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Around the World => Canada Discussion => Topic started by: Lews Therin on October 02, 2018, 09:21:53 AM

Title: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on October 02, 2018, 09:21:53 AM
Sure it`s not Tax discussion, but it's a location filled with Canadians, so let's just act as if it fits perfectly here.

I was waiting for a good deal to arrive before starting it, and we finally have some.

NOTA. MAKE SURE TO READ THE FINE PRINT OF EVERY DEAL. Just because it's recommended, doesn`t mean it will be perfect for you, and it's up to you to make sure to fill the criteria to get the bonus, and avoid any penalties (like cancelling a CC with an annual fee before the full year is done).



If anybody sees other deals/hacks/churn options, post them here and i'll try to keep the first post updated for the current deals.

Remember that you can use Churning Canada on Reddit, and Hot Deals on Red Flag Deals. (Both are excellent resources)

Deal 1 Air Miles MegaMiles  - Possibility of getting 1000 AM (100$) for doing normal shopping

Deal 2 For QUEBEC ONLY: HSBC World Elite - 450$ - 150 AF for keeping the card for 90 days. Thats it.
https://www.hsbc.ca/credit-cards/products/world-elite/
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on October 02, 2018, 09:32:16 AM
Unless you have a high monthly spend, I'd target the AIR Miles card first, worth 300$+ in AM (if you put your target to 100% Cash), but the companion flight rebate is a pretty good deal if you already have the points needed, since they rebate the 2nd person only after you have already spent your points.

For the 35k points, it seems to be closer to a 250$ value from what I can see, unless you pick out the specific deals that can increase the value, but is not useful for everyone.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Dee on October 02, 2018, 05:34:45 PM
I recently got a PC Financial World Elite Mastercard and am supposed to get $100 e-gift card for having signed up through RateSupermarket: https://www.ratesupermarket.ca/credit_cards/pc_financial/presidents_choice_financial_world_elite_mastercard (https://www.ratesupermarket.ca/credit_cards/pc_financial/presidents_choice_financial_world_elite_mastercard). There's no annual fee and it pays in PC points. It also comes with some travel and rental car insurance that's nice for a no fee card.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on October 02, 2018, 11:55:51 PM
Thanks for tagging me :) I came a-running when I saw Canada + Travel Hacking!

I did spot the sign up bonus for the BMO World Elite Air Miles card today - its pretty sweet. We had the card last year (just canceled it a few months ago) and are considering signing up again (from what I understand, its very churnable although I haven't attempted such a close churn before). That said - we didn't end up using the Companion Pass last year although I had wanted to. We ended up choosing to roadtrip this year due to a variety of reasons. Plus, I am still more used to US travel hacking and am super spoiled paying $5.60 each way in taxes. I didn't end up being able to stomach paying $200 in taxes + a boatload of air miles per person just to fly somewhere randomly. That said, I do think it is a pretty sweet deal to fly a short-haul to an normally-expensive Canadian destination (although I guess I haven't yet put my money where my mouth is haha!). Still, even for the bonus Air Miles alone, the card is pretty worth it.

I'm hoping to start racking up Aeroplan miles next for flights to Asia in the next couple of years. So trying to keep my ears to the ground for any good bonus promos over the next year.

@Dee The PC World Elite is a decent card (my DH likes the satisfaction of frequent, visible redemptions. Myself - I hate "wasting" points on boring groceries!) and the $100 gift card sweetens the pot. You should be aware that it doesn't have the highest rate of return for regular spending though. Then again, I'm a huge advocate for the concept that the valuation of rewards is a very personal thing.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Ottawa on October 03, 2018, 12:11:13 PM
Yes!  I'm pretty pumped to up my game. 
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on October 03, 2018, 12:14:37 PM
Just make sure not to spend more just because you have to hit 3k in spend. Gift cards are good forever (as long as the store doesn't go bankrupt)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on October 13, 2018, 08:27:55 AM
PayTm currently has an offer to receive 10$ for simply downloading the app and writing your name, and another 10$ for using the code ''university'' during a bill payment. I've tried it and it was pretty painless. There is a referral system, but it's unclear if you get the 10$ + another 5$ for the referrer (after the person pays a 50$ bill). If someone is willing to try, I'd be willing to send the 5$ back if it doesn't work. (So that we know which one works most effectively - Either 15$ (10 for the new, 5$ for the referrer)

PayTM is an APP on your phone and way to pay with CCs different bills that usually you can't. I personnally used it to pay off a CC just to take advantage of the free 20$, but will use it to fill the Spend criteria of the BMO Air Miles above. (Only free to use with a mastercard or bank account, not other CCs)
https://www.paytm.ca/   ------------ If anyone is willing to test out the referral and has a 50$ bill, use my code: PTM7977904. If it works, after the first referral, we'll use a system of posting your referral # after you use one, that way everyone gets to share in the Bonus!

So a free 20$, and other bonuses that appear periodically. (possibly 25$ if the referral works)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: thriftyc on October 15, 2018, 08:12:30 PM
I recently got a PC Financial World Elite Mastercard and am supposed to get $100 e-gift card for having signed up through RateSupermarket: https://www.ratesupermarket.ca/credit_cards/pc_financial/presidents_choice_financial_world_elite_mastercard (https://www.ratesupermarket.ca/credit_cards/pc_financial/presidents_choice_financial_world_elite_mastercard). There's no annual fee and it pays in PC points. It also comes with some travel and rental car insurance that's nice for a no fee card.

I love that card, have gotten $100's of free groceries thus far.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: sieben on October 15, 2018, 09:10:47 PM
This thread could be fun :)

Not a CC, but I just did this too get $300.
https://www.td.com/ca/en/personal-banking/products/special-offers/300-offer/

Relatively painless, I did the following.
* Signed up online
* Transferred in $4000 so I wasn't getting dinged with a monthly fee
* Made a online payment to my Questrade account
* Setup a PAD from my Questrade account
* Waited a month
* Got my bonus
* Transferred everything out
* Cancelled the account online.

Took maybe an hour of messing around, more then I normally get paid anyway ;)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on October 16, 2018, 06:05:32 AM
This thread could be fun :)

Not a CC, but I just did this too get $300.
https://www.td.com/ca/en/personal-banking/products/special-offers/300-offer/

Relatively painless, I did the following.


That's a suprisingly easy one! Usually it's wait 6-12 months!

Doing it now! (I knew this would be helpful!)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on October 16, 2018, 12:22:41 PM
PayTm currently has an offer to receive 10$ for simply downloading the app and writing your name, and another 10$ for using the code ''university'' during a bill payment. I've tried it and it was pretty painless. There is a referral system, but it's unclear if you get the 10$ + another 5$ for the referrer (after the person pays a 50$ bill). If someone is willing to try, I'd be willing to send the 5$ back if it doesn't work. (So that we know which one works most effectively - Either 15$ (10 for the new, 5$ for the referrer)

PayTM is an APP on your phone and way to pay with CCs different bills that usually you can't. I personnally used it to pay off a CC just to take advantage of the free 20$, but will use it to fill the Spend criteria of the BMO Air Miles above. (Only free to use with a mastercard or bank account, not other CCs)
https://www.paytm.ca/   ------------ If anyone is willing to test out the referral and has a 50$ bill, use my code: PTM7977904. If it works, after the first referral, we'll use a system of posting your referral # after you use one, that way everyone gets to share in the Bonus!

So a free 20$, and other bonuses that appear periodically. (possibly 25$ if the referral works)
Hey, I need to send a private email transfer of $1k by tonight. Would PayTM be suitable for this? Not sure if it would be worth the fees either as I am not working on a sign up bonus right now.

Thanks :)

---------------------

I Survived CM*TO 2018 and am looking forward to Hippie Money Camp - Toronto 2019. Join us to find out just why VolleyHockeyBall is the best game ever!

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on October 16, 2018, 12:23:19 PM
This thread could be fun :)

Not a CC, but I just did this too get $300.
https://www.td.com/ca/en/personal-banking/products/special-offers/300-offer/

Relatively painless, I did the following.
* Signed up online
* Transferred in $4000 so I wasn't getting dinged with a monthly fee
* Made a online payment to my Questrade account
* Setup a PAD from my Questrade account
* Waited a month
* Got my bonus
* Transferred everything out
* Cancelled the account online.

Took maybe an hour of messing around, more then I normally get paid anyway ;)
What a sweet one! Too bad TD is my regular bank.

---------------------

I Survived CM*TO 2018 and am looking forward to Hippie Money Camp - Toronto 2019. Join us to find out just why VolleyHockeyBall is the best game ever!

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on October 16, 2018, 12:56:12 PM
Hey, I need to send a private email transfer of $1k by tonight. Would PayTM be suitable for this? Not sure if it would be worth the fees either as I am not working on a sign up bonus right now.

Don't think so, it's mostly to pay bills, so unless your private email to someone is to a registered company that has listed with PayTM, it won't fly.

But you can pay your own CC's with your bank account and get points. Which was an amusing way for me to get another 10$, at which point I deleted bank info after getting the bonus, and will probably delete the app :D
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on October 16, 2018, 01:48:42 PM
Hey, I need to send a private email transfer of $1k by tonight. Would PayTM be suitable for this? Not sure if it would be worth the fees either as I am not working on a sign up bonus right now.

Don't think so, it's mostly to pay bills, so unless your private email to someone is to a registered company that has listed with PayTM, it won't fly.

But you can pay your own CC's with your bank account and get points. Which was an amusing way for me to get another 10$, at which point I deleted bank info after getting the bonus, and will probably delete the app :D
Great info - thanks!

---------------------

I Survived CM*TO 2018 and am looking forward to Hippie Money Camp - Toronto 2019. Join us to find out just why VolleyHockeyBall is the best game ever!

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: sieben on October 16, 2018, 07:43:51 PM
This thread could be fun :)

Not a CC, but I just did this too get $300.
https://www.td.com/ca/en/personal-banking/products/special-offers/300-offer/

Relatively painless, I did the following.


That's a suprisingly easy one! Usually it's wait 6-12 months!

Doing it now! (I knew this would be helpful!)


The part that sold me was that I didn't have to change my payroll deposit. Most of the sign-up bonuses seem to require that. A bill pay and PAC are pretty easy to do, specially since I was able to use Questrade for both ;)
I was surprised at the quick turn around too, hopefully yours is just as fast!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Ottawa on October 17, 2018, 06:52:14 AM
First Case Study!

Need to find best way to hack a round trip to Europe.  This is for Oktoberfest next fall - once I have the plan in place I will help out a couple of friends to do this as well. It is important to cost as little as possible to get 'spousal buy-in' :-) 

It is possible that flying to Amsterdam may be a good option and renting a car...taxes and fees seem to be more in/out German cities.  TBD.
 
Starting with the flights, it seems that Aeroplan might be the best way to go.  Here is my proposal so far:

Apply CIBC Aventura Gold Visa - 15,000 points
Apply CIBC Aventura Infinite - 15,000 points.

CIBC notes:
- I've read that although CIBC state somewhere that they only give once bonus for their cards, but in practice they do it for both?
- both cards have a fyf (first year free).  Good!  And also, lounge passes - important when heading on an Oktoberfest holiday :-)

Amex gold - 25,000MR points - tranfer to Aeroplan 1:1

Amex notes:
- 150 annual fee, but 50 cash back if applying through GCR (great canadian rebates) - you need an account.  Note - if you need an account we should refer each other as per GCR website: "You will earn a 15% Referral Bonus on all Cash Back Rebates earned by any new Member you refer for five years from the time your referral becomes a member."

I was going to go with SPG Amex, however, if the above plan works I only need 5K more points.  So, how about:
Best Western MC - 20,000 points can be transferred at 5:1 to aeroplan, giving 4,000 Aeroplan points.

Best Western notes:
- no annual fee.

This gives a total of 59,000 Aeroplan points - the rest can probably be achieved through collection? 

Has anyone got any input...including crushing my whole plan and replacing it with Air Miles or something else...

Total cost would be $100 for Amex and the airport taxes/fees which I've seen as low as $145 - ($245).  Not exactly free...
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on October 17, 2018, 07:35:46 AM
Look up HSBC world elite. If you have spending you can do, that card (fyf) gives a ton of points.

For your case study, find out how many points you need for the trip. (Through aeroplan, AM, or simply cash) that will allow you to target the program you need.

I like the collect every program separately and at the same time that lets me use them for their best use after. No reason to switch over the BW points until you really need them for example.

If you can figure out what kind of spend you could do (by doing normal spending + gift cards for future (groceries, stores, amazon etc) it'll also help figure out what to do.

Go on churning Canada, and look up the "amex order" for cards. If you follow it, I believe it's somewhere in the 250k range for points.

https://www.reddit.com/r/churningcanada/comments/6xdi3h/starting_with_amex/
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Ottawa on October 17, 2018, 12:39:16 PM
PayTm currently has an offer to receive 10$ for simply downloading the app and writing your name, and another 10$ for using the code ''university'' during a bill payment. I've tried it and it was pretty painless. There is a referral system, but it's unclear if you get the 10$ + another 5$ for the referrer (after the person pays a 50$ bill). If someone is willing to try, I'd be willing to send the 5$ back if it doesn't work. (So that we know which one works most effectively - Either 15$ (10 for the new, 5$ for the referrer)

PayTM is an APP on your phone and way to pay with CCs different bills that usually you can't. I personnally used it to pay off a CC just to take advantage of the free 20$, but will use it to fill the Spend criteria of the BMO Air Miles above. (Only free to use with a mastercard or bank account, not other CCs)
https://www.paytm.ca/   ------------ If anyone is willing to test out the referral and has a 50$ bill, use my code: PTM7977904. If it works, after the first referral, we'll use a system of posting your referral # after you use one, that way everyone gets to share in the Bonus!

So a free 20$, and other bonuses that appear periodically. (possibly 25$ if the referral works)

Alright mate.  I set up Paytm, got $10.  Paid a $60 bill, used university and got $10 credit.  I used your code...let me know if it works!  My reference code is: PTM2924654 for the next lucky person. 

Also got .60 cents in paytm points (i.e. 1%).  Since I'm still paying with my credit card, I get another 1% on that.  ha ha.



Seemed pretty painless. 
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: PoutineLover on October 17, 2018, 01:00:44 PM
This is a great thread. Just set up my TD account, paid a Questrade "bill" and set up pre-authorized debit to Questrade. Hope the bonus comes quickly. I don't think I'm going to maintain the $4,000 minimum, I think the money can be better used elsewhere, so the account fee will just come out of the free bonus money. I feel a bit bad for gaming the system, but oh well. Nobody is forcing them to hand out cash right..
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on October 17, 2018, 01:59:10 PM
I think that's what i'll do too. Put 100$ in, and hope that the money comes within a month to only lose 16$.

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on October 17, 2018, 02:00:52 PM
Ottawa did you get 10$ when you joined?
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Ottawa on October 17, 2018, 02:02:49 PM
Ottawa did you get 10$ when you joined?

I did!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on October 17, 2018, 06:24:17 PM
If you don't have one, the Amex Cobalt is great - 5% back at Metro, for example - where you can buy gift cards... Last year they had double points up to $2k in December. Plus you get $25 back a month for the first year if you spend $500 (2.5k points I should say - which can be redeemed against travel for 1c/point). I really hope they do the same deal this December... There is a $10/month fee, but that's easily offset. Like.. do you shop on Amazon? Get an Amazon gift card at Metro/Sobey's, instant 5% discount.

I just got an Amex SPG card yesterday. $120 fee, but decent sign up bonus (4 nights in a hotel? Something like that), and you get a free night after the first year.

If you have a Scotia STEP account (collateral mortgage) you get good discounts on their best credit cards - we got a Passport card (free Priority Pass lounge entries x6), and it is $70 a year instead of $140 I think. Not the best card for spending on - but it is zero forex - and the sign up bonus when we got it was worth $250 as well. Plus the usual set of insurance.

I dunno, I'm not good at actual churning. I think the only actual duplicate cards I've had have been the Scotia Gold Amex, TD Aeroplan, and MBNA RWE (which is now junk).

Edit: And no I don't think the Tax sub is the right place for this... rather, there should be country specific general subs where warranted. This sub is usually pretty quiet, it would be fine it just being a general Canadian sub off the main board.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on October 17, 2018, 06:29:41 PM
First Case Study!

Need to find best way to hack a round trip to Europe.  This is for Oktoberfest next fall - once I have the plan in place I will help out a couple of friends to do this as well. It is important to cost as little as possible to get 'spousal buy-in' :-) 

It is possible that flying to Amsterdam may be a good option and renting a car...taxes and fees seem to be more in/out German cities.  TBD.
 
Starting with the flights, it seems that Aeroplan might be the best way to go.  Here is my proposal so far:

Apply CIBC Aventura Gold Visa - 15,000 points
Apply CIBC Aventura Infinite - 15,000 points.

CIBC notes:
- I've read that although CIBC state somewhere that they only give once bonus for their cards, but in practice they do it for both?
- both cards have a fyf (first year free).  Good!  And also, lounge passes - important when heading on an Oktoberfest holiday :-)

Amex gold - 25,000MR points - tranfer to Aeroplan 1:1

Amex notes:
- 150 annual fee, but 50 cash back if applying through GCR (great canadian rebates) - you need an account.  Note - if you need an account we should refer each other as per GCR website: "You will earn a 15% Referral Bonus on all Cash Back Rebates earned by any new Member you refer for five years from the time your referral becomes a member."

I was going to go with SPG Amex, however, if the above plan works I only need 5K more points.  So, how about:
Best Western MC - 20,000 points can be transferred at 5:1 to aeroplan, giving 4,000 Aeroplan points.

Best Western notes:
- no annual fee.

This gives a total of 59,000 Aeroplan points - the rest can probably be achieved through collection? 

Has anyone got any input...including crushing my whole plan and replacing it with Air Miles or something else...

Total cost would be $100 for Amex and the airport taxes/fees which I've seen as low as $145 - ($245).  Not exactly free...

Aeroplan has been terrible when I've looked, considering the alternatives - ie, $600 in charges on what is really a $700 ticket. I'd just get Amex MR and redeem them against the cost of the flight.

Unless you have loads of time - in which case check Flyertalk and whatnot, fly to IST (ugh... Turkey...). People rave about the airport lounges, but I don't get it myself - I just want to get where I'm going. Not much of a tourist, I guess!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on October 17, 2018, 06:39:13 PM
Aeroplan has been terrible when I've looked, considering the alternatives - ie, $600 in charges on what is really a $700 ticket. I'd just get Amex MR and redeem them against the cost of the flight.

Unless you have loads of time - in which case check Flyertalk and whatnot, fly to IST (ugh... Turkey...). People rave about the airport lounges, but I don't get it myself - I just want to get where I'm going. Not much of a tourist, I guess!

The trick is to pick specific carriers (not air canada), there is a list of airlines that don't have those fees (you can fly to europe with Aeroplan costing you only about 100$ in fees.)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Prairie Gal on October 17, 2018, 07:06:06 PM
I was hoping someone would start a Canadian travel hacking thread. I did an ATB sign up bonus once for $350 that was pretty painless, so I'll look into the TD one.

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on October 18, 2018, 06:43:56 AM
Aeroplan has been terrible when I've looked, considering the alternatives - ie, $600 in charges on what is really a $700 ticket. I'd just get Amex MR and redeem them against the cost of the flight.

Unless you have loads of time - in which case check Flyertalk and whatnot, fly to IST (ugh... Turkey...). People rave about the airport lounges, but I don't get it myself - I just want to get where I'm going. Not much of a tourist, I guess!

The trick is to pick specific carriers (not air canada), there is a list of airlines that don't have those fees (you can fly to europe with Aeroplan costing you only about 100$ in fees.)

Europe is a pretty big place - not much use if you're strapped for time if you end up in Dubrovnik when you actually want to be in Hamburg. Now, there are plenty of low cost carriers, but it's all hassle, and they often fly to smaller airports.

If you have lots of time, you can try Wow - https://en.wowair.ca/

If you have to call Aeroplan to book you have to pay them a fee as well, I believe. I'm not saying it isn't doable - and for business class it's worth it, no doubt - but there are easier options.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: The Fake Cheap on October 18, 2018, 05:46:14 PM
This thread could be fun :)

Not a CC, but I just did this too get $300.
https://www.td.com/ca/en/personal-banking/products/special-offers/300-offer/

Relatively painless, I did the following.
* Signed up online
* Transferred in $4000 so I wasn't getting dinged with a monthly fee
* Made a online payment to my Questrade account
* Setup a PAD from my Questrade account
* Waited a month
* Got my bonus
* Transferred everything out
* Cancelled the account online.

Took maybe an hour of messing around, more then I normally get paid anyway ;)

Going to try this one right now.  Deadline is to open the account is Oct. 31 for anyone else who might be interested.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Stashasaurus on October 18, 2018, 08:30:54 PM
I recieved the TD mailer for the $400. Thanks @sieben for posting about it here, otherwise I probably would have just recycled it. Now I am just waiting for the money. :)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Goldielocks on October 21, 2018, 10:51:02 PM
First Case Study!

Need to find best way to hack a round trip to Europe.  This is for Oktoberfest next fall - once I have the plan in place I will help out a couple of friends to do this as well. It is important to cost as little as possible to get 'spousal buy-in' :-) 

It is possible that flying to Amsterdam may be a good option and renting a car...taxes and fees seem to be more in/out German cities.  TBD.
 
Starting with the flights, it seems that Aeroplan might be the best way to go.  Here is my proposal so far:

Apply CIBC Aventura Gold Visa - 15,000 points
Apply CIBC Aventura Infinite - 15,000 points.

CIBC notes:
- I've read that although CIBC state somewhere that they only give once bonus for their cards, but in practice they do it for both?
- both cards have a fyf (first year free).  Good!  And also, lounge passes - important when heading on an Oktoberfest holiday :-)

Amex gold - 25,000MR points - tranfer to Aeroplan 1:1

Amex notes:
- 150 annual fee, but 50 cash back if applying through GCR (great canadian rebates) - you need an account.  Note - if you need an account we should refer each other as per GCR website: "You will earn a 15% Referral Bonus on all Cash Back Rebates earned by any new Member you refer for five years from the time your referral becomes a member."

I was going to go with SPG Amex, however, if the above plan works I only need 5K more points.  So, how about:
Best Western MC - 20,000 points can be transferred at 5:1 to aeroplan, giving 4,000 Aeroplan points.

Best Western notes:
- no annual fee.

This gives a total of 59,000 Aeroplan points - the rest can probably be achieved through collection? 

Has anyone got any input...including crushing my whole plan and replacing it with Air Miles or something else...

Total cost would be $100 for Amex and the airport taxes/fees which I've seen as low as $145 - ($245).  Not exactly free...
I had a lot of aeroplan points, and then got an AMEX super bonus signup card...

and I still found it better to take the AMEX points as a cash back (buying travel like europe train ticket with the card, then getting a cash payout)... than booking with aeroplan.  Maybe for an october trip it can work for you, but the cost of the fuel surcharges did not end up providing more value than just a cash-out of the points.   I did find AMEX points quite lucrative.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on October 22, 2018, 06:24:30 AM
Quick Google-Fu explains the issue with surcharges, and how to avoid them.

-Best one : https://princeoftravel.com/blog/9-useful-aeroplan-tricks
(Point #1 don't trust the aeroplan search engine)

https://canadiankilometers.boardingarea.com/2017/07/11/redeem-aeroplan-flights-fewer-fees/
http://headedabroad.com/how-to-pay-no-taxes-and-surcharges-when-booking-an-award-ticket-on-aeroplan/

And then enjoy flying an around the world trip, paying around 150$ in taxes.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: snacky on October 22, 2018, 07:06:00 AM
This thread is relevant to my interests.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on October 22, 2018, 08:38:22 AM
This thread is relevant to my interests. PTF

FTFY
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Goldielocks on October 22, 2018, 03:37:18 PM
Quick Google-Fu explains the issue with surcharges, and how to avoid them.

