August 13 Update: Aloft Hotels Smart Check-In, Anti-trust suit against AA & US, $25 Gas Card for HoJo stays

Today was extremely quiet here at Rewards Canada when considering the craziness that happened yesterday with the whole TD-CIBC-Aeroplan storm!

News, Tips & Tricks
Rewards Canada reader Bill W. forwarded this new Starwood initiative to me. He was selected as part of group of SPG members to participate in Aloft Hotels new Smart Check-in program. Right now it is an exclusive program at select Aloft locations in the U.S. which provides a way to bypass checking in at the front desk. Here is an excerpt from the email:

• You'll be sent a special Aloft-brand SPG® card that will double as a room key, allowing you to bypass the front desk and go straight to your room whenever you stay at participating Aloft hotels.

• On the day of your arrival, we'll send a message to your mobile device containing your room number.

• When you arrive at your participating Aloft hotel, skip the front desk and go directly to your room. Just touch your Aloft-brand SPG card to the door to unlock it — you'll be checked in automatically and have full access to the Aloft front desk throughout your stay.

For more details on Aloft's Smart Check-In program please see here.

The U.S. government has filed an anti-trust case against the merger of American Airlines and US Airways. At this time it doesn't affect either airlines Frequent Flyer programs and if anything will only delay the merger or if it does stop the merger both programs will likely continue business as usual and then we should at least see the ever popular bonus on buying US Airways Dividend Miles stay alive.



Bonus Offers
Hilton HHonors
- Double HHonors Points for stays on "The HHonors Weekend, " rate at the Conrad Beijing, Conrad Tokyo or Conrad Macau. More... Until Oct 30, 14

IHG Rewards Club
- 100% Bonus IHG Rewards Points when you when you buy points online. This offer is only valid for IHG Elite members (Royal Ambassador, Ambassador, Gold and Platinum) More... Until Aug 26, 13

La Quinta Returns
- Earn up to Triple Returns Points for stays at participating La Quinta locations in the U.S. More... Until Sep 12, 13

United MileagePlus
- Double MileagePlus Miles for stays at the Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo at the Best Available Rate. More... Until Sep 15, 13

Wyndham Rewards
- Receive a $25 Gas Card when you book a room on a Monday for Sunday through Thursday stays at Howard Johnson locations in the U.S. and Canada. More... Book by Sep 30 for stays until Oct 3, 13