Nov 26 Daily Update: 100 Free Aeroplan Miles & Best Western Online Booking Bonus

Mondays are almost always the quietest here on the Rewards Canada website

News, Tips & Tricks
The biggest tip today is a way to earn 100 free Aeroplan miles. If you don't subscribe to Home Hardware emails you can do so now and earn the 100 mile bonus. Pretty easy. You can do so here. Plus you can earn an additional 50 miles on your first Home Hardware purchase.

Also check out the Best Western online booking bonus, if you have upcoming Best Western bookings and stays you need to make sure you are not throwing away points by not registering for this offer.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway of a $100 credit to CardSwap.ca which is good for $100 worth of gift cards. You can read the review of their reward program here or follow these instructions to enter:
1. Follow @RewardsCanada on Twitter 

2. Visit CardSwap.ca and find a gift card you think you would use the credit on

3. Tweet us the card you would pick, include @RewardsCanada @CardSwap and Hash tag #rewardscanada in your tweet 

Copy, paste and complete this to make it easier:


@RewardsCanada @CardSwap I would choose the (INSERT MERCHANT NAME) Gift Card #rewardscanada
4. Wait to see if you are chosen as a winner

!

Bonus Offers
Air Canada Aeroplan
- 100 Bonus Aeroplan Miles when you sign up to receive email from Home Hardware. More... Until Jan 31, 13
- 50 Bonus Aeroplan Miles on your first purchase at Home Hardware, Home Building Centre, Home Hardware Building Centre or Home Furniture stores. More... Until Jan 31, 13

Alitalia MilleMiglia
- Double MilleMiglia Miles when booking the special rate ""Double Miles for Early Birds" 20 days in advance at participating World Hotels Worldwide. More... Dec 1, 12 - Feb 28, 13

American AAdvantage
- Double AAdvantage Miles when booking the special rate ""Double Miles for Early Birds" 20 days in advance at participating World Hotels Worldwide. More... Dec 1, 12 - Feb 28, 13

Best Western Rewards
- 250 Bonus Rewards Points for any qualified stays Worldwide that were booked on bestwestern.com. More... Until Jun 30, 13

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- Double Asia Miles for stays of two or more consecutive nights at participating Regent Hotels & Resorts properties worldwide. More... Dec 1 - Feb 28, 12

Stash Hotel Rewards
- 1,000 Bonus Stash Rewards Points for weekend stays (Friday - Sunday) at the Creekside Inn Palo Alto. More... Until Dec 31, 12
- Triple Stash Rewards Points for stays Sunday - Thursday at the SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel Pismo Beach. More... Until Feb 13, 13
- Earn up to 1,000 Bonus Stash Rewards Points for stays at Pala Mesa Fallbrook. More... Until Dec 31, 12
- Triple Stash Rewards Points for stays Sunday - Thursday at the Inn at Middletown. More... Until Dec 31, 12
- 1,000 Bonus Stash Rewards Points for stays at the Inn at Middletown. More... Jan 1 - 31, 12
- 1,000 Bonus Stash Rewards Points for stays of 3 nights at The Shores Resort & Spa Daytona Beach Shores. More... Book by Dec 31 for stays until Mar 6, 13
- Double Stash Rewards Points for stays of 3+ nights at the Emerald Greens Golf Resort Tampa. More... Until Jan 31, 13
- 1,000 Bonus Stash Rewards Points for stays at The Commons Hotel Minneapolis. More... Until Dec 31, 12
- Double Stash Rewards Points for stays at the Hotel Andaluz Albuquerque More.... Until Feb 28, 13
- Double Stash Rewards Points + Comp Upgrade for stays at the Affinia Gardens New York. More... Until Dec 30, 12
- 500 Bonus Stash Rewards Points for stays on the “Dine and Unwind” Package at The Resort at Port Ludlow. More... Until Dec 30, 12

Remember to follow Rewards Canada on Facebook and Twitter or subscribe to our Newsletter and RSS feed

Nov 23 Update: Emirates sale out of YYZ/SEA, free Accor Platinum Status, 500 AAdvantage Miles on Avis Rentals

End of the week brings a nice mix of news and bonuses to the Great White North:

News, Tips & Tricks
There is another instant/free Accor Platinum Status offer floating around when you register your Le Club number or join Le Club via this link. These Accor Platinum offers tend to be pulled pretty quick so be sure to sign up for it ASAP. If and when you get your status don't forget to use it for a status match from Best Western and possibly even Carlson Hotels Club Carlson.

