The Milesopedia Team’s 2026 Travel Strategies

The Milesopedia team is often in different corners of the globe at the same time, and it looks like that will be the case again in 2026! We’re sharing our travel plans, as well as our favourite credit cards and loyalty programs to help you save on trips, plus other tips that help us travel smarter and cut down on everyday expenses.

Types of travel:

Musical getaways, family vacations, trips with friends, and last-minute adventures made possible with points.

Dream Trips and Trips Planned for 2026:

Audrey:

2026 is shaping up to be a year full of high energy and unforgettable moments!
In February, I’ll be heading to Rotterdam to experience the legendary ASOT festival with a friend, featuring headliners Marlo, Maddix, and Armin Van Buuren.

I’m planning a girls’ weekend getaway with my friends, although we haven’t decided on the destination yet.

Jean-Maximilien:

Professional events will punctuate my year in Canada, the United States, and France.

Audrey and Jean-Maximilien:

In March, we’re heading to Aix-en-Provence to see Miss Monique, Arbat, and Nico Moreno live.

Then in May, we’re heading to Las Vegas for the EDC festival, where we will meet our friends and favourite DJs for three days of musical ecstasy.

Family trips:

For family travel, we aim to take a big trip in the spring, likely to Southeast Asia.

We also hope to make a big trip to Latin America this summer for about a month. This is a trip we’ve been talking about for a long time, and we’re excited to finally experience it together this year.

And as always, there will surely be some last-minute getaways, especially between France and Canada, which we do regularly.

Best Credit Cards to Achieve Your Points Strategies:

Audrey:

• The American Express Cobalt^® Card remains my top favorite: it allows me to quickly earn points on everyday purchases and at restaurants, which I then convert into hotel nights or flights.
• In France, I also use the Revolut Ultra Card to avoid foreign transaction fees and better manage my spending both abroad and within France. Earning points is easy and the card is accepted everywhere.
• And of course, I optimize every online expense with the right credit card and cashback portals, depending on the merchant category.

Jean-Maximilien:

• The American Express Platinum Card^® for unlimited airport lounge access (I took nearly 80 flights in 2025 and visited almost 40 different lounges).
• The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card for no foreign transaction fees and worldwide acceptance.
• The National Bank World Elite Mastercard for its insurance (even when I book with points) and its $150 annual credit for certain travel purchases.

Your Best Tips and Tools for Better Travel:

• Use shopping portals with cashback or points (Aeroplan eStore, Rakuten, Poulpeo in France, etc.) to maximize the value of my online purchases.
• Travel light but smart and connected with a carry-on suitcase for an easier travel experience, and my Apple Watch to track my activities, meetings + my headphones handy for my Netflix movies and music.
• Smart accessories like the TRTL travel pillow to sleep better on economy flights, without forgetting my melatonin, eye mask, and earplugs.
• Optimize my travels thanks to last-minute deals with points (Aeroplan, Avios, Marriott, etc.).
• And above all, maintain a degree of spontaneity: never underestimate the power of a good improvised plan, even last-minute, well-orchestrated thanks to reward points (Aeroplan, Avios, Marriott, etc.).

Types of Travel: Family, with friends, and solo getaways.

Dream Trips and Trips Planned for 2026:

• For the past few years, we’ve found a great balance by taking an adventure trip in the spring and an all-inclusive vacation in the fall. Avec les enfants, cette formule fonctionne à merveille et nous planifions garder cette structure lorsqu’on aura des contraintes scolaires. At the same time, I love treating myself to short getaways abroad, sometimes with a friend, sometimes with one of my children, like a recent weekend in Europe visiting Christmas markets with my eldest son. These are precious moments that truly allow me to step away from the daily routine.
• For spring 2026, Asia is definitely on my list, possibly to visit friends, but I’m also very interested in exploring the Balkans. In the fall, another all-inclusive vacation is almost guaranteed. We loved Club Med Guadeloupe, especially for the quality of the food, so I plan to explore other resorts in the Club Med chain.
• When it comes to short getaways, Japan remains a favourite destination that I love to revisit every year. Europe is also a reliable choice for shorter trips, since it’s relatively accessible from Canada. The exact destinations will mostly depend on availability and opportunities at the time.

