Award News

Heads up, awardtrail readers! There's a sweet deal popping up for flights to Kaohsiung, Taiwan (KHH). You can snag roundtrip tickets for around $681. This isn't a bare-bones basic economy fare either. Why is this cool? Well, for that price, you're getting a regular economy ticket, which includes TWO checked bags *and* a normal-sized carry-on. No need to stress about packing light or paying extra baggage fees. That's a huge value! This matters because Taiwan is an amazing destination with delicious food, vibrant culture, and stunning scenery, and Kaohsiung is a great city to explore. If Taiwan has been on your travel list, now might be the perfect time to book those flights before the deal disappears!

Hey awardtrail readers, ready for a Nordic adventure without breaking the bank? The Flight Deal just flagged some seriously cheap flights to Oslo, Norway! We're talking under $500 from various US cities. Now, the catch: these prices are for "Basic Economy." That means you'll likely have to pay extra for things like checked bags and seat selection. But if you're a light packer and don't mind rolling the dice on where you sit, this is an incredible way to snag a flight to Norway. To find these deals, The Flight Deal recommends using Google Flights or ITA Matrix to search for the cheap dates, then booking directly with the airline. Oslo is an awesome city with a vibrant culture and stunning fjords nearby – perfect for a budget-friendly European getaway!

JetBlue is officially in the lounge game! They just launched their first "BlueHouse" lounge, signaling a broader plan to create a network of relaxing spaces for travelers. This is HUGE news for JetBlue flyers because it means a comfier pre-flight experience might be in your future! So far, details are a bit scarce, but the big question is: How do you get in? Access policies and specific locations are still being ironed out, but keep an eye out for updates as JetBlue rolls out more info. Knowing the access requirements and locations will be key to planning your next airport visit. Why should you care? Airport lounges offer a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle, with comfy seating, snacks, drinks, and often Wi-Fi. If you're a frequent JetBlue flyer, especially if you have elite status or a JetBlue credit card, these lounges could become a valuable perk, making your travel days a whole lot more enjoyable!

The Citi Strata Premier card might not be the flashiest card out there, but it's a serious contender for your everyday spending, and here's why. You'll rack up 3x points on a ton of popular categories: restaurants, gas stations, supermarkets, hotels, and even airfare! That's a sweet deal for anyone who spends a good chunk of their budget on these things. But the real kicker? The card comes with a $100 annual hotel credit. Use that each year, and the card basically pays for itself. Plus, right now, you can snag a 60,000-point bonus after meeting the spending requirements, which is a fantastic way to boost your travel rewards balance. If you're looking for a versatile card that earns well on everyday purchases and offers a solid annual benefit, the Citi Strata Premier is definitely worth a look.

Alaska Airlines is finally rolling out Starlink Wi-Fi, which means way better internet in the sky! Instead of slow, clunky connections, you can expect speeds fast enough for streaming and video calls. They're starting with select aircraft, so keep an eye out if you're flying with them soon. So, how do you know if you're on a Starlink-equipped plane? Unfortunately, there's no definitive way to check beforehand. But once onboard, you'll be able to connect and experience the faster speeds. Best of all, Alaska is offering this enhanced Wi-Fi service completely free! Why should you care? Because reliable Wi-Fi can make all the difference on a long flight, whether you want to catch up on work, binge-watch your favorite shows, or simply stay connected with friends and family. This upgrade puts Alaska Airlines ahead of the curve in terms of in-flight connectivity, so it's a big win for passengers!

American Airlines' brand new Airbus A321XLR is finally flying! The inaugural flight was December 18, 2025, from New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX), and someone from AwardWallet Blog was on board for the whole shebang, spending a whopping 11 hours experiencing both coach and premium economy. So, why should you care? The A321XLR is designed for longer, thinner routes – think transatlantic flights on smaller planes. This means potentially more direct routes to smaller European cities, which is great news for using those hard-earned miles! But the big question is: Is it comfortable enough for those longer flights? The review breaks down the good, the bad, and the potentially cramped, giving you the inside scoop before you book your next adventure. Basically, this review is a must-read before you jump on an A321XLR, especially if you're planning a long-haul trip. Knowing what to expect, seat selection tips, and whether premium economy is worth the upgrade can make or break your journey. Get the details before you book!

Big news for anyone holding the Mesa Homeowners Card: it's officially shutting down *immediately*. That's right, as of December 12th, you can't use the card for new purchases anymore. Mesa is sending out emails about the closure, but the website confirms it impacts all cardholders, even if you didn't get an email. So, what do you need to do *right now*? First, stop using the card! Any new transactions will be declined. Double-check that you've updated any recurring payments with a different card. You're still responsible for paying off your balance, so keep making those minimum payments. As of a recent update, Mesa is automatically redeeming points at a rate of .6 cents per point. The big question mark is what happens to your existing Mesa points. Redeeming points for statement credit at .6 cents per point is currently an option, but it's uncertain if this will continue. Flights booked with points are also being cancelled, so watch out. Since there are no transfer partners, your redemption options might be limited. Basically, keep a close eye on your account and be prepared to use those points quickly if you can!

Want to make your travel fund grow faster? Ditch that crummy bank interest rate and check out these high-yield savings accounts! Several banks are offering APYs (that's Annual Percentage Yield, basically the interest you earn) up to 4.40% right now. That means more money for your next adventure just by parking your cash in the right place. The Doctor of Credit has put together a list of top contenders, all FDIC or NCUA insured (protecting your money up to $250,000). Some, like Timbr, Climate First Bank, and Hustl Financial offer great rates on basic savings accounts. Others, like OnPath CU and Alumnifi, might require a higher minimum balance or membership. Why should you care? Because every extra dollar counts when you're saving for travel. Earning 4%+ interest is way better than the practically-nothing you're probably getting now. More interest means more spending money for your trips, plain and simple! Check the list and see if any of these banks work for you. It's an easy way to boost your travel budget without any extra effort!

Heads up, electric vehicle drivers! EVgo, a popular EV charging network, is offering free charging credits through various promo codes. Recently, they've released codes like "HOLIDAYCHARGE5DU" for $5, "HOLIDAYCHARGE10DR" for $10, "WINTERDRIVE10DR" for $10, "WINTERDRIVE5DR" for $5, "LABOR25" (likely for Labor Day), and "ROUTINE5" for $5. Why does this matter to you? Well, free is free! If you're already an EVgo user, or considering trying them out, snagging these credits is a no-brainer. It's essentially free money towards charging your car. Just plug in the codes when you're setting up your charging session in the EVgo app. Keep an eye out for more codes in the future, as it seems EVgo might be making this a regular thing. Even if you haven't used the app before, it might be worth downloading to take advantage of these promotions!

Giftcards.com is running a sweet deal where you can snag a free $10 gift card when you buy a $100 Visa eGift card. Just use the promo code VISABOGO at checkout. This offer is valid from November 23rd to November 26th, so don't wait too long! Why should you care? Well, free money is always good! Plus, Visa gift cards are practically as good as cash – you can use them almost anywhere. This is an easy way to get a little extra spending power for the holidays or just to treat yourself. To maximize your savings, remember to check for additional discounts. Shopping portals like Rakuten may offer cashback on Giftcards.com purchases (although the promo code needs to be explicitly mentioned on the portal for it to track), and check your Chase Offers or PayPal account for potential 5% cashback deals! Several other codes like EARLYKOBO, EARLYCB, EARLYSTYLE, LMVISA and NCWBOGO10 may also work.