Mar 21 Update: IHG Point Breaks revealed, Air France Business Class sale, United to offer free streaming IFE to Apple users

The last few days of this week have really picked up in the travel rewards world!

News, Tips & Tricks
If you missed our post from only a few minutes ago, we have a sneak peek at the latest IHG PointBreaks properties that will be up for booking on Monday. Four InterContinental Hotel locations are included (this is a huge discount for them) and 9 locations in Canada are also up for grabs this time (versus only 5 last time).  See our PointBreaks post for details

United Airlines is set to Offer Free Streaming In-Flight Movies and TV To Apple Users.  (Source: United)

Starting this spring, we’re rolling out our new personal device entertainment system onboard select aircraft. With this new service, sponsored by the MileagePlus® Explorer Card, you can choose from over 150 movies and nearly 200 TV shows and watch them free of charge on your personal device.

   

Most planes will be equipped with the new system very soon, and we’ll have it installed on most domestic aircraft by the end of 2014. We’ll begin on Airbus A319, Airbus A320, Boeing 747-400 and select 777-200 aircraft, followed by additional fleets. In the end, all United-operated flights will have some form of entertainment.

Remember that 48 hours before your flight you can check the amenities you’ll have onboard at united.com or on the United app. (Please note that the amenities are subject to change up until the time of departure.) 

How it works

Here’s all you need to do before you board to make your inflight viewing as seamless as possible:

1.   Download the latest United app from the iTunes® App Store if you’ll be using an Apple iOS device (iPad, iPhone or iPod). Laptops do not require an app. Android™ support is under development and is planned to be fully supported later this year.

2.    Charge your device fully. All aircraft that will offer personal device entertainment will offer power outlets, with select fleets beginning installation of power outlets this year. 

Once you’re onboard, you’ll see two types of media. Some programs require a browser plug-in on your laptop or the latest United app on your Apple® iOS. Other programs can be watched through the United Portal on your browser with no plug-in or app required.

Just click on what you’d like to watch. You can start, stop, rewind, pause and switch your movie or TV show anytime. It’s that simple.

Read more at https://hub.united.com/en-us/news/company-operations/pages/watch-united-inflight-movies-and-tv-on-personal-device.aspx#VRrYDQTF5u8XIrBg.99

Starting this spring, we’re rolling out our new personal device entertainment system onboard select aircraft. With this new service, sponsored by the MileagePlus® Explorer Card, you can choose from over 150 movies and nearly 200 TV shows and watch them free of charge on your personal device.

   

Most planes will be equipped with the new system very soon, and we’ll have it installed on most domestic aircraft by the end of 2014. We’ll begin on Airbus A319, Airbus A320, Boeing 747-400 and select 777-200 aircraft, followed by additional fleets. In the end, all United-operated flights will have some form of entertainment.

Remember that 48 hours before your flight you can check the amenities you’ll have onboard at united.com or on the United app. (Please note that the amenities are subject to change up until the time of departure.) 

How it works

Here’s all you need to do before you board to make your inflight viewing as seamless as possible:

1.   Download the latest United app from the iTunes® App Store if you’ll be using an Apple iOS device (iPad, iPhone or iPod). Laptops do not require an app. Android™ support is under development and is planned to be fully supported later this year.

2.    Charge your device fully. All aircraft that will offer personal device entertainment will offer power outlets, with select fleets beginning installation of power outlets this year. 

Once you’re onboard, you’ll see two types of media. Some programs require a browser plug-in on your laptop or the latest United app on your Apple® iOS. Other programs can be watched through the United Portal on your browser with no plug-in or app required.

Just click on what you’d like to watch. You can start, stop, rewind, pause and switch your movie or TV show anytime. It’s that simple.

Read more at https://hub.united.com/en-us/news/company-operations/pages/watch-united-inflight-movies-and-tv-on-personal-device.aspx#VRrYDQTF5u8XIrBg.99

Starting this spring, we’re rolling out our new personal device entertainment system onboard select aircraft. With this new service, sponsored by the MileagePlus® Explorer Card, you can choose from over 150 movies and nearly 200 TV shows and watch them free of charge on your personal device.

