Canadian eh
Mar 13, 2009 | 1:51 pm
#16
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The Front Cabin.
Programs: AA EXP; DL Gold; PC Plat; SPG Gold; HHonors Gold
Posts: 321
Another great card to consider is the RBC Platinum Avion.
It has a hefty $120 annual fee, but every dollar charged to the card earns 1 RBC Point. At any time, you can convert RPB Points into BA Executive Club Miles (or even Cathay Pacific Asia Miles) at a ratio of 1:1.
I know, so far it doesn't sound overly impressive. However, the true benefit of the card lies in the fact that there's a signup bonus of 15,000 RBC points -- and, twice per year (on average), RBC and BA run a 50% bonus promo. So RBC Points can be converted to BA Miles at 1 RBC = 1.5 BA. It's definitely worth it if you put a lot of transactions on your credit card, and don't carry a balance (as the interest rate is 19.5%). ^
It has a hefty $120 annual fee, but every dollar charged to the card earns 1 RBC Point. At any time, you can convert RPB Points into BA Executive Club Miles (or even Cathay Pacific Asia Miles) at a ratio of 1:1.
I know, so far it doesn't sound overly impressive. However, the true benefit of the card lies in the fact that there's a signup bonus of 15,000 RBC points -- and, twice per year (on average), RBC and BA run a 50% bonus promo. So RBC Points can be converted to BA Miles at 1 RBC = 1.5 BA. It's definitely worth it if you put a lot of transactions on your credit card, and don't carry a balance (as the interest rate is 19.5%). ^
Mar 13, 2009 | 2:25 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E50, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb
Posts: 16,443
I just cancelled the MBNA card in November so have not reapplied for it yet. (I only became aware of this card after joining FT.) I'm using CIBC now, will probably go to TD Visa next. So I would think 2 years between should be plenty of time for them to welcome you back.
CIBC Aerogold pays 50% bonus miles on grocery store, phamacy and gas station purchases. HOWEVER, have you checked out the gift card rack at your local Loblaws, Metro, Sobeys, etc. lately? You can buy gift cards for Home Depot, Sears, HBC, The Keg, Blockbuster, Roots, Cineplex, Cara stores (Swiss Chalet, Harvey's etc), Future Shop, Best Buy, Chapters, Montana's and on and on ... All of a sudden, you can earn 50% bonus on a lot more purchases!
Also, you can buy lottery tickets with your credit card at Esso for even more miles!
CIBC Aerogold pays 50% bonus miles on grocery store, phamacy and gas station purchases. HOWEVER, have you checked out the gift card rack at your local Loblaws, Metro, Sobeys, etc. lately? You can buy gift cards for Home Depot, Sears, HBC, The Keg, Blockbuster, Roots, Cineplex, Cara stores (Swiss Chalet, Harvey's etc), Future Shop, Best Buy, Chapters, Montana's and on and on ... All of a sudden, you can earn 50% bonus on a lot more purchases!
Also, you can buy lottery tickets with your credit card at Esso for even more miles!
Mar 13, 2009 | 8:32 pm
#18
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: SPG Plus, AC Elite
Posts: 264
I just cancelled the MBNA card in November so have not reapplied for it yet. (I only became aware of this card after joining FT.) I'm using CIBC now, will probably go to TD Visa next. So I would think 2 years between should be plenty of time for them to welcome you back.
CIBC Aerogold pays 50% bonus miles on grocery store, phamacy and gas station purchases. HOWEVER, have you checked out the gift card rack at your local Loblaws, Metro, Sobeys, etc. lately? You can buy gift cards for Home Depot, Sears, HBC, The Keg, Blockbuster, Roots, Cineplex, Cara stores (Swiss Chalet, Harvey's etc), Future Shop, Best Buy, Chapters, Montana's and on and on ... All of a sudden, you can earn 50% bonus on a lot more purchases! Also, you can buy lottery tickets with your credit card at Esso for even more miles!
CIBC Aerogold pays 50% bonus miles on grocery store, phamacy and gas station purchases. HOWEVER, have you checked out the gift card rack at your local Loblaws, Metro, Sobeys, etc. lately? You can buy gift cards for Home Depot, Sears, HBC, The Keg, Blockbuster, Roots, Cineplex, Cara stores (Swiss Chalet, Harvey's etc), Future Shop, Best Buy, Chapters, Montana's and on and on ... All of a sudden, you can earn 50% bonus on a lot more purchases!
Also, you can buy lottery tickets with your credit card at Esso for even more miles!I have MBNA spg card for almost 2 years, I love this card since I know the benefit for this card, there is 5 nights free and 50000 miles for certain pts. Also, spg points are easily to earn esp when a huge promotion for hotel is on like last year. It was 3888 pts per stay during summer time.
