This summer, many Canadian banks are introducing new temporary measures in response to the corona virus pandemic. To provide ongoing value to their customers, many banks are now offering increased earning potential on some of their credit cards.
In fact, credit card issuers are proposing higher earning rates in select categories including groceries, food delivery services and restaurants.
Here is a summary of some of the bonus credit card offers by Amex, RBC, CIBC and TD.
American Express credit cards
Amex’s Shop Small campaign is a win-win situation for both cardholders and small business merchants. With this offer, Amex hopes to support small business owners by incentivizing their cardholders to shop at local stores.
From June 24 to September 13, 2020, Amex cardholders who spend a minimum of $10 at participating small business locations will earn a $5 statement credit! This can be repeated at 10 different eligible locations for a maximum of $50 in statement credits.
Visit the American Express Shop Small website and look for the Shop Small icon to find participating merchants.
This offer is available to all Amex cards, but you need to register within the Amex app or at the Amex Shop Small enrollment page.
Amex Marriott Bonvoy card – 5x on groceries & food delivery
From May 15 to August 31, 2020 the Marriott Bonvoy American Express card allows cardholders to earn 5 Bonvoy points per dollar spent at grocery stores, food delivery and restaurant takeout. This rate is higher than the usual 2 points per dollar spent. So, this promotion is ideal for those who wish to earn Marriott Bonvoy points with their grocery and restaurant purchases!
Amex Gold Rewards card – 5x on food delivery
Until August 31, 2020, Amex Gold Rewards cardholders can earn 5 Membership Rewards (MR) points on orders with Uber Eats and Skip the Dishes. You would regularly earn 1x MR point on these purchases so this is a nice promotion for those with the Amex Gold card.
Also, you can earn 1% cashback with your Skip the Dishes purchases by connecting your Amex card to the Paymi app. Read more about how to earn cashback with food delivery apps.
Amex Marriott Bonvoy Business card – 3x on office supplies
Amex Marriott Bonvoy Business cardholders will earn 3x Bonvoy points on eligible office supplies & electronics purchases until August 31, 2020.
This is a slight increase compared to the regular earning rate of 2x Bonvoy points that these purchases would ordinarily earn.
RBC credit cards
This July, RBC is introducing the Points for Canada initiative to support Canadian businesses. During this promotion, cardholders can redeem their RBC points for gift cards at 30% off. Gift cards are available for select Canadian retailers and restaurants like Hudson’s Bay, Rexall and Boston Pizza to name a few.
Also, until August 31, 2020, cardholders of most RBC Rewards or RBC Avion credit cards earn a bonus rate of 2x points on purchases at restaurants or food delivery services. For this double points promotion, Uber Eats and DoorDash are eligible (depending on the restaurant) but unfortunately, Skip the Dishes isn’t eligible.
Registration is required here and you need to complete the following steps to activate the offer.
- Click on “Get Started”.
- Sign-in to RBC Online Banking.
- Find and click on the “Earn 2x points at your favourite restaurants” offer.
- Click on “Opt-in to pledge”.
Note that your card account will receive the bonus RBC points by October 31, 2020.
RBC WestJet MasterCard – 2x on groceries & restaurants
From June 30 to September 30, 2020 (expiry date extended), the earning rate with WestJet RBC MasterCards is doubled on grocery and restaurant purchases up to $10,000 spend. This means an additional 1.5% earn rate on the WestJet World Elite Mastercard and an additional 1% earn rate on the WestJet RBC Mastercard.
Also, the double earning rate includes purchases with certain food delivery apps. Orders with Uber Eats and DoorDash are eligible (depending on the restaurant) but alas, Skip the Dishes is not eligible.
Plus, what’s interesting with this promotion is that you can select how to receive the extra rewards. You can choose between WestJet dollars, a statement credit, or a donation to Food Banks Canada.
To take advantage of this offer, you’ll first have to register at this website with your 16-digit card number and your WestJet Rewards ID. Then, choose between the 3 reward options but remember that you can’t change your selection later on. Only after registering will the bonuses apply.
You’ll receive the bonus WestJet dollars or statement credit about 6-8 weeks after eligible purchases are made. Donation to Food Banks Canada will be made within 60 days of the end of the offer.
CIBC credit cards – 2x on restaurants & food delivery
Until August 4, 2020, the earning rate with CIBC credit cards is doubled on restaurant and food delivery purchases up to $1,000 spend. This includes food delivery services like Uber Eats, DoorDash, Skip the Dishes, Grubhub and Ritual.
Almost all CIBC Aventura, Aerogold, Dividend and Business cards are eligible for this promotion. For every dollar spent on dining in, takeout or delivery, the following CIBC cards would earn:
- Aerogold Visa Infinite: 2 Aeroplan miles
- Aventura Visa Infinite: 2 Aventura points
- Dividend Visa Infinite: 2% cash back.
There’s no need to register and you can read more details about the promotion here. Also, you’ll receive the bonus rewards within 8 weeks after the qualifying purchases are posted to your account.
Also, remember to connect your CIBC card to the Paymi app to earn 1% cashback with your Skip the Dishes purchases. Read more about how to earn cashback with food delivery apps.
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite – 3x on grocery deliveries
Until August 15, 2020, TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite cardholders will earn a bonus 3x Aeroplan miles on grocery delivery services. This includes purchases with PC Express, Goodfood, Save‑On‑Foods Online, Grocery Gateway, SPUD.ca, metro.ca online grocery, GOcery or Mister Produce.
Plus, cardholders can earn a bonus rate of 2x Aeroplan miles on purchases with food delivery apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash and Skip the Dishes. Also, earn double the miles for purchases with meal kit providers like Instacart, HelloFresh, Inabuggy, Chefs Plate, MissFresh and others.
This offer is already applicable to TD cardholders so there’s no need to register for the promotion.
Finally, remember to connect your TD card to the Paymi app to earn 1% cashback with your Skip the Dishes purchases. Read more about how to earn cashback with food delivery apps.
Conclusion
This summer, it seems that most Canadian banks are offering bonus earning rates on their credit cards. Notably, this includes purchases in categories like food delivery, groceries, restaurants and office supplies.
Within each category, the earning rate varies between credit cards. So, select wisely which card will provide you with the most rewards. For example, on Uber Eats purchases, the Amex Gold card earns 5 MR points whereas the CIBC and RBC cards only earn 2x points.
Also, for purchases with Skip the Dishes, I suggest not using your RBC credit card since you don’t earn double points under their promotion. Instead, try to use one of the listed card offers with Amex, CIBC or TD to maximize your earning potential.
Are you going to take advantage of any credit card promotional offers this summer? Let me know in the comments below.