   

Most planes will be equipped with the new system very soon, and we’ll have it installed on most domestic aircraft by the end of 2014. We’ll begin on Airbus A319, Airbus A320, Boeing 747-400 and select 777-200 aircraft, followed by additional fleets. In the end, all United-operated flights will have some form of entertainment.

Remember that 48 hours before your flight you can check the amenities you’ll have onboard at united.com or on the United app. (Please note that the amenities are subject to change up until the time of departure.) 

Read more at https://hub.united.com/en-us/news/company-operations/pages/watch-united-inflight-movies-and-tv-on-personal-device.aspx#VRrYDQTF5u8XIrBg.99

oard select aircraft. With this new service, sponsored by the MileagePlus® Explorer Card, you can choose from over 150 movies and nearly 200 TV shows and watch them free of charge on your personal device
Read more at https://hub.united.com/en-us/news/company-operations/pages/watch-united-inflight-movies-and-tv-on-personal-device.aspx#VRrYDQTF5u8XIrBg.99

Starting this spring, we’re rolling out our new personal device entertainment system onboard select aircraft. With this new service, sponsored by the MileagePlus® Explorer Card, you can choose from over 150 movies and nearly 200 TV shows and watch them free of charge on your personal device.

   

Most planes will be equipped with the new system very soon, and we’ll have it installed on most domestic aircraft by the end of 2014. We’ll begin on Airbus A319, Airbus A320, Boeing 747-400 and select 777-200 aircraft, followed by additional fleets. In the end, all United-operated flights will have some form of entertainment.

Remember that 48 hours before your flight you can check the amenities you’ll have onboard at united.com or on the United app. (Please note that the amenities are subject to change up until the time of departure.) 

Read more at https://hub.united.com/en-us/news/company-operations/pages/watch-united-inflight-movies-and-tv-on-personal-device.aspx#VRrYDQTF5u8XIrBg.99

oard select aircraft. With this new service, sponsored by the MileagePlus® Explorer Card, you can choose from over 150 movies and nearly 200 TV shows and watch them free of charge on your personal device
Read more at https://hub.united.com/en-us/news/company-operations/pages/watch-united-inflight-movies-and-tv-on-personal-device.aspx#VRrYDQTF5u8XIrBg.99

The UK has announced some changes to their Air Passenger Duty that is charged on flights departing the UK.  The duties currently are as follows:

0 – 2,000 miles:   Economy £13, Other £26

2,000 – 4,000 miles:  Economy £67, Other £134

4,000 – 6,000 miles:  Economy £83, Other £166

6,001 miles:  Economy £94, Other £188

 

The bottom two amounts are being eliminated which means flight to Canada will fall into what will be called Band B which are the same as the rates for 2,000 to 4,000 miles.These changes are set to take place in April of 2015 so we should see our UK flights drop in price, slightly! (Source: Head for points)


Travel Deals
Like their partner, Air France has now also launched their Business Class sale for flights out of Canada (Air France and KLM will always run their sales together). Same deal as yesterday, book by Mar 28 for travel May 1 - Aug 31, 2014. Book online at airfrance.ca

Bonus Offers
AeroMexico Club Premier
- Earn up to Quadruple Club Premier Kilometers for stays at La Quinta Inns and Suites in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. More... Until Jun 30, 14
- 1,000 Bonus Club Premier Kilometers for each ticket purchased for concerts in any city in the United States. More... Until Jun 30, 14

China Eastern Eastern Miles
- Double Eastern Miles Points for stays at any participating Shangri-La hotel, Traders hotel or Kerry hotel in China. More... Apr 1 - May 31, 14

Hainan Airlines / Hong Kong Airlines Fortune Wings
- Double Fortune Wings Miles on Hong Kong Airlines flights between Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh City, Tianjin or Kagoshima. More... Until Jun 30, 14

