IHG Rewards Club Share Everything now open for registration - Earn up to 115,500 Bonus Points and more

Last week we brought you the first details of the IHG Rewards Club's Summer promotion for their members in the Americas, Share Everything. The promotion is now officially open for registration (a day later than they promised, if you tried yesterday there was some sort of restricted login pop up) and like all major IHG Rewards Club promotions now, the offers are personalized to each member however this promotion goes further by not only awarding bonuses to the registered member but also provides additional bonuses that you can share with friends or family or if you are feeling greedy keep all to yourself!

My offer when I registered is as follows:

As mentioned last week, it appears everyone will get the 500 bonus points for that first night but then after the offer changes dependent on the member. For me, if I complete 30 nights I will earn 68,500 bonus points + 58,500 more that I can either share or keep.

To find out what offer you are entitled to simply register and login here.
The promotion is open to residents of Argentina, Aruba, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the fifty (50) United States (and the District of Columbia), Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

Remember qualifying for the bonuses doesn't start until May 1st, so while you can register now any stays between today and the 30th won't count to Share Everything but should towards Set Your Sights as long as you registered for that promo!

It appears that my of 68,500 bonus points is the low end of the offer range as some people are seeing up to 115,500 potential bonus points while the shareable portion seems to be the same across all offers. What offer did you receive?

Apr 20 Update: NBC World Elite MasterCard added to comparison charts, CBC article on points not being rewarding, more Wyndham airline bonuses

Here is your first update of the week!

News, Tips & Tricks
The National Bank World Elite MasterCard has been added to our credit card comparison charts. You can find this card with very strong insurance and an up to 2% return on the following charts

Canadian Travel Credit Card Comparison: All Travel Rewards Credit Cards

Canadian Travel Credit Card Comparison: Travel Points Credit Cards 

 
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There is an interesting article posted on CBC today discussing why loyalty programs aren't so rewarding. While the article raises some valid points, I think the issue that has arisen is that there isn't enough loyalty program education out there and hence many reward program members get trapped in the pitfalls. I think many Rewards Canada readers would tend to disagree with this article as we know many of you are reaping huge benefits from them. For me personally reward programs have saved me well into the five figures in travel costs in the past 12 months alone! What are you thoughts? Let us know in the comments section below!

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Posts since our last update!

• San Diego Highlights: Caffe Bella Italia - Pacific Beach
  The Rewards Canada family's last vacation was spent in the San Diego area a few weeks ago…

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Bonus Offers
American AAdvantage
- Earn up to Triple AAdvantage Miles for stays at Okura Hotels & Resorts, Nikko Hotels International and Hotel JAL City locations Worldwide. More... Until Jun 30, 15

Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
- Double MileageBank Miles when you fly American Airlines on the following routes: Dallas - Beijing, Chicago - Beijing, Chicago - Shanghai, Los Angeles - Shanghai, Dallas - Shanghai, or Dallas - Hong Kong. More... May 7 - Jun 30, 15

Meridiana Club
- 20% Avios Discount on all award tickets for flights on Meridiana. More... Until Jun 20, 15
- Double Avios when you fly with Iberia. More... Until Jun 15, 15

Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- Double QMiles on weekday stays at  all Wyndham Rewards Hotels Worldwide starting with your 1st stay. More... Until May 29, 15

Saudia Alfursan
- 2,000 Bonus Alfursan Miles for stays at the Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection. More... Until May 31, 15 
- Double Alfursan Miles for stays at the Grand Rotana Resort & Spa in Sharm El Sheikh. More... Until Jun 30, 15  
- Double Alfursan Miles on weekday stays at  all Wyndham Rewards Hotels Worldwide starting with your 1st stay. More... Until May 29, 15

Starwood Preferred Guest
- Earn 3,000 bonus Starpoints® for every six SPG Pro bookings — up to 12,000 bonus Starpoints. More... Until May 31, 15

Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
- Earn up to 1,000 Miles&Smiles Miles for stays at Elite World Hotels in Turkey. More... Until Oct 31, 15
- Earn up to 2,500 Miles&Smiles Miles for stays at Marmara Hotels in Turkey. More... Until Dec 31, 15


Today's Daily Update has been brought to you by

San Diego Highlights: Caffe Bella Italia - Pacific Beach

The Rewards Canada family's last vacation was spent in the San Diego area a few weeks ago and we thought to try something new on the blog outside of the usual hotel reviews, earning and redemptions stories that go along with those vacations and that something new is a restaurant review. Now of course we ate at lots of places, some were great and one was absolutely horrible but the one that probably stood out the most other than our favorite breakfast place called The Mission was our last night of the trip dinner at Caffe Bella Italia in Pacific Beach.

Related: 

• Earning Stories: 10,822 Gold Passport Points on a 5 Night Stay at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay 

• Rewards Canada's upcoming vacation travel - Painting a picture of loyalty programs in action

We were staying at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay and didn't want to travel too far for an Italian meal and weren't being impressed by any of the restaurants that were showing up on Google, Yelp or Urban Spoon. So I did what I vowed not to do when I travel, ask the hotel concierge. The last time we did it was six years prior at this very hotel and the restaurant recommendation was horrible (and I think the concierge got a kick back) The concierge told us about Caffe Bella Italia and a quick Google search brought up very favorable reviews and a star ranking higher than those I had searched at previously. So what the heck we thought we would give it shot.

The charming little place was a quick 10 minute or so drive from our hotel in the heart of Pacific Beach (not on the beach, but more like downtown PB) and unlike many of the restaurants in that area it has its own parking lot which was nice to have as most of the on-street parking was full.

 The service was second to none and the restaurant went out of its way to make our dining experience great. When my daughter asked if they have Fettuccine Alfredo, they said it wasn't on the menu but they would make it especially for her. Want the Gnocchi with sage butter sauce? No problem they made that as well. All four meals that were ordered, the Fettuccine Alfredo, the Gnocchi with sage butter sauce, the La Nostra ‘Matriciana and the Scaloppine di Pollo  Limone e Vino were all so delicious.

Gnocchi with sage butter sauce

Scaloppine di Pollo  Limone e Vino

Fettuccine Alfredo

La Nostra ‘Matriciana

The desserts were also impeccable, in particular the Panna cotta, which was divine!

Lemon Sorbet

Panna cotta

There it is, a simple review where the photos and the taste of the food speak louder than any words can. Hopefully this may help some of you when in the beaches area of San Diego who may be craving some Italian and want to know of a good place to dine at!


Link: Caffe Bella Italia

Apr 17 Update: United Club Lounges to leave Priority Pass, 80 Bonus Air Miles at Rexall, Big Club Carlson Bonus for Avis rentals

Here is your Friday update!

News, Tips & Tricks
If you are a Priority Pass member you should have seen this in their April newsletter but just in case you didn't here it is. United Club Lounges will no longer be a part of the Priority Pass Business Class lounge access program as of May 15. This sees 49 lounges removed from the program which still provides access to well over 700 lounges worldwide.

Here is a coupon for 80 bonus Air Miles if you spend $50 or more at Rexall between Apr 20 and 23.

Air Inuit is adding new service between Quebec City and Kuujjuaq. It is essentially a tag on to their current Montreal to Kuujjuaq service. These flights start April 26th and eligible fares will earn points in Air Inuit's Isaruuk FFP. (Source: Airlineroute.net)

Posts since our last update!

• Great Air France & KLM Business Class Sales for SUMMER flights between Canada and Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia
  Air France  & KLM are once again running an amazing business class sale for their flights out of Canada!…
• IHG Rewards Club - 500 Bonus Points on your first stay with their Share Forever Summer Promotion
  IHG Rewards Club has revealed some details of their next systemwide promotion that opens for registration on April 20th. Once…

Travel Deals
WestJet has extended their 2 day sale with some great fares for travel in Canada, to the U.S. and Mexico/Caribbean! Book by Apr 22 for travel until Jun 24. Find out more here.


