American Express® Gold Credit Card with Cash Back Re-launched!

Some of you have been lucky enough to still hold this card since it was cut from the public portfolio back in 2008 and we are pleased to pass along the news that the American Express® Gold Credit Card with Cash Back has returned for public applications! The card is a good option for those people who don't want a travel rewards card or need to supplement their credit card portfolio with a cash back card.

For those of you who do have the card you'll recall the card was revamped in 2011 with the addition of $99 annual fee and a $100,000 cap on the 2% earn rate both of which still remain on the card.The complete earn rate on spending is tiered as follows:

0.5% on annual spend up to $2,500
1.0% on annual spend between $2,501 and $5,000
2.0% on annual spend between $5,001 and $100,000
1.0% on annual spend above $100,000
No cap on cashback that can be earned



Based on these tiers once you get to about $33,000 in spend this card jumps ahead of the pack in the cash back category in terms of cash return (albeit for some cards like the Scotia Momentum it will depend on your category bonus spending)

The cash back is awarded annually as a statement credit on your account.

The card also offers $100,000 in Travel Accident Insurance, Buyer’s Assurance Protection Plan and Purchase Protection Plan and of course the famous Front of the Line benefit.

Is this a card you might consider if you are not interested in travel rewards or are looking to supplement your primary travel rewards card with a cash back one? Let us know what think! We'd also love to hear from those of you who do have the card and how it has been for you.

You can learn more or apply for the card here.

We will also be adding this card to our Cash Back Credit Card comparison chart over the next few days so you can see how it compares to others in this category

Mar 4 Update: Amex Gift Cards for YVR stays, week long Airmilesshops bonus, Hilton airline bonus for Latin America stays,

New routes, free miles and Amex Gift Cards for YVR stays round out today's update:

News, Tips & Tricks
Canadian North will be launching summer seasonal service between Iqaluit and St. Johns/Halifax. The flights will run from Jun 20th to Sep 5. Canadian North is an Aeroplan partner so you can earn or redeem miles for these flights. (Source: Airlineroute.net)
Schedule:
5T401 YFB1715 – 2130YHZ2215 – 0025+1YYT 733 5
5T400 YYT1200 – 1315YHZ1400 – 1615YFB 733 5

There is a free miles offer from South African Airways, caveat is that you are supposed to be 8 years old to get it! See our bonus offer section below for details

Airmilesshops.ca is running a short term bonus of 5x Air Miles Rewards miles on qualifying purchases of $20 or more before taxes made via the online shopping portal. The offer runs until March 11. More...

Travel Deals
Not too long ago we let you know about an American Express Gift Card offer for staying at select hotels in Vancouver. We are happy to let you know that they have a new offer now running that once again awards American Express Gift Cards for stays in YVR. This time the value of the gift card is based on the class of hotel you stay at. You must book by March 14 for stays until April 30. Click here for full details and online booking. Be aware however that the rates are pre-paid and non-cancellable. Gift cards are awarded as follows.

• Bookings at 2 through 3.5 Star Hotels: Guests will receive a $75 AMEX Prepaid Gift Card
• Bookings at 4 Star Hotels: Guests will receive a $100 AMEX Prepaid Gift Card
• Bookings at 4.5 and 5 Star Hotels: Guests will receive a $125 AMEX Prepaid Gift Card

Bonus Offers
airberlin topbonus
- Triple topbonus Miles for stays at participating Accor Hotels Worldwide. More... Book by Apr 30 for stays until May 31, 14

Delta SkyMiles
- 25,000 Bonus SkyMiles after 5 paid stays at any of 3,700+ participating Marriott hotels worldwide. More... Until May 31, 14

Hilton HHonors
- Double Airline Miles for stays at participating hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio in Latin America and the Caribbean. More... Until Apr 30, 14

JetBlue TrueBlue (on FrequentFlyerBonuses.com only)
- Earn 5,000 TrueBlue Bonus Points when you register for TrueBlue, then book and fly a JetBlue flight (one-way or roundtrip) More...   Until Apr 30, 14

Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- Earn up to 14,000 Bonus QMiles for Qatar Airways flights between Doha and Edinburgh. More...   May 28 - Aug 31, 14
- Earn up to 6,000 Bonus QMiles for Qatar Airways flights between Doha and Sabiha. More...    May 22 - Aug 15, 14
- Double QMiles and 15% off the best available rate when you book and stay at selected Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Maldives, Shanghai, Istanbul, London, Frankfurt, Mallorca and Baku. More...   Until Aug 31, 14
- 1,500 QMiles for stays at selected Langham properties worldwide. More...   Until May 31, 14
- 1,000 Bonus QMiles for stays at participating Courtyard by Marriott® hotels in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar or Kuwait. More...   Until May 3, 14
- Double QMiles for stays at the Salalah Rotana Resort. More...   Until Dec 31, 14
- Double QMiles and save up to 35% on Budget rentals in Australia, Canada, Turkey, Qatar, United States, Bahrain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia. More...   Until Aug 31, 14

South African Airways Voyager
- Double Voyager Miles when you fly on SAA Airlink between Johannesburg and Bloemfontein, Kimberley and Gaboronee. More...   Until May 31, 14
- 8,000 Voyager Miles to all 8 year old kids that join the Voyager programme during the month of March 2014 in celebration of SAA’s 80th Birthday. More...   Until Mar 31, 14

Voila Hotel Rewards
- Earn up to 50% Bonus VHR Points when you stay two or more times at any VOILÀ network hotel Worldwide. More... Until May 31, 14

Mar 3 Update: China Eastern to serve Toronto, Bonus Aeroplan miles for eye exams and eye wear, AAdvantage bonus for YEG-DFW flights

The first update for March has some new route news and lots of new bonuses

News, Tips & Tricks
China Eastern looks to start service to its second Canadian city. The airline is planning to offer 3x weekly service between Shanghai and Toronto starting on June 25th. With this service SkyTeam continues to grow the cities they serve in Canada while keeping their status as the second largest alliance in Canada after the Star Alliance.  (Source Airlineroute.net) At this time no route launch bonus has been announced for Eastern Miles members but we may see one as the launch date approaches. You can keep track of Eastern Miles offers on our Eastern Miles Bonus Points page

You may be out of luck if you were hoping to fly on Air Canada's new 787 service between Toronto and London as it appears to have been pushed back to May 1st from April 1st.   (Source Airlineroute.net)

Travel Deals
Rent a Midsize SUV $33.99/day at participating Thrifty locations through March 15, 2014. Some exclusions apply.

Bonus Offers
Air Canada Aeroplan
- Triple Aeroplan Miles on a completed eye exam and any eye wear purchases such as frames, lenses, contact lenses, coatings and sunglasses. More... Until Apr 30, 14
- 500 Bonus Aeroplan Miles for new patients who complete an eye exam. More... Until Apr 30, 14

American AAdvantage
- Earn Double AAdvantage Miles when you fly non-stop between Los Angeles and West Palm Beach on American Airlines. More... Until May 31, 14
- Earn Double AAdvantage Miles when you fly non-stop between Edmonton and Dallas on American Airlines.More... Apr 1 - Jun 30, 14

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- Double Asia Miles when fly round-trip in First or Business Class on Cathay Pacific from Vancouver or Toronto to Hong Kong. More... Until May 31, 14 Valid for residents of Canada only
- Double Asia Miles when you stay at any participating Ascott, Citadines or Somerset serviced residence for two consecutive nights or more. More... Until Apr 30, 14
- Double Asia Miles when you stay at participating Harbour Plaza properties for two consecutive nights or more in selected room types at eligible rates. More... Until May 31, 14

China Southern SkyPearl Club
- Double SkyPearl Kilometers on China Southern Airlines flights in eligible fare classes between Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai Pudong, Zhengzhou, Changsha, Xi’an, Wulumuqi or Wuhan and Kunming; Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing, Dalian, Hangzhou, Harbin, Wulumuqi or Wuhan and Chendu; -Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai Pudong, Shenzhen, Changsha, Hangzhou, Nanning, or Wulumuqi and Chongqing. More... Until Mar 31, 14

JetBlue TrueBlue (on FrequentFlyerBonuses.com only)
- Earn up to 50% Bonus True Blue Points when you buy or gift TrueBlue points. More... Until Mar 31, 14

Miles & More
- 1,000 Miles & More Miles when you register and supply your email address to Sixt rent a car. More... Until ?

US Airways Dividend Miles
- Earn up to 100% Bonus Dividend Miles (Mystery Bonus) when you buy Dividend Miles. More... Until Mar 26, 14

Cathay Pacific: Double Asia Miles for flights in First/Business Class between Toronto or Vancouver and Hong Kong

Wow today is a day for new flight bonuses out of Canada. First it was the American AAdvantage offer for their new YEG-DFW flight and now it is the return of the often seen double Asia Miles on Cathay Pacific flights in premium class out Toronto and Vancouver.