If you are planning any travels to Seoul check out my City Bonus Highlight for ICN over on the Frequent Flyer Bonuses blog.

Avianca TACA's LifeMiles (one of the best programs for Star Alliance redemptions) is offering double LifeMiles for purchases made via their online shopping mile until November 26. More details can be found here

In cased you missed it yesterday, I'm giving away a $100 credit to CardSwap.ca which is good for $100 worth of gift cards. You can read the review of their reward program here or follow these instructions to enter:
1. Follow @RewardsCanada on Twitter 

2. Visit CardSwap.ca and find a gift card you think you would use the credit on

3. Tweet us the card you would pick, include @RewardsCanada @CardSwap and Hash tag #rewardscanada in your tweet 

Copy, paste and complete this to make it easier:


@RewardsCanada @CardSwap I would choose the (INSERT MERCHANT NAME) Gift Card #rewardscanada 4. Wait to see if you are chosen as a winner

!

Don't forget that tomorrow is Tangerine Saturday where all CIBC Aeroplan Cardholders will earn double miles on all eligible retail purchases. If you are doing online shopping via the Aeroplan eStore, make sure you do it this day to earn the double miles plus register via the Aeroplan Facebook page to earn 5x the Aeroplan miles if you shop at four or more retailers. So technically speaking you can earn 7x the Aeroplan Miles per dollar spent (depending on the online retailer)

And also don't forget that today only you can earn3x the Aeroplan miles for all eligible purchases made at Costco.ca

Travel Deals
Emirates is offering a savings of CAD 150 off round-trip Economy Class fares via Seattle (SEA) and savings of 25% off on Business / First Class via Seattle and Toronto (YYZ). Fares must be booked by Dec 2 for travel January 13 - May 9, 2013. Visit Emirates.com for more details. These fares are eligible for any Miles Accelerator offers that are available (totally free bonus miles irregardless the fare you pay). At the time of posting these are the current offers (please remember EK's Miles Acc. offers are dynamic and tend to change as each new month approaches):

Toronto - Dubai
4,000 Bonus Skyward Miles in Business Class for Jan/Feb
4,000 Bonus Skyward Miles in Economy Class for May

Seattle - Dubai
16,000 Bonus Skyward Miles in First Class, 8,000 in Business Class for February
16,000 Bonus Skyward Miles in First Class, 10,000 in Business Class for February
14,000 Bonus Skyward Miles in First Class for March
14,000 Bonus Skyward Miles in First Class, 4,000 in Business Class for April
6,000 Bonus Skyward Miles in First Class for May

Bonus Offers
American AAdvantage
- 500 Bonus AAdvantage Miles on rentals of 3+ consecutive days at participating Avis airport locations in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia, Latin America, Mexico the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand. More... Until Dec 31, 12

Avianca TACA LifeMiles:
- Double LifeMiles on purchases over US$50 made via the LifeMiles e-Store. More... Until Nov 26, 12

Le Club Accorhotels
- 5x Le Club Accorhotels Points for stays at any one of 18 ibis hotels, ibis Styles and ibis budget hotels in Indonesia. More... Until Dec 31, 12
- 300 Bonus Le Club Accorhotels Points for stays at the Ibis Styles Kuala Lumpur Cheras and the Ibis Styles Kuala Lumpur Fraser Busines Park. More... Book by Nov 30 for stays until Dec 31, 12
- 1,000 Bonus Le Club Accorhotels Points for stays at participating Accor hotels in the Middle East. More... Until Jan 16, 13
- Free Platinum Status when you register your Le Club number or join Le Club via this link (these usually don't last so sign up ASAP) More...

