To the point
Here are five things to look for to get your points and rewards programs off to a great start in 2023.
A new year provides an opportunity to monitor whether the target is being met and to redefine the objectives, if necessary.
The pursuit of a status
Generally, an airline or hotel program status ends on December 31 of each year (except Marriott Bonvoy, which extends it to the end of February). If a certain level has been reached or exceeded in one year, the status is extended to the next year. Otherwise, it is lost.
Everything starts over in 2023. What will your status be for 2023? What value do you place on it?
Do you want to stick to one hotel group ? Or do you want to be free to choose any accommodation, anywhere ?
The question is whether paying several hundred or thousands of dollars is worth it to get free upgrades, a free seat selection or 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 with an Aeroplan credit card |
| WestJet | Teal and up | $ 500 in eligible expenses for every $15,000 spent on the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard |
| 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 |
Have an American Express Platinum Cardholder American Express Business Platinum Cardholder (for Gold Marriott Bonvoy status only) |
| 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 |
| Avis | 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 |
Summary of accumulated points vs. goal
Check your point balance against your goal. Are you heading in the right direction for 2023?
Tools are available to organize and calculate your rewards.
In addition, the Milesopedia credit card comparison tool is here 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 find out if everything is going well or if you need to revise your strategy.
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 2022, there were promotions such as:
- 25% to 30% bonus when transferring American Express Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors (September-October)
- 20% bonus when transferring hotel points to Aeroplan points (October)
- 30% bonus points by converting HSBC Points to Avios miles (once a year in June or July)
- 30% bonus points by converting RBC Avion points to Avios (twice a year, approximately at the beginning and end of the year)
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.
Reminder of the changes to come for 2023
In 2023, some changes will take place in the loyalty program and credit card environment.
In Quebec, there is the famous transition at IGA from the AIR MILES program to the Scene+ program in early 2023. The date has yet to be confirmed.
In addition, in the spring of 2023, Jean Coutu will leave the AIR MILES program to join the new MOI program of the METRO group.
Check to see if this changes your strategy and if you should switch to another credit card like the Scotiabank Gold American Express card, which gives 6 points per dollar at IGA.
On the credit card side, there are changes for :
- cardholders of the National Bank’s World Elite Mastercard® before September 1, 2022 who will have their new $150 travel credit starting January 1, 2023
- New point earning rates and insurance enhancements for the HSBC World Elite Mastercard effective February 1, 2023
- the arrival of a new HSBC metal credit card with new advantages?
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.
Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
