WOW: The highest welcome bonuses ever seen in Canada (ending soon)

If you want to earn free travel, this summer’s awesome increased welcome bonuses are ending soon. And there’s a record amount of them, including one with a net value of ≈ $1211. And a total of 13 cards that give ≈ $533 or more! That’s INCREDIBLE. These are close to the best ever offers on each card… and even the best ever in Canada!!!

We don’t say this lightly: these offers are absolutely AMAZING!

So this is the BEST time:

• to start, if you’ve never been serious about travel rewards
• to earn even more points, if you’re not a beginner

Flytrippers readers have earned over a million dollars in free travel just from deals like this.

So you need to:

• stop missing out and get on board too, if you’re not already (you must want to travel!)
• keep stocking up, if you’ve already earned some (it’s more than time if you took advantage of last summer’s deals!)

I’ve been earning travel rewards for over 10 years with awesome welcome bonuses like these and I’m up to almost $20,000 in free travel earned! It works, no doubt about it!

The fact that I get to travel a lot and be featured regularly in the media as a travel expert is largely due to travel rewards! We’ll be sharing lots of testimonials from travelers like you, too; there are literally thousands of you who can travel for less because of the card deals we share!

The top 4 deals all end September 20 (the application needs to be completed by the end of the day on the 20th).

So let’s look at the details.

 

Overview of the 7 most incredible increased offers

First of all:

• if you’re already a travel rewards enthusiast, I’ll list the table with the Top 7 offers right away
• if you’re not, you must absolutely read the next section BEFORE you miss out on hundreds of dollars

Here are the 7 best increased offers at the moment.

 

If you’re ready, you can skip to the section on which card to choose.

But if you have any hesitation about taking advantage of one of these deals…

Or if you’re new…

 

Basics of travel rewards

I have to mention the absolute basics before giving the offers details:

• Who cares if you can’t use one card for 100% of your purchases (it’s the welcome bonuses that count, ALWAYS)
• Who cares if the card has an annual fee (it’s the net value, the fee with the welcome bonus that counts, ALWAYS)
• Having more cards is factually better for your credit score (as long as you pay in full on time, ALWAYS)
• NEVER cancel your old cards (we’re not talking about the new ones, just the old ones; download our free checklist for what to do with a new card)
• All rewards are ALWAYS part of one of the 2 only types of travel rewards that exist (both work very differently)

It’s vital to understand these 5 elements.

Here’s another sentence on each one because it’s so important:

• No one who earns a lot of points does so with their regular purchases (they do so with welcome bonuses and it’s easy to reach the spending amount required to unlock the bonuses with our pro tips, even with Amex cards)
• A card that gives you $1,065 but costs $120 is better than a card that gives you $0 (!!!) and costs $0 (and prepaying $699 for a pair of $350 tickets for a couple only gives 2 tickets; the $699 card gives ≈ 9 tickets AND airport lounge access)
• Everyone thinks that having more cards is bad for your credit score, but that’s just 100% mathematically wrong (the “average” tips are for “average” people… and the “average” person doesn’t pay their balance in full on time — it’s definitely not good for them)
• Speaking of, those who think that getting a new card lowers their credit score often cancel their only card (you never cancel the cards you have when you start your travel rewards journey, you can downgrade them; it’s fine to close your new cards, it’s pretty much the key)
• Fixed-value rewards are less complicated so less valuable (the ones everyone always uses) and variable-value rewards are more complicated so more valuable (offering unlimited value; the best for deal lovers)

Just understanding this is enough (and it already makes you more of a travel rewards pro than 99% of the population), but I invite you to sign up for lots of other free content to fully understand this fascinating and counter-intuitive world.

You can skip to the section on which card to choose if it’s all clear, but I’ll explain each of these 5 important elements well to reassure and inform you if you want more details.

 

Unlocking welcome bonuses/Amex card acceptance

Yes, Amex cards are less accepted. But with our tips to reach the minimum spend amounts, it’s very doable to unlock the bonus and that’s all that matters, simple as that. And it’s worth the small effort to get ≈ $1,000 in rewards!!!

Just by switching grocery stores, it’ll cover most of the required spending. They’re higher this time since the rewards are huge too, but it looks worse than it is: $3000 in 6 months is just the equivalent of $115 a week and $6000 in 6 months is just $231 a week (3 months = 13 weeks, not 12).