From other forum I read ppl own more than one mbna spg cc. They got sign up bonus and purchase bonus every year. I always think how could they do it.
I never thought about switching cc esp. most 1 vs 1 ratio cc has $120+ annual fee which hurts the returns. I assume that TD visa and aerogold only target for aeroplan program.
Mar 13, 2009 | 10:52 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E50, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb
Posts: 16,443
TD Visa is with American Airlines, but much easier to redeem miles with them than Aeroplan. Always seems to be availability with them even though I have no status and I never fly with them. I earn a lot of miles through i-dine. So far, I have redeemed for 2 biz class tickets YYZ-CUN and 2 biz/first tickets YYZ-PPT (Tahiti) where I am right now! ^
Mar 13, 2009 | 11:11 pm
#20
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The Front Cabin.
Programs: AA EXP; DL Gold; PC Plat; SPG Gold; HHonors Gold
Posts: 321
Thanks, margarita girl for taking the time to provide so much information for everyone (especially on your holiday!). This should become the "Ask Margarita Girl" thread!
Mar 13, 2009 | 11:23 pm
#21
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: SPG Plus, AC Elite
Posts: 264
+1, thanks MG, how is your vacation?
Mar 14, 2009 | 10:31 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E50, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb
Posts: 16,443
I have discovered paradise, but it doesn't come cheap! 
(Paid C$35 for a bowl of miso soup, $40 for a bottle of sunscreen. 
) But wifi is free in my room!
Anyhow, you're welcome. I got a lot of help when I joined FT, and I'm glad to pass on a few of the nuggets I've learned.
(Paid C$35 for a bowl of miso soup, $40 for a bottle of sunscreen. ) But wifi is free in my room!Anyhow, you're welcome. I got a lot of help when I joined FT, and I'm glad to pass on a few of the nuggets I've learned.
Mar 14, 2009 | 2:24 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2005
Location: montreal canada
Programs: AA lifetime gold, BA, AC, CX, AS, DL, AF(gold), IHG(plt), SPG(gold), HHONORS, .
Posts: 358
TD Visa is with American Airlines, but much easier to redeem miles with them than Aeroplan. Always seems to be availability with them even though I have no status and I never fly with them. I earn a lot of miles through i-dine. So far, I have redeemed for 2 biz class tickets YYZ-CUN and 2 biz/first tickets YYZ-PPT (Tahiti) where I am right now! ^
Thank you very much for the info re the MBNA c.c.
I mostly use my TD AA c.c. as AA is my favourite airline (2 miles per $ for AA purchases,
easy to become "elite" through a challenge , free seat selection , award availability ,off
season reduced miles awards and reduced miles award for having the TD AA c.c..)
Have fun in PPT.I had to spend an overnight there 3 years ago on the way to N.Z.
and the hotel ( dinky , slum HTL ,star rating:minus 5 stars ) cost me us$180 .
Thanks again
Michael
Mar 14, 2009 | 2:29 pm
#24
Join Date: May 2005
Location: montreal canada
Programs: AA lifetime gold, BA, AC, CX, AS, DL, AF(gold), IHG(plt), SPG(gold), HHONORS, .
Posts: 358
Thank you Margarita girl, your information is so great. ^
I have MBNA spg card for almost 2 years, I love this card since I know the benefit for this card, there is 5 nights free and 50000 miles for certain pts. Also, spg points are easily to earn esp when a huge promotion for hotel is on like last year. It was 3888 pts per stay during summer time.
From other forum I read ppl own more than one mbna spg cc. They got sign up bonus and purchase bonus every year. I always think how could they do it.
I never thought about switching cc esp. most 1 vs 1 ratio cc has $120+ annual fee which hurts the returns. I assume that TD visa and aerogold only target for aeroplan program.
I have MBNA spg card for almost 2 years, I love this card since I know the benefit for this card, there is 5 nights free and 50000 miles for certain pts. Also, spg points are easily to earn esp when a huge promotion for hotel is on like last year. It was 3888 pts per stay during summer time.
From other forum I read ppl own more than one mbna spg cc. They got sign up bonus and purchase bonus every year. I always think how could they do it.
I never thought about switching cc esp. most 1 vs 1 ratio cc has $120+ annual fee which hurts the returns. I assume that TD visa and aerogold only target for aeroplan program.
Can you please elaborate re "5 nights free and 50000 miles for certain pts."
