The Points Daily — August 20, 2026
Today's briefing: Fuel up with Kroger's 4x points promo, buy Avios at a 50% discount, lock in Preferred Hotels discounts up to 35%, and learn when fall domestic fares bottom out.
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Kroger and Harris Teeter: 4x Fuel Points on Select Gift Cards (Aug 21–23)
Kroger and Harris Teeter are doubling down on fuel points: load a digital coupon and buy third-party gift cards or fixed-value Visa and Mastercard cards August 21–23 to earn 4x fuel points. Amazon gift cards don't qualify.
The math is solid. At a 35-gallon fill-up, this nets roughly a 14% discount on gas. Even better: some Kroger locations now let you swap fuel points for groceries, which broadens the redemption value. The catch is obvious—stack this with a supermarket-category credit card to maximize the leverage.
Source: Doctor of Credit
Qatar Airways Avios Flash Sale: 50% Bonus Through August 25
Qatar is selling Avios with up to a 50% bonus, landing the per-point cost at 1.53 cents if you buy at least 26,000. Smaller purchases cost more—up to 2.8 cents per point. The annual cap is 250,000 base Avios, or 375,000 after the bonus kicks in.
This rate works if you're a few thousand points short of a specific redemption. But it's a reminder: buying points should solve a near-term gap, not substitute for earning. Unless you have a business-class booking locked in, you're usually better off accumulating through spend.
Source: Award Wallet
Preferred Hotels Last-Minute Escapes: Up to 35% Off (Book by August 31)
Preferred Hotels is running its recurring Last-Minute Escapes sale: up to 35% off at 80 properties for stays through October 1. Book by August 31 to qualify. Free I Prefer membership is required, but there are no other enrollment hoops.
Individual properties may impose blackout dates or minimum-stay rules, so read the fine print. But the baseline offer is straightforward and the window is open now.
Source: Upgraded Points
The Cheapest Domestic Fall Routes: Timing and Route Strategy
Domestic fares drop 15% to 60% in September and October, with the deepest cuts to Florida, Chicago, Charlotte, and Denver. The booking sweet spot is 21–60 days out, flying midweek (Tuesday or Wednesday out, Saturday or following Tuesday return).
Thanksgiving is the exception—book earlier for holiday travel because fares climb weeks before the actual date. These discounts exist because high-capacity routes with real competition see price pressure when leisure demand softens. Plan accordingly.
Source: Dollar Flight Club
Steal of the Day: Thrifty Traveler Premium – 30% Off
Thrifty Traveler Premium is running a 3-day flash sale at 30% off. The service sends deal alerts for cheap fares and award availability via app, email, or text—useful if you can move on short notice with flexible dates.
The sale window closes soon with no explicit deadline posted. If you've been considering a deal-alert subscription, this is the nudge to act.
Source: Award Wallet
Card of the Day: Citi Double Cash Card – $200 Cash Back Welcome Bonus
Citi is offering a $200 cash-back bonus on the Double Cash Card—only the second welcome offer in the card's history. Spend $1,500 in 6 months, and you'll earn 20,000 ThankYou Points, redeemable for cash.
The card earns 2% back on all spending with no annual fee, making the bonus a genuine upside on an already useful everyday earner. If you've been waiting for a flat-rate card with an actual incentive, this is it.
Source: Award Wallet
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