Monday, January 7, 2019

Air France KLM Flying Blue Promo Rewards - Save 25% on business class awards from Calgary or Toronto to Europe



The newest set of Air France KLM's Promo Rewards are out now and for this month we see two of five Canadian cities they serve on the list.  With promo awards the discount ranges from 20 to 50% off the regular amount of miles required to redeem for these flights. As you can see just by the discount this can be a very good offer if you get 50% off for Business Class! However this month there aren't any 50% off offers for us Canucks like we saw last month. All we get is 25% off business class tickets out of Calgary and Toronto which can still be a good deal for cities like Athens or Brussels!

Offer details
January Promo Rewards - Save 20% to 50% on the Award Miles usually required for an award ticket. Destinations vary by each promotional period. Full Details
Book by Jan 31 for travel Mar 1 - Apr 30, 19
Calgary  - 25% off business class
Toronto - 25% off business class

Here are the mileage requirements for flying from the two Canadian cities to Amsterdam and/or Paris (the mileage amount will vary for other destinations in Europe)

And an example of some of the availability from Toronto to Paris:
 and Paris to Toronto:

Here's what a round trip on the above route looks like:

 But there are better opportunities for less miles for the business class offer from Toronto (same goes for Calgary)

There are lots other possible options to check out to see if this works for you and if you don't have enough miles for a Promo Reward your best bet is to convert Marriott Rewards points to Flying Blue on a 3:1 basis. Remember you'll earn 5,000 bonus miles when you convert 60,000 points at a time (a total of 25,000 miles per 60,000 points) That means 120,000 points will get you to 50,000 miles which is enough to cover any of the above on a one way basis.

If you don't have any Marriott Rewards Points you can always look at getting the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express to top off your account. Currently the card comes with a 50,000 point sign up bonus when you spend $1,500 on the card and then you could also grab The Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit Card from American Express as it also has 50,000 point sign up bonus and then you would ultimately be able to have 100,000 points not including what is earned on spending. Of course timing of getting the card(s) now, spending and getting the points will likely not happen for this month but it sets you up for future offers.  Need to grab two tickets for an itinerary? You could choose to get one SPG card for yourself and one for your partner or spouse and you'll have a lot more points!

IHG Rewards Club Rewards Nights. Faster. Earn 40,000 or more bonus points on your stays until April 15


IHG Rewards Club becomes the second major chain to release their first quarter global systemwide bonus offering. It is essentially the same as previous Accelerate offers where the bonuses vary by member and you find out what your offer is after registering. Based on the wording of the promotion I received the base offer of earning up to 40,000 points.

Here is what I received as my offer:

I should actually be able to make a few of these bonuses as we learned our daughter's new volleyball team stays at Holiday Inn Express locations (her last one was Marriott) so maybe with those stays it will lead to better offers in future promotions as the bonuses tend to get better the more you stay with IHG. More than likely I will earn the 1,000 point mobile booking and the Stay More. Earn More 2,000 point bonus.


Let us know what offer you get in the comments below!

Offer details
Earn 500 to 40,000 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) Register by Mar 15 for stays Jan 15 - Apr 30, 19

Find many more IHG Rewards Club bonus points offers here!

Monday, December 24, 2018

Up to 25% off Asia Pacific Hilton stays


Hilton Honors members can to save up to 25% on stays across the entire Asia Pacific region when you book by February 2, 2019. The offer for non-members is only up to 15% off so it really makes sense to join Honors to get the additional discount seeing that it costs nothing to join the program.

Stays must be booked by February 2, 2019 for stays until September 30,  2019. Remember that you should also be earning up to Triple Points on these stays with the current fall Hilton Honors promotion that runs until January 3 and from January 4th you can earn 2,000 bonus points per with the Points Unlimited promotion. Find these and all other Honors bonus point promotions here.

Discount varies from 5% to 25% off Flexible Rate (BAR) or Breakfast Included Rate (B&B) across all participating properties. Hilton Honors members will receive an additional 10% discount for bookings outside of Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.


Click here to take advantage of the Hilton APAC Year End sale
Here's just a small sample of the offers available:


Thursday, December 20, 2018

December 20 Update: SPG Amex will have 15 elite night credit added early in 2019, United adding Toronto-San Francisco flights & more!


