A review of The Platinum Card from American Express, new Amex Offer for Mr. Lube & you can convert JAL Miles to Accor Points now

Here's your Rewards Canada Daily update! Your near daily dose of loyalty program, credit card and travel news, bonuses, deals and more.

Today's update is brought to you by the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card which you can earn up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ Rewards points in your first year with (that’s up to $450 towards travel)
Click here to learn more about this offer

 

Even though we have a myriad of articles, posts and features about The Platinum Card from American Express we had never completed an actual review of the card here on Rewards Canada! That's all changed  as Canada's best Ultra Premium card new gets the Rewards Canada review treatment. Click here to read the review 

Receive 100 Free Miles when you join Japan Airlines Mileage Bank

 

Japan Airlines Mileage Bank or JMB has come out with a new member acquisition bonus for anyone who joins the program from around the world. Now, the bonus won't make people jump out of their seats but if you're not a member of the program yet, well hey here's your first 100 miles if you do join during this campaign. Once registered you'll also be entered to win one of 20 prizes of 6,000 miles. The registration for the promotion isn't the most straight forward. You'll need to click a link to join the program from your respective region in the world and once you have joined you need to go back to the promotion page and register for the offer. I hope that makes sense!

Offer details:
100 Free Mileage Bank Miles when you join Japan Airlines Mileage Bank. Simply enroll for a JMB card, JMB WAON Card or JAL Global WALLET and then register for this promotion. Click here for more details You must join and register by Jan 31, 22

Here's what the bottom of the promotion page looks like - I've added the 'steps' to show how to get your 100 miles.

 

March 27 Update: You can no longer earn any points or miles with Amazon Canada, Japanese Airlines delay points expiry + double elite points on flights, Qantas offers elite status extension

Amazon Canada has now been pulled from Aeroplan eStore - you officially cannot earn any miles, points or cash back for shopping at Amazon via any of the online portals.

Japan's two major airlines, JAL and ANA have both issued extensions of mileage expiry by one year and both have also initiated double elite status point earning on all their flights. ANA's double premium points offer is good for all flights to June 30 and JAL's double Fly On Points is valid on flights until July 31. Learn more about the ANA details here and the JAL details here.

Qantas has also revealed that elite status members in the Qantas Frequent Flyer program will get 12 month extensions on their status. Find out more here

The extension will be actioned in two phases - if your membership year ends:

• between March and June 2020, it will be automatically extended by 27 March 2020; and
• between July 2020 and February 2021, it will be automatically extended by 9 April 2020.

The processing date for the 12 month status extension cannot be changed. And here is the chart of when the extensions will be valid to:

Your current Membership Year end date:	Your status will be extended by Qantas to:	New Frequent Flyer card will be sent to you:
31 March 2020	31 March 2021	Mid March 2020
30 April 2020	30 April 2021	Mid April 2020
31 May 2020	31 May 2021	Mid May 2020
30 June 2020	30 June 2021	Mid June 2020
31 July 2020	31 July 2021	Mid July 2020
31 August 2020	31 August 2021	Mid August 2020
30 September 2020	30 September 2021	Mid September 2020
31 October 2020	31 October 2021	Mid October 2020
30 November 2020	30 November 2021	Mid November 2020
31 December 2020	31 December 2021	Mid December 2020
31 January 2021	31 January 2022	Mid January 2021
28 February 2021	28 February 2022	Mid February 2021

 
*** Remember to visit and bookmark our COVID-19 resource page where we are keeping you up to date with all the latest airline, hotel, lounges and loyalty program news, policies, closures and more.
Other resources on Rewards Canada to help you make the most of your points and miles right now:

• Shifting your loyalty program strategy to help during these trying and tough financial times
  
• In light of what's going on in the world should you shift to a cash back credit card instead of a travel card? Why not a card that has both?
  
