Podcast Episode 78 - A look at some of the exciting new hotels opening in Canada this year!

This episode is sponsored by the HSBC World Elite® Mastercard®

In this episode we look at some of the exciting new hotels that are set to open in Canada this year. In a year where most Canadians will be staying in Canada for their travels staying at a new local hotel can make for an awesome staycation. We highlight a handful of hotels from the 29 properties that are set to open from Hilton, Hyatt, IHG and Marriott that should be on your list if you do want to check out some place new! Scroll down for links to the topics in the episode.

Receive up to a 100% bonus when you buy Aeroplan Points

 We are just short of a year since Air Canada began selling Aeroplan points full time and without being a top off for an offer. In this short time period Air Canada has already made a name for itself in running some pretty lucrative bonus offers for buying their points and today we get another one of those limited time offers!

Earn up to 5x points with select retailers including Apple via the Aeroplan eStore

 

 Air Canada Aeroplan is running a 'Spring Refresh' event where you can earn up to 5x points for shopping online at select retailers via Aeroplan's eStore. This offer runs until April 4 and the participating retailers are Linen Chest, TSC, Well.ca, simons, Macys, Hudson's Bay, dyson & Bed, Bath & Beyond.

LAST DAY – Receive up to a 50% bonus when you buy Marriott Bonvoy Points

 

Today is the last day for Marriott Bonvoy’s buy points  bonus! Depending on the member that bonus will either be 40% or 50%. If it’s 50% you’ll definitely want to check it out as it can be worth buying the points with that bonus.

Earn up to 2,000 Aeroplan Points when you rent with Avis

 

One thing we haven't seen too much of from the new Air Canada Aeroplan program are bonus offers for flying (that one is a bit obvious as to why), hotel stays, car rentals and more. Yes, the current situation due to the pandemic in Canada and globally has curtailed travel and thus the promotions around them. However we track bonus offers from 170+ loyalty programs from around the world and are definitely starting to see the bonus offer market make a come back. With Aeroplan this really hasn't been the case however - right now we only have the small bonuses with the new Starbucks partnership and of course the ongoing offers for credit cards but beyond that nadda. Aeroplan used to be king of the castle when it came to bonus offers - in fact back in 2014 when kept detailed notes on the 5,000 or so bonus point offers we posted on our global site FrequentFlyerBonuses.com Air Canada came out on top in the number of promotions released that year.

Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card Review

The best hotel credit card in Canada is the Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card and in fact is one of the best overall travel rewards credit cards! It consistently ranks in the Top 5 Cards in Canada in our annual rankings thanks to its ability to provide huge outsized value and by providing some amazing benefits that can be used year after year. We hope with this review that more Canadians can learn about the value hotel loyalty programs can provide as the last major survey showed only 13% of Canadians participated in a hotel loyalty program.

A look at the benefits Delta Medallion elite members will receive for flying on WestJet

Earlier today we brought you details on the new reciprocal elite status frequent flyer benefits announced by WestJet and Delta Airlines. In that post we focused on the details for WestJet Rewards elite tier members and now we'll take a look at the benefits that being afforded to Delta Medallion elites for flying on WestJet. For the most part they look exactly like the benefits WestJet members get for flying on Delta.

WestJet and Delta launch reciprocal benefits for top-tier elite members and for those flying WestJet Business Class or Delta One

 
Today we see the launch of WestJet Rewards' first ever reciprocal frequent flyer benefits for their elite tier members. Up until now all of WestJet's frequent flyer partnerships were limited to the earning and burning of WestJet dollars (or the reciprocal airline's points or miles) with no recognition of status or benefits with those partnerships. Well that's changed now as WestJet and Delta have expanded their partnership on the frequent flyer side despite their joint venture being put on hold. They are also introducing reciprocal benefits for non-elite and elite members alike who are fly WestJet Business Class or Delta One (Delta's business class). 

Hamilton staycation bonus points - 2,500 bonus points for stays of 2 or more nights at The TownePlace Suites by Marriott, Hamilton

 
Here's a nice little bonus offer to take a look at if you have been itching for a staycation in Southern Ontario.  Starting tomorrow and running through to June 4 you can earn 2,500 bonus Bonvoy points for a 2 night or longer stay at the new TownePlace Suites by Marriott, Hamilton. This offer can be combined with Marriott Bonvoy's current systemwide promotion offering Double Bonvoy Points and Double Elite Night credit for each stay of 2 or more nights at all Marriott Hotels Worldwide. Be sure to register for the double points offer prior to completing your stay at the TownePlace Suites by Marriott, Hamilton.

Receive a 20% bonus when you buy Best Western Travel Cards

 

For the third time in less than a year Best Western is offering a 20% bonus on Best Western Travel/Gift Cards! When you buy a C$100 gift card they will give you a C$20 bonus card to use. You can buy up to $500 worth of gift cards with this promotion to receive $100 in bonus cards. Note the terminology difference in the cards – the travel/gift card is a true gift card – that is it has no expiry date as they can’t put one on them due to laws against it in countries like the U.S. and Canada. However the bonus card is not considered as such since it is an incentive and you are not paying cash for it. That means they can put an expiry on the bonus card and they have done so. Any bonus cards you receive are only valid until June 30, 2021. Nonetheless if you think you’ll be traveling and staying at Best Western hotels by the end of June then by all means avail of this offer to garner those savings! Also note that you can buy the travel cards in USD, EUR or GBP currencies.