Plaza Premium Lounges revamps loyalty program - download the new Smart Traveller App by March 31 to receive 200 points + a 1st visit bonus

Late last year Plaza Premium - the Asia based business class lounge provided with airport lounges in 21 countries including Canada - decided to revamp their Arrture loyalty program. See our coverage of the old program here. The big change with the program is the name, gone is Arrture as it has been replaced with Smart Traveller. Much better in my opinion!

The points earning has been modified and is as follows now:

 The old program had a simple 2,000 points gets you one lounge visit. Now they have a few more redemption options. Ranging from 1,500 points to upgrade your lounge visit in Hong Kong to Plaza Premium First Lounge to 4,000 points for a three hour visit to a Plaza Premium Resting Suite. The main reward that most people will look for is simply a free lounge visit - that now costs 2,500 points, so it has gone up 25% in the new program.

With the launch of the revamped program you can get 200 points for free just by downloading the Smart Traveller app and this includes those who were already members of the Arrture program. Plus you can earn 100 bonus points your first visit until March 31, 2020.

Make sure that you do put your birthday in the app as well as any lounge entries made during the month of your birthday will earn double the points.

What's amazing about this program is that it doesn't matter what you use to access a Plaza Premium lounge - you'll receive the points regardless of your entry method. This means you can access the lounge with Priority Pass, American Express' Canadian Platinum Lounge benefit, LoungeKey, an airline's business/first class ticket, or any other program that has Plaza Premium lounges participating. Or you can just pay for access. Simply put, when you enter the lounge and use whatever method to access it, simply show them your membership via the app and you'll get the points per the chart above.

Here in Canada Plaza Premium has over a dozen lounges in Edmonton (2), Toronto (6 + 1 Spa), Winnipeg (1) and Vancouver (4). Costs for Plaza Premium Lounges in Canada are US$40 for 2 hours, US$48 for 3 hours and US$64 for 6 hours. Children aged 2-11 enjoy a 30%  discount.

Learn more about the Smart Traveller program here.

HT Executive Traveller

January 21 Update: CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege Card added to comparison charts, discount offer for No1 Lounges, new welcome offers for Amex AIR MILES cards

We have added the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege Card to our credit card comparison charts. You'll find them on the following charts:
Canadian Travel Credit Card Comparison: All Travel Rewards Credit Cards
Canadian Travel Credit Card Comparison: Travel Points Credit Cards
 

If you are flying to/from/via the UK or Australia there is another business class lounge company you can look at. No1 Lounges, they have 15 of their own locations in the U.K. and Australia. If you are looking to access any of these lounges you can do so with many of the lounge access programs like Diners Club, Dragonpass, Lounge Club, Lounge Pass and Priority Pass. However if you don't have one of those memberships and want to buy one time access you can do so right from No1 Lounges. You can save on those one time entry fees by joining Virgin Australia's Velocity program and then accessing their discount page on No. 1 Lounges. This provides 20% off the fee and you'll also earn 3 Velocity points for every $1 spent. Learn more or take advantage of the discount offer here.

We have also added No.1 Lounges to Rewards Canada's Guide to Business Class Lounge Access feature
 

The limited time welcome bonuses for the American Express AIR MILES Platinum and American Express AIR MILES Reserve cards came to an end yesterday. The new offers, which I believe are the standard welcome bonus offers are now 2,000 miles with $1,500 in spending and 2,400 miles with $3,000 in spending respectively. Find out more here.

Posts since our last update:

• Earn 1,000 bonus points for weekend stays of 2+ nights at the Courtyard Calgary Airport
  Offer details 1,000 bonus Bonvoy points when you stay 2 nights or longer Thursday-Sunday at The Courtyard Calgary Airport. Full details…
• January 20 Update: Guide to American Express Canada 'Amex Offers', new WestJet Calgary-Charlottetown route, Air Canada sun destination one day sale
  Another week another guide on Rewards Canada! Today we released our Guide to American Express Canada 'Amex Offers' which…

Travel Deals

N/A

Remember to visit Rewards Canada's Travel Booking site to book travel directly with many of your favourite airlines, hotels and more!

