Air France to reduce Canada flights for Summer 2010

According to Airline Route Updates, Air France will only operate 3 flights per day between Montreal and Paris as compared to the 4 per day this past summer. As well Toronto will not see the seasonal up gauge to a 747-400 as the route will continue to be flown with an A340-300.

First details of WestJet RBC MasterCard revealed

The first few details of the new WestJet RBC MasterCards have been revealed on the RBC website. Without knowing all the details yet it is hard to give a full judgement on the cards but from the earning standpoint on the cards they seem to be about average.

There are two offerings from RBC, the first is the WestJet RBC World MasterCard which offers 1.5% in WestJet dollars on everyday spending and assuming that WestJet dollars are 1 for 1 in redemption means this card offes a 1.5% return. This 1.5% falls below cards like the Capital One Miles Plus and Diners Club MasterCards but is equal to cards like the TD Travel Visas. Chances are this card will have an annual fee as it will have enhanced travel insurances and the higher earning rate of the 1.5%

The second offering is called the WestJet RBC MasterCard and it offers 1% back in WestJet dollars. We can assume this card will either have no annual fee or a low one like the CIBC AeroClassic Visa. Once again assuming a 1:1 redemption ratio this card falls in line with such cards at the ScotiaGold Passport Visa, Capital One Miles MasterCard and the majority of the credit union/small bank reward cards.

Since this card will be part of a significant rewards program in Canada you will soon see it on our comparison charts to see how it stacks up against other Canadian Travel Rewards credit cards.

As always you can find our main comparison chart here

To see the WestJet cards on RBC click here

US Airways to cut Toronto - Phoenix service

Per Airline Route Updates, US Airways will be canceling their one time daily flight between Toronto and Phoenix as of Feb 28, 10

Bonus Page Updates Dec 1-4

Dec 4 - Hilton HHonors | Hyatt Gold Passport | Scandic Frequent Guest | Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
Dec 3 - Air Canada Aeroplan | Jet Airways JetPrivilege | Marriott Rewards | Scandinavian EuroBonus | TAP Portugal Victoria
Dec 2 - Accor A|Club | Continental OnePass | Delta SkyMiles | EVA Air Evergreen Club | US Airways Dividend Miles
Dec 1 - Air Berlin Top Bonus | bmi Diamond Club | Priority Club

Priority Club Quarter 1 2010 Promo, you saw it here first! Earn up 20,000 bonus points or 4,000 miles

Earn 1,000 Bonus Priority Club points or 200 Bonus Airlines Miles will be awarded on every qualifying night at InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Hotel Indigo®, Holiday Inn®, Holiday Inn Express®, Express by Holiday Inn™, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites® hotels worldwide. Earn up to a maximum of 20,000 points or 4,000 miles.
Full Details, Online Registration and Booking (Registration is required)

Valid Feb 1 - Apr 30, 10

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