TD set to take over Aeroplan credit cards unless CIBC matches offer
 

Many users on this forum are Aeroplan members. Here's some news on proposed changes with Aeroplan.

News on this thread:
Flyertalk thread: TD set to take over Aeroplan credit cards unless CIBC matches offer


Globe & Mail article:
TD set to take over Aeroplan credit cards unless CIBC matches offer


Blog article:
Canadian Kilometers blog/



Toronto-Dominion Bank is set to take over as the new provider of Aeroplan credit cards once Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce’s contract with the rewards program expires at the end of the year.
...
TD’s contract with Aimia would last 10 years and allows the bank to launch a number of co-branded credit cards with the Aeroplan program.
...
However, there is a wrinkle in the new contract. CIBC has what is known as a right of first refusal, which means the bank has the right to renew its contract, under revised terms, before Aimia signs a deal with any other bank.
...

Holiday Inn / IHG for 5000 points, or $67.50 in points
 

RewardsCanada blog is reporting the newest quarterly round of PointBreaks specials from IHG / Holiday Inns.

PointBreaks are reward stays that are only 5,000 points.
You can purchase 5,000 points for US $67.50 from the IHG website. (Higher quantities are slightly cheaper, too.)

Edit: as pointed out, there is a way that IHG members who already have at least 5,000 points can buy 5,000 points for US $40, or buy 10,000 points for US $70.

Hotels in Canada:
ALBERTA
HOLIDAY INN HINTON

BRITISH COLUMBIA
Deleted since the start of the promo: HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS AND SUITES SURREY

MANITOBA
HOLIDAY INN WINNIPEG-AIRPORT WEST

NEW BRUNSWICK
Deleted since the start of the promo: HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS AND SUITES SAINT JOHN HARBOUR SIDE

NOVA SCOTIA
HOLIDAY INN HALIFAX HARBOURVIEW

ONTARIO
Deleted since the start of the promo: HOLIDAY INN HOTEL AND SUITES MISSISSAUGA
Deleted since the start of the promo: HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS AND SUITES BRAMPTON

QUEBEC
Deleted since the start of the promo: HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS ST. JEAN SUR RICHELIEU
Deleted since the start of the promo: CROWNE PLAZA GATINEAU-OTTAWA
Deleted since the start of the promo: CROWNE PLAZA MONTREAL AIRPORT

Hotels in US & other countries:
See list

Is the dailygetawaydeals just for US addresses?

I've been trying to find out about the Marriott Rewards Visa 50,000 point offer referred to here. If I click on any of the links people have provided, I don't see any reference to 50,000 points. If I go to the Marriott site, it says 30,000 points. I just want to be sure that I'm applying from the right link in order to get the 50,000.

There's no specific link. You have to call in to apply and quote a code, or apply online and quote the code to get another 20k points.

Yes, that appears to be the case. I just attempted to purchase one of the deals. The site wants a US credit card with a US billing address, which most of us don't have.

Yes, you need a US Address. But you don't need a US CC.

You can set up a second address on your credit card - just make sure it's NOT the statement mailing address. For example, if you live i southern Ontario you can use the address for a place like CBI USA as a second address on your credit card file.

I just purchased something from Home Depot (.com) and their checkout does not offer CDN options (postal code, province) but the transaction went through because I used CBI's address in Niagara Falls, NY which is the secondary address on my BMO Mastercard.

IHG -5000 points
 

You can "purchase" 5000 points for US$ 37.50 using the "cash and points" res. system.
Michael

Thanks, yulmichael! That's a good tip; I'd forgotten about that one.

IHG's point prices have changed a few times over the past couple of years. I think they're now at US$40 for 5,000 points, and US$70 for 10,000 points. The workaround is available only to members with at least 5,000 points to start with.

Loblaws / Superstore: 20% off Marriott gift cards
 

As spotted in this RedFlagDeals forum:

Get 20% off a $100 Marriott gift card.
(Other options include 20% off a $50 iTunes gift card, plus a few others.)

