Award News

Hyatt's giving you a sweet deal: snag 500 bonus points for every night you spend at their brand-spanking-new hotels! Think of it as Hyatt's way of saying "thanks" for being an early adopter and checking out their latest digs. This is great for you, award traveler, because those 500 points per night can really add up fast and get you closer to your next free night or upgrade! Right now, there are new properties, and each one is offering this bonus for stays within the first few months of opening. To find the hotels that are eligible, check the New Hotel list on Hyatt's website. It's definitely worth a peek if you have any upcoming trips planned or are just looking for a fun excuse to explore a new city. Basically, you get rewarded for being one of the first to experience a hotel – a win-win!

Want to boost your Marriott Bonvoy balance without even packing a suitcase? Marriott Vacation Club is offering two deals that could be right up your alley. First, you can snag up to 20,000 (or more!) Bonvoy points just by attending a 90-minute *virtual* timeshare presentation. That's right, you can earn points while still in your pajamas! Alternatively, if you're looking for a quick getaway, they're offering a three-night resort stay for $299 plus 5,000 points. Basically, you are paying for a low cost stay to hear their timeshare pitch. Why should you care? Well, 20,000 points can get you a free night (or more!) at certain Marriott properties. It's a relatively easy way to top off your account for a future reward stay, especially if you're close to your dream redemption. Just be prepared for the sales pitch – timeshare presentations can be persuasive, so go in with a plan and stick to it if you're not interested in buying!

Hey AwardTrail readers! Did you know you could potentially snag Alaska Airlines elite status and those sweet Milestone Rewards *without even stepping foot on an Alaska flight*? Yep, you read that right. The secret? Your Alaska Airlines credit card! Basically, Alaska Airlines is letting you earn elite status and Milestone Rewards through credit card spending, which can be a huge win. This is particularly valuable if you don't fly Alaska often but still want those perks like priority boarding, free checked bags, and potential upgrades. So, if you're aiming for Alaska Airlines elite status in 2026 (yes, we're planning ahead!), now's the time to strategize. Start thinking about how to maximize your Alaska credit card spending to rack up those qualifying miles or segments. More details are available, but it might be worthwhile if you are interested in perks without flying often!

Thinking about switching your airline allegiance? Delta's offering a status match that could land you complimentary Medallion status for three whole months! Basically, if you already have elite status with another airline (think American, United, etc.), Delta will temporarily match that status, giving you a taste of the SkyMiles life. But here's the real kicker: If you complete a challenge during those three months (meeting certain flying or spending requirements), you can extend that status all the way to January 31, 2028! That's almost four years of potential upgrades, priority boarding, and other sweet perks. This is a fantastic opportunity if you're on the fence about Delta or simply want to leverage your existing status for some extra benefits. Head over to AwardWallet Blog for the full details on how to apply and what the challenge requirements are. Don't miss out!

Walgreens is giving away free 8x10 photo prints again! Who doesn't love a freebie? Right now, use the code "8TEN" at checkout to get yours. They occasionally release new codes, too, like "810FREE" and "FREE4YOU", so it's worth checking for those as well. Why should you care? Well, printing photos can be surprisingly expensive, and this is a super easy way to get a nice print for free. Plus, you don't have to rush to pick it up immediately. You can usually wait until you're already heading to Walgreens for something else. Just remember to upload the highest resolution version of your photo so it looks its best! It's a small perk, but hey, free is free!