Canadian Bonus Offers

Marriott Bonvoy
- 1,000 bonus Bonvoy points when you stay 2 nights or longer Thursday-Sunday at The Courtyard Calgary Airport. More... Until Mar 29, 20

Other Bonus Offers

ALL Accor Live Limitless
- Quadruple Rewards points for stays at participating new Accor Hotels Worldwide. More... Book by Mar 3 for stays until Apr 19, 20
- Triple Rewards points for stays at participating Accor Hotels in Austria, Germany or Switzerland More... Book by Jan 31 for stays until Mar 21, 20

American AAdvantage
- Triple AAdvantage Miles for every $1 USD spent with World of Hyatt Hotels. More... Targeted Offer - May not work for everyone Register by Feb 15 for stays until Mar 15, 20

Finnair Plus
- Earn up to Quadruple Plus Points for Europcar rentals of 5 or more days at participating locations Worldwide except USA, Canada, China, Japan and India.. More... Book by Jan 31 for rentals until Jun 30, 20

Hilton Honors
- Earn up to 7,500 Bonus Honors points for stays at participating Hilton Hotels Worldwide. More... Targeted offer - may not work for everyone Until Dec 31, 20

IHG Rewards Club
- 50% Bonus IHG Rewards Club Bonus points for stays at select New IHG hotels in the U .S. and Canada More... Book by Mar 31 for stays until Apr 30, 20

Marriott Bonvoy
- 1,000 bonus Bonvoy points and receive 20% off best available rate, free buffet breakfast daily, Wi-Fi at The St. Regis Mauritius Resort or the Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa. More... Until Apr 30, 20
- 3,000 Bonus Bonvoy Points for stays of 7+ nights at the Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel More... Until Feb 23, 20
- 1,000 Bonus Bonvoy Points + 15% off stays on Thursday-Sunday nights (Friday or Saturday required) at the Bridgewater Marriott. More... Until Apr 12, 20
- 1,000 Bonus Bonvoy Points PER NIGHT for stays at the Denver Airport Marriott at Gateway Park. More... Until Apr 12, 20
- 5,000 Bonus Bonvoy Points PER NIGHT for weekend stays at the Renaissance Boulder Flatiron Hotel. More... Until Mar 21, 20

Millennium Hotels My Millennium
- 2,888 Bonus My Millennium Points + up to 15% off for stays of 2 or more night at participating Millennium Hotels Worldwide. More... Book by Feb 2 for stays until Mar 31, 20

Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
- 2,020 ROP Miles on Sixt rentals of 5 or more days Worldwide. More... Until Feb 29, 20

Wyndham Rewards
- Double Wyndham Rewards Points on your next stay at a Wyndham Rewards Hotel worldwide. More... Targeted Offer - May not work for everyone Until Feb 4, 20


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Earn 1,000 bonus points for weekend stays of 2+ nights at the Courtyard Calgary Airport

Offer details
1,000 bonus Bonvoy points when you stay 2 nights or longer Thursday-Sunday at The Courtyard Calgary Airport. Full details & online booking Until Mar 29, 20

The rate prices out the same as the best flexible rate and $5 more than the member only rate per night. So the bonus points are awash with the member only rate. If you are paying for the room yourself you may just want to save the $5 per night (depends on what you value your points at) however if you don't pay for your room then go for the bonus points rate if you are allowed to do so. (AKA screw your employer rate)

Here are some other Marriott Bonvoy bonus offers to check out:

• New Marriott Bonvoy™* American Express® Cardmembers earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy™ points enough for 3 free nights at a Category 2 hotel after you charge $1,500 in purchases to your Card in your first three months of Cardmembership.* subject to change at any time 
• Earn 1,000 bonus Bonvoy points per night for stays at the Four Points by Sheraton Vaughan. Full details and online booking
• 2,500 Bonus Bonvoy Points + $25 F&B credit for stays at the JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa. Full details & online booking

Click here to see Rewards Canada's full list of Marriott Bonvoy bonus points offers!

