Best Rewards Card

[ddasilva99]

Hi Everyone,

Which card would provide the best rewards (cashback or productss)? I looked at the comparison chart provided by RFD but it doesnt show the best annual fee card.

Thanks,
Derek

[Octavius]

Depends how much you spend....

If you spend more then 9k/year on a credit card, you'd be wise to go with the National Bank Ultramar Cash Back MasterCard

1.25% on ALL of your purchases if you spend over 9k/year. Credit is paid out once a year in January as a credit on your account.

Otherwise, there's a credit card chart somewhere here on RFD outlining all the different credit cards and their rewards.

Good Luck.

[ddasilva99]

Arent there other cards that offer 2% or 3% cashback?

[gman]

Depends how much you spend....

If you spend more then 9k/year on a credit card, you'd be wise to go with the National Bank Ultramar Cash Back MasterCard

1.25% on ALL of your purchases if you spend over 9k/year. Credit is paid out once a year in January as a credit on your account.

Otherwise, there's a credit card chart somewhere here on RFD outlining all the different credit cards and their rewards.

Good Luck.

OP already said he read the chart. He was asking for the cards that have annual fee.

[Octavius]

OP already said he read the chart. He was asking for the cards that have annual fee.

:o Embarrassing....I should read better....

Sorry about that!

In regards to the 2% or 3% return....those cards aren't available to the public anymore:

- Amex Gold Cash Back (NO Annual)
- Canadian Tire Cash Advantage Regular (No Annual)
- Canadian Tire Cash Advantage Platinum (99 Annual Fee)

[ddasilva99]

Thank you guys.

Based on the new cards...the national bank is best for no fee- am I correct?

[drowsy]

no. Its good if you can spend enough. Otherwise, pick Citybank or Capital One.

[B40]

I like the Citibank Driver's Edge card.. 2% towards the purchase of any vehicle. You're bound to buy a car eventually right?

I also have a 1% cashback card and tend to use it more towards the end of the year as the rebate is processed once a year in January.

[ddasilva99]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Anyone else care to add?

[Junk Food Junkie]

The one that works best for me;

PC Mastercard
http://www.pcmastercard.pcfinancial.ca/rocen/cardapp/index.htm

[ANDREWX]

Hi,

Canadian Tire Cash Advantage Master Card.

Up to 5% cash back, $2000 limit per year, 10% cash back for purchases at Canadian Tire and Canadian Tire Gas Bars.

http://www.ctfs.com/english/cashadvantage/index.html

But they do not accept new applications for now.

Regards,
Andrew.

[s2kdarren]

i buy so much gas that petro points reward card works best for me...

[tok129]

I've done plenty of personal research on this topic and the best advice I can give you is that there is no "best" card for everyone. Some cards work great for some and some work better for others. It really depends on your situation and your personal preferences. You have to either try a card that someone recommends or sit down and crunch the numbers to see what works best for you.

As far as no-fee cards go, the RFD article is a great place to compare and see what works best for you.

For me (about 30K-60K per year spending), the best no fee option is the Citibank Driver's Edge Platinum card. IMO this is the best no fee card around, and the card that currently gives me the highest return with features I want. I highly recommend this card if you spend less than $50K/yr and you know you are going to lease or buy a car or ATV every 5 years. I have had no problems claiming the rebate. Getting the rebate cheque was painless, easy, and quick.

However, there are plenty of other no-fee cards that are great and hassle free as well, especially if you are a loyal customer of a particular brand and/or store.

If you spend more than $50K/yr and/or are looking for a card with more features and don't mind paying the yearly fee, there are plenty more great options to choose from. I have found that for me, the Aeroplan AMEX cards are a great value if you either already collect Aeroplan miles, travel by plane a lot, and if you use the card with every possible expense. If I had this card and got no other Aeroplan miles from any other source, I could take a first class over-seas flight for two every 2 years! For me, first class isn't worth paying extra for, but if I can get it for free, it is WELL worth my time!

Ask your friends and family what they use and check out the information on some cards that interest you. Look at what features you can't live without and what your tolerance is for restrictions and limitations. Do this and you will find a card worth bragging about!

[halflife150]

OP said best fee card yet everyone keeps on giving him no fee cards. Also what is with people giving stats on cards that nobody is able to get anymore (ie CT advantage, ya it's good but it doesn't help for someone looking for a card they can actually get)

I think best fee is the amex platinum aerogold 1.25 aeroplan pts per $ for first $25k and 1.5 aeroplan for each $ after that. But the fee is $499. Probably one of the highest fee cards out there. If you can spend enough to cover the fee then this is your best card.

If you're not going to redeem your rewards for flights, then avoid fee cards since the best ones worth having are all flight reward cards.

[ddasilva99]

Would anyone else like to add? Best card?

[Drew_W]

Seriously, how many threads do we have to have on this SAME topic?

Use the search function. There's TONS of reading here. No doubt when you read all the old threads here, you'll have a very clear picture of the BEST rewards card for YOU.

[Gex]

OP said best fee card yet everyone keeps on giving him no fee cards. Also what is with people giving stats on cards that nobody is able to get anymore (ie CT advantage, ya it's good but it doesn't help for someone looking for a card they can actually get)

I think best fee is the amex platinum aerogold 1.25 aeroplan pts per $ for first $25k and 1.5 aeroplan for each $ after that. But the fee is $499. Probably one of the highest fee cards out there. If you can spend enough to cover the fee then this is your best card.

If you're not going to redeem your rewards for flights, then avoid fee cards since the best ones worth having are all flight reward cards.

Not to hijack this tread but what other companys offer Aeroplan points for cards?

I'm currently using the citibank driver's edge (3 years now) because I know my car needs to be replaced soon. I got a nice little chunk saved up for this. Once I got my new car I want to switch over to an aeroplan card.


Btw Drew this is an older thread check the first post date.

[Drew_W]

Not to hijack this tread but what other companys offer Aeroplan points for cards?

I'm currently using the citibank driver's edge (3 years now) because I know my car needs to be replaced soon. I got a nice little chunk saved up for this. Once I got my new car I want to switch over to an aeroplan card.


Btw Drew this is an older thread check the first post date.

CIBC Aerogold or Amex Aeroplan are your options.

Unless you really really like playing the Aerolotto, you're better off with the RBC Platinum Avion.

[tok129]

Drew_W is right, you only have the two options; CIBC and AMEX. There are a total of 5 cards to choose from between the two companies (2 from CIBC and 3 from AMEX). Here are some links for more information:

AMEX
All 3 cards comparison (http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif/cda/page/0,1641,14154,00.asp)

CIBC
Areo Classic (http://www.cibccards.com/aeroplanaeroclassic/)
Areogold (http://www.cibccards.com/aeroplanaerogold/)

However, I disagree with Drew_W in that the RBC Avion is the best choice. My preferences allow me to get the more value/point with Aeroplan than with Avion (I crunched the numbers). Also, IMO you are playing lottery with any loyalty/rewards program around so that shouldn't be a factor when choosing among reward programs themselves.

[Drew_W]

If you consider that twice a year you can transfer RBC Avion points to BA points with 50% bonus, that means $66.7k spending gets you to Europe Business Class, compared to up to $100k spending on the Aerogold and playing the Aerolotto.

Also, BA points can be used 1:1 with oneWorld carriers like AA, so that's an outrageous value. $16.7k spending for an AA flight anywhere in NA.

[Gex]

My spendings on my CC are not that much (30K annually approx.). I'd be using most of the points to fly only in Canada.

tok129 thanks for the links great info. I seem to like the amex cards better but not everyone takes amex around here (where I shop more frequently).

The RBC avion card doesnt have a lot of juicy information on their website but it looks like I have to be on top on things and always transfering points from one to another. I can see where it would make sense if I travel more for business but I'm glued to my chair at my desk - not in the plane!

Thanks again!

[Drew_W]

Then why not get the BMO Gold Westjet? You basically get the annual fee back in discounts to a BMO banking plan, 1/$15 airmile earning, and a maximum of 1600 AM to fly wherever Westjet flies.

However, if you spend only $30k a year on CCs, maybe an annual fee card isn't the best option for you since in 1 year you won't be able to rack up enough points to fly anywhere.

Try the MBNA Starwood Preferred Guest card - rewards max out at $30k, there's a Platinum version available (also free), and you can use points for big savings on hotel stays, or transfer SPG points 1:1 to aeroplan (with conditions), or AA Advantage, etc.

[Topher]

Here's my 2 cents, since I don't follow the patterns of most of the previous posters. We don't travel much (although we would like to travel more), so aeroplan or starwood rewards aren't beneficial to us. We also wouldn't take advantage of the GM card, as neither of our cars are GM, and aren't likely to be GM cars the next time around (maybe later though).

I currently have the MBNA Sony Mastercard. No annual fee, and my limit has been gone up probably a dozen times in 2.5 years. I buy all my croceries and gas, and pay whatever bills I can using that card, and in return I get 1% back towards Sony products. Mind you, this is only good if you plan to buy Sony, but I figured that I would always find something, whether it be a new TV, DVD player or receiver, or maybe some movies, or Playstation games, or a PSP, etc. Bottom line, I know that I'd buy these types of things, although I'm not necessarily biased towards Sony. I just figure that if I can get rewards for buying the things I have to (gas, groceries, etc.) then I might as well. Next step is to se if I can get my car insurance and mortgage payments on there, then the points will really pour in. Got my eyes on a new LCD (yes, we're still watching a 20" CRT!). If I don't have to pay for it, that's even better.

I realize this isn't the best card for everyone, but it may be an option for at least one other person.

[Drew_W]

Then why not just get the Citi Enrich which gives you 1% cashback straight up, no annual fee, and no restrictions on where to spend it?

[newbeetle]

..... or transfer SPG points 1:1 to aeroplan (with conditions).....

I thought one can't do that. What the conditions are?:-0

[Drew_W]

I thought one can't do that. What the conditions are?:-0

By reading FlyerTalk, you'll find that people have done this

1) over the phone
2) they've been able to do it if they earned SPG from another source, even if it's a small sum.

[newbeetle]

By reading FlyerTalk, you'll find that people have done this

1) over the phone
2) they've been able to do it if they earned SPG from another source, even if it's a small sum.
So you mean, for example, if i have stayed in one of the SPG Hotels and earned, say, 500 points, and I earned 1500 SPG from using the MBNA card, I can transfer all 2000 SPG to Aeroplan?

[Drew_W]

So you mean, for example, if i have stayed in one of the SPG Hotels and earned, say, 500 points, and I earned 1500 SPG from using the MBNA card, I can transfer all 2000 SPG to Aeroplan?

Over the phone, yes*


* according to FT forums where people have done this.

[tok129]

My spendings on my CC are not that much (30K annually approx.). I'd be using most of the points to fly only in Canada.

Thanks again!

I'd say stick with your Citi card UNLESS you do not plan on purchasing or leasing a car or ATV every 5 years. The platinum is a great card with no-fee, a no-hassle 2% cash back on all your spending, and great features such as purchase protection and extended warranty. Plus you don't have to mess with you credit rating applying for and/or obtaining a new credit account. If you are looking for free flights, use your cash back and look around for the best deal regardless of airline or time of year.

[anom]

I'd say stick with your Citi card UNLESS you do not plan on purchasing or leasing a car or ATV every 5 years. The platinum is a great card with no-fee, a no-hassle 2% cash back on all your spending, and great features such as purchase protection and extended warranty. Plus you don't have to mess with you credit rating applying for and/or obtaining a new credit account. If you are looking for free flights, use your cash back and look around for the best deal regardless of airline or time of year.

If you are talking about the Citibank Enrich card, it is 1% back.

[tok129]

If you are talking about the Citibank Enrich card, it is 1% back.

Poster said he already has the CITI Driver's Edge card...that is what I was referring to.

[daveinmtl]

now that CIBC Aeroplan gives you 1.5 Aeroplan miles per dollar for spending at gas stations, groceries, and pharmacies, I think this may be better than the MBNA Starwood card.

I have both of these cards. Up until recently I was using the MBNA Starwood more often but am slowly using moving more of my purchases to the CIBC Aeroplan.

[Prospero]

now that CIBC Aeroplan gives you 1.5 Aeroplan miles per dollar for spending at gas stations, groceries, and pharmacies, I think this may be better than the MBNA Starwood card.

Not while the SPG card remains free, and Aeroplan cards charge an annual fee.

[Darkman]

The one that works best for me;

PC Mastercard
http://www.pcmastercard.pcfinancial.ca/rocen/cardapp/index.htm
Yup.. that's the one that i MOSTLY use last few years ( unless they don't take Mastercard.. then i would use one of Visa cards with rewards (CIBC Shoppers Optimum .. or Royal Esso Points .. but mostly the CIBC Shppers Optimum though :) ))

In any case though.. most merchants DO take Mastercard.. - so PCmastercard works best for me too :)

- Straight 1% back on ALL purchases made anywhere
- Payable in a form of PC Points (that you would spend at SuperStores, and/or associated stores - you gotto buy food sooner or later after all anyhow, eh? .. and Superstore is usually best prices anyhow)
- that 1% back is payable once a month to your PC Points account (when your monthly statement is generated basically) .. - so don't have to wait to get your reward ( like you would if it's once a year, like some other cards do)
- No annual fees
- Extra programs, promotions etc from time to time ...

Anyhow i prefer this one :D

[tkyoshi]

Yup.. that's the one that i MOSTLY use last few years ( unless they don't take Mastercard.. then i would use one of Visa cards with rewards (CIBC Shoppers Optimum .. or Royal Esso Points .. but mostly the CIBC Shppers Optimum though :) ))

In any case though.. most merchants DO take Mastercard.. - so PCmastercard works best for me too :)

- Straight 1% back on ALL purchases made anywhere
- Payable in a form of PC Points (that you would spend at SuperStores, and/or associated stores - you gotto buy food sooner or later after all anyhow, eh? .. and Superstore is usually best prices anyhow)
- that 1% back is payable once a month to your PC Points account (when your monthly statement is generated basically) .. - so don't have to wait to get your reward ( like you would if it's once a year, like some other cards do)
- No annual fees
- Extra programs, promotions etc from time to time ...

Anyhow i prefer this one :D

These days pretty much everywhere takes both, I haven't had to touch my Visa card for a long time now. In fact, i've run into some places that take M/C only.

There's rumors that Tim Hortons might start to accept Mastercard (only) later this year :D

[kengra]

we list pretty much all Canadian credit cards at www.canrates.ca, take a look at the table to screen for @reward cards@ and then the datails would list whether cards have cashback. We plan to add more detailed screener in the future.

[Darkman]

kengra - thanks for the link .. will check it out! :)

tkyoshi - well, my Mother's dentist didn't (and still doesn NOT) take MasterCard :D

That is why quite recently when she went to him, - couldn't MC it .. so HAD to use one of Visa(s) .. - Was going to go with my Royal Esso Points one.. but, at the end, decided to use CIBC Shoppers Optimum one ...

I think you get with it like 5 points for every dollar spent...

So.. those points .. if use them on Shoppers' points specials days ( 40,000 = 100 dollars, or 75,000 = 200 dollars ... as there is one tomorrow and Sunday btw) - proved to be worth somewhere between 50 and 60 dollars :cheesygri

So it's better than nothing, i guess - will shop at Shoppers - will find something there :lol:

P.S. As to all those Interest rates , "Low" Interest Rates, etc... that's charged on Credit Card if the balance isn't paid - DOES NOT concern me at all.. as NEVER in my life i paid 1 cent of interest on the Credit Card yet :razz:

So when i see, among some rewards, Low Interest Rates are being offered - i don't even look at it, lol, .. cuz it's NOT for me ;)

[kengra]

low interest rate is just that - low APR, we don't list it as a "reward" in our database.

[brunes]

No need to read through this thread - just go to the featured article a lot of hard work has already gone into this discussion, at least on the no-fee side:

http://www.redflagdeals.com/deals/main.php/articles/credit6

Simple breakdown is:

- If you want real cash back use Enrich

- If youw ant best return for your buck, get a Starwood Preferred guest Mastercard fr MBNA - you're return rate is from 2% to 6% depending on how you redeem.

[Darkman]

brunes,

at that link there, why for President Choice Fin. MasterCard's % equivalent, it says there - "0.5 - 2" - .. when, actually, it's straight forward 1% on every dollar spent (in a form of PC Points... to be redeemed as dollars for anything purchased at their Stores, etc)?

I think "0.5-2" for it is a mistake.. - should be "1" ;)

[brunes]

brunes,

at that link there, why for President Choice Fin. MasterCard's % equivalent, it says there - "0.5 - 2" - .. when, actually, it's straight forward 1% on every dollar spent (in a form of PC Points... to be redeemed as dollars for anything purchased at their Stores, etc)?

I think "0.5-2" for it is a mistake.. - should be "1" ;)

You're kind of right :p

Up until very recently you could exchange PC points for Sears certificates at a 2:1 rate if you had 300K saved up - that is for 300K PC points you got $600 at Sears, which equals out to a 2% return.

However, PC points are no longer interchangeable with Petro Points (and on top of that the structure between Search and Petro Canada has changed) so yes you're correct it is mostly just straight 1% now. However if you shop around at PcPoints.ca you can sometimes get good deals on merchandise which make it a bit better than 1%.

Regardless the SPG card is way better.

[brunes]

now that CIBC Aeroplan gives you 1.5 Aeroplan miles per dollar for spending at gas stations, groceries, and pharmacies, I think this may be better than the MBNA Starwood card.

I have both of these cards. Up until recently I was using the MBNA Starwood more often but am slowly using moving more of my purchases to the CIBC Aeroplan.

Even at 1.5 miles on those few types of purchases the card is not too hot.

For starters most of the things you'd charge on the card monthly to get points (power / phone / cable bills) do not quality for 1.5 miles.

Secondly the Aeroplan card has a large annual fee.

Finally, if you can book your flight with American Airlines and exchange your Starwood points for Lan Chile points, you are actually getting **2** Airmiles per dollar with Starwood (assuming you spend 10K, 20K, or 30K on it a year), and that is on *all* types of purchases, not just gas and groceries.

[Darkman]

You're kind of right :p

Up until very recently you could exchange PC points for Sears certificates at a 2:1 rate if you had 300K saved up - that is for 300K PC points you got $600 at Sears, which equals out to a 2% return.

However, PC points are no longer interchangeable with Petro Points (and on top of that the structure between Search and Petro Canada has changed)..
Huh?

I just not that long ago (even though time goes by fast) noticed something.. that one can redeem 50K of PC Points for Petro Canada's autoclub yearly membership...

Don't know if was going to get it anyhow.. but was considering it.. thinking that this way - 50 bucks worth of PC points would be worth whatever that Petro Canada autoclub's yearly membership was .. - i think it's like 75 or 85 dollars (not sure now) ....

So i was considering it maybe .. But now you're telling me no more PC points interchangeable with Petro Canada?? :(

That sucks then kinda...

But still .. i am quite happy with straight 1% from PCF MC .. works for me anyhow :)

[brunes]

Huh?

I just not that long ago (even though time goes by fast) noticed something.. that one can redeem 50K of PC Points for Petro Canada's autoclub yearly membership...

Don't know if was going to get it anyhow.. but was considering it.. thinking that this way - 50 bucks worth of PC points would be worth whatever that Petro Canada autoclub's yearly membership was .. - i think it's like 75 or 85 dollars (not sure now) ....

So i was considering it maybe .. But now you're telling me no more PC points interchangeable with Petro Canada?? :(

That sucks then kinda...

But still .. i am quite happy with straight 1% from PCF MC .. works for me anyhow :)

Yeah the PC card is not too bad. I had it for a long time. The nice thing about it is the "instant" nature of the rewards - you get 20,000 or more points you can spend them right at Loblaws on anything at all. It's also got decent warranty and travel insurance options for a no-fee card.

[Darkman]

Yup.. true true..

But.. you said: "Regardless the SPG card is way better."

I just checked it out.. - and it's NOT "way better" for Everyone...

to get those bonus points have to spend over 10,000 .. and not everyone spends that much to start with...

And then.. you say the percentage - "from 2% to 6% depending on how you redeem."

Redeemed where?? - at those Hotels only, right, lol?

And not as cash or some merchandise? ;)

Well .. NOT everyone stays at those Hotels .. or have a need to stay in a Hotel period, ..true?

That's why this card is maybe NOT best one for everyone either...

[brunes]

Yup.. true true..

But.. you said: "Regardless the SPG card is way better."

I just checked it out.. - and it's NOT "way better" for Everyone...

to get those bonus points have to spend over 10,000 .. and not everyone spends that much to start with...

And then.. you say the percentage - "from 2% to 6% depending on how you redeem."

Redeemed where?? - at those Hotels only, right, lol?

And not as cash or some merchandise? ;)

Well .. NOT everyone stays at those Hotels .. or have a need to stay in a Hotel period, ..true?

That's why this card is maybe NOT best one for everyone either...

You can't exchange for cash no. But you can redeem for flights - at a better rate than the aeroplan card.

And really, I would question you on the 10K thing. Spending 10K a year on a credit card is *simple*. I mean just my monthly bills alone:

Power and heat - $180 / month
Rpgers Cable TV / Internet / Cell phone - $200 / month
Home Phone - $30 / month
Water bill - $40 / month

That is $450 * 12 = $5400 a year and I didn't even buy anything yet! Add in gas and groceries and you're well over 10K and that's just on *necessities and bills*.

Now extrapolate that out over two years assuming you charge that minimal 10K only. You would have 20,000 SPG points or 20,000 PC points (worth $200 at loblaws). That 20,000 SPG points is worth 40,000 AA miles, which is good for a round trip flight *anywhere in north america*. That is worth a lot more than $200 - in fact it could be worth up to $800 or more depending on the time of year and destination.

Of course if you have no need or desire to travel ever, than the SPG csrd is not a good deal for you, since most of it's rewards are travel based (flights and hotels). You also need to collect them up to use them. But personally I should be able to earn a round-trip NA flight every year easily with this card.

[Darkman]

lol.. but i don't fly :-)

..or try NOT too... :D

as to spending 10,000 - i hear you .. not so hard i guess...

But as to charging all your utilities to a credit card.. - not really!

For example here in Winnipeg anyhow - "Power and heat" .. and "Water bill" - you CANNOT charge on a credit card ;-)

I tried before.. with no success.. - they said they don't do it ;-)

Didn't try it lately.. - but i think it didn't change since then .. as far as those 2 (with the exception that Heat and Power now are both Manitoba Hydro.. and both are on the same bill) :)

I ll call them though next week .. both water and power.. - to again, see if i can "pre-authorised payment" them specifically on my Credit card (and not in a form of withdrawal from my bank account) :)

Thanks for your replies though :cheesygri

But really .. i don't fly much.. or when i did Flew couple of years ago.. i went to Kiev Ukraine.. and not even sure if those points could be redeemed to fly there..
And besides the point.. - the price i got from where i got it .. was like almost 1/2 price from what most standard fares they charged to Ukraine..

So even if they would take points there .. but with fares at their rates.. - i wouldn't even go for it anyhow.. and would use the company that i used :)

I think it was through Luftganza (or whatever it called) .. Nice german air-line :) .. (cuz money talks basically)

P.S. and on the connectors fly with Air Canada - Winnipeg to Toronto and vice versa on the way back - not even a little meal :razz:

Where From Toronto to Franfurt .. (or Armsterdam to Toronto on the way back) - they fed me like a king :) (.. ya.. i know cuz it's far.. overseas) ..

BUT...Even from Frankfurt to Kiev .. and vice versa.. (only 2 hours flight basically - kinda the same as Winnipeg - Toronto) - that i flew with Ukrainian Air Line.. - a meal .. drinks (both alcoholic and non.. ) were provided ..and provided for FREE... :razz:

So basically.. Air Canada and their service suck ...
Few years back they did give a free meal from Winnipeg to Toronto.. - but looks like they really try to "cut corners" nowadays.. (but that's already another subject matter i guess - so, sorry for the OFF-top...) :lol:

[impostor]

And really, I would question you on the 10K thing. Spending 10K a year on a credit card is *simple*. I mean just my monthly bills alone:

Power and heat - $180 / month
Rpgers Cable TV / Internet / Cell phone - $200 / month
Home Phone - $30 / month
Water bill - $40 / month

That is $450 * 12 = $5400 a year and I didn't even buy anything yet! Add in gas and groceries and you're well over 10K and that's just on *necessities and bills*.
Power and heat - $25 / month
Cable TV / Internet / Cell phone - $85 / month
Home Phone - $20 / month
Water bill - $0 / month
Gas - $0 / month (transit pass through employee discount)
Groceries - $100 / month

That is $230 * 12 = $2740 a year. Outside of mortgage payments, strata fees and RRSP contributions (= not eligible to use credit card to pay), my total spending for 2006 was $7460. If spending 10K a year on a credit card is *simple* then I must be a true failure. :lol:

[gman]

Power and heat - $25 / month
Cable TV / Internet / Cell phone - $85 / month
Home Phone - $20 / month
Water bill - $0 / month
Gas - $0 / month (transit pass through employee discount)
Groceries - $100 / month

That is $230 * 12 = $2740 a year. Outside of mortgage payments, strata fees and RRSP contributions (= not eligible to use credit card to pay), my total spending for 2006 was $7460. If spending 10K a year on a credit card is *simple* then I must be a true failure. :lol:

Actually, spending $10K per year on a credit card is simple. Spending only $7460 for a year is not. Spending only $100 per month for grocery is also not simple. That is only $621 per month.

[brunes]

Power and heat - $25 / month
Cable TV / Internet / Cell phone - $85 / month
Home Phone - $20 / month
Water bill - $0 / month
Gas - $0 / month (transit pass through employee discount)
Groceries - $100 / month

That is $230 * 12 = $2740 a year. Outside of mortgage payments, strata fees and RRSP contributions (= not eligible to use credit card to pay), my total spending for 2006 was $7460. If spending 10K a year on a credit card is *simple* then I must be a true failure. :lol:

Unless you live in a tent in the woods (but you pay a mortgage?) I can't see how you only spend $25 a month on power and heat, unless you split it with 5 other roomates or something (but in that case your cable bill should not be so high...) And $100 on groceries? Even if you ate only KD every day for every meal you'd spend more than that by my calculations.

So what gives? I think you're figures are kinda out of whack.

[brunes]

Actually, spending $10K per year on a credit card is simple. Spending only $7460 for a year is not. Spending only $100 per month for grocery is also not simple. That is only $621 per month.

Yeah I think my grocery is more like $250 a month I dunno what I was thinking there. Also I forgot home / auto insurance which is another $175 a month for both of our cars.

[cko64]

My 2 cents...

CT M/C 3%-5% were THE best Reward cards, but now it are just mediocre at 1%.

IMO, SPG is the best reward card with or without fee. I just love my SPG card. I use it more than any other fee cards such RBC Avion or TD Travel Gold etc...

Since SPG card has no annual fee, I think everybody should apply for one. The only down side of this card is the capped bonuses at $30,000. Many people just throw it in the drawer after they max out at $30,000 until next year.

Also SPG online statement is truly awesome.

[tarnator]

My 2 cents...

CT M/C 3%-5% were THE best Reward cards, but now it are just mediocre at 1%.

IMO, SPG is the best reward card with or without fee. I just love my SPG card. I use it more than any other fee cards such RBC Avion or TD Travel Gold etc...

Since SPG card has no annual fee, I think everybody should apply for one. The only down side of this card is the capped bonuses at $30,000. Many people just throw it in the drawer after they max out at $30,000 until next year.

Also SPG online statement is truly awesome.

I have the SPG card, the PC card and the CT card. I have to admit that I find the SPG rewards points to be wayyyy too confusing, so I stick with the other 2.

I would like to figure it out though and see if it would work for me. I have just booked a stay at the Aladdin/Planet Hollywood in Vegas and have linked it to my SPG card - so this is the first time that I have ever used it :lol:

Is there any good way to figure out the points structure?

[cko64]

I have the SPG card, the PC card and the CT card. I have to admit that I find the SPG rewards points to be wayyyy too confusing...
Is there any good way to figure out the points structure?

Confusing? I must disagree. spg.com is so much better in comparison to marriottrewards.com or hiltonhhonors.com or priorityclub.com or Hyatt's goldpassport.com etc...

This Redeem Starpoints' web page is nicely laid out on how to redeem starpoints,

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/starpoints/redeem/index.html

[Bullseye]

True, $10k a year would be difficult for a poverty-stricken student, but any couple or family should be able to do it easily. Our family of four can pretty easily put $2k/month on our reward card.

I'd also say that where Brunes lives must be considered an exception, as I know no one here who can pay their heat/electric/water bills by credit card.

[djjosee]

True, $10k a year would be difficult for a poverty-stricken student, but any couple or family should be able to do it easily. Our family of four can pretty easily put $2k/month on our reward card.

I'd also say that where Brunes lives must be considered an exception, as I know no one here who can pay their heat/electric/water bills by credit card.

Bingo ... $1500 - $2,000 is standard (family of four as well) + any large unexpected purchases.

Add property taxes as one of those things that cannot be added to CC. Basically, if there is a monopoly out there why give the option to pay with your credit card. The companies/utilities/gov'ts will get your money either way why would they want to pay the CC company to get it (2.5-3%)?

[brunes]

Bingo ... $1500 - $2,000 is standard (family of four as well) + any large unexpected purchases.

Add property taxes as one of those things that cannot be added to CC. Basically, if there is a monopoly out there why give the option to pay with your credit card. The companies/utilities/gov'ts will get your money either way why would they want to pay the CC company to get it (2.5-3%)?

I have always paid all my utilities via CC including water and power.

Lots of utilities and property taxes can also be paid via CC via ePost (https://www.epost.ca/service/publicMailerList.a?language=english&portal=)

I am not sure if property taxes here can be paid via CC anymore or not.. you could at one time as I remember doing it. I would be surprised if they weren't - you can pay for anything at SNB via Interac, Visa, or MC.

[djjosee]

I have always paid all my utilities via CC including water and power.

Lots of utilities and property taxes can also be paid via CC via ePost (https://www.epost.ca/service/publicMailerList.a?language=english&portal=)

I am not sure if property taxes here can be paid via CC anymore or not.. you could at one time as I remember doing it. I would be surprised if they weren't - you can pay for anything at SNB via Interac, Visa, or MC.

Can I pay my VISA with my VISA? ... over and over and over? Can you imagine the points! :lol:

[tkyoshi]

Can I pay my VISA with my VISA? ... over and over and over? Can you imagine the points! :lol:

You can, but you have to use another credit card (Visa or M/C) card and it will be considered a cash advance so no points (and interest will be charged)!

[djjosee]

You can, but you have to use another credit card (Visa or M/C) card and it will be considered a cash advance so no points (and interest will be charged)!

Are all the payments from CCs considered cash advances or just the ones from CC to CC?

[Mendesb]

I am currently a student (first year) and I have never gotten a credit card before. I have done a bit of research, and am planning on going to RBC, TD, and CIBC today to get some more information.

Basically my criteria is I will be spending 1 thousand roughly for now, internet purchases and zero-liability is a must.

Keeping in mind that I will not be buying a lot (for now anyways) I would like a no-annual fee card. I will be going to Zerhs to do some shopping, so the PC card seems pretty good. In addition I am a student, so are there any student bonuses or anything? I saw a SIS card too

also what does SPG stand for?

pm would be great. Will try and find this thread again though.

[cko64]

what does SPG stand for?

SPG = Starwood Preferred Guest. MBNA SPG M/C is great fro people who like to stay at Westin, Sheraton, Four Points hotels etc... Although it has no annual fee, but it is not suitable for students. You'd be better off to get PCF M/C. It is also has no annual fee and with 1% cash rebate.

[Drew_W]

SPG = Starwood Preferred Guest. MBNA SPG M/C is great fro people who like to stay at Westin, Sheraton, Four Points hotels etc... Although it has no annual fee, but it is not suitable for students. You'd be better off to get PCF M/C. It is also has no annual fee and with 1% cash rebate.

Or Citi Enrich if you want cash rewards.

[J_u_n_i_o_r_3]

You can't exchange for cash no. But you can redeem for flights - at a better rate than the aeroplan card.

And really, I would question you on the 10K thing. Spending 10K a year on a credit card is *simple*. I mean just my monthly bills alone:

Power and heat - $180 / month
Rpgers Cable TV / Internet / Cell phone - $200 / month
Home Phone - $30 / month
Water bill - $40 / month

That is $450 * 12 = $5400 a year and I didn't even buy anything yet! Add in gas and groceries and you're well over 10K and that's just on *necessities and bills*.

Now extrapolate that out over two years assuming you charge that minimal 10K only. You would have 20,000 SPG points or 20,000 PC points (worth $200 at loblaws). That 20,000 SPG points is worth 40,000 AA miles, which is good for a round trip flight *anywhere in north america*. That is worth a lot more than $200 - in fact it could be worth up to $800 or more depending on the time of year and destination.

Of course if you have no need or desire to travel ever, than the SPG csrd is not a good deal for you, since most of it's rewards are travel based (flights and hotels). You also need to collect them up to use them. But personally I should be able to earn a round-trip NA flight every year easily with this card.

How do you pay your heat and power bills by credit card?

[doberman_baby]

I am currently a student (first year) and I have never gotten a credit card before. I have done a bit of research, and am planning on going to RBC, TD, and CIBC today to get some more information.

Basically my criteria is I will be spending 1 thousand roughly for now, internet purchases and zero-liability is a must.

Keeping in mind that I will not be buying a lot (for now anyways) I would like a no-annual fee card. I will be going to Zerhs to do some shopping, so the PC card seems pretty good. In addition I am a student, so are there any student bonuses or anything? I saw a SIS card too

also what does SPG stand for?

pm would be great. Will try and find this thread again though.

Check out the Citibank "Enrich" m/c at www.citibank.ca This card gives you 1% without a tier system (i.e., Citibank will send you back a cheque for 1% of your total spendings for 1 calendar year).

[GSC]

How do you pay your heat and power bills by credit card?

http://www.epost.ca/main/en/home.shtml?portal=

check this out... you can add heat and power here like hydro, Bell and Rogers
btw, I am looking for property tax of Toronto. Anyone can find it?

[Jeff146]

Can we add car payments?

[gman]

Can we add car payments?

No assuming you are talking about car loan. If it is lease, may be although I don't know which leasing company would do that.

[J_u_n_i_o_r_3]

Are all the payments from CCs considered cash advances or just the ones from CC to CC?

No One answer this question

Can some one please

[GSC]

ummm ... u meant u use CC to pay other CC? If so, it does a cash advance.

[1226]

http://www.epost.ca/main/en/home.shtml?portal=

check this out... you can add heat and power here like hydro, Bell and Rogers
btw, I am looking for property tax of Toronto. Anyone can find it?

OK, so using epost I can put my property taxes (Burnaby) and Terasen bills (don't see BC Hydro) on my credit card without paying any fees? If so, that's pretty sweet.

[HighFlyer]

http://www.epost.ca/main/en/home.shtml?portal=

check this out... you can add heat and power here like hydro, Bell and Rogers
btw, I am looking for property tax of Toronto. Anyone can find it?

City of Toronto taxes is listed there.

[st7860]

Even at 1.5 miles on those few types of purchases the card is not too hot.

For starters most of the things you'd charge on the card monthly to get points (power / phone / cable bills) do not quality for 1.5 miles.

Secondly the Aeroplan card has a large annual fee.

Finally, if you can book your flight with American Airlines and exchange your Starwood points for Lan Chile points, you are actually getting **2** Airmiles per dollar with Starwood (assuming you spend 10K, 20K, or 30K on it a year), and that is on *all* types of purchases, not just gas and groceries.

If you don't fly, then its not useful. but if you fly, where else can you get a BUSINESS CLASS ticket to Asia while spending only $100,000 except with the CIBC Aerogold card?

[GSC]

City of Toronto taxes is listed there.

I typed 'city of toronto' in search and it did show up as water bill... help

[any007]

my question?

how do you charge the hydro,water or even toronto city taxes to your water bill?
even enbridge?

these suppliers don't accept credit card.

I called epost, they just do an eform of the bill.

are you saying, you can pay all of the bills, I currently pay at the bank because they don't take credit,will take credit when I use epost?

that will add several thousands of points to my cards each year.

[HighFlyer]

it says they do take cc, but what we are trying to confirm is whether or not they get charged as a cash adv, or a purchase.

[any007]

yes, pleazzzzzz!!!!

anyone who's doing it now, pls let us know!!!!

if it's a purchase, huge deal!!!
otherwise, the interest charges, will blow me out of the water!!!

[GSC]

You can't exchange for cash no. But you can redeem for flights - at a better rate than the aeroplan card.

And really, I would question you on the 10K thing. Spending 10K a year on a credit card is *simple*. I mean just my monthly bills alone:

Power and heat - $180 / month
Rpgers Cable TV / Internet / Cell phone - $200 / month
Home Phone - $30 / month
Water bill - $40 / month

That is $450 * 12 = $5400 a year and I didn't even buy anything yet! Add in gas and groceries and you're well over 10K and that's just on *necessities and bills*.

Now extrapolate that out over two years assuming you charge that minimal 10K only. You would have 20,000 SPG points or 20,000 PC points (worth $200 at loblaws). That 20,000 SPG points is worth 40,000 AA miles, which is good for a round trip flight *anywhere in north america*. That is worth a lot more than $200 - in fact it could be worth up to $800 or more depending on the time of year and destination.

Of course if you have no need or desire to travel ever, than the SPG csrd is not a good deal for you, since most of it's rewards are travel based (flights and hotels). You also need to collect them up to use them. But personally I should be able to earn a round-trip NA flight every year easily with this card.

As mentioned above, I assume this is a purchase and sign up epost

[J_u_n_i_o_r_3]

epost said its a cash advances

So how do you guys get points

[tkyoshi]

OK, so using epost I can put my property taxes (Burnaby) and Terasen bills (don't see BC Hydro) on my credit card without paying any fees? If so, that's pretty sweet.

Terasen: You can pay your bill with your Visa or MasterCard through Caledon Card Services. (Service Fee applies, but you will get points and the interest grace period.)

http://www.terasengas.com/Homes/AccountsAndBilling/BillAndPaymentOptions/WaysToPayYourBill/CreditCard.htm

BC Hydro: A convenient way to pay your BC Hydro bill is through Spectrapay, a bill payment service. You can use this option to make one-time or recurring payments on your Visa or MasterCard, or through a direct bank transfer. (Service Fee applies, but you will get points and the interest grace period.)

http://www.bchydro.com/services/payments/payments582.html

Property taxes, cannot go on credit card so it will be a cash advance.

[Drew_W]

If you don't fly, then its not useful. but if you fly, where else can you get a BUSINESS CLASS ticket to Asia while spending only $100,000 except with the CIBC Aerogold card?

Like I told you, you can do it with the Avion for $66.7k spending. There is life beyond Aeroplan.

[st7860]

With the CIBC Aerogold card you can get a BUSINESS CLASS ticket on an international flight to asia without converting stuff, and its not a promotional offer.

that Royal bank thing requires conversions and its a promotional offer

[Drew_W]

With the CIBC Aerogold card you can get a BUSINESS CLASS ticket on an international flight to asia without converting stuff, and its not a promotional offer.

that Royal bank thing requires conversions and its a promotional offer

So? It's a twice a year promotion (at least so far), and it's $33k LESS spending. That's not a small sum.

[st7860]

well thats if you feel fine booking far in advance but with the CIBC card you don't need to worry about what time of the year it is, just make sure you have the points and book your business class ticket at about 50% higher cost in points than an economy class ticket. paying cash for a business class ticket to asia would normally cost 5 to 7 times as much.

[Drew_W]

well thats if you feel fine booking far in advance but with the CIBC card you don't need to worry about what time of the year it is, just make sure you have the points and book your business class ticket at about 50% higher cost in points than an economy class ticket. paying cash for a business class ticket to asia would normally cost 5 to 7 times as much.

If you don't book in advance with Aeroplan, you have to pay even MORE points. Rather than spending $150k to get your Aeroplan business ticket, I'm sure most people would have the foresight to take advantage of the transfer promo and book in advance for less than half that spending - $66.7k. Hell for your AE spending of $150k for one ticket you could get TWO CX tickets and be well on the way for a third.

[st7860]

Business Class tickets to Asia(i'm talking about the countries most people go to such as Hong kong, China, japan, singapore, taiwan, thailand, etc) do not cost 150,000 in spending.

on the cibc aero gold card, $100,000 in spending will get you a business ticket worth about $6,000 to $8,000. or $120,000 will get you a FIRST class ticket. you will not need to wait for promotions or do any conversions. Just spend your money on your credit card as you normally would.

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/5979/businessclasslr7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[brunes]

Business Class tickets to Asia(i'm talking about the countries most people go to such as Hong kong, China, japan, singapore, taiwan, thailand, etc) do not cost 150,000 in spending.

on the cibc aero gold card, $100,000 in spending will get you a business ticket worth about $6,000 to $8,000. or $120,000 will get you a FIRST class ticket. you will not need to wait for promotions or do any conversions. Just spend your money on your credit card as you normally would.

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/5979/businessclasslr7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Anything you can get with Aerogold you can get with SPG since you can exchange for Aeroplan points at the same rate.... but if you are willing to fly another airline than AC you can get them for 50% of the points - twice as fast.

[st7860]

Anything you can get with Aerogold you can get with SPG since you can exchange for Aeroplan points at the same rate.... but if you are willing to fly another airline than AC you can get them for 50% of the points - twice as fast.

are you talking about this card or something else?
"Earn 1 Starpoint for every $2 spent on all your eligible purchases. "
https://wwwa.applyonlinenow.com/CANapp/Ctl/redirect?CV_sourceCode=bdyl&CV_language=en

[GSC]

Anything you can get with Aerogold you can get with SPG since you can exchange for Aeroplan points at the same rate.... but if you are willing to fly another airline than AC you can get them for 50% of the points - twice as fast.

are you sure about spg points can be transfered to Aeroplan?
quote Articles


Credit Card Rewards: Head to Head
First Posted: December 15, 2004
Last Updated: March 17, 2007

By Denis Agar
'Redeeming: There are an unbelievable array of options. I'll discuss airlines first. You can transfer points pretty much one-for-one with a lot of major airlines' miles programs. Plus, for every 20,000 you transfer, you get 5,000 extra. Aeroplan? No. Don't worry, though, there are tonnes of other options. If you really must fly Air Canada, you can transfer your points to Lufthansa and use them on Air Canada flights, but redemption starts at 30,000 points, as opposed to 15,000. '

It means that you cannot use your SPG points directly to AC. Correct me if I am wrong

btw, anyone checked if paying utility bills through Epost are not cc cash advance

[Drew_W]

Business Class tickets to Asia(i'm talking about the countries most people go to such as Hong kong, China, japan, singapore, taiwan, thailand, etc) do not cost 150,000 in spending.

on the cibc aero gold card, $100,000 in spending will get you a business ticket worth about $6,000 to $8,000. or $120,000 will get you a FIRST class ticket. you will not need to wait for promotions or do any conversions. Just spend your money on your credit card as you normally would.

BOTTOM LINE, the Avion still requires 2/3 of the spending the CIBC card does, no matter how much you protest and keep posting about the glories of the Aerogold card. You might as well just stop posting. It's okay sometimes to not have to be right.

[st7860]

with the avion card you are LIMITED to the times of year when you can buy your tickets

[HighFlyer]

with the avion card you are LIMITED to the times of year when you can buy your tickets
No you are not, you are only limited by the total cost of the ticket.

[st7860]

No you are not, you are only limited by the total cost of the ticket.

"It's a twice a year promotion " <-- this isn't a LIMIT?

[HighFlyer]

"It's a twice a year promotion " <-- this isn't a LIMIT?

you must be referring to the BA 50% transfer bonus. that is independent of the avion redemption program. if you wish to redeem for a flight directly from your avion points, there are no time limitations.

[st7860]

So that means then with regular economy class tickets with royal bank you can buy them at any time of the year, but you have a cost limit on them, and with royal bank, you can't 'choose' to spend approximately 50% more miles to get a businss ticket except with a 'promotion'. With the CIBC Aerogold card you may do that at any time, no promotion required.

In any case its sort of goofy to pay a $120 annual fee for any card just to get domestic economy travel which you could probably get cheaply from westjet or expedia anyway. a lot of people do it for the business class tickets which only cost 50% more miles but if you were paying cash it would be nearly 600% more than the cost of an economy class ticket.

[Drew_W]

So that means then with regular economy class tickets with royal bank you can buy them at any time of the year, but you have a cost limit on them, and with royal bank, you can't 'choose' to spend approximately 50% more miles to get a businss ticket except with a 'promotion'. With the CIBC Aerogold card you may do that at any time, no promotion required.

In any case its sort of goofy to pay a $120 annual fee for any card just to get domestic economy travel which you could probably get cheaply from westjet or expedia anyway. a lot of people do it for the business class tickets which only cost 50% more miles but if you were paying cash it would be nearly 600% more than the cost of an economy class ticket.

In another abstract way, it's sort of goofy to pay a $120 annual fee and earn points for basically a lottery where you "might" be able to redeem points for flights, but oh they're going to charge 50% extra miles if you miss the dedicated aeroplan seats.

Plus, I'm not sure if you realize this, but there are more places in the world to fly than Asia.

[st7860]

You can also fly to europe with aeroplan miles(business class too) in case you didnt know, furthermore, if you fly on more than about $4,500 worth of ECONOMY air canada international tickets per year, you will have access to the whole air plane when booking rewards.

[Drew_W]

Business Class tickets to Asia(i'm talking about the countries most people go to such as Hong kong, China, japan, singapore, taiwan, thailand, etc) do not cost 150,000 in spending.

Oh yes I know. But smart people that those Air Canada folks are, there's probably only one such seat available on a flight at 100k points. After that they'll tack on the 50% extra points requirement if you want any of the other ~25 business class seats.

Seems to me the AeroGold has its limits too.

[st7860]

Oh yes I know. But smart people that those Air Canada folks are, there's probably only one such seat available on a flight at 100k points. After that they'll tack on the 50% extra points requirement if you want any of the other ~25 business class seats.

Seems to me the AeroGold has its limits too.

where's this 1 seat regulation that you are referring to?

and didn't you know the royal bank card has a limit on the cost of the reward ticket? so if you want a fast, urgent seat, you won't get one, but with the cibc card you can.

[Drew_W]

You can also fly to europe with aeroplan miles(business class too) in case you didnt know, furthermore, if you fly on more than about $4,500 worth of ECONOMY air canada international tickets per year, you will have access to the whole air plane when booking rewards.

Oh I know, I'm just making sure you know since I wasn't sure if you realized people fly places other than Asia. You seem to have the mentality that the best card is the one that gets you to Asia in business class, but your mentality stops there since you seem to want to spend another $33.3 just for the privilege of flying AC (AeroGold) versus CX (Avion with BA transfer).

Both are going to require the same advance planning, on AC to get the likely one seat at 100k miles, and on CX to do the points change to BA and book hat as well...only thing is the latter requires 2/3 of the spending.

Guess which one people with half a brain choose. If you want to spend extra cash, go for it. But by the time you book your special flight to Asia, I'll already be halfway to being able to redeem another one.

[st7860]

well sure if you want to book your tickets during a limited twice a year promotion get that royal bank card but if you just want to book your tickets and fly then get the cibc aerogold card

[Drew_W]

where's this 1 seat regulation that you are referring to?

and didn't you know the royal bank card has a limit on the cost of the reward ticket? so if you want a fast, urgent seat, you won't get one, but with the cibc card you can.

I told this to you in the other thread. Clearly your listening skills aren't too good. Maybe you do the equivalent of plugging your ears and and screaming loudly so you don't hear what you don't want to hear, but let me restate it for you:

If you transfer points to BA, there is NO cap on maximum $$$, nor the economy only restriction. That applies only to an Avion award.

And you think Aeroplan allows all of its business class seats to be available at 100k points? That would be rather stupid of them. Air Canada's trying to sell revenue seats....so they stay in business, you know.

[sledbc]

Ive been doing the Airmiles deal for a while and been very happy redeeming flights. All flights out of our northern BC location go thru vancouver and flights are very expensive. As long as I've booked 4-5 weeks in advance I've never had problems getting a flight to vancouver. This past weekend though we've tried booking flights from either vancouver, edmonton, or calgary to Florida using WestJet miles in December.....you think anything was available? no chance.....They could book us with air canada but that would use up 10,000 airmiles instead of 2800 for 2 tickets that westjet would take. The avion card is starting to look like a good bet for us. Use airmiles to get to vancouver, then avion points to get seat sale flights throughout north america.
What experience has anyone here had booking with avion within north america? How easy is it and how hard is it to get flights within their price restrictions?
Even though there isnt much discussion about the Avion card here on the forums It's appearing it might be the best bet for our circumstances. We spend between 8-15k per month on our card, currently westjet. Earned around 12,000 airmiles in the last year or so.

[st7860]

I'm not sure about that CX promotion for business class that you're referring to because its not on royalbank.com but if flying on CX is your thing as you mentioned above then the royal bank card is still stupid(has an annual fee?) compared to the CIBC card since if you want CX then you could get a NO ANNUAL FEE petropoints mastercard and save 2 cents a litre on petro canada gas, and get CX's form of airmiles .

http://www.citibank.com/canada/cards/english/overview_petro.jsp

[Drew_W]

well sure if you want to book your tickets during a limited twice a year promotion get that royal bank card but if you just want to book your tickets and fly then get the cibc aerogold card

*sigh*

Again, you only have to do the points transfer during the promo. You can book with those points at any time, even with the promo is off, for flights whenever. The only limitation is when the bonus promo runs.

But since you're SO insistent about this transfer, you can just change to Asia Miles 1:1 from your Avion points ANY TIME and fly to Asia business class on CX for the same $100k spending. Going via the BA transfer promo saves you $33.3 in spending to accomplish the same thing.

[st7860]

If you transfer points to BA, there is NO cap on maximum $$$, nor the economy only restriction. That applies only to an Avion award.
.

oh, then royalbank.com is in error when it says quite clearly there is a cost redemption limit with the avion card

[Drew_W]

I'm not sure about that CX promotion for business class

So why are you pretending to be so informed about absolutely everything and helping spread your own biased misinformation on these forums, vehemently arguing with anyone who presents a contradictory viewpoint? You do it in every single thread you post in, even going so far as to copy/paste the exact same reply half a dozen times ignoring any contradictions or other opinions that come up that aren't yours.

Grow up dude. Sometimes it just doesn't have to be your way.

[st7860]

*sigh*

Again, you only have to do the points transfer during the promo. You can book with those points at any time, even with the promo is off, for flights whenever. The only limitation is when the bonus promo runs.

But since you're SO insistent about this transfer, you can just change to Asia Miles 1:1 from your Avion points ANY TIME and fly to Asia business class on CX for the same $100k spending. Going via the BA transfer promo saves you $33.3 in spending to accomplish the same thing.

if you hate flying on air canada so much(many people do, since their flight attendants and airplanes are old) then why pay $120 per year for an avion card when you could get a citibank petropoints card with no annual fee and get CX 'miles'

[Drew_W]

oh, then royalbank.com is in error when it says quite clearly there is a cost redemption limit with the avion card

For the last time, that limit applies ONLY when redeeming an Avion award

When you transfer to BA, it becomes a BA award redemption, devoid of ANYTHING to do with Avion.

We went through this in the other thread.

[st7860]

show me an official royalbank link that says there is no cost limit then i'll believe your hearsay

[Drew_W]

if you hate flying on air canada so much(many people do, since their flight attendants and airplanes are old) then why pay $120 per year for an avion card when you could get a citibank petropoints card with no annual fee and get CX 'miles'

1) I don't hate flying on Air Canada. I'm just pointing out that there's a better points "deal" to be had. That's why we're here no?

2) AC's planes aren't old by any stretch of the imagination. The 345s they use for HKG are 2-3 years old (soon to be replaced with 772 anyways). The other Airbus A319/320/321/333/343 average maybe about 10 years old, same ith the 763s. The 762s are not much older, averaging maybe 13-14 years old. If you know anything about the aviation industry, that's hardly old, and most of the long-haul fleet is being replaced so AC will end up with an extremely new fleet.

3) I don't hate Aeroplan either. I acknowledge that there are redemptions like the 15k points short-haul to adjoining province that the Avion even with BA transfer can't beat. But there are times it goes the other way.

The bottom line is really to take all the information, do the research, and find out which is best for you.

[brunes]

are you sure about spg points can be transfered to Aeroplan?
quote Articles


Credit Card Rewards: Head to Head
First Posted: December 15, 2004
Last Updated: March 17, 2007

By Denis Agar
'Redeeming: There are an unbelievable array of options. I'll discuss airlines first. You can transfer points pretty much one-for-one with a lot of major airlines' miles programs. Plus, for every 20,000 you transfer, you get 5,000 extra. Aeroplan? No. Don't worry, though, there are tonnes of other options. If you really must fly Air Canada, you can transfer your points to Lufthansa and use them on Air Canada flights, but redemption starts at 30,000 points, as opposed to 15,000. '

It means that you cannot use your SPG points directly to AC. Correct me if I am wrong

btw, anyone checked if paying utility bills through Epost are not cc cash advance

You can't transfer them to Aueroplan, you transfer them to US Airways or to Lufthansa. Both are in the StarAlliance so you can use them on Air Canada.

This is all covered in above article.

[Drew_W]

show me an official royalbank link that says there is no cost limit then i'll believe your hearsay

There is no link. When you transfer your points to BA, they become BA points. And you do with them as you would with any other BA points. They're not MARKED as Avion points, and once they become BA points (or Asia Miles, or whatever you transfer to), you're subject to the rules/regulations of those points programs....which DO NOT have spending caps or the other Avion restrictions. You're spending BA/Asia Miles, not Avion points.

Does that make logical sense to you?

[st7860]

air canada's planes ARE old by any stretch of the imagination. the 763's they base in Vancouver are nearly 20 year old ex Canadian Airlines planes in which both the econony and business class seats are old.

air canada does intend to replace the interiors of their 767's with a so called XM format, but that will not be completed until 2008.

[brunes]

are you talking about this card or something else?
"Earn 1 Starpoint for every $2 spent on all your eligible purchases. "
https://wwwa.applyonlinenow.com/CANapp/Ctl/redirect?CV_sourceCode=bdyl&CV_language=en

Yes. Please read back to other posts in the thread I don't want to rehash it all again; suffice it to say for all values less than 30K / year the SPG card gives better rate than CIBC Aeroplan card, plus better travel insurance and warranty coverage, and no fee.

And if you are above 30K you can always get a second for your spouse for 60K total possible.

[st7860]

Yes. Please read back to other posts in the thread I don't want to rehash it all again; suffice it to say for all values less than 30K / year the SPG card gives better rate than CIBC Aeroplan card, plus better travel insurance and warranty coverage, and no fee.

And if you are above 30K you can always get a second for your spouse for 60K total possible.

1 point for every $2 earned doesn't sound very good.

[Drew_W]

air canada's planes ARE old by any stretch of the imagination. the 763's they base in Vancouver are nearly 20 year old ex Canadian Airlines planes in which both the econony and business class seats are old.

air canada does intend to replace the interiors of their 767's with a so called XM format, but that will not be completed until 2008.

There are ex Canadian 763s that were delivered as late as 1999. The average age of all of the 767s (200 and 300) in AC's fleet is still only about 15 years. Let me also add that the oldest 763s in the fleet mostly didn't start lives as Canadian planes anyways. Quite a few have a history of being with Asiana, Lan Chile, etc before making it to Canadian and then on to Air Canada in 2001.

[st7860]

here are two examples of reward availability on a busy route. I didn't even have to try hard or creative routings, i just clicked july, and told it to give me the price.

100,000 in spending on a cibc aerogold is better than getting a royal bank card that limits you to promotions to get a good price on business class.

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/7075/aeroplando4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[brunes]

1 point for every $2 earned doesn't sound very good.

Please read back in the thread and read the whole TOC first. It is not 1/2, it is 1/1 when you inclue bonuses. And it's 2/1 if you fly with AA - AKA double the rate of the Aeroplan card.

[Drew_W]

here are two examples of reward availability on a busy route. I didn't even have to try hard or creative routings, i just clicked july, and told it to give me the price.

100,000 in spending on a cibc aerogold is better than getting a royal bank card that limits you to promotions to get a good price on business class.

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/7075/aeroplando4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Since you're SO insistent about this transfer, you can just change to Asia Miles 1:1 from your Avion points ANY TIME and fly to Asia business class on CX for the same $100k spending. Going via the BA transfer promo saves you $33.3 in spending to accomplish the same thing.

[Drew_W]

Please read back in the thread and read the whole TOC first. It is not 1/2, it is 1/1 when you inclue bonuses. And it's 2/1 if you fly with AA - AKA double the rate of the Aeroplan card.

Seriously, just give up. You can be right, but he won't let you be. The propagation of misinformation that results is most unfortunate.

[st7860]

Since you're SO insistent about this transfer, you can just change to Asia Miles 1:1 from your Avion points ANY TIME and fly to Asia business class on CX for the same $100k spending. Going via the BA transfer promo saves you $33.3 in spending to accomplish the same thing.

if you like Cathay Pacific so much then why would you bother paying $120 per year for an avoin when you could get a no annual fee citibank petropoints card to get Cathay Pacific airmiles?

[brunes]

here are two examples of reward availability on a busy route. I didn't even have to try hard or creative routings, i just clicked july, and told it to give me the price.

100,000 in spending on a cibc aerogold is better than getting a royal bank card that limits you to promotions to get a good price on business class.

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/7075/aeroplando4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Justf or comparison - a business class ticket with AA from NA to Asia Zone 1 (which includes China) takes 90K miles, which would cost you 45000 SPG points, or 45K in spending.

[Drew_W]

if you like Cathay Pacific so much then why would you bother paying $120 per year for an avoin when you could get a no annual fee citibank petropoints card to get Cathay Pacific airmiles?

If you like AC/AE so much, same question goes for why you'd pay $120/yr for Aerogold.

[Drew_W]

And it's 2/1 if you fly with AA

Source please?

[st7860]

If you like AC/AE so much, same question goes for why you'd pay $120/yr for Aerogold.

thats because in BC the local drugstore chain(london drugs) carries most things that you need, and so qualifies for the points accelerator with CIBC. there are no london drugs stores in Ontario

- clothes
- hifi equipment from $200 junk to $6000 plasmas
- camera equipment from $50 P&S's to $3000 DSLRS
- computers from $300 junk to $5,000 notebooks
- household goods such as wires, light bulbs, cleaning stuff, containers, motor oil and motor engine treatments
- furniture
- and food and drugs of course

[Drew_W]

thats because in BC the local drugstore chain(london drugs) carries most things that you need, and so qualifies for the points accelerator with CIBC. there are no london drugs stores in Ontario

- clothes
- hifi equipment from $200 junk to $6000 plasmas
- camera equipment from $50 P&S's to $3000 DSLRS
- computers from $300 junk to $5,000 notebooks
- household goods such as wires, light bulbs, cleaning stuff, containers, motor oil and motor engine treatments
- furniture
- and food and drugs of course

But that requires shopping at London Drugs to begin with. And yet, the Avion has a recurring promo that gives a bonus of 50% on EVERYTHING transferred to BA points. Seems like a much better deal.

[st7860]

Justf or comparison - a business class ticket with AA from NA to Asia Zone 1 (which includes China) takes 90K miles, which would cost you 45000 SPG points, or 45K in spending.

I did read back in the thread. Someone said something about a $30,000 limit for the bonus points on the SPG card? So then a customer with that mastercard would need to carefully manage his or her yearly spending to avoid spending money that is not counted towards an enhanced reward, right?

[1226]

Terasen: You can pay your bill with your Visa or MasterCard through Caledon Card Services. (Service Fee applies, but you will get points and the interest grace period.)

http://www.terasengas.com/Homes/AccountsAndBilling/BillAndPaymentOptions/WaysToPayYourBill/CreditCard.htm

BC Hydro: A convenient way to pay your BC Hydro bill is through Spectrapay, a bill payment service. You can use this option to make one-time or recurring payments on your Visa or MasterCard, or through a direct bank transfer. (Service Fee applies, but you will get points and the interest grace period.)

http://www.bchydro.com/services/payments/payments582.html

Property taxes, cannot go on credit card so it will be a cash advance.

So, short answer: no. Thanks.

[d-c]

Justf or comparison - a business class ticket with AA from NA to Asia Zone 1 (which includes China) takes 90K miles, which would cost you 45000 SPG points, or 45K in spending.

How do you get 1 SPG = 2 AA? SPG's site says 1 SPG = 1.25AA

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/starpoints/transfer/airline/detail.html?IndustryType=AIRLINE&PartnerCode=AMERICAN

[st7860]

How do you get 1 SPG = 2 AA? SPG's site says 1 SPG = 1.25AA

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/starpoints/transfer/airline/detail.html?IndustryType=AIRLINE&PartnerCode=AMERICAN

and someone else said this. so its far from only $45,000 to get a business class ticket.

"AA from North America to Asia requires 90K/110K points depending where in Asia...
40K transferred from SPG to AA + 10K SPG Conversion Bonus + 5K Signing Bonus + 5K using the card at a Starwood Hotel + 30K from spending = 90K points needed."

[pigqq]

Just got my citi enrich platinum card. Now all the citi cards have the same
period of price protection for 60 days. The platinum card and gold card had longer protection period than regular card before.

[Drew_W]

and someone else said this. so its far from only $45,000 to get a business class ticket.

"AA from North America to Asia requires 90K/110K points depending where in Asia...
40K transferred from SPG to AA + 10K SPG Conversion Bonus + 5K Signing Bonus + 5K using the card at a Starwood Hotel + 30K from spending = 90K points needed."

I'll be interested to see if anyone on FT disputes anything I've said in this thread. I already have one person confirming the $67k spending you oh so didn't want to believe.

Please let this be a learning experience for you. This thread aside, I think a little humility in your life could take you a long way and make you a much happier person.

[st7860]

it would be nice if you can prove all of your fancy math by quoting a website of either the Royal Bank or one of the airlines that you claim offer tickets with X amount of points

[Drew_W]

i dont believe it

Well that's your own personal problem. Go on FT and read the long threads about the BA transfer promo.

Or maybe you should just trade your Aerogold for an Avion and fly CX to Asia $33.3k sooner.

[Drew_W]

it would be nice if you can prove all of your fancy math by quoting a website of either the Royal Bank or one of the airlines that you claim offer tickets with X amount of points

Who me? Let me know what you want proof of. I will gladly link you.

[st7860]

you did quote lots of math but i dont' see anything from royalbank or british airways that prove it and neither did you provide such a link.

with CIBC you can spend $100,000 and you can get a business class ticket, without waiting for any promotions, and thats the official posted rate, non promotional,. on aeroplan.com, and thats(the 100,000 price point) not even on air canada, so thats even a further benefit for people that hate flying air canada.

[Drew_W]

you did quote lots of math but i dont' see anything from royalbank or british airways that prove it and neither did you provide such a link.

with CIBC you can spend $100,000 and you can get a business class ticket, without waiting for any promotions, and thats the official posted rate, non promotional,. on aeroplan.com, and thats(the 100,000 price point) not even on air canada, so thats even a further benefit for people that hate flying air canada.

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/1166/bapartnerredemptionvx5sk1.jpg

I yanked that on April 7th. I'm not sure where I screen printed that from, but there it is clear as day.

[st7860]

thats a pretty nice chart but how much in spending on a royalbank avion card would it take to get a business class to China or Singapore or Hongkong with that specially calculated promo that you are referring to?

you said to do that to Europe would cost $67,000 with the Avion but tickets to asia cost more on most airlines.

[Drew_W]

thats a pretty nice chart but how much in spending on a royalbank avion card would it take to get a business class to China or Singapore or Hongkong with that specially calculated promo that you are referring to?

you said to do that to Europe would cost $67,000 with the Avion but tickets to asia cost more on most airlines.

According to that chart, 50k points required, $1 = 1 point. Points double for business class, so 100k points required = $100k spending. But with BA 50% more points promo, that drops to $66.7k.

I've always been talking about Asia, not Europe.

[impostor]

Unless you live in a tent in the woods (but you pay a mortgage?) I can't see how you only spend $25 a month on power and heat, unless you split it with 5 other roomates or something (but in that case your cable bill should not be so high...) And $100 on groceries? Even if you ate only KD every day for every meal you'd spend more than that by my calculations.

So what gives? I think you're figures are kinda out of whack.I live in an above-ground condo in Vancouver with plenty of exposure to sunlight. Heat rises and it's rarely cold in winter (about 7-10 nights per year I have to turn on the heater). If you like, I'll take a photo of my hydro bill(s) and upload it. They're consistently $45 +/- $3 for each 2 month period.

I also keep my all grocery receipts and total them up every 4 months, for historical comparative purposes I guess. They're also consistently $100 +/- $10/month. I have several years' worth of 4 month summaries if you want to see those too. I don't eat KD; I don't even eat pasta very often, about once a week or less. I buy my groceries when/where they're on sale, and if I need something fresh or that isn't on sale, I'll pick it up the next time I'm at the store where I know I can get it for less than other places. And I rarely buy in bulk (or at bulk food stores).

So what's out of whack? Maybe that I do what I can to save my money, so that I can invest it and/or pay down the mortgage. Hey, I'm that ING guy from TV! :lol: In the end I have more left over by not charging $20 on something I don't need than by charging $1000 and getting $10 cash back or 50(? 100? - not sure how many) SPG points.

[GSC]

According to that chart, 50k points required, $1 = 1 point. Points double for business class, so 100k points required = $100k spending. But with BA 50% more points promo, that drops to $66.7k.

I've always been talking about Asia, not Europe.

you meant just need $66.7k to get a business class ticket to Asia?

[st7860]

you meant just need $66.7k to get a business class ticket to Asia?

yes, thats EXACTLY what he's saying. $67,000 for that, you'll need the Royal Bank Avion, with a $120 annual fee. You may also buy tickets within Canada, the US, and so on. you must book at least FOURTEEN days prior to departure

however with the CIBC Aerogold Visa, it costs $120 per year, and you need to spend $100,000 on a flight to Asia, business class, such as Singapore Airlines, and you won't need to worry about the promotional period or an annual rebate limit or any other silly calculations. just make sure there is a seat available before you book, and there's no 14 day advance purchase requirement.

wow Oh my god. 3 tickets to china or hk + 1 ticket to north america, $2548
http://www.aircanada.com/en/offers/air/wallet_hkg/wallet_hkg_cda.html

[brunes]

and someone else said this. so its far from only $45,000 to get a business class ticket.

"AA from North America to Asia requires 90K/110K points depending where in Asia...
40K transferred from SPG to AA + 10K SPG Conversion Bonus + 5K Signing Bonus + 5K using the card at a Starwood Hotel + 30K from spending = 90K points needed."

You've got a major screw up here.... 40K SPG points to AA == 90K AA miles, not 45K.. That's only 40K in spending for trip to Asia.

They trade TWO FOR ONE via LAN.

Please read up on this... trust me I have, it is a better deal. Aside form that it's a no fee card and also has better warranty and insurance options than either Avion OR Aeroplan.

True you ahve to 30K cap on your bonus.. but like I said just get another card for your spose boom 60K. That's 120,000 miles a year!

If Avion or Aeroplan were better I would have gotten a card with them. i have no loyalty to any bank.

Read up and do the math.

[st7860]

You've got a major screw up here.... 40K SPG points to AA == 90K AA miles, not 45K.. That's only 40K in spending for trip to Asia.

They trade TWO FOR ONE via LAN.

Please read up on this... trust me I have, it is a better deal. Aside form that it's a no fee card and also has better warranty and insurance options than either Avion OR Aeroplan.

True you ahve to 30K cap on your bonus.. but like I said just get another card for your spose boom 60K. That's 120,000 miles a year!

If Avion or Aeroplan were better I would have gotten a card with them. i have no loyalty to any bank.

Read up and do the math.


so for that $40,000 in spending is that a BUSINESS CLASS ticket to asia or just an economy class ticket?

[Crimson]

I live in an above-ground condo in Vancouver with plenty of exposure to sunlight. Heat rises and it's rarely cold in winter (about 7-10 nights per year I have to turn on the heater). If you like, I'll take a photo of my hydro bill(s) and upload it. They're consistently $45 +/- $3 for each 2 month period.

I also keep my all grocery receipts and total them up every 4 months, for historical comparative purposes I guess. They're also consistently $100 +/- $10/month. I have several years' worth of 4 month summaries if you want to see those too. I don't eat KD; I don't even eat pasta very often, about once a week or less. I buy my groceries when/where they're on sale, and if I need something fresh or that isn't on sale, I'll pick it up the next time I'm at the store where I know I can get it for less than other places. And I rarely buy in bulk (or at bulk food stores).

So what's out of whack? Maybe that I do what I can to save my money, so that I can invest it and/or pay down the mortgage. Hey, I'm that ING guy from TV! :lol: In the end I have more left over by not charging $20 on something I don't need than by charging $1000 and getting $10 cash back or 50(? 100? - not sure how many) SPG points.

Now I understand your signature. Life is not EASY for you. :)

[brunes]

so for that $40,000 in spending is that a BUSINESS CLASS ticket to asia or just an economy class ticket?

Check the chart - Business class.

[GSC]

You've got a major screw up here.... 40K SPG points to AA == 90K AA miles, not 45K.. That's only 40K in spending for trip to Asia.

They trade TWO FOR ONE via LAN.

Please read up on this... trust me I have, it is a better deal. Aside form that it's a no fee card and also has better warranty and insurance options than either Avion OR Aeroplan.

True you ahve to 30K cap on your bonus.. but like I said just get another card for your spose boom 60K. That's 120,000 miles a year!

If Avion or Aeroplan were better I would have gotten a card with them. i have no loyalty to any bank.

Read up and do the math.


wow thats the best deal ever, but what's Lan?
AA goes from Toronto to Asia?
and the best thing 40K SPG points = 1 business class AA ticket to Asia?
if so, I wont think anything and get a SPG card immediately

[brunes]

wow thats the best deal ever, but what's Lan?
AA goes from Toronto to Asia?
and the best thing 40K SPG points = 1 business class AA ticket to Asia?
if so, I wont think anything and get a SPG card immediately

www.lan.com

It's an Airline in the OneWorld program.

it's kind of complicated but SPG points trade 2:1 for LAN points with a 5K bonus for every 20K on top of that, and you can book OneWorld partner flights via LAN.com so you can book AA flights through them.

[brunes]

OK everyone - OI feel bad for ranting so much but I have to issue a "correction" :P

After further reading even I have found out the LAN SPG exchange is not for direct AA miles. The OneWorld rate is a bit higher.

So here is the actual rate for the Asia example:

Flight from NA (Seattle) to Asia (Beijing) is ~ 11K KM, which would be 140K LAN miles for a business class ticket.

140K LAN points would cost you a tad over 60K SPG points.

So the cost is actually 60K of spending, not 40K. Sorry for mistake :(

Anyways - it still beats Avion and Aeroplan and still no fee :P

[Crimson]

You've got a major screw up here.... 40K SPG points to AA == 90K AA miles, not 45K.. That's only 40K in spending for trip to Asia.

They trade TWO FOR ONE via LAN.

Please read up on this... trust me I have, it is a better deal. Aside form that it's a no fee card and also has better warranty and insurance options than either Avion OR Aeroplan.

True you ahve to 30K cap on your bonus.. but like I said just get another card for your spose boom 60K. That's 120,000 miles a year!

If Avion or Aeroplan were better I would have gotten a card with them. i have no loyalty to any bank.

Read up and do the math.

Are you sure 90K lanpass will get you a business class ticket to Asia?
I only see a eco-class ticket within NA costs 40K and business class costs 70K. I.E. 1 lanpass mile ~~ 0.6 aeroplan mile.

And are you sure the exchange rate between AA and lanpass is 1:1?
Show me the link please.

[Drew_W]

you must book at least FOURTEEN days prior to departure

Let me say it for the seventeenth time. This is for an AVION award only, and I'm talking about a BA points award. They are mutually EXCLUSIVE.

Plus without the promo, it's still equivalent to the Aerogold, so for all your noise, the standard redemption is the same.

[st7860]

then where do the ba points come from? i'm talking about a north american ticket, on royalbank.com says 14 days. on the aerogold there are no such limitations, you can even book the same day if the award seat is there, at the same price too.

[Drew_W]

then where do the ba points come from? i'm talking about a north american ticket, on royalbank.com says 14 days. on the aerogold there are no such limitations, you can even book the same day if the award seat is there, at the same price too.

Once you trade your Avion points for BA, they're stripped of any association with Avion. As far as BA is concerned, your points are exactly the same as any other BA points, and you are not subject to any Avion booking terms including the advance booking and only economy rules. Again, this is not the first time I'm telling you this. Maybe rather than going in circles you should read the thread again.

[Drew_W]

then where do the ba points come from? i'm talking about a north american ticket, on royalbank.com says 14 days. on the aerogold there are no such limitations, you can even book the same day if the award seat is there, at the same price too.

On a NA redemption, then you're using 25k BA points to book an AA flight anywhere in NA. Again, the Avion restrictions do not apply because you're booking through the BA program, not Avion.

Is this at all making sense to you yet?

Sure it's a little more complicated, but it gets you awards faster than the AeroGold, with less booking troubles.

[st7860]

On a NA redemption, then you're using 25k BA points to book an AA flight anywhere in NA. Again, the Avion restrictions do not apply because you're booking through the BA program, not Avion.

Is this at all making sense to you yet?

Sure it's a little more complicated, but it gets you awards faster than the AeroGold, with less booking troubles.

its way too complicated and how is 25,000 points faster? how much money do you have to spend to get those 25,000 BRITISH points with your CANADIAN visa card?

[BadDrafter]

According to this poster, Enrich is being raised to 1.25%

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5149600&postcount=7

[Drew_W]

its way too complicated and how is 25,000 points faster? how much money do you have to spend to get those 25,000 BRITISH points with your CANADIAN visa card?

You cannot really be so stupid as to ask that question.

[st7860]

You cannot really be so stupid as to ask that question.

I do not understand how 25,000 british points with a canadian (royal bank) credit card for a north american ticket is faster than the cibc card . you didnt say how much money(real spending) is required.

"On a NA redemption, then you're using 25k BA points to book an AA flight anywhere in NA. Again, the Avion restrictions do not apply because you're booking through the BA program, not Avion."

[Drew_W]

I do not understand how 25,000 british points with a canadian (royal bank) credit card for a north american ticket is faster than the cibc card . you didnt say how much money(real spending) is required.

"On a NA redemption, then you're using 25k BA points to book an AA flight anywhere in NA. Again, the Avion restrictions do not apply because you're booking through the BA program, not Avion."

Look, it's simple. 1:1 Avion to BA if changing outside of promo, or 1:1.5 if changing during the 50% bonus promo.

So you either get 25k BA points (= 25k AA points) for $25k spending outside when the promo runs, or for $16.7k spending if changed during the promo.

The country who "owns" the points is irrelevant. There's a Canadian TD Visa earning AA points...I hope that doesn't confuse you too because it's a Canadian card earning American points. Oh an RBC also has one that earns BA points directly as well as Asia miles. Yet, all these cards are Canadian.

[Drew_W]

you didnt say how much money(real spending) is required.

I think I've said it for almost all the pages of this thread, but see above where I've stated it about as clearly as it's going to get.

[sledbc]

its way too complicated and how is 25,000 points faster? how much money do you have to spend to get those 25,000 BRITISH points with your CANADIAN visa card?

Why are you still arguing with Drew_W, he's made his point, you're wrong, he's right....admit it and move on.....

[brunes]

Are you sure 90K lanpass will get you a business class ticket to Asia?
I only see a eco-class ticket within NA costs 40K and business class costs 70K. I.E. 1 lanpass mile ~~ 0.6 aeroplan mile.

And are you sure the exchange rate between AA and lanpass is 1:1?
Show me the link please.

OK, this is my last comment in this thread frankly I don't care anymore, you guys can all waste money if you wish, it doesn't affect me one lick. It seems like people in this thread are for some reason more interested in pushing a bank's agenda than in rewards and saving money.

I just don't have any more time to waste handholding people who seem unable to use Google and/or do any research.

Link to site explaining SPG points (including 1:2 conversion for LAN): http://www.spg.com

Specific section for airline exchange: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/starpoints/transfer/airline_partner_list.html

Remember LAN is in oneWorld (for AA), and US Airways and Lufthansa are in StarAlliance (for Air Canada)

Link describing MBNA card benefits (SPG card is a "platinum"): http://www.mbna.com/canada/credit_comparecards.html

Link to CC article with section describing SPG 6% return potential (scroll down):

http://www.redflagdeals.com/deals/main.php/articles/credit4/


Link to apply for card: https://www.applyonlinenow.com/canada/aazibeqp

That's it, I'm done.

[sjweyman]

show me an official royalbank link that says there is no cost limit then i'll believe your hearsay

unbelievable ... could Drew be any more clear?

[sjweyman]

1 point for every $2 earned doesn't sound very good.

WOW ... just WOW

[st7860]

OK, this is my last comment in this thread frankly I don't care anymore, you guys can all waste money if you wish, it doesn't affect me one lick. It seems like people in this thread are for some reason more interested in pushing a bank's agenda than in rewards and saving money.

I just don't have any more time to waste handholding people who seem unable to use Google and/or do any research.

Link to site explaining SPG points (including 1:2 conversion for LAN): http://www.spg.com

Specific section for airline exchange: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/starpoints/transfer/airline_partner_list.html

Remember LAN is in oneWorld (for AA), and US Airways and Lufthansa are in StarAlliance (for Air Canada)

Link describing MBNA card benefits (SPG card is a "platinum"): http://www.mbna.com/canada/credit_comparecards.html

Link to CC article with section describing SPG 6% return potential (scroll down):

http://www.redflagdeals.com/deals/main.php/articles/credit4/


Link to apply for card: https://www.applyonlinenow.com/canada/aazibeqp

That's it, I'm done.


you forgot to mention the tier and/or limit that applies with that limited promotion and that you might have to juggle cards with your spouse or whoever to make it work. and if you ever need to do a balance transfer with that card you will have to pay a 1% fee.

with the CIBC aerogold card, or the CITIBANK Petropoints(can be converted to CX, not a promotion), you have no tiers or nonsense to worry about, just spend X amount of dollars and get the posted amount of points at any time of the year, without a cost limit or spending limit, everything you spend gets the same amount of points (except if you go to gas stations/supermarkets,in which case, the cibc card gives you an accelerated amount of points)

[sjweyman]

Justf or comparison - a business class ticket with AA from NA to Asia Zone 1 (which includes China) takes 90K miles, which would cost you 45000 SPG points, or 45K in spending.

Have you done this Brunes? Could you spell out the conversion process for me? I'm very familiar with SPG ... but I didn't think getting quite this good of a deal was possible.

EDIT: I replied to Brunes before reading his post correcting his error. It is actually 60,000 SPG points or a bit more to get the ticket brunes is referring to.

[sjweyman]

and someone else said this. so its far from only $45,000 to get a business class ticket.

"AA from North America to Asia requires 90K/110K points depending where in Asia...
40K transferred from SPG to AA + 10K SPG Conversion Bonus + 5K Signing Bonus + 5K using the card at a Starwood Hotel + 30K from spending = 90K points needed."

Let the man explain himself ... I wouldn't be surprised if he's right. It would be a complicated transaction but it might work. It probably involves transferring points from Starwood to LANPass (Lan Chile's airline) at a 2:1 ratio. You also get the 25% bonus when converting from Starwood to ANY airline program.

Example:

20,000 Starwood points = 50,000 LANPass points.

This is where I get lost. I believe LAN and American Airlines are partners in OneWorld so you would be able to redeem your 50,000 LANPass points for an AA flight. However, I'm not sure the exact rate. I thought it was 40,000 points for a North American flight instead of the standard 25,000. Which is STILL a better deal ... but not as good as what Brunes is saying.

[sjweyman]

OK everyone - OI feel bad for ranting so much but I have to issue a "correction" :P

After further reading even I have found out the LAN SPG exchange is not for direct AA miles. The OneWorld rate is a bit higher.

So here is the actual rate for the Asia example:

Flight from NA (Seattle) to Asia (Beijing) is ~ 11K KM, which would be 140K LAN miles for a business class ticket.

140K LAN points would cost you a tad over 60K SPG points.

So the cost is actually 60K of spending, not 40K. Sorry for mistake :(

Anyways - it still beats Avion and Aeroplan and still no fee :P


I was pretty sure you were making the mistake of not looking at the rewards chart on the LAN site but instead looking at the one on the AA site. Glad you finally figured it out :) May I suggest that you edit some of your previous posts to point out your mistake?

[sjweyman]

Oh ... and might I say ... Starwood Preferred Guest ALL THE WAY. Not only can I get hotel rewards (why would I though when I can use Priceline.com) but I can get a complete vacation including airfare for 2 and 5 nights stay at a Starwood hotel for 60,000 points!

Not only that but I can fly almost ANY airline I choose because Starwood points convert to at least one airline that belongs to ALL of the major airline alliance (Star Alliance, OneWorld, and SkyTeam). Look these up on Wikipedia if you don't know what they are. Even better is the transfer rate to airlines is 1:1.25. I won't argue that the 150% promo with British Airways and Avion is SWEET ... but I prefer the flexibility of Starwood.

In my opinion starwood is the best unless you spend a crazy amount of money on your credit card each year then a fee card MAY be better ... but you'll still lose a lot of flexibility.

Thanks for reading :cheesygri

EDIT: I must also say RIP Candian Tire Financial Services 3% & 5% CashAdvantage Mastercard ... thing king of all credit cards.

[st7860]

I don't like the starwood card because that fancy point level people talk about requires heavy calculations and possibly juggling different card numbers around AND fiddling with exchanging points.

You can also pick world class airlines with the CITIBANK petropoints master card. approximately $65,000 will get you an international flight, or $15,000 will get you a short distance flight, and you dont have to worry about breaking your points promotion on the card. And if you so choose, you can fly on Cathay Pacific by trading in points.

And if you really want to spend money and calculate it within a promotional limit, then the CIBC Card will give you accelerated points at Gas Stations and Supermarkets and Drug Stores, so then if you live near a Real Canadian Superstore or a London Drugs, you can buy almost anything you need from food to household items to clothes.

And in case you forgot the Royal Bank card has a 14 day advance purchase requirement for your air tickets which CIBC and and CITI do not have.

[sjweyman]

I don't like the starwood card because that fancy point level people talk about requires heavy calculations and possibly juggling different card numbers around AND fiddling with exchanging points.

You can also pick world class airlines with the CITIBANK petropoints master card. approximately $65,000 will get you an international flight, or $15,000 will get you a short distance flight, and you dont have to worry about breaking your points promotion on the card. And if you so choose, you can fly on Cathay Pacific by trading in points.

And if you really want to spend money and calculate it within a promotional limit, then the CIBC Card will give you accelerated points at Gas Stations and Supermarkets and Drug Stores, so then if you live near a Real Canadian Superstore or a London Drugs, you can buy almost anything you need from food to household items to clothes.

And in case you forgot the Royal Bank card has a 14 day advance purchase requirement for your air tickets which CIBC and and CITI do not have.

That's good for you ... but I think you have to admit at this point that most people don't agree. Those are nice pluses for you ... but for those of us that can handle the minor complications ... we get more bang for our buck and more redemption options for travel!

I'm glad you like the solution you have for yourself though!

[st7860]

Look, it's simple. 1:1 Avion to BA if changing outside of promo, or 1:1.5 if changing during the 50% bonus promo.

So you either get 25k BA points (= 25k AA points) for $25k spending outside when the promo runs, or for $16.7k spending if changed during the promo.

The country who "owns" the points is irrelevant. There's a Canadian TD Visa earning AA points...I hope that doesn't confuse you too because it's a Canadian card earning American points. Oh an RBC also has one that earns BA points directly as well as Asia miles. Yet, all these cards are Canadian.

those foreign points cards you make reference to from royal bank have a rather high annual fee. for a similar annual fee, the CIBC Aerogold for BUSINESS has HALF the annual interest rate and no silly tiers or limits when spending money that counts toward points.

[sjweyman]

those foreign points cards you make reference to from royal bank have a rather high annual fee. for a similar annual fee, the CIBC Aerogold for BUSINESS has HALF the annual interest rate and no silly tiers or limits when spending money that counts toward points.

If you're so interested in simple and no tiers/limits/etc ... then why are you on RFD? RFD is mostly about finding complex ways to save more money than most people think is possible.

Am I wrong?

Sure simple is good ... but if you're on RFD then we must assume you can handle the complex too, right?

[st7860]

Oh ... and might I say ... Starwood Preferred Guest ALL THE WAY. Not only can I get hotel rewards (why would I though when I can use Priceline.com) .

You can get Hotels and Vacation rewardsfrom the CIBC Aerogold card too, as well as the BMO Mosaik, and probably the CITIBANK petropoints card as well.

[sjweyman]

You can get Hotels and Vacation rewardsfrom the CIBC Aerogold card too, as well as the BMO Mosaik, and probably the CITIBANK petropoints card as well.

Can you get a trip FOR TWO anywhere in NA including airfare and hotels for 60,000 points = $60,000 in spending.

In case you don't believe me, LINK:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/starpoints/redeem/nights_flights.html

What this really gets you is 25,000 points on any partner airlines (as discussed earlier this is virtually any major airline on all the major airline alliances) and 5 nights at a category 3 starwood hotel.

[st7860]

If you're so interested in simple and no tiers/limits/etc ... then why are you on RFD? RFD is mostly about finding complex ways to save more money than most people think is possible.

Am I wrong?

Sure simple is good ... but if you're on RFD then we must assume you can handle the complex too, right?

sure we can all claim MBNA vs CIBC like a WWE match but if you really wanted to spend lots of time and have a huge advance purchase requirement then you could just as easily, instead of spending to get a ticket to asia or europe with the MBNA or royal bank thing, get a 1% cash back card with NO annual fee then take the money you get and buy a ticket from www.toureast.com . Sure you will have to book in advance and find a seat, but isnt that what this site is about? as you said, its all about work and spending time to get the cheapest price

[sjweyman]

sure we can all claim MBNA vs CIBC like a WWE match but if you really wanted to spend lots of time and have a huge advance purchase requirement then you could just as easily, instead of spending to get a ticket to asia or europe with the MBNA or royal bank thing, get a 1% cash back card with NO annual fee then take the money you get and buy a ticket from www.toureast.com . Sure you will have to book in advance and find a seat, but isnt that what this site is about? as you said, its all about work and spending time to get the cheapest price

Ok, you make the occasional good point. However, when you think about it ... this requires a lot of work EVERY time you want to book a flight. With the starwood system you just have to figure it out once and then you're good. If you understand it, it's a simple process. When searching for discount flights like you suggest it requires a whole lot of work and question marks. Getting the flight you speak of for $500 anytime you want to travel seems a bit unlikely to me!! Not just a bit ... but really unlikely!

[st7860]

Can you get a trip FOR TWO anywhere in NA including airfare and hotels for 60,000 points = $60,000 in spending.

In case you don't believe me, LINK:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/starpoints/redeem/nights_flights.html

What this really gets you is 25,000 points on any partner airlines (as discussed earlier this is virtually any major airline on all the major airline alliances) and 5 nights at a category 3 starwood hotel.

$60,000 in spending ?

https://wwwa.applyonlinenow.com/CANapp/Ctl/redirect?CV_sourceCode=beqp&CV_language=en

- 1 point for every 2 dollars
- 5,000 points free
- 15,000 points for when you spend $30,000

- $60,000 = 30,000 points plus the 20,000 points as described. where does the rest of the 10,000 points come from?


ok, lets all get MBNA cards and fly!
http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/8936/20061015164816421bck3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[sjweyman]

Over two years my friend over two years ... and that doesn't include the sign up bonus!

Plus the platinum version (also free) includes purchase protection, extended warranty, travel benefits and other great features. Why don't you go sign up? :)

P.S. Get a card for you wife/friend as well and you can get your 60,000 points (+20,000 sign up bonus) all in one year if you spend that much. Personally, I don't spend that much money in a year even though I put every penney I possibly can (even $0.50 purchases) on my credit card.

[mtlguyca]

Hi, guys I cant figure out with the SPG card in order to be getting points you must use the card in the spg hotels etc...?

you cant accumulate points by using the card else where like grocery stores etc right?

Thanks

[sjweyman]

Hi, guys I cant figure out with the SPG card in order to be getting points you must use the card in the spg hotels etc...?

you cant accumulate points by using the card else where like grocery stores etc right?

Thanks

You can with the SPG mastercard :) It wouldn't be worth it if you only got the points by staying at their hotels.

[mtlguyca]

You can with the SPG mastercard :) It wouldn't be worth it if you only got the points by staying at their hotels.


Ah, so basically whatever you buy you get 1 point for every 2$ + all the other bonuses right?

thanks

[Crimson]

Tier system is the evil!

Say, you spent $13K this year, to get some bonus points you maybe will waste $2K for those stupid points on some stupid stuff you actually dun need.

What $2K can do for you? get 5K bonus points, or simply buy a ticket which you have to spend $60K to redeem?

[sjweyman]

Ah, so basically whatever you buy you get 1 point for every 2$ + all the other bonuses right?

thanks

Pointswise this is what you get:

- 1 point for every $2 spent
- 5000 additional points for every $10,000 spent up to a yearly max of 15000 ($30,000 spending). This makes it like 1 point per dollar spent.
- 25% bonus points when converting to ANY airline in increments of 20,000 points.

So what this means is that best case you get 1.25 points per dollar spent. Worst case you get .625 points per dollar spent (as long as you redeem for airline rewards in 20,000 point increments ... which shouldn't be hard to do).

If you know you'll spend over $10,000 in one year (most people would) then your worst case scenario is better. Then worse case would be spending $19,999 and getting 14,999 points multiplied by 1.25 for airline conversion = 18,749 points = 0.94 points per dollar rougly.

So as you can see, if you spend over $10,000 a year then your worst case scenario (unless you spend hundreds of thousands of dollars or something) is almost 1 point per dollar spent anyway. Your best case scenario is better than most standard airline rewards cards and there is NO FEE.

With a little basic planning, this card is really awesome!

[sjweyman]

Tier system is the evil!

Say, you spent $13K this year, to get some bonus points you maybe will waste $2K for those stupid points on some stupid stuff you actually dun need.

What $2K can do for you? get 5K bonus points, or simply buy a ticket which you have to spend $60K to redeem?

You can always buy something you know you'll eventually use to round it off (like gift cards for gas). Problem solved!

[tarnator]

I still find that the Starwood card is confusing.

I can't calculate whether it is worth using the starwood card or to just stick with one of the nice, simple 1% cards like my PC card or citi enrich platinum.

If we put approx. $20,000 on our cards every year, can someone explain which one would get us a better return?

There are so many factors with the Starwood card that it is offputting. You have to spend X, convert to X, switch to X then abide by the rules of X airline.

[st7860]

I still find that the Starwood card is confusing.

I can't calculate whether it is worth using the starwood card or to just stick with one of the nice, simple 1% cards like my PC card or citi enrich platinum.

If we put approx. $20,000 on our cards every year, can someone explain which one would get us a better return?

There are so many factors with the Starwood card that it is offputting. You have to spend X, convert to X, switch to X then abide by the rules of X airline.

exactly. with simple cards like the CitiBank PetroPoints MasterCard, there's no annual fee and you can get 1% in points to redeem for flights, products, and you get 2 cents per litre off of Petro Canada gas anytime.

[sjweyman]

I still find that the Starwood card is confusing.

I can't calculate whether it is worth using the starwood card or to just stick with one of the nice, simple 1% cards like my PC card or citi enrich platinum.

If we put approx. $20,000 on our cards every year, can someone explain which one would get us a better return?

There are so many factors with the Starwood card that it is offputting. You have to spend X, convert to X, switch to X then abide by the rules of X airline.

Well if you're going to be dealing airlines and points you're going to have to play by their rules ... true. But that's the same always and not different for the Starwood card. The Starwood difference is that you can choose pretty much any airline you want. With the Citi card also being discussed I have no idea which airlines you can choose and the rewards aren't quite as good so I wouldn't consider it unless you really want something simple. Let me spell out the difference in savings for you (to the best of my abilities).

You spend $20,000 on a 1% return card like PC and get groceries for that:

You get $200 worth of groceries similar valued items.

With the Citi card being discussed:

1) You get $200 worth of whatever you can redeem for with the Citi card. I don't know what they all are. I am a petro points member and IF you trade them in for gas you get SHAFTED and it works out to about a .5% return.

2)You can potentially convert your petro points to some OTHER program and get a higher value (although most of those programs just died this year and no longer apply).

3) You can call up the Petro Canada rewards center and redeem for flights/vacations/etc. I don't know how all this works and I'm not sure ST does either because there isn't many details on their site here and they always say "starting at" which makes me suspicious if the good rewards are available at those values:

http://retail.petro-canada.ca/en/petropoints/163.aspx?category=5_

Call in if you want more details ... but to me that is a waste of time because you have to deal with [potentially] unknowledeable CSRs. Whereas if the info is all online (like with Starwood) there is less guesswork.

Assuming 25,000 points = 1 flight anywhere within Canada and the Continental USA then you don't even have enough points for 1 flight after 1 year. Depending on the cost of that flight (say $500-$800) you are definitely getting a higher return than 1% so that is a plus.

You spend $20,000 on Starwood Mastercard:

Hold on to your hat because now you have TONS of options

1) You redeem for hotel rewards. Based on the RedFlagDeals credit card study this can result in around a 6% return if you take the normal prices of hotels and compare how many points it takes to get these rooms free. I wouldn't bother with this because you can usually use Priceline to book hotels for much cheaper.

2) You redeem for a free flight on one of MANY of Starwood partners see the list here:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/starpoints/transfer/airline_partner_list.html

REMEMBER: Airlines are all members of airline alliances. If you can get points in ONE airline that is a member of a particular alliance you can fly on ANY airline that is a member of that alliance (usually 10-18 airlines per alliance) so you are SET.

In doing this you get a 25% bonus and immediately you have enough points (25,000) for a free flight anywhere in North America on any airline you choose. Assuming the same flight value ($500-$100) you get a rate of return from roughly 2-5%. You can have fun calculating your rate of return by comparing the cost of specific flights you are going to take and dividing by $200 (the rewards you get for 1% return)

3) You go the extra mile and convert your points in LANPass points and instead of getting 25,000 points you get 50,000 points. Granted LAN points are worth less but you should still be able to fly anywhere in NA for 40,000 LAN points so you get the same thing as 2) but have 10,000 LAN points left over to use next time! NOTE: Max distance travelled for 40,000 is 2500 KMs, otherwise it is 50,000

4) You wait for 3 years and then redeem an entire vacation in North America with 60,000 points including 2 airline tickets (50,000 airline points) and 5 free hotel nights. This is a good deal although priceline MAY still be better. How much is a free vacation worth like that? Probably at least $2000. You do the math.

5) You do 4) except you do it through the LANPass and you get 100,000 LANPass points but you only spend 80,000 and you end up with 20,000 LANPass points remaining (you're half way to another free ticket already!) NOTE: Max distance travelled for 40,000 is 2500 KMs, otherwise it is 50,000

FINAL NOTES:

Sure all of this can sound complicated ... but it really isn't. The reason it seems complicated is because the Starwood program is SO flexible. You can, however, make it more rigid and ignore some of the more complicated options. Your rate of return will be slightly lower ... but you'll still end up with a good deal.

As always you get:
- NO anual fee
- Platinum benefits free if you sign up for the platinum version:
- Travel insurance
- Rental car insurance
- Purchase assurance (theft protection I believe)
- Extended warranty

See all benefits here:
http://www.mbna.com/canada/credit_comparecards.html

[sjweyman]

I guess I should comment on the gas too. 2 cents off per litre is nice with the CITI card but there are MUCH better deals out there for savings on gas than this and I think gas should be approached as an entirely seperate topic.

Some ways to save on gas:
- Buy gift cards through memberworks and save 20% (not available to most people anymore but I'm one of the fortunate ones)
- Buy gift cards for Canadian Tire through DealGuilt or ******************** and get 3.5% cash back, plus credit card reward points, plus Canadian Tire money. Total savings can approach 10% here.
- Buy gas at the grocery store and save 3.5c/litre up to 7.0c/litre when they have promotions

I'm sure there are many more. I haven't had need to explore them all. However, unfortunately none of them involve Petro Canada (that I know of) so the 2c/litre becomes insignificant.

[st7860]

with the Petropoints mastercard there are no limits or tiers to worry about, and you can fly on Cathay Pacific if you exchange your points, and you don't need to do compliciated bi-yearly promotional transfers like you do with the MBNA card.

[Darkman]

SuperStore's gas stations here in Winnipeg give 7.5 cents / litre automatically.. but for a while already they have this promotion going - on Fri, Sat, Sundays - instead of 7.5 cents, you get 11 cents / litre :D

Domo here also, always have 7 cents a litre coupons .. (either in the newspaper .. or you can request so they send you a book with coupons several times a year)

[GSC]

5) You do 4) except you do it through the LANPass and you get 100,000 LANPass points but you only spend 80,000 and you end up with 20,000 LANPass points remaining (you're half way to another free ticket already!)

how can you get 100,000 through LANPass? you meant to get a vacation through the LANPass.

[vm_fan]

- Buy gift cards for Canadian Tire through DealGuilt

Somewhat off-topic, but what is DealGuilt?

[1226]

Somewhat off-topic, but what is DealGuilt?

Replace the "t" with a "d".

[sjweyman]

with the Petropoints mastercard there are no limits or tiers to worry about, and you can fly on Cathay Pacific if you exchange your points, and you don't need to do compliciated bi-yearly promotional transfers like you do with the MBNA card.

There are no complicated bi-yearly promotional transfers with the MBNA card. Now you're getting the Avion card confused with the Starwood card ... haha :D

[sjweyman]

Replace the "t" with a "d".

Sorry, typo. Not sure I'm allowed to provide a direct link to it on RFD. Also, I'm find out that gift cards may be ineligible for cash back unfortunately. ********* will track this transaction (I have several) ... but I may not get payed if the merchant (Canadian Tire) refuses to pay cash back for gift card purcases. It looks like that may happen to me.

Sorry for misleading you there. But my point remains the same ... there are better ways to save on gas than 2 cents per litre.

[st7860]

Replace the "t" with a "d".

you can use www.tinyurl.com

[sjweyman]

5) You do 4) except you do it through the LANPass and you get 100,000 LANPass points but you only spend 80,000 and you end up with 20,000 LANPass points remaining (you're half way to another free ticket already!)

how can you get 100,000 through LANPass? you meant to get a vacation through the LANPass.

The 'night and flights' redemption option (60,000 starpoints in the cost) with Starwood preferred guest allows you to convert 40,000 starpoints to airline miles to cover your flights which would normally work out to 50,000 airline miles with most airlines because of the 25% bonus.

With one particular airline program (LANPass) starwood points are worth twice as much (you also get the 25% bonus). Therefore 40,000 starpoints = 100,000 LANPass miles.

Keep in mind LANPass miles aren't worth as much and you need 40,000 LANPass for most North American flights whereas other airlines it only costs 25,000.

Thus you can see how you would be able to redeem 80,000 LANPass points for your two free flights and then have 20,000 points left over from the 100,000 you originally had from the above conversion from starpoints. NOTE: Max distance travelled to get these savings with LANPass is 2500KMs. Otherwise it works out to the same as the other airline programs.

[sjweyman]

SuperStore's gas stations here in Winnipeg give 7.5 cents / litre automatically.. but for a while already they have this promotion going - on Fri, Sat, Sundays - instead of 7.5 cents, you get 11 cents / litre :D

Domo here also, always have 7 cents a litre coupons .. (either in the newspaper .. or you can request so they send you a book with coupons several times a year)

You guys out west get all the good deals. They're not so liberal with the savings here in the far east.

[sjweyman]

Sorry, typo. Not sure I'm allowed to provide a direct link to it on RFD. Also, I'm find out that gift cards may be ineligible for cash back unfortunately. ********* will track this transaction (I have several) ... but I may not get payed if the merchant (Canadian Tire) refuses to pay cash back for gift card purcases. It looks like that may happen to me.

Sorry for misleading you there. But my point remains the same ... there are better ways to save on gas than 2 cents per litre.

As you can see by this post they even block me typing the name. The last post was actually an honest typo as I did not know RFD specifically sensored even mentioning its name.

[tarnator]

Thanks indeed for all the well researched replies!

I wasn't considering the Petropoints Citi card, although....:cheesygri

The one that I was looking at was the Citi Enrich Platinum, which is a 1% cash back card with a lot of the platinum benefits.

I still think that the Starwood card is probably a great deal too; but with airline points there is also the constraint that i might been the need to 'use the points' when I otherwise wouldn't. Or if there is actually a better deal through priceline etc. I might actually be missing a better deal!

I will still consider both!

[GSC]

Where is the application form for Platinum SPG card?

btw, anyone could tell me what you pick if you have SPG and HSBC Premier MasterCard in order to get travel reward

https://rewards.hsbc.ca/BrowseRewards.aspx?cat=F
esp. I am looking for flight to Asia

[mtlguyca]

Would it make more sense if I have the petro points instead of enrich platinum? cause i am thinking to have the SPG platinum with all the benefits and use it at all times and use the petro points only for gas.

[sjweyman]

Where is the application form for Platinum SPG card?

btw, anyone could tell me what you pick if you have SPG and HSBC Premier MasterCard in order to get travel reward

https://rewards.hsbc.ca/BrowseRewards.aspx?cat=F
esp. I am looking for flight to Asia

Looks like there are some restrictions on the HSBC card:


Q. How much can I spend on an airline ticket using Rewards Points?

A. Your Rewards Points can be redeemed for airline tickets of any value. You can choose to redeem at pre-defined Reward Point levels by destination for economy class flights up to a maximum ticket value, OR choose business class and redeem your Rewards Points at a rate of 100 Rewards Points for every $1 in travel cost. For example, an economy class flight from Vancouver to Edmonton requires 15,000 Rewards Points for flights valued up to $350. If the actual ticket price for the flight you select exceeds the maximum ticket price, the additional cost can be either charged to your HSBC MasterCard® or you can use additional Rewards Points at a rate of 100 Rewards Points for every $1.

The SPG card is way more flexible and, depending on the airline your convert to, there shouldn't be many restrictions on ticket prices, etc.

If you choose American Airlines it looks like you can get to Japan/China for as little as 50,000 awards miles. A lot better than the 100,000 that HSBC quotes. Not to mention you get the 25% bonus when converting from Starpoints.

http://www.aa.com/apps/AAdvantage/ViewMileageProgramsPartnerDetail.jhtml?fileName=am ericanAirlines.xml&repositoryName=AAdvantagePartnersContentRepository&repositoryId=100014&itemDescriptor=AAdvantagePartnersContent#travelAwa rds

Not much of a contest IMO.

[sjweyman]

Another redemption chart for US Airways can be found here:

http://www.usairways.com/common/resources/_downloads/dividendmiles/partnerawardtravel.pdf

This is good for travel on ANY Star Alliance partner including Air Canada. Trips to China through this route cost 60,000 points.

[GSC]

Looks like there are some restrictions on the HSBC card:




The SPG card is way more flexible and, depending on the airline your convert to, there shouldn't be many restrictions on ticket prices, etc.

If you choose American Airlines it looks like you can get to Japan/China for as little as 50,000 awards miles. A lot better than the 100,000 that HSBC quotes. Not to mention you get the 25% bonus when converting from Starpoints.

http://www.aa.com/apps/AAdvantage/ViewMileageProgramsPartnerDetail.jhtml?fileName=am ericanAirlines.xml&repositoryName=AAdvantagePartnersContentRepository&repositoryId=100014&itemDescriptor=AAdvantagePartnersContent#travelAwa rds

Not much of a contest IMO.

thx a lot for you comment, I am thinking to get miles and convert to LANPass, I did some research on LANPass, but I dont know where the chart for LANPass and its alliance award mileage levels. any help ?

[sjweyman]

thx a lot for you comment, I am thinking to get miles and convert to LANPass, I did some research on LANPass, but I dont know where the chart for LANPass and its alliance award mileage levels. any help ?

LANPass may not be your best option. However, there is no need to convert until you are actually planning to travel. Wait until you know where you are going and then call up the various rewards programs you can convert to and see who has availability and what makes the most sense.

LANPass may not be that good because the best deal is for only 2250 KMs flown ... and if that is ROUND TRIP KMs then that isn't actually that far. I was thinking it was one way, but I am probably wrong. Make sure you call LAN before converting your miles and see how many points it will cost you. The chart is found here:

http://www.lan.com/lanpass/canjee_kms/tabla_premios.html

EDIT: American Airlines is probably your next best choice.

Unless you are actually flying LAN (probably not) you want the "Award table for oneworld and associated airlines" at the bottom.

[Salinger]

I hesitate to get into all this as my head is spinning as I've just read the entire thread! LOL!

I was going to get the CIBC Aerogold, as I understand Aeroplan, and it's straightforward, and I thought was as good a redemption plan as there was.

Now I see these other choices.

The SPG card that people are touting, in looking at the website from MBNA Canada, it says you earn 1 point for $2. So I don't see how that ends up being a good deal. I know, I'm just stupid I guess. I've read through the many defenses of the card, but I just don't see how a card that cuts your point earning in half right off the bat, works out to be a good deal.

The RBC Avion card, again, I'll have to look into. Their redemption rates for N.A. flights are higher than Aeroplan, fewer bonus points and no extra accumulation (grocery, drugstore, gas with CIBC) so I have to see how my spending pattern would fit in with that. There's nothing listed there about the 50% bonus conversion points, so it's difficult for someone unfamiliar with the card to make an informed decision on something that isn't part of the regular card benefits. The problem with bonus redemptions etc, is no matter how long their history, they can cease at any time.

I guess all I'm saying is, thanks to you guys for all the information, now I have even more reading to do!! :)

[schweendborscht]

The SPG card that people are touting, in looking at the website from MBNA Canada, it says you earn 1 point for $2. So I don't see how that ends up being a good deal. I know, I'm just stupid I guess. I've read through the many defenses of the card, but I just don't see how a card that cuts your point earning in half right off the bat, works out to be a good deal.

I guess all I'm saying is, thanks to you guys for all the information, now I have even more reading to do!! :)


I, too, read the whole thread. And went to the various websites, and read the article here on RFD at this link:
http://www.redflagdeals.com/deals/main.php/articles/credit6/

http://www.redflagdeals.com/deals/main.php/articles/credit6/

And I checked the Federal Government credit card comparison website:
http://www.fcac.gc.ca/Tools/CCInteractive
http://www.fcac.gc.ca/Tools/CCInteractive/

And I checked CanRates credit card comparison website:
http://www.canrates.ca/
http://www.canrates.ca/

And I checked this Canadian credit card comparison website:
http://www.rewardscanada.ca/cccompare.html
http://www.rewardscanada.ca/cccompare.html

Here's the part that makes the SPG card worth touting: Spend $10,000, get 5,000 points. Spend another $10,000, get another 5,000 points. Spend another $10,000 get another 5,000 points. Those are on top of the 1 point for each $2 spent.
So, once you hit each $10,000 level up to $30,000, you are getting 1 point for every $1 spent.

[Salinger]

Wow, thanks for all those links to the various resources, will definitely check those out.

...as for the SPG card, those are pretty big conditions if you ask me. To have to get to multiples of $10k in spending just to reach the 1:$1 spending most other cards already give you isn't a persuasive argument for me. Especially with Aerogold's new 1.5:$1 on some purchases. If you miscalculate and spend only $19k, you're only earning 1:1 on the first $10k, then 1:$2 on the other 9. I don't spend $20k on a CC annuallly anyway, so it seems it's not the card for me.

[st7860]

the cibc card is great because you can fly within canada/usa with only $25,000 of spending, and no 14 day advance purchase requirement on the tickets.

[sjweyman]

Wow, thanks for all those links to the various resources, will definitely check those out.

...as for the SPG card, those are pretty big conditions if you ask me. To have to get to multiples of $10k in spending just to reach the 1:$1 spending most other cards already give you isn't a persuasive argument for me. Especially with Aerogold's new 1.5:$1 on some purchases. If you miscalculate and spend only $19k, you're only earning 1:1 on the first $10k, then 1:$2 on the other 9. I don't spend $20k on a CC annuallly anyway, so it seems it's not the card for me.

The aerogold might be right for you then. However, don't forget to factor in the 25% bonus you get when converting to ANY airline program. That's where the 1.25 miles per dollar comes in when you spend in chunks of $10,000. For smaller spenders like you and me, there is also NO anual fee (another HUGE plus).

So for the potential of more points than Aerogold AND no fee ... it's worth it for me.

I calculated this before somewhere ... but I'll calculate it again here just for fun. With the SPG card your WORST possible rate of return is:

Spend under $10,000 = 0.5 * 1.25 = 0.625 miles per dollar
Spend $19,999 = (1.0 + 0.5) / 2 = 0.75 * 1.25 = 0.9375

These are rough calcs but as you can see ... if you spend over $10,000 a year (should be easy) your WORST case scenario is 0.9375 miles per dollar as long as you redeem your starpoints in 20,000 chunks for free flights. Since free flights are typically 25000 points, then redeeming in 20,000 point chunks is typically what you would do because that equals 25000 miles.

So with worst case of 0.9375 and best case of 1.25 and no anual fee and all the flexibility of choosing any airline you want = no brainer for me.

I may get an Aerogold sometime though just for the sign up bonus!

[Salinger]

Yeah, I think for my spending and travel pattern, the Aerogold is right for me. I accumulate AP miles elsewhere, as well as fly AC most times, so it just makes sense for me. The $120 annual fee is acceptable as compared to the many conditions of the SPG card.

Who knew airline miles involved so much math! LOL! Your calculations there did make it all much clearer, thanks! I do think, however, that having to spend in $10k increments and redeem in 20k increments to reach the 1.25:1 best case scenario is a huge asterisk to be placed by any numbers for SPG. Also, when comparing with Aerogold, yes, take into account the $120 AF, but also take into account, 1 mile per dollar no matter how much or how little you spend, and 1.5 miles per dollar at grocery & drug stores, and gas stations. Those will really add up in a big way!

I think the thing to remember that sometimes gets lost in these forums, is there is no one definitively best card that is right for everyone. It all depends on how much you spend, when and where you spend, your travel patterns, how averse you are to an annual fee and probably a dozen other factors. :)

[PhoeniX Skye]

I was checking out the AMEX Costco Cash Rebate Platinum...

No fees, but 5k+ give you 1.5% Costo cash back. With a Costco membership I'm sure you could spend it all there just in groceries, or other stuff.

[Drew_W]

Can you get a trip FOR TWO anywhere in NA including airfare and hotels for 60,000 points = $60,000 in spending.

In case you don't believe me, LINK:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/starpoints/redeem/nights_flights.html

What this really gets you is 25,000 points on any partner airlines (as discussed earlier this is virtually any major airline on all the major airline alliances) and 5 nights at a category 3 starwood hotel.

Wowzers. Very nice. Not that I need yet another card, but with all the spending I do plopping $60k onto the SPG and getting a week vacation out of it is pretty awesome considering you can fly anywhere in NA on AA for 25k points.

[Drew_W]

There are no complicated bi-yearly promotional transfers with the MBNA card. Now you're getting the Avion card confused with the Starwood card ... haha :D

The Avion still trumps the SPG if you're a BIG spender and want to do lots of international flying, esp in business class.

[Drew_W]

the cibc card is great because you can fly within canada/usa with only $25,000 of spending, and no 14 day advance purchase requirement on the tickets.

You can do it for $16,667 on the Avion through a BA reward with 50% bonus, or for the same $25k with no BA bonus. I'm not going to repeat what I said before.

[brunes]

The aerogold might be right for you then. However, don't forget to factor in the 25% bonus you get when converting to ANY airline program. That's where the 1.25 miles per dollar comes in when you spend in chunks of $10,000. For smaller spenders like you and me, there is also NO anual fee (another HUGE plus).

So for the potential of more points than Aerogold AND no fee ... it's worth it for me.

I calculated this before somewhere ... but I'll calculate it again here just for fun. With the SPG card your WORST possible rate of return is:

Spend under $10,000 = 0.5 * 1.25 = 0.625 miles per dollar
Spend $19,999 = (1.0 + 0.5) / 2 = 0.75 * 1.25 = 0.9375

These are rough calcs but as you can see ... if you spend over $10,000 a year (should be easy) your WORST case scenario is 0.9375 miles per dollar as long as you redeem your starpoints in 20,000 chunks for free flights. Since free flights are typically 25000 points, then redeeming in 20,000 point chunks is typically what you would do because that equals 25000 miles.

So with worst case of 0.9375 and best case of 1.25 and no anual fee and all the flexibility of choosing any airline you want = no brainer for me.

I may get an Aerogold sometime though just for the sign up bonus!

Also - don't forget the warranty! People always forget this in the comparisons. . Colored in red are what one card has that the other does not.

With SPG card, in addition to above rewards, and for NO FEE, you get:

- $1,000,000 Common Carrier Accident Insurance
- One year extended Warranty
- 90 Days Purchase Protection
- Auto rental collision insurance waiver
- $200,000 auto rental death & dismemberment accident insurance
- $2,000 unexpected return home coverage
- $1,000 Personal effects benefit for auto rental in case of theft
- Also lost luggage assistance, legal assistance, etc.

With CIBC Aerogold , all you get is

- $500,000 common carrier accident insurance
- Auto rental collision insurance waiver
- Flight delay and baggage insurance

While the flight delay insurance with the Aerogold is nice, I personally consider the lack of purchase protection and extended warranty a HUGE drawback. My credit card warranty has saved me $1200 before on an item. I would never get a card without it.

References:

http://www.mbna.ca/credit_comparecards.html
http://www.cibc.com/ca/visa/agreements-insurance.html

[st7860]

You can do it for $16,667 on the Avion through a BA reward with 50% bonus, or for the same $25k with no BA bonus. I'm not going to repeat what I said before.

i'm not sure about that avion bonus you're talking about but with the CIBC card the rewards stay the same throughout the year. I believe the avion thing you are talking about is a promotion,not a set rate.

[Drew_W]

i'm not sure about that avion bonus you're talking about but with the CIBC card the rewards stay the same throughout the year. I believe the avion thing you are talking about is a promotion,not a set rate.

That's fine. So any time of the year the Avion is the same, but twice a year the Avion is 50% better. I'll take that thanks.

[st7860]

the royal bank card has a 14 day advance purchase requirement

[Drew_W]

the royal bank card has a 14 day advance purchase requirement

Let me say it S-L-O-W-L-Y for those of us not as cerebrally fortunate.

That applies ONLY when redeeming an Avion award, which this is not. You're redeeming a BEC award.

[st7860]

you can even get a decent airline's points(cathay) with a no fee card (citibank) , why bother with a $120 per year royal bank card?

for generally accepted reference
air canada is .. not so good
british airways is good
cathay pacific is good.

[Drew_W]

you can even get a decent airline's points(cathay) with a no fee card (citibank) , why bother with a $120 per year royal bank card?

for generally accepted reference
air canada is .. not so good
british airways is good
cathay pacific is good.

Right. So twice a year why would you not enjoy a 50% transfer bonus from RBC points to BAEC miles? That's well worth $120.......if you even pay the fee to begin with. :P

[brunes]

Right. So twice a year why would you not enjoy a 50% transfer bonus from RBC points to BAEC miles? That's well worth $120.......if you even pay the fee to begin with. :P

The BA points (and therefore Avion card) are tealy only useful at al for people who meet the following:

- Live in a major centre BA flys to
- Spend the (very large) amount required to redeem for a BA flight.

Personally I think this excludes a huge number of people.

Example me - BA doesn't fly out of anywhere in this province, and I don't spend(or even earn) anywhere near enough to redeem for a BA award in the first two years of owning the card. And if you're only ever going to redeem for OneWorld carriers in NA you'd be better off with the SPG card.

I don't think I am alone here; in fact I would say the number of people this card would be better for would be in the minority - you'd have to spend a lot and travel internationally a a lot.

[brunes]

By reading FlyerTalk, you'll find that people have done this

1) over the phone
2) they've been able to do it if they earned SPG from another source, even if it's a small sum.

You can also exchange direct to Lufthansa and use those points on Air Canada since they're both StarAlliance.

[Bullseye]

Question about the SPG card...has anyone worked out the value of the points assuming someone would never pay full rack rate for a room? I see claims with this card of up to 5% reward value, but I assume this must be using standard room rates to get that value.

[brunes]

Question about the SPG card...has anyone worked out the value of the points assuming someone would never pay full rack rate for a room? I see claims with this card of up to 5% reward value, but I assume this must be using standard room rates to get that value.

It is hard to do it this way because the cost of a room can depend on so many things, it can fluctuate from day to day.

Personally I think a good measure is to take 75% of the rack rate and make the assumption that's the average rate you'd expect to pay.

[sjweyman]

Question about the SPG card...has anyone worked out the value of the points assuming someone would never pay full rack rate for a room? I see claims with this card of up to 5% reward value, but I assume this must be using standard room rates to get that value.

If you want 5% return ... simply join Brunes and I here in NB and you can get that return on flights :) It ain't cheap to fly out of NB ... haha! :D

Strange that I look at this as an advantage, eh?

[sjweyman]

Also - don't forget the warranty! People always forget this in the comparisons. . Colored in red are what one card has that the other does not.

With SPG card, in addition to above rewards, and for NO FEE, you get:

- $1,000,000 Common Carrier Accident Insurance
- One year extended Warranty
- 90 Days Purchase Protection
- Auto rental collision insurance waiver
- $200,000 auto rental death & dismemberment accident insurance
- $2,000 unexpected return home coverage
- $1,000 Personal effects benefit for auto rental in case of theft
- Also lost luggage assistance, legal assistance, etc.

With CIBC Aerogold , all you get is

- $500,000 common carrier accident insurance
- Auto rental collision insurance waiver
- Flight delay and baggage insurance

While the flight delay insurance with the Aerogold is nice, I personally consider the lack of purchase protection and extended warranty a HUGE drawback. My credit card warranty has saved me $1200 before on an item. I would never get a card without it.

References:

http://www.mbna.ca/credit_comparecards.html
http://www.cibc.com/ca/visa/agreements-insurance.html

Oh ... I didn't forget. I brought it up in posts #180 and #189 ... but thanks for bringing it up again to remind people :D Nice comparison by the way.

[Drew_W]

The BA points (and therefore Avion card) are tealy only useful at al for people who meet the following:

- Live in a major centre BA flys to
- Spend the (very large) amount required to redeem for a BA flight.

Personally I think this excludes a huge number of people.

Example me - BA doesn't fly out of anywhere in this province, and I don't spend(or even earn) anywhere near enough to redeem for a BA award in the first two years of owning the card. And if you're only ever going to redeem for OneWorld carriers in NA you'd be better off with the SPG card.

I don't think I am alone here; in fact I would say the number of people this card would be better for would be in the minority - you'd have to spend a lot and travel internationally a a lot.

This is why "best" is subjective. I live in Toronto and spend uber lots on my credit cards every year, and I love to travel around the world. Thus, the Avion is perfect for me. For someone more "normal" in terms of spending habits and travel to extravagant destinations, the SPG card is a huge winner - this simply cannot be denied, esp with Platinum Plus benefits.

[tarnator]

Does anyone know of a calculator for all these airmiles cards? Something like CalgaryBen's Cashback card calculator?

I am truly down to choosing between the Citibank Enrich Platinum Cash Back (1%) and the SPG card. I have both in my wallet right now and can't decide which way to go.

The extra benefits are the same ie. extended warranty, purchase protection, car rental insurance (which just saved me money, renting a car in Scotland!!!)

I will be having one 4 day stay in a Starwood property this year (Planet Hollywood in Vegas) - other than that I usually stay somewhere cheaper. I will of course book the Vegas stay with my Starwood card!

Brunes?
Any recommendations?
I figure if I spend $30K a year between my hubbie and I.

[sledbc]

This is why "best" is subjective. I live in Toronto and spend uber lots on my credit cards every year, and I love to travel around the world. Thus, the Avion is perfect for me. For someone more "normal" in terms of spending habits and travel to extravagant destinations, the SPG card is a huge winner - this simply cannot be denied, esp with Platinum Plus benefits.

I am a large volume cc purchaser like drew, we dont fly long distances but I am trying the avion card because im sick of not being able to get flights when i need them with airmiles, the avion should let us get out of here when we need to regardless of which airline we use.

[eednapes]

wow, i can't believe i just went through this whole thread. Would have been a much better experience had st7860 and Drew not squabbled over the same issue over and over and over again (in a span of 3 months, i believe).

Props for being so stubborn though, especially to st7860.

Now, which one is better? Avion or CIBC Aeroplan?
I kiiiid, i kiiiiiiiiiiiiid.

[st7860]

the RBC card is good for people with OCD that like to watch their spending extremely carefully and calculate every little thing.

the CIBC card is good for people that just like to spend 'normally' without having to worry about which point will be acculmulated at which rate, at which place. simply 1 point per $1 spent.

[eednapes]

the RBC card is good for people with OCD that like to watch their spending extremely carefully and calculate every little thing.

the CIBC card is good for people that just like to spend 'normally' without having to worry about which point will be acculmulated at which rate, at which place. simply 1 point per $1 spent.

wow, i can't actually believe you answered my question... and within minutes as well.

I swear you're getting some promotion for every time you use the term CIBC, no?? I kiiiid i kiiiiiiiid, please don't go giving another answer.

[st7860]

the answer i gave is a rough summary of what nancy drew oops i mean drew_w said, basically, royal bank is a good deal if you like to spend a lot of time and cibc is good for a simple life.

[eednapes]

the answer i gave is a rough summary of what nancy drew oops i mean drew_w said, basically, royal bank is a good deal if you like to spend a lot of time and cibc is good for a simple life.

Wow! Wow wow wow! That's all I can say.
Anyhoo, some voice in the back of my mind told me that this would actually happen again, but I thought you'd really have to be...
you know what? Not even worth completing my sentence.
This thread is now unsubscribed and ignored.
wow.

[st7860]

what is this voice you refer to?

[Drew_W]

st7860, somehow I just don't think you'll ever be happy in life, and this is most unfortunate.

So for the sake of your ego, you're absolutely right. I wish I could change my handle to Nancy Drew for being able to do proper research and considering what other people say when I make a decision. But then again, it doesn't mater because you're right.

I'm going to switch my Avion to the CIBC Aerogold right away when I get home. Even though the Avion is a better card for mme, you're obviously right and I am "too much in the details" and "not enough listening to st7860's overpowering wisdom".

My sincerest apologies.

[Drew_W]

You know, on second thought, there's not much point in arguing any more, or in my conceding defeat or anything of this sort. There's a wealth of information in this thread as well as in other threads all across this forum. Those who are smart will find the best option for them. Maybe the AeroGold works for some people. But if you're out here taking the time to research, you should find that there are better options available unless you're HELLBENT on Aeroplan. If you're unsure, post about it. Travel rewards cards to consider:

-CIBC Aerogold (if you love Aeroplan/Star Alliance)
-RBC Avion (if you want to get on flights as a 'cash' customer, or go through a little bit of extra work to make your spending go further)
-MBNA Starwood Preferred Guest (Nights/Flights redemption & points exchange options available)

First two are $120/yr, MBNA SPG has no fee. Depends how much you spend as well since MBNA SPG rewards are only really worth it up to $30k/yr after which you see half benefits only.

[st7860]

the mbna card has a rather low credit and rewards limit, and the royal bank card requires a rather long advance airline ticket purchase period(14 days)

[Drew_W]

the mbna card has a rather low credit and rewards limit, and the royal bank card requires a rather long advance airline ticket purchase period(14 days)

All valid points to consider when evaluating the best card for your own uses.

[st7860]

you can't buy business class tickets

[elty]

For a trip to Hong Kong:

95000 LAN Pass -> 47500 SPG points (after 25% bonus) -> approx. 40000 SPG points (before 25% bonus) -> $40000 spent

That should redeem a CX flight right? CX ticket probably cost like $1500, so this is a return of 3.75%?

[elty]

the RBC card is good for people with OCD that like to watch their spending extremely carefully and calculate every little thing.

the CIBC card is good for people that just like to spend 'normally' without having to worry about which point will be acculmulated at which rate, at which place. simply 1 point per $1 spent.

Wow, I skim through this thread for about 5 minutes and I am amazed you still don't get it after half a year. I wonder if you are arguing for the sake of, well arguing or just too bound into your own opinion:

1) You spent $66667 on your RBC Avion point.
2) You wait for the 50% BA bonus deal. You transfer 66667 points to BA points. 66667 * 1.5 = 100,000.
3) Now you have 100,000 BA points, and 0 Avion point. The restriction and condition on Avion no longer applies. You are now subject to the BA points condition (which I have no idea about).
4) Once you have the points, you can book the flight anytime from BA. You use the 100,000 points to book a OneWorld (CX) partner business class flight.
5) Ka ching! $66667 spent for a business flight to Asia.

Compare to:

1) Spend $115,000 with AeroGold (or $76,666 if all you shop is gas and London Drug).
2) Claim a business flight to Asia for 115,000 points.

If you are getting only economy class, then there is no contest: 50,000 points ($33,333) from BA versus 75,000 points ($50,000 to $75,000) from AC.

Yes, it is a bit inconvenience because you can only transfer your point twice a year. However it is just equally inconvenience that you can only shop in grocery and drug store to get the maximum benefits from AeroGold. By the time you can claim 2 tickets on AeroGold, you can probably have 3 tickets on this Avion -> BA points transaction. It is not that much of a hassle for such a huge advantage.

* I am amazed that BA only charge 50,000 points for a regular flight from NA to Asia, and only 15,000 points for a domestic far east ticket.

[Rf_mt]

I'm just a student, not a crazy spender. Spend about couple of thousand on the cc. Say...hmm....3-5g/yr or less...Which card would be the best. PCF Mastercard, or SPG ?

I'm thinkig PC because incase i need a loan or something in the future I might be able to go with PCF. So would getting their mastercard be better interms of building credit with them?

[Lyrrad0]

I'm just a student, not a crazy spender. Spend about couple of thousand on the cc. Say...hmm....3-5g/yr or less...Which card would be the best. PCF Mastercard, or SPG ?

I'm thinkig PC because incase i need a loan or something in the future I might be able to go with PCF. So would getting their mastercard be better interms of building credit with them?

I don't think so. The MasterCard and the bank are separate. (MC: Loblaws, Bank: CIBC) So, any credit card should help your ability to get a loan from PCF.

[tarnator]

Rf-mt,
I think that the PC card might be better for you. you can turn the rewards in to Kraft Dinner (student style!), whereas the SPG card really shows benefits when you spend more each year and turn those benefits in to high end hotels...probably not really your speed right now...

The Citi Enrich Platinum would also suit you.

[Loomy]

Rf-mt,
I think that the PC card might be better for you. you can turn the rewards in to Kraft Dinner (student style!), whereas the SPG card really shows benefits when you spend more each year and turn those benefits in to high end hotels...probably not really your speed right now...

The Citi Enrich Platinum would also suit you.

kraft dinner? doesn't superstore have more than kraft dinner?

I thought everyone needs to eat

[sjweyman]

Just to bring up a dead issue :D I would like to point out that the Citi Petro Points Mastercard that st has been touting much earlier in this thread will be ending it partnership with Sears Travel. This means that flight rewards, unless their website is misleading, will be completely out of the picture.

It was never the best choice to begin with ... but now it is definitely not.!

EDIT: After a little more investigation, I discovered that they still have the iTravel2000 rewards redemption option and you can still convert your points to Asia miles ... but the options keep dissapearing with petro points.

[halflife150]

Just to bring up a dead issue :D I would like to point out that the Citi Petro Points Mastercard that st has been touting much earlier in this thread will be ending it partnership with Sears Travel. This means that flight rewards, unless their website is misleading, will be completely out of the picture.

It was never the best choice to begin with ... but now it is definitely not.!

EDIT: After a little more investigation, I discovered that they still have the iTravel2000 rewards redemption option and you can still convert your points to Asia miles ... but the options keep dissapearing with petro points.

I believe you can use sears gift cards for sears travel so by redeeming petropoints for sears gift cards you can still fly free with Sears Travel, albeit indirectly rather then directly redeeming petropoints for Sears Travel . It is a good credit card, just treat it as a no fee asia miles card. Most other travel point cards have an annual fee so Petro cc does have an advantage for having a no fee.

[Octavius]

Just to bring up a dead issue :D I would like to point out that the Citi Petro Points Mastercard that st has been touting much earlier in this thread will be ending it partnership with Sears Travel. This means that flight rewards, unless their website is misleading, will be completely out of the picture.

It was never the best choice to begin with ... but now it is definitely not.!

EDIT: After a little more investigation, I discovered that they still have the iTravel2000 rewards redemption option and you can still convert your points to Asia miles ... but the options keep dissapearing with petro points.

I stopped trying to collect Petro Points when they ended their relationship with President's Choice last year in June.

There seems to be less and less options for this program - I'm glad I don't care about useless PetroPoints anymore and I just go for the cash back (Canadian Tire Gas Bar)

[jackboot]

I'm currently using the CTFS cashback card. But the lack of benefits on the card makes me want to switch.

Is there a card that offers the following:

-a true 1% cashback (or more)
-90-day purchase protection (loss, theft, damage)
-warranty doubled
-travel insurance
-car rental insurance

I've searched and have not found a single card that offers all that. I've looked at both the Ultramar and Enrich cards and both offer some but not all of the above features. Is this the best I can do?

[tarnator]

Hi Jackboot,
I believe that the Citi Enrich Platinum has all of those features and I have been pretty happy with it. I just checked the brochure and all the features are there. Citi never used to have the card on their website (and probably still doesn't), so you have to call and ask for it directly, or switch another Citi card for it.

It is a great card! ...but I will be using it as my secondary card when my Am. Express Gold arrives!!

[jackboot]

Hi Jackboot,
I believe that the Citi Enrich Platinum has all of those features and I have been pretty happy with it. I just checked the brochure and all the features are there. Citi never used to have the card on their website (and probably still doesn't), so you have to call and ask for it directly, or switch another Citi card for it.

It is a great card! ...but I will be using it as my secondary card when my Am. Express Gold arrives!!

After searching some more it does appear that the Enrich Platinum has all the features I'm looking for. Thanks for confirming!

Now I just have to go through the runaround to get this card...

[coojie]

Hi there,

Currently I have a CIBC Aeroplan Gold card which I find is great, no fuss and easy. However recently I've been doing some research into a secondary credit card. So far what sticks out the most for me is the MBNA SPG card, although I don't travel all the time, it seems like the return is quite nice.

I have 2 questions that perhaps RFD'ers can provide some input into:

1) Does anyone have any other suggestions for a secondary no annual fee credit card? I'm not too interested in cash back cards and more interested in reward (specifically travel) cards.

2) I was looking at the AMEX aeroplan gold card vs the CIBC aeroplan gold card. Both are pretty similar, are there any big pro vs cons for either card?

[Topher]

Those of us who procrastinated on using the points from our Sony Mastercards will benefit with Sony slashing prices on their new TV's this month. For once, it's a good thing I waited! LOL

[halflife150]

1) Does anyone have any other suggestions for a secondary no annual fee credit card? I'm not too interested in cash back cards and more interested in reward (specifically travel) cards.

You already mentioned SPG, there are 3 other no fee travel cards offered by MBNA but the returns are only 1%. Other then that, Citibank Petro-points card where the points can be converted to asia miles at an equal rate.

2) I was looking at the AMEX aeroplan gold card vs the CIBC aeroplan gold card. Both are pretty similar, are there any big pro vs cons for either card?

Amex isn't as widely accepted as Visa. That's about it.

[punvin]

2) I was looking at the AMEX aeroplan gold card vs the CIBC aeroplan gold card. Both are pretty similar, are there any big pro vs cons for either card?

Amex isn't as widely accepted as Visa. That's about it.

Actually the AMEX aeroplan gold earns 1 mile per dollar and 1.25 after 10k while the CIBC Aerogold earns 1 mile per dollar and 1.5 for Gas, Grocery and drug stores. So if you spend the bulk of you moeny at those stores, CIBC is better. And CIBS is 15k miles for first use whereas AMEX is only 10k and 5k bonus when you spend $5k in your first year.

So CIBC seems better.

Now thr RBC Avion card is similar with no restriction to Air Canada and with the new deal of getting an Eeepc with No Limit checking account, a rebate of $35 will be given for the Avion card annually, that combo deal might be tempting.

[halflife150]

Actually the AMEX aeroplan gold earns 1 mile per dollar and 1.25 after 10k while the CIBC Aerogold earns 1 mile per dollar and 1.5 for Gas, Grocery and drug stores. So if you spend the bulk of you moeny at those stores, CIBC is better. And CIBS is 15k miles for first use whereas AMEX is only 10k and 5k bonus when you spend $5k in your first year.

Well I was assuming he already knew that since he said he looked at both cards and that info. is right there. I was adding additional information that isn't provided on the websites which would be that Amex isn't as widely accepted.

Assuming Amex acceptance isn't a problem, the Amex would be better at higher spending limits because the more income you have the less as a % of total income you would spend on gas, groceries, drugs making the CIBC weaker.

[masterhapposai]

I'm currently using the CTFS cashback card. But the lack of benefits on the card makes me want to switch.

Is there a card that offers the following:

-a true 1% cashback (or more)
-90-day purchase protection (loss, theft, damage)
-warranty doubled
-travel insurance
-car rental insurance

I've searched and have not found a single card that offers all that. I've looked at both the Ultramar and Enrich cards and both offer some but not all of the above features. Is this the best I can do?

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/visa/index.jsp

:lol: if you play WoW, fits your requirements...

NO FEE

[brunes]

Actually the AMEX aeroplan gold earns 1 mile per dollar and 1.25 after 10k while the CIBC Aerogold earns 1 mile per dollar and 1.5 for Gas, Grocery and drug stores. So if you spend the bulk of you moeny at those stores, CIBC is better. And CIBS is 15k miles for first use whereas AMEX is only 10k and 5k bonus when you spend $5k in your first year.


Just FYI the SPG card earns 1.25 / dollar as well, and no annual fee.

[halflife150]

Just FYI the SPG card earns 1.25 / dollar as well, and no annual fee.

Not the whole truth though, need to hit specific spending targets and only good to a low maximum. Also can't convert to aeroplan for people specifically looking for aeroplan points.

[Drew_W]

Not the whole truth though, need to hit specific spending targets and only good to a low maximum. Also can't convert to aeroplan for people specifically looking for aeroplan points.

You can just so long as ALL your SPG points aren't gained from credit card purchases. But if you have even a small fraction that are from something else (i.e. SPG stays), then they have been known to transfer all your points.