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Maghreb: How to Get There Using Points and Miles

Maghreb: How to Get There Using Points and Miles
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Travelling to the Maghreb using points and miles is an increasingly popular option for those wishing to save on travel, whether to visit the region or to visit family. Indeed, this region is particularly attractive to Canadians, especially those from the Maghreb community, which is well represented in Montreal and in other major cities across the country.

Airline and hotel loyalty programs offer an excellent opportunity to discover North Africa without breaking the bank. But how can you maximize your points for a trip to the Maghreb, and what are the most advantageous options? Discover the best strategies for travelling to the Maghreb while making the most of your miles and points.

Maghreb Countries: What Are the 5 Maghreb Countries in North Africa?

The Maghreb refers to a region in north-west Africa, made up of several countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania. The region is known for its rich history, diverse landscapes, bustling souks, Mediterranean beaches, and vast deserts. Whether you’re drawn to culture, history or beaches, the Maghreb offers a multitude of opportunities for a memorable trip.

How Do I Get To the Maghreb With Points?

There are several ways to travel to the Maghreb, in North Africa, using points and miles. Major airlines, alliances, and loyalty programs make it possible to book award flights to this region, whether for a direct flight or with a stopover.

Travel to the Maghreb With Aeroplan Points

Aeroplan AirCanada‘s frequent flyer program offers several interesting options for travelling to the Maghreb with points. Although Air Canada does not directly serve all Maghreb destinations, you can use your Aeroplan points to book direct flights to major cities such as Casablanca or Algiers.

And thanks to airline partners such as Lufthansa and Swiss, you can easily find connections with award flights to any city in the Maghreb.

Aeroplan works by zone and distance. Here are some examples:

  • A flight between Montreal and Casablanca is 3,534 miles away.
  • A flight between Montreal and Algiers is 3,909 miles away.
  • A flight between Montreal and Tunis via Frankfurt is 4,562 miles away.

These distances will determine the price in points of the plane ticket according to the following grid:

North Atlantic
North Atlantic

A flight to Casablanca costs 35,000 points, while a flight to Tunis costs 40,000 points, due to the greater distance between the two destinations, which puts Tunis in a higher price category.

Maghreb: How to get there using points and miles - Maghreb Casablanca points
Maghreb: How to get there using points and miles - Maghreb Tunis Aeroplan

It’s also important to note that flights operated by Air Canada are subject to dynamic pricing. So, while all seats are eligible to be booked with points, this is not the case for all airline partners. As a result, prices may sometimes be lower or higher than those originally planned. For example, the price may even be lower than the estimated 35,000 points. This can also apply when there is a combination of Air Canada and partner segments.

Maghreb: How to get there using points and miles - Maghreb Algiers points

As far as airline partners alone are concerned, with few exceptions, award ticket prices remain fixed. However, it sometimes happens that there are no more seats available on these flights, which is why it’s important to book well in advance.

In business class, flights to North Africa start at 60,000 points one-way.

The major advantage of Aeroplan lies in its flexibility and the numerous options for booking award tickets with its airline partners. This allows you to maximize your points thanks to features such as the Aeroplan stopover, which lets you visit another city en route, or the possibility of booking tickets for babies at a reduced cost.

To earn enough Aeroplan points for your trip to the Maghreb, you can subscribe to one of these cards with generous bonuses:

Featured
Annual fee
$0 $139
No annual fee the first year
Our valuation
$1,139
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-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.
Welcome offer
Up to 50,000 points
+ First Year Annual Fee Rebate
Apply Now

on TD's website

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.

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 & EV
  • 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
Annual fee
$599
Our valuation
$2,000
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$2,000Total$2,000Rewards 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 100,000 points
Apply Now

on TD's website

With the TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Infinite Privilege* Card, you can earn up to 100,000 Aeroplan points with a tiered welcome offer.

This card also offers premium travel benefits, including:

  • A partial rebate on NEXUS program application fees (up to $100 CAD per eligible cardholder) every 48 months
  • Unlimited access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges, with complimentary access for one guest
  • 6 complimentary visits per year to select international airport lounges through the Visa Airport Companion Program presented by DragonPass International Ltd.
  • First checked bag free for you and up to 8 travel companions on the same reservation when travel begins with an Air Canada flight

With the TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Infinite Privilege* Card, you earn:

  • Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases made direct through Air Canada® purchases (including Air Canada Vacations®)
  • 1.5 points per dollar on eligible purchases of gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, travel, public transit and dining
  • 1.25 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases

Annual fee

Primary card$599
Additional card$199

Annual income required

Individual$150,000
Household$200,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 2xAir Canada flights
  • 1.5xRestaurants
  • 1.5xGroceries
  • 1.5xTravel
  • 1.5xTransit
  • 1.5xGas & EV
  • 1.25xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$2,334
2nd Year Value$461

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$400

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 31 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 31 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $5,000,000 / 4 days
Trip CancellationUp to $2,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $2,500
Flight DelayUp to $1,000
Hotel BurglaryUp to $2,500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+2 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,500 / 2 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days
Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$900
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$900Total$900Rewards 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 45,000 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”).

