Credit Card Bonus Rewards Points Shrinking

Several Credit Cards Change Bonus Rewards Points

First Published Date: December 5, 2016

In the past few weeks, I found out that several credit cards are changing their rewards points options. In my last article, I talked about Scotia Amex Gold Rewards. Today I will talk about two other credit cards that have instituted negative changes, unlike Scotia.

MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus MasterCard

This is a free rewards credit card that used to give 1000 bonus points every year on the anniversary date. However, MBNA recently sent a notification mentioning it will no longer provide any anniversary points starting January 1, 2017.

This does not come as a surprise to me, as I was expecting various cutbacks on points and features since TD Bank Group purchased MBNA. MBNA used to offer several cash back and rewards points credit cards with generous rewards and features. However, TD is terrible with its own rewards credits cards and it’s no wonder they will make all MBNA credit cards like their own (with reduced rewards and features). MBNA is no longer the choice for low-annual fee and no-fee credit cards since TD starting axing its benefits. There are other credit card companies that offer better deals for low annual fee and no-fee credit cards.

MBNA Rewards World Elite MasterCard

This card is no longer providing first year free. Before the $89 annual fee was waived for the first year.

BMO World Elite MasterCard

BMO was one of the few banks in Canada that allowed you to receive introductory bonus points on credit cards when you switch one account to another. For example, the BMO World Elite MasterCard gives 30,000 points (see below) if you apply and get approved. However, if you are already an existing different cardholder at BMO and switched to this card, you would still get 30,000 intro points. A couple of days ago I switched my BMO Air Miles World Elite MasterCard and as such I will receive 30,000 points. However, a BMO rep mentioned that starting January 1, 2017 these intro bonus points on switching one card to another will be discontinued. So if you are an existing cardholder and plan to get the BMO World Elite MasterCard, this is the time to do it.

BMO World Elite MasterCard is also reducing its 30,000 intro bonus points to 20,000 and increased minimum income requirement from $70,000 to $80,000.

When one door closes, another door opens. Always keep an eye open for new opportunities for credit card rewards and A Dawn Journal is here to provide you unbiased information because unlike most other sites, I do not promote any credit cards and I do not receive commissions from credit card companies.

RBC Business Cash Back MasterCard Review

No Fee 1% Cash Back Card

First Published Date: February 5, 2017

If you are a small business owner and looking for a no-frills credit card, look no further than the RBC Business Cash Back MasterCard. This card may not provide a lot of benefits, but it’s still good for those who aren’t looking for anything from a plain vanilla business credit card.

Sometimes you just want to have a business credit card to keep an active credit card under your business name. And that’s exactly why I have this credit card, although I don’t really use it. For a No Annual Fee credit card, the RBC Business Cash Back MasterCard offers the following features:

– Promotional 2 percent cash back for the first three months

– 1 percent cash back across the board thereafter

– Get cash back whenever you accumulate $25 or once a year in January

– Purchase security guarantee for 90 days

– Extended warranty for one additional year

As you can see, it’s not really a feature-rich credit card, but for no fee getting 1 percent back on everything is not bad either.

Business owners may need to separate their business transactions on credit cards, hence the need for a separate credit card solely for business. I charge my all business transactions on my regular personal credit cards that offer rich rewards and still keep a couple of no-fee business credit card accounts active for my business credit file.

If you are looking for better rewards on your business transactions, there are other annual fee credit cards you can go for. But for those who are not willing to pay annual fee, the RBC Business Cash Back MasterCard does the job and still provides 1 percent return.

New Canadian Prepaid Credit Card Rules

Federal Government Tightens Prepaid Credit Card Rules

First Published Date: February 7, 2017

The Canadian government unveils new prepaid credit card regulations to protect consumers today. Here are some changes that will take place starting May 1, 2014.

– There will not be any more expiration dates on prepaid cards.

– There will not be any maintenance or dormancy fess for at least one year once you activate the card.

– The outside packaging or box will clearly show fees user friendly way.

– Information such as how long you can use it, terms and conditions, a toll-free number, etc must be clearly displayed.

While prepaid credit cards are relatively new, you can find them in grocery stores and supermarkets, and they are becoming very popular.

Don’t Throw Away Credit Cards Before Closing Accounts

Close Credit Card Accounts Before Throwing Out

First Published Date: August 24, 2016

We all have credit card accounts here and there we are not aware of. Sometimes we just throw away credit cards once we don’t use them anymore. But is that the proper way of getting rid of those credit cards you don’t need?

For regular credit card accounts, if you just throw away or destroy your credit card your account remains active with the issuing financial institution. That means on paper you still hold that credit card and your credit account will appear on your credit report, regardless of whether you physically have that credit card or not.

For store credit card accounts, it depends on that store’s policies. Some of them will close your account if you are inactive for some time and some of them will keep it active regardless of whether you are active or not.

So if you were applying for store credit cards at different places just to get the 10 percent off on the first purchase and forgot about it after, you may have many credit cards appearing on your credit report you were not aware of – and when you apply for a new loan or mortgage the lender may not like seeing too many open credit accounts.
The best way to get rid of any credit cards is to call the issuer and close the account. Then shred it or cut it into pieces and trash them separately in separate garbage bags.

So next time, pick up the phone and close your account first before getting rid of those cards you don’t need. 

How to Properly Destroy Credit Cards

Don’t Just Trash Your Cards in the Garbage

First Published Date: October 8, 2016

Our credit cards are getting smarter with embedded microchips and other security features, and so are credit card scammers and con artists. The magnetic strip and microchip on credit cards hold vital information and they can cause a serious data breach if they end up in the wrong hands.

It’s better to be safe than sorry. I have created a short video demonstrating how to destroy credit cards properly so scammers aren’t able to extract any information out of them. You can follow those steps I showed in the video to cut your credit cards properly. Here are some highlights you need to keep in mind:

– Never get rid of credit cards if everything is intact.

– Cut them into small pieces as shown in the video.

– Make sure the microchip, magnetic strip, name, numbers, and signature are completely destroyed.

– When you are done destroying, do not put them in one garbage bag or bin.

– Place the cards into several garbage bags over the course of several days.

– This way, no single person can obtain all the pieces and arrange them together.

Am I being overly paranoid? You may say so. However, if you talk to those who had their identity stolen, they will tell you that it turned their lives upside down and these little steps of precaution are nothing compared to the consequences you would face had your personal information ended up in the wrong hands.

To safeguard your valuable personal information, online and otherwise, always be cautious and use vigilance. Use your common sense as your first line of defence and then some.