Is Travel Credit Card Scotiabank Gold American Express Now A Cash Back Credit Card As Well?

Scotiabank Gold Amex Credit Card Offers New Feature

First Published Date: November 26, 2016

Scotiabank Gold American Express travel credit card is known for its mega proprietary points offer on selected categories, beating any other cards. For example, 4 points for every $1 spent at eligible gas, grocery, dining, and entertainment purchases in Canada. You can read my full review here: The ScotiaBank Gold American Express Card Review. However, a recent change made on Scotia Rewards Program, starting November 6, 2016, makes Scotiabank Gold Amex Credit Card as a Cash Back credit card as well.

Author/Copyright: Ahmed Dawn www.adawnjournal.com

In the past, Scotiabank Gold Amex card members were only allowed to redeem points for travel purchases, as it’s a travel rewards credit card. But to make the use of this credit card more flexible and attractive, Scotiabank is now allowing you to redeem points for statement credit on any purchases. This change of feature makes this card basically a travel credit card that works as a Cash Back credit card as well.

However, this change puts Scotiabank Gold Amex card in direct competition with Scotia’s own cash back credit card, the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card, which offers 4 percent on gas + grocery and 2 percent on pharmacy + recurring bills. Read my review on this card here Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card review if you need to decide which one to choose.

There is another travel credit card, the MBNA World Elite Rewards MasterCard, which offers a flat 2 points per dollar on all spending and allows you to redeem points for cash back.

I consider this cash back option offered by Scotiabank Gold Amex travel credit card as a positive change, as it provides greater flexibility for customers.

Price Protection Not Covered by Travel Insurance

My Grand Bahia Principe Runaway Bay Jamaica Trip and Do You Need Price Protection Guarantee?

First Published Date: August 21, 2016

Today, I am presenting a video of my recent Grand Bahia Principe Runaway Bay trip to Jamaica. I will not talk about the details of my trip, because you will have a good idea of the full trip after watching the video. However, I will talk about a price protection guarantee customers can buy in all-inclusive vacation packages – which might come in handy if vacation prices drop.

All-inclusive vacation packages are popular among North American vacationers going to Caribbean countries. Flight, hotel, unlimited food, drink – basically everything is included in this type of package. Travellers who are looking to relax without worrying about anything else usually choose this type of all-inclusive package.

Price protection guarantee is a separate add-on that you can purchase for all-inclusive vacations. It can run from $50 to $100 or even more. Price drop protection is actually not covered by premium credit card insurances that cover all sorts of travel insurances such trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical emergency, flight delay, and so on.

When I bought my vacation package in November from a 3rd party travel agent, the original vacation provider was offering a price protection guarantee as a promotion free of charge, so I did not mind accepting it – just in case. At the same time, I setup a price drop alert on the travel website that would alert me when the price drops below what I paid previously.

In April, I received an email alert stating my vacation price has dropped roughly $200. I contacted the claim call centre to find out the procedure. I was told that I could claim only once, so if the price even drops further I won’t be able to claim if I decide to claim it right then. My options were to claim at that time or wait for a further drop to claim later, so I decided to claim right away.

The process was simple. You just need to give the agent all your related info and mention you would like to claim. I received the difference on what I paid versus what it had dropped to within three business days in my bank account.

All-inclusive vacation packages tend to drop significantly before two months or just before the departure date, as vacation providers try to empty their unsold inventories. So it may make sense to have this feature added if you would like to minimize your risks. However, you need to decide on whether you would like to pay extra to buy this protection. There is also the possibility that the price won’t drop at all. Based on your risk tolerance and lifestyle, make an educated decision before paying for anything extra and always do your research

WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard New Companion Benefits May Not Be Beneficial

WestJet RBC World Elite Card New Benefits

First Published Date: March 20, 2016

The review I wrote about the WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard last year is one of the most popular credit card reviews on A Dawn Journal. So once I saw that WestJet updated this card with more benefits, I thought it would be perfect to write another piece on this.

