burks

Coast Capital Savings Credit Union.. They have a free chequing account which is actually free! Online banking and everything works pretty easy, and the customer service is the best I have ever had from a bank (comparing that to back home and the Netherlands). So If you're in the Vancouver/Van Island area I would definately pop in and have a chat with them.

Howefamily

RBC, we went to see them on day 3 of being here with only an 8 month visitors visa and our NS nomination and they gave us a chequing account with $1000 overdraft limit (not intending to use it though!) and savings account, a mortgage (we did have more than 35% to put down so I think that helped), an unsecured credit card with $1000 limit on it.

They are so helpful and friendly too

iaink

Only any good if you actually fly anywhere and care about business class perks innit?
You can do more advanced stuff that you cant do at the supermarket Kiosks at the CIBC branches, bank drafts, foreign currency and the like ... its just arranged by phone thats all.

dbd33

Not if what you want from air travel is low cost. The airport tax on free tickets from AC is about the same as paying the whole fare on another carrier. If you place great value on flying business class then, yes, the points used to "finance" the upgrade have a large nominal dollar value but, to me, a chicken in the pot or, indeed, the pot itself, is more valuable then a few hours of more comfortable seating.

lmartin999

I agree AC is brutal with their fees and surcharges. The trick is never to redeem Aeroplan points on AC flights (at least not long haul), but only on Star Alliance partner airlines. I did a simple comparison of YYZ-FRA. $725 in taxes etc on AC, $200 on UA (in First). It also costs less points not to fly AC.

It would be the same for economy, though I still think the difference in points to fly J or F is a relative bargain.

el_richo

For many people on here it would make sense to utilize something like Amex Blue Sky where your amex points = discount on any travel payment (flights, cruise, car hire, ferry trip, etc). Only problem is, it's amex so not as widely accepted.

dbd33

My free trips all derive from Amex points but using them that way is a hard choice when they also work at the Home Depot.

lmartin999

For me it would depend what the redemption value of each point is. I aim to maximise this. I also work with hotel points quite a lot - the points required per free night is the same whatever the revenue rate, which is better than a flat discount. Its great for nice hotels in expensive places.

ChrisBoar

As a side we have the TD Travel Rewards visa card. I think it's one of the best out there. None of this crappy airmiles stuff. All your purchases give you points which you can then use towards ANY travel costs as long as you pay for the travel costs on your card. E.g. I currently have around $750 worth of points to redeem. If I wanted to use that for a flight, I'd just book/pay for the flight as usual on my card, and then call TD Visa who would then use my credit against the cost.

el_richo

T'is true, however offers like Sky Blue are open for all travel payments, not limited to one alliance group.

Reading many posts on here, lots of people prefer the Canadian Affair style travel option so this would be beneficial if they take amex and don't charge a huge % for doing so. As an example.

I have a BA amex for long haul upgrades, sky blue for final payment discounts, and separate hotel memberships building points "in-house".

Each to their own though as peoples needs can differ greatly so these threads are VERY subjective so the OP should research what works better for them, not other strangers

el_richo

Same as the Sky Blue Amex, and i think RBC have one?

iaink

All very well, but we were talking bank accounts not credit cards anyway werent we?

britsnake

I bank with ING direct as they are the only people who offer a free unlimited chequing account in Quebec.

el_richo

Oh yeah

Howick

I am with BMO, though when I joined my new company, through CIBC, I had access to improved mortgage rates through a mob called 'Firstline Mortgages', which is underwritten by CIBC. They are the best part of 1.5-2% points less than BMO, CIBC, TD, etc.

Example, I have just re signed with them for 3.79%, for 4 years, fixed. They also offered 2.25% variable- but as we all know, rates are on their way up this year, hence taking the fixed option.

The only recognised 'bank' that comes close to this rate is IMG (per www.rates.supermarket.ca). They are basically a CIBC sans the overheads of a normal bank.

If you're looking for a mortgage, you could do worse than give this lot a call.