Welcome to the Miles and Points Daily Podcast, I'm Lucas, your friendly guide through the world of loyalty programs, credit card sign-up bonuses, and all the ways to travel better for less. Today we've got some exciting news including a time-sensitive Southwest deal that's ending very soon, Delta's surprising announcement about two new European routes, and a premium credit card that might just be the best first-year value we've seen. Let's dive right in.

But first, let me tell you about today's sponsor. Introducing hotelredemptions.com, a clever tool that monitors your hotel bookings and alerts you when you can rebook for fewer points. It's like having a personal assistant watching your reservations twenty-four seven, making sure you're always getting the best deal. Check out the link in our show notes.

Alright, let's start with some urgent news. If you've been thinking about getting a Southwest Companion Pass, today is literally your last chance to take advantage of an incredible offer. The Southwest credit card promotion offering one hundred thousand points is ending at nine AM Eastern on September eighteenth, two thousand and twenty-five. Now, the Companion Pass is arguably one of the best values in all of travel - it lets your designated companion fly with you for nearly free through two thousand and twenty-seven, paying only taxes and fees. With this credit card bonus, you'd be well on your way to earning the pass, which typically requires one hundred and twenty-five thousand qualifying points or one hundred qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year. If you're interested, you can get the card by clicking the link in our show notes, but remember, this offer ends very soon.

Now, here's a fun story from Delta. A few weeks ago, the airline asked SkyMiles members and employees to vote on which island destination in Europe they should add for summer two thousand and twenty-six. The choices were Malta and Sardinia. Well, Delta pulled a fast one and decided to launch nonstop JFK flights to both destinations. It's a classic airline move - why choose when you can have both? These new routes will give Delta customers more options in the Mediterranean, and for those of us collecting miles, it means new redemption opportunities. Malta and Sardinia aren't exactly oversaturated with direct flights from the US, so this could create some interesting award availability.

Speaking of interesting award availability, there's some disappointing news for United flyers. There's been a noticeable decline in United Polaris business class award availability. This is part of the broader trend we're seeing across the industry - as the miles and points hobby has gone mainstream, sweet spots are getting harder to find. The good news is that opportunities to earn points are better than ever, but redemptions are becoming more competitive. If you're planning a United Polaris trip, my advice is to book as far in advance as possible and be flexible with your dates.

Now let's talk about what might be the most interesting credit card development of the year. The Citi Strata Elite is offering eighty thousand bonus points plus two thousand four hundred dollars in first-year credits. This includes a three hundred dollar annual travel credit, two hundred and fifty dollars in statement credits for eligible purchases, and access to Mastercard's new World Legend benefits. The card comes with a substantial annual fee, but with those first-year credits, it could actually pay you to hold it for the first twelve months. The World Legend benefits include things like complimentary airport lounge access and enhanced customer service. If you're interested, you can apply through the link in our show notes.

There's also some good news for IHG One Rewards members. The hotel group has opened registration for its Q4 two thousand and twenty-five triple points promotion. This covers stays from October first through December thirty-first, and it's always worth registering for these promotions even if you don't have immediate travel plans. Hotel points can be incredibly valuable, especially during peak travel seasons when cash rates are high.

Here's an interesting development in the lounge access world. Priority Pass has launched something called Priority Pass Private, an invitation-only program for high-net-worth travelers. This is quite a departure from Priority Pass's usual democratized approach to lounge access. Details are still emerging, but it appears to offer more exclusive experiences and potentially access to higher-end lounges. It's worth noting that this doesn't affect regular Priority Pass membership, which you can still get through many premium credit cards.

For those planning trips to Boston, SWISS has announced that their new Airbus A350-900s with updated cabins will start serving the route in fall two thousand and twenty-five. This is earlier than originally planned, which is great news for travelers. New aircraft typically mean better passenger experiences, more efficient operations, and sometimes even better award availability as airlines try to fill the planes.

Finally, there's been a significant change in the Delta-Aeromexico partnership. The two airlines have lost their antitrust immunity and are scaling back their partnership. This could affect routing options and potentially award redemptions between the US and Mexico. If you regularly travel to Mexico using Delta miles, you'll want to keep an eye on how this develops.

Before we wrap up, here's a quick tip about Delta's hotel booking platform. Many Delta Amex cardholders have an annual hotel statement credit that can be used on Delta Stays. This is often an underutilized benefit, so if you have one of these cards, make sure you're taking advantage of this credit for your hotel bookings.

That's all for today's Miles and Points Daily Podcast. Before you go, I want to tell you about AwardTravelFinder.com. 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 today's episode. Don't forget to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or visit us at milesandpointsdaily.com. Until tomorrow, keep earning those miles and maximizing those points. Safe travels!