Capital One Aspire Travel World Elite Mastercard Alternatives

In a letter sent to its customers, Capital One announced several upcoming changes to its Aspire Travel World Elite Mastercard.

This credit card has not been offered to new customers for several years, but current customers had significant perks with it:

• 2 points per dollar on all purchases ( = 2% back)
• 10,000 bonus points each year (a $100 value)

Here are the main features of the Capital One Aspire Travel World Elite Mastercard as of August 5, 2020:

• $150 annual fee
• 1.5 points per dollar
• Reliable insurances

With the changes, this card has become less attractive, notably for travellers, especially compared to alternative credit cards offering travel points (with welcome bonus and other benefits).

Here are 3 alternatives with:

• a lower or equal annual fee
• At least 1.5% anywhere
• Reliable insurances

The HSBC World Elite^® Mastercard^® is a great credit card with no foreign transaction fees, especially for travel purchases.

With the HSBC World Elite^® Mastercard^®,you earn:

• 6 points per dollar for travel purchases (flights, hotels, Airbnb, all-inclusive, etc.)
• 3 points per dollar for all other purchases

It’s a 1% to 3% value depending on your purchases! This is much better than the Capital One Aspire Travel World Elite Mastercard as of August 5, 2020.

You can apply your points on any travel purchase charged to the card (flights, hotels, Airbnb, all-inclusive, etc.). But you can also transfer your points to three airline loyalty programs: British Airways Executive Club, Asia Miles and Singapore Airlines Krisflyer.

Finally, with this card you get:

• a $100 annual travel credit (for airport lounges, for example)
• Unlimited access to Boingo WiFi hotspots around the world
• a 10% discount for hotel bookings on Expedia or Agoda

The HSBC World Elite^® Mastercard^® is, therefore, the best alternative to Capital One Aspire Travel World Elite Mastercard since the current cardholders will regain:

• a $100 annual credit
• 1.5 to 3 points earning
• Reliable insurances
• And will get a credit card with no conversion fee for foreign currency transactions!

Welcome offers are different depending on your province of residence (Quebec or outside Quebec):

The National Bank’s World Elite Mastercard^® is one of the best credit card with insurance in Canada:

• Medical/hospital insurance Out-of-province-of-residence
• Trip Cancellation Insurance
• Trip Interruption Insurance
• Departure flight delay insurance
• Baggage insurance in case of delay
• Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance
• Vehicle rental insurance
• Purchase insurance (180 days)
• Extended warranty (2 years)

With the National Bank’s World Elite Mastercard, you can between 1.5 and 2 points per dollar of purchases on all your purchases.

You can apply your points on any travel purchase charged to the card (flights, hotels, Airbnb, all-inclusive, etc.).

Besides, the National Bank’s World Elite Mastercard offers:

• up to $250 in travel credit per calendar year
• unlimited free access to the National Bank Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport

Finally, at this time, the National Bank’s World Elite Mastercard card has an excellent welcome bonus.

The MBNA Rewards World Elite^® Mastercard^® is one of the last credit cards in Canada to offer 2 points for every dollar. When you redeem your points on travel expenses charged to the card, it’s a 2% value. That’s the same as Capital card Aspire Travel World Elite Mastercard!

You can apply your points on any travel purchase charged to the card (flights, hotels, Airbnb, all-inclusive, etc.).

However, travel insurance products are less robust than the ones coming with the Capital One Aspire Travel World Elite Mastercard:

• Common Carrier Accidental Death & Dismemberment Benefits
• Unexpected Return Home
• Rental Vehicle Collision Damage Waiver Benefits
• Rental Vehicle Accidental Death & Dismemberment Benefits
• Personal Effects Benefit

Therefore, there is no cancellation or travel interruption insurance.

On the other hand, purchase insurance products are attractive:

• Purchase insurance (90 days)
• Extended warranty (1 year)
• Price protection (60 days)

And its $120 annual fee is less than the $150 required by the Capital One Aspire Travel World Elite Mastercard.

Welcome offers are different depending on your province of residence (Quebec or outside Quebec):