Recommended strategy
Strategy for the Travel Enthusiast profile
This strategy emphasizes travel points and benefits and covers travel, hotels, general spending, groceries, dining. A Visa or Mastercard always accompanies American Express so the portfolio remains usable at merchants that do not accept it.
- Marriott Bonvoy American Express CardComplementary card for general spending, hotels. Its place in this strategy is also supported by its current welcome offer: it ranks No. 3 among points offers, with a conservative estimated net value of $676.63 for the complete offer.
- BMO Ascend World Elite MastercardVisa or Mastercard backup for merchants that do not accept American Express, including recurring payments, travel.
- BMO eclipse Visa Infinite CardVisa or Mastercard backup for merchants that do not accept American Express, including alternative transportation, gas, groceries, dining.
- 2-year total
- $2,537.51 CAD
- 3-year total
- $3,347.95 CAD
Bonuses are counted when they become eligible. A bonus payable after 12 months appears in the 2-year total, not the first year.
Recurring annual fees total $320.00 and are already deducted from net value.
View the calculation
How to use each card
The breakdown shows each card’s contribution. Applicable fees have already been deducted.
Everyday purchases : $4,800 CAD · Hotels : $7,200 CAD
- Recurring annual
- $242.44 CAD
- First year
- $909.08 CAD
- 2-year total
- $1,401.51 CAD
- 3-year total
- $1,643.95 CAD
Complementary card for general spending, hotels. Its place in this strategy is also supported by its current welcome offer: it ranks No. 3 among points offers, with a conservative estimated net value of $676.63 for the complete offer.
View cardPre-authorized payments : $2,400 CAD · Travel : $9,600 CAD
- Recurring annual
- $218 CAD
- First year
- $218 CAD
- 2-year total
- $436 CAD
- 3-year total
- $654 CAD
Visa or Mastercard backup for merchants that do not accept American Express, including recurring payments, travel.
View cardTransportation : $3,600 CAD · Gas / charging : $1,200 CAD · Groceries : $3,600 CAD · Restaurants : $3,600 CAD
- Recurring annual
- $350 CAD
- First year
- $350 CAD
- 2-year total
- $700 CAD
- 3-year total
- $1,050 CAD
Visa or Mastercard backup for merchants that do not accept American Express, including alternative transportation, gas, groceries, dining.
View cardScenario total: $36,000 CAD — each expense is assigned to one card only.
Each amount reflects the spending assigned to that card, plus its valued benefits and, when requested, its eligible welcome offer, minus the fees applicable to the period. The card amounts add up to the strategy total.
View the reference scenario used
This standardized basket is used only when your actual spending is unavailable. A personalized analysis replaces it with your actual spending.
Reference annual spending: $36,000 CAD
- Transportation$3,600 CAD
- Everyday purchases$4,800 CAD
- Gas / charging$1,200 CAD
- Groceries$3,600 CAD
- Hotels$7,200 CAD
- Pre-authorized payments$2,400 CAD
- Restaurants$3,600 CAD
- Travel$9,600 CAD
Point values, fees, credits, benefits, and welcome-offer values follow the same methodology for every profile.