How to see the world on points: Best travel rewards programs in Canada
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Updated: November 13, 2024
Evaluating the various rewards programs in Canada can be subjective. Do you judge a program based on its flexibility, how easy it is to earn points, or how complicated it is to make a redemption? Or perhaps it's important to identify a program's niche features that will appeal to specific groups of consumers?
No matter what you value most in a rewards program, one thing's for sure: It's very rare for Canadians to stick to a single loyalty program throughout their lives. And if you've been using the same rewards provider for a while, it might be worth your time to review the options out there. To that purpose we've analyzed the best travel rewards in Canada and how their programs work.
| Travel rewards program | Recommended credit card | Average point value | Flexibility* | Transfer partners | Expiry date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aeroplan | TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card | $0.02 | Good | No | 18 months after account inactivity |
| AIR MILES | BMO AIR MILES®† MasterCard®* | $0.105 | Weak | No | 24 months after account inactivity |
| American Express Rewards | The Platinum Card® | $0.01 | Excellent | Yes | None with active account; 90 days after account closed |
| BMO Rewards | BMO Ascend World Elite®* Mastercard®* | $0.0067 | Good | No | None with active account; 90 days after account closed |
| CIBC Aventura | CIBC Aventura ® Gold Visa* Card | $0.0116 | Excellent | Yes | None with active account; 60 days after account closed |
| Marriott Rewards | Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* | $0.01 | Excellent | Yes | 24 months after account inactivity |
| MBNA Rewards | MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus® Mastercard® | $0.01 | Good | No | None with active account |
| RBC Avion Rewards | RBC Avion Visa Infinite | $0.021 | Excellent | Yes | None with active account; 90–365 days after account closes |
| Scene+ Travel | Scotiabank Gold American Express® | $0.01 | Excellent | Yes | None with active account; account may close after 24 months of inactivity |
| TD Travel Rewards | TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card | $0.005 | Excellent | No | None with active account |
| WestJet Rewards | WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard | $1 | Excellent | No | None with active account |
*Flexibility refers to the number of different redemption paths available, minimum number of points required to redeem, ability to redeem points for existing purchases, etc.
Aeroplan Travel Rewards
Air Canada recently purchased Aeroplan and there are still some lingering questions about what that means for the value of Aeroplan miles. But as of now Aeroplan is still one of the best travel rewards programs out there, as its miles can be used to redeem flights on Canada's largest carrier and its partners.
Aeroplan has two options when it comes to redeeming flights: Fixed Mileage and Market Fare. As the name implies, fixed fares will cost you a set amount of points to fly to different zones as long as there is a reward seat available. With market fare redemptions, you get access to any seat that hasn't sold, but you'll pay the market price in points which is often significantly higher than prices in the fixed fare program.
Market fare prices can be lower than the fixed mileage seats, but that's usually for routes or times that are less desirable. Some airlines charge high fees, taxes, and surcharges, so you need to keep that under consideration when booking a redemption flight.
A great thing about Aeroplan is that there are multiple Aeroplan credit cards where you can earn points, but an Aeroplan card that we particularly love is the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card:
Featured Aeroplan credit card
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
4.0
up to 80K pts
Welcome offerExcellent
Suggested credit scoreEarn up to $2,900 in value† including up to 80,000 Aeroplan points†. Conditions Apply. Account must be approved by January 6, 2025.
Expires
Jan 6, 2025
Pros
-
Welcome bonus up to 80,000 Aeroplan® points† (up to $2,900 in value†) (enough for a round trip to Honolulu†)
-
Complimentary Maple Leaf Lounge† access and six worldwide lounge visits annually†
-
Priority Airport Services† like Boarding and Baggage Handling
-
High Aeroplan® earn rates, double points on eligible Air Canada purchases
-
Extensive travel insurance benefits
-
Free checked bags on Air Canada
-
Preferred Pricing on Aeroplan® flight rewards
-
Visa Infinite Privilege* designation perks (e.g. DragonPass membership)
-
Up to $100 CAD NEXUS credit†
Cons
-
Steep annual fee of $599
-
High eligibility requirements ($150,000 personal or $200,000 household income)
-
Additional cardholder fee of $199
-
High-value rewards mainly for Air Canada flights
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$150,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$200,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
$200,000
2 points†
Earn 2 points† for every $1 spent on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada® including Air Canada Vacations®.
1.5 points†
Earn 1.5 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on eligible gas, groceries, travel and dining purchases.
1.25 points†
Earn 1.25 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on all other purchases.
6
Get 6 lounge visits included for each Cardholder per membership year at over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide with DragonPass†
2x
Earn points twice when you provide your Aeroplan number to Aeroplan partner brands and on the Aeroplan eStore
50%
Get 50% more Aeroplan points at Starbucks when you link your TD card with your Starbucks® Rewards account. Conditions Apply.
$100
Get a NEXUS application fee rebate up to $100 (CAD) every 48 months.†
1st
Get your 1st checked bag free for you and up to eight companions† when your travel originates on an Air Canada flight.
10%
Get 10% savings at Avis and Budget in North America, 5% off internationally†
Earn 2 points† for every $1 spent on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada® including Air Canada Vacations®.
