Cashback vs travel cards: Do any travel CC's offer more than $250 after spending $2500?

There are quite a few travel credit cards that will give you more value than that even for budget travel. Are you looking for flexible travel rewards where you can book travel yourself or are you willing to entertain Aeroplan/WestJet/ other airline cards? There are somewhere in the neighbourhood of 25-30 travel cards that will give you more than $250 in welcome bonus value (Points value less annual fee)

That sounds very hopeful!
This for self booking as that usually results in the lowest cost airfare, never including accommodation or anything else like rental cars. Just the bare flight.
I may be travelling for an extended period of time using 1-way flights everywhere as I won't know how long I'll be staying or where I will go afterwards. I'll try to travel around flight hubs to make things easier.
So what do you mean by Aeroplan/Westjet cards? Are they more restrictive? Or are you talking about travel packages? I wouldn't be needing those as I always find accommodation when I arrive and try to never travel during peak periods.

What's interesting with travel cards is you often get the rewards/points as soon as you make your first purchase so one could conceivably sign up for several cards to amass points though they must have precautions in place to prevent people from abusing the system. I thrive on system abuse!.... Churning is my middle name.

I usually have a 10% card running all the time now and am wary of applying too often as it can seem to have a very detrimental affect on your credit score/rating even if the card has a very low credit exposure like $500 - $1000. I usually never apply within 3-4 months of each other and its worked out OK so far.

MichaelZZZ wrote: ↑ That sounds very hopeful!
This for self booking as that usually results in the lowest cost airfare, never including accommodation or anything else like rental cars. Just the bare flight.
I may be travelling for an extended period of time using 1-way flights everywhere as I won't know how long I'll be staying or where I will go afterwards. I'll try to travel around flight hubs to make things easier.
So what do you mean by Aeroplan/Westjet cards? Are they more restrictive? Or are you talking about travel packages? I wouldn't be needing those as I always find accommodation when I arrive and try to never travel during peak periods.

What's interesting with travel cards is you often get the rewards/points as soon as you make your first purchase so one could conceivably sign up for several cards to amass points though they must have precautions in place to prevent people from abusing the system. I thrive on system abuse!.... Churning is my middle name.

I usually have a 10% card running all the time now and am wary of applying too often as it can seem to have a very detrimental affect on your credit score/rating even if the card has a very low credit exposure like $500 - $1000. I usually never apply within 3-4 months of each other and its worked out OK so far.

Yes self booking is typically the best way to go!

For Aeroplan / WestJet I meant are you willing to earn Aeroplan Points or WestJet dollars - technically they are more restrictive as you are limited to Air Canada and its partners in Aeroplan and WestJet, well it's just WestJet only.

Even though there are systems in place to curb abuse there are ways to rack up quite a few points - many of which you can find in the various threads here on RFD.

Here are just a few examples of some of the sign up bonuses right now worth more than $250:

Scotiabank Gold American Express Card: 45,000 points (25,000 awarded when you spend $1,000 in the first three months, 20,000 more if you spend at least $7,500 on the card in the first year) Annual fee is $120 and those 45,000 points are worth $450 towards any travel. So your net gain is $330 however to compare apples to apples in terms of those cash back offers you need to also include the points earned on the spend. So if you spend that $7,500 you'll earn 7,500 to 37,500 additional points worth $75 to $375 in any travel for a grand total of $405 to $705 in value.

The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card: 35,000 points (20,000 on first purchase, 15,000 more when you spend $1,000 in 12 (not three) months, they'll also award 5,000 on your card anniversary if you keep the card that long) no annual fee in the first year. Those 35,000 points are worth $350 towards any travel or if you use Aventura's Airline Reward chart those 35,000 points can be redeemed for a round trip flight in North America with a value of up to $800 before fees and taxes. Again comparing to cash back here you are getting $360-$365 to $810-$815 in value after taking into account the points you would earn on spending.

Those are just two examples! There are many more we could do on cards like Amex's Cobalt Card, Platinum and Gold Cards, TD's First Class Visa and more.

rewardscanada wrote: ↑ Yes self booking is typically the best way to go!

