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Tag: Credit Card

  • FanDuel Credit Card Deposits Banned • This Week in Gambling

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    FanDuel credit card deposits will soon be a thing f the past, as the operator has announced a major change to its payment policies. FanDuel has confirming that it will stop accepting credit cards for deposits across its United States platforms starting March 2, 2026. This decision applies to all of the company’s primary offerings, including FanDuel Sportsbook, FanDuel Casino, and FanDuel Racing.

    The company stated that the move follows an evaluation of its payment methods conducted over the last several months. According to a company spokesperson, the decision to remove this funding option was made to improve the deposit experience for customers. This policy shift aligns the operator with other major players in the industry, such as DraftKings and Fanatics, which have already implemented similar restrictions on credit card usage.

    A primary driver for the change is the increasing scrutiny over the fees and financial risks associated with using credit for gambling. Many credit card issuers treat deposits to betting sites as cash advances. These transactions often carry immediate interest charges and high fees that users may not anticipate. United States Senator Elizabeth Warren recently highlighted these costs, describing them as junk fees that can significantly increase the expense of a single wager. Warren has publicly called on other companies in the sector to follow the example set by FanDuel and DraftKings.

    In addition FanDuel credit card deposits being banes (and to increased federal scrutiny), several states have already moved to ban credit card deposits for online wagering through legislative action. States such as Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Vermont had already restricted these transactions on a local level. By implementing a nationwide policy, FanDuel simplifies its compliance across different jurisdictions as more states consider similar bans to encourage responsible gaming.

    Customers who currently use credit cards will need to transition to alternative payment methods by the March deadline. The operator continue to support deposits through debit cards, direct bank transfers, and digital wallets like PayPal and Venmo, provided those accounts are linked to a bank account or debit card rather than a credit card. Since FanDuel credit card deposits have been banned, players may request refunds for any of their past card deposits. While the ban is comprehensive for its United States operations, it does not currently apply to FanDuel users located in Canada.

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  • The complete list of credit card perks that reset each calendar year (2026)

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    • Rewards rate

      • 4x Membership Rewards Points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x)
      • 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x)
      • 3x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com
      • 2x Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com
      • 1x Membership Rewards points on all other eligible purchases

    • Benefits

      • Earn up to $10 in statement credits each month when you pay with your American Express Gold Card at Five Guys, Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, and Wine.com (enrollment required)
      • Up to $100 in annual statement credits ($50 semi-annually) when you use your American Express Gold Card on eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants on the Resy app or Resy.com
      • Up to $84 per year ($7/month) in statement credits after you enroll and pay with your American Express Gold Card at more than 9,000 U.S. Dunkin’® locations (enrollment is required to receive this benefit)

    Enrollment is required for select benefits.

    Read our full Amex Gold Card review

    • Rewards rate

      • 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%)
      • 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%)
      • 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations (on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%)
      • 1% cash back on all other purchases
      • Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or on Amazon.com at checkout

    • Benefits

      • Generous intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
      • Get up to a $7 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at disneyplus.com, hulu.com, or plus.espn.com U.S. websites (subject to auto-renewal)
      • Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee — select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options

    Enrollment is required for select benefits.

    Read our full Amex Blue Cash Everyday review

    • Rewards rate

      • 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 in eligible purchases annually, then earn 1%)
      • 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
      • 3% cash back on at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit, including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more
      • 1% cash back on all other purchases
      • *Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout

    • Benefits

      • Generous intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
      • Get up to a $10 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at disneyplus.com, hulu.com, or plus.espn.com U.S. websites (subject to auto-renewal)
      • Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee — select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options

    The Amex Blue Cash Preferred has a spending category with a limit that resets each year:

    Enrollment is required for select benefits.

    Read our full Amex Blue Cash Preferred review

    • Benefits

      • Enjoy a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
      • After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel
      • Check your first bag free on Delta flights

    Read our full Delta Gold Amex Card review

    • Benefits

      • Receive a Companion Certificate on a main cabin round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. Terms apply.
      • Earn up to $10 in statement credits each month after using your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required
      • Check your first bag free on Delta flights

    • MQD headstart: Receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year.

    • $150 Delta Stays credit: Earn up to $150 per year as a statement credit after using your card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on Delta.com.

    Other Delta Amex Platinum benefits and credits include up to $120 annual Resy credit, up to $120 annual rideshare credit, and a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

    Enrollment is required for select benefits.

    • Benefits

      • Receive upgrade priority over other Medallion Members within the same Medallion level and fare class
      • Receive a Companion Certificate on a First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. Terms apply.
      • Enjoy 15 complimentary visits to the Delta Sky Club® when you fly Delta, and unlock unlimited visits after spending $75,000 in purchases in a calendar year

    Other Delta Amex Reserve benefits and credits include up to $240 annual Resy credit, up to $120 annual rideshare credit, and a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

    Enrollment is required for select benefits.

    Read our full Delta Reserve Amex Card review

    • Benefits

      • $0 annual fee
      • Spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold status through the end of the next calendar year
      • Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad

    Read our full Hilton Honors Amex Card review

    • Benefits

      • Earn a Free Night Reward after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year
      • Spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and earn Hilton Honors Diamond Status through the end of the next calendar year
      • Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad

    Read our full Hilton Honors Amex Surpass Card review

    • Benefits

      • Complimentary Hilton Honors™ Diamond status
      • Every six months, get up to $200 in statement credits on eligible purchases made directly with Hilton Resorts
      • Annual free night reward
      • Earn up to $200 back per year ($50 in statement credits each quarter) on eligible flight purchases directly with an airline or through AmexTravel.com
      • Earn up to $209 in annual statement credits when you pay for an auto-renewing CLEAR Plus Membership with your card

    Another Amex Hilton Aspire benefit includes up to a $100 property credit at participating hotels.

    Read more: 7 things to know about the Hilton Aspire Card

    • Rewards rate

      • 6x Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
      • 4x points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2x points)
      • 2x points on all other eligible purchases

    • Benefits

      • Earn up to 18.5x Marriott Bonvoy® points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy: Earn 6x points with the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card; earn up to 10X points from Marriott Bonvoy for being a Marriott Bonvoy member; and earn up to 2.5x points from Marriott Bonvoy with the 25% Bonus Points on Stays, a benefit available with your complimentary Gold Elite status
      • Earn 1 Free Night Award after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card in a calendar year (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy; certain hotels have resort fees)
      • Each calendar year with your card, you can receive 15 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status (Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy® member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express.)

    Read our full Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Amex Card review

    • Benefits

      • Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your card renewal month: Award can be used for one night at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points; certain hotels have resort fees)
      • Earn up to 21x Marriott Bonvoy® points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy: Earn 6x points with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card; earn up to 10x points from Marriott Bonvoy for being a Marriott Bonvoy member; and earn up to 5x points from Marriott Bonvoy with the 50% Bonus Points on Stays, a benefit available with your complimentary Platinum Elite status
      • Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, with an unlimited number of visits to over 1,200 airport lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying

    • Earned Choice Award: Select one Earned Choice Award benefit after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases each calendar year.

    • 25 Elite Night Credits: You can receive 25 Marriott Bonvoy Elite Night Credits each calendar year.

    Other Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant benefits include up to $300 annual dining credit, up to a $100 Marriott Bonvoy® property credit, and a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

    Read our full Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card review

    • Rewards rate

      • 5x points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 per calendar year)
      • 5x points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
      • 1x points on all other purchases

    • Benefits

      • Get up to $600 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel (up to $300 semi-annually; The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay)
      • Get up to $400 in annual statement credits ($100 each quarter; enrollment required) for eligible purchases with Resy, including dining at Resy restaurants
      • Enjoy up to $200 in Uber Cash annually —  that’s $15 in Uber Cash for rides or Uber Eats orders each month, plus a bonus $20 in December (you must have the latest version of the Uber App downloaded and your eligible American Express Platinum Card must be a method of payment in your Uber account; Amex benefit may only be used in United States)

    • $200 airline fee credit: Get up to $200 per calendar year in statement credits for incidental airline fees charged to your card from a selected qualifying airline.

    • $209 CLEAR® Plus credit: Get up to $209 back per calendar year on your CLEAR Plus membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your card.

    • $300 lululemon credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits annually ($75 per quarter) for eligible lululemon purchases online or in store.

    • $200 Oura credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits annually for Oura Ring purchases on Ouraring.com.

    • $120 Uber One credit: Get up to $120 Uber One membership credit each calendar year for an auto-renewing Uber One membership in the U.S.

    • $300 Equinox credit: Receive up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year on membership fees for eligible U.S. Equinox memberships or a standalone subscription to Equinox+.

    Other Amex Platinum card benefits and credits include up to $300 in annual digital entertainment credits, $155 (plus taxes and fees) in annual Walmart+ membership credit (for eligible Walmart+ monthly memberships), and a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

    Enrollment is required for select benefits.

    Read our full Amex Platinum Card review

    • Rewards rate

      • Earn 4x Membership Rewards points on the top two eligible categories (out of 6 total categories) where your business spends the most each month. Although your top 2 categories may change each month, you will earn 4x points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year, then 1x after that (only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap; terms apply).
      • 3x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com
      • 1x points on all other purchases

    • Benefits

      • Earn up to $20 in monthly statement credits (up to $240 annually) for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and office supply stores
      • The Business Gold Card comes in three metal designs — Gold, Rose Gold, and White Gold
      • Your spending limit is flexible and adjusts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history

    The Amex Business Gold doesn’t have calendar-year credits, but you can get up to $240 back annually for eligible U.S. purchases. You can also get back $155 (plus taxes and fees) each year for an eligible monthly Walmart+ membership

    Enrollment is required for select benefits.

    Read our full Amex Business Gold Card review

    • Rewards rate

      • 2x miles on purchases at U.S. shipping providers and at U.S. providers for advertising in select media (up to $50,000 of purchases per category, per year)
      • 2x miles on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and at restaurants
      • 1x miles on all other purchases

    • Benefits

      • After you spend $10,000 in purchases in a year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel
      • Save 15% anytime you book award travel with miles on a Delta flight
      • First checked bag free on Delta flights + zone 5 priority boarding

    Read our full Delta Gold Business Amex Card review

    • Rewards rate

      • 3x miles on Delta and hotel purchases
      • 1.5x miles on eligible transit and U.S. shipping purchases, plus single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $100,000 in combined spending annually)
      • 1x miles on all other purchases

    • Benefits

      • Earn an annual statement credit of up to $200 after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays
      • Save 15% when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app
      • Earn up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases

    Other Delta Platinum Business Amex benefits include up to $120 annual rideshare credit, and a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

    Enrollment is required for select benefits.

    Read our full Delta Platinum Business Amex Card review

    • Rewards rate

      • 3x miles on Delta purchases
      • 1.5x miles on eligible transit, U.S. shipping, and office supply store purchases (plus all purchases after you spend $150,000 on your card in a year)
      • 1x miles on all other purchases

    • Benefits

      • Earn an annual statement credit of up to $250 after using your card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com
      • Check your first bag free on Delta flights
      • Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad

    Other Delta Amex Reserve Business benefits and credits include up to $240 annual Resy credit, up to $120 annual rideshare credit, and a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

    Enrollment is required for select benefits.

    Read our full Delta Reserve Business Amex Card review

    • Benefits

      • Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card
      • Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your card renewal month, and an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year (redemption level at or under 35,000 points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy; certain hotels have resort fees)

    Read our full Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex Card review

    • Rewards rate

      • 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year
      • 1% cash back on all eligible purchases after spending $50,000 per calendar year (cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement)

    • Benefits

      • Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits on U.S purchases directly with Dell Technologies on the Business Platinum Card and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on that same Card per calendar year.
      • Enroll and get a $250 statement credit after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year on the Business Platinum Card.
      • Unlock over $3,500 in statement credits with business and travel benefits annually on the Business Platinum Card (after meeting qualifying spend thresholds; terms apply)

    • Up to $360 Indeed credit: Get up to $90 in statement credits per quarter on Indeed purchases.

    • Up to $120 wireless credit: Get up to $10 back per month for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with U.S. wireless providers.

    • $600 hotel credit: Get up to $600 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel® (The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay).

    • $200 airline fee credit: Get up to $200 per calendar year in statement credits for incidental airline fees charged to your card from a selected qualifying airline.

    • $209 CLEAR® Plus credit: Get up to $209 back per calendar year on your CLEAR Plus membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your card.

    • Up to $200 Hilton credit: Hilton for Business members can receive up to $50 in statement credits quarterly on eligible Hilton purchases.

    Other Amex Business Platinum benefits include a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

    Enrollment is required for select benefits.

    Read our full Amex Business Platinum review

    • Rewards rate

      2x points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners (applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1x after that). Terms and limitations apply.

    The Amex Blue Business Plus has a spending category with a limit that resets each year.

    Read our full Amex Blue Business Plus review

    • Rewards rate

      • 12x points on eligible Hilton purchases made directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio
      • 5x points on other purchases made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each year
      • 3x on all other eligible purchases

    • Benefits

      • Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status
      • You may receive an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status if the total eligible purchases on your card during a calendar year are $40,000 or more
      • Enjoy up to $240 back each year for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton

    • Anniversary miles: Get 5,000 miles each account anniversary after spending $50 or more within the anniversary year.

    • Anniversary XP: Receive 20 XP each account anniversary and an additional 40 XP after spending $15,000 within the anniversary year.

    You can also receive $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ membership each year.

    • Global Companion Awards: Receive a 25,000-point Global Companion Award each account anniversary, and receive a 100,000-point Global Companion Award annually after spending $60,000.

    • Alaska Lounge passes: Receive up to eight Alaska Lounge passes (two per quarter) each year.

    • Atmos Rewards membership status boost: Receive 10,000 status points each account anniversary.

    You can also receive a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years.

    You can also receive $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ membership each year.

    $100 Companion Flight Voucher: Receive a $100 Companion Flight Voucher each anniversary after making at least $5,000 in purchases the previous anniversary year.

    • Emirates Gold tier: Retain Emirates Gold tier status after your first year by spending $40,000 each card membership year.

    • Anniversary bonus: Earn 10,000 anniversary miles after spending $30,000 on purchases each card membership year.

    You can also receive a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every five years.

    • Anniversary bonus: Earn 20,000 miles if you spend $50,000 to $99,999 in annual purchases or earn 40,000 miles if you spend $100,000 or more in annual purchases.

    • Anniversary bonus: Earn 5,000 bonus points after each account anniversary.

    • $100 JetBlue Vacations credit: Receive one $100 statement credit per calendar year after you purchase a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more.

