Nov 22 Update: Jumeirah Sirius devaluation, RocketMiles bookings help the Philippines, Petro-Points Digital Rewards

Last day of the work week brings lots of news and bonus offers!

News, Tips & Tricks
Tip of the day: Are you a few miles short of an award? Buying miles is always an option and we track all bonus offers for buying/gifting/transferring miles on our Buy Miles page. Sometimes these buy miles offers (US Airways as an example) are worthwhile to buy a lot of miles to redeem for flights. See it in action here!

Petro-Points has introduced digital rewards to their rewards catalog. These digital rewards include
•    Music: Singles and albums
•    Movies: 24 hour rentals or unlimited streaming
•    TV shows: Single episodes and full seasons
•    eBooks and Audiobooks
Always good to see more redemption options, especially from a program where some of us may not be collecting enough points for some of the pricier rewards. Find out more about this new Petro-Points redemption option here.

We posted an offer on FrequentFlyerBonuses.com for a new Hilton HHonors credit card for Australia residents and that raises the question if a Canadian card is on the horizon. The Australian market is very similar to Canada's in terms of loyalty program participation and a small, spread out population. Here in Canada Hilton is growing steadily, we know that in Calgary alone there are going to be no less than 3 or 4 new Hilton brands opening here in the next few years. We here at Rewards Canada would not be surprised if an HHonors credit card comes to our market by 2015.

British Airways has re-branded their online shopping mall as "Gate 365" but it doesn't appear there are any other changes to it. You can earn up 12 Avios per dollar spent at over 150 online retailers. See more here.

Lost in the midst of devaluations from United, Hyatt, Alaska was another program that has released some increased rates for redemptions and that was Jumeirah Sirius. The frequent guest program for the luxury chain Jumeirah released their 2014 award night redemption rates and many of those have gone up by 50 to 400 points over the 2013 rates. To see the 2013 and 2014 redemption charts click here.

Rocketmiles is helping out in the Philippines!

Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest tropical storms ever recorded, recently swept through the Central Philippines, leaving behind a path of destruction. Rocketmiles is committed to providing assistance by sending relief packages to one specific area in need, Bantayan Island.

You can help us in our efforts.

For every booking made through this link, an additional relief package* containing food, hygiene, and essential home goods will be added to our shipment on your behalf. The effort is made possible with the help of the Bangon Bantayanons organization.
*Each package will contain 1 tent, 1 gas lamp, 6 pounds of rice, 1 gallon of water, 15 canned goods, soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoo, laundry detergent, baby wipes, matchsticks, and disinfectant.
 

Bonus Offers
Air Miles
- 250 Bonus Air Miles Reward Miles when you book new, individual Transat Holidays and Nolitours vacation packages only via Marlin Travel including airfare and a minimum of 7 nights accommodation at a participating resorts. More... Book by Nov 30 for travel Dec 21, 13 - Apr 30, 14

American AAdvantage
- Earn up to 18,000 Bonus AAdvantage Miles when you buy AAdvantage Miles online. More... Until Dec 31, 13

China Airlines Dynasty Flyer
- Double Dynasty Flyer Miles on all Sixt Rentals Worldwide. More... Until Dec 15, 13

Etihad Guest
- Triple Guest Miles on all Europcar rentals Worldwide. More... Until Dec 31, 13
- Double Guest Miles on the purchase of tickets at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. Simply present your Etihad Guest membership card. More... Until Dec 31, 13
- Double Guest Miles on the purchase of tickets at Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi. More... Until Dec 31, 13

Hyatt Gold Passport
- Earn up to 30% Bonus Gold Passport Points when you buy Hyatt Gold Passport points online. More... Until Nov 29, 13

Marriott Rewards
- $100 Bonus Bucks when you stay at least two consecutive nights Sunday - Thursday at participating Marriott Hotels in 10 U.S. states. More... Book by Dec 20 for stays until Jan 6, 14
- 3,000 Bonus Points per stay of 2 nights or more at the SpringHill Suites Old Montreal. More... Until Dec 21, 13
- 1,500 Bonus Points per stay at the Courtyard New Orleans Downtown/Convention Center. More... Until Dec 31, 13

Saudia Alfursan
- Double Alfursan Miles on all Budget car rentals in Saudia Arabia. More... Until Jan 31, 14

Southwest Rapid Rewards (on FrequentFlyerBonuses.com only)
- Double Rapid Rewards Points on every eligible stay at a Country Inns & Suites® hotel in the U.S. More... Until Dec 31, 13

IHG Rewards Club members can save an extra 10% on weekend stays in Europe

Right now, members can get an extra 10% or more off the lowest online rates by booking their stay direct with IHG. Simply book by January 31 for stays until February 28 that include a Friday or Saturday night. Full details and online booking

Book between 14 November 2013 and 31 January 2014 for a stay between 1 December 2013 and 28 February 2014, including a Friday or Saturday night, at selected (see participation list ) European Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza and Hotel Indigo hotels and quote “IHG Rewards Club Exclusive Rate” to receive a discount of at least 10% on all retail rates (Best Flexible Rate with Breakfast, Best Flexible Rate, Advance Saver Rate Room Only, Weekend Escapes Rate, Advance Saver Rate with Breakfast, 21 Day Super Saver with Breakfast, 21 Day Super Saver Room Only, where available). Offer only available to IHG Rewards Club members.

