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How does the refundable hotel trick work?

How does the refundable hotel trick work?
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In the world of rewards programs, there are several techniques that you should be aware of in order to:

  • get good value for your Reward Points
  • use certain travel credits offered annually by credit cards
  • make it easier to meet the minimum spending requirement for certain credit card welcome bonuses.

The refundable hotel is one of them.

Definition

Why specifically address hotel reservations rather than airline tickets or car rentals?

Simply because they offer the most flexibility in terms of immediate payment and quick return of funds to the credit card upon cancellation. And this is what is we want to achieve one of the three goals mentioned above.

Of course, you will have to pay attention to the terms and conditions and make a hotel reservation with no cancellation fees and a 100% refund. Expedia is the site we recommend for this.

How does the refundable hotel trick work? - hotel annulable ritz fr

You must choose the option to pay immediately (not at the hotel).

This technique requires that you have sufficient funds to pay for your hotel reservation AND pay your credit card in full each month. You will only get your money back when you cancel.

How does the refundable hotel trick work? - hotel annulable ritz details fr

Here are the three situations that may require the use of the refundable hotel technique.

Get good value out of the rewards points

Most “travel” credit cards will offer you maximum value when you use your points for travel.

You may be asked to use your points to purchase gift cards, products, or get a cash back on your credit card account. But generally, you’ll get a worse exchange rate than for travel purchases.

This is where the refundable hotel technique comes into play! Since booking a hotel is considered a travel expense, you can use your Reward Points at the best rate. The issuer will issue a cash credit to your card account equivalent to the number of points used.

Afterwards, you can cancel your hotel reservation: you will get a cash refund of the reservation on your credit card account, but the card issuer will not take it back (and will not refund your points).

Best Tips for Finding Your Airbnb Rental - Airbnb Hotels Hsbc

You will have converted your reward points at the best possible rate by getting the cash value directly on your credit card account!

You are free to do what you want with it.

This technique works with Scene+, HSBC Rewards or CIBC Aventura.

However, the TD Rewards program has been known to refund points in the event of cancellation.

And there’s no need to use this technique for American Express Membership Rewards: recently, the program allows you to use your points for any purchase, travel or otherwise, at the rate of 1,000 points = $10.

This is particularly useful for Scene+ points offered by the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card or the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* CardCard, or Aventura points offered by the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card or CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card.

For example, some use this technique to take advantage of the Aventura Points welcome bonus and CIBC’s promotion to redeem 50% fewer Aventura points for travel.

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Use travel credits

Some credit cards offer travel credits to be used annually. Examples include the Platinum Card® from American Express ($200 travel credit) or the HSBC World EliteMD MastercardM ($100 travel credit) [card now discontinued since HSBC Canada was acquired by RBC].

Except that there may be situations where you have not been able to use your travel credit.

This is where the refundable hotel technique comes into play! For example, with the Platinum Card® from American Express, you must use the American Express Travel service to use your $200 annual credit.

By booking a 100% refundable hotel through this platform, you will be able to use your $200 credit (it will be credited to your card account). Then you can cancel your reservation: American Express will not remove the $200 credit from your card account and you will receive a full refund for your reservation.

Please note: leave several days or weeks between your refundable hotel reservation and your cancellation.

Our day-to-day use of The Platinum Card® - Annual Platine Credit 200 Fr

This is a way to lower the $699 to $499 fee on this card by using the $200 travel credit as you wish!

On the HSBC side, we will prefer reservations through Expedia (the $100 credit must theoretically be used for air-related expenses. But a cancelable hotel reservation on Expedia can do the trick).

How does the refundable hotel trick work? - HSBC World Elite Travel Credit
How does the refundable hotel trick work? - expedia hsbc 2023 fr
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

Easier to meet minimum spending requirements

Most credit cards issuers require that a certain amount of spending be made on the card ($1,000, $3,000, $5,000, $7,000) within a defined period of time (3 months, 6 months, 12 months).

For example, the Platinum Card® from American Express typically requires, depending on the offer, that you carry $5,000 in purchases in 3 months to earn its welcome bonus. But what if you can’t reach that minimum within the time limit?

This is where the refundable hotel technique comes into play! Let’s say you planned to spend $3,000 in 3 months, or $1,000 per month. You will therefore be $2,000 short of the $5,000 requirement.

You will then need to make a refundable hotel reservation for the same amount, for a date as late as possible in the calendar (10-12 months).

How does the refundable hotel trick work? - hotel annulable ritz fr

On the credit card side, you have fulfilled your commitment: you have spent $5,000 in 3 months. You will then get the welcome bonus.

But that doesn’t mean you have to cancel your reservation! Because if you do, your welcome bonus will be withdrawn.

What you’ll have to do: keep spending on your credit card to reach the $2,000 you were missing. And spend more than the bare minimum: a miscalculation can happen quickly!

Once you have achieved this, you can proceed to cancel your hotel reservation. You will then get a refund on your credit card for that reservation, but the welcome bonus will not be taken away since you stayed above the minimum spending requirement of $5,000!

This technique allows you to buy time: instead of having only 3 months to spend $5,000, you got 4-5-6 or even 11-12 months! The key is to have legitimately reached the minimum required before the date your hotel reservation becomes non-refundable (usually between 24 hours and 1 month before that date).

And, of course, you must have had the money to advance the hotel reservation on your credit card, which you will get back when you cancel your reservation.

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”).

Terms of the offer

  • Unlock special experiences with the newly designed metal Platinum Card
  • New Platinum® Cardmembers, earn 25,000 Welcome Bonus Membership Rewards® points when you charge $2,000 in purchases to your Card in the first three months of Cardmembership
  • Earn 3 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining in Canada, 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel, and 1 point for every $1 in all other Card purchases
  • You will have access to a $200 CAD Annual Travel Credit to use towards any single travel booking of $200 or more charged to your Platinum Card and made on www.americanexpress.ca/travel or through Platinum Card® Travel Service
  • Take full advantage of the American Express Global Lounge Collection which unlocks access to over 1200 airport lounges worldwide. This includes The Centurion® Lounge network, Plaza Premium Lounges, and hundreds of other domestic and international lounges designed to enhance your travel experience
  • Enjoy complimentary benefits that offer an average value of $550 USD at over 1,000 extraordinary properties worldwide when you book Fine Hotels & Resorts.
  • Platinum Cardmembers can enjoy access to special events and unique opportunities
  • Enjoy premium benefits at the Toronto Pearson Airport including security bypass, complimentary valet car service and discount car care and parking
  • You will also have access to many leading hotel and car rental companies’ loyalty programs. Our partners include Marriott International, Hilton Hotels and Resorts®, Radisson Hotel Group Hotels and Resorts, Hertz® and Avis®
  • As a Charge Card, the balance must always be paid in full each month. 30% annual interest rate applies to balances not paid in full. Payments must be received and processed by the date of the next monthly statement to avoid interest charges
  American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details, current product information and Terms and Conditions, click the Apply now link. Conditions Apply

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

Bottom line

The refundable hotel trick is one of the techniques to know about when it comes to reward points. As with other techniques, be careful not to overuse them, especially with the same card issuer!

Either way, it should save you time in unlocking that welcome bonus you’ve been looking for, or use your points and benefits at a good value.

Our featured card

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

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