Stay ahead of the points and miles game with Miles & Points Daily Podcast - your essential morning briefing on everything happening in the world of travel rewards. Each weekday, we deliver a quick yet comprehensive roundup of the latest credit card offers, airline and hotel promotions, award sweet spots, and insider tips to help you maximize your travel rewards.
Whether it's breaking news about limited-time bonuses, analysis of program changes, or timely reminders about expiring deals, we keep you informed in just minutes a day. Perfect for your morning commute or daily routine, this podcast ensures you never miss an opportunity to earn and burn your miles and points effectively.
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Welcome to Miles and Points Daily Podcast. I'm Lucas, your host, and I'm here to make sure you never miss a beat in the world of miles, points, and travel rewards. Whether you're a seasoned points hacker or just getting started on your miles and points journey, today's show is packed with news that'll help you maximize your rewards and travel better for less. Before we dive into today's top stories, let me introduce you to a fantastic tool that's been saving me tons of points. Hotel Redemptions dot com is a game-changer for anyone booking hotels with points. This clever tool monitors your existing hotel bookings and alerts you when you can rebook for fewer points. It's like having a personal assistant watching for better deals twenty-four seven. Check them out at the link in our show notes.
Now, let's jump into today's biggest story, and it's one that has the miles and points community absolutely buzzing. Alaska Airlines has entered the premium credit card game for the first time with their brand new Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit Card, and folks, this might just be the most compelling airline credit card launch we've seen in years.
Here's what makes this card so special. The sign-up bonus is a whopping one hundred thousand miles, plus you get an annual companion award that can be used on Alaska and Hawaiian flights. The card carries a three hundred and ninety-five dollar annual fee, but here's the brilliant part - if you use that companion award just once a year, it essentially pays for the entire annual fee.
The card earns three times points on foreign purchases, which is fantastic for international travelers, and it comes with elite status credits to help you climb the ranks in the new Atmos Rewards program. You'll also get fee waivers, travel delay credits, and access to family pooling and hotel transfer options. If you're interested in this card, you can apply using our link in the show notes.
This launch coincides with Alaska and Hawaiian unveiling their new combined loyalty program called Atmos Rewards. This is a huge development following Alaska's acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines last September. The program looks incredibly innovative, allowing members to earn and redeem across both Alaska and Hawaiian's networks while maintaining the distinct brands.
One of the coolest features of the new Atmos Rewards program is the Global Companion Award available to cardholders. This allows you to bring a companion on international flights, which is a massive value proposition for couples or frequent travel partners.
Speaking of Alaska Airlines, they've also announced they're rolling out free Starlink Wi-Fi across their entire fleet by early two thousand and twenty-seven. This will be available to all Atmos Rewards members at no charge, which is another fantastic perk that adds real value to the program.
Now, let's talk about another exciting development in premium travel. SWISS has unveiled their new First Class Grand Suite, which is set to debut in two thousand and twenty-six on the Boston to Zurich route. This isn't just an upgrade - it's a complete reimagining of what first class can be.
The Grand Suite is fully enclosed and private, earning the tagline 'private as never before.' But here's the really innovative part - passengers can actually combine suites across the aisle to create one massive room. Imagine having a three-person private suite in the sky! This is perfect for families or groups traveling together who want the ultimate in luxury and privacy. The suites will initially roll out on new Airbus A350s before being retrofitted to existing aircraft.
For those of you collecting Bilt Rewards points, there's some fantastic news. Bilt is offering some incredible promotions right now, including one hundred and fifty percent transfer bonuses to select partners. They're also offering unique experiences like helicopter rides and even Gold status for Delta flights. The best part? Bilt membership is completely free, so if you're not signed up yet, you're literally leaving points on the table. The program continues to prove itself as one of the most valuable points currencies out there.
Delta has announced something pretty fun - they're letting SkyMiles members vote on their next European destination for summer two thousand and twenty-six. The options are Ibiza, Malta, or Sardinia. This 'Route Race' campaign is a clever way to generate buzz while giving customers a voice in route planning. It's the first time we've seen an airline take this democratic approach to route selection.
For those looking for immediate value, there are some fantastic Delta award deals available right now. You can book round-trip flights from New York City to Rome or Dublin for as few as twenty-two thousand one hundred SkyMiles. These winter deals represent excellent value, especially if you're flexible with your travel dates.
Finally, there's been some positive news for Air France passengers. The Air France lounge at Boston Logan Airport has reopened after a complete renovation. The refreshed lounge is reportedly a huge improvement over the old facility, offering travelers a much more comfortable experience before their flights.
That wraps up today's show, but before we go, I want to tell you about Award Travel Finder dot com. If you're looking for the best award flights, this tool searches availability across Qatar Airways, British Airways, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and many more airlines. It's incredibly powerful and can save you hours of searching. Try it for free using our link in the show notes.
Thanks for tuning in to Miles and Points Daily Podcast. I'm Lucas, and I appreciate you spending part of your day with me. If you found today's episode helpful, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and don't forget to visit our website at milesandpointsdaily dot com for even more miles and points news and analysis. Until tomorrow, keep earning those points and miles, and happy travels!