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The pulse of points and miles.

December 22, 2025News

Minnesota Residents, Score a Cool $400 with SouthPoint Financial Credit Union!

SouthPoint Financial Credit Union is offering a sweet $400 bonus for opening a new checking account, but there are a few hoops to jump through. You'll need to make 30 debit card transactions, enroll in online and mobile banking with e-statements, and set up direct deposits. The bonus tiers are $100 for $2,000+ direct deposit, $200 for $5,000+, and the full $400 for $7,500+ direct deposit. This deal is primarily for Minnesota residents, as opening an account from out of state seems tricky. To make it worthwhile, ensure you can meet the requirements within the first 90 days. Also, the account needs to stay open for at least six months, or you'll forfeit the bonus. If you're already a SouthPoint customer or have closed an account recently, you might not be eligible. It's a soft pull, so it won't ding your credit score, making it a worthwhile consideration if you meet the criteria!
December 22, 2025News

Easy $150? Propell Credit Union's iSave Checking Account Bonus Breakdown!

Propell Credit Union is offering up to a $150 bonus for opening a new iSave checking account. If you live or work in Delaware or Chester County, PA, or are connected to someone who does, this could be an easy win! The bonus is structured as a match for different activities within the first 30 days of opening the account: They'll match your first direct deposit (up to $50), refund bill payments (up to $50), and refund debit card purchases (up to $50). Why should you care? Well, it's basically free money! The account has no monthly fees, so you can grab the bonus and then decide if you want to keep the account open. You can snag $100 of the bonus without even setting up a direct deposit, which is great. The catch? All the credits will be posted to your account within 90 days of account opening, and you'll need to pay taxes on the bonus as it's considered income. It's also not clear if they do a hard or soft pull on your credit, so keep that in mind when applying.
December 22, 2025News

Amazon's Slicing Prices on Pixel 10 Phones: Time to Upgrade?

Heads up, deal hunters! Amazon's running a sweet promotion that could save you some serious cash on a new Pixel 10 smartphone. They're knocking $100 off when you use the code PIXEL10 at checkout. The 128GB model is going for $499, and the 256GB version is $599. Why should you care? Well, if you've been eyeing a new phone, this is a solid discount. But the real magic happens when you stack this deal with other Amazon offers, like using your credit card rewards points to pay. You could potentially snag a brand-new Pixel 10 for even less! So, if you're in the market for an upgrade, now might be the time to pounce.
December 22, 2025News

Stack Swagbucks and Savings: Gift Card Deals That (Might) Actually Be Worth It!

Mygiftcardsplus is back with a new round of gift card deals, and this time you can score up to 20% back in Swagbucks on purchases from retailers like Applebee's, Red Robin, Topgolf, Jiffy Lube, and Carter's. Domino's is trailing slightly at 15% back. So, why should you care? Well, if you frequent any of these spots, it's basically free money! You're already planning to spend there anyway, so buying a gift card beforehand lets you double dip: you get credit card rewards on the *full* purchase amount, *plus* the Swagbucks rebate. Swagbucks can then be redeemed for more gift cards or even cash. Now, the catch? Some of the merchants on offer aren't the most exciting, so only jump in if you genuinely see yourself using the gift cards. Also, if you're new to Swagbucks, take a peek at a review to see if it's your thing, and consider using a referral link to snag a bonus!
December 22, 2025News

Free Batteries at Staples?! Time to Stock Up!

Staples is running a sweet deal where you can get 100% back in Staples rewards on battery purchases, up to $40! Basically, you buy batteries, and Staples gives you back the same amount (before tax) in store credit. It's like getting free batteries, as long as you're a Staples Easy Rewards member and you'll use the points later. Here's the catch: This deal is in-store only (so no online or delivery apps), and it expires December 27, 2025. You also have to activate the offer in your Staples Easy Rewards dashboard *before* you buy. Make sure you give them your rewards number when you check out. The points you earn will be based on the amount you actually pay, so after any other coupons or discounts. Why does this matter to you, the savvy traveler? Because Staples points can be used to buy all sorts of things you might need for travel, like paper towels, pens, charging cables, or even small electronics. So, if you're already a Staples shopper, this is a no-brainer way to essentially get free stuff later on a purchase you would have made anyway. Just think of it as a mini-rebate that can help you stock up on travel essentials!
December 22, 2025News

Easy $150 for Illinois Residents: New MSUFCU Checking Account Bonus!

