Thursday, May 21, 2020

American Express Business Edge Card Confirmed Multiplier Locations Feature


You are probably familiar with a feature on our site entitled 'American Express Cobalt Card Confirmed Multiplier Locations' and we have now created the same thing here for the American Express Business Edge Card. If you aren't familiar with that page, it is a list of merchants that have been confirmed by our users as locations to where and how you can earn points on the card. In the case of the Cobalt card it is 5x points for Eats & Drinks, 2x points for rides, travel & gas and then 1x points for everything else. We have to thank our reader Reed Sutton for the idea as he asked if there was a similar chart for the American Express Business Edge card and since there wasn't we decided to make it, albeit 3 months after I first promised it, but it's finally here!

https://www.rewardscanada.ca/bizedgemultipliers.html

You can visit the full feature here and just like the Cobalt multipliers page we encourage you to contribute any merchants that aren't listed, merchants that show up in the wrong category and so on!


AIR MILES Bonus Boom is now live - earn bonus miles with participating partners until May 27

The latest AIR MILES Bonus Boom event kicked off today with a whole bunch of bonus miles offers for various AIR MILES partners. Most of the bonuses are available between May 21 and 27 although several like the AIR MILES Hotels have already been in market and will continue to be in market past the main promotional period.



There is the potential to earn over 1,000 bonus miles with all the offers but in reality most collectors will be earning 50 to several hundred miles. It really depends on what shopping you need to get done - for example if you do need something like a Samsung phone you can earn up to 500 bonus miles just with them. Most other offers are in the 50 bonus miles or 3-5x miles range. For example BMO AIR MILES Mastercard holders can earn 50 bonus miles when they spend $50 at any AIR MILES participating grocery store.


There's even an offer where you can earn 10 AIR MILES for free. Simply download the airmilesshops.ca Assistant Google Chrome extension and sign in for the first time to receive those 10 miles.

Overall these version of Bonus Boom seems less rewarding than the one we saw in February but no matter what it is nice to be able to score some extra miles over the next week.

Learn more about Bonus Boom and check out your province's offers here

Choice Privileges announces elite status extension and upgrades, further pause of expiring points & more


Choice Hotels has finally provided an update for their Choice Privileges program in regards to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Early on they had only chosen to provide the pausing of the expiration of points until May 31. We now have an extension of that along with reduced elite requirements, elite status upgrade and extensions and bonus points for Diamond members:
  • Flexible Points Redemption: Pausing the expiration of loyalty points until Dec. 31, 2020, for all members.
  • Reduced Elite Status Requirements: Reducing the number of nights members are required to stay in 2020 to qualify for elite status in 2021. They can now achieve:
    • Gold status after staying seven nights, as opposed to 10 nights.
    • Platinum status after staying 15 nights, as opposed to 20 nights.
    • Diamond status after staying 25 nights, as opposed to 40 nights.
  • Upgrades and Extensions for Gold and Platinum Members: Upgrading the status of current Gold and Platinum elite members, effective June 1 – Dec. 31, 2020. Gold members will be upgraded to Platinum and Platinum members to Diamond.
    • Upgraded members who stay at least five nights by Dec. 31, 2020, can maintain this enhanced status through Dec. 31, 2021.
    • Upgraded members who stay less than five nights by Dec. 31, 2020, will revert to their original status, prior to the upgrade, and maintain it through Dec. 31, 2021.
  • Extensions and Bonus Points for Diamond Members: Extending the status of current Diamond members through Dec. 31, 2021, and offering a 10% bonus – in addition to their existing 50% bonus – on points earned through Dec. 31, 2020.
I am a little surprised that is has taken Choice Hotels this long to provide this package of expanded benefits to their members. Most other hotel chains have already had similar polices in place since April if not sooner. Much like their competitors Choice will not be expiring points until December 31 of this year and very similar to IHG Choice has reduced elite qualification requirements by up to 30%. The best news in the new policy is that all current elite members will be upgraded by one level for the remainder of the year. Gold members will get Platinum status while Platinum will receive Diamond status. Those members will get to keep that status for 2021 if they simply complete 5 nights by the end of the year. If you don’t complete those 5 nights you’ll be reverted to your original status level for 2021. If you are Diamond however you get to keep your status right through to December 2021 and since you can’t have your status boosted any higher Choice if giving you an extra 10% bonus on the points you earn from stays until the end of the year.

