I found the Canadian PTS service pretty straight forward and was able to use my 2013 travel credit easily.
I've never used the Cdn online travel service for Amex because 1) airfare doesn't get any bonus points so there's no reason to use it when I can get the same fares elsewhere 2) Hotel bookings I believe are like any other opaque service. I'll book directly on SPG/Hyatt websites so I get the stay credit/hotel points.