April 27 Update: Credit Cards that earn the most points, 3rd Party Hotel Booking site bonuses, Aeroplan makes commitments to members

Today saw us release another feature on the main Rewards Canada website. This feature looks at the credit cards that earn the most points and miles on everyday spend and nothing else. Read the feature here: The Top 5 Credit Cards for Earning Points and Miles (This feature will be updated as frequently as needed if and when cards change)

Are you someone who likes to earn miles or points for booking your hotel via third party sites? You'll want to check out our summary of Current Bonus Mile & Point Offers for hotel stays booked via 3rd Party sites - Agoda, Kaligo, PointsHound, Rocketmiles that was posted on our global site!

Aeroplan sent out a press release yesterday to detail their commitment to members for the present and the future in 2020 when they split from Air Canada. The press release doens't give specific details but as many of us have assumed it appears that you will be able to use Aeroplan miles to book flights on lots of airlines and at anytime - so in all likelihood a partnership with an OTA like Expedia, Orbitz etc. or at least they'll white label an OTA back end and run it is as their own booking engine. Here are the key highlights from the press release:

• The freedom to choose any seat on more of your favourite airlines: Starting in July 2020, you won't be limited to seat inventory from one airline or one network when you want to redeem valued miles. Instead, you'll be able to choose any available seat from more airlines to more destinations than today.
• The power to reach your travel plans faster: With the ability to earn miles faster and redeem for flights on more of your favourite airlines starting in July 2020, including with future preferred partners, we're committed to helping our members travel sooner than with other travel reward programs in Canada, just as we do today.
• A complete travel offering in one place: Today, you can browse more car rental options than ever before. Tomorrow, an intuitive planning and booking engine will offer you a greater selection of accommodations, destination activities, vacation packages and inspiring content directly through our website and mobile app.
• Unmatched convenience & flexibility: When you earn fast and often, you can get to your travel plans sooner. The convenience of earning on thousands of everyday items in-store and online at over 150 partner brands, flexible payment options plus the ability to earn miles on all cash bookings made with Aeroplan means realizing your plans is easier than ever.
• A more personalized journey: Enjoy a unique travel experience that is more rewarding and tailored to your needs as we proactively serve up suggestions, content and offers based on the things you like.
• An altogether transformed user experience: Staying at the forefront of technological trends, we will reinvent your user experience at every level from mobile to online right up to the Aeroplan Contact Centre.

What are your thoughts?

Posts since our last update:

• IHG Rewards Club PointBreaks Preview - Live on Monday with 170+ hotels
  IHG is giving us a sneak peak at some of the hotels that will be on the newest PointBreaks…
• The Top 5 Credit Cards for Earning Points and Miles
  For some points and miles aficionados it’s all about earning as many points and miles as possible. In reality that's…

Travel Deals
Accor Hotels Private Sale - Save up to 40% on stays at Accor Hotels around the world! Book by May 3. 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
Hainan Airlines Fortune Wings
- Fast track to elite status - fly one flight on Hainan Airlines in Business Class from Calgary or Toronto, the U.S. Europe, Oceania, and the Middle East to China and receive Fortune Wings Elite status. More... Until Dec 31, 18

Other Bonus Offers
MEA Cedar Miles
- Double Cedar Miles when you stay at the Pearl Rotana, Abu Dhabi. More... Until Jun 20, 18
- Triple Cedar Miles when you stay at the Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, Abu Dhabi. More... Until Dec 31, 18

Miles & More
- Earn up to 5,000 Miles & More Miles at participating Enterprise, Alamo and National locations in Europe and North America. More... Book by Jun 30 for rentals until Jul 31, 18

Radisson Rewards
- 1,000 Bonus Gold Points for stays on the Park Plaza Plus package at the Park Plaza London Park Royal. More... Until ?

TAP Portugal Victoria
- Double Victoria Miles for stays at Anantara Hotels Worldwide. More... Until May 31, 18

IHG Rewards Club PointBreaks Preview - Live on Monday with 170+ hotels

IHG is giving us a sneak peak at some of the hotels that will be on the newest PointBreaks list that will go live on Monday April 30th at 12:00pm ET. This will be the second PointBreaks list that runs under the new multi point level format of hotels at 5,000, 10,000 and 15,000 point levels. Once live you can book the hotels on IHG Rewards Club's official PointBreaks page. Remember the PointBreaks rules are that a member can only book up to 2 reward reservations per hotel participating in the individual offer (ie 2 at PointBreaks hotels and 2 at Last Minute Reward Night hotels).  My tip to get around this would be to book 2 reservations with one IHG Rewards Club account and then have your spouse book 2 more etc. Of course this is dependent on both accounts having enough points to redeem for these awards.  Also be sure to book these ASAP as soon as the list comes out as once the allotted nights are booked at certain locations those hotels will fall off the list. 

