Canada’s 10 Greatest Journey Credit score Playing cards

With numerous journey bank cards obtainable to select from, every providing totally different rewards, bonuses, and perks, discovering the proper match can really feel overwhelming. 

Nonetheless, discovering the best bank card(s) can remodel your spending habits into dream holidays and luxurious journey experiences.

On this article, we’ll cowl our picks for the high 10 journey bank cards obtainable in Canada, with suggestions for varied sorts of travellers.

1. Canada’s Greatest General Journey Rewards Credit score Card 

For years, the American Categorical Cobalt Card has topped our checklist as the final word card for supercharging your incomes on on a regular basis purchases.

What makes it stand out? You’ll earn a formidable 5 Membership Rewards factors per greenback spent at eating places, bars, cafés, meals supply companies, and grocery shops.

For those who have been to max out the $2,500 month-to-month spending cap within the 5x class, you’d end the 12 months with a cool 150,000 Membership Rewards factors, which might deliver you throughout the nation or all over the world in fashion.

American Categorical Membership Rewards factors reign supreme as Canada’s greatest factors foreign money, as the actual worth of those Membership Rewards factors lies of their flexibility.

You may switch them to 6 main airline loyalty applications and two resort loyalty applications, together with Aeroplan, The British Airways Membership, Air France KLM Flying Blue, and Marriott Bonvoy, unlocking great worth for journey fanatics.

Plus, you may unlock extra outsized worth via the American Categorical Mounted Factors Journey program, or just redeem your factors in opposition to any buy at a worth of 1 cent per level.

When mixed, the versatile factors and the supercharged 5x incomes charge on key every day bills is solely unmatched in Canada.

Whereas the Cobalt Card might not supply essentially the most in depth journey advantages package deal, its unmatched incomes potential on on a regular basis spending makes it vital in any Canadian factors fanatic’s pockets.

2. Canada’s Greatest Credit score Card for Air Canada Frequent Flyers

For those who’re a frequent flyer with Air Canada, it is best to critically think about including the American Categorical Aeroplan Reserve Card to your pockets. 

Not solely does it supply the very best incomes charge for Air Canada and Air Canada Holidays purchases in Canada (3 Aeroplan factors per greenback spent, whereas different playing cards supply at most 2 Aeroplan factors per greenback spent on this class), but it surely additionally earns a good 2 Aeroplan factors per greenback spent on eating and meals supply, and 1.25 factors per greenback spent on all different eligible purchases.

Other than a strong incomes charge, this card actually shines with the Air Canada perks it affords:

• Free first checked bag for you and as much as eight companions on the identical reservation
• Limitless entry to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges throughout Canada and america
• Annual Worldwide Companion Move (after spending $25,000 yearly)
• The power to earn Standing Qualifying Miles and Segments via card spending
• An additional 12 months of eUpgrade validity, providing you with entry to coveted eUpgrade house forward of everybody else

For frequent Air Canada vacationers, these perks simply justify the cardboard’s $599 annual payment, and since there’s no minimal earnings requirement (different premium Aeroplan co-branded bank cards require $150,000 private or $200,000 family earnings), it’s accessible to almost everyone.

For those who’re on the lookout for a card loaded with significant Air Canada and Aeroplan advantages, look no additional than the American Categorical Aeroplan Reserve Card.

3. Canada’s Greatest Credit score Card for Porter Airways Frequent Flyers

Earlier this 12 months, Porter Airways debuted its first-ever co-branded bank cards, permitting you to now earn VIPorter factors via on a regular basis bills.

For those who fly with Porter Airways with any frequency – which is turning into a lot simpler for Canadians because the airline continues to increase its community and fleet – it is best to think about the BMO VIPorter World Elite®* Mastercard®* as a wonderful choice.

