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

Find out in this part how to:

sign up for rewards programs
track your different points balances
earn points through your purchases
earn points with credit card application bonuses

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 memorize your identifiers so as not to clutter up your wallet and memory!

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

Airline Rewards programs

PROGRAM	DETAIL	REGISTRATION
	The best-known in Canada and providing 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
	It is the loyalty program of WestJet, whose main partner is RBC. It’s delivering Westjet dollars. Program guide.	Registration
	Delta Airline’s program, SkyMiles give access to the Skyteam alliance airlines’ flight rewards. To get miles in Canada, it will be via American Express.	Registration
	American Airlines’ program, AAdvantage program gives 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 known in particular through the Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza hotels. Program guide.	Registration
	The European group Accor is becoming increasingly important in North America, particularly following the 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 of 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: multiply the number of accounts, passwords, and point balances to watch out for.

Fortunately, tools exist to help you like AwardWallet.

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

Earn points with your purchases

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

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 (formerly known as Ebates) to buy gift cards (for groceries for example) with your credit card and get discounts in the process.
Pay your Hydro Quebec bills or other suppliers with your credit card via the PayTM application.
Pay your taxes or any other supplier taking only 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, we recommend that you visit this page that lists the best credit card offers in the program!

Search for a credit card corresponding to your needs with our credit card search engine!

Learn how to use reward programs

It’s only by reading our posts, the different pages dedicated to each of the rewards programs, and by practicing what you do that you will become an expert in rewards programs.

You could also take inspiration from our strategies with Reward Points:

Les stratégies

Conclusion

Want to know more about points?

It’s time to build your strategy with Reward Points in part 4 of our Beginner’s Guide.

Le guide du débutant

Tags: Beginner's Guide,

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Part 3: Starting To Earn and Redeem Reward Points