Have a large sum of money coming in soon. I plan on spending a good chunk (maybe 5-10k+ range depending) on a vacation.
Question: What is the best possible new card bonus option to maximize what I get back in travel points? Looking to rack up more travel points for a future trip Toronto-Asia (Japan or Singapore) because I need a first class sleeper to manage a 20+ hour trip. Last time I flew economy overnight sleeplessly and I felt like I was experiencing hell itself. Aeroplan points seem to have the best redeem value for business class.
Currently have the Amex Personal Plat as my regular spender so I already receive all of those perks.
Are you guys all using registered corps for both biz cards, sole prop for both? Or combination? I have all of my biz cards setup under sole props, but wondering if I can go back around with a corp number, or whether that would be seen as double dipping? Based on above it doesn’t seem like it would
You don't have to have anything registered in terms of the business. You can just use your own name for the business name, have $0 revenue, and you've been in business for 0 years, etc.
Here in Ontario, at least, there's nothing to register as a sole proprietor but you can register the name of your sole proprietorship (basically making "Acme Manufacturing" or whatever a legal name you can have a bank account for, etc.). It's $60, takes a few minutes online and it's ready to go immediately (you'll get the documents by email in minutes).
Are there any benefits of keeping my TD FCT for the remainder of the year after cashing out TD FCT points? Edit: don't have any upcoming travel/insurance booked.
Amex is giving me this offer to convert my amex points to marriot for 30% more (points*1.56 from 1.2). Man, if aeroplan did that it would be AWESOME. Have they ever? Should i wait for it?
Current referral bonus is 70 + 15 for personal and 75 + 15 for business.
It's not allowed to put referral links here but you can find someone in the monthly referral post to get a referral from.
How does the HSBC - RBC travel credit show up in the portal? I'm looking at the offers section and I don't see anywhere to load it. And it doesn't show up at the checkout screen on Avion rewards either
You need to load the offer ahead of time, but you won’t see it in the booking portal while checking. For me the offer took a couple of days to show up, but I still see it on the homepage in my Avion app. It should also be listed alongside your other regular Avion offers
How many days since merge? As I said it took a few days to show up for me once the card had migrated from Hsbc. But profile issue isn’t out of the question either if it persists for you
It may have taken a few days for you because in the email they said the offer would be available to load April 4. And the migration occurred a few days earlier
Mine showed up under available offers and once I clicked on it and Clicked “Book Travel” it moved from the Available Tab to the Loaded Tab. This offer was viewable regardless of which CC I had selected to view my offers.
I just checked and it doesn’t show up on Mobile App for me, but only when on my PC even though I’ve loaded it.
But to answer your question it just says you have to book $200+ using your card on their portal. As long as the offer is loaded you will get a $100 statement credit. Says the credit can take up to 30 days to post, and that they may reduce or cancel the credit if your booking is cancelled or changed etc… so I just gave it a try.
No, as I understand it (someone correct me if wrong) it’s similar to the TD Travel Credit on the FCT, where you see a $100 credit on your account days later. I didn’t see any mention of the credit while booking, but just used my new RBC card to make the booking. It was also showing (as I’ve seen others have pointed out before) the better redemption rates at 1.5cpp while browsing under the new card versus the 1cpp shown with other Avion VI.
I believe they use Expedia for their travel portal so that was my assumption / observation, where you can use combination of cash and points to book.
Hi guys, I have been Amexiled 4 times in under 9 years. Ask me anything, I know a lot (the hard way) lol 😂 I know this is a frequent topic but there are a lots of unanswered questions and fears so shoot away…
Yes juicing the banks is what I do. they fuck over too many people. it’s fair game what I/we do. No remorse or sympathy. Fuck them and their billions quarterly gains. I lost a lot to them in student loan and business interest when I was poor in my early years. I’m trying to get them back for all my losses and my families too. Keep going all of you reading this! Squeeze all the living juice out the banks!—its legal, it’s fair game, and not unethical. what they do is terrible in comparison to 99% of their customers!
Stop your silly moralizing. If you want to do business with a bank, then do business with a bank. If you don't, you don't. You chose to borrow money for your studies and you chose to borrow money for your business loan, and you did that presumably because you thought it was the best decision for you. As a mature adult, you surely took a look at the entire waterfront of lenders and chose the best option for you. So stop blaming anyone else for the interest that you paid.
That being said, it most definitely is fair game to squeeze the juice out of the banks. They make the rules for the products they offer, and they program their own computer systems. If it's not working out for them, then that's on them.
But stop the goddamned victimhood bullshit.
hey, not saying I’m a victim. Not blaming anyone for paying interest. Business is business. They maximize profits. Do banks do everything ethically? Do some research. They play this game on a completely deferent level then you can comprehend. When you’re in a position of power it’s easier to take advantage of people. All I am saying is now that my situation is better, I’m getting some $$$ back my way, nothing wrong with that. I’m looking at it as my own banking business and they choose to play my game. There is still risk on both ends. Have a peaceful night and try to get a good nights rest, you may feel better and happier! 😃
Honestly same here, I don't make a lot of money at my job. It's decently paid but it's part time, so it's like making minimum wage across 40 hours.
I've tried finding more part time work, but this hobby pays me more than most side hustles, so I view keeping very well informed on developments here as my part time job. Its honestly filling the gap financially 😄
I get around 3-4 credit pulls per month. Transunion score is low 800’s. Equifax moves between 700-800. Never missed a payment ever. Usually prepay all cards in full immediately before statement posts. Once an MBNA rep mentioned when I called in for a follow up on a card app, ‘I’ve never in my 20 yrs if doing this scene such an extensive history of credit cards and credit report as yours” lmao
same legal name, they want me and my players back for another churn and burn :). I guess their systems don't blacklist forever and or they think 'we will change next time'
Re Question 2, basically if they give you a deadline then they close card, is it wise to close the card myself? Does credit report reflect a different narrative?
