WestJet Rewards has come out with a great new status match offer and challenge to keep that status. Elite members from Air Canada Aeroplan, Porter Airlines VIPorter & British Airways Executive Club can receive automatic matched status in WestJet Rewards until December 15, 2022. Then, to keep the status for 2023 you simply need to reach 20% of the regular required tier spend for the tier level you are matched to.
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Last minute loyalty program laundry - check for expiring miles and points, vouchers and more
With just a week left in 2021 now is a good time to double check if you have any points and miles that will be expiring at the end of this year. For the most part, the majority of loyalty programs have extended the pause on points and miles expiry into 2022 however there are a select few that are not. The biggest program I can think that is not extending points expiry after December 31, 2021 is World of Hyatt. There are others as well which I list further below in the post.
Tuesday, August 10, 2021
August 10 Update: Porter Airlines contest giving away 300 tickets, new look for the Walmart Rewards Mastercard & Chatrium Hotels Points Plus added to Rewards Canada
Here's your Rewards Canada Daily update! Your daily dose (or near
daily dose) of loyalty program, credit card and travel news, bonuses,
deals and more.
Porter Airlines is getting ready to start service again in September and to celebrate they have launched a contest giving away 300 tickets over the next three weeks. Each week 100 tickets will be given away to 100 lucky winners for completing a social media action on Instagram or Facebook. Learn more about the contest here.
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
November 18 Update: Porter Airlines delays relaunch to February 2021, new bank account offers page & a targeted upgrade offer for TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum cardholders
Porter Airlines has further pushed back their re-launch of flights. The airlines is now set to start up again on February 11, 2021. Find out more here.
Image via Porter Airlines
---
Thursday, October 15, 2020
October 15 Update: More confirmed Amex Cobalt Multipliers, Sunwing resuming flights on November 6 while Porter pushes relaunch date back to December
We have another update to our American Express Cobalt Card Confirmed Multiplier Locations page. Regular provider of Cobalt Multiplier locations FM provided the following points earning locations from British Columbia:
- 1x Poplar Grove (not Poplar Grove Cheese) - BC
- 1x Cannery Brewing - BC
- 5x (all in BC) Sungiven Foods, Earl's, Douce Diner, The Nest & Nectar, Wayne & Freda, Smoke & Oak, Cazba.
You can find these and hundreds more confirmed locations here.
Airline Schedule Updates
A summary Canadian operations based on data from RoutesOnline and other
sources. Remember that many of these route plans are subject to change
and right now they are changing frequently!
Sunwing the airline Canadians love to hate, well
actually that can be said about any Canadian airline, is looking to
restart sun destination flying in November. Initial routes are listed
below (Source RoutesOnline)
Montreal – Cancun eff 06NOV20 2 weekly
Montreal – Montego Bay eff 07NOV20 1 weekly
Montreal – Punta Cana eff 06NOV20 1 weekly
Toronto – Cancun eff 07NOV20 2 weekly
Toronto – Liberia eff 30NOV20 1 weekly
Toronto – Montego Bay eff 06NOV20 2 weekly
Toronto – Punta Cana eff 06NOV20 2 weekly
Image via Sunwing
Meanwhile Porter Airlines has further pushed back their relaunch to December 15. (Source Porter)
Image via Porter Airlines
This is somewhat of a surprise seeing that Australia isn't planning
on their doors to Canadians for sometime still but perhaps some cargo
contracts came up in that Air Canada is planning 3x
weeklly service between Vancouver and Sydney from December 10 to January
10. I guess it also makes sense for Canadians living in Australia who
want to come back for Christmas and vice-versa for Aussies here in
Canada. (Source RoutesOnline)
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.
Posts since our last update:
- Marriott Bonvoy extends the 2,500 bonus points per stay + extra points after multiple stays offer to November 10
In the last episode of the Rewards Canada Podcast I discussed the outlook for loyalty programs for the…
- Fairmont's
Stay Close offer of every 2nd night free returns with a vengeance and
you can earn triple ALL Accor Live Limitless points on those stays
From May to August of this year we provided an abundant amount of coverage of Fairmont's Stay Close…
- New Amex Offer for Mobile Service Providers - 4 Bonus Membership Rewards Points per dollar spent
Another Amex offer became available today that you can check your accounts to see if has been sent…
- Earn 3x RBC Rewards Points at McDonald's with eligible RBC Visa credit cards
There is a new RBC Offers offer that came out last week that I caught on the RBC…
- October
14 Update: WestJet cuts majority of Atlantic Canada flights, American
AAdvantage lowers elite qualifying requirements & Air Canada's U.S.
flight schedule for November
Some unwelcome news from WestJet today as they have announced that they pulling the majority of their flights from…
Deals:
Air Canada has launched a sun sale for those of you who are ready to escape winter! The offer provides 20% off on all base fares to select sun destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and the U.S.. Book by Oct 16 for travel until Apr 30. Find out more here.
