Hello from JFK! (Yeah, I'm here again.)

This time, I just hopped off a domestic redeye — my first in about a decade.

Where was I flying back from? Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, where the tech giant unveiled all the software updates coming to our devices this fall.

Catch up on it all below — and don't skip the "news you can't miss" section, because there's lots happening that didn't get its own write-up.

Advertiser and Editorial Disclosure

Chase is revamping its Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, and the changes are mostly good news.

Let's start with the biggest one: the $95 annual fee isn’t increasing. In a world where premium cards keep getting pricier, that's worth celebrating.

Chase is also adding two new earning categories: 3x points on gas and EV charging, and 3x on select short-term home rentals.

The enhanced benefits include a bumped-up $100 Chase Travel℠ hotel credit, a new $120 Trusted Traveler credit (for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS), and emergency evacuation and transportation coverage.

There are two pieces of bad news.

First, the 10% anniversary bonus is being phased out, effective immediately for anyone who applies on or after June 15, 2026. (This is less of a big deal than it seems.)

Second, World of Hyatt points transfers are being devalued to a 4:3 ratio.

But there's an easy workaround.

If you have the Preferred, you can pick up the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, pool your Preferred and Reserve points, and keep 1:1 Hyatt transfers.

And if you don’t yet have the Reserve, this is your last chance to grab its highest-ever public welcome offer, which ends on Monday at 9 a.m. ET.

I just wrapped up a few days roaming Apple's disorienting circular headquarters. (How does anyone know where they are?)

Don't worry — I was under escort at every turn, so I didn't get to see anyone working on the rumored foldable iPhone.

Jokes aside, I had a blast learning about everything coming to the Apple software ecosystem this fall.

The focus was largely on AI, and I uncovered a slew of travel-related updates that should save you time and boost your productivity.

Call Context

When you call an airline or hotel, your phone will automatically search your inbox, calendar, and other apps for relevant travel info and display it — including your confirmation number — on the call screen.

Here’s how it’ll work.

Goodbye, spotty Wi-Fi

Ever get off a plane and find your phone still connected to the unreliable onboard Wi-Fi?

With improved network transitions, your phone will automatically switch to cellular when the Wi-Fi signal drops — and vice versa.

Messaging on planes

Speaking of airplane Wi-Fi: how annoying is it when you try to send a photo and then every text after it fails because you're out of bandwidth?

Going forward, your messages will be sent independently of each other. The photo might not go through until you land, but the text can still be sent in the sky.

Redesigned Apple Pay

If you have three (or 33, like me) credit cards, you know the hassle of finding the right one for the right purchase.

Apple redesigned the Apple Pay screen to make it easier.

2 phones, 1 number

I don't miss physical SIM cards. The one downside to eSIM is that it's harder to quickly move your number to another device.

With this update, you'll be able to move your number to another phone seamlessly.

Smart Stack your IDs

If you use an Apple Watch, you might've seen it surface your boarding pass as you approach the airport.

With this update, it'll display your digital ID, too.

Digital hotel keys

I love hotels that support digital room keys in Apple Wallet.

With this update, your digital key will soon include hotel amenities and any restaurant or activity reservations you booked through the concierge.

GymKit on the road

When I'm traveling, I connect my Apple Watch to the hotel treadmill for accurate metrics.

With this release, an iPhone paired with AirPods Pro 3 will support this, too — no watch needed.

Unread messages across devices

If you have multiple devices, you've probably noticed the unread message count differs on each one depending on when you last used it.

Message syncing is getting faster and more reliable, so that shouldn't happen anymore.

The last time I took a domestic redeye, I was 25.

Nearly eight years later, I can confirm they're still super disorienting.

I deplaned from the Flagship Business cabin on American's Airbus A321T a bit groggy and delirious.

The flight took just under five hours, and I didn't fall asleep until we climbed through 10,000 feet. I was also woken at the top of descent, about 35 minutes before landing.

That said, the business-class pod on the A321T made it easy to sleep, especially with the plush bedding.

I chose the earliest redeye of the night, so I could be home just as my daughter wakes up for the day.

I got into the city in 35 minutes with no traffic, which has me wondering… maybe it was all worth it?

In recent weeks — and as recently as this morning — I've noticed many more unauthorized rideshare drivers lurking outside baggage claim across the major New York City airports.

They always approach me to ask if I need a ride (fun fact: in all my years of traveling, I've only said yes once).

Well, the Port Authority — the agency that runs the New York airports — is cracking down on ride hustling.

I'm not sure why the agency needs to spend $100 million on its new "Operation Legal Ride" campaign, but if it means a more pleasant arrival, I'll support it.

And if you’re looking for the cheapest new rideshare app, it’s called Empower.

Fair warning: it’s janky. But I paid just $50 for my ride home this morning. Use referral code ZACH for at least $10 off your first ride.

I always seem to come home with more than I left with.

For years, that meant cramming everything into my already-full carry-on. But I recently started packing a drawstring bag or a small tote on trips.

Case in point: I stopped by Tartine Bakery in SF before flying home yesterday. I didn't want my two sourdough loaves crushed, so I pulled out the tote and carried them home.

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