Flying Emirates: points, cards and flights from Canada

Emirates connects Canada with Dubai and onward destinations. Start by comparing your departure airport, aircraft, cabin and total trip cost. For rewards, 2 options deserve a separate search: Emirates Skywards and Aeroplan.

This guide covers travelling with the airline. Our Emirates Skywards programme guide covers programme rules, status and managing Miles.

Flying Emirates from Canada

Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) and Toronto-Pearson (YYZ) are gateways to Dubai (DXB). Compare fares, schedules and the onboard product, including the cost of any positioning flight.

In its February 11, 2026 announcement, Emirates confirmed the Airbus A350 on Montréal–Dubai with Economy, Premium Economy and Business. Toronto was served by the A380. Aircraft can change, so check your booking.

For a Dubai connection, search the full journey on one ticket. Compare total travel time, the connection and change conditions. A small saving may offer poor value if it requires a long wait or separate tickets without protection when an incoming flight is delayed.

Choosing a cabin and checking the seat

A cabin name does not fully describe the seat. Emirates operates several configurations, and the A380, A350 and Boeing 777 offer different experiences. Check the Emirates seating charts before paying and again after an aircraft change.

Economy: compare the fare, baggage allowance and any seat selection charge.
Premium Economy: confirm availability on each segment and compare the price difference.
Business: check the actual layout and aisle access.
First: confirm that the aircraft and flight offer this cabin before searching for an award.

Our A380 Business Class review and Boeing 777 Business Class review describe specific flights. Use them to understand the product reviewed, then check the configuration of your own flight.

Baggage, fares and connections

Emirates baggage rules depend on the itinerary, fare and cabin. For Canada, do not assume a weight allowance quoted for another region applies to your booking. Read the official checked baggage rules and the allowance shown on your ticket.

Also check change fees, refund conditions, included services and the operating carrier on every segment. A codeshare flight number alone does not describe the onboard experience.

Booking with Skywards Miles or Aeroplan points

With Skywards, search for an Emirates reward in your account and note the Miles required, taxes and surcharges. A large balance does not guarantee a seat in your preferred cabin. Upgrading a paid ticket may also involve different conditions from booking a reward flight.

With Aeroplan, search the same itinerary separately and compare points, fees and conditions. Award pricing and availability can differ from Skywards. Aeroplan points and Skywards Miles are separate currencies: you do not transfer a balance between them to book.

Aeroplan confirms that Emirates Premium Economy is available with points. First Class rewards require Aeroplan 35K status or higher at redemption, and every First Class traveller must be at least 9 years old. Our article on these restrictions explains what they mean.

For earning and redemption rules, see our Aeroplan programme guide. Our Air Canada travel hub helps you compare another airline from Canada.

Which Canadian credit cards can help?

Choose a card according to the currency you need. An Aeroplan card supports the Aeroplan route; a Marriott Bonvoy card can build points transferable to Skywards. Neither guarantees an Emirates award.

Marriott Bonvoy to Skywards

The Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card earns Marriott Bonvoy points. The official Marriott–Emirates partnership allows 3 Bonvoy points to become 1 Skywards Mile, plus 5,000 bonus Miles for each 60,000 points transferred. Under those terms, 60,000 points become 25,000 Miles.

You give up points that could pay for hotel nights. Compare their hotel value, the cash fare and award charges before transferring. A conversion does not book a flight or provide Skywards status.

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Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card

American Express Marriott Bonvoy

Annual fee: $120
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600Plus $100 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $600
Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months: Up to 70,000 points

The Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® points with the current offer:

Earn up to 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership.
Plus, earn 10,000 points after you spend $500 on your Card in your 13th month of Cardmembership.

The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.

Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.

To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.

The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.

You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.

Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 70,000 point welcome offer is worth about $630, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.

Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.

You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.

The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.

Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.

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American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

Annual fee

Primary card$120

Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0

Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,210

2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500

Lost BaggageUp to $500

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $500

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

Earning Aeroplan points directly

The TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite* Card is an option if you want to earn Aeroplan points. For Emirates, availability and booking conditions remain those of the award Aeroplan offers.

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TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite* Card

TD Aeroplan First-Year Annual Fee Rebate

Annual feeNo annual fee the first year: $0 $139
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,000Annual fee rebated$139Total$1,139Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $1,139
Welcome offerAfter $12,000 in 12 months: Up to 50,000 points

With this offer for the TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite* Card, you can get up to 50,000 Aeroplan points^† as well as an Annual Fee rebate for the first year^†.

