Welcome to the Miles & Points Daily Podcast, your daily dose of travel hacking news and tips! I'm Lucas, your host, and today we've got a jam-packed episode covering everything from credit card changes that might affect your lounge access to a bizarre story about a hotel guest trapped for weeks! Let's dive right in.

First up, we've got some major changes coming to the Capital One Venture X card that you'll want to know about. Capital One is significantly restricting the lounge access benefits that have made this card so popular. Starting soon, complimentary guest access will only be available to cardmembers who spend seventy-five thousand dollars per calendar year. Additionally, they're adding a fee for authorized user cards to access lounges and completely eliminating complimentary Priority Pass guests altogether. If you're a Venture X cardholder who frequently travels with family or friends, this could seriously impact the value you get from this card. My recommendation? If you have multiple travelers in your household, consider whether adding them as authorized users might now make more financial sense than paying guest fees each time.

In airline news, Alaska Airlines has announced they'll be launching new Seattle to Rome flights with their Boeing 787 Dreamliners. This is part of Alaska's broader strategy to transform Seattle-Tacoma into a global hub, with plans to launch a dozen long-haul routes by two thousand and thirty. For miles and points enthusiasts, this means more opportunities to use your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles for international travel, which could be particularly valuable given Alaska's generous award chart for partner redemptions.

Here's an interesting deal alert for Delta flyers - in honor of Father's Day, Delta is offering Uber credits when you purchase Delta gift cards. Buy a Delta gift card worth at least a certain amount, and you'll get a nice bonus toward your next Uber ride or Uber Eats order. This could be a great opportunity to stack benefits if you're planning Delta travel anyway.

Speaking of Delta, leaked confidential plans reveal that Delta is developing new 'Delta One' business class lounges at four major hubs, including an opening date for the Atlanta location. These exclusive lounges will cater to Delta's premium passengers and should offer an elevated experience compared to their standard Sky Clubs. For frequent Delta flyers, this could mean more options to escape the crowds at busy airports.

Now for a truly shocking story - a wheelchair-bound woman was trapped in her hotel room for forty-two days after the building's only elevator broke down. With no backup plan, no safe alternative, and apparently little urgency from management, this guest was effectively abandoned for six weeks. This serves as an important reminder for travelers with mobility needs to thoroughly research accessibility features before booking accommodations and to have contingency plans in place.

Good news for United Airlines flight attendants - after five years without a raise, they've finally reached a new tentative agreement with the airline. The contract includes significant raises, retroactive pay, and improved benefits. While some flight attendants are reportedly disappointed with certain aspects of the deal, it represents a substantial improvement over their previous situation. For travelers, happier flight attendants generally means better service, so this could translate to improved experiences on United flights.

In credit card news, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card continues to be a compelling option for hotel loyalists. With an annual fee of just ninety-nine dollars, this card offers an excellent welcome bonus and valuable long-term perks including an anniversary free night certificate, automatic Platinum Elite status, and a fourth night free on award stays. If you're considering adding a hotel card to your wallet, this one deserves serious consideration. You can get this card by clicking the link in our shownotes.

For premium cabin travelers, American Express Membership Rewards points are offering exceptional value right now. You can book American Airlines' new Flagship Suites to London for just fifty-five thousand Amex points. These are American's swanky new business class seats on their Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, featuring private suites with doors. If you've been saving up your points for a special redemption, this could be an excellent opportunity to experience one of the best business class products in the sky at a fraction of the usual cost.

In unfortunate loyalty program news, Lufthansa's Miles & More program has officially implemented dynamic award pricing as of June third, two thousand and twenty-five. While the initial impact doesn't appear as catastrophic as some feared, the nature of dynamic pricing means that award costs can evolve without notice. For travelers with Miles & More balances, I'd recommend reviewing your redemption options sooner rather than later, as values tend to deteriorate over time in dynamic systems.

In theme park news for Disney fans, several popular attractions at Disney World will be closing for good next month to make way for a new 'Cars' themed land. If you have upcoming Disney World plans and want to experience these soon-to-be-retired attractions, you'll want to plan accordingly.

And in a bit of positive news for Newark travelers, construction on the airport's busiest runway has wrapped up thirteen days ahead of schedule. United Airlines, which uses Newark as a major hub, is touting cheaper flights and reduced chaos now that operations are getting back to normal. If you've been avoiding Newark due to the construction disruptions, it might be time to reconsider.

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That wraps up today's Miles & Points Daily Podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you found this information valuable, please subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, visit our website at milesandpointsdaily.com, or sign up for our daily newsletter at mail.milesandpointsdaily.com. Until tomorrow, happy traveling and even happier point collecting!