May 31 Update: Air Canada Gift Cards now available, AF KLM Sign up bonus, Club Carlson transfer rules changing?

The last day of each is usually quieter than the rest but that is not the case today!

News, Tips & Tricks

Air Canada has launched their own Gift Cards that can be issued as either a physical plastic card (great for birthdays, Christmas etc) or as an eGift Card. You can choose any amount starting at $25 and can view the balance online. More details can be found here. There is a good FAQ via that link but I thought I would post the most important one:

When redeemed online at aircanada.com, at the airport, with your travel agent or by calling Air Canada Reservations*,
Air Canada Gift Cards can be used to purchase a flight, and to pay for
a variety of travel options, fees and services, including:

  • seat selection,
  • change fees,
  • upgrades,
  • additional checked baggage fees,
  • pet handling fees,
  • unaccompanied minor fees

At this time, the Air Canada Gift card cannot be used toward the payment of:

  • onboard purchases (e.g. headsets, beverages, duty-free items)
  • merchandise purchased at the Air Canada eBoutique
  • Aeroplan or other reward travel tickets
  • Air Canada Vacations packages
  • tickets purchased as part of a group booking.
  • hotel reservations, car rentals or RBC travel insurance
  • another gift card
  • a Flight Pass purchase

According to Gary over at View from the Wing, Club Carlson is changing their rules on transferring points between accounts. Previously there were no set rules and you could transfer points freely between accounts but potentially, as of June 1st:

non-elite members will have to have had their accounts open for a
year to transfer points, will only be able to transfer points to
accounts at the same address, and will have had to had their address in
place for at least 3 days

There is a short term bonus for purchases made via the Aeroplan eStore.
Right now you can earn 5x the Aeroplan miles on all purchases until June
2. Full details (HT Canadian KMs)

Travel Deals

Diners Club cardholders who the book the “Save Time and Money” offer at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts worldwide will receive the following.

  • 10% off Best Available Rate
  • Early check-in, based on availability
  • Late check- out, based on availability

Book between March 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013 for stays until March 31, 2014.  Book online at Fairmont

Bonus Offers

Air Baltic BalticMiles (on FrequentFlyerBonuses.com only)– Double BalticMiles Points when you spend 100 EUR or more at ATU Duty Free shops at Riga International Airport. More… Until Jul 31, 13 

Air France KLM Flying Blue

– 3000 Bonus Flying Blue Miles when you join the Flying Blue program and
complete your first Air France, KLM or any SkyTeam partner flight by
August 31. More… Until Aug 31, 13 Residents of Canada only

American AAdvantage

– 1,000 AAdvantage Miles with a three-day minimum rental on any size
vehicle at participating Alamo locations in the United States and
Canada. More… Until Dec 31, 13

– Earn 4X AAdvantage Miles plus, save up to 35% on Hertz Rentals in the
US, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Belgium, Czech Republic, France,
Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland,
and United Kingdom More… Until Oct 31, 13

Best Western Rewards

– Double Rewards Points or Miles for stays of 2+ nights at BEST WESTERN Star Hotel, Semarang. More… Until Dec 31, 13

– Double Rewards Points or Miles for stays of 2+ nights at BEST WESTERN PLUS Lex Cebu More… Until Dec 31, 13

IHG Rewards Club

– 1,500 Bonus Priority Club Points for your next stay Worldwide. Stay must be made within 90 days of registering. More… Until ?


3,000 Bonus Priority Club Points for your next stay
Worldwide (Elite members only). Stay must be made within 90 days of
registering. More… Until ?


3,000 Bonus Priority Club Points for your next stay
Worldwide (Elite members only). Stay must be made within 90 days of
registering. More… Until ?

Marriott Rewards

– 2,000 Bonus Points PER NIGHT for Thursday-Sunday night stays (Friday
or Saturday required) at any one of 7 participating Marriott locations
in Washington, DC. More… Jul 17 – Oct 13, 13

Shangri-La Hotels Golden Circle

– Triple GC Award Points for stays at the Shangri-La Hotel, Mumbai. More… Jun 1 – Aug 31, 13