Bank card comparability software
Examine your journey card choices with our interactive software and filter bank cards primarily based on rewards worth, annual charges, revenue necessities and extra.
Why belief us
MoneySense is an award-winning journal, serving to Canadians navigate cash issues since 1999. Our editorial workforce of educated journalists works carefully with main private finance specialists in Canada. That will help you discover one of the best monetary merchandise, we evaluate the choices from over 12 main establishments, together with banks, credit score unions and card issuers. Be taught extra about our advertising and trusted partners.
The very best journey playing cards by class
The very best journey bank cards in Canada mix robust earn charges with perks like lounge access, no foreign transaction fees and travel insurance coverage. In the end, you’ll need to select a card primarily based in your journey and spending habits, in addition to the journey perks that suit your way of life. We’ve compiled this listing that will help you get began.
| Journey bank card | Highlights | Particulars | Eligibility necessities |
|---|---|---|---|
| FEATURED American Express Cobalt  GO TO SITE |
Award: Greatest general journey rewards bank card
Greatest function: A number of the highest earn charges (with as much as 5x the factors on eating and groceries), mixed with a versatile factors, equals your finest return on spending |
Annual charge: $156
Rewards: 1 to five Membership Rewards factors per greenback Rates of interest: 21.99% on purchases, 21.99% on money advances |
Earnings: None specified
Credit score rating: 725 or larger |
| FEATURED TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite  GO TO SITE |
Award: Greatest airline journey bank card (Air Canada)
Greatest function: Excessive earn charges on gasoline, groceries and Air Canada purchases, simple redemptions and a $100 Nexus charge rebate each 2 years |
Annual charge: $139 (waived first yr)
Rewards: 1 to 1.5 Aeroplan factors per greenback Rates of interest: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances, 22.99% on stability transfers |
Earnings: $60,000 (private) or $100,000 (family)
Credit score rating: 680 or larger (really helpful) |
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard |
Award: Greatest airline journey bank card (WestJet)
Greatest function: 1.5% earn price paired with an annual round-trip companion voucher on WestJet |
Annual charge: $119
Rewards: 1.5% to 2% in West Jet {Dollars} per greenback Rates of interest: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances, 22.99% on stability transfers |
Earnings: $80,000 (private) or $150,000 (family)
Credit score rating: None specified |
| FEATURED American Express Green Card  GO TO SITE |
Award: Greatest no-fee journey bank card
Greatest function: Constant earnings of 1 level per greenback on all of your purchases, mixed with the pliability and worth of Amex Membership Rewards |
Annual charge: $0
Rewards: 1 to 2 Membership Rewards factors per greenback Rates of interest: 21.99% on purchases, 21.99% on money advances |
Earnings: None specified
Credit score rating: 725 or larger |
| FEATURED Marriott Bonvoy American Express  GO TO SITE |
Award: Greatest lodge bank card
Greatest function: Redemptions totally free stays at over 30 lodge manufacturers (from Marriott to Ritz-Cartlon), plus level transfers to accomplice airline packages |
Annual charge: $120
Rewards: 2 to five Marriott Bonvoy factors per greenback Rates of interest: 21.99% on purchases, 21.99% on money advances |
Earnings: None specified
Credit score rating: 725 or larger |
American Express The Platinum Card |
Award: Greatest bank card for premium perks
Greatest function: $400 in journey and restaurant credit, limitless airport lounge entry, lodge upgrades, and extra |
Annual charge: $799
Rewards: 1 to 2 Membership Rewards factors per greenback Rates of interest: N/A (you could pay your stability off in full each month) |
Earnings: None specified
Credit score rating: 760 or larger |
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for Students |
Award: Greatest journey bank card for college kids
Greatest function: Good return on spending, plus a number of journey advantages and student-friendly perks |
Annual charge: $0
Rewards: 0.67 to 1 Aeroplan level per greenback Rates of interest: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on money advances (21.99% in Quebec) |
Earnings: None specified
Credit score rating: None specified |
How we decide one of the best journey bank cards
Our editors apply their bank card experience and data of Canadians’ monetary targets to provide you with choice standards that matches the wants of the meant cardholder. For journey bank cards, your return on spending is a key consideration, as a result of it represents the worth of the factors you’re incomes with each buy. We take into account annual charges and eligibility standards (for pupil playing cards), perks and insurance coverage (for premium playing cards) and different elements, particular to the class. The addition of hyperlinks from affiliate companions has no bearing on the outcomes. Learn extra about our selection process and about how MoneySense makes money.