Bonus Offers
Best Western Rewards
- Double Rewards Points on all qualifying stays at the BEST WESTERN Hotel Graslin - Nantes More... Until Jun 30, 15

Carlson Hotels Club Carlson
- 9,250 Bonus Gold Points on a qualifying rental of 4 or more days at participating Avis locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand. More... Until Sep 30, 15

Czech Airlines OK Plus
- Double OK Plus Miles on weekday stays at  all Wyndham Rewards Hotels Worldwide starting with your 1st stay. More... Until May 29, 15

Emirates Skywards
- Quadruple Skywards Miles for stays at the Address Hotels & Resorts in Dubai. More... Book by Jun 30 for stays until Aug 31, 15
- Double Skywards Miles for stays at the Raffles Praslin. More... Until Jun 30, 15

IHG Rewards Club
- Double IHG Rewards Club points on dining at IHG restaurants, drinks and in-room services charged to your room for stays at InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts across Asia Pacific (excluding China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan), the Middle East and Africa. More... Until Aug 31, 15

Turkish Miles&Smiles
- Double Miles&Smiles Miles on weekday stays at  all Wyndham Rewards Hotels Worldwide starting with your 1st stay. More... Until May 29, 15


Today's Daily Update has been brought to you by

Great Air France & KLM Business Class Sales for SUMMER flights between Canada and Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia

Air France  & KLM are once again running an amazing business class sale for their flights out of Canada! And the beauty of this sale is it covers the busy summer travel season!

Some steals include Rome for only $2499 all in from Montreal or Toronto or Dubai for $3399 from Calgary, Edmonton or Vancouver. Simply book by April 29th for travel between Apr 22 (KLM) or May 1st (Air France) and August 31st.

Also remember until June 18 you'll earn Double Flying Blue miles on Air France's Vancouver-Paris route and KLM's Edmonton-Amsterdam route. Just ensure your Flying Blue number is included on your reservation.

To have a look at all the Air France offers or to book them please click here!

To have a look at all the KLM offers or to book please click here!

IHG Rewards Club - 500 Bonus Points on your first stay with their Share Forever Summer Promotion

IHG Rewards Club has revealed some details of their next systemwide promotion that opens for registration on April 20th. Once again they are teaming up with Coca Cola like they did last summer however we don't know yet what the Coca Cola portion of the promotion is but we do know members

"will have the opportunity to share their rewards with those people they care about the most.  Not only will members be able to earn bonus points of their own, they’ll have the opportunity to earn additional points, and free nights they can share with others". 

We also know is that you'll earn 500 bonus points on your first stay during the promotion then be able to earn even more points and free nights throughout the promotional period.

Offer Details
Earn 500 bonus IHG Rewards Club points after one night at any IHG hotel anywhere in the world. Register Online (Registration is required)  May 1 - Sep 7, 15. (Registration opens April 20)
- With additional nights, earn more bonus points, and free nights
- Gift rewards to friends and family
- Celebrate through personalized offers presented via the member’s IHG Rewards Club microsite upon login
- The promotion is open to IHG® Rewards Club members who are residents of the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America.

Apr 16 Update: Just bonuses today like Double AAdvantage Elite Qualifying Points!

Just bonuses for you today!

News, Tips & Tricks
No news today.


Posts since our last update!

• Earn up to 10,000 Bonus Starpoints for stays at Starwood's new Tribute Portfolio
  Starwood announced the launch of their 10 hotel brand today, the Tribute Portfolio. The Tribute Portfolio will encompass higher…

Bonus Offers
airBaltic PINS (on FrequentFlyerBonuses.com only)
- Double PINS when you fly airBaltic to Pisa or Thessaloniki. More... Book by Apr 26 for travel until ?

