Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Credit Card by American Express: Get 20,000 Welcome Bonus Starpoints = 5 Free Nights

Travel Hacking is the art of collecting miles and points to get free flights, hotels, and more. Visit my travel hacking blog RayTravelsFree.com and learn how you can travel for free.

For a limited time, the American Express Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Credit Card is offering an incredible 20,000 Welcome Bonus Starpoints (normally 10,000)! That’s enough points for up to 5 Free Nights Hotel at a Category 2 property! Each SPG point is worth around 3.55 cents CAD (2.7 cents USD) so you’re getting tremendous value. I now use this card as my primary go to (daily use) card. I charge whatever I can to it because it gives me twice the value compared to my other credit cards.

Plus, the card has a referral program – get 5,000 bonus Starpoints for each friend/family you refer to this card (earn up to 75,000 bonus points annually).

To get the 20,000 welcome Starpoints, all you have to do is sign-up for the card and charge $1,500 in purchases to the card within the first three months of card membership. The card has a $120 annual fee, but even with that, this is one of the best travel cards to have because of the generous welcome bonus (worth over $850). If you don’t like the card, you can cancel the card at any time without penalty and keep your points.

Starwood Preferred Guest®* Credit Card from American Express

If you’re new to the Starwood Preferred Guest program, it’s one of the best loyalty programs in the world because it gives you access to nine exciting hotel brands with more than 1,000 hotels and resorts in nearly 100 countries.  Because of this, the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card is one of the best travel cards for earning travel rewards!

This is a special limited-time offer so don’t miss out! Sign-up now before the offer ends. The exclusive offer is valid for Canadians only.
I did a lot of research before I got this card due to the $120 fee, but I’m so glad I got it!  Here’s why:

  • Welcome Bonus: Earn 20,000 Welcome Bonus Starpoints, after you charge $1,500 in purchases to your Card in your first three months of card membership. That’s enough for up to 5 free nights.
  • Referral Bonus: Refer a friend or family, and get 5,000 bonus points for each successful referral, up to 75,000 Starpoints per year.  This is the best part of this card, since the card sells itself!
  • Earnings: You can earn 2 Starpoints for every dollar of eligible purchases charged to the Card at participating SPG and Marriott Rewards hotels.  Earn 1 Starpoint for every $1 in all other purchases charged to the Card.   You are getting over 3.5 cents return per dollar, higher than almost every other card out there!
  • Free Travel Insurance: Get $500,000 Travel Accident Insurance, Flight Delay Insurance, Baggage Delay Insurance, Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance, Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance and more!  Travel with peace of mind!
  • Free Entertainment Access:  Get special Front of Line Advance Access to all the popular concerts that are always sold out.  Purchase tickets before everyone else!  With this perk, I’ve never had a problem purchasing any concert tickets that I’ve wanted to go to!
  • Free Shopping Coverage: Buyers Assurance Protection Plan doubles manufacturer’s warranty automatically up to 1 year longer, and Purchase Protection Plan automatically insures your products for physical damage and theft!

The exciting thing is what you can do with your SPG Points:

  • SPG Moments: Experience once-in-a-lifetime events with SPG Moments (biggest music, sports and cultural events in the world).
  • No Black Out Dates: Redeem Starpoints for Free Nights with no blackout dates at over 1,200 hotels and resorts in nearly 100 countries.  Here’s a list of hotels available.
    • 5th Night Free: Book 4 nights and get the 5th night free if you book Category 3 and above
  • Transfer to Marriott: With Starwood and Marriott’s partnership, you can instantly transfer to and from Marriott points at 1:3 ratio.  Get even more hotel choices!
  • Transfer to Frequent Flyer Miles:  Transfer Starpoints to frequent flyer miles with nearly 30 airlines, usually on a 1:1 basis.

I’ve already saved thousands of dollars thanks to SPG.  I started by signing up for the card and then referred my wife – just by doing that, we got 50,000 SPG points for $240 ($120 annual fee X 2 cards)We recently took a trip to New York City and stayed at the Element New York Times Square West for 5 nights. Because the 5th night was free, we only used 48,000 points with no additional fees or taxes!  For our dates, the price would have been about $1,850 all in, so we got almost 4 cents per point value!  Just by signing up these 2 cards, we managed to save over $1,600 and still have a couple thousand points to spare!

I won a SPG Moments’ auction and went to the NHL All-Star game!

Because the card sells itself, I’ve been able to easily refer friends and family to also sign-up for the card and accumulate lots of bonus points (10K bonus points for each referral). Last year, I used SPG Starpoints and won a couple SPG Moments auctions and got to go to the NHL All-Star Game in LA as well as NHL Awards in Vegas! It was truly an once-in-a-lifetime experience and I was only able to go because of SPG.

If you consider all the points, this is a deal you can’t ignore! Worst case, you take the 20,000 Starpoints and cancel the card before the first year.

Click here to sign up for the SPG Card by Amex and get 20,000 SPG Welcome Points

Learn how you can travel for free by visiting my travel hacking site RayTravelsFree.com.

GROUPON: Extra 20% Off Local Deals Promo Code (Mar 11-12)

Groupon.com is offering an extra 20% off promo code.

Save an incredible extra 20% off Local deals when you enter the promo code EXTRA20 at checkout! I’ve tested the code and can verify that it works.

This promo code is valid for 2-days only from Sunday, March 11 to Monday, March 12, 2018 at 11:59pm PDT. This is going to be a very popular offer so don’t miss out!

This is a hot deal because most of the deals featured on Groupon is already discounted 50-90% off. You’ll find lots of amazing deals with the extra 20% off (sale on sale).

The promo code works on most local deal in Canada or U.S. (Ie. restaurants, things to do, spas, events & activities, heath & beauty, automotive, home, golf, etc…). Valid on 1 unit per transaction; max 3 uses per customer. Max $50 discount per deal. Must click through to be eligible. Must use mobile or desktop site.

Hurry, only a limited amount of people can use the code so take advantage of the offer while it lasts!

Click here to shop on Groupon.com now or to view all the latest local deals near you.

Best Buy: Flash Sale – Savings on TVs, Home Audio, Home Theatre Seating & More (Mar 10)

Best Buy is having a 1-day only Flash Sale today (Saturday, March 10, 2018).

Incredible savings on TVs, Home Audio, Home Theatre Seating & More

  • SAVE UP TO $300 on select 4K TVs
  • SAVE UP TO 30% on select home audio
  • Dolby Atmos receivers starting at $449.99
  • SAVE UP TO 50% on select TV stands and wall mounts
  • SAVE UP TO 50% on select home theatre seating
  • SAVE UP TO 70% on select home theatre accessories

The sale is available in-stores and online.

Best Buy offers free shipping on online orders over $35.

Click here to shop Best Buy online now or for more details about this sale.

Cineplex: Family Favourites – $2.99 Family Movies every Saturday Mornings (Mar 10)

Cineplex Family Favourites is back!

Visit a participating Cineplex Movie Theatre every Saturday morning at 11am and watch a family favourite film each week for only $2.99 per ticket!

This offer is available every Saturday morning from January 13th to March 31, 2018.

Scene point members will also earn 25 points per ticket. A portion of the proceeds goes towards supporting Free The Children.

This is a fun and affordable way to enjoy the weekend with your family.

Here’s the weekly Saturday morning movie line-up:

  • January 13: Spider-Man: Homecoming
  • January 20: The Emoji Movie
  • January 27: The Lego Ninjago Movie
  • February 3: Sing
  • February 10: Minions
  • February 17: My Little Pony: The Movie
  • February 24: Wonder
  • March 3: Trolls
  • March 10: Fantastic Mr. Fox
  • March 17: Shrek
  • March 24: Space Jam
  • March 31: Hop

Click here to visit Cineplex’s website for more details.

Click here to view a list of all the participating Cineplex movie theatres.

Banana Republic: Friends & Family Event – 40% Off Regular Priced Items (Mar 7-12)

Banana Republic is having a Friends & Family Event.

Save 40% off regular priced items when you enter the promo code BRFAMILY at checkout.

The sale is available online and in-stores from March 7-12, 2018. Exclusions apply.

Offer valid until 3/12/2018 at 11:59 PM ET at Banana Republic online and in stores in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico) and Canada. Not valid at Banana Republic Factory stores. Discount does not apply to sale merchandise, GiftCards, packaging, shipping and handling, applicable taxes or BR Picks, BR Monogram Collection, 100% Cashmere, leather apparel, designer collections & collaborations, and third party branded merchandise. No adjustments on previous purchases. Not valid for cash or cash equivalent. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts including the Gap Inc. employee discount.

Banana Republic offers free shipping + free returns on orders over $50.

Click here to shop Banana Republic now or for more details about the sale.

GAP: Friends & Family Sale – 40% Off Everything + Free Shipping All Orders (Mar 7-13)



GAP is having a Friends & Family Sale.

Save 40% off everything + free shipping on all orders at Gap & Gap Factory when you enter the promo code GAPFRIEND at checkout.

The sale is available in-stores and online from March 7-13, 2018.

Valid off qualifying purchases from 3/7/2018 at 12:01 a.m. ET through 3/13/2018 at 11:59 p.m. ET online at gap.ca and at Gap, GapKids, babyGap, GapBody, Gap Outlet, Gap Outlet Kids & Baby, and Gap Factory in Canada only. Not valid at other Gap Inc. brands or in our clearance centers. Excludes gift cards, taxes, packaging, and shipping & handling. Coupon valid for multiple uses during offer period. Cannot be combined with other offers/discounts or employee discount. Upon redemption, coupon’s discount value will be equally spread across all items in the transaction. Not responsible for lost or stolen coupons. Cannot be applied to previous purchases. Is non-transferrable and not for resale. Online: enter code at checkout. In store: discount taken at register.

GAP is offering free shipping on all online orders during this sale.

Click here to shop GAP online now or for more details about the sale.

Sport Chek: Flash Sale – Women’s Day – Up to 50% Off + Free Shipping (Mar 8)

SportChek.ca is having a 1-day only Women’s Day Flash Sale (Thursday, March 8, 2018).

Today only, save up to 50% off select brands & styles (women’s only) + free shipping on your entire order!

Hurry, the sale is available online-only today while supplies last. Shop early for the best selection of sizes and styles.

Flash Sale – Women’s Online Only

Thursday, March 8th, 2018 1:59 AM ET – Friday, March 9th, 2018 1:59 AM ET. Select Brands & Styles up to 50% Off our regular price. While quantities last. Order must be completed by March 9th, 2018 1:59 AM ET to qualify.

Sport Chek is offering Free Shipping on all orders during this sale.

Click here to shop Sport Chek online now or for more details about the sale.

Best Buy: Flash Sale – Huge Savings on Cameras, Headphones, Luggage & More (Mar 7)

Best Buy is having a 1-day only Flash Sale today (Wednesday, March 7, 2018).

Huge Savings on Cameras, Headphones, Luggage & More

  • Luggage sets STARTING AT $199.99
  • Huge selection of Bluetooth sport headphones ON SALE
  • SAVE BIG on select camera packages
  • All Sony Bluetooth speakers ON SALE*
  • BUY MORE SAVE MORE on select smart home products
  • SAVE UP TO $30 on select tablets

The sale is available in-stores and online.

Best Buy offers free shipping on online orders over $35.

Click here to shop Best Buy online now or for more details about this sale.

WestJet: Birthday Seat Sale – Extended Again (Book by Mar 8)

WestJet has extended their Birthday Seat Sale again! The sale now ends March 8th.

It’s your last chance to get an incredible deal on flights within Canada, the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe. Hurry, sale fares are going fast.

Sale ends: March 8, 2018 (11:59 p.m. MT)*
Travel: March 19 – July 12 and August 20 – October 27, 2018
Blackout dates:

    • Canada: March 22-23, 25, 29-30, April 2, May 17-18, 21, June 28-29, July 2, July 13-August 19, August 30-31, September 3, October 4-5, 8, 2018
    • U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe: March 22-25, 29-31, April 2, May 17-19, 21, June 28-30, July 2, July 13-August 19, August 30-September 1, 3, October 4-6, 8, 2018

Lowest fares for travel to Canada can be found on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Lowest fares for travel to the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe can be found on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Fares on other days may be higher.

Travel Tips:

Click here to visit WestJet’s website to book a flight now or for more details.

Click here to read my other Travel Hacking post and learn how to get 20,000 Starpoints, enough points to get up to 5 Free Nights Hotel!