Hey there, miles and points enthusiasts! Welcome to another episode of Miles & Points Daily. I'm Lucas, and today we've got some pretty wild news in the travel world - from questionable hotel fees to surprise route announcements, and even some concerning changes to loyalty programs.

First up, get this - a Holiday Inn Express is now charging guests a 6 dollars and 95 cents 'service fee' just in case the elevator breaks down. Yes, you heard that right! As reported by View from the Wing, this has to be one of the most bizarre hotel fees we've seen. My tip? Always check the fine print for these sneaky charges before booking.

In more positive news, Etihad Airways made a surprise announcement of new flights to Charlotte. But here's the interesting part - according to View from the Wing, they hadn't even contacted the airport before making this announcement! Apparently, this decision came right after former President Trump's visit to the UAE. The flights will begin in May two thousand and twenty-six, operating four times weekly with Boeing seven-eight-seven aircraft.

Now, here's something concerning for Marriott loyalists. The hotel chain has quietly removed the 'best available room' guarantee from their elite benefits description. This effectively devalues their room upgrade benefit for elite members. My recommendation? Keep your expectations in check and perhaps consider diversifying your hotel loyalty strategy.

Speaking of loyalty programs, Citi cardholders should pay attention to this one. Starting August twenty-fourth, two thousand and twenty-five, Citi will be reducing the cash redemption rate for Strata Premier ThankYou points from one cent to zero point seven five cents per point. If you're holding these points, you might want to consider redeeming them before the devaluation kicks in.

In credit card news, Capital One has officially completed its acquisition of Discover. While not much is changing for cardholders right now, this is definitely something to keep an eye on as these two major players combine forces.

Before we wrap up, I've got a special offer for our listeners today.

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That's all for today's news! Thanks for tuning in to Miles & Points Daily. Don't forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and visit us at milesandpointsdaily.com for more travel rewards content. See you tomorrow!