Travelling to Africa may seem expensive, but by making smart use of your credit card points, this dream becomes much more attainable. Whether you’re planning a safari in Kenya, visiting the pyramids of Egypt, or exploring South African vineyards, there are several strategies for maximizing your points and drastically reducing your costs.
In this guide, we explore how to plan a trip to Africa in 2025 using the best points programs available to Canadians.
For Canadian travellers, getting to Africa using points is both a cost-effective and convenient option. Numerous rewards programs offer access to flights heading to the African continent. Here are the main strategies to maximize your points for your trip.
The Aeroplan program is an ideal choice for organizing a trip to Africa using points, thanks to its extensive network of airline partners, including Ethiopian Airlines, EgyptAir, Turkish Airlines, and more. This extended network, along with perks such as Aeroplan’s Stopover, means you’re free to explore the African continent in a flexible cost-effective fashion.
One of Aeroplan’s key benefits is the ability to add an extra stop on your itinerary for just 5,000 points, enabling you to explore two African destinations while optimizing your points. This feature is perfect for those wanting to enrich their journey and visit more than one city without excessive costs. You can even include a stopover in Europe, which is likely to be on your route from Canada to Africa.
Aeroplan’s pricing system is based on a combination of geographical zones and distances travelled, which means that shorter journeys to Africa will cost fewer points than more distant destinations. Here are a few examples to illustrate the principle:
These distances directly influence the number of points required for each flight. For example, a one-way economy flight to Casablanca will require around 35,000 points, while a flight to Addis Ababa could require up to 55,000 points, given the greater distance and higher fare zone.
It’s also important to note that flights operated by Air Canada follow dynamic pricing, meaning the point cost can fluctuate based on demand. Sometimes, this allows for potential seat reservations at reduced prices. For example, I’ve found particularly interesting flights to destinations like Algiers, where a flight can cost less than 35,000 points, or to Cape Town, where tickets can sometimes be found for less than 70,000 points.
If you seek greater comfort, business class tickets to Africa are available from 60,000 points for a one-way ticket, depending on the final destination and the distance to be flown. This makes it possible to travel in optimum comfort while using Aeroplan points.
Addionally, the program offers reduced rates at 2,500-point for babies, an added bonus for families travelling with young children.
Intra-Atlantic flights, which cover the entire African continent, offer a particularly advantageous fare structure for travel within this region. A wise strategy is to buy a low-cost ticket in cash, for example with an airline like French Bee to reach Europe, and then use your Aeroplan points to complete your journey to Africa. This approach reduces overall costs while maximizing point value.
Let’s take a concrete example: a round-trip flight from Montreal to Addis Ababa costs 110,000 Aeroplan points and $248 in taxes and fees.
The cash price for the same flight is $2,166.
The value of your points is calculated as follows:
($2,166 – $248) ÷ 110,000 × 100 = 1.74¢/point
By opting for a mixed strategy, you can further optimize this value. For example, by purchasing a round-trip flight to Paris with French Bee at $422, then using 50,000 Aeroplan points and $236 for the round-trip flight Paris-Addis-Abeba, you spend:
The total value of your points in this scenario is:
($2,166 – $422 – $236) ÷ 50,000 × 100 = 3.02¢/point
So even if you have fewer points, or are looking to use fewer points but still retain excellent value, this mix-and-match method can be very advantageous. This principle is not limited to the Aeroplan program: it applies to all other frequent flyer programs.
Finally, to quickly accumulate the number of points required for an African journey, consider signing up for credit cards offering a generous Aeroplan welcome bonus:
For Canadian travellers wishing to explore the African continent using their points, the Flying Blue program, offered by Air France and KLM, represents an effective and economical option. Thanks to their extensive airline network, these airlines serve many popular African destinations, accessible via efficient connections in Paris or Amsterdam.
From Montreal, for example, you can reach North African cities starting at 25,000 Flying Blue miles for economy class and 60,000 miles for business class.
For other itineraries, a flight from Montreal to Nairobi will cost you 40,000 Flying Blue miles. For a trip to Cape Town, you’ll need around 55,000 miles.
Flying Blue’s dynamic pricing means mile costs can vary based on time, demand, and other factors. For maximum mile value, we recommend booking as early as possible, ideally up to a year in advance.
