Before we get started, if you finish reading this short article, I will show you how to get the following. It won't cost you anything, but a bit of time.
* 75,000 aeroplan points
(that's 3 flights anywhere in Canada with return OR 1 in Canada, 1 Europe return)
* Free premium lounge access in any major airport + 1 free access to the Maple Leaf Lounge
* Skip the security lines at all major airports
* Gold Status in every major hotel chain
* Pay no foreign transaction fees ever
* Free checked bag on Star Alliance flights
* Legendary travel insurance
I like travelling. I like it so much I decided to devote a bit of my time to research ways to make travelling more comfortable, fun and less expensive (even free!). Like anything else, the more time you spend at it, the better you get and travelling is no different.
If credit card companies are giving away free flights and free upgrades to travellers, why aren't people taking them up on those offers? It's pretty simple.. people don't want to do the research and they don't want to go through the process of applying for the cards and managing the responsibilities that come with having them. For me, the value is huge and knowing the 'game' pays off.
Congratulations, I'm summarizing a bunch of info and knowledge I've gained, so you don't have to do it! Below is my little 3 card plan I've assembled for 2017. You should copy it.
Want at least 1 free flight this year to anywhere in Canada? Pick a card below and use my referral link (which you need to get the bonus, bonus points).
When you're planning on what cards to get, think about designing a plan that will give you everything you want. Here's what's in my wallet in 2016/2017.
1. I need 1 card that provides big points, big airport comforts, great travel insurance and status.
(Amex Platinum)
2. I need a second card that has a decent sign up bonus, that's accepted anywhere, that provides a good point return on every day spend and that gets me a free checked bag on Star Alliance.
(CIBC Aerogold)
3. I need a card that I can use abroad that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. This is key, unless you want to add 2.5% to your entire travel bill. Carrying cash isn't an option. The card I found for this, even gives you 1.5% cash back, which evens out the fact that I won't be getting airline points on this spend.
(Rogers Mastercard)
If you apply for my 3 card choices, you will earn, at net zero:
* 75,000 aeroplan points
* Free lounge access in any major airport + 1 free access to the Maple Leaf Lounge
* Skip the security lines at all major airports
* Gold Status in every major hotel chain
* Pay no foreign transaction fees ever
* Free checked bag on Star Alliance flights (aeroplan)
* Legendary travel insurance
My 3 cards in 2016/17:
* 75,000 aeroplan points
(that's 3 flights anywhere in Canada with return OR 1 in Canada, 1 Europe return)
* Free premium lounge access in any major airport + 1 free access to the Maple Leaf Lounge
* Skip the security lines at all major airports
* Gold Status in every major hotel chain
* Pay no foreign transaction fees ever
* Free checked bag on Star Alliance flights
* Legendary travel insurance
I like travelling. I like it so much I decided to devote a bit of my time to research ways to make travelling more comfortable, fun and less expensive (even free!). Like anything else, the more time you spend at it, the better you get and travelling is no different.
If credit card companies are giving away free flights and free upgrades to travellers, why aren't people taking them up on those offers? It's pretty simple.. people don't want to do the research and they don't want to go through the process of applying for the cards and managing the responsibilities that come with having them. For me, the value is huge and knowing the 'game' pays off.
Congratulations, I'm summarizing a bunch of info and knowledge I've gained, so you don't have to do it! Below is my little 3 card plan I've assembled for 2017. You should copy it.
Want at least 1 free flight this year to anywhere in Canada? Pick a card below and use my referral link (which you need to get the bonus, bonus points).
When you're planning on what cards to get, think about designing a plan that will give you everything you want. Here's what's in my wallet in 2016/2017.
1. I need 1 card that provides big points, big airport comforts, great travel insurance and status.
(Amex Platinum)
2. I need a second card that has a decent sign up bonus, that's accepted anywhere, that provides a good point return on every day spend and that gets me a free checked bag on Star Alliance.
(CIBC Aerogold)
3. I need a card that I can use abroad that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. This is key, unless you want to add 2.5% to your entire travel bill. Carrying cash isn't an option. The card I found for this, even gives you 1.5% cash back, which evens out the fact that I won't be getting airline points on this spend.
