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Budget Travel: 6 Affordable Destinations in 2026 and How to Get There with Points

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Budget Travel: 6 Affordable Destinations in 2026 and How to Get There with Points
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As traditional destinations become increasingly expensive, some countries still offer excellent value for the Canadian dollar. Having traveled and lived in destinations where the cost of living is lower than in Canada, I will share some countries where you can have memorable experiences at an excellent value for money, while explaining how I used my points and rewards to travel at a very low cost.

Colombia: An Accessible Tropical Paradise

Colombia – Caribbean Coast

Colombia’s diversity is impressive: from Caribbean beaches to Andean mountains, and picturesque colonial cities. The Caribbean coast will attract nature lovers: Cartagena for island and nightlife enthusiasts, Tayrona Park, and Palomino for those who prefer to stay off the beaten path.

In this part of the country, my favourite is Minca, a village nestled in the mountains and easily accessible from Santa Marta. I spent a wonderfully relaxing week there, working in nature and drinking coffee produced entirely at the nearby plantation.

Budget Travel: 6 Affordable Destinations in 2026 and How to Get There with Points - Affordable Destinations 7

Colombia – Medellin and Surroundings

Nicknamed the « City of Eternal Spring » for its ideal climate, Medellín perfectly symbolizes Colombia’s renaissance. The neighborhood of El Poblado attracts visitors with its trendy restaurants and designer boutiques, while Comuna 13, once infamous, is now quite impressive with its outdoor escalators and vibrant murals.

Just a two-hour drive away is Guatapé, a colorful gem dominated by El Peñol, a 200-meter monolith offering breathtaking views of a labyrinth of emerald lakes. To enjoy it, I recommend this day trip with GetYourGuide including a boat tour. For a more authentic experience, the charming village of Jardín, with its colonial houses featuring flowered balconies and coffee plantations, offers an immersion into traditional Paisa culture.

Budget Travel: 6 Affordable Destinations in 2026 and How to Get There with Points - Affordable Destinations 9

Save in Colombia With Points

Some Marriott Bonvoy hotels are accessible with your Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card including:

And many more! So you can enjoy free nights thanks to your points, whether for more budget savvy options at City Express hotels, or more luxurious experiences like at the W Bogota.

Featured
Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$990
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 points
Ends Sep 22, 2026
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on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points with the current offer:

  • Earn 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on your Card in your first 6 months of Cardmembership.
  • Plus, earn 30,000 points by making a purchase during your 15th month of Cardmembership.

This offer ends on September 22, 2026. The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.

Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.

To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.

The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.

You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.

Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 110,000 point welcome offer is worth about $990, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.

Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.

You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.

The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.

Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
  • 2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,437
2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

Since I spent over two months in Colombia in 2023, I opted for economical accommodations found on Booking.com. I used my Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card to pay for them, as well as for all my expenses during this trip. This allowed me to save 2.5% on foreign transaction fees, one of the card’s prized benefits. Back in Canada, I was able to redeem some of my travel expenses with my Scene+ points accumulated during the trip, at the optimal exchange rate; this is one of the benefits of the Scene+ program.

As a bonus, I was able to enjoy airport lounges on my many domestic flights thanks to the card’s six annual accesses, which saved me money on food expenses.

Annual fee
$150
Our valuation
$350
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 35,000 points
Ends Nov 1, 2026
Apply Now

on Scotiabank's website

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card +* CardMC, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

  • No fees for foreign currency transactions
  • 6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
  • Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
  • Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

We have named this credit card the Best Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Annual fee

Primary card$150
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

0%

Earning rate

  • 2xGroceries
  • 2xRestaurants
  • 2xTransit
  • 2xEntertainment
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$650
2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $1,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

For flights, the most accessible in points are with the Aeroplan program, whether it’s a direct flight between Montreal and Bogota on Air Canada, or a stopover with an airline partner such as Avianca or Copa Airlines.

Authentic Mexico: Beyond the Tourist Zones

Forget Cancun and its US dollar-aligned prices. The truly affordable Mexico can be found in less frequented, yet equally spectacular, regions.