2 points†
Earn 1.5 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on eligible gas, groceries, travel and dining purchases.
1.5 points†
Earn 1.25 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on all other purchases.
1.25 points†
Get 6 lounge visits included for each Cardholder per membership year at over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide with DragonPass†
6
Earn points twice when you provide your Aeroplan number to Aeroplan partner brands and on the Aeroplan eStore
2x
Get 50% more Aeroplan points at Starbucks when you link your TD card with your Starbucks® Rewards account. Conditions Apply.
50%
Get a NEXUS application fee rebate up to $100 (CAD) every 48 months.†
$100
Get your 1st checked bag free for you and up to eight companions† when your travel originates on an Air Canada flight.
1st
Get 10% savings at Avis and Budget in North America, 5% off internationally†
10%
20.99%
Purchase APR APR for purchases 20.99%†
22.99%
Cash Advance APR APR for cash advances 22.99%†
$599
Annual Fee Additional Cardholder† $199
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CND
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$599
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Pros
-
Welcome bonus up to 80,000 Aeroplan® points† (up to $2,900 in value†) (enough for a round trip to Honolulu†)
-
Complimentary Maple Leaf Lounge† access and six worldwide lounge visits annually†
-
Priority Airport Services† like Boarding and Baggage Handling
-
High Aeroplan® earn rates, double points on eligible Air Canada purchases
-
Extensive travel insurance benefits
-
Free checked bags on Air Canada
-
Preferred Pricing on Aeroplan® flight rewards
-
Visa Infinite Privilege* designation perks (e.g. DragonPass membership)
-
Up to $100 CAD NEXUS credit†
Cons
-
Steep annual fee of $599
-
High eligibility requirements ($150,000 personal or $200,000 household income)
-
Additional cardholder fee of $199
-
High-value rewards mainly for Air Canada flights
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$150,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$200,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
$200,000
2 points†
Earn 2 points† for every $1 spent on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada® including Air Canada Vacations®.
1.5 points†
Earn 1.5 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on eligible gas, groceries, travel and dining purchases.
1.25 points†
Earn 1.25 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on all other purchases.
6
Get 6 lounge visits included for each Cardholder per membership year at over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide with DragonPass†
2x
Earn points twice when you provide your Aeroplan number to Aeroplan partner brands and on the Aeroplan eStore
50%
Get 50% more Aeroplan points at Starbucks when you link your TD card with your Starbucks® Rewards account. Conditions Apply.
$100
Get a NEXUS application fee rebate up to $100 (CAD) every 48 months.†
1st
Get your 1st checked bag free for you and up to eight companions† when your travel originates on an Air Canada flight.
10%
Get 10% savings at Avis and Budget in North America, 5% off internationally†
Earn 2 points† for every $1 spent on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada® including Air Canada Vacations®.
2 points†
Earn 1.5 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on eligible gas, groceries, travel and dining purchases.
1.5 points†
Earn 1.25 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on all other purchases.
1.25 points†
Get 6 lounge visits included for each Cardholder per membership year at over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide with DragonPass†
6
Earn points twice when you provide your Aeroplan number to Aeroplan partner brands and on the Aeroplan eStore
2x
Get 50% more Aeroplan points at Starbucks when you link your TD card with your Starbucks® Rewards account. Conditions Apply.
50%
Get a NEXUS application fee rebate up to $100 (CAD) every 48 months.†
$100
Get your 1st checked bag free for you and up to eight companions† when your travel originates on an Air Canada flight.
1st
Get 10% savings at Avis and Budget in North America, 5% off internationally†
10%
20.99%
Purchase APR APR for purchases 20.99%†
22.99%
Cash Advance APR APR for cash advances 22.99%†
$599
Annual Fee Additional Cardholder† $199
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CND
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$599
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
AIR MILES Travel Rewards
Some Canadians have historically disliked AIR MILES because it can be difficult to earn points quickly without an AIR MILES credit card , and making redemptions can be tricky. That said, there is a sweet spot to be found: If you book interprovincial flights through the AIR MILES Dream Miles option, you get an incredible value for your points since those flights typically cost a fair amount in cash. The amount of AIR MILES it takes depends on where you're going and what season you're flying, which complicates things a bit. But Air Miles does provide a helpful chart to show you what it'll cost.
The nice thing about AIR MILES is that they have a co-branded credit card with no annual fee in the BMO AIR MILES ® † MasterCard ® *.
Featured AIR MILES credit card
BMO AIR MILES®† MasterCard®*
3.3
1,500 AIR MILES
Welcome offerGood
Suggested credit scoreLimited time offer: Get 1,500 AIR MILES Bonus Miles!* That’s enough for $150 towards purchases with AIR MILES Cash*
Expires
Nov 30, 2024
Pros
-
No annual fee with a substantial welcome offer
-
Earn Air Miles with both credit and collector cards
-
Low eligibility requirements
-
Additional Benefits include discounts, insurance, and a low balance transfer rate
Cons
-
A 2% fee applies to balance transfers.
