December 18 Update: Air Italy launching Toronto-Milan flights, InterContinental Ambassador enhancements & Word of Hyatt changes for 2019

Air Italy (nee Meridiana) has announced that they will
start flying between Canada and Italy. The airline will fly between
Toronto and Milan starting on May 6th. The 4x weekly service will be
operated with an Airbus A330. The loyalty program for the airlines is
still Meridiana Club, whose currency is Avios (same as Iberia/BA)
however you cannot move the Avios in this program to/from the others
like you can between BA and Iberia. Toronto falls into their Zone/Area 7
for redemptions which requires 30,000 Avios one way for Economy or
60,000 Avios one way for Business Class. (Source Routesonline)

InterContinental Hotel’s Ambassador Elite program is
getting an update for 2019. This is the program that is separate from
IHG Rewards Club although one of the new benefits does tie the two
programs together. These are the changes to Ambassador and you’ll see
the connection is the automatic Platinum Status in IHG Rewards Club. Find out more here.

• Platinum Elite status in IHG® Rewards Club

• Up to USD20 restaurants & bars credit for every stay***

• Ambassador Benefits Guarantee to ensure you make the most out of every stay

• E-delivery of complimentary weekend night certificate

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR STAYS IN GREATER CHINA ONLY:

• One complimentary breakfast every night you stay

• 15% discount on restaurants and bars

World of Hyatt has also announced some further
changes to their program for 2019. If you hold WoH Globalist status you
are going to lose the lower re-qualification threshold of 55 nights
versus 60 nights if you didn’t have the status. Now all members will
have to complete 60 nights to qualify or re-qualify for Globalist
status. Then as of March 1st the program is adding Milestone Rewards to
the program that reward you sooner and more frequently based on
milestones you hit as you travel. Find out more here.

Here is a sampling of some those additional rewards being added:

American Airlines will be offering a summer seasonal
flight between Halifax and New York La Guardia in 2019. The flight will
only operate on Saturdays so award availability may not be so good!
(Source VFTW)

 It’s the season of giving! Help support Rewards Canada’s Flight Here campaign for Give A Mile. Help us reach 100,000 miles to provide up to 4 flights of compassion. Find out more here!

Posts since our last update:

Travel Deals

Avianca offering flights from Toronto to Latin America for as little as $449 round trip! Book by Dec 24. Find out more here.

Hilton APAC Year End sale – Save up to 25% when you book by Feb 2 for stays until Sep 30, 2019!

IHG – Receive a
$100 hotel credit when you stay 2 or more nights at participating
InterContinental Hotels in the Americas. Book by Dec 31 for stays until
Jan 31, 19 Find out more here.

Hilton Winter Sale – Save up to 25% on weekend stays in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa

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

BMO Rewards

– Up to 35,000 Bonus BMO Rewards Points, First Year Free and a $100
Travel Credit when you apply for and receive the BMO World Elite
Mastercard. More…

– Up to 35,000 Bonus BMO Rewards Points, First Year Free and a $100
Travel Credit when you apply for and receive the BMO Rewards Business
Mastercard. More…

Other Bonus Offers

American AAdvantage

– OFFER EXTENDED Quadruple AAdvantage Miles on rentals of a compact car
or larger vehicle for three days or longer at all worldwide Thrifty Car
Rental locations. More… Until Jun 30 19

Choice Privileges

20% Discount when you buy 5,000 or more Choice Privileges points. More… Until Dec 28, 18

Iberia Plus


50% Avios Discount when you redeem for award flights from New York, Boston, or Chicago to Madrid. More… Book by Dec 31, 18 for travel Jan 14 – Mar 31, 19

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

– Triple KrisFlyer Miles for stays at Alila Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. More… Until Jan 31, 19


Double KrisFlyer Miles for every US$1 spent when you book you book an
Executive Room (or a higher room category) at Best Flexible Rates at
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– Earn up to 5x KrisFlyer Miles when you rent with Avis worldwide for three or more days More… Book by Jan 31 for rentals until Feb 28, 19Until Jan 31, 19

Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus

– Earn up to 4x ROP Miles when you rent with Avis Worldwide More… Book by Dec 31 for rentals until Jan 31, 19

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