How do I choose the best credit card to pay for my trip?

Updated Jul 7, 2025
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To the point Here is our decision tree to help you choose the best and most advantageous credit card to pay for your trip!

We are often faced with a dilemma: what is the best credit card to use to pay for our trip (airfare, accommodation, etc.)?

How do we choose the right credit card to optimize our purchase in all aspects?

  • benefits (travel insurance)
  • possibility to use points
  • accumulation of points in the right category
  • welcome bonus

Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine the best credit card to pay for your trip!

Credit cards with the best travel multipliers

Here, in a nutshell, is a table summarizing the different credit card reward multipliers that can be earned on expenses categorized as “travel”.

Credit Cards General travel Specific travel FX Point value Return (FX purchase) Return (CA purchase)
American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card 2X 3X (AC and AC Vacations) 2.5% 2 ¢ 1.5% 4 to 6%
American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card 1.25X 3X (AC and AC Vacations) 2.5% 2 ¢ 0% 2.5 to 6%
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card 1.5X 2X (AC and AC Vacations) 2.5% 2 ¢ 0.5% 3 to 4%
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card 1X 1.5X (AC and AC Vacations) 2.5% 2 ¢ -0.5% 2 to 3%
American Express Platinum Card® 2X 2.5% 1.7 ¢ 0.9% 3.4%
American Express® Gold Rewards Card 2X 2.5% 1.7 ¢ 0.9% 3.4%
American Express Cobalt® Card 1X 2.5% 1.7 ¢ 0.9% 3.4%
TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card 2X 8X(Expedia for TD) 2.5% 0.5 ¢ -1.5% 1 to 4%
TD Platinum Travel Visa* Card 1.5X 6X(Expedia for TD) 2.5% 0.5 ¢ -1.75% 0.75 to 3%
National Bank World Elite Mastercard 1X 2X(Voyage à la Carte) 2.5% 0.9 ¢ -1.6% 0.9 to 1.8%
BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege* Card 5X 2.5% 0.67 ¢ 0.85% 3.35%
BMO Ascend™ World Elite®* Mastercard®* 5X 2.5% 0.67 ¢ 0.85% 3.35%
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card 1X 1X + 3X(Scene+ Travel powered by Expedia) 0 % 1 to 4% 1 to 4%
Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card 2X 0 % 2% 2%
Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card 3X 5X (Marriott) 2.5% 0.9 ¢ 0.2 to 2% 2.7 to 4.5%
Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card 2X 5X (Marriott) 2.5% 0.9 ¢ -0.7 to 2% 1.8 to 4.5%
BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard 1X 3X (Porter)
2X (hotels)
2.5% 1.5 ¢ -1 à 2% 1.5 à 4.5%
BMO VIPorter Mastercard 0.5X 2X (Porter)
1X (hotels)
2.5% 1.5 ¢ -1.75 to 0.5% 0.75 to 3%

As you can see, you can’t just rely on the multiplier, since the value of the points differs from program to program. Which credit card gives the best return for travel will also depend on the currency in which you make your purchase. Finally, some credit cards offer a higher return on more specific travel expenses, as on certain sites or platforms.

The value of a point used in this table is what Milesopedia has retained as an estimate. The best travel multiplier for you may differ depending on how you use and value your points.

So, here’s some food for thought on which credit card to use to get the biggest return on your travel purchase, depending on its type.

Airline tickets

Do you need travel insurance?

This section mainly covers cancellation, interruption, flight delay, baggage loss, etc., since coverage for emergency medical care is automatically included, regardless of the method of payment, with several credit cards (under certain conditions).

Airline ticket paid with reward points

As a general rule, the best credit card will be :

However, some credit cards stand out by offering protection even if the trip is partially paid for by the credit card; see the next point.

Airline ticket partially paid by credit card

Airline ticket paid entirely by credit card

Some cards require that the trip be paid in full on the credit card . So you can’t go wrong if you charge all your travel expenses to your credit card and those mentioned above.

