Canadian airline reward miles

[joeca]

Hi all,

I have an small incorporated Quebec business and have done most of my business locally, but starting next year I think I'm going be flying out west for business maybe 10 times per year and staying 3-4 days . (I'm not an SP ! )

I've got a standard low fee business credit card with cash back, because typically I don't have a lot of overhead expenses, but would shift all my expenses to a new CC if someone had a suggestion.

Are any of you expert travelers/road warriors who could suggest a good combination of Canadian travel credit card + reward program (Aeroplan/Air Miles, etc) + perks to maximize my rewards. I think I'd rather have travel rewards then cash back, since the travel rewards I can use personally, but the cash back just goes back into the business account. I'm basically looking for best bang for your buck based on say booking 10 flights a year and charging the whole expense to the CC. Since the card fee is a business deductible expense, it's not that much of an issue.

Keep in mind, this is my business so saying: 'fly first class both ways and stay in first class hotels to maximize my spend', is not my intention since whatever I spend the company (me) pays for.... (albeit through the business after deducting business expenses).

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Like I said, I'm looking for best bang for the buck, so if that means booking the flights through Airmiles website using my Amazon.ca Travel credit card on a Tuesday, then so be it!

 

[envelopes]

I am not trying to hijack your thread, and I hope Canadians will answer your questions, but every American who flies to Canada should check out this new credit card. The Air Canada miles can be used on United or Air Canada.

Chase Air Canada Aeroplan Credit Card review - The Points Guy

The Chase Air Canada Aeroplan credit card offers automatic elite status, a valuable sign-up bonus and points that can be used on many airlines. Here's our full review of this card.

thepointsguy.com

For your research, this is a good website, although there is too much chatter for your direct question.

MilesBuzz: Canada - FlyerTalk Forums

MilesBuzz - MilesBuzz: Canada - Originally Posted by Chris101 Im looking to see if anyone has any DP on Scotia Gold Amex regarding the terms below: I normally dont do Scotia but I saw GRB of $100 until Sept 30. I had this card back in Oct 2017 and I currently have Scotia Passport Visa. Do they...

www.flyertalk.com

The Chase Aeroplan card SUB and earnings are not great. It was hyped for a couple months, but when the details came out that the SUB is 2 travel vouchers (50K pts each), I pretty much lost interest. It's a 50K cap, so a 40K redemption means you lose the rest. So it's really only good for transcontinental flights. They made it very confusing on purpose. There are better options like any of the premium Chase or Amex cards, even the Cap 1 Venture SUB offer will get you 100K real miles (1.0-1.5cpp), and pretty much 3-5x on travel spend, which is also higher than the Chase Aeroplan card.

Hi all,

I have an small incorporated Quebec business and have done most of my business locally, but starting next year I think I'm going be flying out west for business maybe 10 times per year and staying 3-4 days . (I'm not an SP ! )

I've got a standard low fee business credit card with cash back, because typically I don't have a lot of overhead expenses, but would shift all my expenses to a new CC if someone had a suggestion.

Are any of you expert travelers/road warriors who could suggest a good combination of Canadian travel credit card + reward program (Aeroplan/Air Miles, etc) + perks to maximize my rewards. I think I'd rather have travel rewards then cash back, since the travel rewards I can use personally, but the cash back just goes back into the business account. I'm basically looking for best bang for your buck based on say booking 10 flights a year and charging the whole expense to the CC. Since the card fee is a business deductible expense, it's not that much of an issue.

Keep in mind, this is my business so saying: 'fly first class both ways and stay in first class hotels to maximize my spend', is not my intention since whatever I spend the company (me) pays for.... (albeit through the business after deducting business expenses).

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Like I said, I'm looking for best bang for the buck, so if that means booking the flights through Airmiles website using my Amazon.ca Travel credit card on a Tuesday, then so be it!

I'm American, so I don't know too much about Canadian cards. But I do look here and there. From what I understand, the two only real good choices you have are really just the Amex Plat or TD Aeroplan... and you might want to wait for a good bonus. Again, I don't know much about Canadian programs, simply see those two cards mentioned a lot on the Canada threads.

 

[WilliamStub]

I'm American, so I don't know too much about Canadian cards. But I do look here and there. From what I understand, the two only real good choices you have are really just the Amex Plat or TD Aeroplan... and you might want to wait for a good bonus. Again, I don't know much about Canadian programs, simply see those two cards mentioned a lot on the Canada threads.

I use a TD card, but not the Aeroplan one - I use this one: (https://www.td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/credit-cards/business-travel-visa-card/). The reason I like it is that you can get your own tickets (any flight using any airline) and mark the transaction as refundable on your points up to 3 months after travel. I did not spend a whole lot of time looking at competing cards for rates, etc... but the lack of restrictions or fine print is the reason I enjoy using the card. I'd have access to the fancy VIP cards but I've found they just bring all kinds of unwanted attention and expectations.

W.

 

[envelopes]

I use a TD card, but not the Aeroplan one - I use this one: (https://www.td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/credit-cards/business-travel-visa-card/). The reason I like it is that you can get your own tickets (any flight using any airline) and mark the transaction as refundable on your points up to 3 months after travel. I did not spend a whole lot of time looking at competing cards for rates, etc... but the lack of restrictions or fine print is the reason I enjoy using the card. I'd have access to the fancy VIP cards but I've found they just bring all kinds of unwanted attention and expectations.

W.

Ah ok, I really don't know too much about the Canadian cards. I've only heard TD and Amex has the best offers

And, Unwanted attention and expectations? Like what?

 

[WilliamStub]

Ah ok, I really don't know too much about the Canadian cards. I've only heard TD and Amex has the best offers

And, Unwanted attention and expectations? Like what?

Oh it's not a big thing... I'm a pretty good tipper in general, but I've had experiences where people sometimes expect it, instead of simply appreciating generosity. I like TD because they're generally low-key; even their private banking debit cards just look like an ordinary VISA card.

 

[Junior1111]

There is a site the compares and ranks and compares the various cards based on various criteria. Ie highest cash back, highest points, lowest restrictions. You can google it The problem with Aeroplan in my opinion is you are limited to exchanging points with Star Alliance and stat alliance does not travel everywhere from montreal so you have to take connecting flights and pay the taxes and landing fees for more than one airport. I personally prefer travel points on the credit card that I can apply to purchased tickets from any airlines

 

[licknsplit]

I’ve been partial to Amex cards for their generous “welcome” bonus points system and additional points provided if you spend x dollars within a certain time frame (one example is their “Platinum” card - annual fee is steep but you said this would not be an issue).
They do have a variety of options available so best read up on what they offer. And once you’ve had your fill of it’s usage, cut the card in half and send it back.

 

[joeca]

Thanks everyone! Great suggestions so far!

 

[envelopes]

The problem with Aeroplan in my opinion is you are limited to exchanging points with Star Alliance and stat alliance does not travel everywhere from montreal so you have to take connecting flights and pay the taxes and landing fees for more than one airport. I personally prefer travel points on the credit card that I can apply to purchased tickets from any airlines

OP clearly says he's flying from Montreal to west coast. AC is the best bet.

Also, where are you flying that AC doesn't have direct flights that other airlines do???