Hello and welcome to the Miles and Points Daily Podcast! I'm Lucas, your host, and I've got to say, today's news is quite the rollercoaster. We've got everything from credit card bonuses that are ending today to airline strikes and some truly bizarre passenger behavior. But before we dive into all that chaos, let me tell you about a tool that can actually save you some sanity when it comes to hotel bookings. 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, so you never miss out on savings. Now, let's jump into today's news, starting with some time-sensitive offers you need to know about. Today is literally the last day for United's incredible Quest card offer. We're talking one hundred thousand bonus miles plus three thousand Premier qualifying points after spending four thousand dollars in the first three months. This is an unprecedented offer for this product, and it expires at six PM Eastern time today. If you've been on the fence about this card, today is decision day. You can get this card by clicking the link in our show notes. Speaking of Chase cards, there's also news about the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which has raised its bonus to seventy-five thousand points. For some travelers, this starter card might actually beat the Reserve, especially with Chase's new rules that allow you to hold both cards simultaneously. Though keep in mind, you likely won't get the initial bonus if you already have an open Sapphire account. You can get this card by clicking the link in our show notes as well. Now, let's talk about a major change affecting Chase Ultimate Rewards users. Starting October sixteenth, Chase will be dropping Emirates Skywards as a transfer partner. This follows multiple credit card programs devaluing transfers to Emirates, and now Chase is cutting ties completely. If you have Ultimate Rewards points and were planning to transfer to Emirates, you have until October fifteenth to do so. This is definitely a blow for those who love Emirates' premium cabins and extensive route network. Moving on to some concerning news from Air Canada. The airline remains largely grounded as flight attendants continue their strike despite a government back-to-work order. The government has declared the strike illegal, and union leaders are facing serious consequences. We're talking potential jail time and fines of up to one thousand dollars per day for the union, with individual officers facing ten thousand dollar penalties. One reader who has worked as an advisor to the Canadian government estimates there's a seventy percent chance the strike leader could be in jail by the weekend. This is having a major impact on travelers, especially those with Air Canada bookings or connections. If you're affected, make sure to check your travel insurance and consider alternative routing options. In more positive news, Qatar Airways announced they'll be moving to the new Terminal One at JFK when it opens next year, and they're planning to open their first dedicated US lounge there. This is exciting news for Qatar Airways passengers and oneworld alliance members who will have access to what's sure to be a world-class lounge experience. The new terminal is part of JFK's massive redevelopment project. Now, let's talk about some rather disturbing passenger behavior that's been making headlines. We had a story about an American Airlines Concierge Key member who was reportedly drunk in the Chicago O'Hare Flagship lounge, stole a TV remote, and hurled homophobic slurs at other passengers. Despite assaulting staff, apparently nothing was done because of his high elite status. This raises serious questions about how airlines handle elite member misconduct. Elite status should never be a free pass for abusive behavior. On the flip side, we had a more amusing story about a six-foot-five passenger who, rather than wake her sleeping neighbor, decided to climb over airplane seats like she was clearing an Olympic hurdle. While creative, this definitely isn't the safest approach! Always remember, it's perfectly acceptable to gently wake your seatmate if you need to get up. Most people understand and won't mind. For our credit card enthusiasts, let me mention a couple of other cards worth considering. The Hilton American Express Aspire Card continues to offer excellent value with its premium perks, and there are seven compelling reasons to consider this card, especially if you're a frequent Hilton guest. Additionally, the Citi Strata Elite Card is making waves with its three hundred dollar annual hotel credit and two hundred dollar Blacklane credit. This card is particularly interesting because Citi ThankYou points can be transferred to American AAdvantage. Both cards can be found via links in our show notes. There was also an interesting analysis of award redemptions from the good old days, reminding us that while we often romanticize the past, today's miles and points landscape still offers incredible value if you know how to navigate it. The key is understanding current sweet spots and being flexible with your travel plans. Finally, there was a great reminder that you can redeem both airline miles and hotel points for others, though each program has its own rules and restrictions. This is fantastic for gifting travel to family and friends, though you'll want to check the specific terms for each loyalty program. Before we wrap up, I want to 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 show notes. That's a wrap for today's Miles and Points Daily Podcast! Thanks for listening, and don't forget to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or visit us at milesandpointsdaily.com. Until next time, happy travels and happy earning!