• Use Instacart to circumvent Loblaw stores non-acceptance of Amex and to earn 5x points with the Cobalt Card

Posts since our last update:

• Canadian Transport Agency states airlines can provide vouchers instead of refunds
  The Canadian Transport Agency (CTA) issued a statement yesterday in regards to vouchers that are being issued by airlines instead…
• March 26 Update: BMO AIR MILES Mastercard review updated, Aer Lingus providing 10% extra on vouchers, British Airways suspends all Canadian flights until April 17
  The Rewards Canada review of the BMO AIR MILES Mastercard has been updated! We haven't touched it since 2015…

Deals:

Doordash $5 Deals. Use Code: 5DEALS at checkout! Expires April 15. Find out more here

Missfresh: Simplify your life with 45% off your first 2 consecutive orders with code SIMPLIFY45. Find out more here.

Canadian Bonus Offers

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
- OFFER EXTENDED 50% Bonus Elite Qualifying Mileage Plan miles when you fly on Alaska Airlines or Horizon Airline including their Canadian flights. More... Until May 31, 20

ANA Mileage Club
- Double Premium Points on all ANA fligthts Worldwide including Vancouver to Tokyo. More... Until Jun 30, 20

JAL Mileage Bank
- Double Fly On Points on all JAL fligthts Worldwide including Vancouver to Tokyo. More... Until Jul 31, 20

Other Bonus Offers

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- Earn up to Quadruple Asia Miles when you rent with Hertz for 3 or more days in Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the USA. More... Book by May 31 for rentals until Aug 31, 20

Marriott Bonvoy
- 2,000 Bonus Bonvoy Points for stays at the SpringHill Suites - Springfield North. More... Until May 31, 20


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Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: Receive a 40% bonus when you buy 15,000 or miles by February 16

Alaska Airlines has launched another buy miles bonus! Though not as good as the 50% we sometimes see, some of you may be able to make great use of buying the miles with just a 40% bonus! With the 40% offer you are buying Mileage Plan Miles at roughly US 2.15 cents each:

Remember Alaska has set in place a maximum amount of miles you can buy in a year if you don’t hold MVP status.  Non-Elite members can only buy 150,000 miles per year now.  MVP, MVP Gold, and MVP Gold 75K member are not subjected to this limitation. Seeing that Alaska does have 50% bonuses at times I wouldn’t buy at 40% unless you have a need for these miles to be redeemed over the next 60-90 days at which time we may see their next bonus offer.

If you do buy right now remember you can redeem miles for premium class flights on British Airways, JAL, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air and more, there are lots of options for you to use these miles. It only takes 70,000 Mileage Plan miles to fly Cathay Pacific First Class one way from North America to Asia and those 70K will cost you US$1507.69  – and to pay for that first class will cost you a lot more than that!

Offer details
40% Bonus Mileage Plan Miles when you buy or gift 15,000 or more miles. Buy Alaska Miles Here Until Feb 16, 20

Here's an example of how you can use this promotion to fly JAL Business Class from Vancouver to Tokyo:

To buy that many miles will cost you just under $1300 US:

All told when you add in taxes and also the fees on the award ticket you are looking as spending around C$1,850. The same flight bought straight with cash will be just over $2,800 - almost a $1,000 savings by buying the miles!

Find many more Mileage Plan bonus miles offers here!

200 FREE JAL Mileage Bank Miles when you join the Okura Nikko Hotels One Harmony Program

JAL Mileage Bank is not a program we typically see free miles offers from so when one comes around you take advantage of it! They are offering  200 free Mileage Bank miles when you join the Okura Nikko Hotels One Harmony program and register your JMB membership to that your newly made account. If you already member of One Harmony you can still score 100 free miles for updating your JMB account number in your One Harmony account.

Offer details:
200 Free Mileage Bank Miles when you join the Okura Nikko Hotels One Harmony program.  Full details Until Mar 29, 20
Existing One Harmony members can earn 100 miles for updating their JMB account number in their One Harmony account.

