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How to choose the best credit card to buy my trip?

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How to choose the best credit card to buy my trip?
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We are often faced with a dilemma: what is the best credit card to use to pay for our trip (airline ticket, accommodation, etc.)?

How do you choose a credit card to optimize your purchase on all levels?

  • benefits (travel insurance)
  • ability to use points
  • earning 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!

To go further, consult our ranking of the best travel credit cards in Canada. You will also find our complete selection of the best credit cards, across all categories.

Best Travel Multipliers

Here is a brief table summarizing the different credit card reward multipliers available for expenses categorized as « travel. »

Credit CardGeneral TravelSpecific TravelFXPoint ValueReturn (FX purchase)Return (CAD purchase)
American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card2X3X (AC and AC Vacations)2.5%1.5%4 to 6%
American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card1.25X3X (AC and AC Vacations)2.5%0%2.5 to 6%
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card1.5X2X (AC and AC Vacations)2.5%0.5%3 to 4%
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card1X1.5X (AC and AC Vacations)2.5%-0.5%2 to 3%
American Express Platinum Card®2X2.5%1.7¢0.9%3.4%
American Express® Gold Rewards Card2X2.5%1.7¢0.9%3.4%
American Express Cobalt® Card1X2.5%1.7¢0.9%3.4%
TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card2X8X (Expedia for TD)2.5%0.5¢-1.5%1 to 4%
TD Platinum Travel Visa* Card1.5X6X (Expedia for TD)2.5%0.5¢-1.75%0.75 to 3%
National Bank World Elite Mastercard1X2X (A la Carte Travel)2.5%0.9¢-1.6%0.9 to 1.8%
BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege* Card5X2.5%0.67¢0.85%3.35%
BMO Ascend World Elite®* Mastercard®*5X2.5%0.67¢0.85%3.35%
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card1X1X + 3X (Expedia Scene+)0 %1 to 4%1 to 4%
Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card2X0 %2%2%
Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card3X5X (Marriott)2.5%0.9¢0.2 to 2%2.7 to 4.5%
Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card2X5X (Marriott)2.5%0.9¢-0.7 to 2%1.8 to 4.5%
BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard1X3X (Porter)
2X (hotels)
2.5%1.5 ¢-1 to 2%1.5 to 4.5%
BMO VIPorter Mastercard0.5X2X (Porter)
1X (hotels)
2.5%1.5 ¢-1.75 to 0.5%0.75 to 3%

As you can see, you shouldn’t just rely on the multiplier since point values differ from one program to another. Furthermore, the credit card providing 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, such as on certain sites or platforms.

So, here are some points to consider when determining which is the best credit card to use to get the highest return on your travel purchase, depending on its type.

Flights

Do you need travel insurance?

This section mainly concerns needs for cancellation, interruption, flight delay, lost luggage insurance, etc., since coverage for emergency medical care is automatically included with many credit cards, regardless of the payment method (subject to certain conditions).

Airline ticket paid with reward points

Generally speaking, the best credit card will be:

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

Airline ticket partially paid with the credit card

These cards stand out from all others because you will be covered when a portion of the trip has been charged to the credit card! So if you pay the taxes on an Aeroplan reward ticket or if you use a travel credit, you will be protected in case of a problem.

In this situation, the best credit card will be one of the following:

However, baggage delay insurance requires that the full cost of the airline ticket be purchased with NBC cards. The same applies to rental car insurance.

Airline ticket paid in full with the credit card

Some cards require the trip to be paid in full on the credit card. Therefore, you cannot go wrong if you charge all travel expenses to your credit card and those mentioned above.

However, travel insurance is not equivalent from one credit card to another! When comparing coverage amounts, they differ significantly between cards.

Do you intend to use reward points on an airline ticket?

Do you have points in the bank and want to use them to offset the cost of this trip? You must therefore use the credit card linked to the reward points program in question.

For example, by paying for your airline ticket with the National Bank World Elite Mastercard, you will be covered in case of a problem and be able to use your NBC reward points within 60 days after the purchase.

