🤑 My Top Finds, Latest Deals, and Best Recommendations (8/23/25)
This week, we'll cover deep dive on Capital One cards and miles, how to get 2,500 bonus miles if your luggage is delayed, 100k welcome offer on new Alaska Atmos card, final call for the All the Hacks Iceland trip (2 spots left!), biz class award deals to Europe, free event on must-know tax moves for business owners, how to use your HSA for a gym membership, free Costa Coffee at Holiday Inn on 8/30, tips to cook with stainless steel and more!
💳 Deep Dive on Capital One Credit Cards and Miles
This week, I dive into the Capital One credit card lineup, breaking down earning structures for miles and cash back, exciting benefits, and redemption strategies. I also share why I love Capital One miles, plus cover the best 2-card combo, transfer partners, important application rules, and so much more!
🇮🇸 Final Call: All the Hacks Iceland Trip Next Month!
Our Iceland trips are approaching soon, and there are still 2 spots left for the 9/28 trip. Iceland was one of the best trips I've ever taken, so if you’re able to squeeze in a last-minute adventure this fall, check out this page for everything you need to know about the trip, including dates, planned itinerary, FAQs, and more.
🛫 Travel, Points & Miles
🤩 100k Welcome Offer on New Alaska Card
The new Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards Summit Visa has a welcome offer of 100k bonus points + 25k point Companion Award when you spend $6k in 3 months. I already applied, got approved, and I'm super excited for a few unique perks like 3x points on foreign transactions, Alaska Lounge passes, and the ability to spend your way to any level of elite status (with a 10k point head start).
🧳 Earn 2,500 Miles for Delayed Luggage
Both Delta and Alaska guarantee your bags will arrive within 20 minutes of the plane door opening. If not, Delta will offer you 2,500 miles if you submit this online claim within 3 days. Alaska's 20-minute guarantee offers either 2,500 miles or a $25 discount code.
💺 Biz Class Award Deals to Europe
There are a few great business class award deals to Europe right now, with options starting as low as 48.5k points each way. If you’re eyeing a trip this fall or next year, these are worth a look.
- 🇳🇱 Amsterdam: From 48.5k Virgin Atlantic points.
- 🇩🇪 Germany: From 55k Alaska miles.
- 🇵🇹 Lisbon: From 60k Aeroplan points.
- 🇨🇭 Switzerland: From 60k Aeroplan points.
- 🇧🇪 Belgium: From 60k Aeroplan points.
⚽ 100 Atmos Bonus Points for Every Home Goal
You can now earn 100 bonus Atmos points (formerly Alaska miles) for every goal your local soccer team scores at home this season. To qualify, you must live within 75 miles of a team and register here: San Diego FC, LA Galaxy, Seattle Reign, Portland Thorns, San Diego Wave.
🎯 New Amex Welcome Bonus Tracker
Amex recently launched a welcome bonus tracker to help cardmembers monitor their spending progress towards earning welcome bonuses. It's currently in the rollout stage, so you might not be able to see it yet, and it's only available for Membership Rewards and cash back cards.
⭐ Upgrade to Frontier Gold Status for $69
For a limited time, elite members of Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit, or Alaska Airlines can upgrade to a Frontier Gold status for $69. I'm not personally interested in this deal, but if you fly Frontier at all, it might worth it to get free carry-on bags, seat selection, and upgrades through the end of 2026.
💰 FREE Event: 5 Must-Know Tax Moves for Business Owners
The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) just became law, and it’s reshaping everything from business deductions and tax brackets to estate exemptions and energy credits. It’s a seismic shift—and if you’re running a business, the smartest moves happen now, before 2025 slips away.
Join me for a live, candid conversation with the tax strategy experts at Gelt: Tal Binder, Rachel Richards, CPA, and Spencer Carroll, CPA. Together, we'll unpack 5 tax moves every business owner should be making post-OBBB.
📅 Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025 ⏰ Time: 12PM PT / 3PM ET 🎯 Best For: Business owners, founders, consultants, creatives, and anyone earning meaningful income through self-employment or a pass-through entity.
You can read more about the event here or just click the button below to register with one click.
🤑 Latest Deals
💰 Lifemiles, Aeroplan, Marriott & More Points on Sale
If you’re planning a redemption or know how these programs work, here are 5 deals to consider. Expiration dates are in parentheses.
- Qatar Avios: 1.43¢ with up to a 60% bonus (8/25).
- Lifemiles: 1.25¢ with up to a 165% bonus (9/2).
- Aeroplan: 1.46¢ with up to an 85% bonus (9/10).
- Leaders Club: 0.6¢ with up to a 100% bonus (9/12).
- Marriott: 0.89¢ with a 40% bonus (9/17).
🎁 Latest Gift Card Deals
Here are some gift card deals I found this week. Expiration dates are in parentheses.
- $20 for $25 DoorDash gift card at BJ's Wholesale (limit 10).
- 4x points on 3rd party gift cards at Kroger/Harriss Teeter (8/24).
- No fees on $200 Visa gift cards at Staples.com (limit 5).
- 10% off Select Gift Cards at Giftcards.com (through 9/5).
🎾 Loyalty Perks at the U.S. Open
If you're heading to the U.S. Open, there are a few different perks from your loyalty programs. For example, IHG is giving away a "Bed on the Baseline" experience, and cardmembers of Amex and Chase will offer free lounge access and exclusive experiences through 9/7.
☕ Free Coffee at Holiday Inn on 8/30 (No Stay Needed)
Holiday Inn Express locations across the U.S. will offer free Costa Coffee on 8/30 from 10:30a to 3:30p. This promotion is available to both hotel guests and the general public.
🕵️ Top Finds
🍳 How to Cook With Stainless Steel
We own a few stainless steel pans and have never been able to use them properly, so I loved this video that explains how to use them properly (including how to clean and maintain them).
🏋🏽 How to Use Your HSA/FSA for a Gym Membership
Did you know that you might actually be able to use your HSA for a gym membership? You will need a Letter of Medical Necessity from a healthcare provider, but Dr. B makes that as easy as submitting a request on this website and paying $15. This may also work for an FSA.
📋 My Past Week
Here's a quick recap of what I was up to last week, including a new card I applied for, some of the deals I took advantage of, a podcast I was a guest on, and more!
- We went to Weird Al's Bigger and Weirder show last night and it was an incredible show! We splurged for great seats and it was totally worth it (though we still got a deal using the $150 Stubhub credit on this card and buying a $500 Stubhub gift card for 10% off). If you're able to catch him live, you absolutely should!
- As I mentioned above, I already got approved for the new Alaska Atmos Summit card and will get to work my $6k spend for the 105k welcome bonus as soon as it arrives next week!
- I celebrated my birthday with my family this past weekend and ended up with a new Vitamix 5200 (research led me to believe it's the best blender, a cool Lego set, Box TWO, and a couple of cool magic tricks from theory11. I'm very excited and appreciate everyone who shared some gift ideas.
- With school back in session we've been thinking a lot about what to add to our weekly/monthly routines and one unique thing we're adding is monthly 1:1 dates for me and my wife with our daughters. We just did the first one yesterday and funny enough all my youngest wanted to do was go to Costco to find samples.
- I was recently a guest on the Zero to Travel podcast, where I shared my top hacks for life, money, and travel. Have a listen here, and feel free to let me know what your favorite hack is :)
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.
💳 A Guide to Capital One: Best Cards, Perks, and Redemptions
