Ok, I think I can help with a few things.
40 is a great band for all manner of regional contacts. Lots of factors that can affect how well it works at any given moment. But in general it's so. This is why for example you find daytime nets like ECARS on 40
http://www.ecars7255.com/
It is probable that what was meant by 'bonus points' is that there are several stations on which are considered 'special' for this contest. You want to log these if you can.
Every year they are different. The bonus stations are listed on the web site. You'd get the special points when you send in your log to the robot that scores the contest tonight.
N1MM+ is a logging program that is primarily focused on people who do radio contests like the one today. It is not the only function, of course ... it has a 'general log' function as well. It might suit your fancy better than the web based logging such as the one at QRZ.
I use a different program (DX4WIN) for general logging and use N1MM+ only for contests. Then, I transfer my N1MM+ log to the other program so I have a complete log AND then I further copy that combined log to LoTW.
Here is a video that talks about what you're trying to do also, I think, with your 7300.
Fancy.
15 meters was wall to wall Europeans around 1900Z. Some French contest today as well. I have more
Belgians alone in my log today than US stations west of the Mississippi.