-Best one : https://princeoftravel.com/blog/9-useful-aeroplan-tricks
(Point #1 don't trust the aeroplan search engine)

https://canadiankilometers.boardingarea.com/2017/07/11/redeem-aeroplan-flights-fewer-fees/
http://headedabroad.com/how-to-pay-no-taxes-and-surcharges-when-booking-an-award-ticket-on-aeroplan/

And then enjoy flying an around the world trip, paying around 150$ in taxes.
These are excellent links.   

Challenges not covered is
-How to get flights within Canada  & USA on Aeroplan, and reduced fees.  The United bookings seem to be from / to North America.
- there are MANY cities in Canada for which the only star alliance carrier is air canada.  Taking Westjet from Regina to Calgary, to catch an Air China flight may work out or not, compared to the fuel surcharges.  An alternative to this is to use the AMEX points on a different carrier, or to redeem for cash.
- It is very, very hard to get bookings from Vancouver to Toronto, where many of the star alliance carriers depart from, for Europe.  Vancouver - Calgary can work if not an in-demand season, and that other cities may have similar issues to being "stuck" with Air Canada for some of the flight segments.

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on October 22, 2018, 04:49:27 PM
Air miles is quite nice inside Canada.

But yea, aeroplan inside canada is terrible.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: The Fake Cheap on October 23, 2018, 07:10:55 PM
This thread could be fun :)

Not a CC, but I just did this too get $300.
https://www.td.com/ca/en/personal-banking/products/special-offers/300-offer/

Relatively painless, I did the following.
* Signed up online
* Transferred in $4000 so I wasn't getting dinged with a monthly fee
* Made a online payment to my Questrade account
* Setup a PAD from my Questrade account
* Waited a month
* Got my bonus
* Transferred everything out
* Cancelled the account online.

Took maybe an hour of messing around, more then I normally get paid anyway ;)

Going to try this one right now.  Deadline is to open the account is Oct. 31 for anyone else who might be interested.

I got this all set up, did my bill payment to Questrade, and set up a PAD from Questrade, now I wait for the $$$.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Ottawa on October 28, 2018, 12:09:05 PM
First Case Study!

Need to find best way to hack a round trip to Europe.  This is for Oktoberfest next fall - once I have the plan in place I will help out a couple of friends to do this as well. It is important to cost as little as possible to get 'spousal buy-in' :-) 

It is possible that flying to Amsterdam may be a good option and renting a car...taxes and fees seem to be more in/out German cities.  TBD.
 
Starting with the flights, it seems that Aeroplan might be the best way to go.  Here is my proposal so far:

Apply CIBC Aventura Gold Visa - 15,000 points
Apply CIBC Aventura Infinite - 15,000 points.

CIBC notes:
- I've read that although CIBC state somewhere that they only give once bonus for their cards, but in practice they do it for both?
- both cards have a fyf (first year free).  Good!  And also, lounge passes - important when heading on an Oktoberfest holiday :-)

Amex gold - 25,000MR points - tranfer to Aeroplan 1:1

Amex notes:
- 150 annual fee, but 50 cash back if applying through GCR (great canadian rebates) - you need an account.  Note - if you need an account we should refer each other as per GCR website: "You will earn a 15% Referral Bonus on all Cash Back Rebates earned by any new Member you refer for five years from the time your referral becomes a member."

I was going to go with SPG Amex, however, if the above plan works I only need 5K more points.  So, how about:
Best Western MC - 20,000 points can be transferred at 5:1 to aeroplan, giving 4,000 Aeroplan points.

Best Western notes:
- no annual fee.

This gives a total of 59,000 Aeroplan points - the rest can probably be achieved through collection? 

Has anyone got any input...including crushing my whole plan and replacing it with Air Miles or something else...

Total cost would be $100 for Amex and the airport taxes/fees which I've seen as low as $145 - ($245).  Not exactly free...

So far:
Applied for the CIBC Aventura Gold Visa but got 'upgraded' to the CIBC Aventura Infinite.  So, it looks like I can only apply for the one.  No problem.  Will get spouse to also apply.  That gets me half way there! 

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Ottawa on October 28, 2018, 12:30:55 PM
Caveat!  Just realized that aventura points cannot be converted unless you had your aventura account prior to 2013.  So, the accumulation of aventura points will not go to the europe trip as it won't be possible to accumulate enough for next year.  However, it would be easy to accumulate 30K (with spousal application) which should take you anywhere North America - at no real cost...

Back to the drawing board for Europe.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on October 28, 2018, 03:55:28 PM
Do the aeroplan stack. Buisness platinum, then non stop self referral. You'll be fine.

Also, come to Ottawa meetups. My gf wants to see your man-bun
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Goldielocks on October 28, 2018, 07:30:38 PM
Not exactly Travel hacking, but CC for Canadians..

I have a new CC with PC (President's Choice).  The top tier card provides 3% back (in store credits/points) at Loblaws chains.  (Forever), plus a smaller rebate for Esso gas stations.   The remaining general spend is only 1% back.

Signing up through Ratesupermarket provided me with a $100 gift card (to Starbucks or Cineplex, or a couple other choices), once I activated the card.  AND, I have not had any spam from ratesupermarket yet.  The Starbucks card I got worked.  (I use these for my small business).

NEXT, the MBNA World Elite (which was a 2% back card with $80 per year fee and now is a 1.67% back card with $120 fee) -- when I called to switch out to something with no fee but lower rewards...  after some talking / complaining, asking if I needed to cancel to get the reward card I wanted through them, etc...   offered me $50 back in points if I don't cancel the card.   Okay!       By shifting groceries to the other card, this nets out to the 2% cash back and $80/yr fee that I had last year.

Don't forget to cash in your MBNA points to cash before February 2019, as you can redeem as low as $10 at a time right now.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: ryanBC on October 28, 2018, 08:49:35 PM
Look up HSBC world elite. If you have spending you can do, that card (fyf) gives a ton of points.

+1 to this card. I got it a few months ago as a replacement for my MBNA world elite. First year fee waived, 3% on travel, 1.5% everything else, no forex fees.

I got the 20,000 points right away plus another 10,000 after the first $1,000. It looks like the deal is even more lucrative now if you can run $10k through the card in 4 months.

The card took about a month to show up after signing up, and you have to go down to an actual HSBC branch with 2 pieces of photo ID to pick it up, which was kind of a hassle.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on October 29, 2018, 07:31:52 AM
Best right now is the BMO if you already have enough AM that you can fly two people, since you get rebated after the second flight.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Novik on October 29, 2018, 10:08:07 AM
I suspect this was the one meant: https://www.bmo.com/main/personal/credit-cards/bmo-air-miles-world-elite-mastercard/ (https://www.bmo.com/main/personal/credit-cards/bmo-air-miles-world-elite-mastercard/) - 3000 AM vs. BMO rewards points with the on you linked to
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on October 29, 2018, 10:38:06 AM
Yup. Noviks... or you know, the one in the first post!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on October 29, 2018, 07:21:27 PM
Cough. Be optimistic. Cough add in dividends and possible capital gains. Cough. Estimated? :d
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Prairie Gal on October 30, 2018, 05:08:17 AM
Cough. Be optimistic. Cough add in dividends and possible capital gains. Cough. Estimated? :d

;) yeah I do not think they look much further than your credit report.

This brings up a good point, because I don't meet the minimum. Not sure how much coughing I am comfortable with ... but I might feel a case of bronchitis coming on.

I have thought about the West Jet card, mainly for the companion fares, but it also has the 80K minimum.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: PoutineLover on October 30, 2018, 09:54:03 AM
I just signed up for the Blue Sky Amex card to get 10k bonus points (worth 100 bucks). No annual fee, no minimum income required, and they also have 5k bonuses for referring people (so if you want my code, let me know, and the next person can pass it down)
You earn 1.25 points per dollar and need to spend $500 in the first 3 months to get the bonus. It works as a statement credit against travel purchases.
https://www.ratehub.ca/credit-cards/card/american-express-blue-sky
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on October 30, 2018, 10:13:56 AM
I just signed up for the Blue Sky Amex card to get 10k bonus points (worth 100 bucks). No annual fee, no minimum income required, and they also have 5k bonuses for referring people (so if you want my code, let me know, and the next person can pass it down)
You earn 1.25 points per dollar and need to spend $500 in the first 3 months to get the bonus. It works as a statement credit against travel purchases.
https://www.ratehub.ca/credit-cards/card/american-express-blue-sky

Meh, better than nothing. No fee, so can keep the age of your cards up, 100$ is 100$ (5k for the referrer, or both?). Course there are lots and lots of 100$ options.
Also, AMEX is terrible for finding places that accept it.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: PoutineLover on October 30, 2018, 10:34:42 AM
I just signed up for the Blue Sky Amex card to get 10k bonus points (worth 100 bucks). No annual fee, no minimum income required, and they also have 5k bonuses for referring people (so if you want my code, let me know, and the next person can pass it down)
You earn 1.25 points per dollar and need to spend $500 in the first 3 months to get the bonus. It works as a statement credit against travel purchases.
https://www.ratehub.ca/credit-cards/card/american-express-blue-sky

Meh, better than nothing. No fee, so can keep the age of your cards up, 100$ is 100$ (5k for the referrer, or both?). Course there are lots and lots of 100$ options.
Also, AMEX is terrible for finding places that accept it.
From reading the conditions, I think the referee would get 10k bonus that any new member would get, and the referrer gets 5k. But I don't have the card in hand yet so I'm not sure if I'll get more details on the program.
I don't qualify for the higher minimum income cards, and I try to avoid annual fees, and I already have a lot of the cards that offer good bonuses, so for me this is a decent option for now. It is hard to spend a lot on amex, I ran into that issue when I got the Scotiabank gold amex, but only $500 in 3 months shouldn't be too hard.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on October 30, 2018, 10:46:35 AM
Going to Gas stations is the easiest way, you can buy gift cards for your normal spending areas (netflix, groceries, home improvement stores) on AMEX.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on October 30, 2018, 12:30:23 PM
I just signed up for the Blue Sky Amex card to get 10k bonus points (worth 100 bucks). No annual fee, no minimum income required, and they also have 5k bonuses for referring people (so if you want my code, let me know, and the next person can pass it down)
You earn 1.25 points per dollar and need to spend $500 in the first 3 months to get the bonus. It works as a statement credit against travel purchases.
https://www.ratehub.ca/credit-cards/card/american-express-blue-sky

Meh, better than nothing. No fee, so can keep the age of your cards up, 100$ is 100$ (5k for the referrer, or both?). Course there are lots and lots of 100$ options.
Also, AMEX is terrible for finding places that accept it.
From reading the conditions, I think the referee would get 10k bonus that any new member would get, and the referrer gets 5k. But I don't have the card in hand yet so I'm not sure if I'll get more details on the program.
I don't qualify for the higher minimum income cards, and I try to avoid annual fees, and I already have a lot of the cards that offer good bonuses, so for me this is a decent option for now. It is hard to spend a lot on amex, I ran into that issue when I got the Scotiabank gold amex, but only $500 in 3 months shouldn't be too hard.

Amex doesn't do minimum income requirements in Canada. There are few reasons to keep something like the Blue Sky card, when you could have a Cobalt, or Gold, or SPG... The return is much much better.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on October 30, 2018, 12:38:30 PM
I just signed up for the Blue Sky Amex card to get 10k bonus points (worth 100 bucks). No annual fee, no minimum income required, and they also have 5k bonuses for referring people (so if you want my code, let me know, and the next person can pass it down)
You earn 1.25 points per dollar and need to spend $500 in the first 3 months to get the bonus. It works as a statement credit against travel purchases.
https://www.ratehub.ca/credit-cards/card/american-express-blue-sky

Meh, better than nothing. No fee, so can keep the age of your cards up, 100$ is 100$ (5k for the referrer, or both?). Course there are lots and lots of 100$ options.
Also, AMEX is terrible for finding places that accept it.
From reading the conditions, I think the referee would get 10k bonus that any new member would get, and the referrer gets 5k. But I don't have the card in hand yet so I'm not sure if I'll get more details on the program.
I don't qualify for the higher minimum income cards, and I try to avoid annual fees, and I already have a lot of the cards that offer good bonuses, so for me this is a decent option for now. It is hard to spend a lot on amex, I ran into that issue when I got the Scotiabank gold amex, but only $500 in 3 months shouldn't be too hard.

Amex doesn't do minimum income requirements in Canada. There are few reasons to keep something like the Blue Sky card, when you could have a Cobalt, or Gold, or SPG... The return is much much better.

Allows for an extra card with no fee. Thus increasing the average age of all accounts.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: PoutineLover on October 30, 2018, 12:40:52 PM
I just signed up for the Blue Sky Amex card to get 10k bonus points (worth 100 bucks). No annual fee, no minimum income required, and they also have 5k bonuses for referring people (so if you want my code, let me know, and the next person can pass it down)
You earn 1.25 points per dollar and need to spend $500 in the first 3 months to get the bonus. It works as a statement credit against travel purchases.
https://www.ratehub.ca/credit-cards/card/american-express-blue-sky

Meh, better than nothing. No fee, so can keep the age of your cards up, 100$ is 100$ (5k for the referrer, or both?). Course there are lots and lots of 100$ options.
Also, AMEX is terrible for finding places that accept it.
From reading the conditions, I think the referee would get 10k bonus that any new member would get, and the referrer gets 5k. But I don't have the card in hand yet so I'm not sure if I'll get more details on the program.
I don't qualify for the higher minimum income cards, and I try to avoid annual fees, and I already have a lot of the cards that offer good bonuses, so for me this is a decent option for now. It is hard to spend a lot on amex, I ran into that issue when I got the Scotiabank gold amex, but only $500 in 3 months shouldn't be too hard.

Amex doesn't do minimum income requirements in Canada. There are few reasons to keep something like the Blue Sky card, when you could have a Cobalt, or Gold, or SPG... The return is much much better.
All of those cards have annual fees, and I don't spend all that much money each month, especially not at places that accept Amex, so it would be pretty hard to justify. I do have the gold, but I think a $100 bonus is better than spending enough to get $100 in points earned. Looks like for the cobalt I'd get $300 if I spent $500 per month all year, but I'd still be paying $120 in fees so net $180. If I spend the same amount on the Blue sky, I net $175. Plus I'll get a referral from my partner, so $225. Am I missing anything?
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on October 30, 2018, 12:54:38 PM
Depending on the time of the year, they will often throw a FYF option (Not cobalt, cobalt is terrible for low spenders)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: PoutineLover on October 30, 2018, 01:02:35 PM
Depending on the time of the year, they will often throw a FYF option (Not cobalt, cobalt is terrible for low spenders)
I got my first year free on the Scotiabank gold amex, then I downgraded to the regular free one. Would I still get a bonus if I get a regular gold amex?
On average I spend about $800/month outside of rent, but I think for at least half of that I'd have an Amex acceptance issue, and plus for me I think the psychological aspect of needing to spend $500 to get the bonus would cause me to spend more. I don't always shop at chain grocery stores, so gift cards have limited utility for me as well. I'm open to other options, and I'll definitely look into all suggestions, but based on my spending patterns I don't know if those cards would be more beneficial to me than the blue sky.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on October 30, 2018, 01:43:15 PM

I got my first year free on the Scotiabank gold amex, then I downgraded to the regular free one. Would I still get a bonus if I get a regular gold amex?
-As long as it`s not an upgrade, but a new card, you'd get the bonus.
On average I spend about $800/month outside of rent, but I think for at least half of that I'd have an Amex acceptance issue, and plus for me I think the psychological aspect of needing to spend $500 to get the bonus would cause me to spend more. I don't always shop at chain grocery stores, so gift cards have limited utility for me as well. I'm open to other options, and I'll definitely look into all suggestions, but based on my spending patterns I don't know if those cards would be more beneficial to me than the blue sky.
I wouldn`t do it then if you'll simply spend more.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on October 30, 2018, 03:04:20 PM
I just signed up for the Blue Sky Amex card to get 10k bonus points (worth 100 bucks). No annual fee, no minimum income required, and they also have 5k bonuses for referring people (so if you want my code, let me know, and the next person can pass it down)
You earn 1.25 points per dollar and need to spend $500 in the first 3 months to get the bonus. It works as a statement credit against travel purchases.
https://www.ratehub.ca/credit-cards/card/american-express-blue-sky

Meh, better than nothing. No fee, so can keep the age of your cards up, 100$ is 100$ (5k for the referrer, or both?). Course there are lots and lots of 100$ options.
Also, AMEX is terrible for finding places that accept it.
From reading the conditions, I think the referee would get 10k bonus that any new member would get, and the referrer gets 5k. But I don't have the card in hand yet so I'm not sure if I'll get more details on the program.
I don't qualify for the higher minimum income cards, and I try to avoid annual fees, and I already have a lot of the cards that offer good bonuses, so for me this is a decent option for now. It is hard to spend a lot on amex, I ran into that issue when I got the Scotiabank gold amex, but only $500 in 3 months shouldn't be too hard.

Amex doesn't do minimum income requirements in Canada. There are few reasons to keep something like the Blue Sky card, when you could have a Cobalt, or Gold, or SPG... The return is much much better.
All of those cards have annual fees, and I don't spend all that much money each month, especially not at places that accept Amex, so it would be pretty hard to justify. I do have the gold, but I think a $100 bonus is better than spending enough to get $100 in points earned. Looks like for the cobalt I'd get $300 if I spent $500 per month all year, but I'd still be paying $120 in fees so net $180. If I spend the same amount on the Blue sky, I net $175. Plus I'll get a referral from my partner, so $225. Am I missing anything?

Cobalt sometimes has a 10k points sign up offer. Last year they did 10% on grocery spending in December - fingers crossed - and there are often extra offers floating around.

If you're not spending that much then yeah, it's tricky. Gift cards from the grocery store though - 5% off Amazon, Netflix... everything.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: PoutineLover on November 02, 2018, 12:25:47 PM
I got my TD bonus already! It only took 2.5 weeks! They won't care if I just take all my money out and close the account, right?
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 02, 2018, 01:46:04 PM
Read the details of the offer, make sure there's no claw-back clause.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Ottawa on November 10, 2018, 11:11:44 AM
Shop the Block for 2,000AM is back 15 November - 27 December!

https://shoptheblock.ca/en/coming_soon  (https://shoptheblock.ca/en/coming_soon)

Also, if you have pets - you could potentially double dip with the Global Pet Foods scratch/win promotion 3-17 November, which overlaps with one of the shop the block partners
https://scratchandwinwin.com/ (https://scratchandwinwin.com/)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on November 10, 2018, 12:22:04 PM
Shop the Block for 2,000AM is back 15 November - 27 December!

https://shoptheblock.ca/en/coming_soon  (https://shoptheblock.ca/en/coming_soon)

Also, if you have pets - you could potentially double dip with the Global Pet Foods scratch/win promotion 3-17 November, which overlaps with one of the shop the block partners
https://scratchandwinwin.com/ (https://scratchandwinwin.com/)

Yup, makes now a good time to apply for an AM credit card.

And also pick up another AM account or two, if you're into that kind of thing!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 10, 2018, 04:54:33 PM
There will be a list of different offers, and if you hit 3-5-7 of them, you get the bonus points.
Note: You usually have to show the code for the offer.
Take detailed notes (keep receipts) as AM is not always great at getting everything right.

You can only get 1 offer per company, so don't try hitting two from the same one, only one of the two counts.
You can also use offers from different provinces if you are in a province like ontario, and plan on going to Quebec at some point (Allowing you to hit Qc location to make your 7 total).

The 7 is the most profitable (200$).

FYI, you can also open AM cards for your kids, and then for example and then do 7 for each account, even though you are using the same credit card. (Just make sure that you hit 7 for each. It's a nice way to hit minimum spends for those low expenses people. so F@45, you could do 7 for you, 7 for your DD, 7 for DS and receive 6000pts (2k on each card).
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: thriftyc on November 11, 2018, 07:28:37 AM
Posting to follow. 
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 11, 2018, 07:31:59 AM
I'll do a write-up of how I plan on doing the Shop the Block, but BC`s offers will be different, so you'll get an idea.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on November 11, 2018, 08:03:10 AM
Apparently new this year - you have to do 7 offers at 7 different shops in order to qualify, which is going to make things much harder (I think I got 4 at Sobey's last year...).

However, there are some easy ones, assuming you have the miles.

Rona, Shell, Metro - use x miles and get some bonus miles - that's three easy, and free (self sustaining really) ones in Ontario.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Prairie Gal on November 11, 2018, 09:20:48 AM
Where can you see the offers?
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 11, 2018, 09:42:01 AM
Not out yet on the website, but places like Metro and Sobeys have paper copies (location dependant)

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/air-miles-shop-block-2018-nationwide-nov-15-dec-27-coming-soon-2234901/
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: sieben on November 13, 2018, 06:13:59 PM
I got my TD bonus already! It only took 2.5 weeks! They won't care if I just take all my money out and close the account, right?

They didn't seem to mind when I did it ;)
Sorry for such a slow response, hope it worked out for you!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: sieben on November 13, 2018, 06:16:06 PM
Hmmm, I've never had an Air Miles card before.
Sounds like it might be worth getting one for this promotion?

The ones from BMO seem reasonable:
https://www.bmo.com/main/personal/credit-cards/2-airmiles-offers/loyaltyone/?ecid=da-us11138CC4-EYBMO16&Airmiles.ca&dclid=CNPSwPbY0t4CFVSuAQod6hcMKA#terms-overlay

Anyone have any experience? I like the higher sign-up bonus on the World Elite, but 3K spend in 3 months would be quite a stretch for me.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 13, 2018, 06:20:24 PM
Taxes, gift cards. Insurance?

The BMO air miles WE is an awesome offer, just go up and tead my description earlier in the thread. 2 flights for the price of one + 300$ of AM (atleast) with the 3k spend.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on November 14, 2018, 05:46:35 AM
Hmmm, I've never had an Air Miles card before.
Sounds like it might be worth getting one for this promotion?

The ones from BMO seem reasonable:
https://www.bmo.com/main/personal/credit-cards/2-airmiles-offers/loyaltyone/?ecid=da-us11138CC4-EYBMO16&Airmiles.ca&dclid=CNPSwPbY0t4CFVSuAQod6hcMKA#terms-overlay

Anyone have any experience? I like the higher sign-up bonus on the World Elite, but 3K spend in 3 months would be quite a stretch for me.

PayTM is, AFAIK, still free (ie no cash advance/surcharges) with Mastercard. So you can do property tax, prepay utilities, things like that.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: sieben on November 14, 2018, 06:10:01 PM
Thanks for the tips daverobev + Lews Therin.
Looks like a good deal :)

I got the card, I'll just have to figure out a way to get the spend.  Maybe my insurance broker will let me pay the premium for my cabin insurance 6 months early, otherwise it looks like I'll be stocking up on gift cards ;)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 14, 2018, 06:18:10 PM
If you go with payTM, theres a referral system in place (5$) and you also get the current 10$ bonus, and possibly the 10$ university bonus. (Also detailed higher)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 15, 2018, 08:48:05 AM
Shop the Block is out! 2000 Air Miles for shopping at 7 different partners 15 Nov - 27 Dec
https://shoptheblock.ca/en/home

Here is an example of a ridiculous plan that will hit all the criteria, and cost almost nothing.
Note that my example only works for someone in Ontario, and can also go to Quebec (Since i`m using both provinces`s offers. Other provinces, other offers.

