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Here’s an example using Airbnb. But know that you can use this tip for any accommodation rental platform such as:
You can use your Reward Points for bookings made on any of these websites.
In many ways, hotels will have a hard time winning this fight, even though with some brands like Residence Inn / TownePlace Suites from Marriott Bonvoy, it’s possible to find larger accommodations that include a kitchen.
Within the Milesopedia community, we are frequently asked to find ways to reduce the cost of alternative accommodations such as Airbnb. It’s possible with certain rewards programs and credit cards! Milesopedia sheds some insight.
To save on Airbnb stays, you will need to use travel points. All credit card issuers have travel point programs.
Among the best travel points programs in Canada, several stand out:
With the Membership Rewards program, you can redeem 1,000 points for a $10 credit on Airbnb, or 10,000 points = $100.
So 30,000 Membership Rewards Points can save you $300 on an Airbnb rental!
Here are 7 cards, that are part of the American Express Membership Rewards program, whose points can save you money on an Airbnb rental:
The American Express Cobalt® Card is the best credit card from American Express, whether you want points for travel or cash back.
The welcome bonus is distributed monthly for the first 12 months. You’ll earn 1,250 Membership Rewards points for every $750 in purchases charged to your card during the month (whether in the 1X, 2X, 3X or 5X category). That’s up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points.
You can easily use these points as statement credits for everyday or travel purchases. The value is the same for both: 1,000 points = $10.
Alternatively, transfer them to Aeroplan points, Avios (British Airways/Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy, or Hilton Honors.
For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you would have the choice of earning up to:
With the American Express Cobalt® Card, you can earn between 1 and 5 points per dollar:
This is a 1 to 5% return on all these purchases.
For example, if you spend $1,000 per month on groceries and/or restaurants and/or food delivery, you’ll earn $50 cash back per month, or $600 cash back per year with this card for this category of purchases!
And if you decide to transfer your points to other programs like Aeroplan, you could get even more value!
In addition, this card provides excellent insurance coverage: rental car theft and damage, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage, flight delay, $250,000 travel accident, hotel or motel burglary, Mobile Device Insurance, Purchase Security, Purchase Protection Insurance.
Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.
With the Scene+ program, you can apply your points directly to the Airbnb purchase made on one of the cards included in the program.
This means you can use 10,000 points for a $100 credit on hotels, a flight … or an Airbnb rental.
For example, 30,000 Scene+ points can save $300 on an Airbnb rental!
The Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card is one of the only cards in Canada that charges no foreign currency conversion fees AND offers 6 complimentary airport lounge passes.
The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card charges no foreign currency conversion fees. This card is exciting because of its accelerated earning rates for daily purchases and its excellent insurance.
With the NBC Rewards program, you can apply your points directly to an Airbnb purchase made with one of the cards participating in the program.
You can thus use 12,000 points for a $100 credit on Airbnb. If you redeem more than 55,000 points, each $100 in travel credit on Airbnb costs you only 11,000 points.
That’s 11,000 points = $100.
Here are the 3 cards that are part of the NBC Rewards program and whose points can save you money on an Airbnb rental:
The National Bank World Elite Mastercard is the best Mastercard credit card on NBC.
With this card, you earn up to 5 points per dollar on your 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:
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.
With the CIBC Aventura program, you can apply your points directly to the Airbnb purchase charged to one of the program’s cards.
This purchase is considered a travel purchase, and you can use 8,000 CIBC Aventura points for a value of $100.
Thus, 45,000 CIBC Aventura points can save $540 on an Airbnb rental!
With the BMO Rewards program, you can apply your points directly to your Airbnb purchase charged to any of the cards that are part of the program.
This purchase is considered a travel expense, allowing you to redeem 15,000 BMO Rewards points for a $100 value.
Thus, 50,000 BMO Rewards points can save you $335 on an Airbnb rental!
AIR MILES Cash Miles allow you to purchase electronic Airbnb gift cards! The options cater to all tastes and allow you to use 95 AIR MILES Cash Miles for every $10 gift card increment.
So, you can get up to $1,000 in Airbnb or other gift card value, thanks to the welcome offer of the BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard, which includes up to 8,000 AIR MILES as a welcome bonus.
Follow our step-by-step guide to learn how to purchase Airbnb gift cards using your AIR MILES miles.
In addition to traditional accommodation rentals, Airbnb now allows you to book experiences (guided tours, workshops, leisure activities) and services (private chef, in-home massage, personal coach, professional photography, etc.).
Here’s what you need to know:
Some useful tips:
Why it’s interesting from a “saving” perspective:
As an official partner of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Airbnb offers accommodations in all host cities. Unlike traditional hotels, you can take advantage of a flexible points program to reimburse your Airbnb bookings and other travel expenses.
How it works:
A very popular and easy-to-use program is Scene+. You earn Scene+ points with certain Scotiabank credit cards, at grocery stores (IGA, Safeway, Les marchés Tradition, Foodland, etc.), Scene+ Travel, restaurants, and through special offers.
Thanks to Scene+, 10,000 points are equivalent to $100 in travel credit. For example, for an Airbnb costing $425, you would use 42,500 points to reimburse the entire amount, costing you nothing! These points can also be used to reimburse a train ticket, a flight, or other accommodation.
A particularly interesting card for earning Scene+ points is the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card:
Earning points:
Point redemption:
Other Benefits:
The Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card was voted Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Card in 2024 and 2025, making it an excellent choice to maximize your Scene+ points during the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Ultimately, the programs offering the greatest flexibility for reimbursing an Airbnb are American Express Membership Rewards and Scene+. For example, you could combine points earned on an American Express Cobalt® Card with those from an American Express® Gold Rewards Card, or take advantage of the welcome offer from the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card.
No matter which loyalty program you choose, you’re a winner! Enough to save hundreds of dollars, or even fully pay for your Airbnb accommodation with reward points.
Yes! You can book local activities, workshops, guided tours, classes, or services such as a private chef or professional photographer. These options can be booked with or without accommodation.
Yes! As an official partner, Airbnb offers accommodations in all host cities. It is often more flexible than hotels, with the option to book larger accommodations for groups, or use points to reduce the cost.
Absolutely. You can book your accommodation, add experiences and services according to your desires and budget, to create a complete and personalized stay.
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