im not that knowledgeable and there isnt as many anecdote data points regarding marriot but from numerous 10+ page threads ive read on rfd and here for each of these cc's, in essence only chase and cap1 (mostly chase) seem to be most stringiest when it comes to inquiry sensitivity, and account opening/closing. ive read data points of cards with virtually every other bank being lenient depending on your credit profile on letting you churn before 6 months, and some like MBNA dont care at all with respect to some of their reward credit cards when it comes to not only churning but holding multiples since theyre not issuing these rewards themselves(think western/choice/sony etc)

Rocketmiles bonus again, now 5K (vs. 3K Aeroplan promo), wow
www.rocketmiles.com/dream-5k

When I checked the link, it said "The promotion requires a promotion code". Do you have the promotion code?

If you google the URL, you'll see that there are some blogs that are promoting this promo. The URL from those blogs has a code built into the URL. That might do it.

Also:
Rocketmiles' website says that the promo ends June 1, but the T&C says it ends June 2.

Anyone else disappointed that its June 1 and there isn't any new CC offers. Seems like its been very quiet for the past couple of months.

Yeah, very quiet - esp. in the land of Amex....

One has to admit things were pretty damm good just a few months ago. Strike while the iron is hot!

First 4-5 months of 2014 were such a 'fertile' land for points, particularly Aeros, and it's no coincident that it was at a time when TD launched their line of Aero Visas, along with CIBC countering and up'ing the ante with their still-offered Aerogolds, and not to mention Amex, BMO throwing out their welcome points to cull in the herd during this tumultuous time. The terms I enjoyed to describe it were "literally raining points" and "card applicants making off like bandits".

Hi,

If anyoen knows any way to be able to purchase Hyatt points today thorugh the USA daily getaways , could you PM me?

Thanks

Alex

AMEX Gold FYF is back. Don't know if it's been back for a while but I just noticed it.

I don't think it ever left, did it? It's been FYF for a few years now. The one change they made recentley (Sep 2014) was that the welcome points were elevated from 15K to 25K MR.

Wait...what year is it??
(JK'ing)

was always here, right?

Hi everyone! I'm new here, but I've been reading for a while...I think this is probably the most appropriate place to ask my questions/get advice, but if there's a better thread, please let me know .

So, I'm one of those CIBC Aerogold people who is being switched over to TD. I'm not impressed with the way it is going, particularly because I have been given the TD Platinum instead of the TD Infinite.

I understand that I will continue to pay 120$/yr for the same benefits as I had with CIBC. What irks me is that TD's 120$ product (Infinite) is superior to the Platinum card, but if I want the Platinum card, I have to reapply and take the credit check hit. If I'd wanted to do that, I would have done it while I could get the FYF and bonus point promos. But they only told me that I'd be getting the Platinum instead of the Infinite after the deadline for the promos. Editted to add that I also just got billed last week by CIBC for my 120$ AF!

So if I'm going to go through the hassle of reapplying, changing all of my pre-authorized payments, and taking the hard credit check, I figured I'd shop around for a new card that better suits my needs.

- I currently charge about 50k to my card/yr; I estimate about 18k in groceries/gas, 5-10k in travel, the rest is restaurants, merchandise, services.

- My priority is getting the best travel insurance.

- My next priority would be rewards; they don't need to be Aeroplan, as I don't usually redeem for actual flights (they just don't work for me - I travel with my kids, and since none of them can fly alone, I'd need enough points for all of us). I'm open to cash back or hybrid cards...

- I have found that there is not really one single card that can do it all well. I am open to using 3-4 cards to cover my wants, but will start with 1, then add others later. I don't want too many hard hits on my credit file, and I need it to be impeccable in 2 years.

So here is what I have come up with for now:

National Bank World Mastercard
pro's
- By far the best insurance coverage out there - it covers Travel medical for trips up to 60 days if under 55yrs, 31 days 55-64yrs, and 15 days 65-74 yrs; Trip cancellation $2500pp no max; Trip Interruption $5000pp no max; Flight delay, bag delay; triple warranty; purchase insurance 180 days.
- 1.5 pts/$1 spent up to 20k, then 2 pts/$ from 20-30k
- redeem points for statement credit 11k pts =100$; 50k=$500; easy process
- $125 yearly fee, 2nd card free
- estimated savings if I put everything on this card: 80k pts = about 680$/yr after AF
- estimated savings if only 33K in non-grocery/gas: about $380/yr after AF
- extra bonus is the National Bank World lounge access at Montreal airport - I work there and often have 3-4 hr breaks at the airport.