January 20 Update: Guide to American Express Canada 'Amex Offers', new WestJet Calgary-Charlottetown route, Air Canada sun destination one day sale

Another week another guide on Rewards Canada! Today we released our Guide to American Express Canada 'Amex Offers' which as you guessed it details everything you need to know about the recently enhanced and expanded Amex Offers program! The guide has a summary of all the current Amex Offers as well as a 'how to' section with details on how to register for offers, see offers you've registered for and so on. It also has some tips and tricks to make the most of these offers. Check out the guide here!

Image courtesy of WestJet

WestJet has announced new summer seasonal service between Calgary and Charlottetown. The flights will operate 4x weekly from June 25 to September 7. (Source WestJet)

Speaking of WestJet route news - the new Halifax-Manchester route we let you know about last week is now open for reservations.

The Calgary Airport Authority shared some photos with us from last Thursday's celebrations for the inaugural Air Canada Airbus A220 flight:

Pictured above are Air Canada crew and customer services representatives joined by Chris Miles, Vice President Operations (third from left), Captain Patrick Tompkins, Chief A220 pilot, Air Canada (centre), and Robert Trudeau, Senior Director, Corporate and Business Development Sales, Air Canada (third from right). Photo courtesy of Calgary Airport Authority

Photo courtesy of Calgary Airport Authority

Posts since our last update:

• Great new offer on the Scotia Momentum VISA Infinite card - 10% back for first three months & first year free
  We see the return of a very popular offer for the  Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card. Right now for…
• January 16 Update: Spend $450 with Amex Travel on hotels & cars to earn a $100 statement credit, 100 bonus AIR MILES at Rexall & more!
  There is a really good Amex Offers offer that came out today. Spend $450 on prepaid hotel or car…

Travel Deals

Air Canada is having a one day sale for flights to sun destination! Book today to enjoy an additional 15% off base fares. Valid for travel until June 15. Find out more here.

Remember to visit Rewards Canada's Travel Booking site to book travel directly with many of your favourite airlines, hotels and more!

Canadian Bonus Offers

N/A

Other Bonus Offers

ALL Accor Live Limitless
- 1,500 Rewards points for stays at participating Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts in the Middle East & Africa More... Book by Feb 3 for stays Jan 25 - Mar 31, 20

IHG Rewards Club
- 10,000 Bonus IHG Rewards Club Points for stays at 8 Kimpton hotels in Austin, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Downtown Miami, New York & Santa Barbara. More... Book by Jan 28 for stays until Mar 31, 20

Marriott Bonvoy
- Earn up to 10,000 Bonus Bonvoy Points + receive a hotel credit for stays of 2+ nights for Friday, Saturday or Sunday nights in a suite at any one of 12 Marriott Hotels in Azerbaijan, Hungary, Israel, Kazakhstan, Russia, Romania, or Turkey. More... Until Mar 22, 20 except Ritz-Carlton Moscow until Mar 29, 20

SriLankan FlySmiles
- 20% Bonus FlySmiles on all SriLankan fligths Worldwide. More... Book by Feb 20 for travel Feb 20 - Mar 20, 20

United MileagePlus
- Triple MileagePlus Miles for stays at The Langham hotels in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and London. More... Until Mar 31, 20


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Great new offer on the Scotia Momentum VISA Infinite card - 10% back for first three months & first year free

We see the return of a very popular offer for the  Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card. Right now for new applications Scotia will award you with 10% cash back on all purchases up to $200 cash back in the first three months. Not only that but they will waive the first year annual fee of $120 on the primary card and if you grab a supplementary card they'll waive the $50 fee on that as well at no cost. That means if you can spend $2,000 on the card in the first three months you'll get the full $200 at no cost.