Exclusive
Annual fee
$0 $150

No annual fee the first year

Our valuation
$150

Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-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.

Welcome offer
First Year Annual Fee Rebate

$150 annual fee rebated

Ends Nov 4, 2026

Apply Now

on National Bank's website

With Milesopedia, take advantage of an exclusive offer: your first-year annual fees are refunded with the National Bank World Elite Mastercard. This offer is exclusively available on the Milesopedia network, from June 30 to November 4, 2026.

  • Refund of the first-year annual fee (a $150 value) for the primary cardholder. This fee is charged to your new card account, then refunded as a credit on your statement within five months of opening your account, provided it remains open and in good standing.

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard is the best Mastercard credit card offered by NBC.

With this card, you earn up to 5 points per dollar on your purchases:

  • 5 points per dollar for groceries and restaurants
  • 2 points per dollar on gas and electric recharge purchases
  • 2 points per dollar on recurring bills
  • 2 points per dollar on À la carte Travel
  • 1 point per dollar for all other purchases

And since it’s an NBC mycredit Mastercard, you can use it at Costco.

With this card, you have access to a $150 annual travel credit that you can use in any of these categories:

  • Airport parking
  • Baggage fees
  • Seat selection
  • Access to airport lounges
  • Airline ticket upgrades

What’s more, you can enjoy access to DragonPass airport lounges and unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau.

Finally, Milesopedia has named the National Bank World Elite Mastercard as the Best Travel Credit Card in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.

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
  • 2xTravel
  • 2xBills & recurring payments
  • 2xGas & EV
  • 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

Do you need to earn a particular type of point?

Following your airline ticket purchase, you will be able to earn points. Turn to the card that provides the type of points you are looking for! To do this, you must determine your goals and your points earning strategy.

However, you must ask yourself which aspect to prioritize when the card that provides the best insurance does not match the card that provides the type of points you want.

Similarly, the return (cash back) may be higher with another card, but travel insurance must be considered in the equation and not just the « best return » as illustrated in the table at the beginning of the article.

Do you need to unlock a bonus?

Finally, if you do not need travel insurance and your priority is to unlock a bonus, you can consult the best current offers!

Accommodation, Car, and Activities

Do you need travel insurance?

Regarding accommodation, travel insurance may be slightly less important. Indeed, a large majority of establishments allow reservation cancellation without fees for a specific period (often up to 24 hours before the stay).

For car rentals, the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard offers some of the best rental car insurance coverage.

For activities, organized tours, excursions, etc., most of these purchases are non-refundable, so it is 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 must use the card with the rewards program you wish to use to reduce the bill.

Do you need to earn a particular type of point?

Some credit cards, such as the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card, provide points for travel purchases, do not charge foreign currency fees, and allow you to use those same points as a statement credit.

Annual fee
$150
Our valuation
$350

Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-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.

Welcome offer
Up to 35,000 points

Ends Nov 1, 2026

Apply Now

on Scotiabank's website

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

We have named this credit card the Best Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Annual fee

Primary card$150
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

0%

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
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

If you are staying at a Marriott Bonvoy chain hotel, it is 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 prefer to save on foreign currency fees? The answer is up to you.

Our credit card selection
Credit cardAnnual feeWelcome offer
Annual fee$120Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 pointsEnds Sep 22, 2026
Apply Now
Annual fee$150Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 pointsEnds Sep 22, 2026
Apply Now

Do you need to unlock a bonus?

Same as the answer given above for airline tickets.

Our credit card selection
Credit cardAnnual feeWelcome offer
Annual fee$799Welcome offer
Up to 100,000 points
Apply Now
Annual fee$599Welcome offer
Up to 85,000 points
Apply Now
Annual fee$120Welcome offer
Up to 45,000 points
Apply Now
Annual fee$250Welcome offer
Up to 60,000 points
Apply Now

Conclusion

There is no single answer regarding the choice of credit card to pay for a trip and obtain the « best return. » Indeed, there are several factors to consider to make the « best choice » for your situation.

