April 20 Update: New 20% statement credit Amex Offer for QANTAS flights, earn 10x miles site wide on AIR MILES Shops & Scene+ hopes for a fix by May

Here's your Rewards Canada Daily update! Your near daily dose of loyalty program, credit card and travel news, bonuses, deals and more. Be sure to subscribe to the Rewards Canada News email newsletter so that you don't miss out on any loyalty program news and offers! You can subscribe to the newsletter here

For the third day in a row we see another new statement credit from Amex Offers. Today's new offer is for buying tickets on QANTAS. I received it on my Platinum Card and it is as follows:

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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June 20 Update: Qantas revamps their Frequent Flyer program, Azore Airlines now codeshares on WestJet flights & more

Australia's Qantas announced a revamp of their Frequent Flyer program today. As it is not a major player in our market (they do serve Vancouver) we won't go into huge detail on the changes but here is an overview of what is happening:

• More award seat availability - adding more than 1,000,000 seats on Qantas and new partner airlines
• Carrier surcharges to be reduced by up to 50% on international flights
• Up to a 10% reduction in points for international economy classic flight reward seats
• Up to a 15% increase in points for domestic and international premium cabins
• More partners to earn and redeem on including Air New Zealand, Air France, KLM and more
• Lifetime Platinum Status to be launched and awarded to those who have earned 75,000 status credits

Overall there are some bright spots - a program actually reducing the amount of points required for economy class awards is a good move along with reducing the unpopular carrier surcharges on awards is a step in the right direction. Hopefully this is what we see happen to the new Air Canada Aeroplan program that is slated to come in 2020! The increase for premium seats is unfortuntaley an unwelcome devaluation. The reduction in econonmy class awards and surcharges take place right away while the increase in premium cabins will kick in on September 18. You can learn more about the changes here.

Here is an unexpected partnership - Azore Airlines now codeshares on WestJet flights out of Toronto to most major Canadian cities. Azore Airlines does serve Torontoso this will allow for easier connections to major Canadian cities. Now we just need to see if WestJet will add their code to the Azores Airlines flight! (Source Routesonline)

Posts since our last update:

• 35% Bonus Aeroplan Miles when you convert Marriott Bonvoy points until June 26
  Aeroplan is pretty famous for their hotel transfer bonus promotions - we get to see them several times per…
• Details on the newly launched MBNA Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard
   MBNA (and parent company TD) along with Amazon announced today the launch of a new Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard. You may…
• Earn your share of 10 million bonus Aeroplan Miles when you book Air Canada flights by June 23
  Air Canada Aeroplan's summer booking bonus has returned for another year! This is the bonus offer where they will…
• Marriott Bonvoy’s summer promotion is here – earn 1,500 bonus points for each stay of 2+ nights
  Marriott has finally revealed their summer global systemwide promotion entitled Endless Earning. With this promotion all members can earn…

Travel Deals

Enjoy up to a 100EUR daily hotel credit for stays at participating Marriott Hotels & Resorts in Europe! Book by Aug 25 for stays until Sep 14, 2019. Find out more here.

IHG Global Sale! Book now and save up to 20% at thousands of IHG® Hotels & Resorts worldwide when you book between now and July 31st.! Full details

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
- 5,000 Bonus Honors points when you stay at least two nights at participating Waldorf Astoria™ or Conrad® hotels & resorts. More... Targeted offer - may not work for everyone Until Dec 31, 20
Marriott Bonvoy
- Earn 1,500 Bonus Bonvoy Points on all stays of 2 or more nights at over 7,000 Marriott Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. More... Register by Sep 2 for stays Jul 2 – Sep 16, 19

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- 30% KrisFlyer Miles redemption discount on selected destinations across the Singapore Airlines and SilkAir network. More... Book by Jun 30 for travel Jul 1 - 31, 19

Stash Hotel Rewards
- Double Stash Rewards Points for stays at The Carmen Hotel Playa del Carmen More... Until Jul 31, 19



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You can now redeem WestJet Rewards dollars for flights on Qantas

It was told to us in a press release early this year that you could expect a Qantas redemption option with WestJet Rewards by the end of 2017. Well it's here now! As of today you are now be able to redeem WestJet Rewards dollars for flights on Qantas! This marks the fourth major airline that WestJet has added to their roster for redemption. First we had Delta, then Air France and KLM and now Qantas. You are able to redeem for flights on Qantas to Australia, New Zealand and beyond.




Qantas does only serve one city in Canada, Vancouver, but when you go to redeem for flights on Qantas many routes will take you on WestJet to one of Qantas' U.S. gateways for the flights across the Pacific. The primary connecting points are Dallas (DFW), Honolulu (HNL), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO) and Vancouver (YVR) to Sydney (SYD), Brisbane (BNE) and Melbourne (MEL). Be aware that there is a limit of three segments per itinerary; therefore, you may notice in your searches that availability for itineraries past SYD, BNE or MEL will only be available for those origin cities that have a direct WS flight to one of QF's North American connection cities. For example, Calgary to Cairns with connections in LAX and SYD (ie.  YYC-LAX-SYD-CNS). 

