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Top Credit Card Higher than Normal Sign Up Bonuses for March 2023

ByMatt

Today we feature the top credit cards with a higher than normal sign up bonus. Since the new year, we have been putting a commentary under each credit card instead of the usual blurb at the start of the post.

This post is designed to list all the temporary higher than normal sign up bonus offers across the country. The cards are listed by expiry dates, with the ones expiring first at the top. If there is a tie-break in terms of expiry date, then it is sorted in alphabetical order.

April 2023

RBC Ion Visa Card

  • No annual fee
  • Earn 6,000 sign up bonus Avion points upon approval (apply before April 3, 2023)

The Ion card is a nice addition to the RBC portfolio. These points are not as flexible as the Avion ones, but they go give reward options.

RBC Ion+ Visa Card

  • $48 annual fee
  • Earn 12,000 sign up bonus Avion points upon approval (apply before April 3, 2023)

Same train of thought as the card above, the Ion card is a nice addition to the RBC portfolio. These points are not as flexible as the Avion ones, but they go give reward options.

RBC Avion Visa Platinum

  • $120 annual fee
  • Earn 55,000 sign up bonus points (earn 35,000 upon approval and 20,000 after spending $5,000 in the first 6 months) (apply before April 30, 2023)
  • Normally 15,000 sign up bonus

This offer has been around for a while, it is the highest Avion sign up bonus we have ever seen for this card.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege

  • $399 annual fee
  • Earn 55,000 sign up bonus points (earn 35,000 upon approval and 20,000 after spending $5,000 in the first 6 months) (apply before April 30, 2023)
  • Normally 25,000 sign up bonus
  • Have at least $200,000 in personal annual income or household income

This offer has been around for a while, it is the highest Avion sign up bonus we have ever seen for this card.

RBC Visa Infinite Avion

  • $120 annual fee
  • Earn 55,000 sign up bonus points (earn 35,000 upon approval and 20,000 after spending $5,000 in the first 6 months) (apply before April 30, 2023)
  • Normally 15,000 sign up bonus
  • Have at least $60,000 in personal annual income or $100,000 household annual income

This offer has been around for a while, it is the highest Avion sign up bonus we have ever seen for this card.

Scotiabank Gold American Express Card

  • $120 annual fee (first year fee waived) (apply before April 30, 2023)
  • $29 annual fee for a supplementary cardholder
  • Earn 45,000 sign up bonus Scene+ points (earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months and earn a 20,000 bonus points after spending $7,500 in the first year) (apply before April 30, 2023)
  • Normally 20,000 sign up bonus points
  • Have at least $12,000 in personal annual income

Great way to boost your Scene+ account with this sign up bonus.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card

  • $150 annual fee
  • $50 annual fee for each supplementary card (first supplementary card free)
  • Earn 30,000 Scene+ sign up bonus points (earn 30,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months) (apply before April 30, 2023)
  • Earn an annual 10,000 Scotia Rewards point bonus after spending $40,000 annually

The best Scotiabank travel card currently available!

Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card

  • $399 annual fee
  • $99 annual fee for a supplementary cardholder
  • Earn 60,000 sign up bonus Scotia Rewards points (earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months and earn a 10,000 bonus points after spending $10,000 in the 14 months) (apply before April 30, 2023)
  • Normally 30,000 sign up bonus points
  • Have at least $12,000 in personal annual income

This offer used to be 70,000, which expired on January 31, 2023. It has now been re-offered at 60,000 sign up bonus instead.

Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card

  • No annual fee
  • Earn 10,000 sign up bonus Scene points (earn 5,000 bonus points after spending $750 in the first 3 months and 5,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first year) (apply before April 30, 2023)
  • Normally 2,500 sign up bonus points
  • Have at least $12,000 in personal annual income

All movie goers should definitely have this card in their wallet. There is no annual fee makes it a no brainer.

