Originally Posted by
tnkngn
Currently holding the AMEX AP Gold card, $120 annual fee, and I'm looking for advice on switching AMEX cards (or cancel it altogether, depending on the advice I'm getting).
When I first got this card, I signed up mainly to use it as a second card beside my CIBC VISA Infinite, which I use for pretty much all daily personal & business expenses.
I hardly ever use the AMEX card, other than at Costco.
Since I am pretty much throwing $120 out the window, what would you guys suggest I switch to as a second card?
Been considering upgrading to the AMEX PLAT product for the extra 50,000 AP miles, not sure about that though.
I am AC Elite 'til 2013, so lounge access would be covered for this year (which doesn't look like a lot of travel for now, other than personal trips, maybe work travel will pick up again later in the year).
Have been reading through posts regarding this topic, but can't come up with a good strategy, so I thought I'd go public and ask the experts on here.
Any suggestions?
Sounds like you are looking for Spending Points more than Signup bonuses. You may be better off with the
Amex Gold. It's not an Aeroplan only card (you can transfer to Aeroplan or other mileage program). This one comes with a 15K signup bonus and the first year is free. You get 1 to 1 points on regular spending and as a bonus you get 2 points for Travel, Pharmacy, Grocery and Gas.
Here is the link (If you (or anyone) uses this link I will get a referral bonus- thank you)
http://email.americanexpress.com/a/h...CPID=999996100
If you are looking for some serious signup bonuses (with a yearly fee), jump on the
Aeroplan Platinum Card, if you signup before March 16 2012 you'll get 50K bonus. To the bonus go to Aeroplan.ca, click on Promotions (on top) and you should see the bonus link or click here:
https://www1.aeroplan.com/promotions.do
The other card with a nice signup bonus is the
Amex Platinum (Non-Aeroplan). if you use this link you will get 30K Points:
(If you (or anyone) uses this link I will get a referral bonus- thank you)
http://email.americanexpress.com/a/h...CPID=999996100
If you are looking for the best of both worlds, Free Card (1st year) and signup bonuses, look at these:
Amex SPG Card for consumers
Amex SPG Card for small business (you don't need a small business, just put your name in the Business name field when you apply and select Consultant as a business type.)
For the above 2, use this link (to get the first year free)
http://www.americanexpress.com/canad...CPID=100034023
You can also get the
Amex Gold (Mileage Rewards) mentioned above
and the
Amex Gold for Business
For the above 2, use this link (to get the first year free)
http://email.americanexpress.com/a/h...CPID=999996100
(If you (or anyone) uses these link I will get a referral bonus- thank you)
My strategy is get as many signup bonuses as I can then cancel the card, wait 6 months to a year and re-apply. I do pay the yearly fees and if I can get the points down to 1 cent per point, I'm happy. I.E. the Amex Aeroplan Platinum at 50,000 bonus costs $499 per year. or 1 cent per point.