For a trip rich in discoveries while managing your budget, Oaxaca City, Bacalar, and Puerto Escondido offer an ideal combination of culture, nature, and relaxation at accessible prices. Oaxaca, a true colonial gem, captivates with its historical heritage, lively markets, and renowned gastronomy, where you can savor local specialties, such as mole or tlayudas, at a lower cost.

In Bacalar, the famous Seven-Coloured Lagoon offers a heavenly setting without the high prices of the Riviera Maya, with affordable waterside accommodations and accessible natural activities, such as kayaking or visiting the cenotes.

Puerto Escondido is a true surfer’s paradise, recently selected as the 14th World Surfing Reserve, an international recognition that highlights its world-class waves and cultural importance to the surfing community. This bohemian coastal town offers magnificent beaches, affordable prices, and a relaxed atmosphere. Perfect for combining relaxation and adventure. Sunsets viewed from Zicatela beach never disappoint, and excursions in the surrounding areas are also offered.

Two activities I highly recommend in Puerto Escondido:

Budget Travel: 6 Affordable Destinations in 2026 and How to Get There with Points - Affordable Destinations 16

Save in Mexico With Points

City Express hotels, now part of the Marriott Bonvoy group, are common in Mexico and offer an affordable accommodation option, both in points and cash.

In the mentioned destinations, it is better to opt for independent accommodations. A credit card like the TD Ultimate Travel Visa Infinite CardMD* offers an excellent welcome bonus, allowing you to earn numerous free nights when booking through TD’s Expedia portal.

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Annual fee$139 $0Welcome offer
Up to 160,000 points
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Annual fee$120Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 pointsEnds Sep 22, 2026
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Regarding flights, there are numerous options with several direct Air Canada flights departing from Montreal or Toronto to various cities in Mexico; Cancun, Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, etc. However, many of the destinations mentioned here are less easily accessible by direct flights, which, in my opinion, contributes to their affordability.

You can also transfer your American Express Membership Rewards points or your Avion Rewards points to other airline programs, such as American Airlines AAdvantage (Avion Rewards) or United MileagePlus (Membership Rewards points).

Brazil: A Giant at Affordable Prices

Brazil impresses with its diversity and surprisingly affordable prices for Canadians, especially outside of carnival periods. Whenever I am asked about this country, I am asked about safety. While some cities, like Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo, require caution, they are still worth visiting.

After that, other destinations are considered much safer. I spent several weeks in Floripa (Florianopolis) and Paraty, among others, where I always felt safe as a solo traveler.

Like Canada, Brazil’s territory is immense! Here are a few recommended destinations for a first trip:

  • Florianópolis for its beaches
  • Paraty for its colonial charm
  • Iguazu Falls
  • Bonito region for ecotourism

Save in Brazil With Points

A remarkable asset in Brazil: credit cards are accepted almost everywhere! Even vendors walking on the beach often carry a payment terminal. Even better; American Express is also accepted everywhere you can pay by card.

The card of choice for traveling to Brazil is therefore the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card. By using it, I save 2.5% on conversion fees and continue to earn Scene+ points on every dollar spent.

Sponsored
Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$500
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$500Total$500Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 50,000 points
Ends Nov 1, 2026
Apply Now

on Scotiabank's website

The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card offers an excellent welcome bonus.

Until November 1, 2026, you can earn up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points, broken down as follows:

  • 30,000 Scene+ points by charging $2,000 in purchases to the card within the first 3 months
  • 20,000 Scene+ points by making $7,500 in purchases on the card in the first year

This represents a value of up to $500 for travel (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 par IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! grocery stores. 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 centers

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 transaction fees, excellent insurance for your travel or purchases, concierge service, exclusive American Express benefits like the Front of the Line program.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$29

Annual income required

Individual$12,000
Household$12,000

Conversion fees

0%

Earning rate

  • 6xWith the partner brand
  • 5xGroceries
  • 5xEntertainment
  • 5xRestaurants
  • 3xStreaming
  • 3xTransit
  • 3xGas & EV
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,460
2nd Year Value$461

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $1,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $1,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $65,000 / 48 days

And thanks to the simplicity of the Scene+ program, I can use the points accumulated during my trip after it’s over to reimburse my travel expenses. In my case, this is used directly to receive a statement credit for my Airbnb expenses.

