Welcome to the Miles & Points Daily Podcast! I'm Lucas, and today we've got some fascinating developments in the travel world that I can't wait to share with you.

First up, let's talk about United Airlines' new business class seat that was just leaked ahead of their big reveal. According to View from the Wing, images of the new Polaris business class seat have surfaced, and interestingly, it looks quite similar to American Airlines' design. I'll be very curious to see the official announcement and what unique features United might bring to the table.

Speaking of American Airlines, they've just launched a fantastic customer-friendly initiative at Dallas-Fort Worth airport. They're now testing a new system to hold connecting flights for delayed passengers when it won't disrupt operations. This is great news for travelers who've ever had to sprint through terminals!

In hotel news, we've got a rather concerning development. View from the Wing reports that an IHG property in Tulsa is now charging a mandatory 4.99 dollars 'security fee.' Yes, you heard that right - they're actually charging extra for what should be a basic expectation of any hotel stay. This could be the start of a troubling trend in the industry, so we'll definitely keep an eye on this one.

Some exciting news from the credit card world - there's a fantastic two-card strategy that savvy travelers are using to maximize their rewards. The key is focusing on cards that offer more than one point per dollar on spending and allow point combining across different reward programs. View from the Wing has a great breakdown of this strategy.

In airline news that might make your skin crawl, a Spirit Airlines passenger who paid for their Big Front Seat got an unwanted seatmate - or should I say seatmates. A video showing roaches on the aircraft has gone viral with over 4 million views in just 24 hours. Not exactly the kind of upgrade anyone's looking for!

Over at Emirates, there's been a significant change to their award booking policy. One Mile at a Time reports that Emirates is now restricting first class awards to Skywards elite members only. However, there's still hope - you can book Emirates first class through partner programs like Qantas Frequent Flyer and Air Canada Aeroplan.

Before we wrap up, here's today's sponsor message: 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's all for today's news! Thanks for listening to Miles & Points Daily. Don't forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and visit us at milesandpointsdaily.com for more travel rewards tips and news. Safe travels, everyone!