No Fooling: Delta Diamond Changes, a New Capital One Business Card, Cruise Drink Crackdowns, and a Tasering

Mayday! Mayday! Welp, April 2026 was the kind of month where you couldn’t keep up even if it was your job to keep up. (And it kind of is mine.) Delta announced everything from cabin upgrades to checked-bag hikes to Diamond benefit changes — in a month that starts with April Fools’ Day (none of the changes were pranks). Capital One launched a brand new business card. A couple got tAAsed and bAAnned for life by AAmerican AAirlines. And cruise lines might be about to ruin “unlimited” drink packages forever.

Let’s roll the tape, as we say in the media biz. (Yes, some of us still use words like “tape,” “spool,” and “film,” even though pretty much everything is digital. 🙂 )

Delta News

Delta is making changes to Diamond and CLEAR Plus benefits starting in June 2026. If you’re at the top of the SkyMiles food chain — or paying for CLEAR Plus through your Delta credit card — you’ll want to read the fine print before this kicks in.

Delta — the airline with its own oil refinery — also raised checked bag fees again. Because oil is expensive. Shocking, I know. Status and cobranded credit cards are becoming even more important if you want to save money on luggage.

On the hard product side, Delta announced more legroom in certain cabins, seatback screen upgrades, and some Delta One improvements. Incremental, but the kind of thing that actually matters when you’re stuck on a transcon for six hours.

There’s also a Delta One Lounge potentially coming to MSP, which would be a nice upgrade for Twin Cities flyers sitting up front on longhauls. And maybe free up some space in the Sky Clubs.

Schedule changes hit this month, too. Remember to peek at any upcoming itineraries and know what you can do if your flights are changed.

Delta is also suspending several summer routes, which is what happens when jet fuel hovers around $4 a gallon. JFK-MEM, JFK-STL, DTW-KEF, BOS-NAS, and SEA-CUN all got the axe for parts of the summer.

There was also a fun First World Problem debate this month: would you pay $900 for a Delta One business class upgrade on AMS-MSP? I had thoughts. (I always have thoughts.)

And finally, a heartfelt plea to Delta: please don’t copy United and bring back the CRJ-200s. (Though if they’re actually comfortable…)

Credit Cards & Offers

Capital One launched a brand new business card in April — the Venture Business. New card, new welcome offer, new positioning in their lineup. If you’ve been watching the business card space, this one’s worth understanding before you decide whether it fits your strategy. Check out the new Capital One Venture Business Card

Speaking of business cards: there were several with welcome offers up to 500,000 points this month. Big numbers, but the spending requirements matter more than the headline. Read our post about the big offers

Marriott’s co-branded cards also offer elevated bonuses worth checking out — especially if you’re chasing free nights or status. But the offers end soon. See the Marriott credit card bonuses

We also published the deep dive on the American Express® Gold Card this month — benefits, credits, how the points system actually works, all of it. If you’ve been carrying this card without maximizing it, it’s worth the read.

There was also a Delta Gift Card Offer worth checking if you’ve got the right card in your wallet. The kind of thing that’s annoying to discover after the fact. See the Delta Gift Card Offer details

A targeted Delta Vacations Amex Offer floated around earlier in the month with bonus MQDs attached — useful if you’re trying to close a status gap. Check the Delta Vacations Amex Offer

Alaska’s ATMOS portal ran a limited-time shopping bonus — easy to stack with card offers if you were already buying stuff anyway. Read about the Alaska ATMOS shopping bonus

And for the Chase Freedom Flex® crowd, we answered whether Audible actually earns 5X. The answer’s not as obvious as you’d think — and it matters if you’ve been funneling subscriptions through this card on autopilot.

Cruise Corner

The big cruise news of the month: cruise lines are likely about to start restricting “unlimited” drink packages after Carnival got hit with a $300K judgment. Translation: the free-flowing daiquiri era may be coming to a close. Not everyone’s going to love this.

For first-timers wondering how long their first cruise should be — 3, 5, 7 days, or longer — we laid out the case for each. There’s a right answer for most people, and it might not be what you’d guess.

Travel News & Chaos

April brought us a couple getting tased and banned for life by American Airlines, Holland America dropping $500M on a solo cabin makeover, and airlines catching outrage over post-booking fuel charges. Travel keeps getting weirder.

Earlier in the month: LAX had multiple near-collision incidents and JetBlue bankruptcy rumors resurfaced, alongside Delta’s summer route cuts. None of it connected, except that it kind of is.

And earlier still: cruise ships dealing with actual pirates, disgusting Delta Sky Club lines, people cruising with their cats, and the eternal truth that tomato juice tastes better at altitude.

Thank You!

Thanks for reading, commenting on, and sharing our content. It truly means more than ever!

In case you missed them:

• Would you pay $900 for a Delta One business class upgrade?
• Marriott credit card bonuses
• Delta Diamond and CLEAR Plus changes coming June 2026
• American Airlines tasering, Holland America makeover, fuel charge outrage, and more
• Delta Gift Card Offer
• Cruise lines may restrict free drinks after $300K Carnival judgment
• Does Audible earn 5X on the Chase Freedom Flex®?
• Delta summer route suspensions, LAX near-misses, JetBlue bankruptcy news
• New Capital One Venture Business Card welcome offer
• Delta cabin upgrades: more legroom, seatback screens, Delta One improvements
• Gold Card complete guide: benefits, credits, and points
• Alaska ATMOS shopping limited-time bonus
• Delta checked bag fee increase
• Delta Vacations Amex Offer: 200 MQDs
• 500K points business card offers
• Delta schedule changes
• Cruise ships vs. pirates, Sky Club lines, cruising with your cat, and more
• How long should your first cruise be?
• Delta One Lounge MSP update
• Please don’t bring back the CRJ-200s, Delta