April 24 Update: Earn 5x Aeroplan miles at Amazon.ca + enter to win an Amazon gift card, new Centurion Lounges coming to DEN & LAX

The Aeroplan relationship with Amazon.ca via the Aeroplan eStore officially launched today. True its not the first time you can earn points or cash back for Amazon.ca purchases but for many Aeroplan die hards this is great news as Amazon has become common place for many people for their day to day shopping. So being able to earn Aeroplan miles for those purchases is awesome and what is even more awesome is that the first week of this relationship sees a bonus of 5x miles for all Amazon.ca purchases! And if you miss out on the 5x there will be a 2x miles offer from May 1 to May 11. Find out more here!

And if you missed it we teamed up with Aeroplan to celebrate the launch today with a contest where you can win a $100 Amazon.ca gift card. Be sure to enter the contest here.

 If you travel to/from or via some of the bigger U.S. gateways and have The Platinum Card from American Express or are lucky enough to hold a Centurion card you can get access to American Express' Centurion lounges. Two new lounges are being added to ever growing list of lounges, the first announced earlier this month will be in Denver and the second will the much awaited lounge in Los Angeles. Both lounges are slated to open in 2019. My only issue, is that with so many Platinum cardholders is lounge overcrowding. Earlier this month the Rewards Canada family went into the Centurion Lounge in San Francisco and the place was packed! We managed to grab a table but then the wait for drinks was insane thanks to only one bartender and dozens of people waiting to get their drinks. We packed up and left the lounge as it wasn't enjoyable - in fact we found a nice quiet spot in Terminal G that was more comfortable and relaxing. Yes we didn't have free food or drinks but the sanity was much appreciated. Anyways, these lounges are a boon if you do visit them during a less busy time! (Source American Express & Doctor of Credit)

Speaking of The Platinum Card from American Express, Rewards Canada reader Ben S. asked if Amex has any plans on making the physical card a metal card like the members in the U.S. have. Here is Amex Canada's response:

As of now, the change to the metal Card is only available to Platinum Cardmembers in the US.

Too bad.

Posts since our last update:

• On this week's Podcast - The Marriott Rewards - Starwood Preferred Guest Unification Episode! Includes comments from Marriott Canada's Director of Loyalty Marketing
  April 24, 2018 - Episode 43 - The Marriott Rewards - Starwood Preferred Guest Unification Episode! Includes comments from…
• Enter to win a C$100 Amazon Gift Card to celebrate the launch of the Aeroplan & Amazon.ca partnership!
  Rewards Canada is once again proud to team up with Aeroplan to offer our readers another contest! Aeroplan wants…
• Summary of global hotel systemwide bonus points promotions - April Edition
  One of the easiest ways to rack up lots of hotel points is to take advantage of the systemwide bonuses…
• We have a preview of some new redemption rates with the combined Marriott Rewards-Starwood Preferred Guest program
  Today Marriott released the redemption rates of 100 of their top hotels in the newly combined program that launches…

Travel Deals
Starwood Hotels: Save up to 30% through 31st May 2018 when you book your stay in advance at any participating hotel or resort in Europe. Book before 17th May 2018. Find out more here.

Remember to visit Rewards Canada's Travel Booking site to book travel directly with many of your favourite airlines, hotels and more!

Canadian Bonus Offers
N/A

Other Bonus Offers
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- 4 Bonus Asia Miles for every 10KHD spent on hotel bookings made via Agoda. More... Book by Jun 30 for stays until Sep 30, 18
- Earn up to 10,000 Bonus Asia Miles for Hertz rentals of 5 days or more at participating locations in USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand or Asia. More... Book by Jun 30 for rentals until Jul 31, 18

Ethiopian ShebaMiles
- 3,000 Bonus ShebaMiles when you fly Ethiopian on Mother's Day in Business Class between Addis Ababa and Abuja, Accra, Beirut, Dubai, Entebbe, Johannesburg, Kigali, Mumbai or Nairobi. More... May 13, 18

Hyatt World of Hyatt
- 20% Bonus World of Hyatt Points when you stay at Hyatt Place Las Vegas or any participating MGM Resorts destination in Las Vegas. More... May 7 - Jul 31, 18

IHG Rewards Club
- 5,000 bonus points for stays at participating Kimpton Hotels Worldwide. More... Until Dec 30, 18

Le Club AccorHotels
- Earn up to 800 Bonus Le Club AccorHotels Points for stays at Accor Hotels in Switzerland. More... Book by May 13 for stays until Jun 30, 18