Rocketmiles: Get 3,000 Bonus Miles For Mobile Bookings

Better late then never with certain promos! We've been meaning to pass this offer along to our readers for a week and half now but it got stuck in our serious back log of bonuses to add to FFB! (we even discussed it with the Rocketmiles crew in Vancouver last week at an industry conference)

The promotion awards 3,000 Bonus Miles in the program of your choice that is partnered with Rocketmiles for stays that are booked via a mobile device by 11:59pm CT Nov 30  and completed by Dec 31, 13. You must book your stay via the special promotion page at https://www.rocketmiles.com/mobile-bonus/ but if you are not a member of Rocketmiles yet you can join via our referral link to earn 1,000 more miles on your first booking and we'll get a referral credit of the same amount. So if this will be your first time using Rocketmiles you should be able to get 4,000 bonus miles over and above what they award for the stay itself.

Delta Hotels: Double elite stay/night credit on all stays until the end of the year

This is one program we probably don't give enough coverage to here on Rewards Canada other than the their Aeroplan bonus promos or occasional 35% offers. The Delta Privilege program is benefit type frequent guest program as they do not award points for the program itself although you can earn Aeroplan or Asia Miles with it. The benefits that the program provides are great even at the basic level, free internet and late check out being the key features that are included in all levels of the program. In fact last winter we had a stay at the Delta Kananaskis Lodge and on the morning of check out we heard there was a bad accident blocking the highway back into Calgary. Rather than being stuck on the highway for hours we were able to enjoy the pool and hot tub on that snowy day since our Delta Privilege membership provided us with 3pm late checkout (non-resort locations goes until 6pm!) Rewards Canada will have a more thorough review of the program in the coming weeks but all we can say is that the benefits get even better when you reach Gold, Platinum or Platinum Plus in the program which leads us into this promotion that launched on November 15th.

Delta Privilege members will receive double elite status stay/night credits until Dec 31 on all of their eligible Delta stays. Which means you can get Gold status with 3 stays if haven't had any stays yet this year or if you have hopefully this promotion will help you earn Platinum or Platinum Plus status. For complete details on the promotion please click here.

Nov 21 Update: US Airways to leave Star Alliance on March 1? Shangri-La contest week 5 (free points!), 5x Aeroplan Miles on Esso fills

What does Thursday have in store? Read on to find out!

News, Tips & Tricks
According to this article on FrequentBusinessTraveler.com, US Airways is set to leave the Star Alliance on March 1 and join the oneworld alliance one month later. What does this mean? If you are a Dividend Miles member not too much as you will be able to continue to redeem for US Airways flights but will of course lose access to Star Alliance flights (primarily Air Canada for us Canadians) and Aeroplan members or members of other Star Alliance airlines well if you had US Airways travel planned in the next few months now is the time to redeem for those flights and vice versa for Dividend Miles members looking to redeem on Air Canada or other Star Alliance airlines

We have not been heeding our own advice and totally forgot to enter week 4 of Shangri-La's Golden Circle 3rd Annivesary contest which means we'll only come out with 1,000 free points instead of 1,200 (that 1,000 points is still enough for a free night at select hotels) So here is early notice, don't forget to enter week 5 of the 6 week contest! 

Travel Deals
Delta Hotels is offering up to 35% off for stays at their locations across Canada. Simply book by Nov 24 for stays until Mar 2, 2014. Full Details and Online Booking

Bonus Offers
Air Canada Aeroplan
- 5x Aeroplan Miles when you fuel up three times or more with Regular Grade gasoline or Diesel Fuel purchases and swipe your Aeroplan Card (or your Speedpass linked to Aeroplan) at Esso stations across Canada. More... Until Dec 1, 13

Air France KLM Flying Blue
- Earn 3,000 Bonus Flying Blue Miles when you join the Flying Blue program and complete your first Air France, KLM or any SkyTeam partner flight by June 30, 2014. More... Join by Jan 31, 14 Restrictions: Residents of Canada only

British Airways Executive Club
- Triple Avios for stays at any participating Accor Hotel Worldwide. More... Until Dec 31, 13

Delta SkyMiles
- Triple SkyMiles for stays at any Sofitel or Novotel hotel in North America for 2 or more nights. More... Until Mar 31, 14