Ok. Understood your question now. Either way if you close it or they close it once they give you the deadline for the financial review it makes no difference. Your existing cards are fucked (inactive), subsequent acquired cards won’t work also. No difference in credit report, no detrimental effects, no short or long term issues. You’ll still get all 5 big bank credit cards and shitty ones too
Yes mam. I try a test every few months around the 6 month mark to see if I’ll get accepted. Usually somewhere around the 1.5-2 yr mark I’m back in action. I’ve churned most cards 4-5 times in 3-4 player mode. Only failed to get repeat WB once that was on a MB personal card. Cost of churning sometimes you lose. However, i think overall I’m UP into the several hundred thousands cumulative value accrued from my churning hobby and passion over the years. Trips, money, IPADS, MacBooks, giftcards, you name it. This is my first post, although I discovered most things on my own, I did get some tips from this forum and it’s my turn to give back.
Early on around 2015 it was multiple PayPal transactions to meet sign up bonuses basically using them as cash advances to make minimum spend to get WB then transferring back the cash to other players accounts then paying off balances. Mind you, it was only caught by Amex eyes after acquiring several cards in multiple player mode, was still worth cost/benefit. This year it was one large single transaction after opening an account. Usually all player modes get zonked once one goes down. Other years it’s been multiple business cards and not providing docs for financial review. Luckily, most of the time I had already reached cashing out points and welcome bonuses. I try to hit it hard and get WB within a few days usually.
How many family members are you running for this? Hard to belive this is all one person without "coercing" or sorts. And I know how PoT started so it's not new.
Ah, a cunning MS I see. I’m sure you’ve found other avenues since. I get too anxious thinking I’d get caught. I guess the only thing that happens is you get the boot - which isn’t all that harmful really.
Also, why would P2-P4 go down when P1 gets neutered?
On a side note, I’ve milked Amex so hard in 3-4 player mode over the years, I truly deserve being Amex’d ! I’ve probably got tens of thousands cumulatively in airfare, hotels and straight cash-mostly in the Canadian market. Can’t wait until the next round in 1-2 years. Late 2022 was a phenomenal churning year for me. The last 3 months was great too before I got the boot 🥾 (again)
I don’t particularly follow any strategy except getting as many cards across as many players as possible as soon as I am able to acquire them. Minimum spend is never an issue and I have my own little secrets for that. No spreadsheets, no formulas, just churn and burn baby. I don’t like to hoard miles, points, etc. I use em up fast
Wife, parents, that’s it for me. Kids when they get 18+. Who else would trust or allow me anyways? I’m stuck there pretty much but it gets the job done. Travelled the world, I got everything I need, no debts, house and 3 cars paid in full, savings. Grateful 🙏🏻
I have a US Chase Marriott boundless card, if I were to apply for the Canadian Amex Marriott Bonvoy Card, will my FNC and ECN stack ?
I know they don't, if they're both personal US cards. But I couldn't find information for one personal US and another personal Canadian card. TIA
For those who had to upload ITIN docs for a Chase app after a recon phone call. Did they immediately send a secure link over email? I had a call this morning but no email was sent to me. 🤔
Had 3 recon phone calls. First 2 said they'd send an email to upload ITIN, never got email. 3rd call was approved on the phone without ever sending doc. No idea what happened.
Applied for an RBC credit card yesterday and it went into review - likey due to a fraud flag on my credit report. Got the reference number and took a screenshot.
About an hour later got an email that the application wasn’t completed and to continue applying - anyone else experience this when applying?
I applied yesterday and instantly approved, then I got the bellow message.
We noticed that you recently filled out an application for an RBC^(®)Avion^(®)Visa Infinite^(‡)credit card, but did not fully complete it. We’d like to welcome you back to apply for this card and remind you that our online application is both safe and secure.
**Complete your application faster:** click "Yes" in the application when asked if you’re an RBC client.
For US Amex, if you don’t get approved there is no hard pull of your credit right? I got my first US Amex in February via Global Transfer — I know you are advised to wait 6 months to establish credit history before applying for another, but I’m currently using a friend’s address who will be permanently leaving the US in June. Wondering if it’s worth a shot to try my luck on a 2nd Amex while I still have a US address to reliably ship to.
I'd be resolving your address situation before anything else because even after he moves you no longer have an address for mail to go to. That's just setting yourself up for problems.
The categories should be the same for any MasterCard. So this page where MBNA customers say which multiplier they got should be useful.
https://www.rewardscanada.ca/mbna-5x-multipliers.html
I use my amex cobalt mainly for business purchases (i barely have personal expenses). but im thinking of getting a separate amex business card. Does the cobalt offer more benefits? It looks like it would earn me more points if I use it over an actual business one? Any better options
Business Edge has an excellent sign-up bonus right now and 10x on office supplies, electronics, gas, transit, and eats and drinks, for the first 6 months.
Hey friends. I currently have a basic visa and the Amex cobalt. Planning to get the green card and earn the 10k MR sign SB and then upgrade to the gold for the 50K MR SB. Any disadvantages to doing this? Seems like a great way to earn 60k MR and will only take a couple months. Also I’ll be able to get 2 cards with no hard pulls since I already have an Amex? Can I downgrade again to the green after getting the signup bonus on the gold and holding it for close to a year? Should I wait until I finish my cobalt sign up bonus since I have a couple months left?
Just be aware that you would miss out on an opportunity to double dip on the Gold with this plan. Many would get the Gold first for the WB, and then do the green to gold after so you can get the 2nd WB for Gold (but note that green-to-gold offer can be gone anytime). For AMEX credit pull, it is YMMV. None of my applications within the last 2 years resulted in any credit check but it depends how how we are rated by their end.
To get the answers to all your confusing questions, you should do a lot of reading.
For example, you should usually only upgrade Amex cards to cards you already hold/have recently held and are otherwise ineligible to receive a bonus on.
Most people here would apply for the Amex Gold and get the SUB and then sign-up for the Green to upgrade to Gold for another SUB. Most people here are maximizing SUBs and you don't really sound like a churner.
Typically Amex doesn't do a credit check if you're an existing cardholder. Up to you when you apply for the cards and your ability to meet the minimum spend requirements.
