The Amex lineup at a glance
| Card | Fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Cobalt | $155.88 | Groceries + dining |
| Gold Rewards | $250 | Travel + insurance |
| Platinum | $799 | Lounge + credits |
| Business Platinum | $599 | Contractors + business owners |
| Green (SimplyCash) | $0 | Beginner Amex |
Membership Rewards strategy
MR points are worth 1¢ as statement credits but 1.5-2.1¢ transferred to Aeroplan. Never redeem MR for statement credit if you have any interest in flying.
Merchant acceptance considerations
- Costco Canada: NOT accepted in store (Mastercard only).
- Independent grocers: hit or miss — always carry a Visa/Mastercard backup.
- Loblaws family (Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills): accepted since 2023.
- Small businesses: some still opt out due to higher merchant fees.
Common mistakes
- Redeeming MR at ~0.7¢ for merchandise.
- Cancelling the Cobalt before transferring MR to Aeroplan (points forfeit).
- Not stacking Amex Offers — enroll monthly for merchant-specific savings.