Corporate warfare doesn't usually get this personal.

United Airlines' CFO just stood up during an investor call and openly mocked American Airlines' strategy at Chicago O'Hare - calling it a 'temporary hub.' The same day, Rakuten quietly relaunched one of the most lucrative points-buying opportunities we've seen all year. And IHG decided to jump into the mix with welcome bonuses that might actually make you reconsider your hotel loyalty.

Let's dig into what's happening and why it matters for your travel strategy.

Which airline's CFO just publicly mocked a competitor's hub strategy during an investor call?

The answer is waiting for you near the bottom of today's newsletter... keep scrolling.👇

United Airlines CFO Michael Leskinen didn't mince words during this week's investor call. When discussing United's Chicago O'Hare dominance, he declared American's presence there a 'temporary hub.' The implication? American's Chicago operations won't last long.

But that wasn't the interesting part.

Leskinen went on to tease 'upcoming major product announcements' and hinted that United is eyeing mergers - most likely JetBlue. United already has a growing partnership with JetBlue, and industry insiders have long suspected United wants to absorb the New York-focused carrier to compete with Delta at JFK.

Why this matters to you: If United absorbs JetBlue, we could see major changes to both MileagePlus and TrueBlue. Think program mergers, route consolidation, and potential sweet spots before things get revalued.

If you missed Rakuten's legendary 100% rebate deal last time, it's back. And it's one of the best ways to buy Hyatt, or Alaska miles at an unprecedented 1 cent each.

Here's how it works.

Rakuten normally pays you cash back for shopping through their portal. Right now, they're offering a essentially a 100% rebate when you purchase Incogni then convert your cash back into airline or hotel miles. That means every dollar you earn through Rakuten becomes two dollars worth of miles.

On top of that, new Rakuten members get 5,000 bonus points (worth $50) after their first qualifying purchase. If you're strategic, you can pocket thousands of Hyatt, United, or Alaska miles for roughly 1 cent each - far below the typical 2-3 cents per mile you'd pay through most programs' direct purchase options.

Hyatt points are typically valued at 1.7-2.0 cents each, making this a fantastic deal if you're planning a stay at a high-end property like a Park Hyatt or Andaz. United miles shine for Star Alliance partner bookings - think Lufthansa or Singapore Airlines business class. And Alaska miles remain one of the most versatile programs thanks to their partnerships with Emirates, Cathay Pacific, and JAL.

Award Travel Finder can help you find the best redemptions for these miles once you've stocked up. They track availability across dozens of programs daily, so you'll know exactly where your newly purchased miles will go the furthest.

IHG One Rewards just launched some of the highest welcome bonuses we've seen on their cobranded credit cards. The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is offering up to 175,000 points after meeting spending requirements.

Here's the breakdown and why this might actually be worth considering.

IHG points typically offer their best value at mid-tier properties in international markets. A Holiday Inn Express in Europe might cost 20,000-30,000 points per night, meaning 175,000 points could cover 5-8 nights of travel.

But the real sweet spot? Using them at IHG's premium properties like InterContinental or Kimpton hotels during peak seasons when cash rates spike. A single night at an InterContinental in Paris during fashion week could run $600+ cash, but you might snag it for 50,000-70,000 points. That's where this welcome bonus suddenly starts looking attractive.

The IHG Premier card comes with a modest annual fee (check current rates), but it includes an annual free night certificate valid at properties costing up to 40,000 points. If you value that cert at even $100-150, the fee basically pays for itself.

For more on IHG credit cards and strategies, we've covered this program extensively.

American Airlines just announced a $5 increase on second checked bag fees - but only if you wait until the airport to pay. Starting immediately, your second bag will cost $50 at the terminal versus $45 online.

This is part of a broader airline trend: incentivize passengers to pay for everything online ahead of time. It speeds up airport check-in lines and shifts labor costs away from gate agents.

If you're a frequent American flyer, the easiest way to dodge bag fees is with an AAdvantage credit card. Most AA cobranded cards include a free first checked bag for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation. That's $70-80 in savings on a single round-trip - more than enough to offset the card's annual fee.

Alternatively, elite status with American or a Oneworld partner gets you free bags. And if you're flying internationally, most routes still include at least one free checked bag regardless of fare class.

The answer to today's trivia: 🇺🇸 United Airlines. CFO Michael Leskinen openly mocked American Airlines during an investor call, declaring their Chicago O'Hare operations a 'temporary hub' while teasing upcoming mergers and product announcements.

Hit reply and let me know - I read every response and love hearing about your strategies!

That's it for today, my friends. See you tomorrow with more miles, points, and travel news.

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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.

Friday Flight Deals finds the best flight deals when paying cash beats using points.

Browse all deals at FridayFlightDeals.com →