What's the best sign up bonus on the C1 Aspire? On the website, it's 10K, but isn't there something better?

GCR has 75 rebate now in addition to the 100 buck sign-up bonus, but it was 250 until the end of September...

First year is not waived, so take the annual fee into consideration too

At first, I was excited for that Tangerine card, allowing people who do not meet World Elite income requirements to get 2% on several categories. Then, as someone pointed out on RFD, there is actually a better alternative.
Turns out if you apply for the MBNA Rewards WE ($89 AF, FYF) but do not meet the World Elite income requirements, you may be approved for the Platinum Plus version of the card, which offers the same earnings (2 points/$ spent, redeemable for cashback) but no WE benefits.
It is not very well advertised on the mbna website, but if you read the fine print (bolding mine):
That makes the MBNA card a much better option for me!

just got email from Cap1

Redacted, see below. Indeed, unhelpful CS rep.

If you thought he was unhelpful why would you expect him to know what MBNA offers?

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/mbna-rewards-travel-platinum-plus-mc-1219168/

This card does exist.

I stand corrected.

Milesbuzz: Canada
 

I'm often/easily confused with the MBNA Reward Platinum Plus, and the MBNA Reward Travel Platinum Plus. The former earns 1%, I know cuz that's the card that was given to me when MBNA cancelled their affiliation with Choice hotels, and auto-converted it (but not to the Travel Platinum Plus). I called once to ask if I could get it converted to the no-fee RWE/RTP, but no dice. So, I shelved my card.

For those who plan to get the RTP, does it offer travel insurances when you use it to purchase flights/rental cars, etc.? Just wondering.

Airmiles not so bad
 

So I've been sitting on a chunk of Airmiles for the last few years. These were slowly collected passively without any attention. That is, I've got the card and am spending here so may as well collect. I made a redemption for a few hundred dollars of Reitmans cards back when they had them and before I knew better.

And for awhile since I've known better, I thought Airmiles were good for some gift cards at The Keg.

But now I'm pretty happy with my accumulation and a recent redemption. So, I thought I'd share.

Over the last few months I've collected just under 2,000 Airmiles for continuing to do the things I do but with a bit more care.

150 Airmiles for purchasing a $100 Sobeys gift card
100 Airmiles for purchasing a $100 Sobeys gift card
100 Airmiles for a $100 Metro purchase (gift cards excluded of course)
100 Airmiles for a $50 Pharma Plus purchase combined with a 40 Airmiles for $40 on skin care products (I am a girl)

It takes a few extra minutes scanning the flyers and a bit of planning. And I've really cut down on my Costco shopping. I still buy most things on sale and know how much they should cost with a good sale. I do sometimes get caught up in it and buy a few too many things than I can reasonably use. But I do this with everything in life. And so do most of you, I suspect. And admittedly, I do have several hundred dollars of Sobeys gift cards now. But I'll spend them wisely.

Anyway, I just redeemed some Airmiles for a car rental in the US. Thanks to JJJs recommendation way back when.

2,275 Airmiles for a 10 day car rental. The cheapest price I could find was $521.97 USD. That's about $680 CDN before the spread.

After the $11.30 'award booking fee' (!?! yes I know) and the $72.54 USD taxes and fees, I'm saving about $575 Canadian. That's a 25 cents value per Airmile.

Since I've started paying attention, I'm buying these Airmiles at 1 to almost 3 per $1 spend. That's a crazy 25% return on my effort. Which isn't much.

Notes: Maybe my math is wrong! The excellent bonus days are only a couple a month at any store. My attention span is short. And I probably have too much Aveeno and Herbal Essences on my shelves.

I checked with my car insurance and I can rent in the US with my personal coverage. Up to a $50,000 car. That's probably CDN but I didn't ask.

There were cheaper car rentals in terms of Airmiles redemption and taxes and fees for the 10 days, but we're a family of five. And I felt like a bit of a splurge with that extra legroom. Besides I'm flush with Airmiles.

So, I've been sitting on the Amex Airmiles app. I still have my eye on some good Airmiles flight redemptions and 2,000 Airmiles will top up my account. FYF. Certainly I will not be using it past any minimum spend requirements.