Here are some other Mileage Bank bonus miles offers to check out:

• Earn up to 4,000 Bonus Mileage Bank Miles when you fly on JAL between Honolulu and Tokyo (Haneda). New JMB members will earn an additional 1,000 miles on their first flight on these routes. Register online (Registration is required)
• Double Mileage Bank Miles when you fly on JAL between Tokyo (Haneda) and Moscow (Sheremetyevo). Register online (Registration is required)
• Earn up to 500 Bonus Mileage Bank Miles for stays at participating Tokyu Hotels in Japan. Full details and online booking
• Find our complete listing of Mileage Bank bonus miles offers here

December 9 Update: AeroMexico to YYC, now book JAL flights with Mileage Plan miles, dine & earn SCENE bonus points

News, Tips & Tricks
AeroMexico is further expanding their presence in Canada. The SkyTeam Alliance airline is adding daily Calgary to Mexico City flights starting on June 1, 2017. This marks the airline's fourth city in Canada after Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. You can check out bonuses for AeroMexico's frequent flyer program Club Premier on our main site but of course you can earn and burn any SkyTeam alliance miles for these flights as well. The most popular in Canada being Delta SkyMiles and Air France KLM's Flying Blue. (Source Routesonline)

You can now book Japan Airlines (JAL) flights with your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles! The partnership that was announced earlier this year that launched with earn only benefits now sees the launch of redemption options! The awards price similar to Alaska Airlines' other partners on flights from Canada. Flights to Asia start as low as 35,000 miles one-way on Japan Airlines (Cathay prices slightly better at 30,000) but this still provides a good option seeing that you can earn 25,000 Miles on your first purchase with the mbna Alaska Airlines MasterCard and then spend $10,000 to earn that other 10,000 miles for the base level award ticket. Business and First Class flights price out quite nice as well. Here is just sampling of the Mileage Plan awards to Asia on JAL:

Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Platinum Preferred Members enrolled in the Crossover Rewards  program traveling on Delta flights will clear for Complimentary Upgrades to both First Class and Delta Comfort+ based on their SPG tier level on paid tickets. This means that Marriott Platinum's also qualify since they get instant SPG Platinum status. (Source One Mile at a Time)


Posts since our last update:

• IHG Rewards Club Accelerate returns for Q1 2017 - Earn 30,000 or more bonus points for your IHG stays!
  IHG is enjoying their Accelerate promotion so much that it is once again their systemwide offer for the first…
• Choice Hotels Privileges: Double Points for Worldwide stays from December 15 to February 9
  Finally! We see a different systemwide bonus offer from Choice Privileges! Choice Privileges is the program for hotels like…
• Done with AIR MILES? Here are your other options - Part 3 Cash Back Reward Programs
  As many of you know the AIR MILES Expiring Miles fiasco came to somewhat of a close late last week…
• Hurry! 18,000 Bonus Avios for a 3 day Avis Car Rental in Europe. Must book and pick up by Dec 10!
  So not sure if any of you may be able to take advantage of this unless of course you…
• Miles & More Award Ticket Sale - Save 50% on Economy Class award tickets between Toronto & Poland!
  As we do each month we bring you the latest set Miles & More "Meilenschnaeppchen" discounted mileage awards!  This…

Travel Deals
Executive Hotels is offering up to 20% off holiday stays at their locations in Canada and the U.S.  Full details and online booking
Avianca has Ecuador on sale from Toronto. Fares start at $649 all in. Book by Dec 31. Full details and online booking


Canadian Bonus Offers
SCENE
- Earn up to 30x Bonus SCENE Points when you dine at Swiss Chalet, Harvey’s, Montana’s, Milestones, Bier Markt, East Side Mario’s, Kelseys, Fionn MacCool’s, D’Arcy McGee’s, Paddy Flaherty's, and Tir nan Òg. More... Until Jan 8, 17 

Other Bonus Offers
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- 30% Bonus Asia Miles when you convert points from any of 15 participating hotel loyalty programs to Asia Miles. More... Until Dec 31, 16

