Canadian Travel Hacking

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  • 50% Transfer Bonus for RBC Rewards (Avion only) to Avios – Nov 1 to Dec 31

    Special British Airways Executive Club offer for RBC Avion® cardholders – Convert your RBC Rewards points into Avios and receive 50% more◊. Offer valid from November 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014. Convert your points today!

    rbc-rewards-logo

    RBC Avion cardholders and clients who hold other eligible RBC Royal Bank products or services that earn RBC Rewards points, have the option of converting their RBC Rewards points to Avios. As a member of the British Airways Executive Club they can spend them on a range of rewards, including flights with BA and their oneworld® partners, flight upgrades, hotel accommodation and car rental¤.

    You must be a member of the British Airways Executive Club in order to convert your points.

    Please allow 3 business days to ensure that your BA Executive Club member number has been activated.

    Here is a link about the promotion.

  • Choose from 36 Vancouver Hotels w/$50-$125 AMEX Gift Card

    36 Vancouver hotels partnered with beVancouver tourism group to offer AMEX Gift Cards (valued up to $125 per booking) that can be applied toward any purchase, including the hotel stay.

    vancouver-hotels

    Combined with already aggressive room rates, this savings equals up to 70%. Travel is valid most dates through February, perfect for early holiday shopping or as a base to explore the nearby world-class slopes.

    Hotels and deals are at a range of properties from budget-conscious to luxury, including (per night pricing):

    $50 AMEX Gift Card per stay
    •Comfort Inn – Downtown … $89
    Newly renovated hotel in the Entertainment District

    $75 AMEX Gift Card per stay
    •The Sylvia Hotel … $115-$135
    Landmark property on English Bay offering a beachside experience
    •The Best Western Plus Downtown Vancouver … $90-$105
    Overloo

  • WestJet Rewards Elite Status Match and Fast Track

    WestJet is starting to try to get more loyal Air Canada Altitude members to jump ship with this status match promotion.

    tiers-get-gold-header-EN

    They have a status match promo and a Fast Track promo.

    Status Match:

    They will match to a 2014 or 2015 top tier status with another Canadian airline is defined as having achieved status through the equivalent of a minimum 25,000 qualifying miles or a minimum of 25 qualifying flight segments in that program during a calendar year. All status levels above the minimum qualifying miles or flight segments required to achieve status with the airline are eligible for this Promotion.

    To participate in the Status Match promotion (the “Promotion”), you must join WestJet Rewards at westjet.com/rewards and must individually submit a request to participate between October 29, 2014 and January 31, 2015 by sending an email to [email protected] and providing the following information:

    1. your first and last name
    2. your 9-digit WestJet ID (provided to you upon joining WestJet Rewards)
    3. a scanned copy of your membership card in the other Canadian airline’s frequent flyer program showing your name and 2014 or 2015 top tier status, or a boarding pass from travel taken on the same airline between January 1, 2014 and January 31, 2015, also indicating your 2014 or 2015 top tier status within that program.

    Fast Track:

    Get the flight benefits of Gold when you achieve $1500 in qualifying flight spend for WestJet flights flown between October 29, 2014 and January 31, 2015.

    • Flight benefits associated with the Gold tier (comprised of ten airport lounge vouchers, four advance seat selection vouchers, first and second checked bags free, no fee to change to an earlier/later flight on same day of travel, priority security screening at select airports and advance boarding) will be awarded to registered members based on achieving a minimum of $1,500 in qualifying flight spend for WestJet flights flown during the Promotion Period.

     

  • Free Apps That May Work Without Paying for In-Flight Wi-Fi

    I enjoy airplane wi-fi, especially without paying for it!

    gogo-logo-lock

    Did you know that some apps can work without the in-flight WI-FI?

    The prices are outrageous for posting a Facebo

    Erica Ho at Map Happy found that many Google apps, as well as a few others, often work as long as you’re connected to the wi-fi network on the plane.

    Here is a list of apps to use for FREE!

    • Gmail
    • Google Voice (sending and receiving)
    • Google Drive
    • Google Maps
    • Google Hangouts
    • Google Plus
    • Google Translate
    • Google Image Search
    • Google AdSense
    • Google Analytics
    • Google Search from phone search bar

    Have you used this before?

    Personally, when I was on a cruise I was able to visit other websites even though I never paid for the WI-FI. I need to test this for our future Air Canada flights using Go-Go.

  • Up to 25,000 bonus miles for converting to Aeroplan – Ends Nov 24, 2014

    From October 27 to November 24, 2014, convert points from a wide selection of partner loyalty programs to earn up to 25,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles.

    Aeroplan Transfer Bonus
    Aeroplan Transfer Bonus
    Please note that while the conversion of Membership Rewards® points from American Express Cardmember accounts into Aeroplan Miles is still possible, it is not eligible for this bonus mile promotion.