As always, sorry if this post is in the wrong spot.

NJD

I guess that coverage doesn't include CDW. That's a downside of redeeming miles for car rental. You have to either go without CDW, or pay for it, whereas CDW is included if you pay in full with a credit card.

I have roadside plus with ICBC, which costs like 60 dollars a year and includes a collision waiver and, more importantly, extends your personal 3rd party liability to when you're using a rental car. Basic insurance and no credit card includes this, so for 60 dollars it was definitely worth it. So that'd also cover you if you redeem miles and it's much cheaper than paying for it using the car rental business.

Just a heads up that the redemption changes on the Capital One Aspire Travel World Elite MasterCard aren't the only changes! Starting soon new sign ups will have a 40,000 Mile Bonus when hitting $1,000 in spend in three months and an increased annual fee of $150.

The Platinum also goes up to a 10,000 bonus with $500 spend in 3 months.

I was just going to post this - ICBC and most of the private insurers in BC offer the exact same coverage for rental vehicles. And you don't affect your personal coverage if you make a claim either, as it's considered a separate policy, just like it would be if you rented a car and paid separately for it. And I'd hazard a guess that the coverage is much better and the claims process much less painful than with the credit card coverage - but that remains to be seen...

That's better than the gift cards, that's for sure! The only downside to booking something like this is that it is not cancellable. But, if you can still book a couple of days prior to leaving, then it's a good deal. In the end, most of us wouldn't cry to lose that many AirMiles because they're pretty much good for nuthin anyway.

I still have a few $100 Best Western Gift cards that I redeemed a couple of years ago before they kiboshed the gift card redemptions. Horrible value, but they will pay for one night in a NYC hotel for me (and incidentally, that's a trip I've already cancelled TWICE - but behold - I still have these gift cards and they don't expire! YAY!).

I've got about 3000 I need to spend soon, and I have no idea on what...I keep thinking I may want to fly my family to the Yukon soon, so you never know!

But...those of us that are "grandfathered" will still pay the AF of $120 with the annual 10,000 point bonus, correct?

OK so I'm not the only one who has seen huge value in the car rental redemptions. I find most flights with Air Miles only give .11 to .15 in value and when I looked at a car rental once it was much higher than that and thought something was wrong!

Aspire cardholders keep the annual bonus, but no guarantee you'll keep the same annual fee.

Edited as it was answered above!

Is it correct in assuming that the 10% BA discount is not stackable with AARP (if it comes back) because each requires you to go through separate portals?

incorrect. the 10% discount is just a promo code, it can be input on the AARP portal too AFAIK. Doesn't require a portal. (CARDOFFERU)

it is stackable. It was pricing out (i.e. getting both the $400 and 10% discount) on some flights I was looking at a while ago...but now AARP doesn't work. So annoying.

Right, but that's the American code for holders of whatever US card. When the RBC card had a code iirc it was CARDOFFERC. In the RBC T&C it mentions needing to go through the RBC portal.

OK then you're talking about two different things.


AARP only works with flights departing from the U.S. (or at least it did). It would never work with the Canadian discount code, which requires a flight departing from Canada.

AARP is (or was) stackable with the US discount code. Unfortunately, I only found that out from a fellow FTer a few weeks ago. Could have saved me a few hundred bucks earlier this year when I booked some flights. Oh well.

I know, but the Canadian code has no restrictions (unless the T&Cs are wrong) so in theory would be able to be used with AARP assuming the aforementioned portal requirement had a workaround.

... AARP only works for flights originatiing in the US, CARDOFFERC only works for flights originating in Canada, so how do you want to make this work? :D

(CARDOFFERC works even without going through a portal)

CARDOFFERU is stackable with the AARP discount because they both require US-originating flights.

No, it could not work.

CARDOFFERC requires a flight departing Canada. That is the primary restriction in this example since AARP discount requires a flight departing the U.S.

If you want to get a 10% discount and AARP, just use the U.S. discount code. Smiley90 was kind enough to provide the info a few posts ago.

(this discussion kind of useless at the moment since AARP discount doesn't work).

Ah ok my mistake. I just took a second look through the RBC T&C and found the offending exCanada line. Guess this cards not worth it after all. Thanks!