Earn a welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first Purchase with your new Card^†
Earn 15,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $3,000 within 90 days of Account opening^†.
Plus, earn a one-time anniversary bonus of 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $12,000 within 12 months of Account opening^†

This card also allows you to enjoy travel benefits, such as a free first checked bag for you and up to 8 travel companions on the same reservation^†, as well as a rebate on the NEXUS program application fee (up to $100 CAD per eligible cardholder) every 48 months^†.

With the TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite* Card, you earn 1.5 points^† per $1 spent on:

Grocery purchases
Gas and electric vehicle charging purchases
Purchases made directly with Air Canada^® (including Air Canada Vacations^®)

You also earn 1 point^† per dollar on all other eligible purchases made with your card.

Legal

^†Terms and conditions apply.

Annual fee

Primary card$139

Additional card$75

Annual income required

Individual$60,000

Household$100,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

1.5xGas
1.5xGroceries
1.5xAir Canada flights
1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,714

2nd Year Value$425

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $2,000,000 / 21 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $2,000,000 / 21 days

Travel medical (65+)Up to $2,000,000 / 4 days

Trip CancellationUp to $1,500

Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000

Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000

Lost BaggageUp to $1,000

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $2,500

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 1 years

Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

American Express Membership Rewards to Aeroplan

The American Express Cobalt^® Card provides another route through Membership Rewards. The Canadian American Express catalogue shows a transfer of 1,000 Membership Rewards points to 1,000 Aeroplan points. Check the terms when transferring and search for your flight first. Do not apply another country's American Express partner list to Canada: this catalogue does not offer a direct Skywards transfer.

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American Express Cobalt^® Card

American Express Amex Membership Rewards

Annual fee: $191.88
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-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.: $255
Welcome offerGet 1,250 points after $750 in purchases per month for 12 months: Up to 15,000 points

The American Express Cobalt^® Card is a versatile American Express card, 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 valued 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

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, and home food delivery. 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.

The 5X categories and where they apply

The 5X rate is the reason most people carry this card. In Canada it covers three 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): not part of 5X, 1 point per dollar.

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	1
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.

Legal

Annual fee

Primary card$191.88

Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0

Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

5xRestaurants
5xGroceries
3xStreaming
2xTransit
2xGas
1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,675

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

The card profiles above show current offers and promotional details. Compare fees, conditions and your spending before choosing.

Buying Miles or points for an Emirates flight

Buying a small top-up can make sense for an award you have found. First confirm seats, the total cash alternative, purchase terms and crediting times. A promotion does not automatically make an award good value, and purchasing points does not hold a seat.

For Skywards, use the official Emirates Buy Miles page. Its published base rate is US$30 per 1,000 Miles, before any personalised offer. Check the billing currency and account limits.

If your Emirates award is available through Aeroplan, you can buy Aeroplan points through our affiliate link. Those points remain in Aeroplan; the purchase does not provide Skywards Miles. Milesopedia may earn a commission when you use this link.

Preparing your booking

Compare the cash fare with awards through Skywards and Aeroplan.
Confirm the cabin on every segment and any eligibility restrictions.
Add taxes, surcharges and the cost of points you would buy or transfer.
Check change conditions, baggage and connection time.
Only then transfer or buy, bearing in mind that award seats can disappear.

Get our travel tips in the Milesopedia newsletter.

Compare options for your needs in our best credit cards in Canada guide.

Questions before you book

Which Canadian airports have Emirates flights?

Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) and Toronto-Pearson (YYZ) offer Emirates flights to Dubai. Check schedules, aircraft and cabins for your travel date.

Can you book Emirates with Aeroplan points?

Yes, subject to the seats and pricing offered by Aeroplan. Compare the total points and cash required with a Skywards booking.

What restrictions apply to Emirates First Class through Aeroplan?

Emirates First Class rewards require Aeroplan 35K status or higher at redemption. Every traveller booked in First Class must be at least 9 years old.

Can Canadian Membership Rewards transfer directly to Skywards?

The Canadian American Express catalogue checked does not list Skywards as a direct partner. It offers transfers to Aeroplan, a separate route to booking eligible Emirates flights.

How can Marriott Bonvoy points become Skywards Miles?

The partnership allows 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to become 1 Skywards Mile, with 5,000 bonus Miles for each 60,000 points transferred. Compare the hotel value of your points before converting.