May 2023

TD Aeroplan Visa Business Card

  • $149 annual fee (first year fee waived for applying by May 28, 2023)
  • $49 annual fee for supplementary cardholders
  • Earn 60,000 sign up Aeroplan bonus points (earn 10,000 points after the first purchase, earn 20,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months and earn 2,500 points for spending $2,500 each month in the first 12 months, up to 30,000 points) (apply by May 28, 2023)
  • Normally 10,000 sign up bonus

This is one of the best Aeroplan co-branded business cards out there, which is currently offering its highest ever sign up bonus too.

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card

  • $139 annual fee (first year fee waived for applying by May 28, 2023)
  • $75 annual fee for supplementary cardholders
  • Earn 55,000 sign up Aeroplan bonus points (earn 10,000 points after the first purchase within the first 3 months, earn 30,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 180 days and earn 15,000 points after spending $7,500 in the first 12 months) (for applying by May 28, 2023)
  • Normally 10,000 sign up bonus
  • Have at least $60,000 in personal annual income or $100,000 household income

This is probably one of the best Aeroplan co-branded cards in Canada. It has the right balance between the benefits that would justify the annual fee. Not to mention it is currently offering its highest ever sign up bonus.

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card

  • $599 annual fee
  • $199 annual fee for supplementary cardholders
  • Earn up to 115,000 Aeroplan points (includes a bonus of 20,000 Aeroplan points after the first purchase, earn an additional 60,000 Aeroplan points after spending $7,500 within 180 days of Account opening and an additional 35,000 Aeroplan points after spending $12,000 within 12 months of Account opening) (Must apply by May 28, 2023)
  • Normally 20,000 sign bonus points

This card has a hefty annual fee, so it is more worthwhile for big spenders. Also, those who are TD banking clients can also get part of the fee rebated to justify keeping the card longer term.

TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum Card

  • $89 annual fee (first year fee waived) (apply by May 28, 2023)
  • $35 annual fee for supplementary cardholders
  • Earn 20,000 sign up Aeroplan bonus points (earn 10,000 points after the first purchase and another 10,000 points after spending a $1,000 in the first 90 days) (apply by May 28, 2023)
  • Normally 10,000 sign up bonus

This is really a started Aeroplan card. If you can qualify for some of the ones below, that would be better.

TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card

  • $139 annual fee (first year fee waived) (apply before May 28, 2023)
  • $50 annual fee for supplementary cardholders
  • Earn 145,000 sign up bonus points after the first purchase (earn 20,000 TD points after the first purchase and earn 115,000 TD points after spending $5,000 within 180 days, earn a 10,000 Birthday bonus) (apply before May 28, 2023)
  • Normally 20,000 sign up bonus
  • Have at least $60,000 in personal annual income or $100,000 household income

This card is also currently offering its highest ever sign up bonus. Keep in mind that certain bank accounts with TD allow cardholders to continually waive their annual fee, which makes this card more worthwhile to hold. Personally, I prefer the TD Aeroplan cards, as Aeroplan holds more value to me. This would be a great card to have in terms of diversifying your miles and points portfolio.

TD Business Travel Visa Card

  • $149 annual fee (first year fee waived for applying by May 28, 2023)
  • $49 annual fee for a supplementary cardholder
  • Earn 150,000 sign up bonus TD Rewards points (earn 30,000 TD Rewards Points after the first purchase, earn 60,000 TD Rewards Points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months and earn 5,000 TD Rewards points for spending $2,500 each month in the first 12 months) (apply by May 28, 2023)
  • Normally 30,000 sign up bonus

Personally, if I am only going to have one business card, I would prefer the Aeroplan card. But if you are looking to diversify, then this is a good card for businesses travellers to add to the mix.

HSBC Travel Rewards Mastercard® (non-QC residents only)*

  • No annual fee
  • Earn 25,000 points (for spending $1,000 within 180 days of account opening) (apply before May 31, 2023)

This offer was set to expire at the end of February 2023, but now has been extended until the end of May 2023.

HSBC Travel Rewards Mastercard (QC residents only)*

  • No annual fee
  • Earn 25,000 points (for keeping the account open and active for 180 days) (apply before May 31, 2023)

This offer was set to expire at the end of February 2023, but now has been extended until the end of May 2023.

