Bank of Montreal has made a bold move for market share by making big cuts in the number of points you need to travel, while several other banks have introduced an elite new Visa card with perks for big-time spenders and travellers.
BMO's newly revamped Mosaik Gold Air Miles MasterCard offers what in some situations is the most efficient way to generate reward flights in the Canadian market right now. Card holders can book flights using the Air Miles program with 20 per cent fewer points than regular members. Example: Card holders need 840 points for an off-season Toronto-New York flight, down from the standard 1,050.
BMO's re-jigged Mosaik card removes some benefits that used to be offered through a special arrangement with the airline WestJet. However, the new 20-per-cent discount will benefit more people because 11 airlines can now be used for reward flights, including WestJet. The 20-per-cent discount applies across the board to normal Air Miles requirements and BMO says there are no blackout periods or other restrictions.
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2009 Q miles: UA 28166 NW 6818 WS 1008 YouTube Jukebox: ArcadiaGoodbye Is Forever
Bank of Montreal has made a bold move for market share by making big cuts in the number of points you need to travel, while several other banks have introduced an elite new Visa card with perks for big-time spenders and travellers.
BMO's newly revamped Mosaik Gold Air Miles MasterCard offers what in some situations is the most efficient way to generate reward flights in the Canadian market right now. Card holders can book flights using the Air Miles program with 20 per cent fewer points than regular members. Example: Card holders need 840 points for an off-season Toronto-New York flight, down from the standard 1,050.
BMO's re-jigged Mosaik card removes some benefits that used to be offered through a special arrangement with the airline WestJet. However, the new 20-per-cent discount will benefit more people because 11 airlines can now be used for reward flights, including WestJet. The 20-per-cent discount applies across the board to normal Air Miles requirements and BMO says there are no blackout periods or other restrictions.
The article failed to discuss the ease of redemption. 20% discount on nothing is still nothing. I have lots of Air Miles but as noted in one of my earlier posts, even with reasonable advance planning, I have been unable to book any hotel room using them as a Gold level collector.
There is also no mention in the article about the fact that the 1600 max AM price for a westjet ticket is A LOT less than most other redemption rates. From yyj to mco every other airline is at least 3500 iirc, and some as high as 6000. 20% off either fare still stucks. Plus I really really hate paying the taxes and fees..
I'll probably drop my mosaik card if this is in fact how the program is changing. I'll just redeem my airmiles for stuff I need at home like kayaks, wakeboards and crock pots.
If it wasn't so easy to earn AM's at Safeway I probably wouldn't even bother with the program.
I'll probably drop my mosaik card if this is in fact how the program is changing. I'll just redeem my airmiles for stuff I need at home like kayaks, wakeboards and crock pots.
No toasters?
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2009 Q miles: UA 28166 NW 6818 WS 1008 YouTube Jukebox: ArcadiaGoodbye Is Forever
