Travel to Hawaii – will it happen for Canadians any time soon? Long
time Rewards Canada reader Peter K emailed us about traveling to Hawaii
and the requirements to enter. Peter did some behind the scenes legwork
and here is what the sent me:
While Canadians “technically” can visit Hawaii again without a 14
day quarantine, The state of Hawaii visitor site makes it quite clear
that a negative Covid test is required to avoid the quarantine, and
the only recognized tests are from a short list of testing centers in
the US and Japan. Here is the link: https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel-partners/I emailed the state of Hawaii to ask them when they will have
Canadian tests permitted, and the State office replied with a “cookie
cutter” long email outlining the plan and policy in place now. They
did not answer my question.Even if Hawaii did accept the Canadian tests, if you live in BC or
AB the testing turn-around time is not sufficient to meet Hawaii’s 72
window anyway.Meanwhile–AC and WJ are selling flights to Hawaii starting Dec 9th
with two flights per day!! Their respective websites give NO
indication of this testing problem or information on their advisory
page. I suspect that later in November when the December schedule is
REALLY revealed, they will cancel all those December/January Hawaii
flights, irritating many customers. I find this practice by AC and WJ
to be VERY deceptive.
I want to thank Peter for bringing this to light and sure enough when
you look at the requirements of entering Hawaii there are no Canadian
tests or test suppliers on the list for approved testing. This means as
of right now as a Canadian flying to Hawaii you will have to quarantine
for 14 days upon arrival. I am not sure if there is process whereby you
can be tested in Hawaii after arrival to shorten that quarantine.
Perhaps one of our readers has researched it and could let us know if that
is an option. I know here in Alberta some people are getting test
results back within a day however there are no guarantees that would
happen for you for a flight that you have booked on (and that would only be if Hawaii accepted
them)
My thoughts on Air Canada and WestJet both starting to sell flights
to Hawaii are for those Canadians who do have long term winter residences/rentals in Hawaii where quarantining for the first 14 days is a possibility. I am
also thinking that both airlines may be working on something behind the
scenes with the State of Hawaii that will see some sort of approval out
of Canada, most likely private pre-departure testing like we have seen
in the U.S. for flights to Hawaii. In the mean time if you are thinking
about Hawaii please take into account that 14 day quarantine or consider flying
through a U.S. gateway where you can get a test (for a fee of course)
prior to flying to the islands which ultimately may require you to spend a day or two in that gateway. I am also going to reach out to Air Canada and WestJet to see if they can provide us with some details on their Hawaii flights – especially seeing that Air Canada’s Buddy Pass is heavily promoted for Hawaii flights!
Image via State of Hawaii
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Preferred Hotels Group is the latest hotel chain to provide further extensions of points and elite status. Learn more here. Here are the updates for their iPrefer program
- Points that were scheduled to expire in 2020 have been extended through June 30, 2021
- All Elite members will keep their current status through June 30, 2022, including members who were scheduled to downgrade in 2020 or 2021
Previously points were extended to August 30, 2020 so this is almost a
year extension from their previous announcement while the elite status
extension is a full year from the first go round of June 30, 2021.
Image via Preferred Hotels
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More Rewards members can earn 1,500 bonus points
when they spend $30 or more with Panago. Just remember to show your
More Rewards card upon pick up or delivery to collect your bonus
points. This offer is good until November 30. Find out more here.
Image via More Rewards
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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:
- Best ever welcome bonus for the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard – 450 WestJet dollars with $5,000 spend in 3 months
We said the market would heat up in Canada when the new Air Canada Aeroplan program launches and for…
- Save up to 22% with Hyatt’s Dream Away and Get Away promotion
Hyatt launched a new sale that provides a nice discount offer their standard rates while providing peace of…
- November
11 Update: Only a few days left to get the 10% cash back bonus on CIBC
Dividend cards, AIR MILES Shop the Block returns next week, big
bonuses for online shopping from the U.S.There is less than one week left to grab the CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite or the CIBC Dividend Platinum…
Deals:
This week’s Marriott Bonvoy Escapes feature 38
hotels in Canada where you can book last minute deals for stays over the
next four weekends. Bookings must be made by Sunday. Find out more here.
Agoda – 8% off all booking made via Agoda when you
book via the Malaysia Airlines Enrich PointsMAX page. Book by Dec 31 for
stays until Jan 31, 21 Find out more here.
HSBC Premier Chequing Account Get up to $1,000* in cash back and rewards when you switch over to us by November 30, 2020 Find out more here.
Earn $300 cash when you open a new Scotiabank Ultimate Package! Plus earn Scotia Rewards or SCENE Rewards points. Find out more here.
If you aren’t using the Ampli Cash Back app yet you can get $5 when you download the app and join today with promo code AMPLI5 Find out more here
SkipTheDishes – Sign up with this link to get $5 off your first order over $15. 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)
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
N/A
Other Bonus Offers
Air France KLM Flying Blue
–
November Promo Rewards – Save 25% to 35% on the Award Miles
usually required for an award ticket. Destinations vary by each
promotional period. More… Book by Nov 30 for travel until Apr 30, 21
American AAdvantage
– 1,000 Bonus AAdvantage Miles per qualifying night at Hyatt Ziva or Hyatt Zilara resorts. More… Until Apr 4, 21
– Earn up to 4,000 Bonus AAdvantage Miles when you shop online via the AAdvantage Shopping portal. More… Until Nov 22, 20
British Airways Executive Club
– 30% Bonus Avios on your first transaction when shop online via the British Airways eStore. More… Unknown end date
– 800 Bonus Avios when you join e-Rewards and complete your first survey. More… Until Dec 15, 20
JAL Mileage Bank
–
13,000 Mileage Bank Miles rebate when you redeem for an
upgrade award from Economy Class to Business on JL407/408 between Tokyo
and Frankfurt. More… Until Dec 31, 20
Jumeirah One
– Double Elite Tier Points on all new bookings at an eligible Rate at any Jumeirah hotel or resort Worldwide More… Book by Dec 15 for stays until Sep 30, 21
Marriott Bonvoy
– 3,000 Bonus Bonvoy Points for stays at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine. More… Unknown end date
United MileagePlus
– Up to an 85% bonus when you buy MileagePlus miles. More… Until Nov 19, 20
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