IHG Rewards Club
- Earn up to 100% Bonus IHG Rewards Club Points when you buy points online. Mystery bonus will be either 25%, 50%, 75% or 100%. More... Until Apr 21, 14

Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
- Double Mileage Bank Miles on all All Jetstar Japan (GK) flights. More... Apr 1 - May 31, 14
- Double Mileage Bank Miles and 15% off Best Available Rate for your stay in a Fairmont Gold Room at any participating Fairmont properties in Asia. More... Apr 1 - May 31, 14
- Double Mileage Bank Miles for stays of 2 or more nights at the Marco Polo Ortigas, Manila. More... May 10 - Aug 31, 14

Royal Brunei Airlines Royal Skies (on FrequentFlyerBonuses.com only)
- Royal Plaza on Scotts Double Royal Skies Miles for stays at the Royal Plaza on Scotts Singapore. More... Until Dec 31, 14

United MileagePlus
- Earn up to 15,000 Bonus MileagePlus Miles on all paid nonstop flights marketed and operated by United between San Francisco and Chengdu. More... Jun 9 - Aug 31, 14

Latest IHG Rewards Club PointBreaks Offers (Valid Mar 24 - May 31, booking starts Mar 24)

One of the best redemptions in the hotel loyalty program world is IHG Rewards Club PointBreaks and the latest set of offers have been revealed on the IHG Rewards Club Community site for stays March 24 to May 31st as we mentioned yesterday.  These offers will be bookable on Monday via the primary PointsBreaks page or via the individual hotel links below.  There are a lot more Canadian properties included this time and four high end InterContinental Hotel locations worldwide!

Why are IHG Rewards Club Point Breaks such a great deal? Because they offer reward nights at participating IHG hotels Worldwide for only 5,000 Rewards Club points. For those of you not to familiar with Priority Club, normal redemption rates for Rewards Club reward nights run from as low as 10,000 points for some Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express locations to 50,000 points for ultra-luxurious InterContinental locations and even these locations can participate in Point Breaks. So as you can see you can receive a discount of 50 to 88% off the regular redemption rates. You may be thinking that the high end hotels won't participate but they do depending on the time of year! Please note that like most loyalty promotions these offers are capacity controlled so I advise to book sooner than later to ensure you get the Point Breaks rate. These offers will be bookable on Monday via the primary PointsBreaks page or via the individual hotel links below.

Here is the list of hotels participating this time with the Canadian properties listed first (taken from the  IHG Rewards Community)

Canada
Holiday Inn Express Red Deer                             Holiday Inn Express Sherwood Park-Edmonton Area
Holiday Inn Express Whitecourt Sourtheast               Holiday Inn Surrey East-Cloverdale
Holiday Inn West Kelowna                                            Holiday Inn Winnipeg-South
Holiday Inn Halifax Harbourview                                  Holiday Inn Express Chatham South
Holiday Inn Express Toronto-Mississauga

Asia & the Pacific
The People's Republic of China
Holiday Inn Zhuhai                                                          Holiday Inn Zhengzhou
Crowne Plaza Zhengzhou                                             InterContinental Hangzhou
Crowne Plaza Beijing Zhongguancun                        Holiday Inn Jasmine Suzhou

India
InterContinental Marine Drive-Mumbai                    

Republic of Korea
Holiday Inn Gwangju

Phillipines
Holiday Inn Clark

Taiwan
Holiday Inn Express Taoyuan


Africa & the Middle East
Kenya
Crowne Plaza Nairobi

Saudi Arabia
Crowne Plaza Al Khobar

United Arab Emirates
Staybridge Suites Abu Dhabi-Yas Island

Europe
Austria
Holiday Inn Villach

Bulgaria
Holiday Inn Sofia

Czech Republic
Holiday Inn Brno

France
Holiday Inn Clermont-Ferrand Centre                           Holiday Inn Express Marseille-Provence Airport                          

