October 16 Update: Canalta Rewards lowers free night redemption rates, 500 free Miles & Miles extended to Nov 30 & more

Hot on the heels of our news last week that WestJet Rewards lowered some redemption, Canadian hotel chain Canalta Hotels has also lowered redemption rates! Free nights in the Canalta Rewards program are now only 25,000 points for a regular room and 50,000 points for a Jacuzzi suite. That's down from 40,000 and 80,000 respectively. Earn rate on points remains the same so this is truly the second program enhancement in a week that we are happy to pass along to our readers! Full details.

The offer for 500 free Miles & More miles for downloading their mobile app has been extended! You can now take advantage of the offer until November 30. (HT Head for Points)

Posts since our last update:

• Meet the Collectors: Road warrior of the Canadian Prairies makes the most of his hotel programs
  Today we bring you our latest Meet the Collectors feature. These are interviews with our readers, who are everyday Canadians…
• WestJet Rewards lowers, that's right, lowers redemption rates for Member Exclusive award travel on WestJet & Delta Airlines
  In the 16 years that I have been running Rewards Canada I can count on one hand the number of…

Canadian Bonus Offers
Marriott Rewards
- 5,000 Bonus Rewards Points when you stay 2 or more nights at the JW Marriott Parq or the Douglas, an Autograph Collection hotel in Vancouver. More... Nov 1 - Jan 17, 18

Other Bonus Offers
Air China Phoenix Miles
- Triple Phoenix Miles for stays at all participating Accor Hotels Worldwide. More... Oct 20 - Dec 31, 17

Avianca LifeMiles
- Earn up to 6x LifeMiles on Hertz rentals at participating locations in Belgium, Canada, Caribbean, France, Germany, Italy, Holland, Latin America, Luxembourg, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States. More... Until Dec 31, 17

Le Club AccorHotels
- 4X Le Club AccorHotels Points for stays at new Accor Hotels Worldwide. More... Until Jan 14, 18

Marriott Rewards
- 5,000 Bonus Rewards Points for stays of two or more nights at the Renaissance Brussels Hotel, Brussels Marriott Hotel Grand Place or the Courtyard by Marriott Brussels. More... Jan 4 - Feb 11, 18
- 2,000 Bonus Rewards Points for stays at the Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena. More... Nov 19 - Feb 4, 18

Miles & More
- 1,000 Bonus Miles & More Miles for stays at participating Sofitel, MGallery by Sofitel and Pullman hotels Worldwide. More... Until Dec 31, 17
- OFFER EXTENDED 500 Bonus Miles & More Miles when you download and log in to the Miles & More app. More... Until Nov 30, 17

United MileagePlus
- 30% Bonus MileagePlus Miles when you convert hotel loyalty program points to MileagePlus. More... Until Nov 30, 17
- OFFER EXTENDED 1,500 Bonus MileagePlus Miles when you book a mid-size or larger car with Hertz. More... Until Jan 31, 18




Follow Rewards Canada:

Meet the Collectors: Road warrior of the Canadian Prairies makes the most of his hotel programs

 Today we bring you our latest Meet the Collectors feature. These are interviews with our readers, who are everyday Canadians like you, on what they are doing with their loyalty programs.

Bill Wheatley is the Ultimate Road Warrior - he works in Information Technology for NAPA Auto Parts and travels across the prairies for his job, racking up tons of points and miles along the way.

Last year Bill took more than 45 short haul flights between Winnipeg and Saskatoon on Air Canada. He flew more the 50,000 miles on the airline -- good enough for valuable perks including priority baggage and check-in. He also earned more than $8,100 in qualifying dollars.

Continue reading the interview here! 

If you would like to be considered for our Meet the Collectors series please contact us at info@rewardscanada.ca

WestJet Rewards lowers, that's right, lowers redemption rates for Member Exclusive award travel on WestJet & Delta Airlines

In the 16 years that I have been running Rewards Canada I can count on one hand the number of times a frequent flyer program has lowered redemption rates for award travel. We are used to and expect from frequent flyer programs, 'enhancements' as they tend to call them to the their flight award charts or redemption rates. Normally those 'enhancements' are increases to the number of miles or points required and are touted as a way to access more seats or are shrouded in some minor positive changes to the program in an attempt to disguise the increases. Well WestJet isn't shrouding anything and they aren't even really touting this enhancement, at least not yet but they have actually lowered the Member Exclusive pricing for some of their flights and across the board for all International flight redemption options on Delta Airlines!

