✈️ Miles & Points Daily: 50-Year-Old Nuclear Boeing 747s, Resort Fee Policies, and Americans Jailed in Mexico

Hey there, frequent flyers and point collectors! Welcome to Miles & Points Daily Podcast. I'm your host, Lucas, and I'm thrilled to be your guide through the ever-changing landscape of travel rewards. Today, we've got a jam-packed episode with some fascinating stories that might just change how you think about your next redemption or hotel stay. So buckle up—this is your first-class ticket to today's miles and points news! Let's kick things off with something truly unique. Did you know there are 50-year-old Boeing 747s that are constantly ready to launch in case of nuclear war? Yes, you heard that right! These aren't your average jumbo jets. As View from the Wing reports, these specialized aircraft feature hardened communications systems that can resist electronic warfare and cyber-attacks, with protection against electromagnetic pulses and nuclear-thermal shielding. They can be refueled mid-air to extend missions indefinitely and have secure conference rooms, briefing rooms, and space for up to 112 personnel. Perhaps most impressive is their trailing low-frequency antenna that can extend up to five miles to communicate with submerged submarines. The interesting part? Their thirteen billion dollar replacements are actually used Korean Air jets. Talk about a high-stakes upgrade! Speaking of things that might make you raise an eyebrow at the airport, Gary Leff from View from the Wing has highlighted the practice of what's known as 'Cold Drink Money' at some international airports. This is essentially the not-so-subtle way some airport officials demand bribes. Gary mentions his experience in Manila where he had to pay a cash fee before proceeding through security, received a paper receipt, and then handed that receipt to someone immediately afterward. If you're traveling to regions where this might be common, it's worth researching ahead of time what fees are legitimate and what might be an unofficial 'surcharge.' Now, let's talk hotel loyalty programs—specifically resort fees on award stays. According to View from the Wing, Hilton and Hyatt don't add resort fees to free nights, but Marriott lets its hotels do it, even though they have the contractual ability to ban the practice. When Marriott took over Starwood and launched the Bonvoy program, they apparently told property owners that the economics would work out better for them. Part of how they achieved this was by allowing these additional charges on their customers, even on award stays. This is definitely something to keep in mind when comparing the true value of your free night redemptions across different hotel chains. If you're trying to decide which hotel loyalty program is best for your travel style, Ben Schlappig at One Mile at a Time has a fresh analysis on which program works best for leisure travelers. As Ben points out, there's no 'one size fits all' answer, as everyone is looking for different things from a hotel group. Some prioritize elite benefits, others focus on earning rates, while some just want the widest selection of properties. If you're primarily a vacation traveler rather than a business road warrior, it's worth checking out his detailed comparison to find the program that aligns with your travel patterns. Here's a cautionary tale that might make you think twice about how you handle resort disputes. One Mile at a Time reports on a bizarre situation where an American couple is being jailed in Mexico over a dispute with a resort company. The couple claims they've been jailed over a legitimate credit card dispute, while the company claims the couple committed fraud. This underscores the importance of understanding the potential consequences of credit card chargebacks, especially in international jurisdictions where consumer protection laws might differ significantly from what we're used to in the United States. For those of you planning European travel, there's news about the Emirates first class product. According to One Mile at a Time, Emirates' new first class—which Ben ranks as one of the world's best—is now available on select routes. If you're looking to experience this premium product, you'll want to check which specific flights offer it before booking, as it's not available fleet-wide yet. Similarly, ANA has been rolling out its new Boeing 777 cabins with updated first and business class products. With the summer two thousand and twenty-five IATA travel schedule officially kicking off, airlines are making schedule changes, so now's a good time to check which ANA routes will feature these enhanced cabins if you're planning to redeem miles for a premium experience to Japan or beyond. If you're looking to maximize everyday spending, The Points Guy has a fresh analysis of the best gas credit cards to add to your wallet. Unless you primarily use public transit, chances are you're regularly filling up your tank. Using the right credit card for these purchases can earn you significant rewards over time, whether in the form of cash back or travel points. For IHG loyalists, The Points Guy has updated its guide on how to redeem points with the IHG One Rewards program. Although IHG moved to dynamic award pricing in two thousand and twenty, many travelers are still finding solid value when redeeming IHG points, especially during off-peak periods or at certain properties. On the banking bonus front, Doctor of Credit reports that PSE Credit Union is offering a four hundred dollar checking bonus for Ohio residents, with no direct deposit required. These regional bank bonuses can offer exceptional value if you're eligible, so they're always worth considering as part of your overall points and miles strategy. For those looking to manufacture some spending, Staples will be offering no purchase fees on two hundred dollar Visa gift cards from March 30th through April 5th, with a limit of nine cards. This could be a great opportunity to meet minimum spending requirements on new credit cards or to simply earn points on everyday purchases. Head for Points has reviewed the new No1 Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 2, which is the first new lounge to open at the airport since the American Express Centurion Lounge at Terminal 3. This adds some much-needed capacity at Terminal 2, which serves several Star Alliance carriers. For British Airways travelers, there's news about changes to the airline's boarding groups. First introduced in two thousand and seventeen, the British Airways boarding process involves ranking passengers based on status and cabin class, with those having higher status or traveling in premium classes boarding first. It's worth familiarizing yourself with these changes if you frequently fly with BA. In points transfer news, American Express in Australia has added British Airways as a Membership Rewards transfer partner, according to Point Hacks. This brings the total number of points transfer partners to fifteen for Australian card members, providing more flexibility for those looking to redeem their points for premium travel experiences. And here's a deal that might be ending soon: Lufthansa has been selling miles with a 50% bonus via its 'bundles.' Head for Points notes that this could be the last day of the promotion, so if you've been considering topping up your Lufthansa miles balance, now might be the time to act. 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 episode of Miles & Points Daily Podcast. Thank you so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed the show, please subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or visit milesandpointsdaily.com for more content. Remember, in the world of travel rewards, knowledge is power—and points are freedom. I'm Lucas, and I'll catch you tomorrow with more miles and points news to help you travel better for less.