Miles & More
- 5x Bonus Miles & More Miles when you book a minimum 2 night stay at any Fairmont property around the globe. More... Until Jun 30, 18
- 5x Bonus Miles & More Miles when you book a minimum 2 night stay at any Raffles property around the globe. More... Until Jun 30, 18
- 5x Bonus Miles & More Miles when you book a minimum 2 night stay at any Swissotel property around the globe. More... Until Jun 30, 18
- Earn 1,500 Miles & More Miles for Thrifty car rentals of 1 or more days Worldwide. More... Book by May 31 for rentals until Jul 31, 18


Follow Rewards Canada:

On this week's Podcast - The Marriott Rewards - Starwood Preferred Guest Unification Episode! Includes comments from Marriott Canada's Director of Loyalty Marketing

April 24, 2018 - Episode 43 - The Marriott Rewards - Starwood Preferred Guest Unification Episode! Includes comments from Marriott Canada's Director of Loyalty Marketing

Over the past 8 days all the buzz in the loyalty world has been around the announcement from Marriott International about the unification of their three separate loyalty programs, Marriott Rewards, Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest. In this episode Patrick and Jeff go over most of the details that were released and also include interview tidbits with Jennifer Bryl, Marriott's Director of Loyalty Marketing for Canada.

Click Here to download the podcast

 

Or download/subscribe via:

Links relating to this week's topic:

• Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest come together with the announcement of one set of benefits
  There have been lots of rumours and some spoilers floating around the frequent traveller blogs and forums about today's announcement…
• Ouch! No more Starpoints bonus for the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express - Statement credits instead
  Hot on the heels of yesterday's Marriott and SPG announcement comes this change to the sign up offer for…
• Further details to the combination of the Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest and Ritz-Carlton Rewards Programs
   On Monday we brought you the majority of the details of the unification of the Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest…
• We have a preview of some new redemption rates with the combined Marriott Rewards-Starwood Preferred Guest program
  Today Marriott released the redemption rates of 100 of their top hotels in the newly combined program that launches…

Enter to win a C$100 Amazon Gift Card to celebrate the launch of the Aeroplan & Amazon.ca relationship!

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED - THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY

Congratulations to Richard P of Regina Saskatchewan! He was randomly selected as the winner of our $100 Amazon.ca gift card giveaway with Aeroplan!

Rewards Canada is once again proud to team up with Aeroplan to offer our readers another contest! Aeroplan wants to give one lucky Rewards Canada reader a C$100 Amazon.ca gift card to celebrate the launch of Amazon.ca on the Aeroplan eStore today!

Also all purchases made on Amazon.ca via the Aeroplan eStore will earn 5x Miles until April 30th and then 2x miles from May 1 to May 11.

Visit the eStore today for more details on the relationship and to earn Aeroplan miles for shopping at Amazon.ca

Now on to the fun part! The contest portion! To enter the contest for a chance to win the C$100 Amazon.ca gift card from Aeroplan you must do the following:

Comment below on what Aeroplan reward you are saving up for and how the miles from shopping at  Amazon.ca can help you achieve that reward!

The contest closes on Friday April 27th, 2018 at 12:00pm MST! Limit 1 entry per person. Winner will be determined by random draw from all eligible entries received. Void where prohibited.  No purchase necessary. 

Summary of global hotel systemwide bonus points promotions - April Edition

One of the easiest ways to rack up lots of hotel points is to take advantage of the systemwide bonuses that come from many of the big chain programs and also from the lesser known programs. In fact, right now it should be rare for you NOT to earn a bonus. Unless you are staying at a boutique hotel or perhaps an Accor or Fairmont Hotel most other hotels out there have a bonus. So take advantage of it! These systemwide bonuses simply require you to register beforehand and they do not affect hotel pricing as long as you book a point eligible rate which are most rates out there. Of course booking through a third party site like Expedia or Rocketmiles does not count as most chains only award points on bookings that are made directly with them.  Without further ado here are all the current promotions that are available to everyone:

