Credit Cards

[DeadPoolX 9]

Okay, I'd like to start this off by saying following: I AM NOT CRITICIZING CANADA!!

I have two American credit cards (Capital One and Bank of America) and two Canadian credit cards (TD and HBC) and they're all really good. I get perks (points, miles, etc) with all of them, but... one thing still escapes me.

Why don't Canadian credit cards include specialty perks or designs? Here's an example from BoA that shows what I'm talking about. I'd like to donate to the WWF (that's World Wildlife Fund, not World Wrestling Federation) whenever I'm purchasing something. BoA has other options too and so do most American card lenders.

I realize that's not necessary and as I said before, my cards are great as they are. However, there are all sorts of organizations Canadians would like to support. If they could do it by buying stuff using a credit card, why wouldn't banks be all over this? It'd not only make them money, but gain them good publicity too!

So... anyone know why these sorts of options aren't offered?

[Carlawarla 1]

Okay, I'd like to start this off by saying following: I AM NOT CRITICIZING CANADA!!

I have two American credit cards (Capital One and Bank of America) and two Canadian credit cards (TD and HBC) and they're all really good. I get perks (points, miles, etc) with all of them, but... one thing still escapes me.

Why don't Canadian credit cards include specialty perks or designs? Here's an example from BoA that shows what I'm talking about. I'd like to donate to the WWF (that's World Wildlife Fund, not World Wrestling Federation) whenever I'm purchasing something. BoA has other options too and so do most American card lenders.

I realize that's not necessary and as I said before, my cards are great as they are. However, there are all sorts of organizations Canadians would like to support. If they could do it by buying stuff using a credit card, why wouldn't banks be all over this? It'd not only make them money, but gain them good publicity too!

So... anyone know why these sorts of options aren't offered?

You know, I've seen that here in the U.S. lots of times, and you're right, I've never seen that offered as part of a Canadian Credit Card. I don't know why, but it was one of those moments when something is pointed out to you that you've never thought of before! I'd be interested in knowing as well why it seems like it's not done in Canada. Or perhaps it is? Let's wait for more replies!

[ashenflowers 5]

huh... that's a cool idea. I have not seen that before either. We do sometimes have a choice of funky designs (my Capital One card in Canada has a Canadian flag on it, for example... which I did to remind myself later on that this is my Canadian credit card ).

p.s. the WWF is now just the World Wildlife Fund.... the 'other' WWF is now called the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment, or something like that). lol

[DeadPoolX 9]

huh... that's a cool idea. I have not seen that before either. We do sometimes have a choice of funky designs (my Capital One card in Canada has a Canadian flag on it, for example... which I did to remind myself later on that this is my Canadian credit card ).

p.s. the WWF is now just the World Wildlife Fund.... the 'other' WWF is now called the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment, or something like that). lol

The last time I watched wrestling (a very rare occurrence) was when Hulk Hogan was active.

As for Capital One... well, in the U.S. they have the option to import an image onto the card and have that issued. My CapOne card has a picture of my wife and me at our wedding. We get comments on it all the time. Usually from women, actually.

[thetreble 19]

Not quite sure, really. Never thought about it before. I don't know, I feel like it's the same reason that banks in Canada don't offer incentives or special things. IThe Feds have great oversight, so the fees are high and nothing is competitive. In the US, of course it's the opposite, so theyw ill do what they can to get you in the door.

As for credit cards, my parents and I have always had one issued by our bank and not by a company like Capital One..so I'm not sure if the same applies?

[warlord 72]

Why don't Canadian credit cards include specialty perks or designs? Here's an example from BoA that shows what I'm talking about. I'd like to donate to the WWF (that's World Wildlife Fund, not World Wrestling Federation) whenever I'm purchasing something. BoA has other options too and so do most American card lenders.

Oohhhh you could always get a WWE credit card and earn points to buy stuff from the World Wrestling Federation. There's a card for everything these days...

[TimandJoyce 1]

huh... that's a cool idea. I have not seen that before either. We do sometimes have a choice of funky designs (my Capital One card in Canada has a Canadian flag on it, for example... which I did to remind myself later on that this is my Canadian credit card ).

p.s. the WWF is now just the World Wildlife Fund.... the 'other' WWF is now called the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment, or something like that). lol

The last time I watched wrestling (a very rare occurrence) was when Hulk Hogan was active.

As for Capital One... well, in the U.S. they have the option to import an image onto the card and have that issued. My CapOne card has a picture of my wife and me at our wedding. We get comments on it all the time. Usually from women, actually.

I think that's the last time I watched wrestling too!! There were a few I got a kick out of. ( not that I was in the ring mind you... )

I love the idea of a picture of your wedding on a credit card. I may have to see if I can get a Capitol One! (doubt it)

Don't know why about the perks you mentioned not being on Canadian cards, though. That would be a great idea. The only card Tim uses is a Bass Pro Shop point card, and I think it only gives points towards purchases.

[DeadPoolX 9]

Not quite sure, really. Never thought about it before. I don't know, I feel like it's the same reason that banks in Canada don't offer incentives or special things. IThe Feds have great oversight, so the fees are high and nothing is competitive. In the US, of course it's the opposite, so theyw ill do what they can to get you in the door.

As for credit cards, my parents and I have always had one issued by our bank and not by a company like Capital One..so I'm not sure if the same applies?

Yeah, that annoys me a bit. I hate the fact "free checking accounts" don't exist. I can understand paying a fee or keeping a minimum balance for an account that gains interest, but for a non-interest checking account? Seems like a scam to me.

I went with TD, since they won't charge a monthly fee so long as you keep a balance above a certain number (depends on your account type). I don't care for that, but it's better than RBC which charges regardless of which account you have.

As for Capital One, I think they're actually a real bank. They don't have the same coverage Bank of America or Chase does, but I've seen their banks before.

Can you get a credit card from a bank you don't have an account with? My credit card is from TD (the same bank I have an account with) and my wife's is from RBC (the bank she has an account with). I'm interested in knowing.

Why don't Canadian credit cards include specialty perks or designs? Here's an example from BoA that shows what I'm talking about. I'd like to donate to the WWF (that's World Wildlife Fund, not World Wrestling Federation) whenever I'm purchasing something. BoA has other options too and so do most American card lenders.

Oohhhh you could always get a WWE credit card and earn points to buy stuff from the World Wrestling Federation. There's a card for everything these days...

Unfortunately, you're absolutely right about that...

[Rhiannercakes 14]

I totally want that Hello Kitty credit card

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Hmm. I have an RBC Visa Rewards card. Every dollar I spend counts as a point, and when you get enough points, you can get things for free...or donate money to a certain charity.

I use my credit card a LOT, but never carry a balance (i.e.: I use it, then transfer money on to it when I get home). As a result, I've received several gift cards with my rewards over the past few years.

[neiks 19]

Hmm. I have an RBC Visa Rewards card. Every dollar I spend counts as a point, and when you get enough points, you can get things for free...or donate money to a certain charity

.

Yes, I have that one too. You can buy merchandise, get gift cards, use them for travel, or you can donate them to certain charities.

[Malrothien 6]

I have the Enviro Visa through Vancity, and yes you can donate your points or get products, but to give you an idea: We got an immersion blender through our points (1 per $2) and it cost 8000 points.

[thetreble 19]

wow.... haha thats a lot for a blender!

[Malrothien 6]

It's the best $16,000 immersion blender I've ever had!

[thetreble 19]

It's the best $16,000 immersion blender I've ever had!