For flights, Air Canada offers non-stop flights departing from Montreal and Toronto to Sao Paulo, and now also a flight between Toronto and Rio de Janeiro. I managed to find a good deal a few months before my departure for the YUL-GRU flight in Business Class on Air Canada, for only 58,000 Aeroplan points.

For my return flight, I’m considering several options:

In my experience, it’s possible to get good points fares with Aeroplan and AAdvantage if you plan ahead, but since I’m more of a last-minute flyer, Avion Rewards fixed fare structure is an excellent option that doesn’t cost me an exorbitant amount in points. I can therefore use the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card welcome bonus to cover this flight.

Our credit card selection
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Annual fee$139 $0Welcome offer
Up to 50,000 points
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Annual fee$120Welcome offer
Up to 70,000 pointsEnds Nov 25, 2026
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Morocco: Accessible Allure and Luxury

Morocco perfectly combines exoticism, rich culture and very competitive prices for Canadian travellers. From North to South, the variety of landscapes and the richness of the culture will enchant you.

Chefchaouen, the blue city nestled in the Rif mountains, charms with its picturesque streets and peaceful atmosphere. On the Atlantic coast, Essaouira reveals its bustling port, historic ramparts and bohemian atmosphere. Further south, Taghazout is a surfer’s paradise, with its perfect waves and laid-back spirit.

A visit to the desert is a must in the Merzouga desert, where golden dunes and starry nights offer an unforgettable experience after a fascinating journey through the valleys and kasbahs between Marrakech and the Sahara. The majestic Atlas mountain range on the roads of Morocco invites you to escape, between hikes and Berber villages clinging to the mountainside.

If you’re pressed for time, you can escape to the Agafay desert, just outside Marrakech. Finally, Marrakech, vibrant and effervescent, seduces with its lively medina, sumptuous palaces and the Jardin Majorelle linked to Yves Saint Laurent.

Save in Morocco With Points

Our guide to the Maghreb with points is a must for setting up your points strategy and travelling there for free.

Regarding accommodation, there are a few Marriott Bonvoy hotels or major hotel chains, which are mostly located in large cities like Marrakech. Having stayed at Le Méridien N’Fis, I must say that it is an experience more akin to a resort style, compared to a riad which offers more traditional experiences.

In Morocco, there is something for every budget, from luxury hotels to economical accommodation, youth hostels, and desert camps. The good news: Moroccans are known for their hospitality.

My card of choice when I was in Morocco was the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, since it was accepted everywhere credit cards were accepted as a payment method. Since I mostly opted for independent accommodations booked via Booking.com during this trip, it was easy to then reimburse part of my travel expenses with my Scene+ points.

Since it’s always a good idea to have cash on you in Morocco, I recommend the Wealthsimple Cash Card and the Wise Card for withdrawals at foreign ATMs.

Annual fee
$150
Our valuation
$350
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 35,000 points
Ends Nov 1, 2026
Apply Now

on Scotiabank's website

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card +* CardMC, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

  • No fees for foreign currency transactions
  • 6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
  • Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
  • Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

We have named this credit card the Best Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Annual fee

Primary card$150
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

0%

Earning rate

  • 2xGroceries
  • 2xRestaurants
  • 2xTransit
  • 2xEntertainment
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$650
2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $1,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

I detail my other money-saving tips in the article Europe and Morocco: Two Months of Travel and Remote Work on a Budget. .

Albania: The Secret of the Balkans

Albania is emerging as a destination offering excellent value for money, with Riviera beaches, UNESCO sites and legendary hospitality. After spending a full week in its capital Tirana working remotely, it made me want to return to explore the country’s natural wonders.

I had the chance to take this day trip to Lake Bovilla, which I highly recommend, and it only cost me 28 euros. If I had had more time, I would have also indulged in a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Berat.

