March 21 Update: Many more confirmed Cobalt multipliers, AC mainline to fly YYZ-HNL next winter and more!

I have been catching up on responding to lots of comments here on the blog and on the main Rewards Canada website. Lots of them were on our American Express Cobalt Multipliers page as the Rewards Canada community has been providing lots of location contributions. Check it out today as the list of confirmed 5x/2x/1x merchants in Canada and globally continues to grow! It is almost getting too big so I am open to suggestions on ways that we may present the merchants in a better fashion or let us know if you are fine with the current set up! Check out the American Express Cobalt Card Confirmed Multiplier Locations page today!

 Good news for Torontonians looking to fly to Honolulu next winter - Air Canada is putting internationally configured Boeing 767's on the route which replace the current Rouge offering. Can't lie to you, I am little jealous - we used to have the mainline 767 running between Calgary and Maui and we flew on it lots in both economy and business class. This year the route was Rouged but it does go back to mainline next year, albeit on a 737 Max 8 so it won't have the lay flat pods. In some ways I'm glad for the YYC change as it pushed us to try another option to Maui for 2018 - the Rewards Canada family will be flying AC business class to SFO and then Hawaiian Airlines with newer lie flat business class cabins on their Airbus A330. Still though it would be nice to fly AC pods direct to Maui for the time saving. (Source: Routesonline)



Posts since our last update:

• Choice Privileges: Earn 8,000 points when you complete 2 stays Worldwide from April 2 to May 25
  Choice Hotels has revealed the details of their spring promotion and as we usually see, it is the same…
• AIR MILES Mega Miles Event: Earn up to 1,250 Bonus Reward Miles for shopping at multiple sponsors
  The annual AIR MILES Mega Miles event launched earlier this month and presents a really nice bonus mile earning…
• On this week's Podcast - An interview with Scotiabank about their new No Foreign Transaction Fee Passport Visa Infinite Card
  Continuing on the hot topic of No Foreign Transaction Fee credit cards, this episode of the Rewards Canada podcast…
• 100% Bonus when you buy IHG Rewards Club Points - Flash sale until March 22
  IHG has just released another buy points flash sale that offers a 100% bonus when you buy 5,000 or…
• Aeroplan Members will soon be able to earn miles at Amazon.ca
  Some good news from the fine folks at Aeroplan this week which is needed after the news of the…

Travel Deals
Because one night is never enough! Stay one night and the next is 40% off at participating North and Latin American Starwood Hotels! Find out more here!

Remember to visit Rewards Canada's Travel Booking site to book travel directly with many of your favourite airlines, hotels and more!

Canadian Bonus Offers
Choice Privileges
- Earn up to 8,000 Bonus Privileges Points for 2 separate stays you complete at participating Choice Hotels Worldwide including Canada. More... Apr 2 - May 25, 18

Other Bonus Offers
Air France KLM Flying Blue
- 250 Bonus Flying Blue miles on stays of two nights or more at any participating Accor hotel Worldwide. More... Book by Apr 30 for stays until May 30, 18
- Double Flying Blue miles when you book and use transportation services from Driving Blue. More... Until Jun 2, 18

Choice Privileges
- Earn up to 8,000 Bonus Privileges Points for 2 separate stays you complete at participating Choice Hotels Worldwide. More... For residents of the U.S. and Canada only  Apr 2 - May 25, 18
- Save up to 30% when you buy 5,000 or more Choice Privileges points online. More... Until Apr 19, 18

Copa ConnectMiles
- Double ConnectMiles for stays at Barcelo Hotels and Resorts in North America, Central America and South America. More... Until Jun 16, 18

Emirates Skywards
- Triple Skywards Miles for stays at Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, AVANI Hotels & Resorts and Tivoli Hotels & Resorts. More... Until Dec 31, 18

Jet Airways JetPrivilege
- Earn up to 40% Bonus JPMiles when you buy miles online. More... Until Mar 31, 18

Marriott Rewards
- Earn up to 2,000 Bonus Rewards Points pre night for stays at participating Marriott Hotels across the U.S. in 13 states. More... Jun 6 - Jul 13, 18
- Double 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 Jul 31, 18

Rocketmiles
- 3,000 Bonus Miles or Points in the program of your choice when you make your first hotel booking with Rocketmiles. More... Book by Mar 31, 18

Choice Privileges: Earn 8,000 points when you complete 2 stays Worldwide from April 2 to May 25

Choice Hotels has revealed the details of their spring promotion and as we usually see, it is the same offer they have each quarter. They word the promotions differently in terms of get a free night, get a $50 gift card etc. However the gist of the promos are the same, they will award you enough bonus points after you complete 2 separate stays to have 8,000 points after those stays. In this case it is being promoted as the Free Night offer since you'll have enough points after the two stays to redeem for a hotel stay at their participating 8,000 point level hotels.

