Have you noticed there are more and more credit cards with offers of big sign-up bonuses trying to get your business? I don't like missing out on an opportunity to save money, so I decided it was time to look through my wallet and make sure the cards I carry are still right for me. As the years go by, my spending habits change and it's important to choose the right rewards card that works for my needs, not the other way around.
So I cleaned out my wallet and I am now literally down to three cards. My American Express Gold Rewards card. My Gold AirMiles Collector Card. My green bank card. That's it.
Why? I'm picky. I stick with what works. I like to feel like I'm getting a bargain. Customer service is essential for me.
After 3 years, the American Express Gold Rewards Card continues to be my go-to-card. Here's why. Maybe it will be a good fit for you too.
I am not a gal who is easily parted from her money. So, the idea of earning double points for everyday purchases like groceries, gas, and stuff I buy at the pharmacy makes me happy. (* Pro tip: I also double dip with my AirMiles Gold Collector Card when I'm shopping for groceries at Metro, gas at Shell, or products at Rexall.) Also, whenever I travel, everything I pay for with my Amex also scores me double points. Flights, hotels, and car rentals are expensive, so those points can really start adding up quickly.
One of the reasons I put my other credit card on hiatus was because it is next to impossible to book a rewards flight using my accumulated points with it. Blackouts and sellouts are what I usually come up against when trying to redeem for travel with the other card.
The way the American Express Gold Rewards Card redemption works is genius in its simplicity. First, you pay for any type of travel using your card (score your double points). You can use a travel agent, a discount online travel site, or go direct to the airline, hotel, etc. To redeem, you simply take the points you've accumulated in your Gold Rewards account and redeem them to cover the exact charge. You can even pay for the tax using your points. There are no blackouts or restrictions because you purchase your travel like a regular consumer and then Amex basically puts the desired dollars into your account to pay for it. You can even pay with points retroactively up to a year following the trip!
There is also the option of transferring your points to frequent flyer or other loyalty programs including Aeroplan, but to me that defeats the purpose.
Amex continues to exceed my expectations when it comes to customer service. When there was concern that my card had been hacked, rather than shut my account down, I was contacted immediately and given the opportunity to assess if any of the charges were made fraudulently (they weren't). Some companies automatically deactivate your card, which is scary if you're travelling and you suddenly can't use your card.
Also, if I ever have questions about my account or the other perks offered to American Express members, it's white glove service all the time. I was especially impressed when the company waived my late fees when there was a mixup on my bill. Who does that? It reinforced to me that this company values its customers.
First, this is not a credit card. It's a charge card. This means you can't rack up a big bill, defer payment, and expect to just pay your interest each month. This card is for individuals or businesses who like the convenience of a credit card, who love getting all the perks and rewards that come with the card, but have the means to pay off their monthly balance in full.
There is an annual fee of $150 but the fee is waived for the first year so you can try it out. You can score 25,000 points as a welcome bonus (which is enough for a short-haul flight). Also, if you end up enjoying the Amex experience, you can earn more points by referring a friend. For each approved referral there's a 10,000 points bonus for you. I wish I knew that when I encouraged Gav Martell, who loves to travel, to sign up. All I got from him was a hug and a high five.
I have researched, tested, and took the time to really understand what I'm getting with my American Express Gold Rewards Card. You need to do the same, so you can find the right rewards card to help you travel for free.
Here are 5 Easy Ways to Save Money Before Your Next Family Vacation.
This is proudly sponsored by our friends at Amex Bank of Canada.
www.americanexpress.com/canada/
This post reflects the blogger's personal opinion.
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