HSBC +Rewards™ Mastercard (non-QC residents only)*

  • $25 annual fee (a full annual fee rebate for the primary cardholder for the first year for applying before May 31, 2023)
  • $10 authorized user annual fee per card
  • Earn up to 35,000 sign up bonus points (earn 30,000 for spending $2,000 within 6 months of account opening and earn 5,000 points when starting the application online) (apply before May 31, 2023)

This offer was set to expire at the end of February 2023, but now has been extended until the end of May 2023.

HSBC +Rewards Mastercard (QC residents only)*

  • $25 annual fee
  • $10 authorized user annual fee per card
  • Earn up to 40,000 sign up bonus points (earn 40,000 points for keeping the account open and active for 6 months and earn 5,000 points when starting the application online) (apply before May 31, 2023)

This offer was set to expire at the end of February 2023, but now has been extended until the end of May 2023.

HSBC World Elite® MasterCard (non-QC residents only)*

  • $149 annual fee (a full annual fee rebate for the primary cardholder for the first year for applying before May 31, 2023)
  • No annual fee for adding an authorized user Authorized User Annual Fee: $50 Per Card
  • Earn up to 80,000 points (earn 20,000 Welcome Bonus points, earn 1,000 points for spending $1,000 each month, within the first 6 months of account opening, to a maximum of 60,000 points) (apply before May 31, 2023)
  • Receive a $100 annual travel enhancement credit
  • Normally 20,000 welcome bonus
  • No foreign transaction fees (only the exchange rate will apply)
  • Have at least $80,000 in personal annual income, $150,000 household income or have $400,000 asset under management in Canada

This offer was set to expire at the end of February 2023, but now has been extended until the end of May 2023.

HSBC World Elite MasterCard (QC residents only)*

  • $149 annual fee
  • No annual fee for adding an authorized user Authorized User Annual Fee: $50 Per Card
  • Earn up to 110,000 points (earn 20,000 Welcome Bonus points, earn 90,000 points for keeping the account open and active for 180 days) (apply before May 31, 2023)
  • Receive a $100 annual travel enhancement credit
  • Normally 20,000 welcome bonus
  • No foreign transaction fees (only the exchange rate will apply)
  • Have at least $80,000 in personal annual income, $150,000 household income or have $400,000 asset under management in Canada

This offer was set to expire at the end of February 2023, but now has been extended until the end of May 2023.

*Terms and Conditions apply

®/TM Mastercard and World Elite are registered trademarks, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. Used pursuant to licence.

June 2023

National Bank World Elite Mastercard

  • $150 annual fee (first year fee waived) (apply before June 30, 2023)
  • Earn 70,000 sign up bonus points (earn 30,000 after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months, earn 10,000 for signing up for the insurance for a minimum of 3 months, earn 30,000 after the first year anniversary and spending $12,000 within the first 12 months) (apply before June 30, 2023 and must not currently hold a personal National Bank Mastercard credit card or have held one in the last 24 months)
  • Unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge at the Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) with one guest
  • Normally no sign up bonus
  • Have at least $80,000 in personal annual income, $150,000 household income or have $400,000 asset under management. Or $25,000 in minimum purchases per year (existing client only)

This offer has been around for a while now, and it is the best sign up bonus we have seen from this card.

Credit terms

Grace period: No interest will be charged on purchases made during the month, provided the client pays the balance in full within twenty-one (21) days of the statement date. This grace period does not apply to cash advances or balance transfers. Minimum payment: If your account balance is lower than $10, you must pay the entire balance. If you reside in the province of Quebec, your minimum payment will correspond to 5% of the credit card account balance plus any overdue payment or $10, whichever amount is higher. If you reside outside of Quebec, your minimum payment represents 2.5% of the credit card account balance plus any overdue payment or $10, whichever amount is higher. Account statement: A statement is sent monthly. 

Example of credit charges over a 30-day period 

Annual interest rate Average balance 
 $500 $3,000 
22.49% $9.24 $55.45 
20.99% $8.63 $51.76 
12.90% $5.30 $31.81 
8.9% $3.66 $21.95 

*Variable interest rate in effect on September 1, 2021 

Balance transfer and cash advance are subject to credit approval by National Bank. Each balance transfer must be at least $250. 