Provider	Offer	Validity Date
Best Western Rewards	Earn 2,000 Bonus Rewards points on every Best Western stay Worldwide. Full details, online registration and booking (Registration is required) (this offer is targeted so you may have to go for the $10 card offer)	Feb 12 - Apr 29, 18
	Earn a US$10 Best Western Travel Card on every Best Western stay Worldwide. Full details, online registration and booking (Registration is required)	Feb 12 - Apr 29, 18
	For a complete listing of all Best Western Rewards bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Best Western page
Choice Hotels Privileges	Earn up to 8,000 Bonus Privileges Points for 2 separate stays you complete at participating Choice Hotels Worldwide. Stay must be booked via ChoiceHotels.com, the Choice Hotels mobile app, or 800.4CHOICE at qualifying rates.  Members will be awarded a minimum of 5,000 and maximum of 8,000 bonus points, depending on the number of base points earned from the two (2) separate qualifying stays. Full details, online registration & booking (Registration is required) Restrictions For residents of the U.S. and Canada only	Apr 2 - May 25, 18
	For a complete listing of all Choice Privileges bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Choice page
Fairmont Presidents Club	No Offers at this time	--
	For a complete listing of all Fairmont bonus offers please visit Rewards Canada's Fairmont page
GHA Discovery	No Offers at this time	--
	For a complete listing of all GHA Discovery bonus offers please visit Rewards Canada's GHA page
Hilton	Earn Double Points on all Hilton family of hotels stays Worldwide. Full details, online registration and booking (Registration is required) For every $1 spent on stays, you’ll earn 10 Base Points, plus an additional 10 Bonus Points (5 Base Points plus 5 Bonus Points at Home2 Suite by Hilton and Tru by Hilton). Silver, Gold & Diamond members will earn their Elite Tier Bonus on top of that.  Excludes Hampton by Hilton Hotels in Mainland China.	May 1 - Aug 31, 18
	For a complete listing of all Hilton HHonors bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Hilton page
Hyatt	Earn up to 1,000 Bonus World of Hyatt Points per night for stays at Hyatt hotels Worldwide.  Maximum of 25,000 bonus points awarded. Full details, online registration & booking (Registration is required) - 500 bonus points per night for stays at Hyatt House or Hyatt Place - 1,000 bonus points per night at all other Hyatt brands.	Until May 15, 18
	For a complete listing of all Hyatt Gold Passport bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Hyatt page
InterContinental Hotels Group	IHG Rewards Club Accelerate: Earn 500 to 30,000 or more Bonus IHG Rewards Club Points when you complete stays at IHG Hotels Worldwide. Bonus varies by member  Full details, online registration and booking (Registration is required)	May 1 - Jul 31, 18
	For a complete listing of all IHG Priority Club bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's IHG page
Le Club accorhotels	No Offers at this time	--
	For a complete listing of all Best Western Rewards bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Best Western page
Marriott	Earn 750 Bonus Rewards Points per night for stays at participating Marriott Hotels and Resorts Worldwide starting on your third night.  Full details, online registration and booking. (Registration is required)	Register by Jun 30 for stays Apr 16 - Jul 20, 18
	For a complete listing of all Marriott Rewards bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Marriott page
Preferred Hotel Group iPrefer	No Offers at this time	--
	For a complete listing of all Marriott Rewards bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's iPrefer page
Radisson Rewards	Earn up 120,000 Bonus Gold Points at participating Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu®, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Plaza, Park Inn® by Radisson, and Country Inn & Suites® by Radisson hotels worldwide. Registration is now closed but you can still book online at Radisson, Country Inns & Suites, Park Plaza, Radisson Blu, Radisson RED or Park Inn if you previously registered Book & stay 2 nights: Earn 5,000 bonus points Book & stay 5 nights: Earn 15,000 bonus points Book & stay 10 nights: Earn 50,000 bonus points Book & stay 20+ nights: Earn 120,000 bonus points Plus, earn an additional 500 bonus points for every booking you make using our Radisson Rewards mobile app.	Register and book by Apr 15 for stays until Jun 30, 18
	For a complete listing of all Radisson Rewards bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Radisson Rewards page
Ritz-Carlton Rewards	No Offers at this time	--
	For a complete listing of all Shangria-La bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Ritz-Carlton Rewards page
Shangri-La Golden Circle	Earn up to Triple GC Awards Points for stay at any Shangri-La hotel and resort, Kerry hotel, Hotel Jen or Traders hotel that are booked via the Shangri-La Mobile app. Full details - Double points will be awarded on Qualifying Room Rates and Qualifying Incidental Charges of each stay that is booked on the App within the offer period. - Triple points will be awarded on Qualifying Room Rates and Qualifying Incidental Charges of each stay that is booked on the App within the offer period and the member must complete either Mobile Check-In or Check-Out via the App for that stay.	Until Apr 30, 18
	For a complete listing of all Shangria-La bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Golden Circle page
Sonesta Hotels Travel Pass	Double Travel Pass Points for stays at participating Sonesta Hotels Worldwide. Full details	Book by May 15 for stays until Jun 30, 18
	For a complete listing of all Sonesta Hotels bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Travel Pass page
Starwood Preferred Guest	Earn 250 Bonus Starpoints per night for stays at participating Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide starting on your third night.  Full details, online registration and booking. (Registration is required)	Register by Jun 30 for stays Apr 16 - Jul 20, 18
	For a complete listing of all Starwood Preferred Guest bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's SPG page
Voila Hotel Rewards	5,000 Bonus VHR Points per stays at participating VOILÀ network hotels Worldwide. Register Online (Registration is required)	Until Apr 30, 18
	Double VHR Elite Status Credit when you stay 2 or more nights at participating VOILÀ network hotels Worldwide. Register Online (Registration is required)	Until Jul 31, 18
	For a complete listing of all Voila Hotel Rewards bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's VHR page
Wyndham Rewards	Earn 15,000 Bonus Wyndham Rewards Points when you complete 2 separate stays at participating Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Full details, online registration and booking (Registration is required)	Until Jun 30, 18
	For a complete listing of all Wyndham Rewards bonus point offers please visit Rewards Canada's Wyndham page

