Rewards Cards (VISA, MC, AMEX)

[Deelow]

So my RBC Avion card is set to expire at the end of this month. Right now I am in the process of deciding if I should keep it or switch to something else.

After 2 years I've got somewhere near 60,000 points. I guess that's good for a couple flights but for the amount I use the card I had hoped for more. If I'm gonna carry 19% interest rate and an annual fee of $130 I am wondering if there are better options.

Just curious to see what you guy use?...and what the general feelings are towards the different programs.

BTW. My buddy swears by the BMO Gold Air Miles Card. I don't like dealing with Air Miles, but maybe that's the way to go?

[cmyden]

Mastercard's Starwood Preferred Guest was the best one for anyone that wanted free flights, but unfortunately SPG recently terminated their relationship with Mastercard. There are rumors that someone else might be offering it soon, but perhaps with an annual fee this time.

With relatively normal usage, you could easily rack up 1 or 2 free flights per year with that card, and with no annual fee, it was great. You could transfer your points to virtually any travel rewards program to redeem your flight.

I'm waiting to see if anyone does indeed come out with a SPG card again.

[Boblobla]

I have an AMEX Aeroplan card and I love it.

[Peanut]

I personally love the Visa Avion. So... I guess I'm not much help to you.

[GreenLantern]

Right I am in the process of switching from a Student Visa to a regular cool person Visa and have been wondering the same thing.

I want to do some trips within North America for sporting events within the next few years, so I think air miles is the best way for me to go. I was looking at the Avion card as well.. but if you apply for a credit card through same, BMO, and are an RBC client, does that mean I would have to open an account with BMO?

[kevman]

Search redflagdeals.ca for info... I believe I've seen complete breakdowns of almost everything available to Canadians over there.

My opinion:
Get a 1% cashback card with no fee. It's simple and gives you most versatile points of all of them, cash. As a quick comparison to a CIBC Gold Aeroplan card...

Cash Back - 1% - $0 Annual
$20,000 Spending = $200 back
$30,000 Spending = $300 back

Aeroplan - 1pt/$ - $130 Annual (Aeroplan points when used on flights are ~1.6 cents/pt, slightly less when used on other merchandise)
$20,000 Spending = 20,000pts = $320-$130=$190 equivalent money for flights ONLY
$30,000 Spending = 30,000pts = $480-$130=$350 equivalent money for flights ONLY

[mykalberta]

I have a Amex Gold cashback card. It works well since I shop at Costco alot.

[GreenLantern]

http://www.redflagdeals.com/deals/ma...icles/credit6/

This site seems to have a good detailed description of most cards.. I find it kind of confusing lo.

[Icon]

I love the Visa Avion too.

If you're with RBC, and want to try a Mastercard... RBC's going to be the first Canadian bank to offer both Visa & MC starting this month. (I think they're out now)

http://www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=1863143

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by Deelow

If I'm gonna carry 19% interest rate and an annual fee of $130 I am wondering if there are better options.

First and foremost, you need a low interest credit line so you're not carrying any balances at 19% on a credit card . . . . .

Just saying.

I'm sitting on 270,000 points on my Avion right now with a 57,000 pt airline ticket that I had to reschedule but use by next May.

Cowperson

[Ford Prefect]

I have Visa Gold Passport and I'm happy with it. The points rack up pretty quickly, and there's great electronics and holiday packages available as rewards. I currently have enough points for my wife and I to go to Puerto Valharta for a week, flight and all inclusive resort included. Actually, I lie ... I' almost have enough points for that and I will have by February when we want to go. Or I might use the points to go somewhere else instead if H1N1 is raging in Mexico this winter.

[an_album_cover]

I have a Visa Infinite Aerogold card. I've had it for about 3 or 4 years but I've got enough points for 5 or 6 round trip tickets anywhere in the world. You can also use the points for other things, so I might pick up some stuff like a new Digi SLR, big screen TV, etc.

I don't even know how I have this many points to be honest. I use the card for random things, and then pay it off. I never have a balance, but I get tons of points. Works for me.

[Antithesis]

So mad about that Starwood card, news about it shutting down came about 1 month (or less) after I received mine. Stupid fatas.

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by Deelow

So my RBC Avion card is set to expire at the end of this month. Right now I am in the process of deciding if I should keep it or switch to something else.

sorta off topic, but depending on how old you are, and/or if you have a long credit history, you may not want to get rid of your credit card. A long credit history, especially with the same account is a good thing when getting car loans/lease, mortgages etc. At least it is down here in the States

[coaster]

I just started using the MBNA cashback card. There are no fees. For the first 6 months you get 5% cashback on groceries and gas and 3% back on everything else. After 6 months it's 3% and 1%. Checks are sent to you in $50 increments.

[Antithesis]

Originally Posted by fotze

Probably stupid because they didn't do the math prior to offering it. Too bad we couldn't be grandfathered or something.

I know! Ugh. I totally missed out ... guess I'll just wait and see what the replacement is.

[yads]

The BMO airmiles card is junk. My wife and I used to have it, but it's hard getting flights cause they sell out quick. We got the RBC Avion cause you can use the points on any flight. If you can buy the flight with cash, you can use the points.

[urban1]

+1 for the MBNA SmartCash

http://www.mbna.ca/smartcash_cardList.html

Get 5% on net gas and grocery purchases for the first 6 months††
Get 3% on net gas and grocery purchases thereafter‡
Get 1% on all other net retail purchases‡
Receive a cheque from us automatically once your cash back totals at least $50 per month

For gas and groceries its about as good as it get especially with no fee.
You may want to use another card for other purchases if you can beat the 1% cashback.

Originally Posted by coaster

I just started using the MBNA cashback card. There are no fees. For the first 6 months you get 5% cashback on groceries and gas and 3% back on everything else. After 6 months it's 3% and 1%. Checks are sent to you in $50 increments.

[csnarpy]

I have the TD Travel Rewards Platinum card. It pays $50 for every $3,300 spent. Also has no restrictions of what type of travel or company you want to use it for. Also, if you buy any travel or hotel through their travel center (which is basically any typical travel agency) the ratio jumps from 3:1 to 9:1.

I love this card and use it for everything.

[Robbob]

I don't mind the air miles ones but then I do not redeem points for flying. I have redeemed my points for GC around christmas, 16gb ipod touch, and recently enough HBC gift cards to buy the dyson canister vacuum. Not to bad if you ask me.