If you don't have enough points, even 0, you can buy points right now with a 80% bonus if you buy 30,000 or more points which works out to 0.56 cents per point. That means you can get each of the PointBreaks hotels for as little as US$28 per night if you buy at least 30,000 points. You can buy points with the bonus here until May 31, 18.

Here is the preview provided by IHG:

5,000 Points

• KAZAKHSTAN: Holiday Inn Almaty
• MAINLAND CHINA: Holiday Inn Suzhou Huirong Plaza
• MAINLAND CHINA: Holiday Inn Express Langfang Park View
• MAINLAND CHINA: Holiday Inn Hohhot
• TURKEY: Holiday Inn Istanbul – Kadikoy 
• UNITED STATES: Candlewood Suites Minneapolis-Richfield 
• UNITED STATES: Staybridge Suites Lafayette-Airport

10,000 Points

• INDIA: Holiday Inn Chennai OMR IT Expressway 
• LITHUANIA: Crowne Plaza Vilnius
• MEXICO: Holiday Inn Express Villahermosa Tabasco 2000
• PANAMA: Crowne Plaza Panama Airport
• THAILAND: Holiday Inn Express Krabi Ao Nang Beach  
• UNITED STATES: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Baltimore – BWI Airport North
• UNITED STATES: Holiday Inn Express & Suites San Antonio NW near SeaWorld 

15,000 points

• AUSTRALIA: Crowne Plaza Perth 
• GERMANY: Hotel Indigo Dusseldorf – Victoriaplatz
  
• OMAN: InterContinental Muscat 
• PUERTO RICO: Holiday Inn Express San Juan Condado 
• UNITED STATES: Crowne Plaza Charlotte Executive Park
  
• UNITED STATES: Holiday Inn Express Miami Airport Doral Area 
• UNITED STATES: Crowne Plaza Phoenix Airport – PHX
  

We see know the redemption rate at one of the InterContinental Hotels on the list, the IC Muscat. This hotel normally starts at 35,000 points for standard room so the 15,000 point rate is more than 50% off. Something to look at if you are heading to Oman between April 30 and July 31!

We also know of the following hotels that will also be on the list from a preview yesterday:

• Holiday Inn® Suzhou Huirong Plaza (People’s Republic of China)
• Holiday Inn Express® Krabi Ao Nang Beach (Thailand)
• Crowne Plaza® Perth (AU)
• Hotel Indigo® Austin Downtown – University (US)
• InterContinental® Costa Rica at Multiplaza Mall (Costa Rica)
• Holiday Inn Express® London-Royal Docks, Docklands (UK)
• Hotel Indigo® Dusseldorf – Victoriaplatz (Germany)
• Holiday Inn® Ottawa Kanata (Canada)
• Candlewood Suites® San Antonio Downtown (US)

The Top 5 Credit Cards for Earning Points and Miles

For some points and miles aficionados it’s all about earning as many points and miles as possible. In reality that's the case for most of us but for some they really want to only focus on the earn. All they care about is how they are rewarded for their day to day spending on cards and all the other benefits like insurance, business class lounge access, price protection don’t really matter.

The question then that needs to be asked is "What are the credit cards to look at to strictly maximize the amount of points and miles you earn on your spending?" We have the answer to that!

LINK HAS BEEN FIXED!
 

Continue reading the entire article here to find out which cards earn you the most points and miles! 

April 25 Update: Air Canada adding Montreal-London & Windsor routes, Save up to 40% for Accor Hotel stays and more

Air Canada is adding new year round daily flights between Montreal-London, ON and Montreal-Windsor. (Source Air Canada)

Flights are timed to offer convenient connections to/from Atlantic Canada including Saint John, Fredericton, Moncton Halifax and St. John's; to Europe including Brussels, Rome, Geneva, Barcelona, Lisbon, Paris, Lyon, Frankfurt, as well as Casablanca, Morocco.

Don't forget to enter our Aeroplan Amazon.ca contest! You could win a $100 Amazon.ca gift card! Be sure to enter the contest here.

Are you a Royals fan (not baseball but English royalty) and have the Platinum Card from American Express? Check your email for a personal invite to watch the Royal Wedding at Bar Reyna in Toronto.

