Podcast Episode 82 - How the best credit card in Canada was made even better

In this episode we take a deep dive into the best credit card in Canada - that is best travel rewards credit card which also happens to be the best cash back card in Canada and how the most recent changes to it made it even better. It is none other than the American Express Cobalt Card and this podcast episode covers those changes but can also be considered an audio review of the card. We discuss earn rates, redemption options, how it provides huge value and even tackle the downsides of the card. Give it a listen right away to find out why we think this card should be in every Canadian's wallet. 

One week left to get the best ever offer for the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card - Up to 50,000 bonus points + first year free

 

 

There is only one week left to get in on this offer that only launched back on July 2nd! It is the record high offer for for the Scotia Gold American Express Card of 50,000 bonus points coupled with no annual fee in the first year on primary and supplementary cards. Those 50,000 points are worth $500 towards any travel that you book via any method and charge to the card. The bonus is broken up into two separate requirements. the first 30,000 points are awarded when you spend at least $1,000 on the card in the first 3 months and then you can earn an additional 20,000 points when you spend at least $7,500 in your first year of having the card. Having no annual fees in the first year is a great way to try this card out to see if it is right for you and allows you to get full value out those 50,000 points!

Air Canada Aeroplan adds yet another airline partner - you can now earn and redeem points on Gulf Air

 
Really Aeroplan? You can stop this now. Well, actually please don't but do know you are keeping us from completing other tasks with all the news you keep dishing out.  It hasn't even been 24 hours since the last big Aeroplan announcement of their 10x points offer for TD cardholders and now we have them adding yet one more airline to their partner list! As of today Aeroplan members will be able to earn and redeem Aeroplan points on Bahrain's Gulf Air. This is the eighth new airline Aeroplan has added to their partner roster since June 2020.

Offer Extended - $0 companion fare + 350 WestJet dollars with the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard

WestJet and RBC have once again extended the offers on their co-brand credit cards. Namely, the $0 companion voucher offer on the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard has been extended for applications completed by December 5 and the card's 350 dollar bonus on first purchase and the 2x dollars on select purchases will continue to August 31. The base level WestJet RBC Mastercard also continues with its increased welcome offer of 100 WestJet dollars.

Earn 1,000 bonus points on your next Best Western stay

 
Last week you may have seen the post discussing my feeble attempt at lowering my Best Western Rewards account but in fact growing it from 26,000 to over 41,000 points (read that post here). That was thanks in part to a lot of bonus offers that BW has including a new 2,000 point offer we just posted this past Friday and now there is a new 1,000 point offer to let you know about. These offers are meant to be targeted but personally I wasn’t targeted for some of those bonuses I received on the last stay so go ahead and register, give it a shot but do remember YMMV.

August 23 Update: Air France adding Montreal-Guadeloupe flights, save an additional $50 on WestJet flights to Europe & one more Cobalt multiplier location

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.

Air France is going to offer new flights out of Montreal to their Caribbean territory of Guadeloupe. Flights between Montreal and Pointe-à-Pitre will start on November 23 and operate twice per week. Flights from Montreal will operate on Wednesday and Saturday with returning flights operating on Tuesday and Friday. If you fly on this route before the end of the year and are buying tickets you'll automatically earn Double Flying Blue XP credits. Also seeing that we just had the news that you can convert Amex Membership Rewards points to Flying Blue we checked how many Flying Blue Miles are needed for this flight and they start at 17,500 miles one way for Economy and 34,500 for Business Class plus pretty hefty taxes and fees. This means for a roundtrip economy class flight you would need 46,700 Membership Rewards points. Compare this to Amex Fixed Points for travel which is 50,000 points but only 25,000 to 35,000 round trip with Aeroplan in Economy class. So the best bet here with Membership Rewards points is to go with Aeroplan if you are looking for the best redemption option. (Source Air France)

Earn 10x Aeroplan points and get 15% off Air Canada flights when paying with a TD Aeroplan card

Air Canada Aeroplan and TD are at it again with yet another great offer holders of the TD Aeroplan co-brand credit cards. Starting today eligible cardholders can earn 10x Aeroplan points for Air Canada and Air Canada vacations purchases up to $1,000. The 10x points offer is valid on all eligible purchases made until October 1. On top of the of the bonus points members can receive 15% off base fares for travel in Canada, to the U.S. or Sun Destinations by using code promo code DH3RE8G1 for bookings made by September 6 for travel until June 30, 2022. Aeroplan members must register their Aeroplan numbers to earn the bonus points.

WestJet bringing back Calgary to Orange County flights and resuming year round San Francisco service

California is once again proving to be a popular destination for Canadians, especially for those out west! In just the past few months we've seen Flair Airlines announce flights to Hollywood Burbank, Air Canada announcing of Vancouver to Orange County service and now it's WestJet's turn as they announced today that they are bringing back Calgary to Orange County flights and moving from summer service to year round service between Calgary and San Francisco.

Receive a $75 Visa gift card, save some $$ and still earn points plus elite credit for stays at two Marriott Hotels in Victoria

Here we have one addition to the post we had late in July that showed some of these regional tourism board offers we have writing about are better than just getting a gift card. In that previous post we showed that they offers actually price better than the best available rates at select hotels and since you book direct with the actual hotel chain you can receive all your points earning and elite member recognition and benefits. In this post we bring you another example of just that with two Marriott hotels in Victoria

Aeroplan Availability Alert: Business Class on Austrian Airlines out of Montreal for up to 4 or more people for Winter 2022 travel

 
Spencer at Straight to the Points sent out an alert about business class tickets for up to 4 people being available on Austrian Airlines and since the airline is a Star Alliance member you can use your Aeroplan points to redeem for these flights. Availability is showing from Janaury through to March 2022 for flights to Vienna and beyond. Aeroplan charges 70,000 points each way for partner award flights in business class plus the $39 partner award booking fee.