Here is the bonus as it will appear on RC's Asia Miles Bonus Miles page today:

Double Asia Miles when fly round-trip in First or Business Class on Cathay Pacific from Vancouver or Toronto to Hong Kong. Register Online (Registration is required)  Until May 31, 14
Valid for residents of Canada only 

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

US Airways: Up to a 100% Bonus when buying Dividend Miles (Mystery Bonus)

US Airways has launched another monthly buy miles promotion. This time it is called 'the Mystery Bonus' as you won't know what bonus is being offered to you until you log in to your account. If you are one of the lucky ones to get the 100% bonus then the offer is, as always, a very good deal to take advantage of if you will be using the miles within a few months (it is not a good idea to buy to only hold onto them for a long time period as the value can be quickly eroded by a program devaluation)

Here is the offer as it appears on our Dividend Miles Bonus Miles page:

Earn up to 100% Bonus Dividend Miles (Mystery Bonus) when you buy Dividend Miles. Every Dividend Miles member will be the lucky recipient of 25%, 50%, 75%, or a full 100% bonus miles when they buy or gift miles - up to 50,000 miles. Full Details Until Mar 26, 14

If you are one of the lucky ones, the promo allows you to buy up to 50,000 miles (so 100,000 in total with the bonus) at 3.5 cents per mile (effective rate is 1.75 cents per mile) plus taxes of $131.25 for total of $1881.25. Considering that can get you a business class ticket between North America and Europe or Asia that can cost a lot more than that, this is a good deal! Since US Airways allows 3 day holds on award tickets you can always find the award flights you want before you buy the miles and therefore you don't have dole out a hefty chunk of change just in case you cannot find availability for your preferred award flights.

This also a good way to get American AAdvantage Miles as Dividend Miles will  be integrated into the AAdvantage program once the AA/US merger is complete.

American Airlines: Double AAdvantage Miles on AA flights between Edmonton and Dallas

We passed along the news sometime ago that AA was launching new service between Edmonton and Dallas and as is typical with AA we now see an AAdvantage bonus to celebrate the launch of the new route. If you have booked this route to fly it in  its first three months of operation or are planning to be sure to register for it right away so you don't forget down the road. Even if your travels take you elsewhere on AA out of Edmonton that require a connection in DFW then you should also register as you'll earn the bonus miles on the YEG-DFW legs of your travel.

Here is the bonus as it will appear on RC's AAdvantage Bonus Miles page today:

Earn Double AAdvantage Miles when you fly non-stop between Edmonton and Dallas on American Airlines.  Register Online (Registration is required)  Apr 1 - Jun 30, 14

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

Feb 28 Update: Earn Petro-Points (Asia Miles!) for Discount Car Rentals, Last day to register for SPG Bring on the Nights

Last day of updates for February!

News, Tips & Tricks
We have added a dedicated Rocketmiles page to the Rewards Canada bonus offer section. If you use or ever plan on using Rocketmiles for your hotel bookings make sure you check this page first to ensure you are not missing out on any potential bonus offers. You can view the page at www.rewardscanada.ca/rocketmiles.html

ICYMI:   Is Delta Airlines alienating the average high yield traveler?
 
Today is the last day to register for Starwood Preferred Guest's Bring on the Nights promotion. If you haven't registered yet be sure to do so today so that you can potentially earn the bonus for your Starwood stays until April 30th!

Discount Car & Truck rental has partnered with Petro Canada's Petro Points. Members can now earn 10 Petro Points per dollar spent on vehicle rentals with Discount. Since Petro Points can be converted at a rate 10,000 points to 1,000 Asia Miles, this technically mean Asia Miles members can earn 1 Asia Mile per dollar spent with Discount. Find more about this new partnership here.

Rona is offering 4x Air Miles Reward Miles on any purchase over $60 before taxes until Mar 5. Find out more here.