This card comes with automatic VIPorter Enterprise Avid Traveller standing, which affords you with the next perks:

• Earn 6 VIPorter factors per greenback spent on all Porter Airways purchases (apart from government-imposed taxes and costs)
• Complimentary PorterClassic seat choice (rows 8 and above) for as much as two passengers
• Devoted check-in, precedence safety, and early boarding
• Precedence reaccommodation within the occasion of flight delays
• One complimentary carry-on bag and one complimentary checked bag for your self and as much as eight passengers travelling on the identical reserving

Moreover, this card is a superb choice for making purchases at Costco, which solely accepts Credit cards. For those who’d like to show your carts full of products into journey redemptions, you’ll want to give the BMO VIPorter World Elite®* Mastercard®* look.

For those who’re not aware of the VIPorter loyalty program, it affords a number of the greatest charges for economy-class redemptions in North America, and with no center seats, free Wi-Fi, complimentary beer and wine, and extra, it’s an effective way to entry elevated economic system journey inside North America.

In my view, Porter Airways is an airline to maintain an in depth eye on within the coming years, because it’s set on a really fascinating trajectory.

4. Canada’s Greatest Credit score Card for WestJet Frequent Flyers

Editor’s be aware: WestJet Rewards is present process a change as of April 30, 2025. This part is written with the adjustments considered. For those who’d wish to be taught extra about them, head to our overview of the adjustments.

For those who’re a WestJet loyalist, you’ll wish to be sure you’re maximizing your expertise with WestJet Rewards.

It’s vital to grasp that not like most different airline loyalty applications, WestJet Rewards is basically a fixed-value factors program, which implies that there aren’t actually any significant alternatives to get outsized worth out of your factors as there are with, say, Aeroplan or VIPorter. 

For those who worth simplicity, then realizing you can get 1 cent per level (or possibly barely extra) out of your WestJet factors is about as easy because it will get.

The WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard comes with some significant WestJet perks, together with:

• An annual round-trip companion voucher, which may prevent cash if used strategically
• One free checked bag for the cardholder and as much as eight friends on the identical reservation
• Spending counts in direction of elite standing through Standing Elevate

This card generally is a nice one to carry onto for the long-term for the above perks, but it surely’s not essentially one of the best one for reinforcing your WestJet Rewards stability through every day spending (see under). 

If incomes WestJet factors is your main objective, think about the RBC® ION+ Visa as a substitute. 

Whereas the WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard affords a 1.5% return on most purchases or a 2% return on WestJet spending, the RBC ION+ Visa affords as much as a 3% return on many frequent bills:

• 3 Avion Premium factors per greenback spent on qualifying grocery, eating, meals supply, fuel, rideshare, every day public transit, electrical car charging, streaming, digital gaming and digital subscriptions†

RBC Avion Premium factors – that are earned on the RBC ION+ Visa – are transferable to WestJet Rewards. Till April 30, 2025, you’ll get 1 WestJet greenback for each 100 RBC Avion Premium factors, and after that, you’ll get 1 WestJet level per each 1 RBC Avion Premium level.

On this sense, you may think about your spending on the RBC ION+ Visa as a 3% return (if you happen to switch your factors to WestJet Rewards), which is nice.

Nonetheless, it’s possible you’ll wish to think about saving your RBC Avion Premium factors for a extra beneficial redemption alternative – try quantity 9 on this checklist.

5. Canada’s Greatest No-Charge Journey Credit score Card

In case your main objective is to earn journey factors with out paying any annual charges, then think about the American Categorical Inexperienced Card. 

This card affords a modest 1 Membership Rewards level per greenback spent on all purchases with no class bonuses, which offers a no-cost and easily entry into the precious Membership Rewards ecosystem.

This easy card is ideal for these new to journey rewards or trying to construct credit score historical past with out annual charges. It’s additionally a wonderful “keeper card” that may assist set up a long-term relationship with American Categorical, and when you’ve constructed up your credit score, you may look to a number of the extra premium playing cards.

Plus, this card typically comes with a pleasant welcome bonus that’s comparatively simple to earn, which helps to kick begin your journey on the earth of Membership Rewards.

