Be one of the first the find out about SPG's new Canadian Credit Card

We have got many emails and people asking if there will be a replacement for the MBNA Starwood Preferred Guest MasterCard. The simply answer is Yes. However no details are out yet but Starwood has made a sign up page that will notify everyone when the new card is out. We posted this as a comment in one of our other posts but it does get missed so here it is again:

SPG Canada Credit Card Notification

Air Canada adds second bag fee on U.S. and European flights

Wow I am little surprised by this move, I understand the need nowadays for ancillary revenue but one thing that has kept me and I am sure others on Air Canada and WestJet was the lack of baggage fees. Now Air Canada says they are matching U.S. and International Carriers with a second bag fee on flights to the U.S., Europe and Israel. Most U.S. airlines have first and second bag fees for U.S./Canada travel and along with most European carriers a second bag fee for transatlantic flights but this is were Air Canada had a chance to stay ahead of the game and not be a follower. Chances are WestJet will not add a second bag fee and will feed off this in their marketing campaigns as they did nearly two years ago when Air Canada added baggage fees for a short time period. Luckily when I travel alone I don't usually have checked luggage and with my family we keep to one bag a piece, so at this time we should be OK when we fly Air Canada, I'm sure though many travelers will be caught off guard at the airport on their trips to the U.S. or Europe.

The fees for second checked bags are
- For flights to/from the United States (including Hawaii, excluding Puerto Rico): CAD/USD $30.
- For flights to/from Europe and Israel: CAD/USD $50.

The only good thing is that Air Canada flights within Canada, to Sun Destinations outside the U.S., Asia and Australia will remain with no baggage fees. As well the fee for a second checked bag to/from the United States, Europe and Israel will not apply to Air Canada Prestige, Elite, Super Elite members or Star Alliance Silver and Gold members.

Source: Air Canada Press Release

British Airways/RBC Avion 50% bonus offer on transfers is back

It maybe a month later this year, but one of Canada's top bonus offers for credit cards is back again. The semi annual offer for RBC Visa Avion cardholders that offers 50% bonus BA Miles for transfers of RBC Rewards points to British Airways' Executive Club is now on until Jan 31, 2010.

This offer allows cardholders to receive a lot of BA miles and can offer cheaper point alternatives for redeeming for flights on British Airways. The only catch is the same as with any frequent flyer program and that is availability. As an example you can redeem 37,000 RBC Rewards points for 50,000 BA Miles, which gets you one free flight (taxes/fees extra of course) from Canada to the UK and select countries in Western Europe. Compare this to a regular RBC Avion redemption of at least 65,000 RBC Rewards points if you booked via RBC. So if you have the flexibility and think you can work around availability issues with BA's Executive Club you can be traveling a lot sooner by taking advantage of this promotion.

Find out the full details of the promo on BA's Canada Website

Bonus Page Updates Nov 23-27

Nov 27 - Air Berlin Top Bonus | Air France KLM Flying Blue | American AAdvantage | Mexicana Go | Miles & More | Priority Club | Starwood Preferred Guest
Nov 26 - Alitalia MilleMiglia | Emirates Skywards | JAL Mileage Bank
Nov 25 - Air China Phoenix Miles | Air India Flying Returns | Choice Privileges | Etihad Guest | Icelandair Saga Club | Sutton Place Prestige
Nov 24 - British Airways Executive Club | Delta SkyMiles
Nov 23 - Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | US Airways Dividend Miles

Huge Alaska Airlines sale from Western Canada

Alaska Airlines has dropped fares from Western Canada to the U.S. for the first quarter of 2010. Book by Dec 7 for travel Mon-Thu and Sat between Jan 5 - Mar 10
Book online atAlaskaair.com
Sample one way fares:
Calgary - Seattle $75
Calgary - Los Angeles $90
Calgary - Palm Springs $90
Calgary - Phoenix $93
Calgary - San Diego $93
Calgary - Las Vegas $98
Edmonton - Los Angeles $83
Edmonton - Palm Springs $83
Edmonton - Seattle $86
Edmonton - Phoenix $100
Edmonton - Las Vegas $108
Vancouver - Las Vegas $80
Vancouver - Seattle $75
Vancouver - Palm Springs $90
Vancouver - Los Angeles $98
Vancouver - Phoenix $98

