Hello, and welcome back to Miles & Points Daily Podcast. I'm Lucas, your host, bringing you the latest news and insights from the world of miles and points. Before we dive into today's stories, let me tell you about a game-changing tool for hotel redemptions. introducing hotelredemptions.com, a tool that monitors your hotel bookings and alerts you when you can rebook for less points. It's a fantastic way to ensure you're always getting the best value from your hotel award stays.

Now, let's talk about American Airlines making some significant changes to their inflight credit card pitches. American Airlines has dumped Barclays for Citi, and the onboard credit card deals just got better, even though those annoying announcements are here to stay. American's inflight card pitches are still the wake-up call everyone dreads, but now with Citi's exclusive deal, the bonus miles available onboard are better than what you'll find anywhere else. If you're flying American and hear one of these pitches, the onboard offers are now worth considering. For those interested in American Airlines credit cards, you can find the latest offers by clicking the link in our shownotes.

Speaking of credit cards, the Chase Sapphire Reserve has received a refresh that's got cardholders excited. The new benefits are such a win for many cardholders that some are saying they're kicking themselves for not upgrading earlier. The refreshed Chase Sapphire Reserve includes enhanced benefits that make the card even more valuable for frequent travelers. If you've been considering this premium travel card, now might be the perfect time to apply. You can find the current welcome bonus offer by clicking the link in our shownotes.

For those of you focused on maximizing your Chase points, let's talk about the fourth quarter Pay Yourself Back categories. The categories for Chase's Pay Yourself Back feature have been updated, including select cobranded cards. You can now earn enhanced redemption rates on various purchases including qualifying charities, department stores, gas stations, groceries, and home improvement stores. The key tip here is to make sure you're enrolled in the program before making your purchases, as you won't receive any statement credits if you fail to do this. For Chase Sapphire Reserve holders, you can get up to one point five cents per point for qualifying charities and one point two five cents per point for other eligible categories. This is a great way to stretch the value of your Ultimate Rewards points, especially if you're not planning any major travel redemptions in the near future.

Looking for a different type of rewards earning? TopCashback is offering a twenty five dollar welcome bonus for new members who earn their first ten dollars back. TopCashback guarantees the highest cash-back rate for your online purchases and has one valuable feature that no other cash-back portal has: a Highest Cash Back Guarantee. If you find a better cash-back deal on another site, you can file a claim, and TopCashback will match the offer. This is a great complement to your credit card strategy, as you can earn cash back through TopCashback and still earn points or miles on your credit card purchase.

Let's talk about some airline news that affects award bookings. Spirit Airlines is making tough decisions in bankruptcy as it fights to survive. The airline is slashing its fleet and will get rid of more than one hundred planes as part of its bankruptcy restructuring. Spirit asked a bankruptcy court for permission to reject leases on eighty seven Airbus aircraft. This comes in addition to a separate deal to return twenty seven more planes, totaling one hundred fourteen aircraft. This represents more than half of Spirit's fleet. While this doesn't directly impact other airline award programs, it's important to be aware of potential schedule changes if you have any Spirit flights booked or if you're considering flying with them in the future.

Shifting to hotel news, Marriott's new adventure lodge brand, Trailborn Hotels and Resorts, is worth knowing about for points enthusiasts. These boutique adventure lodges are now part of Marriott Bonvoy, offering a unique way to use your Marriott points for outdoor-focused stays. Trailborn properties are located in destinations like Highlands North Carolina, Estes Park Colorado, and Williams Arizona near the Grand Canyon. Since they're part of Marriott Bonvoy, you can earn and redeem Marriott points for stays, though some traditional Bonvoy benefits like guaranteed lounge access and upgrade awards aren't available. If you're looking for a nature-focused getaway, these properties offer a fresh alternative to traditional hotel stays.

For those interested in diversifying your credit card strategy, consider focusing on cards that complement each other. The best credit card strategy often involves multiple cards that work together to maximize rewards across different spending categories. For example, pairing a strong travel card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve with a grocery and dining card like the American Express Gold Card can help you earn elevated rates across your biggest spending categories. The key is identifying your largest expense categories and finding cards that offer the highest rewards rates in those areas.

That wraps up today's episode of Miles & Points Daily Podcast. Before we go, let me tell you about Award Travel Finder. 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 listening to Miles & Points Daily Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and visit us at milesandpointsdaily.com for more miles and points news and insights. Until next time, keep earning and burning those points wisely!