Here’s an example using Airbnb. But know that you can use this tip for any accommodation rental platform such as:
You can use your Reward Points for bookings made on any of these websites.
In many ways, hotels will have a hard time winning this fight, even though with some brands like Residence Inn / TownePlace Suites from Marriott Bonvoy, it’s possible to find larger accommodations that include a kitchen.
We are frequently asked in the Milesopedia community to find solutions to reduce spending on alternative accommodations like Airbnb. It’s possible with certain rewards programs and credit cards! Milesopedia sheds some insight.
To save money on Airbnb, you will need to use “travel points“. All credit card issuers have travel point programs.
Many of Canada’s top travel point programs stand out:
With the Membership Rewards program, you can redeem 1,000 points for a $10 credit on Airbnb, or 10,000 points = $100.
So 30,000 Membership Rewards Points can save you $300 on an Airbnb rental!
Here are the 7 cards, part of the American Express Membership Rewards program, whose points can save you money on an Airbnb rental:
The American Express Cobalt® Card is the best credit card from American Express, whether you want points for travel or cash back.
The welcome bonus is distributed monthly for the first 12 months. You’ll earn 1,250 Membership Rewards points for every $750 in purchases charged to your card during the month (whether in the 1X, 2X, 3X or 5X category). That’s up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points.
You can easily use these points as statement credits for everyday or travel purchases. The value is the same for both: 1,000 points = $10.
Or you can transfer them into Aeroplan points, Avios (British Airways/Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors.
For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you would have the choice of earning up to:
With the American Express Cobalt® Card, you can earn between 1 and 5 points per dollar:
This is a 1 to 5% return on all these purchases.
For example, if you spend $1,000 per month on groceries and/or restaurants and/or food delivery, you’ll earn $50 cash back per month, or $600 cash back per year with this card for this category of purchases!
And if you decide to transfer your points to other programs like Aeroplan, you could get even more value!
In addition, this card provides excellent insurance coverage: rental car theft and damage, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage, flight delay, $250,000 travel accident, hotel or motel burglary, Mobile Device Insurance, Purchase Security, Purchase Protection Insurance.
Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.
With the Scene+ program, you can apply your points directly to the Airbnb purchase made on one of the cards included in the program.
This means you can use 10,000 points for a $100 credit on hotels, a flight … or an Airbnb rental.
For example, with 30,000 Scene+ points, you can save $300 on an Airbnb rental!
The Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card is one of the only cards in Canada to charge no foreign currency conversion fees AND to offer 6 complimentary airport lounge accesses.
The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card charges no foreign currency conversion fees. This card is exciting because of its accelerated earning rates for daily purchases and its excellent insurance.
With the NBC Rewards program, you can apply your points directly to the Airbnb purchase charged to one of the cards in the program.
You can use 12,000 points for a $100 credit on Airbnb. If you redeem more than 55,000 points, each $100 in travel credit on Airbnb costs you only 11,000 points.
That’s 11,000 points = $100.
Here are the 3 cards that are part of the NBC Rewards program and whose points can save you money on an Airbnb rental:
National Bank World Elite Mastercard is the best Mastercard credit card on NBC. With the current welcome offer exclusive to the Milesopedia Network, receive up to 35,000 bonus points, distributed as follows:
What’s more, you pay no annual fee for the first year.
With this card, you earn up to 5 points per dollar on your purchases:
And since it’s a National Bank Mastercard credit card, you can use it at Costco.
With this card, you have access to a $150 annual travel credit that you can use in any of these categories:
In addition, you can enjoy access to DragonPass airport lounges and free Wi-Fi with Boingo. And unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau.
Finally, in 2023 and 2024, Milesopedia voted National Bank World Elite Mastercard as the Best Credit Card for Travel and the Best Credit Card for Insurance.
With the CIBC Aventura program, you can apply your points directly to the Airbnb purchase charged to one of the program’s cards.
This purchase is considered a travel purchase, and thanks to this promotion, you can use 8,000 CIBC Aventura Points for a value of $100.
So, you can save $565 on an Airbnb rental with 45,000 CIBC Aventura points!
With the BMO Rewards program, you can apply your points directly to Airbnb purchases charged to one of the program’s cards.
This purchase is considered a travel purchase: you can use 15,000 BMO Rewards points for a value of $100.
You can save $333 on an Airbnb rental with 50,000 BMO Rewards points!
AIR MILES Cash Miles can be used to purchase Airbnb e-gift cards! Every 475 miles earns a $50 Airbnb gift card.
So, you’ll get $300 worth of Airbnb gift cards thanks to the BMO AIR MILES®† World Elite®* Mastercard®* welcome offer of 3,000 miles.
Follow our step-by-step tutorial to learn how to purchase Airbnb gift cards with your AIR MILES miles.
The one that offers the most flexibility is the Membership Rewards program. For example, you could combine the points earned on an American Express Cobalt® Card with those on an American Express® Gold Rewards Card.
No matter which loyalty program you choose, you’re a winner! You can save hundreds of dollars or even pay for your entire stay in an Airbnb with your reward points.
Savings are here:
