Canadian Credit Cards

[Thingywingy]

Hows the BMO Rewards center compare with Orbitz or Kayak? Do they have the same general availability?

When was the last time Amex Canada had bonus to BA? Any reason to expect promo any time soon?

A long time ago. Ain't happening.

Any Obama fans wanna give me some HOPE?

[zer0k1]

Any Obama fans wanna give me some HOPE?

Given the CAD:USD exchange rate it is even less likely

[Thingywingy]

Given the CAD:USD exchange rate it is even less likely

What does that have to do with anything?

[zer0k1]

What does that have to do with anything?

They are effective giving .25 more points per dollar spent on the CA version of the card rather than the US because of the forex. For example, if I spend $1.20 USD on the US card I would get 1 Amex MR point, if I spent $1.20 USD on the CA version of the card I could get 2 MR points. Its a very simplistic example because you would incur a 2.5% forex fee, and I am including the fact that they round up, but just think about the spending that is done in CAD, at 25% less than the value value per dollar in the US.

Amex obviously realizes this, which is why there is an unpublished policy that you can transfer your US MRs to CA once per year at the given exchange rate. So, I could get the Biz Plat 150k, and turn that into a whopping 190k Avios via this method.

[philbenjoe]

When I signed up for the SPG about 2 years ago, I cancelled it after 3 months and I got a credit.

SPG and amex Platinum aren't the same. The Platinum charges the full annual fee in the first billing cycle. No chance of getting any of that back.

[Thingywingy]

They are effective giving .25 more points per dollar spent on the CA version of the card rather than the US because of the forex. For example, if I spend $1.20 USD on the US card I would get 1 Amex MR point, if I spent $1.20 USD on the CA version of the card I could get 2 MR points. Its a very simplistic example because you would incur a 2.5% forex fee, and I am including the fact that they round up, but just think about the spending that is done in CAD, at 25% less than the value value per dollar in the US.

Amex obviously realizes this, which is why there is an unpublished policy that you can transfer your US MRs to CA once per year at the given exchange rate. So, I could get the Biz Plat 150k, and turn that into a whopping 190k Avios via this method.

I may be missing something but ...Once you have your MR points you have them. Now the question is if they'll give you a bonus for transferring to BA. Your math would have been right if the bonus would have been on how many MR points you get per dollar...No?

[zer0k1]

I may be missing something but ...Once you have your MR points you have them. Now the question is if they'll give you a bonus for transferring to BA. Your math would have been right if the bonus would have been on how many MR points you get per dollar...No?

My point is that it is not worth it for Amex to have a transfer right now given they they are "paying" more for Avios then they were when the dollar was closer to par. They are effectively giving a "bonus" so to speak every time Canadians transfer to BA. I am not sure how it works in terms of who initiates the promotions though, because I know that RBC's arrangement is such that BA initiates it and not RBC, hence the semi annual BA promos. My understanding is that it does not work the same way with Amex, and their relationship is more towards them "buying" the Avios.

[Thingywingy]

I hear.

[yoelygb]

SPG and amex Platinum aren't the same. The Platinum charges the full annual fee in the first billing cycle. No chance of getting any of that back.

I closed my platinum card after 60 days and I got refunded $500 because I got already the $200 travel credit so Ymmv

[Malachi]

I closed my platinum card after 60 days and I got refunded $500 because I got already the $200 travel credit so Ymmv

did you get the points also ?

[yoelygb]

did you get the points also ?

Yes

[Malachi]

Yes

nice!how long ago was this?

[yoelygb]

2 weeks ago

[philbenjoe]

Hard to believe.

[Ergel]

Hard to believe.

indeed

[philbenjoe]

IME not possible.

[Malachi]

indeed

doesn't make sense.

[yoelygb]

doesn't make sense.

I didn't say it's make sense but it's shows that keep calling also  I was just about over the 60 day period
I got the points I transferred them out I called to cancel the first representative told me no refund for the annual fee the first year I called again and ask how long does the refund take to post on the account and she responded that she will apply immediately

[philbenjoe]

Will you try again?

[zer0k1]

How do u think it will impact future churns?