Best Credit Cards and Programs to Achieve Your Travel Plans:

• The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, which I use extensively when travelling thanks to its excellent acceptance and no foreign transaction fees.
• The Scotiabank American Express Gold Card, primarily for its high earning rate at restaurants and grocery stores, especially when purchasing gift cards.
• The Marriott Bonvoy program and the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card, for the annual free night certificate that I always manage to redeem for much more than its face value.

Over time, I’ve really shifted towards travel points (like TD Rewards, CIBC Aventura, etc.), as well as Scene+ points, which are easy to earn and redeem, making them a key part of my strategy. I also use the National Bank World Elite Mastercard, especially when my Scotiabank Gold American Express Card isn’t accepted, and for its excellent insurance coverage, which is essential given how often I travel each year.

Your Best Tips and Tools for Better Travel and Daily Savings:

• Maintain an up-to-date Excel file with all important details (subscription and approval dates, offer conditions, deadlines, etc.).
• Use an eSIM card like Airalo to easily stay connected abroad.
• Keep an eye out for promotions, both in flyers like Scene+ bonuses on gift cards and on portals like Rakuten or the eStore.
• Use Chexy to pay my corporate tax installments and earn points on essential expenses.

Types of travel:

• For 2026, my travel style focuses on three pillars: International long-haul travel. Multi-city, multi-country itineraries. Points-optimized premium travel (business class flights + strategically chosen hotels)
• Rather than booking one expensive round-trip, I prefer itineraries that let me explore multiple destinations while maximizing points value — especially on long-haul flights, where rewards stretch the furthest.

Dream Trips and Trips Planned for 2026:

In 2026, I’m planning two major international trips built primarily with points, ideally in Europe and Asia. The idea isn’t luxury for the sake of luxury — it’s intentional optimization:

• Flying business class on long-haul flights using points
• Combining aspirational stays with well-located mid-range hotels
• Choosing destinations based on redemption value, not fixed dates

By staying flexible with routing and timing, I can design trips where points cover the most expensive components of travel — flights and accommodations — while cash covers the rest.

Best Credit Cards and Programs to Achieve Your Travel Plans:

My 2026 strategy relies entirely on Canadian financial products that offer flexibility, strong earn rates, and meaningful travel benefits. Core Cards in My Wallet.

• American Express Cobalt Card: This is my main card for everyday purchases. The high earn rates on dining, groceries, and everyday spending make it one of the fastest ways to collect flexible points in Canada.
• American Express^® Gold Rewards Card: Used to complement the Cobalt, this card helps build a flexible points balance that can be redeemed for flights and travel without being locked into a single airline.
• TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card: This card is the cornerstone of my flight strategy. Aeroplan points are especially valuable for long-haul travel, stopovers, and complex itineraries.
• Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card: My go-to travel card abroad thanks to no foreign transaction fees, helping me avoid the hidden costs that add up quickly on international trips.

Together, these cards allow me to earn points efficiently, benefit from flexible point redemption, and reduce costs for my international travels.

Your Best Tips and Tools for Better Travel and Daily Savings:

• Earn Flexible Points First: Flexible points give you options. Decide how to redeem only once you’re ready to book.
• Time Credit Card Applications Strategically: Large expenses = opportunity. Applying before major spending makes welcome bonuses easy to earn.
• Always Compare Points vs. Cash: Not every redemption is good value. Calculate before you book.
• Avoid Foreign Transaction Fees: Using the right card abroad can save hundreds per trip.
• Let Points Shape the Trip: Flexibility with dates and destinations unlocks better flights, better hotels, and better value.

Travel in 2026 doesn’t have to mean higher costs. It means smarter planning.

Types of travel:

• Leisure travel, to relax and visit friends.

Dream Trips and Trips Planned for 2026:

• I have a friend who has a condo in Florida, so I would like to end winter beautifully by visiting him.
• I would also like to spend Midsummer in Sweden.

Best Credit Cards and Programs to Achieve Your Travel Plans:

• No foreign transaction fee cards for spending abroad, like the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
• Points programs like Scene+

Your Best Tips and Tools for Better Travel and Daily Savings:

• Keep an eye out for promotions
• I try to rent a fully equipped Airbnb, which allows me not to have to eat at restaurants every day
• Monitor Facebook groups or TikTok pages that give tips on free activities or places to visit

Types of travel:

Remote work in “snowbird” mode to escape the Canadian winter.

