Monday, April 9, 2018

April 9 Update: Air Canada expands economy fare options, AIR MILES adds more rewards under 1,000 miles, Top Cashback cards update


Last week Air Canada further updated some of their fare classes. Earlier in the year they launched Economy Basic fares for travel within Canada, then WestJet came out with their own changes for flights beyond Canada and now Air Canada has followed suit with a further expansion of the fares for travel in North America. The expansion includes a new fare class called Comfort that falls in between the well known Flex and Latitude fare classes and seeing Basic being expanded beyond our borders. (Source Air Canada)

The five Economy fare types and their features are:
Latitude - Fully refundable ticket; Priority check-in; two complimentary checked bags; advance seat selection and access to Preferred Seats when available; complimentary Air Canada Bistro Voucher; same-day changes; 125 per cent Aeroplan Miles accrual; and Maple Leaf Lounge access for purchase.
Comfort -  Same-day standby (previously only available with Latitude); advance seat selection and access to Preferred Seats when available; complimentary alcoholic beverage; complimentary checked bag; early boarding; 115 per cent Aeroplan Miles accrual; and Maple Leaf Lounge access for purchase.
Flex - Ticket changes permitted for a fee; advance seat selection; complimentary checked bag; 100 per cent Aeroplan Miles accrual; and Maple Leaf Lounge access for purchase.
Standard - Ticket changes permitted for a fee; 50 per cent Aeroplan Miles accrual for transborder flights and 25 per cent Aeroplan Miles accrual for domestic flights.
Basic - Air Canada's most restrictive fare option will be available only for select routes and flights and for booking exclusively through Air Canada channels.  These low fares do not permit changes, are not eligible for upgrades, and do not earn Aeroplan Miles.  Customers have the option to pay for checked bags, advance seat selection, and food and alcohol on board.

AIR MILES has seen a 10% increase in reward redemption after adding more options under 1,000 miles. As such they are expanding with more merchandise and experience options under that 1,000 mile level. (Source AIR MILES)

Sad news to hear that Tim Winship has passed away. He was one of the very first people to bring the world of points and miles to the Internet (frequentflier.com) and he co-authored the famous Mileage Pro frequent flyer book of last decade with Randy Peterson. When Rewards Canada launched in 2001, it was only Randy's and Tim's endeavours that were on the Internet and were a great source of inspiration for me to launch Rewards Canada since their sites were more American focused and there were none focusing on Canada. I never did get to meet Tim although we did have some great conversations via email. He will be greatly missed and many of us can thank him for helping create the amazing online miles and points culture. (HT TravelBloggerBuzz)

Not too long ago we were asked when our 2018 Top Cash Back Credit Card rankings will be released and I mentioned they would come out in March like they did last year. However with so much happening in the cash back space right now with cards changing and new ones being introduced I have decided to hold back on releasing the Top list until we get all the details in of the cards. I anticipate that the rankings will come out sometime in May or June.

Posts since our last update:

Travel Deals
Save up to 40% on Porter Airines flights to or from Stephenville. Use promo code Q0VZU3 for bookings made by April 22. Find out more here!

Orbitz: Save 15% on hotel stays with promo code JUSTLIKETHAT. Book by April 22 for stays until Sep 30. Find out more here.

Remember to visit Rewards Canada's Travel Booking site to book travel directly with many of your favourite airlines, hotels and more!

Canadian Bonus Offers
Air Canada / Aeroplan
- Double Altitude Elite Qualifying Miles on any eligible round trip (or two one-way segments) booked in a comfort fare on all flights within Canada and between Canada and the U.S.  More... Register and book by Apr 19 for travel until Aug 31, 18

Other Bonus Offers
Copa ConnectMiles
- Earn up to 40% Bonus ConnectMiles when you buy or gift 3,000 or more ConnectMiles. More... Until Apr 30 , 18

La Quinta Returns
- Earn up to Triple Returns Points for stays at participating La Quinta locations in the U.S.. More... Until May 6, 18

Starwood Preferred Guest
- Earn 250 Bonus Starpoints per night for stays at participating Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide starting on your third night. More... Register by Jun 30 for stays Apr 16 - Jul 20, 18

Stash Hotel Rewards
- Double Stash Rewards Points for stays at the Hopkins Bay Resort Hopkins, Belize. More... Book by Apr 21 for stays until Oct 31,18
- Double Stash Rewards Points for stays at the Belize Ocean Club Adventure Resort. More... Book by Apr 21 for stays until Oct 31,18

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