Choice Hotels also stated that their elite status match offer continues so it may be possible that you could try to get a match right now and then be boosted an extra level with today's announcement.

Learn more about Choice Privileges here.

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

May 20 Update: 50,000 bonus PC Optimum points with $150 online Shoppers purchase, CIBC Holidays for Heroes initiative, Qatar Airways modifies amazing re-booking policy


Another big bonus from Shoppers Drug Mart! Earn 50,000 bonus PC Optimum points when you spend $150 or more online via Shopper's Beauty Boutique. Those 50,000 points are worth $50 towards a future purchase. This offer is good for today and tomorrow. Find out more here


Last week CIBC launched a new campaign to recognize front line health care workers. The CIBC Holidays for Heroes initiative is providing 30 million Aventura travel reward points to give these workers an opportunity to recharge. Nominees will be chosen at random to receive a $1,500 travel voucher to take a well-deserved break.
Through the CIBC Holidays for Heroes program, Canadians are invited to nominate a frontline health care worker who has made a contribution to keeping us safe during this challenging time, and who has earned a well-deserved break for their efforts. CIBC has provided 30 million Aventura travel rewards points to recognize health care workers who will be chosen at random to receive a travel voucher, allowing them to take a holiday at a future date, reconnect with their families, and re-energize themselves. 
Nominations are open to all Canadians and can be made at CIBCHolidaysForHeroes.com.
“The Holidays for Heroes program is one way we can show our deep appreciation for the sacrifices our frontline health care workers have made for Canadians, by giving them the opportunity to rest and recharge with their families,” added Mr. Dodig. “The holidays these heroes take are also one small way of supporting local businesses when economies can safely reopen.”
Last week we gave you the details of Qatar Airways' amazing flight re-booking policy and noted that it will most likely change and it did over this past weekend. It is a relatively small change in that you now have to wait 14 days before you can change your flights and you have to re-book into the same fare class. Find out more here.


Airline Schedule Updates
This will now be a standard feature for the foreseeable future in our daily update posts as we summarize Canadian operations based on data from RoutesOnline and other sources. Remember that many of these route plans are subject to change and right now they are changing frequently!

Sunwing has released their plans for their summer domestic operations with flights between offered between Toronto and Deer Lake, Gander, St John's and Vancouver. Flights will start up in late June and are already open for reservation on Sunwing's website. (Source RoutesOnline & Sunwing)
Toronto – Deer Lake 01JUL20 – 09SEP20 1 weekly
Toronto – Gander 26JUN20 – 08SEP20 2 weekly
Toronto – St. John’s NFLD 26JUN20 – 09SEP20 2 weekly
Toronto – Vancouver 28JUN20 – 08OCT20 1 weekly

The latest updates out of SWISS Airlines shows them wanting to resume Montreal to Zurich service on July 1. (Source RoutesOnline)
Not that you can actually travel to Switzerland as their borders are still closed (unless they open up by July 1) but I thought I would pass along that this flight is showing availability in business class for no less than 6 people with Aeroplan! 




Japan Airlines is reducing their planned service between Vancouver and Tokyo to 1 flight per week for the month of June. (Source RoutesOnline)


Remember to visit and bookmark our COVID-19 resource page where we are keeping you up to date with all the latest airline, hotel, lounges and loyalty program news, policies, closures and more.

Posts since our last update:

Deals:

Fairmont's Canadian mountain resort hotels offering every 2nd night or 2nd room free for the rest of 2020!

Travelzoo and Brewster's Mountain Lodge in Banff are selling discounted vouchers for future stays that are 100% fully refundable. You can buy vouchers for starting at $179-$199 each for June, $199-$239 for July and $269-$319 for August & September. Based on these numbers looks like they are anticipating a decent return to travel in late Summer. We did a quick check for a mid-week stay in June and Brewster's wanted $339 for the same room and the cheapest 3rd party rate we could find was $209. Sot the $179 voucher definitely provides some savings. Find out more here

Travelzoo and Huntingdon Manor Hotel in Victoria B.C. are selling discounted vouchers offering Breakfast & Parking, 35% Off for future stays that are 100% fully refundable. You can buy vouchers for stays starting at $95 per night each for stays between June and November. Find out more here

WealthSimple Trade:  Receive $5 when you deposit and trade at least $100 worth of stock with WealthSimple Trade. Find out more here(We will also receive $5 when you receive $5)

4Ocean - Introducing the Sperm Whale Beaded Bracelet - $20 at 4ocean! Valid until 5/31. Shop Now!

