Award News

Hey awardtrail blazers, tax season is looming, and Fidelity is offering some users a sweet deal on TurboTax Premier! Basically, if you're a Fidelity customer, log into your account and head to your Portfolio Summary page. Some folks are seeing an offer for a completely FREE online version of TurboTax Premier, while others might see a discount (like $5 for the download version or 20% off). Why should you care? Well, TurboTax Premier is the souped-up version that helps with investments, rental property, and other complex tax situations. If you're someone who itemizes deductions, deals with investment income, or juggles rental properties, this could save you some serious cash. Even if you just get a discount, it's still a win. Keep in mind that the offer seems to vary from person to person, so it's worth logging into your Fidelity account to see if you're one of the lucky ones eligible for the freebie. No harm in checking, right? Free money (or at least a cheaper tax bill) is always a welcome travel companion!

Columbia Bank is offering a sweet $300 bonus for opening a new business checking account. The deal's back in a few select branches (Denver, Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, and South Jordan), so if you're near one, listen up! To snag the bonus, you need to deposit at least $500 within 15 days of opening the account and maintain an average daily balance of $500 for 90 days. Make sure to mention the offer when you sign up! Why should you care? Well, who doesn't like free money? This is a pretty easy win for business owners. While there's a $10 monthly fee, you can easily avoid it by making 10 debit card purchases a month or keeping a $2,500 minimum daily balance. The bonus is considered interest, so you'll get a 1099-INT form, but hey, free money is free money! Just make sure to keep the account open until the bonus posts. Plus, they also have a personal checking bonus worth $200!

Hey awardtrail friends! OMNI Community Credit Union is offering a sweet $200 bonus for opening a new checking account, but it's only available if you live in Michigan or Indiana. To snag the bonus, you need a referral (good news, they're offering $200 referral bonuses now!), set up direct deposits averaging $500+ a month, make at least 8 debit card transactions, enroll in eStatements, and log in to digital banking. The catch? It sounds like they'll do a "hard pull" on your credit report when you apply. This means they'll actually check your credit history, which can ding your score a tiny bit (usually just a few points). So, if you're planning on applying for a new credit card or loan soon, you might want to hold off. Otherwise, if you can meet the requirements and don't mind the credit check, it's a pretty easy way to pocket an extra $200! Plus, the account has no monthly fees, which is always a win.

Webster Bank is back with a bonus for opening a new Premium checking account, offering up to $300! The deal seems to reappear periodically, and while it was once targeted, it's currently available in-branch to residents of NY, MA, RI, and CT. To snag the bonus, you'll typically need to set up qualifying direct deposits totaling $500 or more. Why should you care? Well, if you live in the Northeast and are looking for a new bank account, this is basically free money! Just be aware that some of these accounts come with monthly fees (between $11.95 and $21.95) that you'll need to waive by maintaining a minimum balance, making a certain number of debit card purchases, or meeting other requirements. There's also a small early account termination fee ($15) if you close the account within 90 days. While the offer seems to be available to anyone who goes into a branch, you should still confirm that you are eligible before opening an account.

Heads up, deal hunters! Target.com is running a targeted promotion where you can score a free $25 Target gift card when you buy a $250 Airbnb gift card. This offer is back for a limited time, ending on December 21st, so you need to act fast! The link is available, so check if you're eligible. While it's not the biggest discount we've ever seen on Airbnb gift cards, it's still a pretty sweet deal if you regularly shop at Target. Basically, you're getting a 10% return in Target credit for money you were already planning to spend on Airbnb. Think of all the snacks and travel essentials you can snag!

Ace Hardware is running a promotion where some users are getting a $10 bonus coupon just for downloading or logging into their app. The offer can be found under the "Rewards Dashboard" in the "Offers" tab. It's valid for a single transaction and expires way out in January 2026, so you have plenty of time to use it! Now, here's the catch: not everyone is seeing this offer. It's unclear what triggers it, so it's worth checking your app to see if you're one of the lucky ones. Also, there are a *ton* of exclusions! You can't use it on rentals, services, gift cards, fuel, power tools, and a bunch of specific brands like Benjamin Moore, Weber, and Yeti. Still, if you're planning a trip to Ace for something not on the exclusion list, free money is free money!

Walden Savings Bank is offering a business checking account bonus of up to $1,000, but there's a catch! This deal is ONLY for those in Southern New York and requires opening the account in a branch. To snag the bonus, you need to make 5 "qualifying transactions" (deposits, ACH, wires, bill pay, or debit card purchases) within 90 days. The bonus amount depends on your average balance after those 90 days: $250 for $2,500-$9,999, $500 for $10,000-$99,999, and $1,000 for $100,000+. So, is it worth jumping through these hoops? Let's break it down. You have to park that money for at least 90 days, and if you closed the account within six months, you forfeit the bonus. Plus, there's a $5 monthly fee unless you maintain a $2,500 average balance. Doctor of Credit points out that the interest you *could* earn by putting that money in a high-yield account (around 5% APY) might actually be *more* than the bonus, especially for the $1,000 tier. Basically, the smaller bonuses *could* be worthwhile if you already have a business in Southern NY and have the cash sitting around, but the big $1,000 bonus requires a HUGE chunk of change that could be better used elsewhere. Be sure to do the math and see if this bonus really makes sense for your business's financial situation. This offer is good until the end of 2025, giving you plenty of time to decide.

Hey Award Trailblazers, listen up! There's a sweet deal going on right now for flights to and from Seattle. You can snag a roundtrip ticket for just $259. Why should you care? Well, this isn't some stripped-down, basic economy fare that charges you for every little thing. This is regular economy! That means you get to pick your seat in advance (no getting stuck in the middle!), and you can bring a normal-sized carry-on bag without paying extra. If you've been dreaming of visiting the Emerald City, or need to head back home, now's the time to book!

Hey awardtrail fam! Spotted a potential deal alert for flights to Bangkok over at The Flight Deal. They've flagged a possible sale with sample dates in late January/early February of 2026. Now, why should you care about something so far out? Well, it gives you a heads-up to start watching prices if Bangkok is on your bucket list. Plus, it suggests airlines might be feeling the pressure to fill seats well in advance, potentially leading to more widespread deals down the line. Keep in mind this is just ONE sample date, so you'll need to do some digging and be flexible to see if you can snag something similar that works for your travel plans. But hey, planning ahead is half the fun, right? Happy travels!

Alright, awardtrail readers, listen up! If you've been dreaming of strolling along the Danube and soaking in the thermal baths of Budapest, now might be your chance. The Flight Deal has spotted some solid fares to Budapest, with roundtrip tickets clocking in under $700. Not bad at all! Now, the price can wiggle a bit depending on your exact route, so do some digging. They recommend using Matrix Airfare Search by ITA Software. Think of it as a powerful tool to pinpoint the cheapest days to fly. This is a game changer, because with some flexible planning, you could save a bundle on your European adventure. Why should you care? Well, Budapest is a seriously cool city. It's packed with history, stunning architecture, and some seriously delicious food. Getting there for under $700 opens up the possibility of exploring Eastern Europe without breaking the bank. So, ditch the Netflix binge for a night and start searching for those flights!