Earn $300 cash when you open a new Scotiabank Ultimate Package! Plus earn Scotia Rewards or SCENE Rewards points. Find out more here.
If you aren't using the Ampli Cash Back app yet you can get $5 when you download the app and join today with promo code AMPLI5 Find out more here
SkipTheDishes - Sign up with this link to get $5 off your first order over $15. Find out more here
WealthSimple Trade: Receive $5 when you deposit and trade at least $100 worth of stock with WealthSimple Trade. Find out more here (We will also receive $5 when you receive $5)
Rewards Canada receives a small commission when you use any of the above offers. You don't have to chose to use our links but we thank you in advance if you do.
Canadian Bonus Offers
N/A
Other Bonus Offers
ALL Accor Live Limitless
- Triple ALL Rewards Points for stays at participating Accor Hotels in Canada, USA, Mexico, and Panama. More... Book by Jan 15 for stays until Apr 15, 21
- 1,000 Bonus ALL Rewards Points when you purchase an Ibis Business Card and complete a stay. More... Purchase by Dec 31 for stays until Feb 28, 21
Best Western Rewards
- Double Rewards Points or Airline Miles for stays at the Best Western Plus Executive Suites Albuquerque. More.. Until Dec 31, 20
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
- Double Gold Plus Rewards Points on Hertz bookings at partipating
locations in the United States, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, Slovak Republic, Spain & United Kingdom. More... Unknown end date
Iberia Plus
- 50% Bonus Avios when you rent a car with Avis for 2 or more days in Europe and the U.K.. More... Book by Dec 3 for rentals until Feb 28, 21
Miles & More
- Double Miles & More Miles for stays at all HYPERION Hotels, H4
Hotels, H2 Hotels and H+ Hotels in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. More... Until Dec 31, 20
Follow Rewards Canada:
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
April 28 Update: Top 5 Mastercard Cards to use at Costco, Porter Airlines delays restart to June 29, Eurowings cans new Calgary-Frankfurt flight
We updated our 5+ year old feature on the Top 5 Mastercard Cards to use at Costco. Thing is, it will need to be updated again on June 2 when the Rogers Mastercard changes kick in. See the updated feautre here.
Porter Airlines has pushed back the relaunch of their flights to June 29 from June 1. (Source Porter)
We are extending our temporary suspension of all flights due to COVID-19 until June 29. Porter temporarily suspended flying on March 21, as government-imposed travel restrictions and public health measures were increasing in North America.
Our initial restart date of June 1, was something we believed was reasonable at the time. While there are many promising signs about how COVID-19 is being contained, it is also clear that the current border restrictions, regional stay-at-home orders and limits on large gatherings will remain in place for many regions through much of May and into June. This makes it difficult for people to travel, so Porter will continue aligning its approach with the public health response.
Our return to flying will be done in a responsible manner, taking into account health and safety precautions.
To provide flexibility and give travelers peace of mind when purchasing for future travel, Porter is waiving change and cancellation fees on all fares booked by June 29. This also applies to Porter Escapes vacation packages. Tickets for travel beginning June 29 are available for purchase now.
Airline Schedule Updates
This will now be a standard feature for the foreseeable future in our daily update posts as we summarize Canadian operations based on data from RoutesOnline
The new Eurowings flight between Calgary and Frankfurt that was set to launch on June 1st has been cancelled (Source RoutesOnline)
Qatar Airways appears to be continuing with 4x weekly service between Montreal and Doha until the end of May (Source RoutesOnline)
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:
- Well that didn't last long - Mastercard World & World Elite cards may lose Foodora benefitAt the beginning of the month we let you know about the new benefits that Mastarcard Canada added to…
- Aeroplan further extends reward flight flexible cancellation policy & pausing of mileage expirationAeroplan sent us an email this morning to pass along the news that they have further extended several policies…
- Earn up to 7x Aeroplan Miles for online shopping with the Aeroplan eStore Mother's Day EventA new bonus offer event launched today via Aeroplan's online shopping portal. To celebrate Mother's Day they are offering…
- April
24 Update: Platinum Card offer added to various Rewards Canada
features, PC Optimum Bonus Redemption Event, NEXUS interviews postponed
furtherWe have updated some features on the Rewards Canada site to reflect the latest limited time offer of double…
Deals:
Casper: Take 10% off a mattress with code GOODSNOOZ. Valid through 5/11.Hello Fresh: save $65 in total, including free shipping on the first box! Find out more here.