Dream Trips and Trips Planned for 2026:

Generally, I book my trips quite last minute. Maybe 3 months in advance. Usually, we head south in December or January and stay until March or April. My dream destination would be Asia, but that complicates work, so we will probably go to the Dominican Republic, Mexico, or Colombia.

Best credit cards to achieve your travel plans:

• We use the American Express Cobalt Card to earn points during our months in Canada on one of our biggest expenses: groceries. We then use these points for flights. While travelling, we prefer to use our EQ Bank Card to avoid paying monthly fees or ATM withdrawal fees in Canada.

Your Best Tips and Tools for Daily Savings:

• We favour no foreign transaction fee cards since we spend a lot of time abroad, to save 2.5% in fees charged by other credit cards.

Types of travel:

Remote work trips, active and adventure trips with friends.
I love spending as much time as possible in nature, from the ocean to the mountains.

Dream trips and projects planned for 2026:

This is the third year I am spending the winter in northeastern Brazil, in a surf village that I love and consider my second home.

I tend to plan my trips a bit last minute, and that’s where points and rewards allow me to save. I don’t know what else awaits me for the rest of the year, but countries like Namibia and the Philippines are at the top of my wish list.

I really enjoy spending time in Europe; Montenegro and other Eastern European countries piqued my curiosity in 2025, and I would like to return for longer, perhaps this spring. Points grant me great flexibility and help me financially say yes to last-minute opportunities.

Best credit cards to achieve your travel plans:

• The Wealthsimple Visa Infinite Card goes with me everywhere when I travel because it lets me avoid foreign transaction fees and gives me 2% cash back on all my purchases, whether they’re in foreign currency or not. I combine it with the Wealthsimple Prepaid Mastercard for withdrawals abroad, as Wealthsimple reimburses ATM fees.
• Year after year, the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card lets me enjoy free nights at luxury hotels, something I wouldn’t otherwise treat myself to. Recently, I enjoyed a $1,000 stay at the JW Marriott Hotel Sao Paulo thanks to the annual free night certificate, along with the Platinum Elite benefits and a suite upgrade I received.
• The CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card for the flexibility of using its points on my travel transactions (by taking advantage of the Aventura promotion).

Your best travel tips and tools:

• Free airport lounge access with select credit cards is a great way to save on meals, enjoy reliable Wi-Fi, and find a comfortable place to work while waiting for your flight.
• When I am home in Quebec, I try to maximize every purchase by using shopping portals like the Aeroplan eStore and by taking advantage of key moments like Black Friday, point transfer promotions, Scene+ offers, etc.
• I stay connected at all times by using eSIMs, notably Saily.
• I pay my rent with Chexy to earn more points on every dollar spent.

Types of travel:

• Remote work and family trips

Dream trips and projects planned for 2026:

• I am planning a two-week stay in La Paz, Mexico, in remote work mode, to enjoy a sunny environment while maintaining a normal work pace.
• I also plan to visit the Gard region in France to spend time with my father, who is semi-independent. This trip is mainly focused on family, with travel dates chosen based on my availability and needs at home.

Best credit cards to achieve your travel plans:

• The Scotia Passport Visa Infinite Card to avoid conversion fees and for the six free airport lounge accesses worldwide.
• The American Express Cobalt^® Card for its flexible and transferable points, allowing more freedom with travel dates.

Your best travel tips and tools:

• Use cards with no conversion fees for all expenses abroad
• Maintain some flexibility on dates to take advantage of the best opportunities
• Travel light and plan simple stays to limit costs and logistics

Types of travel:

Like many parents, our travel plans are largely shaped by the school calendar. In 2026, this will mean a few family trips during school breaks, more local getaways, and several business trips between Europe and North America.

