Last edit by: jerry305
CANADIAN REFERENCE ON FLYERTALK
Canadian Credit Card Master List - Curated for Best Offer A complete listing of all the major credit cards in Canada along with their sign-up bonus, annual fee, CPM, and other pertinent information.
AMEX recent discussion American Express Canada application and reward strategies (2018) • Which credit card should I get? • Cards with good bonuses • List of Credit Cards with Great Welcome bonuses (RFD version)
BLOGS
Canadian Kilometers • PointsNerd • Rewards Canada • Don't Call the Airline! • Pointshogger • Canadian Travel Hacking
CONFERENCE
• PointsU conference (2018 & 2019 website)
Canadian Credit Card Master List - Curated for Best Offer A complete listing of all the major credit cards in Canada along with their sign-up bonus, annual fee, CPM, and other pertinent information.
AMEX recent discussion American Express Canada application and reward strategies (2018) • Which credit card should I get? • Cards with good bonuses • List of Credit Cards with Great Welcome bonuses (RFD version)
BLOGS
Canadian Kilometers • PointsNerd • Rewards Canada • Don't Call the Airline! • Pointshogger • Canadian Travel Hacking
CONFERENCE
• PointsU conference (2018 & 2019 website)
MilesBuzz: Canada
#1456
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: yyz
Posts: 1,611
RBC Avion targeted offers
What are the best targeted offers you've seen for the RBC Avion cards.
Last year my wife go 15k sign-up bonus, an extra 15k if she spent $15k within a year (gets you to 45k points with the spending amount)
I received an offer for 5k points if I added a second card for $50 (took it).
Incidentally, I also called in to complain about not getting the same offer as my wife did. They said I was offered a discounted interest rate. When I said that was useless to me, they offered my 5k points as a consolation.
As I approach the end of my FYF, I plan on downgrading to the RBC rewards gold card (no AF). Hoping to get targeted for an upgrade back to the Visa Infinite version down the road.
Haven't called them or anything to see if I can get something pre-emptively.
What has been your experience?
As an aside, I have not been a heavy user of the card. Spent around $5k on it last year. Will try to ramp that up before I convert to the free card.
I plan on using my Avion card and my SPG Amex as primary cards this year.
Last year my wife go 15k sign-up bonus, an extra 15k if she spent $15k within a year (gets you to 45k points with the spending amount)
I received an offer for 5k points if I added a second card for $50 (took it).
Incidentally, I also called in to complain about not getting the same offer as my wife did. They said I was offered a discounted interest rate. When I said that was useless to me, they offered my 5k points as a consolation.
As I approach the end of my FYF, I plan on downgrading to the RBC rewards gold card (no AF). Hoping to get targeted for an upgrade back to the Visa Infinite version down the road.
Haven't called them or anything to see if I can get something pre-emptively.
What has been your experience?
As an aside, I have not been a heavy user of the card. Spent around $5k on it last year. Will try to ramp that up before I convert to the free card.
I plan on using my Avion card and my SPG Amex as primary cards this year.
#1457
Join Date: May 2014
Location: YYZ
Posts: 527
What are the best targeted offers you've seen for the RBC Avion cards.
Last year my wife go 15k sign-up bonus, an extra 15k if she spent $15k within a year (gets you to 45k points with the spending amount)
I received an offer for 5k points if I added a second card for $50 (took it).
Incidentally, I also called in to complain about not getting the same offer as my wife did. They said I was offered a discounted interest rate. When I said that was useless to me, they offered my 5k points as a consolation.
As I approach the end of my FYF, I plan on downgrading to the RBC rewards gold card (no AF). Hoping to get targeted for an upgrade back to the Visa Infinite version down the road.
Haven't called them or anything to see if I can get something pre-emptively.
What has been your experience?
As an aside, I have not been a heavy user of the card. Spent around $5k on it last year. Will try to ramp that up before I convert to the free card.
I plan on using my Avion card and my SPG Amex as primary cards this year.
Last year my wife go 15k sign-up bonus, an extra 15k if she spent $15k within a year (gets you to 45k points with the spending amount)
I received an offer for 5k points if I added a second card for $50 (took it).
Incidentally, I also called in to complain about not getting the same offer as my wife did. They said I was offered a discounted interest rate. When I said that was useless to me, they offered my 5k points as a consolation.
As I approach the end of my FYF, I plan on downgrading to the RBC rewards gold card (no AF). Hoping to get targeted for an upgrade back to the Visa Infinite version down the road.
Haven't called them or anything to see if I can get something pre-emptively.
What has been your experience?
As an aside, I have not been a heavy user of the card. Spent around $5k on it last year. Will try to ramp that up before I convert to the free card.
I plan on using my Avion card and my SPG Amex as primary cards this year.
#1459
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: yyz
Posts: 1,611
#1460
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,519
I had about 40K spend for the year that I have the card
Are you trying to keep your Avion points as RBC rewards for now and then once you upgrade back to the Avion card, they become Avion points again?
I didn't take the retention offer for a number of reasons. But in term for my points, I had plans to convert them all to BA or AA. Hence, there is no need to keep the card. My thought is that after sometimes (a year, 2 years, 3 years, who knows) I can re-apply card when they have 20K sign-up bonus or 15K+FYF offer again at that time.
I didn't take the retention offer for a number of reasons. But in term for my points, I had plans to convert them all to BA or AA. Hence, there is no need to keep the card. My thought is that after sometimes (a year, 2 years, 3 years, who knows) I can re-apply card when they have 20K sign-up bonus or 15K+FYF offer again at that time.
#1461
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: yyz
Posts: 1,611
I'm trying to keep my Avion points. And if you convert to the RBC Rewards Gold card, you can keep the points "alive". It's a first-year-free card. But you only get 0.5x Avion points per $ spent...so it's not a good card. Really just to keep the account active.
