Why the American Express Cobalt Card is the best card to get for your future travel plans

It has now been over a year since the Rewards Canada family has set foot on a plane and like many Canadians we are itching to get away! That being said we are fine to continue to wait to travel until things are safe to do so and also as important, enjoyable to do so. I say enjoyable in the terms of less restrictions in place when a lot of the current measures are lifted. So what do you do until said time? Do what we are doing. You make sure you rack up as many points and miles possible for those future travels. That's our motto of the year and of our Top Travel Rewards Credit Card rankings from which the number one card overall in Canada is your best bet for those future travels. The American Express Cobalt Card is one of the best options in Canada to score a lot points - and valuable flexible points at that - to help fund future travel. In fact in our household we actually run with two Cobalt accounts to maximize the points we earn off the cards.

May 21 Update: 30x Be Well points at Rexall this weekend and the Alberta Government imposes extra screening measures for international arrivals

Rexall is offering 30x Be Well points when you spend $30 or more in store this weekend. The offer runs from May 22 to 24 and represents a 12% return on your spending.

Image via Rexall

The Alberta government has put in place additional screening measures for travellers arriving at Calgary and Edmonton's airports from abroad. These new checkpoints will be after Canada Customs and will include thermal screening of travellers and those travellers must provide a detailed isolation plan including location, how they plan on obtaining food and who will be providing support to them during the 14 day period. (Source Calgary Herald)

Image via Calgary Airport Authority

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 and other sources. Remember that many of these route plans are subject to change and right now they are changing frequently!

Even though the closure of the Canada-U.S. border has been extended to June 21 it does appear that Air Canada is going ahead with a few select flights between Canada and the U.S. as of tomorrow. Mind you they have not updated their schedule page since May 15 (prior to the news) but I checked today and these flights can be booked on Air Canada's website. Those flights are Vancouver to Los Angeles and San Francisco and Toronto to Washington Dulles as well. On Monday Toronto to Boston and Chicago look to start. The remainder of their planned schedule is set to launch on June 22 . (Source Air Canada)

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.

The latest update to our COVID-19 page sees the details of Choice Hotels Privileges elite status extensions and upgrades and we have added Iceland's entry requirements to the Travel Resumption News, Articles & Information section.

Posts since our last update:

• American Express Business Edge Card Confirmed Multiplier Locations Feature
  You are probably familiar with a feature on our site entitled 'American Express Cobalt Card Confirmed Multiplier Locations' and…
• AIR MILES Bonus Boom is now live - earn bonus miles with participating partners until May 27
  The latest AIR MILES Bonus Boom event kicked off today with a whole bunch of bonus miles offers for various…
• Choice Privileges announces elite status extension and upgrades, further pause of expiring points & more
  Choice Hotels has finally provided an update for their Choice Privileges program in regards to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Early…
• May 20 Update: 50,000 bonus PC Optimum points with $150 online Shoppers purchase, CIBC Holidays for Heroes initiative, Qatar Airways modifies amazing re-booking policy
  Another big bonus from Shoppers Drug Mart! Earn 50,000 bonus PC Optimum points when you spend $150 or more…

Deals:

Fairmont's Canadian mountain resort hotels offering every 2nd night or 2nd room free for the rest of 2020!

Travelzoo and Whistler's Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel are selling discounted vouchers for future stays that are 100% fully refundable. You can buy vouchers that provide up to a 40% savings and includes breakfast & parking. Stay in a Deluxe King Studio, with a king bed, balcony, fully equipped kitchenette and dining table for two $139 (one night, check in June 1 - July 2; Aug. 30 - Sept. 30) Stay in a spacious Executive Studio, with a king bed, balcony, fully equipped kitchenette and dining table for four $149 (one night, check in July 3-31) $299 two nights, (check in Aug. 1-28) Find out more here. 

