✈️ United's Mid-Flight Shower, Starlink WiFi Progress, and Hyatt Paris Luxury Steal

Welcome to Miles & Points Daily Podcast! This is your host, Lucas, coming to you with the latest in miles, points, and travel news. Grab your coffee and settle in for a rundown of yesterday's top stories that will help you travel better and smarter. First up, it looks like United Airlines passengers had quite the adventure – and not the good kind. According to View from the Wing, a United flight to Tokyo had to return to San Francisco after water began pouring from the ceiling mid-flight. One passenger described it simply as "something burst." The leak appeared to be near a lavatory, which as Gary Leff pointed out, could have been much worse given what might have been leaking! Despite the indoor rain shower, the passenger sitting directly under the flood seemed surprisingly unfazed. This serves as a reminder that aircraft mechanical issues can happen to any flight, so always be prepared for unexpected delays in your travel plans. Speaking of United, there's some positive news on the horizon for their Wi-Fi service. The Points Guy reports that United Airlines is making progress on its free Starlink Wi-Fi initiative. The carrier has received its first Federal Aviation Administration certification for installing Starlink satellite Wi-Fi on its Embraer E175 regional jets. This is a significant step toward United's goal of offering free high-speed internet across more than one thousand aircraft. This development should be welcome news for United flyers, as the airline has historically lagged behind competitors like American and Delta when it comes to in-flight connectivity. In credit card news, Chase and Lyft have announced changes to their partnership, which has been extended through September two thousand and twenty-seven. According to Doctor of Credit, while Chase is reducing some earning rates on Lyft rides, there's a silver lining for Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders – they'll now receive a new ten dollar monthly credit for Lyft rides. The partnership was previously set to expire in March two thousand and twenty-five, so this extension provides certainty for cardholders planning their future rideshare strategy. If you're looking to maximize your points for luxury stays, View from the Wing shares an inspiring redemption story. Gary Leff managed to book a two thousand dollar suite at the Park Hyatt Vendome in Paris for just forty thousand Hyatt points. The cherry on top? The hotel offers twenty-four-hour breakfast delivered straight to the room. This is a perfect example of how strategic points usage can deliver extraordinary value, especially at high-end properties. For American Express Membership Rewards collectors, there are a couple of transfer bonuses to consider. One Mile at a Time reports that Amex is offering a twenty percent transfer bonus to both Aeromexico and Etihad Guest programs. While Ben Schlappig doesn't seem particularly excited about either of these offers, they might be worthwhile if you have specific redemptions in mind with these airlines or their partners. In alliance news, Fiji Airways has officially become a full member of the oneworld alliance, upgrading from its previous "Connect" status. Even more interesting, as The Points Guy reports, Fiji Airways has also adopted American Airlines AAdvantage as its loyalty program effective April first. This integration means oneworld members will now enjoy more seamless benefits when flying with Fiji Airways, and AAdvantage members can earn and redeem miles on Fiji Airways flights with greater ease. For European travelers, there's an exciting new lodging option coming to Sicily. The Points Guy shares that IHG Hotels & Resorts is opening the Costa Irminia Retreat & Spa, a forty-three-room Vignette Collection property featuring two swimming pools and a private beach club. The hotel is expected to open in the second half of two thousand and twenty-five, providing a new points redemption opportunity in a stunning seaside location. Airport hotel enthusiasts might want to check out the Grand Hyatt DFW, which View from the Wing calls "the gold standard for United States airport hotels." According to Gary Leff, other top contenders include the Grand Hyatt SFO, Westin Denver, and Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport. These properties offer exceptional convenience for early departures, late arrivals, or unexpected overnight stays due to delays or cancellations. In what seems like good news for Scottish travelers and aviation enthusiasts, Loganair has adopted Avios as its rewards currency. Head for Points explains that you can now earn and spend Avios on Loganair flights by linking your British Airways Club account to a Loganair Loyalty account. This makes Loganair the eighth airline to use Avios as its loyalty currency, expanding redemption opportunities across the United Kingdom. And here's a quick tip for Chase Ultimate Rewards members – there's currently an eighty percent transfer bonus to IHG One Rewards. However, as Ben from One Mile at a Time notes, this might not be the most valuable use of your Chase points unless you have a specific IHG redemption in mind. And now a quick word from our sponsor. 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. Thanks for tuning in to keep up with the latest miles and points news. If you found this information helpful, please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform and visit milesandpointsdaily.com for more travel tips and strategies. Until tomorrow, happy travels and smart earning!