June 1 Update: When earning 5x points isn't the same as earning 5x points - a loyalty lesson, more TD card offers extended & SiriusXM Amex offer

Here's your Rewards Canada Daily update! Your daily dose (or near daily dose) of loyalty program, credit card and travel news, bonuses, deals and more. This update is brought to you by the HSBC World Elite Mastercard which is currently offering a welcome bonus of up to 70,000 bonus points and no annual fee in the first year! 

 

There are several credit cards in Canada that award 5x points on purchases at select merchants but surprisingly those 5x points aren't all equal. We've updated our very popular article When earning 5x points isn't the same as earning 5x points - a loyalty lesson as the negative changes from BMO kicked in last month and now we have the positive change from American Express that happened yesterday. Read that post here!

American Express increases the value for Use Points for Purchases for non-travel purchases - 1,000 points = $10 and it's permanent!

An offer that was heralded as one of the best during the first waves of the pandemic in 2020 and helped many Canadians out for over 5 months has returned! The big difference is that it isn't for a limited time - this time it's permanent!! That offer, which we can now say is a feature or benefit is the increased value in redeeming American Express Membership Rewards points for non-travel purchases. As of today when you utilize Amex's Use Points for Purchases redemption option you'll receive a $10 credit for every 1,000 points redeemed - whether its for travel purchase or any other eligible purchase for that matter!

20,000 Aeroplan points, first year annual fee rebate & a Buddy Pass that you can convert to 30,000 points - TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card offer extended

THIS OFFER HAS EXPIRED - PLEASE SEE HERE FOR THE LATEST OFFER ON THIS CARD

I admit it, I was wrong.  I had predicted that we'd see the welcome bonus offer on the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card change as of today to naturally expire the opportunity to convert Buddy Passes to Aeroplan points for new applicants. Well I am happy to say my prediction did not come true. TD is holding fast on all their Aeroplan co-brand card offers including the very enticing offer for their mainstay card and the primary card of the entire Aeroplan program, the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card.

May 28 Update: New welcome bonus for the Signature RBC Rewards Visa & an awesome Amex offer for the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card

Here's your Rewards Canada Daily update! Your daily dose (or near daily dose) of loyalty program, credit card and travel news, bonuses, deals and more. This update is brought to you by the HSBC World Elite Mastercard which is currently offering a welcome bonus of up to 70,000 bonus points and no annual fee in the first year! 

The Signature RBC Rewards Visa now has a limited welcome bonus of 7,000 RBC Rewards Points. This is a great entry level card with a low annual fee that gets you started with the RBC Rewards program where you can build yourself up to getting an Avion Visa card.  This offer ends June 26, 2021.  Learn more here.

Marriott Bonvoy modifies Points Advance booking feature - limited to a 60 day hold now

 

Points Advance, a very popular feature of the Marriott Bonvoy program underwent some changes this week. The changes while appearing negative can actually be viewed as an enhancement for members who have found it difficult to book award night stays at some of the more popular Marriott locations around the globe.

Mogo Platinum Prepaid Visa earn rate will be bumped up to a flat 2% as of June 1

 

Great news in the world of prepaid credit cards - Mogo will be increasing the cash back rate for their Mogo Visa* Platinum Prepaid Card to a flat 2% as of June 1. Currently the card earns 1% Bitcoin cashback on purchases in Canada and 2% for foreign transactions. For anyone who has this card or if you are planning on getting it, all of your purchases will now earn an extra 1%.

AIR MILES Bonus Boom returns on June 17 - earn 95 bonus miles when you use three different Bonus Boom offers

 

AIR MILES and BMO have once again sent out a teaser email about the return of the AIR MILES Bonus Boom. It definitely seems to be a monthly event now and they are giving you tons of notice seeing that May's Bonus Boom concluded yesterday! Once again it will be the standard 95 bonus AIR MILES Reward Miles when you utilize offers from three different partners between June 17 and 30, 2021.

May 27 Update: Every 2nd night free + double points at Sandman Hotels and 25% off select gift cards through RBC Rewards

Here's your Rewards Canada Daily update! Your daily dose (or near daily dose) of loyalty program, credit card and travel news, bonuses, deals and more. This update is brought to you by the HSBC World Elite Mastercard which is currently has a welcome bonus of up to 70,000 bonus points and no annual fee in the first year!

 

Sandman Hotels have a new sale in place where you can get every second night free for stays at select Sandman hotels across Canada. On top of that RSVP Rewards members will earn double points on those stays. Simply book by May 31 for stays until June 30. Find out more here.

Time to hit the rails! Aeroplan members can now earn and redeem points for Rocky Mountaineer rail journeys

Air Canada announced an exciting new partnership today for its Aeroplan program. Members are now able to earn and redeem points plus receive premium benefits when booking scenic rail journeys with Rocky Mountaineer. The famous western Canadian luxury rail tour operator joins the ranks of new and exciting partners that Aeroplan has been adding since the program was revamped in November 2020.

Receive a 60% bonus when you buy or gift Aeroplan points by June 1st

Earlier this morning we posted about the Aeroplan Blue Skies Contest  and within the actions to earn entries for the contest is a bonus offer! That bonus offer is the return of earning extra Aeroplan points when you buy and gift points. Right now through to June 1st you can earn a 60% bonus when you buy or gift Aeroplan points.