TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* CardTD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* CardUp to 160,000 TD Rewards Points + annual fee rebate for the first year†

Points and Credit Card Strategy: 2026 Goals

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Points and Credit Card Strategy: 2026 Goals
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A new year brings opportunities to take stock of your points and rewards goals. It’s the perfect time to adjust your points and credit card strategy, validate your statuses, and plan your next accumulations. Indeed, a few decisions made in January can transform your points balance and your travels for the rest of the year.

Whether you’re aiming for Aeroplan status, a family trip, or simply more cash back on everyday purchases, this guide brings together the main actions to take to start 2026 off right. To go further, check out our page on the best credit cards in Canada.

Take Stock of Your Goals

Start by checking where you stand with your points balance or cash back. Do your current cards still meet your travel and everyday spending needs? If the answer isn’t clear, it’s a signal that you need to review your wallet.

Récompenses des Cartes de Crédit : Guide du Débutant - 2024 11 Objectif tableau FR

Our list of the best credit cards in Canada helps you choose according to your goals. Additionally, subscribe to our newsletter to discover Milesopedia’s 2026 Awards, coming out in mid-January.

The Milesopedia credit card comparator remains the go-to tool for finding the right card based on your spending. Also take advantage of the start of the year to optimize recurring categories like groceries, which weigh heavily in the family budget.

Which Card Based on Your Level?

Depending on your comfort level with rewards programs, here are three approaches from our Beginner’s Guide:

Pursuing Status in 2026

Airline or hotel chain status is generally earned between January 1 and December 31. If you reached your target level during the year, the status extends into the following year. Otherwise, it drops. Everything starts over from scratch on January 1, 2026.

First question to ask yourself: what status are you aiming for in 2026 and what value do you place on it? If you’ve just reached a tier, don’t forget to select your annual benefits with Aeroplan or Marriott Bonvoy.

Aeroplan Updates in 2026

Starting in 2026, the way to earn Aeroplan Status is changing. Find out how to achieve Aeroplan Status in 2026 with our comprehensive guide. We also explain what Milestone Benefits are, the program’s new perks.

If you had Aeroplan status in 2025, it would remain valid until January 31, 2026. The benefits associated with the status reached in 2025 then take effect on February 1, 2026. For example, a 35K member who only met the 25K requirements in 2025 keeps their 35K benefits until January 31, 2026, then switches to 25K status starting February 1, 2026.

Getting Status Another Way

Do you want to stay loyal to a single chain or airline, or keep your freedom? The real question: is paying several hundred, even thousands of dollars worth it for upgrades, priority lines, or free breakfasts? Fortunately, certain credit cards and partnerships provide status access without having to fly or stay extra nights.

ProgramStatusHow to get it
Aeroplan25KAccumulate 100,000 Aeroplan points or 25,000 SQC via Aeroplan credit cards, partners, Air Canada, and Air Canada Vacations.
Aeroplan + Marriott25K or Gold EliteLink both accounts: Titanium or Ambassador Elite gets 25K Aeroplan; 50K, 75K, and Super Elite get Marriott Gold.
AIR MILESGoldBetween 500 and 4,999 miles in the year, or automatically with the BMO AIR MILES Mastercard.
AIR MILESOnyx5,000 miles in the year, or automatically with the BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard.
Marriott BonvoySilver and Above15 Elite Nights per year with the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card or the Business version.
Flying BlueSilver and AboveVia the status match offered.
Hilton Honors and Marriott BonvoyGoldWith the Platinum Card from American Express or the Business version.
IHG RewardsInterContinental Ambassador and PlatinumPurchase for $225 USD or 45,000 IHG points.
AccorGoldTwo options: buy shares or subscribe to the ibis ALL PLUS card.
Car rentalsVariousSeveral options detailed in our car rental status guide.
Hotels.comSilver or GoldVia a match with Avis Preferred Plus.
Our credit card selection
Credit cardAnnual feeWelcome offer
Annual fee$120Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 pointsEnds Sep 22, 2026
Apply Now
Annual fee$150Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 pointsEnds Sep 22, 2026
Apply Now

Points Transfers Between Programs

Basic rule: only transfer your points when you actually need them. Transfer promotions come back regularly and can add 15% to 50% bonus points to your transaction. On the other hand, a hasty transfer is irreversible and often deprives you of the flexibility of the original program.

