To the point
With credit card points, you can save a lot of money on your Airbnb rentals!
Milesopedia recommends this card from American Express Canada
American Express Cobalt® Card
Up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points
In many ways, hotels can’t win that fight, although, with some brands like Residence Inn / TownePlace Suites from Marriott Bonvoy, it is possible to find large accommodations with a kitchen.
And with the COVID-19 pandemic, more travellers turn to apartments or houses rather than hotels for their Canadian vacations.
For example, we are frequently asked in the Milesopedia community to find solutions to reduce the expenses of alternative accommodations like Airbnb. It’s possible with some specific rewards programs and credit cards! Milesopedia gives you its tips.
To save money on Airbnb, you will need to use “travel points“. All the credit card issuers have travel points programs.
Many of Canada’s top travel points programs 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 the 7 cards 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.
Or you can transfer them into Aeroplan points, Avios (British Airways/Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors.
With the American Express Cobalt® Card, you can earn between 1 and 5 points per dollar:
| Category | Points per dollar |
| Grocery stores (Metro, IGA, Sobeys, Super C, etc.) | 5 |
| Food delivery | 5 |
| Restaurants and bars | 5 |
| Convenience stores | 5 |
| Streaming subscriptions | 3 |
| Gas station | 2 |
| Transportation | 2 |
| Travel | 2 |
| Other | 1 |
This is a 1 to 5% return on all these purchases.
For example, if you spend $1,000 per month on groceries and/or dining and/or food delivery, you’ll earn $50 cash back per month or $500 cash back per year with this card for that 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.
HSBC - HSBC Rewards
With the HSBC Rewards program, you can easily apply your points to the Airbnb rental made on your credit card.
You’ll have to redeem points according to the HSBC Rewards chart.
25,000 points equal to a $125 credit on Airbnb, or 10,000 points = $50.
Here are the three cards part of the HSBC Rewards program whose points can save you money on an Airbnb bookings:
Scotiabank - Scene+
With the Scene+ program, you can apply your points directly to the Airbnb purchase made on one of the Scene+ credit cards.
You can use 5,000 points for a $50 credit on Airbnb, or 10,000 points = $100.
The Scotiabank Visa Infinite* PassportMD is one of Canada’s only cards with no-FX fees AND coming with 6 complimentary airport lounge passes.
The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is also a no-FX fee credit card. 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 directly apply your points to the Airbnb rental charged to your Card.
You can 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 card that are part of the NBC Rewards program and whose points can save you money on an Airbnb rental:
The National Bank’s World Elite Mastercard® is the Best National Bank Mastercard credit card.
This National Bank credit card is rarely on promotion. However, until January 31, 2024, you can earn up to 50,000 welcome bonus points! So, now’s the best time to get it with this exclusive promotion.
With this card, you earn up to 5 points per dollar on your purchases:
- 5 points per dollar on grocery and restaurant purchases
- 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 on all other purchases
And since it’s a National Bank Mastercard credit card, 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
- Flight upgrades
In addition, you can enjoy access to DragonPass airport lounges and free Wi-Fi with Boingo. And unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau.
Finally, Milesopedia voted National Bank’s World Elite Mastercard the Best Credit Card for Travel and the Best Credit Card for Insurance in 2023.
Bottom line
As you can see, you can save money on Airbnb with several programs and credit cards.
The one that offers the most flexibility is the Membership Rewards program. For example, you could combine points earned on an American Express Cobalt® Card with those of an American Express® Gold Rewards Card.
You can save hundreds of dollars or even pay for your entire stay on Airbnb with reward points.
Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
