September 20 Update: Rewards Canada Podcast, Awesome Best Western Rewards Customer Service, Marriott takeover of SPG receives final approval

News, Tips & TricksOf course for us the big news is the launch of our new Rewards Canada Podcast series! Check out our first episode here.

 
Over summer the RC family completed a stay at the Best Western Plus Tuscan Inn in San Francisco and they had an SPG like GO Green feature where you would get 1,000 points for each day you declined housekeeping. For one of our two rooms we declined four times. Less then a week later the points for the actual stay posted but nothing for the housekeeping. I waited a couple more weeks and nothing. I decided to submit a missing points request with Best Western and what happened next surprised me. Within 7 minutes of time pressing the submit button on the request form the 4,000 points were posted to my account and I had an email from BW apologizing and saying the points were posted to my account. This has got to be a customer service record for me! Never have I seen that quick of service. Most times the automated response email stating they got a request doesn't even come that fast! This was the first time I've had to deal with BW Rewards customer service and if they are like this all the time then they are a program other programs should strive to emulate!

Marriott has received approval from Chinese regulators for their takeover of Starwood Hotels. The deal is now expected to close on Friday and Marriott will be the official owner of Starwood! Wow, I can't believe that it is really happening now!  (Source View from the Wing)

They may not fly to Toronto anymore and we really don't cover them on Rewards Canada because of that reason but thought we should let you know about this anyway! Virgin America is offering two FREE points offers for their Elevate members of 500 points each. You simply need to subscribe to two different email newsletters. That's an easy 1,000 points for those of you who may use Virgin America within the States or can add to existing balances to redeem on one their partners! The offers end on Sep 30. Here they are as pulled from FrequentFlyerBonuses
500 FREE Elevate Points when you sign up to receive Virgin Sport news emails. Full details
500 FREE Elevate Points when you sign up to Virgin Hotel emails. Full details

Congrats to Marc M. who won the Canadian Points University ticket we were giving away last week!


Posts since our last update:

• Introducing the Rewards Canada Weekly Round Up Podcast
   As mentioned in yesterday's update we were working on something new for Rewards Canada and that something is our…

Bonus Offers
Alitalia MilleMiglia
- Earn up to 5,000 Bonus MilleMiglia Miles for each flight on Alitalia between Rome and Havana. More... Nov 29 - Jan 29, 17

American AAdvantage
- 25% Bonus AAdvantage Miles when you convert Hyatt Gold Passports points to AAdvantage miles. More... Until Oct 14, 16

Best Western Rewards
- Double Rewards Points for stays at Best Western Hotels in Asia. More... Until Nov 30, 16

United MileagePlus
- 50% Bonus MileagePlus Miles when you convert IHG Rewards Club points to MileagePlus miles. More... Until Oct 10, 16

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Introducing the Rewards Canada Weekly Round Up Podcast

 As mentioned in yesterday's update we were working on something new for Rewards Canada and that something is our Weekly Podcast! The first episode went live this morning and is currently only available on our website at www.rewardscanada.ca/podcast along with the summary of the episode and relevant links to the topics discussed.

We are currently in the process of having it added to iTunes and will let you know in a future update when it will be available on iTunes. Once that is done we'll proceed to add it to other platforms.

In the first episode we discuss the deals of the weeks, Movers & Shakers (industry news), Tips & Tricks followed by a call out for listener questions. Of course since we only have one episode under our belt the podcast will evolve over time so this format may change. We welcome any and all comments, suggestions and questions! You can either comment in this post or on the actual podcast page.

If you just want to listen and/or subscribe to the podcast outside of iTunes you can go direct to the podcast feed at www.rewardscanada.ca/podcast/feed.xml

We are super excited about this new Rewards Canada feature and hope that you are too!

September 19 Update: Exclusive Bon Jovi Concert for Aeroplan status members, Air France Seat Sale, 9 new bonus offers

News, Tips & Tricks
Received this from Aeroplan today! Similar to the Marriott Rewards Demi Lovato/DNCE offer we let you know about last week!

Aeroplan today introduced a new Exclusives reward where Aeroplan members with status can redeem their Miles for an incredible live music performance with Bon Jovi. Members will get to experience superstar rock band Bon Jovi in a private and intimate setting as they preview their upcoming album This House is Not For Sale at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto on Monday October 17th. (No tickets will be sold for this event!)

