That's fair, the word "discriminatory" wasn't used in a negative context, but more in its original context, in the sense of segregating (ha, here we go, another improper word :) ) borrowers based on certain factors. You're right that creditworthiness is likely an acceptable factor, but I don't know how far you can take it in Canada compared to the USA, where taking out a cell phone line can affect your mortgage interest by x.x% just because you've picked up "a loan". I think we're a lot more straightforward about the way things work. Of course, I speak based only on my personal experience, and I'm not a banker, so take it fwiw. :)

Just noticed on my RBC Avion statement that they will be having a 20% conversion bonus for WestJet Dollars. BA Avios are worth more than that to me even without the (hopefully upcoming) 50% conversion bonus..

Now if only they ran another AA transfer bonus. I'm waiting.

When was the last one? And what was the bonus?

I've tracked promos in my sig. The last AA transfer seems to have been in fall 2013:

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/avion.../#post17586006

Anyone heard if we are having the 50% bonus for RBC Avion to BA Avios anytime soon? It's usually May 1st and I haven't seen anything documented yet, and usually they document it well in advance.

I have flights I want to book and I'll hold out another week to get the bonus, but if it's not coming May 1st, I'll likely transfer now...

Is there ever a good signup bonus for the Avion card? Like 25k+ points, or even 15k with FYF?


Cheers

they used to have an offer where you can get 15K + FYF as long as you have a competitor's VISA infinite card

it was always available but rarely advertised. havent tried lately so i dont know if it is still ongoing...

My guess is it will be June 1st this year.

+1 when I applied in December I got FYF +15k for telling them I was a Visa Infinite card holder at another bank. You can chat them online and ask if is still available. As soon as 15k posted I quickly turned it into 22.5k Avios. As soon as a decent RBC BA offer comes along again I will be product switching (no HP).

any limitations on the product switch? like how long before you can get the offer again? or if you can get the competitor VISA match offer a 2nd time?

I just converted the 15K + FYF Avion to a no fee card (AF was coming up)

thanks!!

I can't say forsure but from what I've seen RBC is more aggressive in eliminating churners compared to most other banks. I should have product switched to the BA card back in December when it was 30k for $5k spend $160 AF - buying @ .05cpp is pretty good. I just thought I might actually use the Avion card...:rolleyes:

Does anyone know if the Gold Amex Charge Card eventually (and when?) shows up on the Equifax credit file? I've had the card for 2 months now, with 2 statements generated, and it doesn't show up yet.

Mine did.

I've noticed they don't report to Equifax close to as frequently as they do Transunion. If you are concerned that it isn't reporting under the correct infornmation you can order a free annual Transunion credit report by calling this number:
1(800) 663-9980 (Prompt 1)

I would recommend doing this regardless. Its good to see whats going on across the board, especially because Amex always pulls from Transunion.

Is it RBC Avion=RBC reward points? I just find it confused

I'm using a RBC USA issued CC, this year I just find out 2 RBC US rewards points= 1 RBC Canada points:mad:, I thought they may just change the rule, so my RBC US reward point=0.75 Avios with 50% bonus, sounds very low to me.

and I find out RBC is not aggressive in CC business, for the last 5 years I can remember they just run Avios bonus twice with high spending requirement,and they don't have any FYF promo ........... BMO is also not aggressive ............no comparison to the US offer

Is there a way to ask Equifax or Amex to get the information listed with Equifax? I want to see my score jump through the roof :p

Submit missing account info to Equifax (fax or snail mail). I had to do that when I had a split file. Might need to include ID though

I transferred a bunch from an RBC USA issued CC to my RBC Rewards card in Canada a couple years back to find out only the Avion can transfer to BA (I downgraded when I moved to the US). They then apologized and matched me 1:1 instead of 2:1. I then product switched the regular rewards card to an Avion, got the bonus, and then transferred the whole lot to Avios when there was a 50% bonus :D

Can you CANCEL an RBC Avion Points Conversion?
 

I did a points conversion yesterday afternoon (RBC Avion to BA Avios) - even though there's a bonus coming soon, because I needed the points for a flight I want to book. And wouldn't you know it, some other Avios I thought would take a while to post came through this morning, so I don't need the extra points and want to save my Avion points for the conversion bonus.

Can I call to cancel the transfer if it's within 24 hours? I can give it a shot, but I don't want to bother with the call if anyone knows for sure it's not possible. TIA!

Hah I doubt you'll get an answer so quickly here, and the sooner you call the better the odds :D

LOL, yeah, I think I'll roll the dice and call at lunch! :cool:

Edit: I called, and YES, cancellations of a points conversion/transfer are allowed BUT, only on the same day. Since I did my conversion yesterday, I cannot cancel. Bummer...oh well, it was only 10,000. But still.... :(

Called Amex today, here is what credit department had to say:

As long as you ask for a new card inside the same range of cards from the one you already have, there is no credit inquiry. For example you have the gold and request the platinum = no credit check. You request the aeroplan reserve from the aeroplan platinum = no credit check. As long as you have impeccable history with Amex that is.

