American Express just quietly improved one of the Platinum card's most underrated benefits. And Chase is bundling gift cards with credit cards now, which feels weird until you do the math.

Let's get into it.

How many airlines in the Lufthansa Group now grant Amex Platinum cardholders lounge access?

Answer's waiting for you near the bottom... keep scrolling. 👇

American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders can now access Lufthansa lounges when flying on seven different airlines within the Lufthansa Group. That's a significant expansion from the previous policy that limited access to just Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, and SWISS.

The full list now includes Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Air Dolomiti, Edelweiss Air, Eurowings, Discover Airlines, Lufthansa, Lufthansa City Airlines, and SWISS. You just need a same-day boarding pass on any of these carriers.

Brussels Airlines and Eurowings are the real winners here. Both operate significant route networks from their respective hubs in Brussels and across Germany, making this benefit far more accessible for connecting flights and intra-Europe travel. For American Express cardholders who travel through Europe frequently, this is a quiet but meaningful upgrade.

The access is valid on the same day of travel, and you'll need to show your Amex Platinum or Centurion card along with your boarding pass. No guest access unless you're bringing someone on the same reservation.

Chase is running an unusual promotion on the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card: 50,000 points after $3,000 spend, plus a $400 Marriott eGiftcard upon approval, plus up to $100 in airline fee credits.

The $400 gift card is the weird part. It's not points - it's an actual eGiftcard you can use at Marriott properties. Combined with the 50,000-point bonus and the airline credits, you're looking at substantial value from a card with a $95 annual fee.

50,000 Marriott points are worth roughly $350-$400 in redemption value. The $400 eGiftcard is cash-equivalent. The $100 airline credit works for baggage fees, seat selections, and in-flight purchases. That's potentially $850-$900 in total value against a $95 annual fee and $3,000 minimum spend.

Remember that Chase has eligibility restrictions: you can't get the bonus if you've had the card in the last 24 months or if you currently have it. And standard Chase 5/24 rules apply. We've covered Marriott card eligibility extensively if you want to check which Marriott cards you can still apply for.

An American Airlines agent fixed a 204,000-mile AAdvantage award pricing mistake in just three minutes - a problem that Twitter support said couldn't be solved.

The solution? Simply hanging up, calling back, and getting a different agent.

This happens more than you'd think. Airlines empower agents differently. Some agents have access to tools, overrides, and supervisor escalation paths that others don't. Some agents know the policies better. Some agents care more. And some agents are just having a better day than others.

It works best when you're confident you're right. Award pricing errors. Schedule changes that should trigger refund eligibility. Benefits that are clearly outlined in program terms but the agent insists don't exist. These are situations where a second opinion isn't just helpful - it's often the difference between success and failure.

The key is to be polite on the first call, thank the agent for their time, hang up, wait a few minutes, and try again. Don't burn bridges. Don't demand supervisors unless absolutely necessary. Just reset and try again with fresh eyes on both sides.

Four premium cards dominate right now: Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, and Citi Strata Elite. Each has rabid fans who insist their card is the only one worth holding. The truth is more nuanced.

Amex Platinum wins on lounge access. Priority Pass, Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), Lufthansa lounges (as we just covered), and various international airline lounges create an unmatched network. The $695 annual fee is steep, but the 5x earning on flights booked directly with airlines and hotels booked through Amex Travel adds up fast.

Chase Sapphire Reserve is the flexibility champion. The $300 annual travel credit is easy to use (it automatically applies to any travel purchase), and Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners include some of the best programs: United, Southwest, Hyatt, Virgin Atlantic. The 3x on dining and travel makes it a strong everyday card.

Capital One Venture X at $395 offers surprisingly strong value. The $300 annual travel credit through Capital One Travel, 10,000-point anniversary bonus (worth $100), and Priority Pass access make the effective annual fee just $0 if you use the benefits. Transfer partners now include Turkish Miles&Smiles, which opens incredible redemption opportunities to Europe and Asia.

Citi Strata Elite is the wildcard. Massive statement credits ($500 total across hotels, travel, and restaurants), Priority Pass, Citi Prestige-level benefits, and access to ThankYou transfer partners. But at $695, it's competing directly with Amex Platinum on price.

The real answer? Most people who optimize this space hold at least two premium cards. Amex Platinum for lounges, Sapphire Reserve for flexibility, or Venture X for low effective cost paired with another card for transfer options. For more on premium card strategy, check out our full premium cards coverage.

A passenger accidentally left $20,000 in cash inside checked luggage at Boston Logan Airport. The TSA screener who found it during inspection was celebrated for... not stealing it.

This is absurd on multiple levels. First, why are we celebrating basic honesty? Second, why is anyone checking $20,000 in cash? Third, this is exactly why you don't check valuables - ever.

The TSA returned the money to the passenger, who reportedly had no idea they'd left it in the bag. The screener received public recognition for doing their job correctly, which feels like a low bar but here we are.

If you're traveling with large amounts of cash (which you shouldn't), declare it at customs if crossing international borders (amounts over $10,000), keep it in carry-on where you can control it, and maybe reconsider whether cash is the right tool for whatever you're trying to accomplish. For more on TSA policies and what screeners actually check for, we've covered it extensively.

The answer: Seven airlines across the Lufthansa Group now grant Amex Platinum and Centurion cardholders lounge access. That includes Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Air Dolomiti, Edelweiss Air, Eurowings, Discover Airlines, Lufthansa, Lufthansa City Airlines, and SWISS. The policy expanded recently from just three airlines (Lufthansa, Austrian, SWISS) to the full group.

I'm genuinely curious about what tipped the scales for you - was it lounge access, transfer partners, credits, or something else entirely? Hit reply and let me know. I read every response and love hearing what works for different travel styles.

That's it for today - see you tomorrow with more!

Looking to redeem your points? Here's what's available right now:

Before we wrap up, I wanted to share some timely opportunities I've been tracking (courtesy of our friends at AwardTravelFinder). These deals won't last long, so let's dive in.

The points and miles world is unusually quiet today - no major transfer bonuses or buy points promotions to report. Sometimes patience pays off in this game.

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