For Aeroplan / WestJet I meant are you willing to earn Aeroplan Points or WestJet dollars - technically they are more restrictive as you are limited to Air Canada and its partners in Aeroplan and WestJet, well it's just WestJet only.

Even though there are systems in place to curb abuse there are ways to rack up quite a few points - many of which you can find in the various threads here on RFD.

Here are just a few examples of some of the sign up bonuses right now worth more than $250:

Scotiabank Gold American Express Card: 45,000 points (25,000 awarded when you spend $1,000 in the first three months, 20,000 more if you spend at least $7,500 on the card in the first year) Annual fee is $120 and those 45,000 points are worth $450 towards any travel. So your net gain is $330 however to compare apples to apples in terms of those cash back offers you need to also include the points earned on the spend. So if you spend that $7,500 you'll earn 7,500 to 37,500 additional points worth $75 to $375 in any travel for a grand total of $405 to $705 in value.

The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card: 35,000 points (20,000 on first purchase, 15,000 more when you spend $1,000 in three months, they'll also award 5,000 on your card anniversary if you keep the card that long) no annual fee in the first year. Those 35,000 points are worth $350 towards any travel or if you use Aventura's Airline Reward chart those 35,000 points can be redeemed for a round trip flight in North America with a value of up to $800 before fees and taxes. Again comparing to cash back here you are getting $360-$365 to $810-$815 in value after taking into account the points you would earn on spending.

Those are just two examples! There are many more we could do on cards like Amex's Cobalt Card, Platinum and Gold Cards, TD's First Class Visa and more.

* the Aventura offer quoted is not correct.

It’s 20,000 Aventura Points for First Purchase
Then 1,250 every month for 12 months in which you spend $1000 CAD.
Then 5,000 at your anniversary.

Thus you must spend $12000 to get the full bonus.

> Scotiabank Gold American Express Card: 45,000 points (25,000 awarded when you spend $1,000 in the first three months, 20,000 more if you spend at least $7,500 on the card in the first year). Annual fee is $120 and those 45,000 points are worth $450 towards any travel. So your net gain is $330 however to compare apples to apples in terms of those cash back offers you need to also include the points earned on the spend. So if you spend that $7,500 you'll earn 7,500 to 37,500 additional points worth $75 to $375 in any travel for a grand total of $405 to $705 in value.

When I spend $7500 I get $750 cash back. But only at an average of $500 a month. If I was a bigger spender this would make sense as I can only spend up to $2000 - $2500 for that 10%. But for me and most people, its very good. And there's no annual fee. Its always waived the first year. I've never paid an annual fee. So this example is nowhere near as good as 10% cashback.

Let's face it: There are often restrictions and hassles when redeeming points. One of them was a several hour hold to get someone on the phone to explain some things to me that were not addressed on their poorly written website. That made me aware of customer service in 2022 in the travel industry: Almost non-existent. If its not automated, watch out.

So if you can just get the cash its soooo much better. Maybe I churn my cards better than most. But I've been able to get constant 10% cash back for quite a while now. BMO, TD, CIBC have been all good, with CIBC being the best by far. If you can apply and not mess up your application frequency you may be able to get some points. I was able to do that with an Aventura card. $160 for spending a dollar wasn't bad. Still haven't used it yet but free money is pretty nice. I picked up points with PC Optimum but like the pricks they are with almost non-existent customer service, it expired before I used it. They are great at espousing the benefits of earning points but when it comes to redeeming them they can make it a living hell and many people delay bothering and they expire and their business model thrives on this.

Your CIBC example was why I got my Aventura card and got about $160 worth of points (probably the 20,000 points). 15,000 more points for spending $1000 sounds like its a little better than 10% of course but you can expect mucho hassles in redemption. Its rarely worth the bother when its close to the real cashback.

I haven't travelled at all in the last several years but for someone who is jetting around all the time its probably a lot easier to rationalize. Of course once I'm out of the country and not using my credit card much (I'd be nuts to use it in some backwater hotel or market in Mexico or Guatemala!), then signup bonuses would be gold. I suppose all digital nomads face this dilemma when living in cheap countries.

I'd sure like to hear of some other examples that involve getting points without spending hardly any money. 10% cashback is very hard to beat.

