Welcome to Miles & Points Daily Podcast! I'm Lucas, your host, and I'm here to help you navigate the wild world of miles, points, and credit cards. Today we've got some intriguing transfer bonuses, new credit card launches, and yes, we'll also touch on why you might want to think twice before eating off that airplane tray table. But first, let me tell you about a fantastic 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, so you never miss out on savings when award availability opens up.

Now, let's dive into today's miles and points news. We've got a couple of solid transfer bonuses to discuss, starting with Citi ThankYou Rewards. They're currently offering a twenty-five percent bonus when transferring points to Wyndham Rewards. With this promotion, you'll get one thousand two hundred and fifty Wyndham points for every one thousand Citi ThankYou points you transfer. While Wyndham isn't typically the most exciting hotel program, this could be useful if you're planning stays at their properties or need to top off your account for a specific redemption. The bonus runs for a limited time, so if you've been eyeing a Wyndham property, this might be your moment.

Speaking of Citi ThankYou, there's been a program update that's actually quite significant. You can now transfer ThankYou points to American Airlines AAdvantage from several no-annual-fee Citi cards, not just the premium ones. This opens up more flexibility for cardholders who prefer to avoid annual fees but still want access to airline transfer partners. The transfer ratio remains the same at one-to-one, which makes this a valuable addition to the program.

Moving on to new credit card launches, Walmart has introduced the OnePay CashRewards card, issued by Synchrony Bank. This card offers a thirty-five dollar sign-up bonus after you spend seventy-five dollars within thirty days. It earns five percent cash back at Walmart for Walmart Plus members, three percent for non-members, and one percent on all other purchases. While this isn't a miles and points card per se, it's worth noting for those who shop frequently at Walmart and want to maximize their cash back.

There's also been buzz around the new Alaska and Hawaiian Atmos Rewards Summit card. This is the premium offering from the newly merged loyalty program of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. It's being positioned as a high-value proposition, though specific details about the sign-up bonus and benefits package are still being finalized. If you're loyal to either Alaska or Hawaiian, this could be worth watching as the programs continue to integrate.

Now, let's talk strategy for a moment. A reader recently asked about DoorDash as a way to earn American Airlines miles, specifically mentioning the possibility of earning five thousand nine hundred miles for a single thirty-minute delivery. While this might seem tempting for status boosts, remember that earning miles through rideshare and delivery platforms often requires significant time investment relative to the miles earned. Your time might be better spent focusing on credit card sign-up bonuses or strategic spending.

Speaking of strategic spending, if you're looking to maximize dining rewards, there are several excellent options worth considering. The American Express Gold Card remains a top choice with four points per dollar on dining, while cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred offer three points per dollar. The key is matching your spending patterns with the right bonus categories and ensuring you're getting the best redemption value from your accumulated points.

For those planning international travel, don't forget about foreign transaction fees. Many premium travel cards waive these fees, which can save you significant money on overseas spending. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, and most American Express cards don't charge foreign transaction fees, making them ideal for international purchases.

Before we wrap up, I want to address something important about travel hygiene. Recent reports about airline cleanliness have been, frankly, disturbing. From dirty tray tables to passengers putting their bare feet on entertainment screens, it's a reminder to always pack sanitizing wipes and maintain good travel hygiene. Your miles and points might get you to amazing destinations, but basic cleanliness shouldn't be optional.

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That's all for today's Miles & Points Daily Podcast. Thank you for listening! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or visit our website at milesandpointsdaily.com. We're here every day with the latest miles and points news to help you travel better for less. Until tomorrow, keep earning and keep exploring!