1- 25L at Shell (I'll have to gas up at some point, so I make sure to do it at shell and show the promotion offer) - No extra cost
2- Use 190 Air Miles for 20$ at Rexall + only buying things I need/would have bought anyways (I will be receiving more than 190 Air miles, so free money)
3- Jean Coutu - Spend 20$.. Probably harder to find 20$ worth of stuff I would have needed (I've got lots of hoarded toiletries, but still easy enough)
4- Spend 285 Air miles at Rona for 30$ - Easy enough to get things like light bulbs, tools, gifts.
5- Miss Fresh - Food delivery service, I will cancel after a single week, so it`s 6 meals for 66$, but they also offer 500 AM (50$) so 2$/Meal. Acceptable!
6- Connect my samsung pay to Air Miles (Don`t have it, but will create an account to get the bonus)
7- Use 95 Air Miles for 10$ at IGA.

After all this, I`ll have 120$ (ish) worth of stuff I would have bought anyways, and 250$ from Air Miles. Win-Win-lose (Air miles is losing)
My GF will be doing almost the exact same thing, so we are getting stuff we need, and lowering our expenses, since it`s not our money.

MAKE SURE YOU FOLLOW THE DETAILS OF THE PROMO. There are different dates for the offers, some of which you have to show the bar code in order for it to count, and always keep receipts, and screenshots of offers. (Proving you have done them)

Even crazier, I don`t have to do it all immediately, I`m sure the 95 AM for 10$ at Metro will come out as well, so it`s easy to make sure you have a very profitable promotion! @Ottawa @oneyearfromnow @Novik
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on November 15, 2018, 09:43:41 AM
Shop the Block is out! 2000 Air Miles for shopping at 7 different partners 15 Nov - 27 Dec
https://shoptheblock.ca/en/home

Here is an example of a ridiculous plan that will hit all the criteria, and cost almost nothing.
Note that my example only works for someone in Ontario, and can also go to Quebec (Since i`m using both provinces`s offers. Other provinces, other offers.

1- 25L at Shell (I'll have to gas up at some point, so I make sure to do it at shell and show the promotion offer) - No extra cost
2- Use 190 Air Miles for 20$ at Rexall + only buying things I need/would have bought anyways (I will be receiving more than 190 Air miles, so free money)
3- Jean Coutu - Spend 20$.. Probably harder to find 20$ worth of stuff I would have needed (I've got lots of hoarded toiletries, but still easy enough)
4- Spend 285 Air miles at Rona for 30$ - Easy enough to get things like light bulbs, tools, gifts.
5- Miss Fresh - Food delivery service, I will cancel after a single week, so it`s 6 meals for 66$, but they also offer 500 AM (50$) so 2$/Meal. Acceptable!
6- Connect my samsung pay to Air Miles (Don`t have it, but will create an account to get the bonus)
7- Use 95 Air Miles for 10$ at IGA.

After all this, I`ll have 120$ (ish) worth of stuff I would have bought anyways, and 250$ from Air Miles. Win-Win-lose (Air miles is losing)
My GF will be doing almost the exact same thing, so we are getting stuff we need, and lowering our expenses, since it`s not our money.

MAKE SURE YOU FOLLOW THE DETAILS OF THE PROMO. There are different dates for the offers, some of which you have to show the bar code in order for it to count, and always keep receipts, and screenshots of offers. (Proving you have done them)

Even crazier, I don`t have to do it all immediately, I`m sure the 95 AM for 10$ at Metro will come out as well, so it`s easy to make sure you have a very profitable promotion! @Ottawa @oneyearfromnow @Novik

The Metro STB one is 20-24 December I believe.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Ottawa on November 15, 2018, 11:21:54 AM
As I fulfill the 7 shops I will add to this post...mostly as a memo for me!

1) Opt in on 25 transactions with my BMO Airmiles world elite MC.  Since I'm trying to hit the 3,000 spend this shouldn't be a problem.



Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 15, 2018, 11:28:49 AM
There's also nothing stopping you from doing 25 separate 1$ amazon GC transactions. Just sayin.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on November 15, 2018, 09:58:32 PM
I was beginning to wonder if they were even going to run Shop the Block this year!!

I'm going to struggle a bit this time :( The 7 different partners is tough! Hoping additional offers come out in a few weeks that will be easier for me to do. I don't shop at Sobeys and Foodland regularly and spending $60/100 at each is going to be quite difficult. It's a bummer I'm not near a Sobeys UrbanFresh where I can buy a Sobeys $100 gift card then used that to shop at Sobeys.

And $50 each (so $100 total) in pet food is going to be many months of food for our little dog. We're still working through the last third of a giant bag from Costco.

On the positive side, I was able to use the Samsung offer even without a Samsung phone. It was simple to create an account on my laptop and then add my air miles number.

My goals are
For DH:
1. 25 purchases on BMO Air Miles MC (Nov 15 - Dec 27)
2. Link Air Miles to Samsung account, get 75 bonus Air Miles (Nov 15 - 26) - DONE
note: don't even need a Samsung phone for this :)
3. Fill up $25 at Shell, get 5 miles (Dec 15-27)
4. Spend $40, get 20 bonus AM at Rexall (Dec 3-13)
5. Use 95 cash miles for $10 off at Metro, get 50 bonus Air Miles (Dec 20-24)
6 and 7 from these possibilities:
a. use 285 cash miles for $30 off at Rona (Nov 15-30)
b. Spend $100 at Sobeys, get 100 Air Miles (Dec 6-12)
c. Spend $60 at Foodland, get 20 bonus Air Miles (Nov 16 - Dec 19)
d. spend $50 at Global Pet Foods, get 10 bonus Air Miles (Nov 15 - Dec 27)

For me:
1. use your American Express®* AIR MILES® Card to make 25 purchase transactions (Nov 15 - Dec 15)
2. Link Air Miles to Samsung account, get 75 bonus Air Miles (Nov 15 - 26)
3. Fill up 25L at Shell, get 5 miles (Dec 15-27)
4. Use 190 cash miles for $20 off, get 40 bonus AM at Rexall (Nov 19-22)
5. Use 95 cash miles for $10 off at Metro, get 50 bonus Air Miles (Dec 20-24)
6 and 7 from these possibilities:
a. use 285 cash miles for $30 off at Rona (Nov 15-30)
b. Spend $100 at Sobeys, get 100 Air Miles (Dec 6-12)
c. Spend $60 at Foodland, get 20 bonus Air Miles (Nov 16 - Dec 19)
d. spend $50 at Global Pet Foods, get 10 bonus Air Miles (Nov 15 - Dec 27)


Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 16, 2018, 02:40:39 AM
Why not miss fresh? Only ends up being 2$ a meal.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on November 16, 2018, 06:45:47 AM
Did Shell yesterday, just signed up for Samsung Pay. Will do LCBO later on, and Rexall tomorrow.

That's 4. 5 will be Metro in December. Then I'm a little stuck, but will probably do Sobey's/Foodland.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Reggie on November 16, 2018, 07:43:24 AM
Why not miss fresh? Only ends up being 2$ a meal.

Thanks Ben for the tip on Miss Fresh. Hadn't thought of that one.  Any idea how simple the cancellation process is?
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Novik on November 16, 2018, 09:20:48 AM
Why not miss fresh? Only ends up being 2$ a meal.

Thanks Ben for the tip on Miss Fresh. Hadn't thought of that one.  Any idea how simple the cancellation process is?

No personal experience, but I saw a tip elsewhere - you can put your order into "vacation mode" for a week or two to ensure AM post and your order comes, and then cancel a little more leisurely.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 16, 2018, 01:58:24 PM
FYI for Miss Fresh, I've got confirmation from their customer service that their website is showing an error (250 instead of 500+25)

The 500+25 is the correct amount.

You can also ''Skip'' weeks, so I've already skipped the next month saying I am traveling, and will close the subscription in a couple of weeks to make sure I get my points, and Air Miles won`t be able to say anything :D !
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 16, 2018, 02:12:17 PM
Why not miss fresh? Only ends up being 2$ a meal.

Thanks Ben for the tip on Miss Fresh. Hadn't thought of that one.  Any idea how simple the cancellation process is?

Seems pretty cut and dry.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Reggie on November 16, 2018, 03:51:49 PM
Why not miss fresh? Only ends up being 2$ a meal.

Thanks Ben for the tip on Miss Fresh. Hadn't thought of that one.  Any idea how simple the cancellation process is?

Seems pretty cut and dry.

Awesome
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Dee on November 16, 2018, 08:44:51 PM
Thanks, Lews Therin, for prompting me in this direction. Miss Fresh looks good (I hate cooking!). I'm about to sign up and I found a referral code that will result in $45 discount on my very first order... should I go ahead and use this code? Or will it void my Shop the Block offer? (If it does, I have to admit that I am tempted to use the code and keep the Miss Fresh subscription for an extra week...assuming I like it.)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 16, 2018, 08:58:28 PM
I wouldn't use other codes. It'll possibly block the air miles. Make sure to go through the ahop the block system. Try at your discretion.

I'll refer you :D. You might get a third one out of it. (I'll order the third one to your place.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Dee on November 16, 2018, 09:32:12 PM
Oh geez, I hadn't looked at Miss Fresh carefully enough -- does not help a "hate to cook" person like me. It's not pre-cooked meals, it's the ingredients to cook your own. Will see about this one. There is a possibility that this would prompt my spouse to cook. He doesn't do much cooking but having everything he needs right at his door step might be all he need to get started. This might be wishful thinking on my part.

Regardless, another good offer for those of us in the Ontario-Quebec border region is the Nickel's restaurant 3x the points on a spend of $20 or more. No cooking required for that one! (Doesn't take much to convince me to eat out!)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on November 19, 2018, 08:49:22 AM
Theoretically, I'm at 4/7:

Shell (did both, no 'real cost' because I bought an Amazon giftcard, and... petrol...)

Samsung Pay signup (free)

Rexall (Oh my god, why does anyone shop there? Anyway - spent $28, used a feedback coupon for $5 off, redeemed 190 AM. Of that, $25 was Pepsi Co stuff, so I uploaded a receipt to https://pepsiholidays.ca/ and should get a coupon book early next year - so 'real cost' $3.87)

LCBO (bottle of wine, the cheap stuff was out of stock so I got a Peller Shiraz for $18)

Now I just have to wait - get a Sobey's giftcard at Sobey's Urban Fresh, then use it at Foodland - so a cost of ~$75, but obviously I will get food for that - and then redeem 95 AM at Metro.

Not bad.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 19, 2018, 09:58:31 AM
Ugh Foodland and Sobeys. They are so pricey for nothing.

Excellent stacking of freebies on freebies!

I still recommend Miss Fresh over LCBO, you get 6 meals for 6$ (vegetarian) or 12$ (Normal). Most people eat right? + It can be helpful for achieving welcome bonus spends for Credit cards.

Though now you've got me wondering if I should also get 25$ of pepsi things at rexall..... where did you get the coupon?
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on November 19, 2018, 10:44:18 AM
Ugh Foodland and Sobeys. They are so pricey for nothing.

Excellent stacking of freebies on freebies!

I still recommend Miss Fresh over LCBO, you get 6 meals for 6$ (vegetarian) or 12$ (Normal). Most people eat right? + It can be helpful for achieving welcome bonus spends for Credit cards.

Though now you've got me wondering if I should also get 25$ of pepsi things at rexall..... where did you get the coupon?

https://www.rexall.ca/assets/downloads/RexallSurvey2018.pdf

Edit: As to why not Miss Fresh, eh. I really don't like sign-up-to-cancel deals, makes me feel guilty. I'm not a good churner (good churners will be doing 12 cards a year I think; I generally manage 4 or so, maybe a couple more... but I'm also doing the occasional US one as well). They aren't a big company like Rona (Lowes), Shell... And honestly, fuck Rexall, their prices are incredible. Incredible. I forgot how bad they are, even vs Shoppers. I don't know how they are in business, honestly.

I might suggest it to my wife, though... she might get use out of them as I'll be away for a couple of weeks...

Edit2: Yeah she's up for it. Ok, signed up. We'll see.

Edit3: I just signed up for HBC Rewards with autoconvert which, with the Miss Fresh one, actually takes me to 6... just need to do Metro at the end of December and I'm, in theory, done.

1 - Shell (no 'real cost')
2 - Samsung Pay (free)
3 - Rexall ($4 out of pocket, '$28' in produce which is probably only 'worth' $10, $20 of Pepsi coupons on the way)
4 - LCBO ($18 out of pocket)
5 - Miss Fresh ($66 out of pocket)
6 - HBC (free)

(7 - Metro - redeem 95 AM 20-24 Dec)

So $88 out of pocket, but 2k AM from hitting 7 offers, less 190 + 95 = 285 AM spent, plus 5, 75, 40, 10, 500, 30 bonus miles.

Spend $88, get 2375 AM = $250 (plus chips & dip, coupons, wine, 6 meal portions...)

Damn I should've got another AM card :P If you were really on this you could do 3-4 sets - enough to live on for a month or more.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on November 19, 2018, 12:36:40 PM
Does make you think though - a credit card signup bonus is a *hell* of a lot less work... Less 'fun' but much less work.

The nice thing with what I've set up now is that it doesn't involve driving the ~hour to Sobey's/Foodland...
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 19, 2018, 01:08:55 PM
It's the minimum spend that usually stops people from doing things like this.

Even for free AM, there's a limited amount of toothpaste and toilet paper I want to buy from Rexall.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on November 19, 2018, 01:58:09 PM
It's the minimum spend that usually stops people from doing things like this.

Even for free AM, there's a limited amount of toothpaste and toilet paper I want to buy from Rexall.

Well, if it's free, you can just give it to a shelter.

Regarding min. spend... yeah, but you can get one of the awful Home Trust prepaid visa cards. I had one for a few months but they have a shitty verification system, Equifax IIRC, but handled poorly - so 'there has been a fraud warning put on this account' = 'fail'. In other words, I wasn't able to take the right amount of cash out of the card, making using it expensive (even more expensive than it already was).

Harder here than the US, no doubt. And also harder for us frugal people with limited real spending.

I'm looking forwards to seeing how well I can do in the UK... Apparently there are often Aldi/Lidl £10 off £40 coupons in the papers. Credit card wise, there is barely anything, unfortunately. And I doubt there is anything as lucrative as Shop the Block. There is, however, Matched Betting, which is awful, dirty, and... might be fun.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: The Fake Cheap on November 20, 2018, 06:35:56 PM
This thread could be fun :)

Not a CC, but I just did this too get $300.
https://www.td.com/ca/en/personal-banking/products/special-offers/300-offer/

Relatively painless, I did the following.
* Signed up online
* Transferred in $4000 so I wasn't getting dinged with a monthly fee
* Made a online payment to my Questrade account
* Setup a PAD from my Questrade account
* Waited a month
* Got my bonus
* Transferred everything out
* Cancelled the account online.

Took maybe an hour of messing around, more then I normally get paid anyway ;)

Going to try this one right now.  Deadline is to open the account is Oct. 31 for anyone else who might be interested.

I got this all set up, did my bill payment to Questrade, and set up a PAD from Questrade, now I wait for the $$$.

Update: I received the $300 in my account about a week ago.  That is some blazing fast cash and super easy churn.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: The Fake Cheap on November 20, 2018, 06:52:37 PM
I'll likely jump on board to get the AM shop the block offer...I'll also get the wife on board, and by that I mean I'll just take her card around and make separate transactions at the stores at the same time :)

At a qucik galance at the offers needed in my neck of the woods (New Brunswick) 5 seens easy, but the 7 is going to require a bit of work
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 23, 2018, 06:44:07 AM
NB: IGA; Shell ; Jean Coutu ; Hudson Bay ; Samsung pay ; Miss fresh; Rona ; Air miles shop

Doesn`t seem too bad.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Novik on November 23, 2018, 08:02:58 AM
I've enjoyed reading other people's update on Shop the block, so here's mine - should be at 5/7 by the end of the day.

Done:
lcbo - bought a schnapps that looked fun & tasty (~20$)
rexall - spent 190 AM on needed OTC drugs
samsung pay - done  (easy!)
miss fresh - ordered a box for the second week of Dec, then set the next 6 weeks to "skip" to give me time to cancel after it arrives (65$)

Planned:
shell - car needs gas so doing this today
metro - spend 10$ in AM  (waiting for this offer to be live)
BMO AM CC 25 transactions - will probably manufacture these with Amazon gift cards since I'm trying to hit minimum spend on a different card

Spending: 85$ unplanned spending (+ 30$ AM redemption, and 25$ in gift cards acquired)
Earnings: ~2600 AM aka 270$ in cash redemption value
Net profit: 155$ net AM earnings + value of necessaries acquired for "free" with AM (~30$) + value of unnecessary treats (call it 40$ vs. 85$ cost)
= 225$

Plus I enjoy the puzzle of doing this :)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 23, 2018, 08:12:12 AM
Surprised you didn`t do it twice Novik, you and the other.

I've been doing it with my S/O and it added up to a good chunk for our minimum spend (and we will easily hit the 25 transactions on that card due to stopping at lots of places).
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Novik on November 23, 2018, 08:20:38 AM
We definitely considered doing it twice, but we decided once was the sweet spot of effort vs. reward for us. Technically we could do a second 7 and profit, but the time/effort outlay would go up and/or we'd be spending more cash buying things we frankly don't need, so it made it not appealing. We both did Megamiles because the sweet spot fell the other way on that one, so maybe next year.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 23, 2018, 08:27:47 AM
Easy 200$ worth of points: DROP     APP

DROP App for your phone. There is also a referal program (5$ for each person) so check if a friend has it, or else I'll put up mine, and the first person to use mine, then put yours up ad infinitem (everyone gets 10$ but the last person and me)
My referral code:
2sw4t

It will give you points for linking a card with them and then completing offers, I`m up in the 200$ range so far, it helped with minimum spend limits and gave me random stuff (such as a free Uber eats since the bonus points was higher than the order itself)

Best deals that I`ve seen so far: 100$ 3 month GIC at 3% at EQ bank, receive 100$
AC Conversion card: Buy 100 in another currency and receive 50$ (This is a prepaid card, so good forever)
Mylo: Connect an account receive 10$ (then you can immediately close the account!)
Borrowell: Check Credit score for 5$
DraftKings, make a bet for 5$ and receive 15$
Uber Eats: 12$ for first buy... Etc.
Kobo: Buy a book receive 10$; create an account on audiobooks receive 4$
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 23, 2018, 08:28:55 AM
We definitely considered doing it twice, but we decided once was the sweet spot of effort vs. reward for us. Technically we could do a second 7 and profit, but the time/effort outlay would go up and/or we'd be spending more cash buying things we frankly don't need, so it made it not appealing. We both did Megamiles because the sweet spot fell the other way on that one, so maybe next year.

You were already at each spot, just double everything! double toothpaste, TP, alcohol, since you're below the 200$/200$ worth of air miles, why not?
(Miss Fresh is a fun double too)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on November 23, 2018, 09:02:43 AM
Easy 200$ worth of points: DROP     APP

DROP App for your phone. There is also a referal program (5$ for each person) so check if a friend has it, or else I'll put up mine, and the first person to use mine, then put yours up ad infinitem (everyone gets 10$ but the last person and me)

It will give you points for linking a card with them and then completing offers, I`m up in the 200$ range so far, it helped with minimum spend limits and gave me random stuff (such as a free Uber eats since the bonus points was higher than the order itself)

Best deals that I`ve seen so far: 100$ 3 month GIC at 3% at EQ bank, receive 100$
AC Conversion card: Buy 100 in another currency and receive 50$ (This is a prepaid card, so good forever)
Mylo: Connect an account receive 10$ (then you can immediately close the account!)
Borrowell: Check Credit score for 5$
DraftKings, make a bet for 5$ and receive 15$
Uber Eats: 12$ for first buy... Etc.
Kobo: Buy a book receive 10$; create an account on audiobooks receive 4$

Drop permissions - wifi connection info, and alarmingly, Device ID & call information - the remote number connected by a call

Um.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 23, 2018, 09:29:38 AM
Meh, at this point every person/app/marketing that wants it has our information. Unless you have no social media, don`t use google.

Most companies vacuum this info up anyways so I've stopped caring. Just read up on what Facebook has when you accept them on your phone, and the fact they sell it to third parties.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Novik on November 23, 2018, 09:53:48 AM
We definitely considered doing it twice, but we decided once was the sweet spot of effort vs. reward for us. Technically we could do a second 7 and profit, but the time/effort outlay would go up and/or we'd be spending more cash buying things we frankly don't need, so it made it not appealing. We both did Megamiles because the sweet spot fell the other way on that one, so maybe next year.

You were already at each spot, just double everything! double toothpaste, TP, alcohol, since you're below the 200$/200$ worth of air miles, why not?
(Miss Fresh is a fun double too)

Well, we can't double everything, for one thing (no BMO AM card for the other, rexall offer we used has expired). Mainly though, 200$ "worth" of stuff we don't need in exchange for converting 100$+ of cash to 200$ of AM is not necessarily a bad deal, but it's not one I want to spend a lot of time making happen either.

ON THE OTHER HAND, you have inspired me to have a second deeper look at this, and we may have a Christmas present >100$ that can be done through AM shops, which would ease things.

So then it's 4 easy/planned + 2 time-sensitive AM spends + one cash spend TBD (12-65$) for ~2200 AM = 230$ revenue -> ~200$ of AM in net profit.

Spoiler: show
shell
samsung pay
metro
AM shops for present

rona 30$ AM?  (nov 30)
IGA 10$ AM?  (nov 28)

LCBO cash 12-20$ (dec 1)
lowe's 30$ cash (nov 28)
jean coutu 20$ cash (dec 27)
miss fresh

Which frankly, seems very doable as long as we can find useful things and good deals at rona/IGA and something not worthless for cash.

Dammit.  (and thanks)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 23, 2018, 10:28:38 AM
Cheers! I always saw it as excuses to buy things for other people. 100% of our rexall offer (40$) is going in a shoebox of things for a homeless bundle. Doesn't always have to be for you!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on November 23, 2018, 04:41:01 PM
Meh, at this point every person/app/marketing that wants it has our information. Unless you have no social media, don`t use google.

Most companies vacuum this info up anyways so I've stopped caring. Just read up on what Facebook has when you accept them on your phone, and the fact they sell it to third parties.

Really? I'm absolutely not on board with not caring. I think it is outrageous. I don't have a real facebook account any more, no I guess I don't do social media 'properly' - stuff is tied to different email addresses, no phone number given unless necessary, etc.

I'm sure google knows far too much about me, partly because my wife is a real google user - which I am not happy about. No, I would never use google as my primary email.

One reason I actually went to iphone is because they hoover up much much less info. I have location stuff turned off unless I'm driving somewhere. I think the amount of unfettered access companies have to *our* info is shocking.

Totally off topic. Anyway. If I had a 'burner' phone on the go I'd do it (one with no contacts), but at the moment I don't.

Generally speaking apps should only be granted permissions after being installed, IMHO. And in this case - I'm sure there is a 'good' reason Drop needs to know who I'm on the phone to for some function that people actually have no need of at all but which gives them shit loads... Not falling for it. Not even for $200.

/rant

Signed,

someone whose real birthday was not used for signing up for lots of things
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 23, 2018, 04:47:02 PM
I work for the military in an area that is related to your worries. Sadly, there's nothing you can do unless you want to not have a phone, or use internet.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: okits on November 24, 2018, 08:01:45 PM
I've enjoyed reading other people's update on Shop the block, so here's mine -

For the same reasons I decided to contribute mine, too.  :)

DONE:
Rexall - redeem 190 AM
AirMilesShops.ca - spent $100+ at Amazon for planned Christmas gifts

TO DO:
LCBO - going to buy gin
Shell - next fill-up will be here
Hudson's Bay - set up points conversion
Metro - redeem 10 AM when the offer goes live
Sobeys Urban Fresh - buy $75 GC when the offer goes live

I will have spent $283 and redeemed 285 AM to get 2373 AM and will still have the $75 Sobey's GC on hand (so $313 spent for $325 back).  Basically a whole whack of Christmas gifts for free.  :)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: The Fake Cheap on November 25, 2018, 04:20:35 PM
NB: IGA; Shell ; Jean Coutu ; Hudson Bay ; Samsung pay ; Miss fresh; Rona ; Air miles shop

Doesn`t seem too bad.
Hmmm strange, I don't see Hudson's Bay, Miss Fresh, or Air Miles shop as offers for NB when I log into my AM. 