Hey Illinois folks, here's a super easy bank bonus for you! MSU Federal Credit Union is offering a sweet $150 bonus just for opening a new checking account. The best part? No direct deposit, no hoops to jump through. Just open the account, and the bonus will be deposited into your Spartan Saver account within 90 days *after* the promo ends on 12/31/25. So, patience is key! This deal is only for permanent residents of Illinois and you can't have had a checking account with MSUFCU before. It's a soft pull, which means it won't affect your credit score. Plus, there are no monthly fees with their Totally Green Checking, making it a truly free $150. While there's mention of a $25 bonus for opening a 1-Year Add-On Certificate, the real draw is the straightforward checking account bonus. Why should you care? Well, free money is always good! Bank bonuses are a fantastic way to pad your travel fund, and this one is particularly attractive because of its simplicity. With the holidays coming, an extra $150 could go a long way!
December 22, 2025News

Staples is Giving Away Free Money (Well, Almost!)

Heads up, deal hunters! Staples is running its popular promotion again where you can buy Visa gift cards with no purchase fee! This deal is valid in-store only from December 14th to December 27th. This matters to you because it's basically free money if you play your cards right. Here's the lowdown: You can purchase Visa gift cards without paying the usual activation fee. The trick is to use a credit card that earns bonus points at office supply stores. Cards like the Amex Business Gold (which also offers a monthly credit for office supply purchases) or Chase cards with rotating category bonuses at office supply stores are perfect. Basically, you're earning rewards on money you were going to spend anyway! Just remember, these deals often have limits on how many gift cards you can buy in one transaction, so check the fine print before you load up. Happy earning!
December 22, 2025News

Gift Card Bonanza: Score Sweet Discounts on Travel, Food, and More!

Giftcards.com is running a promo that's basically a gift card goldmine, offering discounts from 10% to 20% on a bunch of popular brands. We're talking Southwest Airlines for your next getaway, Grubhub for those nights you don't feel like cooking, and even IKEA for sprucing up your place. Plus, there are options like Google Play, Ulta, StubHub, CVS, and even PetSmart/Petco. Why should you care? Well, these discounts can seriously cut down your expenses on things you're *already* planning to buy. But the savings don't stop there! Stack these deals with a shopping portal like Kudos (currently offering 5% back, but check around for the best rate) to earn even *more* rewards. And don't forget about using a credit card with bonus rewards like the Chase Freedom card through Paypal this month for 5x points, or even the Chase Offer of 5% back. It's like a discount triple-dip! These deals can disappear quickly, so jump on them soon.
December 21, 2025News

Porto Alegre on a Budget: South American Adventure Awaits!

Heads up, deal hunters! The Flight Deal has spotted some sweet fares to Porto Alegre, Brazil. You can snag round-trip tickets for as low as $555. Keep in mind that this price is for Basic Economy (the ticket that lets you fly for less but sometimes with less flexibility). Now, why should you care? Well, Porto Alegre is a vibrant city with a rich culture and a great starting point to explore southern Brazil. This deal means you can experience a new corner of the world without emptying your wallet. Plus, if you're strategic with your travel dates, you could easily plan an unforgettable trip! The Flight Deal recommends using Matrix Airfare Search by ITA Software to find these dates. Play around with the calendar and see what you can find. Get ready for some South American sunshine!
December 21, 2025News

Guayaquil on a Budget: Ecuador Adventure Calling!

Hey awardtrail readers! Fancy a South American getaway without breaking the bank? There's a sweet deal popping up for flights to Guayaquil, Ecuador, clocking in at just $341 roundtrip. This isn't one of those stripped-down basic economy fares either! Why should you care? This fare gets you a regular economy ticket. That means you can bring a normal-sized carry-on bag and a personal item. No need to stress about fitting everything into a tiny backpack or paying extra fees. Guayaquil is a vibrant city, a great jumping-off point for exploring the Galapagos, or even venturing further into Ecuador. At this price, it's definitely worth considering for your next adventure!

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