To be probably the greatest journey bank cards in Canada on our record, the cardboard should mix sturdy earn charges with perks like lounge entry, no overseas transaction charges and journey insurance coverage protection. We’ve compiled this record of the highest playing cards on this class that can assist you get began.
Finest journey bank cards in Canada
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Gold: Finest journey bank card
Scotiabank Gold American Specific Card
Earn as much as 6 Scene+ factors per $1 spent and entry unbelievable journey perks, together with no overseas transaction charges.
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Curiosity Charges:
20.99% buy, 22.99% money advance, 22.99% stability switch
Welcome provide:
$450 worth
Earn as much as $$780 in worth within the first 12 months, together with as much as 40,000 bonus Scene+ factors. To qualify, apply by July 1, 2025
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Silver: Finest journey bank card
American Specific Cobalt Card
One of many quickest methods to earn versatile Membership Rewards factors. You’ll be able to switch factors to Aeroplan to spice up their worth.
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Curiosity Charges:
21.99% buy, 21.99% money advance, N/A stability switch
Welcome provide:
$150 worth
Earn 1,250 factors for every month you spend $750, as much as a most of 15,000 factors.
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Bronze: Finest journey bank card
MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Get 5 MBNA Rewards factors per $1 throughout 5 classes, plus an annual bonus of 10% of the factors earned over 12 months.
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Curiosity Charges:
19.99% buy, 24.99% money advance, 22.99% stability switch
Welcome provide:
$200 worth
Earn 20,000 bonus factors (roughly $165 in money again worth) after you make $2,000 or extra in eligible purchases inside the first 90 days.
Common journey bank cards in Canada
Evaluate your journey card choices with our interactive instrument and filter bank cards primarily based on rewards worth, annual charges, revenue necessities and extra. Use this instrument to match bank card choices, or keep scrolling for our editors’ high picks.
MoneySense award winners
We break down the professionals and cons of our gold, silver and bronze-winning journey bank card picks. Scroll additional for different good choices, together with one of the best airline bank card and greatest no-fee various.
Gold: Scotiabank Gold American Specific
At a look: The Scotiabank Gold American Specific is Canada’s greatest all-round journey bank card. It comes with unbeatable rewards and advantages, together with as much as 6 factors per greenback on groceries and 5 factors on eating, meals supply and leisure—plus the flexibility to redeem factors retroactively for purchases made inside the previous 12 months. With comprehensive travel insurance, no foreign transaction fees and unique American Specific perks, this card is the right companion for each on a regular basis spending and your subsequent journey.
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Scotiabank Gold American Specific
Annual charge: $120
Welcome provide: Earn as much as $780 in worth within the first 12 months, together with as much as 40,000 bonus Scene+ factors. Provide ends July 1, 2025.
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances, 22.99% on stability transfers |
| Revenue required | $12,000 per yr |
| Credit score rating | 725 or increased |
| Level worth | 1 Scene+ level = $0.01 when redeemed for journey, retailer purchases and food and drinks at Cineplex and Scene companions |
Professionals
- Easy redemptions: If you guide by means of Scene+ Journey, Powered by Expedia, you possibly can redeem in increments of 100 factors (valued at $1). There aren’t any sophisticated guidelines or exceptions to handle.
- Redemption window: By means of the apply factors to journey possibility, you possibly can redeem your factors retroactively for as much as 12 months after you make a journey buy.
- Complete insurance coverage advantages: This bank card provides sturdy journey insurance coverage protection, together with $1 million in medical journey insurance coverage, which is legitimate for as much as 25 days—one of many longest protection durations obtainable on Canadian playing cards.
- No overseas transaction charges: Take pleasure in financial savings on overseas foreign money transactions whereas touring or purchasing on-line, as this card waives the standard 2.5% overseas transaction charge.
Cons
- Fastened level redemption worth: Whereas incomes charges are excessive, factors are at all times valued at $0.01 and can’t be transferred to airline frequent flyer applications, in contrast to another playing cards.
- Restricted acceptance: American Specific is just not as broadly accepted in Canada in comparison with Visa and Mastercard, which can restrict its use for some Canadians. For instance, Loblaw-owned grocery shops don’t settle for Amex. Relying on the place you’re travelling, Amex acceptance could also be much more restricted.
Silver: American Specific Cobalt
At a look: With excellent earn charges in broadly-defined, widespread spending classes, the American Specific Cobalt card is a journey rewards beast. Factors are simple to redeem and versatile, and you’ll enhance their worth by transferring them to different journey loyalty applications. It comes with a complete insurance coverage package deal.