Offer details
Earn up to 8,000 Bonus Privileges Points for 2 separate stays you complete at participating Choice Hotels Worldwide. Stay must be booked via ChoiceHotels.com, the Choice Hotels mobile app, or 800.4CHOICE at qualifying rates.  Members will be awarded a minimum of 5,000 and maximum of 8,000 bonus points, depending on the number of base points earned from the two (2) separate qualifying stays. Full details, online registration & booking (Registration is required) Apr 2 - May 25, 18
Restrictions
For residents of the U.S. and Canada only 

AIR MILES Mega Miles Event: Earn up to 1,250 Bonus Reward Miles for shopping at multiple sponsors

The annual AIR MILES Mega Miles event launched earlier this month and presents a really nice bonus mile earning opportunity. If you meet the requirement of using Mega Miles coupons at 3 or 5 or more sponsors you'll be awarded with 650 to 1,250 Reward Miles over and above the base miles and coupon bonus miles awarded. This promotion runs until April 12.


This version of the Mega Miles event see several changes. Previous versions required you to shop at 5 or more sponsors to get the bonus. This time they give you two levels of bonuses, you can make it to only 3 and get a lower bonus of 650 miles or still go for 5 or more and get the full 1,250 bonus miles. They have also added in spending on your AIR MILES credit cards as a qualifier. If you have either a BMO or Amex AIR MILES card and make 20 purchases on either during the promotional period that counts as one sponsor. Have cards from both issuers? Make 20 on each and you have 2 sponsors covered. Now to earn the credit card option from the event you have to opt-in on the Mega Miles site.

For the rest of us without AIR MILES credit cards the cheapest way we found to earn the bonus simply by looking at all the details on the coupons (Alberta region) would be as follows:
Spend ~$30 on a minimum 25L purchase at Shell (10 Bonus Miles coupon)
Spend $30 at Action Car & Truck Parts (4x Bonus Miles coupon)
Spend $40 on almost anything at Rexall (40 Bonus Miles coupon)
Spend $40 with $20 transactions at two separate retailers via airmilesshops.ca (50 Bonus Miles coupon)
Spend $50 at The Children's Place (20 Bonus Miles Coupon)



That's $190 in spending to earn the 1,250 Bonus Mega Miles Miles (or $100 for 3 sponsors to get 650 bonus miles) but then you have to add in your base amount miles plus the coupon bonuses for an additional ~125 miles or so for 1,375 bonus miles in total. We value AIR MILES Rewards Miles at an average of 13 cents each, so you are getting back $178.75 on your $190 in spending, that is a great return. If you strictly earn cash rewards, then you are looking at a return of about $140, still pretty decent for spending $188. For some of you it may take more spending but as we mentioned before if this is shopping you are already planning on doing then jump on the Mega Miles event right away so that you can earn this bonus.

Find out more and print all your coupons here!

On this week's Podcast - An interview with Scotiabank about their new No Foreign Transaction Fee Passport Visa Infinite Card

Continuing on the hot topic of No Foreign Transaction Fee credit cards, this episode of the Rewards Canada podcast is an interview with Scotiabank's Brett Mooney, Senior Vice President, Credit Cards. Brett and Jeff discuss the launch of the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card and look at some of the reasoning behind this new card and why Scotiabank took the leap to be the first major Canadian credit card issuer to offer a No FX fee card.

Click Here to download the podcast

 

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Links to this week's topic:

• Introducing the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card - a strong well rounded no foreign transaction fee travel rewards credit card

You can find this and all our other Rewards Canada Round Up Podcast Episodes here

100% Bonus when you buy IHG Rewards Club Points - Flash sale until March 22

IHG has just released another buy points flash sale that offers a 100% bonus when you buy 5,000 or more points. This sale runs until March 22.

Buying 60,000 points (120,000 total with bonus) cost US$600 which means each point will only cost you 0.5 cents. That's up to 24 nights at IHG hotels if redeeming via the PointBreaks 5,000 point level, 12 nights at 10,000 and 8 nights at the 15,000 point level. Even at that highest level it is like you are buying each night for only US$75.