Annual fee
$191.88
Our valuation
$255

Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$255Total$255Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.

Welcome offer
Up to 15,000 points
Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

The American Express Cobalt® Card is the best credit card from American Express, whether you want points for travel or cash back.

American Express Cobalt® Card welcome offer

The welcome bonus is paid out monthly over your first 12 months. You earn 1,250 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you charge $750 in net purchases to your card, in any category (1X, 2X, 3X or 5X). That adds up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points over the year, a welcome offer we value at $255.

Earning the full bonus means $9,000 in net purchases spread across 12 monthly billing periods. This offer rewards steady monthly spending rather than one large purchase.

You can use these points as statement credits on everyday or travel purchases, at the same rate either way: 1,000 points = $10.

You can also transfer them to Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways and Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors. With the full welcome bonus, that is a choice between:

  • 15,000 Aeroplan points
  • 15,000 Avios points
  • 15,000 Flying Blue Miles
  • 18,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

If hotel points are what you are after, our ultimate guide to Marriott Bonvoy and our complete map of Marriott Bonvoy hotels by category show what those points can actually buy.

American Express Cobalt® Card benefits

Here is what the card gives you, starting with the benefits cardholders use most.

  • 5X points on eligible eats and drinks in Canada: groceries, restaurants and bars, home food delivery and convenience stores. A spend cap applies.
  • 3X points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada.
  • 2X points on eligible gas, public transit and ride sharing purchases in Canada.
  • 1 additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings made through American Express Travel Online.
  • 1X point per dollar on everything else, with no category restrictions.
  • Points that hold the same value either way: 1,000 points = $10 as a statement credit, or a 1:1 transfer to several airline and hotel loyalty programs.
  • No minimum income requirement, as with every American Express Canada card.
  • Additional cards at no extra cost: the first and every other supplementary card is $0.
  • The Hotel Collection: a room upgrade when available, 12pm check-in and late check-out when available, and up to $100 USD in hotel credit on amenities charged to the room for a stay of two or more consecutive nights, booked through American Express Travel.
  • Front Of The Line® presale and reserved tickets for concerts and theatre performances, plus offers and events curated for cardmembers through Amex Experiences.
  • A soft credit check before you apply: you can see whether you will be approved with no impact to your credit score. This applies to American Express personal card applications.

To see how it compares with the rest of the line-up, read our round-up of the best credit cards from American Express in Canada.

The 5X categories and where they apply

The 5X rate is the reason most people carry this card. In Canada it covers four kinds of merchants:

  • Groceries: Metro, IGA, Sobeys, Super C, Safeway, Whole Foods.
  • Restaurants and bars: sit-down meals, takeout and drinks.
  • Home food delivery.
  • Convenience stores: Couche-Tard, 7-Eleven.

The 2X rate covers gas stations such as Esso, Shell and Petro-Canada, along with public transit and ride sharing.

With the American Express Cobalt® Card, you earn between 1 and 5 points per dollar:

Category Points per dollar
Grocery (Metro, IGA, Sobeys, Super C, etc.) 5
Home food delivery 5
Restaurants and bars 5
Convenience stores 5
Streaming services 3
Service station 2
Transport 2
Travel 1
Other 1

That works out to a 1 to 5% return on those purchases. For example, if you spend $1,000 per month across groceries, restaurants and food delivery, you earn $50 back per month, or $600 per year from that category alone. Transfer the points to a program such as Aeroplan instead and the return can be higher.

You can also stack these categories with the hundreds of stores that offer 5x points.

American Express Cobalt® Card insurance coverage

The card comes with a broad insurance package. The amounts below are the coverage limits; conditions, age limits and exclusions are set out in the certificate of insurance linked in the Insurance section above.

