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Discover everything you need to know about credit cards and their rewards programs. This article answers common questions, helping you maximize your benefits while managing your finances effectively.
Every day, recurring questions about points, programs, credit cards, and other exciting topics reappear in discussion threads on the Milesopedia Facebook group. These are, of course, asked by a new member in the group or by a member who has simply forgotten the answer.
We’ve gathered the most popular questions: the ones that keep coming up! So that we can offer you this page instead of repeating the answer.
The beauty of the page is that it will evolve as the popularity of a question grows. This will be crowned by its inclusion in this list.
Just search the Milesopedia Facebook group for the post about this offer, or use the Waybackmachine site that serves as a web archive with the credit card page (on the bank’s website).
No, never.
In fact, neither. You can do so during the 11th month or within 30 days of renewal.
Because the lending institutions will not appreciate this gesture. They may identify you as a point hunter and not as a future customer. They may then refuse to give you new ones. Think of these transactions as a business relationship.
No. Payment will be made from the third-party website, so generally at 1X the points.
Of course, and more and more, but a little less than Visa and Mastercard, which are accepted everywhere. That is the reason we wrote this article. You should be able to meet the amounts to spend with these instructions.
At American Express, it’s one bonus per card for life. Nothing prevents you from applying for the closed card again one day, but the bonus will not come a second time.
Of course! In addition, you can have 4 credit cards and an unlimited number of American Express payment cards at the same time.
For self-referral, the practice is not permitted by American Express.
And the financial institution has been monitoring this, especially since 2020. We do not recommend it for spousal sponsorship if you live at the same address. American Express has been cautious in the past with this practice. However, for interested friends, colleagues, or relatives residing at a different address, it’s a definite YES!
No, HSBC points cannot be redeemed for Aeroplan points. However, you can convert them into Avios, KrysFlyer or Asia Miles. You can also apply them to your travel expenses to reduce costs.
You can use the annual $100 credit on any airline-related purchase: flight ticket purchase, seat selection, baggage fees, airport lounge access, etc. Some have also been able to use this credit on bookings with Expedia. Consult our article on this annual credit here.
The $100 question. If there were only one, we wouldn’t waste time talking about the others. Finding the right credit card(s) depends on each person’s goals – spending habits – income, etc. Milesopedia recommends reading the beginner’s guide or listening to the videos to determine THE right card(s) for you.
A credit card comparison tool is here to help you, as well as a selection of the best credit card offers of the moment.
Of course! Just visit our credit card comparison tool. Or you can check out our page on the best student credit card offers.
Of course! You can find out about them in our credit card comparison. Or you can check out our page of the best no annual fee credit card offers.
There are a few credit card options with no conversion fees for foreign currency transactions.
You can find out about them in our credit card comparison. Or you can check out our page on the best credit card offers with no conversion fees.
At least one activity is required to keep the account active. Holding a credit card makes things easier, as a simple purchase on the card counts as an account activity. Otherwise, you must either accumulate points, purchase points, or use them.
Accepted periods of inactivity:
Points obtained as a welcome bonus can be used as long as the account/card is active.
This is only the first six months after acquiring the card.
No, the annual fee is not included in the minimum purchase count. And this applies to no credit card!
Once the card issuer APPROVES your request. Not to be mistaken when you activate the credit card.
In the vast majority of cases, it will be on the statement following the achievement of the amount required to unlock it. However, some institutions may have different rules. Check the terms and conditions of the offer you subscribe to.
For American Express cards, it’s one bonus per card for LIFE. Other financial institutions such as BMO, NBC, CIBC, MBNA, RBC, SCOTIA or TD etc., may agree to offer a bonus again after a period ranging from 12 to 24 months.
Yes, you can receive a welcome bonus from another American Express card, as long as it’s not a card you’ve already held!
You will not receive the premium unless you reach the requested amount within the required time frame.
If you return or cancel your trip, you may fall below the amount required to receive the Welcome Bonus. Depending on the type of credit card, the type of points, the type of program, your bonus could be taken away. You will then need to contact your card issuer to find a solution.
Marriott Bonvoy, Best Western, AIR MILES, and Aeroplan: if you did not submit a membership number to American Express, CIBC, MBNA, or TD when applying for a credit card online, the bank created one for you. Contact the card issuer to obtain it and open your new account or provide them with the one you already had.
Your points are not lost!
We advise you to keep it between 11 months and its renewal date.
You can then decide whether to keep it or not. It’s also a good idea to make a small purchase on the card to keep it active until it is closed. You should avoid cashing in the points as soon as you reach the bonus, and above all, don’t cancel the card immediately!
Yes and no!
Yes, if the points are linked to the bank, such as rewards points (American Express Membership Rewards, BMO, NBC, Scotia, etc.).
No, if the points have been transferred to an independent program such as Aeroplan, AIR MILES, Best Western Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, etc.
You receive the Air Canada Buddy Pass from an Aeroplan credit card approximately 90 days after the credit card’s approval. This Buddy Pass is deposited into the Aeroplan account under the “Privileges” category.
No. The purchase of gift cards is not eligible for AIR MILES promotions (except in exceptional cases).
These are not free hotel nights but a set number of nights that earns elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program. The latter then grant privileges. For example, one of the most sought-after is the Platinum status, which offers free breakfasts.
No, in Canada, you will only receive 15 Elite Nights, even if you hold both Marriott Bonvoy credit cards.
With each monthly statement, American Express automatically transfers points to the associated Marriott Bonvoy account.
To get the fifth night free, you must pay for the first four with points.
The free night certificate can fill the sixth, and you can pay in cash the last. You will need to call Marriott and ask to link the two reservations.
At the moment, this is impossible. But starting in March 2022, it will be possible to pay up to 15,000 additional points to get a room in a more luxurious hotel.
You’ll earn Marriott Bonvoy points but no Elite nights on the additional room.
No, you have to book directly through Marriott.com to get Elite Nights and enjoy the benefits of your Elite Status (but you can support Milesopedia through our links).
No, it has a one-year expiration date listed in your Marriott Bonvoy account.
However, it can sometimes be postponed for a year after negotiation by phone with Marriott Bonvoy (the one-year postponement will be from the date of the call: calculate carefully)!
The best strategy to continue earning Marriott points and receive the certificate for a free night each year is :
No. When an item does not earn base points upon purchase (gift cards, medications, etc.), you also cannot use points to buy it.
It is preferable, as it greatly simplifies the process!
Otherwise, the financial institution will open an account for you when the card is issued. If you forget to provide your membership number when applying for the card, call Customer Service to inform them as soon as you activate it.
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