    • Benefits

      • Free first checked bag for you and three travel companions on JetBlue flights
      • Get 10% of your points back after you redeem them for a JetBlue award flight
      • Earn 5,000 points bonus each year on your account anniversary
      • Receive up to a $100 statement credit each year after you purchase a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more
      • 50% savings on eligible inflight purchases when flying JetBlue

    Read our full JetBlue Plus Card review

    • TrueBlue Travel statement credits: Earn up to $300 in statement credits on TrueBlue Travel purchases per calendar year.

    • Anniversary bonus: Earn 5,000 bonus points each year after your card anniversary.

    You can also receive a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years.

    • Faster Miles & More status: Once per calendar year, convert 5,000 to 25,000 miles earned on purchases into Points + Qualifying Points.

    • Companion ticket: Receive a companion ticket after each account anniversary.

    • Lounge access: Receive two complimentary Lufthansa Business Lounge vouchers after each account anniversary.

    • Rewards rate

      • Earn 1.529% cash back rewards when linked to an eligible College Savings Plan (or 1.25% if your account is not linked to a College Savings Plan)
      • Get up to $250 in cash back rewards per calendar year on eligible gift card purchases at MyGiftCardsPlus.com (powered by Upromise)
      • Round up your purchases to the nearest dollar (based on the limit you set)

    • Benefits

      • Automatic Wyndham Rewards Platinum status
      • Earn 7,500 bonus points each account anniversary
      • Redeem 10% fewer Wyndham Rewards points for Go Free® awards
      • Cardmembers can access exclusive discounts on the Best Available Rate for stays at participating Hotels by Wyndham

    • Benefits

      • $300 annual credit for travel bookings through Capital One Travel
      • 10,000 annual bonus miles (worth $100 in travel spending; starts on your first account anniversary)
      • Unlimited access for you and two guests to Capital One Lounges and 1,300+ more lounges through partner networks after enrollment

    The Capital One Venture X also has a fee credit benefit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

    Read our full Capital One Venture X review

    • Benefits

      • Every year, you’ll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date and receive an annual $300 credit to use on Capital One Business Travel
      • Up to a $120 statement credit on TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
      • Unlimited complimentary access to Capital One Lounges and a network of 1,300+ Priority Pass lounges worldwide after enrollment

    • $50 account credit: Receive a $50 account credit once per calendar year when you use your card for REI Co-op experience classes, day trips, or multiday outings.

    • Benefits

      • Earn 500 bonus points for every $2,000 you spend in a calendar month (up to 1,500 points per month)
      • You and up to 8 travel companions traveling on the same reservation can each enjoy onn free checked bag on Air Canada
      • New cardmembers will automatically receive Aeroplan 25K Status for the remainder of the calendar year, plus the following year. Existing status holders who spend at least $50,000 during a calendar year can earn an Elite Status Level Up of one tier to 35K Status or higher.

    • Aeroplan 25K status: Keep your Aeroplan 25K status with $15,000 in account spend during a calendar year.

    • Ultimate Rewards points transfers: Get a 10% bonus after transferring 50,000 or more Ultimate Rewards points in a single transaction from an eligible Chase card to your Aeroplan account (maximum of 25,000 Aeroplan bonus points per calendar year).

    The Aeroplan Credit Card also has a fee credit benefit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck that resets every four years.

    • Benefits

      • Earn an economy companion ticket (good for 12 months) when you spend $30,000 on your card in a calendar year
      • You and any authorized users are eligible for priority boarding on Aer Lingus flights departing from and returning to the U.S. from Ireland
      • No foreign transaction fees

    Read our full Aer Lingus Visa Signature Card review

    • Benefits

      • 10% off British Airways flights starting in the U.S. when you book through the website provided in your welcome materials
      • Every calendar year you make $30,000 in purchases on your British Airways Visa card, you’ll earn a Travel Together Ticket (good for two years)
      • Up to $600 in statement credits toward fees and other charges when you book reward flights to London ($100 for Economy or Premium Economy, $200 for Business or First Class, up to three times per year), Benefit Value per year in dollars: up to $600

    Read our full British Airways Visa Signature Card review

    • Benefits

      • Complimentary DashPass with $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27, plus a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders
      • Earn up to $50 in annual statement credits for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel
      • On every account anniversary, earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year

    Read our full Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review

    • Benefits

      • Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables
      • Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more
      • Receive up to a $120 statement credit every four years to cover the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS

    • Up to $500 The Edit credit: Receive up to $250 in statement credits from January through June and again from July through December for prepaid The Edit bookings (two-night minimum).

    • Up to $300 dining credit: Get up to $150 in statement credits from January through June and again from July through December when dining at Sapphire Exclusive Tables restaurants via OpenTable.

    • Apple TV and Apple Music subscriptions: Get complimentary Apple TV and Apple Music subscriptions.

    • Up to $300 StubHub credit: Receive up to $150 in statement credits from January through June and again from July through December for purchases made on StubHub and viagogo (activation required).

    • Up to $120 Lyft credit: Get up to $10 in monthly in-app Lyft credits.

    • Up to $120 Peloton credit: Get $10 in statement credits per month on eligible Peloton memberships.

    • 75,000 spend bonuses: Spend $75,000 in a calendar year to receive IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite status, up to $250 credit for The Shops at Chase, up to $500 Southwest Airlines Chase Travel credit, and Southwest Airlines A-List status.

    Read our full Chase Sapphire Reserve Card review

    • Benefits

      • Get up to $250 in statement credits from January through June, and again from July through December for prepaid bookings made with The Edit℠
      • Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS application fee charged to your card
      • Receive an annual travel credit up to $300 in statement credits each anniversary year

    • Up to $400 ZipRecruiter credit: Earn up to $200 in ZipRecruiter statement credits January through June and up to $200 in statement credits July through December each year.

    • Up to $120 Lyft credit: Access up to $10 in monthly in-app Lyft credits.

    • Up to $200 Google Workspace credit: Earn up to $200 in annual statement credits on purchases made directly on Google Workspace.

    • Up to $100 gift card credit: Earn up to $100 in annual credits when you purchase gift cards from a curated collection on giftcards.com/reservebusiness.

    • $120,000 spend bonuses: Spend $120,000 in a calendar year to receive up to $500 credit for The Shops at Chase, IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite status, Southwest Rapid Rewards A-List status, and up to $500 credit for Southwest Airlines flights booked through Chase Travel.

    • Benefits

      • Earn a complimentary DashPass membership every year with $10,000 in annual card spend
      • No foreign transaction fees

    Read our full DoorDash Rewards Mastercard review

    • Benefits

      • Save 10% on Iberia flights purchased on iberia.com/Chase10
      • Earn a discount voucher of $1,000 to use toward two tickets on the same flight for each calendar year you make purchases of $30,000 on your card
      • No foreign transaction fees

    • Benefits

      • Earn a free night on each account anniversary, plus get a fourth night free when you redeem your points for a consecutive four-night stay at IHG properties
      • Receive Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS statement credit of up to $120 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
      • Access perks including free upgrades, welcome amenities, and guaranteed room availability when you book at least 72 hours in advance

    • Bonus rewards: Receive a $100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 each calendar year.

    • Diamond Elite status: Spend $40,000 each calendar year to qualify for Diamond Elite status through December 31 of the following year.

    • $50 United Airlines TravelBank Cash: Receive up to $50 United Airlines TravelBank Cash each calendar year after registering your card with your United MileagePlus account

    • Benefits

      • $0 annual fee
      • Redeem 3 nights, get the 4th night free
      • Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad

    • Bonus rewards: Receive 10,000 bonus points after spending $10,000 each calendar year.

    • Gold Elite status: Spend $20,000 each calendar year to qualify for Gold Elite status through December 31 of the following year.

    Read our full IHG One Rewards Traveler review

    • Rewards rate

      • Up to 17x points at Marriott: 6x points at participating Marriott Bonvoy® properties, 10x points for being a Marriott Bonvoy® member, plus 1x points for members with Silver Elite Status
      • 3x points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases annually on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
      • 2x points on all other purchases

    • Benefits

      • Earn a Free Night Award every year after your account anniversary (worth up to a 35,000-point redemption)
      • Get automatic Marriott Bonvoy® Silver Elite Status each calendar year, plus receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and earn 1 Elite Night Credit for every $5,000 you spend
      • Get a one-year complimentary DashPass membership if you activate by 12/31/27

    • Free Night Award: Receive one Free Night Award (redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) after spending $15,000 in a calendar year.

    • 15 Elite Night Credits: You can receive 15 Marriott Bonvoy Elite Night Credits each calendar year.

    • Spending category cap: 4x points on the first $15,000 in combined purchases each year on grocery stores and dining

    • $300 annual travel credit: Receive up to $300 in annual statement credits for eligible airline purchases, such as baggage fees and seat upgrades, each year.

    • Free Night Award: Receive one Free Night Award (redemption level up to 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) each year.

    • 15 Elite Night Credits: You can receive 15 Marriott Bonvoy Elite Night Credits each calendar year.

    • Ritz-Carlton Club upgrades: Receive three Ritz-Carlton Club upgrade certificates per year.

    The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card also has a fee credit benefit for Global Entry that resets every four years.

    Note: This card is not available for new applications.

    • Benefits

      • 3,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary
      • First checked bag free for you and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation
      • Standard Seat Selection within 48 hours prior to departure, when available

    Read our full Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus review

    • Benefits

      • Earn 6,000 points each year on your account anniversary
      • First checked bag free for you and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation
      • Get 25% back on inflight purchases
      • 10,000 Companion Pass® qualifying points boost each year

    Read our full Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier review

    All information about the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by Yahoo Finance. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Card is no longer available through Yahoo Finance.

    • Benefits

      • 7,500 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary
      • First checked bag free for you and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation, plus enjoy unlimited upgrades to an Extra Legroom seat when available
      • 10,000 Companion Pass® qualifying points boost each year

    • Spend for A-List status: Earn 1,500 tier qualifying points (TQPs) for every $5,000 spent in purchases annually.

    Read our full Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority review

    • Benefits

      • Free first checked bag
      • Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
      • Priority boarding on United flights and 2 United Club one-time passes per year

    • Award flight discount: Earn a 10,000-mile award flight discount after spending $20,000 each calendar year.

    • $100 United travel credit: Earn $100 United travel credit after spending $10,000 in a calendar year.

    • Up to $100 hotel credit: Receive up to $100 credit annually on prepaid hotel stays purchased directly through United Hotels.

    • Up to $60 rideshare credit: Enroll to receive up to $60 credit each calendar year on rideshare purchases.

    • Up to $50 United travel credit: Receive up to $50 in United travel credits annually when booking Avis or Budget car rentals directly through cars.united.com.

    • Up to $120 Instacart credit: Receive up to $120 in Instacart credits annually for purchases made directly through Instacart.

    • Up to $100 JSX credit: Receive up to $100 in annual credits for flights purchased directly through JSX.

    • PQP spending bonus: Earn 1 Premier qualifying point for every $20 you spend on purchases, up to 1,000 PQP in a calendar year.

    Read our full United Explorer Card review

    • Benefits

      • Free first and second checked bags + priority boarding
      • Receive a $200 United® travel credit and 10,000-mile award flight discount on each account anniversary
      • Earn 2 global Economy Plus® seat upgrades after spending $40,000 in purchases each calendar year

    • PQP jump start: Receive 1,000 Premier qualifying points each year.

    • PQP spending bonus: Earn 1 Premier qualifying point for every $20 you spend on purchases, up to 18,000 PQP in a calendar year.

    • Up to $150 hotel credit: Receive up to $150 hotel credit annually when purchasing prepaid hotel stays through Renowned Hotels and Resorts for United Cardmembers.

    • Up to $100 rideshare credit: Enroll to receive up to $100 annual credit on rideshare purchases.

    • Up to $80 United travel credit: Receive up to $80 in United travel credits annually when booking Avis or Budget car rentals directly through cars.united.com.

    • Up to $180 Instacart credit: Receive up to $180 in Instacart credits annually for purchases made directly through Instacart.

    • Up to $150 JSX credit: Receive up to $150 in annual credits for flights purchased directly through JSX.

    • Benefits

      • Free first and second checked bags and Premier Access® travel services
      • Complimentary United Club℠ membership — at least a $750 value annually — offers access to United Club locations and participating Star Alliance airport lounges
      • Earn up to 20,000 miles in award flight discounts annually

    • Award flight discount: Earn a 10,000-mile award flight discount after spending $20,000 in purchases, up to two times per calendar year

    • Global Economy Plus seat upgrades: Earn two global Economy Plus seat upgrades after spending $40,000 each calendar year.

    • PQP jump start: Receive 1,500 Premier qualifying points each year.

    • Up to $200 hotel credit: Receive up to $200 hotel credit annually when purchasing prepaid hotel stays through Renowned Hotels and Resorts for United Cardmembers.

    • Up to $150 rideshare credit: Enroll to receive up to $150 annual credit on rideshare purchases.

    • Up to $100 United travel credit: Receive up to $100 in United travel credits annually when booking Avis or Budget car rentals directly through cars.united.com.

    • Up to $240 Instacart credit: Receive up to $180 in Instacart credits annually for purchases made directly through Instacart.

    Up to $200 JSX credit: Receive up to $150 in annual credits for flights purchased directly through JSX.

    Read our full United Club Card review

    • Benefits

      • $0 annual fee
      • 2 free checked bags after you spend $10,000 on your card in a calendar year
      • 25% back as a statement credit on food, beverage, and Wi-Fi purchases on United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks

    • Free night: Receive one free night (redemption level up to Category 4) each year after your cardmember anniversary.

    • Additional free night: Receive an extra free night (redemption level up to Category 4) after spending $15,000 in a calendar year.

    • Qualifying night credits: Receive five qualifying night credits each year.

    • Anniversary free night: Receive a free night (redemption level up to 40,000 points) after each account anniversary.

    • Bonus rewards: Receive a $100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 each calendar year.

    The IHG One Rewards Premier Business also has a fee credit benefit for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®.

    Read our full IHG One Rewards Premier Business review

    • Spending category caps: 5% cash back on the first $25,000 in combined spending at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services each account anniversary year and 2% cash back on the first $25,000 in combined spending at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year.

    Read our full Ink Business Cash review

    • Rewards rate

      • 3x on the first $150,000 spent each account anniversary year in the following categories: shipping purchases; advertising purchases via social media sites and search engines; internet, cable, and phone services; and travel
      • 1x on all other purchases with no earning cap

    *All information about the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card has been collected independently by and is no longer available through Yahoo Finance.