Earlier this year when the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express underwent some changes due to the complete integration of SPG and Marriott Rewards into one program it was noted in a letter from Amex that the card would soon offer qualifying night credits. When it was first announced it wasn't stated how many nights but at that time we assumed it would probably be 15 just like the extinct Chase Marriott Premier Visa card offered. Well there is now confirmation that the card will offer those 15 nights starting sometime early in the New Year and it will be an annual benefit. (Source Reddit)

United Airlines will be adding new service between Toronto and San Francisco. The flights that start on March 31, 2019 will operate twice daily and offer good connection times to United's Asia and South Pacific flights. Of course their Star Alliance partner Air Canada also serves the route and additions are always good for looking for routes to redeem miles for from Aeroplan, MileagePlus or other Star Alliance programs. (Source United)

 It's the season of giving! Help support Rewards Canada's Flight Here campaign for Give A Mile. Help us reach 100,000 miles to provide up to 4 flights of compassion. Find out more here!

Posts since our last update:

Travel Deals
Avianca
offering flights from Toronto to Latin America for as little as $449 round trip! Book by Dec 24. Find out more here.

Hilton APAC Year End sale - Save up to 25% when you book by Feb 2 for stays until Sep 30, 2019!

IHG
- Receive a $100 hotel credit when you stay 2 or more nights at participating InterContinental Hotels in the Americas. Book by Dec 31 for stays until Jan 31, 19 Find out more here.

Hilton Winter Sale - Save up to 25% on weekend stays in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa


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
Wyndham Rewards
- Earn 15,000 Bonus Wyndham Rewards Points when you stay twice at participating hotels in Canada. More... Until Feb 19, 19

Other Bonus Offers
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- 800 Bonus Asia Miles with a spending of USD 300 or more in one transaction, with any merchant via the Asia Miles iShop. More... Until Dec 31, 18

Hilton Honors
- Earn 2,000 Bonus Honors points per stay at Hilton Hotels Worldwide plus earn an additional 10,000 bonus points for every 5th stay or 10th night completed More... Registration is now open for stay Jan 4 - May 5, 2019

Jumeiah Sirius
- Double Sirius Points for stays on the Leisure First Package at the Jumeirah at Etihad Towers. More... Until Dec 31, 19

Saudia Alfursan
- 3,000 Bonus Alfursan Miles when you make your first hotel booking via Rocketmiles. More... Book by Dec 31, 18 for stays until Mar 31, 19

Wyndham Rewards
- Double Wyndham Rewards Points on up to five qualifying stays at Wyndham Rewards Hotels completed within 90 days of receiving your offer email. More... Targeted Offer - May not work for everyone Unknown End Date


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Earn 100% Bonus Aeroplan miles for flights booked today and tomorrow. Good for travel Jan 9 - Apr 3, 2019


Air Canada has come out with an early Boxing Day offer of 100% bonus Aeroplan Miles (double miles) on all eligible flights that are booked today and tomorrow. The offer is good for flights flown between January 9 and April 3, 2019. Once again the terms state only the first person on a reservation gets the bonus (come on Air Canada, that's the worst term and condition possible, even worse than the New Bookings only that we see with all their promotions) so if you are booking for more than one person you'll either forego the miles for the rest of the people on your reservation or have everyone book their own flights.

Find out more about this offer here.

