Guide: Short Trip in Maine, United States | Itineraries and Highlights

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Published October 5, 20247 min readEditorial integrity

Guide: Short Trip in Maine, United States | Itineraries and Highlights

Here are a few ideas for activities in this part of the country, and how I was able to save a lot of money over the St-Jean-Baptiste holiday weekend.

Maine – For Nature

Acadia National Park is a great place to get some fresh air. In Autumn, the scenery is breathtaking with the vivid colors of the landscapes.

Numerous hikes are available for all levels. The highest mountain in the region is Mount Cadillac, at 466 metres. You can also visit Acadia Park with an electric bike.

From October 7 to March 6, this mountain is the first place to watch the sun rise in the USA. The mountain offers a magnificent panoramic view, attracting many curious onlookers. You could book this private excursion to Cadillac Mountain to admire this exceptional spectacle.

Trails lead to the summit, which can be reached by paved road. If you wish to make the ascent by car, you will need to book a paid reservation on the National Park Service website to select a time slot.

However, there is no time limit once at the summit. In my opinion, Cadillac Mountain is a must-see activity on your visit.

Adventurers will love the trails with ladders and iron bars on the mountainside, such as Precipice trail or Jordan cliffs, for ages 12 and up.

In the same style, but accessible to all, Beehive trail offers superb views and ladder fun.

For less strenuous effort, the coastal trails will fill you with wonder. These include the popular Ocean path, which starts at Sandy Beach, passes through the thunder hole and ends at Otter cliff, where you can watch climbers scale the cliffs.

Guide: Short Trip in Maine, United States | Itineraries and Highlights - Acadia-Otter cliff

For a short break, we stop off around Jordan pond and its restaurant. The park stretches over more than a peninsula, and you can easily spend several days there. For those in a hurry, there’s a looping auto tour that takes in all the most popular attractions. A seven-day pass must be purchased at the park entrance to use this road.

Guide: Short Trip in Maine, United States | Itineraries and Highlights - Étang Jordan

To round off your days, I suggest you head to the beautiful village of Bar Harbor. Here you’ll find a lively downtown area, good restaurants and pubs, as well as stores to browse around and pick up a souvenir.

We particularly liked:

It all depends on your tastes! Portland is very popular with tourists, who like to stroll through the Old Port, discover its art galleries, enjoy its fishing docks, and its seafood restaurants.
Eating local specialties at the delicious Side Street Cafe restaurant.

If you’re a gourmet at heart, this culinary walking tour of Bar Harbor is for you!

Guide: Short Trip in Maine, United States | Itineraries and Highlights - Bar harbor-1

Maine – For its Beaches

Ogunquit and Old Orchard have been attracting Canadians for many years. Despite the cold water, the vacation atmosphere is very much in evidence.

We passed through Old Orchard, famous for its boardwalk with rides, arcades and restaurants. Many families seem to enjoy it.

For our preferences, we’d rather try our luck at Ogunquit or Kennebunk beach next time, having not been overly charmed by the ambiance of Old Orchard. However, I must admit that the sandy beach is long and beautiful.

It’s possible to surf in Maine, but you don’t want to be cold and you need to be equipped with a wet-suit, as the water temperature hovers around 17°C in July. Let’s just say it’s gripping!

For a bite to eat, there are plenty of restaurants offering fried and fast food. We found the menu at Big Daddy’s bar and grill interesting.

Maine – Visiting Portland

A visit to Portland, about an hour’s drive from Maine’s capital, Augusta, was a favourite on our getaway. The Old Port district is a lovely walking tour, with cobblestone streets and picturesque architecture.

Wandering the streets window-shopping, discovering small local art shops, while sipping an iced coffee from an independent café, was a real treat.

Don’t hesitate to create your own culinary tour by making several gourmet stops:

Don’t miss the famous potato doughnuts for which The Holy Donut is famous;
Satisfy your hunger with a good pastry and coffee from the Standard Baking Co.;
Find out who sells the best whoopies;
Buy seafood and fish at Harbor Fish Market;
Take a break at one of the 27 microbreweries;
And of course, enjoy chowder and lobster rolls.