Rewards Canada receives a small commission when you use any of the above offers. You don't have to chose to use our links but we thank you in advance if you do.


Canadian Bonus Offers

Air Canada Aeroplan
- Earn 500 Bonus Aeroplan Miles for stays at Best Western Hotels in Canada, the United States, or the Caribbean Islands. More... Until Aug 31, 20

Other Bonus Offers

Hilton Honors
- OFFER EXTENDED Earn 2,000 Bonus Honors points per stay at Hilton Hotels worldwide plus 10,000 bonus points for every 10 nights stayed. More... Until Sep 7, 20

Marriott Bonvoy
- Earn up to 3,000 Bonus Bonvoy Points or receive 50% off stays in Suites or Villas at participating Marriott Hotels in China, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan. More... Until Jun 7, 20

United MileagePlus
- Receive a 40% to 75% bonus when you buy MileagePlus Miles. More... Until May 29, 20


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New Amex Offers for Uber Eats and SkipTheDishes - Spend $10 get a $5 statement credit

A couple of really good Amex Offers came out today for select American Express cards. Rewards Canada's contributor Jeff W. first alerted us to these offers as he received them on his Marriott Bonvoy American Express card and when we check in our household we also received them on the American Express Cobalt Card.

The offers are simple, one time statement credits for two food delivery services that I'm sure many of you are using! I know we are - in fact I just had an Uber Eats purchase yesterday but unfortunately that won't count! However there is enough time on these offers that I'm sure I'll get the credits here in the near future.



The offer is the same for both Uber Eats and SkipTheDishes - spend at least $10 and get a one-time $5 statement credit. The offer is good to July 31 and you have to register your card for the offer. Both are limited to the first 50,000 cardmembers who register. To register simply go on the Amex Mobile app or log in to your Amex account online, navigate to Amex Offers and register for them.

We have two cards in our household that have received the offers so we should easily come out with $20 in statement credits.

These offers have also been added to our Guide to American Express Canada 'Amex Offers' where we list all current offers and provide detailed instructions on how to utilize Amex offers.


Earn 500 bonus Aeroplan Miles for stays this summer at Best Western Hotels in Canada, the U.S. and Caribbean


This offer was originally slated to end on April 30 but has been extended to the end of August. This is the perfect offer for the type of travel many Canadians may be doing this summer and that is staycations and road trips within our great nation! Best Western has a large presence in many small towns and out of the way places that other major chains don't in Canada. So if you are thinking of getting on the road this summer be sure to remember this offer. Well, actually just register for it right now and make sure you Best Western Rewards account is set to earn Aeroplan miles and you'll be all set to earn the bonus all summer long.

Offer details:
Earn 500 Bonus Aeroplan Miles for stays at Best Western Hotels in Canada, the United States, or the Caribbean Islands Full details, online registration & booking (Registration is required) Until Aug 31, 20



Tuesday, May 19, 2020

TD Aeroplan Visa cards receive limited time boosted earn rate on food and grocery delivery services


TD is following the lead of American Express with the release of a limited time boosted earning option on their Aeroplan cards. All existing and new cardholders will earn double Aeroplan miles for purchases make with the following food and grocery deliver services:
Cartly, Chanmao Inc., Chefs Plate, Cook it, Cornershop, CultivatR, DoorDash, GOcery, GoJava, Goodfood, Grocery Gateway, HelloFresh, INABUGGY, Instacart, Just Eat, metro.ca online grocery, MissFresh, Mister Produce, PC Express, Save-On-Foods Online, SkipTheDishes, SPUD.ca, The Grocery Link, The Organic Box, and Uber Eats.
This means orders from places like PC Express, Save-On Foods and other orders that are direct with the grocery store will earn 3 Aeroplan Miles per dollar as they normally earn 1.5 miles while the rest of the services will earn 2 Aeroplan Miles per dollar. This offer runs until August 15.