Sobeys, Safeway, Metro, Food Basics, FreshCo, Whole Foods Market, Foodland, Save-On-Foods, Thrifty Foods (basically all grocery stores except those belonging to Loblaw and some IGA stores in Québec) along with Giant Tiger and even Circle K/Mac’s/Couche-Tard all accept Amex cards… and all sell various gift cards for your purchases at other places 😉

And if not, there are 2 cards in the Top 7 that are not Amex cards… but these have a minimum income requirement, unlike Amex!

 

Irrational fear of card fees and premium cards especially

For everything, avoiding fees is a good habit. Not in travel rewards. We said it before: it’s a very counter-intuitive world. It’s all about the huge welcome bonuses and no-annual-fee cards never come with good welcome bonuses; it’s as simple as that.

We’re not saying to not look at the fee. It’s just as irrational as only looking at the fee. We’re saying always look at both! Look at the total net value on both sides of the equation, just like you would analyze any financial decision.

But I specifically want to highlight the American Express Platinum Card, which gives rewards of ≈ $1,910 but with a $699 fee.

Everyone is shocked by the $699 figure. Yet no one thinks twice about buying a pair of tickets for a romantic trip, at $350 each (so $699 too). That gives you just 2 tickets with absolutely nothing else and often no flexibility to change the tickets’ date. No one hesitates for a second.

Those same $699 can get you 9 roundtrip flights via the Aeroplan program instead of just 2, it never expires, and you can choose the dates of the flights with lots of flexibility, PLUS it gives you unlimited access to airport lounges for 2.

Why is it okay to pre-pay for 2 flights at $350, but not okay to pre-pay for 9 (more flexible) flights at the same price and get unlimited access to airport lounges?

Psychologically speaking, most people completely refuse to pay such a high fee even if you can close the card after a year, like all the new cards you’re going to take. 

 

Rules to improve your credit score / maximize your rewards

I won’t go on too long about this, as the basics have been said above. I have 10+ cards right now, I’ve been applying for 6-10 new ones a year for 10+ years and my credit score is over 800, so the highest you can get essentially.

It’s just math, that’s how credit scores work. You can read about what makes up a credit score to understand the credit utilization component that not many people know about.

Get new cards regularly and you’ll get so much free travel! All the while improving your credit score!

As long as you pay everything on time always (that’s the only requirement; no need to spend a lot, no need to earn a lot — just pay on time). And as long as you don’t close your OLD cards.

 

Closing OLD cards / NEW cards

Don’t forget that you can cancel new cards you recently got: the OLD cards you had BEFORE you started in this wonderful world are the ones that you should NEVER cancel! If they have fees, call your banks and downgrade them to a no-fee version without canceling them.

It seems to be confusing for many:

• Old cards = keep for life
• New cards = always re-evaluated at month 11

As mentioned in our checklist of important things to do whenever you get a new card.

None of these cards are lifetime contracts: we always recommend re-evaluating whether the card brings you positive value based on your own situation (everyone is different) at month 11 (but not before)!

So if you took advantage of last summer’s deals, you can cancel them if they no longer give you value based on your situation. If you take advantage of these deals, it’s what you’ll do next summer.

 

Detailed presentation of the Top 7 offers

I’ll put the summary table again for those who skipped the beginning, before we look at each one.

 

Which card to choose

If you (unfortunately) just get one card per year, this year you should absolutely get one of these, and now!

The new pages with details for each card (click on the grey “read more” buttons below) really have a ton of information about the card, while we prepare reviews of each (in text AND video format) coming soon.

Those pages already include actual examples of rewards you’ll get, with more content to come on the rewards programs.

Important note about the welcome bonus structures: some are a bit unique for these exceptionally high offers. The Amex ones involve spending a portion at the grocery store to maximize them, among other things for 2 of them, and you can of course buy gift cards to help you.

It should be pretty easy for at least some of these cards! And 3 of the first 4 have a “business” version with a simpler bonus structure if you prefer not having to spend in grocery stores and want to get the same welcome bonuses (and everyone can get an Amex “business” card).

So to help you out, I’m now going to go through each of the 7 cards in the order of the value of their welcome bonus and tell you why you might want to get it — or not get it.

