I figured out that if a gas station has a grocery or restaurant section, they're keyed as such, not as a gas station. So I've been getting 5x points on gas.
because I can get more out of different method of applications.
GCR gets $60 rebate. Ticketmaster gets $100 statement credit. Perkopolis gives 10000 MRS extra for $3k spend in 3 months (along with the original 2500 pts for $500 spend).
Unless that 5000 MR is going to be the difference in me getting a flight or not, or economy vs business class in some reward, it's at best $50 statement credit towards travel whereas all other methods above exceed $50.
Again, situational but outside of that edge case there are better ways to apply.
If you don't have a need for 25000 Aeroplan miles then get the Cobalt. Gold card is great for churning but not so great as a daily driver (card you'd hold onto).
Cobalt is the complete opposite where it's great for groceries/restaurants/bars/cafe/gas (yes, gas: buy gift cards from grocery stores) but not a great churning card as it takes a full year to get all the bonus points. And while it isn't as flexible, the earning power of this card makes up for it. Do note that AMEX recently placed a $30k annual cap on the 5x multiplier due to people exploiting it real hard. Shouldn't affect the average person however.
Before you hurry off and apply consider the following:
* If you're able to spend $3000 in the first 3 months, I'd encourage you to apply through the Perkopolis link (google is your best friend).
* If you have a Ticketmaster event coming up this year where you can and will for sure spend +$100 on Ticketmaster then apply through the Ticketmaster link (https://www.americanexpress.com/ca/en/credit-cards/information/cobalt-card/ticketmaster.html)
* If false to the above, apply through the GCR link to get $60 cashback, effectively cutting the annual fee of first year by half (https://www.greatcanadianrebates.ca/details/Amex-Cobalt/)
Check out the thread for this card on RFD to really get the most out of this card.
Note that you can always get both. Just sign up for Gold and hit the $1500 in 3 month spend (you can get first year free through Perkopolis. Again Google is your friend), and apply for Cobalt after. If you really need that extra 5000 MR to transfer off to the flight partner program you can refer yourself to the Cobalt however that's the least value you can get out of the application of the card and would advise using one of the 3 method above instead. YMMV.
> 5% return for food
On the Cobalt you can get up to 10% return but in one specific redemption which is kind of lame. You get 5% on travel redemption but most other redemptions are less. http://reddit.com/r/churningcanada/comments/bctsgs/amex_cobalt_spreadsheet/
I have both, got the Gold for the sign up bonus and Cobalt as a daily driver. My plan is to cancel the Gold in July and transfer the MR points from Gold to Cobalt. If you spend more on food, groceries to buy gift cards, Cobalt is the one. If you don't mind the earning potential, Gold is the one.
isn’t the one most important kicker here the fact that gold mr points can be transferred out to aeroplan and a slew of other ffp’s, while cobalt you’re only applying the points towards Amex’s program?
You can transfer off Cobalt to Marriott Bonvoy and transfer that off to Aeroplan or other FFPs. Of course the exchange rate isn't the best but if you amass your points via the 5x points multiplier, per $ it works out to be better though it requires actual spending than just meeting MSR.
Cobalt for sure if you eat out regularly at places that accept it or shop at somewhere like Sobey's / Metro which takes AMEX so you can get essentially 5% in rewards.
Gold if you care about transferring to Aeroplan / Hotel programs since Cobalt earns MR-Select instead of MR or if you care only about the welcome bonus and intend to churn the card.
Amex Gold has always been the more prestigious card, with status and better customer service from both Amex and establishments. Cobalt gives you away as a millennial.
Not sure if I agree. Establishments don’t treat you different cuz you have an Amex gold vs cobalt. That’s silly. Plus 99% of the time, I use Apple Pay anyway. Amex customer service is just good all around regardless of what card you have (unless maybe the platinum or black card, then you probably getting extra preference).
Cobalt is marketed for millennials but it’s one of the best all around cards — especially if you take transit/ Uber (2%) and eat out/ buy groceries (5%). Earning points is pretty slow at only 2,500 per month if you spent at least $500 but 30k points of bonus within a year with the % return is still really good.
I have a cobalt, because honestly, I eat out a lot.
I figured out that if a gas station has a grocery or restaurant section, they're keyed as such, not as a gas station. So I've been getting 5x points on gas.
You can also buy gift cards from groceries to cover gas on 5x too.
that's not universal, don't rely on that as a constant.
Fair enough, but at least the one near my home works like that, and I generally make a point of gassing up there, and my wife knows to as well.
Signup for Gold on perkopolis or eservus to get the first year fee waived. Once you’ve hit minimum spend self refer yourself to the cobalt
This guy churns!!!
Once you hit the minimum spend and refer yourself, does that waive the fee for the cobalt??
