Latest news with #AirMiles


Toronto Star
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Toronto Star
Trump sparks a surge in homegrown road trips. Here's where to look for savings on your next adventure
U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff war is even affecting a great Canadian summer ritual — the road trip. According to a recent survey by the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada, 51 per cent of drivers have recently cancelled their road trips to the U.S., with a whopping 88 per cent looking to explore Canada by car this summer. Having lived in four different cities across Canada, Jessica Robinson, a content marketer based in Toronto, has taken her fair share of road trips — long and short — and picked up tips for saving money along the way. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'You tend to be a little bit more budget-conscious on a longer road trip than on a shorter one,' says Robinson, whose longest trip has been from Toronto to Halifax and back. The car itself is the biggest expense. Robinson has rented, borrowed and even used a car-share service for her journeys. The price of a rental depends on several factors, including the pickup and drop-off locations, the type (gas, hybrid or electric) and size of the vehicle and the car rental supplier. Personal Finance Breaking your mortgage to land a better interest rate ahead of renewal? Be prepared to pay up Refinancing your mortgage can include securing a lower rate with a different lender, changing According to Kayak, you can expect to pay an average of $78 to $115 per day, depending on how big — and nice — a vehicle you end up renting. Travel services sites like Kayak let you set price alerts on car rentals for the dates you plan to hit the road so that you can score the best deal. The next largest expense is fuel. Calculate the distance of your trip in kilometres to figure out just how much fuel you'll need for the trip. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Loyalty programs like Shell Fuel Rewards or Petro-Points can also help you stretch a buck on filling up through discounts and rewards that can be redeemed later on — or right at the pump. Shell, for instance, offers per-litre discounts for both CAA and Air Miles users. Using both cards can cut five cents a litre at the pump. It may not seem like a lot, but over a several-thousand-kilometre adventure, the savings can add up. Personal Finance My company offers a deferred profit-sharing plan. How does it differ from my group RRSP? There are many differences between a DPSP and an RRSP, experts says, not the least of which is Trip calculators, like the one from GasBuddy, can estimate how money you'll spend on fuel on the trip. 'See if there are opportunities to get car rental deals through your loyalty programs that might be affiliated with your credit cards, CAA memberships or even your Costco card,' says Jackie Porter, certified financial planner at Carte Wealth Management in Mississauga. Some credit cards offer additional discounts and insurance coverage options for car rentals. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW For instance, the American Express Cobalt, Scotiabank Gold American Express and TD Cash Back Visa Infinite cards offer some type of rental car coverage. Scotiabank Scene+ Visa offers up to 25 per cent off base rates at select Avis and Budget, while the RBC Avion Visa Platinum and RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege offer discounted base rates at participating Hertz locations. Personal Finance Amid U.S. tariff storms, you really need a rainy-day fund. Here's where to park your money Experts says keeping emergency cash liquid is crucial, in an account that earns at least some Porter recommends budgeting for a road trip in a savings account so 'even if you use your cards to give you more points, the money is there when you come back from that trip to pay that bill.' Budgeting for souvenirs and snacks sometimes goes overlooked, points out Robinson. You might tell yourself you won't make a pit stop on the road, she says, 'but when it's three o'clock, you've been driving for five hours and you're a little bit tired, you're going to pull over and get that next coffee.'


Cision Canada
12-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
redtag.ca Partners with Airmilesshops.ca Making Travel More Rewarding Français
Earn Miles on thousands of vacation packages and flights. TORONTO, May 12, 2025 /CNW/ - Travel just got easier – and more rewarding – thanks to latest strategic partnership with the AIR MILES® Reward Program. Now available on gives Air Miles Collectors the opportunity to earn Miles on pre-packaged vacation bookings and flights, adding even more value to their vacation bookings. For every $35 spent before taxes and fees, Collectors will earn 1 Mile*, making it simpler to turn dream vacations into rewarding experiences. "At we are committed to enabling Canadians to explore the world more frequently while curating unforgettable travel experiences," says Sam Youssef, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Partnerships at onto is a strategic initiative that enhances the value of every vacation booking made on that platform, allowing travellers to accumulate Miles for future journeys. Our mission is to make travel effortless, enriching, and exceptionally rewarding for all." By booking through on Collectors gain access to an extensive range of vacation packages and flights to popular destinations worldwide. Start planning your next getaway and make every trip more rewarding with and "We are thrilled to welcome to the family. This partnership means more opportunities for Canadians to create moments that matter. When Collectors are able to earn Miles and put them towards unforgettable experiences booked with every vacation is rewarding," says Danièle Gadbois, Vice President of Rewards at Air Miles. Air Miles Collectors can also use Dream Miles to book cruises with Everyday purchases can allow Collectors to save toward extraordinary cruise experiences by collecting and redeeming enough Miles toward their next dream cruise vacation with With access to over 18 cruise lines and a seamless booking process, Collectors can pay using Dream Miles, a credit card, or a combination of both to secure their unforgettable cruise vacation. Sign in to your Air Miles account at Learn how to book your next vacation and earn Air Miles