If you’re looking for a guide, this culinary tour of the Old Port is just what you’ve been seeking.

Time to spare? Enjoy an elevated view at Fort Summer Park or on the trails of the Western Promenade.

Guide: Short Trip in Maine, United States | Itineraries and Highlights - Portland food

On the road around Portland, stop off to photograph the various lighthouses along the coast, including the most famous: Portland Head lighthouse.

This guided tour includes a trolley tour of Portland, with a stop at this historic lighthouse.

Guide: Short Trip in Maine, United States | Itineraries and Highlights - Portland head

You could also discover the beauty of the Maine coast with this schooner cruise on Casco Bay.

To plan your visit, check out our guide to Portland.

Use your points when traveling in Maine

On a Road Trip

Given our proximity to Montreal, we chose to drive to get there. A little help from the AIR MILES program helped lower our gas bill at Shell.

What’s more, it’s now possible to transfer your Dream Miles into cash, which enabled me to convert some leftover Dream Miles into more free petrol.

Don’t forget to check the application regularly to sign up for the various promotions, so you can build up your points bank faster.

Hotel or Campsite

I paid for my nights entirely with points, using two different programs to test them out. I made an initial reservation with my National Bank World Elite Mastercard^® and applied the rewards points to my spending on the account.

For my second night, I visited the Avion portal linked to my RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card and booked directly with the points. The confirmation with details arrived almost instantly in my e-mail.

If you still have a travel credit in your pocket due to the HSBC to RBC Avion conversion, this could be a great opportunity to use it since you need to make a reservation of $200 or more for a hotel or car rental to apply it. In both cases, the process was extremely simple.

For members of the Best Western program, there’s a hotel near Acadia National Park and another in South Portland.

Portland is home to several Marriott Bonvoy establishments, including the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront. Given the cost of rooms in the U.S. and the exchange rate, which is not in our favour, points can really help lighten the bill.

If you prefer the joys of camping, you’ll be spoiled with choices during the summer months! Off-season and winter camping is also available in some of Maine’s state parks.

For its Activities

It’s possible to pay for activities in points. For example, the Avion portal offers 78 activities for the Maine region. Simply place your order on the rewards site. Plus, most activities offer free cancellation.

Another tip is to apply your Membership Rewards points to your bill. The flexibility of the loyalty program means you can save on any expense.

Alternatively, you can use Expedia ‘s booking platform dedicated to Scene+. You can book activities in exchange for Scene+ points.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, a trip to Maine with points is an economical and accessible choice in terms of proximity. Time to make the most of it!

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Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueAnnual fee rebated$150Total$150Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $150
Welcome offer$150 annual fee rebated: First Year Annual Fee Rebate; Ends Nov 4, 2026

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^® Mastercard and World Elite are registered trademarks, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. National Bank is an authorized user.

^® The À LA CARTE REWARDS logo is a registered trademark of National Bank of Canada.

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^® À LA CARTE REWARDS PLAN is a registered trademark of National Bank of Canada.

^® Apple Pay is a registered trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Apple Inc. is not a sponsor of or participant in National Bank Mobile Banking Solutions.

^® Google Pay is a registered trademark of Google LLC. Use of this trademark is subject to Google Inc. Permissions.

^TM À LA CARTE TRAVEL is a trademark of National Bank of Canada. The À la carte Travel agency is owned by Transat Distribution Canada Inc. and holds a Quebec permit (No. 753141).

^TM À LA CARTE REWARDS is a trademark of National Bank of Canada.

^® THE TOTAL, THE CONNECTED and NATIONAL BANK are registered trademarks of National Bank of Canada.

* Mastercard^® World Elite^®

The National Bank^® World Elite^® Mastercard^® credit card was voted best Mastercard credit card by Milesopedia in 2026, 2025 and 2024.

