Welcome to Miles and Points Daily Podcast! I'm Lucas, your host, and I've got to say, today's news is quite the mix – from cheese counters to elevator codes, and yes, even someone cooking shrimp in an airplane bathroom. Because apparently, nothing says fine dining quite like a Delta lavatory. But before we dive into today's stories, let me tell you about a tool that's actually useful for your travels.

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, except this one actually works and won't judge you for booking that overpriced resort.

Now, let's get into today's miles and points news, starting with some excellent opportunities for earning more points and miles.

JetBlue TrueBlue is currently offering up to a one hundred and twenty-five percent bonus when you buy points, bringing the cost down to just one point four three cents each. This is actually a solid deal if you're eyeing a specific redemption. My tip? Only buy points when you have a specific use in mind – never buy them speculatively. JetBlue points are great for domestic travel and their Mint business class product, so if you've been watching a particular route, this could be your chance to grab those points at a discount.

Speaking of point bonuses, Hilton Honors American Express cards are currently offering welcome bonuses of up to one hundred and seventy-five thousand points. These are limited-time offers, so if you've been considering a Hilton card, now might be the time to act. The Hilton cards are particularly valuable if you stay at Hiltons regularly, as they offer automatic Gold or Diamond status depending on the card tier. Remember, you can get these cards by clicking the links in our show notes.

For those of you planning trips to Italy, there's a comprehensive guide out on the best ways to get there using points and miles. Italy is actually quite accessible with award flights, especially if you're flexible with your routing. Consider flying into cities like Rome or Milan with partners like Lufthansa, Air France, or even Turkish Airlines through various programs. The key is booking well in advance and being open to connections.

Now, let's talk lounges, because that's where some of today's most interesting stories are coming from. The Capital One Lounge at JFK is getting rave reviews, particularly for its cheese counter. Yes, you heard that right – people are traveling to airports for cheese. The lounge is being called one of the best credit card lounges in the United States, which is quite the achievement. If you're flying through JFK and have access through a Capital One Venture card, it's definitely worth a visit.

But here's a really interesting tip from Denver: the United Club there has a hidden third floor that most people don't know about. There's apparently a simple elevator code that gives you access to a much quieter, less crowded space. This is exactly the kind of insider knowledge that can make your airport experience so much better. The newer United Club on the A West concourse is already spacious, but having access to an even more private area? That's gold.

United is also debuting a massive new club in Denver with expanded space and upgraded amenities. It seems like Denver is really becoming a hub for premium airport experiences, which makes sense given United's significant presence there.

In other news, Delta is implementing new security protocols in Atlanta for passengers connecting from London flights, which should significantly reduce connection times. This is part of a broader trend of airlines working to streamline the international connection experience.

For those interested in credit card comparisons, there's an updated head-to-head between the Chase Sapphire Preferred and American Express Gold cards. Both are excellent mid-tier options, but they serve slightly different purposes. The Sapphire Preferred is better for general travel, while the Amex Gold shines for dining and grocery purchases. Choose based on your spending patterns.

Hawaiian Airlines announced they're adding premium economy to their Airbus A330 fleet, which is great news for longer Pacific routes. Premium economy has become increasingly popular as passengers look for something between economy and business class.

Royal Jordanian is also planning new Boeing 787 business class seats, showing that even smaller carriers are investing heavily in their premium products.

Here's an important warning for everyone: there's a story about an airline threatening to ban someone from their loyalty program over a legitimate credit card dispute. This is a concerning trend where airlines are becoming increasingly aggressive about protecting their revenue, even when customers have valid complaints. My advice? Document everything when dealing with airline issues, and consider the potential consequences before filing credit card disputes with airlines.

Delta is running a promotion called 'Beyond the Summer' offering triple miles on car rentals and hotel stays. These partner promotions can be lucrative if you're planning travel anyway, but don't change your plans just to chase bonus miles.

Finally, there are elevated bonuses for Apple purchases through airline shopping portals, with some offering up to four miles per dollar. If you're in the market for new Apple products anyway, this is an easy way to earn extra miles.

That wraps up today's miles and points news. Before I let you go, if you're 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 Miles and Points Daily Podcast. If you found today's episode helpful, please subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or visit us at milesandpointsdaily.com. Until tomorrow, keep earning those miles and points!