Travel Insurance

It looks like that there are a lot of forumers planning various trips this year, so I'll pass on my experience with travel insurance. A forumer mentioned to me that he likes CAA's multi-trip insurance. I bought RBC Insurance's medical multi-trip annual plan for $52 through an online travel site. It includes coverage outside Canada for up to 9 consecutive days for any number of trips this year.

Here is one travel insurance recommendation tool. Now if only I can qualify to travel to Monte Carlo, Germany, Italy, Philippines, Bahamas, Calgary.... :)
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Comments

  • Mastercard is better. $49 for 17 days/unlimited trips.

    BMO Bank of Montreal - Mosaik MasterCard

    Plus looks like RBC only coves you and infants under 2. I couldn't find any pricing on your link but it looks like family coverage is extra. The BMO insurance covers your entire family.
  • Memo to self: ask moose first before I choose a TFSA, travel insurance, credit card, laptop, or make any other life decisions. :smilie:

    I was wondering if there was a better reward credit card than a Canadian Tire Options MasterCard with only 1% reward and "more Canadian Tire Money rewards for the top 10% of our customers starting in March." I am now considering getting the BMO MasterCard with Premium Cashback (3% & roadside assistance) and the US Dollar Mosaik MasterCard. What options did you choose?

    P.S. moose, what is the meaning of life? ;)
    moose wrote: »
    Mastercard is better. $49 for 17 days/unlimited trips.
  • I get most of my gas at Shell so I took the Silver AirMiles option. If you don't want AirMiles then cashback is the way to go. The M/C also adds an additional year to any warranty and 90 day theft/damage protection to anything you buy. Add an American Express so I can charge/collect airmiles at Costco and a CIBC PlatinumVisa for booking rental cars with collision waiver included and I'm covered. For travel to the States the BMO USD Mastercard is one of the rare ones that is fee free.

    Everything question you wanted to know, but the meaning to life. (The answer is 42.)

    RedFlagDeals.com: New @ RedFlagDeals: Budget 2009 Article, Updated Comparsion Articles (Credit Cards & More)
  • kind of related, I read somewhere that the PC banking account has no interact service charges for US dollar cash withdrawals when you are travelling in the US; just put some money in your PC bank account before you head to Vegas and you can access it for free. Although they likely have a shitty conversion rate on the CDN$/US$ to make up for it.

    Personally, I like some of the airmile VISA cards as some have great introduction offers (15,000 free miles) and its pretty easy to get a free flight if you use the card a lot. I almost have enough points for a free trip to Europe after two years. I also use a Petro Canada Mastercard for gas purchases (2 cent discount per litre).

    I always thought those rebate cards only gave you 1% after you spent so much on the card during the year?

    Don't some of the credit cards include travel insurance already instead of paying for it separately?
  • Airmiles, was the bomb. But is still good.

    Using BMO Mosiak gold airmiles optiom, I am earning 5AM for every $15 spent on the card.

    A Westjet CDN domestic flight or US flight was typically around 1000 airmiles, with sales or other promotions, this could get it down to 600

    With all of our bills and purchases this was tallying up very quickly. I was getting about 5-6 flights a year.

    However, they have now 'unpartnered' with Westjet. The flights are still available, however they are now closer to 1400 per flight it is still goood, but I am not sure if I can get any better.

    Aeroplan is 25,000 points per flight and you get ~1 per $1 spent. So you can see the difference there.

    Are there any other choices?
  • Redington wrote: »
    Airmiles, was the bomb. But is still good.

    Using BMO Mosiak gold airmiles optiom, I am earning 5AM for every $15 spent on the card.

    A Westjet CDN domestic flight or US flight was typically around 1000 airmiles, with sales or other promotions, this could get it down to 600

    With all of our bills and purchases this was tallying up very quickly. I was getting about 5-6 flights a year.

    However, they have now 'unpartnered' with Westjet. The flights are still available, however they are now closer to 1400 per flight it is still goood, but I am not sure if I can get any better.

    Aeroplan is 25,000 points per flight and you get ~1 per $1 spent. So you can see the difference there.

    Are there any other choices?

    so your telling me you get a free domestic flight on Westjet when you spend about $4,200 on your card (1,400/5 x $15)? Seems too good to be true. How many airmiles for a trip to the US on this card?

    This link is only indicating 1 airmile for every $15 spent:

    BMO Bank of Montreal - Mosaik MasterCard
  • I just went through the process of looking at credit cards and came up with..

    The Candian Tire Options Mastercard for gas because you always get the maximum multiplier (between 6x-10x) which lands up being about a 4%-5% rewards

    The CapitalOne 2% cashback (60/yr fee) works for me as I have tons of biz expenses and can use my personal card. Other than that, the Starwood Platinum is a great card for canadian rewards. Hotels tend to be more expensive than airline flights so I value their points more.
  • pokerJAH wrote: »
    Don't some of the credit cards include travel insurance already instead of paying for it separately?

    Travel insurance is different from Travel Medical. Everyone needs Travel Medical for trips outside Canada.
  • CIBC - CIBC Dividend Platinum Card

    $79 per year.