Dream trips and projects planned for 2026:

• On a personal level, we’re planning several short trips in Normandy (where we’ve been living for the past three years) and nearby regions to take advantage of the long holiday weekends. It’s the perfect way to travel without disrupting family routines too much.
• In February, we’ll head to Italy during the school break. Departing from Paris-Beauvais Airport, low-cost carriers will allow us to reach Bologna affordably before continuing our journey by train, which is especially efficient in Europe. On the itinerary: Rome, Naples, and of course, a historical immersion in Pompeii and Herculaneum.
• Another major plan is taking shape for August: a “workation” between Réunion Island and Mauritius. For this long journey, we plan to maximize our Aeroplan points to fly business class from Paris. Accommodation will be a mix, combining Marriott Bonvoy hotels with more flexible options like HomeExchange or Airbnb.
• Finally, spring and fall will be punctuated by business trips to North America, mainly Montreal and Toronto. In these cases, the choice of tickets will depend as much on price as on comfort, in order to work efficiently in flight, limit the effects of jet lag, and arrive rested to meet our partners and collaborators.

Best credit cards to achieve your travel plans:

• With two pre-teens and having been settled in France for three years now (punctuated by several trips to Canada for work and family), our spending structure is quite hybrid. Optimizing travel loyalty programs remains central, with Aeroplan always at the heart of our strategy. We also attach great importance to cards that allow us to maintain our Marriott Bonvoy status, which are particularly appreciated during family trips.
• In addition, using credit cards with no foreign transaction fees has become essential for our everyday spending while living in France. We prioritize our Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, as well as our new Wealthsimple Visa Infinite Privilege Card. We don’t eat out often, but we pay close attention to financial products that offer high earn rates on groceries or, depending on the situation, cash back, to maximize value on this essential spending category.

Your best travel tips and tools:

• Since our vacations are dictated by school holidays, planning ahead remains our best ally for accessing better rates, both on flights, accommodation, and activity bookings.
• Technologically, when my French mobile plan does not cover a destination, Saily takes over with its extended service and competitive prices.
• Finally, an essential we’ve been travelling with for years: our Quechua cooler backpack. It always holds water bottles, a few reusable silicone snack bags, and a set of travel cutlery. For more adventurous trips, we add a small, compact picnic kit, which lets us bring our own lunches, save money, and most importantly, make the most of our time to fully enjoy new experiences and our vacation.

Types of travel:

In 2026, I’m hoping to do a shorter trip to somewhere warmer in the winter months, and then a handful of near-to-home long weekend-type trips over the spring, summer, and fall.

I don’t currently have any big international trips officially planned, but I am hopeful that I’ll get back to Europe in the latter part of the year.

Dream trips and projects planned for 2026:

Other than the Europe trip in late fall that I’m just starting to sketch out, I would love to get back to Southeast Asia and neighbouring areas… though maybe better to plan that as a bigger adventure in 2027.

Best credit cards to achieve your travel plans:

• In terms of credit cards, my go-tos are: the American Express Cobalt^® Card (for the 5x earn rate on food and drink, and excellent transfer partners), the RBC ION+ Visa Card (for high earning rates and transfer partners), the Scotia Passport Visa Infinite Card (for Scene+ points, no conversion fees, and airport lounge passes), and the Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card to save on some hotel rooms.

Your best travel tips and tools:

• For 2026 (and in general), I’m planning to use a mix of Avios (watching the new Iberia route between Toronto and Madrid), Aeroplan (maybe for the shorter warm-weather trip), and Scene+ to cover some travel expenses. I’m also paying closer attention to Flying Blue now that the transfer rate is up to 1:1 from Amex Membership Rewards.

Types of travel:

In 2026, I plan a mix of trips with friends and solo trips. I envision more small solo weekend getaways to slowly explore the south of France and the surrounding small villages, in order to fully enjoy my French visa.

Dream trips and projects planned for 2026:

I already have a trip planned to Las Vegas in May with friends to attend one of the world’s largest electronic music festivals, which also happens to be my favourite. I’m also planning to return to Montreal in spring or summer to see my family and friends. In terms of dream destinations for 2026, Japan is at the top of the list for a first experience in Asia, but Italy, Corsica, and South Korea are also high up on my wishlist.

Best credit cards to achieve your travel plans:

I use several cards depending on the type of points I want to earn. Currently, my American Express^® Gold Rewards Card is very important in my strategy, especially to take advantage of the first-year bonus and transfer my points to Aeroplan to travel for free between Europe and Canada. My National Bank World Elite Mastercard also remains a big favourite, particularly for the $150 travel credit and the attractive point earning on restaurants and groceries.