If you don't have a TD Aeroplan card and have been thinking about getting one you'll want to do so right away as the current offer on the primary card, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite card of up to 30,000 Aeroplan Miles ends on May 31.



Fairmont's Canadian mountain resort hotels offering every 2nd night or 2nd room free for the rest of 2020!


We are just over a week away from Fairmont's four Canadian mountain resorts reopening and they are offering a pretty sweet deal to encourage stays at these iconic hotels! This follows on the heels of the Fairmont Whislter golf offer we brought to you a little over a week ago and I believe this will not be the last offer we see from them this year!  This offer is good for stays at the Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and Fairmont Chateau Whistler.

The deal is that you book one night at any of the four hotels and you'll get a second night free during the same stay. Or you can choose to book two rooms for one night, pay for one room and the second room will be free and so on! The stay must be pre-paid at time of reservation but it is fully refundable (cancel 7 days in advance). Unlike the Whistler golf offer which is only for June this offer is good for the rest of 2020 as long as you book by June 15.

I did a quick search for a 2 night stay at the Banff Springs Hotel in September to see if this is a good deal:

Stay Close Rate: (Book 1 night get 1 free):

Best Available Rate:

CAA/AAA Rate:


As you can see the offer does provide significant savings as this isn't one of those offers where they boost the price and discount it. It is based on the best available rate and they simply charge you 50% of that rate per night. It even provides big savings over the CAA/AA rate.  I also checked the Alberta Residents Rate (B.C. has one as well for Whistler) that provides discounts of up to 30% but I couldn't find any availability which leads me to believe that Fairmont has actually pulled that deal as they probably expect most of their traffic to be from within the province. I must say I am a little surprised that the daily rates are in the $600 range given the current situation in regards to travel and that these hotels haven't even reopened for business yet.

If you have been contemplating a stay at one of these hotels this offer is your best bet at achieving some savings but you do need to stay two nights or book two rooms. Even if you have some hesitation you could book now as you can be cancel up to a week before with a full refund. I am seriously considering booking the Chateau Lake Louise in fall when all the Larch Trees start changing colours - the area is typically insane during that time with access and parking hard to come by but by staying at the hotel that problem can be avoided.

These are the black out dates for each property in regards to this offer:
Banff:  December 23-31, 2020
Jasper: September 10-12, 15-17; October 9-10, 22-24; December 24-26, 30-31, 2020

Lake Louise: July 1-5, 31; August 1-2; September 4-6, 12; December 24-31, 2020
Whislter: August 1; September 5; December 12, 18-31, 2020

For more details or to book this offer you can do so via these links*
* Rewards Canada receives a small commission for all stays booked via these links.

Remember that Fairmont Hotels is now part of the ALL Accor Live Limitless program so stays at Fairmont Hotels will rack up points in that program.
 
Here are the terms & conditions of the offer:

Buy one night and receive a complimentary second night during the same stay. A 1 night prepaid fully-refundable deposit is required. This promotion is subject to availability and may not be combined with any other offers, promotions or packages. For stays through December 31, 2020. Blackout dates may apply.

*You may also use your complimentary night as a second room on the same night. Should you wish to do so, please book a two night stay and then you must call the hotel directly to amend the reservation. The reservation will be amended to have two rooms in the same room category for the price of one for one night.  


Title image via Fairmont Hotels

May 19 Update: Canada and the U.S. agree to keep border closed until June 21, 15x AIR MILES for Apple Store online purchases & more!

Canada and the United States will be extending the closure of the border to non-essential travel for another 30 days. This will definitely affect Air Canada's plans to start some U.S. flights later this week as we reported previously. I would guess we will see a schedule update from Air Canada later today or by tomorrow at the latest. (Source Global News)


If you are looking to buy some Apple products now may be the time to go ahead with that purchase as you can earn 15x AIR MILES Reward Miles via airmilesshops.ca. This offer runs until May 20 and remember if you are in a city where stores have reopened you can buy online then pick up your items if you don't want to wait for them to be shipped to you. I have done this in the past where I ordered online via the Aeroplan eStore and two hours later was at the Apple store picking up the order.  Find out more here.
Image via AIR MILES


Airline Schedule Updates
This will now be a standard feature for the foreseeable future in our daily update posts as we summarize Canadian operations based on data from RoutesOnline and other sources. Remember that many of these route plans are subject to change and right now they are changing frequently!