Choice Hotels Privileges
- Double Privileges Points for all stays you complete at participating Choice Hotels Worldwide. More... For residents of the U.S. and Canada only Dec 15 - Feb 9, 17

Finnair Plus
- Earn up to 7,000 Bonus Points on all Finnair flights Worldwide. More... Book by Jan 9, 17 for travel Dec 15, 16 - Jul 31, 17

Miles & More
- 1,000 Bonus Miles & More miles on Avis rentals Worldwide. More... Book by Dec 31 for rentals until Jun 30, 17

Sonesta Hotels Travel Pass
- Double Travel Pass Points for stays at the Sonesta ES Suites Columbia. More... Until Mar 31, 17
- Double Travel Pass Points for stays at the Sonesta ES Suites Houston. More... Until Mar 31, 17



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June 30 Update: Alaska Airlines & JAL Mileage Bank partnership, Save 25% on KLM Business Class awards & Alaska cuts many AA earning rates

News, Tips & Tricks
To coincide with American AAdvantage moving to their revenue based mileage earning model, Alaska Airlines will be adjusted the earn rate for Mileage Plan members who fly on American as of August 1st. Full fare business and first class will go up to 200% miles flown while discounted economy which used to earn 100% of miles flown will vary from 25% for the cheapest tickets to 75% for the pricier discounted tickets. Full fare economy and discounted premium classes remain the same. Find out more here.

Also on the Alaska Airlines newsfront is the approval of their partnership with Japan Airlines that we mentioned sometime ago. You can now earn and redeem miles with each other airline's programs Mileage Plan and Mileage Bank. The redemption chart for Japan Airlines Mileage Bank members looks really good for travel within North America and competes well with Aeroplan and British Airways Executive Club! Now JAL Mileage Bank miles are relatively hard to come by for us Canadians unless of course you credit all your flights and hotel stays to JMB but the easiest way to earn them for those who may not travel JAL often but want an awesome option for redeeming on Alaska Airlines is the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express. Starpoints transfer to JMB at a 1:1 basis and like Aeroplan, JMB short haul flights on Alaska are only 15,000 miles, medium haul are 20,000 to 21,000 compared to Aeroplan's and most other FFP's 25,000 mile requirement. For those of us out West this may now to be program to really look at for flying up and down the West Coast! Find out more here.

Don't forget to enter our Marriott Rewards contest!! You can enter to win up to 30,000 Marriott Rewards points! Find out all about here.

Posts since our last update:

• Air France KLM Flying Blue Promo Awards - Save 25% between Calgary or Toronto & Europe in Business Class
  The newest set of Air France KLM's Promo Awards were released today but won't be bookable until 6pm EST…

Travel Deals
Book WestJet's Canada Day sale today! Lock in some great fares for this fall and winter if you book by the end of today. Find out more here. 

Bonus Offers
Air France KLM Flying Blue
- July Promo Awards - Save 20% to 50% on the Award Miles usually required for an award ticket. Destinations vary by each promotional period. More... Book by Jul 31 for travel between Sep 1 - Oct 31, 16

Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
- Earn up to Triple Mileage Bank Miles for stays at participating Hilton hotels Worldwide. More... Jul 1 - Sep 30, 16

Le Club accorhotels
- Triple Le Club Accorhotels Points for stays at participating Accor Hotels in Africa. More... Until Aug 31, 16
- 1,000 Bonus Le Club Accorhotels Points when you join Le Club AccorHotels Meeting Planner program. More... Until Dec 31, 16

Ritz-Carlton Rewards
- Double Rewards Points for stays at the Ritz-Carlton, Chicago. More... Until Sep 10, 16



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May 10 Update: Aeroplan Mythbusters Campaign, Alaska Airlines & Japan Airlines partner up, 250 Free Qatar Airways QMiles

News, Tips & Tricks
Aeroplan launched a new campaign today called Mythbusters which is aimed at revealing the truth behind the myths and misconceptions about Aeroplan’s flight reward program through a creative infographic. The campaign provides facts to clarify 12 myths that are detailed here: www.aeroplan.com/myths

We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences on the Aeroplan Mythbusters campaign! Leave your comments below!

