I hope you all had a great long weekend.

Several Amex offers have been added today, so let’s check them out.

(All of the following offers are also available for Scotiabank Amex Cardholders)

UP Express

This offer is pretty straight forward and likely available to those residing in the GTA area.

Expires 31/10/2024
To be eligible for a $3 (CAD) statement credit, one single qualifying purchase or cumulative qualifying purchase(s) that total at least $9 (CAD) after taxes and applicable fees, must be charged to your registered American Express® Card at UP Express locations in Toronto or online at www.upexpress.com/en during the offer period and subsequently posted to your account

However, this offer is probably only worthwhile for those residing near Union station or Bloor West GO Station.

As of my current knowledge, Ontario’s One Fare Program only works if you’re paying with a Presto card.

So if you’re transferring to UP Express from another transit, you won’t receive a transfer discount with Amex.

(Union Station – Pearson Airport One-way Fare: $9.25)

Alternatively, if you’re making a group trip to/from the airport, or picking up someone from the airport on UP Express, this offer can be quite decent.

(I actually didn’t know these fares exist until I started writing this post)

More information here: https://www.upexpress.com/en/ways-to-pay/up-express-fares

For example, if you are a family with 2 kids going to the airport from Union station, you can purchase a Family ticket for $25.70 and receive $3×2=$6 credit back from Amex, making the net effective cost $19.70

TransLink

Similarly, GVA residents have this offer instead, as Amex offers are tamed to your residential location.

It wasn’t available on my Amex account, but it is available under Scotiabank Amex Offers.

Expires 31/10/2024
To be eligible for a $3 (CAD) statement credit, one single qualifying purchase or cumulative qualifying purchase(s) that total at least $10 (CAD) after taxes and applicable fees, must be charged to your registered Card at TransLink fare purchase locations or at www.compasscard.ca during the offer period and subsequently posted to your account.

I find this offer more lucrative than the UP Express offer as you can just load your Compass card online and cover your future public transit fares.

AVIS Car Rental

A great offer for those planning a trip, but the catch is that the offer is only valid for AVIS Car Rental locations within Canada.

Expires 06/11/2024
To be eligible for a $50 (CAD) statement credit, one single qualifying purchase or cumulative qualifying purchase(s) that total at least $250 (CAD) after taxes and applicable fees, must be charged to your registered Card in store at participating Avis Car Rental location(s) in Canada or online at https://www.avis.ca/en during the offer period and subsequently posted to your account.

If you hold a Visa Infinite or an American Express Platinum card, be sure to obtain complimentary Avis Preferred Plus status to score vehicle upgrades.

Visa Infinite Holders Enroll Here

AMEX Platinum Holders Enroll Here

Norwegian Cruise Line

Am amazing offer for Cruise fans, one thing to note is that the purchase must be made in Canadian version of the website and in Canadian dollars.

Expires 02/11/2024
To be eligible for a $250 (CAD) statement credit, one single qualifying purchase or cumulative qualifying purchase(s) that total at least $1,000 (CAD) after taxes and applicable fees, must be charged to your registered Card online at www.ncl.com/ca/en/vacations during the offer period and subsequently posted to your account. 

Auberge Resorts Collection

Expires 31/12/2024
Spend at least $1,000 in qualifying purchases using your registered Card directly at participating Auberge Resorts Collection location(s) in the US, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Europe or at https://aubergeresorts.com/resorts/ by 31/12/2024 and earn a one-time $200 statement credit. Terms apply.

I’m not very experienced with resorts, but here’s an offer for resort lovers.

Their footprint is mainly in the USA, with 5 locations in Mexico.

They also seem to run some exclusive promotions on their own end, so feel free to check them out.

The Langham Hotels & Resorts

Finally, we have a hotel offer.

I’m not too familiar with this hotel brand, but taking a quick look, majority of their properties are located in China.

Feel free to browse their properties, but I personally didn’t find anything compelling.

Expires 30/09//2024
To be eligible for a $150 (CAD) statement credit, one single qualifying purchase or cumulative qualifying purchase(s) that total at least $750 (CAD) after taxes and applicable fees, must be charged to your registered Card  at participating The Langham Hotels & Resorts properties or online at https://www.langhamhotels.com/en/ during the offer period and subsequently posted to your account.

It seems like they had a status match opportunity in the past, but the link doesn’t seem to be valid anymore.

Secondly, I looked at their loyalty program and elite perks, and it seemed very underwhelming.

For example, the early check-in / check-out benefit starts from their second-highest tier, which requires a total spending of $12,000.

Even then, it is subject to availability.

I find this quite bizarre, as we can likely get Marriott Platinum Elite status with less than one third of that cost, which “guarantees” late check-out and grants access to executive lounges.

Final Thoughts

It’s great to see AMEX adding a handful of offers before the summer ends, but I found them pretty lukewarm.

The only offers I see myself potentially taking advantage of are Norwegian Cruise and AVIS car rental.

Of course, beggars can’t be choosers, but I hope to see some of the better offers we’ve seen in the past such as $50 off on $250 Marriott spend or $70 off on $350 Oxford Properties spend.