The Points Daily: Show Notes for Monday, November 2, 2026
This page is the archive and show-notes companion to today's episode. The newsletter is the timely morning briefing, and this page is where you can revisit what we covered. Today: a free photo print with a two-day window, Flying Blue award pricing through April 2027, a cheap transpacific fare to Xi'an, a Staples rebate on tape, portal bonuses worth stacking, and a Chase Travel offer for the targeted.
Free Walgreens Print Expires Tomorrow
What happened: Walgreens has a promo code, XLFREE, that gets you one free 8×10 photo print. It runs through 11/3/26, so you have today and tomorrow.
Why it matters: It costs nothing, and the only real decision is image quality. Upload at full resolution or the free print will look like it.
TPD take: Fine, but only if you were going to Walgreens anyway. Combine it with a pickup you actually need and don't make a special trip for one photo.
Source: Doctor of Credit
Flying Blue Discounts Business Class Awards Through April
What happened: Flying Blue's November Promo Awards discount select routes, including New York to Europe in Business Class from 45,000 miles plus surcharges. Cape Town and Beijing run 63,750 miles. Booking closes November 30, 2026, for travel through April 30, 2027.
Why it matters: The discount applies to the Light fare, so no changes, no refunds, and no lounge access without status. The surcharges are where promo awards often stop being deals.
TPD take: Price the surcharges before you get excited. If the all-in cost still looks good, book it, but don't do so on a trip where your plans might shift. The source has the full route list and availability details.
Source: Traveling for Miles
Los Angeles to Xi'an on Korean Air for $755
What happened: Korean Air is selling Los Angeles to Xi'an, China at $755 roundtrip with taxes included, connecting through Seoul each way. Travel windows are late January through April 2027, or mid August through September 2027, with a 3-day advance purchase requirement.
Why it matters: That's a solid price for a transpacific economy fare. The restrictions matter, though: no stopovers, and US citizens need a visa before arriving in China.
TPD take: Sort out the visa question before you buy, not after. If the dates work and the paperwork is manageable, this is worth a look.
Source: The Flight Deal
Staples Will Rebate Scotch Purchases in Points
What happened: Staples is offering 100% back in points on Scotch products, up to $40, through November 7, 2026. You need to activate the offer in your Easy Rewards dashboard first, then use your membership number at checkout.
Why it matters: It's one use per member, clearance is excluded, and delivery orders via Instacart, DoorDash and Uber Eats don't qualify. Points are based on what you pay after discounts.
TPD take: If you were buying tape anyway, this is effectively a rebate. If you weren't, skip it. Buying things to earn points on them is how people lose.
Source: Doctor of Credit
Steal of the Day: Airline Portal Bonuses Worth Stacking
What happened: Cartera's airline shopping portals for Alaska, American, United, Delta and Southwest are running tiered spending bonuses totaling up to 17,500 bonus miles and points across all programs. Expirations are staggered: Alaska, American and United on November 20, Delta on November 21, and Southwest on November 23.
Why it matters: The lower tiers are the practical sweet spot, such as 500 bonus MileagePlus miles at $125 spent. Gift card purchases are excluded, though Giftcards.com purchases count if they track normally.
TPD take: Stack these on spending you already planned, and ignore the portals for airlines you'll never fly. The headline number requires a lot of spend across a lot of programs.
Source: Frequent Miler
Card of the Day: Chase Sapphire Reserve and a Targeted Travel Offer
What happened: If you're targeted, there's a Chase Offer that returns $100 when you spend $600 or more through Chase Travel. It expires December 31, 2026.
Why it matters: The $600 must be a single transaction, and the offer works only once. Two $300 bookings earn nothing.
TPD take: Check your Chase Offers to see if you have it. Use it only on a trip you were already planning to book through Chase Travel, since the portal isn't always the cheapest place to book.
If you're looking at getting a Chase Sapphire card, check out thepointsdaily.com/chase-sapphire. Referral link; we may receive a bonus if you use it. *Referral link; we may receive a bonus if you use it.*
Source: Frequent Miler
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