    Read our full Ink Business Preferred review

    • Rewards rate

      • 3x on Southwest purchases
      • 2x at gas stations and restaurants on the first $8,000 in combined purchases per
        anniversary year
      • 1x on all other purchases

    • Benefits

      • 6,000 bonus points after your cardmember anniversary
      • First checked bag free for you and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation
      • Preferred Seat Selection within 48 hours prior to departure, when available

    • A-List spend bonus: Earn 2,000 tier qualifying points toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent annually.

    Read our full Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business review

    • Benefits

      • 9,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary
      • First checked bag free for you and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation, plus enjoy unlimited upgrades to an Extra Legroom seat when available
      • 10,000 Companion Pass® qualifying points boost each year

    • Upgraded boardings: Receive four upgraded boardings per year, when available.

    • Wi-Fi credits: Receive up to 365 in-flight Wi-Fi credits per year.

    • A-List spend bonus: Earn 2,500 tier qualifying points toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent annually.

    The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business also has a fee credit benefit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS that resets every four years.

    Read our full Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business review

    • Benefits

      • Receive a $125 United travel credit after making 5 United flight purchases of $100 or more each calendar year with your card
      • Receive a 5,000-mile “better together” bonus each anniversary when you have both the United Business Card and a personal Chase United credit card
      • Enjoy a free first checked bag, 2 United Club℠ one-time passes per year, and priority boarding privileges

    • Premier qualifying points (PQP): Earn 1 PQP for every $20 you spend (up to 4,000 PQP per calendar year).

    • Up to $100 hotel credit: Receive up to $100 credit annually on prepaid hotel stays purchased directly through United Hotels.

    • Up to $100 rideshare credit: Enroll to receive up to $60 credit each calendar year on rideshare purchases.

    • Up to $50 United travel credit: Receive up to $50 in United travel credits annually when booking Avis or Budget car rentals directly through cars.united.com.

    • Up to $120 Instacart credit: Receive up to $120 in Instacart credits annually for purchases made directly through Instacart.

    • Up to $100 JSX credit: Receive up to $100 in annual credits for flights purchased directly through JSX.

    • Up to $25 FareLock credit: Receive up to $25 in annual credits when you buy FareLock on a United or United Express flight.

    The United Business Card also has a fee credit benefit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck that resets every four years.

    Read our full United Business Card review

    • PQP spending bonus: Earn 1 Premier qualifying point for every $15 you spend on purchases, up to 28,000 PQP in a calendar year.

    • Up to $200 hotel credit: Receive up to $200 hotel credit annually when purchasing prepaid hotel stays through Renowned Hotels and Resorts for United Cardmembers.

    • Up to $150 rideshare credit: Enroll to receive up to $150 annual credit on rideshare purchases.

    • Up to $100 United travel credit: Receive up to $100 in United travel credits annually when booking Avis or Budget car rentals directly through cars.united.com.

    • Up to $240 Instacart credit: Receive up to $180 in Instacart credits annually for purchases made directly through Instacart.

    • Up to $200 JSX credit: Receive up to $150 in annual credits for flights purchased directly through JSX.

    • Up to $50 FareLock credit: Receive up to $25 in annual credits when you buy FareLock on a United or United Express flight.

    • Global Economy Plus seat upgrades: Earn two global Economy Plus seat upgrades after spending $40,000 each calendar year.

    • Benefits

      • Spend $50 or more at any Hyatt property and earn $50 in statement credits up to two times per year
      • World of Hyatt Discoverist status for you and up to 5 employees for as long as your account is open
      • Get 5 Tier-Qualifying night credits toward status and Milestone rewards for every $10,000 you spend in a calendar year

    • 10% redemption bonus: Spend $50,000 in a calendar year and get 10% of your redeemed points back for the rest of the year on up to 200,000 points redeemed.

    Read our full World of Hyatt Business Credit Card review

    • Wireless bill credit: Earn up to $240 back toward qualifying AT&T wireless bills each year. Each billing cycle, you can earn $20 back as a statement credit after spending $1,000 on purchases or $10 back as a statement credit after spending $500 to $999.99 on purchases.

    • Loyalty Point bonus: Earn a 10,000 Loyalty Point bonus after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year. Earn another 10,000 Loyalty Points after reaching 90,000 Loyalty Points in the same year.

    • Car rental credit: Earn up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year when booking eligible prepaid car rentals through Avis.com or Budget.com.

    • Miles boost: After spending $150,000 on purchases in a calendar year, receive five AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases for the remainder of the year.

    The Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard also provides up to $120 annual Lyft credit, up to $120 annual Grubhub credit, and a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

    • Benefits

      • First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions on the same reservation
      • Preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
      • No foreign transaction fees on purchases you make abroad

    Read our full Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select review

    • $250 travel credit: Receive up to $250 in statement credits each year for eligible travel purchases.

    • Fourth night free: Receive the fourth night of your stay free when you book a hotel stay of four consecutive nights or more through the Citi ThankYou travel portal. This benefit can be used twice per calendar year.

    The Citi Prestige also has a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

    Note: This card is not available for new applications.

    • Benefits

      • Enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com (once per calendar year; benefit applied instantly at the time of booking)
      • No foreign transaction fees
      • Transfer ThankYou® Points to participating airline loyalty programs — including TrueBlue®, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer — with no fees (minimum transfer of 1,000 points)

    • Companion certificate: Earn an American Airlines companion certificate (redeem for $99 plus taxes and fees) for domestic travel after spending $30,000 during your card membership year and your card is renewed.

    • Admirals Club Globe Passes: Receive four Admirals Club Globe Passes each calendar year.

    • Up to $240 Turo credit: Earn up to $30 in statement credits for each eligible Turo trip completed, for a total of up to $240 in statement credits annually. You must link your card to your Turo account to qualify.

    • Up to $100 in-flight purchase credit: Earn up to $100 in annual statement credits on American Airlines in-flight purchases.

    • Up to $100 Annual Splurge credit: Earn up to $100 in annual statement credits on your choice of purchases from two of the following brands: 1stDibs, eligible AAdvantage Hotels™ bookings, Future Personal Training, and Live Nation® (exclusions apply).

    • Flight Streak bonus: Earn a 5,000 Loyalty Point bonus after every four qualifying American Airlines flights (up to 15,000 additional Loyalty Points each status qualification year).

    • American Airlines Companion Certificate: Receive an American Airlines Companion Certificate each time you renew your card membership, starting in your second year.

    The Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard also offers a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years.

    • Up to $300 annual hotel benefit: Receive up to $300 off a hotel stay of two nights or more each calendar year when booked through cititravel.com.

    • Up to $200 Annual Splurge credit: Earn up to $200 in annual statement credits on your choice of purchases from two of the following brands: 1stDibs, eligible AAdvantage Hotels™ bookings, Future Personal Training, and Live Nation® (exclusions apply).

    • Up to $200 annual Blacklane credit: Earn up to $200 in annual statement credits when booking with Blacklane. Up to $100 from January through June, and up to $100 from July through December.

    • Admirals Club passes: Receive four Admirals Club passes each calendar year.

    • Citigold: Qualifying Citigold clients receive a $145 Banking Relationship Annual Credit if the primary cardmember has an open and current Strata Elite℠ Card account with an assessed Annual Membership Fee of $595.

    The Citi Strata Elite also offers a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years.

    • Benefits

      • Get a $15 annual streaming credit for services like Netflix or Spotify
      • Redeem your points for travel, merchandise, cash back, gift cards, and more

    The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve also has a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

    Note: This card is not available for new applications.

    • Benefits

      • Ge a $50 annual statement credit with $50 minimum airline purchase
      • Access travel protections such as lost baggage reimbursement, travel accident insurance, and trip cancellation protection
      • Get up to $1,000 of cell phone protection against damage, theft, or loss ($25 deductible applies)

    Read our full Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card review

    • Elite night credits: Receive 20 Elite night credits each calendar year.

    • Anniversary bonus: Earn 30,000 bonus points on each account anniversary.

    The Choice Privileges Select Mastercard also has a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

    • Platinum tier: Spend $30,000 in a calendar year to unlock One Key Platinum tier.

    • Anniversary bonus: Get $100 in OneKeyCash each cardholder anniversary.

    The One Key+ Card also has a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

    This article was edited by Alicia Hahn

    Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information. This site doesn’t include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.

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  • BMO replaces Air Miles with new Blue Rewards program – MoneySense

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    Air Miles program members can continue to use their collector cards, and their miles will automatically convert to “Blue Points” at an equivalent value upon this summer’s launch, with no action required. BMO Air Miles credit and debit card holders can also continue using their cards uninterrupted and will receive more program details in the coming months.

    BMO revamps Blue Rewards with simpler, personalized perks

    The bank said Blue Rewards will feature a simplified booking experience for flights, hotels, and car rentals powered by Expedia Group. It will also build on recent changes, including the ability to earn points on grocery and food deliveries when in-store receipts are scanned using the Blue Rewards app, as well as bonus points at most grocery retailers and wholesale clubs across Canada.

    “Blue Rewards completely reimagines the loyalty experience with the client at the centre,” said Mathew Mehrotra, group head of Canadian personal and business banking at BMO, in a news release. “With a digitally enabled platform, we’re making one of Canada’s most celebrated loyalty programs even better by delivering simpler, flexible, more personalized rewards for collectors and helping them make real financial progress every day.”

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    Welcome offer:
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    Earn 1,250 points for each month you spend $750, up to a maximum of 15,000 points.

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    Earn 20,000 bonus points (approximately $165 in cash back value) after you make $2,000 or more in eligible purchases within the first 90 days.

    Shell leaves Air Miles for Scene+ loyalty program

    BMO acquired the Air Miles program in 2023 for US$160 million after its U.S. parent company LoyaltyOne Co. filed for bankruptcy. It is one of the oldest and largest loyalty programs in Canada, with around 10 million active users at the time of the acquisition. Collectors earn Air Miles through participating stores, services, and payment cards, which can be redeemed for “aspirational rewards” like merchandise, travel, events, and attractions.

    Meanwhile, Shell Canada announced Monday its long-standing partnership with Air Miles is set to conclude, as the fuel company is instead joining up with the Scene+ loyalty program. Scene+ has more than 15 million members and is owned by Scotiabank, Empire Co. Ltd., and Cineplex Inc.

    By bringing Shell on board, members will be able to earn points when they visit one of the fuel company’s 1,400 gas station and convenience store locations across Canada. The new offering is set to roll out in Alberta on March 3 and expand across Canada on May 26. That partnership will also see Scotiabank and Tangerine clients with eligible payment cards save at participating Shell locations. Shell customers can continue to earn and redeem Air Miles through March 2 in Alberta and May 25 in the rest of Canada. 

    “We listened to our members when they told us they wanted a fuel loyalty partner,” said Tracey Pearce, president of Scene+. “As a leader in the fuel industry, Shell is an ideal partner for our ecosystem.”

    Blue Rewards adds new partners, keeps 400+ brands

    Air Miles had lost a string of other big retailers in Canada during the years leading up to its sale to BMO.

    Article Continues Below Advertisement


    BMO said Blue Rewards collectors will continue to earn points at more than 400 brands. It said new Blue Rewards program partners include Porter Airlines and Accor Group hotel brands such as Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. Other new partners include Instacart and MTY Group restaurants, such as Thai Express, Baton Rouge, Pizza Delight, Allo Mon Coco, Sushi Shop, Mr. Sub, Manchu Wok, Mucho Burrito, and Jugo Juice.

    Get free MoneySense financial tips, news & advice in your inbox.

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    About The Canadian Press


    About The Canadian Press

    The Canadian Press is Canada’s trusted news source and leader in providing real-time stories. We give Canadians an authentic, unbiased source, driven by truth, accuracy and timeliness.

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  • SoCal man once stole a billionaire’s identity, then he set his sights on surfers, prosecutors say

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    A convicted bank robber — who also once stole the identity of one of the world’s richest men in order to pocket his $1.4-million tax refund — now awaits sentencing for a different kind of fraud scheme, one that targeted Southern California surfers.

    Moundir Kamil, 56, was the mastermind behind a nearly $1-million scheme that targeted surfers while they were catching waves, according to federal prosecutors.

    Orange County resident Kamil, along with accomplices Jordan Adams and Jennifer Pruneda, pleaded guilty in September to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, attempted bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Sentencing for Kamil is expected to take place Wednesday in downtown Los Angeles.

    According to court documents and media reports, Kamil and his co-conspirators burglarized vehicles to steal credit cards, debit cards, phones and other forms of identification to later make fraudulent purchases, including luxury items and expensive electronics, totaling at least $850,000.

    The larceny took place across various Southern California beaches including Pacific Palisades, Malibu and Manhattan Beach, as well as beaches in San Diego County and other popular surfing spots, from April 2021 through December 2022.

    In one case reported by a Newport Beach surfer, he discovered that someone had taken his keys from his beachside apartment and used them to steal his wallet and phone from his car while he surfed. The thief was later identified and alleged to be part of an organized crime ring led by Kamil.

    The scheme also involved lookouts who would watch where surfers would stash their keys before they hit the waves; then a partner in crime would grab the key and break into the car, taking phones and wallets. Kamil was able to hack facial recognition software on phones to get into the victims’ apps, prosecutors said. The thieves would then empty out bank and other accounts.

    When credit card companies would call to check on fraudulent activity, the thieves would answer the phone and approve the charges, documents show.

    Kamil is no stranger to money schemes.

    In 2011, he pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud for stealing a nearly $1.4-million tax refund check from billionaire Donald Bren, a real estate mogul and Irvine Co. chairman.

    A federal judge ordered Kamil to pay $1.1 million in restitution. He was also sentenced to 99 days in jail and three years’ probation, which included seeking mental health treatments for a gambling addiction.

    Back in 2003, he was convicted of robbing six banks across Orange County, for which he was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and dubbed the “Give Me More Bandit,” due to his demands for extra cash from tellers.

    City News Service contributed to this report.

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    Andrea Flores

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  • You’re probably broke if you always say ‘yes’ to these 5 things, no matter how much money you make

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    People rarely go broke overnight. Instead, it usually happens gradually as a series of poor financial decisions add up. Few of us can afford to make many financial mistakes. That includes relatively high earners.

    According to YouGov, 36% of U.S. adults earning more than $100,000 a year are struggling to make ends meet on their current income. (1)

    Meanwhile, a Harris Poll found that more than half of six-figure earners would only feel financially secure if their income doubled, and three-quarters had used a credit card because they ran out of cash recently. (2)

    In other words, you can’t outearn bad spending habits. And if you’re saying “yes” to any of the crucial things listed below, you’re probably on a path to financial insecurity as well.