Unlike your standard redemption on Econo, Flex or Plus fares, where WestJet dollars act like cash towards the base fare;  WestJet dollar redemption for travel on Qantas are a flat rate known as Member Exclusive fares, which require you to redeem the full amount (100%) in WestJet dollars. And, similar to Delta, Air France and KLM you will only be able to redeem WestJet dollars for economy class at this time.

Here are the WestJet dollar requirements for flights on Qantas to areas they fly to:

• Canada to Australia & New Zealand: from 629 WestJet dollars each way (1258 round trip)
  
  All the above do not include taxes or fees
  Above rates are subject to change when this new redemption feature is fully rolled out

The above rates are valid from any Canadian city that WestJet serves which can make this very valuable in those cities where fares tend to be high like Whitehorse or Deer Lake!


Here is are some examples of Qantas redemption options we found on WestJet's site:

 

And just a small list of the cities now available that you book with Qantas

Availability looks pretty good!

Once again great news for WestJet Rewards members! What a year of growth it has been for this program as now you have even more options to use your WestJet dollars with. As we said before all that remains is redemption for Business or First Class (which we hope will come when WestJet adds their own Business Class), more non-airline partners likes hotels and car rental companies and this program will be a full fledged frequent flyer program!


Click here to check out Qantas and other WestJet Rewards Member Exclusive Fares

Let us know what you think about this latest addition to the WestJet Rewards program! Will you make use of it? Does it make you want to consider the program more so now then ever? Simply comment below!

October 26 Update: Qantas Frequent Flyer enhancements, 3,000 easy Club Carlson points & British Airways closing Toronto lounge

If you are lucky enough to be a frequent traveller to Australia, not only are we jealous of you but now you can earn more points if you are making those flights on Qantas! Australian Business Traveller reports that Qantas Frequent Flyer has increased the points and status credits earned on Premium Economy and Business Class tickets from Vancouver, Los Angeles and San Francisco to Australia. Meanwhile they have also lowered some of the points requirements for upgrades out of Los Angeles.

Photo Credit: Australian Business Traveller

Over on our global site, FrequentFlyerBonuses.com we highlighted a very easy way to earn some bonus Club Carlson Gold Points. Via thier app, Club Carlson has added an Extra Partners section where you can shop and earn Club Carlson points for doing so. They are promoting the section by awarding 3,000 Gold Points on your first eligible purchase (many of which only require US$1) and iTunes music purchases seems to be the way to go. The only thing we are unsure of is whether Canadian accounts will work. If you give it a shot let us know how it goes just make sure you are spending enough in C$ to be over US$1 (so I would go with C$1.35 at a minimum). eBay and Groupon also look like easy options for us Canadians. Find out more here.

Per this FlyerTalk thread British Airways will be closing their lounge at Toronto's Pearson airport on October 31 and will begin to use one of the Plaza Premium lounges for their elite members and people fliyng in a premium class. Not good news at all as this lounge was one of their better offerings in North America according to many flyers.

Posts since our last update:

• Groupon expands mileage/point earning to six more airline & hotel programs
  Back in May we detailed Groupon's first foray into the world of miles and points with their partnership with…
• Hilton Honors Weekenders offer - Save on Saturday and Sunday night stays
  The best way to prepare for Monday? Make the most of Saturday and Sunday. Join the weekenders at Hilton.…
• 100% Bonus when you buy IHG Rewards Club Points - timed to coincide with the new PointBreaks
  Later today we should be getting a preview of 5-10 hotels that will be on IHG Rewards Club's newest…

Canadian Bonus Offers
N/A

Other Bonus Offers
Carlson Hotels Club Carlson
- 3,000 Bonus Gold Points for completing your first transaction with any of Club Carlson's Extras Partners, including iTunes, eBay, Groupon and more via the Carlson App. More... Until Dec 31, 17

Choice Privileges
- Earn up to 50% Bonus Privileges Points when you buy 5,000 or more points online. More... Until Nov 14 ,17

Emirates Skywards
- Double Skywards Miles for stays at Oberoi Hotels & Resorts worldwide and Trident Hotels across India. More... Until Mar 31, 18
- Triple Skywards Miles for stays of 2+ night at the Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh or Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor, Siem Reap. Exclusive offer for EK388 passengers. More... Book by Dec 15 for stays until Dec 20, 17

IHG Rewards Club
- 100% Bonus IHG Rewards Club Points when you buy points online.  More... Until Nov 3, 17

Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- Earn up to 1,000 Bonus QMiles when you earn miles from 2 or more Privilege Club travel (non airline), service or financial partners. More... Nov 1 - 30, 17

