This question is asked almost every day in the Milesopedia community Facebook group. The following is a list of the sign-up bonus requirements for the major credit cards in Canada.
Earning the welcome bonus
Each credit card issuer has specific rules that vary for each of their cards!
When a credit card is linked to a program (Marriott Bonvoy, Aeroplan, etc.), the bonus will be credited directly into the loyalty program account a few days AFTER the monthly statement is issued.
The minimum spending requirement and the number of points are constantly changing. It is therefore advisable to refer to the relevant credit card page for current terms and conditions.
Here are some rules for awarding the sign-up bonus for the best-known cards:
Card | Program | Allocation | Details |
BMO® AIR MILES® Mastercard®* | AIR MILES | Statement | In 1 installment after the minimum amount required |
BMO AIR MILES®† World Elite®* Business Mastercard®* | AIR MILES | Statement | In 1 installment after the minimum amount required |
BMO® AIR MILES® World Elite®* Mastercard®* | AIR MILES | Statement | In 1 installment after the minimum amount required |
CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card | Aventura | Statement | In 2 times : on 1st purchase and after the minimum amount required. Following the generic email from CIBC mentioning 15,000 points after the first purchase, you will see the additional 5,000 points from the exclusive Milesopedia offer on your first statement if you used our link. |
CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card | Aventura | Statement | In 2 times : on 1st purchase and after the minimum amount required. Following the generic email from CIBC mentioning 15,000 points after the first purchase, you will see the additional 5,000 points from the exclusive Milesopedia offer on your first statement if you used our link. |
RBC British Airways Visa Infinite Card | Avios | Statement | In 3 instalments: upon joining, after the minimum amount required and after renewal |
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card | Avion | Statement | In 1 instalment: upon joining |
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business Card | Avion | Statement | In 1 instalment: upon joining |
WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard | WestJet Dollars | Statement | In 1 installment after the minimum amount required |
RBC Cathay Pacific Visa Platinum card | Asia Miles | Statement | In 1 instalment: upon joining |
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card | Aeroplan | Statement | In 7 instalments: after the minimum amount required + each billing period (6) in which you reach the minimum amount required |
American Express®* Aeroplan® Reserve Card | Aeroplan | Statement | In 8 instalments: after the minimum required amount and during the 14th and 17th months + each billing period (6) in which you reach the minimum required amount |
American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card | Aeroplan | Statement | In 8 instalments: after the minimum required amount and during the 14th and 17th months + each billing period (6) in which you reach the minimum required amount |
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Platinum* Card | Aeroplan | Statement | In 2 instalments: at the 1st purchase and after the minimum amount required |
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card | Aeroplan | Statement | In 3 instalments: at 1st purchase, after the minimum purchase amount and after the minimum purchase amount following renewal |
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card | Aeroplan | Statement | In 3 instalments: at 1st purchase, after the minimum purchase amount and after the minimum purchase amount following renewal |
BMO Rewards® World Elite®* Business Mastercard®* | BMO Rewards | 2 to 3 business days after the required amount is reached | In 1 installment after the minimum amount required |
BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard | BMO Rewards | 2 to 3 business days after the required amount is reached | In 1 installment after the minimum amount required |
BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card | BMO Rewards | 2 to 3 business days after the required amount is reached | In 1 installment after the minimum amount required |
BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege* Card | BMO Rewards | 2 to 3 business days after the required amount is reached | In 1 installment after the minimum amount required |
National Bank World Elite® Mastercard® | NBC À la carte Rewards | Statement | Within 2 months of reaching each minimum purchase requirement |
Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card | Marriott Bonvoy | Statement | In 2 instalments: after the minimum amount required and during the 14th and 17th months |
Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card | Marriott Bonvoy | Statement | In 2 instalments: after the minimum amount required and during the 14th and 17th months |
TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card | TD Rewards Points | Statement | Once the minimum amount has been reached |
Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card | Scene+ points | Statement | In 2 instalments: after the minimum amount required, after the minimum amount required following renewal |
Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card | Scene+ points | Statement | In 2 instalments: after the minimum amount required, after the minimum amount required following the 14th month |
Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card | Scene+ points | Statement | In 2 instalments: after the minimum amounts required |
Scotiabank American Express® Card | Scene+ points | Statement | In 2 instalments: after the minimum amounts required |
Scotiabank® Scene+™ Visa* Card | Scene+ points | Statement | In 1 installment after the minimum amount required |
American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card® | Membership Rewards | 24-48 hours after minimum amount required*. | In 5 instalments: after the minimum amount required + each calendar quarter (4) in which you reach the minimum amount required |
Business Platinum Card® from American Express | Membership Rewards | 24-48 hours after minimum amount required*. | In 1 installment after the minimum amount required |
American Express Platinum Card® | Membership Rewards | 24-48 hours after minimum amount required*. | In 1 installment after the minimum amount required |
American Express® Gold Rewards Card | Membership Rewards | 24-48 hours after minimum amount required*. | In 12 instalments: after the minimum amount required on each statement |
American Express Cobalt® Card | Membership Rewards | 24-48h after minimum amount required | In 12 instalments: after the minimum amount required on each statement |
Scotia Momentum® Mastercard® | Cashback | Statement | In 2 instalments: 7 months after opening and in November |
CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card | Cashback | 24-48 hours after purchase | On all eligible purchases on each statement during the offer period |
BMO® CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®* | Cashback | 24-48 hours after purchase | On all eligible purchases on each statement during the offer period |
TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* Card | Cashback | 24-48 hours after purchase | On all eligible purchases on each statement during the offer period |
Tangerine World Mastercard | Cashback | Statement | On all eligible purchases on each statement during the offer period |
American Express
A few notes about American Express sign-up bonuses, which account for most card applications.
American Express Membership Rewards Cards
Generally, points are deposited directly into the Membership Rewards account 24-48 hours after reaching the requested amount.
In rare cases, it can take up to 8 weeks after reaching the minimum amount requested to receive the points.
Marriott Bonvoy cards
Generally, points are deposited into the Marriott Bonvoy account between 3 and 5 days AFTER the monthly statement is issued on which the minimum spend will be recorded.
In rare cases, you have to wait for up to 3 statements after reaching the minimum amount required to receive the points from the sign-up bonus. According to many feedbacks, this happens especially when we only have Marriott establishments expenses on our credit card statement.
Aeroplan Cards
Generally, points are deposited into the Aeroplan account between 3 and 5 days AFTER the monthly statement is issued, on which the minimum spend is recorded.
In rare cases, you may have to wait up to 3 statements after reaching the minimum amount requested to receive the points.
Aeroplan sign-up bonus warning
The Aeroplan program has updated its terms and conditions of use, to clarify certain points and prevent abuse, mainly related to Aeroplan credit card churning (multiplication of credit card sign-up bonuses).
We therefore advise you to read the following article in order to comply with the program rules and to learn about the various ways of maintaining a constant flow of Aeroplan points without contravening the terms and conditions.