After the first three months you will have your usual 4%, 2% and 1% returns and with the annual fee waived in the first year it won't cost you anything to give this card a shot. Remember your cash back reward gets paid out in November so you'll want to wait until then to cancel this card if so chose to.  This offer is valid for applications made up until April 30, 2020

This card ranked third overall in our 2019 Top Cash Back Credit card rankings.

January 16 Update: Spend $450 with Amex Travel on hotels & cars to earn a $100 statement credit, 100 bonus AIR MILES at Rexall & more!

There is a really good Amex Offers offer that came out today. Spend $450 on prepaid hotel or car rental bookings via American Express Travel and receive a $100 statement credit. I received the offer for my American Express Gold Rewards card. Simply log in to your Amex account online or via the app and see if the offer shows up under Amex Offers. Be sure to register for it right away as it is capped at 65,000 registrations (this is high amount but I assume this offer is being sent to most Amex cardholders) and you must book and pay for your hotel or car rental by February 29, 2020. Also you may want to note that it does not have to be one booking - the $450 can be cumulative across multiple bookings so long as they are made and paid for by the deadline! The offer excludes flight purchases, hotel bookings made through the Fine Hotel & Resorts and The Hotel Collection programs, purchases made by phone, and travel insurance purchases.

Earn 100 bonus AIR MILES Reward Miles when you spend $30 or more on Rexall brand products at Rexall this weekend. No coupon is required

Speaking of both American Express and AIR MILES, this is a friendly reminder that the current limited time offers for the American Express AIR MILES Platinum Card and American Express AIR MILES Reserve Card are slated to end next week on January 20. The Platinum card is now the best earning AIR MILES Card in the market and the welcome bonus provides some big time value! Read this post for more details.

Posts since our last update:

• WestJet continues Transatlantic expansion with new Halifax to Manchester flights
  According the RoutesOnline, WestJet is going to launch service between Halifax and Manchester for the summer season on June…
• Air Canada unveils its Airbus A220 ahead of the first revenue flight this week
  Yesterday Air Canada held an event in Montreal to reveal their new Airbus A220 to the press ahead of…
• Radisson Rewards - Earn up to 150,000 Bonus Points on your stays worldwide until March 31
  Radisson is the next major hotel chain to release their first global systemwide promotion for 2020. This offer was…
• January 15 Update: How to earn 54,000+ Aeroplan Miles for free, new CIBC card offers & more American Express Cobalt Card Confirmed Multiplier Locations
  Today we updated our Travel Hacking 101 post with the latest offers from TD, CIBC and RBC. Find out…

Travel Deals

Stay at Marriott resorts across the United States and Canada, and enjoy a nightly credit up to $100 USD. Reserve your vacation by January 31, 2020 and enjoy up to a $100 nightly resort credit to use on dining, golf, spa and more. Valid for travel at US & Canada resorts through March 31, 2020. Find out more here.

Remember to visit Rewards Canada's Travel Booking site to book travel directly with many of your favourite airlines, hotels and more!

Canadian Bonus Offers

N/A

Other Bonus Offers

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
- Double Mileage Plan Miles plus a free day when rent with Hertz for 6 or more days at participating locations in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico, on all Car Classes and Collections. More... Until Mar 31, 20

ALL Accor Live Limitless
- Triple Rewards points for stays at participating Accor Hotels near Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport. More... Until May 15, 20

American AAdvantage
- Double AAdvantage Miles plus a free day when rent with Hertz for 6 or more days at participating locations in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico, on all Car Classes and Collections. More... Until Mar 31, 20
- Earn up to 1,000 Bonus AAdvantage miles when you shop online via the AAdvantage Shopping Portal. More... Until Jan 21, 20

Hilton Honors
- Earn up to 5,000 Bonus Honors points for stays at participating Hilton Hotels Worldwide. More... Targeted offer - may not work for everyone Until Dec 31, 20