Iberia Plus
- Triple Avios on all Europcar rentals Worldwide More... Until Dec 31, 13
- Triple Avios on all Hertz rentals of 3 or more days Worldwide. More... Book by Dec 15 for rentals until Dec 31, 13
- Triple Avios on all Sxit rentals of 3 or more days in Germany and Spain. More... Book by Dec 26 for rentals until Dec 31, 13

JetBlue TrueBlue
- Earn up to 5x TrueBlue Points on any Hertz rental of 2 or more days at participating locations in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. More... Until Mar 31, 14

La Quinta Returns
- Earn up to Triple Returns Points for stays at participating La Quinta locations in the U.S. More... Until Dec 5, 13

Air France KLM 3,000 Flying Blue miles sign up bonus for Canadians returns!

Today sees the return of the Canadian Air France KLM first flight bonus when you join their Flying Blue program that we saw this past summer. This is a duplicate of the summer offer and as such is unlike most other AF KLM sign up bonuses as this one is not limited to AF KLM flights but is open to any SkyTeam flight! So you can fly Delta, Korean, Czech Airlines, or any other SkyTeam airline to earn this bonus. 

Here is the offer as it will be posted on the Rewards Canada's Flying Blue Bonus Miles page tomorrow:

Earn 3,000 Bonus Flying Blue Miles when you join the Flying Blue program and complete your first Air France, KLM or any SkyTeam partner flight by June 30, 2014. Use promo code CAXM when you join the Flying Blue program online at KLM.com (CA). Join by January 31, 14
Restrictions:
Residents of Canada only

Can't make use of this promotion? Be sure to visit our Flying Blue Bonus Miles page for other flight,  hotel, car rental and other mileage bonuses!

Nov 20 Update: American 'boost' your status offer, Coast Hotels adds More Rewards as partner, 3x Points/2x Status Credit with Voila Hotel Rewards

Wednesday is mixed bag of news and bonuses! We hope that everyone's week is going well!

News, Tips & Tricks
American AAdvantage  is offering current elite status members who may not reach status for 2014 an opportunity to 'boost' their status for a small cost if you fall within a predetermined boost range. Even if you don't get within boost range you can always buy back your status but it will cost you more than the boost rate. Click here for complete details

Coast Hotels Coast Rewards has added the Overwaitea Food Groups' More Rewards as a partner. Now More Rewards members can earn More Rewards points on Coast Hotel stays in Canada and the U.S. To celebrate the launch of the new partnership More Rewards Members can earn 6x the points per dollar spent on Coast Hotel stays until Jan 31, 14. See all the details here.

Bonus Offers
airberlin topbonus
- Double topbonus Miles for flights on Qatar Airways Worldwide in all eligible booking classes More.. Register by Dec 6 for travel Nov 15 - Dec 19 & Jan 6 - 31, 14

IHG Rewards Club
- Double IHG Rewards Club Points plus, save up to 15% on qualifying Hertz Affordable Rate rentals of one or more days at participating locations in Africa, Asia, Australia, Brazil, Europe, Mexico, Middle East, New Zealand and St. Thomas. More... Until Dec 31, 13

JetBlue TrueBlue (on FrequentFlyerBonuses.com only)
- Earn up to 50% Bonus TrueBlue Points when you buy or gift TrueBlue points online. More... Until Dec 31, 13

Jumeriah Sirius
- Double Sirius Points for stays at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray. More... Until Jan 31, 14
- Earn up to Triple Sirius Points for stays on the Sirius Winter Flavours package at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers or the Madinat Jumeirah Dubai. More... Until Apr 30, 14

Marriott Rewards
- Double Rewards Points plus, save up to 15% on qualifying Hertz Affordable Rate rentals of one or more days at participating locations in Africa, Asia, Australia, Brazil, Europe, Mexico, Middle East, New Zealand and St. Thomas. More... Until Dec 31, 13

Starwood Preferred Guest
- 20,000 Bonus Starpoints with the Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express. More... Residents of United Kingdom Only

United MileagePlus
- Earn up to 100% Bonus MileagePlus miles when you fly United between San Francisco and Taipei. More...  Mar 29 - Jun 20, 14

Volia Hotel Rewards
- Triple VHR Rewards Points & Double Elite Status credit when you stay at any VHR brand—other than the one where you initially enrolled. More... Until Dec 31, 14

Nov 19 Update: American & US Airways to offer reciprocal FFP benefits in the new year, United shopping bonus, Virgin Atlantic Buy Miles bonus

Today is a bonus offer day! Just a little bit of news to pass your way otherwise are you bonusing?

News, Tips & Tricks
Last week we mentioned that the American Airlines-US Airways merger is back on track and according to this USA Today article the airlines will begin offering reciprocal FFP benefits on each others flights as of January 7th. This is good news for flyers in each program as now you can expand your choice of flights to earn miles in either the Dividend Miles or AAdvantage programs.

