Travel is restricted to Monday through Saturday for domestic flights, with even | Japan has been one of Choice's best redemption sweet spots, offering genuine
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The Points Daily
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Tuesday, June 9, 2026
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| 🔥 FIRE | | Southwest's 40% Off Promo Expires in 2 Days With Steep Restrictions | | Southwest dropped promo code FLYWOW for up to 40% off base fares through June 11, applicable to cash and award bookings across all fare classes for travel starting August 4. Travel is restricted to Monday through Saturday for domestic flights, with even tighter windows for Hawaii and international routes, plus multiple blackout periods hit peak times like Thanksgiving week. Southwest typically excludes their cheapest published fares from these promotions and discounts only the base fare, so taxes and fees still hit at full price—with just 2 days left to book and Southwest's habit of protecting their lowest inventory from promos, you're gambling on finding decent availability that actually benefits from the code. | | source → |
| 🦨 STINKER | | Choice Hotels Slashes Japan Value With Up to 200% Points Hikes | | Choice Privileges just hiked point requirements at many Japan hotels without warning, with properties that cost 8,000 points now demanding upwards of 25,000 points per night—increases up to 200%. Japan has been one of Choice's best redemption sweet spots, offering genuine value at mid-tier properties when cash rates run sky-high, but the program has been steadily devaluing for years. The math on their frequent point-buying promotions will likely change too, making those deals less attractive for Japan bookings, though the program still works for mid-tier properties elsewhere when cash rates are absurd. | | source → |
| 🔥 FIRE | | Southwest Priority Card's 90K Bonus Justifies $229 Fee for Seat Pick | | Southwest's three Rapid Rewards credit cards are offering limited-time welcome bonuses up to 90,000 points, with the standout being the Priority card at $229 annually. It's the only consumer Southwest card that lets you pick your actual seat at booking, including on Basic Economy tickets, plus you get free preferred seating in the front half of the plane—a perk that alone makes it worthwhile if you fly Southwest regularly and care where you sit. The other cards offer the usual Southwest perks like free checked bags and priority boarding, but without the seat selection that actually matters on Southwest's boarding system. | | source → |
| 🔥 STEAL OF THE DAY | | Steal of the Day: If you're targeted for the latest American Express offer, you can grab $100 back on $500 or more spent with Carnival Cruise Lines, though you'll need to enroll in the offer first. This is a targeted offer—not everyone gets it—and it expires 6/16/26, so check your Amex account soon to see if you're eligible if you're already planning a cruise. | | source → |
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| 💳 CARD OF THE DAY | | Card of the Day: United Club Infinite Credit Card. United MileagePlus cardholders gain exclusive access to experiences unavailable for purchase anywhere else, and starting Friday, June 12, you can buy tickets to a behind-the-scenes tour of the United Flight Training Center in Houston for 40,000 miles per ticket (up to 2 tickets per person). The July 29 experience includes an evacuation demonstration, water landing simulation, emergency door training, and access to the 777 Service Cabin Trainer. |
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