Hey Syd,

I made a comment earlier that wasn’t entirely clear. So the 1.5% return on every day spending assumes you’re using your points on Expedia for TD. As for the sliding scale, the way I read it is that any redemption under $1,200 is 250 TD points for $1 and then 200 point for $1 for anything that costs $1201+. However, that lower redemption rate doesn’t apply for the full amount. It appears the first $1,200 will always be 250 points for $1. So if your purchase is $1,300, only $100 will be 200 points for $1.

So yes, your return when using Book any kind of travel is 1.2% – 1.5%.

As for how it compares to others, Scene+ and American Express Membership Rewards are better since it allows you to redeem your points on any type of travel purchases with no devaluation to your points.

Barry,

You mention the TD card is effectively 1.5% reward value for every day spending and book your own way travel, but i beleive TD changed their redemption rates slightly a few years back to a tiered scale where redemptions under $1200 are charged at one rate and above $1200 (in the same redemption transaction) are charged at a the better, original redemption rate. I beleive it is 250 points per dollar below $1200 and 200 points per dollar above $1200. Wouldn’t this mean 200/$1, I’d spend $200 for 600 points, then redeem 600 points for $3, which is 1.5%. but if i was under the threshold I’d instead spend $500 for 1500 points, then redeem 1500 points at 250:1 for $6, which works out to 1.167%. so your redemption rate is a sliding scale between 1.167% and 1.5% depending on how long you save points to redeem in a large transaction. Can you confirm your understanding and my math and perhaps do an updated comparison? TD still is a better “raw return rate” but the gap is smaller to the improved partner options RBC has.

Chad,

RBC cards charge the standard 2.5% FX fee. This is standard with many credit cards in Canada. Here’s a list of cards that don’t charge FX fees – https://www.moneywehave.com/the-best-no-foreign-transaction-fee-credit-cards-in-canada/

John,

The insurance benefits I’ve listed are accurate. However, every insurance policy has different rules in place when it comes to making a claim.

My experience dealing with “the insurance” for the first and only time has been nothing but STRESSFUL and MONTHS of delays and EXTREMELY slow response times only to be told that I am not covered for a reimbursement of a “Airline Cancelled” flight.