Does our Aeroplan purchase link provide Skywards Miles?

No. Points bought through this link stay in Aeroplan and can be used for an award offered by Aeroplan. Buying Skywards Miles is a separate transaction through the official Emirates page.

Does buying or transferring points hold an award seat?

No. Check availability, taxes, surcharges and crediting times first. Seats can disappear before the points reach your account.

This guide covers travelling with the airline. Our Emirates Skywards programme guide covers programme rules, status and managing Miles.

Flying Emirates from Canada

Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) and Toronto-Pearson (YYZ) are gateways to Dubai (DXB). Compare fares, schedules and the onboard product, including the cost of any positioning flight.

Choosing a cabin and checking the seat

Economy: compare the fare, baggage allowance and any seat selection charge.
Premium Economy: confirm availability on each segment and compare the price difference.
Business: check the actual layout and aisle access.
First: confirm that the aircraft and flight offer this cabin before searching for an award.

Our A380 Business Class review and Boeing 777 Business Class review describe specific flights. Use them to understand the product reviewed, then check the configuration of your own flight.

Baggage, fares and connections

Also check change fees, refund conditions, included services and the operating carrier on every segment. A codeshare flight number alone does not describe the onboard experience.

Booking with Skywards Miles or Aeroplan points

For earning and redemption rules, see our Aeroplan programme guide. Our Air Canada travel hub helps you compare another airline from Canada.

Which Canadian credit cards can help?

Choose a card according to the currency you need. An Aeroplan card supports the Aeroplan route; a Marriott Bonvoy card can build points transferable to Skywards. Neither guarantees an Emirates award.

Marriott Bonvoy to Skywards

You give up points that could pay for hotel nights. Compare their hotel value, the cash fare and award charges before transferring. A conversion does not book a flight or provide Skywards status.

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Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card

American Express Marriott Bonvoy

Annual fee: $120
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600Plus $100 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $600
Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months: Up to 70,000 points

The Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® points with the current offer:

Earn up to 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership.
Plus, earn 10,000 points after you spend $500 on your Card in your 13th month of Cardmembership.

The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.

To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.

Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.

Legal

Annual fee

Primary card$120

Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0

Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,210

2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500

Lost BaggageUp to $500

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $500

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

Earning Aeroplan points directly

The TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite* Card is an option if you want to earn Aeroplan points. For Emirates, availability and booking conditions remain those of the award Aeroplan offers.

FeaturedCompare

TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite* Card

TD Aeroplan First-Year Annual Fee Rebate

Annual feeNo annual fee the first year: $0 $139
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,000Annual fee rebated$139Total$1,139Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $1,139
Welcome offerAfter $12,000 in 12 months: Up to 50,000 points

With this offer for the TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite* Card, you can get up to 50,000 Aeroplan points^† as well as an Annual Fee rebate for the first year^†.

Earn a welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first Purchase with your new Card^†
Earn 15,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $3,000 within 90 days of Account opening^†.
Plus, earn a one-time anniversary bonus of 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $12,000 within 12 months of Account opening^†

With the TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite* Card, you earn 1.5 points^† per $1 spent on:

Grocery purchases
Gas and electric vehicle charging purchases
Purchases made directly with Air Canada^® (including Air Canada Vacations^®)

You also earn 1 point^† per dollar on all other eligible purchases made with your card.

Legal

^†Terms and conditions apply.

Annual fee

Primary card$139

Additional card$75

Annual income required

Individual$60,000

Household$100,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

1.5xGas
1.5xGroceries
1.5xAir Canada flights
1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,714

2nd Year Value$425

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $2,000,000 / 21 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $2,000,000 / 21 days

Travel medical (65+)Up to $2,000,000 / 4 days

Trip CancellationUp to $1,500

Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000

Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000

Lost BaggageUp to $1,000

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $2,500

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 1 years

Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

American Express Membership Rewards to Aeroplan

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American Express Cobalt^® Card

American Express Amex Membership Rewards

Annual fee: $191.88
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-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.: $255
Welcome offerGet 1,250 points after $750 in purchases per month for 12 months: Up to 15,000 points

The American Express Cobalt^® Card is a versatile American Express card, whether you want points for travel or cash back.

American Express Cobalt^® Card welcome offer

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

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, and home food delivery. 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.

The 5X categories and where they apply

The 5X rate is the reason most people carry this card. In Canada it covers three 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): not part of 5X, 1 point per dollar.