With this welcome offer for the American Express® Aeroplan®* Card, you can earn up to 45,000 Aeroplan points. Here’s how:

  • Earn 35,000 Aeroplan points after charging $7,500 to your Card within the first 6 months.
  • Plus, earn an additional 10,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $1,000 in the 13th month.

With this Card, you earn 2x the points on purchases with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations.

And 1.5x the points for dining and food delivery services in Canada. Anywhere else, you will earn 1X the points.

Enjoy your first checked bag free (up to 23kg/50lb) for up to 9 people travelling on the same reservation on Air Canada®* flights.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

 

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 2xAir Canada flights
  • 1.5xRestaurants
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,428
2nd Year Value$379

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
Annual fee
$599
Our valuation
$1,700
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,700Total$1,700Rewards 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 85,000 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”).

With this welcome offer for American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card, you can earn up to 85,000 Aeroplan points. Here’s how:

  • Earn 60,000 points after you spend $7,500 on your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership
  • Plus, earn an additional 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $2,500 in the 13th month

With this Amex Aeroplan Card, you earn 3X the points on purchases made directly with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations. And 2x the points on Dining and Food Delivery purchases in Canada. Everywhere else, you will earn 1.25X the points.

With this Amex Aeroplan Premium Card, you receive many Air Canada travel benefits, such as access to Maple Leaf Lounges in North America for you and one guest, priority check-in, priority boarding and priority baggage handling. It’s the best Amex Aeroplan Card for frequent Air Canada flyers.

With this American Express Aeroplan Card, enjoy your first checked bag free (up to 23kg/50lb) for up to 9 people travelling on the same reservation on Air Canada®* flights.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

Annual fee

Primary card$599
Additional card$199

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 3xAir Canada flights
  • 2xRestaurants
  • 1.25xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,938
2nd Year Value$430

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$400

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $1,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $1,000
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

Travel to North Africa With Flying Blue Miles

Flying Blue, the Air France and KLM frequent flyer program, offers superb coverage for travel to the Maghreb. Air France offers direct flights to several popular destinations in the region, such as Marrakech, Casablanca and Tunis, making it easy to reach the Maghreb from Canada, via Paris or Amsterdam. Thanks to its extensive network, Flying Blue allows miles to be used for these routes, benefiting from particularly good flight coverage from Paris.

From Montreal, it is possible to reach popular Maghreb destinations such as Casablanca, Algiers, and Tunis from 25,000 Flying Blue miles in economy class and 60,000 miles in business class. Taxes and fees can be significant, however, starting at approximately $267 per person compared to what you would pay with the Aeroplan program.

Maghreb: How to get there using points and miles - Maghreb YUL CMN
Maghreb: How to get there using points and miles - Maghreb YUL TUN
Maghreb: How to get there using points and miles - Maghreb YUL ALG

However, it is important to note that Air France fares are dynamic, which means that they are not guaranteed and may vary according to the dates chosen. It is therefore advisable to book in advance, up to 1 year before the desired date, to maximize your chances of benefiting from these attractive fares.

For children aged 11 and under, Flying Blue offers a 25% discount on award tickets. This represents a great opportunity to save, especially for families travelling to the Maghreb.

In addition, Flying Blue offers monthly promotions called « Promo Rewards”, which sometimes offer substantial discounts on award flights to the Maghreb and other destinations. These promotions can enable you to travel at a much lower cost, making a trip to this region even more accessible. Keep a close eye on these offers to take advantage of the best opportunities.

To earn Flying Blue miles in Canada, you can subscribe to the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard® or transfer points from an American Express Membership Rewards card.

Annual fee
$0 $132
No annual fee the first year
Our valuation
$132
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueAnnual fee rebated$132Total$132Rewards 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
$132 annual fee rebated
Apply Now

on Brim's website

With the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard®, you can earn Flying Blue Miles on all your purchases:

  • 2 miles per dollar on food and drinks
  • 1 Mile per dollar for all other purchases (including at Costco)

As an Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard credit cardholder, you earn 30 XP per year to help you qualify for Flying Blue Elite Status.

This card comes with many insurance coverages for your purchases and travels.

Annual fee

Primary card$132
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$80,000
Household$150,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 2xRestaurants
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$490
2nd Year Value$283

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $5,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $2,000
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,000
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $2,500
Travel AccidentUp to $150,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionUp to $999 / 90 days
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,500 / 1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $85,000 / 48 days
Annual fee
$799
Our valuation
$1,700
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,700Total$1,700Rewards 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 100,000 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 Platinum Card® is the best premium card in Canada for travellers.