The National Bank^® World Elite^® Mastercard^® credit card was voted best travel credit card by Milesopedia in 2026, 2025 and 2024.

Every year, Milesopedia reviews credit card offers from major financial institutions and establishes its Ranking based on over 150 criteria such as fees, welcome offer, minimum income required, number of points per category, account credits, insurance, airport lounge access, etc.

Certain restrictions apply. For more information, see the Rewards Plan section or the Plan Rules applicable to point accumulation.
Grace period:
No interest is charged on purchases made during the month if the cardholder pays the full balance of their account within twenty-one (21) days of the statement date. This grace period does not apply to cash advances and balance transfers. Minimum payment: if your account balance is less than $10, you must pay the balance in full. If you reside in the province of Quebec, your minimum payment is 5% of your account balance plus any overdue amount, or $10, whichever is greater. If you reside outside Quebec, your minimum payment is 2.5% of the credit card account balance plus any overdue amount, or $10, whichever is greater. Account statement: an account statement is sent monthly.
Table of examples of credit fees calculated over a 30-day period

Annual interest rate $500 $3,000

22.49% $9.24 $55.45

20.99% $8.63 $51.76

13.2% $5.53 $33.16

9.2% $3.78 $22.68

*Variable interest rate in effect as of September 1, 2021.
Balance transfers and cash advances are subject to National Bank credit approval. Each amount transferred cannot be less than $250.
Exclusive to World Elite Mastercard cardholders. Presentation of the physical credit card and boarding pass is required to access the lounge.
The National Bank^® Lounge is accessible to customers traveling on international flights only (excluding flights to Canada and the United States).
You benefit from free and unlimited access with one guest and two children aged 12 and under.
Until October 4, 2026 (date subject to change), customers can enter the National Bank Lounge three hours before their flight departure time. From October 5, 2026 (date subject to change), access will be authorized for a maximum duration of 2 hours (3 hours for customers who hold a Private Banking 1859^® World Elite^® Mastercard^® credit card).
National Bank customers who are not World Elite ^® Mastercard ^® cardholders can also access the current lounge based on current rates and benefit from a 25 % discount on these rates :
63,24 $ taxes included for adults (excluding discount)
$40.24 taxes included for children aged 2 to 12 (excluding discount)
free for children under 2 (excluding discount)
The entry fee is subject to change without notice and is the responsibility of the lounge operator.
Subject to providing the required supporting documents in the manner and within the prescribed timeframe. Certain conditions may apply. Only the primary cardholder of a National Bank World Elite Mastercard (Cardholder) whose account is in good standing can request a « Travel Fee Reimbursement ». « Account in good standing » means an account linked to the credit card that does not violate the Credit Card Agreement in any way and on which no restrictions apply. For example, and without limitation, the associated annual fees must have been paid in full. The maximum reimbursement of $150 can be requested from January 1 to December 31 of each year.
Eligible expenses are:
airport parking
baggage fees
seat selection
airport lounge access worldwide
airline ticket upgrades
A reimbursement request must be made within 60 days of the purchase date. Travel expenses must be charged to the National Bank World Elite Mastercard credit card account. The maximum reimbursement of $150 is applicable per account. Please allow up to 7 business days for the reimbursement to be processed from the date your request is submitted. National Bank reserves the right to request additional supporting documents for validation purposes (e.g., invoices). You must keep all receipts and supporting documents for a period of 12 months from the date you made your reimbursement request. An unused reimbursement in one year cannot be carried over to the next year. You can make your request online at rewards.nbc.ca or by calling 1-800-341-8083 (toll-free) for an agent to assist you with your travel fee reimbursement request.
