It is April, and this month is packed with important updates, amazing elevated credit card sign-up bonuses, and valuable points transfer promos. It’s the perfect time to spring into action and boost your points and miles strategy. In this issue, I’m rounding up the best deals and essential updates to keep your travel game on point.
🔥 Miscellaneous Updates
- Real ID Deadline is Finally Happening-Starting May 7, 2025, you’ll need a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card to board any commercial flight in the U.S. Update your ID now to avoid last-minute travel disruptions.
- Hyatt Point Refunds- Remember, Hyatt made changes to its award chart at the end of March. If you had a stay booked this upcoming year ON POINTS at a property that WENT DOWN in category, you should have gotten a points refund back into your Hyatt account.
- Southwest Changes-Southwest announced that it is making significant changesthat may leave you reconsidering your loyalty. Read here about what’s changing and how it could impact your travel strategy.
- ETIAS-The program has once again been pushed back and now to the last quarter of 2026.
📅 A New Quarter Started-What You Should Know
- Big Points Potential at Amazon– If you have the card that offers 5%/5x back on quarterly categories, know that this quarter, the categories are AMAZON and streaming. You can learn which card and activate your offer here.
- Discover it cardmembers-you can activate to earn 5% Cashback Bonus at Grocery Stores and Wholesale Clubs for the second quarter. CLICK HERE TO ACTIVATE.
- Amex Business Platinum–You get another $50 quarterly statement credit to use at Hiltons and you don’t need to be staying at a Hilton to use it. So consider a meal, spa visit, etc. Remember, you need to ENROLL in this benefit and you need a Hilton for Business membership too which is easy to sign up for.
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card-You have another $50 quarterly statement credit to use on Hilton purchases.
🎟️ Increased Credit Card Bonus Offers
- Learn about this Top Travel Card that is great for those of you who want to break into points and miles. This is the highest offer for this card in 4 years. Read more about this amazing card and the offer details here.
- And learn about this nice complement to the above travel card that also has an INCREASED OFFER!
- Capital One Venture & Venture X Increased Offers – 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening AND NOW… receive a one-time $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year (must be used through Capital One Travel) just for getting the card. Read more about this amazing card and the offer details here.
- Hilton Honors Increased Welcome Bonuses – Limited-time offers on Hilton Honors American Express cards, available through April 29, 2025. Read the details of the increased offers here.
- Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select – Limited-time 75,000-mile bonus with a $3,500 spend in the first 4 months. First-year $99 fee waived. Get more details here.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card-the offer is up from 85,000 points to 155,000 points for $5,000 spend in 6 months. Read more about the card here.
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card-the offer is up from 95,000 points to 185,000 points for $6,000 spend in 6 months. Read more about the card here.
- Another great hotel card- the offer is up to 200K on this nice, reasonably priced hotel card. Learn about the card and offer here.
✈️ Limited-Time Transfer Bonuses
- 80% Bonus on Chase Ultimate Rewards to IHG One Rewards through April 30th.
- 25% More LifeMiles with from Citi ThankYou – There is currently a limited time offer through April 12, 2025, where you can transfer ThankYou points to LifeMiles and receive 25% bonus Miles.
- 20% bonus to Etihad and Aeromexico from Amex Membership Rewards through 4/30/2025.
🏨 Hotel Promotions
- Hilton Honors Double Points Promotion – Earn double points per stay through April 30, 2025. Registration required.
- IHG One Rewards 2X Points Promotion – Earn double points starting on your second stay through 3/31/2025. Registration required.
- Bonvoy Bonus Points And Night Promo–Earn 1,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points + One Bonus Night Each Night of Your Stay! – Stay dates: February 11 – April 28, 2025. Register by: April 14, 2025.
- I Prefer Hotel Promotions – Earn 2,500 bonus points at newly-added locations when you book by 3/31/2025 and stay through 6/30/2025. Also, double base points on stays from 2/3/2025 – 4/30/2025. Registration required.
💳 Helpful Tools
- Travel Freely App – I love this tool that helps track credit cards, due dates, bonus spend, and credit limits—without needing to enter card numbers. Sign up here.
- Merchant Coding Lookup Tool – Find out how a merchant in your area codes for credit card rewards: AwardWallet Merchant Lookup
📱 Follow Me on Instagram for Quick Travel Tips!
I post the latest travel deals and credit card offers on Instagram before they hit the newsletter! Follow me here: @thepointsmom
📣 What Points Mom Has Been Up To
- Podcast-I had the pleasure of being a guest on the ‘Ask an Influencer’ podcast. You can read about that and catch the episode here.
- Women In Business Event-I was one of three expert speakers at an event hosted by Stroll Magazine and the Westchester Business Center. Read all about the fantastic event here.
- Learn How To Travel For Free Class-This past week I enjoyed teaching my class for Chappaqua Continuing Ed. You can read more about this successful night here.
- 2,000 Subscribers-I hit 2k newsletter subscribers! I am grateful for all of you who are here.
📅 Travel Planning Reminders
- Vacation Reading–ALL THE SIGNS by Jessie Rosen is the perfect read to pop into your suitcase for your next points-purchased trip! This book follows skeptical doctor Leah Lockhart as she finally embraces her bravery by stepping into a healing travel journey for the first time in her life. You can follow Jessie on Instagram here and subscribe to her Substack, Bravery, here.
- Summer & Holiday Travel – Award availability is already tightening, especially for premium cabins and popular destinations. Book now before prices rise!
- Consultation Gift Certificates – Give the gift of travel planning! Reach out to purchase a consultation gift certificate—your recipient will love it!
The Points Mom’s Got IT!
