Prime Minister Trudeau announced this afternoon that Canada is closing its borders to most non-residents of Canada. Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be allowed to return as long as they are not presenting with symptoms of COVID-19. In addition to Canadian citizens and permanent residents being allowed back into Canada immediate family members of citizens, diplomats, air crew and U.S. citizens will still be allowed to travel to Canada - again as long as they are not presenting with symptoms.
Also if you must self-isolate for 14 days if you arriving from abroad and all international arrivals will now be funneled through four Canadian airports - Calgary, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver as of Wednesday.
Trudeau added that he is encouraging all Canadians who are abroad to come home as soon as you can and that is some advice that should be heeded as most airlines are really cutting back their schedules or shutting down completely which it may be harder to get home in the near future.
Source: CTV News
Monday, March 16, 2020
Friday, March 13, 2020
Marriott Hotels now waiving change & cancellation fees as well
Marriott is also following in the same footsteps of many airlines and hotel chains and have now updated their change and cancellation policy. Again this applies mostly to those who have booked non-refundable pre-paid stays or perhaps one of the high end resorts that requires 30 or more days for cancellation.
For all Marriott International hotels world-wide, we are implementing the following policies:
- For guests with existing reservations for any future arrival date, including reservations with pre-paid rates that are typically more restrictive, we will allow full changes or cancellation without a charge up to 24 hours prior to arrival,* as long as the change or cancellation is made by April 30, 2020. Please note that any changes to existing reservations will be subject to availability and any rate differences.
- For guests making new reservations for any future arrival date, including reservations with pre-paid rates, between today and April 30, 2020, we will allow the reservation to be changed or cancelled at no charge up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival date.* Please note that changes to the reservation will be subject to availability and any rate differences.
Guests who booked via online travel agents or other third-party
travel professionals are advised to contact their booking provider for
information on their policies.
*Important Information:
- Some exclusions may apply. May exclude periods with special event restrictions or peak demand weeks. Please refer to individual property rate rules for details.
- Marriott Vacations Worldwide is included in this policy. Design Hotels are excluded from this policy.
- For individual reservations booked into a pre-existing group block, please refer to cancellation terms quoted at the time of reservation. For more information, please contact the group organizer or the hotel.
- For group organizer questions on terms and conditions of group contracts, please contact the hotel.
Hyatt Hotels now waiving change & cancellation fees for stays in March & April and postponing World of Hyatt changes
I've been meaning to write about Hyatt's policy that they came out with at the start of the week for Advance Purchase Reservations (non-refundable prepaid stays) whereby you could cancel those stays with no refund but get 10,000 World of Hyatt Points to use towards a future stay. Today they expanded on that policy and allow for full cancellations for stays in March and April while continuing the points offer for stays in May and June:
Existing reservations for upcoming travel between March 14 and April 30, 2020:
All existing reservations made before March 13, 2020 that are for arrivals between March 14 and April 30, 2020 can be changed or cancelled at no charge up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival. This includes Advance Purchase Rate reservations.
New reservations for any future travel:
Any reservation you make between March 13, 2020, and April 30, 2020 – for any future arrival date – can be changed or cancelled at no charge up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival. This includes Advance Purchase Rate reservations.
Existing Advance Purchase Rate non-refundable reservations for travel through June 2020:
As announced earlier this week, special exceptions are in place for all Advance Purchase Rate non-refundable reservations made directly with Hyatt on or before March 8, 2020 for arrivals before June 30, 2020. Guests holding these fully prepaid reservations who have decided not to travel may still opt at least 24 hours before their stay to receive 10,000 World of Hyatt Bonus Points compensation in lieu of both their stay and the offer above (if eligible). World of Hyatt points may be used toward future travel at any of our 900+ hotels across 17 brands globally.
Hyatt also provided some good news for the World of Hyatt programs including the suspension of their inactivity rule, holding off on their Peak/Off-Peak point redemption and they are not going ahead with the majority of their 2020 hotel category changes (read our post about those planned changes here)
Suspending Points Forfeiture:
We will be suspending the forfeiture of points through May 31, 2020. As a reminder, our general policy is that points do not expire, but they will be forfeited if a member’s account is inactive for 24 consecutive months.
Postponing Award Chart Changes:
We are postponing the introduction of Off-peak and Peak point redemption (originally planned for March 22, 2020) until 2021. This means that free-night redemptions will continue to be at standard rates for the rest of this year. Before we launch Off-peak and Peak point redemptions for stay dates in 2021 and beyond, we’ll give you and our members advance notice as we always do.