We have a preview of some new redemption rates with the combined Marriott Rewards-Starwood Preferred Guest program

Today Marriott released the redemption rates of 100 of their top hotels in the newly combined program that launches this August. Last week we brought you most of the details of the new program in these two posts:

• Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest come together with the announcement of one set of benefits
• Further details to the combination of the Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest and Ritz-Carlton Rewards Programs

One of the details revealed last week was the new hotel category award chart that will comprise of 8 categories along with peak and off-peak pricing. Here is the chart once again:

What we know is that many Starwood Hotels would go down in price based on the new chart and the value of 1 Starpoint to 3 Marriott Rewards points. What we didn't know about the new chart is where all 6,500 of their combined hotels will fit in the chart. Now we are getting an idea, well a very small idea of how some hotels might line with today's release of where 100 hotels from 5 areas around the world will fit in the new chart:

Bali

	Current Points Required	New Award Chart Points Required	Points Difference	New Award Chart Category*
Courtyard Bali Seminyak Resort	25,000	17,500	-7,500	3
Fairfield by Marriott Bali Legian	20,000	17,500	-2,500	3
Four Points by Sheraton Bali, Kuta	12,000	17,500	5,500	3
Four Points by Sheraton Bali, Seminyak	12,000	17,500	5,500	3
Courtyard Bali Nusa Dua Resort	30,000	25,000	-5,000	4
Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran	30,000	25,000	-5,000	4
Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa	30,000	25,000	-5,000	4
Sthala, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Ubud Bali	30,000	25,000	-5,000	4
The Stones Hotel - Legian Bali, Autograph Collection	30,000	25,000	-5,000	4
Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
The Laguna, na Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali	36,000	50,000	14,000	6
The Ritz-Carlton, Bali	40,000	50,000	10,000	6
W Bali - Seminyak	90,000	60,000	-30,000	7
The St. Regis Bali Resort	90,000	60,000 (Effective August) 85,000 (Coming 2019)	-30,000 -5,000	8

Caribbean & Mexico

	Current Points Required	New Award Chart Points Required	Points Difference	New Award Chart Category*
JW Marriott Hotel Santo Domingo	30,000	25,000	-5,000	4
The Westin Resort & Spa, Puerto Vallarta	21,000	25,000	4,000	4
Hacienda Puerta Campeche, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Campeche	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
Hacienda Santa Rosa, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santa Rosa	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
Hacienda Temozon, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Temozon Sur	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
JW Marriott Hotel Mexico City	35,000	35,000	0	5
La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort	40,000	35,000	-5,000	5
Marriott Cancun Resort	40,000	35,000	-5,000	5
Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa	35,000	35,000	0	5
San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino	40,000	35,000	-5,000	5
Sheraton Grand Los Cabos Hacienda del Mar	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
The Westin Cozumel	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
The Westin Puntacana Resort & Club	30,000	35,000	5,000	5
The Westin Resort & Spa, Cancun	21,000	35,000	14,000	5
W Mexico City	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
Hacienda Uayamon, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Uayamon	60,000	50,000	-10,000	6
JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa	45,000	50,000	5,000	6
The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun	50,000	50,000	0	6
The St. Regis Mexico City	60,000	50,000	-10,000	6
The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba	60,000	60,000	0	7
The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa	36,000	60,000	24,000	7
W Punta de Mita	60,000	60,000	0	7

