Award News

Hey awardtrail blazers! Heard about Cebu? It's this gorgeous island in the Philippines, and guess what? There are some seriously cheap flights popping up right now. The Flight Deal just highlighted a potential deal - think January 2026 (yes, that far out!). Why should you care? Well, if you're dreaming of pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and delicious Filipino food without breaking the bank, this is your sign. Even if January 2026 doesn't work for you, these sales often indicate that similar deals to Cebu (and other parts of the Philippines) could pop up around the same price point for different dates. Keep your eyes peeled on your favorite flight search engines, and you might snag yourself a steal!

Heads up, Marriott Bonvoy members! There's a new promo that could seriously boost your points balance. If you book a "Vacations by Marriott" package of four or more nights before January 31, 2026, for travel between January 1 and May 31, 2026, you'll snag a cool 20,000 bonus Bonvoy points. Why should you care? Well, 20,000 points is a decent chunk! Depending on how you redeem them, that could translate to a free night or two at a lower-category Marriott hotel, or a nice discount on a pricier stay. It’s basically free money (or points!) for doing something you might already be planning to do: booking a vacation. Keep in mind this applies specifically to "Vacations by Marriott" packages, which bundle your hotel stay with extras like flights or activities. So, if you're thinking about a getaway in early 2026 and were planning on booking everything separately, it's worth checking out these packages to see if you can snag those bonus points. Just make sure the package is actually a good deal compared to booking everything a la carte. Happy travels, and happy point earning!

Heads up, fellow travel hackers! Did you know that you can actually *change* the airline you've selected for your Amex airline fee credit mid-year? This is fantastic news because life happens, and maybe the airline you picked at the beginning of the year isn't working out for your travel plans. Why should you care? Well, this credit (typically around \$200-300 depending on your Amex card) can be a lifesaver for offsetting expenses like checked baggage fees, inflight refreshments, or even airline lounge day passes. If you’re not flying your originally chosen airline as much as you thought, switching it up ensures you don't leave free money on the table. The process is usually pretty straightforward through Amex's website or app. So, take a peek at your travel plans for the rest of the year and make sure your designated airline still aligns. A few minutes of effort could save you a bundle!

Time to strategize, award travel enthusiasts! A new quarter means new opportunities to rack up those points and miles with your credit cards that offer rotating bonus categories. If you're not familiar, some cards (like Chase Freedom Flex, Discover it, and U.S. Bank Cash+) give you a chance to earn extra rewards – usually 5% cash back or 5x points – on specific spending categories that change every three months. This is where the fun begins! It's time to check which of your cards have rotating categories and what those categories are for Q1 2026 (January-March). Then, head over to each card issuer's website or app and *enroll* your card to activate the bonus categories. Failing to enroll means missing out on free rewards! Why does this matter? Because strategically using these cards can seriously boost your rewards earnings. Think about it: everyday spending on things you're *already* buying, now earning you 5x the points or 5% cash back. Those extra points can translate into free flights, hotel stays, or whatever travel experience you're dreaming of. So, take a few minutes to check your cards and enroll. Your future travel self will thank you!

Heads up, deal hunters! Flying Blue, the loyalty program for Air France and KLM, has released its Promo Rewards for January 2026, and they're juicy. You can snag flights between Europe and 11 North American cities starting at just 18,750 miles each way in economy or 45,000 miles in business class. Yes, you read that right – business class to Europe for less than most programs charge! The travel window is for trips through June 2026, giving you plenty of time to plan. Why should you care? Because this is an *amazing* opportunity to use those points you've been hoarding for a dream European vacation. Flying Blue is a transfer partner with many popular programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Citi ThankYou Points. That means you can easily convert your points into Flying Blue miles and book these super-discounted awards. So, check those balances and start planning your 2026 European adventure!