Air Canada and Virgin Australia to Introduce Codeshare Services and Reciprocal Frequent Flyer Benefits in Strategic Cooperation

Wow! Did not see this one coming! Nice code share agreement for flights down under as you'll be able to earn Aeroplan miles on Virgin Australia flights (and vice versa for Velocity members) sometime in 2017 once the agreement is approved by the necessary authorities. Redemption will come at a later date but that will be another great option to redeem Aeroplan miles on Virgin Australia between the U.S. and Australia, especially in Business Class! (Source Air Canada)

Part of me thinks this could be a small reaction to WestJet's partnership with Qantas! Oh did I say that out loud?

MONTREAL, Dec. 14, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada today announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a strategic cooperation agreement with Virgin Australia, making it easier for Canadians to travel throughout Australia and New Zealand and providing Australians with more options to travel to Canada.

The first stage of the codeshare agreement is scheduled to be implemented in early 2017 when Air Canada customers will be able to book travel on a single ticket to an additional 10 cities throughout Australia and New Zealand on Virgin Australia-operated flights connecting with Air Canada's daily year-round service to Sydney and Brisbane. Subject to obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals, Air Canada will place its code on Virgin Australia flights to Adelaide, Canberra, Cairns, Melbourne and Perth as well as to Christchurch and Auckland, New Zealand. Customers will also be able to travel on Virgin Australia flights from Sydney to Brisbane, Sydney to the Gold Coast and Brisbane to Wellington, New Zealand. 

When travelling on these services, members of Air Canada's loyalty program, Aeroplan, will be eligible to earn Aeroplan Miles. Further details on the frequent flyer agreement will be released soon.

"This agreement with Virgin Australia lays the ground work for a mutually beneficial commercial cooperation that will offer Air Canada customers more travel options and frequent flyer benefits when travelling within Australia and New Zealand," said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward to introducing Air Canada codeshare service on Virgin Australia's flights and welcoming Virgin Australia's customers on our flights beginning in the near future."

Travellers arriving in Los Angeles on Virgin Australia's flights from Sydney and Brisbane will be able to travel on connecting Air Canada flights to Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal. When travelling on these codeshare services, eligible Virgin Australia customers will earn Velocity Points.

In a subsequent stage, the carriers plan to offer eligible customers reciprocal frequent flyer redemption benefits on each other's flights, and Virgin Australia would place its code on Air Canada's flights between Vancouver-Sydney and Vancouver-Brisbane.

Air Canada operates daily non-stop flights year-round from Vancouver to both Sydney and Brisbane, Australia. Flights to Sydney are operated with Boeing 777-200LR aircraft and flights to Brisbane with Boeing 787 aircraft. Air Canada operates a total of up to 18 flights per day from Los Angeles to Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver.

December 14 Update: Aventura Cardholders can get a surprise at YYZ T3, Alaska completes takeover of Virgin America, Lufthansa seat sale

News, Tips & Tricks
CIBC Aventura Cardholders can receive a special surprise when flying out of Toronto Pearson's Terminal 3 just before Christmas! We don't know what the surprise is but if you are flying out December 21-23 be sure to go to the booth and show your card. If you do feel free to reach out to us on social media to let us and our readers know what the surprise is.

Alaska Airlines takeover of Virgin America was finalized today. This doesn't mean too much for us up North here other than you'll now be able to earn Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles if you do fly on Virgin America within the U.S. on or after December 19. (Source Alaska)

Starting Monday, December 19, Mileage Plan members will be able to earn miles on Virgin America flights, and Virgin America Elevate members will be able to earn points on Alaska Airlines flights. Both airlines' elite members will receive priority check-in and priority boarding on each other's flights.