 

Offer Details
100% Bonus IHG Rewards Club Points when you buy points online.  Minimum purchase of 5,000 points. Buy Points here Until Mar 22, 18

Find many more IHG Rewards Club bonus point offers here

Aeroplan Members will soon be able to earn miles at Amazon.ca

Some good news from the fine folks at Aeroplan this week which is needed after the news of the breakup with Esso last week. Starting late in April, Aeroplan members will be able to earn miles for shopping online at Amazon.ca. Here are some excerpts from today' press release:

Starting April 24, 2018, Aeroplan Members who visit Amazon.ca through Aeroplan.com, will be able to earn at least 1 Aeroplan Mile for every $1 dollar spent.

Aeroplan status members will earn even more miles when shopping at Amazon.ca.  Members with silver and black status will earn up to 2x the miles while members with diamond status receive up to 3x the miles per transaction. 

How it works:

1. Aeroplan Members simply visit aeroplan.com/estore;
2. Using the search function on the page, find Amazon.ca;
3. Enter your Aeroplan Number and last name;
4. Click on the 'Shop Now' button to be redirected to Amazon.ca.  Happy shopping!  Members will earn a minimum of 1 Aeroplan Mile per $1 spent.

For me I like this news, my family does shop a lot via Amazon.ca and usually go through ebates.ca but ebates only pays 1% back on most categories except during promotional periods - with Aeroplan offering 1-3 miles on all purchases the return is 1.5% to 4.5% at a minimum.

You may ask though what about the Aeroplan and Air Canada break up that is coming in a little over two years, well I am still accumulating Aeroplan miles as I do use them quite quickly and know those I start earning via Amazon next month will be going towards flights over the next 24 months.

What do you think of this news?

Read the full press release here

March 16 Update: Rogers and Fido Mastercards being devalued, bonus Infinity MileageLand Miles out of YYZ/YVR & more

Yesterday morning Rewards Canada reader J Smith commented on our feature for No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards for Canadians letting us know that there once again changes happening to the Rogers Platinum Mastercard and Fido Mastercard. It hasn't been too long that these cards underwent changes and now they are at it once again - and the changes, for the most part, aren't good.  You can read all about the changes here.

The good news is strictly on the Rogers Platinum Mastercard and that is the annual fee is being removed as of March 13. The card normally carried a $29 annual fee but that was waived if you were a Rogers customer so the card is now a no fee card for everyone.

On to the bad news, the two cards are being devalued on the rewards side. The big bright spot for both cards was 4% cash back on foreign transaction purchases, hence it being featured in the No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards piece. The cards do have a 2.5% foreign exchange fee which meant you came out 1.5% ahead on all those non CDN$ purchases. Well as of May 23 the earn rate for foreign transactions becomes 3%. So you'll still come out ahead but only by 0.5% now.. On all other spending the Rogers card earns 1.75% cash back and also as of May 23 that is being dialed back to 1.25% on almost all purchases - they will award you with 2% on Rogers products and services. The Fido card drops from 1.5% on all purchasese to 1.25% except once again they'll offer 2% on Rogers products or services. So really they are taking away quite a bit from current or future cardholders. Sure you have no annual fee but losing one point on foreign purchases and half a point on almost all other purchases hurts more than not having the annual fee.


Posts since our last update:

• Convert Diners Club Club Rewards Points to British Airways Executive Club Avios and receive a 30% bonus
  Last seen in the summer of 2017, the Diners Club to British Airways conversion bonus is back albeit it…

Travel Deals
Because one night is never enough! Stay one night and the next is 40% off at participating North and Latin American Starwood Hotels! Find out more here!

Remember to visit Rewards Canada's Travel Booking site to book travel directly with many of your favourite airlines, hotels and more!

Canadian Bonus Offers
British Airways Executive Club
- 30% Bonus Avios when you convert Diners Club Club Rewards Points to British Airways Executive Club. More... Until Mar 31, 18

EVA Air Infinity MileageLands
- Earn up to 3,500 Bonus Infinity MileageLands miles when you fly on EVA/UNI Air scheduled international flights including Toronto and Vancouver within an eligible ticket class. More... Book by Jun 10 for travel until Jun 15, 18

Other Bonus Offers
La Quinta Returns
- Save up to 25% when you buy La Quinta Returns points. More... Until Apr 20, 18

Marriott Rewards
- 10,000 Bonus Rewards Points per stay at The Hi-Lo, Autograph Collection Portland. More... Until Apr 29, 18

Starwood Preferred Guest
- SPG Status Challenge - Earn Gold or Platinum status if you haven't held status with SPG in the last 5 years. Stay 9 nights to reach Gold or 18 nights to reach Platinum More... Register by Jun 30, 18

Follow Rewards Canada:

Convert Diners Club Club Rewards Points to British Airways Executive Club Avios and receive a 30% bonus

Last seen in the summer of 2017, the Diners Club to British Airways conversion bonus is back albeit it is lower this time. Last summer the bonus was 50% and for this spring it is 30%. I personally took advantage of the 50% bonus last year but will not move on this on as I am hoping we'll see a transfer bonus from Diners to Alaska soon.