And if you identify with the section on why not to get it, move on to the next one until you come across the one that’s right for you.

 

American Express Platinum Card

Here’s a summary of the Amex Platinum Card offer:

• Rewards: ≈ $1,910
• Fees: $699
• Flytrippers Valuation: ≈ $1,211

How to unlock the welcome bonus (2 separate bonuses in this case):

• Welcome bonus:
  • Spend $6,000 in 3 months: 90,000 pts
• Earn on the required spending:
  • Bonus: Special bonus rate of 10X the points (groceries and restaurants)
  • $2,000 at the special bonus rate of 10X: 20,000 pts
  • $4,000 at the base rate of 1X: 4,000 pts
• Effective return rate
  • ≈ 20% return ($1,211 on the $6,000 over 3 months)

Here are the rewards it’ll give you (2 separate types in this case):

• 114,000 flexible and valuable Amex points (≈ $1,710 or $1,140)
  • Usable as variable-value rewards to be more valuable (≈ $1,710)
    • As Aeroplan points (up to 19 one-way reward flights)
    • As Avios points (up to 19 one-way reward flights)
    • With the Amex price chart (up to $2,000 in savings)
  • Usable as fixed-value rewards to be more simple (≈ $1,140)
    • Eraser travel credit ($1,140 applicable to any expense)
• 1 annual travel credit ($200)
  • On Amex Travel ($200 applicable to one travel purchase)
  • On any expense ($200 with the refundable hotel trick)

Why choose the Amex Platinum Card:

• Highest welcome bonus
• Unlimited access to 1,300+ airport lounges for you + 1 travel companion
  • No matter which airline you fly
• Other benefits like Gold Elite status with Marriott and Hilton
• $100 credit for NEXUS if you don’t have it yet (not even included in the ≈ $1,211)
• Valuable and flexible Amex points (variable value or fixed value)
• Exceptional travel insurance
• Luxurious metal card
• Optional renewal bonus that gives you a 2nd year of lounges for ≈ $199
  • Not included in our Valuation

Why not to choose the Amex Platinum Card:

• If you want a smaller amount to spend (despite our tips)
• If you have no interest in airport lounges
• If you’ve had this card in the past
• If you want to save the year of free lounge access for a year when you’ll travel more
• If you have an inability to understand that it makes no sense to miss out because of the $699 fee
• If you want a less complex welcome bonus structure
  • The “business” version is simpler and you don’t need to have a business
  • The Amex Business Platinum Card just requires you to spend $7,000 anywhere

 

American Express Aeroplan Card

Here’s a summary of the Amex Aeroplan Card:

• Rewards: ≈ $1,065
• Fees: $120
• Flytrippers Valuation: ≈ $945

How to unlock the welcome bonus (3 separate bonuses in this case):

• Welcome bonus:
  • Spend $3,000 in 6 months: 45,000 pts
  • Split the $3,000 evenly ($500 per month for 6 months): 15,000 pts
• Earn on the required spending:
  • Bonus: Special bonus rate of 5X the points (groceries and restaurants)
  • $2,000 at the special bonus rate of 5X: 10,000 pts
  • $1,000 at the base rate of 1X: 1,000 pts
• Effective return rate
  • ≈ 32% return ($945 on the $3,000 over 6 months)

Here are the rewards it’ll give you (2 separate types in this case):

• 71,000 valuable Aeroplan points (≈ $1,065)
  • Usable as variable-value only
    • On 40+ partner airlines (up to 11 one-way reward flights)
      • With the price chart (guaranteed prices and limited seats)
    • On Air Canada (up to 11 reward flights; potentially more)
      • With the price chart
        • But prices are not guaranteed
        • All seats are available to make it simpler
        • So it can also be less valuable

Why choose the Amex Aeroplan Card:

• Highest welcome bonus on a non-premium card
• Free checked bag on Air Canada
• Valuable Aeroplan points (variable value)

Why not to choose the Amex Aeroplan Card:

• If you want airport lounge access
• If you’ve had this card in the past
• If you want more flexible points that can be used as travel credit
• If you want a less complex welcome bonus structure
• If you want more travel insurance like the next one
• If you want a card that is also profitable the 2nd year too, like the next one

 