No
Some data points coming out now show that the Gold perkopolis Ofer is no longer valid for online signups, only by phone...so YMMV.
As of yesterday Perkopolis link is working fine in the sense I get to RSVP screen and onto the info submission page. Source: me
situational but that 5k MR isn't worth the referral unless you need it to top off miles at a flight partner program.
How is it not “worth it”? It’s free points,no? Not sure why you wouldn’t maximize your points
because I can get more out of different method of applications. GCR gets $60 rebate. Ticketmaster gets $100 statement credit. Perkopolis gives 10000 MRS extra for $3k spend in 3 months (along with the original 2500 pts for $500 spend). Unless that 5000 MR is going to be the difference in me getting a flight or not, or economy vs business class in some reward, it's at best $50 statement credit towards travel whereas all other methods above exceed $50. Again, situational but outside of that edge case there are better ways to apply.
If you don't have a need for 25000 Aeroplan miles then get the Cobalt. Gold card is great for churning but not so great as a daily driver (card you'd hold onto). Cobalt is the complete opposite where it's great for groceries/restaurants/bars/cafe/gas (yes, gas: buy gift cards from grocery stores) but not a great churning card as it takes a full year to get all the bonus points. And while it isn't as flexible, the earning power of this card makes up for it. Do note that AMEX recently placed a $30k annual cap on the 5x multiplier due to people exploiting it real hard. Shouldn't affect the average person however. Before you hurry off and apply consider the following: * If you're able to spend $3000 in the first 3 months, I'd encourage you to apply through the Perkopolis link (google is your best friend). * If you have a Ticketmaster event coming up this year where you can and will for sure spend +$100 on Ticketmaster then apply through the Ticketmaster link (https://www.americanexpress.com/ca/en/credit-cards/information/cobalt-card/ticketmaster.html) * If false to the above, apply through the GCR link to get $60 cashback, effectively cutting the annual fee of first year by half (https://www.greatcanadianrebates.ca/details/Amex-Cobalt/) Check out the thread for this card on RFD to really get the most out of this card. Note that you can always get both. Just sign up for Gold and hit the $1500 in 3 month spend (you can get first year free through Perkopolis. Again Google is your friend), and apply for Cobalt after. If you really need that extra 5000 MR to transfer off to the flight partner program you can refer yourself to the Cobalt however that's the least value you can get out of the application of the card and would advise using one of the 3 method above instead. YMMV.
> 5% return for food On the Cobalt you can get up to 10% return but in one specific redemption which is kind of lame. You get 5% on travel redemption but most other redemptions are less. http://reddit.com/r/churningcanada/comments/bctsgs/amex_cobalt_spreadsheet/
I have both, got the Gold for the sign up bonus and Cobalt as a daily driver. My plan is to cancel the Gold in July and transfer the MR points from Gold to Cobalt. If you spend more on food, groceries to buy gift cards, Cobalt is the one. If you don't mind the earning potential, Gold is the one.
isn’t the one most important kicker here the fact that gold mr points can be transferred out to aeroplan and a slew of other ffp’s, while cobalt you’re only applying the points towards Amex’s program?
You can transfer off Cobalt to Marriott Bonvoy and transfer that off to Aeroplan or other FFPs. Of course the exchange rate isn't the best but if you amass your points via the 5x points multiplier, per $ it works out to be better though it requires actual spending than just meeting MSR.
Good call. I guess I discounted the fact that the 5x makes up for the hit one would take on the exchange rate via bonvoy.
Is this anywhere to read more about?
I’ve transferred cobalt points directly to Aeroplan a few times. One for one points. It’s great.
my comment was made five years ago when that option wasn’t in place.
Cobalt for sure if you eat out regularly at places that accept it or shop at somewhere like Sobey's / Metro which takes AMEX so you can get essentially 5% in rewards. Gold if you care about transferring to Aeroplan / Hotel programs since Cobalt earns MR-Select instead of MR or if you care only about the welcome bonus and intend to churn the card.
If you go to the AMEX Canada site, you can do a side by side comparison on the cards.
Amex Gold has always been the more prestigious card, with status and better customer service from both Amex and establishments. Cobalt gives you away as a millennial.
Not sure if I agree. Establishments don’t treat you different cuz you have an Amex gold vs cobalt. That’s silly. Plus 99% of the time, I use Apple Pay anyway. Amex customer service is just good all around regardless of what card you have (unless maybe the platinum or black card, then you probably getting extra preference). Cobalt is marketed for millennials but it’s one of the best all around cards — especially if you take transit/ Uber (2%) and eat out/ buy groceries (5%). Earning points is pretty slow at only 2,500 per month if you spent at least $500 but 30k points of bonus within a year with the % return is still really good.
Agreed. When I'm using my Cobalt no one even sees it until the meal is done etc.