    Helping friends and family with their financial struggles feels noble, but it can quickly derail your own finances. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to say “no” to your loved ones.

    Nearly six in 10 parents admit to providing some financial assistance to their adult children, according to Pew Research. (3)

    Moreover, according to a 2025 survey by JG Wentworth, 53% of adults say they have lent money to either a friend or family member at least once, and 48.3% would ask a family member for money with no expectation to pay it back. (4)

    Put simply, lending money to your loved ones is nearly on par with tossing cash into a black hole. That’s not to say you should refuse all requests for financial help. However, if you’re saying “yes” too often, you’re putting yourself in a financially vulnerable position.

    The costs of dining out, attending concerts and going on vacation have increased rapidly in recent years. U.S. adults currently spend $2,841 per year on restaurant and takeout meals, according to CNET (5), while the average household annual entertainment budget is $3,636, according to Ramsey Solutions. (6) Add in occasional expenses like birthdays and anniversaries, and you can see why an active social life is an expensive luxury.

    You don’t need to abandon all opportunities to socialize and live like a recluse, but occasionally saying “no” could help you accumulate meaningful savings over time.

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  • Fairfax Co. police warn holiday shoppers of potential credit card skimming scam – WTOP News

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    Detectives from the department’s financial crimes unit, along with members of the U.S. Secret Service, found 20 credit card skimming devices during a countywide detection operation.

    Police in Fairfax County, Virginia, are warning holiday shoppers to monitor a potential credit card scam as they pay at the register.

    Detectives from the department’s financial crimes unit, along with members of the U.S. Secret Service, found 20 credit card skimming devices during a countywide detection operation.

    According to a news release, the devices were found at convenience stores, discount stores and grocery stores throughout Fairfax County and the Town of Herndon.

    Public Information Officer Ingrid Palencia told WTOP the investigation, known as Operation Skim Scam, was done right before the holidays as people are using their credit cards more and shopping often. No arrests have been made in Operation Skim Scam.

    “We want to prevent our community members (from being) victimized by these skimmers,” she said.

    The devices can steal a person’s personal information, including their card’s PIN entry. Criminals then use the data to make unauthorized purchases or open a new credit card on a person’s behalf.

    According to the FBI, skimming costs banks and consumers more than $1 billion a year.

    Detectives are reviewing “recording devices” at the locations where the devices were found to identify the installers, Palencia said. In total, 287 point-of-sale (POS) terminals, 158 ATMs and 46 gas pumps were searched for skimming devices during the operation.

    Credit card skimming devices are small and designed to be placed with real card readers. Palencia said people should be mindful of several things next time they make a credit card purchase.

    “This is an easy way to capture a lot of information in a little bit of time,” Palencia said. “If there’s a lot of people coming to the same store and using the credit cards; within an hour, they can have 10 people’s credit card information.”

    Palencia recommended checking for any loose or bulky machines and if they have mismatching colors compared to the rest of the machine. That’s a sign, Palencia said, that a skimmer device was placed on top of the machine.

    “If the PIN pad doesn’t match the machine of the color, if the PIN pad is loose, if it’s bulky — you want to make sure you’re pulling on it to make sure it’s not a cover on top of the actual machine,” she said.

    Check for a hidden camera on the machine trying to capture your PIN number and don’t accept help from anyone you don’t know while using an ATM or payment machine.

    When you are out shopping, officials say to cover your PIN by using your hand to shield the keypad as you enter your number. Use familiar and well-lit locations whenever possible and use ATMs inside banks or high-traffic areas. Lastly, monitor your bank and credit card accounts for any unauthorized transactions.

    Palencia recommends using contactless payment options, such as tap-to-pay cards or mobile wallets on smartphones.

    “Your actual card is not being compromised,” Palencia said. “Your actual physical card data is not being transferred onto these devices. That would be better than using your actual card.”

    If you locate a suspicious device, don’t remove it. Instead, call Fairfax County Police’s non-emergency number at (703) 691-2131 so officers can come to the scene to remove it properly while preserving as much data as possible.

    Anyone with information regarding skimming devices found around the county are encouraged to call the department’s financial crimes unit at 703-246-3533 or leave an anonymous tip on the Fairfax County Crime Solvers website.

    Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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  • New to Canada? Here’s how the Scotiabank newcomer offer can help – MoneySense

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    As a newcomer, you can get personalized financial advice and apply for credit cards that don’t require a lengthy Canadian credit history. This gives you the chance to start building your credit score right away, so you can qualify for higher credit limits or better borrowing terms as you’re setting up life in a new country.

    Why your credit score matters

    It’s hard to overstate just how important your credit score is. This three-digit number reflects your financial habits and history, and it’s the number lenders and card issuers look at when they’re deciding whether or not to approve your applications for credit. 

    Essentially, your credit score tells lenders how risky you are to lend to. 

    People with low credit scores or those who don’t have a credit score at all will likely find it much harder to be approved for loans, credit cards, and mortgages. On the other hand, people with high credit scores will not only be more likely to be approved, but also may have access to better interest rates and loan terms.

    How to establish a strong credit score in Canada

    The credit monitoring bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion, look at your personal financial factors to determine your score, but they don’t weigh these factors equally. Here are the rough numbers:

    • 35% of your score is determined by your payment history: This is your record of loan or credit payments. Since missed payments can damage your credit score, always make at least the minimum payment for all your accounts each month.
    • 30% of your score is influenced by credit utilization: This is how much available credit you’re using. Using around 30% or less of your available credit will help boost your score.
    • 15% of your score is determined by your credit history: Newcomers are at a distinct disadvantage with this factor since it takes into account the age of your Canadian credit accounts—foreign accounts don’t count.
    • 10% of your score is dependent on your credit mix: Credit bureaus want to see a mix of credit types to see if you’re responsible with your finances. Having a mix of auto loans, lines of credit, credit cards, and even student loans on your history can help your score.
    • 10% of your score is determined by requests for credit: Lenders pay attention to how often your credit report is pulled, like when you’re looking for new credit. Many pulls in a short time can indicate you’re struggling financially, so limit the number of credit applications you submit to protect your credit score.

    Many of these factors take time to develop, which can make it difficult for newcomers to build a good credit score. Fortunately, Scotiabank has a powerful credit-building tool for new Canadians.

    How the Scotiabank StartRight® Program works

    As most newcomers to Canada find out quickly, you typically can’t bring your credit history with you when you move, so it’s hard to access loans and other credit products. That’s where Scotiabank’s StartRight® Program comes in.

    StartRight™ allows you to set up your personal finances through Scotiabank, including a no-monthly fee chequing account for the first year, credit cards and specialized mortgage financing. 

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    As a Scotiabank’s StartRight® Program member, you can get: 

    • Up to $700 when you bundle an eligible banking package, savings account, and registered account.
    • No monthly account fees on a Preferred Package chequing account for the first year.
    • Unlimited no-fee international money transfers from a Scotiabank chequing or savings account.
    • Apply for credit cards even without an established Canadian credit history, so you can start building a credit score as soon as you’re approved 
    • 10 free equity trades when you invest at least $1,000 in a new Scotia iTrade® account.

    You can make an appointment at any Scotiabank location to join StartRight™ if you meet the qualifications.

    Permanent residents must show one piece of Canadian government-issued ID along with a permanent resident card or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) document. Foreign workers must show a work permit and one piece of Canadian government-issued ID.

    FAQs

    This article is provided for information purposes only. Any information, data, opinions, views, advice, recommendations or other content included in this article are solely those of the author and not of Scotiabank or its affiliates. It is not to be relied upon as financial, tax or investment advice or guarantees about the future, nor should it be considered a recommendation to buy or sell. Information contained in this article is subject to change without notice.

    This is a paid post that is informative but also may feature a client’s product or service. These posts are written, edited, and produced by MoneySense with assigned freelancers.

    Get free MoneySense financial tips, news & advice in your inbox.

    Read more about newcomers:



    About Jessica Gibson


    About Jessica Gibson

    Jessica Gibson is a personal finance writer with over a decade of experience in online publishing. She enjoys helping readers make informed decisions about credit cards, insurance, and debt management.

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    Jessica Gibson

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  • How scammers use the holiday season to steal your money, information

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    Scammers particularly use the holiday season to steal your money and information.Hoping consumers will let down their guard, or just trying to spoof legitimate businesses, scammers will do everything they can to take advantage of your vulnerability or generosity.Chase and the Baltimore Police Department recently hosted a scam education event to show consumers how to protect themselves. Some of their tips are listed below.Holiday shopping: What to knowShop with trusted retailers: Stick to reputable websites when shopping online. If you’re unfamiliar with a store, search for its name along with terms like “scam,” “complaints” or “reviews” to uncover any red flags.Verify website URLs: Scammers can create fake websites that look like legitimate retailers. Ensure the URL starts with “https://” as the “s” stands for secure. Avoid clicking links from unsolicited emails or texts.Beware of unrealistic deals: Scammers lure buyers by offering massive discounts on popular or sold-out items. If a deal seems too good to be true, it’s likely a scam.How you pay matters: Credit cards and debit cards offer different protections than cash or payment transfer apps, like Zelle and Venmo. Remember, only use apps like Zelle to pay others you know and trust.Shopping on public Wi-Fi: Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi when making an online purchase. Scammers can intercept your personal information on unsecured networks.Use digital tools: Trusted financial institutions offer credit and identity monitoring, including alerts to inform you when your data is exposed in a data breach or on the dark web.Online deals that are too good to be trueWhen shopping online or on social media, buy only from trusted websites and vendors. If purchasing on a marketplace, stay on the platform to complete transactions and communicate with sellers, as protections often only apply when you use the platform.Use payment methods that offer buyer protection. Never send money to strangers, particularly via payment-transfer apps like Zelle or Venmo, for purchases, especially when you can’t confirm the goods exist. Missed packages or problems with deliveryExpecting a package? Be cautious of phishing messages through email or text message that impersonate delivery services, like the U.S. Postal Service, UPS or FedEx, with links to view “missed deliveries.” These links may lead to fake sign-in pages to capture your actual password or to malware-infected sites.Do not respond to messages requesting personal or financial information, including money or cryptocurrency. Be wary of unexpected packages and avoid scanning QR codes, as they may be attempts to steal your information.Scams: Fake refunds, quishing, phishing/smishing, whalingRefund scams: Another scam doesn’t demand payment. Instead, it dangles a refund, sometimes via text messages posing as official messages from “Department of Taxation,” urging recipients to “click here to claim your refund.” The texts look legitimate at a glance, but they are designed to lure you into tapping a fraudulent link and handing over personal information. Cybersecurity experts are warning about scammers using QR codes to take advantage of unsuspecting victims. The practice called “quishing” uses a QR code that sends you to a dummy website to get your information — and money.When it comes to phishing, the term is more widely known, but people are still falling for it. Phishing emails or texts (known as “smishing”) attempt to trick a recipient into clicking a suspicious link, filling out information or downloading a malware file.Whaling attacks generally target leaders or other executives with access to large amounts of information at an organization or business. Whaling attacks can target people in payroll offices, human resources and financial offices as well as leadership. Video below: An expert’s tips to avoid falling for QR code scamsGift card scamsBe cautious about buying gift cards from third-party sites. Scammers will pre-save card details or sell expired cards.Don’t respond to an unsolicited email or text message offering you a gift card because it’s often a way to track your online activity.Don’t fall for scammers asking you to pay for services or goods using gift cards.Video below: Guide to selling gift cards securely onlinePhony charitiesThe holidays are also a season of giving, but before you donate money, double-check the contact and payment information for a charity.Beware of text, email or phone call solicitations. Like any other unsolicited message, don’t click on links or open attachments because they may contain malware or try to steal your information.Travel scamsScammers try to mimic or impersonate popular travel websites by recreating familiar branding, logos or company verbiage.As part of your travel research, do scam checks by looking up unfamiliar retail, travel and services websites by searching online for their names along with terms like “scam,” “complaints” or “reviews.”Chase advises using a credit card to book travel so that if an issue arises, you can dispute it.What to do if you fall victim to a scamVideo below: Steps to take immediately after falling for a scamStop communication: Discontinue all contact with the scammer immediately to prevent further damage.Document everything: Take note of all relevant information, including the scammer’s contact details and any information that may be useful when reporting the incident.Contact your bank: Report the incident and verify recent transactions to ensure there is no fraudulent activity on your account.Report the incident: File a police report or an inquiry to the Federal Trade Commission for official documentation.Monitor for identity theft: Sign up for credit and identity monitoring to receive alerts when your personal information has been leaked in a data breach or shows up on the dark web.Change your passwords: Update your online accounts by creating strong passwords, particularly if the scam involved accessing your personal information.Share your experience: Let friends and family know what happened to raise awareness about the signs of scams and help others avoid falling victim. Remember that financial scams can, and do, happen to anyone, so don’t feel embarrassed.Remain on high alert for follow-up scams: Scammers might attempt to target you again, especially if they know you’ve fallen victim before. Be cautious of unsolicited communications.

    Scammers particularly use the holiday season to steal your money and information.

    Hoping consumers will let down their guard, or just trying to spoof legitimate businesses, scammers will do everything they can to take advantage of your vulnerability or generosity.

    Chase and the Baltimore Police Department recently hosted a scam education event to show consumers how to protect themselves. Some of their tips are listed below.

    Holiday shopping: What to know

    Shop with trusted retailers: Stick to reputable websites when shopping online. If you’re unfamiliar with a store, search for its name along with terms like “scam,” “complaints” or “reviews” to uncover any red flags.

    Verify website URLs: Scammers can create fake websites that look like legitimate retailers. Ensure the URL starts with “https://” as the “s” stands for secure. Avoid clicking links from unsolicited emails or texts.

    Beware of unrealistic deals: Scammers lure buyers by offering massive discounts on popular or sold-out items. If a deal seems too good to be true, it’s likely a scam.

    How you pay matters: Credit cards and debit cards offer different protections than cash or payment transfer apps, like Zelle and Venmo. Remember, only use apps like Zelle to pay others you know and trust.

    Shopping on public Wi-Fi: Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi when making an online purchase. Scammers can intercept your personal information on unsecured networks.

    Use digital tools: Trusted financial institutions offer credit and identity monitoring, including alerts to inform you when your data is exposed in a data breach or on the dark web.

    Online deals that are too good to be true

    When shopping online or on social media, buy only from trusted websites and vendors. If purchasing on a marketplace, stay on the platform to complete transactions and communicate with sellers, as protections often only apply when you use the platform.

    Use payment methods that offer buyer protection. Never send money to strangers, particularly via payment-transfer apps like Zelle or Venmo, for purchases, especially when you can’t confirm the goods exist.

