You can get travel points or benefits with those credit cards.
Here is a table summarizing the different offers. For more details, read on or click on the name of a card.
No foreign currency conversion fees
All these travel credit cards have no foreign currency conversion fees.
This means you won’t pay the 2.5% foreign currency transaction fee usually charged by other credit cards when you use your credit card without foreign currency conversion fees (or when you pay online in foreign currency).
Our choice: Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card
With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card, you earn up to 40,000 welcome bonus points (a $400 value) as well as a first-year annual fee waiver (a $150 value):
- 30,000 points after just $1,000 in purchases
- 10,000 points after $40,000 in annual purchases in the first year
Then, each year, if you make at least $40,000 in purchases on the card, you’ll earn an annual bonus of 10,000 points, a value of $100.
With the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card, you earn 3 points per dollar spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.
Also, you earn 2 points per dollar for:
- grocery purchases
- dining purchases
- Entertainment
- Transportation
The Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card is an excellent Visa credit card for this type of purchase.
You can redeem your points for any travel purchases (flights, hotels, all-inclusive and even Airbnb). You can also use your points as cash back rewards with Scene+.
The Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card also offers:
- no foreign transaction fee
- 6 complimentary passes to airport VIP lounges
- Premium insurance for your travels or purchases
- Concierge services
We voted this credit card the Best No-FX Fee Credit Card of 2024. Knowing that the annual fee is waived in the first year, there’s never been a better time to get this credit card for your international travels over the next year!
Outstanding travel insurance
All these travel credit cards offer outstanding travel insurance:
- Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance
- Car rental insurance
- Flight and baggage delay insurance
- Emergency medical insurance
Our choice: National Bank World Elite Mastercard
The National Bank World Elite Mastercard® is NBC’s best Mastercard credit card.
With this card, you earn up to 5 points per dollar on your purchases:
- 5 points per dollar on grocery and restaurant purchases
- 2 points per dollar on gas and electric recharge purchases
- 2 points per dollar on recurring bills
- 2 points per dollar on À la carte Travel
- 1 point per dollar on all other 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:
- Airport parking
- Baggage fees
- Seat selection
- Access to airport lounges
- Flight upgrades
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, Milesopedia voted the National Bank World Elite Mastercard® the Best Travel Credit Card and the Best Credit Card for Insurance in 2023 and 2024.
Access to VIP airport lounges
All these travel credit cards offer access to VIP airport lounges so you can relax or eat before your flight.
Our choice: American Express Platinum Card®
The Platinum Card® is the Best Premium Travel Card in Canada.
With this welcome offer, you can earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points:
- 70,000 Welcome Bonus points after you charge $10,000 in net purchases to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership
- 30,000 points when you make a purchase between 14 and 17 months of Cardmembership
With this card, you get:
- 2 points per dollar for dining purchases
- 2 points per dollar on travel purchases
- 1 point per dollar on all other purchases
You can use your Membership Rewards points in many ways:
- Transfer points to airline partners: Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways / Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Delta Skymiles, etc.
- Transfer points to hotel programs (Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy)
- Redeem points for statement credits to offset any travel purchase charged to your Card (1,000 points = $10)
- Redeem points for statement credits towards other purchases (1,000 points = $10)
- And more!
With this card, you also have advantages for your travels:
- $200 Annual Travel Credit
- $200 Annual Dining Credit
- $100 NEXUS Card Statement Credit
- Complimentary and unlimited access for you and one additional traveller to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide
- Hilton Honors Gold Elite status (complimentary breakfast at all Hilton hotels)
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
- Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program
Last but not least, the Platinum Card® is distinguished by the numerous insurance coverages offered: theft and damage for rental cars, travel accident of $500,000Emergency medical expenses (out-of-province or out-of-country), lost or stolen baggage, flight delays and misdirected baggage, hotel or motel burglary, Purchase Protection, Purchase Security.
Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.
Transferable travel points
With these travel credit cards, you can earn points that can be transferred to other loyalty programs, giving you greater flexibility in using your travel points.
Our choice: American Express Cobalt® Card
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.
With the American Express Cobalt® Card, you can earn between 1 and 5 points per dollar:
Category | Points per dollar |
Grocery stores (Metro, IGA, Sobeys, Super C, etc.) | 5 |
Food delivery | 5 |
Restaurants and bars | 5 |
Convenience stores | 5 |
Streaming subscriptions | 3 |
Gas station | 2 |
Transportation | 2 |
Travel | 2 |
Other | 1 |
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.
Travel points (flights, hotels, Airbnb, etc.)
With these travel credit cards, you earn points that you can easily use for any travel expense charged to your card. You can use any agency or website to book your trip and get the best price.