Germany
Holiday Inn Berlin-Mitte                                                    Holiday Inn Express Dortmund                  
Holiday Inn Express Baden-Baden                               Holiday Inn Express Guetersloh

Holiday Inn Minden

Italy
Holiday Inn Cagliari                                                           Holiday Inn Milan-Linate Airport

Lithuania
Holiday Inn Vilnius

Netherlands (Holland)
Holiday Inn Eindhoven

Russia
Holiday Inn Moscow-Vinogradovo

Spain
Holiday Inn Express Alicante                                          Holiday Inn Express Pamplona
                       
Holiday Inn Express Madrid-Alcorcon                           Holiday Inn Express Madrid-Leganes
                       
United Kingdom
Holiday Inn Express Antrim-M2, JCT. 1                         Holiday Inn Bolton Centre                                 
Holiday Inn Doncaster A1 (M), JCT .36                    Holiday Inn Express Liverpool-Knowsley M57, JCT .4
                         
Holiday Inn Reading-West                                              Holiday Inn Express Swansea-West M4, JCT .43
                         
Holiday Inn Stevenage                                                     Holiday Inn Leeds-Wakefield M1, JCT .40

Americas


Brazil
Holiday Inn Fortaleza                                                     Holiday Inn Express Sumare Ave. Sao Paulo

Colombia
Intercontinental Medellin

Costa Rica
Holiday Inn San Jose-Aurola

Ecuador
Holiday Inn Express Quito

El Salvador
Crowne Plaza San Salvador

Honduras
InterContinental Real Tegucigalpa

Peru
Crowne Plaza Lima

Mexico
Holiday Inn Express Manzanillo                                 Holiday Inn Express Tuxtla Gutierrez La Marimba
                     
Holiday Inn Durango                                                    Holiday Inn Express Guadalajara Iteso
                     
Holiday Inn Matamoros                                               Staybridge Suites Queretaro
                     
United States
Alabama
Holiday Inn Express Dothan North                            Holiday Inn Express Greenville
                     
Holiday Inn Montgomery Airport South

Arkansas
Holiday Inn Express Batesville                                  Holiday Inn Epress Pine Bluff/Pines Mall
                     
Arizona
Holiday Inn Canyon de Chelly (Chinle)

California
Holiday Inn Express Calexico                                    Candlewood Suites Orange County/Irvine Spectrum
                   
Holiday Inn Express Lathrop-South Stockton         Holiday Inn San Diego North Miramar
                   
Holiday Inn Selma-Swancourt                                   Holiday Inn Express Tracy
                   
Colorado
Candlewood Suites Craig-Northwest                  

Connecticut
Holiday Inn Express Hartford-Downtown               Holiday Inn Express Southington 
                   
Delaware
Holiday Inn Dover-Downtown                                  Holiday Inn Express Seaford-Route 13

Florida
Holiday Inn Express Perry                                        Holiday Inn Express Arcadia
                 

Georgia
Holiday Inn Express Atlanta-Johns Creek            Holiday Inn Express Blairsville
                 
Candlewood Suites Columbus Fort Benning      Candlewood Suites Warner Robins/Robins AFB
                 
Iowa
Holiday Inn Express Newton                                   Holiday Inn Express Sioux Center

Idaho
Candlewood Suites Idaho Falls

Illinois
Holiday Inn Express Le Roy-Bloomington Area    Candlewood Suites Aurora-Naperville
                   
Holiday Inn Express Lincoln

Indiana
Candlewood Suites Elkhart                                      Holiday Inn Express Goshen
                   
Holiday Inn Express Warsaw

Kansas
Holiday Inn Express El Dorado

Kentucky
Candlewood Suites Bowling Green                      Candlewood Suites Radcliff-Fort Knox

Louisiana
Holiday Inn Morgan City                                            Holiday Inn Express Eunice

Massachusetts
Candlewood Suites West Springfield

Michigan
Holiday Inn Warren                                                   Candlewood Suites St. Joseph/Benton Harbor

