The best travel credit cards in Canada for 2024

Frequently asked questions

Different types of travel credit cards 

Generic travel rewards credit cards

Some credit cards offer you the ability to earn rewards on everyday purchases and other purchase categories, which can be redeemed towards a wide variety of things, including travel. This means you are not necessarily limited to booking through certain airlines when redeeming your points on flights. You may also be able to transfer your credit card points to an airline rewards program, such as with the American Express Cobalt.

Airline rewards credit cards

Some travel credit cards offer rewards with specific airlines where your points’ redemption values may vary, such as the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite card. When you accumulate enough points, you can book a flight or vacation package with affiliated airlines like WestJet or Air Canada. Keep in mind though that the value of your points can depend on the date of your flight and your destination. 

Hotel rewards credit cards

Hotel rewards credit cards offer you the ability to redeem your points towards a hotel stay, and to earn points when you book at affiliated hotels like Marriott or Delta, or earn perks such as room upgrades or free breakfasts when you book eligible hotel stays. If you frequently book hotels for work or travel, consider a hotel rewards credit card like the Marriott Bonvoy American Express.

Travel credit card features 

When choosing a travel credit card, there are many valuable perks beyond rewards points and booking redemption options (including flights, hotels and car rentals). Here are some benefits to look out for.

• Travel insurance coverage: You can save thousands in the event of medical emergencies, trip interruptions or lost baggage. Most credit card travel insurance programs cover short trips (up to 15 days) with options for extended protection. Coverage is often reduced for those over 65, so it’s important to verify whether the card’s insurance limits align with your travel plans and age. (Read about how to know if your credit card comes with enough travel insurance coverage.)
• Airport lounge access: Enjoy a relaxing pre-flight experience with airport lounge access, a valuable perk offered by many premium travel cards. Some cards include free or discounted passes to lounges through programs like Priority Pass, Visa Airport Companion Program and Dragon Pass. Lounges provide amenities like complimentary snacks, beverages, Wi-Fi and comfortable seating areas. (Read more about credit cards with airport lounge access.) 
• Hotel discounts and upgrades: Many travel credit cards offer exclusive discounts or perks when booking with certain hotel chains, like Marriott, Hilton or boutique chains. Benefits can include discounts on standard rates, room upgrades or even free nights after a certain number of bookings. These discounts and perks can make your travels more luxurious while saving you money.
• No foreign transaction (FX) fees: Foreign transaction fees can add up quickly, especially when traveling frequently or making purchases in different currencies. Some travel credit cards waive these fees (typically around 2.5%) or lower them, saving you money on each transaction. (Read more about no foreign transaction fee credit cards.)
• Roadside assistance coverage: If you’re planning a road trip, roadside assistance can offer peace of mind in case of unexpected issues, like flat tires, fuel shortages, or towing emergencies. Many travel credit cards offer such perks, complimentary or at a discounted rate. (Read more on credit cards with roadside assistance coverage.)

Rental car insurance: Rental insurance can protect you from high out-of-pocket expenses in case of collision or loss damages to rented vehicles. Many travel credit cards offer coverage for rental cars, which could mean you can skip the rental company’s costly insurance add-ons. Make sure to confirm the extent of the coverage and exclusions, as terms vary widely. (Read more about car rental insurance coverage with credit cards.)

What travel points program is best?

Not all travel reward programs are created equal. So how do you choose the right one for you? 

First, it’s important to understand that travel rewards programs can be broken down into two basic types: Consistent and chart-based.

It’s worth noting that in rare cases, like the American Express Membership Rewards Program, you might get to choose to redeem points for travel based on either a consistent system or as a chart-based system.

Many of the big banks offer consistent points travel reward programs. They’re aimed at people who want to operate within a simple program that has an easy-to-understand redemption process; people who dislike complicated programs will appreciate these. Chart-based programs can be considerably more complicated—but also potentially more valuable. Since the number of points needed to redeem for a flight isn’t consistent, using the rewards chart strategically can help you stretch the value of your points and net a higher return when flying on certain routes, or even when booking premium seats or business class. These programs are more popular with personal finance enthusiasts and left-brain thinkers.

Compare travel credit cards rewards points values 

How many travel rewards points do you need for a flight? 

How many Aeroplan points you need for a flight

Aeroplan’s chart system uses Miles to measure the minimum point redemptions. For shorter flights within North America, you’d need at least 6,000-22,500 points for an Economy flight, 35,000-70,000 points for North America and Atlantic zones, and so on. 

How many Air Mile Dream miles you need for a flight

Air Miles does not have a set flight chart. The number of Air Miles Dream miles needed for a free flight varies significantly as pricing is based on demand and what carrier and class you select. On average, 1 Air Mile point is worth 12.1 cents in travel rewards.

How many Avion points you need for a flight

Premium Avion cardholders need at least 15,000 points for a flight within or near your province or territory, at least 35,000 points for a flight within North America, 65,000 points for a flight to Europe and 100,000 points for other destinations around the globe. 

How many Amex points you need for a flight 

Using the American Express Fixed Points Program, you’d need at least 15,000 points for a short flight within North America, 20,000 points for a flight from a Canadian province or territory to a nearby U.S. State, 40,000 points for a longer North American route, 50,000 points for a vacation destination and at least 60,000 points for Europe or 100,000 points for other continents. 

How many Scene points you need for a flight

1 point is worth 1 cent. For a $300 airline ticket, you’d need 300,000 Scene points. 

How many BMO Rewards points you need for a flight

You can redeem your points for a statement credit towards flights. 1 BMO Rewards point is worth 0.7 of a cent in travel rewards.

How many TD points you need for a flight

You need a minimum of 200 points for a redemption through Expedia for TD. 1 TD Rewards point is worth 0.5 cents in travel rewards. 

How many MBNA rewards points you need for a flight

You can redeem a minimum of 10,000 points for a $100 statement credit on travel. 

Do travel credit card points expire? 

Some travel rewards points expire after a certain period of inactivity, while others do not. For example, Aeroplan points expire after 18 months of inactivity, and Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 months, while WestJet dollars generally do not expire, unless they were earned during certain promotions or other circumstances. To avoid having your points expire, you can book hotels with your points, buy products through the loyalty program’s store, transfer points from another program or to a family member, in some cases, and more.

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