    Missed packages or problems with delivery

    Expecting a package? Be cautious of phishing messages through email or text message that impersonate delivery services, like the U.S. Postal Service, UPS or FedEx, with links to view “missed deliveries.”

    These links may lead to fake sign-in pages to capture your actual password or to malware-infected sites.

    Do not respond to messages requesting personal or financial information, including money or cryptocurrency. Be wary of unexpected packages and avoid scanning QR codes, as they may be attempts to steal your information.

    Scams: Fake refunds, quishing, phishing/smishing, whaling

    Refund scams: Another scam doesn’t demand payment. Instead, it dangles a refund, sometimes via text messages posing as official messages from “Department of Taxation,” urging recipients to “click here to claim your refund.” The texts look legitimate at a glance, but they are designed to lure you into tapping a fraudulent link and handing over personal information.

    Cybersecurity experts are warning about scammers using QR codes to take advantage of unsuspecting victims. The practice called “quishing” uses a QR code that sends you to a dummy website to get your information — and money.

    When it comes to phishing, the term is more widely known, but people are still falling for it. Phishing emails or texts (known as “smishing”) attempt to trick a recipient into clicking a suspicious link, filling out information or downloading a malware file.

    Whaling attacks generally target leaders or other executives with access to large amounts of information at an organization or business. Whaling attacks can target people in payroll offices, human resources and financial offices as well as leadership.

    Video below: An expert’s tips to avoid falling for QR code scams

    Gift card scams

    Be cautious about buying gift cards from third-party sites. Scammers will pre-save card details or sell expired cards.

    Don’t respond to an unsolicited email or text message offering you a gift card because it’s often a way to track your online activity.

    Don’t fall for scammers asking you to pay for services or goods using gift cards.

    Video below: Guide to selling gift cards securely online

    Phony charities

    The holidays are also a season of giving, but before you donate money, double-check the contact and payment information for a charity.

    Beware of text, email or phone call solicitations. Like any other unsolicited message, don’t click on links or open attachments because they may contain malware or try to steal your information.

    Travel scams

    Scammers try to mimic or impersonate popular travel websites by recreating familiar branding, logos or company verbiage.

    As part of your travel research, do scam checks by looking up unfamiliar retail, travel and services websites by searching online for their names along with terms like “scam,” “complaints” or “reviews.”

    Chase advises using a credit card to book travel so that if an issue arises, you can dispute it.

    What to do if you fall victim to a scam

    Video below: Steps to take immediately after falling for a scam

    Stop communication: Discontinue all contact with the scammer immediately to prevent further damage.

    Document everything: Take note of all relevant information, including the scammer’s contact details and any information that may be useful when reporting the incident.

    Contact your bank: Report the incident and verify recent transactions to ensure there is no fraudulent activity on your account.

    Report the incident: File a police report or an inquiry to the Federal Trade Commission for official documentation.

    Monitor for identity theft: Sign up for credit and identity monitoring to receive alerts when your personal information has been leaked in a data breach or shows up on the dark web.

    Change your passwords: Update your online accounts by creating strong passwords, particularly if the scam involved accessing your personal information.

    Share your experience: Let friends and family know what happened to raise awareness about the signs of scams and help others avoid falling victim. Remember that financial scams can, and do, happen to anyone, so don’t feel embarrassed.

    Remain on high alert for follow-up scams: Scammers might attempt to target you again, especially if they know you’ve fallen victim before. Be cautious of unsolicited communications.

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  • What Canadians want from their rewards programs—and how to actually get it – MoneySense

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    Understanding what makes a credit card rewards program truly rewarding—things like flexibility, transparency, and everyday earning potential—can help you get more from your money. We’re exploring how to get the most value from your rewards, featuring the no annual fee PC Mastercard, showcasing how to turn everyday spending into everyday value.

    What do you value most in a rewards program?

    When asked to select the top factors that are important in a rewards program, nearly six in 10 Canadians (59%) said they place the most emphasis on how easy it is to redeem points. Other important features include:

    • Earning rewards on everyday purchases (55%)
    • Flexibility in how points can be used (49%)
    • Transparency of points value (48%)

    Although most Canadians want rewards programs that are valuable and straightforward to use, only 20% are satisfied with how quickly they earn rewards, and just 19% are happy with their program’s flexibility.

    “Most Canadians love the idea of getting rewarded for spending on what they are already doing,” shares financial expert, Eduek Brooks “But many quickly realize that traditional programs are complicated, slow to deliver value, and hard to use. Between clunky apps, confusing point conversions, and long waits to earn meaningful rewards, people often feel the effort outweighs the benefit.”

    Match rewards to your lifestyle and spending habits

    You’re not going to maximize your earnings if your loyalty program is at odds with your spending habits or lifestyle. A card that offers premium rewards on flights won’t do you much good if you rarely travel. Your points will sit idle while your everyday spending earns next to nothing.

    By switching to a program that rewards your highest spending categories—say groceries, gas, or recurring bills—you’ll rack up points much faster. Even better, look for a card that rewards you on every purchase, so you’re earning no matter where you spend. You’ll also want to use a program that lets you redeem points how you want, whenever you want. No one likes waiting a full year to redeem cash back, so select a program that puts you in charge.

    “If you really want your rewards to work harder for you, start by using one program for most of your spending instead of spreading points across many programs,” suggests Eduek Brooks. “When you focus your everyday purchases in one place, the points stack up fast.”

    If you’re looking for a credit card that participates in a flexible rewards program, PC Financial’s no annual fee Mastercard is a good option. You get 1% back in PC Optimum points everywhere you shop plus up to 4.5% back at Shoppers Drug Mart, and up to 3% back at their banner grocery stores—without any earning caps. Plus, you’ll get at least 3 cents per litre back on Esso and Mobil purchases. The card is a great example of how you can earn clear value with every purchase.

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    Card details

    Interest rates 21.99% on purchases, 22.97% on cash advances and % on balance transfers
    Income required None specified
    Credit score 560 or higher
    Point value 1 PC Optimum point is worth $0.001 (redeem 10,000 points for $10)

    More value, more flexibility: The PC Mastercard approach

    Let’s take a look at how the no annual fee PC Mastercard delivers what cardholders really want from a credit card rewards program.

    Earning points should be transparent and easy

    Complex earning and redemption structures likely contribute to Canadians’ dissatisfaction with most rewards programs. The PC Mastercard takes the opposite approach, with easy-to-use rewards through PC Optimum, without the need to track rotating categories or complicated tiers.

    When you use your PC Mastercard, every 10,000 PC Optimum points equals $10 off at Loblaw banner stores or a free car wash at Esso, keeping things simple and transparent.

    You can check your points balance anytime through the PC Financial app, making it easy to track your rewards on the go

    Flexible redemption options

    Having the flexibility to redeem points on your own terms is important for many. Once you’ve accumulated PC Optimum points you can start redeeming increments of 10,000 points, whether it’s on groceries or everyday essentials.

    Plus, they have recently introduced a new feature to use points toward your credit card balance (10,000 minimum points to redeem $7), giving you even greater flexibility on where you want to use your points. With no waiting for reward cycles or card anniversaries, you can use your points on your terms and turn your everyday spending into everyday rewards.

    Rewards programs are very popular with Canadians, with almost everyone belonging to at least one. But it’s worth asking: is yours really rewarding you? 

    “Rewards should be seamless and meaningful,” explains Eduek. “When points are easy to earn and easy to redeem, people feel the value immediately and keep coming back.”

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    Jessica Gibson

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  • A shadowy L.A. crime ring is hijacking the IDs of foreign scholars, fraud expert says

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    Using apartments in the San Fernando Valley and Glendale area, a shadowy group of identity thieves has been quietly exploiting a new kind of victim — foreign scholars who left the U.S. years ago but whose Social Security numbers still linger in American databases, according to a cybercrime expert.

    Criminals are resurrecting these dormant identities and submitting hundreds of applications for bank accounts and credit cards, says David Maimon, head of fraud insights at SentiLink and a criminology professor at Georgia State University. The Southern California-based fraudsters can then max out lines of credit while unknowing victims live halfway across the world, he says.

    Sgt. Frank Diana, with the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Fraud and Cyber Crimes Bureau, said organized crime rings in the county are highly skilled at stealing identities, concealing their IP addresses and laundering their loot to make it hard to detect.

    Local identity crime rings “are doing it to make millions of dollars, live in nice houses, all at the expense of taxpayers,” Diana said. “It’s not their money, but they’re living like kings.”

    Maimon and his colleague Karl Lubenow said they uncovered this tactic of stealing foreign scholars’ IDs through their work at SentiLink, a company that works with financial institutions to verify identities and detect fraud.

    At first they were asked to examine applications where foreign movie stars and athletes were probably being impersonated.

    In the process, they said, their investigation unearthed something much larger: hundreds of applications submitted to major credit issuers from a set of similar California street addresses and IP addresses in September.

    As they sifted through the files, they saw that, in addition to targeting a handful of foreign celebrities, the fraudsters were impersonating scores of former foreign scholars who had come to the U.S. as long ago as 1977 and left as recently as 2024.

    These scholars were required to obtain Social Security numbers to work on campus in roles such as research or teaching assistants, postdoctoral fellows or visiting lecturers. They are no longer living in the U.S., but their personal information remains scattered across school databases and credit bureaus, which according to Maimon makes them prime prey for opportunistic hackers and fraudsters.

    Should victimized scholars seek to return to the U.S., they would encounter a massive pile of debt and a crippling credit score that could prevent them from gaining work or housing, Maimon said. Meanwhile, financial institutions are liable for the debt, which can ultimately increase the cost of their services to all customers, he added.

    Most of the applications that Maimon identified as fraudulent originated at apartments at six key addresses in Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Toluca Lake, Glendale and Thai Town. It’s likely that crime ring members use addresses they have access to so that they can pick up credit cards, checks and other sensitive documents sent in the mail, Maimon said.

    The nexus of these addresses falls in the Burbank and Glendale area, which Maimon points out is the home of Armenian Power, an organized crime group known for conducting sophisticated financial crimes.

    He also noted that scholars from Turkey, Armenia’s historical rival, accounted for about half of all fraudulent applications. The remainder were impersonating scholars from a variety of countries such as Japan, India, the Netherlands, Portugal and Greece.

    “They [Armenian Power] have been involved in identity theft and white-collar crime for the last 15 years or so,” Maimon said. “It leads us to believe that these guys are essentially stealing all these identities and using them in order to create all those bank accounts and credit lines.”

    Sgt. Diana said that the tactics used by the alleged identity theft ring that Maimon discovered align with those often used by Armenian crime groups, which tend to be based in the Burbank and Glendale areas.

    Although Diana does not know whether Armenian groups are behind fraud attempts targeting foreign scholars, he said these groups are responsible for a significant portion of organized financial crime in L.A. County.

    “We run into a lot of sophisticated Armenian crime groups that are experts on identity theft,” he said. “That’s what they do for a living and [they] make a lot of money.”

    The Sheriff’s Department is not currently investigating any identity theft cases involving foreign scholars, he said. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department said the department did not currently have any investigations related to this topic. The Burbank Police Department declined to comment.

    Maimon has not reported his findings to authorities, in part due to fear of retaliation from the criminals involved, he said. His previous efforts to shine a light on fraudsters led to his Social Security number and personal information being released on the dark web, resulting in years of identity theft attempts, he said.

    He has reported his findings to the affected financial institutions through his role as a fraud investigator.

    One of the financial institutions, which did not wish to be named due to security concerns, said in a statement that it first realized something was awry after seeing a series of suspicious high-dollar transactions in L.A. and Kern counties coming from accounts in the Glendale area. The majority of the account holders only had addresses dating back to 2023 and very limited credit history.

    The institution said it was continuing to receive fraudulent applications using the identities of former foreign scholars. Once applications are flagged, the institution asks for additional verification information, which it very rarely receives.

    Major data hacks have exposed millions of Americans’ personal information, which is now readily available for purchase on the dark web, Diana said.

    In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission received more than 1.1 million identity theft complaints and about 2.6 million complaints of related fraud resulting in total financial losses of more than $12.7 billion, according to a report by consumer credit reporting company Experian.

    Maimon said that artificial intelligence has increased the ease with which criminals can carry out identity theft.

    Once fraudsters have obtained a victim’s name, date of birth and Social Security number, they can easily use AI tools to generate a picture of a driver’s license or passport. They can even create a realistic-looking video of an AI person holding the photo ID and turning their head side to side, which is an additional security requirement at some institutions.

    Both the ID and the person are fake in this video, an example of how AI can be used to try to evade security measures at financial institutions.

    Identity fraud cases are also notoriously difficult to prosecute as criminals hide behind a web of shadowy IP addresses. In addition, there is typically a significant delay between when fraud is committed and when the victim finds out — often by receiving a letter from a collection agency months later, at which point the evidence trail may have gone cold, Diana said.

    “We’re often a day late and a dollar short,” Diana said.

    In the case of the foreign scholars’ stolen identities, the victims may never find out, providing even more protection for the Southern California perpetrators.

    Diana warns all Angelenos to remain vigilant for signs of identity theft by frequently checking their credit score.

    He recommends people lock their credit at the three major credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. That way, if someone tries to open a fraudulent line of credit, the financial institution will be unable to access their credit report and probably will deny the application.

    Lastly, if anyone is a victim of identity theft, they should report it to a credit bureau, the FTC and local law enforcement, he said.

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    Clara Harter

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  • Top travel credit cards for 2025

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    Planning a trip this holiday season? Take the sting out of expensive flights and hotel stays by using rewards from the best travel credit cards to book your upcoming holiday vacation. With some of your largest trip expenses covered with points or miles, you can put your money toward fun experiences and outings.

    • Annual fee

      $95

    • Welcome offer

      Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months – that’s equal to $750 in travel

    • Rewards rate

      • 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
      • 2x miles on all other purchases

    • Benefits

      • Receive up to a $120 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fees
      • Receive a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and early check-in at eligible hotels
      • Access Hertz’s Five Star membership tier, offering free upgrades, a wider selection of vehicles, and more

    Why we like it: The Capital One Venture card is a winning travel card for earning and redeeming miles, no matter how you like to travel. The simple 2x miles on every purchase can help you earn toward future trips with everything you buy. And redemptions are just as far-reaching: You can use miles to book future trips through Capital One Travel, reimburse yourself for travel purchases you make with your card, or transfer miles to Capital One’s 15+ travel partners.

