Canadian Travel Hacking

Blog

  • TD Cash Back Visa Infinite Card – 6% Cash Back on select categories for the first 3 months And First Year Free

    I am shocked as to the high-quality credit card bonuses and offers the last quarter.

    TD Cash Back Visa Infinite Card has a great offer for a free first year.

    When you apply for and receive the card you’ll earn 6% cash back in the first free months on gas, grocery and recurring bill payments.

    The 6% maxes out after $3,500 in spending in those categories for a maximum return of $210.

    The card does not cost you anything for the first 12 months.

    Features:

    • Earn 3% in Cash Back Dollars on eligible grocery Purchases and gas Purchases, and on regularly recurring bill payments set up on your Account
    • Earn 1% in Cash Back Dollars on all other Purchases made with your Card
    • Redeem your Cash Back Dollars to help pay down your Account balance whenever you please – the choice is yours!
    • Your Cash Back Dollars never expire as long as your account is open and in good standing.
    • Emergency Road Services with the Deluxe TD Auto Club Membership
    • Travel with confidence with Travel Medical Insurance
    • Complimentary Visa Infinite Concierge service available 24/7

    Here is a link for more info.

  • Limited Time Increase – Earn 25,000 Starpoints with the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express

    This is the card that we use on a daily basis because of the high earn rate and the flexibility!

    American Express has upped the sign-up bonus to earn 25,000 Welcome Bonus Starpoints after you charge $1500 in purchases to your Card in your first three months of Cardmembership.

    So if you take the 25,000 Starpoints you get with the sign up, and combine Aeroplan’s 35% transfer bonus you actually end up with 40,500 Aeroplan Miles!

    This offer runs from July 18 to October 18 so take advantage of it now before you forget and give yourself more time to enjoy those points! Also I don’t agree with many who think this card is ending in November.

    This offer ends October 18, 2017.

    Here is a roundup of some of the benefits:

    • You can earn 2 Starpoints for every dollar of eligible purchases charged to the Card at participating SPG®* and Marriott Rewards®* hotels from November 15, 2016 through November 15, 2017
    • Earn 1 Starpoint for every $1 in all other purchases charged to the Card.
    • Receive a Free Weekend Night Award when you reach $40,000 in purchases each year.
    • Enjoy an automatic upgrade to Starwood Gold Preferred Guest membership when you reach $30,000 in purchases each year.
    • As a Cardmember, you could earn more Starpoints by referring a friend. For each approved referral you could earn a referral bonus of 10,000 Starpoints.

    The last benefit is the most intriguing. If you apply for this card and refer the card to friend’s and family you will receive a bonus of 10,000 Starpoints! 

    I recommend this card to anyone getting started in travel as the points are flexible and can be transferred to airlines or even to Marriott on a 3:1 basis (i.e. this is worth 75,000 Marriott points).

    Here is a link to apply.

  • 35% conversion bonus to aeroplan miles from Hotel Miles (July 17-Aug 21)

    Aeroplan told me about a new bonus available.

    Starting today until August 21st, members can convert their hotel points and earn 35% more miles!

    The hotels include:

    • Starwood Preferred Guest
    • Marriott Rewards
    • Hilton Honors
    • Club Carlson
    • Best Western Rewards
    • Wyndham Rewards
    • Coast Hotels
    • Choice Hotels
    • Le Club Accor
    • Shangri-La

    Here is a great idea to try:

    • Transfer 180 000 Amex Membership reward points into 90 000 Starwood Points
    • Transfer 90 000 Starwood Points to 270 000 Marriott points
    • Use the travel package to get 120 000 miles + 42,000 miles aeroplan (promotion) + 7 nights certificate for a Category 1-5 hotel.

    Here is a link to the promo.

  • Daily Cap for in-store AIR MILES® Cash redemption adjusted to $100

    the AIR MILES Reward Program is announcing it is adjusting the daily cap for in-store AIR MILES Cash redemptions to $100 (950 Cash Miles), effective immediately. The cap for in-store redemptions at Shell is $60 (570 Cash Miles) per transaction. Gift cards and near-cash products will continue to be excluded.