Greatest general journey rewards bank card
At a look: With excellent earn charges in broadly-defined, well-liked spending classes, the American Specific Cobalt card is a journey rewards beast. Factors are simple to redeem and versatile, and you may improve their worth by transferring them to different journey loyalty packages. It comes with a complete insurance coverage bundle, so that you journey carefree.
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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 |
| Earnings required | None specified |
| Credit score rating | 725 or larger |
| 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. |
Greatest airline journey bank cards
For Air Canada
At a look: Though you might use our primary journey card, the Amex Cobalt, to switch Amex factors to Aeroplan, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite tops our listing of best Aeroplan credit cards in Canada for its simple redemptions and extras just like the $100 Nexus charge rebate. Plus, in the event you incessantly spend on Ubers or are an everyday at Starbucks, you might stretch your rewards even additional with this card.
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TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
Annual charge: $139 (waived first yr)
Welcome provide: Earn as much as $1,500 in worth, together with as much as 50,000 Aeroplan factors and no annual charge for the primary yr. Circumstances apply. Account should be authorised by Jan. 6, 2025.
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances, 22.99% on stability transfers |
| Earnings required | Private revenue of $60,000 or family revenue of $100,000 |
| Credit score rating | 680 or larger (really helpful) |
| Level worth | Aeroplan factors are price $0.02 on common. |
For WestJet
At a look: With a 1.5% base price and a couple of% again on WestJet flights or trip packages, this card offers travellers a stable software to take the sting out of the price of airfare. Add to that aggressive perks like an annual round-trip companion voucher and a free first checked bag for you and as much as eight journey companions, and also you’ve bought a card WestJet flyers will need to take into account.
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WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
Annual charge: $119
Welcome provide: earn as much as $700 in WestJet {dollars} with the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard, Plus a Spherical-Journey Companion Voucher Each 12 months
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances |
| Earnings required | Private revenue of $80,000 or family revenue of $150,000 |
| Credit score rating | None specified |
| Level worth | 1 WestJet Greenback = $1 CAD when redeemed for eligible flights or trip packages. |
Professionals
- Get one round-trip companion voucher to anyplace WestJet flies yearly, which helps you to e-book a companion fare at a lowered price once you additionally e-book a full fare. Or, you’ll be able to alternate the companion voucher for 4 airport lounge passes.
- Obtain as much as three $500 Standing Lifts yearly, which get you to the following rewards tier quicker. The upper your tier, the extra advantages you’ll get, like lounge entry.
- The WestJet rewards program is straightforward, with out complicated charts or blackout durations. One level equals 1 cent in financial savings on Westjet flights.
- You get rewarded in your loyalty—earn 2% on WestJet flights or holidays, which is the next earn price for journey bookings than different playing cards on this listing.
Cons
- Once you use a round-trip companion voucher, the low cost solely applies to the bottom price of the fare. Taxes, airport charges, and air transportation expenses stay the identical—and these might be fairly hefty.
- WestJet {dollars} usually are not transferable to every other airways or airline packages.
Greatest no-fee journey bank card
At a look: One among our best no-fee cards in Canada, the American Specific Inexperienced Card earns you factors in your on a regular basis spending that you would be able to redeem for assertion credit, items, playing cards, merchandise or journey, and just like the Cobalt, they’re transferable at a 1:1 ratio to different frequent flyer or rewards packages. That is notable as a result of by transferring to a program like Aeroplan, you’ll be able to 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 once 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 |
| Earnings required | None specified |
| Credit score rating | 725 or larger |
| 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. . |
Greatest lodge bank card
At a look: You’ll earn Marriott Bonvoy factors on each buy you make on the world’s largest lodge conglomerate, redeemable at greater than 30 lodge chains (from Marriott and St. Regis to The Ritz-Carlton) in 130 nations. Get service upgrades like free Wi-Fi, spa therapies, eating experiences, or free lodge stays. Factors are additionally transferable to round 40 different airline packages like Aeroplan, Delta SkyMiles and Virgin Atlantic.