However, travel insurance is not the same from one credit card to another! When you compare coverage amounts, they differ greatly from one card to another.

Do you plan to use airline rewards points?

Do you have points in the bank and want to use them to pay for this trip? You will therefore need to use the credit card linked to the rewards points program in question.

For example, by paying for your plane ticket with the National Bank World Elite Mastercard, you’ll be covered in the event of a problem, and you’ll be able to use your NBC rewards points within 60 days of purchase.

Do you need toearn a particular type of point?

As a result of your airfare purchase, you will be able to collect points. Turn to the card that gives the type of points you are looking for! To do this, you need to determine your objectives and your points accumulation strategy.

However, you have to ask yourself which aspect you favor when the card that gives you the best insurance doesn’t match the card that gives you the type of points you want.

Similarly, the return (discount) may be greater with another card, but travel insurance must be factored into the equation, not just the “best return” as illustrated in the table at the beginning of this article.

Do You Need to Unlock a Bonus?

Finally, if you don’t need travel insurance and your priority is to unlock a bonus, you can check out the best current offers!

Accommodation, car rental and activities

Do you need travel insurance?

When it comes to accommodation, travel insurance may be a little less important. In fact, a large majority of establishments allow the cancellation of the reservation without charge during a specific period (often up to 24 hours before the stay).

On the car rental side, the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard offers some of the best rental car insurance coverage around.

For activities, organized tours, excursions, etc., most of these purchases are non-refundable, so it’s imperative to put these expenses on cards with good travel insurance like the National Bank World Elite Mastercard®.

Do you intend to use reward points on this same trip?

Just like airline tickets, you need to use the card with the rewards program you want to use to reduce your bill.

Do you need toearn a particular type of point?

Some credit cards, such as the Scotiabank Visa Infinite Passport, offer points for travel purchases, no foreign exchange fees and the ability to use these same points as account credit.

If you’re staying at a Marriott Bonvoy hotel, it’s more advantageous to pay with credit cards linked to this program to earn more points.

However, do you want to earn 5X Marriott Bonvoy points, or would you save on foreign currency fees instead? The answer is yours.

Do You Need to Unlock a Bonus?

Same as the answer given above for plane tickets.

Bottom Line

There’s no single answer to choosing the right credit card to pay for a trip and get the “best return”. Indeed, there are several factors to consider in order to make the “best choice” in your situation.

What's the best credit card for earning travel points?

The best credit card for earning travel points is often the one that offers generous welcome bonuses, multiple points on travel spending and zero conversion fees for foreign purchases. Compare current offers to get the best return.

What benefits can I expect from a travel credit card?

With a travel credit card, you can enjoy rewards such as airline points or miles, cash back, airport lounge access, and comprehensive travel insurance. These cards are designed to increase savings and convenience when you travel.

What are the fees to watch out for on a travel credit card?

Keep an eye on annual fees, interest rates and foreign currency conversion charges, as well as additional fees for travel insurance that is not included. It’s crucial to choose a card that offers a good balance between costs and benefits.

Do travel credit cards offer insurance?

Yes, many travel credit cards offer comprehensive insurance coverage, including trip cancellation and medical insurance. Check the specific terms and conditions of each card to understand the extent of coverage offered.

How can I maximize my travel points with a credit card?

To maximize your travel points, choose a card that offers bonuses on the spending categories where you spend the most, such as travel, transportation or food. Use your credit card to pay for the majority of your everyday purchases, and take advantage of loyalty programs and seasonal offers to maximize your points.

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Aline Nguyen
Aline Nguyen
Aline, an experienced traveler and avid photographer, is an Avgeek, a foodie at heart and a mother to two children. An expert in credit cards & rewards programs, including Aeroplan, Marriott Bonvoy, American Express Membership Rewards, CIBC Aventura, and RBC Avion, she uses points to travel affordably and save in daily life. Having explored all 7 continents and 78 countries, Aline shares her travel passion and insights to help others make the most of loyalty programs.
All posts by Aline Nguyen
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