Show notes
Is it okay to watch a violent movie next to a stranger's kid on a plane? Should you abandon your airline loyalty card? And wait—is March actually the real start of the new year?On this episode of Unpacked, host Aislyn Greene is joined by Afar editorial director Billy Cohen and deputy editor Michelle Baron for a wide-ranging conversation tied to Afar's annual Plan Your Travel Year package on afar.com. Together they break down what travelers actually need to know heading into 2026—from the shifting airline loyalty landscape and the true cost of travel credit cards to the events, destinations, and flight routes worth planning around this year.Plus: Michelle debuts a very special musical interlude. You'll want to stay for that.On this episode you'll learn: Why February (or maybe March?) is the real time to start planning your travel year How the airline loyalty and travel credit card game has changed—and what to do about it Which destinations are worth getting to before they blow up (Malta and Panama are calling) What events—from the World Cup to America's 250th—are shaping travel in 2026 Tips for stretching your PTO using federal holidays strategicallyDon't miss these moments: [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [Resources: Explore Afar's complete Plan Your Travel Year package on afar.com. Read our story about whether or not airline loyalty is still worth it. Read Terry Ward's story on how to maximize your PTO in 2026. Read Afar's guide to 12 places to visit before they get popular. Explore Afar's Where to Go in 2026 list. Stay up to date with Afar's travel news coverage, including airline routes, loyalty programs, and credit card updates. Use points.me or Points Path to help maximize your miles and points redemptions.Be sure to subscribe to the show and sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Travel Tales, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us, and View From Afar, where we spotlight the people and ideas shaping the future of travel. Unpacked by Afar is part of Airwave Media's podcast network. Please contact [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