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American Specific Cobalt
Annual charge: $156
Welcome provide: Earn 1,250 factors for every month you spend $750, as much as a most of 15,000 factors.
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | 21.99% on purchases, 21.99% on money advances |
| Revenue required | None specified |
| Credit score rating | 725 or increased |
| Level worth | 1 Amex Membership Rewards level = $0.01 when redeemed with the Versatile Factors Journey Program, $0.015 on common with the Fastened Factors Journey Program, and as much as $0.02 with airline factors transfers |
Bronze: MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard
At a look: You’re certain to rack up factors rapidly with the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard. Along with incomes 5 MBNA Rewards factors per $1 spent throughout 5 classes—restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership and family utility purchases—cardholders get an annual birthday bonus of 10% of the factors earned within the final 12 months. Comfortable birthday to you!
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MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Annual charge: $120
Welcome provide: earn 20,000 bonus factors (roughly $165 in money again worth) after you make $2,000 or extra in eligible purchases inside the first 90 days. (Not obtainable for residents of Quebec.)
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | 19.99% on purchases, money advances 24.99% on money advances, 22.99% on stability transfers |
| Revenue required | $80,000 per yr |
| Credit score rating | 660 or increased |
| Level worth | 1 MBNA Rewards level = $0.01 when redeemed for journey |
Finest airline bank card: TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
At a look: The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite tops our record of best Aeroplan credit cards in Canada for its simple redemption course of and extras just like the $100 Nexus charge rebate. Plus, for those who regularly spend on Uber rides and deliveries and/or are an everyday at Starbucks, you can stretch your rewards even additional with this bank card.
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TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
Annual charge: $139 (waived first yr)
Welcome provide: Earn as much as $1,300 in worth, together with as much as 40,000 Aeroplan factors and no annual charge for the primary yr. Situations apply.
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | 21.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances (21.99% in Quebec), 22.99% on stability transfers |
| Revenue required | Private revenue of $60,000 or family revenue of $100,000 |
| Credit score rating | 680 or increased (advisable) |
| Level worth | Aeroplan factors are price $0.02 on common |
Finest no-fee journey bank card: American Specific Inexperienced Card
At a look: One in all our best no-fee cards in Canada, the American Specific Inexperienced Card earns factors in your on a regular basis spending, which will be redeem for card assertion credit, presents playing cards, merchandise and/or journey. Or you possibly can switch them at a 1:1 ratio to different frequent flyer or rewards applications. That is notable as a result of by transferring to a program like Aeroplan, you possibly can enhance the worth of your factors considerably.
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American Specific Inexperienced Card
Annual charge: $0
Welcome provide: earn 10,000 Membership Rewards factors if you cost $1,000 in purchases to your card within the first three months of cardmembership.
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | 21.99% on purchases, 21.99% on money advances |
| Revenue required | None specified |
| Credit score rating | 725 or increased |
| Level worth | 1 Amex Membership Rewards level = $0.01 when redeemed with the Versatile Factors Journey Program, $0.015 on common with the Fastened Factors Journey Program, and as much as $0.02 with airline factors transfers. |
Regularly requested questions
Some journey rewards factors can expire after a sure interval of inactivity, whereas others don’t. For instance, Aeroplan factors expire after 18 months of inactivity, and Marriott Bonvoy factors expire after 24 months, whereas WestJet {dollars} usually don’t expire, until they had been earned throughout sure promotions or different circumstances (learn the positive print to make sure). To keep away from having your factors expire, you possibly can guide motels together with your factors, purchase merchandise by means of the loyalty program’s retailer, switch factors from one other program or to a member of the family, in some instances, and extra.
Various kinds of journey bank cards
Generic journey rewards bank cards
Some bank cards in Canada give you the flexibility to earn rewards on on a regular basis purchases and different buy classes, which will be redeemed in the direction of all kinds of issues, together with journey. This implies you aren’t essentially restricted to reserving by means of sure airways when redeeming your factors on flights. You might also be capable to switch your bank card factors to an airline rewards program, comparable to with the American Express Cobalt.
Airline rewards bank cards
Some journey bank cards provide rewards with particular airways the place your factors’ redemption values might differ, such because the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite credit card. If you accumulate sufficient factors, you possibly can guide a flight or trip package deal with affiliated airways like WestJet or Air Canada. Consider although that the worth of your factors can rely on the date of your flight and your vacation spot.