With this welcome offer, you can earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards® points:

  • 70,000 points after charging $10,000 to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership
  • 30,000 points when you make a purchase between the 15th and 17th month after your Cardmembership begins

With this Card, you get:

  • 2 points per $1 on eligible dining and delivery purchases in Canada
  • 2 points per dollar on eligible travel purchases charged to the Card
  • 1 point per $1 on all other purchases charged to the Card

You can use your Membership Rewards® points in many ways:

  • Transfer points to airline partners: Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways / Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Delta SkyMiles, etc.
  • Transfer points to hotel partners, including Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy
  • Redeem points for statement credits to offset any travel purchase charged to your Card (1,000 points = $10)
  • Redeem points for statement credits towards other purchases (1,000 points = $10)
  • And more!

For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards® points to a partner loyalty program, you could earn up to:

  • 100,000 Aeroplan points
  • 100,000 Avios
  • 100,000 Flying Blue Miles
  • 120,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

With this card, you also have advantages for your travels:

  • $200 Annual Travel Credit
  • An annual meal credit of $200
  • A $100 statement credit for NEXUS membership
  • Complimentary access for you and one additional guest to more than 1,550 airport lounges in over 140 countries
  • Hilton Honors Gold status
  • Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
  • Access to the Fine Hotels + Resorts program

Last but not least, The Platinum Card® offers a wide range of insurance coverage: rental car theft and damage, $500,000 travel accident, emergency medical expenses (out-of-province or out-of-country), lost or stolen baggage, flight delays and misdirected baggage, hotel or motel burglary, Purchase Protection, Purchase Security.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

Annual fee

Primary card$799
Additional card$250

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 2xTravel
  • 2xRestaurants
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,482
2nd Year Value$470

Transfer partners

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

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$400
Travel creditsIncluded

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Trip CancellationUp to $2,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $1,000
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days
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
Annual fee
$250
Our valuation
$1,020
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,020Total$1,020Rewards 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 60,000 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”).

Earn up to 60,000 Membership Rewards points with this welcome offer for the American Express Gold Rewards Card. That’s a value of $600 toward travel or any purchase charged to the Card:

  • 5,000 Membership Rewards points per month when you charge $1,000 in net purchases to your Card, for 12 months (a total of 60,000 points in the first year).

You can also transfer your points to airline partners such as Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways, Qatar Airways, Finnair), Flying Blue, and hotel partners (Marriott Bonvoy, 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 :

  • 60,000 Aeroplan points
  • 60,000 Avios
  • 60,000 Flying Blue Miles
  • 72,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

With this Card, you get many benefits like:

  • $100 annual travel credit
  • Priority Pass membership and 4 complimentary Plaza Premium visits per year
  • $50 NEXUS credit

You earn 2 points per dollar for travel purchases, and at:

  • gas stations
  • grocery stores
  • drugstores

And 1 point per dollar everywhere else.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

Annual fee

Primary card$250
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 2xPharmacy
  • 2xGas & EV
  • 2xTravel
  • 2xGroceries
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,555
2nd Year Value$589

Transfer partners

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

Card benefits

Airport lounge access$160

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $1,500
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

Travel to North Africa With Avios Points

The Oneworld alliance is also an interesting option for travelling to the Maghreb with points, thanks in particular to British Airways Executive Club. Alliance member Royal Air Maroc offers direct flights to Casablanca, your gateway to major Maghreb destinations. British Airways also offers direct flights to several major Maghreb destinations, including Marrakech, Casablanca and Tunis. As a member of the Avios frequent flyer program, you can use your points to book award tickets on all these routes.

Maghreb: How to get there using points and miles - Maghreb Avios

Indeed, a particularly advantageous option is the ability to book direct flights on Royal Air Maroc between Montreal and Casablanca. You can find tickets starting at 20,750 Avios points for a one-way economy class flight, and 62,000 Avios points for a business class flight. These rates are quite attractive, but it’s important to note that taxes and fees can be fairly high. In fact, fees amount to about $300 in economy class and $400 in business class, which can significantly increase the total cost of the trip.

Maghreb: How to get there using points and miles - Maghreb Avios CMN

However, despite these additional fees, using Avios for these journeys remains an attractive option, especially if you have already accumulated a substantial number of Avios points (or RBC Avion points, which are very easy to earn and can be transferred during promotions). What’s more, the possibility of finding direct flights with Royal Air Maroc adds extra comfort, reducing connections and flight times to Morocco, your gateway to the Maghreb. In fact, you can use your Avios points to fly to any other destination in the Maghreb with Royal Air Maroc.

American Express Membership Rewards and RBC Avion Rewards are transfer partners that make it very easy to earn Avios in Canada, in addition to the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite, where you can earn Avios directly. Plus, there are recurring transfer bonuses to watch out for.