Follow Rewards Canada:

May 25 Update: Marriott Rewards testing non-stay points earning, WestJet & Qantas expand relationship, 8 new bonuses

News, Tips & Tricks
United Airlines is dropping service on the following Canadian routes: Edmonton to Chicago & San Francisco; London to Chicago and Montreal to Houston. (Source Airlineroute.net)

Marriott Rewards is now testing non-stay points earning for dining/drinking at their hotel restaurant and bars. This is similar to what SPG already has so this could be seen as another sign of Marriott Rewards adapting to appease SPG members when the time comes for the two programs to merge. The program is being tested at 21 hotels in the Washington D.C. and Baltimore area and we would assume it will be expanded after this pilot project. (Source USA Today)

Posts since our last update:

• WestJet, Qantas unveil reciprocal frequent flyer agreement
  Exciting news from WestJet today that we hinted at sometime ago! WestJest and Qantas announced an expansion to their partnership…
• Marriott Rewards 2016 Global Promotion - Earn up to 12,000 Bonus Points for stays this summer
  Marriott's newest systemwide promotion was released today. It is similar in vain to MegaBonus however it appears it is only…

Bonus Offers
airberlon topbonus
- Double topbonus miles when you fly airberlin between the U.S. and Germany. More... Register and book by May 31 for flights until Jun 30, 16
- Earn up to 3,000 Bonus topbonus Miles for stays at Best Western Hotels in Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia. More... Until Aug 31, 16

Hilton HHonors
- Earn 50,000 Bonus HHonors Points when you stay four nights or more in 90 days at Hilton Hotels Worldwide. More... Targeted Offer - May not work for everyone Until Jul 10, 16

Jet Airways JetPrivilege
- Triple JPMiles for stays at over 2,800 Accor Hotels Worldwide. More... Jun 13 - Aug 31, 16

Le Club accorhotels
- 500 Bonus Le Club Accorhotels Points for stays at participating Sofitel, Pullman, Novotel and Mercure hotels in Spain & Portugal. More... Book by Jun 30 for stays Jun 15 - Aug 31, 16

Marriott Rewards
- Earn up to 12,000 Bonus Rewards Points for stays at any participating Marriott Hotel Worldwide. More... Until Sep 5, 16

Starwood Preferred Guest
- 35% Discount when you buy Starpoints online - Valid only for SPG Credit Card Holders. More... Until Jun 3, 16

TAP Portugal Victoria
- Double Victoria Miles when you stay a minimum of two nights at PortoBay Hotels in Brazil. More... Until Jul 31, 16


Follow Rewards Canada:

Today's Bonus Offer Highlight is brought to you by:
 

WestJet, Qantas unveil reciprocal frequent flyer agreement

Exciting news from WestJet today that we hinted at sometime ago! WestJest and Qantas announced an expansion to their partnership by offering reciprocal frequent flyer benefits. WestJet Rewards members can immediately earn WestJet dollars when flying on Qantas and in 2017 will be able to redeem dollars for Qantas! The same goes for Qantas Frequent Flyer members who immediately can earn QFF Points on WestJet flights and can already redeem points for Qantas code share flights flown by WestJet! This is exactly what WestJet needed to do to further grow their program into a true frequent flyer program and has just added value to WestJet Rewards!

WestJet, Qantas unveil reciprocal frequent flyer agreement
Agreement expands on existing code-share relationship

CALGARY, May 24, 2016 /CNW/ - Today WestJet and Qantas Airways (Qantas) announced a reciprocal frequent flyer agreement where members of the airlines' frequent flyer programs can earn their choice of WestJet dollars or Qantas Points when travelling on flights of either airline. This agreement expands on the existing code-share relationship between Qantas and WestJet announced in 2014.

"We are thrilled to team up with Qantas to bring significant benefit to guests of both airlines," said Bob Cummings, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Commercial. "We are confident that our members are going to love earning WestJet dollars while flying on the Qantas global network, and we are equally excited to welcome Qantas frequent flyers aboard and offer them a new opportunity to earn Qantas Points everywhere WestJet flies.

"This will be a significant improvement to our reward program value proposition," Cummings continued. "Our research showed that global travel is a significant aspirational attribute that our program needs. We have come a long way with our rewards program and airline partnerships since launching in 2010, and will continue to add value to our guests through these vehicles going forward. Adding these capabilities to our rewards program and working with our airline partners are all part of our long-term strategic plan."

Effective May 24, 2016 Qantas Frequent Flyers can also redeem Qantas Points on Qantas code-share flights operated by WestJet, giving Qantas Frequent Flyers access to numerous WestJet destinations throughout Canada and the USA when connecting to or from a Qantas international service. WestJet and Qantas are currently working on plans to introduce fully reciprocal redemption for both airlines in 2017, so WestJet members will be able redeem on Qantas flights and Qantas Frequent Flyers will be able to redeem on WestJet flights.