Our choice: TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card
With the TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card, you can earn up to 100,000 TD Points† and a first year annual fee rebate:
- Welcome Bonus of 20,000 TD Points when you make your first Purchase with your Card†
- Earn 80,000 TD Rewards Points when you spend $5,000 within 180 days of Account opening†.
- A Birthday Bonus of up to 10,000 TD Rewards Points†
Get an Annual Fee Rebate for the first year†.
With the TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card, you get:
- 8 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend when you book travel through Expedia® For TD
- 6 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend on Groceries and Restaurants
- 4 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend on regularly recurring bill payments set up on your Account
- 2 TD Rewards Points† For every $1 you spend on other Purchases
This TD credit card is one of the best TD travel rewards cards.
Airline points (Aeroplan, Avios, WestJet, etc.)
All these travel credit cards are co-branded with an airline. With these travel credit cards, you’ll get great value from your points if you travel regularly with the airline or one of its partners.
Our choice: TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
With the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card, you can earn up to 50,000 Aeroplan points:
- A welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase with your new card†
- 20,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $6,000 within 180 days of Account opening†
- Plus, earn a one-time anniversary bonus of 20,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $10,000 within 12 months of Account opening†
- $100 NEXUS fee rebate†
- Up to eight passengers travelling on the same reservation will all enjoy their first checked bag free (up to 23kg/50lb) when your travel originates on an Air Canada flight†
It’s the best TD credit card for occasional Air Canada travellers.
With the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card, you earn 1.5 points† per dollar of eligible purchases for:
- Grocery stores
- Gas stations
- Air Canada purchases, including Air Canada Vacations
Hotel points
All these travel credit cards are co-branded with a group of hotels or earn hotel points. With these travel credit cards, you’ll get great value from your points if you stay regularly at one of the group’s member hotels.
Our choice: Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card.
The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is the best credit card for free hotel nights.
With this exceptional limited-time welcome offer, you can earn up to 80,000 Marriott Bonvoy points:
- 65,000 Welcome Bonus points after you spend $3,000 on your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership
- Plus, earn an additional 3 points for a total of 5 points on every $1 spent on eligible travel and gas purchases in your first 6 months (up to 15,000 points)
It’s the best time of year to get the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card. Don’t wait, this offer ends on May 6, 2024!
It’s a Card we recommend keeping because each year at renewal, you get an Annual Free Night Award (for up to 35,000 points at hotels worldwide) and 15 Elite Night Credits per year, counting towards your Marriott Bonvoy Elite status.
With this Card, you earn 5 points per dollar on all purchases at Marriott Bonvoy properties and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases.
Finally, this Card comes with comprehensive insurance: baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage, $500,000 travel accident, flight delay, hotel or motel burglary, rental car theft and damage, Purchase Security, Purchase Protection.
Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.
Popular travel credit cards
All these travel credit cards are popular with Milesopedia readers. They’re worth considering if you’re planning to travel soon!
CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card
The CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card is one of the best Visa credit cards with travel rewards.
You can earn up to 45,000 Aventura points with this CIBC digital exclusive offer for Milesopedia readers.
- 15,000 Aventura Points when you make your first purchase†
- 30,000 Aventura Points when you spend $3,000 or more in the first 4 monthly statement periods†
Plus, you can get a first-year annual fee rebate for you (a $139 value) and up to three authorized users ($50 each; $150 value).
With this CIBC Aventura Credit Card, you get:
- 2 points for every $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre†
- 1.5 points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores and drug stores†
- 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases†
The CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card also offers:
- Airport lounges access: Visa Airport Companion Program membership with 4 complimentary visits per year
- A NEXUS application fee rebate (a $50 value)
The minimum annual income required for this card is $60,000 (personal) or $100,000 (household).
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card
With this exceptional offer for the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card, you can earn up to 55,000 Avion points:
- 35,000 Avion points on approval
- 20,000 Avion bonus points when you spend $5,000 in your first 6 months
You can use your Avion Rewards points for travel or redeem them with other loyalty programs such as :
- American Airlines AAdvantage
- British Airways Executive Club (and Qatar Airways Privilege Club)
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- WestJet Rewards
For example, with the current welcome offer, you can get 55,000 British Airways Avios Points or 550 WestJet Dollars.
With the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card, you earn 1 point per dollar and 1.25 points for travel purchases.
And you’ll benefit from a wide range of insurance coverage: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, Out-of-Province/Country Emergency Medical Insurance, Rental Vehicle Collision/Loss Damage Insurance, Mobile Device Insurance.
Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card only requires a $12,000 minimum income, making it accessible to as many people as possible.
For a limited time, you can earn up to 40,000 points in the first year, which is a $400 value on travel purchases, including Airbnb.
With the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card, you earn 6 points per dollar spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.
Also, you earn 5 points per dollar for:
- grocery stores
- Restaurants
- Entertainment
And 3 points per dollar on gas, transit and streaming services purchases.
