Air Canada to launch Montreal - Phoenix service

Air Canada has announced that they will offer direct non-stop service between Montreal and Phoenix for the Winter 2010/2011 season. The flights which will operate on Saturdays and Sundays will run from Nov 6, 10 to Apr 30, 11

Flight Timings:
Montreal-Phoenix Dep 0805 Arr 1140
Phoenix-Montreal Dep 1220 Arr 1856

Source: Air Canada

Lufthansa makes Montreal-Munich service year round

According to Lufthansa's updated winter schedule they will continue to operate their Montreal to Munich route over the winter season for 2010-11. This route has been flown as summer season only service since 2003.

American Airlines and Marriott part ways

Much to everyone's surprise, this is an email that was sent out late last week from American Airlines :

We would like to provide you with an important update to the American Airlines AAdvantage® program. Effective July 1, 2010, the Marriott Rewards program will no longer offer AAdvantage miles for stays at Marriott hotels.

All qualifying stays at participating properties completed by June 30, 2010 will be eligible to earn AAdvantage miles. It is also important to note the final date to convert your Marriott Rewards points to AAdvantage miles will be June 30, 2010.

Speculation comes down to the two companies not being able to agree on a price for the AAdvantage miles. It really is unfortunate for the split as most everyone expects major airlines and major hotel chains to be aligned in some sort of partnership. The end of this partnership will actually force some hardcore AAdvantage Miles earners to look at other hotel options when they are available, and with all the seemingly endless bonus offers out there, why wouldn't they?

Hyatt Gold Passport Award Chart Changes

Hyatt Gold Passport is the latest hotel program to make changes to their award charts in regards to the amount of points needed to redeem for free hotel nights. The changes take effect on June 4, 2010 and will see the introduction of a new Category 6 consisting of only 20 hotels. Along with the new category, 65 hotels will be moving to a lower category while 89 will be moving up.

Overall it does seem like a devaluation of the program but nowhere near as bad as Hilton HHonor's earlier this year. So if you are planning any reward stays be sure to book them before June 4 to get the old redemption rates on those hotels that are going up.

For complete details on this change and to see all the hotels in their new categories, please visit Goldpassport.com

WestJet, Cathay Pacific sign partnership deal

From the Globe and Mail

"WestJet Airlines Ltd. and Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. have signed a partnership deal, one in a series of co-operation pacts that WestJet is targeting with foreign carriers.

Calgary-based WestJet has been looking to forge links with the Hong Kong-based carrier for nearly six years, but they needed to overcome technology hurdles. With WestJet recently upgrading its computer reservations system, the two airlines will be taking their first step in the partnership.

“We signed and are in the process of implementing an inbound interline agreement with Cathay Pacific that should be in place later this month,” WestJet chief executive officer Gregg Saretsky said during a conference call Tuesday.

The “interline” pact calls for co-operation on ticketing and baggage handling, making it easier for a traveller on a Cathay trip into Canada to catch a connecting flight operated by WestJet. The partnership should be rolled out over the next several weeks, said Cathay spokeswoman Jennifer Pearson, who added that the Asian carrier already has an interline agreement in place with Air Canada."

Rewards Canada's Credit Card Comparison Chart Updated

At the end of last week I finally had a chance to update our very popular Credit Card Comparison chart. The update was to add two new cards that were released this year, the Starwood Preferred Guest Card from American Express and the WestJet RBC MasterCards.

You can view the updated chart here to see how these two cards stack up against other popular travel rewards credit cards.

Over the next few months you will some more credit card related items on Rewards Canada. The second annual Top Canadian Travel Rewards Credit Cards is in the works, we are working to put a portion of our comparison chart into the Financial Post (4th year running) and will be adding another card that was released in March, the BMO World Elite MasterCard into some of our charts and if time allows, we'll provide a complete review of that card as well.

Continental & United agree to merge

Continental and United Airlines have agreed to merge the two airlines to create the worlds largest airline. Not too many details have been released and the deal will be subject to government approval. What we do know is that should the merger go through, the airline will be called United Airlines but will use the Continental colors and logo. Chicago will be the headquarters of the new airline however it appears Houston will be the main hub. At this point, the announcement does not affect any of the airlines flights or frequent flyer programs, both will continue to run independently until the merger closes, which is expected to happen by the end of 2010.

We will continue to keep our readers up to date on the merger, primarily on the frequent flyer side as more news develops. You can also visit the website created by CO and UA which details the merger.

Earn 500 Bonus Miles & Dining Credits or Free nights at Fairmont Hotels. Must book by May 5

Here is a great limited time booking offer for stays this summer from Fairmont Hotels:

Earn 500 Bonus Miles with Air Canada or American when you book an Everyone’s an Original rate at participating Fairmont Hotels & Resorts locations Worldwide. Plus receive either a $50 dining credit (up to a maximum $150 a day, credit must be consumed during stay) in the currency of the host hotel OR a free night – free night must be a consecutive night stay at one hotel, minimum night stay required and varies by hotel. Book by May 5 for stays until Oct 15, 10

Full Details and Online Booking at Fairmont hotels

New Priority Club iPhone App - Earn 1,000 bonus points for booking

InterContinental Hotels Group has launched an iPhone app for their Priority Club program and are offering members 1,000 bonus Priority Club points for each completed stay that is booked via the iPhone app until Jun 15, 10.

All you have to do is download the app from the AppStore and start to make you bookings!

For more details and a link for downloading please visit here.

WestJet cancels Toronto-Atlantic City service

According to WestJet's Facebook page service to ACY from YYZ is cancelled as of May 9, 2010. WestJet cites that the route did not see the demand they had hoped.