Terms of this offer:
  • You must be an Aeroplan Member. If you are not an Aeroplan Member, you can visit the Aeroplan website (www.aeroplan.comExternal site which may not meet accessibility guidelines.) and enroll today. Membership is free.
  • 100% Bonus Aeroplan Miles for eligible flights flown will be awarded for new bookings only made between December 21 and 22, 2018, by 19:59 Eastern Time inclusively, for travel on eligible flights between January 9, 2019, and April 3, 2019.
  • To qualify as new, the booking must have been created for the first time during the eligible promotional period with a new reference number. Any booking made prior to the start of the promotion that is subsequently changed to include travel dates within the qualifying travel period will not be considered a new booking that is eligible for the promotion.
  • The Bonus Aeroplan Miles for this offer will only be credited to the first passenger with their Aeroplan Number listed (appended) on the reservation. Should this passenger cancel his/her flights, the Bonus Aeroplan Miles will be awarded to the next passenger with their Aeroplan Number listed, which is now the first listed on the reservation.
  • Only valid on eligible scheduled direct flights within Canada, from Canada to the U.S. and from Canada to sun destinations operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express® and Air Canada Rouge®, for travel between January 9, 2019, and April 3, 2019.
  • To qualify for the 100% Bonus Aeroplan Miles, the eligible round trips or two one-way segments must be travelled in the following eligible fare options:
  • 100% Bonus Aeroplan Miles  Economy Standard; Economy Flex; comfort; Economy Latitude; Premium Economy lowest; Premium Economy flexible, Premium Rouge; Business Class lowest; Business Class flexible.
  • For example, for itineraries booked in an Economy Flex fare option, 100% of the bonus mileage will be assessed for every two segments. When booking an Economy Flex fare option and travelling from Vancouver (YVR) to Toronto (YYZ), basic mile accumulation amounts to 2,078 Aeroplan Miles per segment, for a total of 4,156 Aeroplan Miles per round trip. Based on the 100% Aeroplan Miles promotion, a member would earn an additional 4,156 Bonus Aeroplan Miles, which is based on the accrual percentage when purchasing an Economy Flex fare. For more information regarding earning Aeroplan Miles, please click hereExternal site which may not meet accessibility guidelines..
  • 100% Bonus Aeroplan Miles will be applied exclusively towards miles earned based on the distance flown as per the fare mileage accrual rule. The class of service bonus miles and miles earned in conjunction with Altitude® Bonus Select Privileges are excluded. 
  • To be eligible to receive the Bonus Aeroplan Miles, you must provide your Aeroplan Number when completing your purchase.
  • A minimum of one round trip or two one-way segments is required to earn and qualify for the 100% Bonus Aeroplan Miles promotion.
  • Valid on published fares and Flight Passes that are eligible for Aeroplan Mile accumulation. Offer is not valid when travelling on an Air Canada Unlimited Flight Pass.
  • Not valid on published fares that do not allow for Aeroplan Mile accumulation.
  • Bonus Aeroplan Miles are not Altitude Qualifying Miles and do not count towards Air Canada AltitudeTM status.
  • Bonus Aeroplan Miles will be credited up to three weeks after the qualifying flights are completed.
  • Upgraded flight segments (eUpgrades, Last-Minute Paid Upgrades, Star Alliance® Upgrade Awards, etc.) will be tracked for this promotion based on the eligibility of the original fare purchased. 
  • Aeroplan Flight Rewards are not eligible for mileage accumulation.
  • Bonus Aeroplan Miles cannot be sold and are non-transferable. They have no cash value and cannot be converted to cash or refunded if unused.
  • Offer is subject to change at Air Canada’s sole discretion without notice; other conditions and restrictions may apply.

Earn 15,000 Bonus Wyndham Rewards Points when you complete two stays in Canada


Looks like this offer has been around for a couple of months but if you haven't seen it either you still have almost two more months to take advantage of it! Simply register and then complete two separate Wyndham Hotel stays at Baymont by Wyndham, Days Inn by Wyndham, Howard Johnson by Wyndham, Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham, Ramada by Wyndham, Super 8 by Wyndham, Travelodge by Wyndham, TRYP by Wyndham, Wingate by Wyndham, and Wyndham Garden locations in Canada and you'll receive 15,000 bonus Wyndham Rewards points. That's enough points to redeem for a free night at virtually any Wyndham hotel location Worldwide.

Offer details:
Earn 15,000 Bonus Wyndham Rewards Points when you stay twice at participating hotels in Canada. Full details, online registration & booking (Registration is required) Until Feb 19, 19

Find more Wyndham Rewards Bonus Points offers here.

Air Canada opens new Maple Leaf Lounge at St. John's International Airport


Air Canada opened a new Maple Leaf Lounge at St. John's International Airport yesterday. The new lounge is larger than the lounge it replaced with a capacity bump of 77%. The new lounge can now accommodate up to 84 people at a time. It is located in the newly expanded departures area of St. John's terminal and it provides views of Signal Hill and the ocean. This is the third Maple Leaf lounge that Air Canada has opened this year.
The space features a self-serve bar, offering a wide selection of beverages, including Canadian wines and Lavazza specialty coffees, a selection of light snacks, a business centre and comfortable seating with a view of the tarmac. Business travellers planning to work on site may also take advantage of a cyber counter equipped with PCs and colour printing, complimentary Wi-Fi and access to more than 7,000 digital newspaper and magazine content via the PressReader app.


Here are some key points about the new lounge provided by Air Canada:

  • Only lounge available at YYT and 3rd Maple Leaf Lounge unveiled this year, offering premium travellers more comfort
  • Just steps from Air Canada's gates in the recently expanded departures area of the terminal building
  • Air Canada is the only carrier operating year-round international flights to London-Heathrow from St. John's

Related: Rewards Canada's Guide to Business Class Lounge access

And some photos of the new lounge (courtesy of Air Canada)







Here's our call out to the Rewards Canada community! If any of you are travelling through St. John's in the near future and can access the lounge we'd love to have to do a review of the lounge (and we'll pay you for it too!) If you are interested please contact us info@rewardscanada.ca.


Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Meet the Collectors: Frequent traveller retires, learn how he and his wife fund their travels now!

 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.



What happens when you have been a frequent traveller for the better part of your life thanks to your work and then retire from that career that saw you globetrotting? You look for other ways to earn those points and miles and that's what Rewards Canada reader Jim Marchbank describes for us.

I am a retired CEO of a cultural organization. I have been an Aeroplan member since 1987 and a Hilton Honors member for about 20 years.  When I was working I undertook a lot of business travel and flew Star Alliance most frequently and stayed mostly in Hilton properties.  I was a Diamond member of HH for many years and an Air Canada Super Elite member for almost 15 years.

Upon retirement I realized my substantial Aeroplan and Honors balances would deplete and, with only leisure travel, would eventually disappear.  Until then I had never churned a credit card.

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

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

December 18 Update: Air Italy launching Toronto-Milan flights, InterContinental Ambassador enhancements & Word of Hyatt changes for 2019




Air Italy (nee Meridiana) has announced that they will start flying between Canada and Italy. The airline will fly between Toronto and Milan starting on May 6th. The 4x weekly service will be operated with an Airbus A330. The loyalty program for the airlines is still Meridiana Club, whose currency is Avios (same as Iberia/BA) however you cannot move the Avios in this program to/from the others like you can between BA and Iberia. Toronto falls into their Zone/Area 7 for redemptions which requires 30,000 Avios one way for Economy or 60,000 Avios one way for Business Class. (Source Routesonline)



InterContinental Hotel's Ambassador Elite program is getting an update for 2019. This is the program that is separate from IHG Rewards Club although one of the new benefits does tie the two programs together. These are the changes to Ambassador and you'll see the connection is the automatic Platinum Status in IHG Rewards Club. Find out more here.
• Platinum Elite status in IHG® Rewards Club
• Up to USD20 restaurants & bars credit for every stay***
• Ambassador Benefits Guarantee to ensure you make the most out of every stay
• E-delivery of complimentary weekend night certificate
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR STAYS IN GREATER CHINA ONLY:
• One complimentary breakfast every night you stay
• 15% discount on restaurants and bars

World of Hyatt has also announced some further changes to their program for 2019. If you hold WoH Globalist status you are going to lose the lower re-qualification threshold of 55 nights versus 60 nights if you didn't have the status. Now all members will have to complete 60 nights to qualify or re-qualify for Globalist status. Then as of March 1st the program is adding Milestone Rewards to the program that reward you sooner and more frequently based on milestones you hit as you travel. Find out more here.

Here is a sampling of some those additional rewards being added:

American Airlines will be offering a summer seasonal flight between Halifax and New York La Guardia in 2019. The flight will only operate on Saturdays so award availability may not be so good! (Source VFTW)

 It's the season of giving! Help support Rewards Canada's Flight Here campaign for Give A Mile. Help us reach 100,000 miles to provide up to 4 flights of compassion. Find out more here!
Posts since our last update:


Travel Deals

Avianca offering flights from Toronto to Latin America for as little as $449 round trip! Book by Dec 24. Find out more here.

Hilton APAC Year End sale - Save up to 25% when you book by Feb 2 for stays until Sep 30, 2019!

IHG
- Receive a $100 hotel credit when you stay 2 or more nights at participating InterContinental Hotels in the Americas. Book by Dec 31 for stays until Jan 31, 19 Find out more here.

Hilton Winter Sale - Save up to 25% on weekend stays in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa


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
BMO Rewards
- Up to 35,000 Bonus BMO Rewards Points, First Year Free and a $100 Travel Credit when you apply for and receive the BMO World Elite Mastercard. More...
- Up to 35,000 Bonus BMO Rewards Points, First Year Free and a $100 Travel Credit when you apply for and receive the BMO Rewards Business Mastercard. More...

