Receive a 100% bonus for buying Hilton Honors points until September 20

Once again Hilton hasn’t waited long to bring back their 100% bonus on buying their points. The last round just ended on July 15 and now we see the offer return for purchases until September 20. It is a flat rate bonus of 100% when you buy 10,000 or more points. This means you are paying US$ 0.5 cents per point which can be easily redeemed at values of 0.8 cents or more!

Remember reward nights start out at only 5,000 points so you could potentially get a lot of nights out of this offer.

Also with travel curtailed we don’t say you should buy points speculatively right now but some of you are still needing to travel and could very well make use of this bonus. Or if you do want to speculate…..

Offer details:
100% Bonus when you buy 10,000 or more Hilton Honors points online. Buy points here  Until Sep 20, 20

Remember as well that Hilton has extended their Points Unlimited promotion of earning 2,000 bonus points per stay until Sep 7.

Find our complete list of Hilton Honors offers right here

British Airways Executive Club: Double Avios on all BA flights Worldwide + Transatlantic flights on select partners

The British Airways Executive Club Double Avios on all flights offer is back for the fall.  Just like the previous iterations the double Avios is limited to 10 sectors or flights however this time the registration and booking window is shorter. BA are definitely trying to spur future bookings right now with this promotion. Simply register and book by August 31 for travel to be completed by December 31, 2020. While this promotion is open to everyone I don't think it will be utilized much by most Canadians seeing the uncertainty with travel and having to self-isolate for 14 days if you go to the UK. Add in the fact that BA's flight schedule in Canada is quite sparse but still it won't hurt to register for it now especially if you do know you will be travelling to the UK or beyond on BA sometime this year.

Offer details
Earn Double Avios on all British Airways flights Worldwide as well as British Airways flights operated by American Airlines, Iberia and Finnair when travelling between Europe and North America. Full details, online registration & booking (Registration is required) Register and Book by Aug 31 for travel Until Dec 31, 20

Bonus will be awarded for up to 10 flights (one way sectors, round trip counts as two)

Find many more bonus Avios offers here

July 29 Update: Earn 5x miles at select retailers via the Aeroplan eStore, Autograph Collection Hotel coming to Halifax and W Toronto opening delayed to 2021

You can earn 5x Aeroplan Miles when you shop online via the Aeroplan eStore for back to school. The extra miles are at select retailers like Gap, Indigo, New Balance and more. The bonus miles event runs until August 9. Find out more here.

Image via Aeroplan

Marriott will be opening up an Autograph Collection Hotel in Halifax in spring of 2021. The Muir Queens Marque is part of a mixed use development on the waterfront in Halifax and will offer 110 rooms, a wellness centre and more. (Source Canadian Lodging News)

Image via Canadian Lodging News

Staying with Marriott news, the first Canadian W Hotel, the opening of the W Toronto that we detailed in our post back in February Marriott New Hotel Openings in Canada for 2020 - 14 hotels in the works including the W Toronto has been delayed. Originally planned to open sometime between June and September the hotel will not open now until February of 2021.

Image via Marriott

Rexall is offering $20 back in Be Well points when you spend $75 or more on beauty products this Thursday July 30.

Image via Rexall

Airline Schedule Updates
A summary 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 will be reducing flights between Vancouver and Mexico from 3 to 2 per week as of August 5. (Source RoutesOnline)

China Southern Airlines will be running 2 flights per week between Guangzhou and Vancouver for August through to October (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:

• This week's Marriott Bonvoy Escapes provide up to a 25% discount at 56 hotels across Canada until August 23
  This week's Marriott Bonvoy Escapes  see 56 locations in Canada participating where members can save up to 25% on stays…
• July 28 Update: Best Western Hotels makes face coverings mandatory, SCENE will donate to Boys & Girls Club for every point earned or redeemed and more!
  Another follow up to our post last week detailing the move that most major hotel chains made requiring mandatory…

Deals:

Hilton Whistler Lodge has a deal via Travelzoo where you can stay for as little as $149 per night including parking and resort fee. Find out more here.

If you aren't using the Ampli Cash Back app yet you can get $5 when you download the app and join today with promo code AMPLI5 Find out more here

Enterprise: Enjoy a free rental upgrade on rentals until August 28, 2020 Find out more here.

