- The Chexy Rundown
- Posts
- ⭐️ 30% Transfer Bonus from Amex to Marriott Bonvoy + New Scotiabank Credit Card
⭐️ 30% Transfer Bonus from Amex to Marriott Bonvoy + New Scotiabank Credit Card
Unlock the full potential of your points with Marriott’s latest transfer bonus and Scotiabank’s ultra-premium travel card. Whether you’re booking luxury stays or fast-tracking a massive welcome bonus, here’s how to optimize every dollar you spend.

A new credit card enters the game. Will it shake up the market, offering real value and perks that travelers actually want, or will it quietly fade into the background like so many others before it?
In This Issue:
🙌 30% Transfer Bonus Amex to Marriott
💳 New Scotiabank Credit Card (80,000 Scene+ Points)
🗺️ Chexy Deals: London, Venice, Lisbon (Business Class)
🚀 We’re Hiring!
At Chexy, we believe in creating opportunities for our community 💙. We love hiring from our audience because who better to join our team than the people who understand our mission best?
If you’re passionate, driven, and want to be part of a team that’s making a difference, we’d love to hear from you!
Explore our open roles and apply today: chexy.applytojobs.ca 🧑💻✨
🏨 30% Transfer Bonus from Amex to Marriott Bonvoy

American Express has brought back its 30% transfer bonus to Marriott Bonvoy, running until April 30, 2025. If you’re sitting on a stash of Membership Rewards (MR) points, you’re probably wondering: Is this the best way to maximize value?
Let’s dive in.
🔄 The 30% Transfer Bonus: How It Works
If you transfer 1 MR point, you normally get 1.2 Marriott Bonvoy points. With this promo, you’ll now receive 1.56 Bonvoy points per MR point. This applies to all Amex cards that earn Membership Rewards.
This is a popular and highly anticipated bonus, and something we do recommend you consider if you re looking to book travel.
💰 So, How Much Value Are You Really Getting?
We typically value Marriott Bonvoy points at 1 cent CAD per point, so under this bonus, your 1 MR point is effectively worth 1.56 cents. That’s a 56% boost in value, which is solid but not game-changing compared to other redemption options.
🏨 Real-Life Redemption: Where Can You Stay?
If you’re wondering what kind of value you can get, let’s look at a real redemption:
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

Standard award pricing: 100,000 Bonvoy points per night (can be higher in peak season)
With the 30% transfer bonus, you’d need roughly 64,000 MR points per night instead of 83,000+.
Cash price: $2,000+ CAD per night
Effective value: ~3.12 cents per Bonvoy point!
This is an incredible aspirational redemption that maximizes the transfer bonus for an ultra-luxury stay.
🏨 When Should You Transfer to Marriott Bonvoy?
✅ You’re planning a Marriott stay and want to lock in great value.
✅ You have a specific redemption in mind where you can get 2-3 cents per point.
✅ You need Bonvoy points to top up for a free night award.
✅ You want to convert Bonvoy points into airline miles for unique programs (ANA, Emirates, JAL, etc.).
✈️ Or Should You Keep Your MR Points for Flights?
Here’s where things get interesting. Amex MR points can also transfer to airlines like:
Aeroplan (Air Canada)
Flying Blue (Air France/KLM)
Avios (British Airways, Qatar, Iberia)
Flights often deliver 1.8 cents per MR point or more—especially in business and first class redemptions. A great deal on Air France KLM economy awards can also get 1.8 cents per point and transferring MR points to Air Canada Aeroplan can get you 2.2 cents per point if you are smart, meaning flights can still offer better value than Bonvoy in some cases.
Note: If you value premium flight redemptions, you may want to hold onto your MR points for an airline transfer instead.
🏁 Final Thoughts: Should You Transfer Now?
✅ If you have a high-value Marriott redemption in mind, this is a great time to transfer.
✅ If you value airline miles more, you may get better value holding onto your MR points.
✅ If you spend a lot on dining with the Cobalt Card, this bonus can yield huge returns for Marriott stays.
At the end of the day, this bonus is solid, but not a no-brainer. Take a step back and think about your upcoming travel plans before making a move.
💳 New Changes to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card

