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Old May 13, 2013, 10:15 pm
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Old Jul 29, 2015, 6:46 pm
  #2221  
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Programs: 25 million points to burn!
Posts: 1,522
Originally Posted by grandgourmand
All true but....MR accumulation suddenly got a lot worse in Canada now that we've moved to the 1x personal card per lifetime model. So transferring at 0.5:1 to SPG from MR isn't as easy to swallow anymore. For me, makes me look at my Aeroplan options a lot more closely. As that's where I can build critical mass of points.

I'm also worried that Amex SPG will have a lower earn rate at some point...because it's costing Amex more to buy those points from SPG.
I know, that's a big hit, but the U.S. has the same policy. With the TD Aeroplan cards still being churnable, I prefer using my SPG points for AS transfers, or as a great way of getting AA points in Canada.

And btw, there are essentially no SPG referral opportunities in the U.S.
Preacher7 is offline  
Old Jul 29, 2015, 7:15 pm
  #2222  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,784
Originally Posted by turbov6
Thanks for the heads up. The IHG Capital One may be coming to an end fairly soon. When I called today the agent seemed to think it had already been canceled but it is still showing up on the website.
Exactly why I applied tonight and got approved
Got to get it in before it's gone, buying 60K for $120
jerryhung is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2015, 4:27 am
  #2223  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: NB, Canada
Programs: Fairmont, Amex MR, Marriott
Posts: 2,531
Originally Posted by Smiley90
I know this is just the case in general, but it really bugs me how screwed we Canadians get on the SPG Amex

Starpoints earned:
Canada - 1 for everything
USA - 2 for stays, 1 for rest

... that's quite a big difference if one wants to focus on SPG stays&points
I agree on many of your points, but the point earning comparison is only much of a factor when about 30% or more of your spend is at Starwood hotels.

For those of us who use it much more for regular spend than hotel spend it is better at the higher annual fee and 1CAD to 1SPG conversion.
drwilliams is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2015, 5:54 am
  #2224  
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Programs: 25 million points to burn!
Posts: 1,522
Originally Posted by drwilliams
I agree on many of your points, but the point earning comparison is only much of a factor when about 30% or more of your spend is at Starwood hotels.

For those of us who use it much more for regular spend than hotel spend it is better at the higher annual fee and 1CAD to 1SPG conversion.
Another good point showing why Canadians have it better than Americans in this one aspect of the game: SPG. With the weak Canadian Peso, your earning rate is currently 25% higher than in the US.
Preacher7 is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2015, 8:52 am
  #2225  
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Canada
Programs: Aeroplan 50K, Bonvoy Titanium, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 292
Well here it is again. Convert points to Aeroplan and receive a bonus of up to 40,000 Aeroplan miles. Off valid July 27 – August 24.
loun80 is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2015, 8:59 am
  #2226  
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: YVR
Programs: Accor Platinum,Aeroplan,BA,Marriot Rewards, Alaska Airlines, Amex Platinum, SPG
Posts: 190
Originally Posted by jerryhung
Exactly why I applied tonight and got approved
Got to get it in before it's gone, buying 60K for $120
Me too, just applied and got approved! I wasn't going to apply since it says under the definition of excellent credit that you can't have applied for credit within the last 3 months. I had an online chat with an agent and he said go for it and sent me an application link
kay sedia is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2015, 9:14 am
  #2227  
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: YVR
Programs: I'm a nobody everywhere
Posts: 424
Originally Posted by Preacher7
Another good point showing why Canadians have it better than Americans in this one aspect of the game: SPG. With the weak Canadian Peso, your earning rate is currently 25% higher than in the US.
It really doesn't make any difference for Canadians that earn and spend in Canadian dollars.
teriyaki is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2015, 9:24 am
  #2228  
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: yyz
Posts: 1,611
Originally Posted by teriyaki
It really doesn't make any difference for Canadians that earn and spend in Canadian dollars.
It makes a big difference on redemption decisions.

If you're using points on SPG hotels in the US you're spending the same as you did before.

If you're considering cash, you're facing a 30% increase in price all else equal versus this time last year.

So the pay cash vs. use points is now more of a no-brainer. It has made hotel points overall more valuable, if you happen to use them in the US (which I haven't much, but probably will).

And the cost of accumulating those points hasn't changed it's true. you're still spending $1 to get 1 SPG. The point being made above, though, is that for a Canadian it's the equivalent of spending US70c per SPG point versus Americans that have to spend USD$1 per SPG point. So we have it better.
grandgourmand is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2015, 9:34 am
  #2229  
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan, Alaska, Marriott
Posts: 435
might be a lot more places to use Starpoints soon

http://seekingalpha.com/news/2676315...-in-deal-talks
Cerenity is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2015, 9:38 am
  #2230  
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: yyz
Posts: 1,611
Originally Posted by Cerenity
might be a lot more places to use Starpoints soon

http://seekingalpha.com/news/2676315...-in-deal-talks
That's not good. Not a merger of equal. SPG gets rolled into IHG program, which isn't as good (though better IMO than Marriott and Hilton from a redemption perspective).
grandgourmand is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2015, 1:14 pm
  #2231  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YYJ
Posts: 2,230
Originally Posted by grandgourmand
That's not good. Not a merger of equal. SPG gets rolled into IHG program, which isn't as good (though better IMO than Marriott and Hilton from a redemption perspective).
Might not have to worry. There's a post in the spg forum here that with a link to a new article says talks have ended. But, there is also another post about a Chinese group trying to buy starwood.
BenSenise is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2015, 3:39 pm
  #2232  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: YYC
Programs: No
Posts: 70
Originally Posted by jerryhung
Yep, got my Aventura Infinite at YYZ too
FYF wasn't automatic but quick call to CIBC, they fixed it easily (as an exception)
I wished I applied for Aeroplan Infinite instead of Aventura though, since I have no use for Aventura and it's no longer transferable. It's almost as bad as Air Miles, ha ha
What's the best use of Aventura points? I did some searching, seems short distance redemptions give best value for points. However, unlike for Aeroplan etc., can't seem to find an Aventura thread?
rataplan is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2015, 3:42 pm
  #2233  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,784
Originally Posted by rataplan
What's the best use of Aventura points? I did some searching, seems short distance redemptions give best value for points. However, unlike for Aeroplan etc., can't seem to find an Aventura thread?
No idea, I struggle to use it myself
I should've signed up for the CIBC Aerogold instead of Aventura

honestly I may simply let my 15K Aventura go to waste because I don't see any real good value reward to redeem... and it can't transfer out either
jerryhung is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2015, 3:44 pm
  #2234  
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YVR to SEA
Posts: 2,535
Aventura lost all appeal after they stopped allowing Aeroplan transfers.

14k gets you a $100 GC (costco being most useful)

https://rewards.cibcrewards.com/Rewa.../0/680100/None
crimsona is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2015, 3:50 pm
  #2235  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,784
Originally Posted by crimsona
Aventura lost all appeal after they stopped allowing Aeroplan transfers.

14k gets you a $100 GC (costco being most useful)

https://rewards.cibcrewards.com/Rewa.../0/680100/None
Didn't know they offer Gift Cards
I'll cash out for $100 Gas gift card then, thanks!

Wasted 1 credit check for $100 GC, boo, at least it's Free.
jerryhung is offline  


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