Advice and explainers
Understand credit cards, rewards, and the strategies that really matter.
The essential guides to understand how a credit card really earns, and how Futello compares cards.
American Express is accepted less widely than Visa and Mastercard in Canada. Here is how to tell whether an Amex card is worth it for you, why a backup card is needed and how Futello accounts for it.
Read the guideHow to choose a first credit card as a student in Canada: annual fees, rewards, minimum income, a reasonable limit and the habits that build a credit file.
Read the guide5× is not automatically better than 3×. Learn how point value, caps, annual fees and spending categories change a card’s real return.
Read the guideAn Aeroplan, Membership Rewards or Scene+ point does not always have the same value. Learn how Futello estimates real point value and compares programs.
Read the guideMonthly caps, annual caps, category caps, post-cap rates: how reward caps reduce a credit card’s real value and how to account for them in your choice.
Read the guideHow to choose a credit card for groceries in Canada: what counts as groceries, monthly caps, warehouse clubs, cash back versus points, and the real calculation for your basket.
Read the guideForeign transaction fees, no-FX-fee cards, travel points, insurance and acceptance abroad: how to choose a Canadian credit card for travelling and paying in foreign currencies.
Read the guideWhich credit cards are accepted at Costco in Canada, why Costco purchases generally do not count as groceries, and how to choose a card when a large share of your spending goes through the warehouse.
Read the guideWhat foreign transaction fees are on a Canadian credit card, when a no-foreign-fee card is worth it and how to verify the benefit on each card page.
Read the guideLearn the risks of holding reward points for too long, how expiry rules work and how to choose a sensible time to redeem.
Read the guideLearn when transferring credit-card points to Aeroplan or another loyalty program can be worthwhile and when keeping or redeeming them directly may be better.
Read the guideLearn how to get more value from credit cards and loyalty programs without increasing your spending or adding unnecessary cards.
Read the guideLearn how Aeroplan points work, how to calculate their value, when to use them for flights and which common mistakes to avoid.
Read the guideLearn the main ways to use Membership Rewards points in Canada, their practical baseline value and when transfers to Aeroplan and other programs can make sense.
Read the guideLearn how much Scene+ points are worth, the main redemption options, differences between travel and statement credit, and inactivity rules.
Read the guideLearn how VIPorter works, how to earn and redeem points, how Avid Traveller tiers work, and who gets the most value from the program.
Read the guideCompare Aeroplan, Membership Rewards and Scene+ based on flexibility, simplicity, travel potential and the real value of points.
Read the guideFutello ranks Canada's best loyalty programs by flexibility, accessible value, partners and real-world user profiles.
Read the guideSwitching cards can earn welcome bonuses, while keeping older accounts can support a stable credit profile. Learn why a mixed strategy is often more balanced.
Read the guideCredit check, new account and credit score: here is what may happen when you apply for a new credit card in Canada.
Read the guideSeveral credit-card applications close together can affect your credit file and how lenders view your behaviour. Learn how to take a more cautious approach.
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