Members with status can use their miles for access for two to the concert for only 35,000 Aeroplan Miles, or even to meet Bon Jovi in person - a truly “Money Can’t Buy” experience for only 90,000 miles!

Members will be among the first to hear their brand new songs, and sing along with some of their classic hits in a concert presented by Tidal X and brought to you by Aeroplan in partnership with Universal Music and Shed Creative Agency. This will be the Grammy-winning band’s only performance in Canada to celebrate the launch of their new album This House is Not For Sale and the performance is for Aeroplan Members only! (TIDAL members will have exclusive access to a limited amount of tickets for the show.)

These exciting new Aeroplan Exclusives rewards are available online at www.aeroplan.com/Exclusives.

On Thursday we let you know that a class action lawsuit was filed against AIR MILES parent company LoyaltyOne. Here is a link to the actual filing . Essentially all Canadian AIR MILES members who had a positive Dream Balance or are after Dec 28, 2011 are being represented in the suit.

Not much else on the news front or for new posts as we are working on yet another feature! Stay tuned for this exciting new way to enjoy Rewards Canada!

Posts since our last update:

• N/A

Travel Deals
Air France has launched a new Worldwide seat sale on their flights out of Canada!  Fares start as low as $565 all in!! (Montreal-Barcelona) Book by Sep 28 to take advantage of this offer! Find out more here.

Bonus Offers
Air Canada / Aeroplan
- Double Aeroplan Miles for stays at select Fairmont Hotels & Resorts in Canada, US, Bermuda, Barbados and Mexico. More... Until Dec 31, 16
- 1,822 Bonus Aeroplan Miles when you redeem miles for an Avis rental. More... Until Dec 31, 16
- 650 Bonus Aeroplan Miles when you reserve online a spot at the Multi‑Level parking lot at Montreal Trudeau Airport More... Until Oct 31, 16
- Double Aeroplan Miles when you park for 4 or more days at JetSet Parking in Vancouver. More... Until Dec 31, 16
- 250 Bonus Aeroplan Miles when you park at participating Park N Fly locations across Canada. More... Until Dec 31, 16

Le Club Accorhotels
- Double Le Club Accorhotels Points for stays at Accor Hotels in Southern Brazil. More... Book by Sep 30 for stays until Oct 31, 16

SAS EuroBonus
- 600 Bonus EuroBonus Points for stays at participating Elite Hotels. More... Until Nov 18, 16

Shangri-La Golden Circle
- Double GC Award Points for stays at the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa. More... Until May 31, 17

United MileagePlus
- Earn up to 500 Bonus MileagePlus Miles when you fly on Aeromar within Mexico or between the U.S. and Mexico. More... Until Jan 31, 17

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September 15 Update: Class Action lawsuit filed against AIR MILES and Marriott Rewards Premier Visa loses the free night sign up benefit

News, Tips & Tricks
Several of our readers have reached out to us to let us know that the Capital One® IHG Rewards Club MasterCards are officially being discontinued as of November 7th. It has already been well over a year since the cards were closed for new applications but existing cardholders were able to continue using them. Such is the case no more.

Chase Canada reached out to us to let us know that the Category 1-4 Free Night stay that comes as part of the sign up bonus for the Marriott Rewards Premier Visa Card is being removed as a benefit. You won't find it on the card's website anymore however approved applications until the end of the month should still see the free night awarded. The card still offers the rest of the sign up bonuses and benefits likes the Category 1-5 Free night each year on your card's anniversary date.


A Class Action Lawsuit has been filed against AIR MILES parent company LoyaltyOne on the expiry rule.We don't have too many details yet so stay tuned!