Other Bonus Offers
American AAdvantage
- OFFER EXTENDED Quadruple AAdvantage Miles on rentals of a compact car or larger vehicle for three days or longer at all worldwide Thrifty Car Rental locations. More... Until Jun 30 19

Choice Privileges
-
20% Discount when you buy 5,000 or more Choice Privileges points. More... Until Dec 28, 18

Iberia Plus
- 50% Avios Discount when you redeem for award flights from New York, Boston, or Chicago to Madrid. More... Book by Dec 31, 18 for travel Jan 14 - Mar 31, 19

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Triple KrisFlyer Miles for stays at Alila Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. More... Until Jan 31, 19
- Double KrisFlyer Miles for every US$1 spent when you book you book an Executive Room (or a higher room category) at Best Flexible Rates at Swiss-Belhotels in Australia & New Zealand. More... Until Jan 31, 19
- Earn up to 5x KrisFlyer Miles when you rent with Avis worldwide for three or more days More... Book by Jan 31 for rentals until Feb 28, 19Until Jan 31, 19

Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
- Earn up to 4x ROP Miles when you rent with Avis Worldwide More... Book by Dec 31 for rentals until Jan 31, 19


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Summary of global hotel systemwide bonus points promotions - December 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 independent 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 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
Choice Hotels Privileges Double Privileges Points when you stay at participating Choice Hotels Worldwide. Members must book stays via ChoiceHotels.com, ChoiceHotels.ca, the Choice Hotels mobile app, or 800.4CHOICE at qualifying rates. A maximum of 30,000 bonus points, can be earned during the promotion. Full details, online registration and booking (Registration is required)
For Residents of the U.S. and Canada only
Until Feb 15, 19
For a complete listing of all Choice Privileges bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Choice 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 2,000 Bonus Honors points per stay at Hilton Hotels Worldwide plus earn an additional 10,000 bonus points for every 5th stay or 10th night completed, whichever comes first.  Full details, online registration and booking(Registration is required) Registration is now open for stay Jan 4 - May 5, 2019
Earn up to Triple Honors Points for stays at Hilton family of hotels Worldwide. Earn Triple points on all luxury and resort stays, double points on all other stays.  Full details, online registration and booking (Registration is required)

  • Registered Hilton Honors members will earn double points per stay on all non-luxury and non-resort properties and will earn triple points per stay at any luxury or resort property during the promotion period. Waldorf Astoria® Hotels and Resorts and Conrad® Hotels and Resorts are considered luxury properties. See here for a full list of luxury and resort properties that qualify for the Triple Points promotion
  • Excludes Hampton by Hilton Hotels in Mainland China.
Until Jan 3, 19
For a complete listing of all Hilton HHonors bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Hilton page
Hyatt No Offers at this time
--
For a complete listing of all Hyatt Gold Passport bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Hyatt page
InterContinental Hotels Group Double IHG Rewards Club Points + more for stays at IHG Hotels Worldwide starting with your second stay. Full details, online registration & booking. (Registration is required)
The 'more' are bonuses that will vary by member that are similar to previous Accelerate promotions
Until Dec 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 Le Club AccorHotels bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Le Club AccorHotels page
Marriott OFFER UPDATED Earn up to 3,000 Bonus Points for stays of 2+ nights at all participating hotels across the 29 brands of hotels worldwide. Earn 2,000 bonus points on all stays of two or more nights and 1,000 bonus points per brand, starting with your second brand. Earn an additional 10,000 bonus points for stays at 10 brands and 29,000 bonus points if you stay at all 29 brands Full details, online registration and booking (Registration is required) Register by Jan 7 for stays until Jan 31, 19
For a complete listing of all Marriott Rewards bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Marriott page
Preferred Hotel Group iPrefer Double iPrefer Points and up to 35% off for last minute stays at participating Preferred Hotel Group hotels Worldwide.  Full details & online booking
Until Dec 31, 18
For a complete listing of all Preferred Hotel Group iPrefer bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's iPrefer page
Radisson Rewards Earn Double Radisson Rewards Elite Credit and Points when you stay in a premium room at all Radisson Collection™, Radisson Blu®, Radisson®, Radisson RED®, Park Plaza®, Park Inn® by Radisson, and Country Inn & Suites® by Radisson hotels worldwide. Full details & online booking  Until Dec 28, 18
For a complete listing of all Radisson Rewards bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Radisson Rewards page
Shangri-La Golden Circle No Offers at this time
--
For a complete listing of all Shangria-La bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Golden Circle page
Sonesta Hotels Travel Pass No Offers at this time
--
For a complete listing of all Sonesta Hotels bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Travel Pass page
Voila Hotel Rewards Double VHR Elite Status Credit when you stay 2 or more nights at participating VOILÀ network hotels Worldwide. Register Online (Registration is required) Until Jan 31, 19
For a complete listing of all Voila Hotel Rewards bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's VHR page
Wyndham Rewards No Offers at this time
--
For a complete listing of all Wyndham Rewards bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Wyndham page