Dubai

	Current Points Required	New Award Chart Points Required	Points Difference	New Award Chart Category*
Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites	40,000	35,000	-5,000	5
Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai	30,000	35,000	5,000	5
Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai	35,000	35,000	0	5
La Ville Hotel & Suites CITY WALK, Dubai, Autograph Collection	35,000	35,000	0	5
Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts, Autograph Collection	35,000	35,000	0	5
Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre	30,000	35,000	5,000	5
Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai	35,000	35,000	0	5
Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers	30,000	35,000	5,000	5
Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel, Dubai	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina	36,000	50,000	14,000	6
Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa	36,000	50,000	14,000	6
The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai	70,000	60,000	-10,000	7
The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina	60,000	60,000	0	7

New York

	Current Points Required	New Award Chart Points Required	Points Difference	New Award Chart Category*
Courtyard New York Manhattan/Central Park	40,000	35,000	-5,000	5
Element New York Times Square West	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
Four Points by Sheraton Manhattan Midtown West	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
Residence Inn New York Manhattan/Central Park	40,000	35,000	-5,000	5
New York Marriott East Side	45,000	50,000	5,000	6
New York Marriott Marquis	45,000	50,000	5,000	6
Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel	45,000	50,000	5,000	6
Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel	36,000	50,000	14,000	6
The Algonquin Hotel Times Square, Autograph Collection	45,000	50,000	5,000	6
The Westin New York at Times Square	60,000	50,000	-10,000	6
The Westin New York Grand Central	60,000	50,000	-10,000	6
Gramercy Park Hotel, New York, a Member of Design Hotels™	60,000	60,000	0	7
Hotel Americano, New York, a Member of Design Hotels™	60,000	60,000	0	7
The New York EDITION	60,000	60,000	0	7
W New York - Times Square	60,000	60,000	0	7
W New York - Union Square	60,000	60,000	0	7
11 Howard, New York, a Member of Design Hotels™	90,000	60,000 (Effective August) n85,000 (Coming 2019)	-30,000 -5,000	8
The Chatwal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, New York City	90,000	60,000 (Effective August) 85,000 (Coming 2019)	-30,000 -5,000	8
The St. Regis New York	90,000	60,000 (Effective August) 85,000 (Coming 2019)	-30,000 -5,000	8

Paris

	Current Points Required	New Award Chart Points Required	Points Difference	New Award Chart Category*
Le Dokhan's, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Paris	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
Le Méridien Etoile	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
Paris Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel & Conference Center	35,000	35,000	0	5
Renaissance Paris Republique Hotel	40,000	35,000	-5,000	5
Sheraton Paris Airport Hotel & Conference Centre	36,000	35,000	-1,000	5
Le Metropolitan, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Paris	36,000	50,000	14,000	6
Paris Marriott Opera Ambassador Hotel	40,000	50,000	10,000	6
Renaissance Paris Arc de Triomphe Hotel	45,000	50,000	5,000	6
Renaissance Paris Le Parc Trocadero Hotel	40,000	50,000	10,000	6
Renaissance Paris Vendome Hotel	45,000	50,000	5,000	6
Hotel Bel Ami, Paris, a Member of Design Hotels™	60,000	60,000	0	7
Hotel de NELL, Paris, a Member of Design Hotels™	60,000	60,000	0	7
Hotel Vernet, Paris, a Member of Design Hotels™	60,000	60,000	0	7
La Maison Champs Elysées, Paris, a Member of Design Hotels™	60,000	60,000	0	7
Le Roch Hotel and Spa, Paris, a Member of Design Hotels™	60,000	60,000	0	7
Les Bains, Paris, a Member of Design Hotels™	60,000	60,000	0	7
Paris Marriott Champs Elysees Hotel	45,000	60,000	15,000	7
The Westin Paris - Vendôme	60,000	60,000	0	7
W Paris - Opéra	60,000	60,000	0	7
Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Paris	90,000	60,000 (Effective August) 85,000 (Coming 2019)	-30,000 -5,000	8

Out of these 100 hotels we have 42 going down in price - that is for standard award nights and not taking into account the peak or off-peak pricing. 25 are going up in price leaving 33 at the same points requirement as there are now. Marriott's David Flueck did tell us that more hotels are going down in price and if this preliminary list is any indication then that statement should hold true.