Lodge rewards bank cards
Lodge rewards bank cards give you the flexibility to redeem your factors in the direction of a lodge keep, and to earn factors if you guide at affiliated motels like Marriott or Delta, or earn perks comparable to room upgrades or free breakfasts if you guide eligible lodge stays. When you regularly guide motels for work or journey, think about a lodge rewards bank card just like the Marriott Bonvoy American Express.
Deciding between ravel bank card options
When selecting a journey bank card, there are various useful perks past rewards factors and reserving redemption choices, together with flights, motels and automobile leases. Listed below are some advantages to look out for earlier than making use of for a journey bank card.
- Journey insurance coverage protection: It can save you 1000’s within the occasion of medical emergencies, journey interruptions or misplaced baggage. Most credit card travel insurance applications cowl quick journeys (as much as 15 days) with choices for prolonged safety. Protection is commonly decreased for these over 65, so it’s essential to confirm whether or not the cardboard’s insurance coverage limits align together with your journey plans and age. (Examine methods to know in case your bank card comes with sufficient journey insurance coverage protection.)
- Airport lounge entry: Take pleasure in a calming pre-flight expertise with airport lounge entry, a useful perk supplied by many premium journey playing cards. Some playing cards embody free or discounted passes to lounges by means of applications like Precedence Go, Visa Airport Companion Program and Dragon Go. Lounges present facilities like complimentary snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi and comfy seating areas. (Learn extra about credit cards with airport lounge access.)
- Lodge reductions and upgrades: Many journey bank cards provide unique reductions or perks when reserving with sure lodge chains, like Marriott, Hilton or boutique chains. Advantages can embody reductions on commonplace charges, room upgrades and even free nights after a sure variety of bookings. These reductions and perks could make your travels extra luxurious whereas saving you cash.
- No overseas transaction (FX) charges: FX charges can add up rapidly, particularly when touring regularly or making purchases in several currencies. Some journey bank cards waive these charges (usually round 2.5%) or decrease them, saving you cash on every transaction. (Learn extra about no foreign transaction fee credit cards.)
- Roadside help protection: When you’re planning a street journey, roadside help can provide peace of thoughts in case of surprising points, like a flat tire, empty fuel tank or a towing emergency. Many journey bank cards provide such perks at no cost or at a reduced price. (Learn extra on credit cards with roadside assistance coverage.)
Rental automobile insurance coverage: Rental insurance coverage can shield you from excessive out-of-pocket bills in case of collision or loss damages to rented automobiles. Many journey bank cards provide protection for rental vehicles, which might imply you possibly can skip the rental firm’s pricey insurance coverage add-ons. Be certain that to verify the extent of the protection and exclusions, as phrases differ broadly. (Learn extra about automobile rental insurance coverage protection with bank cards.)
What journey factors program is greatest?
Not all journey reward applications are created equal. So how do you select the correct one for you?
As famous above, it’s essential to grasp that journey rewards applications will be damaged down into two fundamental sorts: Constant and chart-based.
It’s price noting that in uncommon instances, just like the American Specific Membership Rewards Program, you may get to decide on to redeem factors for journey primarily based on both a constant system or as a chart-based system.
Most of the big banks in Canada provide constant factors journey reward applications. They’re aimed toward individuals who need to function inside a easy program with an easy-to-understand redemption course of. So, individuals who dislike sophisticated applications will recognize constant rewards.
Chart-based applications will be significantly extra sophisticated—but additionally doubtlessly extra useful in rewards. Because the variety of factors wanted to redeem for a flight isn’t constant, utilizing the rewards chart strategically might help you stretch the worth of your factors and web the next return when flying on sure routes, and even for reserving premium seats or enterprise class. These applications are extra widespread with private finance fans and left-brain thinkers.
One of the best bank cards to journey to Europe with isn’t only a single card
When heading to Europe, you’ll need bank cards in your pockets that provide sturdy journey rewards, sturdy insurance coverage and no overseas transaction charges. Listed below are the playing cards we might stack for a visit to the EU.
For purchasing: Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite* card stands out as a result of it’s one of many few journey playing cards in Canada to not cost a overseas transaction charge. Which means you gained’t pay the usual 2.5% surcharge different playing cards cost on purchases made in euros, kilos or different non-Canadian foreign money. It additionally comes with complete journey insurance coverage, six free airport lounge visits and also you’ll earn Scene+ factors which are redeemable for a variety of travel-related purchases, like flights or motels. Better of all, to redeem eligible journey purchases for factors you don’t should guide by means of a particular rewards portal—you should use any supplier after which redeem your Scene+ factors towards these bills as much as 12 months after buy.