    "You can earn up to 2% in cash dividends, up to $735 annually! And the money you save will be accumulated and credited to your account, when your December statement is issued.

    ...

    Receive the best in travel benefits. Guaranteed hotel reservations, up to 15 days automatic Out-of-Province Travel Medical Insurance for cardholders age 64 or under, and commission-free American Express Travellers Cheques+.
    More money saving features! Receive Common Carrier Accident Insurance worth $1,000,000, and up to a 20% discount at participating AVIS locations."

    depends on your spending whether this is worth it or not. my 'dividend' paid for the card (with room to spare) but i may have done better with another card - you tell me. i know the medical insurance paid off last year on my ski trip to vermont. a pleasant trip to the local hospital with everything arranged by the carrier up front with just one phone call. i was impressed.
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  • [QUOTE=pkrfce9;178077up to 15 days automatic Out-of-Province Travel Medical Insurance for cardholders age 64 or under[/QUOTE]

    this is what I was thinking about. My Infinity card has this travel insurance coverage. I actually used it when I was in the Philippines. My son had to go to the hospital to get his elbow popped back in the socket, they paid 100% of the hospital costs.
  • pkrfce9 wrote: »
    CIBC - CIBC Dividend Platinum Card

    $79 per year.

    "You can earn up to 2% in cash dividends, up to $735 annually! And the money you save will be accumulated and credited to your account, when your December statement is issued.

    ...

    Receive the best in travel benefits. Guaranteed hotel reservations, up to 15 days automatic Out-of-Province Travel Medical Insurance for cardholders age 64 or under, and commission-free American Express Travellers Cheques+.
    More money saving features! Receive Common Carrier Accident Insurance worth $1,000,000, and up to a 20% discount at participating AVIS locations."

    depends on your spending whether this is worth it or not. my 'dividend' paid for the card (with room to spare) but i may have done better with another card - you tell me. i know the medical insurance paid off last year on my ski trip to vermont. a pleasant trip to the local hospital with everything arranged by the carrier up front with just one phone call. i was impressed.
    spacer.gif

    Wow. I think we have a winner! The only drawback is the charge for additional cards.

    Details:

    Credit limit:
    $5,000 minimum
    Household income:
    $35,000 minimum
    Annual fee: $79
    Current Interest rate: 19.5%
    Additional cards:
    $30 each per year, up to 3 cards maximum


    Here's how your Dividend Dollars® are calculated:
    • Tier one - 0.5% rebate on your first $3,000 in annual net purchases
    • Tier two - 1% rebate on your next $12,000 in annual net purchases (Between $3,000 and $15,000)
    • Tier three - 1.5% rebate on your next $20,000 in annual net purchases (Between $15,000 and $35,000)
    • Tier four - 2% rebate on your next $15,000 in annual net purchases (Between $35,000 and $50,000)
    Note: Your year-to-date net purchase amounts must be greater than the dollar range for a tier before you can start earning Dividend Dollars at the next tier rate.


    You will also receive these premium credit card advantages:
    • $1,000,000 Common Carrier Accident Insurance3
    • Out-of-Province Travel Medical Insurance for you and your family for trips of 15 days or less (cardholders aged 64 and under)
    • Out-of-Province Travel Medical Insurance is available only if the primary cardholder is age 64 and under, and then to their spouse who must also be age 64 and under and their dependent children for trips of up to 15 days; this insurance is underwritten by RBC Travel Insurance Company.
    • VISA Auto Rental Collision / Loss Damage Insurance3
    • Purchase Security and Extended Protection* Insurance3
    • AVIS car rental discounts up to 20% at participating locations6
    • Free personalized CIBC Convenience Cheques7
    • Commission-free Regular American Express Travellers Cheques+
    • Guaranteed hotel reservations
    • Cash advances of up to $1,000 a day8
    • Emergency card replacement
    • Worldwide VISA acceptance at over 24 million locations
    • 24/7 roadside assistance in Canada or the mainland U.S. with no upfront fees and a market rate guarantee with Driver Assist9
  • i got something right? holy crap!
  • am the only one continually blown away by how much thought you guys put into this stuff?

    I can't decide if the value of your time spent in constant research is more valuable than the couple percent you save...but I bet one of you have figured it out..how much do you get 'paid' (save) being this thorough?
  • Airmiles to fly to vegas at peak times is 4450 and 3450 for non peak times.

    This is also a round trip flight
  • How does the U$ MasterCard work (I couldn't see any details on BMO website)? Do you just pay for your U$ purchases with US dollars at any BMO branch when you come back?
    moose wrote: »
    For travel to the States the BMO USD Mastercard is one of the rare ones that is fee free.
  • BlondeFish wrote: »
    How does the U$ MasterCard work (I couldn't see any details on BMO website)? Do you just pay for your U$ purchases with US dollars at any BMO branch when you come back?

    That is correct.
  • Kristy_Sea wrote: »
    am the only one continually blown away by how much thought you guys put into this stuff?

    I can't decide if the value of your time spent in constant research is more valuable than the couple percent you save...but I bet one of you have figured it out..how much do you get 'paid' (save) being this thorough?