(Rogers Mastercard)
If you apply for my 3 card choices, you will earn, at net zero:
* 75,000 aeroplan points
* Free lounge access in any major airport + 1 free access to the Maple Leaf Lounge
* Skip the security lines at all major airports
* Gold Status in every major hotel chain
* Pay no foreign transaction fees ever
* Free checked bag on Star Alliance flights (aeroplan)
* Legendary travel insurance
My 3 cards in 2016/17:
1. The American Express Platinum Card
Follow my link to get 60,000 bonus points. Otherwise, you will only get a fraction of those points.
http://amex.ca/share/matthf4iHo
 | 1. The American Express Platinum Card * 60,000 Air Points (Transfer 1:1 to aeroplan or avios) You get 60k using my link HERE * Premium Airport Lounge Access * $400 Travel Credit with Amex (not $200..) * High status in hotel loyalty programs * Skip security lines * Earn 1.25 points per $1 spent |
This is my favourite card I've had so far. The perks are awesome and have longterm benefits.
The one caveat that usually stops people in their tracks with this card is of course, the $699 annual fee. That's cray cray right? Let's ask math..
Annual Fee (you can cancel at any time and get refunded+-):
* $699
Benefits:
Follow my link to get 60,000 bonus points. Otherwise, you will only get 50,000.
http://amex.ca/share/matthf4iHo
Benefit #1
60,000 points
To give you an example, here are flights and their values:
1) Toronto to Vancouver / Vancouver back to Toronto *25,000 points
2) Toronto to Newfoundland / Newfoundland back to Toronto *25,000 points
3) Vancouver to Toronto(Layover as long as you want) St.Johns (Layover as long as you want)
/ St.Johns - Toronto - Vancouver *25,000 points
4) Toronto - UK / UL back to Toronto *60,000 points
This year, I travelled from Vancouver to Toronto, stayed in Toronto for 3 weeks and then flew to St.john's Newfoundland for a few days and then flew home to Vancouver. This cost me 25,000 points.
So, as you can see, you can basically take 2 trips in Canada for free (+taxes) for these points and still have 10,000 points left.
Value:
I give 60,000 points a value of $800. This alone, makes this card worth getting. Everything else is just profit.
Benefit #2
$400 Amex travel credit
Simply get $200 off (each calendar year) when you book any travel through the AMEX site. It's not BS either, their prices are legit and using the service is simple. They advertise a $200, but really it's $200 per calendar year, so unless you register for the card in mid December, you're going to use the credit twice, making it $400.
Value:
I give a $400 credit a value of $300. The $100 difference is to offset the fact that you HAVE to use Amex to book the flight/hotel. Meaning that perhaps if you searched around, you could save a few dollars.
Benefit #3
Airport Lounges
You receive a free membership in Priority Pass & the AMEX lounges, which out of those two, are in practically every airport in the world. You can even bring a guest in and in some cases, they've allowed me to bring in a couple of guests. Lounges have free food and alcohol, fast(er) internet, comfy chairs and sometimes showers and other such luxuries. Long layovers and hanging out in airports is fun when you can hangout in lounges.
Value:
Priority Pass charges $500CDN / year for this. What's the value to you though? I would never pay $500 for this pass, but I see the value in me not buying food or drinks in airports and having the comfort/rest that makes a trip better. If you travel with a partner, that's 2x. I've also stayed in lounges overnight instead of using a hotel - though most lounges open around 5am and close around 11pm.
I give this a value of $200 because it probably would save the average traveller at least $200.
Benefit #4
Hotel Status
The card will give you automatic Gold status at Marriott, Delta & SPG hotels. If you stay at hotels even a few times a year, I guarantee you will enjoy the status. It is dependent on what property you stay at, but I regularly get:
* Room upgraded to a suite
* Breakfast included
* Either free drinks at the bar or points added to my account
* Free in room high speed internet
* Access to the executive lounge, which has free food and beverages
The best part of this benefit is that it's for life. So if you get this card for 1 year and then cancel, you will have had your status upgraded and you'll see these benefits for good.