Posts since our last update:

• 5 Days left to grab the RBC Visa Infinite Avion with a 25,000 point sign up bonus and first year free
  Just a reminder that this excellent offer comes to an end on April 30th! The RBC Visa Infinite Avion card…

Travel Deals
Accor Hotels Private Sale - Save up to 40% on stays at Accor Hotels around the world! Book by May 3. 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
N/A

Other Bonus Offers
Avianca LifeMiles
- 30% Bonus LifeMiles on all hotel stays booked via Rocketmiles. This offer is good for new and existing members. More... Book by May 31 for stays until Dec 31, 18

British Airways Executive Club
- 50% Bonus Avios when you buy or gift Avios online. More... Until May 8, 18

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- Triple Asia Miles for stays on the Rise & Shine package (bed & breakfast) at participating Raffles Hotels Worldwide. More... Until May 31, 18

Hyatt World of Hyatt
- Earn up to 40% Bonus World of Hyatt Points when you buy points online. More... Until May 23, 18

IHG Rewards Club
- 5,000 Bonus IHG Rewards Club points on Avis rentals of 4 or more days in the U.S., Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia. More... Book by May 15 for rentals until Dec 31, 18

Marriott Rewards
- 1,000 Bonus Rewards Points when you stay 2+ nights at over 40 participating Marriott Hotels in California. More... Until May 31, 18
- 2,000 Bonus Rewards Points for stays at the HOTEL PASEO, Autograph Collection. More... Until Jun 1, 18
- 1,000 Bonus Rewards Points for stays at the Courtyard By Marriott Denver Airport. More... Until Jun 6, 18
- 2,000 Bonus Rewards Points for stays at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Dublin. More... Until Jun 11, 18

Shangri-La Golden Circle
- Double GC Award Points for stays at the Sule Shangri-La, Yangon. More... Until May 31, 18

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Triple KrisFlyer Miles for PPS members who stay at participating InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Hotel Indigo®, Holiday Inn®, Holiday Inn Express® hotels. in the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. More... Until Jun 30, 18

Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
- Triple Miles&Smiles Miles for stays at Accor Hotels Worldwide. More... Until Jun 30, 18

Follow Rewards Canada:

OFFER EXPIRED 5 Days left to grab the RBC Visa Infinite Avion with a 25,000 point sign up bonus and first year free

Just a reminder that this excellent offer comes to an end on April 30th!

This offer has expired but there is new one available at http://blog.rewardscanada.ca/2018/06/new-sign-up-offer-for-rbc-visa-infinite.html

The RBC Visa Infinite Avion card - long ranked as a really good card here on Rewards Canada but never at the top must be feeling the heat from the ever increasing competition as they have come out with this new offer! This is one of the best offers for this card in a while! Even though the previous offer was 30,000 points there was no first year free and the bonus was split between year 1 and year 2. This offer is 25,000 points on approval (awarded on the first statement) and first year free which we feel is a much better!  Those 25,000 points equate to 25,000 British Airways Avios at no cost! Or 250 WestJet dollars at no cost and that doesn't even take into account the transfer bonuses they run occasionally throughout the year. And remember BA has household accounts so you and your spouse could each get the card then convert to BA and combine the Avios into one account for 50,000 or more Avios. There are just so many options here....

If you have been tossing around the idea of getting this card and haven't really been sure now is the time as it will cost you nothing and score you some decent rewards! This offer ends on April 30, 2018.



RBC Visa Infinite Avion

•  Start Avioning Today! Get 25,000 Welcome Points upon approval† +  1st year annual fee waived† - savings of $120.
• Earn 25% more RBC Rewards points on travel related purchases1 
• Book flights, hotel stays, cruises, vacation packages, car rentals with RBC Rewards site, powered by Orbitz
• Transfer your RBC Rewards points towards other eligible loyalty programs (WestJet Rewards, British Airways Executive Club, American AAdvantage, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles. Look for the transfer bonuses to the airlines several times per year!)
• Premium suite of insurances including trip cancellation3, trip interruption3, travel medical4, car rental insurance5
• Redeem your points toward your credit card balance using Payback with Points2
• Instantly save 3₵ per litre on fuel▲ & earn 20% more Petro-Points§ and RBC Rewards points** when you link your Petro-Points card to any RBC Card online.
• Up to a 2.3% return on your spending depending on which reward ticket you book
• Unwritten ability to redeem for Business Class tickets although at a lower rate of return when compared to the Avion Reward chart

Note the following from the T&Cs:
Upon enrolment, 25,000 bonus RBC Rewards points will appear on your first monthly statement. Additional cardholder(s), as well as existing RBC Visa Infinite Avion or Visa Platinum Avion, Cathay Pacific‡ Visa Platinum, British Airways‡ Visa Infinite, RBC Rewards Visa Preferred, RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege and RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege for Private Banking cardholders, applying for or transferring to an RBC Visa Infinite Avion card as of the offer eligibility period, are not eligible for this offer. This offer may not be combined or used in conjunction with any other offer.