Your best travel tips and tools:

• I always compare the value of points from one flight to another before booking and I try to go through partners like Rakuten to maximize my cashback. I always pay for my trips with a card that offers good insurance coverage, for peace of mind.
• When it comes to travel essentials, I never leave without my Earpeace earplugs, a fully charged external phone battery, and a mobile data plan set up before I even arrive. I also like to research my destination ahead of time so I’m organized as soon as I leave the airport, with saved lists of restaurants and places to visit on Google Maps.

Types of travel: Family trips and weekends with friends

Dream trips and projects planned for 2026:

• February 2026: Sports weekend in the Alps. Getaway with friends in the French or Swiss Alps. The details are still being finalized, but the goal is to enjoy winter sports and the mountain atmosphere.
• March/April 2026: Family stay in Martinique. A traditional family vacation to visit my grandparents, who live there six months of the year. I’m especially looking forward to seeing them again and rediscovering the north of the island, where the tropical jungle offers spectacular scenery.
• September 2026: Wedding in Saint Petersburg. A family trip to Russia to celebrate my sister-in-law’s wedding. This is an important event we don’t want to miss, despite the current geopolitical situation.

Best credit cards to achieve your travel plans:

Since I live in France, my strategy relies on two complementary cards that maximize earning and using points:

• The Revolut Ultra Card
  • RevPoints Program: Rapid point accumulation on all my purchases (up to 1% in cashback)
  • Comprehensive travel benefits: Premium travel insurance including cancellation, delay, luggage, and medical assistance
  • Lounge Access: Free entries to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide
  • No Exchange Fees: Substantial savings during my international travels
  • Flexibility: Points convertible into cashback or usable for bookings
• American Express Gold Card
  • Airline Partnerships: Access to 15 partner airlines with advantageous conversion ratios
  • Flying Blue (Air France): Double points earned on travel purchases and optimal conversion for my European flights
  • Emirates Skywards: Regular bonus transfers, particularly useful for my long-haul trips and travel to Russia
  • Membership Rewards Points: Never expire and instant transfers to partner programs
  • Exclusive offers: Privileged access to private sales and upgrades

Your best travel tips and tools:

To optimize my travels, I use Roame to identify the best point flight options and discover advantageous routings. My Revolut Ultra Card always accompanies me outside the EU to avoid all exchange fees thanks to the interbank rate.

On the tech side, my winning trio includes the Apple Watch for boarding passes on my wrist, AirPods Max whose noise cancellation is essential on planes, and my MacBook with the NordVPN Ultimate subscription (included with my Revolut card) to work in flight, watch series, but most importantly, access my accounts securely.

These tools transform every trip into an optimized experience, both financially and practically.

Types of travel:

• Digital nomadism and southern vacations
• Family visit to Victoria, British Columbia

Dream trips and projects planned for 2026:

As I write this I’m currently living the dream working from Cabarete, Dominican Republic. I never would have known to come here if it wasn’t for making a friend in Puerto Plata who recommended it. Cabarete is a gem of a town – known for kite surfing, perfect beaches and (believe it or not) great poutine! Next stop will be Santa Marta, Colombia. Looking further into 2026, I’m planning a visit to Victoria, British Columbia for a long overdue visit with my family. Then as winter creeps in I’ll hopefully go somewhere warm again to escape winter.

Best credit cards to achieve your travel plans:

• The American Express Cobalt remains a key card for us, especially while we’re in Canada. Groceries are one of our biggest expenses, and the accelerated points accumulation makes it easy to build a strong balance for flights. While travelling, I mostly rely on my EQ Bank debit/Mastercard to avoid monthly fees and unnecessary ATM charges in Canada.

Your best travel tips and tools:

• The EQ Bank debit/Mastercard is extremely practical for travel. It avoids foreign transaction fees, reimburses ATM fees in Canada, and doesn’t add extra fees on international withdrawals (aside from local ATM fees). On top of that, it still offers 0.5% cashback on purchases, which makes it a simple and efficient everyday solution while abroad.

What destinations are on your radar for 2026? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for top travel tips and to stay up to date on the best deals all year long. To discover the best credit cards, loyalty programs, and bank accounts right now, check out the Milesopedia 2026 Awards!