Welcome to another episode of the Miles and Points Daily Podcast. I'm Lucas, your host, and today we're diving into some fascinating developments in the miles and points world. From Chase's billion-dollar lessons with the Sapphire Reserve to exciting new card opportunities and some unfortunate devaluations, we've got quite a bit to cover. But first, let me tell you about a tool that could save you thousands of points on your next hotel stay. 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. We're starting with what might be the most jaw-dropping financial story in credit card history. Chase reportedly lost around two billion dollars on the Sapphire Reserve card in its first five years. Yes, you heard that right - two billion with a B. The card launched with that famous one hundred thousand point sign-up bonus and was wildly successful at attracting young, affluent cardmembers. But success doesn't always equal profitability. Chase even filed SEC documents outlining greater than expected costs. Now, with the card's upcoming relaunch at seven hundred and ninety-five dollars annual fee, we're seeing Chase's strategy to turn this around. They're adding a three hundred dollar annual dining credit and other perks to justify the higher fee. My tip here is if you're considering the Sapphire Reserve, act quickly before the fee increase hits. The current version still offers tremendous value, especially with its travel protections and Ultimate Rewards transfer partners. Speaking of hidden gems, there's an interesting no-fee card that's flying under the radar - the Mesa Homeowners Card. This card has just added two new transfer partners: Air Canada Aeroplan and SAS EuroBonus. What makes this particularly exciting is that they're now the only U.S. program transferring to SAS. The card allows you to earn points on typically difficult categories like mortgage payments, taxes, and daycare expenses. While the card name might not sound glamorous, the earning potential is real. If you're looking to maximize points on large, unavoidable expenses, this could be worth investigating. However, we're also seeing some disappointing changes. American Express is devaluing the Business Platinum card's Pay with Points benefit. Starting September eighteenth, the beloved thirty-five percent rebate is being severely restricted. Currently, this bonus applies to first and business class tickets on any airline, or any cabin on your selected airline. The new restrictions are significant enough to impact how many people use this valuable benefit. If you have the Business Platinum and haven't used this benefit recently, now might be the time to book that premium cabin flight you've been considering. For Hilton fans, we're seeing some positive coverage of the Hilton Honors Aspire Card. Despite its four hundred and fifty dollar annual fee, the card offers strong perks including automatic Diamond status, a free weekend night certificate annually, and solid earning rates. The annual free night certificate alone can justify much of the annual fee if you use it at higher-category properties. The card currently offers one hundred and fifty thousand Hilton Honors points as a sign-up bonus after spending four thousand dollars in the first three months. You can get this card by clicking the link in our show notes. We're also seeing the Chase Sapphire Reserve's new three hundred dollar dining credit getting detailed coverage. This credit will work at a wide variety of restaurants, but there are some nuances to understand. The credit applies to eligible dining purchases and resets each cardmember year. It's designed to be easy to use, but you'll want to understand which merchants qualify to maximize the benefit. In airline news, we're seeing some interesting strategic moves. JSX, the public charter carrier, is expanding with luxury turboprops despite previous pressure from American Airlines and Southwest. They're planning thirty-seat all-business class ATR aircraft service, which could reach up to one thousand airports. This represents a fascinating evolution in the semi-private aviation space. Meanwhile, JetBlue is taking the opposite approach, parking planes and cutting routes to reduce losses. This reflects the current challenging environment for domestic economy travel, even as premium and international demand remains strong. For those tracking application strategies, there's updated guidance on the Citi AAdvantage Executive Card. This card offers significant value with its five hundred and ninety-five dollar annual fee, including Admirals Club membership and up to twenty thousand Loyalty Points annually without spending. The current sign-up bonus is substantial, but approval requirements are specific, so understanding Citi's application rules is crucial. In international developments, Iberia has unveiled its twenty thirty Flight Plan with new routes, cabins, and lounges planned. For oneworld alliance members, this expansion could create new redemption opportunities, especially as Iberia continues building its hub in Madrid. That wraps up today's miles and points news. Remember, the world of travel rewards moves quickly, so staying informed about these changes helps you maximize your earning and redemption strategies. 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 show notes. Thanks for listening to the Miles and Points Daily Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or visit us at milesandpointsdaily.com for more updates. Until next time, keep earning and keep exploring.