I really don't want to cancel the account. Need some accounts to age a bit to help bolster my credit score (which was whacked by a lot of apps last year. healthy, but I want to get back over 800).
My plan with Avion is to convert to AA at some point, probably when they do a 20-30% transfer bonus. But I'm taking a wait-and-see with AA for a devaluation. since I don't have a near-term use for the points I will wait. Longer-term I'd like to test out one-way F on JAL.
If it turns out OK and i want to top up my points, I'll get the Platinum avion or something. And, hopefully, get a target offer to go back to the Avion Infinite Visa. I really liked my wife's offer...
I really don't want to cancel the account. Need some accounts to age a bit to help bolster my credit score (which was whacked by a lot of apps last year. healthy, but I want to get back over 800).
My plan with Avion is to convert to AA at some point, probably when they do a 20-30% transfer bonus. But I'm taking a wait-and-see with AA for a devaluation. since I don't have a near-term use for the points I will wait. Longer-term I'd like to test out one-way F on JAL.
If it turns out OK and i want to top up my points, I'll get the Platinum avion or something. And, hopefully, get a target offer to go back to the Avion Infinite Visa. I really liked my wife's offer...
#1463
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,847
I had about 40K spend for the year that I have the card
Are you trying to keep your Avion points as RBC rewards for now and then once you upgrade back to the Avion card, they become Avion points again?
I didn't take the retention offer for a number of reasons. But in term for my points, I had plans to convert them all to BA or AA. Hence, there is no need to keep the card. My thought is that after sometimes (a year, 2 years, 3 years, who knows) I can re-apply card when they have 20K sign-up bonus or 15K+FYF offer again at that time.
Are you trying to keep your Avion points as RBC rewards for now and then once you upgrade back to the Avion card, they become Avion points again?
I didn't take the retention offer for a number of reasons. But in term for my points, I had plans to convert them all to BA or AA. Hence, there is no need to keep the card. My thought is that after sometimes (a year, 2 years, 3 years, who knows) I can re-apply card when they have 20K sign-up bonus or 15K+FYF offer again at that time.
What I am curious about is 'how far back' they go on the account with checking if you've ever held that card before. I've downgraded with CIBC (Aerogold down to no fee and back up again - successful with sign-up bonus) and BMO (world elite MC upgrade once only) and now want to try with my RBC Target Redcard MC (which USED to be a BA Avion Visa, and now I want to try my hand at the RBC Avion).
I would think that banks like this would be doing their best to prevent churning on the same account, but I'd like to know anyone that has been successful with multiple downgrades/upgrades on the same account, and how many years you left in between to ensure it wasn't tracked somehow?
#1464
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: YYZ
Programs: AA LT Plat, AC 25K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,137
Problem is, when you downgrade and then go to upgrade again (or change cards on the same account to essentially churn), most times you are not eligible for the sign-up bonus.
What I am curious about is 'how far back' they go on the account with checking if you've ever held that card before. I've downgraded with CIBC (Aerogold down to no fee and back up again - successful with sign-up bonus) and BMO (world elite MC upgrade once only) and now want to try with my RBC Target Redcard MC (which USED to be a BA Avion Visa, and now I want to try my hand at the RBC Avion).
I would think that banks like this would be doing their best to prevent churning on the same account, but I'd like to know anyone that has been successful with multiple downgrades/upgrades on the same account, and how many years you left in between to ensure it wasn't tracked somehow?
What I am curious about is 'how far back' they go on the account with checking if you've ever held that card before. I've downgraded with CIBC (Aerogold down to no fee and back up again - successful with sign-up bonus) and BMO (world elite MC upgrade once only) and now want to try with my RBC Target Redcard MC (which USED to be a BA Avion Visa, and now I want to try my hand at the RBC Avion).
I would think that banks like this would be doing their best to prevent churning on the same account, but I'd like to know anyone that has been successful with multiple downgrades/upgrades on the same account, and how many years you left in between to ensure it wasn't tracked somehow?
#1465
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: yyz
Posts: 1,611
#1466
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: *void
Posts: 2,408
IME, I've found it easier to get the promo when upgrading if it's a card that has never had the promo before, or if it has been used a 'fair' amount in the past year. Plus, being an actual banking client with the card issuer with other products and assets, helps the cause. And of course, it never hurts to have a friend on the inside, to help push your request through.
#1467
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: YYZ
Programs: AA LT Plat, AC 25K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,137
#1468
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,847
I have existing, long-time accounts at CIBC and BMO and now I am feeling more adventurous to try this with those banks more frequently. I guess we'll all figure out how 'clever' their systems are and how far back they go at some point!
Forget churning and credit pulls: the 'upgrade/downgrade' game could keep us all swimming in points!
#1469
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan, Alaska, Marriott
Posts: 435
AWESOME news! You've now made me feel much more comfy about my RBC card switch. Even better with RBC - you can do it ONLINE! No pesky agents to deal with!
I have existing, long-time accounts at CIBC and BMO and now I am feeling more adventurous to try this with those banks more frequently. I guess we'll all figure out how 'clever' their systems are and how far back they go at some point!
Forget churning and credit pulls: the 'upgrade/downgrade' game could keep us all swimming in points!
I have existing, long-time accounts at CIBC and BMO and now I am feeling more adventurous to try this with those banks more frequently. I guess we'll all figure out how 'clever' their systems are and how far back they go at some point!
Forget churning and credit pulls: the 'upgrade/downgrade' game could keep us all swimming in points!
No Fee -> Air Miles -> AM Gold -> World Elite -> No Fee
since when i asked them, they said as long as you are upgrading, you usually qualify for bonus offers.
#1470
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,847
Eeeeexcellent! And it's time for an upgrade with BMO, so.......