Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast

In episode 49 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca review and discuss the newly refreshed Chase Air Canada Aeroplan Card.

Key changes include a $100 USD annual fee increase (now $195 USD), new card design, automatic Aeroplan 25K status without the prior $15,000 spend requirement, updated earn rates (including 3x on Air Canada and general travel, reduced grocery earn), two semi-annual $50 Air Canada statement credits, and a 15% discount on Aeroplan redemptions for Air Canada-operated flights.

The team discusses the limited value of statement credits, who benefits from 25K status (especially if not already earned via Marriott), concerns about Aeroplan devaluation, and the Chase Pay Yourself Back option at 1.25 cents USD per point (capped at 200k Aeroplan points/year).

They also cover welcome bonus details (up to 115k points), SQC earning thresholds, and conclude the card is situational, with the old version preferred mainly due to the lower fee.

In Episode 48 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca cover the latest news in miles and points, both from Canada and the United States, and answer a few listener questions.

The hosts talk about Flying Blue adding three new award tiers to saver ticket redemptions, Chexy now supporting mortgage payments via bank withdrawal while earning Aeroplan points, how Qatar Airways Privilege Club has suddenly dropped its qualifying-activity requirement to add nominees for bookings that consist of more than just the account holder, and the Chase Aeroplan Card refresh.

They also review the limited-time promotion where Canadian Aeroplan cardholders receive a15% Air Canada award discount, new Canadian and United States credit card offers, Amex Canada’s “Add a Card” promotion, a 15% RBC Avion-to-Asia Miles transfer bonus, Air Canada app improvements, several new routes from Porter Airlines and Air Canada, a newly announced Hyatt–Delta partnership, and a modest Marriott promo.

The episode wraps up with two listener questions about last-minute hotel deals and credit card portfolio optimization.

In episode 47 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca take a look at the United MileagePlus Neo World Elite Mastercard, the newest co-branded airline credit card in Canada.

Offering a low annual fee and okay earning rates, the card shines when it comes to benefits with United Airlines and, more particularly, with MileagePlus Miles redemptions on United Airlines and Star Alliance airline partners.

While they cover the additional travel benefits of the card, the hosts also share a few of their preferred MileagePlus Miles redemptions, plus how you can pool MileagePlus Miles as a household. They wrap up by discussing the secured version of the card, which can be a great option for those younger applicants who want to get involved in miles and points.

In episode 46 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca take a deep dive into the recently announced World of Hyatt and Air Canada Aeroplan partnership.

The hosts outline enhanced earning on Hyatt stays when paying with Aeroplan credit cards. Premium Aeroplan cardholders can access a 90-day Hyatt status challenge that requires staying a heavily reduced number of nights to earn status, in addition to complimentary cardholder benefits such as Discoverist status and five annual tier qualifying nights.

They explore new redemption opportunities, which include transferring points between the two programs and redeeming Aeroplan points for World of Hyatt Free Night Certificates. They also discuss a $20 annual Air Canada credit for Hyatt elites and a planned but yet-to-be-finalized World of Hyatt to Aeroplan elite status challenge.

Wrapping up the episode, the hosts compare World of Hyatt points to Marriott Bonvoy value, a possible “status merry-go-round” between loyalty programs, and an indirect path from Amex Membership Rewards US to Hyatt via Aeroplan.

In Episode 45 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca cover a packed Canadian miles-and-points news episode plus listener questions.

They preview a deeper upcoming dive on the new Air Canada Aeroplan and World of Hyatt partnership, including status matches, reciprocal point transfers, and redemption options. Exclusive BMO credit card offers and FlyerFunds Rebates for August on the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard and BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard are discussed.

The hosts discuss Accor Live Limitless becoming an Amex Canada transfer partner and Platinum card offering Accor Gold status, Porter Airlines’ award redemption fuel surcharges returning to $40, and Marriott’s new partnership with Japan Airlines MileageBank.

Several Emirates changes when booking with Aeroplan points are discussed in addition to the introduction of basic fare classes on Air Canada premium cabin tickets, and the team reviews two current transfer bonuses to Cathay Pacific Asia Miles and American Airlines AAdvantage Miles. The hosts highlight elevated Amex Canada Marriott Bonvoy welcome offers, new Seats.aero eUpgrade and Chrome tools, plus the newly added Amex US transfer partner of Leading Hotels of the World.

The episode wraps up with several listener questions that ask about the best Canadian travel points, cross-border banking, Europe deals from Western Canada, and family-travel perspectives.