They did have a big unveiling of the Member Exclusive program in Toronto on Wednesday to promote the ability to use WestJet Rewards to get you to many places in the World!

When WestJet launched their fixed rate flight rewards on Delta, they called them 'Member Exclusive' fares. These fares also became available on select WestJet flights. This meant for flights on their own metal you could redeem 1 WestJet dollar for 1 Canadian dollar of your ticket price as has been the case since the program launched or now you could redeem the flat amount required for the Member Exclusive fare. The latter is how it works when redeeming for International flights on Delta to Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and South America. When launched in April of this year these were the minimum redemption rates:

• Canada to Europe: 400 WestJet dollars each way (800 round trip)
• Canada to South America: N/A   
• Canada to Africa: 560 each way (1,120 round trip)
• Canada to Japan or China: 640 each way (1,280 round trip)
• Canada to Australia: 750 each way (1,500 round trip)
  All the above do not include taxes or fees  

As of October 11th the new minimum Member Exclusive rates for Delta flights are as follows:

• Canada to Europe: 299 WestJet dollars each way (598 round trip)
• Canada to South America:  329 each way (658 round trip)
• Canada to Africa: 429 each way (858 round trip)
• Canada to Japan or China: 549 each way (1,098 round trip)
• Canada to Australia: 659 each way (1,308 round trip)
  All the above do not include taxes or fees

That's right you can now fly to Europe for under 300 WestJet dollars one way, or under 600 round trip. The 250 dollars you can score with the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard is almost enough for the one way flight to Europe! That's a decent offer! In fact all of the redemption options globally just got that much more attractive as they have all been reduced significantly.

Also some more great news that we just received today (Oct 13) from WestJet Rewards is that the entire Delta network is now available for redemption including flights to the U.S., Caribbean, Mexico and more! These can be redeemed for via the WestJet Member Exclusive rate as well! 

On to Member Exclusive fares for travel on WestJet flights,  these have also been lowered! Flying from Toronto to Calgary? It used to 160 Westjet dollars one way and that has now been reduced to 125! The round trip can now be had with the sign up bonus alone from their World Elite Mastercard. Short haul redemption rewards went from 100 each to 99 each way after the change on October 11.

As of October 11th the new lowest Member Exclusive rates for WestJet flights are as follows:

• Canada Short haul: 99 WestJet dollars each way (198 round trip)
• Canada Long Haul: 125 WestJet dollars  each way (250 round trip)

Overall this is great news for WestJet Rewards members! Being able to spend less to redeem for Member Exclusive fares is a welcome change and makes this program just that much more competitive and attractive. 

Now let's bring back our chart we built back in April that compares what it takes you to get that round trip economy class ticket on WestJet and Aeroplan strictly with credit card spend on their most popular credit cards:
 

	WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard	TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite
Canada to Europe
Minimum spend:	$29,900	$40,000
Maximum spend:	$39,867	$60,000
Canada to Japan or China
Minimum spend:	$54,900	$50,000
Maximum spend:	$72,533	$75,000
Canada to Australia
Minimum spend:	$65,400	$60,000
Maximum spend:	$87,200	$90,000

If you recall our post from April, WestJet only came out ahead on Europe flights and it was quite a bit more for Asia or Australia. With these new redemption rates you can see that they have brought them more in line and in many cases cheaper than Aeroplan which makes their credit card very competitive for Economy Class redemption options. Remember though this is just a baseline comparison for credit card spend and does not take into account other earning from flights and partners or even other potential credit cards. You also have to take into account fees and surcharges that will be tacked onto these flights so for a proper comparison you should look at United flights with Aeroplan since those will route via the U.S. like WestJet's flights with Delta and both airlines will have comparable taxes and fees.


What are your thoughts on these changes? Do they make the program more attractive to you and will you utilize them? Is it enough to make you consider switching from another program to WestJet Rewards? Let us know!