Yes, I'm struggling a bit with that decision. It's a bit of an opportunity cost spending $9k in 3 months for 50k Avios that I don't particularly covet. The fact that the companion pass is earned on calendar year spending rather than on card year is also pretty annoying.

But hey, I've got nothing better to do...so might get it anyways.

I assume it's no accident that the RBC released the extra bonus so close to the end of the year.

I got my card and it's done. I had to pick my card up in branch and the teller didn't read the bright pink sticker on the envelope telling her to help me pick a PIN. So I have a card with no pin, not that it matters (I called in the 2 purchases). I won't be using it for day to day purchases, or again. Avios just not that useful. Since I'm doing long haul trips lately I costed a J trip YYZ-HKG-DPS and it's something like 750,000 (3pax)!!! Ok very little YQ, but Aeroplan F, is 630,000 + $2000, J 465,000 + $2k.

However a quick jaunt to JFK in J for a weekend is reasonable.

Is the companion pass for reward or paid travel?

It's for reward travel. Get 2 award tickets for the price of one. However, both passengers have to pay the YQ...which can easily be over a grand on BA.

if i could actually spend $9k in 3 months I'd go for it, and just save the points for trips to New York or Chicago (assuming from YYZ)

That's what I thought. It does require some planning!!

I have not found Avios availability to be that great, LAX-SYD in J is non-existent or tries to route via LHR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 38hrs!

I have no desire to fly to Europe for the near future, it would be neat to see the homeland (UK) after being away for 30+ yrs but not with the pound @ 2.1!!!

Getting to Indonesia is so easy via AP and I didn't get touched with the recent deval and miles are so so easy to get.

LAX-SYD on United isn't an easy redemption either, but Qantas is notoriously stingy.

Best Avios redemptions in business class are band 3 redemptions (when it's still double and not triple). North America excluded since they register as First class at quadruple miles

Pricing is outdated but maps are fine

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...ing-bands.html

Avios redemptions are by far best for Y class flights... 30k one-way YVR-HKG, 12.5k YVR-JFK, off-peak to LHR, HKG-JNB, positioning flights within NA/EU to cheap fares etc.

Booking J with Avios is just not that great sadly... Avios Y beats most other programs, while Avios J gets beaten by most.

I did ok with UA J in July LAX-SYD, 3 departing, 2 return (wife was on 34). I found there was quite a bit of availability 1 week out both departing LAX/SFO. Sure beats AC YQ, by a few grand!:D

Never did get UA F as for some reason (Friday arrival? SYD) our flight was full, F was open the next few days. I was glad as it would not have been worth the miles/change fee. 2 reasons I
a)could see the seat was bleh
b)" why are you bugging me" FA's who should be served ice cream in a retirement home, not serving it to me.:p

I second this. I've booked two CX YVR-JFK flights (one in Y and one in W) and when doing searches in prep/research for these flights, I always seemed to find space easily 3-6 months out, even during busy times. Although, it seems like only W has been coming up lately for availability, which is weird, but maybe it's just my dates...

Hello,

I remember reading messages about that but I can't found them with the search engine of the forum. Is it possible to get the signup bonus for the TD Visa Infinite Privilege (50k) when I already have a TD Visa Infinite (sine 2 years now) ? Each bank has its policy but since it will be an upgrade I was hoping it's possible ....

Thanks!

Just went to the master thread for Aeroplan, forget about this one. It seems that TD is sending targeted offer for an upgrade so it's definitely possible but a call is needed to try to get it without being targeted.

Just out of curiosity with those who use Avios, where do you fly to? I.e. Best value.

I did use some this July for a short run, SYD-BNE return on Qantas, got to have a shower and endless barista made lattes and so much FOOD in the domestic SYD lounge. It was 9am Aussie time so no booze was consumed. I did wake up at 4:30am on the plane though... Such a change compared to the LAX T7 UA "lounge" just hours before.

Living in Vancouver I have used Avios for YVR-LAX-YVR on Alaska many times and it is pretty good value but the flight times not that great.

LAX-SCL on LAN Airlines 787 was great value for 120,000 Avios and $36.00 for 2 people in J

Looking forward to YVR-JFK on Cathay in First next spring.