Here's a screenshot of the flyer in western Canada Superstores
Here's a link to note on Loblaws website for Ontario

Here's the T&C:
Marriott TravelCards may be used within the Marriott portfolio of brands, including participating
retail, spa, golf and food and beverage outlets. >ard is a prepaid card, not a credit card, and is
property of and issued by Ml Fulfillment Services, LLC. Protect card like cash. There is no expiration
date for card. Each transaction will be debited against card balance; if transaction exceeds
balance, user must pay the difference. Card is not redeemable for cash and change will not be
returned except when otherwise required by applicable law. Card cannot be redeemed until
activated. Card becomes inactive upon use of all card value. Card cannot be applied to group,
special corporate/negotiated, catering, associate or other discounted/non-commissionable rates.
Card cannot be used when reservation is booked by a travel agent or other third party. Card cannot
be used to secure or confirm a reservation. Marriott Rewards® points cannot be earned with the
use of this card. Lost, stolen or damaged cards will be replaced only if previously registered. Value
of replaced card will equal balance on card at the time it was reported lost, stolen or damaged.
To check card balance and see complete terms and conditions visit gifts.marriott.com or call
(+1) 800.442.6132. Use of this card confirms acceptance of terms above.

Caveat:
One poster at RFD reports that on back of gift card it says you can't earn Marriott Rewards points if you use this gift card.

in stock
 

Purchased yesterday.$100 for 80.Cool.

I'll visit my RCSS Superstore this weekend to check it out

RFD'er said $50 cards didn't seem to scan at $40 but $50 instead, so may be limited to $100 cards

Hope the premier visa comes through with the 50K bonus points, I applied through that for my +1 and she got instantly approved, but it doesn't say anywhere the 50K just the offer code on the link..

fingers crossed

I've found many good discussions at RedFlagDeals forums lately. More talk about advice and deals than miles generation, but RFD has found a place in my bookmarks.

RFD: Hot Deals (Travel)
RFD: Travel Forum

But it's mixed in with everything else? All I've seen are Air Transat Sales and AC Discount Codes. and people asking for travel advice. I've never seen anything significant that hasn't been in FT.

Anyone try this? Does it work to get the extra 20K points (via phone call)?

Have been reports in the FT thread that this has been successful i think.

Hi there, wondering if anyone has found any creative ways to redeem High Flyer rewards from HarbourAir. You can get some decent GCs but looking for better options..

I just got this card recently with 30K, 1 bonus night, no fee 1st year, so I will give this a shot.

Thanks

Call them and quote the code. Act like you applied with a 50k offer and just confirm it.

Costco.ca 3x Aeroplan Miles Aug 5th-11th


Not available at Costco warehouse stores.

http://www.costco.ca/wcsstore/Costco...es-lp-e_01.gif

Note the exclusions as per the T&Cs:
Ineligible purchases include: new Costco memberships (which are eligible to receive 1,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles for a new Gold Star or Business Membership and 1,500 Bonus Aeroplan Miles for a new Executive Membership), Costco membership renewals, gift of membership, tires, online gift certificates, Costco Cash cards, custom installation services and online digital print orders.

Also believe that registration is required to get the 3X.

Thanks - called Chase this evening and asked how to apply the source code for my recently acquired Marriott Visa and the rep asked if it was the 50K source code. Once I confirmed it with him he said it had been applied. This was the second rep I spoke to as the first rep transferred me once I describe my issue/question.

I will confirm after my first statement to ensure the points are credited to my Marriott account (it appears the bonus night already was).

BMO Rewards World Elite MasterCard: now 2% spend
 

Bank of Montreal has upped the reward redemption rate on the BMO Rewards World Elite MasterCard. The rate is now 2%, up from 1.9%.

The standard offer is 15,000 points, which at 1.9%, was worth $285.

However, the 20,000 points bonus offer appears to still work. That'd be $400 in travel credit. Annual fee remains at $150.
That's a $250 gain instantly. I think this is one of the best cards out there now.

• Supplementary cards are now free.
• Priority Pass access to VIP airport lounges (4 visits per year).
• $70,000 income or $120,000 household income required.
• More at http://bmorewards.com

Thanks, did not know about this card until now

and there's the MBNA Alaska Air MC as well to sign up... oh boy

Regarding the up to 9 supplementary Amex Gold cards with annual fee waived first year, can my wife and I both apply for those cards for the same people, i.e. our kids, parents, etc.? Has anyone had success with getting the 1000 MR points per card doing this with the same people getting multiple supplementary cards? Thx for your input!

BMO phone reps told me today that they're only offering the 15,000 point bonus. However, the 20,000 point bonus offer remains active on the BMO website.

EDIT: The link that gave a bonus of 20,000 old points, which would be worth 40,000 new points, or $400, was disabled August 31, 2013.
Click here for discussion of the bonus after September 1, 2013.

This promo will definitely end August 31, because that's the date that BMO converts to new points system, and doubles everyone's existing points balances. Even if the 20,000 were to continue, 20,000 then is worth much less than 20,000 before the end of August.

