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.
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Hotel Elite Status and Points Expiry Extensions

ByMatt

IHG is the latest hotel chain to extend its elite statuses and expiry policy, which rounds out the majority of the major hotel chains. Note that we also have an ongoingly updated page found on our menu bar.

Below is a current recap of the elite status and points expiry extensions offer by some of the major hotel chains.

Best Western

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Earn Air Canada Altitude Prestige 25K from Home

ByMatt

Air Canada continued to operate two loyalty programs, but the integration is coming together. Basically, there is Air Canada Altitude, which is the elite status program, while Aeroplan is the miles collection. They used to be the same company, but then Air Canada sold off Aeroplan, and then bought it back.

Just setting up the context so that there is less confusion when I explain the promotion. So right now, Aeroplan has an offer starting today (April 20, 2020) that runs until May 31, 2020. Aeroplan members who earn 50,000 miles will receive an Air Canada Altitude Prestige 25K status valid through 2021.

A Marriott Hotel Retrofitted into a Hospital Ward

ByMatt

I continued to closely follow hotels being put to use during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are many stories about hotels being “major victims” due to the pandemic. There are reports about the Canadian hotel industry laying off 80% (approximately 250,000 employees). The idea is that some of these jobs can be saved.

I do not believe that the government should be forcing a hotel to help out with the pandemic, but if they voluntarily do so, why not? My thought is that if a hotel is willing to re-purpose (make all necessary safety adjustments) its venue temporarily, the benefits are endless (including saving jobs, alleviating the hospitals, etc.).

24 Month Travel Vouchers

ByMatt

Looks like the airlines are loosening up on the travel vouchers. I wrote a post at the end of March hoping to see longer travel vouchers. There is an ongoing heated debate about whether airlines should be refunding cancelled flights or offering vouchers.

Arguments for Each Side

Here is a quick summary of arguments on both sides:

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Top Cash Back Credit Card Offers for April 2020

ByMatt

This list has really trimmed down over the past couple of months. We are down to a small handful of cards that have higher than normal cash back bonuses.Note that this post focuses on temporary offers. Our Top Cash Back Credit Cards page continues to list current offers that are not exclusive to limited time offers like this post.

The most significant one to keep track of is the Laurentian Bank Visa Dollars one. It expires today.

Rundown of COVID-19 Updates for Canadians

ByMatt

Below is an update of temporary terms and conditions offered by loyalty companies relevant to Canadians, due to COVID-19. The updates focuses on companies (airlines, hotels, cinema, train). 

We also have an ongoing updated page found on the menu bar. The reason I am writing this post is because I have been hoping for airlines to extend their vouchers by at least 18 months. Some airlines even took it to 24 months (Air Transat, United, WestJet). I hope to see more airlines follow suit!