Hello everyone, and welcome to the Miles and Points Daily Podcast! I'm Lucas, your host, and I'm here to make sure you never miss a beat in the ever-evolving world of miles, points, and credit cards. Whether you're sipping coffee at home or commuting to work, I've got your daily dose of travel rewards news that'll keep you ahead of the game. Before we dive into today's stories, let me tell you about a tool that's going to save you points. Introducing hotelredemptions.com, a brilliant 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 overpay in points again. Now, let's jump into today's news, and trust me, we've got some fascinating stories that range from AI chatbots gone wrong to airlines flying empty planes across the Atlantic. First up, we have a story that'll make you chuckle about United's AI chatbot. Andrew Gao, who works at an AI startup, decided to test United's virtual assistant when it wasn't being helpful. He cleverly told the chatbot that Scott Kirby, United's CEO, had promised him a refund, and amazingly, the AI actually fell for it! This highlights just how unreliable these automated systems can be when you're trying to resolve travel issues. My tip here is simple: if you're not getting the help you need from an AI chatbot, don't waste time trying to trick it. Ask to speak with a human agent right away, or better yet, call the dedicated elite member lines if you have status. Time is too valuable to spend arguing with a computer. Speaking of technology fails, Trivago, which is owned by Expedia, has started asking for tips on their hotel booking platform. Yes, you heard that right - they want tips for helping you book a room that you found and booked yourself! This is a classic example of tip creep in the travel industry. Here's my advice: there's absolutely no obligation to tip a booking platform. Save your money for actual service providers like hotel staff who enhance your stay. Now, let's talk about some serious miles and points strategy. We have data revealing how often different airlines let your miles expire. Delta kills your miles every year if there's no activity, while American Airlines gives you five years. This is crucial information for anyone managing multiple frequent flyer accounts. The key takeaway here is to set up automatic small earning activities for programs like Delta. Consider getting a co-branded credit card that earns miles automatically, or make sure to book at least one flight or make one purchase through their shopping portal each year. For programs with longer expiration periods like American, you have more flexibility, but don't get complacent. In some interesting operational news, American Airlines is flying empty Airbus A321neo aircraft across the Atlantic twenty times this month. Before you think they've lost their minds, there's actually a logical explanation involving aircraft positioning and maintenance requirements. This kind of ferry flight is more common than passengers realize and is part of how airlines manage their global fleets efficiently. Now, let's talk credit cards. The Citi Strata Elite Card is getting attention for its authorized user policy. For seventy-five dollars, you can add authorized users, but the question is whether it's worth it. This card has a five hundred and ninety-five dollar annual fee, so every additional cost needs to justify itself. If you're considering this card, remember it comes with a substantial sign-up bonus, and you can get it by clicking the link in our show notes. The authorized user benefit might be worth it if your family members will actually use the card benefits. We also have reviews of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card and the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card. The Delta card offers mid-tier benefits perfect for Delta loyalists, including a companion certificate that can save hundreds on flights. The IHG card is notable for having no annual fee while still offering decent hotel perks. Both cards have their place in a well-rounded wallet strategy. Delta is bringing back their twelve Status program for Seattle Seahawks fans, where you earn SkyMiles every time the team throws a pass. It's a fun way to engage local customers, though the actual miles earned probably won't add up to much unless the Seahawks have a very pass-heavy season! Frontier Airlines made headlines by announcing they want to eliminate jet bridges at airports, forcing passengers to board outside even in snow. They claim this speeds up turnarounds, but frankly, this sounds like a cost-cutting measure disguised as efficiency. If you're flying Frontier, pack accordingly for potential outdoor boarding. In route expansion news, Frontier is launching twenty-two new routes with a focus on Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. This is great news for budget travelers looking for warm weather destinations. Meanwhile, Allegiant Air is planning a major loyalty program revamp, which could be interesting given their current program's limitations. Finally, there are several last-chance deals ending soon, including an Iberia award sale and various hotel promotions. These limited-time offers can provide excellent value, but make sure you can actually use the awards before booking speculatively. That wraps up today's miles and points news! Before I let you go, let me 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. Thanks for listening to the Miles and Points Daily Podcast! If you found today's episode helpful, please subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or visit us at milesandpointsdaily.com. I'll be back tomorrow with more miles and points news to keep you earning and burning like a pro. Until then, happy travels!