In Episode 43 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca kick the episode off by reviewing recent Qatar Airways Privilege Club changes that make it much harder to book award flights for family and friends.
The hosts discuss how Alaska Airlines raised its non-refundable partner award booking fee to $20 USD per person per direction and how Philippine Airlines is set to join Oneworld in 2027. They cover Chase Sapphire Preferred changes, the very meaningful Tim Hortons’ card discontinuation, new Scotiabank and RBC credit card offers, targeted Amex Cobalt-to-Gold upgrades, and Porter Airlines and Cathay Pacific fuel surcharge reductions for award flights.
The episode wraps up with listener comments and questions on the RBC Air Travel Redemption Schedule, an ITIN executive order, a battle of frequent flyer programs, prioritizing transferable currencies, and opening a first Chase card.
(00:45) Qatar Airways Privilege Club Redemption Restrictions
Qatar Airways Privilege Club has made it more difficult to redeem Avios for award flights when the account holder is traveling with others. Members will now need to qualify their account in order to book award travel for friends and family members.
(06:20) Alaska Partner Award Booking Fee Increase
As of July 1st, Alaska Airlines has increased its non-refundable partner award booking fee from $12.50 USD per person, per direction to $20 USD per person, per direction.
- Remember: No partner award booking fees with the Bank of America Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Card
(08:37) Philippine Airlines is Joining oneworld
Philippine Airlines will be joining oneworld in 2027, so there will be more options when it comes to frequent flyer programs that can be used to redeem for their flights going forward.
(10:00) Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Refresh
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card was refreshed in June 2026, and there are some good changes and some not-so-great changes, depending on your involvement with World of Hyatt.
- See More: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
- Read More: Maximizing The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
(16:03) Tim Hortons Mastercard Disappears From Canada
The most important piece of news in this episode is that the Tims Mastercard, issued by Neo Financial, will cease to exist in October, with current cardholders being rolled over to the Neo World Mastercard. See ya, you won’t be missed by anyone.
(17:55) New Scotiabank & RBC Credit Card Offers
Scotiabank has launched and extended welcome offers on several of its popular credit cards, and RBC has done the same on quite a few cards.
- Most Notable Offers include:
- Up to 50,000 Scene+ Points on the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
- Up to 70,000 WestJet Points on the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
- Up to 70,000 Avion Points on the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card (Ending July 15)
- Read More: Updated Scotiabank Credit Card Offers & Updated RBC Credit Card Offers
(22:31) Amex Cobalt to Gold Rewards Card: Targeted Upgrade Offer
Some American Express Canada Cobalt cardholders have reported that they have received a targeted upgrade offer to the Gold Rewards card for up to 70,000 Membership Rewards points.
(26:24) Award Ticket Fuel Surcharge Cuts
Both Porter Airlines and Cathay Pacific have announced a reduction in award redemption fuel surcharges, which is a very positive and surprising change.
(29:25) Listener Correction: RBC Air Travel Redemption Schedule
Steve corrects us that you can indeed redeem 7,500 Avion points to fly between New York City and Toronto, or any other neighbouring states and provinces.
(30:24) Listener Question: ITIN Executive Order
Mathieu asks about the impact that the ITIN executive order, which was signed in May 2026, might have on Canadian’s accessing U.S. credit cards.
(33:00) Listener Question: British Airways Avios vs. Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Stephen wants to diversify his frequent flyer programs and asks our team if it is better to focus on British Airways Avios or Cathay Pacific Asia Miles.
(37:22) Listener Question: Amex Membership Rewards vs. RBC Avion Points
Mike asks if it is better to focus on earning American Express Membership Rewards points or RBC Avion points.
(40:42) Listener Question: Getting Your First Chase Card
Dan asks a question about getting his first Chase Bank credit card and whether it is worth it to open up a bank account with Chase.
(44:50) Conclusion
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