Scotiabank has officially joined the ultra-premium credit card game with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card. With perks like no foreign transaction fees, a hefty travel credit, airport lounge access, and VIP privileges, this card is clearly targeting the frequent traveler. But at $599 per year, is it worth it? 😬
Let’s break it down.
👀 The Welcome Bonus & Earning Structure
New cardholders can earn up to 80,000 Scene+ points, structured as follows:
30,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
30,000 points after spending $20,000 in the first 6 months
20,000 points for making one eligible purchase in month 14
That’s an $800 value when redeemed for travel, but let’s be real—who’s dropping $20,000 in six months on everyday spending? If that’s you, congrats, you’re in the right tax bracket. If not, there’s still a way to hit that requirement without unnecessarily contributing to the economy every month - more on this below! ⬇️
The earn rates:
3X Scene+ points per $1 on travel purchases worldwide
2X Scene+ points per $1 on dining & entertainment
1X Scene+ points per $1 on all other purchases
There are no caps on accelerated earn rates, which is nice, but if your spending is mostly groceries, gas, or bills, this isn’t the most rewarding option. The Scotiabank Gold Amex (6X on groceries & dining), BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege (5X on dining, gas, groceries, and travel) and The American Express Cobalt (5X on dining) offer better returns for everyday spending. ✅
🏡 How to Use Rent & Chexy to Hit the Bonus
Struggling to hit $20,000 in six months? Instead of unnecessary spending, use your rent payments to get there faster with Chexy. 💸
Here’s how it breaks down:
Average Canadian rent: $2,000/month
Earn 1X Scene+ point per $1 spent → 2,000 points per month
6 months of rent = 12,000 Scene+ points
Chexy’s 1.75% processing fee: $35/month = $210 total over 6 months
Welcome bonus + rent points = 92,000 Scene+ points
For perspective, if you tried to hit the spending requirement without rent, you’d need to spend $3,333 per month on travel alone. Using Chexy simplifies the process, and even after the small fee, you’re coming out way ahead. 🤑
⭐️ Travel Perks & Lounge Access
Beyond earning points, this card is tailor-made for frequent travelers.
Here’s what stands out:
No FX Fees – Saves 2.5% on all foreign currency transactions, making it a must-have for international spenders.
$250 annual travel credit – Can be used for flights, hotels, and car rentals via Scene+ Travel.
10 free Priority Pass lounge visits per year – More than the standard 6 passes from other Visa Infinite Privilege cards.
Airport perks – Priority security lanes, parking discounts, and expedited taxi/limo access at select airports.
🤝 Insurance & Extra Benefits
This card doesn’t skimp on travel protection, covering:
Emergency medical – Up to $5M in coverage (31 days for under 65, 10 days for 65+).
Trip cancellation & interruption – Up to $2,500 per person.
Flight delay insurance – Up to $1,000 per trip.
Lost/delayed baggage – Up to $2,500 per trip.
Who Should Get This Card?
✅ Perfect for:
Frequent travelers who spend heavily on flights & hotels.
Renters who want to maximize rewards through Chexy.
Anyone who hates paying foreign transaction fees.
People who regularly visit airport lounges but don’t need unlimited access.
❌ Not ideal for:
Those who spend mostly on groceries & gas (better options exist).
People who won’t use the travel perks enough to justify the fee.
Anyone who won’t hit the spending requirement for the welcome bonus.
Final Thoughts
If you travel often and use Chexy for rent, this card becomes an easy way to rack up rewards and unlock the welcome bonus without unnecessary spending. The no FX fees, lounge access, and strong travel insurance make it a great premium travel card, but if your spending is mostly domestic on groceries and gas, there are better options for maximizing rewards.
Credit Card Spotlight 🔦
Welcome to Chexy Credit Card Spotlight! 👀 Each month we’ll recommend a credit card that everyone should have! This time, we’ve got the Scotiabank Gold American Express—perfect for everyday buys and travel. Let's jump in. ✅

Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
Earn up to 6X the Scene+TM points on every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible grocery, dining, and entertainment purchases.
Earn Rates:
6X on every $1 CAD you spend in Canada at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland, and more.
5X for every $1 CAD you spend on Dining, Food Delivery, and other eligible grocery stores.
5X for every $1 CAD you spend on eligible entertainment purchases. Includes movies, theatre, and ticket agencies.
3X for every $1 CAD you spend on gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshare, buses, taxis, subway, and more.
3X for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services.
1X on Everything Else
Annual Fee:
The card has a $120 annual fee.

Check out these awesome deals you definitely don't want to miss if you're thinking about travelling in the next few months!
Vancouver (YVR) ➡️ Denver (DEN) ➡️ Amsterdam (LHR)
Cost: 75,500 (Business Class)
Dates: April 6th, 2025
Book: Here
Montreal (YUL) ➡️ Zurich (ZRH) ➡️ Venice (VCE)
Cost: 60,000 (Business Class)
Dates: August 7th, 2025
Book: Here
Toronto (YYZ) ➡️ Lisbon (LIS)
Cost: 60,000 (Business Class)
Dates: November 30th, 2025
Book: Here
Did you like this newsletter? |
Reply