Posts since our last update:

• N/A

Bonus Offers
Aegean Miles&Bonus
- 30% Miles&Bonus Discount on select award tickets within Greece and between Greece and Europe, the Middle East or Africa. More... Until Nov 30, 16

Air France KLM Flying Blue
- 1,000 Bonus Flying Blue Miles on Enterprise rentals in North America or Europe. More... Until Oct 14, 16
- Driving Blue Double Flying Blue Miles when you book a taxi in any country where Driving Blue operates. More... Until Nov 26, 16

Alitalia MilleMiglia
- Earn up to 5x MilleMiglia Miles when you fly Alitalia, airberlin or Niki between Italy and Austria, Germany or Switzerland. More... Until Dec 15, 16

British Airways Executive Club
- Receive up to 35% Bonus Avios when you buy Avios online. More... Until Sep 27, 16

Ethiopian Airlines Sheba Miles
- Earn up to 100% Bonus Sheba Miles when you fly Ethiopian in Business Class between Addis Ababa and Riyadh, Dammam, Doha, Los Angeles, New York, Sao Paulo, Dubai, Hong Kong, Seoul, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait, Muscat, Manila, Tokyo, Rome, Milan, Madrid, Stockholm, Vienna, Toronto, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Paris or Brussels. More... Until Dec 31, 16
- 100% Bonus Sheba Miles when you fly Ethiopian between Addis Ababa and Moroni. More... Nov 1 - Dec 31, 16
- 100% Bonus Sheba Miles when you fly Ethiopian between Addis Ababa and Windhoek. More... Oct 1 - Nov 30, 16
- Double Sheba Miles when you fly Ethiopian between Lusaka and Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Dubai, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangkok, London, Beirut, Lagos, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Beijing, or Washington. More... Until Oct 31, 16
- Double Sheba Miles when you fly Ethiopian between Ouagadougou and Beirut. More... Until Oct 31, 16
- Double Sheba Miles when you fly Ethiopian between Addis Ababa and Guangzhou. More... Oct 8 - Nov 30, 16

Le Club accorhotels
- Triple Le Club Accorhotels Points for stays at Accor Hotels in South America. More... Book by Oct 22 for stays Dec 23 - Jan 8, 17

TAP Portugal Victoria
- 2,000 Bonus Victoria Miles when you complete your first hotel stay booked via Rocketmles. More... Book by Sep 30, 16

Follow Rewards Canada:

September 14 Update: Get 500 Points for booking via Hyatt's app, Cathay Pacific A350 seat sale, and Air India Flying Returns Fables

News, Tips & Tricks
You only have a few hours left for a chance to win a ticket to the  Canadian Points University in Toronto on October 22nd. Find out more here!

If you have any Hyatt stays coming up between now and November 30th, now is the time to book them and do it via their app as you'll earn 500 Bonus Gold Passport points. Find out more here.

Be sure to check your email for an exclusive Air Canada discount if you hold an American Express card. We got one yesterday and will probably use it. If you did get one but know you won't make use of it feel free to share the exclusive booking code you get below.

Air India Flying Returns Fables?  They'll revive your expired points from the last 6 years for a price but you only get 6 months to use them...... anyone else at a loss of words as to the presentation of it?

Posts since our last update

• Hotel Review: Calgary Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel
  On September 1st the newest Marriott Hotel in Canada opened its doors, The Calgary Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel. The hotel…

Travel Deals
Avianca has a seat sale for their flights between Toronto and San Salvador. Fares start as low as C$489 if you book by Sep 15th. Find out more here. 

Cathay Pacific is celebrating their upcoming A350 between Vancouver and Hong Kong with some great fares for economy and premium economy travel. You must book by today however! Find out more here.

Bonus Offers
Aeroflot Bonus
- 3,000 Bonus Bonus Miles on your first hotel stay booked via Kaligo. More... Book by Nov 14 for stays until Dec 31, 16

airberlin topbonus
- Save up to 50% on topbonus award tickets for airberlin flights Worldwide. More... Book by Sep 25 for travel until Jun 30, 17

American AAdvantage
- Save up to 35% when you share AAdvantage Miles with friends or family. More... Until Sep 30, 16

Best Western Rewards
- 1,000 Bonus Rewards Points and up to 15% off for stays at Best Western Hotels Worldwide that are booked online. More... Until Nov 20, 16

Hyatt Gold Passport
- 500 Bonus Gold Passport Points when you book a Hyatt stays via the Hyatt Mobile App. More... Until Nov 30, 16

Sonesta Hotels Travel Pass
- 100 Bonus Travel Pass Points when you book the Sonesta Travel Pass Bonus Points package at participating Sonesta Hotels in the U.S. More... Until Dec 31, 16

United MileagePlus
- Up to a 30% Discount when buy, gift or transfer MileagePlus Miles online. More... Until Sep 26, 16


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