Welcome to the Miles & Points Daily Podcast, I'm your host Lucas. Whether you're a miles and points veteran or just starting to dip your toes into the world of travel rewards, I'm here to break down the latest news that matters to your wallet and your next adventure. Today we've got some big credit card news, hotel updates, and a few travel stories that range from hilarious to downright concerning. Before we dive in, let me tell you about a tool that could save you thousands of points. 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 top stories. First up, we have some urgent credit card news that could save you big. The Citi AAdvantage Executive Card is offering one hundred thousand bonus miles, but this is being called the last chance to get this incredible offer. This is American Airlines' most premium co-branded card, and one hundred thousand miles is substantial value. That's enough for multiple domestic flights or a solid head start on an international trip. The card does come with a higher annual fee, but for frequent American Airlines flyers, the perks like Admirals Club access and priority boarding can easily justify the cost. If you're interested, you can get the card by clicking the link in the shownotes, but don't wait too long as this offer appears to be ending soon. Speaking of credit cards, The Points Guy has an excellent comparison guide out covering premium business cards. They're comparing the Venture X Business, Amex Business Platinum, and the new Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business. This is particularly timely because Chase finally entered the premium business card market, giving entrepreneurs another solid option for earning travel rewards while managing business expenses. Each card has different strengths, so it's worth checking out the full comparison to see which aligns best with your spending patterns. Now let's talk hotels. The Conrad Bora Bora is closing for renovations in early twenty twenty-six. This is one of the most sought-after Hilton properties for points redemptions, especially for those looking to use Hilton Honors points for a once-in-a-lifetime overwater bungalow experience. The renovation is exciting news for the long term, but if you've been dreaming of a Bora Bora getaway using your Hilton points, you'll want to book before the closure. The property will likely be even more spectacular after the renovation, but it also means potentially higher point requirements when it reopens. There's also exciting news from Helsinki, where a new Waldorf Astoria is opening soon in the former Hotel Maria location. This one hundred and sixteen room property will give travelers another luxury option in Finland's capital. For those with Hilton Honors points, this adds another aspirational redemption option in Northern Europe. Moving on to some operational updates, Alaska Airlines has ordered five more Boeing seven eight seven Dreamliners and is opening a Dreamliner base in Seattle. This is significant for the miles and points community because it means more long-haul options from Seattle, which could create new redemption opportunities and potentially better award availability on Alaska and partner airlines. More routes typically mean more competition and better value for travelers. On the topic of travel programs, there's been significant discussion about Global Entry and TSA PreCheck. The Points Guy has published comprehensive guides on getting these programs for free or at a discount. Many premium credit cards offer statement credits for these programs, making them essentially free. If you're not already enrolled in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, it's worth checking if any of your current cards offer this benefit. The time savings alone make these programs invaluable for frequent travelers. There's also been analysis of the Bilt Rewards program, which has apparently hit ten billion dollars in value. This program has been controversial among some in the miles and points community, with skeptics questioning its sustainability. However, as one analyst pointed out, if you think they're providing too much value to be sustainable, that's actually a reason to participate more, not less. You might as well benefit from the excess value while it lasts. For those interested in maximizing Avios, The Points Guy has published an updated guide on all the airlines where you can use Avios points. This includes British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Finnair, Qatar Airways, and several others. Avios can be particularly valuable for short-haul flights and can sometimes offer better redemption rates than transferring points to other programs. Finally, let's talk about a few travel incidents that, while not directly miles and points related, do affect the travel experience. There have been several concerning incidents recently, from passengers behaving inappropriately on flights to operational issues with aircraft. These stories serve as reminders that while we focus on maximizing rewards and benefits, safety and courtesy should always be our top priorities when traveling. One lighter note from the travel world: apparently a wing flap from a Delta Boeing seven three seven ended up in someone's driveway in Raleigh. The plane landed safely and nobody was hurt, but imagine the surprise of the homeowner finding an aircraft part in their driveway the next morning. It's certainly not something you see every day, and it highlights the importance of thorough aircraft maintenance and inspection procedures. As we wrap up today's episode, remember that the miles and points game is constantly evolving. Credit card offers change, airline partnerships shift, and new opportunities emerge regularly. The key is staying informed and being ready to act when great opportunities arise, like that Citi AAdvantage Executive card offer I mentioned earlier. 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 shownotes. Thanks for tuning in to the Miles & Points Daily Podcast. If you found today's episode helpful, please subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or visit our website at milesandpointsdaily.com for more travel rewards news and tips. Until next time, keep earning and keep exploring.