Featured
Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$1,050
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,050Total$1,050Rewards 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 70,000 points
Ends Nov 25, 2026
Apply Now

on RBC's website

For a limited time, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card offers a welcome bonus of up to 70,000 Avion points, worth up to $1,500 in travel.

  • 35,000 points upon approval of your application
  • 20,000 points when you charge $5,000 in purchases to your account within the first six months
  • 15,000 points on the first anniversary of your account

You can redeem your Avion points for flights with more than 500 airlines, with no blackout periods or seat restrictions, or transfer them to partner programs such as American Airlines AAdvantage, The British Airways Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles and WestJet Rewards.

The card earns you 1.25 points per dollar on eligible travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on all your other eligible purchases. It also includes extensive insurance coverage: emergency medical, trip cancellation and interruption, collision coverage for rental vehicles, and mobile devices.

The annual fee is $120.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 1.25xTravel
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,369
2nd Year Value$271

Transfer partners

  • American Airlines AAdvantageAirline
  • British Airways ClubAirline
  • Cathay Asia MilesAirline
  • WestJet RewardsAirline

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Included
Travel medical (55-64)Included
Travel medical (65+)Included
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
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 $1,500 / 1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days
Annual fee
$399
Our valuation
$1,500
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,500Total$1,500Rewards 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 100,000 points
Ends Nov 25, 2026
Apply Now

on RBC's website

For a limited time, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Card offers a welcome bonus of up to 100,000 Avion points, representing a travel value of up to $2,375.

  • 35,000 points upon approval of your application
  • 20,000 points when you charge $5,000 in purchases to your account within the first six months
  • 45,000 points on your account’s first anniversary

With the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Card, you also receive 6 complimentary airport lounge visits each year.

You can redeem your Avion points for flights on over 500 airlines, with no blackout periods or seat restrictions, or transfer them to partner programs such as American Airlines AAdvantage, The British Airways Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, and WestJet Rewards.

The card also gives you access to priority lanes, security services, and reserved parking at select Canadian airports.

You earn 1.25 Avion points per dollar on all your purchases, and the card includes comprehensive insurance coverage: emergency medical care, trip cancellation and interruption, and mobile devices up to $1,500.

Annual fee

Primary card$399
Additional card$99

Annual income required

Individual$200,000
Household$200,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 1.25xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,607
2nd Year Value$321

Transfer partners

  • American Airlines AAdvantageAirline
  • British Airways ClubAirline
  • Cathay Asia MilesAirline
  • WestJet RewardsAirline

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Included
Travel medical (55-64)Included
Travel medical (65+)Included
Trip CancellationUp to $2,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $2,500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $3,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+2 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,500 / 1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $85,000 / 48 days
Annual fee
$165
Our valuation
$1,000
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,000Total$1,000Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
50,000 Avios
Apply Now

on RBC's website

With this exceptional welcome offer for the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite Card, you can earn 50,000 Avios!

With this card, you benefit from a companion voucher (by spending $30,000 or more during a calendar year). Additionally, you can enjoy a 10% discount on British Airways flights when booking with your RBC British Airways Visa Infinite Card.

With the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite Card, you get:

  • 3 Avios per dollar spent with British Airways and BA Holidays
  • 2 Avios per dollar on groceries, dining, and food delivery
  • 1 Avios per dollar for all your other purchases

In addition, you benefit from extensive insurance coverage:

  • Out-of-province/country emergency medical insurance
  • Travel Accident Insurance
  • Flight delay and essential items purchase insurance
  • Hotel or motel burglary insurance
  • Rental vehicle collision and damage insurance

Annual fee

Primary card$165
Additional card$75

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 2xGroceries
  • 2xRestaurants
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,615
2nd Year Value$243

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Included
Travel medical (55-64)Included
Travel medical (65+)Included
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $2,500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionUp to $50,000 / 90 days
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days
Annual fee
$175
Our valuation
$525
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$525Total$525Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
35,000 points
Apply Now

on RBC's website

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business Card is the premium business credit card in the RBC Avion Rewards program, designed for business owners who travel.

Get 35,000 bonus Avion points upon approval.

What the card gives you:

  • 1.25 RBC Rewards points per dollar in net purchases charged to your card, up to $75,000 per year, then 1 point per dollar beyond that
  • A Visa Airport Companion membership, which opens access to more than 1,200 airport lounges worldwide, at US$32 per person per visit
  • Avion points that are redeemable for travel with a great deal of flexibility, with no blackout dates
  • Additional cards for your employees, at $75 each, up to 9 cards

The annual fee is $175. The annual interest rate is 19.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances. A 2.5% conversion fee applies to foreign currency transactions.

