Award News

Great news for AAdvantage members! American Airlines is rolling out free Wi-Fi for everyone with an AAdvantage number starting in January 2026. That means you can finally ditch those expensive in-flight internet charges and stay connected without breaking the bank. But what about now? AwardWallet Blog reveals how to score free Wi-Fi *before* the official launch. While the article doesn't detail the methods, the promise of free internet even before 2026 is definitely worth exploring if you have any upcoming AA flights. This is huge because staying connected on flights is often a costly necessity for work or just staying entertained. Free Wi-Fi for AAdvantage members is a valuable perk that makes flying with American Airlines even more appealing. It’s always good to be aware of the best ways to maximize your benefits.

Heads up, soccer fans! American Airlines AAdvantage is giving you a chance to use your miles for something seriously cool: tickets to the Phase 2 World Cup games! Starting December 17th, you'll be able to redeem your hard-earned miles for a shot at witnessing some of the biggest matches in the world. Why should you care? Well, if you're sitting on a pile of AAdvantage miles and have been dreaming of seeing the World Cup live, this is your chance. It's a pretty unique redemption opportunity, especially since these tickets are usually tough to snag. Plus, using miles can sometimes be a better value than shelling out cash, depending on how you typically redeem them. The details are still a little sparse, but the important thing is to get ready! Make sure to register for updates so you don't miss out on the initial offering. Keep an eye on the AwardWallet Blog for more info as it becomes available. Get ready to potentially trade those miles for memories that will last a lifetime!

Hey awardtrail readers, T-Mobile users, listen up! Every Tuesday, T-Mobile drops some freebies and deals for its customers, and this week is looking pretty good. You can snag a $5 Atom Tickets credit to see a movie. The offer went live at 5 AM ET on December 16th and you have until the end of December 17th to claim it. The easiest way to get these deals is usually through the T-Mobile Tuesdays app. Why should you care? Well, who doesn't love free stuff or discounted entertainment? If you're a T-Mobile customer, it's basically free money towards a movie night. So, open that T-Mobile Tuesdays app and grab your perks. Happy watching!

Costco's playing Santa (early!) for some lucky members! They're sending out emails with a promo code for $50 off online orders of $500 or more. The catch? It's a targeted offer, so you'll need to check your inbox for the subject line: 'Our Gift to YOU: [Something] at Checkout for $50 OFF $500+'. This could be a fantastic opportunity to stock up on those bigger-ticket items or essentials you were already planning to buy, essentially getting a cool 10% discount. Keep in mind a few things: this is *online only* and *not valid in-warehouse*. Also, there are some exclusions: think new memberships, renewals, gift cards, precious metals, travel, and a few other services. So, before you start filling your virtual cart, read the fine print on the email. The offer's good until January 18, 2026, giving you plenty of time to plan your shopping spree! This is a rare discount from Costco, so if you got the email, definitely take advantage of it.

Did you buy apps or make in-app purchases on the Google Play Store between August 2016 and September 2023? If so, you could be getting some money back, thanks to a $700 million settlement Google reached over allegations of monopolizing app distribution! Google denies any wrongdoing, but they're still paying up. The best part? Most people don't even have to file a claim! If you're eligible, you should automatically receive an email from PayPal or a text from Venmo with your payment, which will be at least $2, but could be more depending on how much you spent. Just make sure the email address or phone number associated with your Google Play account is up-to-date. Keep an eye out for that notification! It’s basically free money for something you already bought. There are some important deadlines if you want to exclude yourself from the settlement or object to it, but for most of us, just waiting for that PayPal or Venmo notification is all you need to do to get your share.

Heads up, deal hunters! Staples is running a promotion on gift cards right now that could save you some serious cash. They're offering discounts on gift cards for a bunch of popular retailers and restaurants like Lowe's, Hulu, Darden (think Olive Garden!), Total Wine, and even DoorDash. You can snag these gift cards for around 10-15% off their face value. Why should you care? Well, if you know you're going to be spending money at any of these places anyway, buying a discounted gift card is like getting free money. Plus, here's a pro tip: If you have a Chase Ink Business card, you'll earn a whopping 5x points on purchases at Staples.com. That's a fantastic return and makes this deal even sweeter! So, stock up on those gift cards and start saving!

DoorDash is raining promo codes, so get ready to save on your next delivery! If you're a DashPass member (DashPass is a monthly subscription that gets you free delivery and reduced service fees on eligible orders), you'll want to pay close attention. They've been consistently offering deals tied to NBA player performances – use code NBA50 the day after a player scores 50+ points to snag 50% off your delivery order (up to $10 off). Keep an eye out because this offer is recurring. But that's not all! There's a new offer for 30% off, up to a $25 discount with code 30CHASE. This requires both DashPass and using a Chase credit card for payment. It works on Electronics, Home Improvement, Beauty & Personal Care, and Sporting Goods, so you can save on Best Buy, Lowe's, Staples, and more. These deals change frequently, so it's worth checking back often. With a little planning, you can seriously cut down on your food and other delivery costs.

Hey awardtrail readers, who doesn't love free stuff? Smoothie King is giving away a free 12oz Apple Cinnamon Cheer smoothie! The catch? There's no public link; you'll need to check your Smoothie King app or your email to see if you were targeted for the offer. Why should you care? Well, free is free! It's a tasty way to brighten your day. Plus, if you're already a Smoothie King regular, this is practically found money! Check your app and emails ASAP.

Hey awardtrail fans! Want to binge-watch "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" or catch up on the latest movies without breaking the bank? Paramount+ is offering their Premium (that's the ad-free one!) subscription for just 99 cents a month for two months. Just use the code `rm2kn3` when signing up. Now, the details are a little fuzzy. It's not entirely clear if this deal is only for folks who had a Paramount+ subscription before, or if newbies can jump on board too. The code was sent out via email, but unfortunately, there's no listed end date for the offer, so you'll want to jump on this ASAP if you're interested. Even if you only watch a few things, at under a dollar a month, it's a steal!

IHG is sending out targeted emails offering Diamond status all the way until December 31, 2026, if you buy 120,000 IHG points. This deal effectively lets you purchase Diamond status for around $800 if you have an IHG credit card that gives you a 20% discount on points purchases. Without the discount, the points would normally cost $1000, which means that you are effectively paying $200 for Diamond status. So, why should you care? Well, IHG Diamond status comes with perks like complimentary upgrades, breakfast, and lounge access. If you have a bunch of IHG stays planned between now and the end of 2026, this could be a worthwhile deal to get a more comfortable hotel experience. Before jumping in, consider whether you'd naturally spend enough on IHG stays to justify the $800 price tag. Also check if you can stack even more rewards by going through a shopping portal that pays out on Points.com purchases to sweeten the deal.