American Express Gold Rewards Card

Here’s a summary of the Amex Gold Card:

• Rewards: ≈ $1,165
• Fees: $250
• Flytrippers Valuation: ≈ $915

How to unlock the welcome bonus (2 separate bonuses in this case):

• Welcome bonus:
  • Spend $3,000 in 3 months: 50,000 pts
• Earn on the required spending:
  • Bonus: Special bonus rate of 10X the points (groceries and restaurants)
  • $2,000 at the special bonus rate of 10X: 20,000 pts
  • $1,000 at the base rate of 1X: 1,000 pts
• Effective return rate
  • ≈ 31% return ($915 on the $3,000 over 3 months)

Here are the rewards it’ll give you (2 separate types in this case):

• 71,000 flexible and valuable Amex points (≈ $1,065 or $710)
  • Usable as variable-value rewards to be more valuable (≈ $1,065)
    • As Aeroplan points (up to 11 one-way reward flights)
    • As Avios points (up to 17 one-way reward flights)
    • With the Amex price chart (up to $1,100 in savings)
  • Usable as fixed-value rewards to be more simple (≈ $710)
    • Eraser travel credit ($710 applicable to any expense)
• 1 annual travel credit ($100)
  • On Amex Travel ($100 applicable to one travel purchase)
  • On any expense ($100 with the refundable hotel trick)

Why choose the Amex Gold Rewards Card:

• Almost the highest welcome bonus of any non-premium card
• 4 accesses to Plaza Premium airport lounges in Canada
• $50 credit for NEXUS if you don’t have it yet (not even included in the ≈ $915)
• Valuable and flexible Amex points (variable value)
• Excellent travel insurance
• Luxurious metal card (a little lighter than the first one)
• Available in 2 unique colors (Classic Gold or Rose Gold)
• Optional renewal bonus that gives you a 2nd year of 4 airport lounge accesses at no cost
  • Not included in our Flytrippers Valuation

Why not to choose the Amex Gold Rewards Card:

• If you want a smaller amount to spend like the previous one (despite our tips)
• If you have no interest in airport lounges
• If you’ve had this card in the past
• If you want to save the year of 4 free lounge accesses for a year when you’ll travel more
• If you can’t understand that it makes no sense to miss out because of the $250 fee
• If you want a less complex welcome bonus structure
  • The business version is simpler and you don’t need to have a business
  • The Amex Business Gold Card just requires you to spend $5,000 anywhere
  • However, unlike the others, this “business” version does not include lounges

 

American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card

Here’s a summary of the Amex Aeroplan Reserve Card:

• Rewards: ≈ $1,725
• Fees: $599
• Flytrippers Valuation: ≈ $1,126

How to unlock the welcome bonus (3 separate bonuses in this case):

• Welcome bonus:
  • Spend $6,000 in 6 months: 60,000 pts
  • Split the $6,000 evenly ($1,000 per month for 6 months): 30,000 pts
• Earn on the required spending:
  • Bonus: Special bonus rate of 10X the points (groceries and restaurants)
  • $2,000 at the special bonus rate of 10X: 20,000 pts
  • $4,000 at the base rate of 1.25X: 5,000 pts
• Effective return rate
  • ≈ 19% return ($1,126 on the $6,000 over 6 months)

Here are the rewards it’ll give you:

• 115,000 valuable Aeroplan points (≈ $1,725)
  • Usable as variable-value only
    • On 40+ partner airlines (up to 19 one-way reward flights)
      • With the price chart (guaranteed prices and limited seats)
    • On Air Canada (up to 19 reward flights; potentially more)
      • With the price chart
        • But prices are not guaranteed
        • All seats are available to make it simpler
        • So it can also be less valuable

Why choose the Amex Aeroplan Reserve Card:

• Very high welcome bonus
• Unlimited access to Air Canada’s airport lounges in North America
  • Only if you fly on Air Canada or a Star Alliance partner
• Other Air Canada benefits such as free checked bag, priority boarding, etc.
  • Benefits for Air Canada Elite members too
• $100 credit for NEXUS if you don’t have it yet (not even included in the ≈ $1,126)
• Valuable Aeroplan points (variable value)
• Excellent travel insurance benefits
• Luxurious metal card (a little lighter than the previous one)