GetYourGuide: Review and Guide for Booking Travel Activities - Affordable Destinations 12

Here are some other gems to discover in Albania:

  • The « Albanian Riviera » begins in Vlorë and extends to Saranda, offering crystal-clear beaches, especially in Ksamil, where a day at the beach with an umbrella and lounge chairs costs just about CAD 10.
  • The ancient city of Butrint, a UNESCO site, bears witness to 2,500 years of history and can be visited for around CAD 8.
  • Further north, the mountainous region of Theth offers spectacular hikes, particularly to the Blue Eye Spring and Grunas waterfalls, with traditional guesthouses offering full board for approximately CAD$35 per day.
  • On the Ionian Sea side, Gjipe beach, accessible after a short hike, remains one of Europe’s last well-kept secrets. For an authentic experience, the villages of the Albanian Riviera, such as Dhërmi or Himarë, offer sea-view apartments for CAD$40 per night. The panoramic Llogara Pass road, with its hairpin turns overlooking the sea, offers some of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Balkans.

Save in Albania With Points

In Tirana, my colleague Marie-Claude and I particularly enjoyed our stay at the Tirana Marriott. I was there in October 2024, and it only cost me 71,500 Marriott Bonvoy points for five nights, taking advantage of the fifth-night-free perk.

Outside Tirana, you’ll be better off turning to independent hotels or Airbnb accommodation, for which it’s possible to get excellent value for money.

Albania is very well connected to the rest of Europe, but very little to the rest of the world in terms of direct flights. That said, it’s very easy to find very low-cost flights from Europe’s hubs. Thanks to our many airline partners, programs such as Aeroplan and Avios from the British Airways Club make it easy to reach Tirana from Canada by adding a stopover. Flying Blue’s Promo Rewards are another option for travelling to Europe without spending too many points.

So you can take the opportunity to visit a second destination on the way to or from Albania. This is what I did by booking a direct flight Montreal-Athens in economy class for 33,800 points, then adding as a separate booking a flight from Athens to Tirana, which I used my Aventura points for thanks to this promotion.

Annual fee
$0 $139
No annual fee the first year
Our valuation
$859
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$720Annual fee rebated$139Total$859Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 60,000 points
+ First Year Annual Fee Rebate
Apply Now

on CIBC's website

The CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card is one of the best Visa credit cards with travel rewards.

With this offer, get up to $1,900 in value, including a first-year annual fee rebate.

CIBC has an offer with which you can earn up to 60,000 Aventura points:

  • 15,000 Aventura Points when you make your first purchase
  • 30,000 Aventura Points if you spend $3,000 or more in the first 4 monthly statement periods
  • 15,000 Aventura Points if you have at least $5,000 in net purchases posted to your account in the first 4 monthly statement periods

In addition, you can benefit from a rebate on the first year’s annual fee for the primary card holder ($139 value) and up to three authorized users ($50 each).

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
  • Reimbursement of NEXUS membership fees ( $160 value)
  • A free Skip+ membership (a $110 first-year value)

The minimum annual income required for this card is $60,000 (personal) or $100,000 (household).

Annual fee

Primary card$139
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 1.5xGroceries
  • 1.5xGas & EV
  • 1.5xPharmacy
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,148
2nd Year Value$359

Card benefits

Airport lounge access$160

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $5,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,000
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $2,500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Guatemala: Mayan Treasures at Low Prices

Guatemala offers deep cultural immersion and breathtaking scenery, all at very competitive prices.

Antigua, a former colonial capital and UNESCO site, is enchanting with its cobbled streets, centuries-old churches and colourful facades, all framed by three majestic volcanoes.

Budget Travel: 6 Affordable Destinations in 2026 and How to Get There with Points - Affordable Destinations 18

Adventure enthusiasts will probably want to take the 2-day hike to the Acatenanga volcano, an exceptional experience.

Lake Atitlan, considered by Aldous Huxley to be « the most beautiful lake in the world », is bordered by authentic Mayan villages, such as San Marcos La Laguna and San Juan La Laguna, where ancestral textile traditions endure.

In the north, the Mayan ruins of Tikal emerge from the tropical jungle, offering a breathtaking spectacle, especially at sunrise. For nature lovers, Semuc Champey offers natural turquoise pools in the middle of the jungle, accessible after an invigorating hike. The Chichicastenango market, the largest in Central America, brings the highlands to life every Thursday and Sunday, offering an explosion of colour and Mayan crafts.