Travel insurance

  • Emergency medical: up to $5,000,000 for the first 15 days of a trip.
  • Travel accident: accidental death and dismemberment of up to $250,000 for you, your spouse and dependent children under age 23 when travelling on a common carrier (plane, train, bus or ship) and the tickets are charged to your card. Supplementary cardholders and their families are covered too.
  • Flight delay: up to $500 for necessary hotel, meal and sundry expenses bought within 48 hours when you are delayed or denied boarding for four hours or more and no other transportation is available. This $500 is an aggregate limit per occurrence, shared with missed connection and delayed baggage coverage.
  • Delayed baggage: up to $500 for essential clothing and sundries bought within four days when your outbound luggage is delayed six hours or more. This $500 is an aggregate limit per occurrence, shared with missed connection and flight delay coverage.
  • Lost or stolen baggage: up to $500 per occurrence for all insured persons combined, for checked or carry-on baggage and personal effects in transit, when the airline tickets are charged to your card. Within that limit, jewellery is capped at $300 per occurrence and golf clubs, including golf bags, at $250 per occurrence.
  • Hotel and motel burglary: up to $500 against the loss of most personal items if your hotel or motel is burglarized, when the stay is charged to your card.

Rental car insurance

Theft and damage coverage is included for a rental car with an MSRP, for its model year, of up to $85,000 excluding all taxes, for rentals of up to 48 days. To use it, decline the Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) or any similar option from the rental company and charge the full rental to your card. There is no cost for this coverage, and it replaces the daily insurance the rental company charges, usually $16 to $23 per day.

Mobile device insurance

Your device is covered for up to $1,000 per occurrence when it is charged to the card, for up to two years from the date of purchase. The payout is based on the depreciated value of the device, which falls by 2% of the purchase price for every completed month, less a 10% deductible. Theft and accidental damage coverage starts on the 91st day after purchase, because the first 90 days are covered by purchase protection.

Purchase protection and extended warranty

Eligible items charged to your card are insured against accidental physical damage or theft for 90 days from the purchase date, up to $1,000 per occurrence for all items combined. The card also extends the original manufacturer’s warranty by up to one additional year on eligible items, with indemnification limited to $10,000 per insured item and $25,000 per Cardmember per policy year for all items combined.

American Express Cobalt® Card fees

  • Card fee: $15.99 per month, which equals $191.88 per year, for residents outside Quebec. Quebec residents are billed $191.88 per year.
  • Additional cards: $0.
  • Purchase interest rate: 21.99%.
  • Cash advance interest rate: 21.99%.
  • Foreign transaction fee: 2.5%.
  • Minimum income required: none.

Because the fee is billed monthly rather than in one annual charge, you can stop and restart the cost in step with how much you are actually using the card.

Annual fee

Primary card$191.88
Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xRestaurants
  • 5xGroceries
  • 5xConvenience
  • 3xStreaming
  • 2xTransit
  • 2xGas & EV
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,828
2nd Year Value$799

Transfer partners

  • AeroplanAirline
  • British Airways ClubAirline
  • Cathay Asia MilesAirline
  • Etihad GuestAirline
  • Flying BlueAirline
  • Hilton HonorsHotel
  • Marriott BonvoyHotel

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $250,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionUp to $1,000 / 90 days
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 2 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

What is the best credit card for earning travel points?

The best credit card for earning travel points is often one that offers generous welcome bonuses, point multipliers 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 benefit from rewards such as points or airline miles, cash back, airport lounge access, and comprehensive travel insurance. These cards are designed to increase savings and convenience while traveling.

What fees should I watch out for on a travel credit card?

Watch for annual fees, interest rates, and foreign currency conversion fees, as well as additional fees for travel insurance that is not included. It is 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 conditions of each card to understand the extent of the 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 groceries. Use your credit card to pay for the majority of your daily purchases and take advantage of loyalty programs and seasonal offers to maximize your points.

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Our reviews and rankings are based on an objective assessment. Advertisers do not influence our content. We may receive compensation through some links; our analysis and opinions remain independent.