🤑 My Top Finds, Latest Deals, and Best Recommendations (4/26/25)
This week, we'll cover airport lounges (how to access, perks and expert tips), up to 12% off gift cards, best-ever $40 Rakuten bonus, Southwest new member bonus up to 5k points, latest flight deals (including biz class), how to earn 5k bonus points on recurring payments and earn Delta SkyMiles with Uber, and more!
🛋 Airport Lounges: Access, Perks, Tips & More
Airport lounges can be a total game-changer, but figuring out how to get in (and which ones are worth it) isn’t always easy. This week we discuss how to access the best lounges without needing to fly first class, using credit cards, memberships, elite status, etc. We’ll also share underrated perks, tools to manage access, and so much more!
🛫 Travel, Points & Miles
✈️ Southwest New Member Bonus: Up to 5k Points
If you (or someone you know) aren’t yet a Southwest Rapid Rewards member, now’s a great time to sign up. New members can earn up to 5,000 bonus points by registering here before 5/5 and completing a qualifying trip.
↔️ New Transferrable Point Shopping Portal
Last night I came across Rove Miles, who wants to be the first "universal airline mile." You earn points shopping with their browser extension and can transfer them to 10 airline and 1 hotel programs. It's not clear how competitive their earning rates are, but you get 500 points for singing up with a referral link (here's mine), so why not.
That said, until I learn more, I'll probably stick to using Rakuten to earn Amex points (see their latest new customer deal below).
💳 5k Bonus Points for Setting Up Recurring Payments
Hyatt is offering 5,000 bonus points when you set up at least 3 recurring payments on their card with 3 different service providers (i.e. gyms, internet/phone services, utilities) for 3 consecutive months by 11/30. Look up emails from Hyatt@em.hyatt.com to see if you’re eligible.
💺 Latest Flight Deals
If you're planning to travel to/via any of the destinations below, make sure to check out these flight deals, including award flights:
- Seoul: Business class from 75k points via Korean Air/Asiana Airlines.
- London: Business class from 45k miles via American Airlines/British Airways.
- Europe: Economy class round-trip from $395 via Norse Atlantic/French Bee/Iberia.
- Lisbon: Economy class round-trip from $399 (or $2,399 for business class) via TAP Portugal.
🚗 Earn Delta SkyMiles on Uber rides & Uber Eats
You can now earn Delta SkyMiles for Uber rides and Uber Eats when you link your accounts here. This means you can no longer earn miles for Lyft rides, but since Lyft only allows one transfer partner, Alaska Airlines or Bilt are much better options anyway.
🛬 New U.S. Airport Lounges
If you listened to the episode above, you know how amazing airport lounges can be. So here are few that opened recently:
Opening soon: Atlanta (ATL) & Dallas (DFW) in early 2026.
🤑 Latest Deals
💰 Reopening my Discounted Gift Card Site
So many of you have asked if I'd relaunch my discounted Gift Card site, so for the rest of the weekend (until 12pm PT Monday), it is online and open here. Please know that the gift card market (and rates) have changed a lot, so they aren't all the same as before. That said, you can still save up to 12% on 14 different brands, including Amazon, Walmart, Target, DoorDash, Uber, Instacart, Delta, Southwest, Lowe's and more.
💸 Best-Ever $40 Rakuten Bonus
I love using Rakuten as my shopping portal because they have great cash back offers and let you convert your cash back to Amex points. You can also stack all their offers with credit card rewards and promo codes. Even better, right now, new Rakuten users can earn a best-ever $40 back after spending $40.
🛍️ Up to 40% Off Amazon Products
Get up to 40% off products sold and shipped by Amazon when you use at least 1 Amex Membership Rewards point before 6/15. Check this link to see what percentage you’re eligible for.
🥨 Free Pretzels for National Pretzel Day Today (4/26)
Today is National Pretzel Day and many pretzel retailers, including Auntie Anne’s, Wetzel’s Pretzel, Philly Pretzel Factory are giving away free pretzels. More details on where and when to get one are here.
🛒 25% Off Online Walmart Purchases
There’s a targeted credit card offer for 25% off Walmart.com purchases of up to $100 before 5/22.
🕵️ Great Finds
💳 Amex Reports Strong Q1 Financials
According to this article, the CEO of Amex says Gen Z and Millennials are keeping the business strong thanks to their robust spending. The best part is that if Amex keeps reporting metrics in terms of dollars spent, I expect them to keep coming out with amazing promotions and bonuses to reward new cards and more spending 😄.
🪞 Show Recommendation: Black Mirror
If you're not familiar with Black Mirror, it's Netflix series that explores the darker sides of technology and modern society. I'm a big fan and really enjoyed the latest season that came out recently. That said it can be a bit dark, so might not be good for everyone.
Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Hi, I'm Chris Hutchins 👋
Founder / Host
I love sharing my quest to optimize and upgrade my life. Previously I was Head of New Product Strategy at Wealthfront, co-founder and CEO of Grove (acquired by Wealthfront), co-founder of Milk (acquired by Google) and a Partner at GV, where I focused on seed and early stage investments.
💰 Earn More Points in Multiplayer Mode
