Reference strategies

Reference strategy: Travel Enthusiast

Maximize travel points and benefits. This page shows the strategy calculated for this profile; adjust the spending level or the American Express policy, or adapt it to your own spending.

Annual spending levels

The same total amount is used for every profile at a given level. Only the distribution across spending categories changes by profile.

  • Moderate — $24,000 / year
  • Standard — $36,000 / year
  • High — $60,000 / year

In a personalized analysis, your actual spending replaces this reference basket.

Your strategy

Travel Enthusiast

3 cards that maximize travel rewards while keeping the portfolio versatile.

  • Travel
  • Hotels
  • Everyday purchases
  • + more
Adapt to my spending

Your recommended cards

3 cards in this strategy
1 Category specialist
Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card — American Express Canada

Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card

American Express Canada

  • Everyday purchases
  • Hotels

$12,000/year assigned to this card

Welcome offer included

View card
2 Network backup
BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard — BMO

BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard

BMO

  • Pre-authorized payments
  • Travel

$12,000/year assigned to this card

View card
3 Network backup
RBC ION+ Visa — RBC

RBC ION+ Visa

RBC

  • Transportation
  • Gas / charging
  • Groceries
  • Restaurants

$12,000/year assigned to this card

View card

How to use it

How to use this strategy

Spending breakdown for the reference profile and the recommended card for each category.

  • Travel $9,600 BMO Ascend World Elite
  • Hotels $7,200 Marriott Bonvoy American Express
  • Everyday purchases $4,800 Marriott Bonvoy American Express
  • Transportation $3,600 RBC ION+
  • Groceries $3,600 RBC ION+
  • Restaurants $3,600 RBC ION+
  • Pre-authorized payments $2,400 BMO Ascend World Elite
  • Gas / charging $1,200 RBC ION+

Breakdown by card

  • Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card

    $12,000/year assigned to this card

    • Everyday purchases
    • Hotels
  • BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard

    $12,000/year assigned to this card

    • Pre-authorized payments
    • Travel
  • RBC ION+ Visa

    $12,000/year assigned to this card

    • Transportation
    • Gas / charging
    • Groceries
    • Restaurants

Breakdown across cards

  • Marriott Bonvoy American Express 33 %
  • BMO Ascend World Elite 33 %
  • RBC ION+ 33 %

These amounts make up this scenario’s reference profile. Adapt them to receive a personalized strategy.

Adapt to my spending

Is a more advanced strategy worth it?

1 card (solo)

RBC ION+ Visa — RBC

RBC ION+ Visa

$552 Annual net value

$48 in annual fees

3 cards — Recommended

Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card — American Express Canada
BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard — BMO
RBC ION+ Visa — RBC
$772.44 Annual net value

$318 in annual fees

+$220.44 more net value per year
View calculation details Understand net value, fees, and each card’s contribution.

Calculation transparency

How this strategy’s value is built

The breakdown shows each card’s contribution. Applicable fees have already been deducted.

Annual net value
Annual gross value
$1,090.44
Annual fees
$318
Annual net value
$772.44
First-year value
Recurring net value
$772.44
Eligible offers
$666.64
First-year value
$1,439.08
2-year total$2,461.51
3-year total$3,233.95

The first year includes offers earned during the first 12 months; subsequent years use recurring value.

Portfolio breakdown

Each card’s contribution

Each expense is assigned once to the card responsible for it.

Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card — American Express Canada

Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card

Complementary card for general spending, hotels.

$12,000 in assigned spending

  • Everyday purchases
  • Hotels
Annual net contribution
$242.44
Offer — first 12 months
$666.64
First-year contribution
$909.08
Annual fee
$120
BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard — BMO

BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard

Visa or Mastercard backup for merchants that do not accept American Express, including recurring payments, travel.

$12,000 in assigned spending

  • Pre-authorized payments
  • Travel
Annual net contribution
$218
Offer — first 12 months
No quantified eligible welcome offer.
First-year contribution
$218
Annual fee
$150
RBC ION+ Visa — RBC

RBC ION+ Visa

Visa or Mastercard backup for merchants that do not accept American Express, including alternative transportation, gas, groceries, dining.

$12,000 in assigned spending

  • Transportation
  • Gas / charging
  • Groceries
  • Restaurants
Annual net contribution
$312
Offer — first 12 months
No quantified eligible welcome offer.
First-year contribution
$312
Annual fee
$48

Published scenario

Assumptions used

Strategy assumptions $36,000/year Standard 3 cards max. Priority: Travel points and benefits

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