Guide: How To Save On Airbnb With Points?
- The strategies

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:
Credit Cards to Save Money on Airbnb
American Express – Membership Rewards
With the Membership Rewards program, you can redeem 1,000 points for a $10 credit on Airbnb, or 10,000 points = $100.

Here are 7 cards, that are part of the American Express Membership Rewards program, whose points can save you money on an Airbnb rental:
Carte CobaltMD American Express
La Carte CobaltMD American Express est la meilleure carte de crédit d’American Express, que vous souhaitiez des points pour vos voyages ou des remises en argent.
La prime de bienvenue est répartie mensuellement pendant les 12 premiers mois. Ainsi, vous obtenez 1 250 points-privilèges après 750 $ d’achats portés sur votre carte dans le mois (que ce soit en catégorie 1X, 2X, 3X ou 5X). Soit jusqu’à 15 000 points-privilèges.
Vous pourrez facilement utiliser ces points en crédit au compte pour vos achats de tous les jours ou de voyages. La valeur est la même: 1 000 points = 10 $.
Ou bien, vous pouvez les transférer en points Aéroplan, Avios (British Airways / Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy ou Hilton Honors.
Par exemple, avec cette offre de bienvenue, si vous décidez de transférer vos points-privilèges vers un programme de fidélité partenaire, vous auriez le choix d’obtenir jusqu’à:
- 15 000 points Aéroplan
- 15 000 points Avios
- 15 000 Miles Flying Blue
- 18 000 points Marriott Bonvoy
Avec la Carte CobaltMD American Express, vous pouvez obtenir entre 1 et 5 points par dollar :
| Catégorie | Points par dollar |
| Épicerie (Métro, IGA, Sobeys, Super C, etc.) | 5 |
| Livraison de nourriture à domicile | 5 |
| Restaurants et bars | 5 |
| Dépanneurs | 5 |
| Services de diffusion en continu | 3 |
| Station-service | 2 |
| Transports | 2 |
| Voyages | 1 |
| Autres | 1 |
Cela représente un retour de 1 à 5 % sur tous ces achats.
Par exemple, si vous dépensez 1 000 $ par mois pour des achats d’épicerie et/ou de restaurants et/ou de livraison de nourriture, vous obtiendrez 50 $ de remise en argent par mois, soit 600 $ de remise en argent par an avec cette carte pour cette catégorie d’achats!
Et si vous décidez de transférer vos points vers d’autres programmes comme Aéroplan, vous pourriez retirer encore plus de valeur!
De plus cette Carte procure d’excellentes assurances: vol et dommages pour voitures de location, retard de bagages, perte ou vol de bagages, retard de vol, accident de voyage de 250 000 $, cambriolage à l’hôtel ou au motel, Assurance Appareils Mobiles, Garantie-Achat, Garantie Protection-Achat.
Comme toutes les Cartes d’American Express Canada, aucun revenu minimum n’est exigé.
Scotiabank – Scene+
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.
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.
National Bank – NBC À la Carte Rewards
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:
CIBC – CIBC Aventura
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.
BMO – BMO Rewards
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.
AIR MILES
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.
Booking Services and Experiences on Airbnb
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:
- You do not necessarily need to book accommodation to enjoy an experience or service: you can add an activity to a trip or even simply plan a “local getaway”.
- Experiences cover a wide variety of themes: cooking, hiking, art, wellness, and even customized options for groups or teams.
- Services can take place in the accommodation you have booked, provided the host allows it, or in another more suitable location.
Some useful tips:
- Carefully check the host’s “required criteria” (minimum age, required skills, equipment, etc.).
Airbnb - If you add it to an accommodation, check its house rules (some accommodations refuse certain services).
- Consider booking early for popular experiences or those for groups.
Why it’s interesting from a “saving” perspective:
- These activities can complement your trip without necessarily significantly increasing the overall budget.
- If you use reward points or credit cards for travel, you should also check if your programs allow transferring or crediting these activity bookings.
- Giving your trip a “unique” dimension (local workshop, private service) can add more value at a lower cost, compared to premium “all-inclusive” packages.

2026 FIFA World Cup: Save on your Airbnb with Flexible Points
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:
- Book your Airbnb as usual.
- Pay for the booking with a credit card that earns flexible points.
- Once the transaction is posted to your account, use your points to reimburse the cost of the Airbnb.
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:
- No foreign currency conversion fees, perfect for travelling to the United States or Mexico during the World Cup.
- 6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes to relax before and after your trip.
- Attractive welcome offer to save on your next trip
Earning points:
- 3 points per dollar at participating grocery stores (Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, etc.)
- 2 points per dollar at restaurants, entertainment venues, and on public transit, including abroad
Point redemption:
- 1,000 points = $10 for any travel purchase (flights, hotels, all-inclusive packages, Airbnb)
- You can also use your points as cash back at grocery stores at the same rate
Other Benefits:
- No fees for foreign currency transactions
- 6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
- Comprehensive travel and purchase insurance
- Concierge Service
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.
Bottom Line
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.
How to save on Airbnb?
- Compare prices across multiple dates and accommodations.
- Check for last-minute deals or long-stay discounts.
- Use loyalty programs, credit cards, or points to get discounts.
Which credit card is best for booking on Airbnb?
- Cards offering flexible reward points (e.g., Aéroplan, RBC Avion, American Express) allow you to maximize your returns.
- Certain American Express, RBC Avion, or BMO World Elite cards offer travel insurance and purchase protection, useful for Airbnb experiences and services.
Can experiences and services be booked via Airbnb?
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.
Does Airbnb offer options for FIFA 2026?
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.
Can accommodation, experiences, and services be combined into a single trip?
Absolutely. You can book your accommodation, add experiences and services according to your desires and budget, to create a complete and personalized stay.
What are some general tips to maximize your savings?
- Plan ahead and compare options.
- Use credit cards or points programs for every expense.
- Take advantage of special offers and seasonal promotions.
- Consider combining accommodation, activities, and services for more value.
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