I don't 100% guarantee whether BMO will award the 20,000 without some prodding, but the offer's there, on their website. $400 credit on travel, $150 annual fee. Also, the $400 credit is $400 off against a larger purchase, which is a lot easier to use than Capital One's "any purchase up to $XXX" deal.

If you're looking for a good signup bonus, this is hard to beat.

2500 Membership Rewards points
 

Book $250+ in hotels or car rentals.
Get 2500 Membership Rewards points.

Must book online with American Express Travel.
Booking must be made by September 30.

Details:
http://americanexpress.ca/travelbonus

https://travel.americanexpress.ca/im...p_allcards.jpg

I actually got the 15K card, found out about this bonus, then gave them a call. They added another 5K to my account, and were nice enough to deposit the 15K before the end of the billing period... maybe, and this is all hypothetical, another 15K could be automatically deposited with the bill, and maybe the account could be closed with a fee rebate cheque sent within 30 days of the fee posting, maybe totalling 625$ of free money. Again, this is ALL hypothetical :cool:

I just feel it's not nice to do that, ha. But yes error in your favour haha!

PointBreaks rooms for US$35 to US$67.50
 

There's a new batch of PointBreak hotel room specials from IHG / Holiday Inns.

PointBreaks are reward stays available for only 5,000 points. You can purchase 5,000 points for US $67.50 from the IHG website. (Higher quantities get slightly cheaper.)

Better yet, there is a way that IHG members who already have at least 5,000 points can buy 5,000 points for US $40, or buy 10,000 points for US $70.

Hotels in Canada:
ALBERTA
HOLIDAY INN HOTEL AND SUITES LLOYDMINSTER
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS GRANDE PRAIRIE

BRITISH COLUMBIA
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS AND SUITES VERNON

NOVA SCOTIA
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS HALIFAX-BEDFORD

ONTARIO
CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL HAMILTON HOTEL & CONF CENTER
HOLIDAY INN HOTEL AND SUITES OAKVILLE @ BRONTEEDIT: Oakville has no inventory left
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS AND SUITES KINCARDINE - DOWNTOWN

QUEBEC
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS AND SUITES SAINT - HYACINTHE

US & OVERSEAS:
See their website

Toronto: Aeroplan point giveaway, Sep 4
 

Toronto only :mad:

Between 12pm and 1 pm local time on 2013/09/04, Aeroplan is giving away a trip every 5 minutes to "some of the most exciting destinations worldwide"

Register: on 2013/09/04, participants must register in-person at Yonge-Dundas Square starting at 11 am.

Aeroplan sent emails to certain customers. This is all I know.

This allows me to justify my continuing hatred against Toronto and Aeroplan/Air Canada. Thanks!

IHG: The Big Win promotion
 

IHG / Holiday Inns' Priority Club has just launched their new promotion, which runs from September 01, 2013 to December 31, 2013.

• Earn bonus points for completing certain rewards.
• Road warriors can earn some very good bonuses here.

More at this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...promotion.html

A tip for those in Ottawa (though it may well apply to those in Winnipeg and Vancouver): the Royal Canadian Mint often sells coins at face value, and allows credit cards, including AMEX (there were 20$ coins for 20$ recently, and 100$ for 100$ in June I believe). You can deposit these at the bank for face value. I've done probably over 5K on this, meeting a number of minimum spends :)

I've always wondered what to do with those $20 coins I bought (3 only)..besides as souvenir
so banks really just take them at face value? I'm sure some new reps would have no clues what they are (monopoly coins??)

Good idea nonetheless...maybe next time when they have free shipping promo

The first time I deposited them, it was a huge hassle. For awhile, the Mint would sell me 10* each coin in store (of the 20$ or 100$) per visit, so I was at the bank fairly often. I didn't have any problems after the first deposit :)

Thanks for this tip, durberville! I'll be sure to try this out in Winnipeg. If someone beats me to it, please post about it. :p

From the Mint's FAQ page:
The Mint has a process in place to reimburse financial institutions the face value of redeemed NCLT coins, once they have accepted them from a customer and returned them to the Mint. In the event a bank branch is unaware of this procedure, customers are advised to contact the Mint with the coordinates of the bank branch, which will take steps to inform the branch of the redemption process.
Yup, it sounds like some bank branches have been unsure of what to do with coins.

Is there a limit on the number of coins purchased?
I'm assuming you had to physically purchase them at the mint?