Staples.com has fee-free $200 Visa egift cards. Practically speaking the limit is four despite terms and conditions that say otherwise, which frankly is a recurring theme in our space.
These are Pathward / BlackHawk Network gift cards.
Philippine Airlines was invited to join the oneworld alliance. Practically speaking, this will likely mean more award space to Southeast Asia when the integration is complete, which is currently slated for 2027. Of course, you’ll need to watch out for bots snapping up space before you can, which is also a recurring theme in our space.
Let’s start with a PSA and a disclaimer, but in reverse order: I don’t work in marketing and I have no formal training in marketing, so smart money would ignore anything I have to say about the subject. With that out of the way, dear marketers: If you want to make a splash, maybe don’t wait until the second half of the first week in colloquial summer to launch a campaign.
With that out of the way, let’s talk about some new marketing campaigns.
The American Express Delta cards have new sign-up bonuses:
– Gold (via dummy booking): 60,000 miles + $500 credit after $3,000 spend in six months and a single Delta purchase – Gold: 90,000 SkyMiles after $5,000 spend in six months – Platinum: 100,000 SkyMiles after $6,000 spend in six months – Reserve: 125,000 SkyMiles after $9,000 spend in six months – Business Gold: 90,000 SkyMiles after $6,000 spend in six months – Business Platinum: 100,000 SkyMiles after $8,000 spend in six months – Business Reserve: 125,000 SkyMiles after $15,000 spend in six months
These are all available via referral, except for the dummy booking version. If you’re going for one where a referral is available, use a friend’s link and make their day.
– Gold, Platinum, and Reserve cards, both personal and business, get a second free checked bag – Personal Gold cards get a (lame) $10 monthly statement credit on rideshare
One of these is objectively nice, and one seems nice but is really just more work for you.
With the previous marketing disclaimer still in full force, Frontier did a good job of making you look twice at their promo, good show. (Thanks to David)
Have a nice weekend friends!
Actually, maybe some promotions are better launched in the second half of the first week of summer. (Thanks to Lea)
Most of these flights will necessarily be partner redemptions, and I doubt it goes uphill from here so if you’re not excited for this, well I guess prepare to be more not excited next month. (Thanks to LiftBroski)
Alaska Atmos decided to devalue mileage accrual and elite status credit on revenue saver tickets: “Saver fares (X class) earn 30% of miles flown for travel through July 31, 2026, or for trips booked before June 11, 2026. Saver fares booked on or after June 11, 2026 and flown on/after August 1, 2026 do not earn Atmos Rewards points. For eligible travel on/after August 1, please allow 4–6 weeks for points to post.”
AirFrance / KLM’s FlyingBlue released its June promo awards. US Cities include Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, New York, Seattle, San Jose, and Washington DC. Economy flights are 18,750 miles each way, and business class flights …. exist at absurdly priced levels.
Summer to Europe via SkyTeam in business looks bleak.
The resale market for Giant Eagle points is tiny, but with the right finesse this is effectively a 10% rebate plus grocery store credit card spend.
Best Western has promotion for 2,500 bonus points per night between July 1 and 7 at US and Canadian properties, registration required, limit 10,000 points. If you need a sales pitch to entice you to book: I’ve only heard of one opaque Best Western swimming pool this year.
Happy Wednesday!
“Opaque blue” beats almost any other opaque color in a pool at least.
United has a 25% incoming transfer bonus for hotel points, registration required. The most valuable program for this promotion is Marriott Bonvoy (the first time in recorded history that someone wrote this seriously) which will transfer at a ratio of 1,200:700 when points are moved in 20,000 mile increments.
Qatar usually posts bonus Avios within a couple of minutes of transfer, though the terms and conditions say it could take 6-8 weeks. There’s a joke in there.
The Citi ThankYou Mastercard, which is unfortunately no longer available for new applicants, sent new beginning of month offers:
– Make eight purchases of $75+ for a $80 statement credit, once a month through August (total $240) – Make five purchases of $75+ for a $65 statement credit, once a month through August (total $195) – Earn 1,000 extra ThankYou Points for $500+ purchases, up to two times through June 30
For those keeping score at home, this is an absolutely terrible value, but there is utility in (1) top-offs and (2) resetting mileage expiration, especially for those without a stash of Ultimate Rewards which still has 55% transfer bonus.
The Incomm gift card sites have fee-free $50+ gift card promo codes:
I feel like they’re trying to tell us that something is imminent with their promo code names, but what do I know? Limits on these sites are $10,000 per rolling 24 hours and they won’t earn points or count for a sign-up bonus with American Express cards.
These are Pathward / BlackHawk Network gift cards.
Also, yes, some people got credit line increases on some of their credit cards this weekend and somehow that’s big news elsewhere. Cool, let’s go content monster!
Next up on the content monster: Allan Savory had two views in 1947.
