✈️ American Airlines Removes Walkways, Southwest Warns of 'Gate Seizures,' and Family Splurges 60K Miles on Disappointing Lounge

Hello and welcome to the Miles & Points Daily Podcast! I'm your host Lucas, and I'm thrilled to be your guide through the miles and points landscape. You know, I was just thinking this morning how collecting points is a bit like gardening - plant those credit card applications today, and watch those luxurious business class seats bloom tomorrow! Alright, let's dig into the freshest news from the miles and points world.

First up, American Airlines has made a rather interesting change at New York JFK. They've removed a moving walkway from Terminal 8, making those long walks to C gates even longer. According to View from the Wing, this wasn't just a maintenance decision - it's actually a strategic move to make passengers spend more in the terminal shops along the way. Yes, you heard that right - the theory is that when you're struggling with your carry-on down those long corridors, you're more likely to stop and make impulse purchases. So next time you're racing to catch a flight at JFK's Terminal 8, remember that those extra steps aren't just burning calories, they're designed to burn a hole in your wallet too!

Southwest Airlines is facing some turbulence with their upcoming policy change. A Southwest executive has warned that their new checked bag fees, which begin in just two months, will likely lead to a significant increase in gate-checked bags. This could cause delays and what they're describing as "gate seizures" as agents scramble to check bags at the boarding gate. For those who aren't aware, Southwest has historically been the only major U.S. airline that doesn't charge for checked bags, but that's about to change. If you're planning to fly Southwest this summer, you might want to prepare for potentially chaotic boarding processes while everyone adjusts to the new reality.

Here's a cautionary tale about splurging on airport lounges. A traveler recently shared on View from the Wing that they spent an extra 60,000 miles so their family could access Air Canada's Signature Suite, only to be severely disappointed. Despite the lounge's excellent reputation, their experience was underwhelming with poor service and lackluster food options. The takeaway? Even premium lounges can have off days, and spending valuable miles for lounge access might not always deliver the expected value. It's always worth researching recent reviews before making such a splurge.

For anyone interested in the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass, there's a limited-time offer ending soon. According to View from the Wing, Chase is offering select Southwest credit cards with a welcome bonus that includes not just points but also a Companion Pass. This valuable benefit allows someone you designate to fly with you for free (plus government taxes) whenever you fly, regardless of whether you're using points or paying cash. The Companion Pass is one of the most valuable perks in domestic travel, so if you've been considering a Southwest card, now might be the perfect time to apply.

Traveling with little ones can be challenging, but one family shared their strategy on View from the Wing for flying to Paris with a baby. They booked business class tickets using miles but chose to break up their journey by flying through Canada and spending a night in Toronto before continuing to Paris. Interestingly, they reported that the baby handled even the longer segments well. This strategy of breaking up long-haul journeys can be a smart approach for families, and using miles for business class provides the extra space that can make traveling with children more manageable.

If you're an American Express Membership Rewards points collector, there's a transfer bonus opportunity ending soon. One Mile at a Time reports that Amex is offering a 20 percent bonus when transferring points to Qatar Airways Privilege Club. This is particularly notable because Qatar Airways Privilege Club uses Avios, the same currency as British Airways and several other airlines. So this transfer bonus effectively gives you a discount on booking with multiple airlines. If you've been considering a redemption with Qatar Airways or any other Avios partner, now might be a good time to make that transfer.

In hotel news, Frequent Miler reports that Hilton has added ten more Small Luxury Hotels of the World properties to their partnership. This expansion includes hotels in three new countries, giving Hilton Honors members even more options for earning and redeeming points at boutique luxury properties. These partnerships have been a growing trend among major hotel chains, allowing them to offer more unique experiences while maintaining their loyalty program benefits.

For those interested in unique travel experiences, there's an opportunity to see synchronized fireflies in South Carolina's Congaree National Park. Frequent Miler highlighted this natural phenomenon where fireflies flash in unison, creating a magical light show. This rare event only happens in a few places worldwide and for just a short period each year. If you're collecting travel experiences rather than just destinations, this might be one to add to your list.

Doctor of Credit is reporting several regional banking bonuses, including a 150 dollar checking bonus from Red Canoe Credit Union for residents of Oregon and Washington, which doesn't even require a direct deposit. There's also a Community Credit Union Florida offer for 300 dollars for checking plus 200 dollars for savings, and a Delta Community Credit Union 200 dollar checking bonus for Georgia residents. These banking bonuses can be an easy way to supplement your travel fund.

And finally, for Citi American Airlines cardholders or prospective applicants, Doctor of Credit reports that the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard is offering 75,000 American Airlines miles after three thousand five hundred dollars in spend within the first four months. That's a substantial welcome bonus that could fund a round-trip business class ticket to many international destinations.

Before we wrap up today's episode, I'd like to tell you about Award Travel Finder. Looking for the best award flights? Use AwardTravelFinder.com to search availability across Qatar Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and more. Try it for free with our link in the shownotes.

That's all for today's Miles & Points Daily Podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you found this information useful, please subscribe to our podcast on all major platforms or visit us at milesandpointsdaily.com. Until tomorrow, happy point collecting and safe travels!