Why not to choose the Amex Aeroplan Reserve Card:

• If you want a smaller amount to spend (despite our tips)
• If you have no interest in airport lounges
• If you’ve had this card in the past
• If you want to save the year of free lounge access for a year when you’ll travel more
• If you want more flexible points that can be used as travel credit
• If you can’t understand that it makes no sense to miss out because of the $599 fee
• If you want a less complex welcome bonus structure
  • The “business” version is simpler and you don’t need to have a business
  • The Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve Card just requires you to spend $7,000 anywhere

 

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card

Here’s a summary of the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card:

• Rewards: ≈ $900
• Fees: $120
• Flytrippers Valuation: ≈ $780

How to unlock the welcome bonus (2 separate bonuses in this case):

• Welcome bonus:
  • Upon approval: 35,000 pts
  • Spend $5,000 in 6 months: 20,000 pts
• Earn on the required spending:
  • $5,000 at the base rate of 1X: 5,000 pts
• Effective return rate
  • ≈ 16% return ($780 on the $5,000 over 6 months)

Here are the rewards it’ll give you (2 separate types in this case):

• 60,000 flexible and valuable RBC points (≈ $900 or $600)
  • Usable as variable-value rewards to be more valuable (≈ $900)
    • As Avios points (up to 14 one-way reward flights)
    • With the RBC price chart (up to $1,400 in savings)
  • Usable as fixed-value rewards to be more simple (≈ $600)
    • Eraser travel credit ($600 applicable to any expense)

Why choose the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card:

• Highest welcome bonus that’s not an Amex card
• Valuable and flexible RBC points (variable value or fixed value)
• Excellent travel insurance
• If you want lower fees even if it doesn’t make sense to just look at the fees
• Welcome bonus structure is simpler to maximize ($5,000 to spend anywhere)
• Option to have a bonus of ≈ $405 instead of ≈ $780, but with $0 to spend

Why not to choose the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card:

• If you want a smaller amount to spend (despite our tips)
• If you don’t meet the minimum income requirement of $60,000 (or $100,000/household)
• If you already have this card now
  • If you had it before, that’s not a problem (unlike Amex cards)
• If you prefer Aeroplan points, which are much simpler than Avios points

 

American Express Business Edge Card

Here’s a summary of the Amex Business Edge Card offer:

• Rewards: ≈ $750
• Fees: $99
• Flytrippers Valuation: ≈ $651

How to unlock the welcome bonus:

• Welcome bonus:
  • Spend $5,000 in 3 months: 45,000 pts
• Earn on the required spending:
  • $5,000 at the base rate of 1X: 5,000 pts
• Effective return rate
  • ≈ 13% return ($651 on the $5,000 over 3 months)

Here are the rewards it’ll give you:

• 50,000 flexible and valuable Amex points (≈ $750 or $500)
  • Usable as variable-value rewards to be more valuable (≈ $750)
    • As Aeroplan points (up to 8 one-way reward flights)
    • As Avios points (up to 12 one-way reward flights)
    • With the Amex price chart (up to $800 in savings)
  • Usable as fixed-value rewards to be more simple (≈ $500)
    • Eraser travel credit ($500 applicable to any expense)

Why choose the Amex Business Edge Card:

• If you want lower fees even if it doesn’t make sense to just look at the fees
• Good 3X multiplier earn rate on some categories even if it is not that important
• Valuable and flexible Amex points (variable value or fixed value)
• No need to have a business

Why not to choose the Amex Business Edge Card:

• If you want a smaller amount to spend (despite our tips)
• If you’ve had this card in the past
• If you want more points with the Amex Gold Card above (and 4 airport lounge passes)
• If you want more fixed-value rewards with more time to reach the minimum spend
  • With the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card above, assuming you qualify for it

 

HSBC World Elite Mastercard

Here’s a summary of the HSBC World Elite Mastercard:

• Rewards: ≈ $639
• Fees: $0 (first year free)
• Flytrippers Valuation: ≈ $639

How to unlock the welcome bonus (3 separate bonuses in this case):

• Welcome bonus (different in Québec):
  • Upon approval: 20,000 pts
  • Spend $6,000 in 6 months: 40,000 pts
  • Upon renewal: 20,000 pts*
• Earn on the required spending:
  • $6,000 at the base rate of 3X: 18,000 pts
• Effective return rate
  • ≈ 11% return ($639 on the $6,000 over 6 months)