Marriott Bonvoy
- 4,000 Bonus Bonvoy Points PER NIGHT for stays at any one of 14 Marriott Hotels in the Atlanta area. More... Book by Mar 2 for stays Feb 17 - Mar 31, 20

Radisson Rewards
- Earn up to 150,000 Bonus Rewards Points at all Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson and Country Inn & Suites by Radisson hotels worldwide. More... Until Mar 31, 20

Scandic Hotels Friends
- 50% discount when you redeem Scandic Friend points for award night stays at select hotels in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Germany. More... Until Jan 31, 20


Follow Rewards Canada:

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WestJet continues Transatlantic expansion with new Halifax to Manchester flights

According the RoutesOnline, WestJet is going to launch service between Halifax and Manchester for the summer season on June 5th. This marks WestJet's seventh city that they will be serving across the pond after London (Gatwick), Glasgow, Dublin, Paris, Barcelona and Rome. The flights are slated to operate four times weekly with a Boeing 737-700 on the following schedule

WS057 YHZ2245 – 0812+1MAN 73W x246
WS058 MAN0945 – 1152YHZ 73W x357

At the time of writing the flight wasn't showing up yet on WestJet's site for booking (nor has there been a press release about it) but I would guess we should see it open up later today or tomorrow.  The timing of the flights allows for connections from many of WestJet's other cities including those out west.

The 737-700's operating the route offer 12 Premium Economy and 122 Economy seats.  As there is no business class this entire plane is open to using Companion Vouchers from the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard. Remember that those vouchers can be used for those Premium Economy seats to potentially provide you with some big savings as you'll only pay the $399 voucher amounts plus taxes and fees. Definitely consider it for the Premium Seats but for Economy itself I'm guessing the fares will be quite low where it won't make sense to use the vouchers. Also remember that right now WestJet is offering an increased sign up bonus on their WestJet Rewards World Elite Mastercard that provides 350 WestJet dollars after your first purchase on the card!

Air Canada unveils its Airbus A220 ahead of the first revenue flight this week

Yesterday Air Canada held an event in Montreal to reveal their new Airbus A220 to the press ahead of the plane entering into revenue service this week. If you are a planespotter you may have seen it plying our skies on training flights for Air Canada pilots and now it's all set to start making the airline some money!

The first revenue flight will take place between Montreal and Calgary and it will also fly other domestic routes out of Montreal and Toronto until May. At that time the plane will begin flying on two new routes for Air Canada - Montreal to Seattle and Toronto to San Jose, California.

Air Canada is second North American operator of the Canadian designed and built Airbus A220 which was previously known as the Bombardier CSeries. Air Canada has configured their A220 aircraft with 137 seats, 12 in business class in a 2x2 layout and 125 in economy class with a 3x2 layout.

Customers will have more personal space thanks to the widest economy seats in the fleet at 19 inches, and the largest overhead stowage bins for an aircraft this size.

Additional features include larger windows and full-colour LED ambient and customizable mood lighting that contribute to reducing fatigue while travelling. The high ceilings, extra shoulder room and storage make this an unparalleled interior in the narrow-body segment. 

Every seat on the A220 features a Panasonic in-flight entertainment system with content available in 15 languages and featuring more than 1,000 hours of high-quality entertainment, including content from Bell Media's premium entertainment service, Crave, and Montreal-based multi-platform audio service, Stingray. The system also offers dynamic closed captioning for the deaf and is accessible to the visually impaired. The A220 will also have satellite-based, high speed Wi-Fi access.

A220 Business Class

A220 Economy Class

Air Canada has a firm order for 45 of the planes that provide great range and fuel economy and will help Air Canada open new routes in North America as evidenced by the first two routes they will be launching in May.

Read Air Canada's A220 press release here

Are you excited to try this new plane?Are you going to be flying on the plane for the first flight or any of the other scheduled flights? Let us know in the comments below!


All images via Air Canada