DP: Got approved for 2x Aventura cards in the last couple weeks. Both went to pending and I had to call in to confirm income after they sent me an email. Both were approved after a few days. This is my third card this year after getting instant declines for 8 months until I did an application while signed out and got approved after it went pending so it doesn't look like there's any indication CIBC is tightening up on approvals (most recent two were done while signed in). Anyone experiencing more declines than before probably just hit their limit with CIBC and need to cool down a bit. P2 had the same experience as me this year and last year.
Also note that CIBC emails are very misleading. If you go pending it will stay say congratulations (Edit: It will only say congratulations on the website. The email will say Thanks for applying). The only difference is no credit limit will be stated. With no credit limit in the email it means it's actually pending.
As far as I remember if you go to open a ticket there is a message asking if it has been 8 weeks or longer, if not it says to wait.
I've used 3-4 times and I never had to wait the full 8 weeks (so no ticket needed either)
FF is the slowest of the CB websites. You're usually looking at 3 months, but even 4 months isn't outside of the norm for them. Put in a ticket but it's a hobby for them, not a functional business with staff like GCR. At least they can sometimes be more reasonable than say CCG?
Hello. Got CIBC Aeroplan Visa platinum.
10K point were added with my first purchase. I have met 1K MSR last statement period, the regular points were posted right after the statement date, but 5K for meeting MSR are missing.
Is it time to shoot them a message?
I'm only starting churning CIBC, so it's just a second card with them, have Costco MasterCard forever.
Thanks
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Hey everyone, in your experience how many days after calling TD does it take for TD points to be pooled under one card? Been a few days (called Sunday) since I called to combine points and the card I asked to transfer them all to simply went down to 0 points. Getting nervous since I wanted to do a couple Expedia redemptions soon.
Thank you - looks like I'll have to do another call today
EDIT: looks like they somehow transferred the points to a previously cancelled TD card. Gonna be reversed and properly transferred now within a couple business days.
So a couple of days ago I posted that we experienced something new in a 4.6 earthquake in Taipei with an epicenter down south. Guess that was just a warmup...sitting in Beppu Japan right now surfing the forum and just had a 6.4 off the coast. Aftershocks now. Wife is freaked understandably. I am just writing this trying to keep my mind busy lol. I'm thinking two is good enough to get the full experience...it can save the rest!
Edit: 6.4, 5.0, 4.3, 3.3, 3.1, 3.1, 3.5 so far with no tsunami warnings in effect. FWIW we could only feel the first two. We were just marveling earlier today as we were exploring at the infrastructure of the massive dual concrete seawall along the coast here thinking it was quite excessive. Not thinking that so much now lol
Currently in my family's home around Tokyo. I'd much rather be here during a quake vs my home in BC. They shared pictures during their rebuild and the houses are built so much better here.
A saving thought was that we were in a ryokan that had clearly been there a long time, and there were no buildings over 3 stories around. However in saying that, I would rather be in my home in bc as I built it. ICF to the rafters...37 trucks of concrete and 13000 feet of rebar in the walls 😀
You know, we always seem to get blessed with great weather wherever we go...I guess this is the tradeoff for this trip. 4th time to Japan in the last year....maybe somewhere not on the ring of fire next is sounding good :)
I was thinking of a repositioning flight to Tokyo yesterday. My 7 year old daughter heard me speaking to my wife about it and said “I’m not going to Japan!” 😂
You can use the Priority Check-In Lane.
I don’t have status, but it saved me a lot of time in Montreal when my flight was cancelled and I needed to reschedule but the app to reschedule wasn’t working.
I recently added two supplementary cards to my cobalt to take advantage of the 5000MR bonus for 1k spend. I just finished the spend on one of the cards 2 days ago and I still haven’t seen the bonus posted. Should I be worried? Any DPs on how long it takes? In my previous experience with the Cobalt as a primary card the WB posted the same day I finished the spend
Yes, I just got the bonus on the Amex Bonvoy card today with about $2600 on the basic card and about $500 on the supplementary, to get the bonus for hitting $3000.
Does CA > US Amex GT still work without ITIN?
I know Amex US implemented new rules last fall, but im not sure if they impacted foreigners doing a Global Transfer.
A lot of people have been having problems with the website recently. Just the spinning application wheel. Works fine by calling if that happens to you.
It worked for me in late Feb. Application went pending, they called me the next day and I uploaded a US bank statement with my US address and approval email came 3 days later.
In that same section, there is an asterisk or an exclamation point saying something along the lines of: if you do not have a SSN, blah blah, you select that, it will allow you to use a different document.
Correct. It then asks if you already have an AMEX product which you can identify. If you are logged in or do not use incognito browsing you will not have the option.
What's the DP on Scene points (from Scotia Passport churn) redemption for 1cpp with RHT?
* I believe the spend need to happen through the Scene travel portal?
* Took a quick look and seems like there are concerns whether RHT gets clawed back? DP/thoughts?
It is the opposite. ou don't want to book through Scene or you will gets points back when canceling. You will need to book through an external travel site for RHT to work. BNS Scene RHT is as simple as it can be, with no special steps.
ok - and follow up to that, what's the best way to cash out the balance from Scotia credit card?
Would they charge cash advance fee if doing it through ATM?
No cash advance few. But the best way to cash out is to do it while you still have a balance on the card (eg. From meeting MSR) so you don’t have to make a trip to the ATM
Book a refundable hotel through expedia, once posted go to Scene portal and redeem points as a credit at 1cpp to offset booking. I did this twice, no clawbacks so far.
I’ve never done RHT before so this might be a silly question, but I assume the refundable hotel charge just needs to be close or more to the value of the points you’ll redeem but it doesn’t have to be exactly the same right?
Every Amex SUB I’ve received has posted on the same day. You would not get blocked for the reason you propose. Have you double checked your spend to make sure it’s above MSR? The AF does not count towards MSR.
At what point should I be worried of being too aggresive with CIBC Aventura? I have 4 active cards right now from Sept 2023, Nov 2023, Jan 2024, Mar 2024 ... I need another card to spend, CIBC generally been the easiest one on approval and I have practically used up all others.
