No need to have to, but useful to keep all true spent on a higher earning card while still getting sign up bonuses with spend requirements.

I get that. I just think that if you're taking advantage of these offers you should have the income to support a minimum spend legitimately. If one has scheme to these levels, I don't want them messing it up for the rest of us.

I wish we had better hotel credit cards in Canada. The AMEX SPG is the best one we have and only 1 starpoint per $ on non-hotel purchases, plus annual fee.

Depending on your usage it's actually a better card then Amex Gold Rewards in certain instances, gives you 5K extra when converting 20K, that's 1.25 miles/points for all purchases that Gold only gives you 1/$.

Same here. I am hoping to see more hotel co-branded credit cards as well in Canada. The AMEX SPG is decent, except that we only earn 1 Starpoint for all purchases, there is no bonus category. Definitely hoping to see the first year annual fee waived at some point.

Definitely how you leverage your points does play a role. Though I would say, if you can, just get both.

Well, I'm looking for a card for hotel stays, so I wouldn't be looking to convert to miles... For flights, I am already using/churning the Aeroplan /Amex Gold (regular and Business) cards.

Also, don't know why there are no good cards that give extra points for restaurant spending.I have the Scotia Amex Gold, which does give 4%, but of course, the restaurant I frequent doesn't accept AMEX.There is also the Costco Mastercard which gives 3%, but I would love to have a hotel/flight rewards card that gave extra points on dining, rather than a cashback card.

Any one manage to get a retention for the Amex SPG?

Yeah, I got 7000 points retention in November for the Canadian SPG Amex. Spend was between 20K and 30K.

I agree

Only card I know of is Chase Marriott VISA card
Double Marriott points on Restaurants

RBC BA card now offers 30k Avios - 15k upon enrollment, another 15k after $5k spend within 2 months. $165 AF. Offer ends June 30.

Last time this came around the same time as the 50% Avion:Avios bonus. Hoping to see it June 1st.

RBC's website still shows the 15k offer, but you can get the 30k from BA's website:
http://www.britishairways.com/en-ca/...s/credit-cards

Might be a good time to product switch.

I use my Marriott Visa exclusively at restaurants and for my foreign currency purchases...that's what it's best for!

Might only be good for new apps...not a product switch...

What makes you say that?

From experience...but every bank/card differs. Sometimes the application link is required to post an extra sign-up bonus OR there is a rule that extra bonuses only apply to new applications. A product switch may only post the 'regular' sign-up bonus. Best to check...

I have switched RBC products numerous times now and always got whatever bonus was advertised. I've have maintained BA for about 5 years for the first/business class companion pass and also rotate between Avion(15000), WestJet($250 westjet dollars + companion pass, and Shoppers(free but comes with optimum points)). In my opinion the value of BA has really decreased and am going to focus on Avion due to transfer bonuses to American who has way lower taxes than BA, or to BA if you want. I would actually cancel my BA but I have trips booked and the terms state that you must have a card in good standing at time of travel. Depends what you are redeeming for I guess, but at $165.00/yr the taxes are brutal, availability is terrible unless you book a year out that it is less and less attractive. 30000 points is way easier to get with a free Amex gold card for 25000 and an Avion which will give at least 15000 for $120/yr plus a 50% transfer bonus regularly. Looks like you would get 47500 for $120 with more flexibility.