Hello everyone and welcome back to the Miles and Points Daily Podcast! I'm your host Lucas, and I've got to tell you, today's news is a bit of a mixed bag. We've got artificial intelligence taking over hotel room assignments, airlines making some questionable booking decisions, and let me just say, British Airways might want to double-check their crew accommodation arrangements going forward. But before we dive into all that drama, let me tell you about a tool that could save you a ton of points on your hotel stays. Introducing hotelredemptions.com, a clever 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, making sure you're not overpaying for your stays. Now, let's get into today's news. First up, Marriott is rolling out some major changes that could affect how you get room upgrades and assignments. Starting July fourteenth, Marriott will be using artificial intelligence to decide which rooms guests get assigned and who deserves an upgrade. Now, this might sound a bit dystopian at first, but hear me out. The AI system is designed to be more consistent and fair than human front desk staff, who might play favorites or make decisions based on their mood. For elite members, this could actually be good news. The AI will supposedly follow strict criteria based on your elite status, stay history, and other factors, which means you're more likely to get the upgrade you've earned rather than being passed over because the front desk agent didn't feel like helping that day. My tip here is to make sure your Marriott profile is completely up to date with all your preferences and travel history, as the AI will likely use this information to make decisions. Also, consider booking directly with Marriott rather than through third-party sites, as this will ensure the AI has access to your full profile when making room assignments. Speaking of airlines making changes, JetBlue is pulling back from several markets as they continue to struggle financially. They're completely ending service to Miami and will only operate seasonally out of Seattle. This is part of a broader cost-cutting effort that includes retiring four Airbus A three twenty aircraft. If you're a JetBlue TrueBlue member who frequently flies these routes, now might be a good time to start building up miles with other carriers that serve these markets. For Miami specifically, consider American Airlines, which has a major hub there, or Southwest, which has significant service. Both offer good redemption opportunities to the Caribbean and Latin America. In more positive news, United has expanded their Polaris Lounge at Newark Airport with a new dedicated dining room. This is great news for premium travelers, as the Newark Polaris Lounge was already one of the better options in the United network. The expansion should help with crowding during peak travel times. If you're flying United Polaris class or have access through status, definitely plan some extra time to enjoy the enhanced facilities. Now, here's a story that's going to make you double-check your hotel bookings. British Airways had a major booking error that resulted in their flight attendants being housed at what can only be described as a very adult-oriented hotel in Milan. The crew arrived to find rooms with bondage equipment, adult toys, and other amenities that are definitely not part of standard airline accommodation policies. The crew was deemed unfit to fly the next day, causing significant delays. While this is obviously a serious operational issue for British Airways, it does highlight the importance of airlines having proper vetting processes for crew hotels. For us as passengers, it's a reminder that sometimes travel doesn't go according to plan, and having travel insurance or flexible bookings can save you when airlines face unexpected operational issues. Let's talk about a useful guide that dropped this week. One Mile at a Time published an excellent breakdown of when different airlines open up their award seats for booking. This is crucial information if you're trying to snag premium cabin awards or flights to popular destinations. Here are the key dates to remember: Most airlines open their award calendar eleven to twelve months in advance, but some like Alaska Airlines only go ten months out, while others like Emirates can go up to nearly a year. The trick is knowing exactly when each airline releases their seats and being ready to book right when the calendar opens. I recommend setting calendar reminders for exactly three hundred and thirty days before your planned travel date for most major carriers. Also, consider booking refundable or changeable awards when possible, as airlines sometimes release additional award space closer to departure. On the credit card front, there's been some good analysis comparing the top premium travel cards. With recent changes to both the Platinum Card from American Express and the upcoming refresh of the Chase Sapphire Reserve, it's worth re-evaluating which card makes the most sense for your spending patterns. The key factors to consider are the annual fee versus the value you'll actually use from the benefits, the earning rates on your typical spending categories, and whether the travel credits align with your actual travel patterns. Don't just focus on the flashy benefits you might use once a year; look at the day-to-day value proposition. There's also a targeted Amex Offer running for Marriott stays that could provide some solid savings. These offers vary by cardholder, but typically provide statement credits when you spend a certain amount at participating hotels. If you have this offer, it can stack nicely with Marriott's own promotions and any elite night credits you're earning. Always check your Amex Offers regularly, as new deals are added frequently and some are time-sensitive. Looking ahead to some exciting developments, Philippine Airlines is expecting delivery of their new Airbus A three fifty dash one thousand aircraft later this year, featuring brand new cabin products. This is significant for premium travel to and from the Philippines, as the airline is investing heavily in improving their long-haul experience. The new planes will feature updated business class seats and improved economy cabins, which should make Philippines Airlines more competitive with other Asian carriers. If you're planning travel to the Philippines, it might be worth waiting for these new aircraft to enter service if your schedule allows. Chase is also moving forward with their Sapphire Lounge network, with more details revealed about the upcoming Los Angeles location. This will be welcome news for premium cardholders flying out of LAX, which has been underserved in terms of non-airline lounges. The Chase Sapphire Lounges have generally been well-received, offering a more premium experience than typical airline lounges. Before we wrap up, I want to highlight an important reminder about elite status strategies. Several articles this week discussed earning Marriott elite status through credit cards, and it's worth noting that this remains one of the most effective ways to achieve status without actually staying in hotels. The Marriott credit cards can provide automatic elite status and also help you earn additional elite nights through spending. However, remember that credit card elite status often comes with some limitations compared to status earned through actual stays, particularly when it comes to upgrades and suite night awards. That's all for today's Miles and Points Daily Podcast. Remember, the travel rewards game is always evolving, so stay informed and stay flexible with your strategies. 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! If you enjoyed today's episode, please subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or visit us at milesandpointsdaily.com. Until next time, keep earning and keep exploring!