In the past, the WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard annual companion bonus voucher was good for an annual companion flight for $99 (plus applicable taxes, fees and charges) to fly anywhere in Canada or the United States, excluding Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

However, WestJet announced on March 1, 2016 that the companion voucher would have full access to anywhere WestJet flies, including Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii and Europe. The price breakdown for the companion voucher is now:

– Canada and the Continental US for $99 (+ taxes, fees and charges)

– Hawaii, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean for $299 (+ taxes, fees and charges)

– Europe for $399 (+ taxes, fees and charges)

Whether the companion fare will save you money or not (after paying the $99 annual fee) depends on where you go and how much other airline fares are going for at the moment. Here are 3 samples I compiled on economy class based on possible lowest fares (including sale) that I checked today (March 13, 2016) travelling on April 17 to April 22:

Toronto to Las Vegas for two using companion voucher: $774

Toronto to Las Vegas for two on another airline using skyscanner.com : $1000

Toronto to Honolulu, Hawaii for two using companion voucher: $1417

Toronto to Honolulu, Hawaii for two on another airline using skyscanner.com : $1288

Toronto to Mexico City for two using companion voucher: $1800

Toronto to Mexico City for two on another airline using skyscanner.com : $927

As you can see, based on the above three samples and several other samples I tried, including travelling to Europe, you may find that travelling on other airlines costs less than WestJet, even using a discounted companion voucher. However, because the companion voucher works on any fare class on WestJet, you may find it useful if you are buying the more expensive Flex or Plus Fare class.

Whether you should continue keeping WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard or not depends on whether the companion voucher saves you money or not. Another friendly reminder (I also mentioned this in my first review) is that this card provides neither Trip Cancellation Insurance nor concierge service.

Is The American Express Gold Rewards Credit Card A Good Hybrid Card? .

How Good Are Hybrid Cards?

First Published Date: May 28, 2016

A common question everyone asks is how the American Express Gold Rewards Card holds up when compared to other hybrid credit cards. Today, I will look at a few points you should consider before pledging your allegiance to any hybrid credit cards.

Because of many big rewards sites and TV ads promoting the Amex Gold Rewards Card (I wrote more on this here: What Rewards Canada Is Not Telling You About Its Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards), many of us think that it’s the best hybrid credit card out there because it offers 2 points on maximum categories, such as gas stations, grocery stores and drugstores, flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and more. However, the problem with this is that you should not purchase big-ticket travel items such as flights, hotels, cruises, etc. with your Amex Gold Rewards Card because it does not offer Trip Cancellation Insurance. Keep in mind it charges a hefty $150 annual fee.

Also, Amex rewards transfer partners are very limited. For example, 6 frequent flyer programs (British Airways Executive Club, Aeroplan, Asia Miles, Delta SkyMiles, Alitalia, Etihad Airways) and 2 hotel programs (Hilton HHonors and Starwood Preferred Guest).

A better option can be the Amex Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card, which lets you transfer Starpoints to frequent flyer miles with more than 30 airlines or redeem Starpoints for free nights at over 1200 Starwood Hotels & Resorts in 100 countries. However, keep in mind that this card does not offer Trip Cancellation Insurance either.

Another hybrid card, the RBC Visa Infinite Avion ($120 annual fee), offers full suite insurance coverage and offers transfer partners such as WestJet, Asia Miles, Avios points, AMERICAN AIRLINES AADVANTAGE miles, Esso Extra points or Shoppers Optimum points, etc. So for many, the appeal of this card may be higher due to its insurance coverage.

So picking the best hybrid card depends on what you are looking for from your credit cards, whether it’s the most points, the most transfer partners, or the most insurance coverage.

BMO World Elite MasterCard: Should You Keep It?