Posts since our last update:

• 8x Aeroplan Miles for Choice Hotels stays Worldwide (Until Dec 31)
  Not a huge window of opportunity here with this offer but maybe you'll hit up a Choice Hotel location…
• Air Canada: 100% Bonus Aeroplan Miles + up to 5,000 Bonus Elite Qualifying Miles on select flights in Canada, to the U.S. & Sun Destinations
  We've been itching for a new Air Canada flight promotion as it has been almost a month since their…

Travel Deals
Fly Lufthansa to Europe from as little as $639 all in! Book by Dec 30 for travel Dec 24 to May 6. Find out more here!

Canadian Bonus Offers
Air Canada / Aeroplan
- Earn 100% Bonus Aeroplan Miles for every round trip (or two one-way segments) on select Air Canada flights within Canada or between Canada and the U.S. or Sun Destinations. More... Register and book by Jan 22 for travel Jan 10 - Jun 10, 17

Other 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 Feb 28, 17

American AAdvantage
- OFFER EXTENDED Triple AAdvantage Miles when you stay at participating Hilton hotels in Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America. More... Until Mar 31, 17

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- Triple Asia Miles when you book the Linger Longer offer for stays at participating Langham Hotels Worldwide. More... Until Feb 28, 17
- Earn up to Quadrupe Asia Miles when you rent with Sixt Worldwide. More... Until Feb 28, 17

EVA Air Infinity MileageLands
- Double Infinity MileageLands Miles when you book the Linger Longer offer for stays at participating Langham Hotels Worldwide. More... Until Feb 28, 17
- Triple Infinity MileageLands Miles when you rent with Avis in the United States of America, Canada, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia More... Book by Jan 31, 17 for rentals until Mar 31, 17
- Earn up to 4x Infinity MileageLands Miles when you rent with Hertz in USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand or Asia. More... Until Jan 31, 17

Icelandair Saga Club
- 35% Bonus Saga Club Points when you purchase points online. More... Until Dec 31, 16

IHG Rewards Club
- Earn at least 30,000 Bonus IHG Rewards Club Points when you stay at IHG Hotels Worldwide. More... Jan 1 - Apr 15, 17

Marriott Rewards
- 5,000 Bonus Rewards Points when you stay 2 nights or more on the Winter Camp Package at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. Live. More... Until Jan 7, 17
- Earn up to 5,000 Bonus Rewards Points for stays Friday-Sunday nights at the Residence Inn Boston Watertown. More...  Until Feb 24, 17

Starwood Preferred Guest
- Double Starpoints, $20 off and welcome drinks for stays at the Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel.More... Until Jan 8, 17

United MileagePlus
- Up to 1,500 Bonus MileagePlus Miles when you shop online via the MileagePlus Shopping Portal. More... Until Dec 20, 16

Follow Rewards Canada:

8x Aeroplan Miles for Choice Hotels stays Worldwide (Until Dec 31)

Not a huge window of opportunity here with this offer but maybe you'll hit up a Choice Hotel location over the next two or so weeks so that you can take advantage of this large bonus! Eight time the miles equates to 2,000 miles per stay.

Offer details
8x Aeroplan Miles for stays at over 5,500 Choice Hotels Worldwide. Full details and online booking. Until Dec 31, 16

To earn miles:

• Provide your Aeroplan Number when you book your qualifying stay and present your Aeroplan Card at check-in.

OR

• Select “Aeroplan” as your earning preference in your Choice Privileges profile prior to arrival.

Air Canada: 100% Bonus Aeroplan Miles + up to 5,000 Bonus Elite Qualifying Miles on select flights in Canada, to the U.S. & Sun Destinations

We've been itching for a new Air Canada flight promotion as it has been almost a month since their last one ended! After you register you'll earn 100% bonus Aeroplan miles when you fly on the select flights listed below between January 10 and June 10.  You simply need to register and book your travel by January 22. Note that tickets booked prior to December 9 will not count towards this bonus.