MrGoose8 wrote: ↑ * the Aventura offer quoted is not correct.

It’s 20,000 Aventura Points for First Purchase
Then 1,250 every month for 12 months in which you spend $1000 CAD.
Then 5,000 at your anniversary.

Thus you must spend $12000 to get the full bonus.

That's probably why I didn't use it! Just got whatever my 20,000 points got me for spending my first dollar. Wow....I sound like such a credit card parasite! LOL....hey, they set the rules, I just maximize them.

What we really need is a way of apply for more credit cards without it hitting our credit rating. Over and over I'm warned about applying "too soon".
Maybe it looks like I'm about to embark on some well thought out scam.
My credit report is flawless, every bill paid on time. Not a single negative.
But you better not apply too early! Even when the cards are completely different. Like a cashback card and a travel card. Totally different. Why they care is a mystery, especially when the credit limit is very low! They'd rather have me apply for a $7000 card than 2 $500 cards. That's the idiocy of this.

MichaelZZZ wrote: ↑ That's probably why I didn't use it! Just got whatever my 20,000 points got me for spending my first dollar. Wow....I sound like such a credit card parasite! LOL....hey, they set the rules, I just maximize them.

Too bad you missed the Aventura 45,000 point bonus with no minimum spend requirement other than making one purchase of any amount. That was killer. I spent $5, got 45,000 points, charged a $1,500 flight to the card, cashed the points in for a $562 reduction in the posted amount. I won't use the card again other than to take advantage of the four free lounge passes lol.

> Too bad you missed the Aventura 45,000 point bonus with no minimum spend requirement other than making one purchase of any amount.

As the previous poster mentioned some people only get 20,000 points unless they spend a whopping amount. I'm happy I got what I dd. CIBC has always treated me very well.

> That was killer. I spent $5, got 45,000 points, charged a $1,500 flight to the card, cashed the points in for a $562 reduction in the posted amount. I won't use the card again other than to take advantage of the four free lounge passes lol.

You was lucky!

MichaelZZZ wrote: ↑ > Too bad you missed the Aventura 45,000 point bonus with no minimum spend requirement other than making one purchase of any amount.

As the previous poster mentioned some people only get 20,000 points unless they spend a whopping amount. I'm happy I got what I dd. CIBC has always treated me very well.

> That was killer. I spent $5, got 45,000 points, charged a $1,500 flight to the card, cashed the points in for a $562 reduction in the posted amount. I won't use the card again other than to take advantage of the four free lounge passes lol.

You was lucky!

I was lucky as well, managed to snag 5x $562.50 Credits by signing up P1,P2,P3 all in.

This was really just an oversight on CIBC’s part that they still had this link.

MrGoose8 wrote: ↑ * the Aventura offer quoted is not correct.

It’s 20,000 Aventura Points for First Purchase
Then 1,250 every month for 12 months in which you spend $1000 CAD.
Then 5,000 at your anniversary.

Thus you must spend $12000 to get the full bonus.

Thank you for correcting me! I guess my memory is going on me in my old age, I really should double check these things before posting.

I thought that sounded like quite a glitch on the part of CIBC. Then again AMEX had a credit card offer several years ago which was insane as well. Obviously not sustainable but it went on for months. Obviously someone was asleep at the switch and probably got fired over it. Bet they lost millions over it. There's a fine line between generous customer appreciation and sheer insanity and they definitely stepped over the line on that one.

MichaelZZZ wrote: ↑ I thought that sounded like quite a glitch on the part of CIBC. Then again AMEX had a credit card offer several years ago which was insane as well. Obviously not sustainable but it went on for months. Obviously someone was asleep at the switch and probably got fired over it. Bet they lost millions over it. There's a fine line between generous customer appreciation and sheer insanity and they definitely stepped over the line on that one.

What was the amex offer yrs ago?

