July 6 Update: Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card will get Elite Night Credits, 30K mbna Alaska card offer is not limited time and 15 new retailers added to AIR MILES Shops

American Express has sent out letters to those who have the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card outlining the details of the changes to the card that are coming on August 4th. We provided this information in our post "New earn rates and benefits revealed for the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express" but one detail that we did not receive at the time which is in the letter is that an Elite Night Credit is coming in the year. Thank you to our reader Harry B. for letting me know about it as I didnt' read the flipside of the letter where this was mentioned. I know not offering elite nights was a bone of contention for some of our readers saying they should offer this and that the U.S. card offers a 15 night elite credit. Well the good news is we're getting it on the card although we don't know the details I am guessing it will be the same as the U.S. card (and the old Chase Marriott card) of 15 nights. That seems to be the rate that Marriott likes to allow the credit card issuers to give out.

On our blog post for the increased sign up offer on the mbna Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard, Jeffrey asked if this is a limited time offer. We reached out to mbna and they let us know that the new 30,000 mile offer on the card is not a limited time offer, this is the new ongoing bonus you'll see with the card!

 

AIR MILES let us know that 15 new retailers have been added to their online shopping portal airmilessshops.ca. Some of the new retailers include Kiehl’s Canada, Adidas Canada, Bumble and Bumble and more. The news release also states that Ticketmaster will be joining the portal soon as well. To celebrate these new stores AIR MILES is awarding 50 bonus reward miles if you shop at any of them by July 31.

Finally are we going to see cheaper prices when it comes to buying points and miles? Loylogic, a Swiss loyalty consulting and back end software development firm announced a new platform they are going to offer to loyatly programs for the buying, selling and transferring of points and miles. Accodring to Loylogic the new platform's plug and play solution can be integrated within a few weeks and deliver substantial program revenue almost immediately at a cost of 60-90% below that of current solution providers. The current solution provider in most cases is Canada's Points.com which is used by almost all the programs. I'll be curious to see which programs which move to Loylogic and if they'll pass along the savings! (Source Loylogic)

Posts since our last update:

• Hotel Review: Holiday Inn Canmore, Alberta
  We welcome another hotel review from Rewards Canada contributor Bill Wheatley:   The Holiday Inn Canmore is located just off…
• WestJet Flash Sale: Up to 25% off Econo flights including Canada Day sale fares
  Not only has WestJet extended their Canada Day but for today only you can save an additional 25% on top…

Travel Deals
Save up to 15 % on Marriott stays in Canada! Book at a participating hotel by August 1, 2018 for stays until August 31, 2018 and save up to 10% on best available rates!  Marriott Rewards® Members save up to 5% more. Find out more here.

Hilton Summer Sale - Save up to 25% on weekend stays in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa. 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
- Double Aeroplan Miles when you use Park & Jet at the Calgary Airport. More... Until Aug 31, 18

AIR MILES
- Earn up to 500 Bonus AIR MILES Reward Miles when you book flights via redtag.ca More... Until Aug 14, 18

Other Bonus Offers
Ethiopian Airlines ShebaMiles
- Double ShebaMiles when you fly Ethiopian between Addis Ababa and Jakarta. More... Jul 16 - Sep 19, 18

Shangri-La Hotels Golden Circle
- Double GC Award Points for stays on an experential package at any one of five Shangri-La destinations in China - Hangzhou, Chengdu, Yunnan, Sanya and Xiamen. More... Until Aug 31, 18

Follow Rewards Canada:

Hotel Review: Holiday Inn Canmore, Alberta

We welcome another hotel review from Rewards Canada contributor Bill Wheatley:
 
The Holiday Inn Canmore is located just off the TransCanada Highway in Canmore, Alberta, virtually within site of the Banff National Park Gates. Nestled as it is into the side of the mountain with a great view across the valley, it is the perfect place to rest your head, whether just overnight, or for a few days while you explore the majestic Rocky Mountains on your doorstep. The access to the hotel is quite open and there is plenty of parking available.

This 3-story hotel has 99 rooms, an on-site Fitness Centre, outdoor hot tub, business centre and full service restaurant. The lobby area is very open and boasts a seating area with fireplace where you can come and relax after checking in. We were greeted very warmly by the Front Desk staff and were thanked for being a member of the IHG Rewards program. We had originally booked a single room with a King bed, but thanks to being a top-tier member, we were upgraded to a loft suite (one of 13 this location has available).