Minnesota
Holiday Inn St. Cloud

Missouri
Holiday Inn Express Sedalia                                 Holiday Inn Express Warrensburg
               
Mississippi
Holiday Inn Express Forest                                    Holiday Inn Express Laurel
               
Montana
Holiday Inn Helena

North Carolina
Holiday Inn Epress Forest City                               Holiday Inn Express Williamston
                 
Holiday Inn Express Murphy                                

North Dakota
Holiday Inn Express Jamestown                           Holiday Inn Express Minot South

Nebraska
Holiday Inn Express Omaha-Southwest

New Jersey
Holiday Inn Philadelphia South-Swedesboro    Holiday Inn Somerset-Bridgewater
               
New Mexico
Candlewood Suites Roswell New Mexico

Nevada
Holiday Inn Express Elko

New York
Candlewood Suites Elmira Horseheads             Candlewood Suites Nanuet-Rockland County

Ohio
Holiday Inn Express Greenville                              Holiday Inn Wilmington
                 
Holiday Inn Express Mt. Vernon                              InterContinental Cleveland
                 
Oklahoma
Holiday Inn Express Altus                                        Holiday Inn Express Owasso
                 
Holiday Inn Express Weatherford                           Holiday Inn Express Mcalester      

Pennsylvania
Holiday Inn Express Frazer-Malvern                      Candlewood Suites Harrisburg
                 
Rhode Island
Crowne Plaza Providence-Warwick (Airport)

South Carolina
Holiday Inn Express Newberry

South Dakota
Holiday Inn Express Winner

Tennessee
Holiday Inn Express White House                         Holiday Inn Express Dyersburg 
                 
Texas
Holiday Inn Express Brady                                     Holiday Inn Express Brownfield
                
Holiday Inn Express Duncanville                          Candlewood Suites Baytown
               
Candlewood Suites Deer Park                              Holiday Inn Express Orange
               
Utah
Stayridge Suites Salt Lake-West Valley City

Virginia
Holiday Inn Express Kilmarnock                         Holiday Inn Express Orange
               
Candlewood Suites Richmond North-Gen Allen

Washington
Candlewood Suites Lakewood

Wisconsin
Holiday Inn Wausau-Rothschild                        Candlewood Suites Milwaukee Airport-Oak Creek
             
West Virginia
Holiday Inn Express Charleston-Southridge

Wyoming
Candlewood Suites Sheridan

Mar 20 Update: TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege issues, KLM Business Class sale, 16 new bonuses

We look at issues surrounding the benefits of the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege, KLM Business Class sale and of course more bonuses!

News, Tips & Tricks
One of our readers has let us know about some issues surrounding the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege card. Now we aren't 100% sure that TD is to blame here however when someone signs up for this card because of the benefits touted, it doesn't look good for the card issuer! The issue surrounds the Airport Angel business class lounge access program that comes as a benefit with the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege. Our reader upon instruction from TD signed up for the Aiport Angel program and set up the digital membership card on his phone.

Upon trying to access the domestic Plaza Premium lounge in Toronto's T1 terminal he was denied access.

Here is the first email from our reader:

FYI--I tried using the airport angel benefit offered with the new TD Visa Aeroplan Infinite Privileges ($399) card last night in Toronto and was denied entry---luckily I had a still current Amex Plat Membership reward card---this new TD Visa is quickly losing my support with the earlier loss of Hilton Honors Diamond status benefit....I'll keep you posted. 

I asked whether he had a physical Airport Angel Card:

Promised I'd have one since enrollment---still has not arrived....this is truly the TD gong-show aeroplan card....still no clarification despite 4 emails from visa infinite privileges concierge managers telling me they have escalated this issue to the next level---sounds impressive but nothing has changed as of yet....last night I filed a "feedback" issue directly with TD concerning the lack of benefits the new premium card is suffering from with it's growing pains.....I'll keep you posted.

