Get 2 Free United One-Time Passes, expiring June 30th. Can only be used at United lounges worldwide (none in Canada).
If interested, comment on this email with your email address and if you're the first, I'll be pleased to mail it to you but time is limited as these passes are only good for 2 more weeks!
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Wednesday, 15 June 2016
Only a 30% Conversion Bonus RBC Avion to British Airways Avios
As of today, until July 31st, 2016, you can convert your RBC Avion points (minimum 10K Avion points required to convert) to British Airways Avios. It's been a 50% bonus twice a year, once in mid-June to late July, and one in November-December. Quite frankly, this is a shock that they have compromised on the bonus at only 30%. AMEX used to give a 50% conversion at times in Canada but not lately--it was 25% last time they offered it, a few months back.
Think twice before the conversion. I've found it difficult to find the flights I want, especially during December Break time, but also in the summer. I've found that even though they offer a generous cancellation policy and lower taxes than Aeroplan, availability has soured me on Avios, as well as others I know. If you are flying alone and looking for business class availability, then Avios is for you. Looking to fly a family in economy, especially during high season--good luck with that.
Here's a good option, but not an easy one for a Canadian to take advantage of--once you have an account open with Iberia Avios (for free) (The Spanish carrier that is affilated) for 90 days, plus you have either earned points by attributing an affiliate airline flight to Iberia, converted US AMEX points to your Iberia Avios account, or won some points through some Iberia contest (I'll keep you apprised of any that I hear about in the future), you can transfer BA Avios to Iberia Avios as often as you wish, back and forth between accounts. Iberia Avios uses a different award chart that is in some cases, more lucrative, but not as flexible. For example, with Iberia Avios, you HAVE to buy return trip tickets, but you may find more award availability at a lower amount of points.
As of a few months back, BA Avios increased the number of points for a short haul flight, say YYZ-LGA (Toronto-New York) from 9K economy up to 15K, matching Aeroplan's number of points, With Iberia, it's still only 11K points. Unfortunately, Iberia's Avios website is terrible for redemptions, and you'll have to call them to make a redemption, but the option is a good one if you have Avios points. You can open an Iberia Avios account here.
Here's the details RBC conversion details from the RBC website:
Think twice before the conversion. I've found it difficult to find the flights I want, especially during December Break time, but also in the summer. I've found that even though they offer a generous cancellation policy and lower taxes than Aeroplan, availability has soured me on Avios, as well as others I know. If you are flying alone and looking for business class availability, then Avios is for you. Looking to fly a family in economy, especially during high season--good luck with that.
Here's a good option, but not an easy one for a Canadian to take advantage of--once you have an account open with Iberia Avios (for free) (The Spanish carrier that is affilated) for 90 days, plus you have either earned points by attributing an affiliate airline flight to Iberia, converted US AMEX points to your Iberia Avios account, or won some points through some Iberia contest (I'll keep you apprised of any that I hear about in the future), you can transfer BA Avios to Iberia Avios as often as you wish, back and forth between accounts. Iberia Avios uses a different award chart that is in some cases, more lucrative, but not as flexible. For example, with Iberia Avios, you HAVE to buy return trip tickets, but you may find more award availability at a lower amount of points.
As of a few months back, BA Avios increased the number of points for a short haul flight, say YYZ-LGA (Toronto-New York) from 9K economy up to 15K, matching Aeroplan's number of points, With Iberia, it's still only 11K points. Unfortunately, Iberia's Avios website is terrible for redemptions, and you'll have to call them to make a redemption, but the option is a good one if you have Avios points. You can open an Iberia Avios account here.
Here's the details RBC conversion details from the RBC website:
Special British Airways Executive Club offer for RBC Avion® cardholders+! Convert your RBC Rewards points into Avios and receive 30% more◊. Offer valid from June 15, 2016 to July 31, 2016. Convert your points today!
RBC Avion cardholders and clients who hold other eligible RBC Royal Bank products or services that earn RBC Rewards points†, have the option of converting their RBC Rewards points to Avios◊. As a member of the British Airways Executive Club they can spend them on a range of rewards, including flights with BA and their oneworld® partners, flight upgrades, hotel accommodation and car rental¤.
You must be a member of the British Airways Executive Club‡ in order to convert your points. For enrolment information, visit British Airways online atwww.ba.com/executiveclub 
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- Enrol: Join British Airways Executive Club – visitwww.ba.com/theclub .
- Convert: Convert a minimum of 10,000 RBC Rewards points into Avios by signing-in above or by calling us at 1-800 ROYAL® 1-2 (1-800-769-2512). If you are a commercial cardholder, please call 1-888 ROYAL® 3-4(1-888-769-2534).
- Redeem: Redeem your Avios by calling British Airways at 1-800-452-1201 or online at www.ba.com
Tuesday, 14 June 2016
Whether Residing in the US or Canada, For $40 - $2 Wind is the Best Deal
I've had Wind Mobile now for a few months and have been quite happy with the service. If you live State side or in a major Canadian city, Wind has a LOT going for it, especially price. Here's why:
Right now, you can get the following for $40CDN (if you've never had Wind before--introductory price for new customers):
LTE is apparently coming across Canada to Wind this year, as is nation wide service after the buyout of Wind by Shaw Communications late last year. Currently, it's 3G/4G, which is pretty slow compared to LTE or a good Wifi service, but if that's good enough for you, it's worth trying it.
Right now, you can get the following for $40CDN (if you've never had Wind before--introductory price for new customers):
- No contract at all--price apparently will remain the same as long as you don't cancel
- 5GB full-speed data (3GB data + 2GB bonus)
- Unlimited Canada-wide calling
- Unlimited global texting
- Unlimited Canada/U.S. picture/video texting
- $5/month in service credits when you bring your own phone, making US texting, calling, and LTE data only $10CDN extra
- Voicemail+
- Call Control (Caller ID, Missed Call Alerts, Conference Calling, Call Forwarding, Call Waiting)
- World Saver add-on (International talk from 1¢/min to over 200 countries & unlimited global text)
- If you go to the States for a few days or a couple of weeks, Wind doesn't really charge you $15/month for great LTE US service (on the T-Mobile/AT&T network), but only charges you a pro-rated charge per 10 days increments, so you're really paying $5 every 10 days, which means if you don't use your $5 credit in a month and spend a week in the States on vacation or business, you can add-on US roaming and remove it when you return and virtually pay nothing but the tax on it. NO ONE COMES CLOSE TO BEATING THIS.
- For Americans in the US, if you have a T-Mobile phone, Wind's SIM card will work in your phone. If you're no longer on a contract with T-Mobile, you can switch and pay $60.15 tax included (about $48USD) - any discount for multiple lines on the same account.
You'll want to turn off roaming in Canada to be sure you're not accidentally using up your $5/month in service credits for going onto a competitor's network unless you REALLY need to be able to access everything everywhere, and you find out that possibly there are holes in the Wind network at work or on the commute home.
I bought on eBay 2 brand new T-Mobile phones and they work great on the Wind Network--cost me around $250 each for Samsung Galaxy S5s. No regrets. I locked in at $39-$2 for 2 lines. The best deal on cell phones--save that $ (as you wish they had LTE already and get perhaps a little aggrivated) for your next vacation compared to going with Rogers, Bell or Fido.
Thursday, 2 June 2016
$19.99 for a Sears Father's Day Portrait Deal
For $19.99, you get 1-8x10, 2-5x7 8 wallet sized and a photo mug. Must have studio booked before June 30. One pose package valid for multiple subjects and in natural colour. Click here for all the details. Book quickly because these locations book up fast!
National Donut Day at Krispy Kreme=Free Donut!
Across the US and Canada, get a free glazed, powdered or creme-filled donut at Krispy Kreme on June 3, 2016, "National Donut Day". Whatever. Check to see which location is closest to you--one in Mississauga (corporate store), two in downtown Toronto as well as locations in Montreal.
Click here to see the deal! Once you've had Krispy Kreme, you WON'T go back to all the others--you can't...you won't!!
It's a great place to get together with friends and hang out. GO! ;)
Click here to see the deal! Once you've had Krispy Kreme, you WON'T go back to all the others--you can't...you won't!!
It's a great place to get together with friends and hang out. GO! ;)
Tuesday, 24 May 2016
How to Save $$ on Outstanding Balances on Lines of Credit and Credit Cards
Many people out there pay a lot in interest charges for outstanding balances on their line of credit, credit cards, or are considering putting the debt into the mortgage. Mistake. The best deal out there, what I've been doing for YEARS is applying for the MBNA Platinum Plus M/C. It comes with no annual fee, 0% financing for 12 months, and if you apply through Great Canadian Rebates, you'll get $60 cashback (and through Buytopia.ca you can get a $100 gift card to Amazonca, Starbucks, The Bay, Best Buy or even the evil Walmart (don't get me started about how you'll pay a high price for the low prices--stay away from them, but hat's another post, another day). Click here to go to sign up with Buytopia.ca if that's the prize you want for a no annual fee card that you can transfer your balance to. That way I'll get a referral bonus and you'll win too!
You WILL have to pay a 1% balance transfer transaction fee, so basically, you're paying 1% interest up front and nothing for 12 months!
You can even ask MBNA to set up payments of a regular amount coming out every month from your bank account so you won't miss a payment--for if you do--get ready for the deal to end early and start paying 19.99% interest (or something like that).
Warning 1: MBNA will pester you with snail mail offers for more balance transfers but you'll already be locked into one. At the end of the year, you need to pay off the balance and then either take an offer that's sitting on your account (your online account with them will show the best offer on the card) or even better, call customer service and see what they can do for you. For example, they may offer you a 0.99% deal for as many as 15 months, but after they speak to a manager, the manager may have a better offer that cuts the transaction fee for the balance transfer from 2% or 1% in half.
Warning 2: Your credit to debt amortization will suffer, hurting your credit score, but that depends on how much you take out for the balance transfer, how much your credit limit is with them in comparison and how much overall available credit you have "out there" on credit cards. This time around, I've taken at least a 30 point hit because of my balance that I'm carrying.
You WILL have to pay a 1% balance transfer transaction fee, so basically, you're paying 1% interest up front and nothing for 12 months!
You can even ask MBNA to set up payments of a regular amount coming out every month from your bank account so you won't miss a payment--for if you do--get ready for the deal to end early and start paying 19.99% interest (or something like that).
Warning 1: MBNA will pester you with snail mail offers for more balance transfers but you'll already be locked into one. At the end of the year, you need to pay off the balance and then either take an offer that's sitting on your account (your online account with them will show the best offer on the card) or even better, call customer service and see what they can do for you. For example, they may offer you a 0.99% deal for as many as 15 months, but after they speak to a manager, the manager may have a better offer that cuts the transaction fee for the balance transfer from 2% or 1% in half.
Warning 2: Your credit to debt amortization will suffer, hurting your credit score, but that depends on how much you take out for the balance transfer, how much your credit limit is with them in comparison and how much overall available credit you have "out there" on credit cards. This time around, I've taken at least a 30 point hit because of my balance that I'm carrying.
Flights from Toronto to Tokyo for $597CDN taxes included!
Flights from late August to April 2017 are available!
Click here to go to Google Flights. Choose the dates that work for you.
Then, click here to go Momondo.ca with your dates. Be sure to choose Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND). Use Monondo to take you to the website with the best price. Apparently, itravel2000.com is offering these flights too and they will unlikely cancel your flight when its realized how low the price really is! For late August, prices start from $665CDN. You'll be flying Air Nippon Airways and United. More info on YYZdeals.ca
Click here to go to Google Flights. Choose the dates that work for you.
Then, click here to go Momondo.ca with your dates. Be sure to choose Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND). Use Monondo to take you to the website with the best price. Apparently, itravel2000.com is offering these flights too and they will unlikely cancel your flight when its realized how low the price really is! For late August, prices start from $665CDN. You'll be flying Air Nippon Airways and United. More info on YYZdeals.ca
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