The room was located on the 3rd floor, close to the elevator.  When you exited the elevator, instead of a long hallway like one would expect, you walked into a spacious lobby-like area with a couple of chairs and a table. Yet another place to sit and relax outside of your room. Upon accessing the suite, you were greeted with a spacious main level with a chair and couch (which contained a sofa bed), large flat screen TV, and wet bar area with fridge, microwave and coffee maker. There is also a full bathroom with tub and shower on this level.

On the upper level was a king sized bed, another flat screen TV and a bathroom, though this one only had a shower, no bathtub.  There was an iron and ironing board located here along with space in the bathroom for hanging your clothes. (This could be quite advantageous if you chose to take a shower as the steam from the hot water will help to smooth out any wrinkles in your clothes).

The nicest surprise was the large Jacuzzi tub located on this level next to the bed. It was very nice to settle into it after a long day and just soak while enjoying a cold beverage. You could also watch the TV from here, though it was a bit hard to hear if you had the jets on in the Jacuzzi.

The selection of channels was very similar to what you would expect in a hotel. Most likely not as extensive as you might have at home, but enough of a variety that you could find something to watch. They also have on-demand movies, though at $25.99 you may be more inclined to turn to something on your computer or tablet.  The Wi-Fi was adequate, though a bit slow in the early evening when the majority of people are most likely to be online.

The Trail restaurant was open for breakfast (6:30 – 11:00 am) and dinner (5:00-10:00 pm). They do not offer a lunch service. The atmosphere in the dining area was quite comfortable and the seating area well laid out so that you didn’t feel cramped while enjoying your meal.

The outdoor hot tub looked to be quite inviting, but due to the Jacuzzi in our room, we chose not to partake of this amenity.  Unfortunately, this location does not have a pool.

The fitness centre has the usual equipment for those of you who like to work out during your stay. This equipment includes stationary bikes, free weights, treadmill, etc.

The business centre is located next to the Front Desk and offers 2 computers along with a printer. The computers are spaced well enough apart that you can complete your work without worrying about interfering with the person next you (unless you both decide to print at the same time). It’s nice to have the printer as people who are leaving to catch a flight in Calgary are able to check-in and print their boarding pass right from the hotel.

Overall, we found the stay to be very relaxing.  The hotel was quite quiet, though the full parking lot tended to indicate a high volume of guests staying that night. Even with the hotel being located on the highway (though it is well setback), the traffic sounds were minimal and non-intrusive. A great place to relax in Canada’s Rocky Mountains.

Hotel details
Holiday Inn Canmore (Book here)
Points required for a free night: 40,000 Points
Points+Cash Requirement: 35,000 Points + C$52 per night or 30,000 Points + C$91 per night

Talk to us! Have you stayed at the Holiday Inn Canmore? What are your thoughts of the hotel? Or are you planning to and looking forward to it? Let us know below! 

WestJet Flash Sale: Up to 25% off Econo flights including Canada Day sale fares

Not only has WestJet extended their Canada Day but for today only you can save an additional 25% on top of any fares you find on WestJet.

If you are not a WestJet Rewards member or are and don't subscribe to their emails you are entitled to 15% off:

Coupon code: H54JW61

Promo code: WST58

(promo code not required for guests booking on westjet.com)

Booking period: July 4, 2018 from 12:00am to 9:59pm MT

Travel until: October 28, 2018

Blackouts: August 2-4, August 6, August 30-September 1, September 3, October 4-6, October 8, 2018

Applicable fares: Econo & Econo (Lowest)

Offer destinations:

• All destinations in Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean
• U.S. destinations: Boston, Denver, Houston, Nashville, New York (LaGuardia), Los Angeles and Las Vegas

If you are a member (Free to join) and subscribe to communications from WestJet Rewards (Subscribe here) you are entitled to 25% off:

Coupon code: S4DE30N

Promo code: REW33

(promo code not required for guests booking on westjet.com)

Booking period: July 4, 2018 from 12:00am to 9:59pm MT

Travel until: October 28, 2018

Blackouts: August 2-4, August 6, August 30-September 1, September 3, October 4-6, October 8, 2018

Applicable fares: Econo & Econo (Lowest)

Offer destinations:

• All destinations in Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean
• U.S. destinations: Boston, Denver, Houston, Nashville, New York (LaGuardia), Los Angeles and Las Vegas

Full details on the sale can be found here

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WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard

$250 WestJet dollars Bonus + Annual $99/$299/$399 Companion Flight when you sign up for and receive the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard.
- Earn 1.5% back in WestJet dollars on every purchase you make with your card
- Earn 2% back in WestJet dollars when you purchase WestJet flights or WestJet Vacations packages with your card
- Companion flight vouchers are an annual benefit.
- First bag free for the primary cardholder up to 8 people traveling on the same reservation to anywhere WestJet flies!