We don't know all the details on why he was denied but the lounge is part of the Airport Angel program and you would think with his digital card he would have access. Luckily he still carries The Platinum Card from American Express so he was able to enter but had to pay a fee for one person out of his family of four. This reader of ours is definitely losing faith in the TD card because of this issue and the previous issue of the removal of the Hilton HHonors Diamond status. Like we said, the lounge issue and even the HHonors Diamond issue may not even be TD's problem since they are part of the Visa Infinite Privilege benefits but TD is the only issuer of an Infinite Privilege Card and the issues do not help them out!

Our question to you is: Have you had any related issues with this card or any of the other TD Aeroplan cards? Please let us and our readers know in the comment section below!


Travel Deals

KLM has launched another business class sale for flights out of Canada! The great thing about this sale is that it runs over the entire summer! Simply book by Mar 28 for travel May 1st to August 31st! Book online at klm.com

Bonus Offers
American AAdvantage
- Quadruple AAdvantage Miles on rentals of a compact car or larger vehicle for three days or longerat all worldwide Dollar locations. More... Until Dec 31, 14
- Quadruple AAdvantage Miles on rentals of a compact car or larger vehicle for three days or longerat all worldwide Thrifty Car Rental locations. More... Until Dec 31, 14

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- 500 Bonus Asia Miles when you subscribe to the Economist. More... Until Apr 30, 14

Hilton HHonors
- 10,000 Bonus HHonors Points for stays of 2 or more nights at the Conrad Bali.  More... Until May 31, 14

JetBlue TrueBlue (on FrequentFlyerBonuses.com only)
- 5x TrueBlue Points on rentals of 3 or more consecutive days at participating Avis airport locations in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. More... Until Jun 30, 14
- 5x TrueBlue Points on a rentals of 3 days or more at participating Budget airport locations in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More...  Until Jun 30, 14

Stash Hotel Rewards
- Triple Stash Rewards Points for stays at the Magnolia Hotel Denver. More... Book by May 1 for stays until May 18, 14
- Triple Stash Rewards Points for stays at the Inn at Table Mountain Inn Golden. More... Until Apr 30, 14
- Triple Stash Rewards Points for stays of 3+ nights at the Hotel at WaterWalk Wichita. More... Until Apr 30, 14
- Triple Stash Rewards Points for stays at the Adoba Hotel Dearborn/Detroit. More... Until May 31, 14
- Triple Stash Rewards Points and a comp upgrade for stays at the Hotel Andra Seattle. More... Until Apr 30, 14

TAP Portugal Victoria
- Double Victoria Miles when you subscribe to the Economist. More... Until Apr 30, 14

Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
- Triple Miles&Smiles Miles for stays at One&Only Resorts Worldwide. More... Book by May 31 for stays until Dec 20, 14
- Triple Miles&Smiles Miles for rentals of 3 or more days of an intermediate segment, diesel or manual transmission cars at participating Budget locations in Turkey. More... Until Apr 30, 14
- Double Miles&Smiles Miles on all Europcar rentals Worldwide. More... Until Apr 30, 14

United MileagePlus
- Triple MileagePlus Miles on rentals of a compact car or larger vehicle for two days or longer at all worldwide Dollar locations. More... Until Dec 31, 14

Mar 19 Update: JetBlue Status Match Offer, Coast Rewards 50% off redemption sale, Etihad Business Class sale out of YYZ

The loyalty world is more active today with the Marriott changes, 50% discounts on Coast Hotels redemptions and the JetBlue status match offer

News, Tips & Tricks
If you missed it earlier today, we detailed the Marriott Rewards 2014 Hotel Category Changes. Over 25% of their properties in Canada are moving up to a higher award category which means they will cost you more points. Read all about here.

