✈️ LAX Baggage Recheck Relief, Chase Sapphire at DFW, ANA Ends Round the World Awards

Welcome to the Miles & Points Daily Podcast, your go-to source for the latest news in travel rewards. I'm your host Lucas, and today we've got some exciting developments to discuss in the world of miles and points. From international connection improvements to major loyalty program changes and new premium lounges, we've got it all covered. Let's dive right in! First up, some great news for travelers connecting through Los Angeles International Airport. According to View from the Wing, American Airlines has launched a new initiative with U.S. Customs and Border Protection that will allow passengers flying from Sydney to skip the baggage recheck process at LAX. This has long been one of the most frustrating parts of international connections in the US, where you have to collect your bags, walk them through customs, and then re-check them for your connecting flight. American Airlines says they expect to expand this test to other airports in the future, potentially making international connections much smoother for travelers. If you're planning a trip from Australia to the US with a connection in LA, this could save you significant time and hassle. In credit card lounge news, after two years of silence, plans for a Chase Sapphire Lounge at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport have finally surfaced. Both View from the Wing and One Mile at a Time report that the new lounge will be an impressive eighteen thousand square feet in Terminal D, complete with newly installed elevators. Chase has been aggressively expanding its airport lounge network to compete with American Express Centurion Lounges and Capital One Lounges. No official opening date has been announced yet, but this addition will be welcome news for Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders passing through DFW. Speaking of lounges, American Airlines is opening a new Flagship Lounge in Philadelphia this summer, according to One Mile at a Time. While we don't have an exact opening date yet, this will be a welcome addition for premium cabin passengers and elite status holders traveling through Philadelphia. Delta Air Lines has also revealed plans for a new Delta One Lounge at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, but as One Mile at a Time reports, we'll need to be patient as the opening date hasn't been specified yet. Delta has been expanding its premium lounge network to better compete with other airlines' first-class lounge offerings. In airline news, Alaska Airlines has launched a unique promotion offering elite status to travelers flying to Australia or New Zealand. As reported by View from the Wing and One Mile at a Time, you can earn Alaska Mileage Plan elite status with just one coach trip to either country. This is a smart way for Alaska to leverage its loyalty program to boost business for recently acquired Hawaiian Airlines. If you've been thinking about a trip down under, this could be a great opportunity to earn valuable elite status with a single flight. Now for some significant changes to the ANA Mileage Club program. Starting June 24th, two thousand and twenty-five, ANA will finally allow one-way award flights for half the cost of roundtrip tickets. This applies to both ANA's own flights and partner awards. This is excellent news and addresses one of the biggest frustrations with the program. However, as View from the Wing, One Mile at a Time, and Frequent Miler all report, there are some downsides too. Many award prices are increasing, with peak season first class jumping to three hundred thousand miles roundtrip. Perhaps most disappointing, ANA is discontinuing their popular Round the World award tickets, which have long been one of the best values in the miles and points world. If you've been following Air France news, you'll know they've just debuted their stunning new La Premiere first class product. One Mile at a Time reports that the first aircraft with this new cabin took flight recently, bringing a significant upgrade to their already excellent first class experience. The entire Boeing 777-300ER aircraft received a tip-to-tail makeover, including new business class seats as well. If you're planning a premium cabin trip to Europe, this new product is definitely worth considering. Speaking of credit card strategies, View from the Wing has published an interesting article about credit card strategy for two thousand and twenty-five. It provides insights into which cards are worth carrying in your wallet daily versus keeping in a drawer, which can help inform your own credit card decisions. In an alarming report from View from the Wing, passengers on an Air India flight from Chicago to Delhi were apparently forced out of business class seats that were claimed to be 'broken,' only to later observe cabin crew sleeping in those same seats. This kind of service issue is exactly what airlines trying to improve their reputation should avoid. On a more practical note, The Points Guy reminds us that the Real ID requirement for airport security in the US will go into effect on May 7th, just less than a month away. If you haven't updated your identification yet, now is definitely the time to do so to avoid issues at airport security. For hotel enthusiasts, Frequent Miler reports that Choice Privileges has returned with a timeshare presentation offer that could be worth considering. For two hundred and seventy-nine dollars, you can get a three-night stay at one of seven destinations, plus seventy thousand bonus Choice Privileges points. If you don't mind sitting through a sales pitch, this could represent good value. In credit card news, there are reports from Doctor of Credit that Citi has paused applications for the Citi Rewards+ card, which might indicate the card is being discontinued or redesigned. And finally, some concerning news about European travel to the US. The Points Guy reports that nearly one hundred and seventy-eight thousand fewer Western Europeans arrived in the US by air in March compared to last year, representing a seventeen-point-four percent drop. This continues a trend of declining international visitors to the United States. And now, a quick word from our sponsor. 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 for listening! If you found this information useful, please subscribe to our podcast on all major platforms or visit us at milesandpointsdaily.com. I'll be back tomorrow with more of the latest news and tips to help you maximize your travel rewards. Until then, happy traveling!