    AIR MILES is also announcing several enhancements in their digital capabilities and dedicated fraud detection processes, including:

    • The AIR MILES App has been updated with a mandatory PIN at sign-in and the ability to lock and unlock AIR MILES Cash balances directly from the App.
    • The Program has made enhancements to www.airmiles.ca including the requirement for PIN as well as entering a captcha code to view Account balance.
    • AIR MILES continues to have comprehensive fraud monitoring processes and procedures within their dedicated Anti-Fraud team.

    “We’re constantly innovating and adapting the Program to provide the best possible experience to our Collectors,” said Blair Cameron, President of the AIR MILES Reward Program. “We feel confident that the enhancements we’ve made to our digital capabilities and our dedicated fraud detection processes will provide increased security for Collectors and Collector Accounts, ensuring they are able to get and use their Cash Miles safely.”

    On June 26, 2017, the company communicated this change to all Cash Collectors through an administrative email, updates on www.airmiles.ca and proactive media relations. The information is also posted in stores at AIR MILES Cash Partner locations.

  • MBNA Best Western Rewards Mastercard – 60,000 points after $2k spend in first 3 months

    Take advantage of this special limited-time offer for new cardholders and earn up to 60,000 Best Western Rewards® points.

    There is also an offer for readers that can’t make the minimum spending to spend $2,000 first 90 days, you can get 40,000 free points after your first purchase (not too bad). 

    Apply for the Best Western Rewards Mastercard® credit card and if approved:

    • Get 20,000 bonus points†† after your first eligible purchase–that’s already enough points for at least ONE FREE NIGHT**

    • Spend $1,000 or more within the first 90 days of account opening and get an additional 20,000 bonus points†† OR

    • Spend $2,000 or more within the first 90 days of account opening and get a total of 60,000 bonus points††

    With 60,000 points, you could get up to 7 free nights (a whole week!) at some Best Western hotels or up to $225 in gift cards.**

    But hurry–this offer expires on August 31, 2017.

    **All redemptions of Best Western Rewards points are completed through the Best Western Rewards program. Free nights range from 8,000 to 36,000 points, depending on the property type and location. Best Western Rewards members must have the necessary number of points to redeem for a free night based on the hotel’s individual point tier level. Should you not have the required amount of points for the stay upon arrival, you will be required to pay the prevailing rate. 20,000 BWR points is enough for 1 free night at a level 4 Best Western branded hotel. 60,000 BWR points is enough for 7 free nights at a level 1 Best Western branded hotel, or up to $225 in gift cards. The Toronto-Dominion Bank has no responsibility or liability for any aspect of this promotion.

    ††To qualify for this offer, an applicant must be approved for the specific credit card account described in the offer and the account must be used within the first 90 days of account opening for at least one or more transactions that are not subsequently rescinded, the subject of a charge back request or otherwise disputed. 20,000 BWR bonus points will be awarded if eligible transactions total less than CDN$1,000; 40,000 BWR bonus points will be awarded if eligible transactions total between CDN$1,000-$1,999.99; and 60,000 BWR bonus points will be awarded if eligible transactions total CDN$2,000 or more. In each case, all eligible transactions must occur within 90 days of account opening. Please allow 150 days from the account opening date for the BWR bonus points to be posted to your points account. Limit one-time bonus point offer (no cash value) per new account. This promotion is offered by MBNA and Best Western and may be amended or cancelled at any time without notice.

  • 1,000 Free Aeroplan Miles or British Airways Avios when you join Marriott Rewards

    Marriott Rewards, has launched an attractive sign-up bonus, earning 1,000 Marriott points, for free, for signing up to Marriott Rewards.  No stay is required.

    The offer runs until September, 2, 2017.  The page to join is here.

  • Air Canada Launching new Loyalty Program in 2020

    Huge news this morning that affects Aeroplan. In 2020, Air Canada will introduce it’s own loyalty program.

    This will become the new frequent flyer program for Air Canada, replacing Aeroplan, which is separately-owned and operated by an independent company, Aimia.

    1. What does this mean to me as an Aeroplan member?

    Nothing has changed for Aeroplan members. You can keep on earning miles on Air Canada eligible flights and redeeming for flights on Air Canada and Star Alliance partners as you normally would while we continue our discussions with Air Canada and in any event, until June 2020.

    Our members will continue to be at the centre of our program. We’ll continue to provide updates as soon as information becomes available.

    2. Should I keep collecting?

    Yes. The partnership is still in place for three more years. You can keep on earning Aeroplan miles at any Aeroplan partner, including Air Canada and book flights up to one year in advance.