I put a $100 value on this
Other Benefits I'm not putting a dollar value on:
* Skip the security line at airports
* Get gold+ status at Avis and Hertz car rentals. 25% off + bonus's.
* Front of the line access. Amex reserves seats at concerts and games. You can access this portal
* Earn 1.25 points per dollar spent as oppose to the regular 1 point per.
* You have to have a credit card in this mod world. May as well have a good one that will help you.
The Math
Benefit #1 60K points = $800
Benefit #2 Amex travel credit = $300
Benefit #3 Airpot Lounges = $200
= $1300 - $699(fee)
= + $601
Follow my link to get 60,000 bonus points. Otherwise, you will only get 50,000.
http://amex.ca/share/matthf4iHo
The one caveat that usually stops people in their tracks with this card is of course, the $699 annual fee. That's cray cray right? Let's ask math..
Annual Fee (you can cancel at any time and get refunded+-):
* $699
Benefits:
Follow my link to get 60,000 bonus points. Otherwise, you will only get 50,000.
http://amex.ca/share/matthf4iHo
Benefit #1
60,000 points
To give you an example, here are flights and their values:
1) Toronto to Vancouver / Vancouver back to Toronto *25,000 points
2) Toronto to Newfoundland / Newfoundland back to Toronto *25,000 points
3) Vancouver to Toronto(Layover as long as you want) St.Johns (Layover as long as you want)
/ St.Johns - Toronto - Vancouver *25,000 points
4) Toronto - UK / UL back to Toronto *60,000 points
This year, I travelled from Vancouver to Toronto, stayed in Toronto for 3 weeks and then flew to St.john's Newfoundland for a few days and then flew home to Vancouver. This cost me 25,000 points.
So, as you can see, you can basically take 2 trips in Canada for free (+taxes) for these points and still have 10,000 points left.
Value:
I give 60,000 points a value of $800. This alone, makes this card worth getting. Everything else is just profit.
Benefit #2
$400 Amex travel credit
Simply get $200 off (each calendar year) when you book any travel through the AMEX site. It's not BS either, their prices are legit and using the service is simple. They advertise a $200, but really it's $200 per calendar year, so unless you register for the card in mid December, you're going to use the credit twice, making it $400.
Value:
I give a $400 credit a value of $300. The $100 difference is to offset the fact that you HAVE to use Amex to book the flight/hotel. Meaning that perhaps if you searched around, you could save a few dollars.
Benefit #3
Airport Lounges
You receive a free membership in Priority Pass & the AMEX lounges, which out of those two, are in practically every airport in the world. You can even bring a guest in and in some cases, they've allowed me to bring in a couple of guests. Lounges have free food and alcohol, fast(er) internet, comfy chairs and sometimes showers and other such luxuries. Long layovers and hanging out in airports is fun when you can hangout in lounges.
Value:
Priority Pass charges $500CDN / year for this. What's the value to you though? I would never pay $500 for this pass, but I see the value in me not buying food or drinks in airports and having the comfort/rest that makes a trip better. If you travel with a partner, that's 2x. I've also stayed in lounges overnight instead of using a hotel - though most lounges open around 5am and close around 11pm.
I give this a value of $200 because it probably would save the average traveller at least $200.
Benefit #4
Hotel Status
The card will give you automatic Gold status at Marriott, Delta & SPG hotels. If you stay at hotels even a few times a year, I guarantee you will enjoy the status. It is dependent on what property you stay at, but I regularly get:
* Room upgraded to a suite
* Breakfast included
* Either free drinks at the bar or points added to my account
* Free in room high speed internet
* Access to the executive lounge, which has free food and beverages
The best part of this benefit is that it's for life. So if you get this card for 1 year and then cancel, you will have had your status upgraded and you'll see these benefits for good.
I put a $100 value on this
Other Benefits I'm not putting a dollar value on:
* Skip the security line at airports
* Get gold+ status at Avis and Hertz car rentals. 25% off + bonus's.
* Front of the line access. Amex reserves seats at concerts and games. You can access this portal
* Earn 1.25 points per dollar spent as oppose to the regular 1 point per.
* You have to have a credit card in this mod world. May as well have a good one that will help you.