*The annual fee for the 2nd year is deducted from our Flytrippers Valuation exceptionally, since the 2nd year is profitable: it’s really ≈ $639 in net value

Here are the rewards it’ll give you (2 separate types in this case):

• 98,000 flexible and valuable HSBC points (≈ $588 or $490)
  • Usable as variable-value rewards to be more valuable (≈ $588)
    • As Avios points (up to 9 one-way reward flights)
  • Usable as fixed-value rewards to be more simple (≈ $490)
    • Eraser travel credit ($490 applicable to any expense)
• 2 annual travel credits ($200)
  • $100 in the 1st year and $100 in the 2nd year ($200 applicable to any expense)

Why choose the HSBC World Elite Mastercard:

• Highest welcome bonus for a Mastercard
• Accepted at Costco
• First year free (for non-Québec residents)
  • Even if it doesn’t make sense to just look at the fees
• Rare card with no foreign transaction fees (2.5% savings)
• Valuable and flexible HSBC points (variable value or fixed value)
• Good travel insurance
• Renewal bonus included in the value that gives you a profitable 2nd year

Why not to choose the HSBC World Elite Mastercard:

• If you want a smaller amount to spend (despite our tips)
• If you don’t meet the minimum income requirement of $80,000 (or $150,000/household)
• If you’ve had this card in the last 12 months
  • If you had it before that, it’s not a problem (unlike with Amex cards)
• If you prefer Aeroplan points, which are much simpler than Avios points

 

The other offers

As mentioned, in our ranking of the best credit cards (link to bookmark to always have the most recent up-to-date offers), there aren’t just these 7 cards, but rather an incredible 13 cards with over ≈ $533 in value!

I’ll come back to this to explain why each one is not in our Top 7, even though they are all very good obviously. It’s because in many cases, there’s simply an alternative among the 7 above that’s better in almost every aspect!

 

I’m going to introduce them to you and explain why each one is not in our top 7, even if they are all very good of course. It’s because in many cases, there is simply an alternative among the 7 above that is better in almost all aspects!

 

Business Platinum Card from American Express

Here’s a summary of the Business Platinum Card from Amex offer:

• Rewards: ≈ $1,781
• Fees: $499
• Flytrippers Valuation: ≈ $1,282

How to unlock the welcome bonus (1 simple bonus in this case):

• Welcome bonus:
  • Spend $7,000 in 3 months: 110,000 pts
• Earn on the required spending:
  • $7,000 at the base rate of 1.25X: 8,750 pts
• Effective return rate
  • ≈ 18% return ($1,282 on the $7,000 over 3 months)

Why the Business Platinum Card from Amex is not in the top 7:

• Simpler welcome bonus structure
• Unlimited access to 1,300+ airport lounges for you + 1 travel companion
  • No matter which airline you fly
• Valuable and flexible points
• No need to have a business

Why not to choose the Business Platinum Card from Amex:

• The Amex Platinum Card requires $1,000 less in spending and earns almost the same number of points

 

American Express Business Gold Rewards Card

Here’s a summary of the Amex Business Gold Rewards Card offer:

• Rewards: ≈ $1,125
• Fees: $199
• Flytrippers Valuation: ≈ $926

How to unlock the welcome bonus (1 simple bonus in this case):

• Welcome bonus:
  • Spend $5,000 in 3 months: 70,000 pts
• Earn on the required spending:
  • $5,000 at the base rate of 1X: 5,000 pts
• Effective return rate
  • ≈ 19% return ($926 on the $5,000 over 3 months)

Why choose the Amex Business Gold Rewards Card:

• Simpler welcome bonus structure
• Valuable and flexible points
• No need to have a business

Why the Amex Business Gold Rewards Card is not in the top 7:

• The Amex Gold Rewards Card gives you access to 4 more airport VIP lounges and almost the same number of points

 

American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card

Here’s a summary of the Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve Card:

• Rewards: ≈ $1,481
• Fees: $599
• Flytrippers Valuation: ≈ $882

How to unlock the welcome bonus (1 simple bonus in this case):