Point accumulation on grocery and restaurant spending depends on the total gross monthly amount charged to the credit card account, across all categories. Earn 5 points per dollar spent on eligible grocery and restaurant purchases. The 5 points per dollar accumulation is valid for the first $2,500 of gross monthly purchases charged to the account. Beyond this amount, eligible grocery and restaurant spending will earn 2 points per dollar. The calculation of the gross monthly purchase amount is based on monthly billing. A grocery purchase means a purchase made at a merchant whose primary business is selling food, such as a grocery store, delicatessen, supermarket, fruit store, or specialty food store. Meal kit subscriptions and meal delivery services are eligible. Therefore, this definition excludes, among others, retail stores and big-box stores whose primary business is selling non-food items. Some merchants may sell products or services identical or similar to those of eligible merchants, or are separate merchants located on the same premises as eligible merchants, but are classified by Mastercard in different categories. Purchases made from other merchants only earn base reward points. A restaurant purchase means a purchase made at a restaurant, including quick-service restaurants, bars, discotheques, nightclubs, and taverns. To view the full list of Mastercard codes associated with eligible merchants, download the À la carte Rewards Plan^® terms and conditions document.
These protections apply if the purchases or rental are paid for in part with the card before departure, except, if applicable, for out-of-province medical-hospital insurance for which it is not necessary to charge the purchase of an à la carte trip and for baggage delay protection where the full cost of transport must have been charged to the card. All these protections apply to the primary cardholder, their spouse and/or their dependent children when they (spouse and dependent children) travel with the cardholder. Extended warranties apply to most new items purchased with the card, in Canada or abroad, provided the manufacturer’s warranty exists and is valid in Canada. Certain conditions, limitations and restrictions apply. For more information and details regarding your insurance coverage, please consult the insurance certificate linked to your card.
Subject to credit approval by National Bank.
Certain conditions apply. Visit mastercard.ca for more information. See all credit card terms and conditions.
To earn 2 points per dollar spent, you must pay for your gas or electric charging purchases at a gas station or certain big-box stores. Some merchants may sell products or services identical or similar to those of eligible merchants, or are separate merchants located on the same premises as eligible merchants, but are classified by Mastercard in different categories. Purchases made from other merchants only earn base reward points. To view the full list of Mastercard codes associated with eligible merchants, download the À la carte Rewards Plan^® terms and conditions document.
Recurring bill payments are defined as payments made monthly or regularly that are automatically charged by the merchant to your National Bank World Elite Mastercard. Not all merchants offer recurring payments, and not all recurring payments are considered recurring bill payments. Therefore, some payments may not qualify for accelerated reward points.
To earn 2 points per dollar spent, you must pay for your eligible purchases through the À la carte Travel^TM agency section of our À la carte Rewards^TM site.
For example, if you spend $400 monthly on groceries, $200 on gas, $100 on recurring bills and $150 on other purchases, the $850 spent will generate 2,750 points, broken down as follows: 2,000 points for grocery spending (since the total gross monthly amount is $850, which is less than $2,500), 400 points for gas spending, 200 points for recurring bills and 150 points for other purchases.
Insurance up to $1,000 in case of breakage, loss or theft of mobile devices for a maximum period of 2 years following the date of purchase. Subject to purchasing the device with the National Bank World Elite Mastercard or a phone service subscription paid by recurring payments from your National Bank Platinum Mastercard starting September 1, 2022. For all conditions, please consult the insurance certificate linked to your card.

Annual interest rate	$500	$3,000
22.49%	$9.24	$55.45
20.99%	$8.63	$51.76
13.2%	$5.53	$33.16
9.2%	$3.78	$22.68

Annual fee

Primary card$150

Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$80,000

Household$150,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

5xRestaurants
5xGroceries
2xGas & EV
2xBills & recurring payments
2xTravel
1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$778

2nd Year Value$923

Card benefits

Airport lounge access$400

Travel creditsIncluded

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 60 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 31 days

Travel medical (65+)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days

Trip CancellationUp to $2,500

Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000

Delayed BaggageUp to $500

Lost BaggageUp to $1,000

Flight DelayUp to $500

Travel AccidentIncluded

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+2 years

Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 2 years

Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Maine in the United States?

