Hello and welcome back to the Miles and Points Daily Podcast! I'm your host Lucas, and I've got my morning coffee in hand as I dive into what has been an absolutely fascinating day in the world of miles and points. From Southwest finally implementing their controversial bag fees to some incredible award booking opportunities, today's news is going to keep us busy. So let's jump right in!

First up, the big news everyone's been waiting for - Southwest Airlines has officially implemented their new checked bag fees as of Wednesday, May twenty-eighth. For the first time in the airline's history, passengers are now paying thirty-five dollars for their first checked bag, forty-five dollars for their second, and a whopping one hundred and fifty dollars for third or subsequent bags. What's particularly interesting here is that you can't prepay these fees online - you have to pay them at the airport, which feels like an odd implementation choice. Here's the good news though: if you booked your flight before May twenty-eighth, your bags remain free for that trip. Also, Southwest credit cardholders still get their first two bags free, making those cards significantly more valuable overnight. If you're considering a Southwest card, now might be the perfect time to apply - check our show notes for the latest offers.

Speaking of bag fees, there's been some confusion with Southwest's travel credits. Some passengers who bought fares with no expiration are finding their credits now expire after six months when making changes. This appears to be affecting tickets that were purchased under the old rules but are being modified under the new system. If this affects you, I'd recommend calling Southwest directly to clarify your specific situation.

Now for some positive news - American Express has rolled out some fantastic new offers. There's a targeted IHG offer where you can get fifty dollars back when you spend two hundred and fifty dollars at participating IHG Hotels and Resorts. This offer is valid through August twenty-sixth, so if you have any IHG stays planned, definitely check your Amex accounts. They've also got rental car offers for Budget, Hertz, and other companies - the Budget offer gives you fifty dollars back on two hundred and fifty dollars spend, which is effectively twenty percent off your rental.

Here's something really exciting for award travelers - Qatar Airways is running their best-ever Avios purchase bonus. You can buy Avios with up to a seventy percent bonus, bringing the cost down to just one point three five cents per Avios. This is genuinely good value, especially if you're looking to book Qatar's QSuites business class or other premium cabin awards. The offer runs through June fourth, so you don't have long to take advantage. For context, this makes Qatar Avios cheaper than many other programs when purchased, and they can be incredibly valuable for booking awards on oneworld partners.

There's been an unfortunate development with Iberia though - they've implemented what amounts to a stealth devaluation, increasing award prices overnight without warning. Business class flights from the US to Spain have gone up significantly, with some routes seeing increases of up to nineteen percent. The silver lining is that some economy awards are actually slightly cheaper now, but this is still disappointing news for those planning premium cabin trips to Europe using Avios.

In hotel news, Hilton is wrapping up their one hundred percent bonus on purchased points promotion today - this is your last chance to buy Hilton points at half price. While buying hotel points isn't always a great deal, this promotion can deliver genuine value, especially if you're targeting high-end properties during peak periods. We've seen examples where you can save over sixty percent on luxury stays compared to paying cash.

Here's a story that's both heartwarming and fascinating - a Delta flight from Boston to Seattle made a three-hundred-mile detour to Minneapolis to save a dog in distress. One hundred and eighty-one passengers were delayed while an onboard veterinarian helped stabilize the animal before the crew decided professional medical attention was needed. While some might question the decision, I think it shows Delta's commitment to all their passengers, even the four-legged ones. It's also a reminder that emotional support animals and pets in the cabin are considered passengers with rights and protections.

For those interested in the behind-the-scenes world of airlines, there's a fascinating piece about why you'll never find United's old uniforms on eBay. Airlines, marketplaces, and the TSA all work together to prevent crew uniforms from ending up in civilian hands for obvious security reasons. United just rolled out new Brooks Brothers uniforms, making thousands of pieces of their old gear obsolete overnight, but strict controls ensure these don't make it to the secondary market.

Finally, let's talk about some application opportunities. The American Express Business Platinum Card continues to be an excellent option with relatively easy approval standards despite its six hundred and ninety-five dollar annual fee. The card's extensive benefits and credits can easily justify that fee if you use them strategically. Check our show notes for current offers and application links.

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 and Points Daily. Thanks for listening! If you found today's show helpful, please subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or visit us at milesandpointsdaily.com to never miss an episode. Until tomorrow, keep earning and burning those points wisely!