Missfresh: Simplify your life with 45% off your first 2 consecutive orders with code SIMPLIFY45. Find out more here.
Rewards Canada receives a small commission when you use any of the above offers. You don't have to chose to use our links but we thank you in advance if you do.
Canadian Bonus Offers
Air Canada Aeroplan- Receive Air Canada Altitude 25K status when you earn 50,000 Aeroplan Miles (by almost any method) by May 31. Existing elite members can also boost their status. More... Until May 31, 20
- Earn up to 7x Aeroplan Miles for shopping at select retailers online via the Aeroplan eStore shopping portal. More... Until May 3, 20
Other Bonus Offers
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan- Double Mileage Plan when you rent for 2+ days on a weekly or weekend rental at participating Hertz locations in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. More... Until Jun 30, 20
ALL Accor Live Limitless
- Triple ALL Rewards Points when you book an event, meeting or conference at participating Accor Hotels Worldiwde. More... Until Dec 31, 20
American AAdvantage
- Double AAdvantage Miles when you rent for 2+ days on a weekly or weekend rental at participating Hertz locations in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. More... Until Jun 30, 20
Amtrak Guest Rewards
- Double Guest Rewards Points when you rent for 2+ days on a weekly or weekend rental at participating Hertz locations in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. More... Until Jun 30, 20
IHG Rewards Club
- Double HG Rewards Club Bonus points for stays at select New IHG hotels in Southeast Asia More... Until Dec 30, 20
Marriott Bonvoy
- 3,000 Bonus Bonvoy Points for stays in a suite at the The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale. More... Until May 31, 20
- 10,000 Bonus Bonvoy Points for stays of 2+nights at the Denver Marriott South at Park Meadows. More... Until May 15, 20
- 2,000 Bonus Bonvoy Points PER NIGHT at the New Orleans Marriott or the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel. More... Until Jun 23, 20
Follow Rewards Canada:
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Porter Airlines to suspend all operations from March 20 to May 31
Porter Airlines announced this morning that they will be temporarily suspending all operations from Friday March 20 to May 31 and will resume flights on June 1.
Here are the details as provided by Porter's CEO Michael Deluce:
"The speed of developments related to COVID-19 is shocking. It is having an unprecedented impact around the globe on businesses, economies and people.
Porter supports the efforts of the Canadian, U.S. and global authorities in their responses. Government actions make it apparent that restricting activities by people in all communities is what’s required to keep everyone healthy, and ultimately to end this fast-spreading pandemic.
As a result, we are doing our part by temporarily suspending flights at the conclusion of the operating day on Friday, March 20. We will resume service on June 1. This time period allows the COVID-19 public health crisis to diminish and then time for us to effectively restart operations.
We intend to operate a schedule through Friday, to ensure all customers have an opportunity to complete trips or make last-minute travel arrangements. This will occur as long as aviation and public health infrastructure allows us to do so safely.
To assist our passengers in returning home on short notice, we’ve waived change and cancellation fees for all our flights. Changes and cancellations can be made online. If you have an upcoming flight booked with us during our temporary suspension, we will email you or your travel agent with information specific to your reservation. It isn’t necessary to contact us at this time while we assist passengers with travel requirements between now and Friday."
If you have a flight booked between those dates you should be able to get a full refund should you not want to re-book your travel for a later date.
You can learn more about this new development here.
We have updated our COVID-19 Resources page with these details as well.
Monday, January 13, 2020
WestJet Rewards status match is back, back again - Match to Silver or Gold from Air Canada or Porter
WestJet has brought back another elite status match offer. This one is very similar to the fall offer that ended on December 15. The major difference is the programs you can match from. The fall offer had quite a few airlines from Canada, the U.S. and even the U.K. This time you can only match from two Canadian airlines programs, Air Canada Altitude and Porter Airlines VIPorter.