AeroMexico plans to operated 2 to 3 weekly flights from Montreal and Toronto to Mexico City in June and 3 to 5 flights per week out of Vancouver. (Source RoutesOnline)

In their latest schedule update Icelandair has cancelled their flights out of Edmonton and Montreal for the summer 2020 season and postponed Vancouver service until January 1, 2021. Toronto service remains in place for this summer with 7 flights per week. (Source RoutesOnline)

Lufthansa is planning on three flights per week between Toronto and Frankfurt starting on June 3. (Source RoutesOnline)


Remember to visit and bookmark our COVID-19 resource page where we are keeping you up to date with all the latest airline, hotel, lounges and loyalty program news, policies, closures and more.

Posts since our last update:

Deals:

Travelzoo and Brewster's Mountain Lodge in Banff are selling discounted vouchers for future stays that are 100% fully refundable. You can buy vouchers for starting at $179-$199 each for June, $199-$239 for July and $269-$319 for August & September. Based on these numbers looks like they are anticipating a decent return to travel in late Summer. We did a quick check for a mid-week stay in June and Brewster's wanted $339 for the same room and the cheapest 3rd party rate we could find was $209. Sot the $179 voucher definitely provides some savings. Find out more here

Great deal! Fairmont Chateau Whistler golf package offer - stay and play from $185pp per night in June. Find out more here.
 
Travelzoo and Huntingdon Manor Hotel in Victoria B.C. are selling discounted vouchers offering Breakfast & Parking, 35% Off for future stays that are 100% fully refundable. You can buy vouchers for stays starting at $95 per night each for stays between June and November. Find out more here

WealthSimple Trade:  Receive $5 when you deposit and trade at least $100 worth of stock with WealthSimple Trade. Find out more here(We will also receive $5 when you receive $5)

4Ocean - Introducing the Sperm Whale Beaded Bracelet - $20 at 4ocean! Valid until 5/31. Shop Now!

Rewards Canada receives a small commission when you use any of the above offers. You don't have to chose to use our links but we thank you in advance if you do.


Canadian Bonus Offers

No new bonus offers added today

Other Bonus Offers


British Airways Executive Club
- 50 % Bonus Avios when you convert Heathrow Rewards points to Avios. More... Until Jun 2, 20

Marriott Bonvoy
- Receive a 60% Bonus when you buy 2,000 or more Marriott Bonvoy Points. More... Until Jun 30, 20

Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
- 600 Bonus ROP Miles and your 2nd night for only THB 60 at Dusit Hotels in Thailand More... Book by Jun 30 for stays until Oct 31, 20
- 60 Bonus ROP Miles per day on Sixt car rentals of 5 or more days Worldwide. More... Until Jun 30, 20
- Earn up to 10X ROP Miles and get an extra 60 miles for every 600 THB spent on hotel stays booked with Agoda PointsMAX. More... Book by Jul 31 for stays until Sep 30, 20


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Receive a 60% bonus when you buy Marriott Bonvoy points



The best ever bonus for buying Marriott Rewards points went live yesterday. The bonus is 60% when you buy 2,000 or more points in one transaction. Marriott has also increased the annual limit for buying points to 100,000 for the duration of the promotion. To buy 100,000 you’ll have to make two transactions of 50,000 points each as that is the maximum Marriott allows for each purchase. Those amounts do not include the bonus so if you buy 100,000 points you’ll end up with 160,000 points in your account.

Here is an example of the cost of buying 50,000 points:

As you can see you’ll be buying points at 0.78 US cents each. Most valuations of Marriott Bonvoy points has them valued at 0.7 cents each however that is the minimum value. There are many redemption options for award nights where you can get much more value out of each point so buying them right now for future travel can make a lot of sense.

Offer details:
Receive a 60% Bonus when you buy 2,000 or more Marriott Bonvoy Points. The annual limit of points that can be bought per member. has been increased to 100,000 during this promotion. Buy Marriott Bonvoy Points here. Until Jun 30, 20

Image via Marriott