Miles & More
- Double Miles & More Miles for Austrian Airlines flights between Vienna and Chicago. More... May 17 - Jul ?, 13
- Double Miles & More Miles when you fly on Brussels Airlines between Brussels and Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Malaga. More... Until Jan 31, 13

Virgin America Elevate (on FrequentFlyerBonuses.com only)
- Double Elevate Points on weekend rentals of 2 or more days, or rentals of 5 or more days, at a participating Hertz airport or off airport location in the U.S., Puerto Rico or Canada. More... Until Jul 31, 13

---

Complete a 2 night stay at IHG Hotels in Canada and receive a $50 Prepaid Visa

Receive a $50 Prepaid Visa when you stay any two consecutive nights at any InterContinental® Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels and Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Holiday Inn®, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® or Candlewood Suites® hotel in Canada.
Full details, online registration and booking.

You can also combine this offer with a loosely targeted 1,000 bonus point offer for stays any IHG hotel in Canada: Earn 1,000 Bonus Priority Club Points for your next stay at an IHG hotel in Canada. Maximum of 5 bookings. Register online with code 7620

Wording of the $50 offer as taken from the IHG Offer page:

Here’s how you get your $50 Prepaid Visa^® card:

1. Register for the promotion and print the Confirmation Page
2. Book a qualifying stay at any IHG hotel in Canada between November 1, 2012, and December 31, 2012
3. Mail your completed rebate form along with your hotel bill showing your qualifying stay to:
   
   IHG VISA 50 Rebate
   C/O Compass Creative Media
   6-6150 Hwy 7
   PO Box 432
   Vaughan, Ontario
   L4H 0R6
4. Your $50 Prepaid Visa^® card will arrive within 6–8 weeks

CardSwap.ca SwapPoints review + $100 CardSwap Credit Giveaway

The following post is another in Rewards Canada's growth outside of the travel rewards industry by looking at and reviewing non-travel loyalty programs:

If you are a fan of CBC's Dragon's Den, you may recall this company, if not don't fret here is a YouTube vid of their appearance on the show.

CardSwap.ca is a company that allows Canadians to buy and sell gift cards. At the time of the Dragons Den appearance CardSwap ran a different business model than they do now. I actually took advantage of CardSwap once by selling them a Brick Gift Card I won in a local lottery and would never use. The card was worth $100 and they paid me $74 for it. Sure I lost out on the value but that is why CardSwap is around, so that you can get something instead of nothing if you were not planning on using the gift card. CardSwap would then turn around and sell the card below face value but higher than what they bought it off me at. That is where the company made its money, the difference between the purchase and sale price of the gift card. The initial marketing stated you could save up to 40% versus buying the gift card at the actual retailer or any place that sold the cards. By selling them below face value they hoped to attract the many frugal Canadians looking to get a deal.

Fast forward to 2012 and CardSwap has changed their business model into one that focuses more on a loyalty program rather than a straight discount. Which is why they are being featured here today, because of their CardSwap SwapPoints program. Instead of gift cards being sold at a discount on CardSwap they are now sold at face value. Wait a minute why would someone go the CardSwap and pay face value for a gift card when they can get them on their day to day travels to various stores? That’s where the new SwapPoints program comes in. When you buy a gift card from CardSwap you are awarded SwapPoints for that purchase.

Earning

The amount of points you earn depends on what CardSwap paid for the card and what margin they want to get for the sale of the card. Looking through the site it looks like you get the equivalent of 2% to 10% of most of your gift card purchases back in SwapPoints but I did even see one card even coming in at almost 42%. The return is all dependent on the value of the card and who the retailer is. 

Redeeming

Those SwapPoints can then be redeemed for other gift cards, prepaid Visa Cards and even cash into your PayPal account. The standard redemption rate runs is 1,000 SwapPoints = $10 and 1,000 points is the minimum redemption amount. Typically this means you will have to make several gift card purchases from CardSwap before you start seeing a return. Frances Ho, one of the founders of CardSwap explained to me that most people will need to spend between $100 and $300 to get to the 1,000 point level. Before the change in their business model it didn’t matter whether you purchased 1 gift card or 10 gift cards, you saw the savings right away as those cards were bought at a discount.