For reserving your flights: TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite* card is one other good selection for Canadian travellers, particularly for those who’re a frequent flier with Air Canada or one in all its Star Alliance companions. With this card, you’ll earn 1.5 Aeroplan factors per greenback on Air Canada purchases (in addition to on fuel and groceries). You’ll additionally get a free checked bag on Air Canada flights for you and as much as eight associates on the identical flight.
For reserving your lodge: American Express Cobalt* card is one other good card to tackle a visit to Europe, due to its versatile rewards program and stable journey insurance coverage. Factors will be redeemed for journey purchases or transferred to widespread loyalty applications like Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy (at no cost flights or lodge stays in your subsequent European jaunt).
Evaluate journey bank cards rewards factors values
Right here’s how one of the best journey reward applications stack up in opposition to one another.
| Rewards program | Level worth |
|---|---|
| Aeroplan | 1 Aeroplan level is price $0.02 on common. |
| Air Miles | 1 Air Mile is price roughly $0.121 in journey rewards |
| American Specific Versatile Factors Program | 1 American Specific level is price $0.01 in journey rewards |
| American Specific Fastened Factors program | 1 American Specific level is price $0.01 in journey rewards |
| BMO Rewards | 1 BMO Rewards level is price 0.7 of a cent in journey rewards |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 1 Marriott Bonvoy level is price $0.0117 on common when redeemed for eligible flights or lodge stays |
| MBNA Rewards | 1 level MBNA Rewards level is price $0.01 in journey rewards |
| Nationwide Financial institution | 1 Nationwide Financial institution level is price $0.01 in journey rewards |
| RBC Avion Rewards | 1 Avion Rewards level is price $0.01 in journey rewards |
| RBC Avion – Air Journey Redemption Schedule | 1 Avion level is price $0.01 when redeemed for flights or motels |
| Scene Rewards | 1 Scene Rewards level is price $0.01 in journey rewards |
| TD Rewards | 1 TD Rewards level is price 0.5 of a cent in journey rewards booked through Expedia For TD |
| WestJet {Dollars} | 1% in WestJet {Dollars} is price $0.01 in journey rewards |
What number of journey rewards factors do you want for a flight?
Let’s breakdown the worth of a journey reward for a number of journey reward applications in Canada.
What number of Aeroplan factors you want for a flight?
Aeroplan’s chart system makes use of Miles to measure the minimal level redemptions. For brief flights inside North America, you’d want no less than 6,000-22,500 factors for an Financial system flight, 35,000 to 70,000 factors for North America and Atlantic zones, and so forth.
What number of Air Mile Dream miles you want for a flight?
Air Miles doesn’t have a set flight chart. The variety of Air Miles Dream miles wanted for a free flight varies considerably as pricing relies on demand and what service and sophistication you choose. On common, 1 Air Mile level is price 12.1 cents in journey rewards.
What number of Avion factors you want for a flight?
Premium Avion cardholders want no less than 15,000 factors for a flight inside or close to your province or territory, no less than 35,000 factors for a flight inside North America, 65,000 factors for a flight to Europe and 100,000 factors for different locations across the globe.
What number of Amex factors you want for a flight
Utilizing the American Specific mounted factors program, you’d want no less than 15,000 factors for a brief flight inside North America, 20,000 factors for a flight from a Canadian province or territory to a close-by U.S. State, 40,000 factors for an extended North American route, 50,000 factors for a trip vacation spot and no less than 60,000 factors for Europe or 100,000 factors for different continents.
What number of Scene+ factors you want for a flight?
1 level is price 1 cent. For a $300 airline ticket, you’d want 300,000 Scene+ factors.
What number of BMO Rewards factors you want for a flight?
You’ll be able to redeem your factors for a press release credit score in the direction of flights. 1 BMO Rewards level is price 0.7 of a cent in journey rewards.
What number of TD factors you want for a flight?
You want a minimal of 200 factors for a redemption by means of Expedia for TD. 1 TD Rewards level is price 0.5 cents in journey rewards.
What number of MBNA rewards factors you want for a flight?
You’ll be able to redeem a minimal of 10,000 factors for a $100 assertion credit score on journey.