May 13 Update: Amex lowers welcome bonuses on The Platinum Card & Business Platinum Card, a look back at the first 100K point credit card bonus in Canada, good Travelzoo deal for Brewster’s Mountain Lodge in Banff

American Express has really shifted focus on keeping
current Platinum cardmembers engaged and using their cards as much as
possible with the amazing double points double value promotion. However as it is
so lucrative for cardmembers and pricey for American Express to maintain
they have dropped the welcome bonus significantly on both the personal
and business versions of the Platinum Cards. The new welcome offers are
as follows:

  • The Platinum Card®
    New Platinum® Cardmembers, earn 25,000 Welcome Bonus Membership Rewards®
    points when you charge $2,000 in purchases to your Card in the first
    three months of Cardmembership
  • Business Platinum Card® from American Express
    Earn a Welcome Bonus of 35,000 points when you charge $7,000 in
    purchases to your Card in your first three months of Cardmembership

Not sure why but the other day I was thinking back to a credit card promotion from 2013. That promotion held the title of the highest ever welcome bonus offered in Canada
until late 2018. That is in terms of the number of points offered at 100,000. However in terms
of value it wasn’t even close to be anything good. It’s a good reminder
to everyone that every loyalty program and credit is about the earn AND
THE burn. Read all about it here

(In case you are wondering the current record holder for the highest bonus in terms of just the number of points is the HSBC World Elite Mastercard which had a 105,000 points bonus for Quebec residents in late 2018.)

Airline Schedule Updates

This will now be a standard feature for the foreseeable future in our
daily update posts as we summarize Canadian operations based on data
from RoutesOnline and other sources. Remember that many of these route
plans are subject to change and right now they are changing frequently!

Yesterday we let you know that Pacific Coastal Airlines will resume operations on June 1st with a reduced flight schedule. Here are the routes planned

Kelowna – Cranbrook 3 weekly

Kelowna – Victoria 3 weekly

Vancouver – Bella Bella 3 weekly

Vancouver – Bella Coola 3 weekly

Vancouver – Campbell River – Comox – Vancouver 4 weekly

Vancouver – Port Hardy 3 weekly

Vancouver – Powell River 6 weekly

Vancouver – Tofino 3 weekly

Vancouver – Trail 3 weekly

Vancouver – Victoria 3 weekly

Vancouver – Williams Lake 3 weekly

(Source RoutesOnline)

TAP Air Portugal is looking to launch their
Montreal to Lisbon flight on July 16 now while Toronto to Lisbon is set
to relaunch on June 5. The new route between Toronto and Ponta Delgada
has now been pushed back to July 2. (Source RoutesOnline)

Remember to visit and bookmark our COVID-19 resource page
where we are keeping you up to date with all the latest airline, hotel,
lounges and loyalty program news, policies, closures and more.

Posts since our last update:

Deals:

Travelzoo and Brewster’s Mountain Lodge in
Banff are selling discounted vouchers for future stays that are 100%
fully refundable. You can buy vouchers for starting at $179-$199 each
for June, $199-$239 for July and $269-$319 for August & September.
Based on these numbers looks like they are anticipating a decent return
to travel in late Summer. We did a quick check for a mid-week stay in
June and Brewster’s wanted $339 for the same room and the cheapest 3rd
party rate we could find was $209. Sot the $179 voucher definitely
provides some savings. Find out more here.

Image via Travelzoo

Fairmont Chateau Whistler golf package offer – stay and play from $185pp per night in June. Find out more here.

 

Travelzoo and Huntingdon Manor Hotel in
Victoria B.C. are selling discounted vouchers offering Breakfast &
Parking, 35% Off for future stays that are 100% fully refundable. You
can buy vouchers for stays starting at $95 per night each for stays
between June and November. Find out more here

Missfresh: Simplify your life with 45% off your first 2 consecutive orders with code SIMPLIFY45. Find out more here.

WealthSimple Trade:  Receive $5 when you deposit and trade at least $100 worth of stock with WealthSimple Trade. Find out more here (We will also receive $5 when you receive $5)

4Ocean Introducing the Sperm Whale Beaded Bracelet – $20 at 4ocean! Valid until 5/31. Shop Now!


Rewards Canada receives a small commission when you use any of
the above offers. You don’t have to chose to use our links but we thank
you in advance if you do.

Canadian Bonus Offers

No new bonus offers added today

Other Bonus Offers

Choice Privileges

– Save 30% when you buy Choice Privileges points. More… Until Jun 12, 20

Hilton Honors

– Double Honors Points for weekend stays of 1 to 4 nights with Thursday, Friday or Saturday arrival at the LXR Susona Bodrum More… Jul 1 – ?

IHG Rewards Club

– 4,000 Bonus IHG Rewards Club Points for stays of 7+ nights at the Staybridge Suites Schererville More… Until Dec 31, 20

Marriott Bonvoy

– 5,000 Bonus Bonvoy Points, free breakfast & 1000THB daily hotel
credit for stays at any one of 18 hotels in the Bangkok area. More… Book by Jun 30, 20

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