Offer details 
Earn 100% Bonus Aeroplan Miles for every round trip (or two one-way segments) on select Air Canada flights within Canada or between Canada and the U.S. or Sun Destinations. Plus earn an additional 2,500 Bonus Altitude Qualifying Miles (AQM) for every three round trips (or six one-way segments), for a maximum of 5,000 Bonus Altitude Qualifying Miles (AQM).  Register Online (Registration is required) Register and book by Jan 22 for travel Jan 10 - Jun 10, 17

December 13 Update: Free Aeroplan Miles, an AIR MILES tip & 20% off + upgrade at the Fairmont Waterfront

News, Tips & Tricks
No news for you today!


Posts since our last update:

• Using an AIR MILES Credit Card & have your account set to 100% Cash Rewards? STOP IT RIGHT NOW!
  Alright a light dawned upon us last week when Steve asked us a question on Part 3 of our…
• Rocketmiles: 3,000 Bonus Miles/Points in the program of your choice including Aeroplan for your first booking
  If you have signed up with Rocketmiles but haven't booked with them yet you would have received this email!…
• 250 Free Aeroplan Miles for sharing your Aeroplan Travel Story
  Aeroplan reached out to the blogger community yesterday with this new and easy way to score another 250 free…
• IHG Rewards Club: Up to an 80% bonus on buying points
  Yet another short term IHG Rewards Club Buy Points bonus! We received an 80% bonus offer but it appears the…
• WestJet launches 2016 Christmas Miracle video - Fort McMurray Strong
  Today WestJet released their annual Christmas Miracle video which is dedicated to the people and city of Fort McMurray.…

Travel Deals
If you are an Alberta or B.C. Resident you can save 20% off and a free upgrade on stays at the Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver. Must stay by March 31. Find out more here.

Canadian Bonus Offers
Air Canada / Aeroplan
- 250 Free Aeroplan Miles for when you share your Aeroplan  travel story. More... Until ? 

Other Bonus Offers
AeroMexico Club Premier
- 5X Bonus Club Premier Points for stays at Best Western Hotels in Mexico or Costa Rica. More... Until Dec 31, 16
- 50% Bonus Club Premier Points when you transfer Choice Privileges points to AeroMexico Club Premier. More... Until Dec 31, 16
- OFFER EXTENDED Triple Club Premier Points when you stay at participating Hilton hotels in Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America. More... Until Mar 31, 17
- Triple Club Premier Points for stays at NH Hotels in Mexico. More... Until Dec 31, 16
- 3,000 Bonus Club Premier Points per stay at over 7,800 participating Wyndham Rewards hotels globally. More... Until Jan 31, 17


Iberia Plus
- 25% Avios Discount for award tickets between Madrid and Stockholm. More... Book by Dec 31 for travel until Mar 31, 17
- Earn up to Triple Avios when you shop at Chic Outlet Shopping Villages in Europe. More... Until Jan 8, 17

Miles & More
- Up to Triple Miles & More miles on Hertz rentals Worldwide. More... Book by Dec 31 for rentals until Mar 31, 17

Preferred Hotel Group iPrefer
- Double iPrefer Points and a $100/€25/£25 credit, complimentary breakfast for two when you book a minimum 2 night stay at participating Preferred Hotel Group Hotels Worldwide. More... Until ?
- Double iPrefer Points and up to 35% off when you book last minute stays at participating Preferred Hotel Group Hotels Worldwide. More... Until Mar 31, 17

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- 1,000 Bonus KrisFlyer Miles on your first Kaligo mobile app booking. More... Book by Jan 31 for stays until Jun 30, 17
- Double KrisFlyer miles for stays at the Mandarin Orchard Singapore, Marina Mandarin Singapore, or Meritus Pelangi Beach Resorts & Spa, Langkawi. More... Until Jan 31, 17
- Double KrisFlyer Miles when you stay for two consecutive nights at a participating Park Regis hotel in Australia, Dubai, India and Singapore. More... Until Jan 31, 17
- Double KrisFlyer Miles for stays at participating Swissotel Hotels & Resorts in Asia Pacific. More... Book by Jan 31 for stays until Apr 30, 16

Starwood Preferred Guest
- Double Starpoints & Double Eligible Nights when you book qualifying group or catering events at any of more than 1,300 participating Starwood hotels and resorts worldwide. More... Until Jun 30, 17

Voila Hotel Rewards
- 5,000 Bonus VHR Points per stay at any Voila Hotel Rewards hotel Worldwide. More... Until Mar 31, 17

Follow Rewards Canada:

Using an AIR MILES Credit Card & have your account set to 100% Cash Rewards? STOP IT RIGHT NOW!

