Saturday Updates (Aeroplan, United Airlines)
It has been a while since I last provided Saturday updates, so I thought I’d do one today. Today’s theme will focus on two Star Alliance members, Air Canada and United Airlines.
Author: Matt
Matt has been an avid points collector since 1992 (an elementary school student), when his dad signed up for the new (at the time) Air Miles program. Since then, Matt took a keen interest in learning how the miles and points world works. He quickly found out that there is a lot of value in leveraging miles and points to fund his passion for travelling.
[DISCONTINUED] Last Batch of Capital One IHG Reward Points
In the summer of 2015, the Capital One co-branded IHG Rewards credit cards discontinued. However, existing credit cardholders were grandfathered. But a year later, grandfathered cardholders received a letter stating that their credit cards will cease on November 7, 2016, which has come and gone.
Marriott Hotels & Resorts (Marriott Bonvoy) | Starwood Preferred Guest (Merged with Marriott Bonvoy)
Another Positive Integration from the Marriott and SPG Merger
We just heard from our contacts at Marriott, providing us an update on the progress of the integration with SPG. You can also check out our video interview from the beginning of the merger.
Fly Economy or First Class?
The question has been asked frequently about whether it is more worth it to redeem your hard earned miles for economy or first class. Some people would argue that they rather have more trips, so economy. Others want to be able to redeem for a First Class or Business Class treatment that they would otherwise not pay for normally
Air Miles (Bank of Montreal) | Avion (RBC Rewards) | Canadian North (Aurora Rewards) | Esso Extra (Discontinued) | Membership Rewards (American Express) | Petro-Points (Petro-Canada) | Porter Airlines (VIPorter) | Scene+ (Cineplex/Scotiabank) | Shoppers Optimum (Merged with PC Optimum) | WestJet (WestJet Rewards)
Top Loyalty Programs in Canada (updated November 13, 2016)
This post is long overdue for an update. Last time around, I still listed Air Miles as one of the top 5. With the upcoming controversial expiry policy (which may be altered anyway by a new legislation), they will temporary be bumped out of the top 5.
Remembrance Day
This is our annual Remembrance Day tradition post. Always remember to click on our newest annual post to stay updated, as terms and conditions, as well as benefits can change any time without notice.
Bank of Montreal (BMO) | Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) | National Bank | Scotiabank | Toronto Dominion (TD)
Top Credit Card Higher than Normal Sign Up Bonuses for November 2016
We are on the final 2 months of a strong year of higher than normal credit card sign up bonuses that went along with record high bank profits, which is a nice surprise, because I would think that when banks are making a lot of money, they aren’t as interested in finding new clients.
15% Conversion Bonus from RBC to WestJet
There is a week left on the Royal Bank of Canada’s Avion (or RBC Rewards) program’s 15% transfer bonus to WestJet Rewards. It has been running since October 3, 2016, and ends on November 14, 2016. Historically, it is a disappointing transfer bonus, that is why I held off writing about it. I will explain why below.
50% RBC Rewards Conversion Bonus to British Airways’ Executive Club is BACK!
I thought we’d be stuck with the 30% RBC conversion bonus for the foreseeable future. I really did not expect to see the 50% bonus back again. The last time it was offered was back in the summer of 2015. I am more than happy to find out that I was wrong about this. This is a very pleasant surprise with RBC and Executive Club.
[DISCONTINUED] CIBC Petro-Points and Telus Rewards Cards
Two of CIBC’s retail co-branded credit cards are being discontinued. The CIBC Petro-Points MasterCard Card and CIBC TELUS Rewards Visa Card. It is always disappointing to see credit cards being discontinued, as it decreases the competition in the market.