6. Canada’s Greatest Lodge Rewards Credit score Card

After getting your flights coated, it’s a good suggestion to enterprise into the resort ecosystem to spherical out your journey expertise. Marriott Bonvoy is essentially the most accessible resort loyalty program in Canada, and among the best worldwide.

Lodge fanatics ought to definitely think about the Marriott Bonvoy American Categorical Card. It earns 5 Bonvoy factors per greenback spent at Marriott properties and 2 Bonvoy factors per greenback spent on all the pieces else.

Past its incomes charges, the cardboard affords the next ongoing advantages:

• Automated Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite standing (which, to be trustworthy, doesn’t supply a lot when it comes to significant advantages, but it surely’s higher than no standing)
• 15 Elite Qualifying Nights yearly (making it simpler to achieve increased standing tiers, and to qualify for Lifetime Elite Standing with Marriott over the long-term)
• A Free Night time Award price 35,000 factors after your first card anniversary (which might be topped up with as much as 15,000 extra factors)

With an affordable $120 annual payment, the Free Night time Award alone can present great worth, typically masking stays at resorts costing nicely over the annual payment.

Plus, Marriott has a strong footprint of resorts throughout Canada (and all over the world, for that matter). It shouldn’t be too arduous to redeem your Free Night time Award for outsized worth, and we’ve acquired loads of evaluations of resorts in Canada and overseas that can assist you select.

Use this card to pay for stays at Marriott resorts in Canada, and preserve it round for the long run with its annual Free Night time Award and entry to Amex Affords. 

7. Canada’s Greatest Credit score Card for Journey Insurance coverage

Journey insurance coverage is an typically missed a part of the journey expertise, but it surely’s an vital side to contemplate to be sure you have your entire bases coated.

For those who e book journey with the best card, you’ll be coated for all the pieces from delayed baggage to emergency medical insurance coverage and past. 

In Canada, the Nationwide Financial institution® World Elite® Mastercard® excels on this class. Its complete protection extends to vacationers as much as 74 years previous and, crucially, it additionally applies to award bookings – that means you’re coated even when redeeming factors for flights.

So long as you cost the taxes and costs from an award reserving to your card, you’ll profit from the cardboard’s following in depth protection:

• Emergency medical insurance coverage of as much as $5 million: 
  • 60 days for cardholders aged 54 and youthful
  • 30 days for cardholders aged 54–64
  • 15 days for cardholders aged 65–75
• Journey cancellation/interruption 
• Flight delays
• Delayed and misplaced baggage
• Journey accidents
• Automotive rental insurance coverage
• Buy safety for theft and injury
• Prolonged guarantee
• Medical, normal, and authorized help
• Cellular gadget insurance coverage

This mixture of intensive journey and gadget safety makes it a wonderful selection for these looking for complete insurance coverage protection with out buying separate insurance policies.

8. Canada’s Greatest Credit score Card for Premium Journey Perks

The American Categorical Platinum Card may include a considerable $799 annual payment, however its premium advantages can greater than justify the associated fee for frequent vacationers:

Just like the Cobalt Card, the Platinum Card earns versatile Membership Rewards factors that may be transferred to quite a few airline and resort companions, serving to you e book premium flights and luxurious resort stays at a fraction of the money value.

Plus, you’ll earn 15,000 Membership Rewards factors per referral you make to any card within the Membership Rewards household (as much as 225,000 factors per 12 months), which might be an effective way to unlock premium journey 12 months after 12 months

9. Canada’s Greatest Credit score Card Combo for Incomes RBC Avion Factors

Other than American Categorical Membership Rewards factors, RBC Avion Rewards is the second most versatile and poweful factors foreign money in Canada.

That’s as a result of you may switch them to The British Airways Membership and Cathay Pacific Asia Miles at a 1:1 ratio, American Airways AAdvantage at a 1:0.7 ratio, or WestJet Rewards.