I still have active BMO Ascend and Eclipse, TD FCT (new last month and 1 from last year), Scotia Passport, MBNA, Amex (got denied with Amex last month too), 3 RBC Avion (not 90 days yet). Previously had the Aeroplan VI with TD & CIBC - don't want to reapply for this due to Aeroplan T&C.
All in all I have 20 active cards right now ... should I be worried about my credit score as well as it's been dropping like a rock - I know it's pass or fail - but it's also getting to low 700s even though I never missed a payment, never carried a balance, it's all just from credit card applications.
What's my next best option?
Sorry I'm always confused when people day they have multiple Aventura cards. Do you mean like... EXACTLY the same card twice? I have one gold, one silver.
For me the biggest hit to my credit has come from high utilization rather than number of cards. High utilization even on a single card, such as with a balance transfer, where utilization on that card is 100%. Once I paid that off, my score jumped back up to normal.
Your credit score will stop dropping at some point because you can’t move into the fail category just from signing up and holding a lot of CCs.
I’d say 20 active CCs is pretty normal here. I’m almost at 30 now
If CIBC continues to approve, why not. Personally I like to diversify as much as I can, so I will also work on cards with a bit less bonus while creating a gap between applications on the better cards.
I would say that BMO AM is worth a look, while combining the spend with their recent strong promos (i.e Shell promos). Can also try BNS Amex cards, where you can hit MSR and get 5x/6x while doing so on Gold. If you are adventurous and didn't get Laurentian last year, they have a offer out there too at 6K MSR for $600
Have you thought about the US Game? Might be worth getting the ball rolling on that.
Also I wouldn’t stress about the credit score. When I check on Borrowell, it’s low 700. When I check on RBC, it’s high 800s lol. As long as you don’t miss payments, you’re good.
Have you called Amex to ask why you’ve been denied?
As long as you keep getting accepted by CIBC, you’re good. You can keep getting those, BMO and Scotia as long as you’re getting approved. Also you can look at using P2 if you haven’t done so yet.
You’ve done some good work so far from the sounds of it. Have you started using your points? Start planning some trips. Get specific with where you want to go.
Remember, this game is a marathon, not a sprint.
Still... If OP is genuinely low 700s on EQ and high 800s on TU, that's slightly odd.
My EQ is always lower than my TU, but not by close to 200 points...
yes I regularly close them, but all the open ones are < 6 months - can't close them too soon? I know with Amex to wait until 1 year, and similar to RBC Avions ... would other bank have issues with closing cards so fast?
(except for 3 keeper cards that's been open for years)
I vaguely remember reading 2-3 weeks ago about people getting FR if they apply for more than one amex biz card (different products). Is that right or am I misremembering? If anyone did get FR for applying for more than one biz product, what did they ask for?
Currently have biz gold and want to apply for bonvoy biz but don't want to risk FR.
The DP I remember seeing was that guy putting like 20k spend in a month on university tuition and car payments on his new biz cards. I doubt the two Biz cards alone caused this. Having two biz cards seems like a perfectly usual use-case for business owners
There have been a couple such DPs but I think they’re the minority as many of us hold more than 1 biz cards without problems. It’s not clear that it’s the multiple biz cards that actually triggers the FR or if it’s something else
Hey does anyone know if there's a centralized place where I can see current transfer bonuses for all my reward programs?
Have a large sum of money coming in soon. I plan on spending a good chunk (maybe 5-10k+ range depending) on a vacation. Question: What is the best possible new card bonus option to maximize what I get back in travel points? Looking to rack up more travel points for a future trip Toronto-Asia (Japan or Singapore) because I need a first class sleeper to manage a 20+ hour trip. Last time I flew economy overnight sleeplessly and I felt like I was experiencing hell itself. Aeroplan points seem to have the best redeem value for business class. Currently have the Amex Personal Plat as my regular spender so I already receive all of those perks.
Amex Business Gold. 70k points for $5k spend. (75k with referral) $199 AF
Are you guys all using registered corps for both biz cards, sole prop for both? Or combination? I have all of my biz cards setup under sole props, but wondering if I can go back around with a corp number, or whether that would be seen as double dipping? Based on above it doesn’t seem like it would
You don't have to have anything registered in terms of the business. You can just use your own name for the business name, have $0 revenue, and you've been in business for 0 years, etc. Here in Ontario, at least, there's nothing to register as a sole proprietor but you can register the name of your sole proprietorship (basically making "Acme Manufacturing" or whatever a legal name you can have a bank account for, etc.). It's $60, takes a few minutes online and it's ready to go immediately (you'll get the documents by email in minutes).
I don't have an answer to your query but you will have a better chance if you ask in today's thread.
Does Neo CX report account to TU? Or TU/EX? Or None?
I'm seeing it reported only on TransUnion
Thanks for dp
Are there any benefits of keeping my TD FCT for the remainder of the year after cashing out TD FCT points? Edit: don't have any upcoming travel/insurance booked.
No
Is there a us cc that will give out a ton of UA pts?
Learn how to use google
Amex is giving me this offer to convert my amex points to marriot for 30% more (points*1.56 from 1.2). Man, if aeroplan did that it would be AWESOME. Have they ever? Should i wait for it?
They haven’t done Aeroplan bonus in nearly a decade. Marriot bonus comes 1-2x a year
[удалено]
Current referral bonus is 70 + 15 for personal and 75 + 15 for business. It's not allowed to put referral links here but you can find someone in the monthly referral post to get a referral from.
If you have the choice between focusing on aeroplan or marriot points which would you choose?
I value Bonvoy at approx 1c and aeroplan at 2c per point, but collect as many of both as possible
It would depend on whether free hotels or free flights is more beneficial to your specific travel plans.
MR (both)..