 

As an entrepreneur and business major I had a hard time at first getting my head around the change CardSwap did with their business model because it could drive away one time buyers and first time buyers who are unsure if they would return for another purchase. As a loyalty consultant, I can understand from their end why they would make the change however. First is the term ‘loyalty’, they want people coming back to use their service so by moving to a points system they are hoping to encourage people to keep returning so they can build up enough of a balance to redeem. As is seen with any loyalty program another reason you go to a points or miles based system is that you bank on breakage.

What is Breakage?

In the loyalty world, Breakage is the number of points or miles that go unredeemed and are lost by program members either through account inactivity or point/mile expiration. Depending on the industry, typical breakage rates that loyalty programs try to achieve run between 10 and 25%.

So, I would place a guess that CardSwap initiated this change banking on the fact that some users would be attracted at first by the SwapPoints program but in the end may only buy one or two gift cards and never earn enough SwapPoints to make a redemption. That allows CardSwap to enjoy much better margins on the gift cards sold to these type of buyers rather than the smaller margins they saw before when the card was sold up front with a discount. I would be curious to see what CardSwaps numbers are like today in comparison to the old model as I would think that people who are one off buyers and not enticed by the SwapPoints loyalty program would forego buying cards via CardSwap and get them at the retailer (especially for us savvy points collectors who buy the cards at grocery, gas or drug stores on a credit card that has those particular category multipliers... I know I do)

Is SwapPoints a worthwhile program?

Absolutely, for the right type of person. If you are someone who regularly buys gift cards for yourself or as gifts then you should definitely utilize the CardSwap avenue.  You will see savings on your gift card purchases once you start building up your SwapPoints balance and using those points either for more gift cards, the prepaid Visa cards or cash via PayPal.

At this time, CardSwap is offering $5 for free when you join their SwapPoints program so it is entirely possible that you could reach the 1,000 or $10 level with only one purchase of the right gift card.

Selling Gift Cards
Of course there is always the other side of CardSwap, but it doesn’t have anything to do with loyalty and that is the selling of gift cards to them. It is only fair to mention it however as it is vehicle behind the purchasing side of CardSwap. Essentially what happens is if you have an unwanted gift card you contact CardSwap with the retailer name and value and they will get back to you with an offer. If you accept the offer they will provide you a prepaid shipping label to send the card in and once they receive the card and confirm it is valid they will send you a cheque or credit your account with SwapPoints.

In conclusion, if you are someone who regularly buys gift cards then there is no reason you shouldn't sign up for CardSwap. However if you are like me and only buy gift cards once a year or even less then the process of signing up for Card Swap and earning some points that will never be used won't be worth it since you are still paying face value for the card and you have to wait for it to be shipped out. I would rather take advantage of bonus Air Miles or Club Sobeys Points (hence Aeroplan Miles) offers from places like Safeway or Sobeys when they are occasionally run, not to mention the fact that if I buy those cards from a grocery store I'll earn double Membership Rewards points on my American Express Gold Rewards Card.

Contest!
Now, to the fun part! CardSwap offered me a $100 credit to try their site out but I am not much of gift card person and I asked Frances if I could instead offer it to one my Rewards Canada readers. She agreed and here is what you have to do to be entered to win the $100 CardSwap credit.


1. Follow @RewardsCanada on Twitter 

2. Visit CardSwap.ca and find a gift card you think you would use the credit on

3. Tweet us the card you would pick, include @RewardsCanada @CardSwap and Hash tag #rewardscanada in your tweet 


Copy, paste and complete this to make it easier:



@RewardsCanada @CardSwap I would choose the (INSERT MERCHANT NAME) Gift Card #rewardscanada

4. Wait to see if you are chosen as a winner

!

Contest Details

- Deadline for entry tweets is 11:59pm MST on November 29, 2012

- Open to all Canadian residents (I love that Quebec raised their limit above $100 to have to register with them)

- Limit of 1 tweet per day/twitter account

- If you win, you don’t have to use the credit on the retailer you put in your tweets just in case you find another one of interest




---

Nov 22 Update: Lots of shopping bonuses, Marriott Seasonal Awards, IHG Canada Bonuses

Lots of news and bonuses for you today (and watch for my giveaway to come soon!)

News, Tips & Tricks
Most of today's news is bonus offer related but these are short term offers that don't get posted to the regular Rewards Canada site.

