Section
Travel Hacks
Booking tricks, stopover tactics, passenger rights and points sweet spots you can use on your next trip.
Citi AAdvantage Business: How to Earn 75,000 Miles and Share the Status Boost
The US business card offers 75,000 miles after US$5,000 in spending. Authorized-user purchases can also earn status credit for two people—but not double credit for one.
Air Canada Explorer Flight Pass: how to check whether prepaid credits fit your trips
Air Canada’s Explorer Flight Pass sale runs through November 16, 2026. Check eligible cities, traveller limits and the 12-month validity before committing to prepaid flight credits.
How to find United and ANA's C$516 Japan fare with a return to Canada
Search a multi-city itinerary from select US airports to Japan, returning to Ottawa or Montreal. The advertised C$516 fare includes taxes and bags, but getting to and from the airports costs extra.
How to find United and ANA’s C$516 Japan fare from Buffalo, returning to Toronto
The basic-economy fare includes taxes, two checked bags and a carry-on, but requires a US departure and Toronto return. Use a multi-city search and price the extra ground travel before booking.
How to earn up to 7,200 Emirates Skywards bonus miles on a Dubai stay
Register, book directly and stay at least 24 hours to earn Emirates’ Dubai bonus. The offer tops out after five days, and a US Level 3 travel advisory warrants attention before booking.
How to use an airline credit card to avoid checked-bag fees
The right card can cover bags for you and your companions—but payment rules, route restrictions and reservation details determine whether the fee disappears.
How to set SkyAdd fare alerts by cabin, discount and destination
SkyAdd members can now filter cabins and destinations, set a higher seat-sale discount threshold or pause alerts. Here’s how to adjust your settings and avoid unwanted notifications.
How to book with Avianca LifeMiles without getting stuck with unusable miles
LifeMiles can cut the cash cost of Star Alliance awards, but glitches and shifting prices demand caution. Search first, compare the full cost and only then move points.
How to weigh Amex Graphite’s US$295 fee before your next business trip
The US business card offers 5% back on eligible Amex Travel bookings, but compare prices first. Its welcome bonus and bill-payment credits require substantial business spending.
How to Earn 50% More Aeroplan Points on Work Trips With Air Canada Embarq
Canadian businesses can use Air Canada’s free Embarq platform to manage travel. Its launch offer gives travellers 50% more Aeroplan points and discounts of up to 5% on eligible fares.
What Are Error Fares or Mistake Fares? How to Catch Fare Glitches Before They Disappear
The inside story on how mistake fares drop by 70% or more; the 5 cardinal rules of booking them, and how I booked peak-summer Europe flights for $257 round-trip.
How to Earn 30,000 Bonus Amex Points on an Eligible ANA Booking
A targeted US Amex Offer awards 30,000 bonus Membership Rewards points for US$2,500 in eligible ANA spending by November 30, 2026. Enrol first, book direct and check the operating airline.
Check your Scotiabank Amex for cash-rebate offers before paying for travel
Canadian Scotiabank American Express cardholders have a separate set of rotating rebate offers to check. Before your next booking, confirm eligibility and terms rather than assuming a purchase qualifies.
How to use your Emirates boarding pass for UAE discounts of up to 50%
My Emirates Pass runs October 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027. Save your boarding pass, carry photo ID and check individual offers before using discounts at participating UAE businesses.
Before transferring points, check partner awards for a cheaper domestic flight
A partner loyalty program may charge fewer points for the same flight. Compare available seats, transfer options and the full cash cost before moving credit card rewards.
How to get practical value from Hilton Aspire’s US$550 annual fee
Start with a usable free night, then schedule resort and airline credits around trips you already plan. Hilton Aspire’s value depends on availability and spending windows—not the headline totals.
How to use Delta Reserve’s two-flight welcome offer—and check the costs
New cardmembers can earn two round-trip flight certificates and 50,000 SkyMiles, but a US$650 annual fee, US$10,000 spending requirement and booking restrictions warrant a closer look.
How to Use the British Airways Companion Voucher for Two—or Just Yourself
The RBC British Airways Visa Infinite companion voucher can cover a second traveller’s Avios or halve the Avios needed for a solo reward flight. Check availability and cash charges before booking.
How to confirm an American business-class upgrade by September 30
Have an AAdvantage systemwide upgrade? Buy eligible premium economy and request the upgrade by September 30 to secure business class on select holiday departures, provided seats remain for sale.
How to use the new Aeroplan card benefits starting January 12, 2027
Canadian Aeroplan cards will offer 15% off Air Canada flight rewards. Here’s how to plan a redemption—and what to check before paying for a premium card.
How to use the Hilton Amex welcome offer without paying an annual fee
The US Hilton Honors Amex offers 70,000 points and a free night after US$2,000 in spending. Check eligibility, plan around the certificate’s expiry and use Silver status to stretch a longer award stay.
Aeroplan’s 100% points bonus has ended: how to assess your next top-up
The offer ended September 25, 2026, with a best rate of 1.88 Canadian cents per point. Before buying under a new offer, check award availability and compare the full cost with a cash ticket.
The error fare playbook: how to book fast without getting burned
A repeatable checklist for spotting, booking and holding a mistake fare.
The 24-Hour Cancellation Hack: Lock Deals First, Confirm Later
Found a low fare? Lock it down now—U.S. law, Canadian carriers, and global airlines let you cancel risk-free for a full refund.
Amex Bonvoy Brilliant offer runs through Sept. 30, with a US$650 annual fee
The US Marriott card offers 150,000 Bonvoy points and a US$250 credit after qualifying spending. Frequent flyers should weigh hotel benefits against the fee and check eligibility before applying.
Aeroplan’s best value shifts to fixed-price partners as United awards vary
United awards no longer guarantee Aeroplan’s chart rates. Fixed-price partners still offer strong value, including ANA business class for 55,000 points—if you can find availability.
Hidden-city tickets: How to compare the savings and check the risks
Getting off at a connection can cost less than booking that city directly—but skipped flights, checked bags and loyalty penalties can erase the savings. Here’s what to check before buying.
How to use a luggage tracker before—and after—your checked bag goes missing
Set up a Bluetooth tracker before departure, keep it inside your suitcase and know how to share its location. It can give you a useful lead when a bag is delayed, but it cannot guarantee recovery.
Avianca Lifemiles: Mileage purchase offer ends September 25 with bonuses up to 145%
A targeted mileage sale runs through September 25, 2026. Before buying, confirm the loyalty program, your eligibility and the full CAD cost against an available award booking.