Alright a light dawned upon us last week when Steve asked us a question on Part 3 of our 'Done With AIR MILES' series.

His question was:

How do you feel about AIR MILES cash vs. cash reward cards? I know you can "double dip" with a cash back credit card + AIR MILES at certain stores, but would you recommend that over an AIR MILES credit card earning their cash + AIR MILES card?

 and this was our response

The best AIR MILES earn rate on a credit card is 1 Reward Mile for $10. It takes 95 Miles to get $10 in cash rewards (and we're guessing that may go up soon) meaning you have to spend $950 to get the $10. If you get a card that gives 2% (like the mbna rewards World Elite) you would get $19 back. As long as the cash back card earns more than 1.05% you are better off with the cash back. Heck even a 1% card is better as you are not limited in your cash redemptions like you would be with Air Miles.

Which led us to think we should bring further attention to this. Many of you have switched to 100% Cash Rewards with the AIR MILES program and are still using an AIR MILES credit card (BMO and/or Amex) for your purchases. Well stop it right now! Either switch back to Dream Rewards or a maybe a 50/50 split between Dream Rewards and Cash Rewards so you can pull more value out of the program. If you don't want to bother with Dream Rewards as so many of you do since there isn't anything you want to redeem for and you can't find travel, then get rid of your AIR MILES branded credit card and get one that will reward you more handsomely! You can still collect Cash Rewards by simply swiping your AIR MILES loyalty card but switch your credit card.

Why? As you see from our response to Steve, you get a 1.05% return if all your spend on your AIR MILES credit card is at the 1 Reward Miles for $10 spend. The problem here is that only the BMO AIR MILES World Elite MasterCard gives you 1 Reward Miles for every $10 spent and the American Express Platinum AIR MILES and Reserve AIR MILES cards give you 1 Mile/$10 at AIR MILES Sponsors and eligible gas, grocery and drugstores. So all other spending on those latter cards and any other AIR MILES card will give you even a lesser return since they earn 1 Reward Miles for $15 or $20 in spend. That equates to a 0.7% return or 0.54% return respectively. So lets look at this quick chart if you are earning 100% cash rewards with any AIR MILES branded credit card:

1 Reward Mile for $10 spend = 1.05% return
1 Reward Mile for $15 spend = 0.7% return
1 Reward Miles for $20 spend = 0.54% return (and that's rounded up)

OK, AIR MILES Cash Rewards is essentially a cash back program right? You get to 95 Reward Miles and you can redeem those miles for $10 off a purchase instantly at places likes Sobey's, Rona, Shell, Rexall or you can order eVouchers from AIR MILES at the same rate. The issue here is that you have 9 instant redemptions partners and 18 eVoucher partners. That's a total of 27 places you can use your Cash Rewards at.

Alright lets look at this now, you are maxing out at a 1.05% return and that return can only be used at 27 places. Why limit yourself? You can get a cash Back or other travel rewards credit card that gives you a 2% return or more and you are not limited to 27 redemption partners. With Cash Back you get to choose where you use that cash or with a proprietary credit card travel rewards program you travel where you want when you want. What would you rather get? 2% back that you can use anywhere or .54 to 1.05% and be limited where you can use them?

Don't do it! PLEASE!

Now you may say that you can get more value out of double dipping with your AIR MILES credit card and swiping your AIR MILES loyalty card. Well you won't! You can still swipe your AIR MILES loyalty card when using any other credit card. Sure it may take a little longer to get to 95 Reward Miles as your not getting those miles via the credit card but no matter what you are only getting a maximum of 1.05% back on the actual credit card purchase versus those higher returns on other cards. I would gladly trade off on earning AIR MILES faster so that I can get a better return elsewhere.