Earn double Aeroplan Miles on Air Canada's new routes

Earn Double Aeroplan Miles when you register and fly non-stop between Calgary and Honolulu or Maui (Kahului), in Economy and Executive Class® on Air Canada.
Offer is valid with the following fare options (booking classes): * Executive Class Lowest/Flexible (J, C, D, Z) * Latitude (Y, B) * Tango Plus (M, U, H, Q, V, W, S, L, A) * R class (Executive Class Upgrades)
Dec 5 , 09- Jan 31, 10

Earn Double Aeroplan Miles when you register and fly non-stop in Economy and Executive Class between Montreal and Houston, operated by Jazz.
Offer is valid with the following fare options (booking classes): * Executive Class Lowest/Flexible (J, C, D, Z) * Latitude (Y, B) * Tango Plus (M, U, H, Q, V, W, S, L, A) * R class (Executive Class Upgrades)
Nov 30, 09- Jan 31, 10

Full details on each offer and registration links can be found on our Aeroplan page.

Korean Air expands on Alaska Airlines and Delta codeshares to Canada.

The expanded codesharing on Alaska Airlines has Korean now offering their flight numbers on Alaska's flights to Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna and Victoria. Previously the codesharing only covered some of Alaska's routes out of Vancouver
Source: Airline Route Updates

Korean has also placed their codes on Delta flights from Montreal to Atlanta and New York JFK
Source: Airline Route Updates

EgyptAir to cancel Montreal-Cairo route

EygptAir's Montreal-Cairo summer seasonal route that has been operated since 2000 will not be returning for the summer of 2010.

Source: Airline Route Updates

LoyLogic application will allow loyalty program members the ability to redeem their points via the iPhone

Press release from LoyLogic:

November 23, 2009

Loylogic enables the mobile communication channel for loyalty programs.
Loyalty program members can now redeem their points via the iPhone

Zurich, Switzerland and Atlanta/GA, USA – Loylogic will launch another innovation: the first full blown loyalty program application that allows for real-time points redemption with the Apple iPhone. MobApp™ is the latest addition to Loylogic’s portfolio of loyalty solutions and enables loyalty programs around the world, to add the mobile communication channel through an easy-to-integrate and easy-to-manage turnkey solution.
Loylogic MobApp™ will soon be launched with the first program client and once again will provide the loyalty industry with an innovative and customer-friendly tool to deepen engagement and program satisfaction.

Member Experience – Get full access.
Loylogic MobApp™ loyalty provides program members all relevant program information at any time and anywhere. Members will be able to
• view program account information;
• check the latest partner promotions;
• browse a list of all program partners;
• retrieve general program information;
• benefit of channel-exclusive promotions;
• redeem points through an easy-to-navigate reward shop.


Program Experience – Drive member engagement.
By opening the mobile channel for members, loyalty programs around the world make sure to cope with the quickly changing needs of their mobile member base. Launching an iPhone application will increase the relevancy of the program, boost member engagement and help companies to stay top of mind with their most valuable customers.
In addition, loyalty programs get an opportunity to offer an exclusive promotional channel to participating program partners. The feature helps strengthening partnerships with key program stakeholders and adds new points earning opportunities for members.

Easy to Get!
Loylogic MobApp™ is suitable for any loyalty program and can be implemented within a short time frame. Loylogic also handles the entire application registering process with Apple worldwide.
The solution is supported by a dedicated Content Management System that can be managed by the program team or outsourced to Loylogic for a small management fee.
Loylogic MobApp™ is easily skinned in a program’s look and feel, and will add a series of innovative features in 2010.

About Loylogic
Loylogic is the leading provider of global points ‘earn’ and ‘burn’ solutions to loyalty programs. We help our program customers to boost member engagement by combining loyalty innovation with state-of-the-art technology and the fastest-growing global merchant network. Loylogic Inc. is an independent company with headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland and offices in Atlanta, USA and Dubai, UAE. For more information, visit www.loylogic.com.

WestJet announces seasonal summer service to Bermuda

WestJet announced on Monday that will offer seasonal non-stop service between Toronto and Bermuda starting in May 2010.

At this time there are no further details on frequencies and flight timings.

Source: WestJet