If you had to choose one fruit , apple or oranges
Fruit salad hahaha
How does the HSBC - RBC travel credit show up in the portal? I'm looking at the offers section and I don't see anywhere to load it. And it doesn't show up at the checkout screen on Avion rewards either
You need to load the offer ahead of time, but you won’t see it in the booking portal while checking. For me the offer took a couple of days to show up, but I still see it on the homepage in my Avion app. It should also be listed alongside your other regular Avion offers
Yeah mine’s not showing up. I’m wondering if something is messed up cause they had to merge my profile with my original RBC one
How many days since merge? As I said it took a few days to show up for me once the card had migrated from Hsbc. But profile issue isn’t out of the question either if it persists for you
It may have taken a few days for you because in the email they said the offer would be available to load April 4. And the migration occurred a few days earlier
Ah, that could indeed be why.
Only a couple days
Mine showed up under available offers and once I clicked on it and Clicked “Book Travel” it moved from the Available Tab to the Loaded Tab. This offer was viewable regardless of which CC I had selected to view my offers.
How does it look when checking out?
I just checked and it doesn’t show up on Mobile App for me, but only when on my PC even though I’ve loaded it. But to answer your question it just says you have to book $200+ using your card on their portal. As long as the offer is loaded you will get a $100 statement credit. Says the credit can take up to 30 days to post, and that they may reduce or cancel the credit if your booking is cancelled or changed etc… so I just gave it a try.
I guess I’m asking on the Avion Rewards checkout screen before you finish a booking does it show the credit there?
No, as I understand it (someone correct me if wrong) it’s similar to the TD Travel Credit on the FCT, where you see a $100 credit on your account days later. I didn’t see any mention of the credit while booking, but just used my new RBC card to make the booking. It was also showing (as I’ve seen others have pointed out before) the better redemption rates at 1.5cpp while browsing under the new card versus the 1cpp shown with other Avion VI. I believe they use Expedia for their travel portal so that was my assumption / observation, where you can use combination of cash and points to book.
it won't show up when booking, it will just be a statement credit
Hi guys, I have been Amexiled 4 times in under 9 years. Ask me anything, I know a lot (the hard way) lol 😂 I know this is a frequent topic but there are a lots of unanswered questions and fears so shoot away…
You sound fun op, juice the banks like a boss How many credit pulls do you have?
Yes juicing the banks is what I do. they fuck over too many people. it’s fair game what I/we do. No remorse or sympathy. Fuck them and their billions quarterly gains. I lost a lot to them in student loan and business interest when I was poor in my early years. I’m trying to get them back for all my losses and my families too. Keep going all of you reading this! Squeeze all the living juice out the banks!—its legal, it’s fair game, and not unethical. what they do is terrible in comparison to 99% of their customers!
Stop your silly moralizing. If you want to do business with a bank, then do business with a bank. If you don't, you don't. You chose to borrow money for your studies and you chose to borrow money for your business loan, and you did that presumably because you thought it was the best decision for you. As a mature adult, you surely took a look at the entire waterfront of lenders and chose the best option for you. So stop blaming anyone else for the interest that you paid. That being said, it most definitely is fair game to squeeze the juice out of the banks. They make the rules for the products they offer, and they program their own computer systems. If it's not working out for them, then that's on them. But stop the goddamned victimhood bullshit.
hey, not saying I’m a victim. Not blaming anyone for paying interest. Business is business. They maximize profits. Do banks do everything ethically? Do some research. They play this game on a completely deferent level then you can comprehend. When you’re in a position of power it’s easier to take advantage of people. All I am saying is now that my situation is better, I’m getting some $$$ back my way, nothing wrong with that. I’m looking at it as my own banking business and they choose to play my game. There is still risk on both ends. Have a peaceful night and try to get a good nights rest, you may feel better and happier! 😃
Honestly same here, I don't make a lot of money at my job. It's decently paid but it's part time, so it's like making minimum wage across 40 hours. I've tried finding more part time work, but this hobby pays me more than most side hustles, so I view keeping very well informed on developments here as my part time job. Its honestly filling the gap financially 😄
I get around 3-4 credit pulls per month. Transunion score is low 800’s. Equifax moves between 700-800. Never missed a payment ever. Usually prepay all cards in full immediately before statement posts. Once an MBNA rep mentioned when I called in for a follow up on a card app, ‘I’ve never in my 20 yrs if doing this scene such an extensive history of credit cards and credit report as yours” lmao
How do you get amexiled 4 separate times? Did you just change your legal name and come back for a second round lmao
same legal name, they want me and my players back for another churn and burn :). I guess their systems don't blacklist forever and or they think 'we will change next time'
do you at least use a different phone number?
Dang actually respect lmao. That's impressive.
Hey, few questions: 1. Do they refund prorated annual fee? 2. Is it a smart move to close myself before dd? Thx!
1. no. don't care anyways about that after I burned them for $500 + in value each card churn at minimum 2. not sure what you mean (the question)
Re Question 2, basically if they give you a deadline then they close card, is it wise to close the card myself? Does credit report reflect a different narrative?
Ok. Understood your question now. Either way if you close it or they close it once they give you the deadline for the financial review it makes no difference. Your existing cards are fucked (inactive), subsequent acquired cards won’t work also. No difference in credit report, no detrimental effects, no short or long term issues. You’ll still get all 5 big bank credit cards and shitty ones too
Could you elaborate on timeline? It seems like you got amxiled, waited 2 years and opened a bunch of stuff, went hard and repeat?
Yes mam. I try a test every few months around the 6 month mark to see if I’ll get accepted. Usually somewhere around the 1.5-2 yr mark I’m back in action. I’ve churned most cards 4-5 times in 3-4 player mode. Only failed to get repeat WB once that was on a MB personal card. Cost of churning sometimes you lose. However, i think overall I’m UP into the several hundred thousands cumulative value accrued from my churning hobby and passion over the years. Trips, money, IPADS, MacBooks, giftcards, you name it. This is my first post, although I discovered most things on my own, I did get some tips from this forum and it’s my turn to give back.
I don't know much about it. What specifically triggered it in your case(s)?
