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This question is asked almost every day in the Milesopedia community Facebook group. Here is a list of the welcome bonus award conditions for the main credit cards in Canada.
Each credit card issuer has specific rules that vary depending on the card.
Most of the time, when a credit card is linked to a program (Marriott Bonvoy, Aeroplan, etc.), the bonus is paid directly into the loyalty program account a few days AFTER the monthly statement is issued.
The minimum spending requirement and the number of points change constantly. It is advisable to refer to the page of the credit card in question for the current terms and conditions.
Here are the welcome bonus award rules for the most popular cards:
For American Express welcome bonuses, points are deposited directly into the Membership Rewards account, generally 24 to 48 hours after reaching the required amount. In rare cases, the delay can be up to 8 weeks.
Points are deposited into the Marriott Bonvoy member account between 3 and 5 days AFTER the monthly statement showing the minimum spend is issued. In rare cases, the delay can reach 3 statements. According to several member reports, this mainly occurs when the statement contains only Marriott purchases.
Points are deposited into the Aeroplan member account between 3 and 5 days AFTER the monthly statement showing the minimum spend is issued. In rare cases, the delay can reach 3 statements.
The Aeroplan program has updated its general terms and conditions of use to clarify certain points and prevent abuse, particularly related to churning of Aeroplan credit cards (multiplying welcome bonuses).
It is advisable to consult our article on the new Aeroplan conditions to comply with the program rules and maintain a constant flow of points without violating the terms.
For Scotia cards linked to the Scene+ program, points are deposited within 2 to 3 business days after reaching the minimum required amount. The bonus appears directly in your Scene+ account.
For cashback cards (Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite and Scotia Momentum Mastercard), the process changed as of February 1, 2026: redemption is available at any time once $25 is accumulated, directly via the Scotia app or online account. The old annual November redemption rule no longer applies.
Timelines vary from one issuer to another, but the basic rule remains the same: always check the official card page before signing up, note your approval date, and keep an eye on your loyalty account in the days following your monthly statement.
If your points still haven’t arrived after the timelines indicated in this table, contact the issuer directly. Most situations are resolved quickly with a phone call or online chat.
Questions about your welcome bonus? Ask them in our Milesopedia Facebook group—that’s exactly what it’s for. And to not miss any new welcome offers, subscribe to our newsletter.
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