Not off to a good start, I went to Kent yesterday to check off that offer, and I brought my wife's AM card just in case I found something to spend another $40 on to check off for her as well, however I only spent enough to complete Kent for me.  I was going to take my wife's car so I could stop at Shell and check that off as well, since it is on the way to Kent, however she just recently filled up.  In the meantime while I was at Kent the wife went out shopping, she ended up going up to Sobey's because of traffic, so she could of checked that offer off if she would of had her card.  Doh!  I also tried to sig up for Samsung play on my laptop as someone said they had done up thread, which I did, however I didn't see a spot to add my AM to that account.   So it looks like I may have lost that one.  So while I was hoping to have 4 or 5 of the 14 (7 each for me and the wife) completed by this time, I'm sitting at 1.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: sieben on November 26, 2018, 06:59:50 PM
Just got my BMO Air Miles card today! Off to the races.

I've already done the HBC points transfer signup (this seemed too easy :| ) and linked my airmiles number to my Samsung account.

I'll hopefully be able to do the following to hit 7
- Sobey's $100
- Shell min 25L
- 25 Transactions with BMO card
- MissFresh
- AirMilesShop $100

I may sub one of those out if I decide to drive 10km one way to buy an extension cord at Lowe's tomorrow or the next day. I'm having a hard time getting excited about that though :\
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Prairie Moustache on November 27, 2018, 12:32:30 PM
I was about to start a thread like this, but did the thing I don't do enough and searched to see if it already existed. I'm definitely starting my shop the block scheme today! Thanks everyone!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Prairie Moustache on November 28, 2018, 10:39:48 AM
Has anyone noticed if they cycle that TD signup bonus? I'm sad I missed it! I noticed that Ameritrade has a similar offer on right now, not sure if it would be more of a pain than it's worth to sign up for an American account just for the $300 though.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: PoutineLover on November 28, 2018, 02:13:13 PM
I redeemed the $10 bonus at Winners from the PayTM app! I tried to pay a credit card bill, but apparently that's not allowed yet in QC so I'll see if I can pay my cell phone bill to earn the referral bonus for whoever's code I used.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: The Fake Cheap on November 28, 2018, 06:42:56 PM
I finally managed to add my AM to the Samsung account.  It took me like half an hour to figure out I had to hit that lock icon after entering my AM #...I'm not much of a techie.  I also completed Jean Coutou.  I think I completed Shell...I gave the woman my coupon after I filled up, and she said she already scanned it in with some other coupon she already had, I REALLY wanted to ask her to scan mine as well, however the place was pretty busy, and I didn't want to hold everyone up.  The receipt shows my AM was scanned in, but I don't know if it was shop the block that she scanned this other silly 3x the AM (WOW 6 AM instead of 2!) deal.  I logged into AM to see if I could confirm which shop the block offers I have obtained, but it appears there is no way to do that, again that might be me, due to my non techiness. :)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 28, 2018, 07:16:44 PM
On the receipt you should have the code of the AM deal. if you google the extra code (for air miles) you should see what it means.

(There will be a line on the receipt saying something like ''Coupon 115'' as if it was a separate item)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Ottawa on November 30, 2018, 05:54:00 AM
As I fulfill the 7 shops I will add to this post...mostly as a memo for me!

1) Opt in on 25 transactions with my BMO Airmiles world elite MC.  Since I'm trying to hit the 3,000 spend this shouldn't be a problem.
2) Buy some Xmas cheer in the form of a tawny port at LCBO
3) Spend 285 AM at Rona
4) Filled up on 25+ litres at Shell
5) Eye exam at IRIS - cost $130 to be reimbursed through health plan
6) Rexall stuff for the win.


Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 30, 2018, 07:23:16 AM
I'll buy your Miss Fresh off you @Ottawa

I'll give you cost of the Miss Fresh, minus the extra AM value. 66$ total amount, minus 55 (525 air miles = 55$ in cash) so 11$ :D

That`ll get you a 5th! Sound good?

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: The Fake Cheap on December 01, 2018, 05:24:14 PM
On the receipt you should have the code of the AM deal. if you google the extra code (for air miles) you should see what it means.

(There will be a line on the receipt saying something like ''Coupon 115'' as if it was a separate item)

Amazing advice. PROMO 490 is there which is indeed the shop the block promo code, thanks!

I completed JC for the wife today. 

I think I'm at 4 for myself and 2 for the wife. 
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on December 03, 2018, 03:25:43 PM
Just realized amazon.ca is part of airmilesshop and if I spend $100, it can be a part of Shop the Block. I have a $150 planned purchase coming up so decided this would work.

Today, I went to Shell to pick up three $50 Amazon gift cards (2 on my account and 1 on DH's). For each of the 3 gift cards I got:
- 5 Air Miles for Shop the Block
- 20 Air Miles for buying 1 of 4 participating gift cards (Amazon, Keg, Sportchek and 1 more)
- 5 Air Miles for something I forget
Plus for some odd reason, one of my transactions gave me an extra 25 Air Miles for a Bonus In Store Promo. Cashier and I couldn't figure it out. Didn't get it for my 2nd gift card purchase nor for the gift card purchase on my DH's account. Oh well, some mystery bonus :)

So spent $150 and got 115 Air Miles plus completed Shop the Block activities for both DH and myself.

Also spent $50 at Global Pet Foods and my dog is currently happily chewing on a $2.99 roasted beef knuckle bone. Not sure if it will clean his teeth as promised, but I can hope.

Sent from my LG-K373 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on December 03, 2018, 04:51:33 PM
Elaine: i'm not sure using GCs work (sometimes amazon and airmiles don't connect when you do that.)

2 don't forget that it's only 1x per store, so shell only counts as 1/7, even if you do multiple shells.

If anyone is interested, i'm willing to buy their Miss fresh option :p
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on December 03, 2018, 04:53:25 PM
Elaine: i'm not sure using GCs work (sometimes amazon and airmiles don't connect when you do that.)

2 don't forget that it's only 1x per store, so shell only counts as 1/7, even if you do multiple shells.

If anyone is interested, i'm willing to buy their Miss fresh option
Oh good to know - thanks!!

Sent from my LG-K373 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Prairie Gal on December 04, 2018, 06:07:44 AM
Elaine: i'm not sure using GCs work (sometimes amazon and airmiles don't connect when you do that.)

2 don't forget that it's only 1x per store, so shell only counts as 1/7, even if you do multiple shells.

If anyone is interested, i'm willing to buy their Miss fresh option :p

You can have mine, although I'm not sure how to send it to you. Message me.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: The Fake Cheap on December 16, 2018, 01:46:28 PM
Update:

5 completed for me. Only 2 for the wife.  If I really want to get my wife up to 7 it's going to be a challenge, and will probably include a 45 minute drive over the boarder to NS, where I can easily check off 2 that aren't available in NB.  The question will be do I have 1.5 H to burn on the weekend before Christmas?  Likely not. 

At this point, the offers that are left are really not great, I guess the lesson is to complete this earlier when more offers are available.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on December 19, 2018, 08:54:59 AM
Metro week starts tomorrow! Make sure to get it!

Anybody started STB but haven't figured out how to complete all 7 offers?
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: The Fake Cheap on December 19, 2018, 03:03:47 PM
Metro week starts tomorrow! Make sure to get it!

Anybody started STB but haven't figured out how to complete all 7 offers?

Yes, see above.  If I manage to find the time to go to NS, then I'll have 7, and that will put the wife at 4, I can do 1 more for her pretty easily (Kent) and the other would be $25 at Needs which is essentially a convenience store, not sure what I would buy, but I'll find stuff to add to up $25.  Then I would add Miss Fresh for her to complete her 7.

I could also do the 25 transactions on BMO MC for each of us, but I would have to do 25 $1 gift cards, which is a minor PITA.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on December 20, 2018, 08:36:52 AM

I could also do the 25 transactions on BMO MC for each of us, but I would have to do 25 $1 gift cards, which is a minor PITA.

I did 25 $0.15 gift card purchases on Amazon ;) Worked out as I ended up doing TWO separate Amazon shops of $100 each (one for DH and one for me). Rare for me to shop so much on Amazon but turned out we had a couple of bigger purchases which made it easy for us to hit those numbers.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on December 20, 2018, 09:13:15 AM
Did my Metro 50 BAM shop today.

Accidentally redeemed all my AirMiles rather than just the 95. Oh well. Now I have to find something else to meet my min. spend on my Amex SPG card, argh.

On the other hand, I effectively used $100 of AirMiles on gift cards. You're not supposed to be able to, but it seems neither Metro nor Sobey's has bothered to change their register programming.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on December 20, 2018, 04:01:43 PM
Got all 7 offers done for both DH and I! Woot!!!! Finished Metro and LCBO today. Had my mother with me for Metro and what was supposed to be a $20 shop ballooned into a $60 shop - just what Metro was hoping for lol. Glad to get Shop the Block done and out of the way.

In other CC churning news, I just activated my new BMO World Elite today. I have a cruise out of Miami planned in March 2019. Wanted to fly my kids home at the end of March break in time for school (the rest of us will fly home 2-3 days later) but man, prices were through the roof everywhere. So I came up with the idea to collect enough Dream Miles to pay for a one way ticket home for the 2 of them. With the BMO World Elite, we'd get one Companion ticket free so it will only cost about 2100 Air Miles + $76.99 for each kid.

2 one way tickets on the dates I needed is about $700-800. BUT, I would only be willing to pay a max of $500 for 2 tickets (any higher and I would drive haha!). I will also end up with an extra 900 AM worth about $90 (from the 3000 bonus miles). So using my personal valuation (not retail prices), I'm getting about (after subtracting taxes and fees) $440 value from the CC application. Not too bad at all :) Using retail value ($687 each) of the exact tickets gives me a value of $1464.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: okits on December 20, 2018, 04:33:28 PM
I got the Metro one today, too!  You can do it once per day Dec 20-24 so I'll try to swing by daily.

I only have the Shell one to do (when we gas up to visit family for Christmas) and the Hudson's Bay one (just need to find the time and attention span). 

I am possibly going to redeem AM for short plane trips to visit my (recently ill) mother, some time in the new year.  It's not a glamorous use of the miles but given the amount of air service available it looks like I'll be able to get last minute tickets with AM no problem.  A nice load off my mind as buying flights could get expensive fast.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on December 20, 2018, 07:07:00 PM

I am possibly going to redeem AM for short plane trips to visit my (recently ill) mother, some time in the new year.  It's not a glamorous use of the miles but given the amount of air service available it looks like I'll be able to get last minute tickets with AM no problem.  A nice load off my mind as buying flights could get expensive fast.

I was surprised I figured out a decent redemption option for the flights I need for March. $687 for each one way ticket from Miami to Windsor is INSANITY. But reasonably priced on Air Miles and solves my problems with only a $150 outlay in taxes and fees for 2 tickets.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: The Fake Cheap on December 22, 2018, 10:33:43 AM
So I decided to go for a spin to NS and complete my 7 and picked up the same 2 for my wife to bring her up to 4, will probably complete 3 more for the wife, Kent, Needs and probably go the 25 x$1 Amazon gift cards route on her BMO MC. 
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: okits on December 26, 2018, 07:33:26 PM
Rexall - redeemed 190 AM
AirMilesShops.ca - spent $100+ at Amazon for planned Christmas gifts
LCBO - bought a gift
Shell - filled-up
Hudson's Bay - set up points conversion
Metro - redeemed 10 AM (4x out of 5 possible days)
Sobeys Urban Fresh - bought $75 GC

Got my last one done today!  Been a long time since I've seen gas for under $1/litre.

Tomorrow is the last day, for anyone who has put it off due to holiday busyness.

(Oh, and for the Back to School promo participants, my DH seems to have enjoyed receiving his "free" $20 Lacoste socks for Christmas.  😁)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Goldielocks on January 01, 2019, 09:09:00 PM
I finally redeemed 7000 aeroplan miles for a gift card $50.  They were about to expire if I had not activty before the end of January.

 Not bad, when I had mentally written them off.  Now the remaining 4000 miles will have another year before expiring and I could look for another bonus points card if we plan to travel (but right now, the next vacation booked for May is a drive 2.5 hours away, and I don't need anything for that).

So -- don't forget to redeem your miles for gift cards / etc, when you are down to the dregs that you haven't been able to use otherwise.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on January 02, 2019, 11:10:17 AM
I finally redeemed 7000 aeroplan miles for a gift card $50.  They were about to expire if I had not activty before the end of January.

 Not bad, when I had mentally written them off.  Now the remaining 4000 miles will have another year before expiring and I could look for another bonus points card if we plan to travel (but right now, the next vacation booked for May is a drive 2.5 hours away, and I don't need anything for that).

So -- don't forget to redeem your miles for gift cards / etc, when you are down to the dregs that you haven't been able to use otherwise.

Thanks, you made me check - and I have 7k points! Redeeming now!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on January 03, 2019, 11:24:19 AM
Completed a 3 month 1000$ spend on my RBC infinate Visa, 30k of their points, (around 250$)

Yay for getting money back for doing nothing different than simply asking for a new credit card.

My credit score is a whole 20 pts higher than this time last year... and I've been churning 2-3 times per year, and doing 0% balance transfers to get free investing money at 2%.

Gotta love gaming the system :D
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Prairie Moustache on January 03, 2019, 11:48:02 AM
Completed a 3 month 1000$ spend on my RBC infinate Visa, 30k of their points, (around 250$)

Yay for getting money back for doing nothing different than simply asking for a new credit card.

My credit score is a whole 20 pts higher than this time last year... and I've been churning 2-3 times per year, and doing 0% balance transfers to get free investing money at 2%.

Gotta love gaming the system :D

How do you usually manufacture spend for credit card rewards? I just resigned up for the BMO World Elite Airmiles card and I'm looking at manufacturing $3000 over 3 months here. Will probably buy a large amount of grocery gift cards if that works.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on January 03, 2019, 12:11:04 PM
Grocery cards work... but since we use less than 2k in groceries... yearly... we get creative.

we don't manufacture much, just two people's things at the same time, and I time the CC with insurance, yearly taxes, permits & licenses... etc.

Amazon GCs are fun too. Easy to reuse at christmas for gifts.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Prairie Moustache on January 03, 2019, 12:23:40 PM
Good point, I'm definitely going to time my next one with the renewal of my car insurance!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on January 03, 2019, 12:28:21 PM
The 3k is really rough, we barely made it with two of us, Christmas, and ridiculously adding more stuff than usual + driving license and plates for 2 years. Almost had to restock on a year`s worth of GCs... and I still have more than 500$ of them in my drawer due to past attempts. (I'll use them when I'm out of special CC deals and Air miles :D )
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Prairie Moustache on January 03, 2019, 01:32:56 PM
I might be able to manufacture some spending from booking a block of hotel rooms for an upcoming soccer tournament which would be a nice boost. My team is decently trustworthy, so I don't mind floating a grand or so for a while...
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on January 03, 2019, 04:45:28 PM
For a Mastercard, PayTM is quite helpful (examples of things you might pay with credit that would either have a fee or not be possible otherwise: Property tax, water, gas, electricity). Even if not doing a sign up bonus, you can at least get cash back/points.

Plastiq used to be good - you could pay your CRA tax bill. Not sure any more.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on January 03, 2019, 09:53:32 PM
I often do refundable vacations (like a hotel booking on Expedia). This meets the spend officially when I need it. Then I can take my time over the next 6-12 months to meet the spend properly. I just have to remember to cancel the booking eventually.

Sent from my LG-K373 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Prairie Moustache on January 07, 2019, 09:16:49 AM
I often do refundable vacations (like a hotel booking on Expedia). This meets the spend officially when I need it. Then I can take my time over the next 6-12 months to meet the spend properly. I just have to remember to cancel the booking eventually.

Sent from my LG-K373 using Tapatalk



Interesting idea, what do you mean when you say "meet the spend properly"?
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: meghan88 on January 07, 2019, 04:18:00 PM
I missed out on Shop the Block but I'm such a bad consumer that I might not have been able to get too much out of it.  Is it only once per year, around the holidays?
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on January 07, 2019, 06:30:26 PM
Yes  but there should be another in the feb time-frame, and a third in the summer.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on January 09, 2019, 10:28:10 AM
I often do refundable vacations (like a hotel booking on Expedia). This meets the spend officially when I need it. Then I can take my time over the next 6-12 months to meet the spend properly. I just have to remember to cancel the booking eventually.

Sent from my LG-K373 using Tapatalk



Interesting idea, what do you mean when you say "meet the spend properly"?
Well, most of the time I continue working on meeting the spend and then after I meet the spend in say, 6 months, I cancel the trip and get the refund to my credit card. Sometimes I am no longer using that credit card and so a statement credit is useless to me. In those cases, I just call and ask them to mail me a cheque.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Prairie Moustache on January 09, 2019, 10:37:43 AM
Yup, when I started churning this card I applied for it with my honest income (which at the time was ~$60,000) however my spending was quite high $5000 per month for work expenses, and I was approved.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Prairie Moustache on January 23, 2019, 10:16:59 AM
Manufactured some spending on my new BMO World Elite Mastercard by paying for my soccer teams hotel booking for an upcoming tournament. Score (no pun intended)!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on January 23, 2019, 01:11:08 PM
Bmo world AM :p 300$ worth of airmiles (put all into cash.)
If you already have dream miles, worth reading up on how to get a 2nd free flight (compagnon pass)

There is also a FYF scotia card, with 10% cash back on the first 2k (200$)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on January 24, 2019, 02:06:28 PM
There's a world elite Air miles BMO mastercard... AND a world elite mastercard (no AM) Both are worth significant $$ for the spend.

https://www.reddit.com/r/churningcanada/comments/abkwsb/best_current_credit_card_offers_2019/

Depends on what you are looking for in points. Scotia`s 10% return cash card is pretty easy, the BMO one requires you to go through their redemption programs... you have lots of opportunities.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on January 24, 2019, 07:26:50 PM
Next time I'm charging you per minute. I spent 3 whole ones guiding you F45. I expect my commission.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: okits on January 24, 2019, 08:17:37 PM
https://www.reddit.com/r/churningcanada/comments/abkwsb/best_current_credit_card_offers_2019/

Really helpful link, thank you!  I’m going to spend some time looking at it.  With the exception of childcare, just about everything we spend goes on credit cards so if I want to get really ambitious I could blow through one new card’s minimum spend a month (not sure I have the mental energy for that spreadsheet!)  Am going to pick something to start with in the next few days.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on January 24, 2019, 08:40:39 PM



Really helpful link, thank you!  I’m going to spend some time looking at it.  With the exception of childcare, just about everything we spend goes on credit cards so if I want to get really ambitious I could blow through one new card’s minimum spend a month (not sure I have the mental energy for that spreadsheet!)  Am going to pick something to start with in the next few days.

Meeting min spends is not too bad if u are disciplined about switching to the new card of choice. We just discuss with each other what card we are using for now.

I was tempted by the 10% cashback card mentioned above but we are committed to some heavy spends on a US credit card for the next few months. And while I do some manufactured spending, I don't do a whole lot so I am going to lay low on card applications for now.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: The Fake Cheap on January 25, 2019, 05:41:32 PM
There's a world elite Air miles BMO mastercard... AND a world elite mastercard (no AM) Both are worth significant $$ for the spend.

https://www.reddit.com/r/churningcanada/comments/abkwsb/best_current_credit_card_offers_2019/

Depends on what you are looking for in points. Scotia`s 10% return cash card is pretty easy, the BMO one requires you to go through their redemption programs... you have lots of opportunities.

I was eyeballing that one but I don't come close to meeting the minimum income of 80K/year. 

I forget which card I recently signed up with but it was 10,000 points for getting the card then another 10,000 points with the first purchase, the points come out to an equivalent of $200, and the annual fee is waived.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on January 25, 2019, 08:11:07 PM
The fact you cant remember makes me doubt your spreadsheet capability. (Dramatic insult)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: The Fake Cheap on January 26, 2019, 06:35:43 PM
The fact you cant remember makes me doubt your spreadsheet capability. (Dramatic insult)

Haha, maybe I'm not fit for churning!!!  Although I haven't be burned yet!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Stasher on February 03, 2019, 10:59:09 AM
The biggest thing that sucks about being FIRE is that I don't qualify for any cards lol , I'm leaning on my insane credit rating to get cards. I did some fun freelance work last year for a bit of cash but after expenses I think my tax return will show about $15,000 income LOL ... so much for getting those elite cards anymore.

I have way to much on my WestJet mastercard now, like $6500 worth of WJ dollars so we have stopped using that.
We are now pounding all our business purchases onto our Canadian Tire card to build up CT dollars for household necessities etc

For personal purchases I got the wife a TD Aeroplan, got the points and just cancelled it this year. I then had her get the new CIBC Aventura card which she is currently using, will look if the Aventura can be used to buy store cards and cash cards etc

I have been using the Scotiabank Elite cashback visa for like 6 years now, 4% back on most of my purchases.

I just don't know what is the best to get now, I was thinking a mastercard as I like to have a visa and a MC at all times. Don't know if I should cancel the WestJet mastercard also now or if it is one of those cards worth just sitting on.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on February 03, 2019, 11:46:31 AM
The biggest thing that sucks about being FIRE is that I don't qualify for any cards lol , I'm leaning on my insane credit rating to get cards. I did some fun freelance work last year for a bit of cash but after expenses I think my tax return will show about $15,000 income LOL ... so much for getting those elite cards anymore.

I have way to much on my WestJet mastercard now, like $6500 worth of WJ dollars so we have stopped using that.
We are now pounding all our business purchases onto our Canadian Tire card to build up CT dollars for household necessities etc

For personal purchases I got the wife a TD Aeroplan, got the points and just cancelled it this year. I then had her get the new CIBC Aventura card which she is currently using, will look if the Aventura can be used to buy store cards and cash cards etc

I have been using the Scotiabank Elite cashback visa for like 6 years now, 4% back on most of my purchases.

I just don't know what is the best to get now, I was thinking a mastercard as I like to have a visa and a MC at all times. Don't know if I should cancel the WestJet mastercard also now or if it is one of those cards worth just sitting on.

You can put investment/pension income as income.

You can also qualify if you spend enough ($25k a year?) or have enough (I forget how much) for the higher tier MCs and Visas. You may need to go in branch to get them, though, which can make churing less appealing.

Also, Amex doesn't have much of an income requirement these days.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Stasher on February 03, 2019, 12:20:12 PM
My wife has a small business and makes just enough to cover our expenses as we live frugally. I have zero investment income as I am preserving those for as long as possible. My side hustle cash was just enough to meet ends. We have a small business and never ever use cash or debit so very easy for us to reach spending targets. As mentioned credit rating is rockstar level so we do get mail offers all the time, just not the good ones :) If network qualifies a person on a credit card then I should have no issue there. Might look into an Amex as the wife has two with the business, maybe I can get her a referral code bonus for points on her account.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on February 14, 2019, 01:22:34 PM
New excellent CC option:

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card - 30K Aeroplan & FYF

https://www.td.com/ca/en/personal-banking/products/credit-cards/aeroplan/aeroplan-visa-infinite-card/

Easy to hit the spend, and aeroplan is awesome if you pick the airlines that don't have high taxes.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Cookie78 on February 14, 2019, 03:31:22 PM
New excellent CC option:

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card - 30K Aeroplan & FYF

https://www.td.com/ca/en/personal-banking/products/credit-cards/aeroplan/aeroplan-visa-infinite-card/

Easy to hit the spend, and aeroplan is awesome if you pick the airlines that don't have high taxes.

Thanks for sharing.

Apparently they are having problems with the application form right now. I can't enter my address without it giving me an error message. They say it is a known problem.