• Welcome bonus:
  • Spend $7,000 in 3 months: 90,000 pts
• Earn on the required spending:
  • $7,000 at the base rate of 1.25X: 8,750 pts
• Effective return rate
  • ≈ 13% return ($882 on the $7,000 over 3 months)

Why choose the Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve Card:

• Simpler welcome bonus structure
• ≈ $300 more in bonus if you have Air Canada expenses to make
  • 10X points for 6 months
  • Not included in our Flytrippers Valuation
• Unlimited access to Air Canada’s airport lounges in North America
  • Only if you fly on Air Canada or a Star Alliance partner
• Valuable and flexible points
• No need to have a business

Why the Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve Card is not in the top 7:

• The Amex Aeroplan Reserve Card requires $1,000 less in spending and earns almost the same number of points
• The Amex Platinum Card and the Business Platinum Card from Amex give you access to more airport VIP lounges

 

American Express Cobalt Card

Here’s a summary of the Amex Cobalt Card:

• Rewards: ≈ $900
• Fees: $156
• Flytrippers Valuation: ≈ $744

How to unlock the welcome bonus (12 separate bonuses in this case):

• Welcome bonus:
  • Spend $500 in 12 months: 30,000 pts
  • Each month is individual (12 bonuses of 2,500 pts per month)
• Earn on the required spending:
  • $6,000 at the multiplier rate of 5X at the grocery store to maximize them: 30,000 pts
• Effective return rate
  • ≈ 12% return ($744 on the $6,000 over 12 months)

Why choose the Amex Cobalt Card:

• Incredible earn rate of 5X points
  • At the grocery store and on grocery store gift cards
  • Maximum $30,000/150,000 pts per year
• Valuable and flexible points

Why the Amex Cobalt Card is not in the top 7:

• This is not an increased welcome bonus
  • It’s the normal bonus, so you can always apply for this card later
• The Amex Gold Card gives you more points for $6 less in fees

 

RBC British Airways Visa Infinite

Here’s a summary of the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite:

• Rewards: ≈ $840
• Fees: $165
• Flytrippers Valuation: ≈ $675

How to unlock the welcome bonus (2 separate bonuses in this case):

• Welcome bonus:
  • Upon approval: 15,000 pts
  • Spend $6,000 in 3 months: 35,000 pts
• Earn on the required spending:
  • $6,000 at the base rate of 1X: 6,000 pts
• Effective return rate
  • ≈ 11% return ($675 on the $6,000 over 3 months)

Why choose the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite:

• If you already have all the others
• Valuable variable points

Why the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite is not in the top 7:

• The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card earns more points
  • With less spending
  • With more time to earn them
  • For $45 less
  • With the flexibility to use them in other ways

 

Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card

Here’s a summary of the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card:

• Rewards: ≈ $653
• Fees: $120
• Flytrippers Valuation: ≈ $533

How to unlock the welcome bonus (2 separate bonuses in this case):

• Welcome bonus:
  • Bonus: Special bonus rate of 5X the points (groceries and restaurants)
  • $1,500 at the special bonus rate of 5X: 7,500 pts
• Earn on the required spending:
  • $7,000 at the base rate of 1.25X: 8,750 pts
• Effective return rate
  • ≈ 36% return ($533 on the $1,500 over 3 months)

Why choose the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card:

• Lower minimum spend and better effective discount rates
• The one card everyone should have regardless of their travel style
• Free deluxe night certificates every year
• Valuable variable points

Why the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card is not in the top 7:

• The increased welcome bonus is not as increased as the others
  • Increases will come back more often, so you can always apply for this card later
• The Amex Gold Card gives you access to 4 more airport VIP lounges and more points if you really want Marriott points
  • ≈ $114 in extra Marriott points for just $30 more in fees

 

Want to get more content to learn how to earn free travel?

 

Summary

These are simply amazing offers. For sure, one of these cards is perfect for you and will give you lots of travel rewards, it makes no sense to miss out on all this free travel that banks are offering!

What would you like to know about these offers? Tell us in the comments below.

 

See the deals we spot: Cheap flights

Explore awesome destinations: Travel inspiration

Learn pro tricks: Travel tips

Discover free travel: Travel rewards

 

Featured image: Nicaragua (photo credit: Gabriella Trejoss)

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