October 13 Update: CIBC Aventura point deals for Porter flights, Starwood Stay 3 Pay 2 Nights offer, 250 bonus SCENE Points with Swiss Chalet

CIBC Aventura Rewards has released another great award ticket sale. You can now redeem as little as 8,000 Aventura Points to fly on Porter Airlines. Book by Oct 31 for travel until Apr 15, 18. Full details.

Posts since our last update:

• Earn 5,000 Bonus Rewards Points for stays at Marriott's two new Vancouver hotels
  Marriott is opening up two new luxury hotels in Vancouver this fall, The JW Marriott Parq Vancouver and the…
• Earn up to Triple Aeroplan Miles on select Air Canada flights around the globe!
  It has been awhile since we've seen a wide ranging bonus offer for flying on Air Canada so this…

Travel Deals
You know how we tell all of you to carry a Visa, a Mastercard and an American Express card for the brand specific promotions? Well here is one of them. Book 2 nights at Starwood Hotels and pay for it with a Mastercard and you'll get the 3rd night free! Stays must be booked by Oct 31. Find out more here.

Canadian Bonus Offers
Air Canada / Aeroplan
- Earn up to Triple Aeroplan Miles when you fly on select Air Canada routes Worldwide. More... Register and book by Nov 11 for travel until Apr 30, 18

Cineplex SCENE
- 250 Bonus SCENE Points when you place a takeout or delivery order through the Swiss Chalet app. More... Until Oct 31, 17

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- 20% Bonus Flying Club Miles when you convert Diners Club Club Rewards Points to Flying Club Miles. More... For residents of the U.S. and Canada only Until Oct 31, 17

Other Bonus Offers
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
- 5,000 Bonus Mileage Plan Miles + MVP Status for University of Washington students who join Alaska's Mileage Plan program or registering for this promotion if already a member. More... Until Oct 31, 17

American AAdvantage
- Earn up to 2,000 Bonus AAdvantage Miles when you make a hotel booking on PointsHound. More... Book by Oct 31, 17

Amtrak Guest Rewards
- Double Guest Rewards Points on all Amtrak travel. More... Until Nov 18, 17
- 1,000 Bonus Guest Rewards Points for weekend stays at participating Starwood Hotels & Resorts in North and Latin America and French Polynesia. More... Until Dec 31, 17
- Double Guest Rewards Points + a free day on Hertz rentals of 6 or more days at participating locations in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. More... Until Dec 31, 17

Avis Preferred
- Receive a Free Day Rental Award when you rent twice with Avis for two or more days in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico or U.S.V.I. More... Targeted offer - may not work for everyone Until Feb 28, 18

British Airways Executive Club
- 1,000 Bonus Avios on your next Rocketmiles hotel stay More... Until Dec 31, 17

Shangri-La Golden Circle
- Save up to 40% GC Award Points when you redeem for free room nights at Shangri-La hotel, resort, Traders or Kerry hotels. More... Book by Oct 31 for stays until Nov 30, 17
- Double GC Award Points for stays at the Shangri-La Hotel Colombo. More... Nov 17 - Jan 31, 18




Follow Rewards Canada:

Earn 5,000 Bonus Rewards Points for stays at Marriott's two new Vancouver hotels

Marriott is opening up two new luxury hotels in Vancouver this fall, The JW Marriott Parq Vancouver and the Douglas, an Autograph Collection hotel. To celebrate the openings Marriott Rewards members who stay 2+ nights at either hotel can earn 5,000 bonus Rewards points on those stays between November 1 and January 17, 18. A quick check of rates shows the 5,000 bonus Rewards points rate is the same as the best flexible rate.

Offer details
5,000 Bonus Rewards Points when you stay 2 or more nights at the JW Marriott Parq or the Douglas, an Autograph Collection hotel in Vancouver. Full details & online booking. Nov 1 - Jan 17, 18

Planning a stay at any of these two new hotels? We'd love to hear from you on what you think about them!

Find many more Marriott Rewards bonus offers here.

Earn up to Triple Aeroplan Miles on select Air Canada flights around the globe!