Fairmont Hotels Stay Close - Buy Night 1 Get 1 Night free at select hotels in Canada, U.S. and Mexico. Find out more here
SkipTheDishes - Sign up with this link to get $5 off your first order over $15. 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)
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

Best Western Rewards
- 2,000 Bonus Reward Points and up to 30% off on rentals 3 days or longer at participating Budget locations in the U.S and Canada. More... Until Sep 15, 20

Other Bonus Offers

Air France KLM Flying Blue
- Up to a 100% bonus when you buy Air France KLM Flying Blue Miles. More... Until Dec 31, 20

Turkish Miles&Smiles
- 3x Miles&Smiles Miles for stays at Titanic Hotels in Turkey. More... Until Sep 15, 20



Follow Rewards Canada:

---

This week's Marriott Bonvoy Escapes provide up to a 25% discount at 56 hotels across Canada until August 23

This week's Marriott Bonvoy Escapes  see 56 locations in Canada participating where members can save up to 25% on stays until August 23.These rates have to be booked by this Sunday. 

If you are unfamiliar with Marriott Escapes, they are last minute deals for the next four weekends (Thursday - Sunday) from the date they are launched at non-resort hotels while resort hotels are available for stays on any day of the week during the same time period.  The rates are prepaid however right now with Marriott's current COVID-19 policy they can be cancelled for a full refund up to 24 hours before the stay.

Here is just one example of the savings from this offer. This is for the Courtyard Niagara from August 8 to 9.

Learn more about and book this offer here. 

---

July 28 Update: Best Western Hotels makes face coverings mandatory, SCENE will donate to Boys & Girls Club for every point earned or redeemed and more!

Another follow up to our post last week detailing the move that most major hotel chains made requiring mandatory face coverings. Now Best Western is also making face coverings mandatory in indoor public places as of today at all their locations in Canada and the U.S. Find out more here.

Image via Best Western

A great move from SCENE for this month and next - they will make a donation to the Boys & Girls Club of Canada for every SCENE point that is earned or redeemed at Cineplex theatres, RECIPE Unlimited restaurants, The Rec Room, or Playdium. This move runs until August 27 and the donation from SCENE will be capped up to a maximum donation value of $210,000 ($50,000 and 16,000,000 SCENE points). Learn more here.

Image via SCENE 

As of late last week you can now earn and redeem PC Optimum points on purchases made at the Real Canadian Liquor store. Learn more here.

Image via Real Canadian Superstore

AIR MILES reached out to me to clarify entries into their Summer Stay-Cay Giveaway are doubled if you choose to subscribe to emails even if you were already subscribed before. You'll recall in my post last week I got an email saying I already subscribe so no to the 25 bonus miles but no mention of entries. AIR MILES let me know that if you are already an email subscriber you automatically receive double entries and if you are not a subscriber when you do choose to do so via the contest you'll get the double entries and the 25 bonus AIR MILES.

Image via AIR MILES

Airline Schedule Updates
A summary 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!

ANA All Nippon Airways will be flying three flights per week between Vancouver and Tokyo Haneda for the month of August. (Source RoutesOnline)

China Eastern Airlines will be running 1 flight per week between Nanjing and Toronto during the month of August as well as one flight per week between Shanghai and Toronto. (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:

• Up to a 50% bonus when you buy or gift Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Miles
  Alaska Airlines has launched a new buy miles offer that runs from today all the way through to August…
• Two Plaza Premium lounges have reopened at Vancouver International Airport
  Yesterday we brought you the news that Air Canada will be re-opening one of their Maple Leaf lounges today…
• July 23 Update: Share your airline refund or lack thereof stories, OWG reveals initial flight schedule, hotel occupancy rates in Canada increasing
  Just a reminder that we are looking for feedback from our readers on the airline refund (or lack thereof)…

Deals:

Hilton Whislter Lodge has a deal via Travelzoo where you can stay for as little as $149 per night including parking and resort fee. Find out more here.

If you aren't using the Ampli Cash Back app yet you can get $5 when you download the app and join today with promo code AMPLI5 Find out more here

Enterprise: Enjoy a free rental upgrade on rentals until August 28, 2020 Find out more here.

