WOW Airlines Ain't So WOW At All

Want flights on the Icelandic airline WOW to their newest destination--Tel Aviv?  Flights in October from Toronto to Tel Aviv, with an overnight stopover in Iceland starts as low as $199 CDN one way (VERY limited availability now)!  But that barely includes the air.  One personal item that is 17" x 13" x 10" is free, but unless you are willing to pay $50USD in advance ($70USD at check-in) for a carry-on bag that meets THEIR standards (if it's slightly bigger, they can nail you with an additional $60USD), $70USD in advanced for a regular checked-in bag up to 44 lbs.
No wifi, no entertainment, no drinks or food at that price or the next class up.  Only their business class includes food.
A WOW plus ticket includes: a carry-on, a checked bag, cancellation protection, and priority boarding.  The business class ticket includes all that, extra legroom, and food.
United has fought back with a fall sale, with return trip tickets from Newark to Tel-Aviv direct for $616USD.  This includes the regular overseas allowance for a checked in bag and carry on, and of course, food.
You can cancel and get a full refund more than 24 hours in advance if you email them with your cancellation confirmation.  That's already better than United and most of the other airlines that don't allow that option.

The Future of Aeroplan and What To Do

So by now, everyone should have heard about  how Air Canada will reabsorb its frequent flyer miles program and leave Aeroplan to the wolves.  Good they gave three years notice (June 29, 2020).  If you have American Express Membership Rewards points that you convert to Aeroplan (or British Airways Avios), you will be happy you've invested your credit card option in a card that you only convert points as you need them to frequent flyer mileage programs.  Click HERE for business and click HERE for the personal version to find out why AMEX is the way to go, especially with the welcome bonuses offered on the personal and business cards!  The posts are not new, but they are still up to date.
This is important as you never know when (NOT if) a frequent flyer plan will devalue their program, rendering it less lucrative.  This is partly why I recommend the AMEX Membership Rewards card.  Years back, I took a flight with my family to South Africa and Israel with Aeroplan points.  Whatever points I short, I instantly transferred them into Aeroplan as I had the agent on the line making the booking.  I still use my AMEX points the same way, as I find there's never a need to rush to convert points to Aeroplan--to other airlines such as BA Avios or Alitalia, you may need to as the conversion process can take a couple of business days or longer.
So the future of Aeroplan...doesn't look good.  If I owned shares in Aimia (assuming they're a publicly traded company), I would have LOVED some insider trade's notice as the stock must have taken a trip to the toilet after the news got out last week.
I think Aeroplan will implode.  All of the Star Alliance will go with AC's new system, leaving Aeroplan without its partner airlines.  So will the credit card company's--TD, CIBC, and AMEX will all jump ship to AC's new program.  Aeroplan may attempt to, in the short term, offer some tempting deals to credit card holders or super new welcome bonuses, but at the end, it will all be for naught.
It may offer YOU some super short term opportunties to pick up some Aeroplan welcome bonuses to use to book flights as far as June 20, 2021 (within Air Canada's 356 day booking window) but then, your points will be as useless as Spirit Airline and Air Miles points.

At 1pm Today, Marriott Gift Cards 20% Off!

Daily Getaways, a US Travel organization, has been giving deals for the last month or so.  They do this for about a month every year (around now).  Today's deal is Marriott E-Gift Cards at 20% off. They have 3 different denominations--$100 (1070 available), $250 (252 available), and $500 (200 available) for 20% off.  They have a VERY limited supply, and they sell out within SECONDS, so you need to buy them right at 1pm EDT today to take advantage of the deal.  Anyone with a US or Canadian address is eligible, and you can pay with an AMEX, Mastercard or Visa.  The cards are in US$.
You do not need to use up the entire value of the card in one use.  Also, you may only buy up to 3 of the $100USD ones, 2 of the $250 and/or 1 of the $500.
Click here to be taken to the website.  Click on the pics of the different e-cards on the right to see each of the 3 denominations.

Here are the details:

• Marriott eGiftCards can be used like cash at over 4,000 participating properties, including any EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Moxy Hotels®.
• Marriott eGiftCards may also be used at participating Ritz-Carlton® Hotels.
• eGiftCards do not expire.
• All sales are final and no refunds or substitutions will be provided after the transaction is complete.
• Items purchased cannot be brokered, bartered, sold or altered in any way. Such offers will be voided, confiscated and/or canceled.
• Marriott GiftCards may be used at participating EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Moxy Hotels® and participating hotel outlets: retail, spa, golf and food and beverage.
• Marriott eGiftCards may also be used at participating Ritz-Carlton® Hotels.
• The following Marriott Hotel Brands DO NOT accept Marriott or The Ritz-Carlton GiftCards: Protea Hotels by Marriott®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Tribute Portfolio™, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, Element®, Design Hotels™.
• eGiftCard is a prepaid card, not a credit card or debit card, and is the property of and issued by MI Fulfillment Services, LLC.
• The eGiftCard does not expire.
• eGiftCard is not redeemable for cash in any amount except when otherwise required by applicable law.
• eGiftCard becomes inactive upon use of all card value.
• eGiftCard may not be used for deposit, advance purchase or to secure a reservation. * Each transaction will be debited against card balance, if transaction exceeds balance, user must pay the difference.
• eGiftCards are transferable.
• Lost, stolen or damaged cards will be replaced only if previously registered. Value of replaced card will equal balance on card at time it was reported lost, stolen or damaged. To check card balance, click here or call 1.800.442.6132.
• For questions, please contact Customer Service via email at gifts@marriott.com or dial 801.468.4167.

Amazon.CA Offering $10 Promotional Certificate after purchasing $50+ Gift Card

Check your Amazon.CA account by logging in and seeing if there are any banners on the screen for this offer--there are once again offering some customers a $10 promo credit on your account if you purchase a $50 or more gift card.  It can be an e-gift card (no physical card--the activation code for it is emailed to the recipient) or a physical card.  It can be to yourself. The purchase must be made by May 31.  The promo certificate will take a day or two to show up in your account.
Here's the details:

Enjoy this exclusive Gift Cards offer: Surprise someone with an Amazon.ca Gift Card, and get a $10 promotional code to spend on yourself. Just purchase at least $50 in Amazon.ca Gift Cards in a single order by May 31, 2017, and receive a $10 promotional credit automatically applied to your account after the qualifying order has shipped. An email notification will also be sent within three (3) days after shipping, confirming your Amazon.ca Promotional Credit.

Enter "0517GIFTCA" at checkout or click the button below to qualify

Important Notification: This offer is valid ONLY to eligible customers. Terms and Conditions apply; scroll down to learn more.