'Qualifying Purchases' For Sign-Up Minimum Spends [CANADA]?
 

I have a couple of cards where I am trying to meet the minimum spend. In both cases, the cards highlight that the purchases have to be 'eligible' or 'qualifying' retail purchases in order to count towards the minimum spend.

One of my cards is an MBNA card, and there is no definition anywhere of what they consider a 'qualifying retail purchase'. That's rather frustrating, because perhaps they could exclude certain transations (like PayPal charges, Starbucks gift card re-loads, bill payments or certain merchants that perhaps aren't considered 'retail'?).

The other card is an RBC card. They are more specific in the fine print as to what they consider an eligible purchase. They even go as far to say that 'one time bill payments' are not eligible, only 'pre-authorized bill payments' are eligible.

I suppose playing it safe would be in order if you're not sure if a certain transaction qualifies towards your minimum spend, but it's really frustrating when they don't award your points until 8 weeks after you've met your minimum spend, because you probably have to call to get them added (like I think I am going to need to do with both of these cards).

My Amex Gold had my points in my account the SECOND I met the minimum spend. Now, that's service!

Anyway - if anyone could shed some light on the qualifying purchases term, it would be much appreciated! :)

Normally "qualifying purchases" means transactions where you're actually buying something. So that excludes annual fees, late fees, disputed/refunded charges, etc. Paypal and gift card purchases are totally fine.