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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.
Earning the Welcome Bonus
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:
| Card | Program | Allocation | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMO Blue Rewards Mastercard®* | Blue Rewards | Statement | In 1 installment after the minimum amount required |
| BMO Blue Rewards World Elite®* Business Mastercard®* | Blue Rewards | Statement | In 1 installment after the minimum amount required |
| BMO Blue Rewards World Elite®* Mastercard®* | Blue Rewards | Statement | In 1 installment after the minimum amount required |
| Aventura CIBC Visa Infinite | Aventura | Statement | In 2 installments: upon the 1st purchase, then after the minimum required amount. |
| CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card | Aventura | Statement | In 2 installments: upon the 1st purchase, then after the minimum required amount. |
| RBC® British Airways Visa Infinite Card | Avios | Statement | In 3 installments: upon joining, after the minimum required amount, and after renewal |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card | Avion | Statement | In 1 installment: upon joining |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business | Avion | Statement | In 1 installment: upon joining |
| WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard‡ | WestJet dollars | Statement | In 1 installment after the minimum amount required |
| American Express Aeroplan Card | Aeroplan | Statement | In 2 installments: after reaching the minimum required amount and for the 13th-month condition |
| American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card | Aeroplan | Statement | In 2 installments: after the minimum required amount and during the 14th and 17th months |
| American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card | Aeroplan | Statement | In 2 installments: after reaching the minimum required amount and for the 13th-month condition |
| TD Visa Platinum Card Aeroplan | Aeroplan | Statement | In 2 installments: upon the 1st purchase, then after the minimum required amount |
| TD Visa Infinite Card Aeroplan | Aeroplan | Statement | In 3 installments: upon the 1st purchase, after the minimum required amount, and after the minimum required amount following renewal |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card | Aeroplan | Statement | In 3 installments: upon the 1st purchase, after the minimum required amount, and after the minimum required amount following renewal |
| BMO World Elite®* Business Mastercard®* | BMO Rewards | 2 to 3 business days after the required amount is reached | In 1 installment after the minimum amount required |
| BMO Ascend™ World Elite®* Mastercard®* | BMO Rewards | 2 to 3 business days after the required amount is reached | In 1 installment after the minimum amount required |
| BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card | BMO Rewards | 2 to 3 business days after the required amount is reached | In 1 installment after the minimum amount required |
| BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card | BMO Rewards | 2 to 3 business days after the required amount is reached | In 1 installment after the minimum amount required |
| National Bank World Elite Mastercard | NBC À la carte Rewards | Statement | Points are awarded in tiers based on spending reached within the first 3 months and the first 12 months after joining. Points arrive by the end of the month following the tier achievement. Check the card page for the exact current tiers. |
| Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card | Marriott Bonvoy | Statement | In 1 installment: after the minimum required amount |
| Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card | Marriott Bonvoy | Statement | In 1 installment: after the minimum required amount |
| TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card | TD Rewards Points | 2 to 3 business days after the required amount is reached | Once the minimum amount has been reached |
| Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite +* Card | Scene+ points | 2 to 3 business days after the required amount is reached | In 2 installments: after the minimum required amounts |
| Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card | Scene+ points | 2 to 3 business days after the required amount is reached | In 2 installments: after the minimum required amounts |
| Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card | Scene+ points | 2 to 3 business days after the required amount is reached | In 2 installments: after the minimum required amounts |
| Scotiabank American Express® Card | Scene+ points | 2 to 3 business days after the required amount is reached | In 2 installments: after the minimum required amounts |
| Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card | Scene+ points | 2 to 3 business days after the required amount is reached | In 1 installment after the minimum amount required |
| American Express Business Gold Rewards Card | Membership Rewards | 24 to 48 hours after the minimum required amount | In 2 installments: after the minimum required amount, then every calendar quarter (4) where you reach the minimum required amount |
| American Express Corporate Platinum Card | Membership Rewards | 24 to 48 hours after the minimum required amount | In 2 installments: after the minimum required amount and after the minimum required amount between the 14th and 17th months |
| American Express Platinum Card | Membership Rewards | 24 to 48 hours after the minimum required amount | In 2 installments: after the minimum required amount and after the minimum required amount between the 14th and 17th months |
| American Express® Gold Rewards Card | Membership Rewards | 24 to 48 hours after the minimum required amount | In 12 installments: after the minimum required amount on each statement |
| American Express Cobalt Card | Membership Rewards | 24 to 48 hours after the minimum required amount | In 12 installments: after the minimum required amount on each statement |
| Scotia Momentum® Mastercard® | Cashback | Statement | Cashback is redeemable at any time once $25 is accumulated, via the Scotia app or online account. New process in effect since February 1, 2026. |
| Scotia Momentum® VISA Infinite +* Card | Cashback | Statement | Cashback is redeemable at any time once $25 is accumulated, via the Scotia app or online account. New process in effect since February 1, 2026. |
American Express 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.
Marriott Bonvoy cards
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.
Aeroplan Cards
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.
Caution Regarding Aeroplan Welcome Bonuses
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.
Scotia/Scene+ cards
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.
Conclusion
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.
Welcome bonus – Frequently asked questions
When do I receive my welcome bonus?
The timeline varies by issuer. For American Express Membership Rewards cards, expect 24 to 48 hours after reaching the minimum amount. For Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy cards, points generally arrive 3 to 5 days after the monthly statement showing the minimum spend is issued. For Scotia/Scene+ cards, expect 2 to 3 business days after reaching the required amount.
When exactly does the timeline start?
The timeline to meet the welcome offer conditions begins on the card APPROVAL date, not the physical receipt date. For example, an approval on June 30 with a 3-month offer gives you until September 30 to reach the minimum required amount.
Can I get the bonus if I’ve already had this card?
No. Welcome bonuses are reserved for new customers. If you have already held the card, you are generally not eligible for the welcome offer. Conditions vary by issuer—always check the official card page before submitting an application.
My points haven’t arrived, what should I do?
First wait for the timelines indicated in the table. If the points are still not in your account after this period, contact the issuer’s customer service directly by phone or chat. Have on hand your approval date, your statements, and confirmation that you reached the minimum required amount.
How does the Scotia Momentum card redemption work since 2026?
Since February 1, 2026, redemption for Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite +* and Scotia Momentum Mastercard cards is available at any time once $25 is accumulated, via the Scotia app or online account. The old annual November redemption rule no longer applies.
Can I churn Aeroplan cards?
The Aeroplan program has updated its conditions to limit churning-related abuse. Signing up for multiple Aeroplan cards successively to multiply welcome bonuses can lead to the cancellation of your points. Consult our article on the new Aeroplan conditions before taking action.
Is the information in the table always up to date?
We update this table regularly, but conditions sometimes change without notice. Always check the official card page before signing up. If in doubt, ask your question in our Milesopedia Facebook group.
Go further with American Express Membership Rewards
To maximize your Membership Rewards earning, check our complete American Express Membership Rewards program guide and our best American Express Membership Rewards credit cards ranking, updated monthly by the Milesopedia team.