Annual fee

Primary card$175
Additional card$75

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 1.25xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$856
2nd Year Value$305

Transfer partners

  • American Airlines AAdvantageAirline

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Included
Travel medical (55-64)Included
Travel medical (65+)Included
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000
Hotel BurglaryUp to $2,500

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $2,000 / 1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Travel to the Maghreb With VIPorter Points

The VIPorter program could also become an interesting option for traveling to the Maghreb thanks to the partnership between Porter Airlines and Air Transat. Indeed, Air Transat already offers several direct flights between Montreal and some popular Maghreb destinations, including Marrakech and Agadir. Although it is not yet possible, at the time of writing, to book these flights directly with VIPorter points, the integration of the partnership suggests this possibility in the near future.

If these exchanges become available, travelers could eventually use their VIPorter points to book flights operated by Air Transat to Morocco, which would add an interesting new option for those wishing to travel to the Maghreb with points. This would be particularly advantageous for travelers looking for direct flights to avoid layovers.

VIPorter points are relatively easy to accumulate through Porter flights and partner credit cards. It could therefore become relevant to monitor the evolution of this partnership for future trips to the Maghreb.

Annual fee
$0 $89
No annual fee the first year
Our valuation
$689
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$600Annual fee rebated$89Total$689Rewards 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 40,000 points
+ First Year Annual Fee Rebate
Ends Oct 31, 2026
Apply Now

on BMO's website

With this offer for the BMO VIPorter Mastercard, you’ll earn up to 40,000 VIPorter points and a 35% off flight voucher. Plus, you pay no annual fee for the first year.

Here’s how to get your full welcome bonus:

  • 10,000 points after $3,000 in purchases within the first 110 days of account opening
  • 15,000 points and a 35% off flight voucher after $6,000 in purchases within the first 180 days of account opening
  • 15,000 points after $10,000 in purchases within the first 365 days of account opening

So, to get the full welcome bonus of 40,000 VIPorter points, you’ll need to spend $10,000 in the first year.

With the BMO VIPorter Mastercard, you earn 2 points per dollar at Porter and 1 point per dollar on gas, transportation, grocery, restaurant and hotel purchases. And 0.5 points per dollar on all other purchases, including Costco.

With the BMO VIPorter Mastercard, you and up to 8 companions travelling on the same booking enjoy Porter travel benefits such as:

  • Priority rebooking on another flight in case of a delay
  • Exclusive check-in.
  • Early boarding

Additionally, as a BMO VIPorter Mastercard holder, your VIPorter points do not expire and you automatically receive VIPorter Passport Grand Traveller status. You also earn $1 in eligible spending towards your Porter status for every $25 spent.

Finally, you are covered by a wide range of insurance policies:

  • 8-day out-of-province or country emergency medical insurance
  • Car rental-collision/loss damage insurance
  • Common carrier insurance
  • Flight Delay Insurance
  • Baggage insurance
  • Hotel burglary insurance
  • Purchase Protection
  • Extended warranty insurance

Finally, enjoy three months of Instacart+ membership and a $5 monthly Instacart credit when you sign up with your eligible BMO credit card.

Annual fee

Primary card$89
Additional card$35

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 2xPorter flights
  • 1xGroceries
  • 1xTransit
  • 1xRestaurants
  • 1xGas & EV
  • 1xConvenience
  • 0.5xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,028
2nd Year Value$168

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 8 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 8 days
Delayed BaggageIncluded
Lost BaggageIncluded
Flight DelayIncluded
Hotel BurglaryIncluded
Travel AccidentIncluded

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days
Annual fee
$0 $199
No annual fee the first year
Our valuation
$1,249
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,050Annual fee rebated$199Total$1,249Rewards 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 70,000 points
+ First Year Annual Fee Rebate
Ends Oct 31, 2026
Apply Now

on BMO's website

With this offer for the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard, you get up to 70,000 VIPorter points and a round-trip companion pass. Plus, you pay no annual fees for the first year and receive $1,000 in eligible spending towards your VIPorter status.

Here’s how to get your full welcome bonus:

  • 20,000 points after $5,000 in purchases within the first 110 days of account opening
  • 20,000 points, a round-trip companion pass, and $1,000 in eligible spending towards your VIPorter status after $9,000 in purchases within the first 180 days of account opening
  • 30,000 points after $18,000 in purchases within the first 365 days of account opening

So, to get the full welcome bonus of 70,000 VIPorter points, you’ll need to spend $18,000 in the first year.

With the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard, you earn 3 points per dollar at Porter and 2 points per dollar on gas, transportation, grocery, restaurant and hotel purchases. And 1 point per dollar on all other purchases, including Costco.

With the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard, you and up to 8 companions travelling on the same booking enjoy Porter travel benefits such as:

  • On free checked bag
  • 1 complimentary carry-on bag on all Porter fare types
  • Free PorterClassic seat selection
  • Priority security screening.
  • Priority rebooking on another flight in case of a delay
  • Exclusive check-in.
  • Early boarding

Additionally, as a BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard holder, your VIPorter points do not expire, and you automatically receive VIPorter Horizon Grand Traveller status. You also earn $1 in eligible spending towards your Porter status for every $25 spent.

