Credit Card Recommendations

[Kiran403]

The only negative thing I see about the RBC Westjet Mastercard (and correct me if I'm wrong because I don't actually have one) is that you're limited with only booking Westjet flights. To me that would limit where you would actually be able to travel although they seem to be adding more routes.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

We use the Scotia visa infinite cash back card and so far it has been great. 4% cash back on gas, groceries and 2% on recurring bills. They also waive the first years annual fee. Definitely worth it if you spend a decent amount every month on gas/groceries and it adds up quickly

It's an intriguing offer. Is it limited to certain grocery stores /gas stations? I wonder how than compares then to a no-fee PC Mastercard. I usually shop at Superstore anyway, so it's non-cashback points works well, but 4% would be better.

Edit: I guess a question would be what is the ideal card for somebody who puts about $1500 - $2000 in expenses on their card monthly. And are points better than cash back for taxes, etc.

[Calgary14]

Originally Posted by Wormius

It's an intriguing offer. Is it limited to certain grocery stores /gas stations? I wonder how than compares then to a no-fee PC Mastercard. I usually shop at Superstore anyway, so it's non-cashback points works well, but 4% would be better.

Edit: I guess a question would be what is the ideal card for somebody who puts about $1500 - $2000 in expenses on their card monthly. And are points better than cash back for taxes, etc.

The 4% cash back is limited to stores that are classified as gas or groceries. So for example wal mart doesn't count even if you get groceries there. It works for us as we shop at Safeway for groceries and get gas at husky or Esso. Not sure about the no fee PC Card but as far as cash back goes the scotiabank infinite is currently the best.

[WilsonFourTwo]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

We use the Scotia visa infinite cash back card and so far it has been great. 4% cash back on gas, groceries and 2% on recurring bills. They also waive the first years annual fee. Definitely worth it if you spend a decent amount every month on gas/groceries and it adds up quickly

+1 for Scotia VISA Infinite.

It may take some effort (nothing a Sunday morning can't fix) to get all of the recurring bills setup, but then you just sit back and do nothing.

I use the card almost every time that I can (feels weird doing so for a $7.00 sushi tray or buying a movie ticket, haha) and it adds up quick. Through December and January, my cashback balance is ~$150 already.

What people often forget are the big 'one of' items during the year. A new couch, a replacement hot water tank, the airfare to go visit a friend/relative. Add in (if applicable) all of the work related expenditures and the November cheque grows in value quickly.

[WilsonFourTwo]

Originally Posted by Wormius

It's an intriguing offer. Is it limited to certain grocery stores /gas stations? I wonder how than compares then to a no-fee PC Mastercard. I usually shop at Superstore anyway, so it's non-cashback points works well, but 4% would be better.

Edit: I guess a question would be what is the ideal card for somebody who puts about $1500 - $2000 in expenses on their card monthly. And are points better than cash back for taxes, etc.

Here's a good place to start:
http://www.moneysense.ca/debt/credit...dit-cards-2013

And the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada has a decent tool:
http://www.fcac-acfc.gc.ca/Eng/resou...-OutilsIn.aspx

When I was looking at cards, I realized that the $1500-$2000 range is where cashback starts pulling away from travel/merch rewards cards. Of course it depends on how much is 4%, 2%, and 1%, but it definitely made sense for me.

[ae118]

We have the Westjet card and put most of our expenses on it. It's been working out for us so far - the $99 round trip flight annually is great, and we accumulate points at a decent pace, from my perspective. We bought a free ticket to Saskatoon in September which was the last time our balance was low I think - now we have about $600 in rewards dollars and our $99 flight voucher for 2014 just was added to our account. We fly Westjet most often anyway, so it's not an inconvenience for the points to be non-transferable.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[roadblock]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

http://www.moneysense.ca/2012/08/22/...it-cards-2012/

If you're in the CP 1% club, they are offering $250 Westjet dollars if you sign up for a RBC Westjet World Elite Mastercard. There is a $99 annual fee, but you also get a companion voucher each year for only $99 plus taxes.

I also did some research and if you do a lot of US shopping, the Amazon Rewards Visa from Chase does NOT charge the standard 2.5% fee on currency conversion. Add to that 1% Amazon points on purchases, and it's a pretty good supplemental card considering no annual fee.

I just picked up the Amazon Visa, pretty much the only card out there with no annual fee that has no foreign exchange currency fee!
Was also looking at the Westjet Mastercard for my main card after I ditch AirMiles, still not sure though.

[Hi-Psi]

I'm looking to get the Amex Aeroplan gold card and was wondering if anyone on here wants to trade referrals? If you are looking to get the regular Amex Gold Rewards card and have the Amex Aeroplan already then we can swap referrals and help each other out.

Let me know if you are interested!

Jason

[Calgary14]

Does anyone still use air miles? We have an air miles bmo mastercard but noticed they've been making changes to their program with most of the changes for the worse. It seems like it takes years to accumulate enough air miles for a decent flight

[Hi-Psi]

I would ditch the Airmiles BMO card and get the World Elite from BMO. Air Miles are hardly ever worth it form my experience as they charge a ridiculous amount of fees when booking.

[roadblock]

Originally Posted by Hi-Psi

I would ditch the Airmiles BMO card and get the World Elite from BMO. Air Miles are hardly ever worth it form my experience as they charge a ridiculous amount of fees when booking.

Hahaha I literally just did the same exact thing! Best rewards out of the big banks and very similar to the Capital One Aspire. 2 points for every dollar. Decided on it cause they are waiving the first years fees right now and I have a history with BMO already.

[Calgary14]

We ended up going with a scotiabank visa infinite. For our monthly spending it was the most cash back we could get. Seems good so far and I'm sure it will add up a lot faster than air miles

[DatSOOKin]

Does anybody have any credit card recommendations for a student? I've neglected getting a card until now, and figure I should start building up some good credit asap. Looking to find a free card that has some decent rewards.
Any recommendations or advice is welcome and appreciated.

[WilsonFourTwo]

It all depends on how good you are with your money (what rate you're willing to have) and the type of rewards you want.

Everyone seems to think the Scotiabank Scene card is great, but I don't understand how one or two movies a year make a card special.

I like RBC Cash Back MasterCard. Full-on interest rate so don't carry a balance, but 1% cashback is pretty nice, and no fee.

I reiterate my earlier point/post....and there's a 'Student specific' list

http://www.moneysense.ca/debt/credit...dit-cards-2013

[Daliwan]

Originally Posted by caff

A new good promo by Amex for AeroplanPlus Gold card: 30k Aeroplan miles and first year free: https://www.americanexpress.com/cana...ATEg4dAw%3D%3D

The 30k welcome bonus aeroplan miles now qualify for Aeroplan Distinction.

[TSXCman]

I've got the AMEX Aeroplan Gold card.

Just completed the $500 min charges in 3 months. Got 20,000 points.

If someone could use the referral, please PM and I can get the full 30,000.

Almost got banned from RFD for asking... but its impossible to beat anyone for the referral link.

[Daliwan]

Originally Posted by caff

A new good promo by Amex for AeroplanPlus Gold card: 30k Aeroplan miles and first year free: https://www.americanexpress.com/cana...ATEg4dAw%3D%3D

This 30k bonus Aeroplan miles promo will end by March 31.

[caff]

Originally Posted by DatSOOKin

Does anybody have any credit card recommendations for a student? I've neglected getting a card until now, and figure I should start building up some good credit asap. Looking to find a free card that has some decent rewards.
Any recommendations or advice is welcome and appreciated.

CIBC has two options for student credit card:

https://www.cibc.com/ca/credit-cards/student-cards.html

[Flames0910]

Originally Posted by DatSOOKin

Does anybody have any credit card recommendations for a student? I've neglected getting a card until now, and figure I should start building up some good credit asap. Looking to find a free card that has some decent rewards.
Any recommendations or advice is welcome and appreciated.

You probably want a no fee card for now, so the rewards will be smaller, but get a travel and/or cash back card as soon as you graduate and enter the workforce.

[caff]

Originally Posted by Daliwan

This 30k bonus Aeroplan miles promo will end by March 31.

There are so many competing offers in the market, so doubt Amex would end this promo.