Revenge Travel

Travel bans have prevented people from moving around as they wanted to. Now that there are relaxations, people are getting their “revenge” to travel. The term “Revenge Travel” can be translated as “Voyage de rattrapage” in French.

Quebecers’ time away for the summer of 2021

With the health restrictions slowly lifting, many travelers are booking their next trip. According to a CAA-Quebec survey for the 2021 summer trend, 83% of Quebecers will take their vacations in Quebec.

Review : Marriott Québec Centre-ville | Marriott Bonvoy - marriott québec-vieille ville40

The 3 most popular regions in travel intentions in 2021 are:

Capitale-Nationale-Charlevoix (26%)
Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean (16%)
Eastern Townships (15%)

This compares to 44% in 2019 and 35% in 2018 in the pre-pandemic era.This means that almost twice as many Quebecers are travelling in their own province as before the pandemic. This is mainly due to the limits of movement. But in the last few weeks, Milesopedia has published some good news for travelers.

End of hotel quarantine for Canadian travellers
France opens up to Canadians
Health restrictions eased for tourists in Hawaii

My mini world tour on 5 continents: the journey of two students - eiffel tower 3349075 1280

When the borders open and the restrictions gradually disappear, the proportion of Quebecers who intend to stay in Quebec will return to pre-pandemic levels. Certain behavioural profiles are beginning to emerge, according to a Léger Marketing survey.

According to the survey, 9% of respondents are “Euphoric” in nature, and want to live their “post-pandemic” to the fullest.

We also see this on Milesopedia with a clear shift in searches for “travel” credit cards versus those offering cash back. And the issuers are not mistaken in offering incredible welcome offers.

Revenge Travel

Indeed, the resumption of “normal” activities after months of inactivity allows travellers to start going out again. The euphorics are going full steam ahead.

This desire to travel frantically and give a middle finger to all that the virus has done to them is giving rise to a new trend: “Revenge Travel”.

Finding a satisfactory French equivalent for this term is difficult. Should we talk about revenge tourism? Travelling frenzy? Revenge trip ? Or a catch-up trip?

The causes

Nevertheless, the explosion of all this repression results in a desire from revenge travelers to:

Take a longer trip than usual;
Make several trips in a short period of time;
Travel in luxury or extravagance with a higher budget;
Travel with extended family or a group of friends to reconnect;
Travel to forget ;
Do the trip of your dreams “because you deserve it”.

Valérie Gosselin, psychologist and supervisor at Clinique Humanimaux explains:

When there is a void, the human being seeks to compensate and go to the other extreme. This imbalance in life and in society pushes us to find harmony and balance. It’s a human reflex.

The period of hardship we endured has affected us all in different ways.

After all the stress, sacrifices and overwork of the past year, you can have an insatiable desire for life. This desire to regain our former composure and make up for lost time is normal.Moreover, Mrs. Gosselin indicates that:

When we make or own something, we don’t realize its value. We couldn’t control this stop of movements and the pause created by the confinement.

We have been deprived of the freedom to travel, among other things. When you find it again, that’s when you realize there’s an urgency to appreciate what you’ve missed.

The power to go when and how we want has been affected. There is an awareness of the privilege of travel and how much this way of life is appreciated.In addition, having had COVID-19 or having had a loved one die from this disease may play a role in this frenzy of wanting to leave at all costs.

Every day there is a death toll from the virus, and being confronted with this reality makes you realize how fragile life is. Again, an urgency to live and enjoy life arose.

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Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Card

Scotiabank Scene+

Annual fee: $150
Our valuation: $350Milesopedia first-year estimate First-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.; 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

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6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

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* The potential value of savings and rewards during the first 12 months includes the value of the welcome offer, the potential value of points earned in the first year, the value of savings on foreign currency transaction fees and the cost of airport lounge access as of May 22, 2026:

$250 in travel rewards (25,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Cardholders who charge $2,000 in purchases to their account within the first three (3) months;

$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) for cardholders who charge $40,000 in purchases to their account;

$50 in savings from the annual fee waiver on the first additional card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card account holders;

$132 in savings on foreign currency transaction fees based on the average amount of foreign currency purchases made per active account over the past 24 months (by saving on the 2.5% foreign currency transaction fees typically charged by other credit card issuers);

$364 representing the potential value of points earned in the first year (36,400 Scene+ points) based on the average amount of purchases made per active account over the past 24 months, assuming an average spend of 21% of purchases in categories eligible for accelerated earn rates of 2X and 3X points;

$358 representing the value of complimentary membership in the Visa Airport Companion program which includes 6 airport lounge passes (based on « Preferred » membership valued at approximately $357 CAD/$259 USD). Based on the exchange rate in effect on May 22, 2026.

Maximum potential value after the first year = $1,254 (rounded to $1,250)

The actual value of offers, savings realized and points earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.

1 Offer description and conditions: The 25,000 Scene+ points offer (the « offer ») applies only to new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card accounts (the « accounts ») opened between August 4, 2026 and November 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the account) subject to the conditions below. The offer may be modified, cancelled or extended at any time without notice, and it cannot be combined with any other offer.

In addition, as a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Cardholder, you are eligible for an annual bonus of 10,000 Scene+ points if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible everyday purchases to your Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account over the course of one year. Conditions apply; see below for more details.