Air Miles is celebrating Black Friday/Cyber Monday by offering their largest bonus yet on Airmilesshops.ca. Until December 5th you will 20x the base Air Miles Reward Miles for your online shopping.

Aeroplan and CIBC are runninng Tangerine Saturday on Saturday November 24th where all CIBC Aeroplan Cardholders* will earn double miles on all eligible retail purchases. Of course if you shop at other Aeroplan partners it means even more miles or why not use your CIBC card to purchase someting via the Airmileshops.ca offer above the get more bonuses!
*CIBC Aerogold Visa Card, CIBC Aerogold Visa Infinite Card, CIBC Aerogold Visa Card for Business, and CIBC Aero Classic Visa Card

Costco.ca is offering 3x the Aeroplan miles for all eligible purchases made on Friday November 23rd.

There are reports on the Marriott Rewards Insiders forum that changes are coming to the lifetime elite status program within Marriott Rewards. All that is being revealed at this point is the rule of a minimum number of years required at an elite level will be removed. Requirements will be strictly based on nights and points.

Also from the Marriott Rewards program is the introduction of 'Seasonal Awards'. This new award option promises at least a 25% discount on the points required for a free night during certain times of the year at various Marriott locations

Travel Deals
Delta Hotels has launched their "Winter Limited Time Offer" that provides discounts of up to 35% off at their hotels and resorts across Canada. Bookings must be made by Nov 24 for stays until Jan 31, 12. More

Bonus Offers
AeroMexico Club Premier
- Triple Club Premier Kilometers for rentals of all vehicles at Affordable Rates for 1 day or more at participating Hertz locations in the United States and Mexico. More... Book by Jan 31 for rentals until Mar 31, 13

Air China Phoenix Miles
- 50% BonusPhoenix Miles Kilometers for flights on Air China between Beijing and Guangzhou or Shenzhen. More... Nov 25 - Dec 31, 12
- 50% BonusPhoenix Miles Kilometers for flights on Air China between Chongqing and Guangzhou, Shenzhen or Hangzhou. More... Nov 25 - Dec 31, 12
- 50% BonusPhoenix Miles Kilometers for flights on Air China between Qingdao and Shanghai (Hongqiao). More... Until Jan 15, 13
- 50% BonusPhoenix Miles Kilometers for flights on Shandong Airlines between: Jinan and Beijing, Shanghai (Hongqiao), Guangzhou or Shenzhen; Qingdao and Shanghai (Pudong), Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanjing, or Xian; Yantai and Shanghai (Hongqiao) More... Until Jan 15, 13

American AAdvantage
- Earn up to 2,000 Bonus AAdvantage Miles for your online shopping done via AAdvantage eShopping. More... Until Dec 17, 12

Amtrak Guest Rewards (on FrequentFlyerBonuses.com only)
- Earn up to 1,500 Bonus Guest Rewards Points for stays at La Quinta properties in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. More... Until Dec 31, 12

Iberia Plus
- Double Avios for stays at participating Abba Hotels in Europe. More... Until Dec 31, 12
- Double Avios for stays at Hoteles Beatriz Albacete & Spa, Beatriz Rey Don Jaime (Valencia), Beatriz Toledo Auditorium & Spa y Beatriz Playa & Spa (Lanzarote) More... Until Dec 31, 12
- Double Avios for stays at hotels Claris, Granados 83, Gran Derby Suite, Derby, Balmes and Astoria in Barcelona and Urban and Villa Real in Madrid. More... Until Dec 31, 12
- Double Avios when you rent with Europcar Worldwide. More... Until Dec 31, 12

InterContinental Hotels Group Priority Club
- Receive a $50 Prepaid Visa when you stay any two consecutive nights at any IHG Hotel in Canada. More... Until Dec 31, 12
- 4,000 Bonus Priority Club Points for stays of 2+ nights on the Winter Escape rate at the The Venetian Las Vegas or The Palazzo Las Vegas. More... Until Jan 6, 13
- 1,000 Bonus Priority Club Points for your next stay at an IHG hotel in Canada. More... Targeted Offer - May not work for everyone
- 2 nights for the price of 1 with the 60th Anniversary VIP Celebration Package at participating Holiday Inn hotels in the UK. More... Book by Dec 19 for stays Dec 1 - Feb 28, 13