    SteveKerr was up until 5am thinking about this. :)
  • actyper wrote: »
    SteveKerr was up until 5am thinking about this. :)

    LOL

    Steve Kerr was still excited for placing 2nd at GBH Shootout Tournament and couldn't sleep. LOL
  • Has anybody been able to use the BMO or other U$ credit card for gambling transactions, e.g., deposit to a poker site, register for a WSOP event, etc?
    SteveKerr wrote: »
    That is correct.
  • Kristy_Sea wrote: »
    am the only one continually blown away by how much thought you guys put into this stuff?

    I can't decide if the value of your time spent in constant research is more valuable than the couple percent you save...but I bet one of you have figured it out..how much do you get 'paid' (save) being this thorough?


    lol..great minds....I was reading an older thread the other day..forget which, and thought to myself...wtf are these guys doing figuring out this shit? Don't they have a life? How much can they really save and is the time worth it?

    I guess, now you can answer that for us...lol I am hoping you can break it down hourly for me, so I can compare that to the hourly rate I get playing cards and see if it is worth me taking the time from cards to figure out this shit...

    Oh..wait..you need to be a winning player to make an hourly rate don't you? Ok..so how much will I save by not playing cards? lol

  • Oh..wait..you need to be a winning player to make an hourly rate don't you? Ok..so how much will I save by not playing cards? lol


    It depends ... on how long you expect to live.
  • take care of the pennies, and the dollars will take care of themselves!
  • pokerJAH wrote: »
    take care of the pennies, and the dollars will take care of themselves!
    nice play, eddie
  • pokerJAH wrote: »
    take care of the pennies, and the dollars will take care of themselves!

    does this make any sense? Nobody ever suggested that one wouldn't save money worrying and endlessly scrounging and researching to save a few bucks.

    ..but rather that the cost of letting someone else do your worrying is possibly better. Your statement leads the way to never value your time.


    **Unless you're Moose, who is the only one that I sincerely believe enjoys bargain hunting and a great deal..in which case he's proceeding in a manner that makes him happy.
  • There are more people like this than you might think, Kristy. My brother is an example. He spent the better part of three months route planning for a road trip out to the west coast last September, about 3 times as long as the trip itself. Another friend is meticulous in searching online while planning his road trips into the States. It borders on OCD for some people. Me? I'm with you. If I have to concern yourself with scrimping a couple bucks here or there, why bother going?
  • Kristy_Sea wrote: »
    does this make any sense? Nobody ever suggested that one wouldn't save money worrying and endlessly scrounging and researching to save a few bucks.

    ..but rather that the cost of letting someone else do your worrying is possibly better. Your statement leads the way to never value your time.


    **Unless you're Moose, who is the only one that I sincerely believe enjoys bargain hunting and a great deal..in which case he's proceeding in a manner that makes him happy.

    I think you are making more of this than really is the case; to research a new credit card these days, its pretty straight forward. A lot of sites have good comparisons of the benefits of each card and the associated costs. It really doesn't take much time and the added benefits are well worth it. I don't think there is a lot of worrying as you have suggested. It just comes down to being financially savy.

    btw, I will send you a postcard when I take my European cruise with my airmiles, thanks to my new credit card :)
  • I raise, I will send you a LIFE TIME full of awesome, via my ridiculous posts..

    but I hope you enjoy your one week off from your miserable endless scrounging, in a couple years, when you've saved enough to do so!



    Translation to bird:

    Cheap, Cheap, Cheap cheap cheap CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP!
  • Kristy, I can't believe that you are finally making a great point! You should buy a lottery ticket or something while you are running good. =D


    There is no piece of scum lower than the compulsive cheap skate. For starters there isn't a single one of them than tips for shit and I end up paying for half of their portion of a proper tip when we dutch on dinner.


    I have seen lots of retards that spend $40 in gas to drive an hour and half so they can buy an item for a $25 savings. It is great when they brag to me about it because I love nothing more than to point out their -EV mistake.


    Personally, I put a value on my time. Say you make $50K/year then your time is worth about $25 bucks an hour. Any time you spend an hour to save less than $25 bucks IS A WASTE OF YOUR FUCKING TIME.


    To all you life nits. Get a life and create something, make something, enjoy something, give something and for christ sake STOP whittling every god damn cent off of every dollar you spend. You are embarrassing yourself, your family and your friends.
  • Kristy_Sea wrote: »
    Translation to bird:

    Cheap, Cheap, Cheap cheap cheap CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP!


    I prefer frugal; to each their own...some people actually enjoy finding ways to save a little money. Kind of pointless placing a monetary value on this time.
  • pokerJAH wrote: »
    I prefer frugal; to each their own...some people actually enjoy finding ways to save a little money. Kind of pointless placing a monetary value on this time.


    Is that like saying..."smart blonde"? (sorry blondefish)...If you are trying to be frugal..wouldn't it make more sense to put a monetary value on this time??

    I really can't be bothered to scrimp a few % here and there, and yeah, likely I do waste a lot of extra cash...but...whatever...I am happy in my ways, as I am sure you are in yours....buy me a coffee..cheapskate.
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