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Marriott Bonvoy American Specific
Annual charge: $120
Welcome provide: earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | 21.99% on purchases, 21.99% on money advances |
| Earnings required | None specified |
| Credit score rating | 725 or larger |
| Level worth | 1 Marriott Bonvoy level = $0.0117 on common when redeemed for eligible flights or lodge stays. |
Professionals
- You possibly can deal with your self to hotel-related upgrades, providers and free nights at motels, together with St. Regis, The Ritz-Carlton and Westin, or for different travel-related bills like flights or automobile leases. Bonvoy factors are versatile—you can even use them for merchandise and experiences.
- The bottom price of two factors per greenback is kind of good, however your factors will actually rack up once you earn 5 factors per greenback spent in your Marriott lodge stays.
- This card comes with some useful perks like one free night time’s keep at a Marriott property yearly and 15 Elite Evening Credit that will help you obtain the following degree of standing.
- If you happen to attain $30,000 in complete annual spending on the cardboard, you’ll be upgraded to Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite standing and unlock perks like room upgrades, financial savings on factors redemptions for lodge stays and extra.
- As an Amex card, this bundle will get you Amex advantages like Entrance of the Line and eating, retail and wellness experiences.
Cons
- The worth of Marriott Bonvoy factors can fluctuate primarily based on a mixture of elements—from the lodge you’re staying at to the time of the yr—which means maximizing factors and switch choices isn’t all the time easy to newer level collectors.
- Factors are price much less for airline transfers at a 3:1 ratio, which means you’re lacking out on maximizing worth for something apart from lodge bookings.
- American Specific is much less extensively accepted than Mastercard or Visa.
Greatest bank card for premium perks
At a look: The Amex Platinum offers new which means to the outdated saying, “You get what you pay for.” On this case, the $799 annual charge pays for itself via a smorgasbord of unbelievable perks. Your journey expertise might be remodeled with limitless airport lounge entry, partnerships at Superb Lodge + Resorts properties, and precedence therapy at Toronto Pearson Airport. The various perks—like a number of hundred {dollars} price of annual journey and eating credit and a Nexus charge rebate—go a good distance towards offsetting the value tag.
American Specific Platinum
Annual charge: $799
Welcome provide: earn as much as 100,000 rewards factors ($1,000 worth). Circumstances apply.
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | N/A (as a cost card, you’re required to repay your stability in full each month) |
| Earnings required | None |
| Credit score rating | 760 or larger |
| Anniversary bonus | $200 annual eating credit score to make use of at a curated listing of Canada’s prime eating places. Plus, $200 annual journey credit score when reserving via American Specific Journey On-line. |
| 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. |
Professionals
- You’ll get a $200 journey credit score every year that may be redeemed in direction of a journey buy made via American Specific Journey On-line. Spend your further annual $200 eating credit score at choose eating places all over the world, together with 100 in Canada.
- Get entry to The American Specific World Lounge Assortment composed of greater than 1,300 lounges in over 140 nations, together with American Specific Centurion Lounges, Plaza Premium and Delta Sky lounges. Cardholders might have limitless free visits and companion passes at no further price, relying on the lounge.
- Robotically obtain the upper tier within the Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy lodge packages.
- Acquire personalised help via Platinum Concierge service. The concierge could make restaurant reservations, receive tickets to particular occasions, e-book providers for you, and extra—at no further price to you.
- As a result of the Platinum is a cost card, high-volume spenders usually are not restricted by a traditional credit score restrict.
Cons
- Further playing cards price $250 every yearly.
- Given the annual charge, the journey medical insurance coverage is lackluster. Whereas some playing cards provide 20 days or extra, this card solely covers you for as much as 15 consecutive days and doesn’t provide any insurance coverage to those that are 65 or older.
