Reference strategies

Reference strategy: Points Strategist

More management for maximum value. 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

Points Strategist

3 complementary cards designed to maximize the value of flexible or transferable points.

  • Everyday purchases
  • Groceries
  • Restaurants
  • + more
Adapt to my spending

Your recommended cards

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

American Express Cobalt Card

American Express Canada

  • Groceries
  • Restaurants

$12,000/year assigned to this card

View card
2 Category specialist
Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card — American Express Canada

Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card

American Express Canada

  • Everyday purchases
  • Entertainment
  • Hotels
  • Pre-authorized payments
  • Travel

$19,800/year assigned to this card

Welcome offer included

View card
3 Network backup
RBC ION+ Visa — RBC

RBC ION+ Visa

RBC

  • Transportation
  • Gas / charging

$4,200/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.

  • Groceries $7,200 American Express Cobalt
  • Everyday purchases $6,000 Marriott Bonvoy American Express
  • Pre-authorized payments $4,800 Marriott Bonvoy American Express
  • Restaurants $4,800 American Express Cobalt
  • Travel $4,800 Marriott Bonvoy American Express
  • Gas / charging $2,400 RBC ION+
  • Hotels $2,400 Marriott Bonvoy American Express
  • Transportation $1,800 RBC ION+
  • Entertainment $1,800 Marriott Bonvoy American Express

Breakdown by card

  • American Express Cobalt Card

    $12,000/year assigned to this card

    • Groceries
    • Restaurants
  • Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card

    $19,800/year assigned to this card

    • Everyday purchases
    • Entertainment
    • Hotels
    • Pre-authorized payments
    • Travel
  • RBC ION+ Visa

    $4,200/year assigned to this card

    • Transportation
    • Gas / charging

Breakdown across cards

  • American Express Cobalt 33 %
  • Marriott Bonvoy American Express 55 %
  • RBC ION+ 12 %

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

$636 Annual net value

$48 in annual fees

3 cards — Recommended

American Express Cobalt Card — American Express Canada
Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card — American Express Canada
RBC ION+ Visa — RBC
$858.56 Annual net value

$359.88 in annual fees

+$222.56 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
$1,218.44
Annual fees
$359.88
Annual net value
$858.56
First-year value
Recurring net value
$858.56
Eligible offers
$666.64
First-year value
$1,525.20
2-year total$2,633.75
3-year total$3,492.31

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.

American Express Cobalt Card — American Express Canada

American Express Cobalt Card

Complementary card for groceries, dining.

$12,000 in assigned spending

  • Groceries
  • Restaurants
Annual net contribution
$408.12
Offer — first 12 months
No quantified eligible welcome offer.
First-year contribution
$408.12
Annual fee
$191.88
Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card — American Express Canada

Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card

Complementary card for general spending, entertainment, hotels, recurring payments, travel.

$19,800 in assigned spending

  • Everyday purchases
  • Entertainment
  • Hotels
  • Pre-authorized payments
  • Travel
Annual net contribution
$372.44
Offer — first 12 months
$666.64
First-year contribution
$1,039.08
Annual fee
$120
RBC ION+ Visa — RBC

RBC ION+ Visa

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

$4,200 in assigned spending

  • Transportation
  • Gas / charging
Annual net contribution
$78
Offer — first 12 months
No quantified eligible welcome offer.
First-year contribution
$78
Annual fee
$48

Published scenario

Assumptions used

Strategy assumptions $36,000/year Standard 3 cards max. Priority: Flexible or transferable points

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