Details of the changes to Meridian credit cards and earn 2x status miles when you fly on Royal Air Maroc out of Montreal

Here's your Rewards Canada update! Your near daily dose of loyalty program, credit card and travel news, bonuses, deals and more.

A few weeks ago we let you know that Merdian Credit Union stopped accepting applications for their cards. The credit union stated they were going to change providers and update their cards for the fall. Meridian has new revealed some of the details of their new cards which should be available in October. The biggest change is that they will now be issuing the cards themselves rather than with Collabria (as many credit unions do). 

It also looks like they are taking page from some other banks' playbooks with their marketing/rewards tactics as they state "There will be a small change in the points earn rate structure, with no real impact for the Meridian Visa Cash Back Card and the Meridian Visa Infinite* Travel Rewards Card." and yet there is an impact. Here are the earn rates for the two cards they have revealed the details for:

Earn 100 Aeroplan Points for every $5 donated to the Canadian Red Cross + a chance to win 250K Aeroplan Points

During the month of September if you donate to the Canadian Red Cross you will earn Aeroplan points for doing so. Members will earn 100 points for every $5 donated and if you donate $100 or more you'll also be entered for a chance to win one of two 250,000 Aeroplan points prizes. This offer runs until Sep 30. 22. Note that you will not receive a tax receipt for donations that earn Aeroplan points.

Click here to learn more about this initiative and donate to the Canadian Red Cross

 

Image via Canadian Red Cross

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

Here are Rewards Canada's Top Travel Credit Card Sign Up offers for the month of September 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.

Earn 50% bonus Aeroplan points on all Air Canada flights worldwide

A systemwide Aeroplan flight bonus from Air Canada is a rare event but we have one right now! Air Canada launched a worldwide seat sale and as part of that sale Aeroplan members can earn 50% bonus points on all eligible flights booked during the sale. The offer does require registration so be sure to register for it right away so you don't forget if you happen to not book flights immediately as well. 

The Ultimate Student Credit Card portfolio, a new Amex Offer for Travelpro & select Air Canada elites receive access to Virgin Australia lounges

Here's your Rewards Canada update! Your near daily dose of loyalty program, credit card and travel news, bonuses, deals and more.

We completed another Ultimate Portfolio update and this is one timely with everyone going back to University and College for it is The Ultimate Student Credit Card portfolio! This wallet is for those Canadian students looking to get into the credit card game and have a card or cards that can help this cash strapped segment of the market!  This update wasn't as substantial as some of the last few Ultimate portfolios as the three cards we've had in the portfolio since 2017 remain the same. A couple of them happen to have new bonus offers and upcoming earn rate changes that we have made note of. Check out the updated portfolio here!

WestJet Elite Status members can earn qualifying spend on redemptions using WestJet dollars

WestJet Rewards Elite Status members who book flights with the airline and use WestJet dollars to pay for part or all of their base airfare will earn qualifying spend even on the redeemed portion. This offer is available for Silver, Gold and Platinum members who book Econo or higher fare classes for WestJet marketed flights and also includes Member Exclusive Fares.

Earn 2,000 bonus points with each Marriott stay this fall + an additional bonus for Marriott credit card holders

Marriott’s Fall systemwide promotion offers 2,000 bonus points per stay starting with your second stay. This offer can be earned at all participating Marriott hotels worldwide. You can register for the offer as of today and book for stays between September 21 and December 15, 2022. Registration for the offer closes on December 1. There is an additional bonus of 2,000 points for Marriott credit card holders for when they complete stays at different Marriott brands starting with the second brand they stay at.

Redeem Best Western Rewards Points for a free night stay and receive a 5,000 point bonus

Best Western launched a new bonus today that rewards 5,000 points when you redeem 12,000 or more points for a reward night stay. The offer is valid for reward stays in Canada, the U.S. and Caribbean that are completed between September 12 and November 21, 2022. Registration is required for this offer.  Many hotels in Canada can be booked in the 12,000 to 24,000 point range so depending on which hotel you redeem for this can represent a pretty big discount.

Credit cards that help you avoid those dreaded airline fees & Rewards Canada's Guide to Business Class Lounge Access both see updates

Here's your Rewards Canada update! Your near daily dose of loyalty program, credit card and travel news, bonuses, deals and more. 

We've updated the popular feature Credit cards that help you avoid those dreaded airline fees to reflect the changes to the National Bank of Canada World Elite Mastercard that kicked in last week. The card's travel reimbursement benefits is now $150 instead of $250 however you don't have the category limitations in place anymore that made it tough for some cardholders to use up the entire $250. Check out the feature here.

TD Aeroplan Credit Card fall offers - earn up to 105,000 bonus Aeroplan Points

TD has released their fall offers for their Aeroplan co-brand cards. For the most part these are the same offers we have seen in place for the majority of 2022. The only change is an increase in the spend and time requirement on the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Visa card. The other two cards, the Visa Infinite and Visa Platinum cards continue on with their exact same offers.