    Maximum 25,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles can be earned per Aeroplan Member. Bonus Aeroplan Miles will be issued by Aeroplan as follows: 1,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles will be deposited into the member’s account when the total Aeroplan Miles earned by converting points from any combination of eligible partner programs during the promotion is between 5,000 and 9,999 Aeroplan Miles; OR 2,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles will be deposited into the member’s account when the total Aeroplan Miles earned by converting points from any combination of eligible partner programs during the promotion is between 10,000 and 19,999 Aeroplan Miles; OR 4,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles will be deposited into the member’s account when the total Aeroplan Miles earned by converting points from any combination of eligible partner programs during the promotion is between 20,000 and 49,999 Aeroplan Miles; OR 10,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles will be deposited into the member’s account when the total Aeroplan Miles earned by converting points from any combination of eligible partner programs during the promotion is between 50,000 and 99,999 Aeroplan Miles; OR 25,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles will be deposited into the member’s account when the total Aeroplan Miles earned by converting points from any combination of eligible partner programs during the promotion is between 100,000 and 149,999 Aeroplan Miles. Bonus offer valid only on conversions made between October 27 and November 24, 2014 (11:59 EST).
    POINTS.com: Aeroplan Miles procured via a Trade transaction with another member on Points.com are not eligible towards the conversion bonus threshold. Conversion of Membership Rewards® points from American Express Cardmember accounts into Aeroplan Miles are not eligible for this promotion. Although eligible CIBC Aventura cardholders as of October 1, 2013, can convert their Aventura points to Aeroplan Miles, these conversions are also not eligible for this promotion. Please note that conversion from Diners Club Rewards Points to Aeroplan Miles are eligible to the bonus miles promotion currently in market. BONUS MILE CREDITING: Bonus miles are credited 7 10 days following successful receipt by Aeroplan of a conversion transaction from the partner. Note that some partners may take up to 2 weeks to submit point to mile conversions to Aeroplan.

  • Air Canada introducing Altitude changes in Early 2015

    Air Canada has announced some changes to its Altitude program.

    Seat Sale!
    Air Canada

    Introducing redemptions to Premium Economy
    In early 2015, Aeroplan members will be able to redeem their Aeroplan Miles for Premium Economy seats on Air Canada. Details will be forthcoming soon.

    250 Mile Minimum
    For travel as of March 1, 2015, miles earned will be based on the actual distance flown and the fare option purchased for each flight operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada rouge and Star Alliance™ member airlines. Mileage accrual will no longer be rounded up to a 250 Mile minimum. This change includes Rapidair flights between Toronto Pearson International Airport and Montreal or Ottawa, or between Toronto City Centre Airport and Montreal.

    Here is the updated chart:

  • 15% Off – Air Canada Global Sale; Ends October 24, 2014

    Flight deals: Find the latest sale fares. Book now!

    Seat Sale!
    Seat Sale!

    You’ll save 15% on flights to worldwide destinations with Air Canada, Air Canada Express or Air Canada rouge. This offer is only available here at aircanada.com until October 24, 2014. Book now to take advantage of this sale!

    Total prices displayed include air transportation charges, including taxes, fees and charges, as well as surcharges. Seats are limited. Flight restrictions may apply. Complete fare rules including; day-of-week restrictions, departure dates, travel days, advance purchase and minimum and maximum stays are displayed by clicking on the price. Seats are limited on peak travel days. Additional restrictions are listed below.

    All fares displayed on this page are in Canadian dollars, per person. Tickets must be purchased by 23:59 EST/20:59 PDT on the ticketing deadline date. Fares are valid at time of transmission and apply to new bookings only. Price is subject to change without prior notice and for representative information ONLY. All taxes, fees, charges and surcharges are subject to change. Please refer to the booking flow by clicking on the search option in order to see the final price/breakdown or contact Air Canada reservation at 1-888-247-2262. Certain international destinations may have tax, fee or charge that must be paid at the point of origin or at departure. Please contact the nearest foreign government office of the country you plan to visit for definitive, up-to-date information. Country-specific and interactive passenger-specific information is also available at www.iatatravelcentre.com and www.voyage.gc.ca. Fees for optional services, such as itinerary changes, additional baggage, advance seat selection, or certain special service requests, may increase overall cost, for more information, please consult: http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/products_services.html. All seats are limited and subject to availability. Certain flights may not be offered on each day of the week. The fares indicated are not valid on seasonal route past the last date the flight operates. Certain flights may be operated by other carriers on a codeshare basis.

  • Earn AIR MILES at Rexall – Starts Oct 31, 2014

    Well Rexall has left the Aeroplan program and have joined AIR MILES, earn AIR MILES® reward miles on almost all your purchases at Rexall starting October 31, 2014!

    rexall-air-miles

     

    I am not sure what Aeroplan will do (we don't have many other stores to earn Aeroplan miles).

  • Aeroplan members will no longer be able to earn miles at Rexall – Starts Oct, 31, 2014

    One of the easiest ways to earn Aeroplan miles is being removed as of October 31, 2014.

    aeroplan

    As of October 31st, 2014, Aeroplan Members will no longer be able to accumulate miles at Rexall pharmacies, including Pharma Plus locations in Thunder Bay, Ontario. All miles accumulated with Rexall and Pharma Plus up to October 30th, 2014, will not be affected.

    In the event that miles from purchases made at Rexall up until October 30th, 2014, have not been credited to their Aeroplan Account, members can claim the missing miles within 6 months of the transaction date by going to their Rexall store with their receipt showing the number of miles to be credited. No miles will be credited past April 30th, 2015.

    Here is a link to the article release.

    This is one of the ways I collect Aeroplan Miles (I wonder what is replacing this)?

     

  • No Annual fee for first year with TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card

    I love to share no annual fee promotions!

    Apply for the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card by October 31, 2014, and you’ll enjoy:

    aeroplan-fyf

    • Annual fee rebate for the first year – a $120 saving
    • A Welcome Bonus of 15,000 Aeroplan Miles when you make your first purchase with your Card
    • An additional 10,000 Aeroplan Miles when you spend $1,000 within the first 90 days

    This is a great deal, combined with the free 25,000 Aeroplan miles and First Year Free promotion with the American Express Gold Rewards Card and you are on your way to somewhere nice! (50,000 Aeroplan Miles could get you 2 return tickets anywhere in North America) or 1 return ticket to Hawaii.

    This also includes some nice Air Canada perks when travelling using an Aeroplan Flight Reward*:

    • Complimentary first checked bag
    • Priority check-in and boarding
    • An annual Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge one-time guest pass.

    Disclosure: I do not receive a referral for this card but I seriously recommend getting it! I plan on getting this.