Con's:
- no promotions - no bonus points, FYF, GCR etc. Nothing.
- only lounge access is the one in Montreal
- no travel accident insurance (common carrier), but honestly, the odds of getting killed in a plane crash, on a purchased ticket, are slim. And even then, I'd be covered by personal life insurance and AD&D coverage, and the airline's own compensation.
- don't know why this card isn't more popular??
- I'm looking for stories of real-life experience with insurance claims - there's no point in getting this card for the improved insurance if it is going to be a battle every time.

Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite
- great cash back 4% on groceries/gas; 2% on pharmacy and recurring bills 1% everything else.
- 99$/yr, 2nd card 30$/yr; FYF for both cards; 100$ gift card through GCR
- while it does have some insurance, it doesn't have the more important Trip Cancellation that I am looking for.
- savings if I only charge 18k/yr groceries and gas = $620 after AF
- if this card had an expanded travel insurance product, I wouldn't need any other card

Amex
- I'm thinking of adding an Amex product, mainly for the bonus points and to use for groceries/gas at Costco. But which one? I'd use the points for Aeroplan, either collecting into Aeroplan directly, or converting 1:1
- I would be churning this one
- I checked the insurance benefits, and there's nothing there that seems to improve on the NB World, other than having high satisfaction when claiming.

Chase Amazon
- I do a lot of travelling to the US and it would be nice to avoid foreign transaction fees.
- For now I have an RBC account in the US and use a visa debit card for purchases. I fund the account through XE.com or CanadianForex.com (which just reduced it's minimum transactions to 1000$. I could look into getting the credit card that goes with this acct.

Have I missed any significant options?
Is there a card in here that I should apply for first?
Which Amex card would you recommend?
And will churning the Amex cards affect my credit score?

Thanks so much!

Wow, you've got my vote for best First-Post! That is a mouthful!

You asked a lot, but I'll address what I can in rapid fashion.

You probably had the regular gold CIBC Aerogold Visa, that's why you were sold into a TD Platinum. If you carried the CIBC black AeroInfinte, then it would have converted to a TD Infinite Aero Visa... btw, the AF of the Platinum Visa is actually $89/yr, not $120.

Yes, correct, you're going to get a new credit pull with any new card application. Unless you can convince them to upgrade your new/existing TD Platinum Visa to the Infinite, which would then bypass the credit pull. If you're really lucky they might even upgrade you with the $0 FYF and 15,000 Aeros, as some people got this a month or two ago.

The National Bank of Canada World MC, I have the World Elite version of the NBC MC, via a targeted postal mailer sent to me with "By Invitation Only", but others had been able to get it by calling in to enquire (not easy though). It was on promo earlier this year at $0 FYF. Also, it provides up to $250 credit for various aiport fees ($100 parking, $100 baggage fees and $50 airline seat selections). If you go for this card, call and ask if they still have this promo, and for these features. I too like the 60days medical coverage, and you don't need to use it to purchase your travel/flights for this coverage.

The Amex Gold will not count for 2x points on groceries at Costco/Walmart, unless you can call and convince them. Use the GCR $50 cash rebate to apply for this one, for 25,000 MRs and $0FYF.

You said you don't care much for Aeroplan, but the Amex Aeroplan Plus Gold is the only really good option as a $0 FYF card with 30,000 Aeros using a referral (5,000 less via direct signup, such as $40 cash rebate at GCR).

The Chase Amazon.ca Visa is a no-fee and no forex fee card, so it's a keeper. Be careful with using this for rental cars out-of-country, as I don't think there is any insurance coverage. I would avoid if that is the case, I just don't recall right now but can check on it later.

Credit scores, for the most part, are less affected by applying for CHARGE cards (the Amex Rewards and Aeroplan Plus are CHARGE cards). Visa and Master generally will result in bigger drops in your score, but it's really on a per person basis, so YMMV.

Regular Aerogold got transferred to a grandfathered TD platinum with $120 annual fee and 1 mile per $1

The public TD Platinum has $89 annual fee and 1 mile per $1.50