It has been awhile since we've seen a wide ranging bonus offer for flying on Air Canada so this comes as a nice surprise! As long as you register and book your flights by November 11th you can earn bonus miles on many Air Canada flights, not all of course, the most popular Canadian, U.S. and sun destination routes are absent but there are lots of great International destinations included. The bonuses earned are as follows:

Like most bonuses on Air Canada now tickets booked before today do not count for the bonus.

Offer details
Earn up to Triple Aeroplan Miles when you fly on select Air Canada routes Worldwide. Full details & online registration. Register and book by Nov 11 for travel until Apr 30, 18

 

October 12 Update: Canadian Points University to be held Nov 3/4 in YYC, WestJet partners with Chopped Leaf, 15% off Hertz rentals

The next Canadian Points University is just around the corner and it's in Rewards Canada's home town! The PointsU will be held on November 3 and 4th at the new Calgary Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel (read our review of the hotel here) If you have not bought tickets yet you can do so at PointsU.ca and use our code 'RewardsCanada' to save yourself $20 on the full ticket price. With it less than a month away we want to get the details out to you now but will follow up with another post next week with more details!

WestJet announced today that they have partnered with Chopped Leaf to provide the restaurant's whole-food offerings on board WestJet aircraft. The new food service will begin on November 15th. (Source WestJet)

Ethiopian Airlines is growing their Toronto to Addis Ababa service from 3 flights per week to 5 flights per week starting Dec 3. Ethiopian is an Aeroplan partner and is always a decent award flight option for flights to Africa, the Middle East and more. (Source Routesonline)



Posts since our last update:

• The unveiling of WestJet's 737 Max 8 with photos and flight video
  Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the unveiling of WestJet's newest aircraft, the Boeing 737 Max 8. Over the…
• One week left to grab the higher sign up bonus on the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express
  Wow three months sure do fly by! It feels just like yesterday when the increased sign up offer on…
• Redemption Stories: 72,000 Reward Point stay at a New York City Best Western Hotel for only 30,000 Points!
   Going back a couple of weeks ago we brought you the details of Best Western's Fall promotion and it wasn't…

Travel Deals
Hertz is offering 15% off weekly and weekend rentals in Canada and the U.S. if you book by October 31 for rentals until Jan 31, 18 Find out more here

 

Canadian Bonus Offers
N/A

Other Bonus Offers
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- Triple Asia Miles on rentals of 2 or more days with Avis in Asia, USA, Canada, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands. More... Book by Nov 30 for rentals until Dec 14, 17

Etihad Guest
- 20% Bonus Guest Miles when you covert points from select hotel and financial partners to Etihad Guest. More... Until Oct 31, 17

Marriott Rewards
- 1,000 Bonus Rewards Points per night for stays on Thursday-Sunday nights (Friday or Saturday required) at 8 Courtyard, Residence Inn & SpringHill Suites hotels in New Jersey or Pennsylvania. More... Until Dec 4, 17
- 2,000 Bonus Rewards Points per stay of 2+ nights at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. More... Until Dec 4, 17

Qantas Frequent Flyer
- 500 Bonus Frequent Flyer Points for your first Airbnb booking. More... Ongoing

Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- Double QMiles for each qualified stay at any Millennium and Copthorne participating hotels in Middle East and Africa. More... Until Dec 31, 17
SAS EuroBonus
- Double EuroBonus Points when you book the SAS Dreams Hong Kong Sweet & Sour tour. More... Book by Nov 1, 17

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Double KrisFlyer Miles for stays of at least two consecutive nights at Casa del Rio Melaka. More... Until Nov 30, 17
- Triple KrisFlyer Miles for stays at Anantara Hotels in Asia and Africa. More... Until Dec 31, 17
- Triple KrisFlyer Miles for stays at Avani Hotels in Asia and Africa. More... Until Dec 31, 17
- Triple KrisFlyer Miles for stays at TivoliHotels in Portugal, Brazil and Qatar. More... Until Dec 31, 17

Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
- Earn up to 4,000 Bonus ROP Miles when you fly on Thai Airways between Bangkok and Vienna. More... Nov 16 - Feb 28, 18

United MileagePlus
- Double MileagePlus Miles for stays on the Family Moments package at the Fairmont Dallas. More... Until Dec 1, 17



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