Malaysia Airlines Enrich (on FrequentFlyerBonuses.com only)
- Double Enrich Miles for stays at The Club Saujana Resort and The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur. More... Until Jan 31, 13
- Double Enrich Miles when you stay at the G Hotel Penang or the G Tower Hotel. More...Until Jan 31, 13
- Double Enrich Miles for stays of 2+ nights on the “Bed and Breakfast” package rate or “Delight Rate” at participating Mandarin Oriental Hotels Worldwide More.... Until Jan 31, 13
- Double Enrich Miles for stays at the PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney. More... Until Jan 31, 13
- Double Enrich Miles for stays of 2+ nights at the Traders Hotel, Brisbane. More... Until Jan 31, 13
- Double Enrich Miles for stays at participating Taj Hotels Worldwide. More... Until Jan 31, 13
- Earn up to Triple Enrich Miles for Avis rentals of 3 or more days at participating locations Asia, US, Canada, Europe, Middle East and Africa. More... Until Jan 31, 13
- Double Enrich Miles for Hertz rentals in the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia or New Zealand. More... Until Jan 31, 13
- Double Enrich Miles for spa services at the Spa Village Kuala Lumpur by YTL Hotels. More... Until Jan 31 ,13

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Double KrisFlyer Miles for stays at the East, Beijing. or The Opposite House Beijing. More... Until Feb 28, 13

Remember to follow Rewards Canada on Facebook and Twitter or subscribe to our Newsletter and RSS feed

Nov 21 Update: Travelodge Canada now part of Wyndham Rewards, up to 5x Aeroplan Miles for eStore purchases,

Lots of work done on this cold and snowy day in YYC, comprising of a nice mix of news, travel deals and bonuses:

News, Tips & Tricks
There appears to be another set of targeted 50,000 Bonus Marriott Rewards Point offers for the Chase Marriott Rewards Visa going around. Never hurts to try to call Chase to see if you can get in on the deal although they have been pretty insistent on you having the proper promo code or having elite status with Marriott to get the 20,000 extra points over the regular sign up bonus. (Thanks to an anonymous reader who lets us know about this)

Travelodge Canada is finally ditching their own Guest Rewards program to join their parent company's Wyndham Rewards program. Wyndham Rewards members will now be able to earn 10 points/$ at the 91 Travelodge and Thriftlodge locations in Canada. Source: Wyndham Press Release

Travel Deals
If you are planning a trip to Sweden over the Christmas holidays, Scandic Hotels is offering a 40% Discount for its Frequent Guest Members (free to join) on stays at select Scandic hotels in Sweden. Full Details and online booking Book by Dec 2 for stays Dec 19, 12- Jan 6, 13. There is also redemption offer for the same period, see below for details

Bonus Offers
Aeroflot Bonus
- Earn up to Triple Bonus Miles for stays at at participating Swissotel Hotels & Resorts worldwide. More... Until Jan 31, 13

Air Canada Aeroplan
- Earn up to 5X Aeroplan Miles on all holiday shopping made via the Aeroplan e-store. More... Until Dec 20, 12

American AAdvantage
- Earn up to 25,000 Bonus AAdvantage Miles + 1,000 Business ExtrAA Points when you register and your company meets the travel requirement. More... Until Dec 31, 12

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- Earn up to Triple Asia Miles for stays at at participating Swissotel Hotels & Resorts worldwide. More... Until Feb 25, 13

Czech Airlines OK Plus
- Double OK Plus Miles on all Sixt car rentals Worldwide. More... Until Feb 15, 13

Ethiopian Sheba Miles
- 50% Bonus Sheba Miles for flights between Libreville and Addis Ababa. More... Until Dec 15, 12

Hilton HHonors
- Double HHonors Points for stays at the DoubleTree by Hilton Deerfield Beach Boca Raton. More... Until Jan 5, 13
- Double HHonors Points for stays at the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn. More... Until Jan 31, 13

JetBlue TrueBlue (on FrequentFlyerBonuses.com only)
Triple TrueBlue Points on all JetBlue flights systemwide More... Until Dec 31, 12