    Read our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

    • Rewards rate

      • 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
      • 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries
      • 2x points on all other travel purchases
      • 1x points on all other purchases
      • $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit

    • Benefits

      • Complimentary DashPass with $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27, plus a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders
      • Earn up to $50 in annual statement credits for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel
      • On every account anniversary, earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year

    Why we like it: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has a solid welcome offer and rewards on a mix of travel and everyday categories, so you can rack up points no matter how often you vacation. On top of that, you’ll get an anniversary points bonus worth 10% of your overall spending from the past year. But you’ll get the most value from this card when it’s time to redeem. Points redeemed for travel through Chase Travel℠ get a 25% boost — so 10,000 points would be worth $125, for example.

    Read our full Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review and learn more about pairing today’s top Chase credit cards

    • Rewards rate

      • 10x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
      • 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
      • 2x miles on all other purchases

    • Benefits

      • $300 annual credit for travel bookings through Capital One Travel
      • 10,000 annual bonus miles (worth $100 in travel spending; starts on your first account anniversary)
      • Unlimited access for you and two guests to Capital One Lounges and 1,300+ more lounges through partner networks after enrollment

    Why we like it: We like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card because it has no shortage of great perks and rewards, but offers a relatively lower annual fee. You’ll get a $300 annual travel credit for bookings with Capital One Travel; 10,000 bonus miles each year after your first anniversary; a credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fees; access to Capital One Lounges and partner lounge networks; a $100 experience credit when you book stays with the Premier Collection; Hertz President’s Circle status; and more. Combined, these perks more than outpace the card’s annual fee — but consider your travel plans to ensure you’ll be able to take full advantage and get the maximum possible value from your Venture X card.

    Read our full Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review

    • Welcome offer

      You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer; apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer with no credit score impact; if approved and you accept the card, your score may be impacted)

    • Rewards rate

      • 4x Membership Rewards Points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x)
      • 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x)
      • 3x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com
      • 2x Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com
      • 1x Membership Rewards points on all other eligible purchases

    • Benefits

      • Earn up to $10 in statement credits each month when you pay with your American Express Gold Card at Five Guys, Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, and Wine.com (enrollment required)
      • Up to $100 in annual statement credits ($50 semi-annually) when you use your American Express Gold Card on eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants on the Resy app or Resy.com
      • Up to $84 per year ($7/month) in statement credits after you enroll and pay with your American Express Gold Card at more than 9,000 U.S. Dunkin’® locations (enrollment is required to receive this benefit)

    Why we like it: You might not expect a travel credit card to offer some of the best rewards on your most frequent budget items, but the American Express Gold Card does just that. With 4x points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 in purchases annually) and 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 in purchases annually), it’s easy to earn rewards on your year-round food spending to put toward an upcoming trip — in addition to travel rewards categories. Combined with travel savings, travel rewards, and flexible redemption options (including transferring to Amex’s partner travel programs), Amex Gold offers great value even if you travel only a few times per year.

    Read our full American Express Gold Card review

    • Rewards rate

      • 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center
      • 4x points on travel
        4x points at gas stations/EV charging stations (on your first $1,000 each quarter)
      • 2x points on dining, streaming services, and at grocery stores
      • 1x points on all other eligible purchases

    • Benefits

      • No foreign transaction fees
      • Up to $100 in statement credits toward your TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee once every four years
      • Complimentary Priority Pass™ Select Membership for 4 free visits to over 1,600 airport lounges and experiences

    Why we like it: The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect may be a no annual fee card, but the rewards and perks it offers can bring just as much value as more costly options. Like the other cards on our list, you can earn rewards across a range of travel and everyday categories: 5x points on prepaid hotels and rental cars booked through U.S. Bank’s Altitude Rewards Center; 4x points on other travel and at gas stations or EV charging stations (up to $1,000 spent per quarter); 2x on dining purchases, streaming services, and grocery stores; and 1x on everything else. Redemption options may be slightly more limited than other cards on our list, but you can redeem rewards for a deposit to your U.S. Bank account, travel, gift cards, and more.

    • Annual fee

      $95

    • Welcome offer

      Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months (redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards on thankyou.com)

    • Rewards rate

      • 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions (booked through CitiTravel.com)
      • 3x points on air travel and other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations
      • 1x points on all other purchases

    • Benefits

      • Enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com (once per calendar year; benefit applied instantly at the time of booking)
      • No foreign transaction fees
      • Transfer ThankYou® Points to participating airline loyalty programs — including TrueBlue®, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer — with no fees (minimum transfer of 1,000 points)

    Why we like it: The Citi Strata Premier card is another travel card with a straightforward rewards structure but plenty of potential value. Earning rewards is simple — get 10x points when you book hotels, rental cars, and attractions through CitiTravel.com and 3x points across other hotel purchases, air travel, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations (everything else earns 1x points). In addition to redemptions through CitiTravel.com and for gift cards, you can transfer points to Citi’s partner airline programs.

    • Rewards rate

      • 2x points on travel and dining purchases
      • 1.5x points on all other purchases

    • Benefits

      • Up to $100 in annual statement credits for incidental airline fees such as seat upgrades or baggage fees, plus get a statement credit for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry application fees every four years
      • Bank of America Preferred Rewards® members can earn up to 75% more points on every purchase
      • Use your card anywhere without incurring foreign transaction fees

    Why we like it: The Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card works a bit like a flat rewards card — with a boost. You’ll earn 2x points on travel and dining with an unlimited 1.5x on everything else, which means you’re still getting the 1.5x multiplier no matter what you use your card to buy at home or away. Even better, you may be eligible to increase your rewards earnings even more. If you’re a Preferred Rewards member with Bank of America, you can earn 25% to 75% extra on every purchase, depending on your combined balances across eligible deposit and investment accounts. That could increase your travel and dining rewards to 2.5x to 3.5x and everything else to 1.87x to 2.62x per dollar.

    General travel cards like the ones above can be great for scoring points and miles toward any type of travel. But if you always prefer flying with a certain airline or booking with a specific hotel chain, a co-branded travel card might be more rewarding.

    We included hotel and airline cards in our overall travel card ratings, and the cards below are the top-scoring options.

    Just remember: a co-branded travel card only makes sense if you fly often enough with that airline or stay frequently enough at the hotel to justify its value over a more general card. Make sure you look at your recent travel and any upcoming plans before deciding.

    • Annual fee

      $95

    • Welcome offer

      Earn 80,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare after spending $4,000 or more within the first 120 days after account opening

    • Rewards rate

      • Unlimited 3x points for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases
      • Unlimited 2x points for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases
      • Unlimited 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases

    • Benefits

      • Free checked bag on Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines, plus priority boarding on Alaska Airlines, for you and up to 6 guests on the same reservation
      • Get a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after spending $6,000 or more in the previous year
      • Earn a 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America® account

    The Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature card has a solid welcome offer and rewards on a combination of everyday spending and Alaska Airline purchases — plus it offers an affordable way to score Alaska’s Companion Fare every year. You’ll earn a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees) each account anniversary when you spend at least $6,000 in the year prior, or about $500 per month. With 3x rewards on Alaska Airlines spending and 2x on gas, EV charging, cable, streaming services, and local transit (plus 1x on everything else), you can meet that threshold with a combination of travel and everyday purchases while boosting your rewards.

    Read our full review of the Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature

    • Rewards rate

      • 3x miles on eligible Hawaiian Airlines purchases
      • 2x miles on gas, dining, and eligible grocery store purchases
      • 1x miles on all other purchases

    • Benefits

      • Get two free checked bags on eligible flights when you use your card to book on Hawaiian Airlines
      • Receive a one-time 50% off companion discount for roundtrip travel between Hawaii and North America
      • Get a $100 companion discount annually for roundtrip travel between Hawaii and North America after your account anniversary
      • Discounted award flights on Hawaiian Airlines

    If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii, the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard can offer amazing savings on your trip. In addition to the bonus miles you’ll get from the welcome offer, you’ll also get a one-time companion discount for 50% off a roundtrip coach ticket between Hawaii and North America. Even after the one-time discount, you’ll still save when you fly to Hawaii with a $100 companion discount every account anniversary which also applies to roundtrip travel between Hawaii and North America on Hawaiian Airlines.

    Read our full Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard review

    • Annual fee

      $350

    • Welcome offer

      Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 1,000 Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open

    • Rewards rate

      • 3x miles on United® purchases
      • 2x miles on dining, select streaming services, and all other travel
      • 1x miles on all other purchases

    • Benefits

      • Free first and second checked bags + priority boarding
      • Receive a $200 United® travel credit and 10,000-mile award flight discount on each account anniversary
      • Earn 2 global Economy Plus® seat upgrades after spending $40,000 in purchases each calendar year

    United and Chase offer multiple co-branded card options for frequent United Airlines flyers, but we like the The New United Quest Card for a few reasons. The annual fee is higher than some other options, but you’ll get plenty of benefits that can help make up the cost if you fly United at least a few times per year. In addition, get a solid welcome bonus and a wide range of ongoing rewards, from 3x miles on United purchases, 2x miles on other travel, dining, and select streaming services, and 1x on everything else.

    • Rewards rate

      • Up to 26x points at IHG hotels and resorts
      • 5x points on travel, dining, and at gas stations
      • 3x points on all other purchases

    • Benefits

      • Earn a free night on each account anniversary, plus get a fourth night free when you redeem your points for a consecutive four-night stay at IHG properties
      • Receive Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS statement credit of up to $120 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
      • Access perks including free upgrades, welcome amenities, and guaranteed room availability when you book at least 72 hours in advance

    For travelers who prefer to stay in IHG Hotels (which includes brands like InterContinental, Kimpton, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, and more), the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers a solid balance of rewards potential and annual benefits. Annual perks include automatic Platinum Elite status (qualify for Diamond when you spend at least $40,000 in a calendar year); an anniversary free night worth up to 40,000 points; a $100 statement credit and 10,000 points when you spend $20,000 in a calendar year; your fourth night free on eligible reward stays; and up to $50 United TravelBank Cash each calendar year when you connect your card to your United MileagePlus account.

    • Annual fee

      $95

    • Welcome offer

      Earn 3 Free Night Awards — each night valued up to 50,000 points — after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months (certain hotels have resort fees)

    • Rewards rate

      • Up to 17x points at Marriott: 6x points at participating Marriott Bonvoy® properties, 10x points for being a Marriott Bonvoy® member, plus 1x points for members with Silver Elite Status
      • 3x points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases anually on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
      • 2x points on all other purchases

    • Benefits

      • Earn a Free Night Award every year after your account anniversary
      • Get automatic Marriott Bonvoy® Silver Elite Status each calendar year, plus receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and earn 1 Elite Night Credit for every $5,000 you spend
      • Get a one-year complimentary DashPass membership if you activate by 12/31/27

    As one of the most extensive hotel programs in the world, a co-branded Marriott credit card can be a great tool for traveling the world no matter what type of property you prefer. With the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, you’ll get benefits when you stay, like an annual free night award (worth up to 35,000 points) and a path to elite status with 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year plus one additional Elite Night Credit for every $5,000 you spend. On top of that, get automatic Silver Elite status and Gold Status if you spend $35,000 in a calendar year.

    All information about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card has been collected independently by and is no longer available through Yahoo Finance.

    • Rewards rate

      • Up to 9x total points at Hyatt: 4x when you use your card at Hyatt hotels + 5x as a World of Hyatt member
      • 2x points on your top three spend categories* each quarter
      • 2x points on fitness club and gym memberships
      • 1x point on all other purchases
      • *Eligible categories include: Dining, shipping, airline tickets when purchased directly with the airline, local transit & commuting, social media & search engine advertising, car rental agencies, gas stations and internet, cable & phone services

    • Benefits

      • Spend $50 or more at any Hyatt property and earn $50 in statement credits up to two times per year
      • World of Hyatt Discoverist status for you and up to 5 employees for as long as your account is open
      • Get 5 Tier-Qualifying night credits toward status and Milestone rewards for every $10,000 you spend in a calendar year

    If you’re a Hyatt traveler, the World of Hyatt Credit Card has plenty to offer for savings on your hotel and resort stays. For ongoing rewards, you’ll earn up to 9x points on purchases at Hyatt hotels; 2x points at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly with airlines, local transit and commuting, and fitness club and gym memberships; and 1x points on everything else. Compared to other co-branded travel cards, this lineup of rewards categories is pretty unique, which could make it a good pick if those categories line up with your budget while at home or when you travel.

    The points or miles you earn with travel credit cards can be redeemed toward expensive trip costs, such as flights and hotel stays.

    In general, there are two primary ways to earn rewards with a travel credit card:

    1. Earn a generous welcome offer as a new cardholder

    2. Earn rewards on everyday purchases

    Qualifying for a sign-up bonus can significantly boost your earning potential as a new rewards cardholder, so it’s essential that you meet the terms and conditions of the bonus.

    For example, many welcome bonuses require you to spend a certain amount of money on your card within the first few months of card membership. If you don’t typically spend thousands of dollars over the course of three months, consider timing your card application for when you know you have large, upcoming purchases.

    To earn the most rewards possible on everyday purchases, consider travel credit cards with categories that align with your typical spending habits. For instance, if you eat out a lot, a card that rewards you with bonus points or miles on dining may make sense.

    Related: Best credit card sign-up bonuses and welcome offers for 2025 — Enjoy boosted first-year credit card rewards

    Various travel card perks and benefits can help lower your overall trip costs and make life easier as you travel. These could include airport lounge access, travel credits, free checked bags, and more.

    The most beneficial perks for you depend on your travel habits and preferences. If you frequently fly throughout the year, just having a checked bag benefit could save you hundreds of dollars annually.

    3. Take advantage of card protections and insurance

    Part of the benefit of many travel cards is having built-in purchase protection and travel insurance coverage. This could come in handy if your phone or another item is lost or stolen while traveling, if your luggage is delayed or lost, if your trip is canceled or interrupted, or many other potential situations.

    You typically have to pay for applicable trip expenses, such as flights, to take advantage of these benefits.

    Related: Get the most from your cards: How credit card protections work

    Travel credit cards offer points and miles rewards on your spending, which you can use toward travel-related redemptions, such as flights, hotel stays, and car rentals. You’ll often earn the highest rewards rate on travel purchases with a travel credit card, though many also offer boosted rewards on everyday purchases like groceries, gas, and more.

    Many travel cards also provide travel benefits and perks, which could include airport lounge access, annual travel or airline credits, companion airfare, or elite status with an airline or hotel loyalty program.

    Learn more about how travel credit cards work

    When you’re comparing travel credit cards, it can be useful to separate them into two distinct types: general travel rewards cards and co-branded airline and hotel credit cards.