You can also earn one round-trip companion pass per year if you spend $50,000 on your BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard during your membership year.

Finally, you are covered by a wide range of insurance policies:

  • 21-day out-of-province or country emergency medical insurance
  • Trip Cancellation/Interruption/Delay insurance
  • Car rental-collision/loss damage insurance
  • Common carrier insurance
  • Flight Delay Insurance
  • Baggage insurance
  • Hotel burglary insurance
  • Purchase Protection
  • Extended warranty insurance

Finally, enjoy six months of Instacart+ membership and a monthly $10 Instacart credit when you sign up with your eligible BMO credit card.

Annual fee

Primary card$199
Additional card$75

Annual income required

Individual$80,000
Household$150,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 3xPorter flights
  • 2xGroceries
  • 2xConvenience
  • 2xTransit
  • 2xGas & EV
  • 2xRestaurants
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,878
2nd Year Value$316

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 21 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 21 days
Trip CancellationUp to $2,000
Trip InterruptionIncluded
Delayed BaggageIncluded
Lost BaggageIncluded
Flight DelayIncluded
Hotel BurglaryIncluded
Travel AccidentIncluded

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Travel to the Maghreb With Travel Points

Some credit cards and rewards programs, such as NBC Rewards, Scene+, CIBC Aventura, TD Rewards, and many others, offer the possibility of using travel points to book flights to the Maghreb. These programs are particularly advantageous, as they are much more flexible than traditional loyalty programs, not being limited to a single airline or alliance.

You have the option to use your points to book tickets with various airlines, which offers you greater flexibility as well as a wide range of options to compare. For example, Air Transat is currently the only airline to offer a direct flight between Montreal and Agadir or Marrakech. Therefore, if you want to save time and avoid layovers, travel points can allow you to book the flight that best suits your needs. Then, you will have the option to use your points as a credit applied to your account, in order to reimburse part or all of the cost of your plane ticket.

This flexibility is particularly useful in situations where the use of points from airline programs is not optimal. Indeed, the value of airline points can vary, and it is not always advantageous to use them if their exchange value is low at a given moment. In this case, it may be preferable to keep the points for later use, when their value will be more attractive, and to pay in cash.

However, « paying cash” doesn’t necessarily mean taking money out of your pocket. It actually means turning to other types of points or cash back, which can be used to reimburse the purchase of your plane ticket, making the process more flexible and often more advantageous in the short term.

Here’s an example of using NBC Rewards points to purchase a flight to Algiers on Air Algérie, which offers a direct connection from Montreal, but is not a member of the major alliances that use Aeroplan, Flying Blue, or Avios.

Maghreb: How to get there using points and miles - Maghreb BNC
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
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
Sponsored
Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$500
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$500Total$500Rewards 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 50,000 points
Ends Nov 1, 2026
Apply Now

on Scotiabank's website

The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card offers an excellent welcome bonus.

Until November 1, 2026, you can earn up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points, broken down as follows:

  • 30,000 Scene+ points by charging $2,000 in purchases to the card within the first 3 months
  • 20,000 Scene+ points by making $7,500 in purchases on the card in the first year

This represents a value of up to $500 for travel (including Airbnb).

With the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card, you earn 6 points per dollar spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà par IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! grocery stores. FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.

Also, you earn 5 points per dollar for:

  • Grocery stores
  • Restaurants
  • Entertainment centers

And 3 points per dollar on gas, transit and streaming services purchases.

You can redeem your points on travel purchases (flights, hotels, all-inclusive and even Airbnb). You can also use your points as cash back rewards with Scene+.

The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card also offers no foreign transaction fees, excellent insurance for your travel or purchases, concierge service, exclusive American Express benefits like the Front of the Line program.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$29

Annual income required

Individual$12,000
Household$12,000

Conversion fees

0%

Earning rate

  • 6xWith the partner brand
  • 5xGroceries
  • 5xEntertainment
  • 5xRestaurants
  • 3xStreaming
  • 3xTransit
  • 3xGas & EV
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,460
2nd Year Value$461

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

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 $1,500
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
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $65,000 / 48 days
Annual fee
$0 $139
No annual fee the first year
Our valuation
$859
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$720Annual fee rebated$139Total$859Rewards 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 60,000 points
+ First Year Annual Fee Rebate
Apply Now

on CIBC's website

The CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card is one of the best Visa credit cards with travel rewards.

With this offer, get up to $1,900 in value, including a first-year annual fee rebate.

