Award News

Heads up, Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom® cardholders! Registration is now open to activate your bonus categories for the first quarter of 2026 (January 1st to March 31st). This is your chance to earn a sweet 5% cash back on purchases within the select categories. Why should you care? Well, a little planning can translate to a lot of extra cash in your pocket. By activating your card and strategically using it within these categories, you're essentially getting a bonus on your everyday spending. It's free money, people! Don't leave it on the table. Make sure you head over to the Chase website or app to activate your card ASAP so you can start racking up those bonus rewards when the new year rolls around. It only takes a minute, and the potential savings are definitely worth it!

Heads up, Asia Miles enthusiasts! Cathay Pacific just dropped a new promotion that could pad your account with up to 5,700 bonus miles. While it's not going to make you an instant millionaire miler, it's definitely worth a look, especially since some of the "missions" are super easy to complete. Think of it as free miles just for engaging with the Cathay Pacific ecosystem. They are practically giving away miles. For example, expect easy bonuses for using the Cathay app and engaging with their newsletter. Why should you care? Well, even a small boost can make a difference when you're saving up for that dream trip to Asia! Plus, with Asia Miles being a valuable currency for flights and upgrades, every little bit helps. Check out the promotion details and see which missions you can knock out without breaking a sweat!

Heads up, Citi Dividend cardholders! Get ready to max out your rewards at the start of 2026. Citi has announced the Q1 2026 bonus categories for the Citi Dividend card, and it's a good one: you'll earn 5% cash back on purchases made at Amazon and on select streaming services. Why does this matter? Well, if you're already buying from Amazon or subscribing to streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or Spotify, this is essentially free money. Remember, the 5% applies to the first $6,000 you spend each year across all quarterly categories (meaning a maximum of $300 cash back total). To take advantage of this, you'll need to activate the bonus categories. Look for the activation link (we've provided it above!) to register your card. Don't miss out on this easy way to boost your cash back earnings in the new year!

The Mesa Homeowners Card, which promised a way to earn rewards on your mortgage payments, has abruptly shut down just a year after its launch. If you were a cardholder, this likely comes as a shock, leaving you scrambling for alternatives to keep those points rolling in. It's a bummer because earning rewards on something as big as a mortgage could really boost your points balance. So, what now? Don't panic! The original article has some good advice. Mainly, it's time to look for another card that offers similar benefits or find creative ways to maximize your spending in other categories. While finding a direct replacement for mortgage payments might be tough, you might want to look at cards that give solid rewards on everyday spending or offer sign-up bonuses to quickly replenish your points stash. This news matters because it highlights the volatility of some niche rewards cards and the importance of having a diversified strategy for earning points and miles.

Hey AwardTrail blazers! Marriott's at it again, showering us with bonus points opportunities. They're constantly rolling out regional and brand-specific promos to help you fatten up your Bonvoy balance faster. And get this: you can *already* start booking for a promotion in 2026. Specifically, Marriott is offering 5,000 bonus points per stay at Moxy hotels in Europe. Moxy is Marriott's quirky, modern, and often more affordable brand. If you're planning a European adventure a couple years out, this is a no-brainer way to boost your points stash. Why does this matter to you? Well, free hotel nights, of course! Those bonus points add up, getting you closer to that dream vacation or a cheeky weekend getaway. Plus, early bird gets the worm, so booking now for 2026 means you've got a head start on maximizing those rewards. Just head over to the AwardWallet Blog to find the registration link and get all the details. Happy travels!

World of Hyatt is a favorite among points enthusiasts for its straightforward award chart, and there's a sweet spot for budget travelers: Category 1-4 hotels. These properties often have fantastic off-peak rates, meaning you can stretch your points further and get incredible value – sometimes over 4 cents per point! Why should you care? Well, if you're sitting on a pile of Hyatt points and dreaming of a getaway without breaking the bank, this list is gold. It highlights hotels where your points will go the furthest, giving you serious bang for your buck. These aren't just any hotels; they're places where you can maximize your points and potentially save hundreds of dollars on your next vacation. Keep an eye on those off-peak dates to really unlock the best deals!

Heads up, deal hunters! There's a slew of discounted gift cards available right now that could save you some serious cash on upcoming travel expenses, dining, or even home improvement projects. We're talking discounts on brands like Lyft, Hotels.com, Lowe's, Grubhub, and a ton of restaurants and retailers. For example, you can snag a $100 Lyft or Hotels.com gift card for just $85! Why should you care? Simple: if you're already planning to spend money at these places, buying a discounted gift card is like getting free money. Think of it as pre-paying for your purchases at a discount. Plus, some of these offers might even stack with "Shop With Points" promotions if you're looking to redeem credit card rewards, potentially maximizing your savings even further! It's definitely worth a look to see if your favorite brands are included. Be sure to check out the fine print and any expiration dates before purchasing. Also, remember that some of these are physical cards while others are e-gift cards, so choose the option that works best for you. Happy shopping, and happy saving!

Heads up, deal hunters! Amazon's got a sneaky-good offer right now: you can snag a $100 Visa e-gift card for, well, $100. It's a one-time deal, but still worth checking out. Why should you care? It's basically free money if you were already planning on spending $100 anyway! The beauty of this deal is its flexibility. You can gift it, use it for online shopping, or even find ways to "unload" it (think using it for bills or other everyday expenses). Plus, some folks are reporting they can stack this with Amazon's "Shop With Points" deals or use cards that offer bonus rewards for Amazon purchases, making it even sweeter. There's also a similar deal for Mastercard e-gift cards, but the consensus seems to be that Visa is more widely accepted. As always, Your Mileage May Vary (YMMV), but it's definitely worth a look if you're an Amazon shopper!

Heads up, deal hunters! Amazon is running another targeted promotion where you can snag up to 30% off your purchase (max $15 discount) when you use at least one Discover Cashback Bonus point at checkout. Some people are even seeing offers like $10 off $75! This is an easy way to save on stuff you were already planning to buy. The key here is that it's targeted, so not everyone will be eligible. To see if you're one of the lucky ones, check the link provided. Also, make sure the item you're buying is sold directly by Amazon (look for "sold by Amazon.com" on the product page). The offer is limited to one per Amazon account and can't be combined with other discounts. The good news is that if you are targeted it stacks with the Discover Q4 2025 5% category for Amazon. Why does this matter to you, the awardtrail reader? Well, it's essentially free money (or, at least, a discount on money you've already earned!). Redeeming even a single point unlocks the savings, letting you stretch your rewards even further. Keep an eye out for these targeted deals – they pop up regularly and are a super easy way to save!

U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve cardholders, brace yourselves! Some significant changes are coming to your card benefits, and they're going live on December 15, 2025. While there's some potentially good news on the horizon with the promise of points transfers to airline and hotel loyalty programs, the immediate changes are mostly negative. Think of it as U.S. Bank taking away some of your candy, but possibly offering a different kind of treat later. The biggest hit? Your points will now only be worth 1 cent each when redeeming for travel, down from the current 1.5 cents. Ouch! Plus, that sweet $325 travel credit is now restricted to bookings made through the U.S. Bank travel center, so you won't be able to use it on just any travel or dining purchase. Mobile wallet purchases will also be capped at 3x points on the first $5,000 spent each billing cycle, then drop to 1x. On the bright side, the card will earn 10x points on hotels and car rentals and 5x points on flights booked through the U.S. Bank travel portal. The addition of transfer partners could be a game changer depending on the transfer ratios and participating programs. Keep an eye out for updates as the transfer partner programs have not yet been announced!