The primary three airways supply significant entry to the oneworld airways ecosystem, which supplies you the chance to redeem your factors for outsized worth with a wide range of top-notch airways.

To earn RBC Avion factors, you’ll wish to look to the RBC® Avion Visa Platinum†, the RBC® Avion Visa Infinite†, or the RBC® Avion Visa Infinite Privilege†.

All three of those playing cards usually include a beneficiant and simply achieved welcome bonus, in addition to different significant perks.

One draw back to those playing cards is that they don’t have essentially the most aggressive incomes charges, and when you’ve earned the welcome bonus, your incomes slows down.

Nonetheless, recall that the RBC® ION+ Visa has a wonderful incomes charge of three RBC Avion Premium factors per greenback spent on qualifying grocery, eating, meals supply, fuel, rideshare, every day public transit, electrical car charging, streaming, digital gaming and digital subscriptions.†

For those who occur to carry each an RBC ION+ Visa and any of the playing cards within the RBC Avion household, you may have your RBC Avion Premium factors morph into RBC Avion Elite factors at a 1:1 ratio.

Certainly, that is what we seek advice from because the optimized RBC bank card portfolio, because you leverage the strengths of each playing cards: highly effective incomes charges on the RBC ION+ Visa, and outsized redemption alternatives by the use of an RBC Avion card.

10. Canada’s Greatest Credit score Card for Incomes Mounted-Worth Factors

Scene+ stays our go-to fixed-value factors program in Canada, attributable to its flexibility.

Whereas fixed-value factors don’t supply the identical abundance of redemption alternatives as different factors applications, they’re very helpful to have in your journey arsenal to offset the price of journey that’s in any other case tough to e book with factors.

We like Scene+ factors since you may e book journey immediately with any vendor (thereby incomes in direction of airline or resort standing, or accessing airways or resorts and not using a loyalty program), and you’ll redeem your factors at a set charge of 1 cent per level in opposition to any journey buy.

Probably the most highly effective card for incomes Scene+ factors is the Scotiabank Gold American Categorical® Card, which earns factors on the following charges:

• 6 Scene+ factors per greenback spent on Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, FreshCo, and extra
• 5 Scene+ factors per greenback spent on groceries, eating, and leisure
• 4 Scene+ factors per greenback spent on resort bookings, automobile leases, and issues to do with Scene+ Journey
• 3 Scene+ factors per greenback spent on fuel, transit, and streaming companies
• 1 Scene+ level per greenback spent on all different purchases

With as much as a 6% return on spending, this card is a points-earning machine, and it shouldn’t take lengthy so that you can earn a significant quantity of factors (particularly if you happen to think about the cardboard’s welcome bonus, too).

Plus, it options no overseas transaction charges – which saves you cash on any purchases made in foreign exchange – and likewise permits you to manually register for profitable Amex Affords.

Moreover, with a minimal private earnings requirement of simply $12,000, it’s an accessible journey bank card for many households.

It’s price noting that the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card is one other nice various within the Scotiabank lineup. Along with incomes Scene+ factors (together with class incomes charges on purchases made outdoors of Canada), it affords no overseas transaction charges, six complimentary lounge visits, and a powerful suite of journey insurance coverage protection.

Both of those playing cards is a superb decide for incomes fixed-value factors – simply you’ll want to examine the 2 to see which one fits you greatest.

Conclusion

One of the best bank card finally is determined by your spending habits and journey targets. Contemplate what enhances your life-style – whether or not that’s maximizing on a regular basis spending, leveraging airline-specific advantages, having fun with premium journey perks, or simply saving cash on journey.

Every card on this checklist affords distinctive benefits for several types of vacationers. By selecting correctly, you can begin turning your common spending into exceptional journey experiences.

For those who’d like some extra personalised suggestions, be a part of us with a Prince of Journey Membership, which is the place you may e book a Factors Consulting name with one in every of our consultants.

Phrases and circumstances apply. Please refer to every card issuer’s web site for essentially the most present info. Cheap efforts are made to make sure content material accuracy.