Bonus Offers

Air Canada Aeroplan
- Earn up to 10,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles per couple when you book a getaway at Sandals and Beaches resorts. More... Book by Mar 31, 14

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan (on FrequentFlyerBonuses.com only)
- Double Mileage Plan Miles when you shop at participating Carrs/Safeway locations in Alaska.More... Until Mar 25, 14

Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
- Double Mileage Bank Miles for stays of 2 nights or more at participating Preferred Hotel Group Hotels Worldwide. More... Until Dec 31, 14

Malaysia Airines Enrich (on FrequentFlyerBonuses.com only)
- Triple Enrich Miles for stays of 2 or more nights at the Danna Langkawi More... Until Apr 30, 14
- Double Enrich Miles for stays at the Dorsett Grand Subang. More... Until Apr 30, 14
- Double Enrich Miles for stays of 2 or more nights at the G Tower Hotel Kuala Lumpur. More... Until Apr 30, 14
- Double Enrich Miles for stays of 2 or more nights at the G Hotel Penang. More... Until Apr 30, 14
- Double Enrich Miles for stays in Suites and Kings Club rooms at the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya. More... Until Apr 30, 14
- Double Enrich Miles for every qualifying stay at participating InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express Hotels & Resorts in Asia, Australasia, Middle East and Africa. More... Until Apr 30, 14
- Earn up to Triple Enrich Miles on stays of 2 or more nights at participating Mandarin Oriental Hotels Worldwide. More... Until Apr 30, 14
- Earn up Triple Enrich Miles for stays in London, Paris, Germany, Italy, Greece, Luxembourg and Dubai. More... Book by Mar 31 for stays until Apr 15, 14
- Double Enrich Miles for stays of 2 or more nights at the Seri Pacific Kuala Lumpur. More... Until Apr 30, 14
- Double Enrich Miles for stays of 2 or more nights at the Pangkor Laut Resort, Perak Tanjong Jara Resort, Terengganu Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali · Gaya Island Resort, Sabah. More... Until Apr 30, 14
- Earn up to Quadruple Enrich Miles when renting with Avis for 3+ days in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand. More... Until Apr 30, 14
- Double Enrich Miles when you rent a car on an Affordable Rate for 3 or more days from a participating HERTZ location in the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia or New Zealand. More... Until Apr 30, 14

Marriott Rewards
- 1,000 Bonus Rewards Points and 10% off when you stay two consecutive nights Thursday to Sunday at more than 50 Marriott locations across the UK. More... Until Apr 28, 14
- 2,500 Bonus Points when you stay on Thursday-Sunday nights (Friday or Saturday required) at the Vancouver Airport Marriott Hotel, Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel or the Renaissance Vancouver Harbourside Hotel. More... Until Apr 27, 14
- 3,000 Bonus Rewards Points when you stay two consecutive nights Thursday - Sunday at the Renaissance Malmo Hotel or Courtyard by Marriott Stockholm Kungsholmen. More... Until May 4, 14
- 10,000 Bonus Rewards Points when you stay two nights Thursday-Sunday at the Threadneedles London. More... May 22 - Jul 22, 14

Shangri-La Golden Circle
- Double GC Award Points for stays in a Horizon Club Suite or One Bedroom Suite at the Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai. More... Until May 31, 14

Starwood Preferred Guest
- Earn 1,000 Bonus Starpoints when you tell your LinkedIn connections about SPG. Plus, when you stay by 15 May 2014, you’ll earn 1,000 bonus Starpoints per stay, up to 5,000 bonus Starpoints.More... Refer connections by Mar 25, 14 Valid only for SPG members in India

Is Delta Airlines alienating the average high yield traveler?

Rewards Canada contributor Sol Zia gives us a quick commentary on the Delta SkyMiles changes that were announced yesterday. See our post here for more details.

By biasing SkyMiles earning towards high price, high yield, tickets I think Delta is overestimating business travelers preponderance for a last minute ticket purchase. If you talk to the average 100,000 plus mile flyer they will admit to a mix of ticket classes. I'd estimate at least 1/3rd of business travel is project-able and is made up of consistently scheduled monthly management meetings, conferences, training and other easy to forecast trip reasons. Even with more immediate trips, like client meetings, most travelers, and certainly their corporate travel desks, book the lowest flexible fare. I think Delta is running a big risk over-applying the Pareto rule and that many of their loyal FFP members may move up on the miles based FFPs. Time and analysis will tell.

Sol Zia, a loyalty consultant, has been an Air Canada Super Elite (100K) member since he first fast-tracked out of Elite in 2003.

Feb 27 Update: Free Turkish Airlines Miles&Smile Miles, Aeroplan bonus for Costco sign up & shopping, 25 new bonuses

Here is the Thursday update for you!

News, Tips & Tricks
Today is all about the bonus offer. No news to pass along after the big news from Delta yesterday.

