Harsh Changes To Chase Sapphire Reserve And AA Basic Economy

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This week on Miles to Go, Ed and Richard cover a packed slate of breaking travel and loyalty news that matters for road warriors.

We dig into Chase Sapphire Reserve, which rolled out splashy new redemption options this summer only to quietly walk back its headline-grabbing 2¢-per-point Points Boost just months later. What does this mean for a card with a nearly $800 annual fee, and is it still worth holding?

 American Airlines quietly eliminated mileage and Loyalty Point earning on Basic Economy fares, raising big questions about who AA is actually trying to reward—and whether Basic Economy is now little more than a stripped-down cash fare.

Plus, we talk about Bilt's newest transfer partner—Spirit Airlines—and why the data shows there's real demand for low-cost carrier redemptions, including Big Front Seat value. Add in holiday travel chaos, turbulence stories, and a few airline rants, and it's a full episode you won't want to miss.

Finally, Mesa appears to be shutting down, leaving cardholders scrambling to figure out what happens to their points. Richard shares lessons learned about startup loyalty programs and when it makes sense to cash out early.

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