Award News

Heads up, deal hunters! The Flight Deal has spotted some seriously low fares to Prague (PRG) – we're talking under $500 roundtrip! According to them, you can find these prices using Matrix Airfare Search by ITA Software. Keep in mind they are quoting prices for Basic Economy.

Why should you care? Well, Prague is an awesome city, and usually flying there costs a lot more. Basic Economy tickets, which are becoming increasingly common, often come with restrictions like not being able to select your seat or bring a full-size carry-on for free. But at this price, some of you might be willing to pack light and snag a cheap flight.

So, if a trip to Prague is on your bucket list, now's the time to start searching! Just take those dates you find on Matrix Airfare Search and plug them into your preferred booking site. Happy travels!

Headed abroad and dreading those pesky international roaming charges? GigSky might be your new best friend! This eSIM provider offers data plans in over 190 countries, meaning you can skip the hassle of buying a local SIM card every time you land. An eSIM is a digital SIM card that you can download to your phone, so no physical swapping is needed.

GigSky could be a great option whether you're a casual traveler taking a quick vacation or a full-fledged digital nomad hopping from country to country. They've got different plans to fit your needs, from short-term data packages to monthly subscriptions.

Why should you care? Because staying connected is crucial these days, and GigSky offers a potentially cheaper and more convenient alternative to traditional roaming or buying local SIMs. Plus, knowing your options is key to maximizing your travel budget!

Hey Award Trailblazers! Southwest is making it even easier to snag that coveted Companion Pass, letting you bring a buddy along for (almost) free on your flights! They're rolling out a promo where you can earn double Companion Pass qualifying points on select purchases this quarter (through March 31st).

Basically, if you've got a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card, keep an eye out for eligible spending categories Southwest will be emailing to you. Register and use your card for those categories to rack up double points toward the 135,000 points needed for the pass.

Why does this matter? The Companion Pass is HUGE. Once you earn it, you can designate someone to fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees for the rest of the year and the entire following year. This deal makes it easier to obtain the pass more quickly. More Southwest flights for the price of one? Yes, please!

Capital One cardholders, listen up! Capital One is offering a sweet 15% bonus when you transfer your Capital One miles to Avianca LifeMiles. This promo runs all the way until February 12, 2026, giving you plenty of time to strategize. In essence, for every 1,000 Capital One miles you transfer, you'll get 1,150 LifeMiles.

Why is this a big deal? Avianca LifeMiles is a valuable program with some amazing sweet spots, especially for Star Alliance flights. The AwardWallet Blog highlighted that you can book United flights starting from just 6,600 Capital One miles (thanks to the bonus!) or even snag business class flights to Europe for under 48,000 Capital One miles. Those are some serious savings! If you've been eyeing a trip and sitting on a pile of Capital One miles, now might be the perfect time to transfer and book.

Hey AwardTrailblazers! Listen up if you're looking to stretch your travel budget because Choice Privileges (that's the rewards program for hotels like Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, and more) is offering a bonus when you buy points. Until January 27, 2026, you can score up to a 40% bonus on purchased points.

Why should you care? Well, if you max out the bonus, you can buy Choice points for as little as 0.74 cents each. This can be a fantastic way to snag hotel stays for significantly less than paying cash, especially if you find hotels where the point value is higher than that. Think about it – a night that normally costs $100 could potentially be booked for far fewer points than that dollar amount translates to!

This deal could be a game-changer for budget travelers or anyone planning a road trip where Choice hotels are plentiful. Just remember to do the math and make sure the points redemption value makes sense for your specific travel plans before you buy! Happy travels!