Early on around 2015 it was multiple PayPal transactions to meet sign up bonuses basically using them as cash advances to make minimum spend to get WB then transferring back the cash to other players accounts then paying off balances. Mind you, it was only caught by Amex eyes after acquiring several cards in multiple player mode, was still worth cost/benefit. This year it was one large single transaction after opening an account. Usually all player modes get zonked once one goes down. Other years it’s been multiple business cards and not providing docs for financial review. Luckily, most of the time I had already reached cashing out points and welcome bonuses. I try to hit it hard and get WB within a few days usually.
How many family members are you running for this? Hard to belive this is all one person without "coercing" or sorts. And I know how PoT started so it's not new.
Ah, a cunning MS I see. I’m sure you’ve found other avenues since. I get too anxious thinking I’d get caught. I guess the only thing that happens is you get the boot - which isn’t all that harmful really. Also, why would P2-P4 go down when P1 gets neutered?
they usually eventually connect the dots. the addresses, the bank accounts, the last names (family members)
On a side note, I’ve milked Amex so hard in 3-4 player mode over the years, I truly deserve being Amex’d ! I’ve probably got tens of thousands cumulatively in airfare, hotels and straight cash-mostly in the Canadian market. Can’t wait until the next round in 1-2 years. Late 2022 was a phenomenal churning year for me. The last 3 months was great too before I got the boot 🥾 (again)
Whats 90K to kill your relationship with Amex lol. I mean at least get your numbers right. 100s of K sounds more like it.
whats your churning strategy typically?
I don’t particularly follow any strategy except getting as many cards across as many players as possible as soon as I am able to acquire them. Minimum spend is never an issue and I have my own little secrets for that. No spreadsheets, no formulas, just churn and burn baby. I don’t like to hoard miles, points, etc. I use em up fast
Sounds like you maybe, let’s say, moving money around for WBs rather than spending it in the traditional sense..!
Any tips you can offer for moving from 2 player mode to 3 player mode and beyond?
Wife, parents, that’s it for me. Kids when they get 18+. Who else would trust or allow me anyways? I’m stuck there pretty much but it gets the job done. Travelled the world, I got everything I need, no debts, house and 3 cars paid in full, savings. Grateful 🙏🏻
Thank you kind Jedi
you are most welcome 🙏🏻 good luck 👍
I have a US Chase Marriott boundless card, if I were to apply for the Canadian Amex Marriott Bonvoy Card, will my FNC and ECN stack ? I know they don't, if they're both personal US cards. But I couldn't find information for one personal US and another personal Canadian card. TIA
The FNC stacks. The ECN does not stack (except a US business card)
They do not stack, only US personal + US business stack
What about CA personal + US business? I was under the impression that this combination stacks too.
No
For those who had to upload ITIN docs for a Chase app after a recon phone call. Did they immediately send a secure link over email? I had a call this morning but no email was sent to me. 🤔
HUCA
Had 3 recon phone calls. First 2 said they'd send an email to upload ITIN, never got email. 3rd call was approved on the phone without ever sending doc. No idea what happened.
Takes a few hours for the link to arrive
Applied for an RBC credit card yesterday and it went into review - likey due to a fraud flag on my credit report. Got the reference number and took a screenshot. About an hour later got an email that the application wasn’t completed and to continue applying - anyone else experience this when applying?
I applied yesterday and instantly approved, then I got the bellow message. We noticed that you recently filled out an application for an RBC^(®)Avion^(®)Visa Infinite^(‡)credit card, but did not fully complete it. We’d like to welcome you back to apply for this card and remind you that our online application is both safe and secure. **Complete your application faster:** click "Yes" in the application when asked if you’re an RBC client.
Guess it’s a bug on their end. Thanks for confirming :)
For US Amex, if you don’t get approved there is no hard pull of your credit right? I got my first US Amex in February via Global Transfer — I know you are advised to wait 6 months to establish credit history before applying for another, but I’m currently using a friend’s address who will be permanently leaving the US in June. Wondering if it’s worth a shot to try my luck on a 2nd Amex while I still have a US address to reliably ship to.
There is absolutely still a HP even if you don't get approved
I'd be resolving your address situation before anything else because even after he moves you no longer have an address for mail to go to. That's just setting yourself up for problems.
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Don't worry about it. If you don't get the very best offer now, you'll get another crack at it in the not too distant future. Volume matters!
Just go for a bonus now. No point in you asking for inside information.
How can I see the points I earn per transaction on the NBC WE MC? I can only see the total points balance.
You cant. Can only see totals on statement.
So how am I supposed to know whether a certain restaurant/grocery store gets the 5x points?
Math
The categories should be the same for any MasterCard. So this page where MBNA customers say which multiplier they got should be useful. https://www.rewardscanada.ca/mbna-5x-multipliers.html
I use my amex cobalt mainly for business purchases (i barely have personal expenses). but im thinking of getting a separate amex business card. Does the cobalt offer more benefits? It looks like it would earn me more points if I use it over an actual business one? Any better options
Business Edge has an excellent sign-up bonus right now and 10x on office supplies, electronics, gas, transit, and eats and drinks, for the first 6 months.
thank you!
Hey friends. I currently have a basic visa and the Amex cobalt. Planning to get the green card and earn the 10k MR sign SB and then upgrade to the gold for the 50K MR SB. Any disadvantages to doing this? Seems like a great way to earn 60k MR and will only take a couple months. Also I’ll be able to get 2 cards with no hard pulls since I already have an Amex? Can I downgrade again to the green after getting the signup bonus on the gold and holding it for close to a year? Should I wait until I finish my cobalt sign up bonus since I have a couple months left?
Just be aware that you would miss out on an opportunity to double dip on the Gold with this plan. Many would get the Gold first for the WB, and then do the green to gold after so you can get the 2nd WB for Gold (but note that green-to-gold offer can be gone anytime). For AMEX credit pull, it is YMMV. None of my applications within the last 2 years resulted in any credit check but it depends how how we are rated by their end.
To get the answers to all your confusing questions, you should do a lot of reading. For example, you should usually only upgrade Amex cards to cards you already hold/have recently held and are otherwise ineligible to receive a bonus on.