Scandic Hotels Frequent Guest
- Save up to 5,000 points when you redeem for reward nights at select Scandic hotels. More... Valid for stays Dec 19, 12- Jan 6, 13

Shangri-La Hotels Golden Circle
- Triple GC Award Points for stays in a suite, Horizon Club room or Traders Club room for a minimum of two nights at participating Shangri-La and Traders hotels in Oman and the United Arab Emirates. More... Until Jan 15, 13

US Airways Dividend Miles
- Earn up to 1,000 Bonus Dividend Miles when you shop online via the US Airways Dividend Miles Storefront. More... Until Dec 31, 12

Remember to follow Rewards Canada on Facebook and Twitter or subscribe to our Newsletter and RSS feed

 

Nov 20 Daily Update: Buy Delta MQMs, AAdvantage Buy Miles Bonus, 10K Aeroplan Miles for Flight passes

There is change happening at Rewards Canada today, I am moving the Daily Update post from being a late evening post (typically between 6-11pm MST) to a mid-day post (12-1pm MST). Hopefully you all like the change!

News, Tips & Tricks
Nothing really happening today on the news front so the focus is more on travel deals and bonus offers! In the bonus offer section check out the Aeroplan bonus for 10 credit flight passes, a great American AAdvantage buy miles offers (what makes this one better than past ones is that they are upping the maximum base miles you can buy from 40,000 to 60,000) and for those of you fliying Icelandair out of Halifax or Toronto be sure to check in on your phone to earn some bonus Saga Club points.

If you are a Delta Airlines flyer and are going to find yourself short some MQM's (Medallion Qualifying Miles) for elite qualifying don't fret as Delta is once again offering the opportunitiy to buy MQM's so that you can reach your next status level.
Transaction Terms:
Minimum/Maximum MQMs per transaction: 2,500 / 10,000
MQM increments of 2,500:
Full details can be found here

Travel Deals
Receive a Free Night when you book a minimum of 4 nights at participating IHG locations in Latin America and the Caribbean. Full Details and Online Booking Dec 14, 12 - Jan 31, 13

Starwood Hotels is running a Cyber Monday deal offering up to 25% off for stays in North America and Latin America. The offer is valid for weekend stays at hotels and stays any day of the week at resorts. You must book by Nov 30 for stays until Mar 31, 13. Full Details and online booking

Bonus Offers
Air Canada Aeroplan
- Earn up to 10,000 Aeroplan Miles with the purchase of an Air Canada 10-credit Flight Pass for travel within Canada or between Canada and the Continental U.S.. More... Until Dec 31, 12

American AAdvantage
- Earn up to 30,000 Bonus AAdvantage Miles when you purchase or gift AAdvantage Miles online. More... Until Dec 31, 12

Hilton HHonors
- Double Elite Status Stay credit & up to 40% off for eligible Any Weekend, Anywhere stays as of at least 2 nights at participating hotels and resorts in the Hilton Worldwide portfolio. More... Book by Jan 31 for stays Nov 22, 12 - Dec 31, 13

Icelandair Saga Club
- 250 Bonus Saga Club Award Points for every Mobile Check In performed during the promo period. More... Until Dec 31, 12

Scandinavian EuroBonus
- Double EuroBonus Points for stays at Best Western hotels in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland. More... Dec 1, 12 - Jan 31, 13

United Mileage Plus
- Earn up to Double Mileage Plus Miles when you fly nonstop between Chicago and Monterrey, Mexico. More... Jan 7 - Mar 31, 13

Remember to follow Rewards Canada on Facebook and Twitter or subscribe to our Newsletter and RSS feed

Nov 19 Update: Aeroplan Transfer Bonus, Virgin America Status Match, new Alaska Airlines flight bonuses

I'm back to doing a full week of work on Rewards Canada. Watch for tons of bonuses, some news, some tips and another giveaway!

News, Tips & Tricks
On the news front the headline in the Canadian Travel Rewards scene is the return of Aeroplan's bonus for converting/transferring points from other programs into Aeroplan. See my post from earilier today for more details.

On the tips front, if you are an American Airlines or United Airline elite status member you can get yourself an elite status match in Virgin America's Elevate program. See my post from earilier today for more details.

