Hello and welcome to the Miles and Points Daily Podcast! I'm Lucas, your host, and let me tell you, today's news is quite the rollercoaster. We've got Southwest shaking things up like a snow globe, American Airlines' CEO throwing some serious shade at Delta, and some fantastic insights on maximizing your points. So grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and let's dive into today's miles and points world. Before we get started, let me tell you about a fantastic tool that could save you thousands of points. Introducing hotelredemptions.com, a 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. Check out the link in our show notes to learn more. Now, let's jump into today's big story. Southwest Airlines is going through what I can only describe as the airline equivalent of a midlife crisis, and it's affecting their bottom line in a big way. The airline just slashed their profit expectations by one billion dollars as customers are pulling back following the introduction of bag fees and basic economy. Yes, you heard that right - Southwest, the airline that built its reputation on free bags, now charges for them. The company reported their second quarter earnings, and it's clear that completely upending their business model is causing some serious turbulence. What's particularly interesting is how customers are reacting. Southwest has been hyping the success of their bag fees while downplaying the struggles with their new basic economy product. It seems like passengers are having trouble adjusting to the new Southwest reality. For those of you with Southwest points, my recommendation is to keep watching how this transformation affects award availability and redemption values. Major business model changes often create opportunities for savvy points users. Speaking of Southwest changes, their credit cards just got a major overhaul, and I have to say, Chase and Southwest could have done better here. The Southwest credit cards are now more expensive, with higher annual fees, though they are adding new benefits to align with the airline's new business model. Current cardholders should expect to see these changes rolling out, and if you're considering a Southwest card, the current welcome bonus offers are still quite attractive. New cardholders can earn up to one hundred thousand points, which is the best offer we've seen this year. You can get these cards by clicking the links in our show notes. Now, here's some drama for you. American Airlines CEO Robert Isom is not holding back when it comes to criticizing the competition. He blasted Delta Air Lines for using artificial intelligence to manipulate ticket pricing, calling Delta's approach 'bait and switch' and 'not appropriate.' Isom pledged that American won't follow suit, saying it's a breach of trust with customers. This is fascinating because it shows how different airlines are approaching dynamic pricing. While Delta is leaning heavily into AI-driven pricing strategies, American is positioning itself as the more transparent option. For miles and points enthusiasts, this could mean more predictable award availability and pricing from American compared to Delta's increasingly complex algorithms. Let's shift gears to some exciting aircraft news. Etihad Airways just took delivery of their first Airbus A321LR, and this plane is absolutely stunning. It features flat bed seats in both first and business class, which is pretty remarkable for a narrow-body aircraft. The A321LR opens up new route possibilities for Etihad, potentially creating more award availability to destinations that weren't previously served. If you're sitting on Etihad Guest miles or American Airlines miles, which can be used on Etihad, keep an eye on new route announcements. These new aircraft often mean expanded award space. Speaking of exciting developments, Alaska Airlines is launching a new premium credit card in August two thousand and twenty-five. While we don't have all the details yet, Alaska has been really aggressive with their credit card offerings lately, and this premium card is expected to be quite lucrative. Alaska miles are incredibly valuable for international redemptions, especially to Asia, so this could be worth watching. Now, let's talk about a fantastic points buying opportunity. IHG One Rewards is offering an eighty percent bonus when you buy points, bringing the cost down to just zero point five six cents each. This is actually a really good deal, especially if you're planning luxury hotel stays. IHG has some incredible properties, particularly their InterContinental and Regent brands, where buying points at this price can deliver excellent value. My tip: only buy points if you have a specific redemption in mind. Don't just buy them to have them sitting in your account. For our Chase Ultimate Rewards holders out there, if you're sitting on two hundred thousand points and wondering how to get maximum value, there are ten fantastic ways to redeem them. The key is to focus on transfer partners rather than the Chase portal for the best value. Consider transferring to Hyatt for luxury hotel stays, United for premium cabin flights, or Air France KLM for access to their extensive partner network. The important thing is to master a few transfer partners rather Than trying to use all of them. I see too many people getting overwhelmed by the twenty-plus transfer options available. Pick three or four that align with your travel goals and become an expert in those programs. This approach will serve you much better than spreading yourself thin across every possible option. Before we wrap up, let me share a quick tip for Hilton cardholders. Those statement credits on the Hilton Aspire, Business, and Surpass cards might be more flexible than you think. Don't be fooled by the strict terms and conditions - there are ways to maximize these benefits that many people overlook. Check out the detailed guide in our show notes for specific strategies. That's a wrap on today's Miles and Points Daily Podcast! I hope these insights help you navigate the ever-changing world of miles and points. Remember, the key to success in this game is staying informed and being strategic with your redemptions. 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 today's episode! If you found this valuable, please subscribe to the Miles and Points Daily Podcast on your favorite podcast platform, and don't forget to visit us at milesandpointsdaily.com for even more insights and tips. Until next time, keep earning and keep exploring!