The Rewards Canada Podcast
Episode 86 - December 10, 2021
2021 - A year in review. A look back at what happened in the world of loyalty programs, credit cards and more
In this episode we look back at some of the more popular and notable loyalty program and credit card topics of the year. We talk about which programs excelled and which didn’t. All the big news is here from program changes, big bonuses, new programs launching and we even discuss business class lounge access. We cover the good. We cover the bad. We cover the in between. Give it a listen today!
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Links relating to this episode's topics:
- There is one very popular travel rewards credit card in Canada that is due for a major overhaul
- When earning 5x points isn't the same as earning 5x points - a loyalty lesson
- More BMO credit card changes - travel redemption rate devaluation affects new eclipse Visa cards and BMO Rewards Mastercards
- Earn rate changes coming to the BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard - and these are for the better!
- The postponed Scotiabank Rewards devaluation for some non-travel redemptions will now take place on April 1
- Major devaluation coming to the SCENE program for Cineplex & Playdium purchases
- American Express improves the Cobalt Card - yes the best card in Canada just got even better
- Choice Card from American Express™ is changing to become the NEW American Express Green Card with enhanced benefits
- It's finally here! You can now convert American Express Membership Rewards points to Air France KLM Flying Blue
- The revamped American Express Gold Rewards Card is back on the market offering up to 60,000 welcome bonus points
- Aeroplan extending elite status to 2022, providing an elite jump start program for 2022 and further extending the pause on points expiry
- Aeroplan Everday Status Qualification is officially here - earn status without flying
- Time to hit the rails! Aeroplan members can now earn and redeem points for Rocky Mountaineer rail journeys
- Aeroplan Elite Status offer for new and existing premium Aeroplan co-brand cardholders
- Aeroplan joins Chase Ultimate Rewards + a waitlist bonus for the new Chase Aeroplan Card (U.S. only)
- Just in time for the holiday season the Aeroplan LCBO partnership is now live!
- The U.S. Chase Aeroplan World Elite Mastercard Credit Card is now available
- You can now exchange WestJet companion vouchers for lounge access and gift Gold Elite status with your milestone awards
- The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard will now earn elite qualifying spend with Status Lift
- WestJet will allow you to use expiring companion vouchers for others and you don't have to travel with them
- WestJet providing a further extension on companion and other vouchers set to expire Dec 31 (You must register to have them extended!)
- Sorry for the bad news - It is now confirmed that Canadian Plaza Premium lounges are leaving Priority Pass & LoungeKey
- Great news! Select Canadian Visa cards receive limited time Plaza Premium business class lounge access
- Details on the new CIBC Costco Mastercard are here - it will launch in March 2022
- Get ready for Scene+ the merged program of Scotia Rewards and Cineplex SCENE
- Canada's Choice results are in! See who Canada chose as their favourite credit cards and loyalty programs
- World of Hyatt's new Peak & Off-Peak pricing will be effective as of October 26
- Big changes coming to the Marriott Bonvoy program including dynamic pricing (award charts to be done away with)
- Big changes coming to the AIR MILES program - find all the details here!
- AIR MILES card linked offers are here - earn more miles with ANY Canadian Mastercard
- Introducing MyMcDonald's Rewards - the restaurant's new points based loyalty program
- The new AIR MILES Flights is here! A hands on look at the value of flights in the new program (Part 2)
- Disappointment abounds in the new AIR MILES Flights booking platform
Past Episodes
Episode 85 - November 16, 2021 Introducing MyMcDonald's Rewards - the restaurant's new points based loyalty program
In this episode we discuss the new MyMcDonald's Rewards program that launches on November 16, 2021! We look at how the program changes from the old McDonald's Rewards from earn rates to redemption rates and the value in the new program.
Episode 84 - October 20, 2021 See who Canada chose as their favourite credit cards and loyalty programs
In this episode we reveal the winners of Canada's Choice! These are our awards for the best credit card and loyalty programs in Canada as voted on by Canadians! The results are in and we are pleased to present them to you here. For some categories there are no surprises while we were definitely surprised by some others! Listen in the find all the details!
Episode 83 - October 4, 2021 Big changes coming to the AIR MILES program - find all the details here!
In this episode we take a look at the changes AIR MILES are making to their program. From enhanced flight redemptions, new methods for earning more miles, extra credit card benefits and more. We cover it all in this Podcast episode.