Fairmont Hotels Stay Close - Buy Night 1 Get 1 Night free at select hotels in Canada, U.S. and Mexico. Find out more here

SkipTheDishes - Sign up with this link to get $5 off your first order over $15. 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)
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

N/A

Other Bonus Offers

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
- Receive up to 50% Bonus Mileage Plan Miles when you buy or gift miles. More... Until Aug 26, 20

Bangkok Airways FlyerBonus
- 3x FlyerBonus Points for stays at Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas Worldwide. More... Until Mar 31, 21

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- 1,000 Bonus Asia Miles when you spend US$300 or more in a single transaction shopping online via the Asia Miles iShop shopping portal. More... Until Aug 10, 20

Garuda Indonesia GarudaMiles
- 50% Bonus GarudaMiles when you buy GarudaMiles. More... Until Jul 31, 20

Kaligo
- 50% Bonus Miles/Points in the program of your choice on all hotel bookings made via Kaligo. More... Book by Jul 31 for stays until Dec 31, 20



Follow Rewards Canada:

Up to a 100% bonus when you buy Air France KLM Flying Blue Miles

If I’m not mistaken this is the best ever bonus for buying Flying Blue Miles from Air France KLM. Previous offers have seen 60 to 75% bonuses but never 100%. At least that’s the case from going through our archive of posts. When you buy at the 100% level each Flying Blue will cost you 1.375 Euro Cents or about 2.15 C$ cents each.

This is a pretty good deal for these miles but can be potentially a even bigger deal if and I mean if and when Flying Blue brings back their monthly Promo Rewards promotion that offer up to 50% off award tickets. Combining a 100% bonus on buying miles and then receiving 50% off business class tickets between Canada and Europe is huge! However I'm only dreaming right now as the Promo Rewards have been paused and its entirely possibly they won't return until next year when the buy miles bonus is over. Good thing is this buy miles bonus is not a short term promotion like most other buy miles promos - this one actually runs until December 31 so you have a long time to decide on buying miles.

Offer details:
Up to a 100% bonus when you buy Air France KLM Flying Blue Miles. Buy miles here.  Until Dec 31, 20
– 50% bonus when you buy 2,000 to 10,000 miles
– 75% bonus when you buy 12,000 to 28,000 miles
– 100% when you buy 30,000 or more miles.
Elite members can buy up to 100,000 miles annually, all other members can buy 75,000 miles annually.

Earn rate changes coming to the no fee BMO AIR MILES Mastercard this November

Back in May BMO announced changes to their no fee BMO CashBack Mastercard and now they have announced similar changes to their no fee BMO AIR MILES Mastercard. There is quite a bit of advance notice for these changes as they won't take place until November 2020. These changes do only affect the no fee version of BMO's AIR MILES Mastercard as the BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard will remain unchanged.

You can learn about the changes here.

The only changes happening to the card are on the everyday earn rates and they actually get better for shopping at AIR MILES partners and slightly worse everywhere else.

These are the current earn rates for the card that will be in place until November:

- Get 2x the Miles for every $20 spent at participating AIR MILES Partners
- Get 1 Mile for every $20 spent everywhere else

The new earn rates that will kick in in November and be reflected on your December statement are as follows:

- Get 3x the Miles for every $25 spent at participating AIR MILES Partners

- Get 1 Mile for every $25 spent everywhere else

As you can see the new earn rates are 3x miles for every $25 at participating AIR MILES partners and this is something to note. It is not all AIR MILES partners that you get this earn rates it is strictly those listed on the AIR MILES site as those participating. The partners at the time of posting are as follows:

Then all your spending outside of the above listed partners will earn 1 miles for every $25 spent.

So how does this compare to the card's current rates? Well the 3 miles for $25 at participating partners is a boost to your earning but to get that boost you have to now spend $25 instead of $20. The old earn rates of 2 miles for $20 essentially gave you 0.1 miles per dollar spent and the new rate is 0.12 miles per dollar so that is effectively a 20% boost in earning but I do stress that you now have to spend $25 but that is cumulative. So if you have two Shell purchases of $12.50 in one month you'll earn the 3 miles however anything less and you won't earn the 3x miles. For all other spending the math is quite simple here, you only earn 1 mile for every $25 spent instead of the current $20 which translates to a 20% devaluation. That's a pretty big drop considering most spending on this card probably doesn't happen at the 13 partners listed above.

Overall I would have to consider this a devaluation to the no fee BMO AIR MILES Mastercard. Sure the 20% boost at the participating partners is great but not everyone needs office supplies or home reno items on a regular basis nor do some people have pets so that drops four partners off the list - and car rentals - not much of that happening now and even for the foreseeable future so really the boost is good for 6 partners in total. Which leaves most spending on this card not being at partners with the 3x accelerator and that spending will net you 20% less miles come this November.

Learn more about and apply for the BMO AIR MILES Mastercard here.

Below is the most current offer for the card. It may not reflect the discussion above.

Stay 2 nights for the price of 1 at the Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Palliser and Fairmont Waterfront

Since our last Fairmont Stay Close update there have been a few hotels who have dropped off the list as their window for booking has passed but there have been a few new hotels in the U.S. and Canada added including the Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver, the Fairmont Palliser Calgary and the return of the Fairmont Banff Springs! This promotion if you are unfamiliar with it provides every 2nd night or 2nd room free for stays at select hotels in Canada, the United States and Mexico!

Here is our previous coverage of the offers:

• Every second night free at the Fairmont Tremblant for the rest of 2020 - book by July 24
• Fairmont Stay Close buy 1 get 1 night offer expanded to six more hotels in Canada and the U.S.
• Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu now part of Stay Close offer
• Fairmont Stay Close extended for Canadian mountain resorts
• Vancouver's Fairmont Pacific Rim now part of Stay Close Buy 1 night get 1 free offer!
• Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac and Fairmont Winnipeg now part of Stay Close Buy 1 night get 1 free offer!  
• Fairmont Chateau Laurier Ottawa and Faimont Royal York Toronto now part of Stay Close Buy 1 night get 1 free offer!
• Fairmont’s Canadian mountain resort hotels offering every 2nd night or 2nd room free for the rest of 2020!
• Fairmont Hotels Stay Close – Every 2nd night or 2nd room free for the rest of 2020 at three U.S. locations!

In the latest update we see 7 more hotels added and those are the :

• Fairmont Banff Springs  (Book by July 31)
• Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver  (Book by August 22)
• Fairmont Palliser Calgary  (Book by August 23)
• Fairmont Pittsburgh  (Book by August 8)
• Fairmont Dallas (Book by August 13)
• Fairmont Grand Del Mar (Book by August 22)
• Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston (Book by August 22)

Stays must be completed by December 31, 2020 except for the Fairmont Palliser which is available until April 30, 2021.

Here’s a quick look at the rates for the Fairmont Palliser (August 19-21):

Just like all the other hotels this deal is exactly 50% off the daily rate and is also significantly cheaper than other special rates. The rates must be prepaid in advance however they are fully refundable as long as you cancel in advance. Some hotels show a cancellation policy of only 24 hours before so there is lots of flexibility while others have a  7 day cancellation policy which is still pretty good!

Black out dates:
Fairmont Banff Springs: December 23-31
Fairmont Waterfront: December 31, 2020
Fairmont Palliser: Not specified
Fairmont Pittsburgh: July 27 – 29; August 18 – 23; September 1 – 6, 8-9 , 17-24, 27 ; October 17; December 31, 2020
Fairmont Dallas: October 3, 15-16, 24; November 5-6, 13-14, 2020
Fairmont Grand Del Mar: Not specified
Fairmont Copley Plaza: Not specified

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.

For more details or to book this offer you can do so via these links:

• Fairmont Chateau Laurier Ottawa
• Fairmont Royal York Toronto
• Fairmon Le Chateau Frontenac 
• Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu
• Fairmon Queen Elizabeth
• Fairmont Banff Springs  (Book by July 31)
• Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver  (Book by August 22)
• Fairmont Palliser Calgary  (Book by August 23)
• Fairmont Chicago
• Fairmont Miramar 
• Swissotel Chicago
• Fairmont Pittsburgh  (Book by August 8)
• Fairmont Dallas (Book by August 13)
• Fairmont Grand Del Mar (Book by August 22)
• Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston (Book by August 22)
• Fairmont Mayakoba
   

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.

ALL Rewards points may not be redeemed to cover the cost of any charges associated with stays booked on the “Stay Close” offer either at time of booking or during the stay. This includes, but is not limited to charges for room rate/restaurant/in-room dining/spa/golf. Members who book through the “Stay Close” offer will receive the on-property benefits associated with their tier level at time of stay. Members will earn points at standard earn rates for room charges and all eligible spend that is charged to their room during the stay.