I don't know anything about it.
thanks
Michael
Mar 14, 2009 | 3:34 pm
#25
Join Date: May 2008
Location: YYZ
Posts: 84
Hey margartia girl and fellwo Canadians.
Always nice to see a canadian thread on FT...!! I'm thinking of doing my first MR from Buffalo sometime this summer!
Thanks for mentioning the iDine / rewards network...I had forgotten to sign up for that program! It's has a few of my fave Toronto spots on it so extra points coming my way!
Always nice to see a canadian thread on FT...!! I'm thinking of doing my first MR from Buffalo sometime this summer!
Thanks for mentioning the iDine / rewards network...I had forgotten to sign up for that program! It's has a few of my fave Toronto spots on it so extra points coming my way!
Mar 14, 2009 | 4:48 pm
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E50, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb
Posts: 16,443
Hey margartia girl and fellwo Canadians.
Always nice to see a canadian thread on FT...!! I'm thinking of doing my first MR from Buffalo sometime this summer!
Thanks for mentioning the iDine / rewards network...I had forgotten to sign up for that program! It's has a few of my fave Toronto spots on it so extra points coming my way!
Always nice to see a canadian thread on FT...!! I'm thinking of doing my first MR from Buffalo sometime this summer!
Thanks for mentioning the iDine / rewards network...I had forgotten to sign up for that program! It's has a few of my fave Toronto spots on it so extra points coming my way!
http://www.freefrequentflyermiles.com/index.htm
Click on "Other Programs I Like". Definitely worth your time to read through this!
Mar 14, 2009 | 4:57 pm
#27
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: SPG Plus, AC Elite
Posts: 264
Spg has a great reward program called 'Nights and flights'
If you have 60000 or 70000 spg points, you can redeem it for five nights category 3 and 4 hotel respectively. Plus you can receive 50000 airline miles.
However, different airline has different exchange ratio.
More details:
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefer...s_flights.html
Mar 14, 2009 | 5:00 pm
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: South Florida
Programs: SPG,Marriott,Hilton,Delta,US airways,Hyatt,Fairmont,American A,Priority Cub,Discovery,etc
Posts: 255
wow
M.girl,oh my .Thais quite the itinerary.So how long is your day with all those stops ?Is it really worth it?I'm not being sarcastic just trying to get schooled.Where are you booking these ?I am loving all this !
Mar 14, 2009 | 5:21 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E50, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb
Posts: 16,443
Ideally, I like to do an MR in 24 hrs, but I think the 10 segment one took about 30 hrs. The trick is to fly back from the west coast on a red eye, so no hotel required. All booked on ua.com or ua.ca.
The trick is to use the multi-city tool and obscure airports. For instance, my first MR was BUF-MLI-ONT-SFO-MDT-BUF on UA multi-city. You have to be routed through IAD, ORD, DEN, ORD, IAD to get that itinerary to come up.
BUF-IAD-ORD-MLI-DEN-ONT-SFO-ORD-MDT-IAD-BUF
Was it worth it? 7098 status miles, 10 segments, and SE status! Yes, I think so.
The trick is to use the multi-city tool and obscure airports. For instance, my first MR was BUF-MLI-ONT-SFO-MDT-BUF on UA multi-city. You have to be routed through IAD, ORD, DEN, ORD, IAD to get that itinerary to come up.
BUF-IAD-ORD-MLI-DEN-ONT-SFO-ORD-MDT-IAD-BUF
Was it worth it? 7098 status miles, 10 segments, and SE status! Yes, I think so.
Mar 14, 2009 | 7:27 pm
#30
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: SPG Plus, AC Elite
Posts: 264
Ideally, I like to do an MR in 24 hrs, but I think the 10 segment one took about 30 hrs. The trick is to fly back from the west coast on a red eye, so no hotel required. All booked on ua.com or ua.ca.
The trick is to use the multi-city tool and obscure airports. For instance, my first MR was BUF-MLI-ONT-SFO-MDT-BUF on UA multi-city. You have to be routed through IAD, ORD, DEN, ORD, IAD to get that itinerary to come up.
BUF-IAD-ORD-MLI-DEN-ONT-SFO-ORD-MDT-IAD-BUF
Was it worth it? 7098 status miles, 10 segments, and SE status! Yes, I think so.
The trick is to use the multi-city tool and obscure airports. For instance, my first MR was BUF-MLI-ONT-SFO-MDT-BUF on UA multi-city. You have to be routed through IAD, ORD, DEN, ORD, IAD to get that itinerary to come up.
BUF-IAD-ORD-MLI-DEN-ONT-SFO-ORD-MDT-IAD-BUF
Was it worth it? 7098 status miles, 10 segments, and SE status! Yes, I think so.