35% Bonus Aeroplan Miles when you convert hotel loyalty program points to Aeroplan until August 21

We see the return of another Aeroplan conversion bonus! Last seen this past Spring, the hotel only transfer bonus is back but this time it's a flat 35% bonus miles instead of a tiered bonus structure of up to 30%. This makes this bonus one of the better ones yet. You don't have to transfer a lot of points to get the maximum bonus and the bonus is higher than we've seen in the past.

Most of Aeroplan's hotel partners are participating in the promotion so you can convert from any of the following to add to your final tally:

Your best bet for transfers is Starwood Preferred Guest of course since they transfer 1 to 1 to Aeroplan and if you transfer 20,000 Starpoints at one time SPG will throw in an additional 5,000 miles for 25,000 Aeroplan miles. With the conversion bonus you are actually looking at getting 33,750Aeroplan Miles for the 20,000 Starpoints. Those miles can get you two short haul tickets so you can see the potential value in transferring Starpoints to Aeroplan. BUT WAIT! You'll want to wait to get the SPG card until tomorrow as its going to get better. So be patient and wait about 16 or so hours from the time we post this if you are planning to apply for the card.

Another route to look at is Marriott Rewards Hotel+Air package options. These are the packages where you can redeem Marriott Rewards points for free nights at their hotels plus a certain amount of airline miles.  For Aeroplan the Hotel+Air package looks like this:

If you are sitting on 270,000 or more Marriott Rewards points you can end up with 7 nights at a Category 1-5 hotel plus 162,000 Aeroplan Miles (120,000 + 35% bonus)

Of course if you have points sitting in other hotel programs that you may never use or are about to expire you should look at transferring them to Aeroplan so that you actually get some value out of them!

Offer details:
35% Bonus Aeroplan Miles when you convert Hotel loyalty programs points to Aeroplan Miles.  Full details Until Aug 21, 17

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You can always look at grabbing hotel credit cards just for conversion bonuses like this but you'll want to do it soon since time is limited and the bonuses you get from these cards may not post in time for this conversion period. Just wait until tomorrow for the SPG card.

Chase Marriott Rewards Premier Visa - 50,000 Points  (Apply here)



mbna Best Western Rewards MasterCard - 60,000 points (Apply here)



Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express - 20,000 Starpoints (Apply here)

OFFER PULLED - Receive a 15% bonus when you buy 1000 or more WestJet dollars and use it to save on Member Exclusive awards

THIS OFFER HAS BEEN CANCELLED BY WESTJET

We haven't really covered the purchase of WestJet dollars on Rewards Canada yet, we've been meaning to but many other posts have been or are on our list of things to write about ahead of  the ability to purchase WestJet dollars to top off your account. The ability to purchase WestJet dollars came out a few months ago but wasn't really advertised by WestJet as it was released the same time as when the expanded relationship with Delta happened.

Well we can't really get around not writing about purchasing WestJet dollars as they now have a bonus for buying them. When you purchase anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 WestJet dollars you'll get an additional 15% during this promotion. The maximum you are allowed to buy per calendar year per member is 3,000 excluding the bonus.

So is it worth to buy WestJet dollars with this bonus?

It potentially can be when you are redeeming for the WestJet Rewards Member Exclusive flight options. These are the fixed price awards for redeeming on WestJet and Delta Airlines.

If you buy 1,400 WestJet dollars, you'll get 1,610 in total with the bonus for $1,475 plus tax.

Those 1,610 dollars are enough for a round trip ticket in economy on Delta Airlines between Canada and Australia. If we look at Vancouver to Sydney at the end of this August, you'll see you can get there for 750 WestJet dollars plus $111.51 in taxes.

For this trip those 750 dollars actually cost you around $720 (the 1,400 level with bonus equates to a purchase price around ~96 cents each including taxes). How much does the same flight cost on Delta?

It costs C$1,151.41. With the WestJet dollars purchase option you are spending $720 + 111.51 in flight taxes and fees for a total of $831.51. So you are actually saving $320!

There you have your answer. In some cases it can make sense to purchase WestJet dollars with this bonus as it can end up helping you save money on flights that are booked under the Member Exclusive Option. In any case you can even bring the price down further if you buy the maximum amount of 3,000 WestJet dollars. At that level you are paying roughly 94 cents per dollar including taxes.

Click here for complete details on this offer and/or to buy WestJet dollars. This offer runs until August 20th.

July 14 Update: BMO CashBack World Elite earn rate dropping to 1.5%, wait to apply for the SPG Amex & more!

News, Tips & Tricks
Via Rob Carrick, the BMO CashBack World Elite MasterCard will be dropping its everyday earn rate of 1.75% to 1.5% on October 3rd. The card that ranked 4th overall in our 2017 Top Cash Back Credit Card rankings is likely going to lose that spot in our next rankings as TD has come out with new Cash Back cards (to be covered here on Rewards Canada shortly) and existing cards that offer a similar return to the BMO card's new earn rate. Despite a couple great new sign up offers on some of their other cards BMO really seems to be losing ground in the rewards card market compared to other issuers and with changes likes this they aren't doing anything to gain any ground back.