We did post our latest credit card review, this time its on the new TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite card. Read all about here.

In the bonus offer section check out the Turkish Airlines offer for up to 1,000 free miles for updating your information with them. Most of our readers will only be able to achieve 750 of those miles since they don't live or have resident status in Turkey but those are still better than nothing!

Also in the bonus offers is the return of the Aeroplan sign up bonus for new Costco members and also the return of 2x Aeroplan miles for purchases made online at Costco.ca (perfect timing for me as we are planning to order a vanity for a home reno from Costco.ca!)

Travel Deals
IHG Hotels: Save between 10 to 30% on your spring getaway when you book early!.


Bonus Offers
Air Canada Aeroplan
- Double Aeroplan Miles for every $1 you spend on Costco.ca. More... Until Mar 30, 14
- Earn up to 1,500 Bonus Aeroplan Miles when you buy a Costco membership. More... Until Mar 30, 14

Air France KLM Flying Blue
- Double Flying Blue Miles for stays at participating Novotel Hotels Worldwide that are booked at least 21 days in advance. More... Book by Apr 13 for stays until May 4, 14
- 1,000 Bonus Flying Blue Miles when you stay for three or more consecutive nights at any Meliá Hotels International property worldwide. More... Book by May 31 for stays until Jun 30, 14
- 2,000 Bonus Flying Blue Miles on rentals of 7 or more days at all participating Avis locations Worldwide. More... Until Apr 10, 14
- Triple Flying Blue Miles on rentals of three days or more at all participating Hertz locations Worldwide. More... Book by Mar 30 for rentals until Aug 31, 14
- Double Flying Blue Miles for all your spending at any of the 9 Chic Outlet Shopping Villages in Europe. More... Mar 1 - Apr 6, 14

Marriott Rewards
- 3,000 Bonus Rewards Points per night on Thursday - Sunday nights at the Courtyard Baltimore Downtown/Inner Harbor. More... Until Mar 30, 14
- 5,000 Bonus Rewards Points when you stay two or more nights at the The Hotel Minneapolis, Autograph Collection. More... Until Mar 29, 14
- 5,000 Bonus Rewards Points when you stay any night in a studio suite at the TownePlace Suites Minneapolis Eden Prairie. More... Until Mar 29, 14
- 3,000 Bonus Rewards Points when you stay at least two consecutive nights Monday - Friday at the Renaissance St. Louis Grand Hotel. More... Until Mar 27, 14
- 2,000 Bonus Rewards Points per stays at the SpringHill Suites Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. More... Until Mar 27, 14

Miles & More
- Double Miles & More Miles for stays at participating Accor hotels Worldwide. More... Mar 1 - Apr 30, 14
- Double Miles & More Miles for stays at Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts in Europe, China and Egypt. More... Mar 1 - Apr 30, 14
- Double Miles & More Miles for stays at participating Swissotel Hotels in Europe. More... Apr 4 - May 4, 14
- Double Miles & More Miles for Hertz rentals of five days or more in Germany. More... Book between Mar 1 and 31 for rentals Apr 5 - 26, 14

Saudia Alfursan
- Double Alfursan Miles when you fly Saudia between Los Angeles and Jeddah. More... Mar 31 - May 31, 14
- Double Alfursan Miles when you fly Saudia between Madrid and Jeddah or Paris and Riyadh. More... Apr 2 - May 31, 14
- Double Alfursan Miles when you fly Saudia between Manchester and Jeddah. More... Apr 1 - May 31, 14
- Double Alfursan Miles when you fly Saudia between Casablanca and Jeddah or Riyadh. More... Apr 1 - May 31, 14
- Double Alfursan Miles when you fly Saudia between Medina and Al Ula. More... Mar 1 - May 31, 14
- 1,000 Bonus Alfursan Miles for stays at Worsley Park, A Marriott Hotel & Country Club. Manchester Airport Marriott Hotel or the Renaissance Manchester City Centre. More... Apr 1 - May 31, 14
- 2,014 Bonus Alfursan Miles on Hertz rentals of 1 of more days in Los Angeles or Manchester. More... Until Sep 30, 14

Shangri-La Golden Circle
- Double GC Award Points for stays in a Deluxe Room at the Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa. More... Apr 17 - Jun 30, 14

Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
- Earn up to 1,000 Bonus Miles&Smiles Miles when you update your information with Turkish Airlines. More... Until Apr 30, 14