There are some real steals to be had come August through December and that is because the highest category in the new chart, Category 8, doesn't launch until 2019. So until then all hotels that are to be in Category 8 will be priced as Category 7 hotels. Looking at the charts above that means hotels like the Prince de Galles, 11 Howard New York, St. Regis New York and St. Regis Bali are all only going to be 60,000 points instead of the current 90,000 (SPG equivalent of 30,000 points) or the future 85,000 points. And remember you get the 5th night free when booking 5 or more nights. I'm starting to think a trip to Paris may be in the cards this fall!

Looking at the news from last week and this week we can say that SPG members seem to be winning out on the earning and redemption side however are losing out on the elite benefits side whereas Marriott Rewards members are losing out on redemption as some of their top hotels like the Paris Marriott Champs Elysees are seeing significant points increases (up ~33%).

As we always suggest when there are category or points changes, you should book now or before August for any hotels that are going up in price while waiting until August to book any that may go down in price.

Find out more about today's announcement here

As always Rewards Canada would love to hear what you think about this preview of the new hotel category placements! Tell us below in the comments!

April 23 Update: 35% Discount on buying or gifting Starpoints, Aeroplan & Rocketmiles extend partnership, latest Fairmont Moments offer

Starwood Preferred Guest once again offering of a 35% discount when you buy Starpoints. This is always an ideal buy points offer as you can pull way more value out of the points when redeeming for expensive hotels or converting to airline miles for under US 2 cents apiece.  Your yearly limit remains at 30,000 Starpoints which can then convert to 90,000 Marriott Rewards points. This offer brings the price down to US 2.28 cents each or just above 1.82 cents per airline mile if you take advantage of SPG's 5,000 mile bonus when converting 20,000 Starpoints at a time. Plus you can take advantage of other programs adding bonus on top of those transfers like the current American AAdvantage 25% bonus that would bring the cost of each AAdvantage miles to under US 1.5 cents. You can buy Starpoints here!

Aeroplan announced they have renewed their contract with Rocketmiles, the third party hotel booking site that awards airline miles on those bookings and in some cases the offers of miles can be very rich. (Source Aeroplan) There is currently an offer for first time bookings that awards 50% more miles on the base number of miles awarded, you can access that offer here. My question on the relationship is that if it remains exclusive - that is when I spoke to Rocketmiles years ago when they first launched with Aeroplan, Aeroplan was the only Canadian based loyalty program allowed to be partnered with Rocketmiles.

...and finally keep an eye out right here on the blog tomorrow as we have a new contest launching for the remainder of the week!

Posts since our last update:

• Hilton Honors: 100% Bonus Points when you buy 5,000 or more points until June 7
  One of the better hotel buy points bonuses is back again, although about a month later than when we…

Travel Deals
Fairmont Hotels have released their latest Moments offers that provide up to a 25% discount (+10% more if you are Fairmont President's Club member) for stays at participating hotels Worldwide. Find out more here.

Remember to visit Rewards Canada's Travel Booking site to book travel directly with many of your favourite airlines, hotels and more!

Canadian Bonus Offers
N/A

Other Bonus Offers
Alitalia MilleMiglia
- Earn 6,000 Bonus MilleMiglia Miles when you rent a car with Maggiore for at least two days in Italy. More... Until May 16, 18

Hilton Honors
- 100% Bonus when you buy 5,000 or more Hilton Honors points online. More... Until Jun 7, 18

Marriott Rewards
- 4,000 Bonus Rewards Points for stays of 3 or more nights at the Berlin Marriott Hotel, Courtyard Berlin City Center or Hotel am Steinplatz, Autograph Collection® More... Until Jun 3, 18

Philippine Airlines Mabuhay
- Double Mabuhay Miles when you fly between Davao and Siargao. More... Until Jul 15, 18

Shangri-La Golden Circle
- Double GC Award Points for Family Fun Package stays at the Golden Sands Resort, Penang. More... Until Jun 30, 18

Starwood Preferred Guest
- Save 35% when you buy or gift 5,000 or more Starpoints online. More... Until May 31, 18
- Double Starpoints per night for stays on the Grand Opening Offer at the Four Points by Sheraton Auckland. More... Until Oct 31, 18

Follow Rewards Canada:

Hilton Honors: 100% Bonus Points when you buy 5,000 or more points until June 7

One of the better hotel buy points bonuses is back again, although about a month later than when we saw it for springtime last year. With the 100% bonus you are buying at 1000 points for $5 or 0.5 cents per point. When you can easily pull out 0.8 cents per point for redeeming for an award night this is a good deal. Remember reward nights start out at only 5,000 points so you could essentially get 2 nights at the lowest level by only buying 5,000 points (+5,000 bonus) for only US$50.

