Anyone have advice on rewards credit cards?

[kuzco-like]

I just purchased my entire DVC membership on credit cards. I did the first half on my RBC Avion card, and found out the hard way about the 2.5% fee. The second half I did with an RBC US Gold card, which allowed me to collect Avion points as well. It's not advertised, but if you collect Avion points, you have to call them to transfer the points to your other card. They told me that as long as it's under 30,000 points, they will convert them to Avion points. (You can't do it online)

Holy crap. First of all, congratulations on DVC. That's something I've been looking at for a while. But our weak Canadian dollar has put me off, for now. But what a great idea to put it on credit cards for the points! That will keep you in flights for a while, I'm sure. Question: Am I correct in understanding that your RBC US Gold card is a Visa?

 

[kuzco-like]

The CIBC Adventura card can be used to book a trip anytime, anywhere. I just booked a return trip to Orlando in November ( flex on Westjet) when there was zero availbility from Aeroplan, for 35000 points and 189.99. Retail was close to $1000.00.

Canadian Girl...is there an annual fee for the Aventura? That card looks to be a bit more flexible than the Aerogold that I currently have, and I know there's an annual fee with that one. Just curious.

 

[kuzco-like]

Sorry, yes, PC = President's Choice, and my understanding is this is a nation-wide program, so it's for any Loblaw's owned store.

Thanks for the clarification. I'm going to look into the PC program, for sure.

 

[kuzco-like]

Yes you need see excellent travel ins coverage. I don't buy anything extra. So say I'm paying for my final Disney balance with my visa. Once it hits my visa bill, I log into the TD Rewards site. So for this upcoming trip I will have the equivalent of $700 in points, I simply click how many points I want to redeem, click which travel expense I'm applying it to, and 48 hours later the $700 shows as a credit/payment on my card.

Ok for PC points, I don't use the banking services because I like TD. So when I shop, I scan my PC point card to get my PC points ( lower points than if I had their credit card) then I pay with my TD Visa to get my visa points.

Okay, JennyT1. That sounds so freaking easy re: using the points on the TD Rewards site. So much easier than what I go through with Aeroplan!!!

I see. So by scanning your PC points card and paying with your TD Visa, you somewhat double the rewards. That's what I'm looking for. Thanks.

 

[kuzco-like]

I don't think the cookies makes a difference. I had been looking at the flights to LA for about a month when I found the bargain that we booked. I also have been looking for a flight to Orlando for next May and saw a drop in the miles required from the first day I started checking. I have also found that you look for flights and there are none and then check back a couple days later and flights are available.

Understood, gilsan. So you have to sort of make it a hobby or something...just keep checking (instead of swimming).

 

[kuzco-like]

No, that's for things like certain concert tickets, or advance reservations for things like Summerlicious in Toronto.


I should clarify that I get the lounge fee waived once a year with the TD card as well. Other times... well I just try to be nice to the people at the front and sometimes I get in. I do get my annual fee waived, but that's a part of my banking plan with TD.

Being nice works? I should try that.

Thanks for clarifying both points.

 

[kuzco-like]

We combine our efforts with Air Miles Mastercard, and Scotiabank Gold Amex. The Gold Amex offers 4% return (in points) on grocery, gas, and restaurant purchases. Then those points are applied directly in cash form to any travel related purchase. There are some annoying limitations (Superstore and Save-On don't take Amex, for example) but when we are able to use it, we haven't yet found another card that can match the 4%. We tend to shop more at Safeway/Sobey's for the Air Miles anyway, so that usually isn't an issue for us. The points on the Amex can also be used to make payments on the credit card and I think for RRSP contributions, so there is an element of 'cash back' to it as well.

You are the first to mention Amex, jjpet! 4% is a nice return, for sure, especially if it can be used for RRSP contributions. Thanks for the info.

 

[squirrel]

I hear what you're saying, squirrel. (I'm in Surrey, by the way...so yes, it's a quick trip to the border.) And I've done that before. But I had a bad experience once that put me off doing that again. Ironically, it was when I was coming back from my first trip to WDW. I had lunch at Sunshine Season's (cold chicken salad...never again), and got food poisoning, which reared its ugly head on the flight. Landed in Seattle, and still had the approximately 3 hour drive to get home. Longest 3 hours of my life. Well, not actually, because I don't remember much, except curling up on a bench at the customs office because, of course, we had to get out of the car and declare our purchases. It was not pleasant, and put me off the idea of going through Sea-Tac. But perhaps I'll have to look into that again. Having a direct flight to MCO does sound very appealing... Questions: So you drive? What do you do with your car? Do you have a favourite hotel where you park and fly?