- Cost no matter you need to the cardboard (there’s no credit score restrict), however as a result of it’s a cost card, you’re required to repay the stability in full each month.
Greatest journey bank card for college kids
At a look: The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for College students bundles the flexibility to earn Aeroplan rewards with a number of journey advantages and student-friendly perks to ship a aggressive bundle for no annual charge.
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for College students
Annual charge: $0
Welcome provide: earn 10,000 Aeroplan factors once you make your first buy ($200 worth)
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on money advances (21.99% in Quebec) |
| Earnings required | None specified |
| Credit score rating | None specified |
| Level worth | Aeroplan factors are price $0.02 on common. |
Regularly requested questions
Several types of journey bank cards
Generic journey rewards bank cards
Some bank cards give you the flexibility to earn rewards on on a regular basis purchases and different buy classes, which might be redeemed in direction of all kinds of issues, together with journey. This implies you aren’t essentially restricted to reserving via sure airways when redeeming your factors on flights. You might also have the ability to switch your bank card factors to an airline rewards program, equivalent 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 range, such because the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite card. Once you accumulate sufficient factors, you’ll be able to e-book a flight or trip bundle with affiliated airways like WestJet or Air Canada. Take into account 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 direction of a lodge keep, and to earn factors once you e-book at affiliated motels like Marriott or Delta, or earn perks equivalent to room upgrades or free breakfasts once you e-book eligible lodge stays. If you happen to incessantly e-book motels for work or journey, take into account a lodge rewards bank card just like the Marriott Bonvoy American Express.
Journey bank card options
Some necessary options to look out for in journey bank cards, apart from factors worth and your reserving redemption choices (flights, motels, vehicles), embody:
- Journey insurance coverage protection for medical points or journey delays. Most credit card travel insurance programs cowl you as much as 15 days and are typically extra restricted for these over the age of 65, however there are exceptions. (Examine easy methods to know in case your bank card comes with enough travel insurance coverage.)
- Airport lounge access totally free or discounted lounge passes via Precedence Go, Visa Airport Companion Program, Dragon Go and others.
- Lodge reductions, like reductions at Marriott motels.
Whether or not the cardboard expenses you foreign transaction fees when you are overseas, on prime of standard alternate charges. These charges might be as excessive as an added 2.5% on each buy.
What journey factors program is finest?
Not all journey reward packages are created equal. So how do you select the proper one for you?
First, it’s necessary to grasp that journey rewards packages might be damaged down into two fundamental sorts: Constant and chart-based.
It’s price noting that in uncommon circumstances, just like the American Specific Membership Rewards Program, you would possibly 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 huge banks provide constant factors journey reward packages. They’re aimed toward individuals who need to function inside a easy program that has an easy-to-understand redemption course of; individuals who dislike difficult packages will respect these. Chart-based packages might be significantly extra difficult—but additionally probably extra useful. For the reason that variety of factors wanted to redeem for a flight isn’t constant, utilizing the rewards chart strategically may help you stretch the worth of your factors and internet the next return when flying on sure routes, and even when reserving premium seats or enterprise class. These packages are extra well-liked with private finance lovers and left-brain thinkers.
Examine journey bank cards rewards factors values
| 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 by way of 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?
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 shorter flights inside North America, you’d want at the least 6,000-22,500 factors for an Financial system flight, 35,000-70,000 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 at the least 15,000 factors for a flight inside or close to your province or territory, at the least 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 Fastened Factors Program, you’d want at the least 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 at the least 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 possibly can redeem your factors for a press release credit score in 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 via 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 possibly can redeem a minimal of 10,000 factors for a $100 assertion credit score on journey.
Do journey bank card factors expire?
Some journey rewards factors 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} typically don’t expire, except they had been earned throughout sure promotions or different circumstances. To keep away from having your factors expire, you’ll be able to e-book motels along with your factors, purchase merchandise via the loyalty program’s retailer, switch factors from one other program or to a member of the family, in some circumstances, and extra.
