Award News

Hey AwardTrailblazers, listen up! Chase is dishing out some sweet, targeted bonus offers for their co-branded credit cards in Q1 2026. That means you could snag up to 10,000 bonus points or a whopping 7X rewards on everyday spending categories like groceries, gas, or dining. Think of all the extra points you could rack up towards your next dream vacation!

The key thing here is that these offers are targeted. So, you need to check if you've been selected. It's super important to poke around your Chase account or look for an email from them. If you find an offer, make sure you register for it ASAP; otherwise, you'll leave those bonus points on the table. Nobody wants that!

Why does this matter? Because these targeted offers are an easy way to boost your points balance without drastically changing your spending habits. Think of it as free money towards your next flight or hotel! Check your Chase account and register if you're eligible – happy earning!

Hey AwardTrailblazers, wanna unlock some extra savings on your next trip? Citi has a program called "Citi Merchant Offers" that's kinda like Amex Offers or Chase Offers. Basically, you can snag cashback deals on everyday purchases, including travel-related expenses, just by using your Citi credit card. It's free money, people!

Right now, there are some cool travel-related offers floating around. Think deals with gas stations like BP and services like LugLess which ships your luggage so you don't have to lug it through the airport. You might even find targeted offers for JetBlue, Lyft, Turo, Sixt, or Shell. The offers vary from person to person, so log into your Citi account and scroll through the available offers to see what you've got.

Why does this matter? Because every little bit helps when you're trying to maximize your travel budget. These offers can be stacked with your usual credit card rewards, meaning even MORE savings on stuff you were already planning to buy. Happy travels, and happy saving!

Great news for Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members! You can now earn Alaska miles when you fly with ITA Airways, the Italian airline based in Rome. While this is currently just an "earn-only" partnership (meaning you can't redeem Alaska miles for ITA flights, yet), it's still a fantastic development.

Why does this matter to you? Well, if you were already planning a trip to Italy or anywhere else ITA flies, you can now boost your Alaska Mileage Plan balance just by flying with them! Think of it as a little bonus towards your next award flight. Plus, these earn-only partnerships often pave the way for full redemption options down the line. So, keep an eye out – you might be able to use your Alaska miles for that Roman holiday sooner than you think!

For now, just make sure you add your Alaska Mileage Plan number to your ITA Airways reservation to start racking up those miles. Every mile counts towards your next dream vacation, so don't leave free miles on the table.

Hold on to your hats, budget travelers! Allegiant and Sun Country are officially tying the knot, with the deal expected to close in the second half of 2026. While it might seem like a behind-the-scenes business move, this merger could have a ripple effect on your travel plans, especially if you're loyal to either airline's rewards program or hold one of their co-branded credit cards.

The big question mark right now is what the combined loyalty program will look like. Will Allegiant's Allways Rewards and Sun Country's Rewards programs merge into a single entity? And what will happen to the perks and benefits you've earned? Similarly, those co-branded credit cards you use to rack up points and miles could see some changes in earning rates, redemption options, or even partner benefits.

Essentially, if you're an avid flyer on either of these airlines or a cardholder, keep a close eye on announcements over the next couple of years. It's never too early to start strategizing how you can maximize your rewards before any potential changes are implemented. This also may mean some new destinations and more options when they combine their routes.

Ready to boost your points stash and pad your savings? This week is bursting with opportunities! Chase has brought back the popular Marriott Bonvoy Boundless offer, where you can snag five free night certificates (worth up to 50,000 points each!). Wells Fargo is upping the ante on their no-annual-fee Choice card with a 60,000-point sign-up bonus. Alaska Airlines fans, Bank of America is offering a whopping 80,000 miles on the personal Atmos Ascent card and 85,000 on the business version.

But that's not all! Keep an eye out for potential Amex Delta card offers with a whopping 90,000 miles and NO lifetime language restrictions (meaning you might be eligible even if you've had the card before – YMMV!). There's also a rumor about potential Bilt card changes coming down the pipeline, so keep your ears to the ground. Plus, don't miss extended bank bonuses from Citibank (up to $2,000 for business checking!) and Raisin (up to $2,000 savings bonus).

Why should you care? These deals can significantly accelerate your travel goals. Sign-up bonuses are the fastest way to rack up points for flights and hotels, while bank bonuses can provide a nice cash cushion. Missing out on these offers means leaving valuable rewards on the table, so stay alert and jump on the deals that fit your strategy!

Finally, remember that offers can expire quickly, so following "awardtrail" and Doctor of Credit on Twitter or subscribing to their email list is your best bet to stay in the loop and avoid missing out. Happy travels and happy earning!