By
Patrick Sojka - Rewards Canada
There
used to be a time when having a Gold credit card meant you were a high
roller. Then came the platinum cards for even higher rollers but early
in 2008 we have seen Canadian banks that issue Visa cards, launch the
new Visa Infinite Brand. Typically, black in colour, the new Infinite
cards are now the premium card for Visa issuers.
In
reality these cards are not much different then cards that are already
on the market. However, they do have some slight changes in benefits
and features that cardholders may want to have. All the Infiinite cards
offer some sort of Personal Concierge service to help book tickets,
make dinner reservations and more.
Individually
some of the new benefits for the cards include the ability to spend
over your credit limit on the CIBC Aerogold Infinite Visa. The CIBC
Aventura Visa Infinite card will earn extra Aeroplan miles on gas, groceries
etc (like the AeroGold card). RBC offers enhanced services and point
earning opportunities and with the TD First Class Infinite Card it offers
Trip Cancellation and Interruption insurance.
The
Visa Infinite Cards in Canada:
CIBC
AeroGold and Aventura Visa Infinite Cards
At this point the CIBC Infinite cards are being offered by invitation
only to some of CIBC's best card holders or should we say highest spenders.
The little bit of info we have on the AeroGold card is that you will
be able to spend over your preset credit limit (evaluated on each individual
transaction) and the Aventura will see the mileage multiplier that the
AeroGold card has had for the past year where you will earn 1.5 miles
for purchases at Gas, Grocery and drug stores.
RBC
Avion Visa Infinite Card
Like CIBC, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite card is only being offered to
select RBC customers. From the RBC press release the RBC Avion Visa
Infinite card will offer enhanced services, including additional opportunities
to earn points, improved travel insurance and access to unique offers.
TD
First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card,
Currently the only Infinite card in Canada available to the general
public, the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card heralds the feature
that you can book your travel anyway you want, anywhere you want. Simply
after booking with any travel provider, you call up TD Travel Rewards
and redeem the points against your travel booking in the form of a credit
on your balance. While TD states there is no card like it, the Capital One® No Hassle Rewards Miles card has offered this feature since 2007.
This feature is also available on the TD Platinum Travel Visa. The card also offers
Elite Hotel Privileges which offers best rates and complimentary upgrades
at select boutique and luxury hotels if available.
Which
card is best?
Each card has it's perks, if you like to travel in business or first
class, then the AeroGold or Avion Infinite cards are your better bets
as the miles/points can be redeemed for business or first class reward
tickets via the airline frequent flyer programs (Air Canada for AeroGold,
British Airways for Avion) To this day business or first class tickets
still offer the highest percentage return on dollars spent via credit
cards. Of course your spending needs to be on the higher side to be
able to redeem for these tickets. If you tend to spend less or like
to redeem for travel outside of business or first class tickets then
the TD card is your best bet due to the fact you can book any travel
anyway you like.
Links:
CIBC
Aerogold Visa Infinite Card.
TD
First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card,
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