American AAdvantage
- Earn up to 10,000 Bonus AAdvantage Miles when you fly on Japan Airlines between Los Angeles and Osaka. American Airlines code shares are included. More... May 1 - 31, 15
- Double AAdvantage Elite Qualifying Points when you purchase and fly on a First or Business Class ticket on American Airlines, US Airways and other eligible partners. More... Until Dec 31, 15

Hyatt Gold Passport
- 2,000 Bonus Gold Passport Points when you book the GET CENTRIC package at the Hyatt Centric South Beach More...Book by Jun 30 for stays between Jun 1 and Oct 16, 15

Malaysia Airlines Enrich (on FrequentFlyerBonuses.com only)
- Double Enrich Miles when you fly First or Business Class between Kuala Lumpur and London on MH3 or MH4. More... Until Jun 15, 15

Orbitz Rewards (on FrequentFlyerBonuses.com only)
- Triple Orbucks when you book your trip to select destinations in Mexico on AeroMexico. More... Book by Apr 29, 15
- Quadruple Orbucks when you book select SWISS airlines flights from BOS, JFK, EWR or ORD. More... Book by May 10, 15
- Triple Orbucks when you book qualifying flights with Virgin Atlantic to London from JFK, BOS, LAX or MIA. .More... Book by May 6, 15
- $75 Bonus Orbucks when you book a Bahia Principe hotel or resort with your flight in sunny destinations such as Mexico, Dominican Republic, or Jamaica More...Book by Apr 28, 15
- $100 Bonus Orbucks when you book select hotel+flight packages to the Netherlands. More... Book by May 10, 15
- $35 Bonus Orbucks when you book an Orlando hotel stay of four nights or more with your flight. More... Book by Apr 28, 15
- $75 Bonus Orbucks for stays at the SLS Las Vegas when you book a minimum of two nights with your flight. More... Book by Apr 28, 15

Starwood Preferred Guest
- 2,000 Bonus Starpoints for each eligible stay with Tribute Portfolio hotels (up to 10,000 bonus Starpoints) More... Until Jul 15, 15
- Double Starpoints for Thursday-Sunday stays at the Westin Cincinnati More... Until Sep 9, 15


Today's Daily Update has been brought to you by

Earn up to 10,000 Bonus Starpoints for stays at Starwood's new Tribute Portfolio

Starwood announced the launch of their 10 hotel brand today, the Tribute Portfolio. The Tribute Portfolio will encompass higher end independent hotels from around the globe and the first is the Royal Palm South Beach Miami. To celebrate the launch of their 10th brand you can earn up to 10,000 bonus Starpoints for stays at any Tribute Portfolio hotels, which at this time means only the South Beach location but if more come on board before the July 15 promotion end date they should be eligible for this bonus as well.

Offer Details
2,000 Bonus Starpoints for each eligible stay with Tribute Portfolio hotels (up to 10,000 bonus Starpoints) Full details, online registration and booking (Registration is required) Until Jul 15, 15

Remember to check out our SPG Bonus Starpoints page for many more offers!

Apr 15 Update: Does the BMO World Elite cover award ticket taxes, Emirates July Miles Accelerator offers, Last day to enter FFB10!

Here is your mid week update!

News, Tips & Tricks
Reader question! Anshul posted this on our Facebook page:

"Does BMO World Elite Mastercard cover award ticket (aeroplan) taxes?"

And we had a simple answer. No it does not. However for a list of cards that do see this post. Beware however the post is a couple of years old so it is not fully up to date as there are now several other cards that can be used to pay Award ticket taxes but it gives you the general idea of the most popular cards that do.
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Our Top 5 Travel Rewards Currencies got featured on CTV's Canada AM this morning! See the video and story here.