July 24 Update: Get $5 when you download and join Ampli, Hilton's face covering policy will not cover Canada, 20x PC Optimum Points for online shopping this weekend

If you aren't using the Ampli Cash Back app yet you can get $5 when you download the app and join today with promo code AMPLI5. Plus they are running a contest until the end of the month to celebrate their first anniversary where you can win 1 of 25 prizes of $500. Find out more here

Yesterday we posted about most major hotel chain implementing mandatory face coverings in public spaces at their hotels in the U.S. and Canada however we weren't 100% sure on what Hilton was planning. We now have confirmation from our contact at Hilton that their policy will be in effect as of July 28 but only for U.S. locations. Canada is not part of the policy at this time.

Once again PC Optimum is offering 20x the points when you spend $75 or more when shopping for beauty product online with Shoppers Drug Mart. This offer is good until July 26. Find out more here.

If you are needing to rent a car and are willing to go with Hertz who are currently in bankruptcy protection you can earn 2x Gold Plus Rewards points on those rentals for an indefinate period of time. Find out more here.

Just a reminder that we are looking for feedback from our readers on the airline refund (or lack thereof) situation in Canada for an upcoming Rewards Canada podcast episode. There have already been several experiences provided and some good discussions between our readers. Let's hear your voice added to it as well! You can read the article and comment on it here.

 

Airline Schedule Updates
A summary 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!

Flair Airlines is expanding their route network in Canada in late August with flights operating to Fort McMurray, Prince George, Regina, Saskatoon and Victoria (Source RoutesOnline)
Edmonton – Prince George eff 23AUG20 2 weekly
Toronto – Fort McMurray eff 26AUG20 2 weekly
Toronto – Regina eff 24AUG20 2 weekly
Toronto – Saskatoon eff 27AUG20 2 weekly
Vancouver – Fort McMurray eff 26AUG20 2 weekly
Vancouver – Prince George eff 23AUG20 2 weekly
Vancouver – Regina eff 24AUG20 2 weekly
Vancouver – Saskatoon eff 27AUG20 2 weekly
Vancouver – Victoria eff 23AUG20 6 weekly

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:

• Up to a 50% bonus when you buy or gift Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Miles
  Alaska Airlines has launched a new buy miles offer that runs from today all the way through to August…
• Two Plaza Premium lounges have reopened at Vancouver International Airport
  Yesterday we brought you the news that Air Canada will be re-opening one of their Maple Leaf lounges today…
• July 23 Update: Share your airline refund or lack thereof stories, OWG reveals initial flight schedule, hotel occupancy rates in Canada increasing
  Just a reminder that we are looking for feedback from our readers on the airline refund (or lack thereof)…

Deals:

Hilton Whislter Lodge has a deal via Travelzoo where you can stay for as little as $149 per night including parking and resort fee. Find out more here.

If you aren't using the Ampli Cash Back app yet you can get $5 when you download the app and join today with promo code AMPLI5 Find out more here

Fairmont Hotels Stay Close - Buy Night 1 Get 1 Night free at select hotels in Canada, U.S. and Mexico. Find out more here

Instacart: Get $10 when you place your first order with Instacart! Register here.

SkipTheDishes - Sign up with this link to get $5 off your first order over $15. 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)

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

N/A

Other Bonus Offers

ALL Accor Live Limitless
- OFFER UPDATED Double ALL Rewards Points for stays at participating Accor Hotels in the Middle East and Africa. when you pay with a Visa Card. More... Book by Sep 30 for stays until Dec 31, 20
- OFFER UPDATED 500 Bonus ALL Rewards Points for stays at participating hotels in Germany, Austria and Switzerland More... Book by Aug 31 for stays until Oct 1, 20

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
- Double Gold Plus Rewards Points on all Hertz rentals that are booked online with Hertz. More... Offer valid to residents of North America only. Unknown end date

Marriott Bonvoy
- 1,000 Bonus Bonvoy Points PER NIGHT for stays at the Delta Hotels Baltimore Hunt Valley. More... Until Aug 24, 20
- 1,000 Bonus Bonvoy Points for stays at the Element Spring Valley More... Aug 3 - Oct 19, 20
- 2,000 Bonus Bonvoy Points for stays at the SpringHill Suites Portland Vancouver More... Until Sep 17, 20

Turkish Miles&Smiles
- 4x Miles&Smiles Miles when you stay 2 or more nights at Rixos Hotels in Turkey, Unites Arab Emirates and Egypt. More... Until Dec 31, 20



Follow Rewards Canada:

---