I need to learn more about spending points effectively (ie: airlines that don't have high taxes). Mostly just posting to follow and to remind myself to come back and read previous posts.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on February 14, 2019, 03:36:34 PM
Just make sure to read to maximize program X when you start getting points.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on February 14, 2019, 08:08:48 PM
Aim for as soon ,as possible, and the  right before the june deadline for the 2nd churn.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on February 14, 2019, 10:01:50 PM


I need to learn more about spending points effectively (ie: airlines that don't have high taxes). Mostly just posting to follow and to remind myself to come back and read previous posts.

I'd suggest starting with the low hanging fruit - cards that offer easy to use travel credits like the TD First Class Visa Infinite and the Amex Gold (unless I mixed this card up lol). Cashback cards are also a decent place to start.

I plan to target Aeroplan sometime soon but have a lot to learn there. Plus I am working on too many other credit card minimum spends at the moment. Need to space it out.


Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on February 15, 2019, 06:54:31 AM
Aeroplan is gloriously awesome for flights outside of Canada (due to being able to pick airlines with no taxes). Cannot Highly recommend enough.

Today: Ordered BMO WE AM + Aeroplan card, since I'll be able to put my year's property taxes on the BMO WE, + add some Air BnB GCs for our summer vacation.

Aeroplan will be a little trickier, but I have 3 months to hit 1k, which shouldn't be too hard, I could always just prepay a few things.

@Elaine: I think you meant Visa Momentum infinite
This is the lowest hanging fruit: https://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/personal/credit-cards/visa/momentum-infinite-card.html

It`s 10% cashback up to 200$ (spending 2000$) and then 4% for groceries, gas, 2% recurring, 2% Drug stores.

There`s another weird 9% one for up to 3500$, but it`s ONLY 9% for ONLY GAS/GROCERIES/RECURRING in the first three months. It`s trying to sneak one by.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on February 15, 2019, 09:05:06 AM
SHOP THE BLOCK point came in for a lot of people: Check to make sure you received the correct amounts!

(Live chat is the fastest way for them to fix the issue)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Prairie Moustache on February 15, 2019, 12:52:04 PM
Holy cow, I have a lot to learn on the Aeroplan front. Looks like there's even people who have set up consulting services on minimizing taxes and fees for itineraries. When there's a market...
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on February 15, 2019, 12:54:25 PM
People can fly around the world with the right CC bonuses, stop over in 6 different countries, and pay about 100-200$ if they do it correctly. Aeroplan can be crazy.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: The Fake Cheap on February 18, 2019, 04:41:28 PM
So I decided to go for a spin to NS and complete my 7 and picked up the same 2 for my wife to bring her up to 4, will probably complete 3 more for the wife, Kent, Needs and probably go the 25 x$1 Amazon gift cards route on her BMO MC.

UPDATE:

I noticed my AM was credited 1000 AM via "Sobey's Shop the Block".  I was expecting 2000 hmmmmmm.  I have to take a look at my wife's AM, I had also fulfilled the 7 for her as well. 

Anyone else get their Shop the Block credited?
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: okits on February 18, 2019, 05:38:54 PM
So I decided to go for a spin to NS and complete my 7 and picked up the same 2 for my wife to bring her up to 4, will probably complete 3 more for the wife, Kent, Needs and probably go the 25 x$1 Amazon gift cards route on her BMO MC.

UPDATE:

I noticed my AM was credited 1000 AM via "Sobey's Shop the Block".  I was expecting 2000 hmmmmmm.  I have to take a look at my wife's AM, I had also fulfilled the 7 for her as well. 

Anyone else get their Shop the Block credited?

Got 2000 a few days ago.  Wasn’t expecting it this soon so, uh, I’m ready and able to take advantage of any “spend cash miles to get miles” promos.  😬
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on February 18, 2019, 09:51:49 PM



Got 2000 a few days ago.  Wasn’t expecting it this soon so, uh, I’m ready and able to take advantage of any “spend cash miles to get miles” promos. 

Made the exact same mistake in DH's account *sigh* You would think I'd know better considering I did the same thing to myself last year :(

I have been using the cash miles to redeem for gas when we go on road trips.

That said - DH only got 1000 AM instead of 2000 so I will have to open up a chat with them. I know I met everything although the CC transactions one always makes me nervous.


Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Novik on February 19, 2019, 09:06:23 AM
We got 2000 in both accounts, so success! All in cash miles, since I like the flexibility to redeem on VIA Rail gift cards + non-travel splurges like movies and eating out.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on February 19, 2019, 09:16:52 AM
You can also go to gas stations, and get gift cards to other places, and use your air miles there. (Like at shell)

NOTE, DOESNT WORK ANYMORE.

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Stasher on February 20, 2019, 08:47:57 AM
Has anyone had experience or opinion on the PC Optimum points mastercard?
I like cards that offset spending I already plan on doing, it seems like buying bulk groceries at Superstore has its advantage over Costco. So if I can use this card to generate points that will cut out another cash expense from my grocery budget account. This is what I do with our Canadian Tire mastercard, we use it enough that it pays for my dog food every month LOL

I have stopped using my Westjet mastercard because I have way to much WJ dollars on there, like $6200.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Novik on February 20, 2019, 09:04:13 AM
Has anyone had experience or opinion on the PC Optimum points mastercard?

We do 90% of our grocery shopping at the Superstore, using this card. I like the mindless points earnings (tap the card for points & payment), no annual fee (or fee for supplementary cards), 1% in "cashback" on everything (used between churning other cards), and super easy redemption.  A little like your dog food thing, we spend points on any "household goods" at the superstore (OTC drugs, paper goods, etc) and don't even have that category in our budget.

If you go through https://www.ratesupermarket.ca/credit_cards/pc_financial/presidents_choice_financial_world_elite_mastercard (https://www.ratesupermarket.ca/credit_cards/pc_financial/presidents_choice_financial_world_elite_mastercard) you get 100$ gift card for getting the card as well (applies for all 3 levels of card but I've linked to the one with highest earn).
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: PoutineLover on February 20, 2019, 09:27:37 AM
I use the pc mastercard and optimum points and I like it. Easy to earn points at stores I already shop at and with customized bonus offers they add up pretty quick.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on February 20, 2019, 09:52:43 AM
Why not grab a 10% Scotia return card (first 3 months) that then has 4% return on groceries? 1% bonus, and keep PC for next year.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on February 20, 2019, 12:37:26 PM
The PC world elite card is the best free card going. Ten days travel medical insurance. Of course, any seasoned churner will have at least one other card on the go that also has that coverage, heh.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: okits on February 20, 2019, 04:17:16 PM
Has anyone had experience or opinion on the PC Optimum points mastercard?

We do 90% of our grocery shopping at the Superstore, using this card. I like the mindless points earnings (tap the card for points & payment), no annual fee (or fee for supplementary cards), 1% in "cashback" on everything (used between churning other cards), and super easy redemption.  A little like your dog food thing, we spend points on any "household goods" at the superstore (OTC drugs, paper goods, etc) and don't even have that category in our budget.

Same here.  It’s what we use as an everyday card for Loblaws-family stores (our usual places to shop).  It’s easy and I think the points earned are good (I haven’t looked in a while though I don’t remember the website being too easy to use in terms of understanding which points are awarded for what spend.  So I’m going on faith that they’re awarding the basic spend points as promised).

TL;DR - pretty good/good enough.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Stasher on February 20, 2019, 10:27:22 PM
Why not grab a 10% Scotia return card (first 3 months) that then has 4% return on groceries? 1% bonus, and keep PC for next year.
I've already got that card Lews Therin as my long term hold credit card and have been enjoying the big fat cashbacks each year :) Thanks for mentioning it though


We do 90% of our grocery shopping at the Superstore, using this card. I like the mindless points earnings (tap the card for points & payment), no annual fee (or fee for supplementary cards), 1% in "cashback" on everything (used between churning other cards), and super easy redemption.  A little like your dog food thing, we spend points on any "household goods" at the superstore (OTC drugs, paper goods, etc) and don't even have that category in our budget.

If you go through https://www.ratesupermarket.ca/credit_cards/pc_financial/presidents_choice_financial_world_elite_mastercard (https://www.ratesupermarket.ca/credit_cards/pc_financial/presidents_choice_financial_world_elite_mastercard) you get 100$ gift card for getting the card as well (applies for all 3 levels of card but I've linked to the one with highest earn).

Thanks for the link Novik
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Prairie Moustache on February 21, 2019, 06:01:58 AM
Why not grab a 10% Scotia return card (first 3 months) that then has 4% return on groceries? 1% bonus, and keep PC for next year.

Any way of getting around the fee on this guy, or do you just eat that cost against the ~$300 cashback?
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on February 21, 2019, 06:11:41 AM
Why not grab a 10% Scotia return card (first 3 months) that then has 4% return on groceries? 1% bonus, and keep PC for next year.

Any way of getting around the fee on this guy, or do you just eat that cost against the ~$300 cashback?

It's 200$ cashback (2000$ at 10% first 3 months) but still 4% on gas and groceries after. I personally wouldn't get enough out of the 4%s to keep it after the first free year, but not everyone takes advantage of air miles to get free gas forever like I do :D

https://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/personal/credit-cards/visa/momentum-infinite-card.html?cid=fb_343ed4b0dd1cfe1b61e8b199b8326a0ed6008071&dclid=CIi9yMbss94CFcndYgodGAkA_A
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Prairie Moustache on February 21, 2019, 08:35:38 AM
Ah, I see where it says the annual fee is waived in first year now... I'm surprised they buried that in the fine print and didn't make it a selling point of the card.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Stasher on February 21, 2019, 10:57:59 AM
I have a lot of spending that I am able to funnel through my Scotiabank cashback card and have yearly gotten well over $500 back. I don't care to fly anywhere so travel cards don't interest me and I don't need fuel perks as I drive an electric car. I hunt down cards that can get me items that I might need, for example our AMEX replaced my toaster, kettle and coffee pot when their times where up. Canadian Tire card was great for offsetting my pet food and household repair needs and now the PC Optimum MC looks good to offset some groceries.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on February 21, 2019, 12:17:58 PM
PC optimum is lower than the scotibank card for you.

PC = 3% return in PC points
Scotia = 4% return cash

(When shopping in grocery stores)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: CanuckExpat on February 23, 2019, 09:38:29 PM
Trying to meet some Canadian minimum spending, and buying gift cards is not a good option for us.
How does this option sound: get AC conversion card, load with USD (eat the 2.5% conversion fee) and then withdraw USD at American ATM when in US(eat ATM fees as well). Alternatively, could I withdraw USD fee free from a CIBC ATM in Canada that dispenses USD?

Any other good option for manufacturing spending? Is there a best way to open an AC conversion card?

And out of curiosity, and slightly more diabolical, so lets say mainly curiosity: What exactly happens if I meet minimum spending by booking a refundable vacation, earn aeroplan points, spend said aeroplan points, cancel vacation and never meet minimum spending any other way? They can't really dip you into negative balance on your reward card. Kind of curious.. bad form of course, but wondering what would happen.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on February 24, 2019, 02:42:47 AM
Trying to meet some Canadian minimum spending, and buying gift cards is not a good option for us.
How does this option sound: get AC conversion card, load with USD (eat the 2.5% conversion fee) and then withdraw USD at American ATM when in US(eat ATM fees as well). Alternatively, could I withdraw USD fee free from a CIBC ATM in Canada that dispenses USD?

Any other good option for manufacturing spending? Is there a best way to open an AC conversion card?

And out of curiosity, and slightly more diabolical, so lets say mainly curiosity: What exactly happens if I meet minimum spending by booking a refundable vacation, earn aeroplan points, spend said aeroplan points, cancel vacation and never meet minimum spending any other way? They can't really dip you into negative balance on your reward card. Kind of curious.. bad form of course, but wondering what would happen.

What card are you trying to meet min spend on? If it's a mastercard, have you looked at PayTM for utilities/property tax? Or even Plastiq - not sure if you can still do income tax?

AC Conversion is generally seen as a cash advance now, I'm not up to speed on who treats it as that though (MBNA is a no, I think all VISAs as well, not sure). I think you can get some 'Drop' points for signing up through that program. Again not sure, I'm out of touch with it all.

I would say you're burning bridges with the credit card company, possibly. Who knows. As you say, they can't claw them back.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: okits on February 24, 2019, 06:20:38 AM
A quick scan of Flyer Talk topics shows that your frequent flyer account can indeed drop into negative balance and you’ll be asked to bring the balance back up to zero.  Not sure what they do if you refuse, though it would be reasonable to expect a ban on your participation in the program going forward (current account and any future one you open.  After all, they know who you are, with all the personal information that’s required to fly internationally, these days.)

A different thread mentioned the same scam being used with American Airlines’ program so the credit card and frequent flyer programs are aware of it...  No idea what they do about it, though.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Novik on February 24, 2019, 10:10:53 AM
Trying to meet some Canadian minimum spending, and buying gift cards is not a good option for us.

Are all gift cards not good, or just store/product specific ones? If the latter, buying VISA/Amex gift cards could be workable. There'd be a fee, and you'd have to double check how they counted to the card issuer though.

Another option would be to book the refundable vacation/hotel/whatever, and just make sure you actually spend the minimum before cancelling the refundable thing.  I've read that works, though never tried it myself.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on February 24, 2019, 11:38:54 AM


Trying to meet some Canadian minimum spending, and buying gift cards is not a good option for us.

Another option would be to book the refundable vacation/hotel/whatever, and just make sure you actually spend the minimum before cancelling the refundable thing.  I've read that works, though never tried it myself.

I do that quite frequently and it works just fine. I am working on a $12k spend on one card before I cancel the refundable vacation lol.

As for the other question of what would happen if you don't meet the min spend and cancel the refundable trip - generally nothing happens. Depends on the program. If the CC is tied to a rewards program they sometimes claw back your points. If you have transferred your points out, as far as I have seen, nothing really happens. Another thing you can do is cancel your card, then cancel the vacation, and then call the CC company to mail you your refund check.

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Novik on February 25, 2019, 08:24:03 AM
Trying to meet some Canadian minimum spending, and buying gift cards is not a good option for us.

Another option would be to book the refundable vacation/hotel/whatever, and just make sure you actually spend the minimum before cancelling the refundable thing.  I've read that works, though never tried it myself.

I do that quite frequently and it works just fine. I am working on a $12k spend on one card before I cancel the refundable vacation lol.

Now I remember where I read that, ha! :)  Thanks for confirming.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Reggie on February 26, 2019, 08:19:28 AM
New excellent CC option:

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card - 30K Aeroplan & FYF

https://www.td.com/ca/en/personal-banking/products/credit-cards/aeroplan/aeroplan-visa-infinite-card/

Easy to hit the spend, and aeroplan is awesome if you pick the airlines that don't have high taxes.

Have you applied for this one yet? I heard there were lots of issues with the website.  Do you know if it's been sorted out?

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on February 26, 2019, 09:19:16 AM
I got put on wait, called, they confirmed I was going to get it, done. 5min of my day.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Reggie on February 26, 2019, 11:25:47 AM
Just tried and got the same issue a lot of people have had.  Get to the end and press submit and then nothing happens.  Pretty frustrating...  I absolutely hate calling call centres.  Especially banks.  So I don't even think I'll follow through.  Maybe next week.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on February 26, 2019, 12:54:02 PM
Sadly, your life is too fun to waste. My hours at work allow me to go on wait without affecting productivity.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: okits on February 26, 2019, 06:24:11 PM
There’s a new Air Miles promo out but it kind of sucks.  Spend $50+ through airmilesshops.ca in different categories to earn 50 AM (2 categories) or 300 AM (3 categories). I’m kinda annoyed because Sun and Mon DH and I made two purchases that would have qualified, but the promo period only started today.

Here are the details (posting in case anyone has any smart hacks for this!)

https://www.airmilesshops.ca/en/splash/mix-and-match-2019?ext_cmp=41227_AMS-Mix-And-Match-_-AM.CA-HomePage-_-_EN-_-ShopNow
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on February 26, 2019, 07:30:49 PM
So 150$ spend for 30$ ?

Cancel last, there seems to be extra bonuses and tricks.

For example, put 100$ in Weathsimple, and get 100AM extra too, (Would count as 1 of the 3, adds 10$, and you can always take the money back out after getting the points)
Post Canada always useful, Amazon... Lots of ways, so as long as it's not EXTRA spending, it might be worth looking at.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Stasher on February 28, 2019, 02:45:30 PM
I ended up grabbing a CIBC Aventura gold last night when they called me, 20,000 point signup bonus. Looking at the points for signup I can get a $100 Costco card for 14,000 points and $50 Walmart card for 7,000 points. I'm ok with $150 in immediate cash savings from this card and after the year I will just cancel it.

The cool thing I didn't realize is if you have a CIBC tfsa or rrsp you can cash in the Aventura rewards points for a cash deposit into your retirement accounts. You can also even have it converted to a credit card or mortgage payment.

Definitely not the most amazing card on the market but might as well use it for now and get the free money.
https://rewards.cibcrewards.com/home.aspx (https://rewards.cibcrewards.com/home.aspx)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: CanuckExpat on February 28, 2019, 07:54:10 PM
AC Conversion is generally seen as a cash advance now, I'm not up to speed on who treats it as that though (MBNA is a no, I think all VISAs as well, not sure). I think you can get some 'Drop' points for signing up through that program. Again not sure, I'm out of touch with it all.

Anyone have an updated list for AC conversion and cash advance? Most of the stuff I see only says MBNA is a no-go, but it's at least a year old.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Cookie78 on March 01, 2019, 09:59:55 AM
I have a question.

I have a RBC Avion card that is coming up to the end of the no fee first year at the end of March. I have accumulated 38,000 points. I called today to find out what my options were to avoid the annual fee and was told that I can switch the their no fee version, but that all my Avion points would be automatically converted to RBC points.

I'm not interested in paying the annual fee, but I'm also not planning on flying anywhere any time soon.

I read that I can convert the points to British Airways Avois 1 to 1. Is this my best option? Are there any other ways to keep the points and not pay the annual fee?

Thanks
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on March 01, 2019, 10:05:14 AM
You could always take gift cards instead. Less cost effective, but actual usable money.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on March 01, 2019, 11:48:43 AM
I tried buying gc's at shell yesterday and you can't pay in AM cash anymore... Bummer.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on March 01, 2019, 12:31:08 PM
I tried buying gc's at shell yesterday and you can't pay in AM cash anymore... Bummer.

Have you tried Metro or Sobey's? Last time I checked the registers aren't coded to disallow. So buy whatever else you need, plus $x of gift cards, look distracted, and go oh, I'll redeem... uh... yeah ok $150 sure.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on March 01, 2019, 02:04:30 PM
Theres usually limit of how many AM they allow you to redeem Too.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on March 01, 2019, 02:26:50 PM
Theres usually limit of how many AM they allow you to redeem Too.

$750 is the daily limit, not sure about store limits. I can't remember if I've used more than $100 - I used 950 in December at Metro.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on March 13, 2019, 06:01:50 AM
FYI, megamiles coming up next week (5 offers 1000 air miles, 3 offers, 500)

Think of it as a scavenger hunt in which you have a guaranteed 100-50$ prize!  Hold off on buys till we see the list of options!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Novik on March 13, 2019, 08:42:29 AM
FYI, megamiles coming up next week (5 offers 1000 air miles, 3 offers, 500)

Think of it as a scavenger hunt in which you have a guaranteed 100-50$ prize!  Hold off on buys till we see the list of options!

I am perhaps unreasonably excited about this. Thanks for the heads up!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: okits on March 13, 2019, 09:37:58 AM
FYI, megamiles coming up next week (5 offers 1000 air miles, 3 offers, 500)

Think of it as a scavenger hunt in which you have a guaranteed 100-50$ prize!  Hold off on buys till we see the list of options!

I am perhaps unreasonably excited about this. Thanks for the heads up!

LOL, yeah.  Considering getting DH to sign up for his own Air Miles account for these promos.

Thanks for the early notice, Lews Therin!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on March 13, 2019, 10:25:44 AM
Heh I wonder if I'll be able to do this - I'll be over during the period it's on, but not for all of it.

Got to use my Shop the Block miles up!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Prairie Moustache on March 14, 2019, 12:24:28 PM
Good to know, I'm trying to smush in as many Airmiles as I can this year to take advantage of that companion flight voucher from the BMO World Elite card.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on March 16, 2019, 08:33:36 AM
I'M not sure if people from Qc have noticed, but there's been a couple of CC cards that have ridiculously easy achievements for QC residents: TD has two different cards (30k aeroplan and another 400$ in expedia, or 320$ travel credit card) that only require you open an account and keep it open for 90 days.

Hugely easy way to amass points and vacation money. @PoutineLover
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: snacky on March 16, 2019, 10:43:23 AM
I got an emailed credit card offer from Westjet today that included 250 westjet dollars and a companion pass for $100, plus free checked bags and some other perks.
http://www.rbcroyalbank.com/credit-cards/camp/wj/1502/?ASC=5DW010&utm_source=westjet&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=cards_18_westjet&utm_content=wj_wsdfocus&WT.mc_id=cards%3bemail
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: okits on March 16, 2019, 10:53:52 AM
I looked at the fine print of the current BMO and RBC $300 new chequing account promos.

BMO wants you to keep a $6000 minimum balance to waive the monthly fee and might bill you for the promo money if you close the account before a certain date in 2020 (that date is more than a year away).

RBC’s website sucks and I couldn’t load the additional details to find out the minimum balance for no fee, but they also require you to keep the account open 365 days.

Sorta seems not worth it. 

Still working on racking up Marriott Bonvoy Amex points.  The sign up through Great Canadian Rebates and the intro bonus is even better than when I got the card in January (it’s $50 + 60k points vs. the $30 + 50k points before they renamed the loyalty program).
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on March 16, 2019, 11:19:23 AM
I got an emailed credit card offer from Westjet today that included 250 westjet dollars and a companion pass for $100, plus free checked bags and some other perks.
http://www.rbcroyalbank.com/credit-cards/camp/wj/1502/?ASC=5DW010&utm_source=westjet&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=cards_18_westjet&utm_content=wj_wsdfocus&WT.mc_id=cards%3bemail

That card is very much not new!

IMHO a better plan: Get the RBC Avion card for free, then convert your Avion points to WJ dollars, then convert the Avion card to WJ card -> $500 WJ dollars.

Note that the companion fare is excl. taxes so it isn't as good as it seems. The $99 fare is only for Canada/America I think; IIRC it is $299 for Yerp. (Sorry, that's an old sketch - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYVp3ieHtRE).
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: PoutineLover on March 16, 2019, 12:47:04 PM
I'M not sure if people from Qc have noticed, but there's been a couple of CC cards that have ridiculously easy achievements for QC residents: TD has two different cards (30k aeroplan and another 400$ in expedia, or 320$ travel credit card) that only require you open an account and keep it open for 90 days.

Hugely easy way to amass points and vacation money. @PoutineLover
Ooh sweeet definitely gonna look into that. Hope they don't have high income requirements. Thanks for the heads up!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: The Fake Cheap on March 16, 2019, 06:26:35 PM
I looked at the fine print of the current BMO and RBC $300 new chequing account promos.

BMO wants you to keep a $6000 minimum balance to waive the monthly fee and might bill you for the promo money if you close the account before a certain date in 2020 (that date is more than a year away).

RBC’s website sucks and I couldn’t load the additional details to find out the minimum balance for no fee, but they also require you to keep the account open 365 days.

Sorta seems not worth it. 

Still working on racking up Marriott Bonvoy Amex points.  The sign up through Great Canadian Rebates and the intro bonus is even better than when I got the card in January (it’s $50 + 60k points vs. the $30 + 50k points before they renamed the loyalty program).