Another interesting feature of the Flying Blue program is a 25% discount on award tickets for children aged 11 and under, a great savings opportunity for families planning a trip to Africa.
In addition, Flying Blue offers exclusive monthly promotions called Promo Rewards. These offer substantial discounts on certain routes, including to North, East and Southern Africa. So it’s a good idea to check these promotions regularly to take advantage of the best deals available.
For Canadian travellers, several options exist to quickly accumulate Flying Blue miles:
The Oneworld alliance represents an excellent alternative for travellers wishing to travel to Africa using frequent flyer points, notably via the British Airways Club and Qatar Airways Privilege Club programs. One of the alliance’s key assets is Royal Air Maroc, which operates direct flights between Montreal and Casablanca, providing a gateway to the main Maghreb destinations.
One of the great advantages of this option is the possibility of booking direct flights with Royal Air Maroc. Indeed, a one-way ticket between Montreal and Casablanca can be obtained from 20,750 Avios points in economy class, or 62,000 Avios in business class. These fares are particularly competitive, although applicable taxes and fees can be relatively high – something to consider when planning.
In parallel, Qatar Airways also offers connections to several major destinations on the African continent, such as Nairobi and Cape Town, accessible directly from its Doha hub. As an Avios member, you can use your points to book these award flights.
For example, for a flight between Montreal and Nairobi in economy class, the fare starts at 42,500 Avios with the Qatar Airways Privilege Club program for a one-way ticket. Business class fares start at 85,000 Avios, and the famous Qsuite is available on this route!
One of the major advantages of the Avios program is its ease of accumulation for Canadians. You have several options:
Several programs allow you to convert your points into travel credits. In concrete terms, this means that you can apply your points directly to your credit card statement, to reimburse part or all of the cost of your plane ticket. This is a very interesting feature, especially in situations where traditional loyalty programs don’t offer a satisfactory redemption value.
Airline points often vary considerably in value, depending on demand, season or seat availability. In such cases, it may be wiser to save those points for another occasion andopt for a “cash” booking.
It’s important to note that “paying in cash” doesn’t necessarily mean dipping into your bank reserves. By using your other types of points or cash rebates generated by your credit cards, you can cover these expenses while retaining considerable financial latitude and enjoying an immediate advantage.
Rewards programs associated with credit cards, such as NBC Rewards, Scene+CIBC Aventura, TD Rewards, among others, represent a particularly advantageous solution for booking flights to Africa using points. Unlike loyalty programs linked to a specific airline or alliance, these programs offer great freedom of use.
One of the main advantages of these programs is their flexibility. You can use your points to book a flight with any airline, with no constraints linked to a network of partners or a specific fare class. This freedom allows you to :
The choice of the best points program for flying to Africa depends on several key factors, varying in importance depending on individual needs:
Programs such as Aeroplan, Flying Blue, and Avios each offer specific benefits. For example, Aeroplan is renowned for its high availability with Ethiopian Airlines and its advantageous stopovers, while Flying Blue offers regular promotions and discounts for children. Avios, on the other hand, is advantageous because points are easily accumulated.
In addition, more flexible points programs, such as NBC Rewards, Scene+, CIBC Aventura, or TD Rewards, may also suit your needs, especially if you’re looking for greater freedom in your choice of airlines, or if you’d like to use your points as travel credits.
The important thing is to determine how your travel objectives align with the point accumulation and utilization possibilities offered by each program. Ultimately, choosing the best points program for travel to Africa depends on your personal goals, your travel habits and how you want to use your points.
To optimize your search and quickly identify the best points offers for your departure dates, tools like Roame can be particularly useful. They make it easy to compare available options and find the most advantageous program for your trip. Use the code milesopedia for a discount when you subscribe to Roame. Also, make your reservations as early as possible; the best points prices often appear a year in advance.
Travelling to Africa with your points isn’t limited to airfare; you can also book accommodations using hotel loyalty programs. Several major international chains, such as Marriott, offer numerous establishments in key tourist destinations across the region.
The Marriott Bonvoy program stands out with its extensive coverage of popular African countries such as Morocco, Egypt, and South Africa. Thanks to this program, you can use your points to book in a wide variety of hotels, from affordable comfort to refined luxury.
