Welcome to the Miles & Points Daily Podcast, I'm your host Lucas. Today we're diving into some fascinating developments in the miles and points world - from Chase finally addressing their most overcrowded lounge to a massive American Airlines credit card bonus that's caught everyone's attention. But first, let me tell you about a tool that could save you thousands of points on your hotel stays. Introducing hotelredemptions.com, a tool that monitors your hotel bookings and alerts you when you can rebook for less points. It's like having a personal assistant watching your reservations twenty-four seven. Now, let's get into today's news. The biggest story for American Airlines fans is the return of the massive one hundred thousand mile welcome bonus on the Citi AAdvantage Executive Card. This is American's most premium co-branded credit card, and this offer is genuinely impressive. The card typically offers seventy-five thousand miles, so this extra twenty-five thousand miles represents significant additional value. Beyond the welcome bonus, this card offers Admirals Club lounge access, bonus Loyalty Points that help you earn elite status faster, and a host of other premium benefits. If you're considering this card, you can get it by clicking the link in our shownotes. My tip here is to act quickly - these elevated bonuses on premium cards tend to disappear without much warning, and given the card's annual fee of four hundred and fifty dollars, you'll want to make sure you can maximize the value through lounge access and other perks. Speaking of lounges, Chase has finally announced they're addressing the overcrowding at their Phoenix Sapphire Lounge by adding free reservations starting June twenty-third. This is their smallest club at just three thousand five hundred square feet, and it regularly has thirty to sixty minute waits to get in. Many cardholders have simply given up trying to use it because of the crowds. The reservation system should help manage capacity and reduce those frustrating waits. This is a smart move by Chase, and I expect we'll see similar reservation systems rolled out to other overcrowded locations in their network. If you're traveling through Phoenix, I'd recommend making a reservation as soon as they become available. Now let's talk about maximizing your quarterly bonus categories. Chase has just launched their Q3 two thousand and twenty-five bonus categories for both the Freedom and Freedom Flex cards. From July first through September thirtieth, you'll earn five percent cash back on gas and electric vehicle charging, Instacart purchases, and select live entertainment. Don't forget to register for these categories - it's not automatic. You can earn up to fifteen hundred dollars in purchases per category, which means up to seventy-five dollars in cash back per category. My strategy tip: if you're planning any summer road trips or concerts, this is the perfect time to maximize those purchases. For the Instacart category, consider buying gift cards for stores you regularly shop at to maximize the bonus. There's also an interesting transfer bonus happening right now with Chase Ultimate Rewards. You can get a fifty to sixty-five percent bonus when transferring Chase points to Marriott Bonvoy through June thirtieth. While hotel points transfers aren't always the best value, this bonus could make sense if you have a specific Marriott redemption in mind and you're short on points. Just remember to calculate the value carefully - transferring Chase points to airline partners is usually more valuable. For those interested in hotel credit cards, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is offering its most attractive welcome bonus this year - five free nights at IHG properties. This could be worth up to three hundred thousand IHG points depending on where you stay. The key to maximizing this bonus is to use those free nights at higher-end IHG properties like InterContinental or Kimpton hotels rather than lower-tier properties. We're also seeing some interesting lounge developments across the industry. American Airlines' new Flagship Lounge in Philadelphia is getting rave reviews for its design and amenities, though like many premium lounges these days, getting a seat can be challenging during peak hours. The lounge is located in Terminal A West between gates fifteen and sixteen. If you're flying American through Philadelphia, it's worth checking out if you have access. For our deal hunters, there are some solid manufactured spending opportunities this week. Staples is offering no activation fees on two hundred dollar Mastercard gift cards from June fifteenth through twenty-first, with a limit of nine cards. And don't forget to check Instacart for various retailer deals, including twenty-five dollars off seventy-five dollars at Best Buy and fifteen dollars off sixty-five dollars at Home Depot. Finally, a quick reminder about AwardWallet Plus and its enhanced features for tracking your loyalty program balances. If you're managing multiple programs, the premium version offers detailed tracking and alerts that can help you avoid point expirations and identify redemption opportunities. Looking for the best award flights? Use AwardTravelFinder.com to search availability across Qatar Airways, British Airways, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific and more. Try it for free with our link in the shownotes. That's a wrap for today's Miles & Points Daily Podcast. Thanks for listening! If you found today's tips helpful, please subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or visit us at milesandpointsdaily.com. We'll be back tomorrow with more miles and points news to help you travel better for less.