Still if you are thinking of redeeming soon for travel on British Airways or any of their oneworld partners this may be the time to transfer. This one is for those select few of us who have held onto to our Diners Club Mastercards as the card isn't technically available for new applications. Right now through to the end of March any Diners Club cardholder that transfers Club Rewards points to British Airways Executive Club will receive a 30% bonus on those transfers. The regular transfer rate is 1,250 Club Rewards Points to 1,000 Avios so with this bonus that equates to 1,300 Avios. That equates to 1.04 Avios per dollar spent on the card. Nothing special and it's not great like the 1.25 you can earn on everyday spend with The Platinum Card from American Express or the category bonuses of 2 Avios per dollar with The American Express Gold Rewards Card or even potentially 3.14 Avios with The American Express Cobalt card but still better than the regular transfer rate.  Remember you can use British Airways Executive Club to fly to many destinations in the U.S. from Canada for between 15,000 and 25,000 Avios round trip (See here for details on that)

Offer details:
30% Bonus Avios when you convert Diners Club Club Rewards points to British Airways Executive Club. Full details Until Mar 31, 18

Find many more Executive Club Bonus Avios offers here

March 15 Update: Targeted 35% Aeroplan conversion bonus, AIR MILES adds more rewards under 1,000 miles and a free movie offer

Earlier in the week we brought you the details of the new bonus for converting hotel points to Aeroplan. The general bonus offer that is open to everyone is 25% however some people, including myself have been targeted for 35% which matches the highest bonus seen on conversions from last summer. Be sure to check your email for one from Aeroplan with the subject line "This bonus is just for you," Now the targeting is behind the scene so no regsitration is required so even if you miss the email and convert you might get a nice surprise with that extra 10%.

There is also some talk as to whether or not Marriott's Travel Packages will count as Aeroplan's Terms & Conditions now state that they 'might' but on the Marriott page is states 'Bonus miles from Aeroplan (Air Canada) offers are not applicable.' Anyone care to try and let us know if it the bonus pays out?

AIR MILES sent out a press release earlier this week entitled "AIR MILES unveils more Rewards and Perks for Collectors" We checked it out and here are the main points:

The AIR MILES Reward Program is reinforcing its commitment to Canadians by offering new ways to get more from their daily spend on gas, groceries, pharmacy and more. The Program is making a series of enhancements that expands the number of Rewards requiring less than 1,000 Miles, places a renewed focus on AIR MILES Cash and offers a greater number of advantages or "show your Card" benefits through AIR MILES Perks, which provides discounts on items ranging from Canadian Hockey League games to free tickets for "Cineplex Family Favourites" movies.

• Cineplex Family Favourites – For a limited time, AIR MILES is offering Collectors promo codes to use towards free tickets to view "Cineplex Family Favourites" movies, a series of family-friendly movies screened on Saturday mornings at 11 AM at participating Cineplex theatres. Additional showings are also available during March Break, making it a great and free activity for Collectors and their families. To request promo codes, Collectors can visit www.airmiles.ca/movies.
• AIR MILES Perks – Collectors get rewarded for simply being a member in the Program, without having to use a single Mile. These advantages or "show your Card" benefits include 25% off regular season CHL game tickets at participating games, up to 45% off Park'N Fly at the airport, up to 25% off on day lift tickets to various ski hills in Canada and more.
• Rewards for less than 1,000 Miles – AIR MILES offers a wide variety of merchandise and experiences that can be redeemed for less than 1,000 Miles. Rewards include household and kitchen essentials, as well as experiences like admissions to the zoo, movie passes or tickets to shows.
• AIR MILES Cash – Collectors can instantly use Miles in-store towards everyday purchases like gas, grocery, drug store items and home improvement purchases at participating Partner locations. Collectors can use as little as 95 Miles to get $10 off their purchase.