I signed up for a National Bank Promo last year, ($250 when you opened a Chq acct savings acct and their Mastercard)  I was straight up with the banker that opened the accounts that I was only doing this for the $ to sign up.  He said the accounts had to be open for a year.  I kept everything open for 7 months, and then closed everything.  Nothing happened, nothing received in the mail looking for me to give the money back.  I assume that this might be more of a problem if you are continuing client of the bank, however  that was not true in my case
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Prairie Gal on March 16, 2019, 06:55:45 PM
I got an emailed credit card offer from Westjet today that included 250 westjet dollars and a companion pass for $100, plus free checked bags and some other perks.
http://www.rbcroyalbank.com/credit-cards/camp/wj/1502/?ASC=5DW010&utm_source=westjet&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=cards_18_westjet&utm_content=wj_wsdfocus&WT.mc_id=cards%3bemail

I get that offer also. Unfortunately the minimum income is $80,000 so I don't qualify.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on March 16, 2019, 06:57:00 PM
I don't have much info on it, but have heard there's a 500$ bonus for TD bank accounts happening. Google sleuths, attack!  (I've done it recently, so I won't be eligeable)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Reggie on March 26, 2019, 05:21:06 AM
I went to Metro yesterday and was able to buy a $50 Canadian tire gift card along with about $30 of groceries and pay for all of it with my air miles.

They also had Amazon, various dining, and a lot of other options for gift cards. This will really help me spend our huge air miles cash balance.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: okits on March 26, 2019, 06:47:04 AM
Reminder for people doing the Air Miles Mega Miles (https://airmilesmegamiles.ca/en/partner_offers?reg=ON) promo: the short window for the Rexall redemption offer is open now (redeem 190 AM for 40 bonus AM, Mar 25-28).  Window for buying Sobeys/Sobeys UF gift cards closes Mar 27 (though maybe they will introduce a redeem AM offer, too, like Metro did?)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on March 26, 2019, 08:00:24 AM
Sobeys usually just has GC, not a redeem option.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Prairie Moustache on March 26, 2019, 08:12:08 AM
I'm a little out of the loop on this one, but can someone explain to me how you're buying giftcards with this promotion? All the offers I read say that they are excluded. Or can you only buy them with Cash Miles?
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on March 26, 2019, 10:22:14 AM
Reggie`s GC`s comment are separate from the promotion, it`s simply a way to redeem his points after hoarding monstrous quantities.

The sobeys ones are part of MEGA-MILES (Offer from SOBEYS and Urban Fresh)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on March 29, 2019, 07:47:08 AM
MEGA-MILES plan: Using 4 offers from Ont, 1 from Q
1 LCBO Bottle (25$)
IGA Use 85 AM to redeem for 10$
Shell: 25L of gas (will pay with AM)
Metro Use 10$ AM
Jean Coutu Use 10$ AM
I will have spent: 25$ LCBO - 30$ Shell (payed in AM) - 10$ IGA (payed in AM) - 10$ Metro (payed in AM) - 10$ Jean Coutu (Payed in AM)
So 25$ cash, 60$ in AM, and I will receive 115$ in AM.  So.... Free 85$ worth of stuff I would probably have bought anyways, and an extra 30$ I like these kinds of scavenger hunts.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Goldielocks on March 29, 2019, 11:55:29 AM
PC optimum is lower than the scotibank card for you.

PC = 3% return in PC points
Scotia = 4% return cash

(When shopping in grocery stores)

Replying to this thread because it aligns more closely with my strategy the past few years -- go for cash value, instead of travel points, then look for travel discounts and pay cash if / when we want. (we don't travel a lot).

I have had the Scotia Bank card, with 4% groceries, and switched to an MBNA World Elite card with 2% back on everything, and recently picked up the PC groceries with 3% for Esso and Loblaws chains.

I found that paying and setting up the Scotia Momentum card was a bit tough (had to go sign in person at the bank).  They are not quite as easy on waiving late charges, and paying them from another bank took a couple of days longer to register than any of the others, so it tripped me up a couple of times.  After a few years, only getting 1% back on the misc. spend was not enough, and the annual fee was too high for just a grocery card spend amount.  Note that with Scotia, you get your credit close to the date that your new annual fee kicks in, so you are locked in to another year's fee if you stay to get the cash back.  Not a great cycle for us.

The 2% cash back MBNA World Elite has been good, and the annual fee is not that high.  2% on EVERYTHING.  It adds up as groceries / gas are not that large for my budget.  They did recently raise the annual fee (waived first year) and reduce the % back, so I shopped for an alternative... then they gave me a $50 credit to stay.  So I will keep it another year.   MBNA also lets you get cashback as soon as you can claim $50, not just annually like Scotia.

The PC Optimium card with 3% groceries back is terrific.  I have an Esso with good fuel rates close to me so switched to there for added savings, and I have been shopping at Superstore, No Frills and Shoppers almost exclusively for a few years before getting it.   The Shopper's points deals are the best, even without a PC credit card,  if you only buy things that you know the best prices for.  There is often $50 worth of milk, eggs, frozen pizza, crackers, tuna, etc. that I can pick up there, for net cheaper, about 15% net lower than the lowest sales price in my area.   I only use this card for groceries and Esso.

I will miss getting my grocery cash back annually as one lump sum, but that's life.  I use up my points as I go... and I still get the cash back in lumps from the MBNA card.

Another cash back card was the AMEX business with a huge AMEX travel points bonus sign up offer.   It was free for one year and the AMEX points converted to cash back exceptionally easily, I did not need to convert them to Aeroplan even though that was what they advertised it for.  I think I received $350 and they give the cash back at full rate for any sort of travel (I had an AirBNB and a car ferry ride for part of it and that was valid).  This one had to go when the annual fee came up as I found too many places that would not accept it and it had dimishing returns.

With this number of cards already, I passed on the Triangle / Canadian Tire card for now.  My 2% back trumps it, I think, and I should be spending less there anyway because it is full of all my hobbies and triggers for spending.  I will keep my eye on it, when I give up the MBNA card, maybe this is the one to use. 
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: okits on March 29, 2019, 12:10:42 PM
MEGA-MILES plan: Using 4 offers from Ont, 1 from Q
1 LCBO Bottle (25$)
IGA Use 85 AM to redeem for 10$
Shell: 25L of gas (will pay with AM)
Metro Use 10$ AM
Jean Coutu Use 10$ AM
I will have spent: 25$ LCBO - 30$ Shell (payed in AM) - 10$ IGA (payed in AM) - 10$ Metro (payed in AM) - 10$ Jean Coutu (Payed in AM)
So 25$ cash, 60$ in AM, and I will receive 115$ in AM.  So.... Free 85$ worth of stuff I would probably have bought anyways, and an extra 30$ I like these kinds of scavenger hunts.

Ooh, nice.  I am sticking with stuff that’s on my regular walking route.  Wish there were an IGA or Jean Coutu near me!

DONE:
Sobeys Urban Fresh $75 GC (75 AM earned)
Rexall 190 AM redeemed (40 AM earned)
LCBO $14 for wine (10 AM earned)

TO DO:
Metro redeem 95 AM (25 AM earned)
Shell - buy $10 stuff (5 AM earned)

1155 AM ($121) for 285 AM and $24 spent (I figure the gift card is a wash.)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on March 29, 2019, 10:21:40 PM
Reminder for people doing the Air Miles Mega Miles (https://airmilesmegamiles.ca/en/partner_offers?reg=ON) promo: the short window for the Rexall redemption offer is open now (redeem 190 AM for 40 bonus AM, Mar 25-28).  Window for buying Sobeys/Sobeys UF gift cards closes Mar 27 (though maybe they will introduce a redeem AM offer, too, like Metro did?)
Sigh. I did see this but got busy this week and didn't pay enough attention so missed the Rexall cash miles redemption. Darn. So annoying. Now I have to actually spend money.

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: okits on March 29, 2019, 11:27:43 PM
Reminder for people doing the Air Miles Mega Miles (https://airmilesmegamiles.ca/en/partner_offers?reg=ON) promo: the short window for the Rexall redemption offer is open now (redeem 190 AM for 40 bonus AM, Mar 25-28).  Window for buying Sobeys/Sobeys UF gift cards closes Mar 27 (though maybe they will introduce a redeem AM offer, too, like Metro did?)
Sigh. I did see this but got busy this week and didn't pay enough attention so missed the Rexall cash miles redemption. Darn. So annoying. Now I have to actually spend money.

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

I hear ya.  Sometimes you get too busy to fully optimize.  I was hoping for DH to get his own AM account for this promo but it’s been a killer week for us and now some of the easy-for-me offers have expired.  Maybe for the next Shop the Block!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on April 03, 2019, 02:09:34 PM
Hey @PoutineLover ; and all other Quebec people.

Check this one out. No spend necessary, just keep it open.

https://www.reddit.com/r/churningcanada/comments/b8crjz/new_hsbc_world_elite_mastercard_offer_quebec/
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: PoutineLover on April 03, 2019, 02:14:34 PM
Hey @PoutineLover ; and all other Quebec people.

Check this one out. No spend necessary, just keep it open.

https://www.reddit.com/r/churningcanada/comments/b8crjz/new_hsbc_world_elite_mastercard_offer_quebec/
I don't make enough money to qualify :(
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on April 03, 2019, 04:09:40 PM
Fudge the income.

Who said that?
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: JamOnFire on April 04, 2019, 06:11:27 AM
Hey guys,

Been reading and learning.  Am on the mega miles promo and almost done.

Silly question, do you guys all take your AM in cash miles?  Last time I redeemed miles on a flight and my wife bought her ticket, my AM value came to 19 cents per AM.  That being said, I don't recall the wife's deal on her ticket, if it was high or decent or what not.  So maybe my cost basis was off.


Thanks for your advice

Jam

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on April 04, 2019, 06:21:32 AM
I usually have around 4k in dream miles in case of good deals, this year it was 100% worth getting only dream if you could get the BMO WE AM card, since it gave a free compagnon flight (if you had enough AM to pay for both tickets, since they only refunded you after a few months after the flight itself) ; So once for you, once for the partner, 4 flights for the price of 1! (excellent return on AM).

AM Cash is however much simpler, and easier for me to figure out what the value of the money is, instead of being ''fun money'' let's take a vacation type things like dream miles. Easier to say, I got 50$ in gas, rather than I saved 50$ of my trip (did I really, or did I just add 50$ of stuff because it was free from AM). You can also use AM at some home-improvement stores, so buying flooring, applicances will burn through your AM stash really quick (buying a 500$ fridge on AM will empty most people`s accounts) or getting GCs, all sorts of options.

As long as you are getting ATLEAST .10c per AM with your dream miles, you are breaking even, anything more, might as well keep dream.

Also, always keep at least 1000 AM in cash, since there is a lot of deals in Shop the Block, Mega-miles, other deals, that require you to spend AM to get AM back.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: okits on April 04, 2019, 07:09:52 AM
Silly question, do you guys all take your AM in cash miles?  Last time I redeemed miles on a flight and my wife bought her ticket, my AM value came to 19 cents per AM.  That being said, I don't recall the wife's deal on her ticket, if it was high or decent or what not.  So maybe my cost basis was off.

With AM Cash, barring any promotions for redemptions, your AM are worth 10.5 cents each ($10/95 AM).  So your flight value was better, in comparison.

I really only spend Cash miles when you get some back, during promotions.  I’ve redeemed Dream miles for things that would sting to pay out of pocket, like tickets to the zoo or a hotel night.  As Lews Therin said, as long as the value is at least what you’d get for Cash miles, you’re doing all right.  (As @elaine amj would say, it also matters if the reward has utility to you.  Sure, redeeming for a luxury holiday to Bali might be the highest-value use for your miles, but if that’s not what you want or can use, you’re better off redeeming for a reward that is useful to you.)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on April 04, 2019, 10:45:43 AM




With AM Cash, barring any promotions for redemptions, your AM are worth 10.5 cents each ($10/95 AM).  So your flight value was better, in comparison.

I really only spend Cash miles when you get some back, during promotions.  I’ve redeemed Dream miles for things that would sting to pay out of pocket, like tickets to the zoo or a hotel night.  As Lews Therin said, as long as the value is at least what you’d get for Cash miles, you’re doing all right.  (As @elaine amj would say, it also matters if the reward has utility to you.  Sure, redeeming for a luxury holiday to Bali might be the highest-value use for your miles, but if that’s not what you want or can use, you’re better off redeeming for a reward that is useful to you.)

Heehee - I say that a lot don't I? At the very least I make myself feel better :) on the other hand, I see little point in burning a pile of miles for $12,000 first class flight I don't value much when for the same or fewer miles I can take my whole family on an $4000 economy flight that works for me. Even if the value per mile is far superior for the first class flight.

Right now I collect Dream miles for Disney World tickets. The redemption value is fairly decent and it's a reward I want and value. I haven't seen many other AM redemptions I like - flights so far have been overpriced IMO. I chose to pay cash for my DD to fly home from Quebec City last summer because the miles + taxes and fees were too much.  I accidentally accummulated a pile of cash miles so I use that for gas when we go on road trips. I personally don't like to use Air Miles for regular daily spending. My travel hacking is for splurging :)

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: techwiz on April 10, 2019, 07:48:44 AM
PTF

Waiting for a good deal to come out for us Canadians.   
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: mld on April 10, 2019, 08:30:20 AM
PTF! Great info in here. Thanks for sharing everyone!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on April 10, 2019, 08:39:10 AM
Techwiz: Check the first post, I try to keep it updated.

There's quite a few deals available in the 200-400$ range for getting credit cards in welcome bonuses. (I only put the ones I believe are the very best, or recommendations for short term money wins on it.)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: techwiz on April 10, 2019, 08:43:40 AM
Techwiz: Check the first post, I try to keep it updated.

There's quite a few deals available in the 200-400$ range for getting credit cards in welcome bonuses. (I only put the ones I believe are the very best, or recommendations for short term money wins on it.)

Thanks!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: PoutineLover on April 10, 2019, 11:52:06 AM
I just redeemed 266 bucks from my blue sky amex cause I got the welcome bonus and 3 referrals and a bit of spending!! Makes my next trip to Europe only 530 round trip, sick! Not the best reward out there, but still pretty worthwhile to me.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: okits on April 10, 2019, 11:58:47 AM
PSA: for those doing MegaMiles, tomorrow the window opens for the Metro offer (Apr 11-14, redeem 95 AM for $10 off and 25 AM).  @elaine amj - spend miles not money.  😄
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on April 13, 2019, 11:51:51 AM
PSA: for those doing MegaMiles, tomorrow the window opens for the Metro offer (Apr 11-14, redeem 95 AM for $10 off and 25 AM).  @elaine amj - spend miles not money. 
ROFL! Continuing on my "mess up travel hacking" streak, I went online last week to argue for DH's Shop the Block bonuses (he only got 1000 miles instead of 2000) and after spending hours assembling receipts, etc and arguing with two different reps, I got the extra 1000 miles credited. I was horrified to discover DH is STILL on 100% Cash Miles. Apparently after the last debacle I only thought I changed it...but I didn't. So he has over $200 in Cash Miles. Lots of gas for this summer's road trips :) I really loathe this split between Cash and Dream Miles.

Then when I went to Metro on Thursday to redeem the cash miles, I didn't realize we needed to give the cashier the code...so I didn't.  I had to go back again yesterday to spend yet another $10 for each of us in Cash Miles. This time I gave the cashier the code and got the 50 bonus AM.

Oh well - I am done all 5 Mega Miles promos for both DH and I and have the receipts to prove it all nice and neat in an envelope. Except for Shell as I forgot to get the receipt from the pump too :(

In other travel hacking news, this anyone see the current promo from Simplii where they are giving $200 for opening up a no-fee account? I haven't examined it in detail yet but it looks good at first glance. Two different pre-authorized bill payments over at least 2 months won't be too hard to do. https://www.simplii.com/en/special-offers/no-fee-chequing.html

Then I also saw the TD First class Visa Infinite is offering up to $400 in points for a $1000 min spend with annual fee waived. Double the highest promos I have seen so far! https://www.ratehub.ca/blog/canadas-best-credit-card-promotions-and-sign-up-bonus-offers/#td

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: okits on April 13, 2019, 12:11:08 PM
Then when I went to Metro on Thursday to redeem the cash miles, I didn't realize we needed to give the cashier the code...so I didn't.  I had to go back again yesterday to spend yet another $10 for each of us in Cash Miles. This time I gave the cashier the code and got the 50 bonus AM.

Reading RFD it looks like the flyer 50 AM might be a separate promo from Mega Miles...  So potentially MegaMiles 50 + flyer 50 = 100 AM for redeeming 95.  I guess we will find out.

I had the same experience yesterday, didn’t give a PLU code because the cashier said I would still get the 50 AM without it.  I’m going back today and tomorrow, need a bunch of stuff for a potluck.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: The Fake Cheap on April 14, 2019, 08:52:39 AM
PSA: for those doing MegaMiles, tomorrow the window opens for the Metro offer (Apr 11-14, redeem 95 AM for $10 off and 25 AM).  @elaine amj - spend miles not money. 
ROFL! Continuing on my "mess up travel hacking" streak, I went online last week to argue for DH's Shop the Block bonuses (he only got 1000 miles instead of 2000) and after spending hours assembling receipts, etc and arguing with two different reps, I got the extra 1000 miles credited. I was horrified to discover DH is STILL on 100% Cash Miles. Apparently after the last debacle I only thought I changed it...but I didn't. So he has over $200 in Cash Miles. Lots of gas for this summer's road trips :) I really loathe this split between Cash and Dream Miles.

Then when I went to Metro on Thursday to redeem the cash miles, I didn't realize we needed to give the cashier the code...so I didn't.  I had to go back again yesterday to spend yet another $10 for each of us in Cash Miles. This time I gave the cashier the code and got the 50 bonus AM.

Oh well - I am done all 5 Mega Miles promos for both DH and I and have the receipts to prove it all nice and neat in an envelope. Except for Shell as I forgot to get the receipt from the pump too :(

In other travel hacking news, this anyone see the current promo from Simplii where they are giving $200 for opening up a no-fee account? I haven't examined it in detail yet but it looks good at first glance. Two different pre-authorized bill payments over at least 2 months won't be too hard to do. https://www.simplii.com/en/special-offers/no-fee-chequing.html

Then I also saw the TD First class Visa Infinite is offering up to $400 in points for a $1000 min spend with annual fee waived. Double the highest promos I have seen so far! https://www.ratehub.ca/blog/canadas-best-credit-card-promotions-and-sign-up-bonus-offers/#td

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

This is good to know because I did what was needed for my wife to get the 2000 shop the block miles, but she only got 1000.  I know I kept some receipts, but I'd be shocked if I actually had all of them, but then again you can see all the transactions on line.  I'm wondering if I'm just going to waste an hour of my time calling AM and trying to get the extra 1000 that appears to be owed. 


Just to add that the mega miles offers are really crappy for my neck of the woods, no way I can get the 5/1000 out of it...it's a strech to get to the 3 for 300.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on April 14, 2019, 09:18:20 AM
The chat function with air miles goes really quick. Just browse internet while chatting and you'll be done in 5-10!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on April 14, 2019, 05:38:41 PM



This is good to know because I did what was needed for my wife to get the 2000 shop the block miles, but she only got 1000.  I know I kept some receipts, but I'd be shocked if I actually had all of them, but then again you can see all the transactions on line.  I'm wondering if I'm just going to waste an hour of my time calling AM and trying to get the extra 1000 that appears to be owed. 


Just to add that the mega miles offers are really crappy for my neck of the woods, no way I can get the 5/1000 out of it...it's a strech to get to the 3 for 300.

I contacted AM via chat. After looking through my AM transactions and comparing it to the expected bonus miles I was supposed to get for the offers I did, I figured that it was a problem with airmilesshops as I didn't get the ShoptheBlock bonus miles for that. (Although oddly enough I did get the base AM for shopping through airmilesshops).

The first lady I talked to via chat asked me to compile info about all 7 offers: date of purchase, name of partner, and actual amount of purchase. Ack...rather hard to do without receipts. I asked a few times since I could see where the problem was but she would not budge on needing the info for all 7 offers. So I resigned myself to spending the next hour or two diggibg through my CC records to compile the info (a bit challenging as I used 3-4 different CCs during that time).

Went back on to the chat and talked to a different rep. All he needed was the invoice for my purchase via airmilesshops. Took about 5 mins and he credited me the missing 1000 miles.

Next time I will go with the golden rule of hacking - HUCA (Hang Up Call Again).

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: okits on April 14, 2019, 06:35:03 PM
Went back to Metro today and redeemed my 95 AM with the PLU code.  I certainly hope I get the 50 + 50 bonus AM as I had the pissiest cashier (who seemed new and was crazy-frustrated with how many promotions the store was running).  😜 Hey Ken, I hope your day got better!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: The Fake Cheap on April 17, 2019, 07:09:40 PM



This is good to know because I did what was needed for my wife to get the 2000 shop the block miles, but she only got 1000.  I know I kept some receipts, but I'd be shocked if I actually had all of them, but then again you can see all the transactions on line.  I'm wondering if I'm just going to waste an hour of my time calling AM and trying to get the extra 1000 that appears to be owed. 


Just to add that the mega miles offers are really crappy for my neck of the woods, no way I can get the 5/1000 out of it...it's a strech to get to the 3 for 300.

I contacted AM via chat. After looking through my AM transactions and comparing it to the expected bonus miles I was supposed to get for the offers I did, I figured that it was a problem with airmilesshops as I didn't get the ShoptheBlock bonus miles for that. (Although oddly enough I did get the base AM for shopping through airmilesshops).

The first lady I talked to via chat asked me to compile info about all 7 offers: date of purchase, name of partner, and actual amount of purchase. Ack...rather hard to do without receipts. I asked a few times since I could see where the problem was but she would not budge on needing the info for all 7 offers. So I resigned myself to spending the next hour or two diggibg through my CC records to compile the info (a bit challenging as I used 3-4 different CCs during that time).

Went back on to the chat and talked to a different rep. All he needed was the invoice for my purchase via airmilesshops. Took about 5 mins and he credited me the missing 1000 miles.

Next time I will go with the golden rule of hacking - HUCA (Hang Up Call Again).

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

So I ended up doing this as well, I spoke to AM through the chat on their website.  After some grilling about certain transactions I used to fulfill the Shop the Block (I think I was able to somewhat accurately guess) I was awarded the 1,000 AM I was missing.   Not too painful, but it would have been nice to just get the 2,000 total AM in the first place.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: BSL18 on May 07, 2019, 06:51:49 AM
Hi all! I'm new to the game, but I think I'm now organized enough in my own PF that I can start CC churning and travel hacking. We are immigrants so there's always a yearly round trip flight to Europe going on at some point or another. Where do you think I should start? Is one program better than the other if you target a specific destination?

The TD Visa Infinite deal seems to still be live, would you recommand starting with this one?
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on May 07, 2019, 08:37:39 AM
For flights outside of Canada, Aeroplan is your best bet, if you look around (google how to use aeroplan for the best flights) you will find carriers that have little to no surcharges, so flights are extremely cheap!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: YK-Phil on May 07, 2019, 09:12:17 AM

In other travel hacking news, this anyone see the current promo from Simplii where they are giving $200 for opening up a no-fee account? I haven't examined it in detail yet but it looks good at first glance. Two different pre-authorized bill payments over at least 2 months won't be too hard to do. https://www.simplii.com/en/special-offers/no-fee-chequing.html



I applied on line 10 days ago for a Simplii account, the process was simple and easy. Received the package within 4 days, set my on line account up, set my CPP deposit to Simplii after confirming by chat that CPP was eligible, now waiting for the bonus in a couple of months. Painless process, their chat feature is quick and easy, there was no waiting whatsoever, compared to Tangerine's where I was never able to use their on line chat feature in the 10+ years I have been with them. So far so good, I am impressed.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on May 07, 2019, 09:26:28 PM
Hi all! I'm new to the game, but I think I'm now organized enough in my own PF that I can start CC churning and travel hacking. We are immigrants so there's always a yearly round trip flight to Europe going on at some point or another. Where do you think I should start? Is one program better than the other if you target a specific destination?