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	1
Streaming services	3
Service station	2
Transport	2
Travel	1
Other	1

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

American Express Cobalt^® Card insurance coverage

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

Mobile device insurance

Purchase protection and extended warranty

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.

Legal

Annual fee

Primary card$191.88

Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0

Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

5xRestaurants
5xGroceries
3xStreaming
2xTransit
2xGas
1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,675

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

The card profiles above show current offers and promotional details. Compare fees, conditions and your spending before choosing.

Buying Miles or points for an Emirates flight

For Skywards, use the official Emirates Buy Miles page. Its published base rate is US$30 per 1,000 Miles, before any personalised offer. Check the billing currency and account limits.

Preparing your booking

Compare the cash fare with awards through Skywards and Aeroplan.
Confirm the cabin on every segment and any eligibility restrictions.
Add taxes, surcharges and the cost of points you would buy or transfer.
Check change conditions, baggage and connection time.
Only then transfer or buy, bearing in mind that award seats can disappear.

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Compare options for your needs in our best credit cards in Canada guide.

Questions before you book

Which Canadian airports have Emirates flights?

Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) and Toronto-Pearson (YYZ) offer Emirates flights to Dubai. Check schedules, aircraft and cabins for your travel date.

Can you book Emirates with Aeroplan points?

Yes, subject to the seats and pricing offered by Aeroplan. Compare the total points and cash required with a Skywards booking.

What restrictions apply to Emirates First Class through Aeroplan?

Emirates First Class rewards require Aeroplan 35K status or higher at redemption. Every traveller booked in First Class must be at least 9 years old.

Can Canadian Membership Rewards transfer directly to Skywards?

The Canadian American Express catalogue checked does not list Skywards as a direct partner. It offers transfers to Aeroplan, a separate route to booking eligible Emirates flights.

How can Marriott Bonvoy points become Skywards Miles?

The partnership allows 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to become 1 Skywards Mile, with 5,000 bonus Miles for each 60,000 points transferred. Compare the hotel value of your points before converting.

Does our Aeroplan purchase link provide Skywards Miles?

No. Points bought through this link stay in Aeroplan and can be used for an award offered by Aeroplan. Buying Skywards Miles is a separate transaction through the official Emirates page.

Does buying or transferring points hold an award seat?

No. Check availability, taxes, surcharges and crediting times first. Seats can disappear before the points reach your account.

Flying Emirates: flights, points and credit cards in Canada

Flying Emirates from Canada

Choosing a cabin and checking the seat

Baggage, fares and connections

Booking with Skywards Miles or Aeroplan points

Which Canadian credit cards can help?

Marriott Bonvoy to Skywards

Annual fee

Annual income required

Conversion fees

Earning rate

Value

Travel insurance

Purchase protection

Earning Aeroplan points directly

Annual fee

Annual income required

Conversion fees

Earning rate

Value

Card benefits

Travel insurance

Purchase protection

American Express Membership Rewards to Aeroplan

Annual fee

Annual income required

Conversion fees

Earning rate

Value

Transfer partners

Travel insurance

Purchase protection

Buying Miles or points for an Emirates flight

Preparing your booking

Questions before you book

Which Canadian airports have Emirates flights?

Can you book Emirates with Aeroplan points?

What restrictions apply to Emirates First Class through Aeroplan?

Can Canadian Membership Rewards transfer directly to Skywards?

How can Marriott Bonvoy points become Skywards Miles?

Does our Aeroplan purchase link provide Skywards Miles?

Does buying or transferring points hold an award seat?

Our editorial integrity

Comments from our members

Flying Emirates from Canada

Choosing a cabin and checking the seat

Baggage, fares and connections

Booking with Skywards Miles or Aeroplan points

Which Canadian credit cards can help?

Marriott Bonvoy to Skywards

Annual fee

Annual income required

Conversion fees

Earning rate

Value

Travel insurance

Purchase protection

Earning Aeroplan points directly

Annual fee

Annual income required

Conversion fees

Earning rate

Value

Card benefits

Travel insurance

Purchase protection

American Express Membership Rewards to Aeroplan

Annual fee

Annual income required

Conversion fees

Earning rate

Value

Transfer partners

Travel insurance

Purchase protection

Buying Miles or points for an Emirates flight

Preparing your booking

Questions before you book

Which Canadian airports have Emirates flights?

Can you book Emirates with Aeroplan points?