Description and conditions of the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer: To be eligible for the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer (« 25,000 bonus points »), you must charge at least $2,000 in total eligible purchases to your account within the first three months following the account opening date.

Conditions for the annual 10,000 Scene+ points bonus:
As a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit cardholder, you can earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points (the « annual points bonus ») if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible purchases to your account over the course of one year (12-month period). The annual period begins on the account opening date; a new period starts again every twelve months thereafter. If you replace another Scene+-eligible credit card with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card (i.e., it is not a new card or an additional card), the opening date of your original account will be carried over to your new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account and your annual period under this offer will begin on the next anniversary date of your original account opening. For example, if you originally opened a Scotiabank Gold American Express^® Card account on January 15, 2022 and you switch to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card on July 15, 2025, your annual period under the 10,000 Scene+ points annual bonus offer will begin on January 15, 2026 (your next anniversary date) and a new period will start again on January 15 each year thereafter. You will earn 2,000 bonus Scene+ points for each additional $10,000 in purchases made during the same year once you have reached the $40,000 annual purchase threshold.

Eligible purchases means purchases, less refunds, returns and any other similar credits, and excludes payments, cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions), interest charges, as well as card fees and other fees.

Fulfillment of the annual points bonus: Bonus points will be credited within approximately eight weeks after you become eligible for a bonus, provided the account is open and in good standing. In the case of a joint account with a primary borrower and a co-borrower, bonus points will be credited as follows: (i) the 25,000 bonus points and the annual points bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the account of the borrower who made the transaction that reached the eligible purchase threshold ($2,000, or $40,000) within the appropriate timeframe (the first three months, or the first 12 months). If an additional cardholder makes the transaction that reaches the eligible purchase threshold for the 25,000 bonus points, or the annual points bonus, the bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the primary borrower’s account. It is possible to transfer points between the Scene+ accounts of a primary borrower, a co-borrower or an additional cardholder by contacting Scene+. An account is in good standing if it is not past due, there is no over-limit, and the cardholder(s) have complied with the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement that applies to the account. All other program conditions continue to apply during the offer period.

Offer eligibility and exclusions: You cannot take advantage of the offer if you are currently a primary or secondary cardholder of a Scotiabank personal credit card or have been one in the past two years, including if you transfer your balance from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card account, and if you are a Scotiabank employee. Subject to the exclusions mentioned above, small business credit cardholders are eligible for this offer.

Rates and fees: The annual fees are $150 for the primary card, $0 for the first additional card and $50 for each additional card thereafter (including those issued to joint account holders and additional cardholders). The preferred annual interest rates applicable to the account are as follows: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions). The rates, fees, and features and benefits, which are described in the disclosure statement accompanying the application, may be changed.

Annual fee

Primary card$150

Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000

Household$100,000

Conversion fees

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

Is this normal, doctor?

This forced break resulted in the accumulation of tens of thousands of points in airline and hotel loyalty programs. The cancellations rmean people have a lot of travel credits or vouchers to use.

If you are happy with the idea of a “catch-up trip” and want to spend your points, there is no problem.

Revenge travelers are just waiting for the moment to spend it after more than a year of sacrifice and deprivation. Usually at Milesopedia, one of our slogans on points is “Earn and burn”. But the opportunities to spend the points in the final year were very slim or uncertain.

Revenge Travel - Aeroplan Qualification Account En

Now that some semblance of life “as before” is on the horizon, many bookings for catch-up trips can be made. This manic phase following a context of deprivation is normal.

As long as all other areas of life are going normally, there is no problem. It’s normal to react this way because there is a balance to be restored. However, if it is affecting your work, family, money management or other basic needs, it would be best to seek help.

Valérie Gosselin, M.Ps.

In the wake of this resurgence of travel, there are some funny issues that are resurfacing, including a shortage of suitcases south of the border, as reported by our American counterpart, The Points Guy.

But unfortunately there is also a problem with tourist behavior, as reported in Hawaii.These incidents of rudeness are on the rise (and not just when travelling)! Is it because of the general atmosphere after the lockdown or because of revenge travel ? According to Valérie Gosselin:

It can be a mixture of both. First, the lack of choice during the lockdown and the obligation to adapt to the restrictions created acute unease among the population.

When travelling, reality catches up with travellers. They don’t want anyone to get in their way. They are on a trip, want to have as much fun as possible, want everything to be perfect and don’t want anything to get in the way.

So when a problem occurs on vacation, frustration sets in and discourtesy surfaces.

Not feeling ready to travel

Conversely, people who want to stay at home because they feel comfortable there or because they are not ready to go out is also normal.

It comes back to the same spheres of life discussed earlier. If the other spheres of life are intact, there is no problem.

Everyone reacts in the best way they can.

Valérie Gosselin, M.Ps.

Conclusion

The pandemic has caused a lot of questioning and changes in attitudes and habits.

But no matter how you feel about travel and the relaxation of measures, the important thing is to think of your health and safety first.

Have a good trip(s) or a good rest!

We would like to thank Valérie Gosselin, M.Ps., psychologist and supervisor at Clinique Humanimaux for her advice and time.

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Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card

American Express Marriott Bonvoy

Annual fee: $120
Our valuation: $990Milesopedia first-year estimate First-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.; 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

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