Originally Posted by
pokee
The upgrade/downgrade card transfer trick is a great way to churn cards with the credit card accounts you already hold, to avoid pulls but also ensure you get a sign-up bonus! I have done this successfully with BMO, CIBC and now RBC. I know sometimes that certain sign-up bonuses are only good for new applicants/banking customers (CIBC, in particular, seems to have a lot of these deals to draw new customers), which is why it's always good to call to do the transfer (although, RBC appears to be the only bank that allows the online transfers).
FWIW, I get AMAZING value with my Avios, so I churn ANY card that I can get Avios out of! If I hadn't already upgraded to the Avion card with RBC, I may have gone back to the BA Visa! When I originally opened my RBC CC account in 2012, it was with a BA Visa when they had a 50,000 sign up bonus! That was quite the score! Paid for two tickets to Hawaii!
I agree that the value of avios has been great depending on redemptions, I also got 50000 sign up about 4 years ago. I have earned companion pass every year and redeemed 3 separate first/business to Europe for 2 of us, as well as an upcoming Vancouver-Bali-Vietnam-Tokyo trip on Cathay in business for 2. I have gotten a ridiculous amount of value even with the high taxes. It just seems now that Ive used all my avios maybe a fresh start with a lower tax program would be better, since availability can be so tight lately.