Guides

7 ways for an AvGeek to keep occupied during a pandemic

Daniel Ross

November 7, 2020 • 10 min read

The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

Quick summary

The article offers aviation enthusiasts creative ways to stay engaged with their passion during pandemic lockdowns.
Suggestions include remote control planes, updating flight logs, and planning future elite status strategies with loyalty programs.
Readers are encouraged to research and plan future trips, explore reviews of premium airline cabins, and try aviation-themed games.
Organizing aviation memorabilia and setting flight alerts are also recommended for staying connected to travel.

What to consider

Travel restrictions and ongoing uncertainty may affect the timing of future trips and elite status renewal strategies.
Some flight-logging tools and airline reviews may require creating accounts or additional research for full use.
Availability of certain first-class and business-class products may change as airlines adjust routes and cabin offerings.

What you'll miss from the article

Specific recommendations for flight-logging platforms, detailed airline cabin reviews, and tips for organizing aviation collections.

Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.

England is back in lockdown and with climbing COVID numbers, the U.S. may not be far behind.

If you've had enough banana bread and Zoom quizzes to last you until at least 2030, then we've put together some AvGeek-themed ideas to keep you distracted during the pandemic.

1. Treat yourself to a remote control plane

Grown-ups are just big kids at heart, right?

Why not combine your inner child and AvGeek and invest in a remote control aircraft? Call it an early Christmas present from you, to you.

They don't have to break the bank, either. At $105, this Top Race Remote Control Plane promises hours of fun distraction. It's advertised for kids and adults, too -- fun for all the family.

2. Plan your elite status strategy

Our beloved travel and aviation industries continue to be two of the hardest-hit during the current pandemic. Flight cancellations galore continue to plague our inbox and departure boards and routes are being axed left, right and center.

While airlines and hotel chains alike have gradually introduced extensions to elite status and other frequent flyer perks to mitigate many lost points and miles, it might be an idea to delve into your various frequent flyer programs and rethink your strategy for at least maintaining your desired level of status in the time you have left before renewal.

With that in mind, plan as far in advance as you possibly can to reduce the risk of having to cancel plans once again.

3. Update your flight log

Many of you will probably know of FlightRadar24 as being an excellent tool for checking out live flight information. What you might not know, however, is that there's a built-in social section where you can track and log your own flights. Simply click the Social tab at the top of the screen and then My.flightradar24, where you'll be asked to create a profile -- if you haven't already.

Once that's done, it's time to put aside a few hours to log every single flight you've ever taken. If you log your flights close enough after the time of departure, it will even automatically pull the aircraft type and tail registration of the plane simply by inputting the date of your flight and the flight number -- but if they're old flights you're logging, then you'll have to find this stuff out yourself.

There are also other flight-logging sites like Openflights.org and myflightbook.com, but I really like the visual of FlightRadar24, how easy it is to use and the detailed statistics you can get about your travels.

For example, you can take a snapshot of any year for which you have data and see the stats broken down into several categories including class, type of aircraft flown, top routes flown and even whether you sat in the window, middle or aisle seat the most.

(Image courtesy Flightradar24) — (Image courtesy of Flightradar24)

4. Plan ahead

As of right now, we don't have any clear idea of when or if travel and flying will return to how we know and love it. So, why not make the most of non-flying time to plan for future trips, update your bucket list and do some research on the best business class, first class and airlines around the world. That way, you can start to make a plan of how you're going to fly them.

First class

There are fewer and fewer airlines operating first-class cabins these days, so it's not always easy to know which airlines do, and if so, on which routes.

(Photo by Liam Spencer / The Points Guy) — TPG's Liam Spencer flying in his first-ever first class experience on a Lufthansa A340 from Munich to New York. (Photo by Liam Spencer/The Points Guy)

Here are a few recent TPG reviews if you're in need of some inspiration:

Business class

There are far more options to choose from when flying business class, meaning it might make it harder to decide which ones you want to fly. Here are a few recent TPG business class reviews to help you decide.

Jean Arnas onboard BA's new Club Suite. (Photo by Nicky Kelvin/The Points Guy)

Also, check out our guides of the best and worst business-class cabins in the sky.

5. Try running your own airline

I don't mean literally trying to take the reins from Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss. But, you can pretend to be like him and practice your hand at what you would be like at running an airline thanks to some AvGeek video games like Airlines Manager Tycoon.

Be careful, though, it gets quite addictive -- so I hear...

6. Update your ExpertFlyer alerts

Using ExpertFlyer is one of the best ways to keep your future travel plans in order. You can see what redemption availability there is on certain flights as well as set yourself alerts for when availability drops in and even when your favorite seat becomes available.

(ExpertFlyer is owned by TPG's parent company Red Ventures.)

7. Organize your aviation stash

And finally, many AvGeeks have something that they collect on every flight they take. Whether your thing is sick bags or safety cards or everything you can possibly sneak into your hand luggage, now is a good time to get your stash in order.

Not just that, but if you're like me and keep every single boarding pass stub, why not take yourself on a little trip down memory lane and find a creative way to store your memories.

View this post on Instagram

What a trip down memory lane this was... from the first boarding pass stub since I started collecting in 2006 and up until 2013 when the space ran out... . . . Defunct airlines, new destinations, solo trips, first business class flight, family holidays, first time skiing, school exchanges, first trip abroad with friends, flying home from living abroad, routes that no longer exist, visits to that special person, first time to Ibiza... the list goes on! . . . Do you remember your first ever flight? Where was it to? . . . #avgeek

A post shared by Daniel (@comedanwithme) on Feb 10, 2019 at 2:05pm PST

Bottom line

Just because we're having to take some time out of the sky, it doesn't mean that we can't still enjoy the wonderful world of aviation. Hopefully, it won't be long before we're back in the air where we belong.

Great offers from our partners

See current offers Find your best card with CardMatch™

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

TPG editor's rating

Pros + cons

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

More details

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.