Maine is the largest state in New England, located in the northeastern United States. The capital of Maine is Augusta. A few days’ road trip from Quebec, it’s a must for lovers of the great outdoors and majestic landscapes.

Where to go in Maine with your family?

Located in the United States, this destination is perfect for families. During your trip to Maine, you’ll have several options to choose from, depending on your expectations. If your group loves the sea, head for the long, sandy beach of Ogunquit, then make a stop at Perkins Cove, a charming fishing village. If you want to immerse yourself in nature, don’t hesitate to visit Acadia National Park for its luscious landscapes.

What’s the most beautiful town in Maine?

It all depends on your tastes! Portland is very popular with tourists, who like to stroll through the Old Port, discover its art galleries, enjoy its fishing docks, and its seafood restaurants.

What to do in Maine on vacation

You could treat yourself to a culinary tour on your trip to Maine: this destination is renowned for its seafood specialties. If you like mountain hiking, you won’t be disappointed. The Beehive Trail Loop is one of the most popular hikes in Acadia National Park. Maine’s natural beauty, with its long beaches and iconic lighthouses, attracts many travellers in search of nature.

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Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Card

Scotiabank Scene+

Annual fee: $150
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-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.: $350
Welcome offerAfter $2,000 in 3 months: Up to 35,000 points; Ends Nov 1, 2026

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite^+* Card, 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

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* The potential value of savings and rewards during the first 12 months includes the value of the welcome offer, the potential value of points earned in the first year, the value of savings on foreign currency transaction fees and the cost of airport lounge access as of May 22, 2026:

$250 in travel rewards (25,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Cardholders who charge $2,000 in purchases to their account within the first three (3) months;

$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) for cardholders who charge $40,000 in purchases to their account;

$50 in savings from the annual fee waiver on the first additional card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card account holders;

$132 in savings on foreign currency transaction fees based on the average amount of foreign currency purchases made per active account over the past 24 months (by saving on the 2.5% foreign currency transaction fees typically charged by other credit card issuers);

$364 representing the potential value of points earned in the first year (36,400 Scene+ points) based on the average amount of purchases made per active account over the past 24 months, assuming an average spend of 21% of purchases in categories eligible for accelerated earn rates of 2X and 3X points;

$358 representing the value of complimentary membership in the Visa Airport Companion program which includes 6 airport lounge passes (based on « Preferred » membership valued at approximately $357 CAD/$259 USD). Based on the exchange rate in effect on May 22, 2026.

Maximum potential value after the first year = $1,254 (rounded to $1,250)

The actual value of offers, savings realized and points earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.

1 Offer description and conditions: The 25,000 Scene+ points offer (the « offer ») applies only to new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card accounts (the « accounts ») opened between August 4, 2026 and November 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the account) subject to the conditions below. The offer may be modified, cancelled or extended at any time without notice, and it cannot be combined with any other offer.

In addition, as a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Cardholder, you are eligible for an annual bonus of 10,000 Scene+ points if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible everyday purchases to your Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account over the course of one year. Conditions apply; see below for more details.

Description and conditions of the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer: To be eligible for the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer (« 25,000 bonus points »), you must charge at least $2,000 in total eligible purchases to your account within the first three months following the account opening date.

Conditions for the annual 10,000 Scene+ points bonus:
As a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit cardholder, you can earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points (the « annual points bonus ») if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible purchases to your account over the course of one year (12-month period). The annual period begins on the account opening date; a new period starts again every twelve months thereafter. If you replace another Scene+-eligible credit card with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card (i.e., it is not a new card or an additional card), the opening date of your original account will be carried over to your new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account and your annual period under this offer will begin on the next anniversary date of your original account opening. For example, if you originally opened a Scotiabank Gold American Express^® Card account on January 15, 2022 and you switch to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card on July 15, 2025, your annual period under the 10,000 Scene+ points annual bonus offer will begin on January 15, 2026 (your next anniversary date) and a new period will start again on January 15 each year thereafter. You will earn 2,000 bonus Scene+ points for each additional $10,000 in purchases made during the same year once you have reached the $40,000 annual purchase threshold.

