Scotiabank Gold American Express® CardScotiabank Gold American Express® CardEarn up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points + no annual fee in your first year

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL

Note7.8/10

Hotel
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
Country
Canada
City
Quebec
Hotel brand
Fairmont
Share

Location

Since 1893, the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec has majestically overlooked the St. Lawrence River. Located in Old Quebec, it sits atop Cap Diamant.

Over the years, this 610-room hotel has become the most photographed in the world and has welcomed numerous personalities from around the globe.

Annual fee
$799
Our valuation
$1,700
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,700Total$1,700Rewards 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 100,000 points
Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

Terms of the offer

  • Unlock special experiences with the newly designed metal Platinum Card
  • New Platinum® Cardmembers, earn 25,000 Welcome Bonus Membership Rewards® points when you charge $2,000 in purchases to your Card in the first three months of Cardmembership
  • Earn 3 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining in Canada, 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel, and 1 point for every $1 in all other Card purchases
  • You will have access to a $200 CAD Annual Travel Credit to use towards any single travel booking of $200 or more charged to your Platinum Card and made on www.americanexpress.ca/travel or through Platinum Card® Travel Service
  • Take full advantage of the American Express Global Lounge Collection which unlocks access to over 1200 airport lounges worldwide. This includes The Centurion® Lounge network, Plaza Premium Lounges, and hundreds of other domestic and international lounges designed to enhance your travel experience
  • Enjoy complimentary benefits that offer an average value of $550 USD at over 1,000 extraordinary properties worldwide when you book Fine Hotels & Resorts.
  • Platinum Cardmembers can enjoy access to special events and unique opportunities
  • Enjoy premium benefits at the Toronto Pearson Airport including security bypass, complimentary valet car service and discount car care and parking
  • You will also have access to many leading hotel and car rental companies’ loyalty programs. Our partners include Marriott International, Hilton Hotels and Resorts®, Radisson Hotel Group Hotels and Resorts, Hertz® and Avis®
  • As a Charge Card, the balance must always be paid in full each month. 30% annual interest rate applies to balances not paid in full. Payments must be received and processed by the date of the next monthly statement to avoid interest charges
  American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details, current product information and Terms and Conditions, click the Apply now link. Conditions Apply

The Platinum Card® is the best premium card in Canada for travellers.

With this welcome offer, you can earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards® points:

  • 70,000 points after charging $10,000 to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership
  • 30,000 points when you make a purchase between the 15th and 17th month after your Cardmembership begins

With this Card, you get:

  • 2 points per $1 on eligible dining and delivery purchases in Canada
  • 2 points per dollar on eligible travel purchases charged to the Card
  • 1 point per $1 on all other purchases charged to the Card

You can use your Membership Rewards® points in many ways:

  • Transfer points to airline partners: Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways / Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Delta SkyMiles, etc.
  • Transfer points to hotel partners, including Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy
  • Redeem points for statement credits to offset any travel purchase charged to your Card (1,000 points = $10)
  • Redeem points for statement credits towards other purchases (1,000 points = $10)
  • And more!

For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards® points to a partner loyalty program, you could earn up to:

  • 100,000 Aeroplan points
  • 100,000 Avios
  • 100,000 Flying Blue Miles
  • 120,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

With this card, you also have advantages for your travels:

  • $200 Annual Travel Credit
  • An annual meal credit of $200
  • A $100 statement credit for NEXUS membership
  • Complimentary access for you and one additional guest to more than 1,550 airport lounges in over 140 countries
  • Hilton Honors Gold status
  • Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
  • Access to the Fine Hotels + Resorts program

Last but not least, The Platinum Card® offers a wide range of insurance coverage: rental car theft and damage, $500,000 travel accident, emergency medical expenses (out-of-province or out-of-country), lost or stolen baggage, flight delays and misdirected baggage, hotel or motel burglary, Purchase Protection, Purchase Security.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

Annual fee

Primary card$799
Additional card$250

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 2xTravel
  • 2xRestaurants
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,482
2nd Year Value$470

Transfer partners

  • AeroplanAirline
  • British Airways ClubAirline
  • Cathay Asia MilesAirline
  • Etihad GuestAirline
  • Flying BlueAirline
  • Hilton HonorsHotel
  • Marriott BonvoyHotel

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$400
Travel creditsIncluded

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Trip CancellationUp to $2,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $1,000
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days
Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

I have always wanted to sleep in this historic castle, for as long as I can remember.