If your were thinking of applying for the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express this weekend, wait. Wait until the 18th, you won't be disappointed.


Posts since our last update:

• Banff Mt. Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift - A lesser known gem in the Canadian Rockies with spectacular views
   Living just a short 60 minutes away from Banff has afforded the Rewards Canada family lots of time in our…

Canadian Bonus Offers
Air Canada / Aeroplan
- 1,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles on Avis rentals of 3 or more days Worldwide. More... Book by Sep 4 for rentals Sep 5 - Dec 20, 17

WestJet Rewards
- $100 Bonus WestJet dollars when you book an eligible WestJet Vacations package to anywhere in Mexico, the Caribbean or Hawaii. More... Register & book by Aug 31 for travel Nov 1, 17- Apr 30, 18

Other Bonus Offers
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- Triple Asia Miles for stays on the "Double Joy" offer at participating Radisson Blu®, Radisson®, and Park Plaza® hotels in Asia Pacific. More... Book by Sep 30 for stays until Oct 22, 17

Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
- Earn up to 10,000 Bonus Mileage Bank Miles when you fly JAL between Tokyo Haneda and London. More... Oct 29 - Jan 31, 18

Jet Airways JetPrivilege
- Earn up to Triple JPMiles when you fly on Jet Airways within India. More... Book by Aug 31 for travel until Sep 30, 17


Follow Rewards Canada:

Banff Mt. Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift - A lesser known gem in the Canadian Rockies with spectacular views

 Living just a short 60 minutes away from Banff has afforded the Rewards Canada family lots of time in our oldest National Park. Heck I spent many days in the area during my ski racing days of yesteryear but since that time some things have changed. Namely the amount of visitors that the national park gets. Some days it can be hard to find parking in Banff and surrounding attractions and this was before this year's 150th Birthday offer of free access to all of Canada's National Parks. Banff this summer has been insane!

One attraction that gets crazy line ups and can take up a good part of your day, perhaps more than you would like is Banff's Sulphur Mountain Gondola. Yes the terminal at the top has recently been rebuilt and the views are particularly spectacular. That being said I have an alternative for you. A favourite of the Rewards Canada family that also provides spectacular views yet is way less busy and is roughly half the cost. That alternative is the Banff Sightseeing Chairlift at Mt. Norquay and in our minds it provides even better views than the gondola.

Every time we have gone, at least 4 times over the past 2 summers, we have never had to wait to get onto the chairlift! At the base of the lift they have a sign stating how many days it's been since there has been a bear sighting and in most cases it's 0. That's right if you want to see bears from the safety of the air there is a good chance you can do so here! Here are some photos and even videos of some our rides on the Norquay lift:

Our youngest providing Bambi style questioning of the bear!

There are times the chair lift is even featured on Groupon so you can get it for even less than the current rates which are as follows:
Adult (16+)  $29.95
Child (6-15)  $19.95
5 and under free (minimum age 2 years)

Also at Mt. Norquay is the Via Ferrata which is at the top of the chairlift where you can go mountain/rock climbing. They have various options from novice to advanced. We haven't tried it yet as our youngest wasn't old enough but she is now so if time allows we may just do it this summer!

The drive up and down to Mt. Norquay doesn't disappoint either as we have seen Bears, Rocky Mountain Sheep, Deer and more:

For more details on the lift and the mountain climbing visit Banffnorquay.com

July 13 Update: Aeroplan adds Budget as a redemption partner, Air France Fall seat sale with fares from $799 + more!

News, Tips & Tricks
Aeroplan has enhanced and expanded the ability to redeem miles for car rentals with the addition of Budget and more flexibility with the bookings:

As part of our commitment to bringing members the best travel experience we can, we’ve made some changes to our car rental rewards. Here’s what members can expect:

More choice
In addition to Avis, members can now redeem for Budget car rentals online at aeroplan.com. With over 3,000 Budget rental locations throughout Canada, US, Latin America, and Europe, we’re giving members more choice and flexibility when it comes to finding a car that fits their plans. (And don’t forget, members can earn 100 miles every time they redeem for a Budget car rental).

Additionally, members can redeem for one-way rentals with Avis and Budget, by simply choosing to return their vehicle at a different location than the original pick-up location.

More flexibility
Members can now cancel up until their scheduled pick-up time, and their miles will be refunded at no cost.

Book with ease
Members can enjoy a brand new online experience tailored to their needs, including user-friendly search options and more.

Check it out here: https://www.aeroplan.com/en/travel.html

Although we don't cover Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles here on Rewards Canada (all our coverage of that program is on FFB) there is a promotion right now for Canadian Diners Club card holders to receive 30% bonus HawaiianMiles when you convert Club Rewards points. That means you'll receive 1,300 HawaiianMiles for every 1,250 Club Rewards points you convert. Find out more here.

