7/24 Weekly Recap

1. Air Canada announces partnership with Emirates

Air Canada and Emirates announced partnership on July 12, 2022 that will see them implement code sharing later in 2022 and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits and lounge access in future. This will make Emirates, Air Canada's second partner in UAE after Etihad, whose hub is Abu Dhabi. Details are thin right now, on whether this will allow Aeroplan points to be redeemed for Emirates awards.

From: DoC/Traveling For Miles, Air Canada

2. Marriott Business Card improvements

Marriott and American Express added following benefits to the Marriott Bonvoy Business Credit Card:

  1. Marriott Bonvoy Gold status (improved from earlier Silver status)
  2. 4x points on restaurants worldwide (improved from earlier US only)
  3. 7% discount on paid stays (New benefit)
        
Marriott Business Card now earns 4x at restaurants worldwide

Overall, all positive additions. You still need Platinum status to get complementary suite upgrades or breakfast at most locations but Gold status is still a fair status from a $125 annual fee card. Earlier, only the $450 fee Marriott Brilliant personal card got you Gold status.

From: Marriott

3. Daily Getaways

US Travel association has been running its annual Daily Getaways sales since July 18th. Some worthwhile sales that are still available are below:

  1. July 26th 10am PT - Choice Privileges Points 0.52-.6c/point
  2. July 27th 10am PT - Marriott Gift Cards 20% off
  3. July 29th 10am PT - Hyatt Points 1.32-1.2c/points [limited quantities]
I think all of the sales above are quite good. One of the benefits of these sales is you get to bypass a program's annual point purchase limits. The second is these should code as a travel purchase compared to purchasing from points.com giving you a better earning rate on some credit cards.

4. Current Point Offers

Following points are currently on sale.

  1. Lifemiles at 1.35c/mile until 7/26 [Register via OneMileAtaTime for 1.32c/mile]
  2. United at 1.89c/mile until 7/26
  3. Choice points at 0.78c/point until 8/28
  4. Alaska miles at 1.85c/miles until 8/21
Some sales are tiered. Remember to purchase the required amount to hit the bonus needed.

5. Extra Chase Card Spending offers

  1. United card: Check the link for exact offer. Ends 9/30; register by 9/15.
    • Sample offer: Earn 4000 bonus miles or $40 TravelBank cash or 200 PQP after spending $4500 from 7/1 to 9/30.
  2. Hyatt card: Check your email or try the generic link. Ends 9/30; register by 9/30.
    • Sample offer: Earn 5000 bonus miles on $3000 spend from 7/1 to 9/30.
  3. IHG card: Check your email or try the generic link. Ends 9/30; register by 9/30.
    • Sample offer: Earn 5000 bonus miles on $3000 spend from 7/1 to 9/30.
Of these, the Hyatt card offer is definitely worth doing as you can earn 2 elite nights and 10,000 Hyatt points if you spend $5000 on the card by 9/30.
The United offer should also stack with the earlier offer of extra 1x on $5000 in spend that ends 7/31. So, spending at least $5000 on a United Business card should earn you at least 5000 United miles from card, 5000 United miles from earlier offer, and 4000 United miles from the sample offer above, for a total return of 2.8x return on 5K spend, which is not bad for United card.

6. Extra Shopping Portal Spending offers

  1. United portal bonus miles until 8/15
    1. 500 bonus miles on $100 spend
    2. 1500 bonus miles on $350 spend
    3. 2500 bonus miles on $600 spend
  2. American portal bonus miles until 8/14
    1. 500 bonus miles on $150 spend
    2. 1000 bonus miles on $300 spend
    3. 2000 bonus miles on $600 spend
  3. Alaska portal bonus miles until 8/15
    1. 300 bonus miles on $150 spend
    2. 600 bonus miles on $300 spend
    3. 1200 bonus miles on $600 spend
Of these I would definitely do the American spending offer as it will also accrue towards your status.

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