Additionally, we are postponing our annual hotel award category changes (originally planned for March 22, 2020) until 2021, with the exception of five hotels still shifting award categories on March 22, 2020. Those hotels and their new category assignments include:
Any free night award and Points + Cash redemptions booked at these hotels on or after Sunday, March 22 at 8:00 am CDT will follow the new Award Chart. Members who have existing award bookings for a night after Sunday, March 22 that moves to a lower award category will receive an automatic one-time refund on the point difference. Points will be refunded in members’ accounts starting on Monday, March 23. Once changes go into effect on Sunday, March 22 at 8:00 am CDT, any adjustments made to existing reservations will follow the terms of the new Award Chart.
Evaluating Elite Tier Qualification & Benefit Extension:
In February, World of Hyatt extended elite tier status and award expiration dates for qualifying members residing in Asia Pacific. Please visit the World of Hyatt COVID-19 FAQs for details.
Given the quickly evolving nature of the situation, it is simply too early to suggest revised elite tier qualifications and award expiration beyond members in Asia Pacific. However, we know that adjustments will need to be made, and we are committed to communicating these updates as we can.
Overall nice to Hyatt join the ranks of allowing March and April travel to be cancelled and changed at no cost. Of course with hotel stays unless you are booking a prepaid non-refundable rate you can typically cancel up to 1 to 3 days before arrival at no cost.
You can learn more about Hyatt's response to the Coronavirus here.
Air Canada Signature Suite in Vancouver set to open on March 14
Last night Air Canada gave a sneak peek of its brand new Signature Suite in Vancouver to the media and we now know the new lounge will open on March 14. This will be Air Canada's second Signature Suite in their business class lounge network after the one in Toronto which debuted in 2017.
Recommended Reading: Air Canada debuts Signature Suite for Premium International Customers at Toronto Pearson
Air Canada's Signature Suites differ from their Maple Leaf lounges in that access is only granted to those who are flying on a paid business class ticket (J, C, D, Z, P booking classes) for international travel to Europe, Asia or Australia. This means Aeroplan (or other Star Alliance) award tickets do not get you access, nor does having elite status.
The new lounge is located in YVR's D Concourse on the second floor of the International Maple Leaf Lounge. You access the lounge via the same entrance as the Maple Leaf lounge.
Rewards Canada was unable to attend the event last night but Air Canada has been kind enough to provide us with complete details and photos of the lounge as well as a link to a virtual tour of the new space.
Air Canada unveiled its second Air Canada Signature Suite for its eligible Signature Class customers travelling to intercontinental destinations from Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The airline’s second exclusive airport retreat continues to enhance its award-winning premium offering with another space where eligible customers can relax before their flight from YVR. It features à la carte dining at a complimentary, full-service restaurant from a menu created by acclaimed Vancouver-Chef David Hawksworth.
The Air Canada Signature Suite officially opens March 14, 2020 and is accessible and fully complimentary to Signature Class customers, excluding upgrades and point redemption programs. The 4,400-square-foot (408 square metres) suite, conveniently located in Air Canada’s international departure area at YVR above the International Maple Leaf Lounge, can accommodate seating for up to 105 premium customers. It hosts a full-service restaurant offering à la carte dining from a Hawksworth-designed menu. The suite also features a cocktail lounge space with full-service bar and a selection of specialty snacks, a quiet sitting area and concierge service.
Other notable features of the Air Canada Signature Suite at YVR include:
· High quality spirits supplied by the airline’s partner Diageo, Moët & Chandon Champagne (both brut and rosé available) and Signature cocktails;
· Works of art drawing inspiration from and celebrating the Pacific Coast landscape and waterways include pieces such as Shape Agenda by Vancouver sculptor Jordy Buckles, and photographic work of Montrealer Nicolas Ruel, Victoria Peak.
· Cloudscape chandelier by acclaimed Toronto design firm Moss & Lam;
· Luxury skin care products from Molton Brown.
The interior design is a defining element of the experience
Designers Heekyung Duquette and Eric Majer have created an intimate sequence of spaces. Features of the design offer a retreat from conventional airport frenzy, providing customers with a serene, luxurious atmosphere:
· Arrival is marked by smoked glass walls containing bronze mesh sculptural screens. Customers are greeted by concierges stationed at bronze podiums fronting a luggage checkroom, allowing visitors to explore the space unencumbered.
· Ascending stairs up to the main space brings visitors into abounding natural light and impressive panoramic views of layered feature spaces: bistro, bar, and dining area.
· Locally-produced bronze wall panels exude warmth and luxury, leading to the à la carte dining area and private dining room.
· Telupana Blue stone – quarried on Vancouver Island – delineates and enlivens the bar.