However, I had a problem: my budget at the time did not really allow it. But I found a way to afford it for less and without going into debt (my tips are below).

So, to celebrate a major wedding anniversary, I booked using my tips at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac to mark this event with my husband and the kids.

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

Parking

From St-Louis Street, the hotel entrance is accessed after passing under the arches. Parking is handled by valet service only, at a cost of $40 per day. Entries and exits are unlimited.

There are free charging stations for electric vehicles. Upon arrival, the valet plugs in the car. So, ours had a 100% full battery when we left.

When we want to leave, we just have to call the Royal Service of the hotel about fifteen minutes in advance so that our car is ready and directly at the entrance.

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
Exclusive
Annual fee
$0 $150
No annual fee the first year
Our valuation
$150
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueAnnual fee rebated$150Total$150Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
First Year Annual Fee Rebate
$150 annual fee rebated
Ends Nov 4, 2026
Apply Now

on National Bank's website

With Milesopedia, take advantage of an exclusive offer: your first-year annual fees are refunded with the National Bank World Elite Mastercard. This offer is exclusively available on the Milesopedia network, from June 30 to November 4, 2026.

  • Refund of the first-year annual fee (a $150 value) for the primary cardholder. This fee is charged to your new card account, then refunded as a credit on your statement within five months of opening your account, provided it remains open and in good standing.

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard is the best Mastercard credit card offered by NBC.

With this card, you earn up to 5 points per dollar on your purchases:

  • 5 points per dollar for groceries and restaurants
  • 2 points per dollar on gas and electric recharge purchases
  • 2 points per dollar on recurring bills
  • 2 points per dollar on À la carte Travel
  • 1 point per dollar for all other purchases

And since it’s an NBC mycredit Mastercard, you can use it at Costco.

With this card, you have access to a $150 annual travel credit that you can use in any of these categories:

  • Airport parking
  • Baggage fees
  • Seat selection
  • Access to airport lounges
  • Airline ticket upgrades

What’s more, you can enjoy access to DragonPass airport lounges and unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau.

Finally, Milesopedia has named the National Bank World Elite Mastercard as the Best Travel Credit Card in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Annual fee

Primary card$150
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$80,000
Household$150,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xRestaurants
  • 5xGroceries
  • 2xTravel
  • 2xBills & recurring payments
  • 2xGas & EV
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$778
2nd Year Value$923

Card benefits

Airport lounge access$400
Travel creditsIncluded

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 60 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 31 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Trip CancellationUp to $2,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Travel AccidentIncluded

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+2 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 2 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Reception and registration

Fairmont’s customer service has always been fabulous. After staying at the Fairmont Manoir Richelieu as well as the Fairmont Tremblant, we found the same attention to detail. The staff ensures that everything is to our liking and has all the answers to our questions.

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

Upon our arrival, the last day of the Quebec Winter Carnival was in full swing and the entrance hall was particularly busy. Despite this, we didn’t wait long to check in.

Here is a view of the reception area, when it was much quieter.

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

Then, we received the keys, information on the activities during our stay as well as 4 free tickets of the day for the Dufferin Terrace slide, including 4 free beverages.

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

The room

We were on the 5th floor, just above the main entrance and the valets. Despite the constant arrival and departure of vehicles during the day, we heard nothing from our room. Everything was well soundproofed.

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

The decor of the room was modern and warm, in shades of brown, beige and vintage blue.

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

Two large strawberries dipped in pink chocolate were waiting for us on the desk, with a card from the Château Frontenac. The note congratulated us on our anniversary.

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

French doors led us to the bathroom, with its white and gray marble walls.

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

It was rather small, but functional.

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

Hotel services

Restaurants

Three restaurants are available for guests of the Château Frontenac.

Bistro Le SAM: For lunch and dinner
Place Dufferin: Offers breakfast and the fabulous afternoon tea
Restaurant Champlain: Open in the evening for gourmet meals and for the splendid Sunday brunch

In addition, adjacent to the hotel, at the level of the Dufferin Terrace, there is a Starbucks.

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

There is also the 1608 Bar, which was temporarily closed due to health measures during our stay. They have a vast selection of specialty drinks of all kinds. It has since reopened.

