The best credit cards are not free.

the shittiest ones are free.

Capital One Aspire Travel. 2% cashback, for essentially $20/year. Hassle free and has worked very well for me since I got it. Works at costco too!

I used to have RBC Avion, and redeemed lots of free flights (through BA), but they've changed their policies so it's not really worth it anymore.

I also have a Chase Visa Amazon.ca card for international purchases - it has no currency exchange and no annual fees.

^^^
What do you mean no currency exchange? This is intriguing.

+1. Ive had a good experience using my amex gold for about 6 months now. The only downside is the high annual fee ($150) which is waived in the first year.

Have had the Capital One Aspire Travel for 1.5 years now but can't comment on whether I like it or not since I haven't redeemed anything yet. I do like the anniversary bonus every year of $100 worth of points essentially making the fee $20 vs $120. Also like how I can use my points to redeem for anything travel related such as flights, hotels etc. Additionally, I like the flexibility of redeeming for cash although you take a bit of a hit with a lower conversion rate vs using it for travel. One thing I definitely don't like is how the conversion is tiered so you can't just use $50 of points for $50 spent. For example the first tier requires you to use at least 15000 points ($150) so if you spend even $5 it'll cost you $150 in points if you choose to redeem.

Nailed it

+Churn the AMEX cards on the side

What heleu means about no currency exchange fee is they don't add on the 2.5% conversion rate. They only convert that days rate.

Ex. you spend $100 USD in US, normal cards will calculate the exchange rate (say 1.24) + 2.5%=1.271. $100 USD@1.271= $127.1
But with the Chase Visa Amazon card it would $100 USD @ today rate of say 1.24 = $124

I got the AMEX gold card as well. Pretty good card where ever Amex is accepted.

membership points can be transferred to Aeroplan, Asia Miles, SPG points etc.

first year fee ($150) waived. and a $25000pts bonus too

I have the Chase Amazon card as well - great for online purchases or when I'm in the states. It's free as well, with 1% cash back - they credit the money onto your card every time you accrue $20.

Depends on how much you spend. You have to take into account the yearly fee to determine which one is most beneficial in the end.

If you have a card that costs $100 a year, but gives 2% cash back, vs a card that's free, but gives you 1% cash back, then that means if you spend more than $10000, the $100 card is better for you.

Forget Amazon Chase card's 1% cashback

I feel as if the no currency exchange fee has already saved me hundreds in the first few months :concentrate::fuckyea:

I do a lot of cross border and online shopping. The 2.5% saved REALLY adds up.

i've had the platinum avion card for years now....apparently i need to read up on the coverage lol

what sort of travel insurance does it come with?? enough to cover a trip to the states or what?

15 days unlimited no deductable out of country

Not sure if it's the "best" but I use my Alaska Airlines MasterCard and have been for 5+ years now. Have flown NY, LA, LV on points and a bit of cash. It charges an annual fee of $75.

I'm surprised no one mentioned the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite yet.

-$100 annual fee (first year waived)
-4% cash back on all eligible gas station and grocery store purchases
-2% cash back on eligible drug store purchases and recurring bill payments
-1% cash back on all other eligible purchases

Will be cancelling my RBC infinite avion in lieu of this card

I'm using the MBNA Rewards World Elite

2% back on all purchases with zero cap.

Points can be used for direct cash back/travel etc.

MBNA | Credit Cards | Rewards credit cards | MBNA rewards

There is a $89 annual fee but if you upgrade your card from the existing MBNA Rewards Travel Plus then there is zero annual fee.

Currently using HSBC Premier World MasterCard and DBS AMEX Black for HK purchases

I'm waiting for another AMEX Gold promotion since I missed the last one :(

BMO world elite. I'm happy. 2% points for travel. Annual fee $150. I like it cause I bank at BMO so everything linked up on my online accounts. I wouldn't switch to anything else.

this sounds like a great deal......

to any country? including the states?

You will earn 4% cash back on the first $25,000 you spend annually at gas stations and grocery stores. 4% cash back applies at merchants which are classified in the Visa Inc. (VISA) network as Grocery Stores & Supermarkets, Service Stations (with or without ancillary services), and Automated Fuel Dispensers (Merchant Codes: 5411, 5541 & 5542). Some merchants may sell these products/services or are separate merchants who are located on the premises of these merchants, but are classified by VISA in another manner, in which case this added benefit would not apply.

You will earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 you spend annually on recurring payments and drug store purchases. 2% cash back applies at merchants which are classified in the VISA network as Drug Stores & Pharmacies (Merchant Code: 5912) and Recurring Payments. Recurring payments are defined as payments made on a monthly or regular basis automatically billed by the merchant to your Scotia Momentum VISA Infinite card. Recurring payments are typically telecommunication, insurance, membership, subscriptions etc. purchases. Not all merchants offer recurring payments. (Please check with your merchant to see if they offer recurring payments on VISA cards.) Some merchants may sell these products/services or are separate merchants who are located on the premises of these merchants, but are classified by VISA in another manner, in which case this added benefit would not apply.

You will earn 1% cash back on purchases made after you have reached the 4% and 2% $25,000 annual spend maximum ("overflow") and on all other eligible purchases made with the card. Purchase returns, payments, cash advances, Scotia® Credit Card Cheques, credit vouchers, card fees, interest charges or service/transaction charges do not qualify for Scotia Momentum cash back.

Double check T&C before jumping over.


Trip Cancellation Insurance
Trip Interruption Insurance
Travel Accident Insurance
Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Insurance
Emergency Purchases & Flight Delay Insurance
Purchase Security & Extended Warranty Insurance
Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance

As long as you used the card to book the car rental, air fare, hotel, otherwise it does not apply!

I got 3 cards that I use predominantly
RBC Infinite Avion
RBC WestJet World Elite
Amex Platinum Charge Card

The West jet card is beneficial for the free checked luggage on west jet flights, 2 round trip flights and it pretty much covers the annual fee.
The infinite Avion i use for everyday purchases, and I've had this card for about 7 years now, recently I just converted 150K point to BA Avos at the 1.5X promo, and have booked a round trip flight on Cathay First to HK with points left over.
I am thinking of cancelling this card and getting the Amex Gold instead, due to the 2X grocery, gas and travel bonus for MR points.

The Platinum card I use for travel, 10% off all Westjet prices allows me to book the lowest price possible for Westjet, then I use my RBC card for free checked luggage (usually just have to show the check in agent my card).
I also use the FHR benefit quite often when booking hotel travels and the lounge access comes in quite handy as well. The $200 travel credit, lounge access and other perks definitely pays for the annual membership fee for me.

great thanks

the scotiabank travel amex gold is pretty good.

annual fee = $100 (waived at first year)
15,000 points (that's $150 in travel money --- applicable to any airline/hotel related transaction)
$300 travel credit statement for the first airline/hotel related transaction.

x 4 points for grocery, restaurant, and gas spending
x 1 point for the rest.

not sure if they still offer the above deal..

There's guides floating around on RFD and /r/personalfinancecanada. This one is pretty up to date: Best No-Fee Credit Cards for Cash Back & Rewards (Canada) - Forum Vancouver