    3. What’s the impact on my current flight rewards bookings?

    There’s no impact on current flight rewards.

    4. What will happen to my miles if the contract is not renewed?

    While Aimia remains open to further discussions with Air Canada, the company’s strategic planning had already contemplated other post-2020 alternatives in parallel to ensure Aeroplan members retain access to a strong redemption offering around air rewards.

    5. Will you stop offering flight rewards before 2020?

    No.

    6. What will happen to my TD /CIBC/AMEX Aeroplan affiliated card? Should I cancel my card?

    Nothing has changed for Aeroplan members, including Aeroplan financial cardholders. You can absolutely keep on earning Aeroplan miles and redeeming rewards as you normally do with your financial card and at our other partners.

    The contract is in place for three more years. You can keep on earning Aeroplan miles on Air Canada eligible flights and redeeming for flights on Air Canada and Star Alliance partners for up to a year in advance as you would normally do.

    We are currently exploring a range of options beyond 2020 if our contract with Air Canada is not renewed. Our members will continue to be at the centre of our program. We’ll continue to provide updates as soon as information becomes available.

    7. I thought Aeroplan was owned by Air Canada, who is Aimia?

    Aeroplan has been owned and operated by Aimia since 2002. With about 2,300 employees across 15 countries, Aimia partners with groups of companies (coalitions) and individual companies to offer best-in-class loyalty programs to consumers around the world. Aimia’s coalition loyalty programs include Aeroplan in Canada, Nectar in the U.K.

    8. What happens to my Altitude status with Air Canada / Star Alliance?

    We invite you to contact Air Canada directly for questions related to Air Canada Altitude.

  • Scotiabank Gold American Express Card – First Year Free with 30,000 points sign up bonus (Worth $300 in travel)

    The already great first year free offer for the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card has been upgraded to an even better offer of 30,000 points, worth $300 in free travel.

    Perks include:

    • Earn 4x Scotia Rewards points for every $1 you spend at gas stations, grocery stores, on dining and entertainment
      •Earn one point on all other eligible purchases
      • Extraordinary travel benefits
      • Flexible Point Redemption
      • Comprehensive travel insurance
    • Use your points to purchase travel online or over the phone through our full-service travel agency. Or book your own travel using your card and go online to redeem points for the purchase.
    • Receive discounts and other special offers on hotels, airfare, car rentals, cruises and vacation packages.
    • Complimentary Concierge Services
    • Low price airfare alerts
    • Receive up to 25% off qualifying car rentals
    • Travel emergency medical coverage is automatically provided for eligible persons for up to 25 consecutive days
    • Redeem points for merchandise and other rewards.

    Here is a link to get more information on this offer!

  • Disney Resorts Canada Deal: FREE Dining Plan When You Buy a 5 Night/6 Day Magic Your Way Package

    Are you planning a family trip to Disney World in the next coming months?

    If so, you might want to listen up to this offer from Disney World Resorts Canada where you can add on a dining plan to your 5-night/6-day Magic Your Way room package for free. This offer must be booked before August 31, 2017 and it will be valid for most nights of arrival. More specifically, it will be available for the following dates:

    Valid For Arrivals Most Nights

    • August 13 through September 30, 2017
    • November 14 through November 20, 2017
    • November 25 through November 27, 2017
    • December 8 through December 23, 2017

    Another exclusion for this offer is that everyone in the same room must be on the same package – which makes sense, since you wouldn’t want one of your kids to be getting deals that the other one doesn’t qualify for! The other catch is that alcoholic beverages will not be included in the dining plan, but when you consider how expensive meals, snacks and drinks are inside the park, you’ll quickly realize that this deal is really a big steal.

    The dining plan will include:

    • 1 table-service meal
    • 1 quick-service meal
    • and 2 snacks

    You can learn more about the specifics of the dining plan by clicking here.

    Click here to redeem the dining plan offer from Disney World Resorts Canada.

  • Airbnb 40$ off on first booking using Paypal

    AirBnb is giving you $40 off your first Airbnb stay so book your next adventure right away. Just pay with PayPal and use code PYPLSTAY40 at checkout.
    Offer ends June 30th.
    With homes in over 190 countries and 34,000 cities, there are endless places to explore. Plus, with fast and safer payment with PayPal, you know you’re in
    great hands.