I was trying to remember but can't. But I remember churning it 2 or 3 times, extracted almost $700 from them. Bizarre offer.
One way for you churners to minimize your application frequency if you are not spending the max each month to get you to $2000 in 3 months with most of them is to just buy gift cards at food stores you normally frequent. You have to eat after all. Walmart, Safeway/FreshCo, Superstore/NoFrills/Shoppers Drug Mart and so many others offer gift cards. Its not viewed as a cash advance so it will qualify for your cashback. This can extend your period 1 - 3 months more. I tend to stock up on things I normally need anyways a little more near the end as well. But keep in mind its 10% not 50%. You don't want to start buying stuff you don't really need. That would go against everything Red Flag Deals stands for after all!

If your favourite store doesn't offer gift cards ask them if you can buy a credit there. It would be crazy for them to refuse your money after all. It just has to be easy to track so they don't worry about about errors.

MichaelZZZ wrote: ↑ I was trying to remember but can't. But I remember churning it 2 or 3 times, extracted almost $700 from them. Bizarre offer.
One way for you churners to minimize your application frequency if you are not spending the max each month to get you to $2000 in 3 months with most of them is to just buy gift cards at food stores you normally frequent. You have to eat after all. Walmart, Safeway/FreshCo, Superstore/NoFrills/Shoppers Drug Mart and so many others offer gift cards. Its not viewed as a cash advance so it will qualify for your cashback. This can extend your period 1 - 3 months more. I tend to stock up on things I normally need anyways a little more near the end as well. But keep in mind its 10% not 50%. You don't want to start buying stuff you don't really need. That would go against everything Red Flag Deals stands for after all!

If your favourite store doesn't offer gift cards ask them if you can buy a credit there. It would be crazy for them to refuse your money after all. It just has to be easy to track so they don't worry about about errors.

Yes we veteran churners know about the 5x from gcs lol.. And pp bp as well! If I don't get at least 5x on cc purchases/payments I'm pissed!

mikka2017 wrote: ↑ Yes we veteran churners know about the 5x from gcs lol.. And pp bp as well! If I don't get at least 5x on cc purchases/payments I'm pissed!

What is gcs, pp and bp? And 5x on what? I don't live in Toronto. Maybe these are big stores there? I should learn more Torontish.

MichaelZZZ wrote: ↑ What is gcs, pp and bp? And 5x on what? I don't live in Toronto. Maybe these are big stores there? I should learn more Torontish.

GCs * = gift cards
PP = PayPower
BP = Bill Pay

5x = CC multiplier at supermarkets; Amex Cobalt/other CCs

* RFD and credit cards = purchase of too many GCs

Acronyms & Abbreviations for Credit Cards & Banks:

acronyms-abbreviations-credit-cards-banks-2199022/

So what is a multiplier? Say you pay your $100 bill with your CC. What is 5 times?
I see Pay Power is a prepaid credit card. Why would anyone use that if they were trying to save money? Isn't it for people without bank accounts or those being garnished and living in a cash, bankless world? Aren't there significant fees? Most prepaid cards charge about 3-5%.
> If I don't get at least 5x on cc purchases/payments I'm pissed!
5x on what? Let's use our $100 bill to work with.

MichaelZZZ wrote: ↑ So what is a multiplier? Say you pay your $100 bill with your CC. What is 5 times?
I see Pay Power is a prepaid credit card. Why would anyone use that if they were trying to save money? Isn't it for people without bank accounts or those being garnished and living in a cash, bankless world? Aren't there significant fees? Most prepaid cards charge about 3-5%.
> If I don't get at least 5x on cc purchases/payments I'm pissed!
5x on what? Let's use our $100 bill to work with.

5x means 5 points per dollar spent. If you have a card like the American Express Cobalt Card or the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard they earn 5 points per dollar at grocery stores. Those 5 points per dollar gives the equivalent of 5% to 10% or more back for travel or 5% cash back on the Cobalt Card while MBNA is 5% back for travel and 4.15% cash back (MBNA has a 10% birthday bonus however so you can get a bit higher of return). So you can go buy gift cards for other stores (think Best Buy, Sport Chek, Gap etc) at the grocery store and earn 5% instead of only 1% or perhaps 2% on other cards. And for prepaid cards you are earning your 5% on something that costs you less than that - this latter tactic is used a lot to meet your minimum spend requirement quickly to get the welcome bonus and if you have one of the higher up PayPower cards you can withdraw the funds and have most of your cash back and you are coming out ahead because of the big welcome bonus.