Award News

Air Canada Aeroplan members, listen up! If you're sitting on a pile of Aeroplan points and love a good hotel deal, this is for you. Aeroplan's HotelSavers program, which lets you redeem points for hotel stays at potentially discounted rates (up to 30% off!), just got even sweeter. The big news is that Aeroplan has extended the fourth night free benefit for cardholders through December 31, 2026. If you hold an eligible Aeroplan credit card, you essentially get a "buy three, get one free" deal when booking stays through the HotelSavers program. Think of it as a free night in a comfy bed, all thanks to your travel hacking prowess! Why should you care? Well, if you're already an Aeroplan enthusiast or were considering getting an Aeroplan credit card, this is a fantastic added perk. It significantly increases the value of your points when used for hotel stays and could save you a bundle on your future travels. So, start planning those longer getaways, and let Aeroplan foot the bill for that extra night!

Hey AwardTrailblazers! Let's dive into the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card. It's a simple, straightforward card that earns a flat 1.5% cash back on everything you buy. So, if you're looking for a no-fuss way to earn rewards, this might be a good option, especially if you're already a USAA member. But here's the real kicker: this card offers a unique benefit—a $200 auto deductible reimbursement! To snag this, you need to make at least eight purchases with the card each month. If you're a USAA member and frequently use your car, this could be a pretty sweet deal, essentially offsetting some of the costs associated with those unfortunate fender-benders. It also comes with travel protections. If you're already banking with USAA, this card is worth a look.

Paying for college is a wallet-draining experience, but did you know your credit card could turn those tuition bills into a points bonanza? Using a credit card to pay tuition can be a great way to rack up rewards, but it's not always a slam dunk. You need to weigh the transaction fees schools often charge against the value of the points, miles, or cash back you'll earn. If the rewards outweigh the fees, you're in business! So, is it worth it? It depends! Schools often tack on a "convenience fee" for credit card payments, typically around 2-3%. You'll need to find a card that earns enough rewards to offset that fee. Think of it like this: if your card earns 2% cash back and the fee is 2.5%, you're actually losing money. The key is to find the right card. Look for cards with high rewards rates, lucrative welcome bonuses, or spending offers. The article highlights some of the most rewarding cards for tackling those tuition bills. Before you swipe, crunch the numbers to make sure you're coming out ahead. You'll need to compare those potential rewards against the fees to see if you're coming out ahead.

Heads up, Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards fans! Big changes are coming in 2026 that could seriously boost your mileage earning when booking premium cabin flights (think business or first class) *directly* through Alaska's partner airlines' websites. AwardWallet Blog reports you'll be raking in significantly more points than you do now. Now, why should you care? If you're someone who frequently flies in style on partner airlines like British Airways or Cathay Pacific and usually books directly with them, this is fantastic news! You'll be swimming in Atmos Rewards points faster. Think of it as a bonus for going straight to the source. However, that 2026 date is a ways off, so it may affect future strategies. If you’re trying to strategize your points now, this change is too far out to meaningfully affect your strategy. It’s always good to be aware of future changes, but I wouldn’t worry too much about it until it gets closer to 2026.

Heads up, deal hunters! Best Buy's offering a sweet little discount on their e-gift cards through Cashstar: you can snag a 5% discount on purchases, up to a maximum of $25 off. That means if you buy a $500 gift card, you'll only pay $475. This offer is only valid for a limited time, so don't wait around. Why should you care? Well, if you're planning any Best Buy purchases anyway (holiday gifts, anyone?), this is essentially free money. A 5% discount might not sound like a ton, but it adds up, especially on bigger ticket items. Just remember, there's a limit of one discounted transaction per customer. Now, here's the catch. If you've been holding onto an Amex Offer for Best Buy (like that $250/$25 deal), you're probably better off using *that* instead. Cashstar purchases likely won't trigger the Amex credit. That Amex offer would give you a full 10% discount, which is double the savings. So, weigh your options and happy shopping!

Heads up, Alaska Airlines Atmos cardholders! Lyft is currently offering a sweet $15 ride credit just for linking your Atmos account to your Lyft profile. Sounds easy, right? And free money is always good! Here's the catch: This offer is valid for a limited time, and the credit has a short fuse. The promo ends January 14th, and the credit will be applied *after* that date. You'll then have until January 31st to actually use it. So, before you jump in, think about whether you'll realistically need a Lyft in that timeframe. If not, you might want to sit this one out, as these kinds of offers tend to pop up again. Don't want that free ride to go to waste!

Opto, the brokerage offering themed investments and individual stocks, is officially closing its doors on March 31, 2026. That means if you have an account with them, you need to take action! You'll need to either transfer your funds out or convert your Opto account to a direct account with Alpaca by February 27, 2026. Why does this matter to you, the award travel enthusiast? Well, Opto was previously featured on sites like Doctor of Credit for offering a bonus for new deposits. While the bonus itself may be a distant memory for most, if you jumped on that deal (requiring a minimum deposit of $500 and investing at least 50% of it for 120 days) you now need to move your money. Keep an eye on your email for official communication from Opto or Alpaca with detailed instructions. Don't wait until the last minute to sort this out – the earlier you take care of it, the smoother the transition will be.

Heads up, foodies! If you're a Grubhub or Seamless user, you'll want to bookmark this. There are often new promo codes popping up that can save you some serious cash on your next meal. These codes can vary wildly – some offer a percentage off your entire order, others give a flat dollar amount discount when you spend a certain amount, and some are even tied to specific cities. Why should you care? Because who doesn't love saving money on takeout? Whether it's a "treat yourself" kind of night or just a busy week where cooking is out of the question, these promos can make using Grubhub or Seamless even more appealing. Just be sure to double-check the terms, as many codes have expiration dates, may be limited to certain locations, or require a minimum order size. Also, remember to price compare to make sure you're getting the best deal!

ShopBack is having a moment, and you can easily grab some extra cash back and bonuses on your everyday spending! Think of ShopBack like Rakuten or TopCashback – it’s a portal that gives you cash back for shopping online through their links. Here's the deal: They're offering a bunch of boosted deals right now, including $1 back for every Amazon purchase, (plus 1.5% cashback) 20% back on select Walmart categories, 10% back on DoorDash, and even $4 on every Uber Eats order! Plus, check out those gift card deals, like 5% on most Giftcards.com brands and 5% at Best Buy. There's even a crazy easy $5 for uploading a flight receipt. New to ShopBack? You're in luck! Sign up through a referral link (like the one in the article) and score an instant $15 bonus once you earn $10 in confirmed cashback within 180 days. They also frequently offer $5 for installing their browser extension and $5.98 in shipping rebates for new users. And don't forget to check the "Quests" tab for even more easy bonuses like $10 for shopping at 3 different brands or $20 on your first purchase. It's like getting paid to shop – who wouldn't want that?

Hey Award Trailblazers, check your inboxes! Best Buy is at it again, sending out targeted email offers for bonus certificates to select My Best Buy members. The amounts vary, but recent offers have been for $5, $10, or even $25! So, why should you care? Because free money! These certificates are essentially free spending cash at Best Buy. Keep an eye out for emails with subject lines like "A $5 / $10 certificate just for you, [your name]" or similar variations mentioning a certificate and your name. Sometimes it's buried in emails about sales events. There's no direct link, so you need to find the email and the specific banner within it. These offers tend to be time-sensitive, so if you find one, don't delay in using it. It's an easy way to save on that gadget you've been eyeing or to grab a last-minute gift. Happy shopping!