✈️ Delta Poaching Competitors' Loyalists, United Credit Card Shakeup & Lufthansa Flash Sale

Welcome to the Miles & Points Daily Podcast! I'm your host Lucas, and I'm here to bring you the latest news in the world of travel rewards. Grab your coffee and let's dive into what's happening in the miles and points world today. First up, Delta Air Lines is making aggressive moves to poach loyal customers from other airlines. According to View from the Wing, Delta's President Glen Hauenstein revealed during their first quarter earnings call that Southwest Airlines' most loyal flyers are jumping ship—and Delta is just getting started. They've been running an elevated status match offer specifically targeting Southwest elites, and apparently, it's working well. Delta is also setting its sights on Spirit and Frontier loyal customers as they continue their push to attract premium travelers. If you're currently loyal to one of these airlines, it might be worth looking into Delta's status match opportunities while they're available. Speaking of great deals, there was a flash sale on Lufthansa business class tickets yesterday. View from the Wing reported Lufthansa was offering lie-flat business class to Europe for just one thousand and sixty-two dollars roundtrip—about seventy-five percent off usual prices. These kinds of deals rarely last more than a few hours, so it's a good reminder to follow deal alert websites or subscribe to fare alerts if you're looking for premium cabin bargains. In credit card news, Chase and United Airlines have unveiled significant changes to their co-branded credit card lineup. The updates include the ability to earn United 1K status without flying, lounge access, and over one thousand dollars in credits with the new premium offerings. While annual fees have increased across the board, the value proposition remains strong with these new benefits. If you're a United flyer, these refreshed cards are definitely worth considering, especially if you value elite status but don't fly enough to earn it the traditional way. In a troubling story from American Airlines, a twenty-five-year veteran flight attendant has been fired after being assaulted by a passenger on a Charlotte to Las Vegas flight. According to reporting from View from the Wing, the flight attendant is now facing the loss of his home. This unfortunate situation highlights the challenges faced by airline staff when dealing with unruly passengers and raises questions about the support systems in place for employees in these situations. On a lighter note, a Delta pilot recently found a unique way to calm nervous passengers. View from the Wing reports that the pilot told the cabin, 'I've got eight chickens at home counting on me,' as a humorous way to reassure everyone about their safe return. Sometimes a bit of personality from the flight deck can make all the difference during a stressful flight! Virgin Atlantic is making headlines for a controversial accusation of loyalty fraud against a customer. One Mile at a Time reports that the accusations don't seem to add up, raising questions about how airlines monitor and enforce their loyalty program rules. This serves as a reminder to always keep detailed records of your miles earning activities, especially for high-value redemptions. In hotel news, luxury travelers have two exciting new properties to add to their wish lists. Capella Taipei has just opened, setting a new standard for luxury accommodations in Taiwan, while the two-hundred and fifty-two-room Waldorf Astoria Osaka has also welcomed its first guests. Both properties look absolutely stunning and are bookable with points for those looking to maximize their travel rewards in Asia. For those tracking airline style changes, Air New Zealand has unveiled bold new uniforms that are anything but traditional. As One Mile at a Time describes them, they're 'pretty dazzling' with unique designs that reflect New Zealand's culture and landscape. It's always interesting to see how airlines use their uniforms to express their brand identity. And here's a reminder that the REAL ID deadline is fast approaching—May seventh, two thousand and twenty-five. After multiple delays spanning nearly seventeen years, the government insists this deadline is finally for real. If you haven't upgraded your ID yet, now's the time to make plans to do so, especially if you frequently travel domestically using just a driver's license as identification. For American Airlines loyalists, Citi is offering an attractive deal on their American AAdvantage Business Card with seventy-five thousand miles and a waived annual fee for the first year. This could be an excellent opportunity to boost your AAdvantage balance if you qualify for a business card. Amex has also rolled out targeted offers for Virgin Atlantic flights, which could provide significant savings for transatlantic travelers. Be sure to check your American Express account to see if you're eligible for these offers. For Marriott Bonvoy members, there's a promotion offering fifteen thousand bonus points when you book a minimum two-night stay at Marriott Homes and Villas properties. The catch is you'll need to spend at least one thousand two hundred dollars and complete your stay by April thirtieth. While not exactly a budget option, it could be worthwhile if you were already planning a luxury vacation rental stay. Great news for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines cardholders—reciprocal checked bag benefits are coming as part of the ongoing merger between the two carriers. Even better, Alaska Airlines Visa cardholders will be able to use their companion fare certificates on Hawaiian-operated flights starting this summer, though this will be limited to flights within Hawaii initially. And for those of you who enjoy a good office supply store deal, Office Depot and OfficeMax are currently offering fifteen dollars off when you purchase three hundred dollars or more in Mastercard gift cards. This promotion is expected to run through April twelfth, but availability may vary by location, so your mileage may vary. For Target shoppers, mark your calendars—starting April thirteenth through the nineteenth, you can get a free ten-dollar Target gift card when purchasing a one-hundred-dollar Apple gift card. This is a nice ten percent return if you're planning to make Apple purchases anyway. 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 wraps up today's Miles & Points Daily Podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you enjoyed the show, please subscribe on all major podcast platforms or visit us at milesandpointsdaily.com. Until tomorrow, happy traveling and even happier points collecting!