April 24 Update: Earn 5x Aeroplan miles at Amazon.ca + enter to win an Amazon gift card, new Centurion Lounges coming to DEN & LAX

The Aeroplan relationship with Amazon.ca via the Aeroplan eStore officially launched today. True its not the first time you can earn points or cash back for Amazon.ca purchases but for many Aeroplan die hards this is great news as Amazon has become common place for many people for their day to day shopping. So being able to earn Aeroplan miles for those purchases is awesome and what is even more awesome is that the first week of this relationship sees a bonus of 5x miles for all Amazon.ca purchases! And if you miss out on the 5x there will be a 2x miles offer from May 1 to May 11. Find out more here!

And if you missed it we teamed up with Aeroplan to celebrate the launch today with a contest where you can win a $100 Amazon.ca gift card. Be sure to enter the contest here.

 If you travel to/from or via some of the bigger U.S. gateways and have The Platinum Card from American Express or are lucky enough to hold a Centurion card you can get access to American Express' Centurion lounges. Two new lounges are being added to ever growing list of lounges, the first announced earlier this month will be in Denver and the second will the much awaited lounge in Los Angeles. Both lounges are slated to open in 2019. My only issue, is that with so many Platinum cardholders is lounge overcrowding. Earlier this month the Rewards Canada family went into the Centurion Lounge in San Francisco and the place was packed! We managed to grab a table but then the wait for drinks was insane thanks to only one bartender and dozens of people waiting to get their drinks. We packed up and left the lounge as it wasn't enjoyable - in fact we found a nice quiet spot in Terminal G that was more comfortable and relaxing. Yes we didn't have free food or drinks but the sanity was much appreciated. Anyways, these lounges are a boon if you do visit them during a less busy time! (Source American Express & Doctor of Credit)

Speaking of The Platinum Card from American Express, Rewards Canada reader Ben S. asked if Amex has any plans on making the physical card a metal card like the members in the U.S. have. Here is Amex Canada's response:

As of now, the change to the metal Card is only available to Platinum Cardmembers in the US.

Too bad.

Posts since our last update:

• On this week's Podcast - The Marriott Rewards - Starwood Preferred Guest Unification Episode! Includes comments from Marriott Canada's Director of Loyalty Marketing
  April 24, 2018 - Episode 43 - The Marriott Rewards - Starwood Preferred Guest Unification Episode! Includes comments from…
• Enter to win a C$100 Amazon Gift Card to celebrate the launch of the Aeroplan & Amazon.ca partnership!
  Rewards Canada is once again proud to team up with Aeroplan to offer our readers another contest! Aeroplan wants…
• Summary of global hotel systemwide bonus points promotions - April Edition
  One of the easiest ways to rack up lots of hotel points is to take advantage of the systemwide bonuses…
• We have a preview of some new redemption rates with the combined Marriott Rewards-Starwood Preferred Guest program
  Today Marriott released the redemption rates of 100 of their top hotels in the newly combined program that launches…

Travel Deals
Starwood Hotels: Save up to 30% through 31st May 2018 when you book your stay in advance at any participating hotel or resort in Europe. Book before 17th May 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
N/A

Other Bonus Offers
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- 4 Bonus Asia Miles for every 10KHD spent on hotel bookings made via Agoda. More... Book by Jun 30 for stays until Sep 30, 18
- Earn up to 10,000 Bonus Asia Miles for Hertz rentals of 5 days or more at participating locations in USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand or Asia. More... Book by Jun 30 for rentals until Jul 31, 18

Ethiopian ShebaMiles
- 3,000 Bonus ShebaMiles when you fly Ethiopian on Mother's Day in Business Class between Addis Ababa and Abuja, Accra, Beirut, Dubai, Entebbe, Johannesburg, Kigali, Mumbai or Nairobi. More... May 13, 18

Hyatt World of Hyatt
- 20% Bonus World of Hyatt Points when you stay at Hyatt Place Las Vegas or any participating MGM Resorts destination in Las Vegas. More... May 7 - Jul 31, 18

IHG Rewards Club
- 5,000 bonus points for stays at participating Kimpton Hotels Worldwide. More... Until Dec 30, 18

Le Club AccorHotels
- Earn up to 800 Bonus Le Club AccorHotels Points for stays at Accor Hotels in Switzerland. More... Book by May 13 for stays until Jun 30, 18

