Question 1

How do I find a screenshot of a completed credit card welcome offer?

Accepted Answer

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).

Question 2

Will an additional credit card affect my spouse's credit rating?

Accepted Answer

No, never.

Question 3

Should a credit card be downgraded or cancelled before or after the renewal date?

Accepted Answer

In fact, neither. You can do so during the 11th month or within 30 days of renewal.

Question 4

Why not cancel a credit card right after earning the bonuses and switch to another?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

If I purchase a grocery gift card via Rakuten/PayPal/or another third-party site, will I receive the multiplier for the grocery category (e.g., Cobalt 5x points)?

Accepted Answer

No. Payment will be made from the third-party website, so generally at 1X the points.

Question 6

Are American Express cards accepted in Quebec?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 7

Can one receive a new bonus after having previously applied for the same American Express card?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

If I already have an American Express credit card, am I eligible for the welcome bonuses of other AMEX cards?

Accepted Answer

Of course! In addition, you can have 4 credit cards and an unlimited number of American Express payment cards at the same time.

Question 9

I already have an American Express card: can I self-refer to another card or refer my spouse?

Accepted Answer

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 interested friends, colleagues, or relatives residing at a different address, it’s a definite YES!

Question 10

Can I convert HSBC points to Aeroplan points?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 11

How do I use the $100 annual credit offered by the HSBC World Elite® Mastercard®?

Accepted Answer

You can use the annual $100 credit on any airline-related purchase: flight ticket purchase, seat selection, baggage fees, airport lounge access, etc. Some have also been able to use this credit on bookings with Expedia. Consult our article on this annual credit here.

Question 12

What Is the Best Credit Card?

Accepted Answer

The $100 question. If there were only one, we wouldn’t waste time talking about the others. 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.

Question 13

Are there any student credit cards that offer a welcome bonus?

Accepted Answer

Of course! Just visit our credit card comparison tool. Or you can check out our page on the best student credit card offers.

Question 14

Are there any good credit cards with no annual fee?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 15

Are there credit cards with no conversion fees for foreign currency transactions?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 16

Do points have an expiration date?

Accepted Answer

At least one activity is required to keep the account active. Holding a credit card makes things easier, as a simple purchase on the card counts as an account activity. Otherwise, you must either accumulate points, purchase points, or use them.

Accepted periods of inactivity:

Marriott: 24 months
Aeroplan : 18 months
AIR MILES: 24 months

Points obtained as a welcome bonus can be used as long as the account/card is active.

Question 17

And when it states that $6,000 must be spent in 6 months, is that only for the first six months or at any time?

Accepted Answer

This is only the first six months after acquiring the card.

Question 18

Does the annual card fee count towards purchases to unlock the bonus?

Accepted Answer

No, the annual fee is not included in the minimum purchase count. And this applies to no credit card!

Question 19

When does the minimum spending period for the Welcome Bonus start?

Accepted Answer

Once the card issuer APPROVES your request. Not to be mistaken when you activate the credit card.

Question 20

When will I receive my credit card welcome bonus?

Accepted Answer

In the vast majority of cases, it will be on the statement following the achievement of the amount required to unlock it. However, some institutions may have different rules. Check the terms and conditions of the offer you subscribe to.

Question 21

Can I apply for the same card several times in a row and receive the welcome bonus each time?

Accepted Answer

For American Express cards, it's one bonus per card for LIFE. Other financial institutions such as BMO, NBC, CIBC, MBNA, RBC, SCOTIA or TD etc., may agree to offer a bonus again after a period ranging from 12 to 24 months.

Question 22

Do we have access to the welcome bonuses of other American Express cards if we already hold one?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can receive a welcome bonus from another American Express card, as long as it's not a card you've already held!

Question 23

Do we have to repay the welcome bonus if we do not meet the minimum spending requirement?

Accepted Answer

You will not receive the premium unless you reach the requested amount within the required time frame.

Question 24

Will the welcome bonus be taken away from me if a refund is made on my credit card?

Accepted Answer

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 then need to contact your card issuer to find a solution.

