The “Big Five” Canadian banks offer credit cards and include Royal Bank of Canada, Toronto Dominion Bank (TD Canada Trust), Bank of Nova Scotia, Bank of Montreal and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC). Did you know that there are many other options?
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Why thieves are stealing loyalty points and what you can do to protect yourself + MORE Mar 26th
From PC Optimum to Air Miles, thieves are setting their sights on loyalty programs because they may be easy to infiltrate and reap great rewards..... More »
May 25 Update: 3x AIR MILES on select outdoor items at Lowe's and Cathay Pacific YVR-JFK seat sale May 26th
Now that spring has hit most of Canada (Newfoundland we hope you get it soon after that big snow day this week!) lots of you will be doing gardening and outdoor updates which may include new patio furniture and more. Well if that's the case Lowe's is offering 3x AIR MILES Reward Miles when you spe.... More »
May 7 Update: Aeroplan buy miles sale craziness and have we seen the last of WestJet's 767s? + MORE May 8th
The Aeroplan buy miles sale that launched at 10am this morning was so successful that it created a lot of issues. Some of our readers and ourselves couldn't even log on to the system and/or got errors and that seemed to be the case for a lot of people as Points.com who facilitates the process saw.... More »
Have Fun While Saving Money: 25 Things to Do for Free Aug 14th
Looking for fun activities that won’t break the bank? There are plenty of things to do for free that can be both enjoyable and fulfilling. Free activities not only help you save money, but they also allow you to discover new interests and hobbies.
25 Fun Things to Do for Free
I’ve compil.... More »
April 7 Update: Offers to earn elite status, save 35% on Radisson stays in Canada, Top 5 Credit Card Sign up offers for April + MORE Apr 7th
News, Tips & Tricks Want to earn airline or hotel elite status faster? Take advantage of status match offers, fast track challenges and bonus status mile/point promotions. You can find many of these offers on our Elite Status Bonus Mile & Point Offers page. Posts since our last update:Top .... More »
Credit counselling in high demand in Alberta
– moneysense.ca
(Monashee Frantz/Getty Images)CALGARY – The Racette family is on a cash-only diet for the next four years.
Dale Racette, a truck driver, and his wife, a school bus driver, are trying to dig themselves out of a $45,000 hole.
It wasn’t any one thing. The day-to-day costs of raising two children just piled up over 14 years, Dale Racette said from Red Deer, Alta.
Two months ago, the Racettes sought the help of a credit counsellor to work out a debt repayment plan. The first step was to shred their six credit cards.
Racette says he’s optimistic his job at a distribution company is safe, but he’s lived through enough economic ups and downs in Alberta to know he can’t take anything for granted.
“I think I’m pretty secure. I wouldn’t bet a whole lot of money I don’t have, mind you,” he said.
According to Statistics Canada, Alberta lost 14,000 net jobs in February — 7,000 of those in the natural resources sector. Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU), Cenovus Energy Inc. (TSX:CVE), Nexen ULC and ConocoPhillips Canada are among the big oil companies to have cut jobs as they grapple with low oil prices…
Air France KLM Flying Blue – Save 25 % on Business Class award tickets between Edmonton & Europe for Jun/Jul Travel
– RewardsCanada.ca
After a few good months of deals for Canadians the with Air France KLM’s Promo Awards we see a slow down for the upcoming busy summer travel season. These award ticket deals are bookable as of tomorrow (April 1) and are good for award travel for June and July of 2015. The offer this time is only for 25% off Business Class on KLM’s new route out of Edmonton to anywhere in Europe! This is an OK deal for those in Alberta however keep an eye out on schedules as the Edmonton flight was already postponed from May 8th to the 19th due to labour relation issues and it could be pushed back further. Don’t fret however, if you do redeem KLM has to get you to Europe in Business Class so if the schedule does change they will more than likely throw you onto WestJet to Calgary or Vancouver to hop on the KLM flights out of those cities.Don’t have the miles? You could always consider transferring Starpoints earned via the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express to Flying Blue…Credit Card Interchange Fees: The Impact in Other Countries
– ratesupermarket.ca
Last November, it was announced that MasterCard and Visa will reduce credit card interchange fees to an average of 1.5 per cent, to take effect this April. The fees, which are paid by merchants to issuing credit card lenders on each credit card transaction, have long been a point of contention among small business and store owners. With most credit cards requiring a fee paid of 1.60 – 2.60 per cent of the total purchase price, many argued the fees were anti-competitive and eating into their bottom lines. The Government of Canada finally stepped in with the intent to regulate the fee structure, but no official measures were necessary in the long run; both MasterCard and Visa voluntarily proposed to cut their fee structure.
The reduction is meant to benefit both retailers, who will pay less for the ability to offer credit card payment, and consumers who will theoretically enjoy lower prices passed down from retailers’ savings. However, worries persist that a cut to lenders’ profit margins may prompt them to reduce existing credit card variety, decrease current point offerings, and hike interest rates…