The TD Visa Infinite deal seems to still be live, would you recommand starting with this one?
The TD visa infinite one is such an EASY one. $1000 spend and voila...$320-400 worth of travel! DH just signed up for it. (I got the card last year with only half the points).

What I like is how easy it is to redeem the points. You can go through TD for Expedia (get the full $400 value) or you can do Book any Way and get statement credits ($320 value). I generally do Book Any Way because I use different points for flights and find places that are cheaper/more suitable for us on Airbnb or the like.  I like Book Any Way for Airbnb, uber, campgrounds and even restaurants (for those stray orphan points).

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Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Prairie Gal on May 09, 2019, 05:48:43 PM
Hi all! I'm new to the game, but I think I'm now organized enough in my own PF that I can start CC churning and travel hacking. We are immigrants so there's always a yearly round trip flight to Europe going on at some point or another. Where do you think I should start? Is one program better than the other if you target a specific destination?

The TD Visa Infinite deal seems to still be live, would you recommand starting with this one?
The TD visa infinite one is such an EASY one. $1000 spend and voila...$320-400 worth of travel! DH just signed up for it. (I got the card last year with only half the points).

What I like is how easy it is to redeem the points. You can go through TD for Expedia (get the full $400 value) or you can do Book any Way and get statement credits ($320 value). I generally do Book Any Way because I use different points for flights and find places that are cheaper/more suitable for us on Airbnb or the like.  I like Book Any Way for Airbnb, uber, campgrounds and even restaurants (for those stray orphan points).

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

Are you talking about the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite on the first post? I have never collected Aeroplan, so I didn't know they were that easy to redeem. I generally suck at travel hacking, but this sounds like something I could do.


ETA: After looking around a bit more, I think maybe this is the one you mean?  https://www.td.com/ca/en/personal-banking/products/credit-cards/travel-rewards/first-class-travel-visa-infinite-card/

I did get the MBNA Best Western a while back and got enough points for two nights in a BW. Go me! lol.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: BSL18 on May 09, 2019, 06:02:12 PM
Hi all! I'm new to the game, but I think I'm now organized enough in my own PF that I can start CC churning and travel hacking. We are immigrants so there's always a yearly round trip flight to Europe going on at some point or another. Where do you think I should start? Is one program better than the other if you target a specific destination?

The TD Visa Infinite deal seems to still be live, would you recommand starting with this one?
The TD visa infinite one is such an EASY one. $1000 spend and voila...$320-400 worth of travel! DH just signed up for it. (I got the card last year with only half the points).

What I like is how easy it is to redeem the points. You can go through TD for Expedia (get the full $400 value) or you can do Book any Way and get statement credits ($320 value). I generally do Book Any Way because I use different points for flights and find places that are cheaper/more suitable for us on Airbnb or the like.  I like Book Any Way for Airbnb, uber, campgrounds and even restaurants (for those stray orphan points).

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

Are you talking about the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite on the first post? I have never collected Aeroplan, so I didn't know they were that easy to redeem. I generally suck at travel hacking, but this sounds like something I could do.


ETA: After looking around a bit more, I think maybe this is the one you mean?  https://www.td.com/ca/en/personal-banking/products/credit-cards/travel-rewards/first-class-travel-visa-infinite-card/

I did get the MBNA Best Western a while back and got enough points for two nights in a BW. Go me! lol.

I'm talking about this one: https://www.td.com/ca/en/personal-banking/products/credit-cards/travel-rewards/first-class-travel-visa-infinite-card/quebec/
I currently have a NBC MC but is really does not give much back to poor me... So I could keep that one (even even go back to the cheapest option) for the whole "professional plan" that gives me a few perks and shop around and churn for my usual expenses.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on May 09, 2019, 07:42:58 PM
Bsl: go all in aeroplan, it'll be very helpful. Any credit statements cards are also winners for you.

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Goldielocks on May 09, 2019, 10:18:14 PM
Bsl: go all in aeroplan, it'll be very helpful. Any credit statements cards are also winners for you.
As Lewis Therin said before -- Aeroplan is great for non NA (international) travel (because you transfer points to STAR alliance affiliates and pay lower taxes and fuel surcharges).   NOT a good option for Canada  / US travel.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on May 10, 2019, 06:07:41 AM
Bsl: go all in aeroplan, it'll be very helpful. Any credit statements cards are also winners for you.
As Lewis Therin said before -- Aeroplan is great for non NA (international) travel (because you transfer points to STAR alliance affiliates and pay lower taxes and fuel surcharges).   NOT a good option for Canada  / US travel.

Can be good with US travel (Using american airlines)

All around not great in general for CAN (Apart from going to the Territories)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on May 10, 2019, 12:22:53 PM
Hi all! I'm new to the game, but I think I'm now organized enough in my own PF that I can start CC churning and travel hacking. We are immigrants so there's always a yearly round trip flight to Europe going on at some point or another. Where do you think I should start? Is one program better than the other if you target a specific destination?

The TD Visa Infinite deal seems to still be live, would you recommand starting with this one?
The TD visa infinite one is such an EASY one. $1000 spend and voila...$320-400 worth of travel! DH just signed up for it. (I got the card last year with only half the points).

What I like is how easy it is to redeem the points. You can go through TD for Expedia (get the full $400 value) or you can do Book any Way and get statement credits ($320 value). I generally do Book Any Way because I use different points for flights and find places that are cheaper/more suitable for us on Airbnb or the like.  I like Book Any Way for Airbnb, uber, campgrounds and even restaurants (for those stray orphan points).

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

Are you talking about the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite on the first post? I have never collected Aeroplan, so I didn't know they were that easy to redeem. I generally suck at travel hacking, but this sounds like something I could do.


ETA: After looking around a bit more, I think maybe this is the one you mean?  https://www.td.com/ca/en/personal-banking/products/credit-cards/travel-rewards/first-class-travel-visa-infinite-card/

I did get the MBNA Best Western a while back and got enough points for two nights in a BW. Go me! lol.
Mine is the TD First Class Visa Infinite. Jist SO easy.

The Aeroplan one sounds good too - but seems better for a strategy where you are going to accummulate a decent chunk of aeroplan miles.

I am not planning intl travel for the next couple of years so haven't been sufficiently motivated to pursue aeroplan miles.

I also have access to US credit cards so this year that will be my focus. They are much more lucrative :)

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Goldielocks on May 11, 2019, 05:13:44 PM
Bsl: go all in aeroplan, it'll be very helpful. Any credit statements cards are also winners for you.
As Lewis Therin said before -- Aeroplan is great for non NA (international) travel (because you transfer points to STAR alliance affiliates and pay lower taxes and fuel surcharges).   NOT a good option for Canada  / US travel.

Can be good with US travel (Using american airlines)

All around not great in general for CAN (Apart from going to the Territories)
Good to know.   I tried switching my points to other US airlines using a couple of methods, and the value ratio was no where close to consideration at that time.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on May 21, 2019, 11:15:45 AM
New arrival to Air Miles Cash: LCBO E-Vouchers
(Info available on banner on the main site)

- 95 cash miles for 10$ LCBO ; max 100$ per transaction.

-Tried it out last week, terrible system: Each Voucher has to be scanned, followed by entering a PIN number (written on the voucher) so you have to do it 10x because you cannot get a large value voucher than 10$.... aside from that it went through quickly enough. 950 AM Cash burnt! Huzzah.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: mld on May 23, 2019, 05:42:09 AM
Thought you guys might be interested in this Redemption Event of PC Optimum Points for tomorrow at Shoppers/Pharmaprix:

Save up to 300$ when you redeem 200,000 points or more.

I've never used my PC Points for such events but digging for more info right now as I have been stacking them up hoping to find a better way to use them than just on my grocery. Also trying to figure out what I might spend it on, things that I can stack up on I guess!

Any tips welcome :). 
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on May 23, 2019, 07:23:32 AM
SDM:

Things that are in the flyer

Diapers

Eggs milk cheese

Toilet paper

Suncream - maybe

Video games/consoles
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Cookie78 on May 29, 2019, 12:42:46 PM
Hi all! I'm new to the game, but I think I'm now organized enough in my own PF that I can start CC churning and travel hacking. We are immigrants so there's always a yearly round trip flight to Europe going on at some point or another. Where do you think I should start? Is one program better than the other if you target a specific destination?

The TD Visa Infinite deal seems to still be live, would you recommand starting with this one?
The TD visa infinite one is such an EASY one. $1000 spend and voila...$320-400 worth of travel! DH just signed up for it. (I got the card last year with only half the points).

What I like is how easy it is to redeem the points. You can go through TD for Expedia (get the full $400 value) or you can do Book any Way and get statement credits ($320 value). I generally do Book Any Way because I use different points for flights and find places that are cheaper/more suitable for us on Airbnb or the like.  I like Book Any Way for Airbnb, uber, campgrounds and even restaurants (for those stray orphan points).

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

Are you talking about the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite on the first post? I have never collected Aeroplan, so I didn't know they were that easy to redeem. I generally suck at travel hacking, but this sounds like something I could do.


ETA: After looking around a bit more, I think maybe this is the one you mean?  https://www.td.com/ca/en/personal-banking/products/credit-cards/travel-rewards/first-class-travel-visa-infinite-card/

I did get the MBNA Best Western a while back and got enough points for two nights in a BW. Go me! lol.
Mine is the TD First Class Visa Infinite. Jist SO easy.

The Aeroplan one sounds good too - but seems better for a strategy where you are going to accummulate a decent chunk of aeroplan miles.

I am not planning intl travel for the next couple of years so haven't been sufficiently motivated to pursue aeroplan miles.

I also have access to US credit cards so this year that will be my focus. They are much more lucrative :)

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

I have never had such a difficult time applying for a credit card than I have with the TD First Class Visa Infinite. I'm almost ready to give up. But 80,000 points!

I tried online but my address wouldn't work. They said on the online chat that it's a known issue. I called to apply and they said I had to go into the bank (because equifax). I went into the bank and they verified my ID and said I had to call back and apply via phone. I called back (while at the bank) and the application was finished. He said to call back within 2 business days to follow up if I haven't heard back. I am doing that now and getting the runaround. We don't know. We can't say. Please call back in 2 more days (which happens to be the last day of the promotion).
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on May 29, 2019, 01:12:10 PM
Hi all! I'm new to the game, but I think I'm now organized enough in my own PF that I can start CC churning and travel hacking. We are immigrants so there's always a yearly round trip flight to Europe going on at some point or another. Where do you think I should start? Is one program better than the other if you target a specific destination?

The TD Visa Infinite deal seems to still be live, would you recommand starting with this one?
The TD visa infinite one is such an EASY one. $1000 spend and voila...$320-400 worth of travel! DH just signed up for it. (I got the card last year with only half the points).

What I like is how easy it is to redeem the points. You can go through TD for Expedia (get the full $400 value) or you can do Book any Way and get statement credits ($320 value). I generally do Book Any Way because I use different points for flights and find places that are cheaper/more suitable for us on Airbnb or the like.  I like Book Any Way for Airbnb, uber, campgrounds and even restaurants (for those stray orphan points).

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

Are you talking about the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite on the first post? I have never collected Aeroplan, so I didn't know they were that easy to redeem. I generally suck at travel hacking, but this sounds like something I could do.


ETA: After looking around a bit more, I think maybe this is the one you mean?  https://www.td.com/ca/en/personal-banking/products/credit-cards/travel-rewards/first-class-travel-visa-infinite-card/

I did get the MBNA Best Western a while back and got enough points for two nights in a BW. Go me! lol.
Mine is the TD First Class Visa Infinite. Jist SO easy.

The Aeroplan one sounds good too - but seems better for a strategy where you are going to accummulate a decent chunk of aeroplan miles.

I am not planning intl travel for the next couple of years so haven't been sufficiently motivated to pursue aeroplan miles.

I also have access to US credit cards so this year that will be my focus. They are much more lucrative :)

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

I have never had such a difficult time applying for a credit card than I have with the TD First Class Visa Infinite. I'm almost ready to give up. But 80,000 points!

I tried online but my address wouldn't work. They said on the online chat that it's a known issue. I called to apply and they said I had to go into the bank (because equifax). I went into the bank and they verified my ID and said I had to call back and apply via phone. I called back (while at the bank) and the application was finished. He said to call back within 2 business days to follow up if I haven't heard back. I am doing that now and getting the runaround. We don't know. We can't say. Please call back in 2 more days (which happens to be the last day of the promotion).
Ack...what a pain!! DH tried to apply online but couldn't get the form to submit. Finally he called and applied by phone. Waiting for the card now as we have a lot of large expenses this weekend.

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: daverobev on May 30, 2019, 02:29:41 AM
TD's IT is atrocious. Absolutely awful.

MBNA was running off Bank of America's infrastructure for a couple of years after TD bought them. Then they migrated everyone over. It was an absolute farce.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on May 30, 2019, 09:31:23 PM


TD's IT is atrocious. Absolutely awful.

MBNA was running off Bank of America's infrastructure for a couple of years after TD bought them. Then they migrated everyone over. It was an absolute farce.

ITA.

We have always banked with TD and continue to be pretty loyal. But man some of their stuff is an absolute pain. TD dIrect Investing has its good parts, but it is always a headache trying to set up (or cancel!) automatic orders to buy investments.  Always such nice ppl on the phone though. Just don't get how they can never get things right.

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Wrenchturner on June 02, 2019, 10:18:11 AM
I'm new to this stuff and there's a guy making videos about this for Canadians.  Sounds almost too good to be true!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnPqCA57S3U

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: centwise on June 02, 2019, 10:20:14 AM
ptf
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: okits on June 14, 2019, 12:50:44 PM
Metro (today through Sunday) has their “redeem 95 Air Miles, get 25 back” promo on.

Harvey’s is having a promo today and tomorrow, where you can get a free burger (original, veggie, or Angus) in honour of the Raptors NBA championship.  You have to download their app, promo code CHAMPS.  (My local restaurant was having problems with the online ordering but honoured the promo if you showed your order confirmation from the app.)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on June 14, 2019, 01:46:14 PM
Metro is Terrible.

Even with 25% off, the only thing I can see worth buying is Cheese and Milk.

Everything else is above 25% the price of a other grocery stores.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: okits on June 14, 2019, 08:00:20 PM
I just got an email from Harvey’s saying they are ending their free burger promo today.  I guess they underestimated the number of hungry, freebie-loving Raptors fans!

Metro is Terrible.

Even with 25% off, the only thing I can see worth buying is Cheese and Milk.

Everything else is above 25% the price of a other grocery stores.

I’ll probably go back for milk and cheese tomorrow.  Today my $10 was 2 doz omega-3 eggs, 500ml 35% M.F. cream, and 1/3 kg of eggplant.  Not uber-cheap but acceptable given that all my grocery shopping is done on foot and carried home by hand, so there would be additional time and transportation cost to venturing out to a discount store.  I shop the sales and quick sales as best I can and that seems like the most livable balance between time, cost, energy, and limited storage space.  Avert your eyes, Lews Therin:
Spoiler: show
my main store is Loblaws
.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: sieben on June 18, 2019, 06:28:28 PM
Anyone looked at this yet: https://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/personal/bank-accounts/chequing-accounts/scotiaone-chequing-account.html?intcmp=HP-HeroCTA-SignUp-SuperOffer-En

It looks like it doesn't require leaving the account open for 12 months like a lot of the sign up bonuses do.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: okits on June 18, 2019, 10:32:24 PM
Got my MegaMiles 1000 Air Miles yesterday.  👍 Check your account and online chat them if you didn’t get credited the right amount!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: CanuckExpat on June 23, 2019, 09:33:32 PM
Hope this is relevant to some here: Paid Study Discussing Banking - In Person (https://app.respondent.io/respondents/projects/view/5d0cd46a56ba62002944a56d/do-you-use-a-big-bank-an-online-only-bank-no-bank-at-all-we-want-to-talk-to-you!?referralCode=sajendranithiananthan-84c7e45882bb). I think it would be July 8th at 2PM in Toronto, don't know if they have more than one day/time available.
If you qualify for study they pay you $145 USD for the two hour interview. You have to fill out a screening survey first, you would need to create an account on the Respondent (https://app.respondent.io/r/sajendranithiananthan-84c7e45882bb) platform, if you don't already have one. I've done many online paid studies with them in the past and have been happy, don't know how much they have that is Canada specific.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: okits on June 23, 2019, 10:50:21 PM
@CanuckExpat - Interesting!!  I completed the survey, we'll see if they want me to participate in the study!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Wrenchturner on June 25, 2019, 01:34:22 PM
I've been using the AMEX Cobalt, Business Gold, and my TD Aeroplan Infinite.  The spending is tough but I seem to be keeping up with it.  I'll keep you guys posted, this is mostly an experiment.

You can get pretty sneaky with the manufactured spending stuff but I'm not quite on board with that yet.

Hoping for a business class round trip in January, probably to Asia or maybe europe.

Prince of travel goes over this stuff pretty thoroughly.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Dee on July 09, 2019, 06:06:28 PM
I am planning on signing up with Public Mobile. Anyone want me to use them as a referral? If so, please message me : )
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: sieben on July 10, 2019, 04:54:54 PM
I am planning on signing up with Public Mobile. Anyone want me to use them as a referral? If so, please message me : )

Oh boy! Sure do!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Dee on July 10, 2019, 05:54:29 PM
Thanks MMMers. I got a message and will refer accordingly when I complete my sign up.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Wrenchturner on July 30, 2019, 10:36:39 AM
Just got my welcome bonus from my TD visa infinite aeroplan, still working on AMEX Business Gold,  should get my new MBNA Alaska Airlines Mastercard this week.  Also still using an Amex cobalt which is a decent point card but consumes a lot of my spending(points are paid out monthly for a year).

Next up:  AMEX gold rewards or Bonvoy, once my Business Gold card yields.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: meghan88 on August 24, 2019, 03:42:45 PM
I like travelling by Air France once a year and I think I am going to be looking for a new credit card soon - any ideas?

For the past umpteen years I've had the TD Visa Infinite.  It used to be that booking flights through Expedia cost exactly the same as booking through the Air France website, even during seat sales.  That seems to have gone out the window.  Last year, the prices on Expedia were higher but I did the Best Price Guarantee and got back the difference, which was about $65.

HOWEVER - the other day when I booked flights on Air France, not only were the Expedia flights a lot more, it was giving me - and the phone agent who tried to help - errors for the dates I wanted when it came time to pay, because "the inventory was not yet in the system".  HUH?  You're showing the flights and the prices, but I can't pay for them?  And I couldn't escalate the issue to a manager.

Worse still - or maybe it was a good thing after all - I was told that the Best Price Guarantee did not apply to flights!!  This is something new.  And to add insult to injury: it was cheaper overall to book through Air France and I can't even use my points at the same burn rate to pay for the flight, because "book anyway" adds another 25% to the amount of points needed (e.g., 250 instead of 200).

Needless to say, I am a whole lot less impressed with Expedia and TD Infinite.

We put all our spending on this card - about 35-40K/year, which results in about $700 a year in points if booking through Expedia.

One benefit is that the Infinite card has no annual fee under my banking plan.

I'm wondering if I can do better without too much expense and trouble?
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Wrenchturner on August 24, 2019, 04:17:54 PM
I like travelling by Air France once a year and I think I am going to be looking for a new credit card soon - any ideas?

For the past umpteen years I've had the TD Visa Infinite.  It used to be that booking flights through Expedia cost exactly the same as booking through the Air France website, even during seat sales.  That seems to have gone out the window.  Last year, the prices on Expedia were higher but I did the Best Price Guarantee and got back the difference, which was about $65.

HOWEVER - the other day when I booked flights on Air France, not only were the Expedia flights a lot more, it was giving me - and the phone agent who tried to help - errors for the dates I wanted when it came time to pay, because "the inventory was not yet in the system".  HUH?  You're showing the flights and the prices, but I can't pay for them?  And I couldn't escalate the issue to a manager.

Worse still - or maybe it was a good thing after all - I was told that the Best Price Guarantee did not apply to flights!!  This is something new.  And to add insult to injury: it was cheaper overall to book through Air France and I can't even use my points at the same burn rate to pay for the flight, because "book anyway" adds another 25% to the amount of points needed (e.g., 250 instead of 200).

Needless to say, I am a whole lot less impressed with Expedia and TD Infinite.

We put all our spending on this card - about 35-40K/year, which results in about $700 a year in points if booking through Expedia.

One benefit is that the Infinite card has no annual fee under my banking plan.

I'm wondering if I can do better without too much expense and trouble?

AMEX has some great points offers on their high end cards if you can push your spending through an AMEX.  With your spending level you could get a serious pile of points going.  Also if you're high income.
I will say though, you will have to pay some annual fees, the situation is getting harder(see the canadian churning reddit "datapoints" threads).  The fees are worth it though, if you prefer business class transoceanic flights, for instance.  10hr+ economy flights are not for me.
Also, I would recommend Prince Of Travel yet again, he has some great videos, website and articles on which cards for what purpose and how to get the best benefit from them.  Which points can be converted to where, etc.

The big value is in business/first class flights, since they are effectively devalued through the points system.  It's really the only reason I "churn".

In other news, my 40k points came through on my Gold Amex; I sneaked in the $5k minimum spend in 90 days by the hair of my teeth.  Keep in mind those 90 days start at the day you apply.

Feel free to contact me for a referral if you're interested, I have an AMEX Cobalt and Business Gold which can refer those cards, as well as personal Gold, and maybe Business Platinum and possibly others.

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: meghan88 on August 26, 2019, 09:02:18 AM
Many thanks for that.  We only travel economy, but I've heard good things about Amex.  I will check out Prince of Travel, and will let you know if I need an Amex referral.  Maybe I can find a "fees waived for one year" deal.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Wrenchturner on August 26, 2019, 10:02:54 AM
Many thanks for that.  We only travel economy, but I've heard good things about Amex.  I will check out Prince of Travel, and will let you know if I need an Amex referral.  Maybe I can find a "fees waived for one year" deal.
There are a few fee waivers around.  It appears Air France does not use points programs that are really interchangeable, but I didn't look very hard.

Check out the reward charts for whichever points program you're interested in.  You'll be able to figure out the value that way since you're not interested in business class. 

The Cobalt has the best points return with the 5x multiplier on groceries, restaurants, etc.  But it's limited to the Amex fixed points travel rewards.  Cobalt will transfer directly(I think) to Marriott Bonvoy, which is a hotel rewards program, and might be another place for you to find value.

Some cards also allow you to book whatever and redeem your points at a fixed dollar value.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: meghan88 on September 03, 2019, 12:24:49 PM
Just realized that I don't understand what the "Amex fixed points travel rewards" are.  With the TD card, I build up travel points / $ and then I can use these for flights or travel on Expedia, or (if I want 25% less bang for my points), on any other travel booked to my card.

My main beef with the Infinite is that (i) prices on Expedia are always higher; (ii) Expedia doesn't price-match on flights like they used to; and (iii) if I book through the airline, my points are worth $50 less for every $250 of points that I have.

Thanks again for the help.  I am working hard to cure my inertia on this, and find something better.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Wrenchturner on September 03, 2019, 03:41:16 PM
Just realized that I don't understand what the "Amex fixed points travel rewards" are.  With the TD card, I build up travel points / $ and then I can use these for flights or travel on Expedia, or (if I want 25% less bang for my points), on any other travel booked to my card.

My main beef with the Infinite is that (i) prices on Expedia are always higher; (ii) Expedia doesn't price-match on flights like they used to; and (iii) if I book through the airline, my points are worth $50 less for every $250 of points that I have.

Thanks again for the help.  I am working hard to cure my inertia on this, and find something better.

If you convert AMEX reward points to Aeroplan, for instance, you can get very good value because there are regions set to given points quantities. 