Here are some promotions seen in 2025 to give an idea of the cycles to watch for:

These promotions are also useful for orphan points, those that are about to expire or that you won’t use in the original program. You can also transfer your RBC Avion Rewards points to other airline programs at any time.

Changes to Watch for in 2026

The year 2025 brought several changes to the Canadian loyalty program and credit card ecosystem. Here are the highlights:

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

What 2026 Has in Store for Us

  • AIR MILES: after the ability to transfer between Cash and Dream accounts, the miles will be merged on January 25.
  • Aeroplan: arrival of changes to Elite status with SQC and Milestone Benefits.
  • New partnerships: expected between programs to combine travel purchases and everyday purchases.
  • Air Transat: an in-house loyalty program? Stay tuned !

Resolution: Use Shopping Portals

Make a resolution to use online shopping portals. These points and rebates are obtained very easily and boost your balance without additional spending. The principle is simple: go through the portal link before finalizing your purchase on the merchant’s site.

Plus, you double up during multiplier promotions. For example, watch for long weekends, Amazon Prime days, Black Friday, and commercial holidays (Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day). To push the strategy further, also read our guide to optimizing your online purchases.

Watch for Targeted Offers

Several programs offer online deals to activate manually. This is particularly the case with AIR MILES, American Express, Scene+, Avion Rewards, and now TD. An offer can take the form of:

  • Targeted credit: for example, a credit of $XX on a purchase of $XX at a specific merchant.
  • Bonus points or miles: additional rewards for charging a minimum amount on the card (groceries, entertainment, gas, etc.).

Even if an offer seems irrelevant, make it a habit to activate it. It only costs a click and can prove useful when an unexpected expense arises.

Conclusion

A good points and credit card strategy in 2026 relies on a few simple actions: doing an inventory at the start of the year, aiming for statuses that make sense for you, waiting for the right transfer promotions, following program changes, and adopting small habits like portals and targeted offers. These actions, put together, can be worth several hundred dollars in rewards.

To go further, compare your options with our card comparator and explore our detailed rewards strategies. Happy 2026!

Points and Credit Card Strategy – Frequently Asked Questions

When Should You Review Your Credit Card Strategy?

The start of the year is the ideal time. You can check your points balances, your statuses, and your upcoming annual fees. However, a review is also relevant after a change in income, family situation, or travel plans.

Should You Transfer Your Points as Soon as You Accumulate Them?

No. It’s better to keep points in the original program and wait for a transfer promotion or an actual booking need. Indeed, a transfer is irreversible and makes you lose the flexibility of the initial program.

How Do You Get Aeroplan Status in 2026?

Starting in 2026, Aeroplan status is earned through SQC (Status Qualifying Credits) rather than the old criteria. 25K status requires 100,000 Aeroplan points or 25,000 SQC in the year. Check out our complete guide on Aeroplan Elite Status 2026.

Is My 2025 Aeroplan Status Still Valid in January 2026?

Yes. Your Aeroplan status earned in 2025 remains valid until January 31, 2026. The status reached during 2025 then takes effect on February 1, 2026.

Which Cards Give Hotel Status Without Nights?

The Platinum Card from American Express automatically gives Gold status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy. Additionally, the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card adds 15 Elite Nights per year, which helps reach Silver, Gold, or higher.

Why Use a Shopping Portal?

A portal like Aeroplan eStore, airmilesshops.ca, or Rakuten adds points or cash back to a purchase you’d make anyway. This way, you combine the rewards from your credit card, those from the merchant, and those from the portal. It’s a very simple passive accumulation to integrate.

What to Do If Marriott Bonvoy Hasn’t Confirmed My Annual Benefit?

You must select your annual benefit before February 1, 2026 on the dedicated Marriott Bonvoy page. If you don’t make a choice, the default benefit will be five Nightly Upgrade Awards.


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