Award News

Ameriprise is dangling a bonus of up to $300 for existing clients, but let's break down if it's a deal or a dud. You can snag $200 by depositing at least $35,000 of new money into a new or existing Ameriprise Bank Savings Account and maintaining that balance through April 30, 2026. Plus, there's an extra $50 up for grabs if you set up direct deposits of $500 or more per month by the end of 2025, and keep them going for at least five months. You get another $50 for doing both. So, what's the catch? Well, your money is tied up for a while (think over 150 days). The account earns a decent APY (around 3.1%), but the Doctor of Credit points out that parking your cash in a higher-yield account (like one earning 5%) would actually net you more in the long run, even without the bonus. This offer is an easy pass, especially when there are better bank account bonuses out there.

Chipotle lovers, listen up! For today only (December 23, 2025), Chipotle is offering a bonus $10 e-gift card when you purchase a $50 e-gift card online. That's essentially getting a free burrito bowl! However, this deal is only available to the first 15,000 people, so act fast. Before you rush off to buy, double-check that you see the bonus $10 card reflected in your cart before you complete your purchase. You can probably take advantage of this deal more than once, but keep in mind the bonus $10 card expires on January 31, 2026. Sadly, this likely won't code as a "dining" purchase on your credit card, so you probably won't get bonus points for dining. Still, free Chipotle is free Chipotle!

Heads up, deal hunters! Amazon's quietly brought back a promo where you can snag $10 off when you spend $30 on select grocery items. Think pantry staples from brands like Campbell's, Pacific Foods, and Kettle Brand. It's a pretty sweet deal if you're already planning an Amazon grocery run. Now, before you go wild, a friendly reminder: always compare prices! While this deal is tempting, some of these items might be cheaper at your local grocery store. But the real magic happens if you can stack this with "shop with points" offers (using credit card points to pay). That's where you can REALLY maximize your savings and potentially get those groceries for next to nothing! Keep an eye out for those stacking opportunities to make this deal a winner.

As 2025 winds down, it's time to check your credit cards and make sure you're maximizing all the benefits that reset at the end of the year. This is especially crucial for cards with annual spending limits on bonus categories, like the Amex Gold (4x at US grocery stores up to $25,000) and the Blue Cash Preferred (6% at US grocery stores up to $6,000). Don't forget about cards where you need to hit a spending threshold to unlock perks, such as the Amex Hilton cards where you can earn free night rewards or even Diamond status with enough spending. Speaking of spending, if you're chasing elite status or valuable credits on cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve (Southwest credit, IHG status) or Amex Hilton cards, now's the time to strategize. Also, those quarterly bonus categories on cards like Chase Freedom and Discover will be changing soon, so make sure you've taken full advantage of the current offers. Finally, if you're a referral master, remember that the annual limits on credit card referrals reset on January 1st, so hustle to max out your referrals now and get a fresh start in the new year.

Hey Award Trailblazers, want to save some serious cash on your next caffeine fix or Disney adventure? Google Play Store is quietly offering some sweet discounts on Starbucks and Disney gift cards! Head over to the Google Play app on your phone (you might need an Android device or emulator) and check the "Gift Cards" section in your profile. Right now, you might find Starbucks gift cards for up to 15% off (think a $50 card for $42.50!), and Disney gift cards for up to 10% off. Disney discounts are rare so you should jump on this deal! Since you can't use your Google Play balance to buy gift cards, make sure to use a credit card that earns bonus points at digital stores or on general purchases to maximize your rewards! Also, there is an active PayPal deal for $10 in points when you spend $5+ on Google Play, though it can't be used on gift card purchases. These offers can be targeted and change without notice, so check your app ASAP to see if you're eligible. This is an easy way to save on purchases you're already planning, and those savings can add up to big rewards down the road!

Heads up, deal hunters! Amazon is running a targeted promotion where you can score $10 off a $15.01+ purchase just for using your American Express card. The current code to try is AMEXQ4ABC15. The easiest way to check if you're eligible is to click the link provided (affiliate link). If you see the offer, you're golden! If not, it'll error out. The trick? You need to add an Amex card to your Amazon account (or maybe re-add one you removed, as one reader found). This could be especially useful if you don't normally use your Amex on Amazon or if you're looking for a quick win to offset some holiday spending. It's a super simple way to save a few bucks, so it's worth a shot to see if you're targeted! These deals pop up periodically with new codes, so keep an eye out for future offers!

Heads up, movie buffs! Fandango's giving away a free movie ticket to see "We Bury the Dead" (if that's your kind of film). Just use the promo code ZOMBIE when you grab your ticket. This offer is valid for screenings from now all the way through January 2026, so you've got plenty of time to use it. Why should you care? Well, free is free! If you were already planning to see this flick, this is a no-brainer. Even if you're on the fence, a free movie is a great way to spend an evening without breaking the bank. It's a small win, but who doesn't love a freebie, especially when it involves a trip to the movies?

First Bank is apparently feeling generous! They're sending out targeted offers for their Shop Your Way Rewards Card that could net you a whopping 500,000 points – that's $500 in value! The offer is reportedly being sent via email with the subject line "Don’t Miss Out on Your Shop Your Way Rewards – Act Now!", but you can also check if you're eligible by logging into your account. To snag the bonus, you'll need to spend $5,000 within the first three months of opening the card. The card itself has no annual fee and earns some decent rewards: 5% back on gas, EV charging, tolls, car washes, transit, and rideshare; plus 3% back on dining, groceries, and travel. If you were targeted, this is a pretty easy win for $500, especially since First Bank might offer spending bonuses on the card down the road like they did with the old SYWR card. **Update:** Some users are now reporting receiving text messages advertising an additional 100,000 point bonus for applying! If you are targeted for the 500,000 point offer it might be worth seeing if these offers stack.

Okay AwardTrailblazers, listen up! Want to rack up some extra points or meet minimum spend on a new credit card without actually *spending* more money? TheGiftCardShop.com is offering a sweet deal: they're waiving the purchase fees on Visa and Mastercard gift cards when you buy $200 or more. Just use the code HOLIDAY24 at checkout before December 19, 2024. Why is this awesome? Normally, these gift cards come with a fee, eating into any potential rewards you might earn. By skipping the fee, you're essentially getting free points or cashback! This is especially useful if you're chasing a big welcome bonus. They've brought back similar deals with different minimums since then too! The best strategy to stay updated is to keep checking back with new promotions being offered, such as the one from December 23-25th of 2025 using code LASTMIN25.

Walgreens is giving away free 8x10 photo prints! All you have to do is upload your favorite picture to their website or app and use the promo code 8TEN at checkout. Why should you care? Well, who doesn't love a freebie? It's a great opportunity to print that vacation snapshot, family portrait, or adorable pet picture you've been meaning to get around to. Plus, Walgreens usually lets you hold off on picking up your print, meaning you can bundle it with your next essential run and save yourself an extra trip. Just remember to choose the full resolution when uploading to get the best possible print quality.