Amex always pulls from Transunion and posts monthly to Transunion. Amex occasionally pulls from Equifax (for example when there is a warning or consumer statement, etc.) and post to Equifax only every 6 months. If you call the credit department and let them know you are with Equifax, they will post monthly from the next billing cycle also to Equifax.

They could not comment on how Equifax works in that regard, or which specific information one would need to supply to Equifax to get the information in there faster then the next billing cycle.

They did comment that it would be the starting month that will be provided for the starting date, but could not comment on which year will be posted (might be whole foreign history years, might be only this year, they were not sure).

Can anyone confirm, when you do the Amex Global Transfer to Canada to the gold rewards card, do your years outside Canada get posted for the age of credit?

Yes, and even after canceling the Gold card, the age of my new Amex Simply Cash card also includes my U.S. credit history.

I call BS

On the topic of churning cards. I heard that it is best to keep a card for at least 6 months before churning. Does anyone know why?

For example, the T&C with the Chase Marriott Card says that they can take away your signup bonus if you cancel within the first six months. I just keep most cards as long as I can since that'll lengthen your average age of accounts, increasing your credit score.

I'm shortening 6 months to 4. I cancelled 2 gold cards at the same time (gold & aerogold) and the agent could not have been happier?!?! I do spend 12-14k/ month on my Aeroplat. Just did a spousal cross referral to the blue aero card, 2 referral bonus and 5k spend bonus got us 40k. The agent on the phone took about 20seconds to give me the card breakdown, must have been obvious what I was doing :).

In regards to TD however...what a pain in the a$$. I told the biz manager TD is not highly regarded in the credit card space. Not that he could do/say much. I hope my TD biz Aerogolds show up soon as my CIBC Aergold's fee is coming due in mid May. 2 bank visits and my now bothers address (co-owner)on Equifax isn't correct? The bank manager had to call Equifax to fix, shame the card will only be good until I get the CIBC bonus in 11 months time.TD is nit picky in the extreme!

Wrongly advised by RBC re Avion points
 

A while back, I downgraded by Avion to Gold Rewards to avoid the AF. RBC assured me I would not lose my Rewards points by doing so (I use them for AA / BA conversions). However, the Rep failed to inform me that the downgrade would eliminate airline conversions, so now I'm stuck with Rewards points for which I have no use.

Any advice on how best to approach RBC on this in terms of compensation? I'm wondering about asking to sign up again for Avion FYF, and get the welcome bonus. I don't mind a credit hit but would prefer to avoid.

I agree about TD, trying to get the last 10k points haa been a nightmare

Ditto. They are unbelievable. I'm sure glad I get them to confirm everything in each conversation I have with them. Already had to get them go back to a recording to get my FYF fee reversed. The latest is my final 10,000 points can now be credited four weeks after the three months was up (even though I spent $1000 within the first three weeks).

GCR clairty
 

I think many people, including myself, are misunderstanding the GCR MBNA Alaska rebate. The old offer was a $60 rebate upon approval. However, the new and temporary $25 rebate is only for submission of the application, regardless of approval. This also means that it is maximum 1 per person (YMMV of course).

A rep also confirmed that they will be switching back to the $60 approval rebate shortly, with no maximum rebates per individual.

Thanks for clarifying. Wondered how I got the $25 while being "under review".

You could ask for Avion, and transfer the points 1:1. I used to have the gold with them and upgraded to Westjet World Elite Mastercard, got 1 WJ$ for 100 points. The annual companion ticket sealed it for me. Hope this helps.

Interesting development


I know for the MBNA Platinum 0% card, supposedly, the $50 RFD cashback is also upon submission and not approval. My $50 is pending, I have yet to receive the card, so who knows

On the topic of Amex, posting to equifax and year of Amex influencing credit score:

Amex posted to Equifax virtually overnight. It has been on there now for 2 full business days.

It has had no influence on credit score - score remained the same even though the Amex says date opened 2003-11.

It says months reviewed 1 (even though there have been 2 statements in Canada and it is the second statement amount showing).

Should the months reviewed be 2 or all the way back to 2003?
Do charge cards from Amex not influence the credit score, and should they be credit cards to have an impact?

The score doesn't necessarily update immediately. I'm no credit score expert, but from what I've seen Equifax tends to adjust scores at the end of the month. Charge cards to have an impact.

Plastiq
 

Hi everyone,

Sorry, I am quite new at this so this topic might have been discusees...but does anyone have any experience with "Plastiq" website. Apparently it can be used to pay by cc for things you normally can't.

Thanks!

I've used it before. Be careful because some cards will label it as a cash advance. Keep in mind there is a 2.5% fee for using their service.

Thanks as always zer0k1!
So I guess there is no guarantee whether it will be considered as a regular card use or cash advance. In that case I would say it's not worth the risk.
Do you have any idea as to which cards consider it a cash advance? currently I have all three, amex (Glod), visa(TD) and MC (BMO)

I believe it is just visa cards. I've used amex without any issue.