- Daily Drop
- Posts
- š A first look at this new U.S. train
š A first look at this new U.S. train
Plus, big news from Spirit and free Delta SkyMiles
Estimated read time: 4 minutes and 24 seconds
š TRENDING TRAVEL NEWS š
⢠Donāt Miss: Learn how to use Uber like a pro and save on rides.
⢠Nature is Calling: Visit U.S. national parks for free on select days in 2025.
⢠ICYMI: Discover Q4 bonus is live ā earn 5% back at Amazon and drug stores.
⢠Cozy Season: This city was just named the most budgetāfriendly U.S. spot for fall foliage.

š«¶ Good morning from Indonesia, where the long weekend was anything but restful ā marked by riots, fires, and tragic losses.
Iām safe for now, though my passport is currently being held against its will at the Chinese embassy (itās a long story).
So, since I canāt physically leave, letās escape into the world of travel instead:
šØ Last Chance: Get $50 off your first year of Daily Drop Pro (ends today!).
Our award search and alert tool finds hidden flight deals, so you donāt have to waste hours scanning for your next booking. Donāt miss out on this sale!

š Travel Trivia Tuesday
Which U.S. airport is the best for consistently finding cheap international flight deals? |
The answer will be revealed in tomorrowās newsletter, so donāt forget to tune in. š

š First Look: Onboard Amtrakās brand-new Acela
Last week, Daily Dropās very own Benji scored a seat on the inaugural journey of Amtrakās long-awaited NextGen Acela ā the new train finally giving East Coast travelers the upgrade theyāve been waiting for.
The sendoff at Moynihan Train Hall drew Amtrak execs, rail superfans, and media alike.
Benji started in the Metropolitan Lounge (think airport lounge vibes ā coffee, snacks, and a cash bar) before heading to the platform.
When the shiny new train rolled in, its sleek European-style design instantly made the old Acela on the next track look⦠well, ancient.

Photo by Benji Stawski / Daily Drop
Onboard, the first thing Benji noticed was space. Even with 27% more seats, the cabins feel more open thanks to bigger windows, brighter lighting, and open luggage racks.
The ride itself? Smooth, quiet, and a big upgrade over any cramped regional jet. Business Class features a 2-2 layout, gray leather seating, and even some four-seat table setups for groups.

Photo by Benji Stawski / Daily Drop
First Class switches to a 1-2 layout, with red accents, wider seats, and at-seat dining curated by a James Beard Awardāwinning chef (!!).

Photo by Benji Stawski / Daily Drop
Tech upgrades are another game-changer: 5G Wi-Fi that actually works (Benji clocked 91 Mbps š²), outlets and USB ports at every seat, digital displays, and touchless bathrooms. The cafĆ© car also got a major glow-up with grab-and-go fridges, sleek counters, and digital menus.
While the NextGen Acela tops out at 160 mph, the real improvements come in comfort and reliability. The new fleet should help reduce the mechanical issues that plagued the aging Acelas.
Bottom line: The NextGen Acela isnāt Japan-level high-speed rail yet, but itās a giant leap forward. Benjiās verdict? Itās more comfortable, more connected, and the kind of train ride you may actually choose over flying.

š¬ Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy (again)
Spirit Airlines has officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection⦠again⦠for the second time in less than a year.
So whatās happening? Chapter 11 doesnāt mean the airline is dead ā itās more like rehab for companies.
Spirit gets a chance to restructure its debt, renegotiate contracts, and basically Marie Kondo its balance sheet while flights keep chugging along.
In fact, in an open letter to passengers, Spirit reassured flyers that everything is still business as usual: planes are flying, Free Spirit points still work, and Saver$ Club members arenāt about to lose their perks overnight.
Hereās the quick version of what this means for you:
Flights are still operating: Your tickets, credits, and miles are safe for now. Spirit is reassuring travelers that nothing changes immediately.
Cuts are coming: Expect Spirit to shrink its fleet, trim routes, and generally pull back in the coming months as it tries to stay alive.
Competitors are circling: JetBlue and Frontier are already looking to scoop up market share. So if Spirit disappears from your city, odds are one of those two (or both) will be there to catch you.
This move also highlights just how rough the low-cost carrier game has gotten in the U.S.
Spirit made its brand on ultra-cheap tickets with Ć -la-carte everything ā pay for your seat, pay for your bag, pay for the privilege of blinking twice on board.
That model worked when they were expanding like crazy, but with higher fuel and labor costs and passengers expecting a little more comfort (thanks, JetBlue), the math has stopped math-ing.
Bottom line: You donāt need to panic-book a goodbye flight on Spirit just yet, but if youāre a regular flyer, keep an eye on your local routes and have a Plan B airline in mind.

š Delta + football = free SkyMiles
If you live in Washington state, Delta just turned every Seahawks game into a mileage-earning opportunity.
The airline is teaming up with the Seattle Seahawks to give residents one Delta SkyMile for every passing yard the team throws this season ā home and away, regular and postseason.
To put that in perspective: last season, the Seahawks racked up over 4,000 passing yards. If they hit a similar number this year, youād be looking at 4,000 free Delta SkyMiles for doing literally nothing.
Hereās how it works:
You need to be a Washington state resident, be at least 18, and have a Delta account address that reflects that.
Youāll also have to register at 12status.com (though the site might only load if youāre physically in Washington ā though I was able to access it with a VPN š).
Once youāre in, youāll also get Group 5 boarding on all Delta flights departing from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) during the Seahawks season.
Bottom line: Itās a bummer this is limited to Washington residents, but itās still a sweet promo and nice win for West Coasters.
Fingers crossed Delta decides to roll out similar partnerships in other hub cities ā because who wouldnāt want free miles just for watching (or not watching) football?

š„ Taking a newbie to Europe on points
Ever wonder what itās like to bring someone on their very first international trip ā completely on miles and points?
In this weekās Daily Drop YouTube video, our very own Brendan did just that, flying his sister to Europe to see the world beyond U.S. borders for the first time.
Itās part redemption breakdown, part first-timer perspective⦠and a reminder of why points and miles are way more than just a hobby.
Check out the full video below. š

Thatās all for today, folks! I hope you enjoyed this Monday edition of Daily Drop, and I look forward to another fun day of travel goodies tomorrow.
Ciao āļø
With contributions by Tiffany Eastham, McKay Moffitt, and Benji Stawski