Alternately, the fixed points rewards are calculated with the points at a set value, like 1 cent per point or something, so it has less opportunity for exceptional value.

I could be wrong but that's my cursory understanding.  You might be best off just passively getting points through a good card and booking what's convenient when it suits you.  Active churning I think takes more attention to detail and opportunism, but I'm still new at this too.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: JamOnFire on September 08, 2019, 05:21:17 AM
For those who haven’t seen it, national Bank has a promo til Oct 31st on their world elite MC

https://www.nbc.ca/personal/mastercard-credit-cards/world-elite.html#notes

The most tempting part I saw was: "Get $40 cashback for each month you charge at least $500 in net purchases to card over a 12-month period"

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on September 08, 2019, 06:07:51 AM
Same sort of thing with the cobalt. But you need to spend 500/month. Can be hard for some.

Scotiabank gold amex has a nice bonus if you go by Drop. 

You can get almost as many points by getting the higher value cards that give 300$+ for the minimum spend of 1k. Do a couple of those and it's better and cheaper than keeping the NBC MC, due to not having to put 500 every month (6k year)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on September 08, 2019, 07:02:38 AM
Updated 1st Post with current excellent deals.

If you can put very large amounts of money on CCs, @meghan88 I recommend the AMEX TRAIN. It's by far the best value for your money

https://www.reddit.com/r/churningcanada/comments/a7j2pl/revisiting_the_amex_train/

Ridiculous amount of spending required for those who can`t but everything on a CC / don't have buisness / travel (7k on the first card) but extremely valuable if you can do it.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: meghan88 on September 09, 2019, 07:27:18 AM
Thanks!  We put all our spending on credit for the points and we always pay the bill in full each month, so we can do that to reach the $ value (about 25K/year?) but neither of us have businesses so I don't think we can get the business cards?
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on September 09, 2019, 07:34:30 AM
You yourself are a buisness.

you are in the buisness of selling yourself for profit. Making CC profit!

Nothing hurts to try :D

(You could even register as Meghan88 Inc, some places it costs only about 50$, if you do get refused by AMEX without registering as a buisness)

Make sure to get referred by someone before the first card.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Wrenchturner on September 09, 2019, 08:18:38 AM
I have an AMEX Business Gold and I just put my name in as the company.  Helps to actually have some plausibility behind it as well, in case they ever review you.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on September 16, 2019, 07:49:07 AM
There are currently multiple banks offering deals to open accounts, and receive 300$+, so it's worth taking a look. This can be a good use for an emergency fund, it'll return around 10% for just leaving in a bank account!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on September 16, 2019, 09:10:21 PM
Good point @Lews Therin. My DD just got $300 for signing up for a TD bank account. Next up is HSBC with a sweet $600 bonus (an extra $100 if we get a CC but that isn't tempting enough to me). I think both DH and I will also sign up for HSBC so all 3 of us will get $600 each :)

DH also is waiting for $200 from Simplii. It's pretty sweet.

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Prairie Moustache on September 16, 2019, 10:12:09 PM
I attempted the $300 Scotiabank one recently but the branch randomly closed my account less than a month after opening it and it voided my eligibility for the promo. I had three tellers looking over shoulders trying to figure out what went on. There's definitely a point of diminishing returns chasing that one down!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on September 17, 2019, 02:31:07 AM
Good point @Lews Therin. My DD just got $300 for signing up for a TD bank account. Next up is HSBC with a sweet $600 bonus (an extra $100 if we get a CC but that isn't tempting enough to me). I think both DH and I will also sign up for HSBC so all 3 of us will get $600 each :)

DH also is waiting for $200 from Simplii. It's pretty sweet.

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

How do you get hsbc to waive fees?
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on September 17, 2019, 07:03:30 AM


Good point @Lews Therin. My DD just got $300 for signing up for a TD bank account. Next up is HSBC with a sweet $600 bonus (an extra $100 if we get a CC but that isn't tempting enough to me). I think both DH and I will also sign up for HSBC so all 3 of us will get $600 each :)

DH also is waiting for $200 from Simplii. It's pretty sweet.

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

How do you get hsbc to waive fees?

Pretty sure I read that if u have a min balance, fees will be waived. $5k? 1k? I need to read more lol. We always keep a chunk of money liquid so these accounts are the perfect places to park this.

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on September 17, 2019, 08:00:03 AM
It's 25k for the top bonus, something like 5k+ for the 100$ less
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: elaine amj on September 17, 2019, 11:56:20 AM
How is the Scotia Gold Amex for churning? Their current offer is quite tempting but I only cancelled my card less than a year ago.

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Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on September 17, 2019, 11:57:30 AM
I did it through drop 150$ gc + promo bonus. Next best is thriugh rate hub.

Easy to do if you can spend 1k in 3 months.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Wrenchturner on September 18, 2019, 09:08:59 PM
Halfway to my goal of a roundtrip business class trans-oceanic flight!  Just signed up for the Marriott Bonvoy to go with my Cobalt points for a hotel stay somewhere.

Trucking along...  It's a shame I wasn't familiar with this stuff before the companies started getting wise to the churn.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Michalit20 on September 25, 2019, 01:01:13 PM


Good point @Lews Therin. My DD just got $300 for signing up for a TD bank account. Next up is HSBC with a sweet $600 bonus (an extra $100 if we get a CC but that isn't tempting enough to me). I think both DH and I will also sign up for HSBC so all 3 of us will get $600 each :)

DH also is waiting for $200 from Simplii. It's pretty sweet.

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

How do you get hsbc to waive fees?

Pretty sure I read that if u have a min balance, fees will be waived. $5k? 1k? I need to read more lol. We always keep a chunk of money liquid so these accounts are the perfect places to park this.

Sent from my VCE-AL00 using Tapatalk

Did anyone attempt the HSBC promotion and can report back? Considering sign up but have a ton of questions.
Looking at the t&c, you need to meet high balances criteria to even be able to open the premier account, in addition to the $25k for 6 months to receive the sign up bonus of $500.
Otherwise, the option is opening the hsbc advance account with 6 months of $5k balances for $300 sign up bonus (still decent return if all goes well with the bonus).
To get the extra $100 you need to add 3 months of recurring payroll (how are the FIRE folks getting around that one?).
Also, there's a vague language about the account needing to be "active" for that time frame - but I don't know how to quantify that or what it actually means. 
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on September 25, 2019, 01:17:36 PM
I have no income, so can'r do the T&cs of bank churning anymore. My partner can and does though.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 07, 2019, 07:45:27 AM
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES, Mark your calendars.

https://shoptheblock.ca/en/coming_soon

Coming soon! (14 November)

Hold off on buys for the classic partners, and get the lower 120$ worth of Air miles (Make sure it's in Cash miles before starting if you want to use it as cash)

-I'll be putting my plan for me & my S/o to get 240$ worth, and I'm sure I won't be the only one showing how to do it.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 07, 2019, 09:09:55 AM
 RBC Avion Visa Infinite : FYF ; 20,000pts (+$80 from Drop) ; $1,000

Money is money, just grab a Gift card when they go on sale (every few weeks) and use the money you've saved with that GC to add to your vacation budget.

Also, start doing some bank account churning for the welcome bonuses. (300$ each)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 07, 2019, 10:49:58 AM
Think of the hourly return. That's a pretty high rate.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: okits on November 07, 2019, 05:20:29 PM
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES, Mark your calendars.

https://shoptheblock.ca/en/coming_soon

Coming soon! (14 November)

Hold off on buys for the classic partners, and get the lower 120$ worth of Air miles (Make sure it's in Cash miles before starting if you want to use it as cash)

-I'll be putting my plan for me & my S/o to get 240$ worth, and I'm sure I won't be the only one showing how to do it.

I was just thinking it was about time for Shop the Block!  I signed DH up for an Air Miles account a while ago, so I'll be trying to get the 1200 AM for his account, too.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: The Fake Cheap on November 08, 2019, 03:12:01 PM
I will definitely keep my eye out for shop the block, and pay more attention to the dates for the best offers this year.

I'm currently also churning opening a Scotiabank account for $350.  I think this is by direct offer only, so probably not open to everyone.

I might have to go for that RBC Avion for my next cc churn, thanks Lews!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Wrenchturner on November 08, 2019, 03:52:43 PM
I've just started the RBC Avion VI.  Pretty good deal!

The timing isn't perfect as I started churning too late to yield well this winter, but I should have a good pile of points for next winter!

Edit: credit card number six since may, my credit rating remains good at 750 with no car payments or mortgage on there.  I'll slow down in the new year though.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Wrenchturner on November 08, 2019, 06:33:10 PM
I've just started the RBC Avion VI.  Pretty good deal!

The timing isn't perfect as I started churning too late to yield well this winter, but I should have a good pile of points for next winter!

Edit: credit card number six since may, my credit rating remains good at 750 with no car payments or mortgage on there.  I'll slow down in the new year though.

Remind me how long they make you wait for the points.  I remember that you have to cash them before you cancel so there's that to consider.

I will remind you in 3-4 months!  Likely I will transfer them to Avios.  Thanks for the heads up.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: The Fake Cheap on November 13, 2019, 05:44:32 PM
Seems like the RBC Avion has upped its offer.

I think before it was 15,000 points and the annual fee was not waived, so I decided to hold off on it.   

Now they are offering 20,000 points with the fee wavied with only a $1,000 total spend in the first 3 months. 

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 14, 2019, 07:14:33 AM
Shop the Block is open!
I can make it 5/7 right now with normal spending. By buying some booze and waiting for the normal spend 10$ get 5$ back at Metro, I should be able to hit 7/7

IGA
Jean Coutu
Shell
Proprio Direct (simply have a meeting)
Marché Tradition
-Cost money LCBO
-Hopefully it'll come out later Metro

for the Second account (S/O)
IGA
Jean Coutu
Shell
Marché Tradition
LCBO
-Metro Spend 95 get AM back?
7th unknown. Probably a 8$ construction adhesive at RONA.

So all in all, I'll fill up on groceries, toiletries and a bit of alcohol, and I'll hit the full shop the block and make about 100$ for each account easy.

Anyone found some easy ones? I've already done the no-brainer Samsung Pay and Hudson bay in previous iterations.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: meghan88 on November 14, 2019, 05:19:23 PM
Any tips for a shop the block newbie living in Montreal?  I have a regular Air Miles points card; my current credit card does not get me Air Miles.  I spend very modest amounts at IGA and Jean Coutu.  No car, so no Shell.  I doubt I can make it work, but maybe there is hope for me?
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: okits on November 14, 2019, 05:58:32 PM
Any tips for a shop the block newbie living in Montreal?  I have a regular Air Miles points card; my current credit card does not get me Air Miles.  I spend very modest amounts at IGA and Jean Coutu.  No car, so no Shell.  I doubt I can make it work, but maybe there is hope for me?

I'm not excited for this year's offers and am hoping some better ones come up later (like for redeeming cash miles). 

I hope the LCBO promotions in December are different/better, none of the products really interest me (unless someone wants to speak for the quality of the wine).

I can do the Shell (25L), Rexall (spend $40), and Sobeys UF (spend $50) pretty easily.  I can probably spend $100 through the airmilesshops portal, what with the mad consumerist frenzy of Christmas coming.  🤣 If better Metro and LCBO offers come up I can probably get myself to a Foodland or Sobeys to get the #7 offer.  Maybe buy something from The Children's Place.

I did the Hudson's Bay offer last year and there's no Jean Coutu in my city.  🤷🏻‍♀️

Shell has an additional offer in Ontario (spend $10 in store).  I guess that's an easy one if you're ever in Ontario!

Anyone know how easy it is to complete three surveys at Rewarding Your Opinions?

There's probably a Reddit thread by now with the optimal approach ( @Lews Therin ?)
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: The Fake Cheap on November 14, 2019, 06:29:40 PM
Any tips for a shop the block newbie living in Montreal?  I have a regular Air Miles points card; my current credit card does not get me Air Miles.  I spend very modest amounts at IGA and Jean Coutu.  No car, so no Shell.  I doubt I can make it work, but maybe there is hope for me?

Even if you can hit just 3 of the offers, that is an easy $30.   And the promotion has nothing to do with your credit card, just your air miles points card.  Just follow the coupon instructions and pay however you want (payment method isn't stipulated on any offers I have seen).  Also be sure to bring the coupon with you to scan or opt in on the coupon online first.  Lastly check the dates the offers are available, last year they were all over the map, but most this year, for me at least, are Nov 14-Dc 27.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: The Fake Cheap on November 14, 2019, 06:37:17 PM
My shop the block plan:

The easy ones:

Sobey's - $50 spend
Co Op - $100 spend
Shell - 25 L of gas
Jean Coutou - $20 spend
Rewarding your Opinion - sign up and 3 surveys

This one is a bit of a stretch:
Kent $40
I could probably find a few things to buy that I don't need at the moment

And finally this one that is a bit of a pain:
BMO Mastercard - $350  spend I have this card but it's not my regular card, but I'll make an exception.


I'll do the same for the wife except probably swtich out the Kent offer for an Irving offer of redeeming AM in store.  I can't do this because I stupidly cashed in all my AM about 2 months ago, and only have about 30 cash miles currently. 


Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 14, 2019, 07:05:43 PM
Any tips for a shop the block newbie living in Montreal?  I have a regular Air Miles points card; my current credit card does not get me Air Miles.  I spend very modest amounts at IGA and Jean Coutu.  No car, so no Shell.  I doubt I can make it work, but maybe there is hope for me?

Samsung pay and hudson bay are freebies (no cost)
Missfresh is another good use (comes out to 13$ for 8 meals)
Iga + iga express, jean coutu, you should be able to find a 7th easily enough!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: okits on December 06, 2019, 06:53:53 PM
Any tips for a shop the block newbie living in Montreal?  I have a regular Air Miles points card; my current credit card does not get me Air Miles.  I spend very modest amounts at IGA and Jean Coutu.  No car, so no Shell.  I doubt I can make it work, but maybe there is hope for me?

I'm not excited for this year's offers and am hoping some better ones come up later (like for redeeming cash miles). 

I hope the LCBO promotions in December are different/better, none of the products really interest me (unless someone wants to speak for the quality of the wine).

I can do the Shell (25L), Rexall (spend $40), and Sobeys UF (spend $50) pretty easily.  I can probably spend $100 through the airmilesshops portal, what with the mad consumerist frenzy of Christmas coming.  🤣 If better Metro and LCBO offers come up I can probably get myself to a Foodland or Sobeys to get the #7 offer.  Maybe buy something from The Children's Place.

I did the Hudson's Bay offer last year and there's no Jean Coutu in my city.  🤷🏻‍♀️

Shell has an additional offer in Ontario (spend $10 in store).  I guess that's an easy one if you're ever in Ontario!

Anyone know how easy it is to complete three surveys at Rewarding Your Opinions?

There's probably a Reddit thread by now with the optimal approach ( @Lews Therin ?)

How's everyone doing with their Shop The Block offers?

As of today I've got:

1 - airmilesshops.ca $100 spend
2 - LCBO (Dec offer on two bottles of Cono Sur red)
3 - Sobeys Urban Fresh $50 spend

I'm going to try to do the Rexall one this weekend to stack a few offers.  See if DH needs to gas up and direct him to Shell.  No redeem-95-AM offer has come up for Metro but I might be able to use the catering one for a work event.  I don't know when I'd use Samsung Pay but the offer is just for linking an account, not actual use, so I can do that.  I'm not sure how many offers I'll try to do on DH's card, though.  This promotion was definitely better in previous years!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: halftimer on December 12, 2019, 03:34:25 PM
I noticed you can stack your Shop the Block Rexall purchase with a current Ampli offer. On the Ampli app, the regular offer is 1% cash back at Rexall, but the additional special right now is spend $30 and get $10 cash back.  This worked for me. 

They do not have a referral program, but if you have Checkout 51 (for getting cash back on groceries by taking pics of the receipts) you can use the same email address to sign up and use promo code C51AMPLI to get a few extra cash back ($1 off each) on fruit, bread or eggs.  This is ok, but I signed up last month with a $10 promo which was way better and is still live till Dec 31 - promo code MOVIE10 (also live is code HOLIDAY2019).

I thought the app was too niche for me to benefit, but I'm already at $30.43 from the signup and Rexall plus a pizza and tea purchase and I'm liking it so far.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on January 14, 2020, 08:22:47 AM
Just opened the Scotia Visa momentum (10% Cash back on 2k in first two months + 60$ for passing through GCR website - Great Canadian Rebates)

another 300$ in churning, coming up!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Dee on January 15, 2020, 09:09:01 PM
I just signed up for TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* Card - 10% cash back for 3 months + first year free. I got it because I wanted the roadside assistance. I want to convenience of knowing what number to call if I have car trouble, instead of having to try to figure out who to call. I`d been planning on getting CAA, but given that the first year is free with this, it`s much better!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Wrenchturner on January 24, 2020, 11:59:48 AM
Bonvoy - Done, got 50k points instead of the expected 25k I think.  Not sure why, but I'll take it!
RBC Avion - Got this card, my upstairs neighbors sent it back as the wrong address.  Ended up missing out on the additional 5k point for hitting minimum spend but I still got the 15k signup points. 
Just signed up for the CIBC Visa Infinite Aerogold - First year free, 20k Aeroplan points on signup I think.  Easy one!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Wrenchturner on January 25, 2020, 10:05:12 AM
Also yesterday: Signed up for the AMEX Personal Gold rewards, self referred from the Cobalt.  25k points, $1500 minimum spend over 90 days, $150 fee. 

Signed up for the MBNA Best Western Mastercard - 20k points(good for a free night), no fee, no minimum spend.  Got this through GCR and they offer $50 for a signup.  Paid to sign up for this one!

My credit rating was 767 yesterday.  Lets see how much it dives!

(Closed out my AMEX Business gold account last week, also finished a churn on the Alaska Airlines Mastercard a month ago which should get me a nice trip to Seattle.)

Also - here's my spreadsheet for tracking this, it's rough and a work in progress, but it works.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Prairie Gal on January 25, 2020, 05:48:42 PM
I am finally dipping my toe in the travel hacking pool. I just applied for the Scotia Momentum® VISA* Infinite Card through GCR ($60 rebate). While I was on GCR I saw that I have $102 in old rebates that I had forgotten about, so when the $60 comes through I will request a cheque.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: okits on February 12, 2020, 01:38:55 PM
Got my Shop the Block Air Miles today!  Check your account to ensure it's the right amount.  In the past it was pretty easy to sort out any mistakes via Air Miles website chat function.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: JamOnFire on February 15, 2020, 05:45:01 AM
Shop the block are in as well!

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Wrenchturner on February 23, 2020, 09:41:13 AM
I am finally dipping my toe in the travel hacking pool. I just applied for the Scotia Momentum® VISA* Infinite Card through GCR ($60 rebate). While I was on GCR I saw that I have $102 in old rebates that I had forgotten about, so when the $60 comes through I will request a cheque.

GCR rebate on this card is $80 until Feb 27.  I just signed up for it and got approved, remarkably.  That's three visa Infinite in as many months.  Credit rating was 723 yesterday.  I expect it to drop more in a week or two.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Prairie Gal on February 28, 2020, 08:39:59 PM
Not exactly travel hacking, but I just scored a really good price on WestJet's Birthday Sale for a return flight this summer from Calgary to Vancouver for $239 all in. I also placed the minimum bid for Premium seats, but I doubt it will get accepted. I have actually never tried that before, so I would be curious to hear from anyone that has done it.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on March 07, 2020, 12:16:54 PM
Megamiles for Air Miles is coming up


https://www.airmilesmegamiles.ca/en/coming_soon

Starts march 19. Wait for a bit if you have some things needed at AM stores.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Wrenchturner on March 07, 2020, 03:02:32 PM
I am finally dipping my toe in the travel hacking pool. I just applied for the Scotia Momentum® VISA* Infinite Card through GCR ($60 rebate). While I was on GCR I saw that I have $102 in old rebates that I had forgotten about, so when the $60 comes through I will request a cheque.

GCR rebate on this card is $80 until Feb 27.  I just signed up for it and got approved, remarkably.  That's three visa Infinite in as many months.  Credit rating was 723 yesterday.  I expect it to drop more in a week or two.

Credit rating recovered to 747 four days ago.  this is all according to Credit Karma--might not be accurate.  Looks like new cards don't really dent the rating much.  I've reduced almost all my limits to $5k to keep my available credit reasonable.  This can usually be done either through the app or through the online services without having to call in.  The exception seems to be Scotiabank, so far.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on August 13, 2020, 07:58:43 AM
Mega-Miles has restarted, 5 Air miles offers for 1000 AM points.

Pretty much only useful if you've never done any of these offers before, or if you have at least 300 Cash miles already.

IF you do, there are quite a few Use 95 Miles offers. I'm going to do Shell, IGA, Rona, Reno-depot, Jean Coutu (110$ spend for 110$ in Air miles) and I'll only be buying normal things that I would need anyways.... Twice. Since I'll do it for my partner at the same time!
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Prairie Moustache on August 20, 2020, 08:14:15 PM
I don't reckon it's a coincidence that this thread hasn't seen any activity since March 7th! I wonder how many airmiles users have switched to cash miles in the last few months.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Lews Therin on November 19, 2020, 09:04:19 AM
I don't recommend Shop the Block this year, it's ridiculously cost and hard to make it.

We might be able to get 3 with remaining profitable (60$ for two accounts) That's it.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: PoutineLover on November 19, 2020, 09:29:00 AM
Has anyone considered the HSBC new account bonus offer? https://www.hsbc.ca/chequing-accounts/offers/dc/
Looks pretty good, available until November 30th. There's a total of $1,000 available, although looking at the deposit requirements and hoops to jump through I'd probably only end up getting about $500. Has anyone taken advantage of it yet?
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: Reggie on November 19, 2020, 10:13:34 AM
Has anyone considered the HSBC new account bonus offer? https://www.hsbc.ca/chequing-accounts/offers/dc/
Looks pretty good, available until November 30th. There's a total of $1,000 available, although looking at the deposit requirements and hoops to jump through I'd probably only end up getting about $500. Has anyone taken advantage of it yet?

I applied for this a couple months ago and I was approved but it said that I needed to go in branch to confirm my identity.  Then I realized the closest HSBC branch is 3 hours away. Lol.  Sounds like a really good offer but don’t make my mistake. I live a half hour from two pretty big cities (North Bay and Sudbury) so I was sure one of them would have a branch but I was wrong.
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: techwiz on November 19, 2020, 11:47:00 AM
After a quick read of the small print I don't think this one is for me. 

Quote
deposit a min. of $25,000 CAD2, within 30 calendar days of account opening, into any product of your choice, from chequing & savings to RRSPs and TFSAs, and hold for 3 consecutive months to qualify for $500 bonus. Also, register for online banking within 30 days of account opening.
Monthly fee of $34.951 waived if you have:
 $100,000 minimum balance1 in combined personal deposits & investments with us OR
 $500,000 minimum mortgage amount OR
 $6,500 minimum monthly income deposit
Title: Re: Canadian Travel Hacking and CC Churning Thread
Post by: PoutineLover on November 19, 2020, 01:35:28 PM
After a quick read of the small print I don't think this one is for me. 

Quote
deposit a min. of $25,000 CAD2, within 30 calendar days of account opening, into any product of your choice, from chequing & savings to RRSPs and TFSAs, and hold for 3 consecutive months to qualify for $500 bonus. Also, register for online banking within 30 days of account opening.
Monthly fee of $34.951 waived if you have:
 $100,000 minimum balance1 in combined personal deposits & investments with us OR
 $500,000 minimum mortgage amount OR
 $6,500 minimum monthly income deposit
Yeah I saw that too, it's also not for me. But that's for the premier account with a $500 bonus, and the advance account only requires a deposit of $5,000 to get a bonus of $300 and a minimum balance of 5k to waive the monthly fee, which is a lot more doable. If I did it I'd probably park my emergency fund there for a few months.