The Math
Benefit #1 60K points = $800
Benefit #2 Amex travel credit = $300
Benefit #3 Airpot Lounges = $200
= $1300 - $699(fee)
= + $601
Follow my link to get 60,000 bonus points. Otherwise, you will only get 50,000.
http://amex.ca/share/matthf4iHo
1.5. The American Express gold Card (if the platinum scares you too much)
 | The American Express Gold Card * Earn 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases at eligible gas stations, grocery stores and drugstores in Canada1. * Earn 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases for eligible travel purchases, including flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises etc. *Earn one point for every $1 in Card purchases everywhere else1. |
This card is really, really simple. There is no annual fee and you get 25,000 point (using my link HERE) that will give you a flight in Canada. This card is a complete no brainer. If the Platinum card is too scary for you, this is a good card to get you in the game.
APPLY HERE for the bonus, bonus)
APPLY HERE for the bonus, bonus)
2. Rogers Platinum Master Card
 | The Rogers Platinum Card * Pay no foreign transaction fees * Earn 2.5% on all foreign transactions * Earn 1.75% on all purchases in Canada * You can use it as Costco..if you're roaming those hallways. |
Simply put, I use this card only when I'm out of the country. The only benefit is the fact that it has no foreign transaction fees and gives back 1.5% as a bonus on those purchases.
The card is free for 2 years and if you set it up as a pre-auth on a Rogers product - phone/internet etc, then it's always free.
The card is free for 2 years and if you set it up as a pre-auth on a Rogers product - phone/internet etc, then it's always free.
3. CIBC Aeroplan Aerogold
 | The CIBC Aerogold Card * 15,000 Aeroplan Miles Welcome Bonus That's enough for a short-haul flight in Economy class to select destinations * First year is free (cancel at any time) * Free checked bag on Star Alliance * 1 free entry into Maple Leaf Lounge Annually |
The 3 uses for this card are:
* The 15K bonus. Not legendary, but still a nice addition to the account.
* The free checked bag on Star Alliance flights
* I use it when I can't use my AMEX - a lot of places do not take AMEX cards
* The 15K bonus. Not legendary, but still a nice addition to the account.
* The free checked bag on Star Alliance flights
* I use it when I can't use my AMEX - a lot of places do not take AMEX cards
Other useful information to know about how to use your Aeroplan points:
Aeroplan points - How many points will it take to get there?
Check the chart below
Aeroplan fuel surcharge chart:
Aeroplan fuel surcharges (YQ) collected on the following airlines:
Air Canada (AC)
Lufthansa (LH)
All Nippon Airways (NH)
Asiana (OZ)
Thai (TG)
Austrian Airlines (OS)
LOT Polish Airlines (LO)
TAP Portugal (TP)
Adria Airways (JP)
Aeroplan fuel surcharges (YQ) NOT charged on these airlines:
Aegean Airlines (A3)
Air China (CA)
Air India (AI)
Air New Zealand (NZ)
Avianca/TACA (AV)
Brussels (SN)
Copa (CM)
Croatia (OU)
Egypt Air (MS)
Ethiopian (ET)
Eva Air (BR)
SAS (SK)
Shenzhen (ZH)
Singapore (SQ)
South African Airways (SA)
Swiss (LX)
Turkish (TK)
United (UA)
Air Canada (AC)
Lufthansa (LH)
All Nippon Airways (NH)
Asiana (OZ)
Thai (TG)
Austrian Airlines (OS)
LOT Polish Airlines (LO)
TAP Portugal (TP)
Adria Airways (JP)
Aeroplan fuel surcharges (YQ) NOT charged on these airlines:
Aegean Airlines (A3)
Air China (CA)
Air India (AI)
Air New Zealand (NZ)
Avianca/TACA (AV)
Brussels (SN)
Copa (CM)
Croatia (OU)
Egypt Air (MS)
Ethiopian (ET)
Eva Air (BR)
SAS (SK)
Shenzhen (ZH)
Singapore (SQ)
South African Airways (SA)
Swiss (LX)
Turkish (TK)
United (UA)
Thanks for listening in!
Matt
Matt
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