Details of eligible rewards points

Certain restrictions apply. For more information, consult the Rewards plan section or the Plan rules regarding how to earn points. 

The amount of points earned on grocery and restaurant purchases depends on the total gross monthly amount charged to the credit card account, regardless of the purchase category. You will earn 5 points for every dollar in eligible grocery and restaurant purchases until a total of $2,500 in gross monthly purchases is charged to the account. After that, you will earn 2 points per dollar in eligible grocery and restaurant purchases. The total gross monthly amount is calculated based on your monthly billing period. Grocery purchases include any purchase made at a store that primarily sells food, i.e., grocery store, delicatessen, supermarket, greengrocer or specialty food store. Ready-to-eat meal services and meal delivery services are eligible. This definition excludes purchases made at retail stores and big box stores whose core business is the sale of non-food items. Certain merchants may sell products and services that appear identical or similar to those sold by eligible merchants, or may be separate merchants located on the same premises as eligible merchants, but are classified in different categories by Mastercard. For purchases at other merchants, you will only earn regular rewards points. Restaurant purchases include purchases at a restaurant, fast food restaurant, bar, nightclub or pub. For a full list of Mastercard codes associated with eligible merchants, download the terms and conditions of the À la carte Rewards Plan®. 

 To earn 2 points per dollar in purchases, you will need to purchase gas or an electrical vehicle charge from a service station or from certain big-box stores. Certain merchants may sell products and services that appear identical or similar to those sold by eligible merchants, or may be separate merchants located on the same premises as eligible merchants, but are classified in different categories by Mastercard. For purchases at other merchants, you will only earn regular rewards points. For a full list of Mastercard codes associated with eligible merchants, download the terms and conditions of the À la carte Rewards Plan®. 

Recurring bill payments are defined as monthly or regular payments automatically charged by a merchant to your National Bank World Elite Mastercard credit card. Not all merchants offer recurring bill payments, and not all recurring payments are considered recurring bill payments. Certain payments therefore may not entitle you to earn more points. 

 To earn 2 points per dollar in purchases, you must make your eligible purchases via the À la carte TravelTM Agency section of our À la carte RewardsTM site. 

 For example, if each month you charge $400 in groceries, $200 in gas, $100 in recurring bill payments and $150 in other purchases to your card, your $850 in purchases will earn you 2,750 points, as follows: 2,000 points for grocery purchases (since the total gross monthly amount is $850, i.e., under $2,500), 400 points for gas purchases, 200 points for recurring bill payments and 150 points for other purchases.

National Bank Lounge conditions

 Exclusively available to World Elite Mastercard cardholders. Visitors must present their physical credit card and boarding pass to access the National Bank Lounge. The National Bank Lounge is only available to clients travelling to international destinations (excluding Canada and U.S. flights). Guests cannot spend more than three (3) hours in the Lounge. For National Bank clients who do not have free Lounge access and for additional guests, admission is around $37 for adults and $26 for children, plus tax. Admission is free for children under three years old. The entry price may change at any time without notice and at the discretion of the Lounge operator.

Travel and health insurance conditions

Clients must submit required documents within the given deadline. Certain conditions may apply. Only the primary cardholder (“Cardholder”) of National Bank World Elite Mastercard whose account is in good standing can request a refund of travel expenses. An account in good standing refers to an account linked to a credit card which complies with the Agreement governing the use of the credit card and which is not subject to any restrictions. For example, the annual fees related to the credit card must have been paid in full. The maximum amount that can be submitted for reimbursement between January 1 and December 31 of each year is $150.

Eligible expenses include: 

·   airport parking fees

·   baggage fees

·   seat selection fees

·   access to airport lounges worldwide 

·   airline ticket upgrades

The claim must be submitted within 60 days of the purchase date and accompanied by proof of purchase. The travel fees must be charged to the National Bank World Elite Mastercard credit card. The maximum reimbursement amount is $150 per account. The refund will be issued within 7 business days following the request approval date and after receiving all required information. An amount not claimed in a year cannot be carried over to the following year. For more information or to obtain the refund form, sign in to rewards.nbc.ca, click the Refund of travel expenses tab and complete the form, you can also contact us at 1-888-296-8881 (toll-free).  

