To the point
Here are five things to check to get your points and rewards programs off to a good start in 2024.
A new year brings the perfect opportunity to assess whether your objectives have been achieved in the world of points and rewards, and to redefine them if necessary.
All eyes on the lens
Check where you stand with your points (or cashback) balance according to your aspirations. Is the credit card in your wallet the best one for your needs?
Read our Milesopedia’s 2024 Credit Cards Awards in Canada, which will help you choose the best credit cards for your goals!
Are you heading in the right direction for 2024? Tools are available to help you organize your personal finances and calculate your rewards.
What’s more, the Milesopedia credit card comparator is always there to help you find the best credit card.
Spend some time at the beginning of the year to plan and optimize your future spending. This is the time to see if everything is going well or if you need to revise your strategy, especially for expenses like groceries!
The pursuit of a status
In general, airline or hotel program status is earned between January 1 and December 31 of each year. If a certain level has been reached or exceeded during that year, the status is extended to the following year. Otherwise, it is lost.
Everything starts again from scratch on January 1, 2024. What will your status be for 2024? How much do you value it?
If you’ve achieved status recently, have you selected your benefits for the year (with Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy, in particular)?
In general, airline or hotel program status is earned between January 1 and December 31 of each year. If a certain level has been reached or exceeded during that year, the status is extended to the following year. Otherwise, it is lost.
Everything starts again from scratch on January 1, 2024. What will your status be for 2024? What value do you place on it?
Do you want to stick to just one airline or hotel chain? Or do you want to be free to choose any option?
The question is whether paying several hundred or thousands of dollars is worth it to get upgrades, be the first in line or get free breakfasts.
As a reminder, here are some examples of how to achieve status otherwise:
| Status | How to get it | |
| Aeroplan | 25K | Earn 100,000 Aeroplan Points through points accumulated with an Aeroplan credit card, spending with partners, Air Canada, Air Canada Vacations, etc. |
| WestJet | Teal and up | $ 500 in eligible expenses for every $15,000 spent on the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard |
| AIR MILES | Gold |
|
| AIR MILES | Onyx |
|
| Marriott Bonvoy | Silver and up | 15 Elite nights per year with the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card or Marriott Bonvoy Corporate American Express Card |
|
Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy |
Gold | |
| IHG Rewards | InterContinental Ambassador and IHG Rewards Platinum status | Buy it for $200 USD or redeem 40,000 IHG points |
| Accor Hotels Group | Gold | Through two ways: Buy shares or subscribe to the IBIS Business card |
| Several car rental companies | Various | Several ways detailed in this article |
| Review | Avis Preferred Plus | With a premium Aeroplan credit card and Aeroplan status |
| Hotels.com | Silver or Gold | With an equivalent status with an Avis Preferred Plus status |
Transferring points to other programs
Transfer your points only when you need them.
You never know when there will be a great promotion to transfer points between programs to get even more out of it!
For example, in 2023, there were promotions of :
- 25% bonus when you transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy (around November)
- 25% bonus points by converting HSBC points to Avios miles (around November/December, but may not occur in 2024 due to thepurchase of HSBC Bank Canada by RBC)
- 30% bonus points for converting RBC Avion points to Avios (around October)
These promotions can also be used for orphan points, which are about to expire or which you do not intend to use in the original program.
Changes to come for 2024
In 2023, there have been several changes and twists in the loyalty program and credit card environment:
- IGA transitions from AIR MILES to Scene+;
- Jean Coutu leaves the AIR MILES program ;
- New MOI program from METRO Group;
- The bankruptcy of the AIR MILES owner and the buyout of AIR MILES by BMO;
- RBC acquires HSBC Bank Canada and the eventual end of the much-loved HSBC World Elite Mastercard ;
- End of Best Western Rewards Mastercard and AIR MILES cards with American Express ;
- New moi RBC Visa and World Elite Mastercard Adeptes PC credit cards .
In 2024, we expect greater stability on this side as :
- RBC to announce plans for HSBC credit cards ;
- Transfer AIR MILES miles between Cash and Dream accounts ;
- Air Transat announces a loyalty program?
Take the time to learn about the new programs at the grocery store and what they have to offer:
- Scene+ has flexible points that can be used to pay for groceries or reimburse travel expenses;
- The Moi program now lets you collect and use Moi points at Super C, Première Moisson, Metro, Jean Coutu and Brunet.
New Year's Resolution: Use online shopping portals
Don’t forget the shopping portals! Take advantage of these easily earned points to increase your point balance or cash back.
All you have to do is to go through one of these shopping portals and use their link BEFORE making the purchase on your favorite store’s website.
Plus, you can double dip when there are promotions with even better multipliers on long weekends, Black Friday, and during certain holidays or vacations.
And finally, keep an eye out for online offers from programs such as American Express, Scene+ and Avion Rewards. These can save you money year-round on all kinds of purchases.
Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
