Award News

Rakuten just launched a new credit card with American Express, issued by Imprint and First Electronic Bank. The card has no annual fee and is offering a signup bonus that fluctuates! As of today (Dec 17, 2025) it is $200 (or 20,000 Amex/Bilt points) after meeting spend requirements. It offers some interesting cashback earning categories. You’ll earn an extra 4% cashback (on top of the usual Rakuten rewards) on Rakuten's shopping portal (limited to the first $7,000 spent each year), plus 10% cashback on Rakuten Dining, 2% on groceries and restaurants, and 1% on everything else. So, why should you care? The 4% on Rakuten purchases is decent, but that spending cap is something to consider. The real potential lies in the Rakuten Dining program. The cashback you earn pools with your regular Rakuten balance, which is great news if you already funnel your Rakuten rewards into Amex Membership Rewards points. This means you can effectively earn more Amex points on your spending. Ultimately, this card might be a good fit for you if you're already a frequent Rakuten shopper or diner. Otherwise, it's probably not worth jumping through hoops for, given other cards that offer more straightforward and potentially higher rewards. Keep an eye on that signup bonus though, as those extra points could make it worth a try!

Okay, awardtrailblazers, here's a quirky one: Bilt Rewards, the program that lets you earn points on rent, just added Spirit Airlines as a transfer partner! You can now transfer your Bilt points to Spirit's Free Spirit program at a 1:1 ratio. Now, let's be real: Spirit isn't exactly known for luxury. But hear me out! If you're a budget traveler, or just need a super cheap flight on a specific route, this could be useful. Maybe you're short a few points for a Spirit award and this is an easy top-up. Just a heads up, Spirit points expire after 12 months of inactivity, so don't transfer unless you have a plan to use them soon. While this isn't the flashiest partnership, it's always good to have more options, especially when it comes to squeezing value out of your rewards!

KeyBank is offering a juicy $800 bonus for opening a new checking account, but there's a catch (or two!). It looks like these offers are targeted to specific regions and sometimes even specific branches, so you'll need to check the provided links to see if you're eligible. The links specify different regions where the offer might be available, including Colorado, New York, Michigan, Washington, and Utah. The bonus is structured in two parts: $500 for making $1,000+ in direct deposits within 90 days, and another $300 for a direct deposit made within 30 days before your account's first anniversary. Be aware of the fine print: you'll need to use a specific offer code (FDMG0725) and open the account at a specific Green Valley Ranch branch in Colorado to get the full $800. Also, bank bonuses are considered income, so Uncle Sam will want his cut come tax time. The good news? The Key Smart Checking account has no monthly fees and no early termination fee, making it easier to keep the account open long enough to snag the bonus. But before you jump in, remember to consider that KeyBank uses ChexSystems, which tracks your banking history. If you've opened too many accounts recently, you might get denied. If you're eligible and haven't been bonus churning too hard, this could be a worthwhile chunk of change for minimal effort!

Heads up, award travelers! Preferred Hotels is giving away an easy 250 points just for signing up for their email and text alerts. It's a super quick way to pad your account balance. Now, the catch (there's always a catch, right?). These points expire after 24 months of inactivity. The good news is that "inactivity" is defined as not having any stays or redeeming points. It's unclear if signing up for the texts/emails counts as activity, so redeeming is likely required to extend the life of your points. But hey, free points are free points, and it might be worth grabbing them now and figuring out what to do with them later. This offer matters to you because every little bit helps when you're chasing those travel goals!

Giftcards.com is having a sale, and it's a great chance to save some serious cash on gift cards from popular brands. We're talking discounts of 10% to 15% on cards for places like Disney, Delta, Chipotle, Starbucks, and a whole bunch more. Why should you care? Well, think about it: if you know you're going to spend money at these places anyway, buying a discounted gift card is basically free money! But wait, it gets even better! You can stack these savings by using a shopping portal like Kudos (currently offering 5% cashback) when you make your purchase. Plus, check your Chase Offers, as some people are seeing 5% cashback on Giftcards.com purchases. And don't forget Giftcards.com's own rewards program, which gives you another 1% or 2% back. If you have a Chase Freedom card, using PayPal for the purchase will earn you 5x points this month. It's savings on top of savings – a true rewards enthusiast's dream!

Heads up, Mesa cardholders! If you're still reeling from the Mesa card shutdown, Rove Miles is offering a bit of a lifeline. They're matching your old Mesa points balance 1:1, up to a maximum of 5,000 Rove Miles. Think of it as a consolation prize to soften the blow. Why does this matter? Well, even though you might've already redeemed your Mesa points (and hopefully you did!), this is a second chance to grab some value. Rove is a flexible points program, meaning you can use them for a variety of travel-related expenses. It's not a perfect replacement, but free points are free points, right? Just remember, this offer is capped at the first 2,000,000 miles issued, so act fast if you want to snag some free Rove Miles based on your Mesa balance!

Heads up, Southwest Rapid Rewards fans! Big news: Southwest is teaming up with Turkish Airlines starting in January 2026. This means you'll be able to book flights connecting between Southwest and Turkish Airlines on a single ticket. No more juggling separate reservations and hoping your bags make it! Why should you care? This partnership opens up a HUGE world of destinations. Imagine flying Southwest domestically, then seamlessly connecting to Turkish Airlines to explore Istanbul, or even further into Europe, Asia, and Africa! It's a game-changer for those wanting to use their Rapid Rewards points (or paid flights) to see even more of the world. Southwest also plans to add six other international partners in 2025 so there may be more news coming soon! While details are still scarce, like how baggage transfers and potential mileage earning will work, the ability to book connecting flights on one ticket is a major win. Keep an eye on Awardtrail for more updates as we learn more about how to maximize this exciting new partnership!

Heads up, deal hunters! Staples is running a sweet promotion where you can get 100% back in Staples Easy Rewards points when you buy up to $50 worth of Crayola products. Think of it as getting free crayons, markers, and more! Here's the catch: you need to be a Staples Easy Rewards member and activate the offer in your account online or through the Staples app *before* you shop. Make sure you provide your membership number when you checkout. The offer excludes purchases through Instacart, DoorDash, or Uber Eats. Also, you can't combine this offer with other Staples Easy Rewards promotions in a single transaction. Why does this matter to you? Well, if you're already shopping at Staples, or planning to, this is an easy way to snag some free art supplies for your kids, grandkids, or even donate them to a local school or charity. The offer is good until December 20th, 2025, so you have plenty of time to take advantage of it!

Heads up, San Diego dreamers! There's a sweet deal popping up for nonstop flights in and out of sunny San Diego (SAN) for only $317. This isn't some stripped-down, basic economy nightmare either. This price includes seat selection. Why should you care? Well, if you've been eyeing a trip to this California gem, known for its amazing weather, beautiful beaches, and vibrant culture, now might be the time to book. This fare lets you avoid those pesky connections and get straight to enjoying your vacation.

Heads up, deal hunters! If Guatemala City has been on your travel radar, now's your chance. The Flight Deal just flagged some seriously cheap flights, clocking in under $300 for a round trip. We're talking regular economy, so no frills, but at that price, who's complaining? The trick is to use the Matrix Airfare Search by ITA Software to find the dates that work for this crazy low price. Think of Matrix as a super-powered flight search engine that lets you pinpoint the best deals. Once you've found your dates, head over to your favorite online travel agency or airline website to book. Why should you care? Well, for under $300, you can explore ancient Mayan ruins, hike volcanoes, and experience the vibrant culture of Guatemala City. Whether you're a budget backpacker or just looking for a quick getaway, this is an opportunity you won't want to miss. Just act fast – deals like this don't stick around forever!