From now until January 31 you can submit the form on WestJet's Status Match Offer page with all your details like name, WestJet Rewards # and proof of status from Altitude or VIPorter showing your name, current status valid through to a minimum February 29, 2020. Once approved, you will then receive WestJet Rewards Silver or Gold status until March 31, 2020 as follows:
To extend your status beyond March 31 you can take part in their challenges two challenges. Challenge one requires only one flight on WestJet by March 31 to extend your status to June 30 as follows:
- AC Altitude and Porter members must take minimum one WestJet flight anywhere
- US carriers: AA, Alaska and UA must take minimum one U.S.transborder flight
- British Airways members must take minimum one transatlantic flight
- Gold members with a minimum qualifying spend of $2,500 between the date of upgrade in Challenge 1 and June 30, 2020 will retain Gold status for another year, until June 30, 2021. Silver members that have a minimum qualifying spend of $1,500 between the date of upgrade in Challenge 1 and June 30, 2020 will retain Silver status for another year until June 30, 2021
You can learn more about and register for this offer here.
Also remember that right now WestJet is offering an increased sign up bonus on their WestJet Rewards World Elite Mastercard. This offer provides 350 WestJet dollars after your first purchase on the card! And it provides the best annual companion voucher in Canada!
Related: Why my wife and I each grabbed our own WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercards
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
WestJet Rewards Elite Status Match for Air Canada Altitude, Aeroplan & Porter VIPorter members
WestJet has brought back their elite status match offer for members of select Canadian loyalty programs. Those who hold elite status with Air Canada Altitude, Aeroplan (yes Aeroplan!) and Porter's VIPorter program can get matched to Silver or Gold Elite status with WestJet Rewards.
As you can see, if you are a true frequent traveller, that is basically every level with Air Canada Altitude outside of 25K or a VIPorter Priority member you will get WestJet Gold Elite status. Aeroplan members of the program's two highest levels, Black or Diamond and the lowest levels of AC Altitude and VIPorter will receive Silver Elite Status.
Not only will you get the WestJet Elite status until the end of the year, you will also get a fast track to retain status to the end of your qualifying year. That means if you joined WestJet Rewards in May of whatever year you'll get the elite status until December 31st of this year but if you hit the lower spend thresholds with WestJet you would get that status extended to May of 2020. The spend requirements are $2,900 to retain Gold or $1,700 to retain Sliver. Normally you have to spend $5,000 to get Gold or $3,000 to get Silver.
Remember WestJet revamped their elite tiers earlier this year with such things as unlimited lounge access for Gold members, published details for upgrades and more.
Related: WestJet has unofficially opened their first lounge in Calgary
Here are the benefits of WestJet Silver and Gold Elite tiers:
You have until May 23rd to send in your elite status details from any of the three competing programs to get your WestJet elite status match.
Offer details:
Elite Status Match - Receive WestJet Silver or Gold Elite status when you hold status with Air Canada Altitude, Aeroplan or Porter Airlines VIPorter. Full details. Apply by May 23, 19
Monday, April 8, 2019
April 8 Update: Porter Airlines launching flights to Muskoka & 11 new bonus point and mile offers
Porter Airlines is launching summer seasonal service between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Muskoka Airport. The service which starts June 27 will operate twice per week until September 3. Find out more here
Posts since our last update:
- American Express Cobalt Card to have 5x points on Eats & Drinks capped at $30,000 per year starting this August
If you follow Rewards Canada on Twitter you'll have seen this news late last week. On Thursday Anshul at…
- Podcast
Episode 53 is here! Interview with Suzanne Tyson founder of
HigherEdPoints on how you can use loyalty points to pay for tuition and
student loans
Episode 53 - April 4, 2019 Interview with Suzanne Tyson, founder of HigherEdPointsThis week we catch up with Suzanne…
- HSBC World Elite Mastercard - Up to 60,000 bonus points + first year annual fee waived (90,000 points + annual fee for Quebec)
HSBC launched a new acquisition offer for their World Elite Mastercard this month. This offer stands out over the…
To celebrate the launch of the Muskoka service, Porter Airlines is offering 30% off flights to/from Muskoka when using promo code U6B8FB. 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
N/A
Other Bonus Offers
Hilton Honors
- Double Honors Points for stays on the Taste of New York City package at the Hilton Garden Inn New York/Times Square Central. More... Until Dec 31, 19
Hyatt World of Hyatt
- 2,000 Bonus World of Hyatt Points for your first stay at each of Hyatt's new brands of Thompson Hotels (starting March 28), Joie de Vivre (starting May 15), Alila and Destination Hotels (both coming soon) Maximum bonus of 8,000 points. Plus earn a free night if you stay at all four brands. More... Until Dec 31, 19