CIBC has an offer with which you can earn up to 60,000 Aventura points:

  • 15,000 Aventura Points when you make your first purchase
  • 30,000 Aventura Points if you spend $3,000 or more in the first 4 monthly statement periods
  • 15,000 Aventura Points if you have at least $5,000 in net purchases posted to your account in the first 4 monthly statement periods

In addition, you can benefit from a rebate on the first year’s annual fee for the primary card holder ($139 value) and up to three authorized users ($50 each).

With this CIBC Aventura Credit Card, you get:

  • 2 points for every $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre
  • 1.5 points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores and drug stores
  • 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases

The CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card also offers:

  • Airport lounges access: Visa Airport Companion Program membership with 4 complimentary visits
  • Reimbursement of NEXUS membership fees ( $160 value)
  • A free Skip+ membership (a $110 first-year value)

The minimum annual income required for this card is $60,000 (personal) or $100,000 (household).

Annual fee

Primary card$139
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 1.5xGroceries
  • 1.5xGas & EV
  • 1.5xPharmacy
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,148
2nd Year Value$359

Card benefits

Airport lounge access$160

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $5,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,000
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
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
Annual fee
$0 $139
No annual fee the first year
Our valuation
$679
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$540Annual fee rebated$139Total$679Rewards 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 45,000 points
+ First Year Annual Fee Rebate
Apply Now

on CIBC's website

If you do not meet the income requirements of CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card, you can apply for CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card. The minimum annual income required for this card is $15,000 (household).

With this offer, get over $1,600 in value, including a first-year annual fee rebate.

CIBC has a digital offer with which you can earn up to 45,000 Aventura points :

  • 15,000 Aventura Points when you make your first purchase
  • 30,000 Aventura Points if you spend $3,000 or more in the first 4 monthly statement periods

In addition, you can benefit from a rebate on the first year’s annual fee for the primary card holder ($139 value) and up to three authorized users ($50 each).

With this CIBC Aventura Credit Card, you get:

  • 2 points for every $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre
  • 1.5 points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores and drug stores
  • 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases

The CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card also offers:

  • Access to airport lounges: one Visa Airport Companion Program membership and 4 free visits
  • Reimbursement of NEXUS membership fees ( $160 value)
  • A free Skip+ membership (a $110 first-year value)

Annual fee

Primary card$139
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$15,000
Household$15,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 1.5xGroceries
  • 1.5xGas & EV
  • 1.5xPharmacy
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$968
2nd Year Value$359

Card benefits

Airport lounge access$160

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $5,000,000 / 3 days
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
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
Sponsored
Annual fee
$0 $139
No annual fee the first year
Our valuation
$939
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$800Annual fee rebated$139Total$939Rewards 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 160,000 points
+ First Year Annual Fee Rebate
Apply Now

on TD's website

With the TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card, you can earn up to 160,000 TD Rewards Points as well as an Annual Fee rebate for the first year:

  • 20,000 TD Rewards Points for the first purchase made with your card
  • 140,000 TD Rewards Points when you spend $7,500 within 180 days of account opening
  • A Birthday Bonus of up to 10,000 TD Rewards Points

Get an annual TD Travel Credit of $100 when you book at Expedia® For TD, and enjoy your time at the airport with global airport lounge access and 4 complimentary lounge visits with Visa Airport Companion Program (a value of up to $277).

With the TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card, you earn:

  • 8 TD Rewards Points for every $1 you spend when you book travel through Expedia® For TD
  • 6 TD Rewards Points per dollar on your grocery, dining and public transit purchases
  • 4 TD Rewards Points per dollar on your recurring bill payments and purchases of streaming services as well as digital games and media
  • 2 TD Rewards Points per dollar on all other purchases made with your card

This card also allows you to enjoy a range of travel benefits, including an annual travel credit, complimentary airport lounge visits, and a birthday bonus that boosts your points each year.

Annual fee

Primary card$139
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 6xGroceries
  • 6xRestaurants
  • 6xTransit
  • 4xBills & recurring payments
  • 4xStreaming
  • 2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,430
2nd Year Value$531

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$160

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
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

What’s the Best Points Program for Flights to the Maghreb?

Choosing the best points program for travel to the Maghreb depends on several important criteria: availability of award seats, ease of points accumulation and flexibility of booking options. Programs such as Aeroplan, Flying Blue, and Avios offer unique benefits depending on your priorities. Added to this are more flexible points programs, which can be tailored to your specific needs.

The key lies in how your travel goals align with the points accumulation opportunities offered by each program. Programs vary in their approach to earning and using miles, which can have a direct impact on your travel experience.

If you want to optimize your search and quickly identify the best points offers for your departure dates, tools like Roame can be particularly useful. They make it easy to compare the options available and find the most advantageous program for your trip.

Where to Stay In the Maghreb With Points?

