Award News

American Airlines is handing out 100 AAdvantage miles just for registering for their latest hotel and car rental promo! It's a super easy win, and every little bit helps, right? You need to register by December 31, 2025. But the real potential lies in the bonus miles you can earn if you actually book a hotel or car rental through the promotion. You can snag 750 miles for a hotel stay, 750 miles for a car rental, or a sweet 1,500 miles if you do both! Just make sure your bookings are completed by February 28, 2026 to qualify. While these miles aren’t going to fund your round-the-world trip, they can be incredibly useful. Mainly, any activity in your AAdvantage account extends the life of your miles by 24 months. So, if you're worried about your AA miles expiring, registering for this promotion (and potentially doing a hotel stay or car rental) is an easy way to keep them alive. Think of it as a cheap insurance policy for your AAdvantage balance!

CVS is running a promotion where you can snag a free 8x10 photo print! All you have to do is use the specified promo code at checkout. These codes seem to get updated fairly regularly, so make sure you check the most recent one before placing your order. As of December 14, 2025, the current code is LETITSNOW. Why should you care? Well, who doesn't love free stuff? This is an easy way to print out a favorite travel photo, a memorable snapshot with friends, or even a pet pic without spending a dime. It's a fun little freebie that lets you bring those digital memories into the real world. Keep in mind that this offer is typically limited to one per customer. If the CVS app gives you trouble, try ordering online instead. Keep an eye out for new codes, as this offer seems to reappear every few weeks or months!

Ben & Jerry's is giving away FREE ice cream bars on December 17, 2025! Head to a participating scoop shop to snag your freebie. Now, the article doesn't specify which bars are up for grabs, but the picture shows a box of four, so fingers crossed for some variety! Just a heads-up: expect potentially long lines and a bit of a frenzy at most locations. Why should you care? Well, it's FREE ice cream! Who doesn't love that? Mark your calendars and get ready for a sweet treat. It could be a fun, if slightly chaotic, way to end your day.

Heads up, award travelers! Staples is once again offering $200 virtual Visa gift cards with no purchase fee. That's right, zero fee! This is like finding free money (almost!). You can snag these online at Staples.com. Why should you care? Because these gift cards effectively give you a discount on anything you buy with them. More importantly, if you use a credit card that earns bonus points at office supply stores (like one that earns 5x points), you're essentially racking up serious rewards for every dollar you spend. Think of it as a points multiplier on everyday purchases. Just a heads up: while the terms say you can buy 5, some users are reporting a limit of 4. Also, remember this is a "virtual" gift card, meaning you will receive it digitally and can use it for online purchases. You can also get this deal in-store. Happy spending (and earning)!

Okay, awardtrail friends, listen up! There's a deal popping up again that you absolutely need to know about: you can snag $10 off when you buy a $100 Visa or Mastercard gift card at [Grocery Store Name Here]! This deal has been coming and going, and it's BACK ON as of today, December 14th and valid until December 26th. You'll need to add $25 worth of groceries as well to be eligible. Why is this cool? Well, it's basically free money! You're buying a gift card you can use almost anywhere, and getting a sweet discount just for doing so. The fine print says it’s one offer per transaction, and the gift cards are issued by Metabank. Here's the kicker: make sure you use a credit card that gives you bonus points or cash back at grocery stores to maximize your rewards! Think of it as double-dipping – saving on the gift card AND earning extra rewards on your purchase. This is a simple way to boost your points balance for that next dream trip!

Hola, awardtrail readers! Fancy a trip to the Basque Country? There's a decent deal popping up for flights to Bilbao, Spain. We're seeing prices starting around $681. What makes this interesting? Well, first off, Bilbao is a fantastic city with incredible food, stunning architecture (hello, Guggenheim!), and a unique cultural vibe. Secondly, this fare seems to include a standard carry-on bag and advance seat selection, which is always a plus. No one wants to be stuck in a middle seat for that long! Keep in mind that prices can change based on your specific travel dates and routing, so you'll want to jump on this quickly if you find a date that works for you. Start searching your favorite online travel agencies. Now is the time to start planning your Spanish adventure!

Heads up, awardtrail blazers! The Flight Deal has spotted some potentially sweet deals to Dubai for travel in early 2026. Think January sunshine instead of winter blues! They've flagged January 21st - 28th as a sample date, but it's worth clicking through to their site to explore other dates and airlines. Why should you care? Well, Dubai is an incredible destination – think futuristic architecture, stunning desert landscapes, and world-class shopping. Plus, planning this far in advance gives you plenty of time to strategize how to maximize your points and miles for upgrades, hotels, and experiences! Don't wait too long, though, because these deals might not last!

Heads up, deal hunters! The Flight Deal has spotted some seriously cheap flights to Bologna, Italy. We're talking prices hovering around the $416 mark. That's a steal for a trip to a beautiful Italian city known for its amazing food and historic architecture. Now, there's a little trick to finding these deals. The initial search happens on Matrix Airfare Search by ITA Software (a tool that can help you find the best prices, though you usually can't book directly through it). Once you find your dates there, you can then plug them into your favorite online travel agency (like Expedia or Priceline) or directly onto the airline's website to book. Why should you care? Well, if you've been dreaming of pasta in Italy but thought it was out of reach, this is your chance! A few hundred bucks for a round-trip flight can free up your travel budget for all the gelato and Aperol spritzes your heart desires. Bologna is also a fantastic base for exploring other parts of Italy, so consider this your springboard to a bigger Italian adventure!

Heads up, Austin-bound or Austin-departing travelers! There's a sweet little deal popping up for nonstop flights. We're talking fares as low as $117! This is pretty significant because scoring a nonstop flight usually costs a premium, saving you precious travel time and avoiding potential layover headaches. What's even better? This isn't some stripped-down, basic economy nonsense. This fare includes a regular economy ticket, which means you can bring a normal-sized carry-on bag without any extra fees. That means more space for souvenirs or avoiding baggage claim altogether! Why does this matter to you? Well, if Austin is on your radar for a quick getaway or a longer stay, this could seriously cut down your travel costs. Be sure to check your favorite booking sites and search for flights to or from Austin (AUS) to snag this deal while it lasts. Happy travels!

Heads up, deal hunters! The Flight Deal is hinting at a possible sale to Dubai popping up. They haven't given specifics (dates, airlines, prices – the works), but they're dropping the breadcrumbs that a good deal might be on the horizon. In this case, they mention January 21st – 28th, 2026 as a sample travel date, but suggest to read more for potentially more options. Why should you care? Well, Dubai is usually an expensive destination, and finding a solid fare can save you serious cash for your desert adventures, Burj Khalifa selfies, or luxury hotel stays. If you've been dreaming of visiting, now's the time to keep your eyes peeled on sites like The Flight Deal and set up those flight alerts. It might be worth playing around with different search parameters using the sample dates provided. The key here is speed. Flash sales don't last forever, so be ready to pounce if you see a price you like. Happy travels!