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

We opted for Place Dufferin for breakfast. The view of the Dufferin Terrace was magnificent, with dog walkers and joggers walking in front of us.

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

Swimming pool and fitness room

The pool and fitness room are located on the 6th floor. I was unable to work out because the gym was closed during my visit. It has since reopened.

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

Games room

On the ground floor is the large game room. You can play pool, ping-pong, and foosball.

Numerous board games in French and English are available, from simple card games to Toc, Rummy, Scrabble, Search and Find, to 1,500-piece puzzles.

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

Customer Experience Fees

For each night spent at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, a customer experience fee of $20 is added. Activities vary according to the seasons and events in Quebec City.

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

I don’t carry this kind of fee in my heart. But it was beneficial for what it brought us afterwards.

During our visit in February, the services offered included the loan of sports and leisure equipment, such as snowshoes, fatbikes, crazy carpets, and other games for winter activities. It was perfect for going for a walk on the Plains of Abraham without bringing all the necessary equipment from home.

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

Also, we enjoyed the Dufferin Terrace slides ($11 value for 4 people) and free hot drinks for each day.

The Fairmont Le Château Frontenac also offers yoga classes and discounts for museums, workshops for alcohol tastings, as well as guided tours. Families can do a treasure hunt or a rally.

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

Tips to reduce your bill

Second night free promotion

The two nights at the Fairmont Château Frontenac cost $319 each.

My tip #1: Thanks to the second night free promotion from Destination Quebec City, the second night of $319 was removed from my bill. Only the taxes remained to be paid.

So the total bill was $620.

This 2-night stay at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac included:

  • one night at $319 (and the second at $0),
  • $115 for meals at the Place Dufferin restaurant,
  • taxes and a $20 per night customer experience fee,
  • valet parking of $40 per night.
Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - NBC château frontenac transaction detail

NBC Rewards Points

Tip #2: Use my credit card points to pay part of the hotel bill.

I booked my stay with my National Bank World Elite Mastercard. Currently, there is an exclusive promotion for Milesopedia readers, offering up to 70,000 points and a rebate of the $150 annual fee for the first year.

Exclusive
Annual fee
$0 $150
No annual fee the first year
Our valuation
$150
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueAnnual fee rebated$150Total$150Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
First Year Annual Fee Rebate
$150 annual fee rebated
Ends Nov 4, 2026
Apply Now

on National Bank's website

With Milesopedia, take advantage of an exclusive offer: your first-year annual fees are refunded with the National Bank World Elite Mastercard. This offer is exclusively available on the Milesopedia network, from June 30 to November 4, 2026.

  • Refund of the first-year annual fee (a $150 value) for the primary cardholder. This fee is charged to your new card account, then refunded as a credit on your statement within five months of opening your account, provided it remains open and in good standing.

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard is the best Mastercard credit card offered by NBC.

With this card, you earn up to 5 points per dollar on your purchases:

  • 5 points per dollar for groceries and restaurants
  • 2 points per dollar on gas and electric recharge purchases
  • 2 points per dollar on recurring bills
  • 2 points per dollar on À la carte Travel
  • 1 point per dollar for all other purchases

And since it’s an NBC mycredit Mastercard, you can use it at Costco.

With this card, you have access to a $150 annual travel credit that you can use in any of these categories:

  • Airport parking
  • Baggage fees
  • Seat selection
  • Access to airport lounges
  • Airline ticket upgrades

What’s more, you can enjoy access to DragonPass airport lounges and unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau.

Finally, Milesopedia has named the National Bank World Elite Mastercard as the Best Travel Credit Card in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Annual fee

Primary card$150
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$80,000
Household$150,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xRestaurants
  • 5xGroceries
  • 2xTravel
  • 2xBills & recurring payments
  • 2xGas & EV
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$778
2nd Year Value$923

Card benefits

Airport lounge access$400
Travel creditsIncluded

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 60 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 31 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Trip CancellationUp to $2,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Travel AccidentIncluded

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+2 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 2 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

My point balance is just over 38,000 points. Every 12,000 points earns $100 in credit.

So, I have enough to use 36,000 points, saving $300 on my hotel stay.

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - NBC points exchange table

I could have also booked a hotel with my points via the National Bank Travel Agency à la Carte, which would have required only 10,000 points for a $100 credit.

