American Express continues to significantly expand acceptance of their cards in Canada

One comment I hear repeatedly from our readers is that they don’t want an American Express card because the cards aren’t widely accepted. They come to us for advice on getting a new credit card and this is one of the statements that I usually find in their initial email to us. I then proceed to help educate them on the truth surrounding the cards and why they should really consider adding an American Express card to their credit card portfolio. Two of the main reasons why I do is that American Express cards are some of the most rewarding cards in Canada - if you are looking to rack up lots of points that have value and are flexible to use, you want to go with American Express and the second reason is a continuing push for increased acceptance. 

April 6 Update: Aeroplan eStore offering up to 5x points with fashion retailers, National Bank CAA Mastercard discontinued & a Scotiabank Scene+ Update

Here's your Rewards Canada Daily update! Your near daily dose of loyalty program, credit card and travel news, bonuses, deals and more. Be sure to subscribe to the Rewards Canada News email newsletter so that you don't miss out on any loyalty program news and offers! You can subscribe to the newsletter here

The Aeroplan eStore is running another fashion event where you can earn up to 5x points for online shopping with select fashion retailers until April 17. Click here to learn more.

Top Travel Credit Card Sign Up offers for April - These cards provide the best value out of their welcome bonuses

 
Here are the Rewards Canada Top Travel Credit Card Sign Up offers for the month of April 2022! This is not a 'best' credit card list like our Top Travel Rewards Credit Card rankings but instead a look at cards that have very good acquisition (welcome/sign up) offers. As always when choosing a card you should always take other factors into account other than the just sign up bonus, but when some of these cards are first year free, they can and do pay off even when you grab them strictly for the sign up rewards.

Air Canada Aeroplan Accelerate Your Way to Status - Flight bonus extended for travel to Europe

Back at the start of February Air Canada Aeroplan came out with an awesome promotion to earn extra elite status miles, spend and segments for flying, shopping, linking accounts and more. This promotion called Accelerate Your Way status promotion is set to wrap up at the end of this month however one portion of it has just received an extension.

Clash of the Credit Cards! HSBC World Elite® Mastercard® vs. TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card

Welcome to another Rewards Canada Clash! This clash comes to us at the request of one of our Facebook followers! 'Nam' asked if we could have a Clash between the HSBC World Elite® Mastercard® and the TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card so here it is! If you would like to see any cards go head to head against each please do not hesitate to reach out to us in the comments, on social media or via email.

April 5 Update: JetBlue's Vancouver flights launch in June, one new Cobalt Multiplier in Calgary & World of Hyatt introduces a new all-inclusive resort award chart

Here's your Rewards Canada Daily update! Your near daily dose of loyalty program, credit card and travel news, bonuses, deals and more. Be sure to subscribe to the Rewards Canada News email newsletter so that you don't miss out on any loyalty program news and offers! You can subscribe to the newsletter here

Nearly a year ago JetBlue Airways announced they were launching flights to Canada - more specifically Vancouver and that got me wondering as to when the flights would be starting up!, JetBlue has published those start dates and we'll see Vancouver-New York JFK launch in June 9 while Vancouver-Boston will launch on June 16. Both of these routes are available for purchase on JetBlue's site. The New York JFK flight will be operated with an Airbus A320 while the Boston flight will be an Airbus A220 - so unfortunately no Mint Products are available on these flights. That's too bad as the flights departing from Vancouver are redeyes and it would be great to have those Mint seats as an option!

Best ever offer revealed for the HSBC +Rewards Card: up to 35,000 points + first year annual fee rebate

 
The best ever offer for the HSBC +Rewards™ Mastercard® went live today. The card is HSBC's low interest rewards card  now comes with a welcome bonus of 35,000 points and the first year $25 annual fee rebated*. This offer eclipses the previous best offer on this card of 30,000 points with the first year free.

New HSBC World Elite Mastercard offer provides up to 80,000 bonus points + a first year annual fee rebate

The new welcome bonus offer for the HSBC World Elite® Mastercard® is here and it provides up to 80,000 bonus HSBC Rewards points for new cardholders. This is 20,000 less than the offer that was in the market for quite a few months. If history repeats itself we won't see that 100K offer return until the fall especially with this offer being marketed as ending on October 31, 2022..  On top of the new 80,000 point bonus is also a first year annual fee rebate for the primary cardholder. Once you have those 80,000 points they are worth $400 towards any travel! Since Quebec doesn't allow the first year free waiver the offer there is a whopping 110,000 points worth $550 towards travel but you do have to pay the annual fee so you end up with $401 in travel value.

Podcast Episode 89 - April 4, 2022 A look at some of the exciting new hotels opening in Canada for 2022

In this episode we look at some of the exciting new hotels that are set to open in Canada this year. Even though international travel is making a big come back many Canadians are still planning on staying closer to home for their vacations so what better way than to stay in a new hotel. We highlight a handful of hotels from the 37 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!You can also watch the video of the podcast here:

Receive up to $225 in gift cards and other rewards for hotel stays in Edmonton

 
There has been no shortage of hotel stay incentives across the country due to the pandemic and we've covered many of those offers right here on Rewards Canada. Whether it's Quebec City, Kingston or the ongoing offers from the various city or regional tourism boards that you've seen on our blog - there's some good options out there to earn free nights or to pad your wallet with gift cards. It's that latter one, the awarding of gift cards and rewards that we want to remind you of for stays in Edmonton. This offer from Edmonton's Best Hotels allows savvy travellers to earn up to $225 in rewards at any one of over 50 hotels in the region.