-
Limited redemption options
-
Variable redemption values may vary based on last-minute short-haul flights
-
Its specific rewards program is best for those interested in the Air Miles loyalty program
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$15,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$15,000
3x
the Miles for every $25 spent at participating AIR MILES Partners
2x
the Miles for every $25 spent at any eligible grocery store*
2x
the Miles for every $25 spent at any eligible wholesale clubs, membership-based retailers and alcohol retailers
1 Mile
for every $25 that you spend with your credit card everywhere else
the Miles for every $25 spent at participating AIR MILES Partners
3x
the Miles for every $25 spent at any eligible grocery store*
2x
the Miles for every $25 spent at any eligible wholesale clubs, membership-based retailers and alcohol retailers
2x
for every $25 that you spend with your credit card everywhere else
1 Mile
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate 0.99% introductory interest rate for 9 months (fee applies)*
22.99%
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents
$0
Annual Fee $0 for supplementary card
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$0
Pros
-
No annual fee with a substantial welcome offer
-
Earn Air Miles with both credit and collector cards
-
Low eligibility requirements
-
Additional Benefits include discounts, insurance, and a low balance transfer rate
Cons
-
A 2% fee applies to balance transfers.
-
Limited redemption options
-
Variable redemption values may vary based on last-minute short-haul flights
-
Its specific rewards program is best for those interested in the Air Miles loyalty program
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$15,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$15,000
3x
the Miles for every $25 spent at participating AIR MILES Partners
2x
the Miles for every $25 spent at any eligible grocery store*
2x
the Miles for every $25 spent at any eligible wholesale clubs, membership-based retailers and alcohol retailers
1 Mile
for every $25 that you spend with your credit card everywhere else
the Miles for every $25 spent at participating AIR MILES Partners
3x
the Miles for every $25 spent at any eligible grocery store*
2x
the Miles for every $25 spent at any eligible wholesale clubs, membership-based retailers and alcohol retailers
2x
for every $25 that you spend with your credit card everywhere else
1 Mile
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate 0.99% introductory interest rate for 9 months (fee applies)*
22.99%
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents
$0
Annual Fee $0 for supplementary card
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$0
American Express Membership Rewards®
If you're primarily looking for flexibility, you should consider American Express Membership Rewards ® . Travel can be booked through the American Express travel portal, where you can redeem 1,000 Membership Rewards ® (MR) points for $10 in travel. Alternatively, you can charge any travel expense to your American Express credit card and then redeem your points toward that purchase at the same ratio.
American Express has multiple travel partners where you can transfer your points, but the two that give the most value are Aeroplan and Marriott Rewards. With Aeroplan, it'll cost you 1,000 MR points to get 1,000 Aeroplan points (ie a 1:1 transfer). If you want Marriott Rewards points, you'll get 1,200 points for every 1,000 MR points transferred.
American Express also has the Fixed Points Travel Program, which can be beneficial. Most of the redemptions require the same amount of points compared to Aeroplan, but with Amex, you get access to all seats available on any airline, so that means you get more options for your travels.
One of the best ways to earn American Express Membership Rewards ® is with The Platinum Card ® .
Featured American Express card
The Platinum Card®
3.5
up to 140k pts
Welcome offerExcellent
Suggested credit scoreEarn up to 140,000 Membership Rewards® points* – that’s up to $1,400 in value.
Pros
-
Access to a wide range of luxury perks, including premium concierge service
-
Complimentary lounge membership providing access to over 1,400+ airport lounges worldwide
-
Annual statement credits: $200 annual travel credit, $200 annual dining credit
-
Special insurance coverages like trip cancellation/interruption, flight delay, lost or stolen baggage and rental car theft & damage.
-
Provides extended warranty (2 years) and purchase protection (120 days).
Cons
-
High annual fee of $799, one of the heftiest among Canadian cards
-
The rewards system can be complicated, especially for users not familiar with maximizing credit card points
-
Requires good to excellent credit for eligibility
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
2x
points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada
2x
points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel
1x
point for every $1 in all other Card purchases
1
additional point on Amex Travel Online for eligible hotel or car rental bookings
points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada
2x
points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel
2x
point for every $1 in all other Card purchases
1x
additional point on Amex Travel Online for eligible hotel or car rental bookings
1
21.99% - 28.99%
Variable APR Applies to your Flexible Payment Option balance. This charge card has both Due in Full and Flexible Payment Option balances.
$799
Annual Fee Supplementary Platinum Cards: $250 each
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Variable APR
21.99% - 28.99%
Annual Fee
$799
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Pros
-
Access to a wide range of luxury perks, including premium concierge service
-
Complimentary lounge membership providing access to over 1,400+ airport lounges worldwide
-
Annual statement credits: $200 annual travel credit, $200 annual dining credit
-
Special insurance coverages like trip cancellation/interruption, flight delay, lost or stolen baggage and rental car theft & damage.
-
Provides extended warranty (2 years) and purchase protection (120 days).
Cons
-
High annual fee of $799, one of the heftiest among Canadian cards
-
The rewards system can be complicated, especially for users not familiar with maximizing credit card points
-
Requires good to excellent credit for eligibility
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
2x
points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada
2x
points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel
1x
point for every $1 in all other Card purchases
1
additional point on Amex Travel Online for eligible hotel or car rental bookings
points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada
2x
points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel
2x
point for every $1 in all other Card purchases
1x
additional point on Amex Travel Online for eligible hotel or car rental bookings
1
21.99% - 28.99%
Variable APR Applies to your Flexible Payment Option balance. This charge card has both Due in Full and Flexible Payment Option balances.
$799
Annual Fee Supplementary Platinum Cards: $250 each
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Variable APR
21.99% - 28.99%
Annual Fee
$799
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
BMO Rewards Travel
Admittedly, BMO Rewards is a bit more complicated than it needs to be, but it's still among the best travel rewards in Canada since BMO will price match if you call into its customer service line.
You can redeem travel with any provider with BMO Rewards points. You have full control and freedom of choice to book with any travel provider you like so you can benefit from any last-minute deals or better pricing found on another platform including Air Canada/West Jet, Expedia, Airbnb/VRBO while still receiving BMO Rewards ' richest redemption rate (150 pts = $1). Once you make your booking, you can immediately redeem BMO Rewards points using the Pay with Points feature. After the redemption is completed, a credit will be applied to your account within 3 to 5 days.
Featured BMO Rewards credit card
BMO Ascend World Elite®* Mastercard®*
4.5
up to 90K pts
Welcome offerExcellent
Suggested credit scoreGet up to 90,000 points and the annual fee waived in your first anniversary for both the primary cardholder and authorized users.*
Expires
Nov 30, 2024
Pros
-
High-value welcome offer
-
Flexible airport lounge access
-
BMO Rewards points can be used to cover flight taxes and fees
-
Great for those who frequently rent cars
-
Good for Costco and No Frills shoppers
Cons
-
So-so earn rates relative to its annual fee
-
Points have low redemption value compared to other travel rewards programs
-
Charges foreign transaction fees
-
Relatively high minimum income requirements
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$80,000
Required Annual Household Income
$150,000
5x
Earn 5x the points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchases*
3x
Earn 3x the points for every $1 spent on eligible dining and entertainment purchases and recurring bill payments*
1x
Earn 1 point for every $1 spent everywhere else*
4
Complimentary membership in Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass, with 4 annual complimentary passes
Earn 5x the points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchases*
5x
Earn 3x the points for every $1 spent on eligible dining and entertainment purchases and recurring bill payments*
3x
Earn 1 point for every $1 spent everywhere else*
1x
Complimentary membership in Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass, with 4 annual complimentary passes
4
20.99%
Purchase APR
23.99%
Balance Transfer Rate 21.99% for Quebec residents
23.99%
Cash Advance APR
$150
Annual Fee first year waived
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
23.99%
Cash Advance APR
23.99%
Annual Fee
$150
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Pros
-
High-value welcome offer
-
Flexible airport lounge access
-
BMO Rewards points can be used to cover flight taxes and fees
-
Great for those who frequently rent cars
-
Good for Costco and No Frills shoppers
Cons
-
So-so earn rates relative to its annual fee
-
Points have low redemption value compared to other travel rewards programs
-
Charges foreign transaction fees
-
Relatively high minimum income requirements
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$80,000
Required Annual Household Income
$150,000
5x
Earn 5x the points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchases*
3x
Earn 3x the points for every $1 spent on eligible dining and entertainment purchases and recurring bill payments*
1x
Earn 1 point for every $1 spent everywhere else*
4
Complimentary membership in Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass, with 4 annual complimentary passes
Earn 5x the points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchases*
5x
Earn 3x the points for every $1 spent on eligible dining and entertainment purchases and recurring bill payments*
3x
Earn 1 point for every $1 spent everywhere else*
1x
Complimentary membership in Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass, with 4 annual complimentary passes
4
20.99%
Purchase APR
23.99%
Balance Transfer Rate 21.99% for Quebec residents
23.99%
Cash Advance APR
$150
Annual Fee first year waived
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
23.99%
Cash Advance APR
23.99%
Annual Fee
$150
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
CIBC Travel Rewards
CIBC Travel Rewards has its own travel portal, which gives access to flights, hotels, car rental, and all-inclusive properties, but if you call the CIBC travel agency, you'll also get access to anything sold on Expedia or Orbitz. This little-known trick allows you to make travel purchases such as cruises, tours, and attraction tickets. The redemption ratio is 100 Aventura points for $1 in travel.
There's also the Aventura Airline Rewards Chart, which allows you to book travel at fixed prices. This is an attractive option since you can get a higher value for your points compared to when you book via the travel portal or CIBC travel agent.
For example, you could book a flight within a province, territory or US state to an adjoining province, territory or US state with a maximum base fare of $400 for 10,000 – 20,000 Aventura points. In many cases, that's a better value compared to Aeroplan and RBC's fixed schedule. Taxes and fees are extra, but you can use your points to pay for them.
Featured CIBC Aventura credit card
CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card
4.9
up to $1,300
Welcome offerGood
Suggested credit scoreJoin and get up to $1,300 in value†! And get a one-time annual fee rebate.