Bonus Offers
Air Canada Aeroplan
- Earn up to 100 Bonus Aeroplan Miles each you time you fill up with gas at Esso stations across Canada. More... Until Dec 8, 13

airberlin topbonus
- Double topbonus Miles for stays at select Lindner Hotels in Europe. More... Dec 1 - 21, 13 and Jan 5 - 31, 14

Germanwings Boomerang Club (on FrequentFlyerBonuses.com only)
- Triple Boomerang Miles on your next hotel booking made via HRS.de. More... Book by Nov 24 for stays until Feb 28, 14

Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
- Double Mileage Bank Miles on all eligible Bangkok Airways flights systemwide in eligible fare classes. More...Dec 1, 13 - Feb 28, 14

United MileagePlus
- MileagePlus Shopping Earn up to 2,500 Bonus MileagePlus miles when you shop via MileagePlus shopping. More...  Full details Until Dec 31, 13

US Airways Dividend Miles
- 5x Dividend Miles on rentals of 1 day or more at participating Avis airport locations in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico (excluding Alaska). More... Until Apr 30, 14
- Quadruple Dividend Miles qualifying rentals of 1 or more days at participating Budget airport locations in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico (excluding Alaska). More... Until Apr 30, 14

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Earn 20% Bonus Miles Flying Club Miles on Miles Booster Purchases for Virgin Atlantic flights. More...  Until Dec 12, 13
- Earn up to 20% Bonus Miles Flying Club Miles when you buy, gift or transfer Flying Club Miles online. More...  Until Dec 12, 13

WestJet Rewards
- Earn 5x WestJet Dollars when you fly on WestJet Encore between Calgary or Vancouver and Ft. St. John. More...  Until Feb 7, 14
- Earn 5x WestJet Dollars when you fly on WestJet Encore between Vancouver and Terrace. More...  Until Jan 31, 14

Another small devaluation to tell you about, this time it's Alaska Airlines (although its not as bad as the others!)

The last 10 months haven't been too great in the Frequent Flyer and Frequent Guest world as programs from Aeroplan to United and many in between have announced changes to their award/reward charts. A few weeks ago when we discussed the negative changes to the United MileagePlus program we had crossed our fingers that Alaska Airlines wouldn't follow suit. Unfortunately they have. Last week they announced some changes to their award tickets that will take effect on January 14, 2014. This changes really only affect Mileage Plan members in British Columbia and Alberta. Why? The increases are only for flights on Alaska Airlines metal and they only serve cities in B.C. and Alberta. Of course those of you in the East can be affected if you fly with them within the U.S. however most Mileage Plan members outside of Alberta/B.C. I would imagine are redeeming for Mileage Plan partner flights and those awards were not affected as they only account for 16% of their total flight redemptions. With all the being said, the actual changes to the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan award ticket chart are minor in comparison to what we saw from Aeroplan, Delta and United.

Here are the three Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan award charts that will see the changes in January. Remember these are for flights on Alaska Airlines only, not their partners.

Award tickets for travel within the U.S. and Canada

Award tickets for travel between the U.S./Canada & Hawaii

Award tickets for travel between the U.S./Canada & Mexico

Essentially the best award flights (essentially saver tickets at the lowest level) for travel between Canada and the U.S./Alaska/Hawaii/Mexico or or within the U.S. have not changed for coach class. Only the refundable awards in all those areas and better availability coach awards to Hawaii will see slight increases of 2,500 miles each way and we even see a part of the award chart get better, First Class award tickets that come with restrictions to Mexico drops by 2,500 miles each way!

All in all this is what award devaluations should look like. Very minor and acceptable in our minds and we believe that most Mileage Plan members would feel the same.

5x WestJet Dollars on Encore's new Ft. St. John and Terrace routes

The WestJet Rewards program continues to evolve into a FFP each and every day. According to my discussion with WestJet at last week's Mega Event conference in Vancouver, 2014 will the be year of the partner. We can't wait to see to what and who are brought into the program. Also part of the evolution into a full fledged FFP is the whole domain of bonus offers and WestJet has jumped onto this train especially in regards to route launch bonuses. Late last week the latest set of route launch bonuses came out of the WestJet campus for their new Encore routes to Ft. St. John and Terrace.

Here are the offers as they will appear on RC's WestJet Rewards Bonus Dollars  page later today:



Earn 5x WestJet Dollars when you fly on WestJet Encore between Calgary or Vancouver and Ft. St. John. Full details.  Until Feb 7, 14

Earn 5x WestJet Dollars when you fly on WestJet Encore between Vancouver and Terrace. Full details.  Until Jan 31, 14

Can't make use of this promotion? Be sure to visit our WestJet Rewards Bonus Dollars  page for other flight,  hotel, car rental and other mileage bonuses!