Eligible purchases means purchases, less refunds, returns and any other similar credits, and excludes payments, cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions), interest charges, as well as card fees and other fees.

Fulfillment of the annual points bonus: Bonus points will be credited within approximately eight weeks after you become eligible for a bonus, provided the account is open and in good standing. In the case of a joint account with a primary borrower and a co-borrower, bonus points will be credited as follows: (i) the 25,000 bonus points and the annual points bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the account of the borrower who made the transaction that reached the eligible purchase threshold ($2,000, or $40,000) within the appropriate timeframe (the first three months, or the first 12 months). If an additional cardholder makes the transaction that reaches the eligible purchase threshold for the 25,000 bonus points, or the annual points bonus, the bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the primary borrower’s account. It is possible to transfer points between the Scene+ accounts of a primary borrower, a co-borrower or an additional cardholder by contacting Scene+. An account is in good standing if it is not past due, there is no over-limit, and the cardholder(s) have complied with the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement that applies to the account. All other program conditions continue to apply during the offer period.

Offer eligibility and exclusions: You cannot take advantage of the offer if you are currently a primary or secondary cardholder of a Scotiabank personal credit card or have been one in the past two years, including if you transfer your balance from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card account, and if you are a Scotiabank employee. Subject to the exclusions mentioned above, small business credit cardholders are eligible for this offer.

Rates and fees: The annual fees are $150 for the primary card, $0 for the first additional card and $50 for each additional card thereafter (including those issued to joint account holders and additional cardholders). The preferred annual interest rates applicable to the account are as follows: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions). The rates, fees, and features and benefits, which are described in the disclosure statement accompanying the application, may be changed.

Savings at Shell

Get up to 7 cents per litre in instant fuel discounts for a limited time and earn up to 3 cents per litre in Scene+ points value with an eligible Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + card linked to a Shell Go+ Account:

Instant 3 cents per Litre Discount on Fuel Purchases (All Grades): Receive an instant 3 cents per litre discount on purchases of fuel (all grades) (“Fuel Purchases (All Grades)”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank debit card or credit card linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per Scotiabank debit card and per Scotiabank credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per payment card account. This discount is subject to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Instant 4 cents per Litre Discount on Premium Fuel: Between May 26, 2026 and June 1, 2027 (“Promotional Period”), receive an instant 4 cents per litre discount on purchases of V-Power^® gasoline, or V-Power^® diesel (“Premium Fuel Purchases”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per credit card account. This promotional offer, including the Promotional Period, may be changed, extended, or withdrawn at any time without notice. These promotional offer terms are in addition to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Earn up to 3 cents per Litre in Scene+ points Value (Equivalent) on Fuel Purchases: Each time you use your linked Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points on Fuel Purchases (All Grades) at participating Shell locations in Canada, you will earn at least 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent. Plus, as a Scene+ Member you will also automatically earn 1 Scene+ point for each litre in Fuel Purchases (All Grades), and as a Shell Go+ member, automatically earn 1 additional Scene+ point for each litre in Premium Fuel Purchases, made with your linked Scotiabank credit card. This means that for every litre in fuel purchased with your linked credit card, you can earn the equivalent of up to 3 cents of redeemable Scene+ points value based on a redemption value of $10 for every 1,000 Scene+ points redeemed for fuel purchases at participating Shell locations. Actual value may be lower depending on how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points. Earn and redemption limits may apply. See the Scene+ Program Terms and Conditions available at sceneplus.ca/terms-and-conditions for full details including redemption options and additional terms.

Note: Highest value of 10 cents per litre assumes a Premium Fuel Purchase made with a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card linked to a Shell Go+ Account. Actual value will vary depending on payment card used and whether or not the card is linked, fuel grade purchased, and how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points.