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If you are planning to fly Emirates this July check out the bonus offer section below for the latest Skywards Miles Accelerator offers. YYZ is included for first class and there are lots of flights out of Dubai that have bonuses as well if you are connecting.

Posts since our last update!

• Earning Stories: 10,822 Gold Passport Points on a 5 Night Stay at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay
  Picture of our view from the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay (http://www.instagram.com/RewardsCanada)Welcome to the next post in the Earning Stories series…
• Aeroplan eSTORE promo: 5x Miles for all purchases between April 15 - 19
  Similar to the promo a few weeks, Aeroplan's eSTORE is offering 5 times the miles on all purchases made…

LAST DAY to enter our first FFB10 contest! You could win 50,000 Miles & Points from Aeroplan, SPG, IHG, Alaska and Etihad + a $100 Loungebuddy credit!
FFB10 - The FrequentFlyerBonuses.com 10th Anniversary Celebration - Contest #1: Win a package of 50,000 Miles & points

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Travel Deals
WestJet has launched a 2 day sale with some great fares for travel in Canada, to the U.S. and Mexico/Caribbean! Book by Apr 16 for travel until Jun 24. Find out more here.

KLM's Wild on Wednesday offer is for flights between Canada and Brussels! Fares start at an amazing $699. Book by Apr 16 for travel until May 6 or Oct 16 to Dec 10. Find out more here.

Bonus Offers
airberlin topbonus
- Double topbonus Miles on select airberlin and Iberia flights between Austria, Germany or Switzerland and Spain. More... Register & book by May 13 for travel May 1 - Jun 30, 15

American AAdvantage
- Earn up to 2,250 Bonus AAdvantage Miles when you shop via the AAdvantage eShopping portal. More... Until Apr 29, 15

Emirates Skywards
- Earn up to 16,000 Bonus Skywards Miles with the Emirates Miles Accelerator offers for flights in July. More...
- Double Skywards Miles for stays of four or more nights at participating Shangri-La Hotels Worldwide. More... Until Jun 30, 15

Etihad Guest
- 1,500 Bonus Guest Miles when you stay 2 or more nights at any participating AC Hotel by Marriott or Autograph Collection® hotel in Madrid. More... Until Jul 3, 15

IHG Rewards Club
- 3,000 Bonus IHG Rewards Club Points on your next stay at IHG Hotels Worldwide. Stay must be made within 90 days of registering. More... Until ? Targeted Offer - May not work for everyone

JetBlue TrueBlue (on FrequentFlyerBonuses.com only)
- Up to 50% Bonus TrueBlue Points when you buy points online. More... Until Apr 30, 15

Le Club accorhotels
- Triple Le Club Accorhotels Points for stays at participating Accor Hotels in the Asia Pacific region. More... Book by May 31 for stays until Jun 30, 15
- Double Le Club Accorhotels Points on Europcar rentals Worldwide (except for the U.S. and Canada). More... Until May 31, 15

Marriott Rewards
- 5,000 Bonus Rewards Points per stay on Thursday-Sunday nights (Friday or Saturday required) at participating hotels in Brazil. More... Until Jun 5, 15

Shangri-La Golden Circle
- Double GC Award Points for stays in a Horizon Club room or a suites at the Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns. More... Until Jun 30, 15
- Double GC Award Points for stays in an Executive Suite at the Shangri-La Hotel, Shenzhen. More... Until Jun 30, 15
- Triple GC Award Points and 3 nights for the price of 2 at for stays at the Shangri-La Hotel, Paris. More... Until Jun 30, 15
- Double GC Award Points for stays at the Shangri-La Hotel, Ulaanbaatar. More... Jun 3 - Jul 31, 15

South African Airways Voyager
- Triple Voyager Miles for stays at Best Western hotels Worldwide. More... Until May 31, 15