But to get the 2nd night free promotion, I absolutely had to book directly on the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac website.

So, after my stay, I went to my NBC credit card profile to exchange points. In the My Rewards section at the very bottom, you select « Redeem » under the Travel section.

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - NBC step

Another window opens to select the desired credit card.

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - NBC travel exchange step

There are also other ways to redeem NBC rewards points, but since I wanted to celebrate an important date and treat ourselves, I opted for travel!

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - NBC à la carte rewards step

Then I click on « Refund your last stay« .

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - NBC reimburse last stay step

I select the 36,000 points needed, which gives me a nice $300 credit on my travel expense. I click on« Exchange« .

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - NBC Redeem your travel discount

There you go! It’s done.

A confirmation page will then appear.

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - NBC exchange confirmation

The $300 credit will appear on my credit card account within 72 hours. I will be able to see the deduction on my next credit card statement.

Within seconds, you also receive an email as confirmation.

Review: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | ALL - NBC à la carte rewards email

In total, the savings is $619 for my wonderful stay :

  • $300 thanks to my NBC rewards points
  • $319 thanks to the Destination Quebec City promotion for the second night free

Net, my stay therefore cost $160 per night for my stay at the fabulous Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. That’s excellent, especially for a luxury hotel of this caliber!

Plus, I can check this item off my bucket list. Stay at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac: Done!

Conclusion

This luxurious stay lived up to the expectations of the whole family.

The refined customer service, the services offered, and the plush beds were perfect. For this high level of service, the location, and the quality, the price was justified.

Moreover, it is always surprising to see that the staff I interacted with remember my name throughout my stay!

The kids’ best memory was the slides on the Dufferin Terrace. But for my husband and me, this celebration at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac was much more romantic! Mission accomplished.

Exclusive
Annual fee
$0 $150
No annual fee the first year
Our valuation
$150
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueAnnual fee rebated$150Total$150Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
First Year Annual Fee Rebate
$150 annual fee rebated
Ends Nov 4, 2026
Apply Now

on National Bank's website

With Milesopedia, take advantage of an exclusive offer: your first-year annual fees are refunded with the National Bank World Elite Mastercard. This offer is exclusively available on the Milesopedia network, from June 30 to November 4, 2026.

  • Refund of the first-year annual fee (a $150 value) for the primary cardholder. This fee is charged to your new card account, then refunded as a credit on your statement within five months of opening your account, provided it remains open and in good standing.

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard is the best Mastercard credit card offered by NBC.

With this card, you earn up to 5 points per dollar on your purchases:

  • 5 points per dollar for groceries and restaurants
  • 2 points per dollar on gas and electric recharge purchases
  • 2 points per dollar on recurring bills
  • 2 points per dollar on À la carte Travel
  • 1 point per dollar for all other purchases

And since it’s an NBC mycredit Mastercard, you can use it at Costco.

With this card, you have access to a $150 annual travel credit that you can use in any of these categories:

  • Airport parking
  • Baggage fees
  • Seat selection
  • Access to airport lounges
  • Airline ticket upgrades

What’s more, you can enjoy access to DragonPass airport lounges and unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau.

Finally, Milesopedia has named the National Bank World Elite Mastercard as the Best Travel Credit Card in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Annual fee

Primary card$150
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$80,000
Household$150,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xRestaurants
  • 5xGroceries
  • 2xTravel
  • 2xBills & recurring payments
  • 2xGas & EV
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$778
2nd Year Value$923

Card benefits

Airport lounge access$400
Travel creditsIncluded

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 60 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 31 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Trip CancellationUp to $2,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Travel AccidentIncluded

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+2 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 2 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

To go further with Accor ALL

To maximize your stays and point accumulation, consult our complete guide to the Accor Live Limitless (ALL) program.

Our featured card

Featured
Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$990
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
Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points with the current offer:

  • Earn 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on your Card in your first 6 months of Cardmembership.
  • Plus, earn 30,000 points by making a purchase during your 15th month of Cardmembership.

This offer ends on September 22, 2026. The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.

Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.

To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.

The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.

You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.

Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 110,000 point welcome offer is worth about $990, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.

Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.

You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.

The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.

Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
  • 2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,437
2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

Our editorial integrity

Our reviews and rankings are based on an objective assessment. Advertisers do not influence our content. We may receive compensation through some links; our analysis and opinions remain independent.