Beginner's Guide: Earning Reward Points

To the point

Now that you know more about credit cards and loyalty programs, it's time to start earning and redeeming reward points!

Table of contents

Starting to Earn and Redeem Reward Points

Le guide du débutant

If you prefer the video version, here it is! If not, read on!

Enroll in Rewards Programs

Signing up for rewards programs is free.

And today, there are many technical ways to replace the plastic card or memorise your identifiers so as not to clutter up your wallet and your memory! We’ll discuss those below.

Here are the links to the registration pages for the various reward programs that are useful for Canadians (excluding banking programs that depend on your credit cards).

Airline Rewards programs

PROGRAM	DETAIL	REGISTRATION
	The best-known in Canada, it gives you access to flight rewards from Star Alliance member airlines. You can earn Aeroplan points with many partners (shops, banks, etc.). Program guide.	Registration
	This program provides access to flight rewards from Oneworld Alliance member airlines. The main way to earn Avios Miles is via American Express or RBC. Program guide.	Registration
	WestJet’s loyatly program, whose main partner is RBC. It gives you Westjet dollars. Program guide.	Registration
	Delta Airline’s program, SkyMiles, gives you access to the Skyteam alliance airlines’ flight rewards. To earn miles in Canada, you’ll use American Express.	Registration
	American Airlines’ program, AAdvantage gives you access to the Oneworld airlines’ flight rewards. These miles are earned in Canada through Marriott Bonvoy and RBC.	Registration
	A loyalty program well known to Canadian consumers that provides access to travel rewards (flights, hotels, car rentals, etc.) and merchandise. You can earn AIR MILES Reward Miles with many partners. Program Guide.	Registration
	Better known in Europe as the Air France – KLM joint program, this reward program can be useful for some flight rewards. You can earn Flying Blue miles through Marriott Bonvoy in Canada. Program guide.	Registration

Hotel loyalty programs

PROGRAM	DETAIL	REGISTRATION
	Marriott Bonvoy issues points that can be redeemed for hotel nights at more than 7,000 hotels worldwide in all price ranges. Program guide.	Registration
	Best Western is great for mid-range hotels and has more than 4,000 hotels worldwide. You can earn Best Western Rewards points in Canada with an MBNA credit card. Program Guide.	Registration
	The Hilton Group offers more than 5,000 hotels worldwide. You can earn Hilton Honors points with American Express. Program Guide.	Registration
	The Intercontinental Hotels Group is better known through the Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza hotels. Program guide.	Registration
	The European group Accor is becoming increasingly important in North America, particularly following their acquisition of the Canadian group Fairmont. Program guide.	Registration

Cash back Rewards programs

PROGRAM	DETAIL	REGISTRATION
	A loyalty program well known to Canadian consumers that provides access to travel rewards (airline tickets, hotels, car rentals, etc.) and merchandise. You can earn AIR MILES Reward Miles with many partners. Program Guide.	Registration
	The Cineplex theatres loyalty program. Scotia offers a credit card to earn SCENE points.	Registration
	PC Optimum is the loyalty program for Loblaw grocery stores (Provigo, Maxi, etc.) and Shopper Drug Mart drugstores. Program guide.	Registration
	Metro&Moi is the loyalty program for Metro grocery stores.	Registration
	SAQ Inspire is the SAQ’s loyalty program. Program guide.	Registration

Tracking Rewards Program Point Balances

Signing up for dozens of rewards programs has one major drawback: it also adds a number of accounts, passwords, and point balances to watch out for.

Fortunately, tools exist to help you, like AwardWallet.

Don’t hesitate to subscribe; the basic version is free (and quite sufficient for the majority of users).

Earn points with your purchases

Every day you can earn rewards through your purchases or credit card applications. And the opportunities are many!

Use the right credit card at the right place and buy gift cards in grocery or convenience stores!
Shop through a loyalty program portal such as the Aeroplan eStore
Use Rakuten to buy gift cards with your credit card (for your groceries, for example)
Pay your Hydro Quebec bills or other suppliers with your credit card via the PayTM application.
Pay for your taxes (or any other supplier who only accepts cheques) with your credit card, via Plastiq.

Take advantage of credit card sign-up bonuses

Credit card bonuses can range from tens of dollars to tens of thousands of reward points. We have a monthly ranking of the best current credit card offers.

For AIR MILES, check out the AIR MILES Credit Card Best Deals page!

Search for a credit card that suits your needs with our credit card comparator!