The summer might almost be over, but before my mini moose head back to school, I’ve got a couple of money-saving tips and deals to share with you.
In this week’s newsletter, we’ve got some news about a retailer filing for creditor protection (better use those gift cards ASAP!), a new credit card from WestJet and RBC and Canadian courts FINALLY making airlines accountable for compensating their customers when they cancel their flights for "safety reasons".
Our guest writer, Barry Choi, is back with another column. This time, he’s sharing the latest changes with the Amex Cobalt membership fees. Yes, the price is going up, but Barry thinks it’s still a pretty good deal.
And, as always, we’ve got our Moose on the Loose deals at the end with $5 movie tickets, Japanese Knives & free AirPods.
Happy deal hunting!
BARRY CHOI: Amex Is Increasing Cobalt Card Fees: Is It Still Worth It?
In a move that surprised many, American Express has announced a price increase for its popular Cobalt Card. Starting November 5, 2025, the monthly fee will be raised to $15.99, which amounts to $191.88 annually. That’s a 23% hike from the current rate.
With the new pricing, the Cobalt Card moves closer to premium status, just below the BMO VIPorter World Elite Card, which has a $199 annual fee (currently waived for the first year). That said, the VIPorter card arguably offers more value, providing VIPorter Venture Avid Travellers status, which includes perks like complimentary checked bags and seat selection on Porter flights.
Despite the fee hike, the Cobalt Card is still the best for everyday spending since you earn the following:
- 5X points on eats and drinks
- 3X points on streaming services
- 2X points on transit and gas
- 1X point on everything else
American Express Membership Rewards points have a base value of 1 cent per point, but transferring them to Aeroplan can boost that to 1.5 to 2 cents, depending on the redemption. That means your return on spending could range from 7.5% to 10% which is why the higher annual fee may not matter.
If you're not loyal to Air Canada or prefer more flexible travel options, the Scotiabank American Express Gold Card may be worth considering. It offers:
- 6 Scene+ points per dollar at Empire-owned grocery stores (Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland)
- 5 points on all other grocery store, dining, and entertainment purchases
- 3 points on gas, transit, and streaming
- 1 point on everything else
Plus, it comes with no foreign transaction fees, stronger travel insurance, and a lower annual fee of $120.
For me personally, the earning potential from the Cobalt card remains worth it despite the fee increase. We’re talking about an extra $36 here, which isn’t a big deal. However, if American Express ever adjusted the earning rate of the card, I’d probably start considering other options.
This guest post was authored by Barry Choi, an award-winning personal finance expert who specializes in credit cards and loyalty points.
✈️ WestJet Tried to Skip Paying This Passenger 1K by Claiming Safety But Court Said Nope
A Federal Court of Appeal shot down WestJet's attempt to avoid paying $1,000 compensation to a passenger whose 2021 flight was cancelled when a pilot called in sick. WestJet claimed it was a safety issue that shouldn't require payment, but the court said the airline didn't provide enough proof that it had backup plans to handle the crew shortage. This decision could set a precedent for similar cases and strengthens the rule that airlines must compensate passengers for flight disruptions they could have prevented, even when labeled as safety concerns. If your flight gets cancelled, always request compensation through the proper channels to ensure you get what you're entitled to.
Source: CBC
👗 Canadian Luxury Retailer SSENSE Is Filing for Creditor Protection
The Montreal-based high-fashion retailer SSENSE is planning to file for creditor protection, according to a memo sent to staff on August 28. While no announcements have been made yet about sales or discounts, people with store credit or gift cards to SSENSE would be wise to spend them ASAP.
Source: CTV News
🧳 New Credit Card Alert! WestJet and RBC Launch the World Elite Mastercard for Business
RBC has just launched a new credit card for business travel. The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard for Business claims to be Canada's first and only business travel credit card that instantly gives primary cardholders top-tier airline status, which is Silver status with WestJet Rewards. The credit card is targeted to small and medium-sized business owners and offers perks like airport lounge passes and trip interruption insurance.
Source: RBC
🤔 People Are Hoarding Paper Towels at Costco… Again
Costco members were spotted filling carts with up to 12 packs of the Sponge Towels brand of paper towels in a Canadian Costco warehouse, bringing back memories of Covid-era panic buying. The towels are on sale for an impressive $13 off, bringing the price down from $27.99 to $14.99. Reddit users suspect that some of the shoppers may be businesses or people purchasing them for resale. But since paper towels never expire, why not?
Source: Reddit
⛔ Your Credit Card Advice Might Be Coming From Someone Who’s Never Held a Canadian Card
Our recurring guest post writer Barry Choi warned Canadians about fake credit cards reviews in a recent Linkedin post, alleging that the main credit cards writers for two of the main credit cards comparison website did not even live in Canada. In a column in the Globe & Mail about the same issue, he explained that those sites as well as influencers often earn referral points and affiliate commissions for advertising deals that might not be as good as they seem. Barry suggests Credit Card Genius, Rewards Canada and FlyTrippers as unbiased sources of credit cards and points advice.
Source: The Globe and Mail
🚨🏷️ Moose on the Loose in Dealville
Cineplex Movie Admission
$5
On August 30 and 31, Cineplex is offering general admission movie tickets for $5 plus tax in theatres. Movie tickets at Cineplex usually cost $16 or more, so it’s a great deal. You can book ahead online to reserve seats, but that means paying another $1 (if you’re a Scene member) to $1.50 in service fees. They’ve also got a small popcorn special this weekend for $5, down from $8.99. I'm going to need at least 20 of those bags to satisfy my appetite!
AirPods 4
$0
RBC has a bunch of new account promotions running right now. Open a no monthly fee RBC Advantage banking account for students, and you can get a free set of AirPods 4, plus a 3-month subscription to Apple Music for free. There is some fine print. For example, you must set up and receive a recurring direct deposit, complete a bill payment and make one preauthorized payment. But for AirPods worth $179 plus tax, we think it’s worth the time.
Imarku 14-piece Japanese Knife Set
If you’ve been cooking with the same set of knives for god knows how long, it’s about time you treat yourself to a new set. This one is on sale for $67.99, down 58% from the original price of $159.99. It’s made of high-carbon stainless steel and has a 4.6-star rating on Amazon from 552 ratings. Amazon reviewers called them “very very sharp” and “very good quality”. With these knives, I’m mainly hacking up twigs and leaves for me to eat, but I think it’d do well in human kitchens, too!
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