Virgin Australia Velocity Rewards (on FrequentFlyerBonuses.com only)
- 500 Bonus Velocity Points when you book hotels via Agoda. More... Book by Apr 21, 15
- 2,000 Bonus Velocity Points when you book and stay at selected Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, London, Mallorca, Rome, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Baku, Maldives and Shanghai. More... Until Dec 31, 15
- Double Velocity Points when you stay for four or more consecutive nights at any participating Shangri-La hotel or resort and also enjoy the fourth night free. More... Until May 31, 15


Today's Daily Update has been brought to you by

Earning Stories: 10,822 Gold Passport Points on a 5 Night Stay at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay

Picture of our view from the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay
(http://www.instagram.com/RewardsCanada)

Welcome to the next post in the Earning Stories series right here on Rewards Canada. For years we have provided you with the details on earning points and miles (both regular earning and bonus opportunities) and these stories show the actual offers in action.

This story revolves around my recent family vacation to San Diego which used a combination of points redemption and earning options and looks at the hotel stay.

Our stay was at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay on a AAA rate that included breakfast for 2 and waived the resort fee.  I booked it knowing that I would earn bonus points since I had already registered for Hyatt's Stay More Play More offer taken off of our Hyatt Gold Passport Bonus Points page

Here is the offer in detail (you still have two weeks to take advantage of it!)

Earn up to 65,000 Bonus Points for stays at Hyatt Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. Full Details, Online Registration and booking (Registration is required)  Until Apr 30, 15

Known Offer Variations:
Up to 65,000 Point Offer
15 Nights + 30,000 Points = 30,000
20 Nights + 15,000 Points = 45,000
25 Nights + 20,000 Points = 65,000

Up to 50,000 Point Offer
5 Nights + 5,000 Points = 5,000
10 Nights + 10,000 Points = 15,000
15 Nights + 15,000 Points = 30,000
20 Nights + 20,000 Points = 50,000

2,000 Point Offer
1 nights + 2,000 Points = 2,000

5,000 Point Offer
2 nights + 5,000 Points = 5,000

5,000 Point Offer
5 nights + 5,000 Points = 5,000

20,000 Point Offer
10 nights + 20,000 Points = 20,000

Here is my screen shot of the Gold Passport Points that posted with this stay:

As you can see by registering and taking advantage of this bonus offer along with the base points we earned a decent amount of points on a stay that we were going to do no matter what! Of course if you hold status with Hyatt you would earn even more points and more bonuses if you complete even more stays with the promo. Everyday people have stays like this that are not earning any bonus points or even in some cases no points at all since the people aren't part of the hotel's program! We cannot reiterate enough that not only should you join a hotel program to earn points (or airline miles) but always register for bonus point promotions even if you think that you may not use it.

We'd love to hear how you have maximized the Stay More Play More offer! Leave us a comment below or submit your own earning story to be featured here on FFB.

Tips for Hotel Stays
- Watch the rates that include bonus miles - If there is a bonus most of my stays do earn those extra points but a lot of hotel offers for bonus points also come with higher rates so be sure to check other rates like AAA, Senior Rates, etc. as those could be a better deal than the paying for the extra points. For a complete list of hotel bonus offers see this page on the main Rewards Canada site.
- Read the fine print - When a bonus offer is available be sure that your stay meets the criteria. Those criteria can include certain rates, select days of the week or multiple night stays.
- If you are staying at a hotel/hotel chain that isn't your primary program chain you may be better off posting that stay to a preferred airline rather than earning the hotel points. You'll still have to join that hotel chains program but set your earning preference to your preferred airline.

Have your earning story featured!
Not only are Rewards Canada Earning Stories featured in this series, we want to feature your stories as well! Have you earned a lot of points or miles by utilizing offers posted on Rewards Canada? We would love to hear about them and potentially feature them here on Rewards Canada. Tell us your earning story by emailing us the details of what you earned, screenshots if possible of those points/miles posting and what offer on Rewards Canada you took advantage of. Email it to us info@rewardscanada.ca