There is a great Elite Status Match and Fast Track to Elite Status offer from south of the border. The offer is from JetBlue and while they do not fly to Canada if you happen to hold elite status with any of the 6 major U.S. airlines you can get 2014 Mosaic status with JetBlue. This can come in handy if you fly within the U.S. or from the U.S. to the Caribbean. The offer also provides a fast track to Mosaic status in 2015 by simply earning 3,750 TrueBlue base flight points within 90 days of registering for the offer (that 3,750 points requires US$1,250 in spending on flights). I don't believe too many of you will take advantage of the Fast Track offer unless your work has you jetting around within the U.S. quite a bit. Still this is an offer worthy of a mention for the Status Match as there should be quite a few of you who hold status with the big 6 U.S. airlines. Click here for complete details on the offer

Air Canada has suspended flights to Venezuela due to the unrest happening in the South American country. If you have tickets booked to fly on AC to Caracas you can call them up for a full refund.



Travel Deals
Etihad has launched a business class sale for their flights out of Toronto. With savings of up to 15% off now is the time to book your Pearl Business Class seats for travel until the end of the year. Book by Mar 31 for travel until Dec 31. For more details or to book visit Etihad.com

^Flights to Jaipur commence April 1, 2014. ^^Outbound travel to Pakistan is only valid until June 15, 2014.

Bonus Offers
airberlin topbonus
- Double topbonus Miles for stays at IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts in hotels in Majorca and Andalusia. More... Apr 14 - May 4 , 14

Best Western Rewards
- 1,000 Bonus Rewards Points for stays on the "1000 extra Rewards points offer" at Best Western Hotels in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. More... Until ?

Coast Hotels Coast Rewards
- 50% Coast Rewards Points Discount when you redeem for Comfort or Superior rooms, parking or room upgrades. More... Until May 31, 14

Gulf Air FalconFlyer (on FrequentFlyerBonuses.com only)
- Double Falconflyer Miles for stays of 3+ nights at any participating Millennium & Copthorne Hotels worldwide. More... Until Apr 30, 14
- Double Falconflyer Miles for stays at the Salalah Rotana Resort. More... Until Dec 31, 14

Hyatt Gold Passport
- 1,000 Bonus Gold Passport Points for stays on the Hyatt Gold Passport package at the Hyatt Place Orlando/Universal. More... Until Dec 31, 14

JetBlue TrueBlue (on FrequentFlyerBonuses.com only)
- Elite Status Match and/or 2015 Elite Status Fast Track with the Mosaic Challenge. Receive 2014 Mosaic Status if you hold elite status with an eligible competitor's program and/or receive 2015 Mosaic status simply complete the Mosaic Challenge by earning 3,750 base flight points in 90 days. More... Register by Apr 18, 14

Rocketmiles
- 5,000 Bonus Miles/Points in the Rocketmiles partner program of your choice for stays of 5+ nights More... Book by Mar 28 for stays until Sep 23, 14

Starwood Preferred Guest
- 1,000 Bonus Starpoints for stays at participating Starwood Villa Resorts in the U.S.. More... Book by Apr 1, 14 for stays until ?

United MileagePlus
- Triple MileagePlus miles on all qualifying roundtrips on United. More... Book by Apr 30 for travel Apr 1 - Jun 30, 14 Targeted Offer - May not work for everyone
- Double MileagePlus miles on all qualifying roundtrips on United. More... Book by Apr 30 for travel Apr 1 - Jun 30, 14 Targeted Offer - May not work for everyone
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Marriott Rewards 2014 Hotel Category Changes - including a breakdown of Canadian properties affected

Marriott Rewards annual hotel category adjustments were announced yesterday on the Marriott Rewards Insiders forum. This happens yearly from Marriott (as it also does with most other hotel loyalty programs) and luckily this year there were no new category additions like last year which means the number of points required per category remain the same, all that changes are the category that hotels are assigned to.  According to Marriott 73% of their hotels will stay in the same categories while out of the 27% changing 22% are going down a category while the other 78% (over 800 hotels) are moving up a category.

These changes take affect as of April 8th so the takeaway here is that if you have your eyes set on some Marriott Rewards redemptions and the hotel you are looking is moving up a category be sure you reserve those award nights by April 7th. On the flipside if you are looking at redeeming for one of the hotels moving down a category our advice is to wait until April 8th to book unless you absolutely need to book prior to then.

