Did you use a Canadian MC for the 6 digits on the index cards? I was going to do it, but was afraid it wouldn't work without a card from a US institution.

My understanding from a quick internet search was the the first 6 digits are basically the same on all IHG cards. Figured worst case scenario I spent 3h and 49$.

56k in points posted to my IHG account. ^

The C1 card is grandfathered, and you guys are getting enhancements for the following year? Lucky!

Damm it! MBNA declined my 3rd card due to excessive credit card applications last year. 12 isn't so bad is it?

That sucks.

I have read reports (again) that MBNA is tightening up Alaska approvals due to people doing stupid things like applying for 3 cards in a week. Perhaps the way to go forwards is to keep at most 2 open, cancelling before reapplying? Marathon not a race after all...

I never even made it that far. It was the 12 card apps. Thinking back maybe she thought I had 12 cards open???

12 apps for MBNA cards or 12 apps total?

mine just approved in Monday, my wife got wait for approval page, mine is 2nd time apply, my wife is 3rd time aply in the last 5 years, we all keep card for 9-10 mon then cancel it.

I had 17 or 18 card apps total last year, but only 4 were MBNA, no issues. They did shutdown my older Alaska card without my consent, before approving my Jan application.

I know you're heavily Amex-centric. MBNA normally pulls Transunion, same with Amex (and RBC)...maybe they saw too many pulls on TU?

anyone know if westjet CC can churn or not? if you cancel it will you lose $250 westjet dollars and companion pass?........if it can churn, can you combine 2 $250 westjet dollars?

besides BMO is no churn policy, is there any other Canada bank no churn? RBC?

Thanks!

Yes to Amex, I love them!!! Those BizGold cards are sweet :D

I only had 2 MBNA apps last year. I will wait a few months and try again.

You'll certainly want to keep the card a minimum 6 months. Not sure how soon after that you can safely apply once more.
Westjet dollars go into your account, so yes you can combine them.

WOW! So you had (up to) 10 Amex apps recently?? Took me 3 years to break a baker's dozen! mikey, I am impressed!! :D

National bank has a new promo:

https://www.nbc.ca/en/personal/credi...ews.html#world

so it's like MBNA Alaska card, even I canceled can still keep the $250 westjet dollars and companion pass,right?

is it no churn?

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?

yes that's what i would do at least.

did you apply for other cards prior to the CIBC one? did they give a reason for rejection?

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite gets you 30k points. Jubberly posted in the dedicated TD Aeroplan thread in the AC/Aeroplan section. Via RFD.

I also noticed the Privilege version is offering 55k. 25k for sign-up, 25k for spending $1000 in 90 days and 5k to add an authorized user. $399 annual fee.

CIBC pulls from Equifax. Amex hits up your TU profile. So, if you're applying within days of each other, it shouldn't make a difference, since they normally won't pull the other bureau to see your recent credit enquiries.

For churning CIBC, I'm one of the multi-players...if you'd like I can send you some info in private, away from the prying eyes of the CIBC moles.

^^

Awesome, good to know... thank you for that tidbit. I'm not a hardcore AM collector but if I can get the 3K welcome bonus (or something similarly generous) then I might take the offer given that I will need a BMO MC anyway to get the 25% booking discount. I just cancelled my World Elite so I might wait 6-12 months before going for the Air Miles World Elite.

On the product transfer thing, my wife had the regular BMO MC (the $99 one, can't recall the exact name) and she was given an offer by postal mail of 1K AMs after spending $3,000 in 3 months to upgrade to the BMO World Elite MC for $120. I suggested that she take it as we have more AM bookings in our near future, but that she try to convince them to give her 3K AMs instead (which is the offer for new signups). They refused, but we took the deal anyway as the alternative was to keep the $99 card with no bonus. So if you consider that a bonus on a product transfer, then it is possible.

As a BMO shareholder, I'm happy to hear that

Otherwise, there are easier ways to get AM unless you already own the AMEX Air Miles Platinum (2000 AM after $500 spending, FYF) + $30 GCR cashback

I agree, just that with a family of 4 the 25% AM redemption discount adds up to big points.

In my case I've done the Amexes to death so I need to look elsewhere anyway :)

Looking at a random YVR-LGW fare in July, BF is 2000+, YQ is $15 and taxes are $207.71.

I thought that was a typo you made. then I checked and saw a few pushing 2000. What a joke.

Up-thread there were a few folks indicating issues with Best Western linking their BW Rewards account number to the 40K MBNA Best Western points bonus. Is the general consensus that it is best to apply for the MBNA with a pre-existing Best Western Rewards account, or just sign up for one at time of applying for the card?

How long does it take for ppl with zero credit history to be able to get a good card?

I will be moving from the US to Canada in a few months. In the US, I remembered it took me 3 months to get Discover IT for student and 6 months to get my first AMEX. Then, I can start churning at about 1 year.
My question is: how does it work in Canada? I will have a good income and I will get my first credit card right after I arrive through Scotia Bank "StartRight Program" (http://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/0,,2468,00.html). After that, how long should I wait until start applying for other cards?
Thank you,