Save in Guatemala With Points

There are plenty of options for getting to Guatemala. You can check out Aeroplan and its partners, whether you want to fly with Air Canada or United. Alternatively, many flights are available with American Airlines. A tip for paying for your flights with points is to transfer your Avion Rewards points to the AAdvantage program, or your Membership Rewards points to United MileagePlus.

Also keep an eye on cash prices; it is sometimes possible to find affordable round-trip flights and then use your points to pay off your credit card balance. When options are numerous, a good strategy is to turn to a flight award search tool like Roame to find the most advantageous option for you across different programs.

Bottom Line

There are of course a host of other destinations where the Canadian dollar is advantageous, but I particularly recommend these for the quality of the experiences (accommodation, cuisine, activities, etc.) that can be found there, and the friendliness of the population. These are destinations that I have had the pleasure of visiting at least once, and where I am already looking forward to returning.

Looking for more travel inspiration? Read our guide to alternative experiences in the United States.

Annual fee
$191.88
Our valuation
$255
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$255Total$255Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 15,000 points
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on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

The American Express Cobalt® Card is the best credit card from American Express, whether you want points for travel or cash back.

American Express Cobalt® Card welcome offer

The welcome bonus is paid out monthly over your first 12 months. You earn 1,250 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you charge $750 in net purchases to your card, in any category (1X, 2X, 3X or 5X). That adds up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points over the year, a welcome offer we value at $255.

Earning the full bonus means $9,000 in net purchases spread across 12 monthly billing periods. This offer rewards steady monthly spending rather than one large purchase.

You can use these points as statement credits on everyday or travel purchases, at the same rate either way: 1,000 points = $10.

You can also transfer them to Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways and Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors. With the full welcome bonus, that is a choice between:

  • 15,000 Aeroplan points
  • 15,000 Avios points
  • 15,000 Flying Blue Miles
  • 18,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

If hotel points are what you are after, our ultimate guide to Marriott Bonvoy and our complete map of Marriott Bonvoy hotels by category show what those points can actually buy.

American Express Cobalt® Card benefits

Here is what the card gives you, starting with the benefits cardholders use most.

  • 5X points on eligible eats and drinks in Canada: groceries, restaurants and bars, home food delivery and convenience stores. A spend cap applies.
  • 3X points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada.
  • 2X points on eligible gas, public transit and ride sharing purchases in Canada.
  • 1 additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings made through American Express Travel Online.
  • 1X point per dollar on everything else, with no category restrictions.
  • Points that hold the same value either way: 1,000 points = $10 as a statement credit, or a 1:1 transfer to several airline and hotel loyalty programs.
  • No minimum income requirement, as with every American Express Canada card.
  • Additional cards at no extra cost: the first and every other supplementary card is $0.
  • The Hotel Collection: a room upgrade when available, 12pm check-in and late check-out when available, and up to $100 USD in hotel credit on amenities charged to the room for a stay of two or more consecutive nights, booked through American Express Travel.
  • Front Of The Line® presale and reserved tickets for concerts and theatre performances, plus offers and events curated for cardmembers through Amex Experiences.
  • A soft credit check before you apply: you can see whether you will be approved with no impact to your credit score. This applies to American Express personal card applications.

To see how it compares with the rest of the line-up, read our round-up of the best credit cards from American Express in Canada.

The 5X categories and where they apply

The 5X rate is the reason most people carry this card. In Canada it covers four kinds of merchants:

  • Groceries: Metro, IGA, Sobeys, Super C, Safeway, Whole Foods.
  • Restaurants and bars: sit-down meals, takeout and drinks.
  • Home food delivery.
  • Convenience stores: Couche-Tard, 7-Eleven.

The 2X rate covers gas stations such as Esso, Shell and Petro-Canada, along with public transit and ride sharing.

With the American Express Cobalt® Card, you earn between 1 and 5 points per dollar:

Category Points per dollar
Grocery (Metro, IGA, Sobeys, Super C, etc.) 5
Home food delivery 5
Restaurants and bars 5
Convenience stores 5
Streaming services 3
Service station 2
Transport 2
Travel 1
Other 1

That works out to a 1 to 5% return on those purchases. For example, if you spend $1,000 per month across groceries, restaurants and food delivery, you earn $50 back per month, or $600 per year from that category alone. Transfer the points to a program such as Aeroplan instead and the return can be higher.

