Rocketmiles is a hotel booking engine which looks for the best rates for over 400,000 hotel chains around the world (see our review post: Rocketmiles). Rocketmiles offers both flexible refundable rooms and nonrefundable rooms at a lower rate. They have teamed up with Aeroplan to offer an opportunity to earn bonus miles. There are different promotions for new and existing members.
It has been 18 months since the last time we saw an American Express Membership Rewards transfer bonus to British Airways’ Executive Club. Personally, I thought that we would never see a transfer bonus like this again from American Express, so I was pleasantly surprised to see a 25% transfer bonus.
Transfer bonuses are my favourite way to boost my loyalty accounts.
Aeroplan has launched a Million Mile Contest.
To qualify, you will need to share your travel pictures, videos and stories using the hashtag #withaeroplan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for a chance to win 1 of 5 prizes of 1 million miles.
There will be 1 winner be per over the next 5 weeks.
I know that I have been writing about Aeroplan quite frequently lately, but it does seem like they are making a big effort to increase their presence.
When I logged into my E-Rewards account today, I noticed that Aeroplan is now a transfer partner:
Aeroplan is really making an effort to step up their game, as their contract ends with Air Canada. I am uncertain what their long term plans are at the moment, probably trying to find new partners. However, in the meantime, they are definitely trying to make a splash.
How the Offer Works
They are currently offering their best conversion bonus ever. You can now receive a 35% bonus for transferring your hotel points. They normally offer a tiering system where you earn anywhere between 20%-30% transfer bonus.
Aeroplan has added a new reward car rental redemption partner. Members can now redeem for Budget car rentals online. Avis has already been available.
Budget
Budget has over 3,000 rental locations in Canada, US, Latin America, and Europe. As an added bonus, members can currently earn 100 miles every time they redeem for a Budget car rental.
Here is a screen shot of a 1 week car rental:
With all the negativity surrounding Aeroplan lately, it is always nice to see some positive news. Aeroplan has a shopping portal called eStore. Shopping portals are ways to earn bonus miles and points through online purchases. For instance, if you happen to want to buy something from Michael Kors, instead of going to the physical store or online, you can go through a shopping portal like Aeroplan’s eStore. The eStore redirects you to the same Michael Kors website, when you proceed with making your purchase online, you will earn bonus Aeroplan miles for something that you were going to buy anyway. Furthermore, double dip when there are 3x or even 5x the bonus miles earning opportunities.
With all the negativity surrounding Aeroplan, Canada’s current largest frequent flyer program, it may be time to take a closer look at Canada’s second largest frequent flyer program, WestJet Rewards. Let’s do a quick rundown of the highlights of the program.
Expiry Policy
Expiry policies are always a hot topic, as it is often a deal breaker for someone deciding whether to bother becoming a member.
When selecting seats on an Aeroplan reward flight, members now have access to the Star Alliance partner site online. This feature eliminates the need to call the Aeroplan Contact Centre to select seats when flying on a Star Alliance carrier. Instead, members can now go directly to the Star Alliance carrier site using the Star Alliance record locator to select their seat.
This is essentially a follow up to WestJet’s plan to buy Boeing 787 Dreamliners so that they can offer more international flights. WestJet has decided to take the next step by asking for approval from Transport Canada to offer direct flights to China.