What do you this of this though?

" The 30,000 points will be awarded as follows: 20,000 points will be awarded on activation of the card and the remaining 10,000 points will be awarded one year after the card is issued on the account anniversary date."

That sucks, and so does the fact that redemption is tiered, the first level is 11K points, the next is 22K. So unless you do a fair bit of spend to get it up to 22K somehow you don't even get the $200 value on those points… not so hot for churning IMO. Though w/ the fee redemptions maybe it comes closer.

Good summary of the program here: http://forums.redflagdeals.com/natio.../#post23381551

Re: your Westjet question:
Pay the $99 annual fee; it won't be refundable. Keep the card a minimum of 6 months before cancelling.

folks, would appreciate some feedback on this weird issue:

1. wife applied for mbna alaska card (2nd one in 6 months) - was under review.
2. she called and agent informed her that there was an issue with her name when the credit profile was pulled. the agent informed her that either she could send a bank statement showing proof of her married name or the agent could approve a card showing her "firstname maidenname lastname".
3. wife chose the latter.
4. activated card and made minimal spend.
5. i had her call mbna to confirm the alaska mileage plan # on record and it was a new #. she asked the agent to change it her existing plan # and that was corrected.
5. first bill comes in and shows the correct mileage plan # along with 25k points earned.
6. its almost 2 months now and the points have not posted.
7. wife called mbna and the agent says it could be due to the fact that the mileage plan # was changed and it could take another 6 to 8 weeks.

is the last point true or was the agent being lazy and trying to get us off the phone?

Has she checked the "reward balance" in the MBNA website? Is the 25,000 points shown there and does it indicate it has been transferred out to the mileage plan?

Sometimes MBNA mess up with the mileage plus account number or the agent really trying to get you off the phone( but some agents are excellent though).

Every time I applied for an MBNA Alaska card they initiated a new MP number. Last time when I called the MBNA agent said they were not able to change to my existing MP # as the 25K is in the process of transferring to MP, and request me to call Alaska directly to merge my old and new account as the points was posted.

Then I called Alaska and they didn't see any 25,000 points in the newly initiated account. I opened up MBNA online site and actually saw the 25,000 was in "MBNA reward balance", which indicated that the points have not been transferred out to Alaska MP.

Alaska MP agent was kind enough to send a note to MBNA to tell them my actual MP# and at the end the points are posted directly to my existing MP account 2 months later.

Try to be on top of it and continue to monitor your MBNA and Alaska accounts.

If it's less than two months it might just still be that the points haven't transferred. My last card took two billing cycles.

RBC Westjet World Elite expands companion pass
 

Companion pass previously only allowed for $99 (plus taxes/fees) companion ticket within CAnada and U.S.

They've expanded, but charge $299 for Hawaii, Mexico, Caribbean and $399 for UK Ireland.

Will have to look at it more closely, but seems like you're getting 50% discount on the new destinations vs. what I'd be willing to pay.

WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard holders treated to unmatched benefits
Tuesday, March 01, 2016 11:00:00 AM (GMT)

Companion voucher now good for travel across airline's network

CALGARY, Mar. 1, 2016 /CNW/ - WestJet announced today that cardholders of the WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard can now redeem their companion voucher for travel anywhere in the WestJet network, including Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii and Europe. The first checked bag at no charge benefit has also been extended to include the entire network.

"This upgraded benefit confirms WestJet's commitment to our WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard holders who asked for access to our entire network when using their companion voucher," said Marshall Wilmot, WestJet Senior Vice-President, Marketing and Digital. "We are thrilled to now offer unrestricted access to the WestJet network without requiring a minimum annual card spend or high annual fees. This companion benefit along with the first checked bag at no charge is unmatched in the travel rewards credit card market in Canada."

The companion voucher is part of the welcome bonus and annual renewal award available to new and existing WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard holders. This offer allows the primary cardholder to take a companion on a round trip on the same itinerary for $99 (Canada and contiguous U.S.), $299 (sun destinations including Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean), or $399 (U.K. and Ireland), plus taxes, fees and charges on any WestJet-marketed and operated flight anywhere in the WestJet network.

Better, but as far as Hawaii goes the AS card still beats this hands down at $99 plus taxes.

I wonder if you need to pay fuel surcharges to London...

Yes, but for those of us where AS doesn't fly for a connection, it would be handy. Then again I've seen some really cheap Hawaii fares from YYZ, so who knows?

Or the APD other UK fees...looking at AP bookings I think that's ~$200 ticket.

I don't think this new perk makes the card that much more attractive. Let's take a Caribbean flight, where you pay $500. This perk would be worth $500 - $299 - $99 annual fee = $100, or less after tax. Something like that. There's an obvious incentive to look for a more expensive flight, but then the savings are nullified since primary passenger is paying more (i.e. not $500).

Considering I paid $420 to fly Westjet to Cancun this winter, i'm not really motivated by this offer. But hey, kudos to them for adding something.

Anyone know how sticky BMO is on giving welcome bonuses for other products after you've already had a card with them?

I recently cancelled my BMO World Elite MC and I thought that I'd given the BMO Air Miles World Elite MC a spin at some point. I'm in no rush, I can wait a year or more if need be.

Don't like this at all! It forces you to renew for the 2nd year and pay the annual fees.

I actually just went down that path so I can give you a confirmed answer in the next few months (just received card, working on the spend, havent gotten 1st statement yet).

I talked to their branch staff and call center agents and they seem to actually suggest doing this , since their offers arent applicable to product transfers, so they recommend to apply for a new card to get the promo miles. They also seemed to agree with me that if i downgrade my existing World Elite prior, the premium plan fee waiver will cover the new AM World Elite's AF.

Also, I've gotten the bonuses twice at least for BMO World Elite, including a mistake double bonus the first time (60K points), but 3rd time didnt seem to work (last year). Might just need to wait longer for repeat product attempts...

Agreed. That plus the 10% hit for lower tier makes this offer junk for us for the time being.

How strict are CIBC with approvals? I know plenty of people have gotten multiple approvals on the Aerogold Business, but last time I got rejected for it. If I'm looking to apply for this card as well as an Amex card on my next cycle, would it be advisable to do CIBC first, then Amex, since Amex is known to be ultra-lenient with approvals?