Sep 7 Update: New RBC Shoppers Optimum MasterCard, Jet Airways sale from YYZ and 4x SkyMiles for Accor stays

News, Tips & Tricks
RBC launched a new rewards credit card this week (this is not the card I mentioned earlier this week), albeit not a travel rewards one but nonetheless a rewards card! The card is the RBC Shoppers Optimum MasterCard which obviously is tied to the Shoppers Drug Mart loyalty program Shoppers Optimum. I had a quick look at the card and for the majority of Canadians I would say this card is not worth the time however if you are big time Shoppers Drug Mart shopper and/or a Shoppers Optimum fan than the card can be a very good option for you. The Shoppers optimum program in general awards 10 Points/$ spent at Shoppers Drug Mart which when redeemed can give you a return of 1.25% to ~1.79% on your Shoppers spending. The credit card earns 15 Points per dollar spent at Shoppers Drug Mart over and above the 10 Points/$ for swiping your Optimum card. That 15 points translates into a return of 1.88% to 2.7% on your spend at Shoppers Drug Mart. Not bad but you can do better with cards like the ATBPlatinum Cash Rewards Card that offers 3% on Drug Store Purchases or depending on how much you spend the fee version of the Scotiabank Momentum Visa's that offer a straight 2% (or a vast other number of cards that have returns around that amount) and with these cards you are not limited to redeeming at Shoppers Drug Mart. Where the new RBC Shoppers Optimum MasterCard really fails is for non-Shoppers Drug Mart purchases as it only award 5 Optimum points/$ spent or a 0.625% - 0.89% return on your spending! So like I said above, unless you are a big time spender at Shoppers Drug Mart then this card is not for you. You're better off with another cash back card like the MBNA Smart Cash Platinum MasterCard or any other host of cash back cards as seen on our comparision of Cash Back cards

Travel Deals
Jet Airways is having a weekend sale on flights out of Toronto to places likes Brussels, Milan, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai. Flights start at C$702 and must be booked on September 8th or 9th. You can book online at JetAirways.com

Bonus Offers
Delta SkyMiles
- Quadruple SkyMiles on all qualifying Accor Hotels stays Worldwide. More... Until Oct 31, 12

Emirates Skywards
- Earn up to Double Skywards Miles when you fly Emirates from Europe to Dubai, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta, Osaka, Tokyo - Narita, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Male, Seychelles, Colombo, Peshawar, Karachi, Lahore, Lagos, Accra, Entebbe & Nairobi. More... Oct 1 - Nov 30, 12

Etihad Guest
- Double Guest Miles on all Hertz rentals of 3 or more days Worldwide. More... Book by Sep 30 for rentals until Dec 31, 12

Germanwings Boomerang Club (on FrequentFlyerBonuses.com only)
- Double Boomerang Miles for Germanwings flights to/from London. More... Until Sep 30, 12

Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
- Double Mileage Bank Miles for Japan Airlines flights between Tokyo and San Diego. More... Dec 2, 12 - Feb 28, 13

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- 15% Bonus Flying Club Miles when you purchase or gift Flying Club miles. More... Until Oct 4, 12

Voila Hotel Rewards
- Double Elite Qualification Credit for every stay of 3 or more consecutive nights at participating VOILÁ hotels worldwide. More... Until Nov 30, 12