Miles & More
- 5x Bonus Miles & More Miles when you book a minimum 2 night stay at any Fairmont property around the globe. More... Until Jun 30, 18
- 5x Bonus Miles & More Miles when you book a minimum 2 night stay at any Raffles property around the globe. More... Until Jun 30, 18
- 5x Bonus Miles & More Miles when you book a minimum 2 night stay at any Swissotel property around the globe. More... Until Jun 30, 18
- Earn 1,500 Miles & More Miles for Thrifty car rentals of 1 or more days Worldwide. More... Book by May 31 for rentals until Jul 31, 18


Follow Rewards Canada:

On this week's Podcast - The Marriott Rewards - Starwood Preferred Guest Unification Episode! Includes comments from Marriott Canada's Director of Loyalty Marketing

April 24, 2018 - Episode 43 - The Marriott Rewards - Starwood Preferred Guest Unification Episode! Includes comments from Marriott Canada's Director of Loyalty Marketing

Over the past 8 days all the buzz in the loyalty world has been around the announcement from Marriott International about the unification of their three separate loyalty programs, Marriott Rewards, Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest. In this episode Patrick and Jeff go over most of the details that were released and also include interview tidbits with Jennifer Bryl, Marriott's Director of Loyalty Marketing for Canada.

Click Here to download the podcast

 

Or download/subscribe via:

Links relating to this week's topic:

• Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest come together with the announcement of one set of benefits
  There have been lots of rumours and some spoilers floating around the frequent traveller blogs and forums about today's announcement…
• Ouch! No more Starpoints bonus for the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express - Statement credits instead
  Hot on the heels of yesterday's Marriott and SPG announcement comes this change to the sign up offer for…
• Further details to the combination of the Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest and Ritz-Carlton Rewards Programs
   On Monday we brought you the majority of the details of the unification of the Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest…
• We have a preview of some new redemption rates with the combined Marriott Rewards-Starwood Preferred Guest program
  Today Marriott released the redemption rates of 100 of their top hotels in the newly combined program that launches…

Enter to win a C$100 Amazon Gift Card to celebrate the launch of the Aeroplan & Amazon.ca relationship!

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED - THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY

Congratulations to Richard P of Regina Saskatchewan! He was randomly selected as the winner of our $100 Amazon.ca gift card giveaway with Aeroplan!

Rewards Canada is once again proud to team up with Aeroplan to offer our readers another contest! Aeroplan wants to give one lucky Rewards Canada reader a C$100 Amazon.ca gift card to celebrate the launch of Amazon.ca on the Aeroplan eStore today!

Also all purchases made on Amazon.ca via the Aeroplan eStore will earn 5x Miles until April 30th and then 2x miles from May 1 to May 11.

Visit the eStore today for more details on the relationship and to earn Aeroplan miles for shopping at Amazon.ca

Now on to the fun part! The contest portion! To enter the contest for a chance to win the C$100 Amazon.ca gift card from Aeroplan you must do the following:

Comment below on what Aeroplan reward you are saving up for and how the miles from shopping at  Amazon.ca can help you achieve that reward!

The contest closes on Friday April 27th, 2018 at 12:00pm MST! Limit 1 entry per person. Winner will be determined by random draw from all eligible entries received. Void where prohibited.  No purchase necessary. 

Summary of global hotel systemwide bonus points promotions - April Edition

One of the easiest ways to rack up lots of hotel points is to take advantage of the systemwide bonuses that come from many of the big chain programs and also from the lesser known programs. In fact, right now it should be rare for you NOT to earn a bonus. Unless you are staying at a boutique hotel or perhaps an Accor or Fairmont Hotel most other hotels out there have a bonus. So take advantage of it! These systemwide bonuses simply require you to register beforehand and they do not affect hotel pricing as long as you book a point eligible rate which are most rates out there. Of course booking through a third party site like Expedia or Rocketmiles does not count as most chains only award points on bookings that are made directly with them.  Without further ado here are all the current promotions that are available to everyone:

Provider	Offer	Validity Date
Best Western Rewards	Earn 2,000 Bonus Rewards points on every Best Western stay Worldwide. Full details, online registration and booking (Registration is required) (this offer is targeted so you may have to go for the $10 card offer)	Feb 12 - Apr 29, 18
	Earn a US$10 Best Western Travel Card on every Best Western stay Worldwide. Full details, online registration and booking (Registration is required)	Feb 12 - Apr 29, 18
	For a complete listing of all Best Western Rewards bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Best Western page
Choice Hotels Privileges	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) Restrictions For residents of the U.S. and Canada only	Apr 2 - May 25, 18
	For a complete listing of all Choice Privileges bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Choice page
Fairmont Presidents Club	No Offers at this time	--
	For a complete listing of all Fairmont bonus offers please visit Rewards Canada's Fairmont page
GHA Discovery	No Offers at this time	--
	For a complete listing of all GHA Discovery bonus offers please visit Rewards Canada's GHA page
Hilton	Earn Double Points on all Hilton family of hotels stays Worldwide. Full details, online registration and booking (Registration is required) For every $1 spent on stays, you’ll earn 10 Base Points, plus an additional 10 Bonus Points (5 Base Points plus 5 Bonus Points at Home2 Suite by Hilton and Tru by Hilton). Silver, Gold & Diamond members will earn their Elite Tier Bonus on top of that.  Excludes Hampton by Hilton Hotels in Mainland China.	May 1 - Aug 31, 18
	For a complete listing of all Hilton HHonors bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Hilton page
Hyatt	Earn up to 1,000 Bonus World of Hyatt Points per night for stays at Hyatt hotels Worldwide.  Maximum of 25,000 bonus points awarded. Full details, online registration & booking (Registration is required) - 500 bonus points per night for stays at Hyatt House or Hyatt Place - 1,000 bonus points per night at all other Hyatt brands.	Until May 15, 18
	For a complete listing of all Hyatt Gold Passport bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Hyatt page
InterContinental Hotels Group	IHG Rewards Club Accelerate: Earn 500 to 30,000 or more Bonus IHG Rewards Club Points when you complete stays at IHG Hotels Worldwide. Bonus varies by member  Full details, online registration and booking (Registration is required)	May 1 - Jul 31, 18
	For a complete listing of all IHG Priority Club bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's IHG page
Le Club accorhotels	No Offers at this time	--
	For a complete listing of all Best Western Rewards bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Best Western page
Marriott	Earn 750 Bonus Rewards Points per night for stays at participating Marriott Hotels and Resorts Worldwide starting on your third night.  Full details, online registration and booking. (Registration is required)	Register by Jun 30 for stays Apr 16 - Jul 20, 18
	For a complete listing of all Marriott Rewards bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Marriott page
Preferred Hotel Group iPrefer	No Offers at this time	--
	For a complete listing of all Marriott Rewards bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's iPrefer page
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. Registration is now closed but you can still book online at Radisson, Country Inns & Suites, Park Plaza, Radisson Blu, Radisson RED or Park Inn if you previously registered Book & stay 2 nights: Earn 5,000 bonus points Book & stay 5 nights: Earn 15,000 bonus points Book & stay 10 nights: Earn 50,000 bonus points Book & stay 20+ nights: Earn 120,000 bonus points Plus, earn an additional 500 bonus points for every booking you make using our Radisson Rewards mobile app.	Register and book by Apr 15 for stays until Jun 30, 18
	For a complete listing of all Radisson Rewards bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Radisson Rewards page
Ritz-Carlton Rewards	No Offers at this time	--
	For a complete listing of all Shangria-La bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Ritz-Carlton Rewards page
Shangri-La Golden Circle	Earn up to Triple GC Awards Points for stay at any Shangri-La hotel and resort, Kerry hotel, Hotel Jen or Traders hotel that are booked via the Shangri-La Mobile app. Full details - Double points will be awarded on Qualifying Room Rates and Qualifying Incidental Charges of each stay that is booked on the App within the offer period. - Triple points will be awarded on Qualifying Room Rates and Qualifying Incidental Charges of each stay that is booked on the App within the offer period and the member must complete either Mobile Check-In or Check-Out via the App for that stay.	Until Apr 30, 18
	For a complete listing of all Shangria-La bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Golden Circle page
Sonesta Hotels Travel Pass	Double Travel Pass Points for stays at participating Sonesta Hotels Worldwide. Full details	Book by May 15 for stays until Jun 30, 18
	For a complete listing of all Sonesta Hotels bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Travel Pass page
Starwood Preferred Guest	Earn 250 Bonus Starpoints per night for stays at participating Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide starting on your third night.  Full details, online registration and booking. (Registration is required)	Register by Jun 30 for stays Apr 16 - Jul 20, 18
	For a complete listing of all Starwood Preferred Guest bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's SPG page
Voila Hotel Rewards	5,000 Bonus VHR Points per stays at participating VOILÀ network hotels Worldwide. Register Online (Registration is required)	Until Apr 30, 18
	Double VHR Elite Status Credit when you stay 2 or more nights at participating VOILÀ network hotels Worldwide. Register Online (Registration is required)	Until Jul 31, 18
	For a complete listing of all Voila Hotel Rewards bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's VHR page
Wyndham Rewards	Earn 15,000 Bonus Wyndham Rewards Points when you complete 2 separate stays at participating Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Full details, online registration and booking (Registration is required)	Until Jun 30, 18
	For a complete listing of all Wyndham Rewards bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Wyndham page

