Every day, recurring questions about points, programs, credit cards and other exciting topics come up in the Milesopedia Facebook group threads. They are, of course, asked by a new group member or by a member who forgot 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 be scalable as an issue grows in popularity. This will be crowned by its inclusion in this list.
Best practices
Screenshots
How do I find a screenshot of a completed credit card welcome offer?
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).
Credit Rating
Will an additional credit card affect my spouse's credit rating?
No, never.
Cancellation
Should a credit card be downgraded or cancelled before or after the renewal date?
In fact, neither. You can do this in the 11th month or within 30 days of renewal.
Why not cancel one credit card right after you get the rewards and switch to another?
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.
Gift cards
If I purchase a grocery gift card through Rakuten/Paypal/or another third-party site, will I receive the multiplier for the grocery category (ex: Cobalt X5 points)?
No. Payment will be made from the third-party website, so generally at 1X the points.
Institutions
American Express
Are American Express cards accepted in Quebec?
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.
Can I get a new bonus if I have already signed up for the same American Express card in the past?
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.
If I already have an American Express credit card, am I eligible for the welcome bonuses on other AMEX cards?
Of course! In addition, you can have 4 credit cards and an unlimited number of American Express payment cards at the same time.
I already have an American Express card: can I self-sponsor to another card or refer my spouse?
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 friends, colleagues, and relatives who are interested AND live at another address, it’s a definite YES!
HSBC
Can I convert HSBC Points to Aeroplan Points?
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.
How do I use the $100 annual credit offered by the HSBC World Elite<sup>®</sup> Mastercard<sup>®</sup>?
You can use the $100 annual credit on any airline-related purchase: airfare, seat selection, baggage fees, airport lounge admissions, etc. Some were also able to use this credit on reservations with Expedia. See our article on this annual credit here.
Best Credit Cards
What is the best credit card?
The $100 question. We wouldn’t waste time talking about the others if there were only one. 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.
Are there any student credit cards that offer a welcome bonus?
Of course! Just visit our credit card comparison tool. Or you can check out our page on the best student credit card offers.
Are there any good credit cards with no annual fee?
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.
Are there credit cards with no conversion fees for foreign currency transactions?
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.
Points and Bonuses
Do points have an expiration date?
You need at least one activity to keep the account active. A credit card makes it easy because a simple purchase on the card counts as account activity. Otherwise, you have to either earn points, buy points or redeem them.
Accepted periods of inactivity:
- Marriott: 24 months
- Aeroplan : 18 months
- AIR MILES: 24 months
Points earned as a welcome bonus can be used as long as the account/card is active.
And when it says to spend $6,000 in 6 months, is that just the first 6 months or all the time?
This is only the first six months after acquiring the card.
Welcome bonus
Does the annual card fee count towards purchases to unlock the bonus?
No, the annual fee is not included in the minimum purchase count. And this is for any credit card!
When does the minimum spending period for the Welcome Bonus start?
Once the card issuer APPROVES your request. Not to be mistaken when you activate the credit card.
When will I receive my credit card welcome bonus?
In most cases, it will be the following statement after the amount is reached to release it. However, some institutions may have different rules. Check the terms and conditions of the offer you subscribe to.
Can I apply for the same card several times in a row and receive the welcome bonus each time?
Do I have access to the welcome bonuses of other American Express cards if I already have one?
Yes, you can get a welcome bonus from another American Express card, as long as it’s not a card you’ve already had!
Do I have to pay back the welcome bonus if I don't meet the minimum spending requirement?
You will not receive the premium unless you reach the requested amount within the required time frame.
Will the welcome bonus be taken away from me if a refund is made on my credit card?
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 have to contact your card issuer to find a solution.
Reward Programs and Credit Cards
My Aeroplan or Marriott Bonvoy points have disappeared from my credit card and have not appeared in my account; what can I do?
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 banking institution has created one for you. Contact the card issuer to get your new account or give them the one you already have.
Your points are not lost!
Once the points have been used, what do I do with the credit card?
We advise you to keep it between 11 months and its renewal date.
You can then decide whether to keep it or not. It is also a good idea to put 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!
Do I lose my points if I close my credit card?
Yes and no!
Yes, if the points are linked to the bank such as Reward Points (American Express Membership Rewards, BMO, NBC, Scotia, etc).
No, if the points were transferred to an independent program such as Aeroplan, AIR MILES, Best Western Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, etc.
Programs
Aeroplan
When will I receive my Air Canada Buddy Pass, and where is it?
You earn the Air Canada Buddy Pass on an Aeroplan credit card approximately 90 days after the credit card is approved. This Companion Pass is deposited in the Aeroplan account under the “Privileges” category.
AIR MILES
Do gift cards purchases count towards AIR MILES promotions at IGA and Jean Coutu?
No. Gift cards purchases are not eligible for AIR MILES promotions (except in exceptional circumstances).
Marriott Bonvoy
What are the 15 Elite Nights offered with Marriott Bonvoy credit cards?
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.
Can the 15 Elite nights be combined if I have both Marriott Bonvoy credit cards?
No, you will only receive 15 Elite nights in Canada, even if you have both Marriott Bonvoy credit cards.
My points have disappeared from my American Express Marriott Bonvoy account. Did I lose them?
American Express automatically transfers points to the associated Marriott Bonvoy account with each monthly statement.
Can we combine several benefits (points, certificate for one free night, fifth free night) to spend a week at the same hotel?
You have to pay for the first four nights in points to get the fifth free night.
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.
Can I make up the difference in points by using a 35,000-point certificate?
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.
What happens to the Elite points and nights if I book two rooms at a Marriott Bonvoy hotel?
You’ll earn Marriott Bonvoy points but no Elite nights on the additional room.
Will I earn Marriott Elite Nights if I book my room on Expedia.ca or other sites besides Marriott.com?
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).
Is the Marriott Bonvoy free night certificate cumulative?
No, it has a one-year expiration date listed in your Marriott Bonvoy account.
However, it can be postponed for a year after negotiating with Marriott Bonvoy on the phone (the postponement of one year will be from the date of the call: calculate well)!
Since you can't receive the Marriott Bonvoy credit card welcome bonus more than once, how do you earn points?
The best strategy to continue earning Marriott points and receive the certificate for a free night each year is :
- Keep your Marriott Bonvoy credit card open and pay your annual fee (you will receive your certificate for a free night, 8 weeks after the card is renewed).
- Subscribe, if you have not already done so, to the small business version (also available to individuals), the Marriott Bonvoy™ Business American Express® Card
- Apply for an American Express Cobalt® Card, which offers 5x points at restaurants, grocery stores. convenience stores (corresponding to 6 Marriott Bonvoy points).
- Use the same card to purchase gift cards at grocery stores (Ikea, Walmart, SAQ, Amazon, etc.).
- Transfer points from the American Express Cobalt® Card to your Marriott Bonvoy account
PC Optimum
Can I buy gift cards with my PC Optimum points?
No. When an item does not earn basic points (gift cards, medicine, etc.), the points cannot be used to purchase it.
Misc.
Do I have to join Marriott Bonvoy, Aeroplan, Best Western, and PC Optimum, before applying for a credit card?
This is preferable, as it makes the process much easier!
Otherwise, the financial institution will open an account for you when the card is issued. If you forget to provide your membership number when you apply for the card, call Customer Service to inform them as soon as you activate it.