June 30 Update: Amex's Eats & Drinks bonus points posting fast, Alaska Airlines extends their EQM bonus on flights & which Canadian credit card issuer will be the first to drop Priority Pass?

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 accelerated earn rates from American Express that launched last week for existing cardmembers are posting super fast! And contrary to what we were told the bonus points are over and above the regular earn rates! For example the screenshots below from some purchases made on my Platinum Card are working out as 11 points per dollar for purchases that only earn 1 point per dollar normally (SkipTheDishes & Sobeys) and 13 points per dollar for dining purchases that normally earn 3 points per dollar (Flores & Pine in this case). Previous communication with Amex stated these would simply be 10 points per dollar. I'm not going to complain however as earning 11 to 13 points per dollar spent is simply amazing.

Hotel Review: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Saskatoon Centre

 
Another Bill W review for you! Bill is a true road warrior, his work has him driving and flying across Western and Central Canada every week while staying in a variety hotels from a variety of chains.  Bill is a regular contributor to Rewards Canada and has been reading, following giving tips and providing updates for a very long time so let's welcome him back with this latest review!  

This Holiday Inn Express Hotel underwent extensive renovations that were completed in late 2019. The renovations transformed the hotel into a very modern and upscale place to lay your head. 

Reminder that all Canadian Plaza Premium lounges leave Priority Pass and LoungeKey tomorrow

 
A follow up here to the several posts we've already had on this topic as we wanted to remind our readers that as of tomorrow you will no longer be able to access the 13 Plaza Premium lounges in Canada with your Priority Pass or LoungeKey memberships. The lounges remain accessible by paying for access online withe Plaza Premium, at the lounge entrance, or by using another lounge access program such as Dragon Pass or American Express.

The Top 5 Mastercard Cards to use at Costco Canada (updated again)

 
We had to update our feature on the Top Mastercard cards to use at Costco again due to the recent changes to the MBNA World Elite Mastercard. Overall that card got better for lots of spending on it except at Costco. The MBNA card saw its earn rate at Costco drop from 2 points per dollar to 1 point which meant it dropped off this list of the best five cards to use at Costco Canada stores. That card used to hold top spot but that now goes to the Brim World Elite Mastercard and the entire list shifts up meaning that the RBC Preferred Cash Back World Elite Mastercard now cracks the list in fifth position.

Ends tomorrow! The best ever bonus when you convert Amex Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy points

A friendly reminder that American Express' bonus for transferring Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy ends tomorrow (June 30)! For this past month you have been able convert Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy and receive 30% more Marriott points. The regular conversion ratio is 1 Membership Rewards Point = 1.2 Marriott Bonvoy points but with the bonus it is 1.56 Marriott Bonvoy points. This has been the best ever bonus seen for converting Membership Rewards points to Marriott points!

Book a Fairmont Hotels Golf Package and earn 1,000 bonus ALL Rewards points

 

ALL Accor Live Limitless members can earn 1,000 bonus points when they book and stay on a Fairmont Golf Package at participating Fairmont Hotels in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. This offer is available for stays right through to December 31 – obviously not going to work at the Canadian locations that late in the year but still good for this summer and fall!

IHG Rewards Buy Points Flash Sale – 100% bonus for 48 hours

 

Another IHG Rewards Club’s buy points bonus Flash Sale is upon us. Once again the promotion is a 100% bonus when you purchase 11,000 or more points at a time. You can buy a maximum of 150,000 points with the promotion which runs until June 30. Then on July 1 and 2 the bonus will be 90% followed by 75% from July 3 to August 13.

June 28 Update: Hilton Honors adds daily F&B credit instead of complimentary breakfast in the U.S. and Air Canada is testing a COVID-19 results option in their app

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! 

 Hilton Honors will be doing away with the complimentary continental breakfast MyWay benefit for Gold and Diamond members that stay in the U.S. They will be replacing it with a daily food and beverage credit that can be used for any F&B purchases any time of day. The credit will range from $10 to $25 depending on the Hilton brand and location and is good for the Gold or Diamond member plus one additional guest meaning you could get up to a $50 daily food and beverage credit. This new MyWay benefit will start at the beginning of July and run through to December 31, 2021 at more than 1,500 locations in the U.S. Learn more here. 

Amex Shop Small promotion returns for the summer - earn up to $50 in statement credits nationwide!

 
What a great time it is to be an American Express cardmember! They launched some of their best ever bonuses last week. They are providing some of the best accelerated earn offers for existing cardmembers and now American Express Canada's awesome Shop Small offer is back for the summer as well! The great news with Shop Small is that you can still get in on it if you get yourself an American Express right now as this offer runs until August 23 and it is open to all cardmembers - new or existing. 

AIR MILES Shops - Earn 5x miles site wide for your online shopping until July 1

 

If you haven't had enough of online shopping just yet then this week is another good one to get some done and rack up some bonus miles. AIR MILES is offering 5x miles site wide on AIR MILES Shops purchases made by July 1.