I usually go with one of my two nieces. So either my mom and sister drive us down or my sister and BIL drive us down. I prefer red-eye flights after the first trip I took with a neighbour and her family. We did a park and fly and it was horrible-room was nothing like what it said on the website. We barely got any sleep with the early flight, so the following year I convinced her to do a red-eye and she agreed it was so much better. We had the whole arrival day to hang out at the resort (Pop) and get to bed at a decent time to hit the parks in the morning.

With the red-eye flights now, whoever drives us spends the night at a hotel (in the past we have stayed at BW Executel, it's gone way up in price this year) and has a mini vacation. They do the reverse on the pick up as I try and get a later flight home, although this year my mom didn't want that so we are arriving at 10am in Seattle.

 

[Aladora]

Questions: So you drive? What do you do with your car? Do you have a favourite hotel where you park and fly?

We are in Victoria so getting off the island is the most expensive part of the flights! We have done the park and fly once in Seattle, when I got an amazing deal flying from Seattle. We stayed at the Sleep Inn SeaTac Airport and while the room was nothing special, I loved the fact that they had secured, underground parking and the fact that they had a free airport shuttle.

 

[kuzco-like]

I usually go with one of my two nieces. So either my mom and sister drive us down or my sister and BIL drive us down. I prefer red-eye flights after the first trip I took with a neighbour and her family. We did a park and fly and it was horrible-room was nothing like what it said on the website. We barely got any sleep with the early flight, so the following year I convinced her to do a red-eye and she agreed it was so much better. We had the whole arrival day to hang out at the resort (Pop) and get to bed at a decent time to hit the parks in the morning.

With the red-eye flights now, whoever drives us spends the night at a hotel (in the past we have stayed at BW Executel, it's gone way up in price this year) and has a mini vacation. They do the reverse on the pick up as I try and get a later flight home, although this year my mom didn't want that so we are arriving at 10am in Seattle.

I find that I'm doing red-eyes more and more, for the reason you said...you get into the parks for almost a full day. I hate arriving at 10:30pm and having to pay for a hotel room I use for just a few hours.

 

[kuzco-like]

We are in Victoria so getting off the island is the most expensive part of the flights! We have done the park and fly once in Seattle, when I got an amazing deal flying from Seattle. We stayed at the Sleep Inn SeaTac Airport and while the room was nothing special, I loved the fact that they had secured, underground parking and the fact that they had a free airport shuttle.

Hello, Victoria! I'm thinking of popping over next year when the unofficial Alaska cruise stops in Victoria. Some friends are going to be on that cruise.

I've done the park-and-fly a couple of times, in Seattle and Vancouver. It's handy, for sure.

 

[sk8jdgca]

The Avion points can be used for flights or any other travel expense. It includes out of province medical ( which I've used and is excellent). You are not limited to one airline and there are no black out dates.

 

[starvenger]

I find that I'm doing red-eyes more and more, for the reason you said...you get into the parks for almost a full day. I hate arriving at 10:30pm and having to pay for a hotel room I use for just a few hours.

I can definitely see where the red eyes make sense for you BC folk - I live in Toronto, but I've done those cross country flights for work before, and coming in late aside, you really just feel like you've wasted a day.

 

[kuzco-like]

The Avion points can be used for flights or any other travel expense. It includes out of province medical ( which I've used and is excellent). You are not limited to one airline and there are no black out dates.

No limitations...very attractive. Thanks for responding, sk8jdgca.

 

[kuzco-like]

I can definitely see where the red eyes make sense for you BC folk - I live in Toronto, but I've done those cross country flights for work before, and coming in late aside, you really just feel like you've wasted a day.

Getting in late is such a waste! Can't do anything fun and get to pay for a night in a hotel.

 

[SaraMc]

I have the PC financial premium master card. Love it! I think since getting the card in Jan we have been able to get $400 in free groceries. I love that we get points for every dollar spent and we get more if we use it at lob laws owned stores or shoppers drug mart.

 

[starvenger]

I'm actually wondering if shoppers will drop optimum for pc plus. Be nice if T&T had pc plus as well, but they just rolled out their own program recently.