July 4 Update: WestJet's Race for Rewards opened up to Teal members, RBC Cathay Pacific Visa sign up bonus increased to 35,000 Asia Miles & more

WestJet has expanded their Race for Rewards promotion to include base Teal members now. If you are a Teal member the bonuses are the same as those for Silver members. This offer will allow Teal members to earn up to 450 Bonus WestJet Dollars + additional benefits when you fly on WestJet . For more information on Race for Rewards read our post here.

A new increased sign up bonus has returned the for RBC Cathay Pacific Visa Platinum Card. This time the bonus is up to 35,000 Asia Miles (last summer/fall it was 30,000) The bonus is distributed as follows:
15,000 Asia Miles welcome offer upon approval
10,000 Asia Miles when you spend $6,000 CAD in the first 3 months
Another 10,000 Asia Miles after the first anniversary of your card account opening
Like most of these offers for RBC co-branded cards with British Airways and Cathay Pacific it's not the most attractive of offers. Sure the 35,000 Asia Miles is nice but the steps to get there aren't so. $6,000 in spend in the first 3 months is high and you have to wait a year to get the last 10,000 miles. Still this offer may make sense for the frequent or semi-frequent Cathay Pacific traveller. Find out more here.

Posts since our last update:

• Top 5 Credit Card Sign Up offers for July
  Here are the Rewards Canada Top 5 Credit Card Sign Up offers for the month of July! This is not…

Travel Deals
Save up to 15 % on Marriott stays in Canada! Book at a participating hotel by August 1, 2018 for stays until August 31, 2018 and save up to 10% on best available rates!  Marriott Rewards® Members save up to 5% more. Find out more here.

Hilton Summer Sale - Save up to 25% on weekend stays in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa. 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
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- Earn up to 35,000 Bonus Asia Miles when you apply for and receive the Cathay Pacific Visa Platinum Card. More... Limited Time Offer For Residents of Canada only

Other Bonus Offers
Alitalia MilleMiglia
- 5,000 Bonus MilleMiglia Miles when you make your first hotel booking via Rocketmiles. More... Book by Sep 30, 18

Best Western Rewards
- Double Rewards Points for stays at the Best Western Hotel Zen Quito. More... Aug 1 - 31, 18

British Airways Executive Club
- Double Avios for stays on the Club and Suite Indulgence package or the Linger Longer offer at participating Langham Hotels worldwide. More... Until Sep 30, 18

Hainan Airlines Fortune Wings
- Earn up to 4x Fortune Wings Points when you rent with Hertz n USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. More... Until Aug 31, 18

Hyatt World of Hyatt
- Double World of Hyatt Points when you stay at the Miraval Arizona. More... Until Aug 31, 18
- 50% World of Hyatt Points discount when redeem for award night stays at the Miraval Arizona. More... Until Aug 31, 18

Follow Rewards Canada:

Top 5 Credit Card Sign Up offers for July

Here are the Rewards Canada Top 5 Credit Card Sign Up offers for the month of July! This is not a 'best' credit card list like our Top Travel Rewards Credit Card rankings but instead a look at cards that have very good acquisition (sign up) offers. As always when choosing a card you should always take other factors into account other than the just sign up bonus, but when most or all of these cards are first year free, they can and do pay off even when you grab them strictly for the sign up rewards. In fact all of the cards on this list are first year free so you can try them out at no cost and decide later on if the card is right for you. All the while you earn the sign up bonus which can be used to subsidize your travels!

Finally some changes to this monthly ranking! Mainly thanks to BMO dropping their first year free offers on two big cards (I guess it shouldn't be a thank you as the offers on those cards are now weaker) We see the continuation of the very good RBC Visa Infinite offer and for the first time we see HSBC make it into this list as they join the ranks of trying to attract more customers outside of their own banking base. We also see the return of the first year free offer for the TD First Class Visa Infinite card.

Here are our top 5 credit card sign up offers for July (in alphabetical order)

BMO Rewards Mastercard- 20,000 Points  (Apply here)

Included in the revamped BMO Rewards program that essentially sees the program devalued the BMO Rewards Mastercard has never been on this list before. It now makes the list because it actually has a limited time sign up bonus and the card has no annual fee so these 20,000 points (worth ~$142) come to you at no charge.  10,000 points are awarded after the 1st purchase and then 10,000 more if you can hit $1,000 in spending in the first three months.

CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite - 15,000 Points (Apply Here)
The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite card now offers a 15,000 Aventura Points sign up bonus worth up to $300 in travel depending on what type of flight you redeem for and since the annual fee of $120 (and supplementary cards are waived as well) those 15,000 points come at no cost to you. The current offer also includes a $100 travel credit if you book travel via CIBC!

HSBC World Elite Mastercard - 30,000 points (Apply here)
This is first time we have featured a HSBC card in the Top 5 list as HSBC makes a big acquisition push for their newly released World Elite Mastercard. The card has a 20,000 point welcome bonus and then awards another 10,000 points when you spend $1,000 on the card within 90 days. All of this of course with the first year annual fee being waived! Those 30,000 points are worth $150 in travel rewards. Those points can also be converted to British Airways Executive Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles or Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer. Also of note is this card has no Foreign Transaction Fees!

RBC Visa Infinite Avion Card - 25,000 Points (Apply here)
THIS OFFER IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE
A new version of the 25,000 point offer is out now. Before it was an easy 25,000 points. Now it's 15,000 points + 10,000 more when you spend $1,000 in three months with no annual fee in the first year. Still a great offer even with the spend requirement and it still means you can get 25,000 RBC Rewards points at literally no cost to use towards flights via the RBC airline redemption program or convert to other programs like WestJet (it's 250 WestJet dollars!), British Airways or Cathay Pacific.

TD First Class Visa Infinite Card - 40,000 Points (Apply here)
Last time this card was being featured with no annual fee in the first year was back in February! It's nice to see it return albeit with a slightly lower sign up bonus of 40,000 points versus 50,000 back in February You get the standard sign up bonus of 20,000 points upon approval and another 20,000 if you keep your account active an in good standing for 90 days. Those 40,000 points translate to $160 worth of travel credits for any travel booking or $200 worth of travel for bookings made via Expedia For TD

If you went for all these cards you ultimately could end up with at least $1,100 in travel credits but even if you only take on one or two you are helping your travel budget significantly at no cost other than regular credit card spend

July 3 Update: Air Canada Family Summer Travel Program, earn double Aeroplan miles for flying on First Air and more

Air Canada launched a new initiative for families traveling this summer on the airline. They are looking to make it easier for those travelling with young kids by providing the following services

• Dedicated family check-in lines for families travelling with young children at Air Canada's main hubs at Toronto-Pearson, Montreal and Vancouver1;
• Complimentary, standard seat selection within each cabin of the aircraft for proximity seating for family members;
• Pre-boarding between zones 2 and 3 for families travelling with young children;
• Complimentary Air Canada Skyrider activity book for children up to age 11;
• Priority rebooking in event of schedule changes.

Learn more about Air Canada's Family Summer Travel program here


Posts since our last update:

• Earn Double Elite Night Credit for stays at the Andaz Ottawa Byward Market and other Andaz Hotels globally
  For the peak summer months Hyatt is awarding World of Hyatt members Double Elite night credits for stays at…

Travel Deals

Hilton Summer Sale - Save up to 25% on weekend stays in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa. 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
- Double Aeroplan Miles when you fly on First Air. More... Book by Jul 31 for travel until Sep 15, 18

Other Bonus Offers
Air France / KLM Flying Blue
- July Promo Awards - Save 20% to 50% on the Award Miles usually required for an award ticket. Destinations vary by each promotional period. More... Book by Jul 30 for travel Aug 31 - Oct 30, 18

American AAdvantage
- Earn up to 100,000 Bonus AAdvantage Miles and save 10% when you buy or gift AAdvantage miles. More... Until Aug 1, 18

Hainan Airlines Fortune Wings
- 50% Fortune Wings Points for all hotel stays booked via Kaligo. More... Book by Jul 31 for stays until Dec 31, 18

Hyatt World of Hyatt
- Double Elite Night Credit for stay at Andaz Hotels Worldwide. More... Until Aug 31, 18

Follow Rewards Canada:

Earn Double Elite Night Credit for stays at the Andaz Ottawa Byward Market and other Andaz Hotels globally

For the peak summer months Hyatt is awarding World of Hyatt members Double Elite night credits for stays at any of their 17 Andaz locations around the globe including the one location in Canada, the Andaz Ottawa Byward Market.

Offer details
Double Elite Night Credit for stay at Andaz Hotels Worldwide. Full details and online booking  Until Aug 31, 18

Find more World of Hyatt bonus offers here