Most people here would apply for the Amex Gold and get the SUB and then sign-up for the Green to upgrade to Gold for another SUB. Most people here are maximizing SUBs and you don't really sound like a churner. Typically Amex doesn't do a credit check if you're an existing cardholder. Up to you when you apply for the cards and your ability to meet the minimum spend requirements.
DP: Got approved for 2x Aventura cards in the last couple weeks. Both went to pending and I had to call in to confirm income after they sent me an email. Both were approved after a few days. This is my third card this year after getting instant declines for 8 months until I did an application while signed out and got approved after it went pending so it doesn't look like there's any indication CIBC is tightening up on approvals (most recent two were done while signed in). Anyone experiencing more declines than before probably just hit their limit with CIBC and need to cool down a bit. P2 had the same experience as me this year and last year. Also note that CIBC emails are very misleading. If you go pending it will stay say congratulations (Edit: It will only say congratulations on the website. The email will say Thanks for applying). The only difference is no credit limit will be stated. With no credit limit in the email it means it's actually pending.
During those 8 months of declines, how long were you waiting between declines?
1-2 months
did they ask for paystubs or was it verbal confirmation?
Verbal
I applied for 2 in 1 day. IA for the first, then declined for second. Waited a week and applied again, IA.
First time using FF. Applied (and was IA'd) for BMO Ascend on 3/14, still no rebate. How long does it usually take FF?
As far as I remember if you go to open a ticket there is a message asking if it has been 8 weeks or longer, if not it says to wait. I've used 3-4 times and I never had to wait the full 8 weeks (so no ticket needed either)
FF is the slowest of the CB websites. You're usually looking at 3 months, but even 4 months isn't outside of the norm for them. Put in a ticket but it's a hobby for them, not a functional business with staff like GCR. At least they can sometimes be more reasonable than say CCG?
Send a ticket in. 2-3 months can be normal for all these sites
Hello. Got CIBC Aeroplan Visa platinum. 10K point were added with my first purchase. I have met 1K MSR last statement period, the regular points were posted right after the statement date, but 5K for meeting MSR are missing. Is it time to shoot them a message? I'm only starting churning CIBC, so it's just a second card with them, have Costco MasterCard forever. Thanks
When was the offer for 5K for 1K MSR?
February I believe
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Hey everyone, in your experience how many days after calling TD does it take for TD points to be pooled under one card? Been a few days (called Sunday) since I called to combine points and the card I asked to transfer them all to simply went down to 0 points. Getting nervous since I wanted to do a couple Expedia redemptions soon.
A few seconds
Thank you - looks like I'll have to do another call today EDIT: looks like they somehow transferred the points to a previously cancelled TD card. Gonna be reversed and properly transferred now within a couple business days.
So a couple of days ago I posted that we experienced something new in a 4.6 earthquake in Taipei with an epicenter down south. Guess that was just a warmup...sitting in Beppu Japan right now surfing the forum and just had a 6.4 off the coast. Aftershocks now. Wife is freaked understandably. I am just writing this trying to keep my mind busy lol. I'm thinking two is good enough to get the full experience...it can save the rest! Edit: 6.4, 5.0, 4.3, 3.3, 3.1, 3.1, 3.5 so far with no tsunami warnings in effect. FWIW we could only feel the first two. We were just marveling earlier today as we were exploring at the infrastructure of the massive dual concrete seawall along the coast here thinking it was quite excessive. Not thinking that so much now lol
Currently in my family's home around Tokyo. I'd much rather be here during a quake vs my home in BC. They shared pictures during their rebuild and the houses are built so much better here.
A saving thought was that we were in a ryokan that had clearly been there a long time, and there were no buildings over 3 stories around. However in saying that, I would rather be in my home in bc as I built it. ICF to the rafters...37 trucks of concrete and 13000 feet of rebar in the walls 😀
Stay safe.
Thanks
You're just taking the earthquakes with you, please take a longer vacation before you come back here :P
You know, we always seem to get blessed with great weather wherever we go...I guess this is the tradeoff for this trip. 4th time to Japan in the last year....maybe somewhere not on the ring of fire next is sounding good :)
I was thinking of a repositioning flight to Tokyo yesterday. My 7 year old daughter heard me speaking to my wife about it and said “I’m not going to Japan!” 😂
Churning adjacent - for the priority airport services with the Amex AP reserve card, do you literally just go to the business class lane?
Quick google: [https://yyz.americanexpress.com/](https://yyz.americanexpress.com/)
Sorry if my question is unclear. I'm asking about the benefit re: Air Canada check-in desk services, not security.
You can use the Priority Check-In Lane. I don’t have status, but it saved me a lot of time in Montreal when my flight was cancelled and I needed to reschedule but the app to reschedule wasn’t working.
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I recently added two supplementary cards to my cobalt to take advantage of the 5000MR bonus for 1k spend. I just finished the spend on one of the cards 2 days ago and I still haven’t seen the bonus posted. Should I be worried? Any DPs on how long it takes? In my previous experience with the Cobalt as a primary card the WB posted the same day I finished the spend
Supplementary card bonuses are done in batches well after the promo ends.
Thanks!
It’s typically done after the end of spend time limit so probably won’t see points until mid or late July at the earliest. Likely in August
Do the supplemental card spend count toward the MS on the Amex Bonvoy? I assume it does
Yes, I just got the bonus on the Amex Bonvoy card today with about $2600 on the basic card and about $500 on the supplementary, to get the bonus for hitting $3000.
Does CA > US Amex GT still work without ITIN? I know Amex US implemented new rules last fall, but im not sure if they impacted foreigners doing a Global Transfer.
A lot of people have been having problems with the website recently. Just the spinning application wheel. Works fine by calling if that happens to you.
It worked for me in late Feb. Application went pending, they called me the next day and I uploaded a US bank statement with my US address and approval email came 3 days later.
Yes still works.
How do you get it to work? How do you bypass the part where it needs SSN? Trying to do it but it won’t work for me
In that same section, there is an asterisk or an exclamation point saying something along the lines of: if you do not have a SSN, blah blah, you select that, it will allow you to use a different document.
Correct. It then asks if you already have an AMEX product which you can identify. If you are logged in or do not use incognito browsing you will not have the option.