Travelzoo and Brewster's Mountain Lodge in Banff are selling discounted vouchers for future stays that are 100% fully refundable. You can buy vouchers for starting at $179-$199 each for June, $199-$239 for July and $269-$319 for August & September. Based on these numbers looks like they are anticipating a decent return to travel in late Summer. We did a quick check for a mid-week stay in June and Brewster's wanted $339 for the same room and the cheapest 3rd party rate we could find was $209. Sot the $179 voucher definitely provides some savings. 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

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Other Bonus Offers

Air China Phoenix Miles
- Double Phoenix Miles for stays at all participating World Hotels Worldwide. More... Until Mar 31, 20
- Triple Phoenix Miles for stays at all participating World Hotels Worldwide. More... Until Mar 31, 20

Marriott Bonvoy
- 500 Bonus Bonvoy Points PER NIGHT for stays at the Four Points by Sheraton Atlanta Airport West. More... Until Jun 20, 20

Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
- Double Miles + 600 Bonus ROP Miles on Budget rentals of 3 or more days in the USA, Canada, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. More... Book by Jun 30 for rentals until Jul 31, 20


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Government of Canada makes it a requirement to wear masks when flying as of April 20

Canada's Minister of Transport, Marc Garneau announced today that everyone traveling by air will be required to wear a mask. Meanwhile if you are travelling by boat, bus or rail you may be required or asked to do so as well:

Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau, announced new measures requiring all air passengers to have a non-medical mask or face covering to cover their mouth and nose during travel. These measures come into effect at noon EDT on April 20, 2020.

When travelling by air, travellers will be asked to cover their mouth and nose:

• at Canadian airport screening checkpoints, where the screeners cannot always keep two metres of separation between themselves and the traveller;
• when they cannot physically distance from others, or as directed by the airline employees; and
• when directed to do so by a public health order or public health official.

Aviation passengers on all flights departing or arriving at Canadian airports will also be required to demonstrate they have the necessary non-medical mask or face covering during the boarding process otherwise they will not be allowed to continue on their journey.  Passengers should follow the current Public Health Agency of Canada’s guidance on face coverings.

When travelling by marine modes of transportation, travellers are encouraged to wear non-medical masks or face coverings whenever possible. In addition, operators of ferries and essential passenger vessels will, when feasible:

• provide public messaging to travellers about the need to have a non-medical mask or face covering to cover their mouth and nose during their journey when they cannot maintain physical distance from others, and that passengers could be subject to denial of boarding should they fail to comply.

Passengers travelling by rail or motor carrier/bus modes of transportation are also strongly encouraged to wear non-medical masks or face coverings as much as possible. Passengers may be asked by the transportation operator to cover their noses and mouths when physical distancing is not possible.

Learn mor about the new measures here.

HT View from theWing

Travellers showing COVID-19 symptoms will no longer be able to travel domestically by plane or train

During his daily update on Saturday Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced new measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 within our own country. As of right now (Noon ET Monday March 30) anyone looking to travel by plane or train within their own province or to other provinces will not be allowed to travel if they are showing any symptoms.

The onus is on the airlines and the rail companies to check their passengers before boarding and denying them travel should the be exhibiting any symptoms.

This an excerpt from the Transport Canada directive for air travel:

• Beginning on March 30, 2020 at 12:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time:
  • Domestic Flights: Notify passengers, before boarding the aircraft for a domestic flight, that they may be subject to a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 taken by provincial or territorial government with jurisdiction at the destination airport for that flight; and
  • Domestic Flights and Flights Departing Canada: Conduct a health check of every passenger before the passenger boards the aircraft and advise every passenger that they are not to provide answers that they know to be false or misleading.

 And their guidance on how airlines should ask and handle their guests:

If the response (or non-response) to any of the four questions below results in the answer that is in bold, then a denial of boarding must be applied, in accordance with the Interim Order.

1. Do you have a fever and a cough? If YES or passenger refuses to answer, deny boarding.
2. Do you have a fever and breathing difficulty? If YES or passenger refuses to answer, deny boarding.
3. Have you been refused boarding in the past 14 days due to a medical reason related to COVID-19? If YES or passenger refuses to answer, deny boarding.
4. Are you the subject of a provincial/territorial or local public health order? If YES or passenger refuses to answer, deny boarding.

You can learn more about the rules being applied to air travel here. For train travel you can read TC's directive here.

Title screenshot via Government of Canada

Podcast Episode 66 - Taking advantage of last minute deals for Spring Break, that is if you are willing to travel

Episode 66 - March 12, 2020
Taking advantage of last minute deals for Spring Break, that is if you are willing to travel

With the March and April school breaks just around the corner we take the Rewards Canada podcast into All Inclusive and Last Minute travel mode. We talk about the deals that can be had for all inclusive packages plus how you can use points and miles for those packages. We do also discuss the latest news with the Coronavirus and how flights and travel might be affected. We delve into travel waivers from airlines, package operators and tips for your travel insurance.