The big takeaways are more rewards under 1,000 miles - this is a good move as AIR MILES Reward Miles are generally not a currency that accumulate in large numbers quickly. Providing more low ticket items will let members get something from the programs. The Cineplex offer is a pretty good deal as well as who doesn't like free movies? Granted it's limited time and there are limited showings but hey if you can make it then go for it.

Posts since our last update:

• Save up to 25% on 3+ night stays at participating IHG Hotels across Canada
  IHG has released a new sale for multi-night stays at many of their hotels from Vancouver to St. John's.…
• Radisson Rewards: Earn up to 120,000 Bonus Gold Points for stays at Radisson Hotel Group Hotels
  Earlier this month Carlson Rezidor Hotels and Club Carlson re-branded to a more recognizable name as Radisson Hotel Group…
• Aeroplan and Esso to split as the latter joins forces with PC Optimum
  Late on Monday night news came out that the relationship between Esso and Aeroplan was coming to end on…
• 25% Bonus Aeroplan Miles when you convert hotel loyalty program points to Aeroplan until April 16
  We see the return of another Aeroplan conversion bonus! Last seen before Christmas, the hotel only transfer bonus is…
• Introducing the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card - a strong well rounded no foreign transaction fee travel rewards credit card
  Back in 2014 we put out an article that discussed why No Foreign Transaction Fees have not proliferated here in…
• Save up to 50% on Economy and Business Class award tickets between Toronto or Montreal and Europe
  As we do each month we bring you the latest set Miles & More "Meilenschnaeppchen" discounted mileage awards!  This…

Travel Deals
Hertz Save 15% off the base rate* of your next weekend rental. Offers valid on rentals NOW through April 15, 2018. Find out more here.

Remember to visit Rewards Canada's Travel Booking site to book travel directly with many of your favourite airlines, hotels and more!

Canadian Bonus Offers
Air Canada / Aeroplan
- 25% Bonus Aeroplan Miles when you convert Hotel loyalty programs points to Aeroplan Miles. More... Until Apr 16, 18

Radisson Rewards
- Earn up 120,000 Bonus Gold Points at participating Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu®, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Plaza, Park Inn® by Radisson, and Country Inn & Suites® by Radisson hotels worldwide. More... Register and book by Apr 15 for stays until Jun 30, 18

Other Bonus Offers
Air France KLM Flying Blue
- 4,000 Bonus Flying Blue Miles for Avis rentals of 3 or more days worldwide except from Australia, New Zealand and Latin America. More... Book by Apr 30 for rentals Apr 15 - Dec 30, 18

Copa ConnectMiles
- Earn up to 2,000 Bonus ConnectMiles for stays of 2+ nights at Marriott Hotels & Resorts in the Caribbean and Latin America. More... Until May 5, 18
- 30% Bonus ConnectMiles on all Rocketmiles reservations made in Nassau. More... Book by Mar 31, 18

Hilton Honors
- 5,000 Bonus Honors Points for stays of 2 or more nights at the Conrad Cartagena. More... Until Apr 30, 18
- 1,000 Bonus Honors points when you sign up with Hilton Honors Dining. More... Until May 31, 18

La Quinta Returns
- Earn up to Triple Returns Points for stays at participating La Quinta locations in the U.S.. More... Until Apr 5, 18

Starwood Preferred Guest
- Various Bonus Starpoints or Free Nights when you complete eligible stay(s) at Starwood Hotels Worldwide. More... Targeted Offer - may not work for everyone

Follow Rewards Canada:

Save up to 25% on 3+ night stays at participating IHG Hotels across Canada

IHG has released a new sale for multi-night stays at many of their hotels from Vancouver to St. John's.

The 3 Nights Escape promotion offers discounts of 10 to 25% off the best flexible rate when you book stays of 3 or more nights.

The sale runs until 8 p.m. EST on Friday, April 13, 2018, for three-day stays through to June 15, 2018.

Click here for complete details and to book this offer!

Some of the participating hotels include the InterContinental® Montreal, Crowne Plaza® Fredericton-Lord Beaverbrook, Candlewood Suites®  Calgary Airport North, Holiday Inn Express®  Windsor Waterfront, Holiday Inn Express Toronto Downtown and the Holiday Inn® Hotel & Suites Vancouver Downtown.

Remember as well before you complete any of these or other stays with IHG to register for the current IHG Rewards Club Accelerate promotion so that you can potentially earn lots of bonus points on those stays! You can find the Accelerate promotion and many others on our IHG Rewards Club Bonus Points page.