Podcast Episode 85 - Introducing MyMcDonald's Rewards - the restaurant's new points based loyalty program

 

In this episode we discuss the new MyMcDonald's Rewards program that launches on November 16, 2021! We look at how the program changes from the old McDonald's Rewards from earn rates to redemption rates and the value in the new program.

Earn up to 1,800 bonus miles when you shop online via the Cathay Pacific Asia Miles shopping portal

 
Here's another online shopping bonus for you and one that isn't typically thought of for most of us! That bonus comes to us from Cathay Pacific Asia Miles shopping via their recently revamped portal. The good news is they have a Canadian version where you can shop online with Canadian retailers on the newly launched platform! This is perfect for Asia Miles collectors looking to build up their mileage balances.

Just in time for the holiday season the Aeroplan LCBO partnership is now live!

 

The new Air Canada Aeroplan LCBO partnership is now live! As announced earlier this year Ontario's liquor retailer left the AIR MILES program to join up with Air Canada's Aeroplan program. The program launches today with existing members now being able to earn Aeroplan points at LCBO retail stores along with a bonus and if you are not a member yet you can join Aeroplan now and earn an additional bonus on your first LCBO purchase. In the near future you will also be able to redeem Aeroplan points for LCBO gift cards.

Earn Etihad Guest Elite Tier Miles when you convert Amex Membership Rewards points

 

Abu Dhabi based Etihad Airways has a another new transfer bonus offer for their Guest program. This time they are offering bonus elite status tier miles when you convert bank rewards points to Guest miles. Here in Canada we have one option for conversions to Etihad and it does qualify for this offer. That option is converting American Express Membership Rewards points.

Choice Hotels Members Only Madness: 20% off stays of 2+ nights

 
Choice Hotels Members Only Madness has returned for this week with five days of offers! Each day a different promotion will be offered as part of this promotion from discounts to bonus points to gift card offers and more. It kicks off today with a 20% discount offer for stays of 2 or more nights that are booked by November 20 for stays between November 27 and December 21, 2021.

Click here for more details and to book this offer.

Up to a 50% bonus when you buy Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Miles

 

Alaska Airlines has launched a new buy miles offer that runs until December 23rd. This time the bonus once again ranges from 40% to 50% depending on how many miles you buy. Ideally you want to buy so you get that 50% bonus which means you’d have to buy 30,000 or more miles. We see the 50% bonus quite frequently now from Alaska but have even seen 60% come by on occasion over the past year.

November 15 Update: McDonald's will keep the on-cup sticker program, RBC extends the 35,000 points offers on the Avion cards & top 6 tips for maximizing miles & points earning on your holiday shopping

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 100,000 bonus points worth $500, has no foreign transaction fees and no annual fee in the first year! 

 
Our post on the new MyMcDonald's Rewards has proven very popular with our readers and a lot of the comments and responses we have received are those unhappy with the coffee side of things. That is, in the old program you could buy 7 coffees (typically at $1 each) and then get one free. In the new program via the app that will now take 20 coffees at $1 a piece. That's a big devaluation but there is a way around this! We have confirmation from McDonald's (and via their T&Cs as well) the on-cup sticker program will remain in place for the foreseeable future except in Manitoba and Northwest Ontario. That means you'll still be able to earn a free hot drink after only buying seven. And I would be led to believe you'll still earn your 100 points per $1 spent via MyMcDonald's Rewards as I don't see them giving one type of cup for orders via the app and another with a sticker for non Rewards orders. I'm thinking McDonald's is keeping this in place because of Tim Hortons, whose program still offers a free drink after seven purchases. However, if you can technically double dip with MyMcDonald's Rewards it actually works out better than Tims! Read more about the MyMcDonald's Rewards program here.

Awesome new Amex Offers for Dining - $50 to $100 statement credits on $50 to $100 dining spend

 
American Express cardmembers are abuzz this morning with the latest Amex Offers that have come through on many accounts. The offers are new dining offers that are appearing on a variety  of Amex cards namely the Bonvoy, Platinum and Aeroplan cards! These are some big offers of a $50 credit for a $50 dining or food delivery spend or $100 credit for a $100 dining or food delivery spend:

BMO introduces two new small business cards - the BMO AIR MILES World Elite Business Mastercard & BMO Rewards World Elite Business Mastercard

 Today BMO introduced two new small business Mastercards that replace a couple of their current  offerings. The two new cards are the 

• BMO AIR MILES®† World Elite®* Business Mastercard®* 
• BMO Rewards® World Elite®* Business Mastercard®*

These cards are now being offered in place of the the BMO AIR MILES Business Mastercard and the BMO Rewards Business Mastercard. Outside of now being World Elite Mastercards the new cards have different earn rates, annual fees and benefits from those seen on the cards they replace. Let's take a look at these two new offerings:

Crazy good deal for stays at the Four Points by Sheraton Niagara Falls Fallsview

 Last week we brought you the really good offer for stays at the St. Regis Toronto and now here's one for stays in Niagara Falls. This is for stays at the Four Points by Sheraton Niagara Falls Fallsview and it provides an amazing discounted rate that can be canceled up to one day prior to check in. On top of this it provides dining vouchers and attraction vouchers in the Niagara Falls area.