    With a general travel credit card, you’ll have a number of flexible redemption options when you’re ready to redeem your points and miles. You may also have a broader range of benefits. Some general travel credit cards include:

    • Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

    • Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

    • American Express Gold Card

    Travel card issuers generally have their own travel portals, like Chase Travel or American Express Membership Rewards. You can use these to book flights, hotels, rental cars, and more. They may also have a number of travel partners, to which you can directly transfer points or miles. For example, American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to Delta SkyMiles at a rate of 1:1.

    Related: Amex points vs. Chase points — Who has the better rewards program?

    The flexibility of general travel cards means you can travel with any number of different airlines or hotel brands and get the best bang for your buck. Each time you’re ready to book, simply shop around between the portal or partners and compare the best options for your specific travel plans.

    These credit cards also allow other redemption options, such as statement credits, gift cards, and cash back. But you’ll generally get the best value by redeeming points or miles for travel.

    Airline and hotel credit cards

    Airline and hotel credit cards are typically co-branded between the card issuer and the airline or hotel chain. Here are a few examples:

    • Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card

    • United Quest Card

    • Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

    These cards are best suited for travelers who prefer to fly with a specific airline or stay at a certain hotel chain. Maybe you live near a hub airport, frequent a destination where a specific airline offers the most direct flight options, or you enjoy the perks of a specific hotel’s loyalty program.

    Instead of flexible rewards points or miles, you’ll earn points or miles within the airline or hotel rewards program, like Marriott Bonvoy points or American Airlines AAdvantage miles — and get a boosted rewards rate when you spend directly with the airline or hotel. These cards often offer a faster path to elite status tiers within these programs as well.

    You’ll typically get the best redemption rate when you use rewards for flights with the airline or stays at a hotel, but many programs offer other redemptions, too. Some airline and hotel rewards programs may even allow you to transfer your points and miles to other travel partners like you can with general travel rewards programs.

    The added benefits of co-branded cards are designed to appeal to loyal airline or hotel customers. For example, your airline card may get you priority boarding, upgrades, free checked bags, and in-flight discounts. And your hotel card may offer early check-in or late checkout, annual free night awards, and on-site credits.

    Co-branded travel cards aren’t for everyone, but they can add a lot to your travel experience if you have a strong airline or hotel preference.

    Here are a few key details to look for in any new travel credit card:

    No matter your budget, there’s a travel credit card with an annual fee that fits. You can find solid no annual fee options, like the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature card. But there are also plenty of premium travel cards with steep fees — the American Express Platinum Card®, for example, may set you back $695 per year (see rates and fees) but comes with an abundance of valuable benefits and perks that can potentially give you even more value back each year.

    The most important thing to keep in mind when deciding whether an annual fee is worth it for you is whether you can get enough out of the rewards and benefits to outweigh the cost — without spending more than you otherwise would or can afford.

    For new cardholders, a sign-up bonus can offer major first-year value. These bonuses may be worth anything from 10,000 to over 100,000 bonus points or miles — which can translate to hundreds of dollars in rewards value.

    However, you should compare the terms of the bonus to your own budget before you apply. For example, you may need to spend $4,000 within the first three months of opening your card before you can earn the 60,000 bonus points. If that’s not within your typical spending, be careful not to take on debt to meet the spending threshold. Accruing high interest on balances can quickly outpace even the best bonus.

    One smart strategy is opening a new travel credit card when you’re booking a trip you’ve been saving for. You may already be prepared to spend more than usual, which can help you reach the bonus requirement faster. Plus, you can earn rewards on those travel purchases to put toward future trips.

    Also look out for limited-time offers from top travel credit cards. Occasionally, issuers will increase the welcome bonus for a period of time — if you see a promotional offer that fits within your budget, that could be a great time to apply for a new card.

    Rewards are one of the biggest reasons for many people to open a travel credit card.

    Earning rewards with travel cards often works in one of two ways. You’ll either earn rewards on your everyday spending (groceries, gas stations, restaurants) to redeem toward future travel, or earn rewards on your travel spending to put toward future travel.

    Some cards offer a combination of these rewards, but knowing which type of spender you are can be useful. If your monthly budget is largely dedicated to everyday spending, you may get more value from the former. But if you travel frequently and spend a lot of money on flights, hotels, and rental cars, you can quickly rack up more points with travel-based rewards categories.

    4. Travel perks and benefits

    Many travel rewards credit cards — especially the most premium cards with high annual fees — really shine when it comes to added perks and benefits. These benefits can help you offset the annual fee and save money each time you travel.

    Take the $395 annual fee Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, for example. Each year, you’ll get a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel and 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) on your account anniversary. Already, that’s enough to wipe out the annual cost — before accounting for any rewards and other benefits (like up to $120 in fee credits toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership).

    Just remember: Choose a card with benefits that help you save on purchases you would still have made otherwise. If you tend to arrive shortly before takeoff and don’t care about airport lounge access, you won’t actually get the $200 potential value from that benefit.

    5. Travel insurance and protections

    One unique aspect of travel credit cards is the protections you can get as a cardholder when you travel. Common protections offered by travel credit cards include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, car rental insurance, trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, access to emergency assistance services, and more.

    As long as you pay for your travel expenses with the card (booking flights, hotels, tours, etc.) you can qualify for these travel protection benefits. Like any coverage, though, you should make sure to read the fine print of what your individual card offers. These benefits can vary greatly between different travel cards, so make sure to look for details in your card agreement.

    More travel credit card tips

    Travel credit cards are worth it if you get enough value from the card’s benefits and rewards to outweigh any potential costs, such as an annual fee. Unlike some other rewards cards, like cash-back credit cards, travel cards are more likely to carry annual fees in exchange for their high rewards rates and annual benefits. They might not be worth it if you don’t travel enough to take advantage of these card benefits and rewards.

    However, a travel card can still be worth it if you’re not a frequent traveler. Even if you travel only once or twice per year, you can accumulate points throughout the year to offset your airfare and hotel costs when you do go on a trip.

    See if travel credit cards are worth it for you

    Travel rewards credit cards can make a great addition to your wallet, even if you only travel a few times per year. Be sure to compare different travel card options to find the combination of annual fee, rewards, benefits, and sign-up bonus that works best for your travel plans and spending.

    There may be a few reasons why a travel credit card isn’t right for you, though:

    • You’re already in credit card debt. Avoid adding another card — especially one with a potentially high annual fee — to your wallet if you already have high-interest debt. Eliminating those balances will help you save a lot more in interest than any value travel rewards could offer.

    • You don’t want to keep up with a rewards strategy. Travel credit cards can be most lucrative if you maximize how you earn and redeem rewards. If you don’t want to spend the time strategizing bonus categories and the best redemption options, a credit card with a simpler rewards structure may be better for you.

    • You don’t have great credit. Travel credit cards generally require a good-to-excellent credit score to qualify for approval. If your credit isn’t in a great place right now, focus on improving your score before you apply for a new card.

    If you are ready to open a travel credit card, time your application wisely. The spending thresholds to earn your welcome bonus can be high, so you may want to plan your application around your next trip. The money you’ve already saved can help you score the bonus when you book your travel, and you’ll also earn bonus points or miles for your next trip.

    If you’re new to travel credit cards, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great place to start — you can earn 2x miles on everything, and it’s easy to redeem your miles through Capital One’s travel portal.

    Before you apply for any new travel card though, look at your frequent spending and travel to find the best one for your individual goals.

    When traveling abroad, look for credit cards that don’t charge foreign transaction fees. All of the cards on the list above waive foreign transaction fees, so you won’t have to worry about extra charges when you use them to travel internationally.

    One thing to keep in mind while traveling abroad is worldwide acceptance of your card. It can be useful to travel with more than one credit card on different card networks (these include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover).

    For a premium travel experience, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is our top pick. However, there are other premium travel cards with valuable benefits for travelers — including annual credits, elite status, bonus rewards, and more — for higher annual fees.

    Read our full review of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

    Compare two more premium travel credit cards: The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve®

    We began our search for the best travel cards with a list of 70 credit cards that offer travel rewards and benefits. This list includes general travel cards with flexible rewards programs, as well as co-branded hotel and airline cards that earn points and miles within a specific program. Our methodology focuses on cards that offer the greatest value to the broadest range of cardholders — without a significant annual cost.

    We start with each card’s welcome offer, which we rate based on the value of the bonus, the spending required to qualify, and a ratio comparing the bonus points or miles earned to the card’s annual fee. The more you’re spending to own the card, the more value we believe you should get in return.

    Another large portion of the overall ratings is rewards and ongoing benefits. We give preference to cards with rewards categories that span both travel and everyday spending (gas stations, supermarkets, dining, streaming services, etc.) to help ensure you can maximize points even when you’re not on-the-go. We also consider redemption options for each card, with the most flexible rewards programs earning higher scores. Finally, we compare travel benefits like annual statement credits, airline status and award nights, companion offers, and other ongoing perks that might make opening a travel card worth it over the long-term.

    We also look at each card’s annual fee, ongoing APR, credit score access, and foreign transaction fees — as well as issuer-specific information like customer service contact information, mobile app user ratings, and fraud protections. These are details we evaluate for every type of credit card.

    The final picks on our list are the travel credit cards with the highest overall ratings given each of the criteria above. We sort out general travel cards first — these are the options that make up the primary list, because they are more flexible for a larger number of travelers. But we also include top-scoring hotel and airline co-branded cards. These are great options for some travelers, though you should consider how often you travel with the hotel or airline before you consider one of these cards.

    Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to the Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information. This site doesn’t include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.

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  • Exclusive-Japan’s Rakuten weighing US IPO of credit card business, sources say

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    By Miho Uranaka and Sam Nussey

    TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese e-commerce and finance heavyweight Rakuten is weighing an initial public offering in the United States of its credit card business, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

    Rakuten began considering a potential U.S. listing of one of Japan’s largest credit card businesses last month, the sources said. The considerations are in the early stages, with other potential options including a stake sale to a strategic buyer, one of the sources said.

    One trigger for considering a U.S. IPO of Rakuten Card was rival SoftBank’s plans to list app pay operator PayPay in the U.S., the source said. The sources declined to be named as the information is not public.

    The company’s considerations of a U.S. IPO had not been reported previously.

    Rakuten did not respond to requests for comment. The company’s shares extended gains after the Reuters report and closed up 4.7%, compared with a 1.6% rise in the Topix index.

    Mizuho Financial Group acquired a 15% stake in Rakuten Card for 165 billion yen ($1.1 billion) last year, valuing the business at more than 1 trillion yen, or $7 billion, with the two launching joint credit cards.

    For PayPay, institutional investors see a baseline valuation of 2 trillion yen, but expect the valuation could exceed 3 trillion yen in the IPO that could take place as early as December, Reuters reported this week.

    CARDS CENTRAL TO RAKUTEN’S BUSINESS

    Rakuten, which is led by founder and CEO Hiroshi Mikitani, shook up Japan’s finance sector by simplifying the process for applying for credit cards and making them available to a wider range of consumers.

    Credit cards are an important part of a web of Rakuten businesses spanning online shopping, banking, travel and other services, with customers accruing loyalty reward points by making payments.

    Rakuten listed Rakuten Bank in Tokyo two years ago as the group reeled from heavy losses due to launching a mobile network.

    Rakuten also announced plans to list Rakuten Securities, but Mizuho injected funding by taking stakes in the brokerage and card businesses.

    Rakuten Card has issued more than 30 million credit cards in Japan. Non-GAAP operating profit at the business grew 20% to 62 billion yen last year but fell 4.5% in the April-June quarter of this year compared to the same period a year earlier due to higher costs.

    Rakuten Card aims to expand profit to 100 billion yen over the medium term and is looking to expand its business with corporate customers, its CEO Koichi Nakamura said in March.

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  • ‘I don’t want another credit card’: Woman swears off T.J. Maxx after several employees don’t take ‘No’ for an answer.

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    All she wanted was some cute goodies–not a lecture on store credit. A fed-up shopper on TikTok says she’s officially breaking up with T.J. Maxx after being ambushed (again) by employees pushing the store’s credit card. Her rant hit a nerve with viewers tired of capitalism’s favorite duet: “Would you like to save 10% today?” followed by “No means nothing to corporate America.”

    Ashley’s (@ashleydarkmoon) two-minute-long tirade on TikTok has reached almost 300,000 views in just five days, with even some updates on the drama afterward. In the original viral clip, Ashley begins strongly by saying, “After today, I am done shopping at T.J. Maxx. I am so [expletive] sick of cashiers trying to throw the credit card down my throat.” 

    While this question might annoy anyone on a normal day, most people get it over with by just saying “no, thank you.” However, it seems T.J. Maxx employees have been trained to refuse no as an answer. Ashley then gets hounded by another employee, the assumption being that it’s a manager or supervisor. The manager asks, “Why not?” and even with Ashley repeatedly saying she doesn’t want another credit card, the employee keeps insisting, fueling the belief that the corporation forces its employees to keep pushing. 

    Does T.J. Maxx Force Their Employees to Sell Credit Cards?

    It seems Ashley isn’t the only one who has complained on TikTok concerning the T.J. Maxx Rewards card. Just some months ago, Kim Hein (@kimhein6) posted a TikTok that got 829,000 views. She shared that some employees push it so hard that customers don’t even know they’re being coaxed to sign up for a credit card. Using ‘rewards program’ as a label instead of a credit card is false advertising. Kim says, “Stop saying store card and say credit card. This is going to impact your credit.” 

    Even more baffling is the fact that these employees don’t receive any commission or benefits from selling these cards. A T.J. Maxx employee, Bena (@benasolomon), posted a clip where she shares, “We as the cashiers don’t get anything for you opening a credit card…There’s a weekly goal for the store for how many cards we have to get and the pressure comes from management and higher-ups. So, if I’m selling my soul to you trying to get you to open a credit card, it’s because I can’t handle my manager calling me from the office every five minutes, asking me if I got a credit card.” 

    @ashleydarkmoon @TJ Maxx stop firing your workers for not selling your shitty credit cards #crashout #venting #fyp #tjmaxx #viral ♬ original sound – ????ℯ? ??✨

    Other Shoppers Weigh In

    A viewer seems to corroborate the fact that tricky wording is used when peddling credit cards. She says, “They almost got me one time by saying ‘Do you want to join our rewards program?’ That should be illegal!!”

    Another shares, “Managers literally say ‘don’t stop at the first no! Counter them’ it’s insane.”

    However, a lot of comments center around employees begging the TikTok creator to call corporate and complain, hoping that will stop the entire thing. One viewer says, “Retail worker here, everyone PLEASE start making these posts. We don’t want to ask. We want free of card hell more than anyone. I swear. Corporate just needs to hear it from y’all.”