Question 25

My Aeroplan or Marriott Bonvoy points have disappeared from my credit card and have not appeared in my account, what should I do?

Accepted Answer

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 bank created one for you. Contact the card issuer to obtain it and open your new account or provide them with the one you already had.

Your points are not lost!

Question 26

Once the points have been used, what do I do with the credit card?

Accepted Answer

We advise you to keep it between 11 months and its renewal date.

You can then decide whether to keep it or not. It’s also a good idea to make 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!

Question 27

Do I lose my points if I close my credit card?

Accepted Answer

Yes and no!Yes, if the points are linked to the bank, such as rewards points (American Express Membership Rewards, BMO, NBC, Scotia, etc.).No, if the points have been transferred to an independent program such as Aeroplan, AIR MILES, Best Western Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, etc.

Question 28

When will I receive my Air Canada Buddy Pass and where is it located?

Accepted Answer

You receive the Air Canada Buddy Pass from an Aeroplan credit card approximately 90 days after the credit card's approval. This Buddy Pass is deposited into the Aeroplan account under the "Privileges" category.

Question 29

Does the purchase of gift cards count for AIR MILES promotions at IGA and Jean Coutu?

Accepted Answer

No. The purchase of gift cards is not eligible for AIR MILES promotions (except in exceptional cases).

Question 30

What are the 15 Elite Nights offered with Marriott Bonvoy credit cards?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 31

Can the 15 Elite nights be combined if I have both Marriott Bonvoy credit cards?

Accepted Answer

No, in Canada, you will only receive 15 Elite Nights, even if you hold both Marriott Bonvoy credit cards.

Question 32

My points have disappeared from my American Express Marriott Bonvoy account. Did I lose them?

Accepted Answer

With each monthly statement, American Express automatically transfers points to the associated Marriott Bonvoy account.

Question 33

Can multiple benefits (points, free night certificate, fifth night free) be combined to spend a week at the same hotel?

Accepted Answer

To get the fifth night free, you must pay for the first four with points.

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.

Question 34

Can I make up the difference in points by using a 35,000-point certificate?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 35

What happens to the Elite points and nights if I book two rooms at a Marriott Bonvoy hotel?

Accepted Answer

You'll earn Marriott Bonvoy points but no Elite nights on the additional room.

Question 36

Will I earn Marriott Elite Nights if I book my room on Expedia.ca or other sites besides Marriott.com?

Accepted Answer

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).

Question 37

Is the Marriott Bonvoy free night certificate cumulative?

Accepted Answer

No, it has a one-year expiration date listed in your Marriott Bonvoy account.

However, it can sometimes be postponed for a year after negotiation by phone with Marriott Bonvoy (the one-year postponement will be from the date of the call: calculate carefully)!

Question 38

Since you can't receive the Marriott Bonvoy credit card welcome bonus more than once, how do you earn points?

Accepted Answer

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 not already done, to the SME version (also accessible to individuals), the Marriott BonvoyMC Business American Expressᴹᴰ Card; - Apply for an American Express CobaltMC Card which offers 5x points at restaurants and grocery stores. convenience stores (corresponding to 6 Marriott Bonvoy points).; - Use this same card for the purchase of gift cards at grocery stores (Ikea, Walmart, SAQ, Amazon, etc.).; - Transfer points from the American Express Cobalt® Card to your Marriott Bonvoy account;

Question 39

Can I purchase gift cards with my PC Optimum points?

Accepted Answer

No. When an item does not earn base points upon purchase (gift cards, medications, etc.), you also cannot use points to buy it.

Question 40

Is it necessary to join the Marriott Bonvoy, Aeroplan, Best Western, PC Optimum program before applying for a credit card?

Accepted Answer

It is preferable, as it greatly simplifies the process!

Otherwise, the financial institution will open an account for you when the card is issued. If you forget to provide your membership number when applying for the card, call Customer Service to inform them as soon as you activate it.

Frequently Asked Questions about Credit Cards and Rewards Programs

Best practices

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American Express

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