Ritz-Carlton hotels are seeing 20 of their 85 hotels move up in categories in the Ritz-Carlton Rewards program. Properties in Toronto and Montreal are included.

A key thing to look at in these changes are the 123 hotels moving from Category 4 to 5 as many of us receive free nights via Marriott's MegaBonus promotion that are only good at Cat 1-4 or Cat 1-5. Also there are 208 properties moving to Cat 6 from 5 which will affect Marriott Rewards Premier Visa cardholders annual free night benefit which is only good for  up to Category 5 hotels (they will also potentially lose out on the Cat 1-4 sign up free night offer).  Marriott has compiled a complete PDF of all the changes which you can access here.

Here are the Canadian properties affected in the 2014 Hotel Category Changes:

Canadian Properties moving down (2% of their properties in Canada)
Courtyard Ottawa East 3 to 2
Residence Inn Toronto Mississauga/Meadowvale 3 to 2

Canadian Properties moving up (26% of their properties in Canada)
The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto from 2 to 3
The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal from 2 to 3
Quebec City Marriott Downtown 6 to 7
Montreal Marriott Chateau Champlain  6 to 7
Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel 6 to 7
Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour 6 to 7
Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre Hotel 6 to 7
Toronto Marriott Bloor Yorkville Hotel 6 to 7
Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside 6 to 7
Renaissance Toronto Hotel Downtown 6 to 7
Courtyard St. John's Newfoundland 5 to 6
Edmonton Marriott at River Cree Resort  5 to 6
Vancouver Airport Marriott Hotel 5 to 6
Residence Inn Toronto Downtown/Entertainment District 5 to 6
Residence Inn Montreal Downtown 5 to 6
Residence Inn Vancouver Downtown 5 to 6
Courtyard Edmonton West 3 to 4
Fairfield Inn Sudbury 3 to 4
Fairfield Inn and Suites St John's Newfoundland 3 to 4
Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel 3 to 4
TownePlace Suites Sudbury 3 to 4
Courtyard Edmonton Downtown 2 to 3

  

Some more wording around the changes direct from the Marriott Rewards Insiders forum:

Please note:

• All redemption reservations booked on or before April 7, 2014 will be honored at the current point price, even if the stay occurs after April 8. 2014. If you have not ordered your certificate prior to April 8, 2014, call Guest Services prior to your stay to request the lower priced certificate.
• As always, you may book redemption reservations up to 50 weeks in advance of your stay, even before having the required points in your account.
• You can also use Cash + Points to take advantage of booking your redemption stay early.

How many hotels are affected?

73% of the properties remain unchanged
66% of the programs properties will remain in Categories 1-4

27% of the hotels are changing; of these 22% are decreasing by one category and 78% are increasing by one category

Is my existing redemption reservation impacted?
All redemption reservations booked on or before April 7, 2014 for stays beginning April 8, 2014, will be honored at the point price booked. If you have not ordered your certificate prior to April 8, 2014, call Guest Services to request the lower priced certificate before your stay.

How long can I book a redemption stay using the current hotel categories?
You may book redemption reservations up to 50 weeks in advance of your stay, even before having the required points in your account. For example, on April 1, 2014 you may book your redemption stay as far out as March 15, 2015.

You can also use Cash + Points to book your redemption stay.

With roughly 1/5 of Marriott's hotels moving up a category Worldwide including 1/4 of their Canadian properties this is definitely a devaluation to the Marriott Rewards program which means it is also a hit to the Canadian Marriott Rewards Premier Visa. Other major hotel chains like Starwood and Hyatt already announced their category changes for 2014 and while both also had hotels moving up and down categories the number of hotels involved was a lot less then we see from Marriott.

We'd love to hear your thoughts on the 2014 Hotel Category Changes! Are they going to affect your loyalty to Marriott? Will the make you reconsider holding on to or applying for the Marriott Rewards Premier Visa? Or will you just stay the course and just keep on trucking as these category changes are just part of the loyalty game.