Finally there is no telling if the Cash Rewards redemption rate will remain the same. AIR MILES has already warned us that they need to make up for their losses due to not expiring miles. Merchandise will most likely be the first to go up as there is no set chart to redeem against so it is easy to raise those amounts without people really noticing and then Cash Rewards will be the next easiest. It will come with backlash of course but since AIR MILES owns it 100% they can do it. What about travel rewards? That may take sometime, if AIR MILES tries to raise those again as they did after announcing the 5 year expiry (hence making some people's potential redemption options out of reach so that they had to keep collecting and then think they'll lose miles to expiry) they'll meet even larger backlash. Even the travel providers will question 'why are we partnered with AIR MILES?' if people aren't redeeming for flights since they are out of reach or those travel providers will start charging AIR MILES more, after all why provide the same discount to AIR MILES if they raise their rates right? It is a two way street after all.

Anyways, if you are using an AIR MILES Credit Card & have your account set to 100% Cash Rewards? STOP IT RIGHT NOW!

Rocketmiles: 3,000 Bonus Miles/Points in the program of your choice including Aeroplan for your first booking

If you have signed up with Rocketmiles but haven't booked with them yet you would have received this email! Even if you didn't or haven't signed up with them you can take advantage of this offer. Aeroplan members are included and remember Rocketmiles stays do count towards your elite status with Aeroplan.

Offer details:
3,000 Miles/Points in the Rocketmiles partner program of your choice for your first stay booked via Rocketmiles. Stay must be booked via the special promotion page at www.rocketmiles.com/timeless. The bonus can only be earned once per member. Book by Dec 16, 16

250 Free Aeroplan Miles for sharing your Aeroplan Travel Story

Aeroplan reached out to the blogger community yesterday with this new and easy way to score another 250 free Aeroplan miles! We were out racking up tons of points Christmas shopping so are bringing it to you a day late but nonetheless if you haven't taken advantage of it yet now you can! Simply share your story of using Aeroplan Miles for a trip with Aeroplan and they'll award you 250 miles!

Offer details
250 Free Aeroplan Miles for when you share your Aeroplan  travel story. Full details. Until ?

Here are more free Aeroplan mile offers that you can take advantage of:

• 150 Free Aeroplan Miles for setting travel goals
• 250 Free Aeroplan Miles when you test drive a Volvo (every 30 days!) 
• 250 Free Aeroplan Miles when you test drive a Toyota (1 every 30 days, Max 3 per 12 months) 
• 100 Free Aeroplan Miles when you subscribe to Home Hardware emails
• 1,000 FREE Aeroplan Miles when you join Fairmont Hotels President's Club

IHG Rewards Club: Up to an 80% bonus on buying points

Yet another short term IHG Rewards Club Buy Points bonus! We received an 80% bonus offer but it appears the bonus could vary by member (let us know below if you get another offer than us) This time it also a tiered bonus, in our offer 1,000 - 9,000 points purchased will see a 40% bonus whereas purchases of 10,000 or more points will see 80%.

Offer Details
Up to 80% Bonus IHG Rewards Club Points when you buy points online.  Minimum purchase of 1,000 points. Full details. Until Dec 16, 16

WestJet launches 2016 Christmas Miracle video - Fort McMurray Strong

Today WestJet released their annual Christmas Miracle video which is dedicated to the people and city of Fort McMurray. As always this Calgary company knows how to reach out and touch the hearts of so many people.

Each family received a custom snow globe that were dropped by parachute to them and free flights from WestJet. A great present for all of those who have gone through so much suffering after the devastating forest fires that ripped through the city earlier this year.

Right from the onset of the fire WestJet was there helping out residents by flying out evacuees, giving them the Christmas party seen in the video and of course the snow globe and free flight gifts. Kudos to WestJet once again!