And as I mentioned above, it's been awhile since I ran a giveaway on Rewards Canada (the last was the BW Gift Card). All I tell you at this time is that it will be run on Twitter, so be sure to follow Rewards Canada on Twitter!

Bonus Offers
Air Canada Aeroplan
- Earn up to 40,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles when you convert points from a wide selection of Aeroplan partner loyalty programs. More... Until Dec 17, 12

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
- Double Mileage Plan Miles for nonstop flights on Alaska Airlines between San Diego and Boston. More... Mar 29 - May 29, 13
- Double Mileage Plan Miles for nonstop flights on Alaska Airlines between Seattle and Kauai. More... Jun 7 - Aug 7, 13

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer (on FrequentFlyerBonuses.com only)
- 50% Bonus KrisFlyer Miles when you book the EarlyBird special for flights between New Zealand and Asia, the Middle East or South Africa. More... Book by Dec 17 for travel Feb 1 - Jul 31, 13

Remember to follow Rewards Canada on Facebook and Twitter or subscribe to our Newsletter and RSS feed

Virgin America status matching American & United Elite members

Although Virgin America's tenure with service to Canada was short lived, there maybe a few of you who can take advantage this offer, especially if your work (or leisure) travels take you on domestic U.S. routes that VX flies. This offer is for elite members of American Airlines AAdvantage or United Mileage Plus programs, the latter of which I know many Canadians are so why not sign up for this elite status match offer even if you won't use it:

Elite Status Match - Virgin America Elevate is offering to match your United Air Lines or American Airlines elite status to their own Elevate® Gold or Elevate® Silver until April 30, 13. Full details or follow these steps:
Email them at statusmatch@virginamerica.com with your Elevate number and one of the following:
- A copy or screenshot of your most recent mileage summary showing your name and current elite level.
- Or, a copy of your membership card that identifies your name and current elite level in the United Air Lines or American Airlines frequent flyer program. 

There is then an accelerated re-qualification process to keep/earn Elevate Silver or Gold:

Transfer points to Aeroplan to earn up to 40,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles

Aeroplan is once again resurrecting their partner transfer bonus that we saw this spring.  The latest in their slew of offers is the return of their partner transfer bonus. Basically what it entails is transferring points out of other select loyalty programs into your Aeroplan account. Just like we saw in May, the offer is once again cumulative across all participating partners. That is, you can transfer from partners like CIBC, Starwood, Hertz and more (see the last graphic) and as long as the total Aeroplan miles deposited from all of them reaches one of the bonus target levels you will be awarded the respective bonus miles.  I did notice that this time the offer seems to target U.S. Credit Card holders save for CIBC in Canada as Bank of America and Diners Club Club Rewards are included. Of course all of the other hotel, car rental and Points.com partners are available to us Canadians.

Unfortunately for me I like this promotion when American Express Membership Rewards is included but this time it is not, so chances are I will not use the promo this time.

If you are a Starwood Preferred Guest collector you can really up the bonus by taking advantage of their 5,000 Mile bonus offer when you convert 20,000 Starpoints into Aeroplan. Which means in this promotion you can get 29,000 Aeroplan Miles for 20,000 Starpoints or if you transfer 20k four times, you'll get 125,000 Aeroplan Miles for 80,000 Starpoints. Of course I like to keep Starpoints for award nights or cash+points stays within the Starwood family but some of you may like this transfer option.

The offer as pulled from our Aeroplan Bonus Mile Promotions page is as follows:

Earn up to 40,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles when you convert points from a wide selection of Aeroplan partner loyalty programs (hotel, car rental, credit card and points.com). Bonuses are as follows and are awarded on a cumulative basis (not per transaction like previous promotions)
Convert Points to
5,000 Aeroplan Miles to earn a 1,000 Mile bonus
10,000 Aeroplan Miles to earn a 2,000 Mile bonus
20,000 Aeroplan Miles to earn 4,000 Mile bonus
50,000 Aeroplan Miles to earn a 10,000 Mile bonus
100,000 Aeroplan Miles to earn a 25,000 Mile bonus
150,000 Aeroplan Miles to earn a 40,000 Mile bonus
Full details Valid until Dec 17, 12