Reward Miles with at *For full details, terms, and conditions, visit: Experience the ease and rewards of travel made easy™, only with About is one of Canada's top travel companies, specializing in personalized travel solutions for every type of traveller. As part of the H.I.S Canada Travel Inc./TravelBrands family, offers an extensive selection of vacation packages, flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and even travel to the edge of space – making it easier than ever to plan and book unforgettable travel experiences. Known for its innovative approach and exceptional customer service, has earned the trust of travellers seeking great value, simplicity, and convenience. With competitive pricing and exclusive perks, ensures customers always get the best value for their travel investment. With over 20 years of experience, is committed to helping travellers create their dream vacations, powered by cutting-edge technology and a passionate team of travel professionals. Discover travel made easy™ at
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
redtag.ca Partners with Airmilesshops.ca Making Travel More Rewarding
Earn Miles on thousands of vacation packages and flights. TORONTO, May 12, 2025 /CNW/ - Travel just got easier – and more rewarding – thanks to latest strategic partnership with the AIR MILES® Reward Program. Now available on gives Air Miles Collectors the opportunity to earn Miles on pre-packaged vacation bookings and flights, adding even more value to their vacation bookings. For every $35 spent before taxes and fees, Collectors will earn 1 Mile*, making it simpler to turn dream vacations into rewarding experiences. "At we are committed to enabling Canadians to explore the world more frequently while curating unforgettable travel experiences," says Sam Youssef, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Partnerships at "Expanding onto is a strategic initiative that enhances the value of every vacation booking made on that platform, allowing travellers to accumulate Miles for future journeys. Our mission is to make travel effortless, enriching, and exceptionally rewarding for all." By booking through on Collectors gain access to an extensive range of vacation packages and flights to popular destinations worldwide. Start planning your next getaway and make every trip more rewarding with and "We are thrilled to welcome to the family. This partnership means more opportunities for Canadians to create moments that matter. When Collectors are able to earn Miles and put them towards unforgettable experiences booked with every vacation is rewarding," says Danièle Gadbois, Vice President of Rewards at Air Miles. Air Miles Collectors can also use Dream Miles to book cruises with Everyday purchases can allow Collectors to save toward extraordinary cruise experiences by collecting and redeeming enough Miles toward their next dream cruise vacation with With access to over 18 cruise lines and a seamless booking process, Collectors can pay using Dream Miles, a credit card, or a combination of both to secure their unforgettable cruise vacation. Sign in to your Air Miles account at Learn how to book your next vacation and earn Air Miles Reward Miles with at *For full details, terms, and conditions, visit: Experience the ease and rewards of travel made easy™, only with About is one of Canada's top travel companies, specializing in personalized travel solutions for every type of traveller. As part of the H.I.S Canada Travel Inc./TravelBrands family, offers an extensive selection of vacation packages, flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and even travel to the edge of space – making it easier than ever to plan and book unforgettable travel experiences. Known for its innovative approach and exceptional customer service, has earned the trust of travellers seeking great value, simplicity, and convenience. With competitive pricing and exclusive perks, ensures customers always get the best value for their travel investment. With over 20 years of experience, is committed to helping travellers create their dream vacations, powered by cutting-edge technology and a passionate team of travel professionals. Discover travel made easy™ at SOURCE View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data


CBC
17-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Which loyalty reward program will save you the most money?
Social Sharing Rewards programs are everywhere. For businesses, they are all about luring and retaining customers through discounts, points and deals, and tracking consumer behaviour for marketing purposes. But how do you know which one is the best for you? It depends on where you shop, what you buy, and how much effort you want to put into it. To help you out, the Deal Diva took a deep dive into four reward programs for CBC Radio's The 306. In each segment, she gives an overview of the rewards program, how to earn, how to spend, and how to maximize its benefits. Triangle Rewards Triangle Rewards are basically a new, digital version of "Canadian Tire Money," which is the OG of loyalty programs, starting in the 1950s. It has since expanded to more than Canadian Tire – Triangle Rewards can be earned and used at Sport Chek, Marks, Atmosphere and Sports Experts, to name a few. So, if you are an outdoorsy person who's into sports or hockey, this program is for you! Scene+ You might remember Scene when it first started out as a rewards program for Cineplex movie theatres. In 2021, Cineplex joined forces with Scotiabank for a big revamp. Now, there are many more partners and ways to earn, including at restaurants and grocery stores. Air Miles Air Miles started back in 1992 and for years it was a much-beloved program heavily focused on travel rewards. About eight years ago, the company announced Air Miles would expire after a certain timeframe. That made a lot of longtime collectors angry, and a bunch of partners, including Sobeys, Safeway and Rexall, jumped ship. In 2023, when Air Miles's parent company filed for bankruptcy, BMO to signed a deal to take over and reinvigorate the program. PC Optimum Shoppers Drug Mart launched its Optimum program 25 years ago, and it quickly became one of the biggest customer loyalty programs in Canada. It has since expanded to include Loblaw-owned grocery stores and gas stations, among other businesses. Love deals? Click here for more Deal Diva segments for more great tips on saving money.


