Canadian Travel Hacking

Month: February 2019

  • TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Offer – 30000 Aeroplan Miles + FYF (Ends June 2, 2019)

    Apply online by June 2, 2019 to get a full Annual Fee Rebate for the Primary Cardholder for the first year and up to 30,000 Aeroplan Miles (that’s equivalent to 2 short- haul roundtrip flight rewards) as follows:

    • Welcome Bonus of 15,000 Aeroplan Miles when you make your first Purchase with your Card. 
    • 15,000 Aeroplan Miles when you spend $1,000 within 90 days of Account opening. 
    Aeroplan Offer

    This card comes with some great Air Canada benefits when redeeming Aeroplan miles.

    With the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card, Air Canada benefits (the complimentary first checked bag, priority check-in and priority boarding) apply whenever the Primary Cardholder travels using an Aeroplan flight reward, only, on a flight operated by Air Canada, Air Canada rouge or under the Air Canada express banner. Flights operated by other airlines are not eligible. To access these benefits, the Primary Cardholder must redeem their Aeroplan flight reward (defined as Fixed Mileage Flight RewardsTM or Market Fare Flight RewardsTM) with miles from their Aeroplan account. To access these benefits, the Primary Cardholder must also ensure that the name on the Air Canada flight booking is identical to the name on the Aeroplan account profile of the traveler. Where zonal boarding is available, the priority boarding status will be recognized by a Zone 2 descriptor for the Primary Cardholder and companions travelling on the same reservation checking-in at the same time, which will be displayed on the Air Canada issued boarding pass. Priority check-in may also be extended to companions travelling on the same reservation checking-in at the same time as the Primary Cardholder. To access priority check-in and priority boarding, the Primary Cardholder may be required to show their TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card to the Air Canada agent. Please allow two weeks from receiving your Card for these Air Canada benefits to be activated. The complimentary first checked bag, up to 23kg (50 lb), applies whenever the Primary Cardholder travels using an Aeroplan flight reward, only, on a flight operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or under the Air Canada express banner. Flights operated by other airlines are not eligible. To access this benefit, the Primary Cardholder must redeem their Aeroplan flight reward (defined as Fixed Mileage Flight Rewards or Market Fare Flight Rewards) with miles from their Aeroplan account. To access this benefit, the Primary Cardholder must also ensure that the name on the Air Canada flight booking is identical to the name on the Aeroplan account profile of the traveler. The complimentary first checked bag applies solely to the Primary Cardholder, and service charges for additional/oversized/overweight baggage may apply.

    The earn rate for the card is great for everyday spending as well.

    Earn 1.5 miles for every $1 spent on eligible grocery, gas, drugstore and aircanada.com purchases (excluding Air Canada Vacation packages) made with the Card (capped annually on the first $80,000 across these categories)
    • Earn 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases made with the Card

  • Earn 5x Paytm Points when you pay your credit cards (Ends March 11, 2019)

    Between now until March 11th, get 5000 Paytm points (worth $5) if you pay $1000 of credit card bills through Paytm.

    Paytm lets you pay utility bills with Mastercards with no fee and 3% with Amex. You can pay credit card bills either with a bank account or via “Paytm Cash”, which you can load via debit card. 

    Collect Paytm Points faster and redeem them for FREE or discounted e-gift cards from popular brands like Starbucks, Uber Eats, IKEA, Indigo, Sephora, and many more. Don’t put off paying those holiday bills for one more minute! Read the full Terms & Conditions for this promotion here.

    If you don’t already have an account, use my PTM7399557 (I appreciate it). 

    *Maximum of 5,000 Paytm Points will be credited.

  • Making A Success Of A Singapore Jaunt

    Singapore is a financial centre and transit hub for much of South Asia, but recent years have seen it transform into a tourism hotspot in its own right. According to figures reported in the Straits Times, 17.4 million visit every year, with over 80,000 of those being from Canadians who enjoy the air mile benefits of a long journey. As a melting pot of Asian cultures, modern excesses, and a huge amount of commonwealth history shared by Canada, Singapore may well be your next travel destination.

    Here’s how to make your trip a success.

    Covering the basics

    As with all trips, you need to cover your insurance and money before you head out to Singapore. When it comes to the level of care available, you’re in good hands – according to the Legatum Institute, Singapore has the second best healthcare in the world. With this level of care comes significant cost, however, so ensure that your policy has sufficient terms to properly protect your trip. Credit cards are widely accepted, but may attract high exchange fees. The Canadian and Singaporean dollar have been roughly equal in price for a while now, however, so you can enjoy similar levels of purchasing power. For those preferring not to use cash, digital banks like Monzo are widely accepted, as are pre-loaded travel cards. When it comes to saving cash, stay away from restaurants and hit the hawker markets – the food will likely be better quality, too.

    Travel arrangements and local customs

    Canadians are fortunate, as there is a travel agreement in place with Singapore. As a result, the Government of Canada travel board advise no visa is necessary for trips up to 30 days. You will need to check with local immigration to extend your trip longer than the initial period.

    Canadians enjoy a reputation as respectful and good travellers, but be aware of local customs. It pays to read up on the law, as Singapore have a number of restrictions on acts that are commonplace in Canada. One famous example concerns chewing gum, which remains banned for any purpose other than medical uses. Drunken and disorderly conduct is punished with little tolerance, and there is a risk of the cane. It’s also illegal to bring e-cigarettes into the country, according to the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office – don’t get caught out, and check all of the rules.

    Enjoying the cultures

    Singapore is ethnically Chinese, Malay and Indian, with various other cultures also calling the island home. Up to 10 religions are present, according to Work Singapore, and the region has had a complex and long history involving Malaysia and the British Empire. As a result, there is a huge variety and depth of culture to be experienced. What’s more, as members of The Commonwealth, Canada and Singapore enjoy common links reaching back centuries. As a result, there are opportunities to learn about shared culture, such as at the Kranji War Memorial. Given the high level of water in and around the city, it might be worth taking a boat tour – you can reach many of the best cultural sights – like Marina Bay Sands and Gardens By The Bay – from a comfortable position.

    Singapore is a wonderful tourism hotspot, and the flight alone will net you many air miles. However, with some unique laws in place and costly healthcare, it pays to be prepared. Make your preparations and enjoy what will be an excellent trip.