银行将“账户”称为产品。每过一段时间,银行将“事多钱少”的产品取消,然后称其 "not on sale"。 以前开的户头,银行一般会继续维持,虽然条款里有写“银行有改变任何条款”的权利。不过这种事情有例外,有的银行就会降低现有客户的利益:TD 2011年收购 MBNA 信用卡后,将现有的客户的 cash back benefit 降低,2% 回扣的上限由600元降为400元。消费者只能用脚投票了:改用其它的信用卡。 经过一番上网查询,Capital One 的 1.5% cash back 被隆重推荐。它要求收入在6万以上,信用良好。这不是问题。我于2013年3月申请了。前几日(2013年11月)浏览网页,有人说,这个1.5%的卡不再接受新用户。我去它网站看了一下,果然如此。现在它只有 1.25% 回扣的信用卡了。不过,1.25% 仍比其它卡的 1% 强。我这个 1.5% 的卡算是赶上机会了。(再次更新:其回扣只有 1%。) 以前我都只看 no annual fee 的卡,因为即便不用,也不是负担。网上有人推荐4% cash back on groceries and gas (每年上限花费2万5千回扣) 的卡,年费99元。我算了一下,我家花在食品的钱很多,怎么也有12,500元,合回扣500元。扣去年费,仍有401元。如果这些花费都记在2%的卡,也只有250元。所以,我的生活方式用这4%的卡合算。是为 SCOTIA Momentum 卡。于是我的最佳搭配是:食品与汽油用 SCOTIA, 4% 回扣;其它的花费一律用 1.5% 的 Capital One. Bank accounts are called "products" by banks. From time to time a bank can issue different products to target new group of customers. They may also review existing accounts. If they think one is not too profitable, it is put to "not-on-sale" (no new accounts can be opened). Banks have reserved rights to modify any conditions or benefits of any account, though it is normal practice not to change for existing customers' accounts. I knew one exception example: in 2011 TD bank acquired MBNA credit cards portfolio, then quickly cut the cash-back benefit of all accounts, no matter new or existing. The 2% cash back spending limit decreased from $600 to $400. As a small customer, I can only vote with my feet. Go for other credit cards. After some research through internet, one card caught my eye: Capital One 1.5% cash back Master Card (in above picture). It does not carry an annual fee. But it does require good credit history and annual income above 60,000. I applied it in March 2013. A few months later, I noticed some forums mentioned this 1.5% cash back card was out of market. I checked it out in its website and found the news was true. In Nov 2013, 1.25% cash-back was still on sale. Recently, even 1.25% card has gone. So, if you think you have a good deal, seize it before it is too late. I was particularly interested in no-fee credit cards. Even you do not use it, it will not cost a penny to carry. But I changed my mind when I saw a 4% cash back card with an annual fee of $99. Those 4% rebate only applies to grocery and gas expenses. That fits into my family. We spend lots of money on food and gas, exceeding $12,500 per year. So, the rebate is $500. After $99 fee, it is still worth $401. Even if all of it was put on 2% cash back card, the bonus is only 250. This card fits into my current life style. It is "Scotia Momentum" visa card (also in above picture). My best strategy will be: use Scotia to buy grocery and gas, Capital one for all others.
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AuthorI settled down in Vancouver 8 years ago. Like all the immigrants who come to Canada to pursuit a new life in this free and strong land, I am especially interested in financial products. I believe, by using proper bank accounts, we can greatly enhance our financial lives. Archives
September 2017
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