Stay In Maghreb in Chain Hotels Like Marriott Bonvoy

In addition to flights, you can also book accommodation in the Maghreb with your points. Several international hotel chains, such as Marriott, Accor or Hilton, offer attractive options in must-see cities such as Marrakech, Casablanca or Tunis. Programs such as Marriott Bonvoy, Accor Live Limitless or Hilton Honors allow you to redeem your points for quality stays.

Here are a few examples of Marriott hotels where you can redeem your points:

You could also benefit from discounted rooms, such as with the fifth night free in points with Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors, which is a great way to maximize your use of points.

Maghreb: How to get there using points and miles - Maghreb Marriott

What’s more, annual one-night free certificates can be particularly advantageous in certain destinations. For as little as $120 or $150 when you renew your Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card and Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card, you’ll enjoy exceptional value when you use them for a stay at selected hotels.

Featured
Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$990
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards 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 110,000 points
Ends Sep 22, 2026
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 Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points with the current offer:

  • Earn 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on your Card in your first 6 months of Cardmembership.
  • Plus, earn 30,000 points by making a purchase during your 15th month of Cardmembership.

This offer ends on September 22, 2026. 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 110,000 point welcome offer is worth about $990, 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.

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$1,437
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
Featured
Annual fee
$150
Our valuation
$990
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards 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 110,000 points
Ends Sep 22, 2026
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 Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card is the best credit card for the self-employed, professionals and small business owners who travel.

With this welcome offer, you can earn up to 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points:

  • Earn 80,000 points after you spend $10,000 on your Card in your first 6 months of Cardmembership.
  • Plus, earn 30,000 Points by making a purchase during your 15th month of Cardmembership.

This exceptional offer ends on September 22, 2026.

It’s a card we recommend you keep, because each year at renewal, you’ll get an Annual Free Night Award for up to 35,000 points, plus 15 Elite nights per year, counting towards your Marriott Bonvoy Elite status.

With this Card, you earn 5 points per dollar for all your spending at Marriott Bonvoy establishments, and you can earn 3 points per dollar for :

  • Gas
  • Dining
  • Travel

And 2 points per dollar on all other purchases.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

Annual fee

Primary card$150
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
  • 3xTravel
  • 3xGas & EV
  • 3xRestaurants
  • 2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,520
2nd Year Value$347

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

Staying in the Maghreb at chain hotels like Fairmont

Fairmont hotels also represent an excellent option for staying in the Maghreb with your points, particularly in Morocco where the chain owns some of the most luxurious properties in the region. Thanks to the ALL – Accor Live Limitless program, you can use your points to reduce the cost of your stays in iconic hotels. These establishments offer a high-end experience with spas, golf courses, fine dining, and prime locations near major tourist attractions.

Here are a few examples of Fairmont hotels where you can redeem your points:

Unlike some hotel programs that use category charts, ALL – Accor Live Limitless operates with a fixed point value, allowing you to apply your points directly as a discount on the room rate. This offers a certain level of simplicity and flexibility.

Stay In Maghreb in Independent Hotels With Points

If you’re looking for something more authentic or local, travel points programs, like those from NBC Rewards or TD Prime, also offer the option of booking independent hotels, traditional riads, or Airbnbs in the major cities of the Maghreb. These programs are very flexible and allow you to transform your points into travel credits, which can be used for any type of travel-related expense, giving you greater freedom in your choice of accommodation.

Maghreb: How to get there using points and miles - Maghreb riad

Conclusion

The Maghreb is an accessible destination thanks to the use of points and miles. Whether with Aeroplan, Flying Blue, Avios, etc. or a travel points program, there are many options for organizing a trip to this magical region. By optimizing your points for flights and accommodations, you can explore this part of the world while making significant savings. Be sure to plan ahead and compare the various options to make the most of your rewards.

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

Our featured card

Annual fee
$0 $120
No annual fee the first year
Our valuation
$589
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$469Annual fee rebated$120Total$589Rewards 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 70,000 points
+ First Year Annual Fee Rebate
Apply Now

on BMO's website

The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card is one of the best Visa Infinite rewards credit cards in Canada. Its welcome offer lets you earn up to 70,000 BMO Rewards points, for a total value of up to $1,150*.

It also includes a monthly statement credit for streaming services, an annual $50 lifestyle credit, and no annual fee for the first year (a $120 value)*.

With the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card, you also get:

  • 5x BMO Rewards points for every dollar spent on groceries, meal delivery or takeout, rideshare, public transit, and gas*
  • 1 BMO Rewards point for every dollar spent on all other purchases*
  • 10% more points when you add an authorized user to your account*
  • Mobile device insurance offering coverage up to $1,000*
  • The Pay with Points feature, which allows you to redeem your points on recent purchases starting at $1*
  • Six months of Instacart+ membership plus a monthly $10 Instacart credit with an eligible card*

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xRestaurants
  • 5xGas & EV
  • 5xGroceries
  • 5xTransit
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,128
2nd Year Value$365

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 21 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 21 days
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

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