Welcome to Miles and Points Daily, your go-to source for the latest travel rewards news! I'm Lucas, and I've got a fantastic lineup of stories for you today.

First up, United Airlines is about to make a big splash in the premium travel space. In early May, they'll be unveiling new business class suites with doors and wireless charging on their Boeing 787-9 aircraft. We're talking about 64 premium seats that promise to revolutionize the United business class experience.

Speaking of premium travel changes, let's talk about Southwest Airlines. They're finally joining the extra legroom game, with their first retrofitted aircraft featuring more spacious rows debuting on May 1st. What's interesting is that initially, these seats will be available at no extra charge for the lucky passengers who snag them first.

Here's a heads-up for Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders - now is actually the perfect time to apply for this card before summer. The current welcome bonus of 100,000 points is the highest we've ever seen, making it an incredible opportunity if you're planning any summer travel.

In hotel news, there's an interesting development at Sonesta Hotels. They've just launched a promotion offering up to 50 percent savings on stays. This could be a great opportunity to try out this growing hotel brand while saving some serious cash.

A quick warning for travelers - there's been a concerning trend of luggage manufacturers being deceptive about carry-on dimensions. Make sure you're checking the measurements including wheels, or you might end up paying 80 dollars or more in fees when your bag doesn't fit in the airline sizer.

For those interested in elite status, here's a fascinating comparison of airline programs. American Airlines, Delta, United, Alaska, JetBlue, and Frontier all offer ways to earn up to top-tier status through credit card spend alone. Each program has different requirements, so it's worth looking into which might work best for your spending patterns.

And now, a 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's all for today's episode! Thanks for tuning in to Miles and Points Daily. Don't forget to subscribe to us on your favorite podcast platform and visit milesandpointsdaily.com for more great content. Safe travels, everyone!