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RBC opening offers change regularly. In the past, Avion points bonuses have been offered. Confirm the current offer on RBC’s website
Scotiabank’s chequing accounts are tied to the Scene+ program, one of the most versatile in the country thanks to its partners in dining, cinema, groceries and travel. With the Scene+ debit card, you earn 1 Scene+ point per $5 in debit purchases, up to 300 points per transaction and 600 points per day.
At opening, the current offer is a cash bonus, not points. From July 3 to October 29, 2026, new clients can receive up to $1,000 by combining a recurring direct deposit, a Money Master savings account and an eligible credit card. The Ultimate Package fee is waived with a high enough daily balance, as is the Preferred (Essential) Package
The NBC Rewards program exists, but it is tied to Mastercard credit cards, not to the chequing account. On the account itself, National Bank focuses on cash. From May 7 to November 3, 2026, opening a Connected or Total package gives up to $600 in rebates:
Conditions include:
Rebates are paid by the end of the 6th month following opening. If your goal is to collect NBC points, the credit card is what to aim for, not the account.
Same logic at Desjardins: BONUSDOLLARS add up on credit cards (1 BONUSDOLLAR is worth $1 at redemption), not on the account with services. From June 2 to July 30, 2026, a deposit into an eligible savings account instead earns a boosted interest rate for the duration of the promotion. That is a yield advantage, not a travel points gain.
Several online institutions give no points but offer concrete benefits. Wealthsimple and KOHO pay cash back on everyday spending. On the savings side, EQ, Tangerine and Simplii offer rates well above the big banks, often between 3% and 5% depending on promotional offers. These accounts complement a points portfolio without replacing it.
To go further, compare the best chequing accounts and the best savings accounts, then subscribe to our newsletter to keep up with new seasonal offers.
Open your account online: RBC Signature package or RBC VIP package.
Open your account online: Scotiabank Ultimate Package or Scotiabank Preferred Package.
Cash back and program points are not equal. An Avion or Scene+ point used well for travel can exceed 1 ¢ in value, while cash back stays at par. The choice is yours, based on your goals: guaranteed yield or travel potential.
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In Canada, RBC (Avion points) and Scotiabank (Scene+ points) are the main accounts that earn real loyalty program points. Other institutions mostly pay cash or interest.
Rarely. Current opening bonuses are mostly gifts or cash. Points instead add up over time on your debit card purchases, for example 1 Avion point per $10 at RBC.
With the Value Program, your debit card purchases earn 1 Avion point per $10. The current opening offer is an iPad or a MacBook, provided you open the account before November 2, 2026 and complete two eligible activities.
If you already use Scene+, yes. The debit card earns 1 point per $5, and the current opening offer until October 29, 2026 can reach $1,000 in cash.
Not on the account itself. NBC Rewards and BONUSDOLLARS are tied to credit cards. These institutions’ accounts instead offer cash back or a boosted interest rate.
Cash back offers a guaranteed return at par. Program points can be worth more for travel but require strategic use. Your choice depends on your goals and your tolerance for complexity.
Yes. Many readers combine a points chequing account (RBC or Scotiabank) with a high-interest savings account (EQ or Tangerine). This approach maximizes both points and yield.
Start by comparing every account in our chequing accounts comparison tool and our savings accounts comparison tool.
Opening a bank account to collect travel points is an appealing idea, but the Canadian reality is more nuanced. Here, most rewards tied to bank accounts come from the associated credit card, not from the account itself. We reviewed the main institutions to separate the accounts that pay real program points from those that offer cash or an attractive interest rate instead.
Here is our comparison, current as of June 2026. Since opening bonuses are seasonal, always confirm the dates on the issuer’s official website before opening an account.
The distinction is essential for a points enthusiast. A transferable program point (Avion, Scene+) can fund a flight or a hotel night, sometimes for more than 1 ¢ per point. Cash back is worth exactly what it says: $1 stays $1. Here is the comparison table of the accounts we selected.
RBC is the only major Canadian bank whose chequing account earns travel points on an ongoing basis. By enrolling in the Value Program, your debit card purchases earn 1 Avion point per $10. Those points can then be redeemed for travel, gift cards or bill payments through Avion Rewards.
As for the opening bonus, the current offer is not in points:
Savings this way:
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