Globe and Mail
28-01-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Save money on your next road trip with these loyalty program tips
Whether you're driving your own vehicle or picking up a rental car, a road trip with family or friends is one of the best travel experiences since it offers flexibility, scenic routes and a bonding experience. But even though driving is usually cheaper than flying, the costs can add up when you factor in gas, parking fees, and in some cases, rental costs. To contain these costs, there are ways to leverage credit cards and loyalty points. Here's how. Every major gas station in Canada has a loyalty program. If you stick to a single chain you can rack up those points quickly. In addition, many gas stations have loyalty partners, so you could potentially double up on points by adding to two programs with one purchase. Petro-Canada/Petro Points is partnered with Canadian Tire/Triangle Rewards. If you link your accounts, you can earn CT Money and 20 per cent more Petro Points at Petro-Canada and participating Gas+ locations with every fill up. You also have the option to link your Petro-Points account to an RBC credit card, which can earn you up to 7 cents per litre in value. Link your RBC Avion account, and you earn points for both and get 20 per cent more points when paying at the pump with the RBC card. Petro-Points can be redeemed for immediate savings at Petro-Canada gas stations, while RBC Avion points can be used for travel-related redemptions, such as car rentals and hotels. Alternatively, Aeroplan, Air Canada's loyalty program, is partnered with Journie Rewards, so you can earn Aeroplan points at gas station brands such as Pioneer, Chevron and Ultramar. While Aeroplan points are typically used for flights, you can also use them for car rentals and hotel stays, offsetting some of your road trip costs. Admittedly, when road tripping, it may be hard to stick to a single gas station brand. However, there are credit cards that offer extra points or cash back on gas fill ups and electric vehicle charging, which is money you can put back in your pocket. Two popular cards for gas include the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Card, which gives you 5 BMO Rewards per dollar spent on gas. One BMO Rewards point has a value of 0.67 cents when used for travel, so for gas fill ups, you're getting a return of 3.35 per cent in points. You can use those points for future travel or to book any remaining hotels for your current trip. Additionally, the Tangerine Money-Back Card offers 2 per cent cash back if you select gas as one of your money-back categories. The cash back earned with Tangerine can be applied to your monthly credit card statement. Whether you collect TD Rewards, Air Miles or CIBC Rewards, most travel loyalty programs allow you to use your points on car rentals. This redemption option can save you money, but there is a risk involved. Most travel credit cards include insurance for car rental theft and damage, but it typically requires the full amount of the rental be charged to your card. That means if you pay for your rental on points, you won't get the free coverage from your credit card, so you will have to purchase additional insurance or check your home auto insurance policy in advance to see if you're covered for car rentals. You're better off paying for your rental car in full with a credit card that provides insurance and using your points on a hotel stay you need during your trip instead. Having a roadside assistance plan is essential when driving since it provides access to help if you run into any car issues along the way. Even though roadside assistance plans are relatively inexpensive, many people opt to pass on it due to the added cost. However, there is a way to get it for free. The Triangle World Elite Mastercard comes with a free roadside assistance plan for travel in North America (and has no annual fee). Opt to cover the cardmember instead of a specific vehicle, and you're covered even when renting a car. Other credit cards that offer free roadside assistance include the TD Cashback Visa Infinite Card and BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard. These roadside assistance plans generally cover you in Canada and the continental United States. However, since each policy varies, it's essential to read the fine print. There are a few cards that offer discounts on car rentals. Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Cardholders can save up to 25 per cent off base rates at participating AVIS and Budget locations in North America. There's also the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard, which offers up to 20 per cent off National and Alamo car rentals and up to 5 per cent on Enterprise car rentals worldwide. If you're a Visa Infinite cardholder, you get up to 30 per cent off with Auto Europe rentals. Car rental prices fluctuate based on supply and demand and are typically fully refundable, so it's wise to book early. After making a reservation, check back every couple of weeks to see if prices have dropped. If they have, rebook right away for the lower rate. With a bit of planning, you can save on car rentals, insurance, and gas, leaving more room in your budget for fun. All you need is the right combination of credit card benefits and loyalty programs to help reduce your costs and make your adventure more affordable.