Originally Posted by
flipstah
Hoping some seasoned veterans can help me out here.
My current main card is the ScotiaBank Momentum Infinite VISA. Love the 4% return on groceries/gas, 2% on bills, and travel insurance is decent. Before this, I had the AMEX Platinum and LOVED IT(!) however the $699/year was a hard pill to swallow.
However, I moved to a new job where travelling is required and it's a reimbursement process, so I'm looking to maximize my personal return. So I need one with great travel insurance, good ratio on airline tickets primarily, and low/moderate annual fee.
I'm not picky on aligning myself to a bank but I don't like being limited to a certain alliance/airline so something with Aeroplan/WestJet are out. I wouldn't say no to Air Miles as I had good redemption through them before.
I did my due diligence and I found the following to fit me but I'm open to better cards or helping me pick which of the ones I gathered works best:
- SPG Amex: Love it because I love the Starwood product line and I have Gold with them. However it's 1:$1 ratio and might take a while to get some perks back.
- Marriott Rewards VISA by Chase: Love it because it has no added ForEx fee but I don't use the Marriott product line. Have no experience with them.
- AMEX Gold: Bread & butter with 2:$1 ratio for travel/gas, which will be the primary uses for the card but the $150/yr annual is on the high side. I *think* the insurance is up-to-par with the Scotia VISA I already own
- CapOne Aspire World Elite: 2:$1 on everything and bonus points galore. Unfamiliar with the CapitalOne redemption system though.
A combination of cards is a good choice. TD First Class Visa Infinite gives 4.5% CB on hotels AND flights. Downside is having to deal with Expedia CS and book through the Expedia portal, but I do that with >100 flights per year and it's been worth it for the savings. Good insurance coverage as well.
And then an Amex of your choosing. Either Plat for it's many associated perks, or the SPG for earning. The numbers only you can crunch.