Pros
-
High value welcome offer
-
Minimal household annual income required
-
Exceptional points-redeemable travel opportunities and other perks
Cons
-
High annual fee (rebated for your first year)†
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$15,000†
Required Annual Personal Income
$15,000†
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$15,000†
Required Annual Household Income
$15,000†
2
Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre†
1.5
points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores and drug stores†
1
point for every $1 spent on all other purchases†
Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre†
2
points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores and drug stores†
1.5
point for every $1 spent on all other purchases†
1
20.99%†
Purchase APR non-Quebec residents†
22.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate 21.99% for Quebec residents†
22.99%†
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents†
$139
Annual Fee First year annual fee rebate!†
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
20.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%†
Cash Advance APR
22.99%†
Annual Fee
$139
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Pros
-
High value welcome offer
-
Minimal household annual income required
-
Exceptional points-redeemable travel opportunities and other perks
Cons
-
High annual fee (rebated for your first year)†
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$15,000†
Required Annual Personal Income
$15,000†
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$15,000†
Required Annual Household Income
$15,000†
2
Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre†
1.5
points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores and drug stores†
1
point for every $1 spent on all other purchases†
Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre†
2
points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores and drug stores†
1.5
point for every $1 spent on all other purchases†
1
20.99%†
Purchase APR non-Quebec residents†
22.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate 21.99% for Quebec residents†
22.99%†
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents†
$139
Annual Fee First year annual fee rebate!†
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
20.99%†
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%†
Cash Advance APR
22.99%†
Annual Fee
$139
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Marriott Bonvoy
With more than 7,000 properties in 130+ countries, not only does Marriott have the most hotels in the world, it also has the best hotel loyalty program in Marriott Bonvoy ® . What makes this program appealing is that it's free to join and you earn points with every stay in a participating Marriott Bonvoy ® * property. Eventually you can use your accumulated points to redeem for free hotel nights or experiences. Alternatively, you can transfer them to various airline programs.
If you frequently stay at hotels, then being loyal to Marriott really pays off as your status level increases when you accumulate more nights. Every time you hit a new status tier you get additional benefits such as free breakfast and a higher earn rate on eligible expenses.
Featured Marriott Bonvoy® card
Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®*
4.3
50k pts
Welcome offerGood
Suggested credit scoreEarn 50,000 Welcome Bonus Marriott Bonvoy® points
Pros
-
Annual free night award — Receive an Annual Free Night Award for up to 35,000 points†
-
Earn points with every eligible card purchase
-
Complimentary upgrade to Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status
-
Flexibility to transfer to other frequent flyer programs
-
Includes travel accident insurance†
-
Generous welcome bonus
Cons
-
Annual fee—$120
-
Travel medical insurance not included
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$0
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
$0
5x
points for every dollar in eligible Card purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®
2x
points for every $1 in all other Card purchases
1
Annual Free Night Award for up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide every year after your first anniversary
1
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status membership
15
Elite Night Credits each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card.
points for every dollar in eligible Card purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®
5x
points for every $1 in all other Card purchases
2x
Annual Free Night Award for up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide every year after your first anniversary
1
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status membership
1
Elite Night Credits each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card.
15
21.99%
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR
$120
Annual Fee No annual fee on supplementary cards
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR
21.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Pros
-
Annual free night award — Receive an Annual Free Night Award for up to 35,000 points†
-
Earn points with every eligible card purchase
-
Complimentary upgrade to Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status
-
Flexibility to transfer to other frequent flyer programs
-
Includes travel accident insurance†
-
Generous welcome bonus
Cons
-
Annual fee—$120
-
Travel medical insurance not included
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$0
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
$0
5x
points for every dollar in eligible Card purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®
2x
points for every $1 in all other Card purchases
1
Annual Free Night Award for up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide every year after your first anniversary
1
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status membership
15
Elite Night Credits each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card.
points for every dollar in eligible Card purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®
5x
points for every $1 in all other Card purchases
2x
Annual Free Night Award for up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide every year after your first anniversary
1
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status membership
1
Elite Night Credits each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card.
15
21.99%
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR
$120
Annual Fee No annual fee on supplementary cards
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR
21.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
MBNA Rewards
MBNA Rewards points have competitive value: Points are worth $0.01 each when redeemed for travel (flight, hotel, car rental, etc.) and between $0.005–$0.0083 each when redeemed for a statement credit, depending on the credit card that was used to earn them. Points can also be redeemed for merchandise and gift cards, for which redemption values vary.
The most glaring weakness of the program is probably the fact that you can't use points to pay for an independently booked travel purchase; you need to use MBNA's own portal to book travel with points, though it's worth noting that you can at least take advantage of MBNA's Price Match Guarantee if you find better travel deals elsewhere.
Featured MBNA Rewards card
MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus® Mastercard®
4.0
up to 10K pts
Welcome offerGood
Suggested credit scoreEarn 4 points per $1 spent on eligible restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership, and household utility purchases until $10,000 is spent annually. You could also receive up to 10,000 bonus points.