"Not surprisingly, travel is the number one interest of Qantas Frequent Flyers so we know our members will be excited about being able to earn and use their points when travelling with WestJet," said Lesley Grant, Qantas Loyalty CEO. "Qantas Frequent Flyer has more than 50 airline partners and affiliates, which gives our members access to over 1,200 destinations and this partnership with WestJet opens up even more new routes for them to fly while earning and using their Qantas Points."

Sep 16 Update: Air Canada & United team up for London bonuses, Qantas returns to Vancouver, British Airways Fall Seat Sale

Another day with lots to bring you!

News, Tips & Tricks
In what maybe a test of the market, Qantas will be returning to Vancouver albeit for only a short stint in January. Qantas last served Vancouver nearly 6 years ago and this service will only run twice a week from January 3rd to 23rd. (Source Airlineroute.net)

Priority Pass has added the multi-airline SkyTeam lounge in London Heathrow's Terminal 4 to their ever growing roster of lounges. This lounge is a great addition to the program and should no doubt appease anyone traveling through T4. If you don't have Priority Pass via one of the credit cards that offer it you can always take advantage of our partnership with Priority Pass for exclusive discounts on annual memberships. You can find our more about our discounts here.

Air Canada Rouge will make their first foray into the Asian market when the seasonal Vancouver to Osaka route returns in May of 2015. This route has also a 6 year absence of service. (Source Airlineroute.net)

We have completed our first ever Cash Back Credit Card Review! The new SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express gets the Rewards Canada review treatment. See how it fairs here.

Travel Deals
British Airways has launched a new flights and vacation sale!  There are some great offers to be had for flights to Europe and Flights+Hotel packages as well. Simply book by Sep 23! Full details and online booking

Bonus Offers
Air Canada / Aeroplan
- Earn up to 35,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles on non stop round-trip flights (or 2 one-way segments) with Air Canada between Canada and London or with United between the U.S. and London. More... Register and book between Sep 15 and Dec 12 for travel between Sep 23 and Dec 12, 14
- Quadruple Aeroplan Miles for each qualified stay at any Best Western® branded hotel in Canada, the United States, or the Caribbean Islands. More... Until Nov 30, 14

airberlin topbonus
- 2,000 Bonus topbonus Miles per eligible stay at over 2,700 Accor hotels worldwide. More... Until Dec 31, 14

Bangkok Airways FlyerBonus (on FrequentFlyerBonuses.com only)
- Triple FlyerBonus Points when you fly with Bangkok Airways between Chiang Mai and Phuket, Udon Thani, Mandalay, or Yangon. More... Oct 26, 14 - Jan 31, 15
- Triple FlyerBonus Points for stays of 3 nights or more at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort. More... Book by Oct 31 for stays until Nov 30, 14
- Earn up to 8x Bonus FlyerBonus Points for stays at the Tara Angkor Hotel, Siem Reap, Cambodia. More... Until Oct 31, 14

British Airways Executive Club
- 3,000 Bonus Avios on your first Rocketmiles booking. The bonus can only be earned once per member. More... Book by Dec 31 for stays until Apr 30, 15

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- Double Asia Miles when you fly round-trip in Business Class on Cathay Pacific between Canada and Hong Kong. More... Register by Nov 15 for travel until Nov 30, 14 Valid for residents of Canada only
- Double Asia Miles when you stay at any participating Ascott, Citadines or Somerset serviced residence for two consecutive nights or more at Best Flexible Rate Worldwide. More... Oct 1 - Nov 30, 14

IHG Rewards Club
- Earn up to a 100% when buying IHG Rewards Club points online. More... Until Sep 22, 14

Jet Airways JetPrivilege
- Triple JetPrivilege Miles when you stay at properties within the Hilton HHonors™ portfolio Worldwide. More... Until Nov 30, 14

Le Club accorhotels
- Earn up to 8,000 Bonus Le Club Accorhotels Points for stays at participating Accor Hotels Worldwide. More... Book by Oct 5 for stays until Dec 31, 14
- 1,000 Bonus Le Club Accorhotels Points and up 30% off .for stays at participating Mercure Hotels in the U.K.. More... Book by Dec 31 for stays between Oct 10 and Feb 1, 15
- Triple Le Club Accorhotels Points and up 30% off .for stays at participating Novotel Hotels in the U.K.. More... Book by Dec 31 for stays between Sep 28 and Feb 1, 15

United MileagePlus
- Earn up to 35,000 Bonus MileagePlus Miles on paid qualifying travel between the U.S. or Canada and London on flights operated by United or Air Canada. More... Register and book between Sep 15 and Dec 12 for travel between Sep 23 and Dec 12, 14


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