BMO World Elite MasterCard Review

First Published Date : January 31, 2016

Disclosure: Information provided here may not be accurate and no longer valid. The mentioned card provider is not related to A Dawn Journal and neither monitor this site nor responsible for any inaccurate information. Contact the card company directly for accurate and updated information. A Dawn Journal or my YouTube Channel are not compensated by or affiliated with any credit card companies. All credit card articles are 100% unbiased and honest.

The BMO World Elite MasterCard is a travel rewards credit card that lets you earn BMO Rewards points for everyday purchases that can be used towards eligible travel costs without any blackout periods or restrictions.

The Cost

Annual Fee = $150. Additional cards = Free

Minimum annual income required = $70,000 (personal) or $120,000 (household)

Rewards Points Snapshot

– Earn 2 points for every $1 spent in all credit card purchases

– No caps, no tiers, no restrictions

First Time Bonus

A 300,000-point (valued $300) welcome bonus (no need to spend certain amounts like other credit cards, just make one purchase to receive the bonus). Also, the annual fee is NOT waived for the first year.

Anniversary Bonus

Annual Priority Pass membership (valued US$99) and four complimentary passes per year (valued US$27 X 4).

Features & Benefits

– Book through the BMO Rewards program and redeem points for your complete trip, including taxes and surcharges.

– BMO provides price match guarantee.

– Complimentary 24/7 premium concierge service (provided by Aspire Lifestyles Concierge).

– Emergency Medical Insurance (21 days<65, None>65 or older, Amount: 2 M/per person).

– Option to add extra medical insurance days for under 65 or over 65 at a low cost.

– Travel Accident Insurance (up to $500,000 CAD).

– Auto Rental Theft and Collision/Loss Damage Insurance (up to 65,000), Car Rental Accidental Death and Dismemberment Benefits (up to $300,000), Car Rental Personal Effects Benefits (up to $2,000)

– Trip Cancellation Insurance ($2,500 each, maximum $5,000).

– Trip Interruption Insurance ($2,000 each).

– Flight Delay Insurance (After 6 hours, maximum $500 per occurrence).

– Lost and Delayed Luggage (maximum $2,000).

– Extended Warranty Insurance (1 additional year, $60,000 lifetime limit).

– Purchase Security (90 days, $60,000 lifetime limit).

What’s Missing

– Price Protection Insurance

– Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance

My Take

Except a few minor flaws that I’ll get to shortly, The BMO World Elite MasterCard is an excellent high-end credit card that I believe you should look into adding to your credit card portfolio IF you make at least one trip a year and appreciate using airport lounges.

The four lounge passes and annual membership that comes with this card is valued at $290 Canadian dollar, as of the 2016//01/30 exchange rate. So you already exceed that $150 annual fee and are up by $140 on the plus side. Also, the strong insurance benefits cover your annual fee many times over.

There are some minor flaws this card has that I can complain about. One of them is that the rewards points redemption structure is not flexible. BMO forces you to book travel through their website and that’s the only way you can use these points. So by using this card, you are forced to book through the BMO Rewards Program. However, you should book only online because BMO charges $30 if you book by phone.

The other thing I can complain about is the Insurance provider Allianz Global Assistance. While their reviews and ratings are not as bad as American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida (provider for ScotiaBank Gold American Express and Capital One Aspire Travel World Elite MasterCard), I would be more comfortable dealing with providers like RSA, TD, RBC, and so on.

The return rate on this card is a flat 2% on everything, which makes this card easy to understand and use. If you use other credit cards for category purchases where you want to earn higher returns or airline/hotel points, you can still use the BMO World Elite MasterCard for all other non-category purchases.

The one not-so-advertised feature I like about this card is that since this is an Elite series card, BMO has a dedicated customer service for this card. Every time I called them, my waiting time on the phone was zero and I received excellent customer service. This is something you will not find anywhere else. Also, I use their concierge service frequently and so far I have found nothing to complain about Aspire Lifestyles Concierge.

As of this writing, I hold this card and I only use it for lounge accesses (and concierge service). I also use this card for some non-category purchases. I will continue to hold this card as long