You can redeem your points on travel purchases (flights, hotels, all-inclusive and even Airbnb). You can also use your points as cash back rewards with Scene+.
The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card also offers no foreign currency transaction fees, excellent travel and purchase insurance, concierge service and exclusive American Express benefits (Front of the Line Program).
MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®
With the MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®, you can earn 5 points per dollar of purchases for:
- Dining purchases
- Grocery purchases
- Digital media purchases (Netflix, Spotify, etc.)
- Memberships
- Household utility purchases (electricity, etc.)
Everywhere else, you will get 1 point per dollar.
Enough to make the MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard® the best MBNA credit card for restaurants, groceries, digital media, subscriptions and household utilities.
Knowing that Mastercard recognizes Walmart Supercenters as grocery stores, this is the best credit card for Walmart customers!
Plus, depending on your province of residence, you’ll get a welcome bonus of between 20,000 and 30,000 points, a value of $200 to $300!
And each year, you will receive Birthday Bonus Points equal to 10% of the total number of Points the Account earned in the 12 months before the month of your birthday, to a maximum Birthday Bonus each year of 15,000 Points.
American Express® Gold Rewards Card
Earn up to 60,000 Membership Rewards points with this welcome offer for the American Express® Gold Rewards Card. That’s a $600 value for travel or any purchase on the Card.
You can also transfer your points to airline partners such as Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways / Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, and hotel partners (Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors).
With this Card, you get many benefits like:
- $100 annual travel credit
- Priority Pass membership and 4 complimentary Plaza Premium visits per year
- $50 NEXUS credit
You earn 2 points per dollar for travel purchases, and at:
- gas stations
- grocery stores
- drugstores
And 1 point per dollar everywhere else.
Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.
BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard
The BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard is one of the best World Elite Mastercard credit cards with travel points in Canada. With our exclusive offer, you can get up to 100,000 bonus points:
- 55,000 points after $4,500 in Card purchases in the first 3 months
- 3,750 points per month after $2,500 in monthly purchases from the 4th to the 15th month (up to 45,000 points)
Plus, the annual fee is waived in the first year for both the primary cardholder and authorized users.
With the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard, a premium credit card from BMO, you get:
- 5 points per dollar on travel purchases
- 3 points per dollar on dining purchases
- 3 points per dollar for entertainment purchases
- 3 points per dollar on recurring bill payments
And 1 point for every $1 spent everywhere else, including at Costco. You can use BMO Rewards points for all travel purchases made through the agency or website of your choice (flights, hotels, car rentals, all-inclusive resorts, Airbnb, etc.) or for rewards and gift cards on the BMO Rewards platform.
The BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard also offers:
- Four annual complimentary passes to airport VIP lounges
- Excellent Premium insurance for your travels or purchases
- a premium concierge service
Frequent Asked Questions about travel credit cards
Here are frequently asked questions in the milesopedia community about credit cards in Canada.
Why choose a credit card linked to a rewards program?
By signing up for rewards programs (it’s free!), you can earn points on your purchases that can be redeemed for things like hotel nights, flights, car rentals and cash back. Why deprive ourselves of it?
What is the best credit card with Reward Points?
With the many credit cards on the market, Milesopedia offers you to compare credit cards, according to your profile and with everything you need to know about current offers. Milesopedia is along your side to help you make the best credit card choice for you.
What is a travel credit card in Canada?
Travel credit cards in Canada allow you to earn points or miles for eligible purchases, according to the loyalty program associated with the card.
Why choose a travel credit card?
These cards offer benefits such as travel discounts, access to airport lounges, travel insurance and more.
What types of travel credit cards are available in Canada?
There are three main categories: travel rewards credit cards from major banks, airline credit cards and hotel credit cards.
How do travel rewards cards work?
They allow points earned to be used for different types of travel and offer greater flexibility in the use of points.
What are the benefits of airline credit cards?
These cards earn points for a specific airline, such as Air Canada or WestJet, which can be used within their network.
Why choose a hotel credit card?
They offer benefits for hotel stays, with rewards that are often more attractive than airline rewards.
What are the additional benefits of travel credit cards?
Travel credit cards can include free checked baggage, access to airport lounges, comprehensive travel insurance, and no foreign transaction fees.
What are the disadvantages of travel credit cards?
Disadvantages of travel credit cards include annual fees, exclusion periods, and possible expiration of reward points.
How do I apply for a travel credit card in Canada?
Check your eligibility, complete an online application for your travel credit card, and meet the minimum income requirements and other specific conditions.
How can you maximize the benefits of your travel credit card?
Pay your bills on time, reach the minimum spend for the welcome bonus, and choose a travel credit card aligned with your spending habits.
What is the best travel credit card in Canada?
There are more than 200 credit cards in Canada. There’s no better travel credit card!
There are several travel credit cards to suit your needs: