specifically due to the location. It appears to be popular with flight crews as it is one of the closest full service airports to Istanbul Airport, though it is still a 25 minute drive away.
Exploring Istanbul
Istanbul is an amazing city that provided us with so many different cultural experiences. We visited during a period of unrest but we felt completely safe during our visit and I would gladly return to explore more of the city.
Summary
For my readers in the states, I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday weekend. Unfortunately my thoughts are with my neighbors in Central Texas who are recovering from devastating flooding but those folks in the hill country are resilient.
Thank you for checking out the weekly recap for the week ended July 5, 2025! If you want a sneak peak at our trip so far, check out ATX Jetsetter on Instagram!