Click Here to download the podcast (mp3)

or Download/subscribe via:

 

Links relating to this week's topics:

• Government of Canada Travel Advisories
• The Ultimate Guide to Credit Card & Loyalty Programs for the All Inclusive Vacationer
• March 11 Update: Summary of all major Canadian airline flight change waivers - Air Canada & WestJet extend offers to existing bookings
• Redemption Stories: Using Scotia Rewards points for an All Inclusive Vacation and utilizing free lounge passes from the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
• The Platinum Card from American Express receives a limited time increased welcome bonus of 60,000 points

 

Podcast Episode 65 - Coronavirus Update, Rogers Mastercard devaluation & Marriott Bonvoy Category Changes

Episode 65 - February 24, 2020
Coronavirus Update, Rogers Mastercard devaluation & Marriott Bonvoy Category Changes

This week we cover a range of topis. We discuss the Coronavirus and how it is affecting travel, what travel and credit card insurance covers or does not cover, airline and hotel waivers, hotels extending status and more. We then jump into the recently announced negative changes coming to the three Rogers/Fido Mastercards, the big hotel category changes from Marriott and also talk about their new hotels in Canada.

Click Here to download the podcast (mp3)

or Download/subscribe via:

Links relating to this week's topics:

• Government of Canada Travel Advisories
• Devaluation coming to the popular Rogers World Elite Mastercard, Platinum Mastercard and Fido Mastercard
• Marriott's 2020 hotel category changes are here and they aren't pretty globally - not as bad here in Canada
• Marriott New Hotel Openings in Canada for 2020 - 14 hotels in the works including the W Toronto

 

Flight Risk - New study confirms frequent business travel can impact health

Today we welcome Rewards Canada's newest guest contributor Dr. Elaine Chin. Dr. Chin is a seasoned medical doctor, health coach, and bestselling author. She’s also passionate about helping people live longer, more rewarding, and disease/disability-free lives. To learn more about her check out her blog at https://drelainechin.com

In the 2009 movie Up in the Air, George Clooney’s character Ryan Bingham dreams about attaining super-elite status and all the perks and privileges that come with his frequent flyer program. Many of the executive clients that visit my clinic agree that when you travel frequently for business the upgrades and perks really matter.

But I’ve always believed that it’s a two-edged sword.  The perks don’t outweigh the risks of ‘chronic flying’. In one of the first studies of its kind published this July the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, cited the effects of business travel as a non-infectious disease health risk.

The study found that extensive business travel beyond 1 to 6 nights per month is similar to the risk of chronic diseases associated with lifestyle factors. As the number of nights away from home for business travel reasons increased, poor behavioural and health outcomes significantly increased.

If you meet the profile of a classic ‘Road Warrior’ it’s important to be aware of some of the following behavioural and health risks associated with frequent business travel:

Behavioural Risks 
Those who traveled 21 or more nights per month were more likely to have unhealthy lifestyle behaviours including:

1. Smoking and/or alcohol dependency
2. Trouble sleeping
3. Sedentary

Health Risks
Those who spent 14 or more nights away from home per month had:

1. higher body mass index (obesity)
2. poor self-rated health
3. higher diastolic blood pressure
4. lower high density lipoprotein (HDL- the good cholesterol).
5. clinical symptoms of anxiety, depression and alcoholism
6. higher exposure to radiation

Of course there are things that you can do immediately to reduce the health risk of frequent business travel including the following five tips.

1. Avoid the ‘Red Eye’.  Overnight flights may save money and be less disruptive on your business schedule but the impact on your body’s natural sleep cycle isn’t worth the risk.

2. Early to Bed, Early to Rise. When travelling in the morning, get to bed with the goal of getting at least 7 hours of sleep. And when you awake, grab a ‘pre-flight’ protein smoothie for breakfast. They’re easy to digest and will quickly get you fueled.

3. Hotel Fitness. One of the best ways to combat the affects of jet lag is moderate exercise. Find a hotel that has a gym and schedule this into your itinerary. Take 30 minutes either before or at the end of your day to help you wind down.

4. Practice Moderation.  Avoid the ‘meal deals’ and carefully manage portion sizes when ordering off a menu. The same goes for coffee and alcohol consumption—no more than 2 medium size coffees or alcoholic drinks/day.

5. Stay Connected.  Frequent travel can have an impact on relationships with friends and family.  Skip the late night socializing with colleagues and instead schedule time for staying connected on the home front.  A quick Skype or Face Time session can go along way to keeping you and your loved ones grounded and reassured.