Pros
-
No annual fee
-
Accelerated rewards on groceries, restaurants, and more
-
Simple point structure with flexible redemption options
-
Generous introductory bonus of up to 10,000 points
-
No cap on total points earned
Cons
-
Lower cash back redemption rate compared to designated cash back cards
-
Limited benefits beyond rewards
-
Points system may not appeal to cash back enthusiasts
-
Higher earning categories have a spending cap of $10,000 annually
-
Better suited for travel rewards than cash back
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Good
10,000
Get up to 10,000 MBNA Rewards points†† as an introductory bonus (see details below)
Get up to 10,000 MBNA Rewards points†† as an introductory bonus (see details below)
10,000
19.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
24.99%
Cash Advance APR
$0
Annual Fee
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
19.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
24.99%
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Pros
-
No annual fee
-
Accelerated rewards on groceries, restaurants, and more
-
Simple point structure with flexible redemption options
-
Generous introductory bonus of up to 10,000 points
-
No cap on total points earned
Cons
-
Lower cash back redemption rate compared to designated cash back cards
-
Limited benefits beyond rewards
-
Points system may not appeal to cash back enthusiasts
-
Higher earning categories have a spending cap of $10,000 annually
-
Better suited for travel rewards than cash back
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Good
10,000
Get up to 10,000 MBNA Rewards points†† as an introductory bonus (see details below)
Get up to 10,000 MBNA Rewards points†† as an introductory bonus (see details below)
10,000
19.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
24.99%
Cash Advance APR
$0
Annual Fee
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
19.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
24.99%
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
RBC Avion Rewards
The most impressive aspect of Avion Rewards points is perhaps their transferability. Points can be converted to a number of other travel rewards programs, like WestJet, British Airways Avios, and Cathay Pacific; and the conversion rates are generally very favorable, eg 100 RBC Avion Rewards points for 1 WestJet Dollar, 1:1 conversion ratios for Avios and Cathay Pacific, etc. And quite often RBC runs promotions that generate extra miles when transferring to partners like Avios, which can get you extra bang for your buck.
Featured RBC Avion credit card
RBC Avion Visa Infinite
4.1
55,000 pts
Welcome offerVery Good
Suggested credit scoreto receive the latest news, tips and offers by email
Pros
-
Rewards program is highly flexible, transferable, and includes a slew of non-travel-related reward options
-
Partnerships with other retailers like HBC and Petro-Canada
-
Provides excellent travel insurance
-
New cardholders earn 55,000 welcome Avion points on approval*
-
Solid option for looking for a travel-centric points program
Cons
-
The points-to-dollars ratio is only average and there are few opportunities for accelerated earning.
-
The $120 annual fee isn’t cheap
-
High annual income requirement: Personal: $60,000 or Household: $100,000
Eligibility
Very Good
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Very Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$60,000
1.25
Earn 1.25 Avion point for every dollar you spend*.
25%
extra Avion points on eligible travel purchases
$1,500
mobile device insurance
3¢/L
savings on fuel at Petro-Canada and always earn 20% more Avion points
50
Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall
20%
off at Hertz and earn 3x the Avion points
$0
delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash
Earn 1.25 Avion point for every dollar you spend*.
1.25
extra Avion points on eligible travel purchases
25%
mobile device insurance
$1,500
savings on fuel at Petro-Canada and always earn 20% more Avion points
3¢/L
Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall
50
off at Hertz and earn 3x the Avion points
20%
delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash
$0
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
$120
Annual Fee $50 for each additional card
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Pros
-
Rewards program is highly flexible, transferable, and includes a slew of non-travel-related reward options
-
Partnerships with other retailers like HBC and Petro-Canada
-
Provides excellent travel insurance
-
New cardholders earn 55,000 welcome Avion points on approval*
-
Solid option for looking for a travel-centric points program
Cons
-
The points-to-dollars ratio is only average and there are few opportunities for accelerated earning.
-
The $120 annual fee isn’t cheap
-
High annual income requirement: Personal: $60,000 or Household: $100,000
Eligibility
Very Good
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Very Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$60,000
1.25
Earn 1.25 Avion point for every dollar you spend*.
25%
extra Avion points on eligible travel purchases
$1,500
mobile device insurance
3¢/L
savings on fuel at Petro-Canada and always earn 20% more Avion points
50
Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall
20%
off at Hertz and earn 3x the Avion points
$0
delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash
Earn 1.25 Avion point for every dollar you spend*.
1.25
extra Avion points on eligible travel purchases
25%
mobile device insurance
$1,500
savings on fuel at Petro-Canada and always earn 20% more Avion points
3¢/L
Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall
50
off at Hertz and earn 3x the Avion points
20%
delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash
$0
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
$120
Annual Fee $50 for each additional card
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Scene+ Travel
There is no fixed travel program with Scene+, but you can redeem your points at a ratio of 100 points for $1 through the Scene+ travel portal or on travel expenses you've already charged to your Scotiabank credit card . There is a minimum redemption of 5,000 points for independently booked travel (no minimum for bookings with the Scene+ travel portal), but you can also apply that redemption to any fees, taxes, and surcharges.
Featured Scene + credit card
Scotiabank Gold American Express®
4.8
up to 45K pts
Welcome offerVery Good
Suggested credit scoreEarn up to $950* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points and first year annual fee waived.
