Meghan Coyle

And they also launched an investigation last year into airline loyalty programs. What are you most interested to see in the coming year or years, changes that might be coming to the airline industry?

And they also launched an investigation last year into airline loyalty programs. What are you most interested to see in the coming year or years, changes that might be coming to the airline industry?

So there is hope for us travelers that flying doesn't have to be miserable in the future if any of these changes happen. That's really exciting. Ganesh Ditaraman, thank you so much for coming on the show today and talking with us.

So there is hope for us travelers that flying doesn't have to be miserable in the future if any of these changes happen. That's really exciting. Ganesh Ditaraman, thank you so much for coming on the show today and talking with us.

So there is hope for us travelers that flying doesn't have to be miserable in the future if any of these changes happen. That's really exciting. Ganesh Ditaraman, thank you so much for coming on the show today and talking with us.

That was Ganesh Sitaraman, the author of Why Flying is Miserable and How to Fix It.

That was Ganesh Sitaraman, the author of Why Flying is Miserable and How to Fix It.

That was Ganesh Sitaraman, the author of Why Flying is Miserable and How to Fix It.

Whenever you have big expenses coming up, that's a great time to get a new card. I do keep that list of boosted welcome bonuses on NerdWallet, so that's always a good place to start if you're looking for a higher intro bonus.

Whenever you have big expenses coming up, that's a great time to get a new card. I do keep that list of boosted welcome bonuses on NerdWallet, so that's always a good place to start if you're looking for a higher intro bonus.

Whenever you have big expenses coming up, that's a great time to get a new card. I do keep that list of boosted welcome bonuses on NerdWallet, so that's always a good place to start if you're looking for a higher intro bonus.

That's a great deal. And I think the lounge access could be extremely helpful for a long flight like that. It doesn't say where she's flying from to South Africa, but if you have any layovers, there's a good chance that maybe that airport has a lounge that you might be able to access either a Capital One lounge or... possibly a Priority Pass lounge.

That's a great deal. And I think the lounge access could be extremely helpful for a long flight like that. It doesn't say where she's flying from to South Africa, but if you have any layovers, there's a good chance that maybe that airport has a lounge that you might be able to access either a Capital One lounge or... possibly a Priority Pass lounge.

That's a great deal. And I think the lounge access could be extremely helpful for a long flight like that. It doesn't say where she's flying from to South Africa, but if you have any layovers, there's a good chance that maybe that airport has a lounge that you might be able to access either a Capital One lounge or... possibly a Priority Pass lounge.

The Priority Pass lounges abroad can be really great.

The Priority Pass lounges abroad can be really great.

The Priority Pass lounges abroad can be really great.

Whew, that's a long flight though. Either way, even with a lounge. If you wanted to explore some other card options, I'd look at a hotel card. There are some great points deals on hotels in South Africa. So if the card you end up choosing comes with a free night reward, for example, that might be a great place to redeem it.

Whew, that's a long flight though. Either way, even with a lounge. If you wanted to explore some other card options, I'd look at a hotel card. There are some great points deals on hotels in South Africa. So if the card you end up choosing comes with a free night reward, for example, that might be a great place to redeem it.

Whew, that's a long flight though. Either way, even with a lounge. If you wanted to explore some other card options, I'd look at a hotel card. There are some great points deals on hotels in South Africa. So if the card you end up choosing comes with a free night reward, for example, that might be a great place to redeem it.