Mar 13 Update: New Wyndham Rewards Gold Elite Status, Aeroplan Pot Of Gold Promo, Starwood Europe sale

After a couple of quiet days I have lots of news and bonus offers to pass your way! I'd love to know all of your thoughts on some today's topics such as the new Wyndham Gold Status and Aeroplan's Pot of Gold promo (I guess we're going for Gold today?)

News, Tips & Tricks

Wyndham Rewards as added a Gold Elite Status level to their program. The new level can be reached with 20 qualifying nights in a calendar year and you will be automatically awarded with enough points for a free night (points awarded depends on your average nightly spend): Here are the details of Wyndham Rewards Gold Status (Source: Wyndham Rewards)

• After staying 20 qualifying* nights in a calendar year, you’ll achieve Gold Status and automatically be rewarded with Gold Status Points that can solely be redeemed for a free night.
• The amount of Gold Status Points you have depends on the average amount you spent over the course of your 20 qualified nights.
• Average spend per 20 nights Gold Status Points earned
  $100 or less 6,000
  $100.01 - $150 10,000
  $150.01+ 20,000
• You will earn an additional Gold Status Point bonus for every 20 qualifying nights, up to 3 bonuses in a calendar year.
• Your Gold Status will last for the remainder of the calendar year in which you achieved status as well as the following calendar year.
• You will continue to earn your regular Rewards points on every qualifying night you stay. Again, your Gold Status Points may only be redeemed for a free night; however, your regular Rewards points can be redeemed for free nights, gift cards, merchandise & more.

Aeroplan and Air Canada have launched a new promo called Pot Of Gold. Basically if you book an Air Canada flight online by March 17 to select destinations in Canada, to the U.S. or Europe and fly by April 30th you will get a portion of the 7,000,000 Aeroplan Bonus Miles to beawarded (shared equally amongst all eligible customers during the promotional period). Use promo code POTOFGOLD when booking online at Air Canada. Of course I find out about this offer the morning after I book some flights but ultimately they wouldn't have been eligible since the flights are after April.

Etihad Airways went through a major system upgrade at the end of February and now that it is complete they have been able to add more flexibility to Etihad Guest Reward Tickets, albeit some for a fee:

• Booking Period: You will be able to book GuestSeats online or via the Etihad Guest Service Centre up to 3 hours before departure.
• Date Change: You will be entitled to one date change free of charge. Please note that all subsequent changes can be processed at a fee of AED 100.
• Refunds: If you wish to have your ticket refunded, you will need to request the refund within the validity of the ticket. Refunds can only be processed via the Etihad Guest Service Centre for a fee of 2000 Etihad Guest Miles. Please note that Etihad Guest Gold and Gold Elite members are exempt from this charge.
• Stopovers: An added benefit of the systems upgrade is that you will be able to book a stopover in Abu Dhabi when travelling on a GuestSeat Flight Reward. To book a stopover, please contact the Etihad Guest Service Centre when making your booking.
  

Planning on shopping at Safeway over the next few days? Here is a 100 Bonus Air Miles Rewards Miles coupon.

I posted another small update on our Aeroplan Star Challenge blog post. See it here.

Travel Deals
Save up to 50% on Starwood Hotels and Resorts stays in Europe with the ITB Berlin special. Book by March 17 for stays until Jun 30, 13. Full details and online booking

Bonus Offers
Air France KLM Flying Blue
- Double Flying Blue Miles for stays at First Hotels, Kempinski Hotels, The Leela Palaces Hotels and Resorts, Lungarno Collection, Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts, or PARKROYAL Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. More... Until Apr 30, 13
- 1,000 Bonus Flying Blue Miles with every weekend stay at the following Marriott Hotels: Aberdeen Marriott Hotel Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Dalmahoy, A Marriott Hotel & Country Club Glasgow Marriott Hotel. More... Until May 10, 13
- Double Flying Blue Miles for stays of 2 or more nights at Radisson Blu hotels in Turkey and Georgia. More... Until May 31, 13
- Double Flying Blue Miles on qualifying stays at the MayFair Hotel in London. More... Until Apr 15, 13
- Double Flying Blue Miles when paying the Best Available Rate for stays at any Shangri-La resort for a minimum of three consecutive nights; or any Traders hotel for a minimum of two consecutive nights worldwide. More... Mar 1 - May 31, 13
- Triple Flying Blue Miles for stays at the Taj Palace Marrakech. More... Until Jun 30, 13
- 3,000 Flying Blue Miles for stays of 2 or more nights in a Suite at participating World Hotels locations Worldwide. More... Until Dec 31, 13
- 2,013 Bonus Flying Blue Miles on rentals at participating Hertz locations worldwide.More... Book by Mar 31 for rentals until Jun 30, 13

Etihad Guest
- Triple Guest Miles and a complimentary upgrade for stays at the Fairmont The Norfolk Hotel. More... Until Apr 15, 13

Iberia Plus
- Double Avios for stays at participating Abba Hotels in Huesca, Bilbao, Valencia, Santander, London, Pamplona Berlin or Granada. More... Until Apr 30, 13
- Double Avios for stays at the Barceló Guatemala City, Guatemala - Barceló Cairo Pyramids, Cairo - Barceló Cáceres V Centenario, Cáceres - Barceló Costa Ballena, Cádiz - Barceló Sancti Petri Spa Resort, Cádiz - Barceló Montecastillo Golf, Cádiz - Barceló Jerez Montecastillo, Cádiz - Barceló Jaca Golf & Spa, Huesca More... Until May 31, 13
- Double Avios for stays at any TRYP by Wyndham hotel in Spain. More... Until Apr 30, 13

InterContinental Hotels Group Priority Club
- 4,000 Bonus Priority Club Points for stays of 2+ nights on he Suite Escape rate at the The Venetian Las Vegas or The Palazzo Las Vegas. More... Until May 5, 13

La Quinta Returns
- Earn up to Triple Returns Points for stays at participating La Quinta locations in the U.S. More... Until Apr 4, 13

Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- Double QMiles for stays at the Majestic Arjaan by Rotana - Manama. More... Until May 31, 13
- Double QMiles and 25% off for stays of 2 nights or more at the Swissôtel Goa. More... Until May 31, 13

Starwood Preferred Guest
- Up to a 25% Discount when you buy or gift Starpoints until April 30, 13. More... Until Apr 30, 13