Booking Mirrorball and Hyatt phone hassles

Richard describes difficulties booking Mirrorball awards, blackout confusion, and Hyatt call-center quirks.

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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.

Ed and Richard are back on home turf this week, kicking things off with a small milestone for the podcast: crossing 5,000 YouTube subscribers and continuing to grow the audience across video and audio platforms.

From there, Ed shares his experience visiting American Express's new Sidecar lounge concept in Las Vegas, a much smaller lounge designed for short visits. The service and food impressed — but the strict 90-minute access rule raises questions about how useful the concept really is.

The discussion then turns to loyalty program updates. Marriott is increasing the flexibility of its free night certificates, allowing members to top them off with more points than before — a change that could make certificates significantly easier to use at higher-end properties.

They also break down a new welcome offer on the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, and whether the increased bonus is enough to offset rising award prices.

Finally, Richard brings a mystery topic to the show that sparks a lively debate: should travelers tip hotel housekeeping? The conversation dives into tipping culture, hotel labor practices, and where the line should be between employer responsibility and guest generosity.

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