Philippine Airlines Mabuhay
- Double Mabuhay Miles when you rent with Hertz for 3 or more days in USA, Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. More... Book by May 31 for rentals until Jun 30, 19
Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- Earn up to 14,000 QMiles when you fly Qatar Airways between Doha and Rabat. More... May 29 - Aug 25, 19
Radisson Rewards
- 1,000 Bonus Points and up to 15% off for stays at the participating Radisson Blu, Radisson, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson and Country Inn & Suite by Radisson hotels in Asia Pacific. More... Book by Jun 2 for stays until Aug 31, 19
- Earn up to 50% Bonus Points when you buy Radisson Rewards points. Bonus varies by member. More... Until Apr 30, 19
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Earn up to 500 KrisFlyer Miles for stays at Accor Hotels Worldwide plus new Le Club AccorHotels members will earn 500 more miles. More... Book by May 31 for stays Apr 15 - Jun 30, 19
Sonesta Hotels Travel Pass
- Double Travel Pass Points for stays at participating Sonesta Hotels Worldwide. More... Book by May 31 for stays until Jun 30, 19
South African Airways Voyager
- Earn up to 25% Bonus Voyager Miles when you fly between Johannesburg and Frankfurt or Munich. More... Until Jun 30, 19
SriLankan FlySmiles
- Double FlySmiles when you fly SriLankan from Dhaka to Colombo. More... Book by Apr 15 for travel until May 31, 19
Voila Hotel Rewards
- Earn 1,250 FREE Voila Hotel Rewards Points when you complete a small survey on VHR’s Facebook page! More... Until May, 31, 19
Follow Rewards Canada:
Friday, August 3, 2018
Aeroplan rejects Air Canada's bid, partners with Porter Airlines and is in talks with oneworld
And now today we get the biggest confirmed Aeroplan news yet that continues to show that Aeroplan wants to remain independent and that is they have officially partnered with Porter Airlines, Canada's third largest airline. Aeroplan will essentially become Porter's currency:
"...a comprehensive partnership designating Porter as a preferred Canadian airline to issue Aeroplan Miles on Porter routes effective July 2020. Porter will also become a redemption partner, as of the effective time of the agreement, offering up to 60% of seat inventory for the purchase of flights with Aeroplan Miles at fixed-rate prices. The arrangement includes an extensive cooperative marketing program targeting existing Aeroplan members, with an emphasis on members who travel on Porter routes."You may be asking what happens VIPorter points at that time and the answer is also in the press release that VIPorter points will be converted in Aeroplan miles in July of 2020. Porter Airlines however will keep VIPorter running as their elite recognition program (just like Air Canada Altitude runs separate from Aeroplan) and it will continue to offer their elite members benefits such as priority boarding, complimentary seat selection and checked baggage allowances.
This partnership is great news for Aeroplan but it reality it isn't that huge for Aeroplan members as Porter is a relatively small airline flying to 16 cities in Canada (Ontario, Quebec & the Maritimes) and 7 cities in the U.S.. It doesn't mean much for Western Canada unless Porter gets its way to have the runway extended at their home airport (Toronto's Island Airport aka Billy Bishop Toronto City airport) so they can fly Airbus A220 airplanes (nee Bombardier CSeries) on longer routes to cities like Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.
It has definitely been another exciting 48 hours in the Air Canada Aeroplan soap opera and as we always remind our readers, you can keep track of it all on our Air Canada Aeroplan resource page.
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
July 11 Update: Porter Airlines route news, Double Best Western Rewards points in Asia + more
Porter Airlines is expanding service between Ottawa and New Brunswick with new flights from the nation's capital to Fredricton and Saint John. The once daily flights to both cities will launch in September. (Source Routesonline)
On the flipside, Porter is getting rid of their Toronto Island to North Bay route in September. (Source Routesonline)
Posts since our last update:
- AIR MILES expands partnership with Transat - more travel options, more ways to book and more mileage earning
After a tough year in 2016, AIR MILES is doing what it can to show Canadians they are still…
- Top 5 Credit Card Sign Up offers for July
Here are the Rewards Canada Top 5 Credit Card Sign Up offers for the month of July! This is not…
Canadian Bonus Offers
N/A
Other Bonus Offers
Best Western Rewards
- Double Rewards Points for stays at Best Western hotels in Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, or Thailand. More... Until Sep 30, 17
Iberia Plus
- 500 Bonus Avios for stays at any participating Novotel, Novotel Suites and Mercure Hotels Worldwide. More... Until Sep 30, 17
La Quinta Returns
- Earn up to Triple Returns Points for stays at participating La Quinta locations in the U.S.. More... Until Aug 10, 17
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
- Double ROP Miles for all women who fly on Thai Airways during the month of August. More... Aug 1 - 31, 17
Follow Rewards Canada: