Last edit by: jerry305
CANADIAN REFERENCE ON FLYERTALK
Canadian Credit Card Master List - Curated for Best Offer A complete listing of all the major credit cards in Canada along with their sign-up bonus, annual fee, CPM, and other pertinent information.
AMEX recent discussion American Express Canada application and reward strategies (2018) • Which credit card should I get? • Cards with good bonuses • List of Credit Cards with Great Welcome bonuses (RFD version)
BLOGS
Canadian Kilometers • PointsNerd • Rewards Canada • Don't Call the Airline! • Pointshogger • Canadian Travel Hacking
CONFERENCE
• PointsU conference (2018 & 2019 website)
Canadian Credit Card Master List - Curated for Best Offer A complete listing of all the major credit cards in Canada along with their sign-up bonus, annual fee, CPM, and other pertinent information.
AMEX recent discussion American Express Canada application and reward strategies (2018) • Which credit card should I get? • Cards with good bonuses • List of Credit Cards with Great Welcome bonuses (RFD version)
BLOGS
Canadian Kilometers • PointsNerd • Rewards Canada • Don't Call the Airline! • Pointshogger • Canadian Travel Hacking
CONFERENCE
• PointsU conference (2018 & 2019 website)
MilesBuzz: Canada
#2221
Join Date: Apr 2012
Programs: 25 million points to burn!
Posts: 1,522
All true but....MR accumulation suddenly got a lot worse in Canada now that we've moved to the 1x personal card per lifetime model. So transferring at 0.5:1 to SPG from MR isn't as easy to swallow anymore. For me, makes me look at my Aeroplan options a lot more closely. As that's where I can build critical mass of points.
I'm also worried that Amex SPG will have a lower earn rate at some point...because it's costing Amex more to buy those points from SPG.
I'm also worried that Amex SPG will have a lower earn rate at some point...because it's costing Amex more to buy those points from SPG.
And btw, there are essentially no SPG referral opportunities in the U.S.
#2222
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,784
Got to get it in before it's gone, buying 60K for $120
#2223
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: NB, Canada
Programs: Fairmont, Amex MR, Marriott
Posts: 2,531
For those of us who use it much more for regular spend than hotel spend it is better at the higher annual fee and 1CAD to 1SPG conversion.
#2224
Join Date: Apr 2012
Programs: 25 million points to burn!
Posts: 1,522
I agree on many of your points, but the point earning comparison is only much of a factor when about 30% or more of your spend is at Starwood hotels.
For those of us who use it much more for regular spend than hotel spend it is better at the higher annual fee and 1CAD to 1SPG conversion.
For those of us who use it much more for regular spend than hotel spend it is better at the higher annual fee and 1CAD to 1SPG conversion.
#2226
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: YVR
Programs: Accor Platinum,Aeroplan,BA,Marriot Rewards, Alaska Airlines, Amex Platinum, SPG
Posts: 190
Me too, just applied and got approved! I wasn't going to apply since it says under the definition of excellent credit that you can't have applied for credit within the last 3 months. I had an online chat with an agent and he said go for it and sent me an application link
#2227
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: YVR
Programs: I'm a nobody everywhere
Posts: 424
It really doesn't make any difference for Canadians that earn and spend in Canadian dollars.
#2228
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: yyz
Posts: 1,611
If you're using points on SPG hotels in the US you're spending the same as you did before.
If you're considering cash, you're facing a 30% increase in price all else equal versus this time last year.
So the pay cash vs. use points is now more of a no-brainer. It has made hotel points overall more valuable, if you happen to use them in the US (which I haven't much, but probably will).
And the cost of accumulating those points hasn't changed it's true. you're still spending $1 to get 1 SPG. The point being made above, though, is that for a Canadian it's the equivalent of spending US70c per SPG point versus Americans that have to spend USD$1 per SPG point. So we have it better.
#2229
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan, Alaska, Marriott
Posts: 435
might be a lot more places to use Starpoints soon
http://seekingalpha.com/news/2676315...-in-deal-talks
http://seekingalpha.com/news/2676315...-in-deal-talks
#2230
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: yyz
Posts: 1,611
might be a lot more places to use Starpoints soon
http://seekingalpha.com/news/2676315...-in-deal-talks
http://seekingalpha.com/news/2676315...-in-deal-talks
#2231
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YYJ
Posts: 2,230
Might not have to worry. There's a post in the spg forum here that with a link to a new article says talks have ended. But, there is also another post about a Chinese group trying to buy starwood.
#2232
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: YYC
Programs: No
Posts: 70
Yep, got my Aventura Infinite at YYZ too
FYF wasn't automatic but quick call to CIBC, they fixed it easily (as an exception)
I wished I applied for Aeroplan Infinite instead of Aventura though, since I have no use for Aventura and it's no longer transferable. It's almost as bad as Air Miles, ha ha
FYF wasn't automatic but quick call to CIBC, they fixed it easily (as an exception)
I wished I applied for Aeroplan Infinite instead of Aventura though, since I have no use for Aventura and it's no longer transferable. It's almost as bad as Air Miles, ha ha
#2233
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,784
I should've signed up for the CIBC Aerogold instead of Aventura
honestly I may simply let my 15K Aventura go to waste because I don't see any real good value reward to redeem... and it can't transfer out either
#2234
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YVR to SEA
Posts: 2,539
Aventura lost all appeal after they stopped allowing Aeroplan transfers.
14k gets you a $100 GC (costco being most useful)
https://rewards.cibcrewards.com/Rewa.../0/680100/None
14k gets you a $100 GC (costco being most useful)
https://rewards.cibcrewards.com/Rewa.../0/680100/None
#2235
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,784
Aventura lost all appeal after they stopped allowing Aeroplan transfers.
14k gets you a $100 GC (costco being most useful)
https://rewards.cibcrewards.com/Rewa.../0/680100/None
14k gets you a $100 GC (costco being most useful)
https://rewards.cibcrewards.com/Rewa.../0/680100/None
I'll cash out for $100 Gas gift card then, thanks!
Wasted 1 credit check for $100 GC, boo, at least it's Free.