Here are a few examples of Marriott establishments accessible with points:
Programs like Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors further enhance your points with interesting offers, including:
In fact, by holding the Marriott Bonvoy®American Express®* Card or the Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card, you receive a certificate for one free night every year. For a modest annual fee of $120 to $150, this Free Night Award can be used at hotels that are often worth far more than the cost of the card, making it an excellent value for travellers. Welcome bonuses on these cards are very generous, too:
For travelers seeking authenticity or more local experiences, it’s entirely possible to use travel points to book independent hotels, traditional riads, or even Airbnb accommodation in several major African cities.
As mentioned earlier, the rewards programs associated with certain credit cards, such as NBC Rewards, TD Rewards, or Scene+, excel in flexibility. Unlike traditional hotel loyalty programs, they are not limited to a particular chain. So you can use your points as travel credit, and apply them to a wide range of vacation-related expenses.
This flexibility allows you to:
This freedom is particularly important if you want to enjoy unique experiences, far from the standards of international chains, or simply explore different neighbourhoods and accommodation styles.
Using your points as travel credits also enables you to manage your spending more effectively. For example, even if an accommodation is not part of a traditional partner network, you can still reimburse it partially or fully with your points once the transaction is completed on your card.
Once you’ve booked your flights and accommodation, the next step is to plan the activities that will make your stay in Africa unforgettable. Whether you’re looking for a safari in the Serengeti, a desert excursion in the Sahara, a guided tour of Egypt’s pyramids, or shark diving in South Africa, there are many ways to use points to reduce the cost of your activities.
G Adventures is a reputable Canadian agency specializing in eco-friendly adventure travel. It offers numerous guided tours across Africa, including lodging, transportation, and cultural activities. Whether traveling solo, as a couple, or in a group, these tours are perfect for discovering countries like Morocco, Namibia, Kenya, or South Africa in a guided manner, while respecting local communities.
Many Canadian travel credit cards allow you to use points in the form of travel credits to pay for tours booked through G Adventures. For example, this is possible with NBC Rewards points.
If you prefer to organize your trip independently and book your activities on a day-to-day basis, platforms such as Civitatis and GetYourGuide are excellent options. They offer a wide selection of local excursions, guided tours and immersive experiences in the main tourist destinations on the African continent.
How about a camel ride through the golden dunes of Merzouga, Morocco? Or a sunset cruise on the Nile, to admire the Egyptian landscape in a magical atmosphere? In South Africa, a visit to the infamous Roben Island will immerse you in the poignant story of Nelson Mandela.
These platforms accept credit card payments, allowing you to maximize your rewards points by applying them as a credit on your statement, according to the terms and conditions of your program (e.g. Scene+, NBC Rewards, CIBC Aventura, etc.). Even better, if you use a card with no conversion fees, such as the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, you save on foreign currency fees continuing to earn and spend Scene+ points to reimburse these expenses afterward.
A trip to Africa, however rewarding, involves logistical and medical challenges that should not be underestimated. Appropriate travel insurance is essential to protect you against the unexpected: emergency medical care, cancellation, trip interruption or even baggage loss.
Before choosing travel insurance, it’s important to check the coverage included with your credit cards, so you don’t buy unnecessary coverage. Many credit cards offer solid travel insurance, particularly suited to short or medium-term stays.
For example, the National Bank World Elite Mastercard covers emergency medical care for up to 60 days for people aged 54 and under, which far exceeds most trips in general. An important advantage: this insurance applies even if the trip is paid for in part with points, as long as a portion of the cost is paid with the card. It also covers yoru spouse and dependent children, making it an attractive option for families.
If you already have this type of card, you could be covered for a trip to Africa lasting a few weeks. This can be a very economical and practical option.
If your stay exceeds the duration covered by your credit card, or if you don’t meet the age criteria or have medical exclusions, you may need to take out separate travel insurance. This is where soNomad stands out.
Originating from Quebec, soNomad offers flexible, affordable travel insurance well-adapted to the realities of frequent travellers. It is particularly appreciated by digital nomads, retirees, backpackers, or other globetrotters exploring regions like Africa for extended periods.
SoNomad also offers annual plans for frequent travellers, reducing the average cost per trip while simplifying coverage over the whole year.
Africa is within reach thanks to points and miles. Whether with Aeroplan, Flying Blue, Avios or another program, you have many options for organizing your trip. By optimizing the use of your points for flights and accommodation, you can explore this fascinating region while saving money. Plan well and compare offers to maximize your rewards.
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