Annual fee

Primary card$150

Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$60,000

Household$100,000

Conversion fees

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

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Here are a few ideas for activities in this part of the country, and how I was able to save a lot of money over the St-Jean-Baptiste holiday weekend.

Maine – For Nature

Acadia National Park is a great place to get some fresh air. In Autumn, the scenery is breathtaking with the vivid colors of the landscapes.

Numerous hikes are available for all levels. The highest mountain in the region is Mount Cadillac, at 466 metres. You can also visit Acadia Park with an electric bike.

However, there is no time limit once at the summit. In my opinion, Cadillac Mountain is a must-see activity on your visit.

Adventurers will love the trails with ladders and iron bars on the mountainside, such as Precipice trail or Jordan cliffs, for ages 12 and up.

In the same style, but accessible to all, Beehive trail offers superb views and ladder fun.

We particularly liked:

It all depends on your tastes! Portland is very popular with tourists, who like to stroll through the Old Port, discover its art galleries, enjoy its fishing docks, and its seafood restaurants.
Eating local specialties at the delicious Side Street Cafe restaurant.

If you’re a gourmet at heart, this culinary walking tour of Bar Harbor is for you!

Maine – For its Beaches

Ogunquit and Old Orchard have been attracting Canadians for many years. Despite the cold water, the vacation atmosphere is very much in evidence.

We passed through Old Orchard, famous for its boardwalk with rides, arcades and restaurants. Many families seem to enjoy it.

It’s possible to surf in Maine, but you don’t want to be cold and you need to be equipped with a wet-suit, as the water temperature hovers around 17°C in July. Let’s just say it’s gripping!

For a bite to eat, there are plenty of restaurants offering fried and fast food. We found the menu at Big Daddy’s bar and grill interesting.

Maine – Visiting Portland

Wandering the streets window-shopping, discovering small local art shops, while sipping an iced coffee from an independent café, was a real treat.

Don’t hesitate to create your own culinary tour by making several gourmet stops:

Don’t miss the famous potato doughnuts for which The Holy Donut is famous;
Satisfy your hunger with a good pastry and coffee from the Standard Baking Co.;
Find out who sells the best whoopies;
Buy seafood and fish at Harbor Fish Market;
Take a break at one of the 27 microbreweries;
And of course, enjoy chowder and lobster rolls.

If you’re looking for a guide, this culinary tour of the Old Port is just what you’ve been seeking.

Time to spare? Enjoy an elevated view at Fort Summer Park or on the trails of the Western Promenade.

On the road around Portland, stop off to photograph the various lighthouses along the coast, including the most famous: Portland Head lighthouse.

This guided tour includes a trolley tour of Portland, with a stop at this historic lighthouse.

You could also discover the beauty of the Maine coast with this schooner cruise on Casco Bay.

To plan your visit, check out our guide to Portland.

Use your points when traveling in Maine

On a Road Trip

Given our proximity to Montreal, we chose to drive to get there. A little help from the AIR MILES program helped lower our gas bill at Shell.

What’s more, it’s now possible to transfer your Dream Miles into cash, which enabled me to convert some leftover Dream Miles into more free petrol.

Don’t forget to check the application regularly to sign up for the various promotions, so you can build up your points bank faster.

Hotel or Campsite

For my second night, I visited the Avion portal linked to my RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card and booked directly with the points. The confirmation with details arrived almost instantly in my e-mail.

For members of the Best Western program, there’s a hotel near Acadia National Park and another in South Portland.

If you prefer the joys of camping, you’ll be spoiled with choices during the summer months! Off-season and winter camping is also available in some of Maine’s state parks.

For its Activities

Another tip is to apply your Membership Rewards points to your bill. The flexibility of the loyalty program means you can save on any expense.

Alternatively, you can use Expedia ‘s booking platform dedicated to Scene+. You can book activities in exchange for Scene+ points.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, a trip to Maine with points is an economical and accessible choice in terms of proximity. Time to make the most of it!

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