Jan 14 Update: Amex Travel Membership Rewards Bonus, SPG Take a Spin contest, American & US Airways 50% Bonus Miles on each others flights + MORE Jan 15th

Looking forward to a hefty tax refund this spring? That’s actually poor planning, especially if you’re lugging around credit card debt, student loans or a negative balance of any kind.
It’s not like you’re really coming out ahead. That money was always yours to begin with. In fact, getting a large tax refund simply means you’ve remitted too much tax to the Canada Revenue Agency from the outset. Here’s how to keep more of your money, right from the start.
Keep That Money For Yourself
When you file your income taxes in April, the Canadian Revenue Agency will compare what you actually owe to what you’ve already paid through pay cheque deductions. You only get money back if you paid too much. That means you’re effectively giving the federal government an interest-free loan, since it’s really only refunding the overpayments you’ve been sending in throughout the year.
Settling up early this way is generally a bad idea, particularly if you expect to claim any deductions or non-refundable tax credits like RRSP contributions or child care expenses that will ultimately reduce your tax bill, says Toronto accountant Tim Cestnick, author of author of 101 Tax Secrets for Canadians…

Rewards Canada was recently interviewed about Fuel Surcharges incurred on award/reward tickets from various loyalty programs.  Here on Rewards Canada this is a topic has been discussed frequently and in particular about Aeroplan, Air Miles and Avios award tickets and the large fuel surcharges that are tacked onto them. Here are five tips to help you avoid or mitigate those fuel surcharges to make your award travel a bit more tolerable and easier on your wallet.1. Be wise in which airline you choose for your award ticketCanada’s two best known travel reward programs are Aeroplan and Air Miles and while both programs have their merits, the typical complaint we hear from their members are about the fuel surcharges! Now, many people feel trapped as the sheer size the programs and ease of earning miles with them makes it hard to switch to other programs. Well you don’t have to switch to avoid the surcharges, you just have to avoid certain airlines within each program.  Aeroplan has dozens of flight partners and the ones that charge either no or have a much lower Fuel Surcharge are United, Air China, Brussels Airlines, EgyptAir, Ethiopian, EVA Air, Scandinavian, Singapore, Swiss, Turkish and US Airways but they cease being an Aeroplan partner as of March 30…

Wednesday proved to be a day filled with lots of news and bonuses! Be sure to read everything carefully so you don’t miss out on any great offers.News, Tips & TricksHolders of American Express Cards that earn Membership Rewards points (American Express Gold Rewards Card, The Platinum Card from American Express, Centurion, ChoicePlus and others) can earn a 2,014 point bonus on eligible hotel and car rental bookings of $400 or more (after taxes and fees) booked through the American Express Travel website until February 13th, 2014. Full details To celebrate the launch of the Starwood and Caesars partership SPG has launched a contest called Take a Spin with SPG where you can win Starpoints, Free Night Awards or an all inclusive grand prize trip to Las Vegas. The contest is open to residents of Canada except those in Quebec and you must be 21 years of age to enter. Enter here.Air Canada is reducing the number of flights between Toronto and London for the summer season to 4 from 5 per day…

Latest quarterly survey of Canadian and U.S bank managers found expectations for delinquencies on auto loans and credit cards are on the rise.