Also on the Aeroplan front, they sent out a press release today announcing that the newest earning partner will be The Brick. It does appear that earning will only be available for online purchases which makes sense as in store The Brick salespeople earn commissions. Here is an excerpt from the press release:

In the coming months, this relationship will enable Aeroplan Members to earn miles on online purchases at www.thebrick.com

Alaska Airlines and Japan Airlines announced plans today for a codeshare agreement and frequent flyer partnership. If approved this is great news as those of who have been collecting Mileage Plan miles here in Canada have another amazing partner to use those miles for. Japan Airlines does serve Vancouver of course and several cities in the U.S. where having Mileage Plan miles will come in handy. This new partnership which is slated to launch on June 29 has once again upped the value of the Alaska Airlines MasterCard® credit card . (Source Alaska Airlines)

Qatar Airways has brought back one of the best bonus promotions from 2015 for this year. The Globetrotter promotion awards up to and over 100,000 bonus Qmiles for flying on Qatar Airways from May 15 to March of next year. It also has some elite status bonuses however Montreal, the only city in Canada that is served by Qatar is not on the list of cities included for the bonuses. This means the promotion is tougher for us Canadians unless you are flying Qatar on their other routes. At the very least you should register for the promotion as they will award you 250 QMiles just for doing so. Find out more and register for the offer here.

Posts since our last update:

• Earn 2,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles on your first Rocketmiles booking + 2,000 more miles on each 3+ night stay
  It has been awhile since we have seen an Aeroplan specific bonus for booking hotels via Rocketmiles, the third…

Bonus Offers
AeroMexico Club Premier
- Triple Club Premier Points for stays at Best Western Hotels Worldwide. More... Until Jun 30, 16
- 2,000 Club Premier Points for stays at any of the 17 Camino Real hotels in Mexico. More... Until Jun 30, 16
- Earn up to Quadruple Club Premier Points for stays at La Quinta Inns and Suites. More... Until Jul 31, 16
- 25% Bonus Club Premier Points when you convert Wyndham Rewards Points to Club Premier Points. More... May 23 - Jun 5, 15

Air Canada / Aeroplan
- Earn 2,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles on your first Rocketmiles booking. You'll also earn another 2,000 bonus miles every time you stay 3 nights for a limited time. More... Book by Aug 31, 16

Air China Phoenix Miles
- Triple PhoenixMiles Kilometers for Hertz rentals in USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Asia (except China) More... Until Jun 30, 16

American AAdvantage
- Earn up to 15,000 Bonus AAdvantage Miles and receive 35% off when you buy AAdvantage miles. More... Until Jun 1, 16

Avianca LifeMiles
- Earn up to 2,000 Bonus LifeMiles when you book and stay a minimum of 2 nights at Marriott hotels and resorts in Latin America.. More... Until Jul 31, 16
- Earn up to 125% Bonus LifeMiles when you buy miles online. More... Until May 31, 16

Hilton HHonors
- Instant Gold status until Aug 31 for Accenture employees plus keep that status when you complete four qualifying stays at Hilton Hotels Worldwide by Aug 31. More... Until Aug 31, 16

Marriott Rewards
- 5,000 Bonus Rewards Points per weekend stay, min 2 night stay required Friday or Saturday stay at participating Marriott Hotels in the San Francisco area. More... Until Jun 15, 16

Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- Earn up to 100,000+ Bonus QMiles including 250 free miles when you fly Qatar Airways to select destinations Worldwide during the Globetrotter promotion. More... May 15 - Mar 31, 17

Starwood Preferred Guest
- 3,000 Bonus Starpoints for stays in a Suite at the Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort.  More... Until Dec 31, 16


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