Perhaps just some useless info. I needed some SPG points. Transferred twice from MR. First time it took two days to hit my SPG account. Second time they were there the next day. Not bad at all. Too bad SPG can't transfer to their airline partners that fast.

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.

Fresh start is a no brained. Those premium flights on BA have gone up in cost due to Avios deval. Partner flights on Cathay even more so.

You're spending at least $30k a year on your cards. I'd put as much as I can on SPG.

I would use the Chase Marriott for car rentals, since the Chase Amazon.ca Visa does not offer this insurance, otherwise, everything else 'foreign' goes onto the Amazon card.

If you pre-load either one of these Chase Visa cards with a positive credit balance before your trip, then CC cash advances at a Visa machine will not incur the daily interest charges, just a $5 minimum fee plus the associated ATM fee, if any. Use this as an emergency backup cash fund source.

Does anyone know if there is a score penalty for having a positive balance on a card?

I've pre-loaded +$1500 onto my Chase Amazon.ca Visa, and did not notice any impact in my credit file. YMMV.

definitely not , they report it as a $0 balance

Just a followup with my data point, I got approved for this with a very real and established but very small (unincorporated) business.

App is pretty self-explanatory and I was straight up about everything with the modest revenue which forms just under 10% of household income. I was fully prepared for them to say no, but they gave me the thumbs up after sending me a letter asking me to call in with some more details.

20K and FYF sounds pretty good to me... at first glance it looks like the card has the same benefits as the regular CIBC Aerogold, so I'm not sure why the $180 fee.

Hey guys, I just got this in my email:

I just got this via email:

Welcome aboard the Executive Club. Now that you're a member, it's time to start reaping the benefits and there is no better place to start than with the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite card.

Apply now and you'll receive 15,000 Avios upon approval and through this exclusive email offer only, get an extra 15,000 Avios if you spend $5,000 in your first two months^. Plus, earn even more Avios with every purchase you make*.


so that's double the bonus signup-points from the usual 15k on the RBC website, but with a somewhat harsh 5k in 2 months spending requirement? It doesn't list an expiry date for the offer, but check your emails! of note, also: This offer is only available to new RBC British Airways Visa Infinite cardholders. Additional cardholders, as well as existing RBC British Airways Visa Infinite cardholders as of the offer eligibility period, are not eligible for this offer.

so that's like 900-1200 (depending on how you value Avios, 0.03-0.04c/M) for a 165 annual fee if you can get the spending. Anyone else get this email? Think it might be highly targeted so I'm a bit wary about posting my personal link haha

Not targeted. Publicly advertised on http://www.britishairways.com/en-ca/...s/credit-cards

Avios is definitely not worth 0.03-0.04cpm. You can buy them from 0.01-0.02cpm on redemption for most awards.

Also, why has no one mentioned the Capital One Delta Skymiles CC?

That's probably one of the best cards right now, even in comparison to the US, since it earns 2 miles per dollar on all spending. With the Canadian dollar at 0.80-0.85, that makes it nearly 2.4 miles per USD.

Even if you don't like Skypesos, even valuing it at 1cpm (which it's not), it would still be the best card for value delivered.

Because none of the Canadian bloggers write about it....

It's definitely an interesting card. And I am considering getting it. The issue is that apart from spending, there aren't a bunch of ways to earn Skypesos in Canada. So you can't build a "critical mass" of points via Amex points (e.g. only 1 Amex MR: 0.75 Delta Skymiles transter ratio) as easily as you can for Avios or Aeroplan. And I'm also not a fan of Delta's dynamic pricing system. Rewards to different regions can fluctuate wildly in terms of points required. And Europe in general is not a good deal vs., say Aeroplan.

Notwithstanding the above, I think having those points opens up some interesting options. Like China Airlines new business class JFK-TPE. Or Korean Air. And since Delta now allows one-way awards it can actually make planning trips a bit more flexible.

What are your favourite uses of Delta points?

This card is definitely interesting (I'm a card addict, so take the comment with a grain of salt). However:
1) As noted above, $5k spend in 2 months is pretty steep especially if you have other cards on the go
2) $165 annual fee is very steep. I know, 0.55c/Avios is pretty good. But if you have the option the Amex Biz Gold is much better. I guess if there's a lull in your cycle it could fill in the void.
3) The companion pass is earned on a calendar year basis. Since its nearly June already, that issue will prevent me from getting this card.

Agree on all points, I was going to mention the calendar year also. I received 50000 when I got this card, maybe as the year end gets closer the bonus will go up....

There are a lot of cashback/gift cards offers around for Scotiabank cards. I don't think this one has been mentioned before:

Scotia SCENE Visa: No annual fee, 2000 pts after 1st purchase (= 2 free movies) and $75 Gift Card (Amazon.ca or Starbucks or Winners/Homesense).
Depending on where you go to the movies, a SCENE point is worth $0.012-0.017. The card is earning 1x on everyday purchases and 5x on purchases at Cineplex and Sportchek. That's 6 to 8% on bonus category purchases and 1.2-1.7% elsewhere.