We have a preview of some new redemption rates with the combined Marriott Rewards-Starwood Preferred Guest program

Today Marriott released the redemption rates of 100 of their top hotels in the newly combined program that launches this August. Last week we brought you most of the details of the new program in these two posts:

• Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest come together with the announcement of one set of benefits
• Further details to the combination of the Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest and Ritz-Carlton Rewards Programs

One of the details revealed last week was the new hotel category award chart that will comprise of 8 categories along with peak and off-peak pricing. Here is the chart once again:

What we know is that many Starwood Hotels would go down in price based on the new chart and the value of 1 Starpoint to 3 Marriott Rewards points. What we didn't know about the new chart is where all 6,500 of their combined hotels will fit in the chart. Now we are getting an idea, well a very small idea of how some hotels might line with today's release of where 100 hotels from 5 areas around the world will fit in the new chart:

Bali

	Current Points Required	New Award Chart Points Required	Points Difference	New Award Chart Category*
Courtyard Bali Seminyak Resort	25,000	17,500	-7,500	3
Fairfield by Marriott Bali Legian	20,000	17,500	-2,500	3
Four Points by Sheraton Bali, Kuta	12,000	17,500	5,500	3
Four Points by Sheraton Bali, Seminyak	12,000	17,500	5,500	3
Courtyard Bali Nusa Dua Resort	30,000	25,000	-5,000	4
Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran	30,000	25,000	-5,000	4
Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa	30,000	25,000	-5,000	4
Sthala, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Ubud Bali	30,000	25,000	-5,000	4
The Stones Hotel - Legian Bali, Autograph Collection	30,000	25,000	-5,000	4
Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
The Laguna, na Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali	36,000	50,000	14,000	6
The Ritz-Carlton, Bali	40,000	50,000	10,000	6
W Bali - Seminyak	90,000	60,000	-30,000	7
The St. Regis Bali Resort	90,000	60,000 (Effective August) 85,000 (Coming 2019)	-30,000 -5,000	8

Caribbean & Mexico

	Current Points Required	New Award Chart Points Required	Points Difference	New Award Chart Category*
JW Marriott Hotel Santo Domingo	30,000	25,000	-5,000	4
The Westin Resort & Spa, Puerto Vallarta	21,000	25,000	4,000	4
Hacienda Puerta Campeche, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Campeche	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
Hacienda Santa Rosa, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santa Rosa	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
Hacienda Temozon, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Temozon Sur	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
JW Marriott Hotel Mexico City	35,000	35,000	0	5
La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort	40,000	35,000	-5,000	5
Marriott Cancun Resort	40,000	35,000	-5,000	5
Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa	35,000	35,000	0	5
San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino	40,000	35,000	-5,000	5
Sheraton Grand Los Cabos Hacienda del Mar	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
The Westin Cozumel	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
The Westin Puntacana Resort & Club	30,000	35,000	5,000	5
The Westin Resort & Spa, Cancun	21,000	35,000	14,000	5
W Mexico City	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
Hacienda Uayamon, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Uayamon	60,000	50,000	-10,000	6
JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa	45,000	50,000	5,000	6
The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun	50,000	50,000	0	6
The St. Regis Mexico City	60,000	50,000	-10,000	6
The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba	60,000	60,000	0	7
The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa	36,000	60,000	24,000	7
W Punta de Mita	60,000	60,000	0	7

Dubai

	Current Points Required	New Award Chart Points Required	Points Difference	New Award Chart Category*
Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites	40,000	35,000	-5,000	5
Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai	30,000	35,000	5,000	5
Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai	35,000	35,000	0	5
La Ville Hotel & Suites CITY WALK, Dubai, Autograph Collection	35,000	35,000	0	5
Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts, Autograph Collection	35,000	35,000	0	5
Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre	30,000	35,000	5,000	5
Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai	35,000	35,000	0	5
Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers	30,000	35,000	5,000	5
Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel, Dubai	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina	36,000	50,000	14,000	6
Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa	36,000	50,000	14,000	6
The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai	70,000	60,000	-10,000	7
The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina	60,000	60,000	0	7