This coverage applies to purchases and rentals charged in part to the card, except out-of-province medical/hospital insurance for which the travel arrangements need not be charged to the card and lost or delayed luggage insurance where all transportation costs must be charged to the card. This coverage applies to the primary cardholder, their spouse and/or dependent children when they (spouse and/or dependent children) travel with the primary cardholder. Extended warranty coverage applies to most new items purchased with the card, in Canada or abroad, as long as the manufacturer’s warranty is valid in Canada. Certain conditions and restrictions apply. For more information and for details of your insurance coverage, please consult the insurance certificate associated with your card. 

Mobile devices protection:

Up to $1,000 in the event of breakage, loss or theft for a maximum of 2 years after the purchase date. The device must have been purchased using your National Bank World Elite Mastercard credit card, or your phone plan must be paid via recurring payments charged to your National Bank World Elite credit card starting September 1, 2022. For complete terms and conditions, please consult the insurance certificate associated with your card. 

July 2023

RBC British Airways Visa Infinite Card

  • $165 annual fee
  • $75 fee for supplemental cardholders
  • Earn 60,000 sign up bonus Avios (earn 15,000 Avios upon approval, earn 35,000 bonus Avios after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months, earn 10,000 bonus Avios (within 12-15 weeks after the first year anniversary) (apply before July 12, 2023)
  • Have at least $60,000 in personal annual income or $100,000 household annual income
  • Normally 50,000 sign up bonus

This offer was set to expire at the end of February 2023, but now has been extended until July 12, 2023.

BMO Air Miles MasterCard

  • No annual fee
  • Earn 800 sign up bonus Air Miles (after spending $1,000 within the first 3 months) (apply before July 31, 2023)
  • Normally 200 sign up bonus miles

Air Miles has really taken a beating the last couple of years considering all the partnerships that they lost. I personally still get some value from redeem Air Miles. I still like my Air Miles to keep my portfolio diversified.

BMO Air Miles World Elite MasterCard

  • $120 annual fee (first year fee waived if you apply before July 31, 2023)
  • Earn 2,000 sign up bonus Air Miles (spending $3,000 within the first 3 months) (apply before July 31, 2023)
  • Normally 1,000 sign up bonus miles
  • Have at least $80,000 in personal annual income or $150,000 household annual income

If you can qualify for this World Elite version, it would be better than the regular BMO Air Miles credit card with the added features and benefits.

BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Card

  • $120 annual fee (first year fee waived by applying before July 31, 2023)
  • Earn 10% more points for adding a supplementary cardholders
  • Earn 60,000 sign up bonus BMO Reward points (earning 30,000 sign up bonus points and another 30,000 after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months) (apply before July 31, 2023)
  • Earn 2,500 BMO Rewards bonus points for each subsequent month with at least $2,000 in net purchases
  • Receive an annual $50 lifestyle credit
  • Normally 30,000 sign up bonus
  • Have at least $60,000 in personal annual income or $100,000 household annual income

This is a relatively new card offer by BMO, they previously did not have Visa cards. This has been a nice additional to the Canadian market.

BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card

  • $499 annual fee
  • Earn 90,000 signup bonus BMO Reward points (earn 50,000 sign up bonus after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months and earn 40,000 bonus points after 12 months by spending $100,000) (apply before July 31, 2023)
  • Normally 50,000 sign up bonus
  • Have at least $150,000 in personal annual income or $200,000 household annual income

This version of BMO rewards is for big spenders. BMO banking clients should always look for ways to get their fee reduced.

December 2023

BMO Rewards Business MasterCard

  • $120 annual fee (waived the first year by applying before December 31, 2023)
  • $50 annual fee for a supplementary cardholder
  • Earn 50,000 sign up bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months (apply before December 31, 2023)
  • Normally 35,000 bonus points

This may not be the flashiest business card out there. I would only suggest getting this card if your business is using BMO banking. Otherwise, there are better business cards out there.

Note that we currently have other types of monthly lists going on:

Please let us know in the comment section below if you would like to see other types of monthly lists or if we missed any promotions!

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