Posts since our last update:

• Hotel Review: The Westin Prince Toronto
  Another quick one day trip to Toronto had me staying one night, well really about 8 or so hours at…
• EIA Rewards - Flying from, to or via Edmonton? Be sure to join to enjoy free benefits and more at YEG
  To the best of our knowledge, EIA Rewards is Canada's only airport reward program. A rarity in the loyalty world,…

Travel Deals
Air France has another great seat sale for travel to France from Canada this fall. Fares start at $799 all in. Book by July 17 for travel September 11 - October 15!. Find out more here.

Canadian Bonus Offers
Best Western Rewards
- Earn up to 60,000 Best Western Rewards points when you apply for the mbna Best Western Mastercard. More... Until Aug 31, 17

Other Bonus Offers
Hilton Honors
- Triple Honors Points on your next stay at any Hilton Hotels Worldwide. More... * Targeted Offer - May not work for everyone Until Jan 31, 18

Iberia Plus
- Double Avios for stays at NH Hotels in n Barcelona, Madrid, San Sebastian or Seville. More... Until Aug 31, 17


Follow Rewards Canada:

Hotel Review: The Westin Prince Toronto

Another quick one day trip to Toronto had me staying one night, well really about 8 or so hours at the Westin Prince Hotel.

With an arrival at the hotel at 11 pm check in was quick and easy through the SPG Elite line with the agent letting me know I had been upgraded to a deluxe corner room. The suite was on the 20th floor of the main building. The lobby of the hotel was quite nice, you can tell it must have been updated recently. The 20th floor and the room, well that's a different story.

The deluxe corner that I received was spacious and afforded some nice views the surrounding area and of downtown Toronto in the distance. Of course having a Westin Heavenly bed in place, the bed was awesome like usual with Westin hotel's however the rest of the room was definitely dated and in need of an update. I liked that it was clean despite feeling like I was staying in the 1980's or early 90's hotel. The room showed quite a bit of wear and tear with big chips out of some of the furniture and the green marble bathroom counter tops in the bathroom really dated it. Probably the biggest giveaway of the age of the room (and the hotel) was the lack of plugs to power electrical devices. As you'll see in one of the photos,  the hotel has to utilize extension cords to be able to offer extra plugs. The hallways also had that dark, older feeling along with not being very clean.

King Size Westin Heavenly Bed

The shower was a bit of tight squeeze!

How to power your devices in the room

Mini Fridge was in this cabinet

The wrap around windows afforded some nice views

Welcome gift

Small wrap around balcony

Would I stay at this hotel again? Seeing that I had a meeting with a client a few minutes away I more than likely would since there are only a couple other options right in that area and based on web reviews they don't seem any better.

How about you? Have you stayed at the Westin Prince Toronto? What are your thoughts of the hotel?

The Westin Prince Toronto Hotel
SPG Category: 4

Points required for a free night 10,000 Starpoints

Cash+Points Requirement: 5,000 Starpoints + US$75 per night for standard rooms

EIA Rewards - Flying from, to or via Edmonton? Be sure to join to enjoy free benefits and more at YEG

To the best of our knowledge, EIA Rewards is Canada's only airport reward program. A rarity in the loyalty world, airport reward programs can be found at several airports around the world with the most famous and largest program being London's Heathrow Rewards. EIA Rewards, is the reward program for Edmonton International Airport (YEG) and differs from Heathrow Rewards as it not a points program like its British counterpart.

What EIA Rewards offers are access to better services and discounts for using select merchants or service providers at Edmonton International. There are two versions of the program, one is for residents of Edmonton and the other, the Connecting Passengers programs is for residents of select cities and provinces of Canada.

For Edmonton residents this is what you get when you join EIA Rewards:

• Automatic entry into EIA Rewards monthly prize contests where you can win prizes like
• EIA bucks for shopping and dining
• EIA or jetSet parking
• Complimentary premium Wi-Fi in terminal (five times the speed and unlimited time)
• Monthly discounts for parking, shopping, and dining including standard offers of:
  • 25% off regular rates at the Plaza Premium Lounge
  • Save the service charge at International Currency Exchange
  • Always save a minimum of 30% at jetSet youPark parking
  
  

For complete details and to join the program as an Edmonton resident click here. 

If you don't live in Edmonton, you can still join the program if you reside in select cities/provinces and connect via YEG. Eligible connecting passengers live near airports requiring connecting flights including Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray, Red Deer, Kelowna, Vernon, Kamloops, Vancouver Island, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories.

These connecting passengers receive the same benefits as listed above for Edmonton residents but also the following: 

• Four complimentary Plaza Premium Lounge passes (a $160 value) and 25% off the regular rates after you’ve used your passes 
• A special rate for the Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel. The only hotel connected to the terminal, the Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel is a fun, relaxing and luxurious way to start your trip early!

That's a pretty good offer for those eligible non-Edmonton residents! Four Plaza Premium passes are a sweet deal!

For complete details and to join the program as a connecting passenger click here.

Both Edmonton and connecting passengers have the chance to win flights on WestJet to any city the airline flies to directly from Edmonton if you join the program by July 31st!

Are you a member of EIA Rewards? We'd love to hear from you in the comments section on how you have used the program already to make your YEG experience even better.