New York

	Current Points Required	New Award Chart Points Required	Points Difference	New Award Chart Category*
Courtyard New York Manhattan/Central Park	40,000	35,000	-5,000	5
Element New York Times Square West	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
Four Points by Sheraton Manhattan Midtown West	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
Residence Inn New York Manhattan/Central Park	40,000	35,000	-5,000	5
New York Marriott East Side	45,000	50,000	5,000	6
New York Marriott Marquis	45,000	50,000	5,000	6
Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel	45,000	50,000	5,000	6
Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel	36,000	50,000	14,000	6
The Algonquin Hotel Times Square, Autograph Collection	45,000	50,000	5,000	6
The Westin New York at Times Square	60,000	50,000	-10,000	6
The Westin New York Grand Central	60,000	50,000	-10,000	6
Gramercy Park Hotel, New York, a Member of Design Hotels™	60,000	60,000	0	7
Hotel Americano, New York, a Member of Design Hotels™	60,000	60,000	0	7
The New York EDITION	60,000	60,000	0	7
W New York - Times Square	60,000	60,000	0	7
W New York - Union Square	60,000	60,000	0	7
11 Howard, New York, a Member of Design Hotels™	90,000	60,000 (Effective August) n85,000 (Coming 2019)	-30,000 -5,000	8
The Chatwal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, New York City	90,000	60,000 (Effective August) 85,000 (Coming 2019)	-30,000 -5,000	8
The St. Regis New York	90,000	60,000 (Effective August) 85,000 (Coming 2019)	-30,000 -5,000	8

Paris

	Current Points Required	New Award Chart Points Required	Points Difference	New Award Chart Category*
Le Dokhan's, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Paris	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
Le Méridien Etoile	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
Paris Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel & Conference Center	35,000	35,000	0	5
Renaissance Paris Republique Hotel	40,000	35,000	-5,000	5
Sheraton Paris Airport Hotel & Conference Centre	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
Le Metropolitan, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Paris	36,000	50,000	14,000	6
Paris Marriott Opera Ambassador Hotel	40,000	50,000	10,000	6
Renaissance Paris Arc de Triomphe Hotel	45,000	50,000	5,000	6
Renaissance Paris Le Parc Trocadero Hotel	40,000	50,000	10,000	6
Renaissance Paris Vendome Hotel	45,000	50,000	5,000	6
Hotel Bel Ami, Paris, a Member of Design Hotels™	60,000	60,000	0	7
Hotel de NELL, Paris, a Member of Design Hotels™	60,000	60,000	0	7
Hotel Vernet, Paris, a Member of Design Hotels™	60,000	60,000	0	7
La Maison Champs Elysées, Paris, a Member of Design Hotels™	60,000	60,000	0	7
Le Roch Hotel and Spa, Paris, a Member of Design Hotels™	60,000	60,000	0	7
Les Bains, Paris, a Member of Design Hotels™	60,000	60,000	0	7
Paris Marriott Champs Elysees Hotel	45,000	60,000	15,000	7
The Westin Paris - Vendôme	60,000	60,000	0	7
W Paris - Opéra	60,000	60,000	0	7
Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Paris	90,000	60,000 (Effective August) 85,000 (Coming 2019)	-30,000 -5,000	8

Out of these 100 hotels we have 42 going down in price - that is for standard award nights and not taking into account the peak or off-peak pricing. 25 are going up in price leaving 33 at the same points requirement as there are now. Marriott's David Flueck did tell us that more hotels are going down in price and if this preliminary list is any indication then that statement should hold true.

There are some real steals to be had come August through December and that is because the highest category in the new chart, Category 8, doesn't launch until 2019. So until then all hotels that are to be in Category 8 will be priced as Category 7 hotels. Looking at the charts above that means hotels like the Prince de Galles, 11 Howard New York, St. Regis New York and St. Regis Bali are all only going to be 60,000 points instead of the current 90,000 (SPG equivalent of 30,000 points) or the future 85,000 points. And remember you get the 5th night free when booking 5 or more nights. I'm starting to think a trip to Paris may be in the cards this fall!

Looking at the news from last week and this week we can say that SPG members seem to be winning out on the earning and redemption side however are losing out on the elite benefits side whereas Marriott Rewards members are losing out on redemption as some of their top hotels like the Paris Marriott Champs Elysees are seeing significant points increases (up ~33%).

As we always suggest when there are category or points changes, you should book now or before August for any hotels that are going up in price while waiting until August to book any that may go down in price.

Find out more about today's announcement here

As always Rewards Canada would love to hear what you think about this preview of the new hotel category placements! Tell us below in the comments!