    Interestingly enough, Ashley did email corporate and said in another video that all she received was a generic email response saying that she needs to call them. 

    The Mary Sue reached out to Ashley via TikTok message and to T.J. Maxx via email.

    Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

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    Gisselle Hernandez

    Gisselle Hernandez-Gomez is a contributing reporter to the Mary Sue. Her work has appeared in the Daily Dot, Business Insider, Fodor’s Travel and more. You can follow her on X at @GisselleHern. You can email her at [email protected].

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    Gisselle Hernandez

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  • Federal Reserve to announce interest rate cut amid economic slowdown, pressure from President Trump

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    Federal Reserve to announce interest rate cut amid economic slowdown, pressure from President Trump

    The Federal Reserve is set to announce an interest rate cut this week in response to a slowing economy, making clear it is not surrendering to President Donald Trump’s demands.

    Updated: 7:42 AM PDT Sep 14, 2025

    Editorial Standards ⓘ

    The Federal Reserve is expected to announce a long-awaited interest rate cut this week, responding to a slowing economy as opposed to yielding to President Donald Trump’s demands. Recent data shows hiring is slowing and unemployment is ticking up, which would normally call for an interest rate cut. Lower interest rates make borrowing money for things like cars and credit cards cheaper. At the same time, inflation remains stubbornly high, which is usually solved by keeping interest rates where they are and leaving costly prices up.With a big decision facing the Fed, added pressure from President Trump isn’t helping. Experts say his repeated calls for the Fed to lower interest rates are damaging the agency’s independence and credibility, spooking investors and the market. “If the Fed is politicized and they’re acting based upon political pressures rather than accurate economic data, that’s going to send messages throughout the economy that maybe what they’re doing isn’t really good for the economy, and maybe it doesn’t come from a solid place of evidence,” political analyst Todd Belt said. “It will introduce even more uncertainty in the economy, and uncertainty is the enemy of business planning.”President Trump’s tariffs have also injected lots of uncertainty in the market, and economists say that, in turn, will further drive up inflation.In a further escalation involving the president and the Fed, last week, a federal judge blocked Trump’s unprecedented attempt to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, alleging mortgage fraud. Now, the administration is appealing and is pushing the courts for an emergency ruling before the Fed’s big interest rate decision this week. But a big twist could undermine the administration’s case, as the Associated Press reports that Cook previously referred to the property in question as a “vacation home,” which would contradict the White House’s accusations of fraud.Watch the latest on the Federal Reserve:

    WASHINGTON —

    The Federal Reserve is expected to announce a long-awaited interest rate cut this week, responding to a slowing economy as opposed to yielding to President Donald Trump’s demands.

    Recent data shows hiring is slowing and unemployment is ticking up, which would normally call for an interest rate cut. Lower interest rates make borrowing money for things like cars and credit cards cheaper.

    At the same time, inflation remains stubbornly high, which is usually solved by keeping interest rates where they are and leaving costly prices up.

    With a big decision facing the Fed, added pressure from President Trump isn’t helping. Experts say his repeated calls for the Fed to lower interest rates are damaging the agency’s independence and credibility, spooking investors and the market.

    “If the Fed is politicized and they’re acting based upon political pressures rather than accurate economic data, that’s going to send messages throughout the economy that maybe what they’re doing isn’t really good for the economy, and maybe it doesn’t come from a solid place of evidence,” political analyst Todd Belt said. “It will introduce even more uncertainty in the economy, and uncertainty is the enemy of business planning.”

    President Trump’s tariffs have also injected lots of uncertainty in the market, and economists say that, in turn, will further drive up inflation.

    In a further escalation involving the president and the Fed, last week, a federal judge blocked Trump’s unprecedented attempt to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, alleging mortgage fraud.

    Now, the administration is appealing and is pushing the courts for an emergency ruling before the Fed’s big interest rate decision this week. But a big twist could undermine the administration’s case, as the Associated Press reports that Cook previously referred to the property in question as a “vacation home,” which would contradict the White House’s accusations of fraud.

    Watch the latest on the Federal Reserve:

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  • DraftKings to Block Credit Card Deposits • This Week in Gambling

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    DraftKings is no longer accepting credit card deposits on its sportsbook and online casino platforms across the United States. The new policy went into effect August 25. The company announced that customers will instead need to fund their accounts using alternatives such as debit cards, bank transfers, wire transfers, or digital payment options including PayPal, Venmo, and Apple Pay, where available. Any credit cards previously stored in user accounts will automatically be disabled.

    According to DraftKings, the move is designed to improve the customer experience and eliminate issues tied to credit card use, such as cash advance fees and high interest charges. The operator characterized the change as a business decision that better aligns with both consumer protection concerns and regulatory expectations.

    The announcement comes in the wake of a fine issued earlier this year by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. Regulators found that DraftKings had accepted more than $83,000 in credit card deposits from 218 customers despite the state’s explicit prohibition of such transactions. The company self-reported the incidents, refunded the customers involved, and commissioned an independent audit of its operations. As a result, DraftKings was ordered to pay $450,000 in penalties.

    Massachusetts is one of several states that ban credit card funding for gambling. Other jurisdictions with restrictions include Iowa, New Hampshire, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Tennessee, and Illinois. These rules reflect growing concern among regulators about problem gambling and the risks of players accumulating debt through credit-based betting.

    DraftKings now joins operators like Betr, Fanatics, and Sporttrade, which have already prohibited the use of credit cards for deposits. The shift highlights an industry-wide trend toward reducing reliance on credit, signaling a broader focus on responsible gaming and financial safeguards for players.

    Starting August 25, DraftKings customers nationwide will need to adjust to the new policy and rely on alternative methods for account funding. The company’s decision underscores both regulatory pressures and a changing approach in the online gaming sector, as operators attempt to balance customer convenience with financial responsibility.

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    This Week in Gambling

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  • Goldman, Apple to pay $89M after CFPB card probe

    Goldman, Apple to pay $89M after CFPB card probe

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    Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Apple Inc. will pay more than $89 million to resolve a long-running investigation into their credit-card joint venture after the top US consumer watchdog said the pair misled customers and mishandled disputes. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said customer service breakdowns and misrepresentations affected hundreds of thousands of Apple Card […]

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    Bloomberg News

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  • Canadians will see savings from reduced credit card processing fees – MoneySense

    Canadians will see savings from reduced credit card processing fees – MoneySense

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    The small business group has, however, noted that not all processors have been clear that they’ll pass on the savings, pointing for example to Stripe where not all customers will see a change. 

    Kelly said Stripe’s decision means the company would keep the savings that were intended for small business customers.

    “It’s extremely disappointing to see a big company take this approach,” he said.

    Stripe says customers on its Interchange Plus plan, which sees costs vary by transaction type, will see the fee reductions passed through, just like other network cost and fee changes.

    But those on its flat-rate plan won’t see a change, because the company says it has seen other costs and fees rise that add up to more than the reduction in interchange fees. 

    Other processors such as Moneris have said that qualifying businesses on both its interchange plus and flat rate model will see a reduction.

    Government expects processors to pass on savings

    Finance Ministry spokeswoman Marie-France Faucher said the fee reduction should benefit about 90% of businesses that accept credit cards, and the department expects companies to pass on the savings.

    “The federal government is closely monitoring the implementation of the credit card fees reduction, with the strong expectation that all payment processors like Stripe will pass the savings on to small businesses.”

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    The Canadian Press

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  • Why are credit card interest rates so high in Canada? – MoneySense

    Why are credit card interest rates so high in Canada? – MoneySense

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    Credit card interest rates hover around 20%, roughly where they have been since the early 1980s when inflation and interest rates were in double digits. Canada’s inflation has averaged about 2% between 1992 and 2022, and all interest rates have declined dramatically with it except credit card rates. Even as inflation has exceeded 2.0% for the past few years, the recent back-up in other interest rates remains well below credit card rates. In fact, one has to squint to see any decline in credit card interest rates since 1980.

    Let’s compare some numbers. In 1981, the interest rate on a Visa or a Mastercard was about 25%. Inflation was 12%, and the bank rate—the rate at which the Bank of Canada loans to the banking system—was a bit over 21%. The prime rate, or the rate of interest offered to a bank’s best customers, was 22.75%, so the additional charge to use a credit card was a mere 2.25%, which compensated the bank for demanding fewer income and collateral requirements relative to prime loans.

    In summer 2024, credit card interest rates are about 20%, with an even steeper 23% rate for a cash advance. The prime rate for the bank’s best customers is 6.95%, putting the credit card spread at a whopping 13.05%. If you think that’s disturbing, back in the pandemic years, inflation was 2%, the Bank of Canada’s overnight rate was one quarter of 1%, and the prime rate was 2.45%. The credit card premium over the prime rate then was a staggering 17.45% compared to just 2.25% in 1981. The credit card interest rate has declined a mere 5% in forty years compared to a 20.3% decline in the prime rate marked in the depths of the pandemic, and 15.8% as of summer 2024.

    Think about what an interest rate of 17.45% would do for your savings if you could get it. And bear in mind that your savings account was likely earning a fifth of a percent during the pandemic, and it’s your savings that are contributing to the funding of the very credit card balance on which you pay about 20%.

    Or compare that heavenly credit card investment return you can’t get to the return on a government bond that you can get. If you were to invest $1,000 in a thirty-year Government of Canada bond at 3.3%, you would have $2,250 by 2053. Alternatively, if you were able to invest that $1,000 at 17.45% for thirty years, you’d have $124,621 by 2053.

    The rates charged on credit cards are staggeringly rapacious, but many people are forced to pay them because they have no other borrowing options, at least none that come with the convenience of fewer income and collateral requirements.

    The banks, in fact, prefer that you borrow against credit cards rather than take out a prime-based loan. To borrow at prime, the bank will ask for collateral, making the hurdle to a low(er)-rate line
    of credit more difficult to clear than the hurdle to credit cards. They do this because they make so much more money off credit cards. OSFI (Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions) data show that banks make almost as much every quarter on credit cards as they do on their entire mortgage book, which has a significantly higher principal value.

    More outrageous still are the high rates of interest charged to a credit card borrower who slips up and misses a payment, as I once did during a busy period of life. After missing a monthly deadline, I received a message from TD Canada Trust—the people who advertise that their customer service is like sitting in a big comfy green chair—that screamed at me in capital letters like a text from Donald Trump:

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    Andrew Spence

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  • Moi rewards review – MoneySense

    Moi rewards review – MoneySense

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    According to a recent survey by Léger, Moi is currently the “most widely used loyalty program in Quebec.” In Ontario, however, it will face heavier competition from the PC Optimum and Scene+ rewards programs, which dominate the market. So, how does Moi stack up? Let’s dive into the program and find out. 

    Find the perfect card for you with CardFinder

    In under 60 seconds, get matched with a personalized list of the best credit cards based on your spending personality and approval likelihood. No SIN required.

    How do Moi points work? 

    Right now, Canadians can earn and redeem Moi points at Metro, Super C, Jean Coutu, Brunet and Première Moisson stores in Quebec only. In Ontario and New Brunswick, Moi is currently offered in Jean Coutu pharmacies, but it will soon become available at Metro and Food Basics stores in Ontario. 

    Unlike with PC Optimum and Scene+, Moi rewards you on all purchases made at participating stores. Specifically, you get one point for every dollar spent. You’ll also get a welcome bonus of 250 points when you enroll in the program. You can earn bonus points through in-store and targeted offers. For example, you could earn three times the points when you spend $50, or earn 10 bonus points when buying a particular brand of barbecue sauce.

    You can redeem Moi points at any participating retailer once you’ve reached a minimum of 500 points (for a value of $4). That means one Moi point is worth $0.008 (or 0.8 cents), which is a decent value considering you earn points on all your purchases.

    Moi RBC Visa

    Currently, the Moi RBC Visa has a welcome bonus of up to 10,000 Moi points, which is equivalent to $80. When using the Moi RBC Visa in combination with the Moi program card, the earn rate is 2 Moi points per dollar spent at participating Metro, Jean Coutu, Brunet and Première Moisson stores. Restaurant, gas and EV charging purchases also earn you 2 points per dollar. All other purchases earn you 1 point per dollar. 

    As for the benefits, the card includes mobile device insurance, and purchase security and extended warranty insurance. You’re getting a respectable earn rate and perks for a no-annual-fee card, but there are still some drawbacks.

    featured

    Moi RBC Visa

    go to site

    Annual fee: $0

    Welcome offer: Earn up to 10,000 Moi points ($80 value)

    go to site

    Card details

    Interest rates 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers
    Income required None
    Credit score None specified

    What’s the best credit card to use at Metro stores? 

    Even though the Moi RBC Visa is the official co-branded card of Metro-affiliated stores, there are other credit cards to consider using instead.

    The Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite card comes with 4% cash back per dollar spent on groceries, recurring bills and subscription purchases. You also get 2% cash back on gas and daily transit. All other purchases earn 1% cash back. While the earn rate is higher than the Moi RBC Visa’s at Metro stores, the Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite has an annual fee of $120 (waived for the first year), and the cash back is only paid out as a statement credit once a year, in November.

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    Barry Choi

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  • “Not free money”: What students should know before getting their first credit card – MoneySense

    “Not free money”: What students should know before getting their first credit card – MoneySense

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    Tips on building a credit score

    Paying your full balance each month shows you’re using credit correctly—you’re budgeting—your spending doesn’t exceed your earnings. Young consumers are still getting into trouble during this life phase, said Thuy Lam, a certified financial planner at Objective Financial Partners.

    “I see so many students—even when I was a student, my own friends—get into $20,000, $30,000, and $40,000 of credit card debt during school years because they don’t realize that, ‘Oh, it’s not free money,’” she said.

    Get a low limit and resist any offers to increase it until you’ve established good spending habits, Lam added. For students with minimal cash flow—not working part-time during school, little savings—this credit card barely needs to be used at all. 

    You can drop one recurring bill on your card, like a phone plan. A small amount is easy to pay completely and having it show up every month establishes a good history of timely payments.

    “I think the key is keeping in mind: what is the purpose of a credit card?” Lam said. “And for students, that’s No. 1: facilitating small bill payments and, No. 2: building and establishing credit.

    “The purpose of a credit card is not so we can spend freely, it’s because we live in a credit system,” she added. “It’s just important to establish credit and keep it healthy.” 

    Are rewards credit cards good for students?

    As for rewards, Taub pointed out that some students may have support from their parents, savings, RESPs, or scholarships—and with those resources, they might find value in travel, concerts or other lifestyle perks. 

    But she also noted most students are struggling financially; a recent TD survey found 65% of students said they were financially unstable. There may be more value in a simple cash-back card.

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    The Canadian Press

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