The strategies that fit you best

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 CAD / year
  • Standard — $36,000 CAD / year
  • High — $60,000 CAD / year

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

Recommended strategy

Strategy for the Everyday Cash Back profile

This strategy emphasizes straightforward cash back and covers groceries, general spending, recurring payments, dining, gas. A Visa or Mastercard always accompanies American Express so the portfolio remains usable at merchants that do not accept it.

SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express — American Express Canada
CIBC Costco Mastercard — CIBC
  • SimplyCash Preferred Card from American ExpressPrimary card for alternative transportation, general spending, entertainment, gas, groceries, hotels, recurring payments, travel.
  • CIBC Costco MastercardVisa or Mastercard backup for merchants that do not accept American Express, including dining.
2 cards recommended
Recurring annual value $877 CAD Recurring rewards and benefits, minus annual fees.
Total first-year value $1,077 CAD Includes eligible welcome offers earned during the first 12 months.
2-year total
$2,004 CAD
3-year total
$2,881 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 $119.00 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.

SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express
$32,400 CAD in assigned spending

Transportation : $2,400 CAD · Everyday purchases : $7,200 CAD · Entertainment : $2,400 CAD · Gas / charging : $3,600 CAD · Groceries : $8,400 CAD · Hotels : $1,200 CAD · Pre-authorized payments : $6,000 CAD · Travel : $1,200 CAD

Recurring annual
$769 CAD
First year
$969 CAD
2-year total
$1,788 CAD
3-year total
$2,557 CAD
Total welcome-offer value $200 CAD of this value is eligible during the first 12 months.
$250 CAD

Primary card for alternative transportation, general spending, entertainment, gas, groceries, hotels, recurring payments, travel.

View card
CIBC Costco Mastercard
$3,600 CAD in assigned spending

Restaurants : $3,600 CAD

Recurring annual
$108 CAD
First year
$108 CAD
2-year total
$216 CAD
3-year total
$324 CAD
Total welcome-offer value No quantified eligible welcome offer.
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Visa or Mastercard backup for merchants that do not accept American Express, including dining.

View card

Scenario 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$2,400 CAD
  • Everyday purchases$7,200 CAD
  • Entertainment$2,400 CAD
  • Gas / charging$3,600 CAD
  • Groceries$8,400 CAD
  • Hotels$1,200 CAD
  • Pre-authorized payments$6,000 CAD
  • Restaurants$3,600 CAD
  • Travel$1,200 CAD

Point values, fees, credits, benefits, and welcome-offer values follow the same methodology for every profile.

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