Expires
Jan 3, 2025
Pros
-
Lots of daily spend options to earn multiplied point bonuses
-
Swanky Amex perks like Front of the Line presale concert tickets
-
Save on foreign transaction fees when abroad
-
Fantastic insurance coverage, especially for travel
Cons
-
Relatively low-value welcome bonus
-
$120 annual fee that chews into your point value substantially
-
Scene points redeem poorly for travel
Eligibility
Very Good
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Very Good
6x
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purposes. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
3x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more
3x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services
1x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more
6x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purposes. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more
3x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services
3x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
1x
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
$120
Annual Fee $29 for each supplementary card
0%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Foreign Transaction Fee
0%
Pros
-
Lots of daily spend options to earn multiplied point bonuses
-
Swanky Amex perks like Front of the Line presale concert tickets
-
Save on foreign transaction fees when abroad
-
Fantastic insurance coverage, especially for travel
Cons
-
Relatively low-value welcome bonus
-
$120 annual fee that chews into your point value substantially
-
Scene points redeem poorly for travel
Eligibility
Very Good
Recommended Credit Score
Recommended Credit Score
Very Good
6x
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purposes. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
3x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more
3x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services
1x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more
6x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purposes. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
5x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more
3x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services
3x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
1x
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
$120
Annual Fee $29 for each supplementary card
0%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Foreign Transaction Fee
0%
TD Travel Rewards
TD Travel Rewards is a relatively flexible rewards program since it allows for a variety of different redemption options. If you're booking travel through Expedia for TD (not to be confused with Expedia.ca), it'll cost you 200 TD Points to redeem $1 in travel. This is the best value for consumers since you can book anything that is offered on Expedia for TD, which includes flights, hotels, all-inclusive packages, cruises, car rentals and attraction tickets.
You also have the option to redeem your points for any travel expenses that you have charged to your TD credit card, but it'll cost you 250 points per dollar redeemed for the first $1200 of a travel charge and 200 points per dollar redeemed after that . This is obviously a lower redemption value than Expedia for TD, but TD's definition of eligible travel expenses is quite generous as it not only includes flights but also air travel taxes, baggage fees, lodging, car rentals while traveling, and more.
The top-earning card for TD Travel Rewards is the TD First Class Travel ® Visa Infinite* Card:
Featured TD Travel Rewards credit card
TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card
4.0
Good
Suggested credit scoreEarn up to $1,000 in value†, including up to 135,000 TD Rewards Points† and no Annual Fee for the first year†. Conditions Apply. Account must be approved by January 6, 2025.
Expires
Jan 6, 2025
Pros
-
Major combined value for the welcome bonus (up to $1,000 in value)†
-
Good base earn rate on all purchases
-
Huge earn rate when you book travel through Expedia® For TD†
-
Very flexible redemption options
-
$100 TD Travel Credit†
-
Visa Infinite Benefits
-
Great savings on annual fees for accountholders of TD’s All-Inclusive Banking Plan
Cons
-
Does not provide free lounge access
-
Charges foreign transaction fees
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$60,000
Required Annual Household Income
$100,000
8 Points
Earn 8 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend through ExpediaForTD†
6 Points
Earn 6 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend on groceries and restaurants.†
4 Points
Earn 4 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend on recurring bill payments.†
2 Points
Earn 2 TD Rewards points for every $1 you spend using your card.†
10% Bonus Points
Earn a Birthday Bonus of 10% of the TD Rewards Points you have earned over the past year, up to a maximum of 10,000 TD Rewards points†.
$100
Get an annual TD Travel Credit when you book at Expedia For TD†
Earn 8 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend through ExpediaForTD†
8 Points
Earn 6 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend on groceries and restaurants.†
6 Points
Earn 4 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend on recurring bill payments.†
4 Points
Earn 2 TD Rewards points for every $1 you spend using your card.†
2 Points
Earn a Birthday Bonus of 10% of the TD Rewards Points you have earned over the past year, up to a maximum of 10,000 TD Rewards points†.
10% Bonus Points
Get an annual TD Travel Credit when you book at Expedia For TD†
$100
20.99%
Purchase APR APR for purchases 20.99%†
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate APR for balance transfers 22.99%†
22.99%
Cash Advance APR APR for cash advances 22.99%†
$139
Annual Fee Additional cardholder† $50; First year Annual Fee Rebate†
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CND
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$139
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Pros
-
Major combined value for the welcome bonus (up to $1,000 in value)†
-
Good base earn rate on all purchases
-
Huge earn rate when you book travel through Expedia® For TD†
-
Very flexible redemption options
-
$100 TD Travel Credit†
-
Visa Infinite Benefits
-
Great savings on annual fees for accountholders of TD’s All-Inclusive Banking Plan
Cons
-
Does not provide free lounge access
-
Charges foreign transaction fees
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$60,000
Required Annual Household Income
$100,000
8 Points
Earn 8 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend through ExpediaForTD†
6 Points
Earn 6 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend on groceries and restaurants.†
4 Points
Earn 4 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend on recurring bill payments.†
2 Points
Earn 2 TD Rewards points for every $1 you spend using your card.†
10% Bonus Points
Earn a Birthday Bonus of 10% of the TD Rewards Points you have earned over the past year, up to a maximum of 10,000 TD Rewards points†.
$100
Get an annual TD Travel Credit when you book at Expedia For TD†
Earn 8 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend through ExpediaForTD†
8 Points
Earn 6 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend on groceries and restaurants.†
6 Points
Earn 4 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend on recurring bill payments.†
4 Points
Earn 2 TD Rewards points for every $1 you spend using your card.†
2 Points
Earn a Birthday Bonus of 10% of the TD Rewards Points you have earned over the past year, up to a maximum of 10,000 TD Rewards points†.
