Award News

Exciting news for all you hotel points hoarders! American Express is rolling out fresh welcome bonus offers for their Hilton Honors credit cards, and these are definitely worth a look, especially if you've had the cards before. The offers change frequently, so it's worth checking regularly.

The highlight? There are multiple card options with varying bonus structures and annual fees. You could snag bonuses on cards like the no-annual-fee Hilton Honors card, the Hilton Honors Surpass, and even the Hilton Business card. The specific bonus amounts vary, but some have reached as high as 175,000 points for the Aspire card! While some past offers included valuable free night certificates, these are pure points, giving you more flexibility in how you use them.

Why does this matter to you? If you've previously held these cards, you might be eligible for the bonus again since the offers currently lack "lifetime language" restricting eligibility. This is a golden opportunity to pad your Hilton Honors account for future stays, especially with travel picking up. Just be aware that these offers can disappear quickly, so if you see one you like, jump on it! As always, be sure to read the fine print and understand the spending requirements to earn the bonus.

Ready for a Virgin Hotels getaway? Virgin Red, Virgin's rewards program, is offering some sweet discounts on award stays at select Virgin Hotels locations. We're talking New Orleans, Dallas, New York, and Nashville, with rates starting as low as 20,000 points per night on weekdays. Weekends will cost you a bit more, but are still discounted.

Why should you care? Well, these hotels typically cost 40,000-45,000 points per night, so you're looking at significant savings! Imagine snagging a stylish stay in New Orleans for almost half the usual points. That frees up your points stash for other adventures or upgrades.

Here's the catch: You need to book by January 15th. Also, the offer's valid for stays expiring January 31, 2026 (New Orleans) and February 28, 2026 (Dallas, New York, & Nashville). So, if you've got Virgin Points burning a hole in your virtual pocket and a trip to one of these cities on your radar, now's the time to book!

Alright T-Mobile users, don't get too excited for this week's T-Mobile Tuesdays. The deals are, frankly, pretty weak. This week, you're looking at discounted magazine subscriptions through Mags.com, a hefty discount on your first Grüns subscription (if you're into that sort of thing), and some deals at Little Caesars, including free Crazy Puffs with a pizza purchase or a $3 slice-n-stix.

Why does this matter to you? Well, if you're a loyal T-Mobile customer who looks forward to snagging those weekly freebies, prepare to be underwhelmed. It's a reminder that not every week is a winner, and sometimes the "free" stuff isn't really worth the effort, especially if it requires a new subscription. On the bright side, if you happen to be craving Little Caesars, you can at least save a few bucks!

Heads up, awardtrail readers! American Express is offering a sweet $250 bonus for opening a new Rewards Checking account. This is a solid deal if you're looking to switch banks or just want a little extra cash in your pocket. The offer is running through January 31st, 2026 and appears to be available to any Amex cardholder.

To snag the bonus, you'll need to open a new Amex Rewards Checking account and deposit at least $5,000 in qualifying direct deposits (like your paycheck) within 90 days of opening the account. Keep in mind that person-to-person transfers or transfers between your own accounts don't count. Also, make sure you haven't had an Amex Rewards Checking account before and that you keep the account open for at least 8-12 weeks after meeting the requirements, as that is how long it takes for Amex to deposit the bonus.

Why does this matter to you, the savvy traveler? Well, an extra $250 can go a long way towards your next adventure! Plus, Amex Rewards Checking accounts don't have monthly fees, which is always a win. Just remember that this bonus is considered taxable income, so you'll need to report it when you file your taxes.

ShopBack is showering users with cashback deals, so listen up! Right now, you can snag 10% back at places like Instacart and Hotels.com (but hurry, those deals end soon!). Plus, keep an eye out for upcoming deals at DoorDash, UberEATS, and Target.com. The highlight? Amazon's giving a sweet $1 back for every purchase, and 1.5% cashback (up to $5) on Amazon purchases. Just remember to click through the ShopBack extension for those Amazon deals.

But wait, there's more! New to ShopBack? Sign up with a referral link and score a cool $15 bonus. You'll also find opportunities to earn even more through their browser extension and "Quests" – think bonuses for shopping at multiple brands, spending on travel, or even just trying the extension for shipping rebates. These bonuses can really add up, so it's worth checking out the "Quests" tab on their site. If you're already planning on shopping at these retailers, this is basically free money!