Hey there points enthusiasts! Welcome to another episode of Miles & Points Daily. I'm Lucas, and I've got some fascinating news today that might just change your travel plans - and not necessarily in a good way.

Let's dive right in with some breaking news from Emirates that's causing quite a stir in the miles and points community. Starting Monday, May 12th, Emirates will be restricting first-class award tickets to their elite members only - that means Silver, Gold, and Platinum status holders. If you've been dreaming of experiencing their incredible first-class product without elite status, you've got just a few days left to book. There are still some workarounds though, including booking through partner programs, so don't lose hope completely.

In credit card news, we're approaching the final days of the Chase Sapphire Preferred's incredible one hundred thousand point welcome bonus. This offer ends May 15th at nine AM Eastern time, so if you've been on the fence, now's the time to act. This bonus is worth at least one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars in travel when redeemed through Chase's portal, and potentially even more when transferred to partners. You can apply through our link in the show notes.

Here's an interesting tidbit that made me chuckle - View from the Wing reported that Buzz Aldrin had to fill out a customs declaration form when he returned from the moon in nineteen sixty-nine. Yes, you heard that right - even astronauts have to deal with paperwork! He had to declare moon rocks as cargo upon re-entering the United States.

For hotel enthusiasts, there's an interesting development in the world of resort fees - although this one's a bit different. A Holiday Inn Express has been spotted charging a one dollar and sixty-five cent fee just to process payments. While it's a relatively small amount, it's yet another example of hotels finding creative ways to add fees to your stay.

In more positive news, JetBlue has unveiled a new Dunkin' themed aircraft livery that's turning heads with its orange and pink color scheme. It's quite the eye-catching collaboration between two beloved East Coast brands.

And before we wrap up, here's your daily dose of miles and points wisdom: remember that while chasing status and rewards is exciting, don't forget to appreciate the simple joys of travel. Sometimes the best memories come from unexpected moments, like the heartwarming story reported this week about a Southwest passenger and agent who both broke down in tears after an act of unexpected kindness.

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's all for today's episode! 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 tips and insights. Until next time, keep earning those miles!