10% Bonus Points
Get an annual TD Travel Credit when you book at Expedia For TD†
$100
20.99%
Purchase APR APR for purchases 20.99%†
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate APR for balance transfers 22.99%†
22.99%
Cash Advance APR APR for cash advances 22.99%†
$139
Annual Fee Additional cardholder† $50; First year Annual Fee Rebate†
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CND
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$139
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
WestJet Rewards
The biggest draw of WestJet is its use of tiers: As soon as you enroll in the WestJet program, you're instantly awarded Teal tier status, which provides 0.5% back in WestJet dollars on flights. As you spend more on WestJet travel and services, your tier increases, garnering additional travel benefits such as advanced seat selection, free checked bags, airport lounge access, and higher earn rates. Those who reach Silver, Gold, and Platinum tiers earn 3%, 5%, and 8% back on WestJet flights respectively. Best of all, your tier stacks with the earn rates provided by WestJet credit cards, so you can potentially earn up to 10% in WestJet dollars on qualifying purchases.
One of the few major criticisms to note about WestJet Rewards is that your WestJet dollars can only be redeemed for base fares; they can't be used to pay for a flight's taxes, fees, or surcharges.
Featured WestJet RBC credit card
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
4.7
Good
Suggested credit scoreto receive the latest news, tips and offers by email
Pros
-
A generous welcome bonus of up to $450 WestJet dollars
-
Good earn rate of up to 2% back in WestJet dollars
-
Good travel insurance coverage
Cons
-
High annual income requirement: Personal: $80,000 or Household: $150,000
-
Insurance doesn't include trip cancellation coverage or lost baggage
-
Reward redemptions are restricted to WestJet
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$80,000
Required Annual Household Income
$150,000
2%
Earn 2% back in WestJet dollars on WestJet flights or WestJet vacation packages.
1.5%
Earn 1.5% back in WestJet dollars for everyday purchases.
Wi-Fi
access to over 1 million Wi-Fi hotsports around the world with Boingo Wi-Fi for Mastercard
1
annual companion voucher (starting at $119)
3¢/L
savings at Petro-Canada and 20% more Petro-Points
$0
delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash
Earn 2% back in WestJet dollars on WestJet flights or WestJet vacation packages.
2%
Earn 1.5% back in WestJet dollars for everyday purchases.
1.5%
access to over 1 million Wi-Fi hotsports around the world with Boingo Wi-Fi for Mastercard
Wi-Fi
annual companion voucher (starting at $119)
1
savings at Petro-Canada and 20% more Petro-Points
3¢/L
delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash
$0
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate *21.99% if you reside in Quebec.
22.99%
Cash Advance APR *21.99% if you reside in Quebec.
$119
Annual Fee $59 for additional cards
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$119
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Pros
-
A generous welcome bonus of up to $450 WestJet dollars
-
Good earn rate of up to 2% back in WestJet dollars
-
Good travel insurance coverage
Cons
-
High annual income requirement: Personal: $80,000 or Household: $150,000
-
Insurance doesn't include trip cancellation coverage or lost baggage
-
Reward redemptions are restricted to WestJet
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$80,000
Required Annual Household Income
$150,000
2%
Earn 2% back in WestJet dollars on WestJet flights or WestJet vacation packages.
1.5%
Earn 1.5% back in WestJet dollars for everyday purchases.
Wi-Fi
access to over 1 million Wi-Fi hotsports around the world with Boingo Wi-Fi for Mastercard
1
annual companion voucher (starting at $119)
3¢/L
savings at Petro-Canada and 20% more Petro-Points
$0
delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash
Earn 2% back in WestJet dollars on WestJet flights or WestJet vacation packages.
2%
Earn 1.5% back in WestJet dollars for everyday purchases.
1.5%
access to over 1 million Wi-Fi hotsports around the world with Boingo Wi-Fi for Mastercard
Wi-Fi
annual companion voucher (starting at $119)
1
savings at Petro-Canada and 20% more Petro-Points
3¢/L
delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash
$0
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate *21.99% if you reside in Quebec.
22.99%
Cash Advance APR *21.99% if you reside in Quebec.
$119
Annual Fee $59 for additional cards
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$119
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
How to calculate the value of your travel rewards points
It's essential to have a good idea of the real value of a program's travel rewards points before you select the rewards program or credit card for you. To figure out your cost per point (CPP), you would divide 1 by the number of points to earn $1 in travel. That means if it takes 100 points for $1 in travel, then your CPP is $.01. Alternatively, if it takes 140 points to claim $1 in travel, your CPP is $.007. Of course, you also need to factor in any fees, taxes, and surcharges you might pay when making a redemption.
You'll also want to know how many points you can earn with a specific credit card, since the ability to rapidly earn points is just as important as their value when redeemed. If the value of each point is high, but you rarely earn rewards, or earn a low amount, the card is probably not the right choice for you.
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment
Barry Choi is a Toronto-based personal finance and travel expert who makes frequent media appearances. When he's not educating people on how to be smarter with money, he's earning and burning miles and points for luxury travel.
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