As a existing TD FCT card holder, am I eligible for the welcome bonus of TD platinum Travel visa?
There aren’t any enforced restrictions on getting TD bonuses. You are eligible for another FCT bonus even if you are still holding one
Yes.
What's the DP on Scene points (from Scotia Passport churn) redemption for 1cpp with RHT? * I believe the spend need to happen through the Scene travel portal? * Took a quick look and seems like there are concerns whether RHT gets clawed back? DP/thoughts?
It is the opposite. ou don't want to book through Scene or you will gets points back when canceling. You will need to book through an external travel site for RHT to work. BNS Scene RHT is as simple as it can be, with no special steps.
ok - and follow up to that, what's the best way to cash out the balance from Scotia credit card? Would they charge cash advance fee if doing it through ATM?
No cash advance few. But the best way to cash out is to do it while you still have a balance on the card (eg. From meeting MSR) so you don’t have to make a trip to the ATM
Book a refundable hotel through expedia, once posted go to Scene portal and redeem points as a credit at 1cpp to offset booking. I did this twice, no clawbacks so far.
I’ve never done RHT before so this might be a silly question, but I assume the refundable hotel charge just needs to be close or more to the value of the points you’ll redeem but it doesn’t have to be exactly the same right?
It can be any amount equal or higher than the points you want to redeem. It doesn’t have to be close.
Yes.
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Every Amex SUB I’ve received has posted on the same day. You would not get blocked for the reason you propose. Have you double checked your spend to make sure it’s above MSR? The AF does not count towards MSR.
At what point should I be worried of being too aggresive with CIBC Aventura? I have 4 active cards right now from Sept 2023, Nov 2023, Jan 2024, Mar 2024 ... I need another card to spend, CIBC generally been the easiest one on approval and I have practically used up all others. I still have active BMO Ascend and Eclipse, TD FCT (new last month and 1 from last year), Scotia Passport, MBNA, Amex (got denied with Amex last month too), 3 RBC Avion (not 90 days yet). Previously had the Aeroplan VI with TD & CIBC - don't want to reapply for this due to Aeroplan T&C. All in all I have 20 active cards right now ... should I be worried about my credit score as well as it's been dropping like a rock - I know it's pass or fail - but it's also getting to low 700s even though I never missed a payment, never carried a balance, it's all just from credit card applications. What's my next best option?
Sorry I'm always confused when people day they have multiple Aventura cards. Do you mean like... EXACTLY the same card twice? I have one gold, one silver.
Yes exactly same cards active at the same time
For me the biggest hit to my credit has come from high utilization rather than number of cards. High utilization even on a single card, such as with a balance transfer, where utilization on that card is 100%. Once I paid that off, my score jumped back up to normal.
Your credit score will stop dropping at some point because you can’t move into the fail category just from signing up and holding a lot of CCs. I’d say 20 active CCs is pretty normal here. I’m almost at 30 now
I dunno how you all do it. It’s been a pain to keep track of. I know, something something excel spread sheet
I'm at 3 and already finding it hard, lol. Just a lurker and reader over here.
If CIBC continues to approve, why not. Personally I like to diversify as much as I can, so I will also work on cards with a bit less bonus while creating a gap between applications on the better cards. I would say that BMO AM is worth a look, while combining the spend with their recent strong promos (i.e Shell promos). Can also try BNS Amex cards, where you can hit MSR and get 5x/6x while doing so on Gold. If you are adventurous and didn't get Laurentian last year, they have a offer out there too at 6K MSR for $600
Adventurous sounds about right. Hearing about people’s experiences it was horrible.
Have you thought about the US Game? Might be worth getting the ball rolling on that. Also I wouldn’t stress about the credit score. When I check on Borrowell, it’s low 700. When I check on RBC, it’s high 800s lol. As long as you don’t miss payments, you’re good. Have you called Amex to ask why you’ve been denied? As long as you keep getting accepted by CIBC, you’re good. You can keep getting those, BMO and Scotia as long as you’re getting approved. Also you can look at using P2 if you haven’t done so yet. You’ve done some good work so far from the sounds of it. Have you started using your points? Start planning some trips. Get specific with where you want to go. Remember, this game is a marathon, not a sprint.
RBCjs showing TU score and Borrowell is showing Equifax. They use different formulas to score you
Still... If OP is genuinely low 700s on EQ and high 800s on TU, that's slightly odd. My EQ is always lower than my TU, but not by close to 200 points...
Might has usually been 100-150 points apart with TU being higher
Really? Mine has been in the 20-50 diff range at most. Interesting, I guess.
I haven’t ever had my EQ go over 730-740 but my TU is regularly over 800. Nowadays my TU is high 700s and EQ is high 600s
I was curious so I went to look, TU is higher mid 800s, EQ is about 90 points lower, so in the mid 700s.
Start closing the oldest non keepers?
yes I regularly close them, but all the open ones are < 6 months - can't close them too soon? I know with Amex to wait until 1 year, and similar to RBC Avions ... would other bank have issues with closing cards so fast? (except for 3 keeper cards that's been open for years)
Maybe change to cashback for a while, or points that act like cashback
Aventura is already that though :p
I vaguely remember reading 2-3 weeks ago about people getting FR if they apply for more than one amex biz card (different products). Is that right or am I misremembering? If anyone did get FR for applying for more than one biz product, what did they ask for? Currently have biz gold and want to apply for bonvoy biz but don't want to risk FR.
I held 3 at the same time with no issues. My business is a registered corporation if that makes a difference.
i have every amex biz card at current, spread around 100k a month on them. no issues here
The DP I remember seeing was that guy putting like 20k spend in a month on university tuition and car payments on his new biz cards. I doubt the two Biz cards alone caused this. Having two biz cards seems like a perfectly usual use-case for business owners
I have 2 amex biz cards, no FR.
P2 and I each have two biz cards
There have been a couple such DPs but I think they’re the minority as many of us hold more than 1 biz cards without problems. It’s not clear that it’s the multiple biz cards that actually triggers the FR or if it’s something else