You can also stack these categories with the hundreds of stores that offer 5x points.

American Express Cobalt® Card insurance coverage

The card comes with a broad insurance package. The amounts below are the coverage limits; conditions, age limits and exclusions are set out in the certificate of insurance linked in the Insurance section above.

Travel insurance

  • Emergency medical: up to $5,000,000 for the first 15 days of a trip.
  • Travel accident: accidental death and dismemberment of up to $250,000 for you, your spouse and dependent children under age 23 when travelling on a common carrier (plane, train, bus or ship) and the tickets are charged to your card. Supplementary cardholders and their families are covered too.
  • Flight delay: up to $500 for necessary hotel, meal and sundry expenses bought within 48 hours when you are delayed or denied boarding for four hours or more and no other transportation is available. This $500 is an aggregate limit per occurrence, shared with missed connection and delayed baggage coverage.
  • Delayed baggage: up to $500 for essential clothing and sundries bought within four days when your outbound luggage is delayed six hours or more. This $500 is an aggregate limit per occurrence, shared with missed connection and flight delay coverage.
  • Lost or stolen baggage: up to $500 per occurrence for all insured persons combined, for checked or carry-on baggage and personal effects in transit, when the airline tickets are charged to your card. Within that limit, jewellery is capped at $300 per occurrence and golf clubs, including golf bags, at $250 per occurrence.
  • Hotel and motel burglary: up to $500 against the loss of most personal items if your hotel or motel is burglarized, when the stay is charged to your card.

Rental car insurance

Theft and damage coverage is included for a rental car with an MSRP, for its model year, of up to $85,000 excluding all taxes, for rentals of up to 48 days. To use it, decline the Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) or any similar option from the rental company and charge the full rental to your card. There is no cost for this coverage, and it replaces the daily insurance the rental company charges, usually $16 to $23 per day.

Mobile device insurance

Your device is covered for up to $1,000 per occurrence when it is charged to the card, for up to two years from the date of purchase. The payout is based on the depreciated value of the device, which falls by 2% of the purchase price for every completed month, less a 10% deductible. Theft and accidental damage coverage starts on the 91st day after purchase, because the first 90 days are covered by purchase protection.

Purchase protection and extended warranty

Eligible items charged to your card are insured against accidental physical damage or theft for 90 days from the purchase date, up to $1,000 per occurrence for all items combined. The card also extends the original manufacturer’s warranty by up to one additional year on eligible items, with indemnification limited to $10,000 per insured item and $25,000 per Cardmember per policy year for all items combined.

American Express Cobalt® Card fees

  • Card fee: $15.99 per month, which equals $191.88 per year, for residents outside Quebec. Quebec residents are billed $191.88 per year.
  • Additional cards: $0.
  • Purchase interest rate: 21.99%.
  • Cash advance interest rate: 21.99%.
  • Foreign transaction fee: 2.5%.
  • Minimum income required: none.

Because the fee is billed monthly rather than in one annual charge, you can stop and restart the cost in step with how much you are actually using the card.

Annual fee

Primary card$191.88
Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xRestaurants
  • 5xGroceries
  • 5xConvenience
  • 3xStreaming
  • 2xTransit
  • 2xGas & EV
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,828
2nd Year Value$799

Transfer partners

  • AeroplanAirline
  • British Airways ClubAirline
  • Cathay Asia MilesAirline
  • Etihad GuestAirline
  • Flying BlueAirline
  • Hilton HonorsHotel
  • Marriott BonvoyHotel

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $250,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionUp to $1,000 / 90 days
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 2 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

Our featured card

Featured
Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$990
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 points
Ends Sep 22, 2026
Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points with the current offer:

  • Earn 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on your Card in your first 6 months of Cardmembership.
  • Plus, earn 30,000 points by making a purchase during your 15th month of Cardmembership.

This offer ends on September 22, 2026. The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.

Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.

To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.

The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.

You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.

Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 110,000 point welcome offer is worth about $990, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.

Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.

You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.

The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.

Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
  • 2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,437
2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

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