· Sumptuous custom hand-made wool carpet emulates the grey-blue hues of ocean vistas.
· Nature makes its way into the à la carte dining room with a burst of forest flora contained within sculptural vessels that evoke the undulating inlets of the BC coast.
· The dining scene comes alive with glowing cube lamps reflected in glassware, and the expansive view of the tarmac beyond.
· Within this space is a bronze-clad private dining room for a more exclusive dining experience.Recommend Listening: Episode 42 - Meet the Collectors Podcast Edition: Greg LeBlanc - an avid Air Canada Flyer and Aeroplan member (and his review of the Toronto Signature Suite)
· Its smoked glass doors are overlain with a filigree pattern of maple leaves in the wind, another reference to Air Canada imagery.
· Throughout the Signature Suite, a heightened sense of quality is conveyed through the display of noble materials, the intricacy of its details and craftsmanship, as well as proudly showcasing Canadian craftsmanship, furnishings and art.
Let us know if you are travelling Air Canada in paid business class anytime soon via Vancouver and plan on visiting the new Signature Suite! We'd love to have you do a Lounge Review for us. Simply comment below or email us at info@rewardscanada.ca!
Click here to learn more about the new Air Canada Signature Suite in Vancouver
All images courtesy of Air Canada
Thursday, March 12, 2020
No fee changes and cancellation to be allowed for travel booked with AIR MILES Reward Miles
If you follow Rewards Canada on Twitter you would have seen our tweet detailing AIR MILES new change policy for travel that has been booked with AIR MILES Reward Miles. Essentially they are matching what Aeroplan began offering on March 11 and that is the option to change or cancel itineraries without change fees. AIR MILES statement to us does not indicate what travel dates are included but I am going to assume it is for March and April as we have seen with other programs and airlines. Perhaps we will learn this tomorrow when they send out their email to members.UPDATE: AIR MILES has confirmed this is for travel until April 30 but "will continue to monitor the situation as new information becomes available and provide updates should anything change"
Here is the latest statement we have received from AIR MILES:
At AIR MILES, the health and safety of our 11 million Collectors is our highest priority. We have been closely monitoring COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and as a result of the World Health Organization's March 11th declaration of a global pandemic, we have updated our policies related to travel changes and cancellation fees.
Effective March 12th, Collectors who have booked travel through AIR MILES are eligible to change or cancel their itineraries without AIR MILES change fees. AIR MILES change fees related to cancellations or rebooking of flights, hotels or cars have been waived until further notice by AIR MILES.
Please note that changes to travel bookings may still be subject to fees through the travel provider’s policy and Collectors are encouraged to contact the airline, cruise line or tour operator directly for information pertaining to their personal itinerary.
AIR MILES is proactively informing affected Collectors of our change in policy on airmiles.ca as well as through a planned email deployment for March 13.
For Collectors who have booked travel with AIR MILES that wish to make changes to their plans, please contact the call centre at: 416-226-5171 or toll free: 1-888-AIRMILE (247-6453).
Due to an expected increase in call volume, we are asking Collectors to contact the call centre within two weeks of their departure date, enabling us to assist Collectors with immediate travel plans.
Image via AIR MILES
TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go Elite Status Match offer + other anniversary offers
Earlier this month TAP Air Portugal released a bunch of offers to celebrate the airline’s anniversary. We’ve had those offers listed on our Miles&Go page for a little while now but wanted to provide more details on the main offer here. This offer runs until March 31 and is only available to new Miles&Go members who haven’t joined the program yet or only signed up for it in 2020.
Now there is one small caveat to getting your status match in Miles&Go. You either have to buy a Club Miles&Go Membership (read all about that here) or purchase some Miles&Go miles. The latter is the cheapest route as you can buy the minimum of miles (which is 2,000 but bonused to 8,000 right now) for 70EUR. Once you have completed the registration, submitted your other elite status details and bought miles or joined Club Miles&Go you will be given status in the Miles& Go program until September 30. However if you earn 25,000 Status Miles with TAP in that time period you’ll get Gold Status extended or 10,000 miles for Silver.
Offer details:
Elite Status Match Challenge – If you hold elite status with a SkyTeam airline, oneworld airline, Azul, Emirates or Gol you can join TAP Air Portugal and receive TAP elite status for six months if you join a Club TAP Miles&Go or purchase miles to be eligible for Silver or Gold status. Full details & online registration Until Mar 31, 20
Here are the other anniversary offers:
- 1,000 Miles&Go miles when you join the Miles&Go program. You must use promo code BIRTHDAY01 in the promotional code field to earn the bonus. Full details
- Earn up to 5x Miles&Go miles when you buy miles online. Click here for more details or to buy miles with this deal!
Receive quadruple miles when you purchase up to 18,000 miles; Receive quintuple miles when you purchase 20,000 miles. - Triple Miles&Go miles when joining Club TAP Miles&Go. Full details
- 1,000 Miles&Go miles when you refer a friend to the Miles&Go program. Maximum of 5 friends can be referred. Full details
To be eligible, you must be a member of a status/miles programme that is covered by this scheme (see below). Only registered TAP Miles&Go clients will automatically be eligible to participate in the Challenge from Mars 2, 2020. When registering with the TAP Miles&Go Programme, you must provide your Customer Card from another eligible Miles Status/Program that proves you have a status that is the equivalent of the TAP Miles&Go status you are applying for. If you are already registered in the Program since January 1, 2020 you can participate in the Challenge by sending an email to promo@tapmilesandgo.com, with your name and TAP Miles&Go Client number, as well as your Customer Card from another eligible Miles Status/Program that proves you have a status that is the equivalent of the TAP Miles&Go status you are applying for.
Once you have signed up you must join a Club TAP Miles&Go or purchase miles at our miles store in order to be eligible for Silver or Gold status.
| Airline / Alliance | Status | TAP Miles&Go Equivalent Status | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azul | TudoAzul Diamante | Gold | |
| Emirates | Emirates Skywards Platinum | Gold | |
| Emirates Skywards Gold | Gold | ||
| GOL | Smiles Diamante | Gold | |
| oneworld | oneworld Emerald | Gold | |
| oneworld Sapphire | Gold | ||
| SkyTeam | SkyTeam Elite Plus | Gold |
| Airline / Alliance | Status | TAP Miles&Go Equivalent Status |
|---|---|---|
| Azul | TudoAzul Safira | Silver |
| Emirates | Emirates Skywards Silver | Silver |
| GOL | Smiles Ouro | Silver |
| oneworld | oneworld Ruby | Silver |
| SkyTeam | SkyTeam Elite | Silver |
March 12 Update: Aeroplan to allow changes or cancel for full refund for March/April travel, Earn 5x CIBC Rewards Points for Air Transat Europe flights & a Hertz Elite Status Match offer
As of yesterday Aeroplan's Coronavirus policy was set in line with Air Canada's. If you have Aeroplan flights booked for travel in March and April you can change them once or cancel for them a full refund. This could also explain why the Aeroplan website is down and from what I can see on Twitter there are very long wait times when you call in. It does appear that contacint them via Twitter may be the best course of action if you want to change or cancel. At least if you try and don't get a response you have an electronic record of you doing so! Thanks to long time Rewards Canada reader Kevin A. for the details!
We have reached out to AIR MILES to see what their course of action is going to be as right now they are stating they are following to policies of the airlines - which should mean that if you have an Air Canada or WestJet flight booked with AIR MILES you should be able to change those flights at no cost. Still would be nice to see a no charge cancellation policy in place like Aeroplan's!
If you hold elite status in the Avis, Enterprise or National car rental progams you can have that status matched by Hertz Gold Plus Rewards! Find out more here.
Posts since our last update:
- IHG
Rewards Club lowers elite status qualification requirements and waives
all cancellation fees globally for stays until April 30
Rewards Canada contributor Jeff W. who provided the Scotia Rewards redemption story from earlier this week forwarded to us…
- Podcast Episode 66 - Taking advantage of last minute deals for Spring Break, that is if you are willing to travel
Episode 66 - March 12, 2020 Taking advantage of last minute deals for Spring Break, that is if you…
- 50% Bonus Elite Qualifying Miles when you fly Alaska Airlines until April 11
We are beginning to see more bonus miles offers being released to encourage people to fly and hopefully others…
- March
11 Update: Summary of all major Canadian airline flight change waivers
- Air Canada & WestJet extend offers to existing bookings
With Italy being effectively shut down, Air Canada has cancelled all their flights to/from Italy until April 30. The…
Travel Deals
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
CIBC Rewards5x CIBC Rewards Points when booking flights to Europe with Air Transat through the CIBC Rewards Centre. More... Book by Mar 31 for travel May 1 - Jun 30 & Sep 1 - Oct 31,20
Other Bonus Offers
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
- Elite Status Match - Hertz will match your status that you have from Avis, Enterprise or National. More... Unknown end date
Jumeirah Hotels Sirius
- Triple Sirius Points for stays of 2+ nights on the Business Comforts Package at participating Jumeirah Hotels Worldwide. More... Until Dec 30, 20
- Double Sirius Points for stays on the Jumeirah Breaks Package at participating Jumeirah Hotels in the UAE and the Maldives. More... For GCC Residents only Until Dec 30, 20
Marriott Bonvoy
- 2,000 Bonus Bonvoy Points when you stay 2 nights or more at the Aloft Cleveland Airport. More... Until Mar 31, 20
SAS EuroBonus
- Earn up to 6,000 EuroBonus Points in total when you rent with Avis for 3 or more days in Europe, The Middle East, Africa, Asia, USA, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico. More... Book by Mar 31 for rentals until Apr 30, 20
Stash Hotel Rewards
- 1,000 Bonus Stash Rewards Points when you book any hotel via Stash Rewards. More... Book by Mar 31, 20
Turkish Miles&Smiles
- Earn up to 20,000 Miles&Smiles Miles when you stay at Rixos Hotels in Turkey, Unites Arab Emirates and Egypt. More... Until Aug 31, 20
- 1,000 Miles&Smiles Miles per day when you rent a car with Rent Go in Turkey. More... Until May 31, 20
Follow Rewards Canada:
IHG Rewards Club lowers elite status qualification requirements and waives all cancellation fees globally for stays until April 30
Rewards Canada contributor Jeff W. who provided the Scotia Rewards redemption story from earlier this week forwarded to us his email from IHG detailing their actions for Coronavirus.
This change from IHG addresses the typically cheapest non-refundable or non-cancellable rates that have become so prevalent in the world of hotel stays and now allows you to cancel them with no penalty if your stay is planned up until Apr 30. They also recommend that if you book stays beyond April 30 to book best flexible rate (or it can be another rate like the CAA/AAA rate) which allow you to cancel with no penalty up to one or two days prior to arrival. Personally here at Rewards Canada those are the only rates we ever book - we have never booked a prepaid non-refundable rate as travel plans can and do change.
Also seeing that hotel stays are being severely affected by the Coronavirus outbreak IHG is lowering the elite qualifying criteria to earn or retain status for 2021. I like that they have lowered the rates to qualify but am a little surprised they aren't extending status for their members like we have seen from Best Western & Shangri-La. Here are the revised requirements for IHG Rewards Club status in 2021:
As you can see you can get Gold Elite status with IHG for 30% less than standard while Platinum sees requirements cut by 25% and Spire is just under 27%.
You can learn more about IHG's response to the Coronavirus here.
Podcast Episode 66 - Taking advantage of last minute deals for Spring Break, that is if you are willing to travel
Episode 66 - March 12, 2020
Taking advantage of last minute deals for Spring Break, that is if you are willing to travel
With the March and April school breaks
just around the corner we take the Rewards Canada podcast into All
Inclusive and Last Minute travel mode. We talk about the deals that can
be had for all inclusive packages plus how you can use points and miles
for those packages. We do also discuss the latest news with the
Coronavirus and how flights and travel might be affected. We delve into
travel waivers from airlines, package operators and tips for your travel
insurance.
Click Here to download the podcast (mp3)
or Download/subscribe via:
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Links relating to this week's topics:
- Government of Canada Travel Advisories
- The Ultimate Guide to Credit Card & Loyalty Programs for the All Inclusive Vacationer
- March 11 Update: Summary of all major Canadian airline flight change waivers - Air Canada & WestJet extend offers to existing bookings
- Redemption Stories: Using Scotia Rewards points for an All Inclusive Vacation and utilizing free lounge passes from the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
- The Platinum Card from American Express receives a limited time increased welcome bonus of 60,000 points
50% Bonus Elite Qualifying Miles when you fly Alaska Airlines until April 11
We are beginning to see more bonus miles offers being released to encourage people to fly and hopefully others will follow the lead of Alaska Airlines with this promotion! Of course this one is more suited for those in B.C. and Alberta as Alaska only flies to those provinces! Simply register for the promotion to be eligible – and based on the T&C’s if you already have flights booked those will count as well as long as you are registered for the offer.
Offer details:
50% Bonus Elite Qualifying Mileage Plan miles when you fly on Alaska Airlines or Horizon Airlines. Full details and online registration (Registration is required) Until Apr 11, 20
Here are some other Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan offers to check out:
- Double Mileage Plan Miles when you fly on Aer Lingus between Los Angeles, San Francisco or Seattle and Dublin. Full details & online registration (Registration is required) then book online at aerlingus.com.
- Double Mileage Plan Miles when you fly on Condor between Seattle and Munich. Full details & online registration (Registration is required)
- Double Mileage Plan Miles when you book direct and stay at any Coast Hotel in Canada or the U.S. Full details
- Find these and many more offers on our Mileage Plan page