Credit Card Recommendations

[WilsonFourTwo]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

Here are my thoughts on Air Miles and why I no longer use them as my main rewards program:

http://www.ourbigfatwallet.com/why-i...-on-air-miles/

I've switched to the scotiabank momentum visa infinite card (cash back) which gives 4% cash back on gas and groceries. This is worth it if you spend about $420 per month on gas and groceries (or more) since there's an annual fee of $99

That's a good analysis/write-up. I have already posted about my happiness with the Scotia Momentum Infinite but it bears repeating - it's a TERRIFIC cash back card. I'm just finishing my second annual cycle with the card and am happy, happy, happy (and a little bit richer).

In my opinion, the only other card that comes close to it (in terms of rewarded value) is the Westjet Mastercard (1.5% on everything, 2% on Westjet flights, $99 companion flights) but it's obviously more geared towards fliers.

Yes - a person could probably mix and match a couple/three cards to completely maximize rewards, but the Scotia Visa allows you to have ONE card in your wallet that is accepted everywhere and gets you 90% of the rewards with zero effort.

[Daliwan]

Originally Posted by caff

40k bonus miles and First Year Free for the Amex business gold card!

https://www.americanexpress.com/cana...gBHRcTCw%3D%3D

Earn 40,000 bonus Membership Rewards® points through this referral offer when you charge $5,000 in purchases to your Card in the first 3 months of Cardmembership8. Offer subject to change at any time plus, the first year’s on us! That’s a value of $250*!

I could not believe it when I saw this. It is too generous. Amex is really trying hard to gain customers.

The bonus is very generous and first year free is great but $5000 spend in 3 months is not easy.

[maverickstruth]

Originally Posted by Daliwan

The bonus is very generous and first year free is great but $5000 spend in 3 months is not easy.

If you can afford the up-front spend, gift cards to places you'll shop anyway over the next while (e.g. Groceries) is a great way to make the spending thresholds on cards like this.

[Daliwan]

Originally Posted by maverickstruth

If you can afford the up-front spend, gift cards to places you'll shop anyway over the next while (e.g. Groceries) is a great way to make the spending thresholds on cards like this.

I go to Costco a lot. It might be a good idea to buy cash cards there.

[aaronck]

I go to Costco a bunch and have their Amex. Debating on getting their new Mastercard, or maybe a the PC mastercard as I shop there too. My main card is Visa Infinite as I get it with no fee, and spend usually 2k+ per month I was just able to spin into $1500 towards Disney!

[maverickstruth]

Originally Posted by Daliwan

I go to Costco a lot. It might be a good idea to buy cash cards there.

Yep, I churned hundreds of thousands of points buying Costco cash cards with various Amex, getting signup bonus after signup bonus. Was great, especially because in Canada you can still cancel an Amex, reapply 6 months later, and get the signup bonus again. I'll miss all those easy points, come 2015!

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by aaronck

I go to Costco a bunch and have their Amex. Debating on getting their new Mastercard, or maybe a the PC mastercard as I shop there too. My main card is Visa Infinite as I get it with no fee, and spend usually 2k+ per month I was just able to spin into $1500 towards Disney!

I have the PC MC, but I don't use it anymore, now that I have the Visa. The 4% is better than what the PC MC will give you in their own store. There are some extra PC point deals sometimes, but I haven't been shopping at PC anymore, so it doesn't matter.

I signed up for the new Costco MC. I am happy that it is 3% back on restaurants, and will actually be accepted by all merchants, unlike the Amex.

[Daliwan]

Originally Posted by maverickstruth

Yep, I churned hundreds of thousands of points buying Costco cash cards with various Amex, getting signup bonus after signup bonus. Was great, especially because in Canada you can still cancel an Amex, reapply 6 months later, and get the signup bonus again. I'll miss all those easy points, come 2015!

I like the amex sign up bonuses too. They are so generous.

[Daliwan]

Originally Posted by Wormius

I have the PC MC, but I don't use it anymore, now that I have the Visa. The 4% is better than what the PC MC will give you in their own store. There are some extra PC point deals sometimes, but I haven't been shopping at PC anymore, so it doesn't matter.

I signed up for the new Costco MC. I am happy that it is 3% back on restaurants, and will actually be accepted by all merchants, unlike the Amex.

I have the Capital one Aspire Cash World master card, so I did not sign up the new Costco card.

[Iceman90]

I got the Amazon Visa, and really like it. 2% cash back on all Amazon purchases is a really nice perk.

[Looch City]

Originally Posted by Iceman90

I got the Amazon Visa, and really like it. 2% cash back on all Amazon purchases is a really nice perk.

That, plus no foreign exchange fees.

[Daliwan]

Originally Posted by Iggy City

That, plus no foreign exchange fees.

Great! I will get this card for shopping in the US.

[Daliwan]

Amex Airmiles card increased sign-up bonus to 2k, and first year free.

[uofaflamesfan]

Looking for some advice on a new card as I am thinking about switching from Airmiles.

I put pretty much everything on my card but as a single guy who walks to work and eats out a lot, I don't spend a lot on groceries and gas, which most of the cashback cards seem geared towards.

I like to travel and am looking at the WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard, but is there something better out there?

[Old Yeller]

If you like to travel I am still a big fan of:

http://www.capitalone.ca/credit-card...-travel-world/

As long as you use your reward miles strictly for travel related purchases over $600, it's the best bang for your buck with their reward miles.

I just recently bought a return ticket from Europe on it paid entirely with reward miles and it couldn't have been easier... especially after previously going through the hassle of redeeming Airmiles for a flight with terrible connections.

[Daliwan]

Amex increased SPG card sign up bonus from 10k to 20k which is good for 5 free nights:

https://www.americanexpress.com/cana...gWHBcWCg%3D%3D

[Flamenspiel]

Originally Posted by Old Yeller

If you like to travel I am still a big fan of:

http://www.capitalone.ca/credit-card...-travel-world/

As long as you use your reward miles strictly for travel related purchases over $600, it's the best bang for your buck with their reward miles.

I just recently bought a return ticket from Europe on it paid entirely with reward miles and it couldn't have been easier... especially after previously going through the hassle of redeeming Airmiles for a flight with terrible connections.

Thanks for that. Do you have to book with a certain travel service/agent, can you book with Expedia, kayak or even with the airlines directly?

[JayP]

Originally Posted by Flamenspiel

Thanks for that. Do you have to book with a certain travel service/agent, can you book with Expedia, kayak or even with the airlines directly?

You can book with anyone. When you make a travel related purchase (flights, hotels, etc. - even things like taxis show up), you simply go to the travel redemption part of the website and all your eligible purchases show up on a list. You just choose the one you want to redeem and use your points. So you could use any website or travel agent and it'll show up there.

The only minor catch is that the points redemption is tiered until you are spending over $600. You have to spend in $150 increments until then (ie; if you booked a hotel for $140, you would have to use $150 of points to redeem it). After $600 it's all 1:1 so you just have to save up and use the points on flights or longer hotel stays primarily to maximize them.

[caff]

Originally Posted by Daliwan

Amex increased SPG card sign up bonus from 10k to 20k which is good for 5 free nights:

https://www.americanexpress.com/cana...gWHBcWCg%3D%3D

I have been waiting for this for a while. Going to use the points for my Maui trip.

[Daliwan]

Originally Posted by caff

I have been waiting for this for a while. Going to use the points for my Maui trip.

Better to use SPG points in Asia. 3k SPG points can get you a night in a very nice 4 star resort.