Is American Airlines Quietly Becoming the Better Choice?

Watch Us On YouTube! Announcing a new, ongoing benefit for annual subscribers of our Slack community. Annual subscribers receive a free Points Path Alerts subscription OR a 30% discount on Points Path Pro. Travel doesn't always go according to plan—and this week proves it. Ed and Richard swap stories from a week filled with thunderstorms, flight delays, rental car headaches, and what may be one of the worst Hyatt Place stays either of them has experienced. Richard recounts an unforgettable late-night arrival that included multiple defective rental cars, a chaotic hotel check-in, broken room amenities, and an experience that ultimately prompted him to complete a hotel survey for the first time in years. The conversation also takes a closer look at why American Airlines has quietly become Richard's airline of choice over the past several weeks. Between competitive first-class pricing, consistently excellent onboard service, reliable Wi-Fi, and solid meals, American is making a compelling case while Delta continues to work through operational challenges. Plus, a fascinating discussion about a Lufthansa 787 maintenance mistake, Denver Airport's long-awaited pedestrian tunnels, and Richard's review of the historic Arizona Biltmore. Get hydrated like Ed in Vegas with Nuun If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you'll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience! If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community.  Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways. Monthly access Annual access Personal consultation plus annual access We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month. Follow Us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast Ed Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/pizzainmotion/ Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/ ✈️ What We Cover in This Episode ✈️ Richard's travel nightmare Rental car problems at Atlanta A disastrous Hyatt Place stay Why this finally earned a hotel survey ✈️ American Airlines keeps impressing Competitive first-class pricing Better domestic meal service Reliable Wi-Fi and outstanding crews ✈️ What's happening at Delta? Operational reliability concerns Schedule disruptions How the competitive landscape is shifting ✈️ Lufthansa's 787 maintenance mistake The missing safety pin Why maintenance procedures matter A costly avoidable accident ✈️ Denver Airport's future walkways New pedestrian tunnels Why they're finally being built Whether they'll solve train disruptions ✈️ Arizona Biltmore review Historic resort impressions Citrus Club benefits Surviving 119-degree Phoenix heat ✈️ Slack Community update Points Path Pro discount New Flex Alerts Upcoming member benefits ⏱️ Episode 445 Timestamps 0:47 – Welcome back and summer travel delays 8:08 – Richard's rental car disaster and Hyatt Place horror story 17:30 – Why American Airlines has become Richard's preferred choice 20:49 – Delta's operational challenges and airline strategy 27:22 – Lufthansa 787 nose gear collapse explained 30:09 – Slack Community updates and Points Path benefits 31:00 – Denver Airport's long-awaited pedestrian tunnels 35:10 – Arizona Biltmore review and surviving Phoenix in 119° heat