Offer details: 
100% Bonus when you buy 5,000 or more Hilton Honors points online. Buy points here Until Jun 7, 18


Click here to find many more Honors Points bonuses!

April 19 Update: Bearskin Airlines leaving Aeroplan, Flair Airlines expanding domestic service, lots of new bonuses

In what can be seen as another hit to Aeroplan, albeit a small one, as of June 30 Bearskin Airlines will no longer participate in the programs. Full details


Flair Airlines is expanding their ultra low cost service with 9 more routes this summer across Canada. Flair does not have a frequent flyer program but you can utilize proprietary credit card programs to redeem points for flights purchased on Flair (see this article for more) (Source Routesonline)

These are the new routes:
Calgary – Kelowna eff 16JUN18 2 weekly
Calgary – Vancouver eff 15JUN18 7 weekly (0-2 daily, pending on operational day)
Calgary – Winnipeg eff 15JUN18 6 weekly
Edmonton – Prince George eff 16JUN18 2 weekly
Edmonton – Saskatoon eff 16JUN18 4 weekly
Edmonton – Victoria eff 15JUN18 7 weekly
Toronto – Halifax eff 15JUN18 7 weekly
Vancouver – Prince George eff 17JUN18 2 weekly
Vancouver – Winnipeg eff 15JUN18 2 weekly

WestJet is silently dropping three of their trans-border routes in June. Gone will be Calgary to Chicago and Dallas as well as Montreal to Boston. (Source Routesonline)

Posts since our last update:

• Hilton Honors - Double Points on all stays around the world from May 1 to August 31 (Registration now open)
  Last week we brought you the initial details of Hilton Honors next promotion of Double Points on all stays.…
• Further details to the combination of the Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest and Ritz-Carlton Rewards Programs
   On Monday we brought you the majority of the details of the unification of the Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest…

Travel Deals

Hilton Receive a free night on the Another Day in Paradise package at participating hotels in the Continental US, Caribbean, Latin America and Hawaii. Find out more here.
Book a 3 night stay, and get your 4th night free for resort stays in the Con tinental U.S., the Caribbean and Latin America Book a 4 night stay, and get your 5th night free for resorts stays in Hawaii 


Qatar Airways has India on sale for their flights out of Montreal! Book now until April 25, 2018 and travel until December 10, 2018. Find out more here.

Remember to visit Rewards Canada's Travel Booking site to book travel directly with many of your favourite airlines, hotels and more!

Canadian Bonus Offers
N/A

Other Bonus Offers
American AAdvantage
- 25% Bonus AAdvantage Miles when you convert select hotel loyalty points to AAdvantage miles. More... Until May 31, 18

Hilton Honors
- Earn Double Points on all Hilton family of hotels stays Worldwide. More... May 1 - Aug 31, 18

IHG Rewards Club
- Earn up to 80% Bonus IHG Rewards Club Points when you buy points online. More... Until May 31, 18

Jet Airways JetPrivilege
- Double JPMiles for stays at the Mandarin Orchard Singapore, Marina Mandarin Singapore or the Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa, Langkawi. More... Book by May 31 for stays until Dec 31, 18
-1,000 Bonus JPMiles when you make your first hotel booking via Rocketmiles. More... Book by Jun 30, 18
- 20% Bonus JPMiles when you buy JPMiles online. More... Until Apr 22, 18
- Double JPMiles when you rent a car for 3 or more days at participating Hertz locations in USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand or Asia. More... Until May 31, 18

Le Club AccorHotels
- 4X Le Club Accorhotels Points for stays at new Accor Hotels Worldwide. More... Until Jul 15, 18
- Earn up to 2,300 Bonus Le Club AccorHotels Points for stays at Accor Hotels in Italy. More... Book by May 20 for stays until Jul 31, 18

United MileagePlus
- Earn up to 70% Bonus MileagePlus Miles when you buy miles online. More... Until May 2, 18
- OFFER EXTENDED 1,500 Bonus MileagePlus Miles when you book a mid-size or larger car with Hertz. More... Until Jul 31, 18

Follow Rewards Canada:

Hilton Honors - Double Points on all stays around the world from May 1 to August 31 (Registration now open)

Last week we brought you the initial details of Hilton Honors next promotion of Double Points on all stays. The registration link is now open so you can go ahead and register right away even if you don't have any stays planned or booked.

Offer details
Earn Double Points on all Hilton family of hotels stays Worldwide. Full details, online registration and booking (Registration is required) May 1 - Aug 31, 18

• For every $1 spent on stays, you’ll earn 10 Base Points, plus an additional 10 Bonus Points (5 Base Points plus 5 Bonus Points at Home2 Suite by Hilton and Tru by Hilton). Silver, Gold & Diamond members will earn their Elite Tier Bonus on top of that. 
• Excludes Hampton by Hilton Hotels in Mainland China.

You can still take advantage of the Points Unlimited Promotion offering 2,000 bonus points per stay until April 30th!

Find many more Hilton Honors bonuses here.

Further details to the combination of the Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest and Ritz-Carlton Rewards Programs

 On Monday we brought you the majority of the details of the unification of the Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest and Ritz-Carlton Rewards programs. Some details were not provided to us in advance which are now on Marriott's website that outlines everything.

Sarah McLaughlin at the Marriott announcement
event at the Ritz-Carlton Toronto on Monday

First off, the award night category chart that was provided to us by Marriott last week was tweaked by the time the announcement came out and it appears that newer version of the chart only made it to the U.S. bloggers beforehand. We updated the original post with the new chart but here it is as well:

Another concern is how often will standard pricing be available for awards or will all hotels try to price at Peak pricing. According the Head for Points, they asked the question at the U.K. press conference and it doesn't look too bad if this is what they go with:

"The plan is that hotels will approximately set 20% of their days as peak, 20% as off-peak and 60% as standard."

I also read somewhere that Marriott is exploring what award rates will be applied for the Suite only hotels, ultra-luxury resorts etc. These are the ones from Starwood that were allowed to charge more than what was stated on the award chart. It does appear that select locations will be able to move away from the award chart and will be able to charge more. We should know sometime in June where these and in fact all hotels will fall into in the new award chart.

We also have the details now on how your Elite Status will line up in the new program. Here it is for Marriott Rewards members:

And for Starwood Preferred Guest members:

Marriott Gold members should be excited as you are getting bumped up a level come August for at least the remainder of the elite year. The news is mixed about those who have SPG Gold from the Platinum Card from American Express that of course was then matched to Marriott Gold. Some Marriott reps state that you'll be Platinum as of August (per the new elite tiers) however David Flueck told The Points Guy this is not the case - matched SPG Gold status will remain at Gold in the new program. David is the point man in all this news and we would tend to go with what he has to say so this is definitely not the news many Platinum Card holders were wanting. As you can see after August the benefits for the new Gold level have been downgraded from the current offering. No more lounge access, no more breakfast, and only a 2pm late check out.

One question that also wasn't answered prior to the announcement but that we know of now are the Lifetime Elite Status requirements, benefits etc.:

Starting in August, you’ll be able to qualify instantly for one of our three Lifetime tiers:
Lifetime Silver Elite, Lifetime Gold Elite and Lifetime Platinum Elite.

You can qualify for Lifetime status based on your combined Rewards and SPG nights and Elite years. If you achieved Elite status in both SPG and Rewards in one year, you’ll receive credit for two Elite years. You can also qualify via the existing criteria through December 31, 2018. When your current Elite status is higher than your Lifetime status, you’ll receive the higher-status benefits for that year.

And if you’ve previously achieved Lifetime Elite status in Rewards or SPG, you will have that Lifetime Elite status in the new program.

If you currently have lifetime Status with Marriott here is what your new Lifetime status will be come August

If you have SPG lifetime status here is how it will map out in the new program:

I know the latter for SPG members with lots of nights will bring disappointment as there is no opportunity for lifetime Platinum Premier, see this comment on our main post from Monday:

1,100 nights and you are not being recognized for it? Seems like a call to Marriott is in order for Mark to see if Marriott will bend the rules and award Platinum Premier on case by case basis.

The Crossover Rewards program that SPG runs with Delta SkyMiles will come to an end on July15 while the programs with China Eastern and Emirates will continue to run but only for those members who have already registered for them.

Lucky at One Mile at a Time also reports that multiple room bookings will follow Marriott's policy come August. That is you'll earn elite credit only on one room and points for up to three rooms. Starwood was more generous in this regard that you could earn both elite credit and points for up to three rooms. This is one that hits home personally as over the past year or so our family has begun to book two rooms whenever possible for our travels so only earning elite credit on one is not something we were hoping for.

Let us know what you think and if you have any other unanswered questions - we'll try to answer them for you or get the answer from Marriott!