To plan your trip well, you need the right flight, no baggage fees and a way into the airport lounge without paying. You also need proper insurance and a card that spends abroad without hidden fees. This page gathers our practical guides, from booking the ticket to reaching the gate, with the credit cards that make each step cheaper.
Find and Pay Less for Your Flights
A plane ticket costs less when you know where to look and when to book. Google Flights, fare classes, carrier surcharges and your rights when a schedule changes: everything to know before you click “buy”.
Baggage, Upgrades and Companion Vouchers
Baggage dimensions, first checked bag fees and upgrade bids are best sorted out before you reach the counter. Several credit cards include a free bag or a companion voucher that flies a second person for a small price.
Getting Into Airport Lounges
An airport lounge turns a three-hour layover into a comfortable break, with meals, drinks and wifi included. You get in with a credit card, a loyalty status or an access program. Our guides explain each way in.
All our lounge reviews, airport by airport, are gathered on the page Airport VIP Lounges.
Canadian Airport Guides
Montréal-Trudeau, Toronto Pearson, Billy Bishop and Vancouver each have their own lounges, parking and shortcuts. Our airport guides tell you where to eat, where to wait and how to clear security faster.
Insurance, Currency and Staying Connected Abroad
Your credit card’s medical coverage, the exchange rate on your purchases and your mobile plan at destination all weigh on the final bill. After 65, the medical coverage of several cards shrinks or disappears: our guides state what remains covered.
To compare protections, see our pages best credit cards for travel insurance, Compare travel insurance, Compare eSIM cards and best credit cards for retirees.
Airline Alliances and Layovers
Star Alliance, SkyTeam and oneworld determine which airlines accept your points and recognize your status. Some airlines even offer a free hotel night during a long layover.
Packing List and Passport
A passport valid six months after your return, a complete packing list and travel documents in the right place avoid bad surprises at the airport. Two guides to leave with peace of mind.
Credit Cards for Travelling
A good travel card earns points on every purchase, covers your insurance and opens lounge doors. The four cards below answer the most common profiles. Click a card name to see its current conditions.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $120 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $799 |
Compare every option on our pages of the best travel credit cards, the best credit cards for airport lounges and the best no foreign transaction fee credit cards.
Plan Your Trip: Learn More
🔗 The best credit cards in Canada
🔗 Getting started with points: the beginner’s guide
🔗 Get our best travel tips every week
Plan Your Trip: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get into an airport lounge without paying?
There are three ways: a credit card that includes visits, elite status with an airline, or a program such as DragonPass or Priority Pass provided by a card. Our guides detail which cards give each type of access.
Which credit card includes a free checked bag?
Several cards co-branded with Air Canada and WestJet give the first bag free to the cardholder and companions on the same booking. Our baggage guides list the cards and the conditions.
Is my credit card’s travel insurance enough?
It often covers medical emergencies for a limited duration, which shrinks after 65. For a long stay or an older traveller, complementary insurance is often needed. Our guide on card insurance details the covered durations.
When is the best time to book a flight?
Prices move with demand, season and how full the plane is rather than on a magic day. Google Flights lets you track a route and get an alert when the price drops. Our guide explains how to use it.
How do I avoid foreign transaction fees?
Most cards charge about 2.5% on every purchase in a foreign currency. A few Canadian cards waive that fee, and paying in the local currency rather than Canadian dollars avoids a second unfavourable conversion.
Do I need an eSIM to travel in Europe?
An eSIM avoids roaming fees and installs before departure. Some Visa cards include free data through GigSky. Our guides compare providers and plans by destination.